Sister Pact by Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: May 2012 
Pages: 384
Book Source: HarperCollins Australia & NetGalley

Synopsis: Two sisters. One reality TV show. A million reasons to play nice.
Two very different sisters. Once inseparable, they have long been estranged after an unimaginable betrayal.

Organised and uptight Frances married the only man she'd ever slept with. But no one told her that seven years later she'd be having sexual fantasies about everyone from the pizza delivery guy to Denis Thatcher. Scatterbrained animal-lover Joni never knew she was so attached to her kneecaps until she thought she might have to say goodbye to them forever.

After their beloved grandmother--a game-show addict--dies, they discover that they have each been left one million pounds in her will. The kicker is that they can only inherit if they participate as a team in a gruelling reality TV programme, Endurance Island.

They can survive the jungle. They can survive the humiliating challenges. But can they survive each other?

My Thoughts:

Sisterhood Survivor style! The joys, trials and tribulations of sisterhood are addressed in this light, fun read about estranged English sisters from the pens of Aussie author sisters Ali & Ros.

Joni and Frances haven't spoken in over 7 years but during the filming of reality tv show "Endurance Island" in Australia the sisters' gradually let their guard down; vulnerabilities are exposed, truths uncovered and trust regained.

I totally adored recovering drug addict Joni's irreverent sense of humour and potty mouth and elegant, uptight Frankie's determination and protectiveness. I was also quite the fan of rodent Des ... as unlikely as it is for a ferret to make the flight from the UK to Australia, in a bra, under the influence of rodent valium ... who cares, he was a welcome addition to the cast of characters.

Occasionally corny but the pace definitely worked for me, I sat back and enjoyed the laughs and escapism. Pick this one up if you like 'family' issues served up with humour and a big helping of adventure.

I'd love to do an author interview with Ali & Ros; so if you're reading this girls, shoot me an email :)

PS. The 1st January anticipated release date for Sister Pact has been changed to May 2012. I hope to secure an author interview and post a link to this review closer to the new release date.

About the authors:

Ali and Ros are sisters who are as close as they are different. Ali married the first boy she ever loved. Ros tried to remember the name of hers the other day and gave up and had a chocolate bar instead. Ali thinks everything will work out. Ros thinks everything will get found out. But for all their differences, they are fiercely close and desperately proud of each other. Nothing feels real until it has been spoken aloud to the other. They both love to talk, laugh and write, preferably over a bottle of bubbly and something coated in chocolate. They both live in Brisbane. 

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Series: Fairwick Chronicles #1
Release Date: 27th December 2011
Pages: 416
Book Source: Random House Publishing & NetGalley

Synopsis: I gasped . . . or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. . . . His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked in my breath and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh.

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of writing her bestselling book, The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. After all, Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature - which is why she finds herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover - an incubus - and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: He’s not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the incubus, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this demon lover from her heart.

My Thoughts:

Besides being a sucker for the gorgeous cover, I loved the gothic tone, the sexual tension, the sinister undercurrent and the fairytale-esque quality.

Callie's new home, Honeysuckle House is described with such vivid detail it's almost a living, breathing entity. Shrouded in mystery, oozing folklore and magic, the town of Fairwick and the woods are particularly atmospheric and I loved how the author conveyed this.

Callie McFay I just didn't connect with, I didn't like her or dislike her, she was just 'meh'. However I was completely taken with Callie's familiar, the adorable mouse, Ralph (he was one of my favourite characters and I don't even like mice LOL.)

I was actually more emotionally invested in the incubus' character. He's both fascinating and frightening and his backstory intriguing but I can't say anymore without getting spoilerish.

Feeling very little for the main character, some pacing issues and plot confusion had me leaning towards the 3 rating but being the shallow girl I am ... the sit under a fan sex scenes bumped up the rating a little. Juliet Dark writes HOT sex dreams ... if you can forget the sex just happens to be with a kind-of-creepy life-sucking incubus.

The Demon Lover is the first of a three book series; the second installment, The Water Witch will apparently be released some time in 2012. I want to know the fate of the incubus  so despite some reservations I'll be reading the Water Witch.

Note: Juliet Dark is the pseudonym for Carol Goodman & The Demon Lover is published in the UK under the title Incubus ... confused much??

Visit Juliet Dark's website to find out more.

Flyaway by Helen Landalf

Genre: YA Contemporary
Release Date: 19th Dec 2011
Pages: 182
Book Source: Harcourt & NetGalley

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Stevie Calhoun is used to taking care of herself. But one night, her mom, who works as an exotic dancer in a downtown Seattle nightclub, never comes home.

That’s the night Stevie’s life turns upside down.

It’s the night that kicks off an extraordinary summer:the summer Stevie has to stay with her annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy; the summer she learns to care for injured and abandoned birds; the summer she gets to know Alan, the meanest guy in high school.

FLYAWAY is the story of a teen girl’s struggle to hold on to what she’s always believed, even as her world spins out of control. 


My Thoughts:

The title Flyaway is quite apt but the cover does nothing for me. How about you? That aside, I'm drawn to stories that deal with real issues and Stevie's story has a believable feel. This was a pretty good read but had none of the gut-wrenching emotional impact of Laura Wiess' Ordinary Beauty which was a favourite read of mine in 2011.

Stevie is blindly loyal to her crystal meth addicted mother, she's also angry, moody, obnoxious and not very likeable but hey I know quite a few teenagers without drug addicted mothers who aren't very likeable. I felt the relationship between Stevie and her Aunt Mindy was realistically portrayed and as Stevie learnt who to trust and count on in her life, she matured along with her behaviour.

I felt the real horror of Stevie's mums crystal meth addiction was downplayed and when it's revealed that some of Stevie's friends are also using it seems to be tackled in a rather blasé manner. Maybe after reading Ordinary Beauty I prefer the harsh reality of addiction and neglect to be just that ... a harsh reality.

What worked for me: 

The fact that the author volunteered at the bird nursery at PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center really came through in her writing. The descriptions of the care and feeding of birds at On The Wing was one of the truly lovely parts of this book and Stevie and Alans' involvement was healing for both of them.

Overall a quick read with a sweet ending. While it didn't check all the boxes, I'll definitely read more from this author.

To find out more about Helen Landalf visit her website.

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 27th Dec 2011
Pages: 336
Book Source: Egmont US & NetGalley

Synopsis: Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

My Thoughts:

Kick-ass action, feverish pace, quirky cast of characters, blood, gore and violence (oh yeah) make this one a winner in my book. Preternaturals; hellhounds, basilisks, dragons, chupacabras, zombies are an accepted reality, co-existing with humans under government protection ... pretty cool world building.

Kali is human one day and slayer of preternatural beasties the next. Working against the clock, the countdown as she changes from human to hunter amps up the suspense and had my heart in my mouth a few times. Pretty much a loner until she ends up with unexpected allies Skylar & Bethany. 

Skylar is cute, sassy and a little odd and Skylar's brothers are an awesome lot. Bethany starts off as a typical mean girl but she's obnoxiously loyal, sarcastic, hilarious and I loved her. These two had personality plus and their banter had me giggling. 

Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes in a no-fluff way, not that there isn't emotion, there is, but she gets down and dirty and doesn't mind throwing in the twists and turns and some totally hateful curveballs!

Highly recommend this one for lovers of urban fantasy :)

Read more about Jennifer Lynn Barnes: website, blog, tumblr.

Franklin's Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois

Genre: Children's Fiction
Author: Paulette Bourgeois
Illustrator: Brenda Clark
Publication Date: 22nd Nov 2011 (1st published 1998)
Pages: 32
Book Source: Kids Can Press & NetGalley

Synopsis: In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin can’t decide what to donate to his school’s Christmas toy drive. At first, all of his toys seem too special to give away, then nothing seems special enough. With some inspiration from his Great Aunt Harriet, Franklin finally comes up with the perfect gift.

Review:

I love Franklin, my boys loved Franklin (back in the day) and this was actually one of the many Franklin books we owned. Hence the reason I couldn't resist re-reading and reviewing this one. These books remain timeless, the moral message is just as relevant today as it was when my children were little. 

Every year Mrs Owl's class donate toys to the school's toy drive for needy families. Franklin has struggled to choose a gift because all his toys are "too special to give away." Mrs Owl reminds her class that the gift given may be the only gift some children receive so Franklin goes home to think about giving with thought and from the heart.

Franklin and his friends are very relatable and the bright colourful illustrations are a winner for children. Most importantly this cute little book conveys a beautiful message about the value and selflessness in giving.  

Suited for young children age 3 to 8

Roam by Alan Lazar

Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: 1st November 2011
Pages: 336
Book Source: Simon & Schuster & NetGalley

Synopsis: It's the dog owner's greatest fear, even worse in some ways than a beloved pet dying. Your dog getting lost - missing for days, then weeks, perhaps gone forever. Roam is the story of a dog named Nelson who follows his nose one day and gets lost, becoming separated from his anxious owner.

Roam follows Nelson on his eight-year stray away from home, until one day he is miraculously reunited with his family. Through it all, Nelson maintains his optimistic spirit and unflagging yearning for the Great Love, his first human owner, a concert pianist named Katey. He never stops longing for her, and she in turn never stops searching for him.

Lazar's skillful rendering of a dog's cognitive, sensory, and emotional life celebrates the extraordinary magical power of dogs, showing what this scrappy little mutt with a courageous heart can teach us humans. This deeply moving story of families, the human condition, and longing in America will deeply affect readers and remind them of the healing powers of survival and enduring love.

Review:

What sets this "lost dog" story apart from others is that it's told from Nelson's point of view. Nelson being the half beagle half poodle protagonist and a fiercely inquisitive, loyal, bright, and courageous dog.

Author, Alan Lazar is also a composer and the soundtrack he's written and performed is embedded in the text of Roam. Using your smart phone you can scan the tag and listen to tracks such as "The Smell of Grass" and "The Great Love." If that sounds a wee bit complicated then visit the author's website and listen to the seven part soundtrack; it really does enhance the reading experience.

The matter-of-fact narration is an unusual combination; simply worded in parts, purely sensory in others, blunt to the point of cringing in places but also emotionally engaging. All tied together with a huge helping of the scents that are an integral part of Nelson's life experience. 

This is a fictional story but there are similar true stories where dogs like Nelson display extraordinary courage, lifelong loyalty, unconditional love and go to incredible lengths to be reunited with their own Great Loves.

Nelson's love for Katey is palpable, it oozes off the page, it made me smile, it made me tear up and it had me giving our little Bella an extra cuddle or two. Nelson's experiences and adventures in his 8 years apart from Katey are both sad and heartwarming.

Apologies in advance for this teensy weensy spoiler but if you're anything like me and a total sucker for animal stories and a big sookie (I howled in Marley & Me and Red Dog) then you'll appreciate knowing that Roam has a happy, happy ending :)

The unconditional love we humans receive from our furry friends is like no other.

Visit Alan Lazar's website to find out more.

Surviving Maggie by John Fingleton

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir

Publication Date: 1st Sept 2011
Pages: 272
Book Source: HarperCollins Australia & NetGalley

Synopsis: My father was no ordinary man and his was no ordinary life …

Watching Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush portray his father in the film Swimming Upstream inspired John Fingleton to uncover the story no one had told, of his father′s mysterious early life - and what made Harold the extraordinary man he became.

Nothing could have prepared him for what he discovered. Harold spent his early childhood on the streets foraging for food for himself and his sister and being beaten for his trouble by his alcoholic mother. Then, at eleven, Harold was removed to a state orphanage in Brisbane, where the treatment he and others endured haunted him forever.

From abused child to rebellious orphan, Harold Fingleton played many roles in his life - larrikin street fighter, gifted sportsman, prisoner, alcoholic, football coach to a bunch of street kids, even a murder suspect - but, most importantly, a man transformed by the love of a strong woman into a father determined his children would have the opportunities he never had.

A powerful true story of love, betrayal and redemption, Surviving Maggie will stay with you long after the last page.

Review:

How many of you remember the 2003 film Swimming Upstream starring Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis? "Write your own book if you're not happy" challenged Tony Fingleton, author & film co- producer. This was John Fingleton's impetus for telling the untold story of his father Harold's early life, hopefully providing some counterbalance to Harold's portrayal in Swimming Upstream.

Harold Fingleton's childhood is a pitifully sad account; after years of abuse at the hands of his mother, Maggie, Harold is taken into state care at the age of ten where he endures further neglect, hunger, harsh discipline and abuse.

"Idle hands are the devil's tools" was a popular adage among the nuns.

My heart broke for Harold during his brief release from St Vincent Orphanage on Christmas Eve 1920; at 1am on Christmas morning his mother was arrested for drunkeness and foul language and sent to Boggo Road Gaol, dashing Harold's hopes of a 'family' Christmas and a new beginning. Elation quickly turned to resignation and bitterness as Harold was returned to the orphanage on Christmas day. He was released as a ward at the age of 14.

I was caught up in Surviving Maggie, not only in the emotion of Harold's dreadful childhood but being a local Brisbane-ite many of the locations and points of interest mentioned are familiar to me.

Surviving Maggie gives readers an understanding of how Harold's early life molded the man he became, you learn not only of his faults, flaws and weaknesses but of his strengths, loyalties and love. John doesn't excuse his father's behaviour but as the story moves into Harold's adult years much of the emotion seems to be lost in the somewhat stark recounting of facts and circumstances that shape the man. Despite his attempt to set the record straight on the previous one-sided depiction of Harold, John doesn't sugarcoat his father's alcoholism or the impact on his family.

Through police reports, government records, his Aunt Mollie, his mother Dora, family and friends, a son pieces together a harrowing story of the father he loved with all his heart.

FEET by Mitch Fairchild - Review & Giveaway

Title: FEET and Other Silly Poems
Author: Mitch Fairchild
Genre: Children's Poetry
Publication Date: Sept 2011
Pages:
Book Source: From author for review

Synopsis: Mitch Fairchild's wit and sense of humor shine through as he creates clever and funny poetic stories that will bring a smile to the face of children and parents alike. Mitch masterfully uses paper and pen, much like an artist uses a canvas and paint brush, to whisk the reader away through various silly scenes that will leave them wanting for more. “Feet” is the first in a series of five children's poem books written by Fairchild.

Review:

Mitch Fairchild does a great job of bringing humour to poetry, making FEET a delightfully entertaining read to share; whether that be between parent or grandparent and child, siblings or students reading aloud in class. Children usually find bodily functions highly amusing and Barney's Little Present had universal appeal.

Nonsensical poems, and bold, colourful, simplistic drawings are sure to appeal to the young and the young at heart. This is one poetry book that is definitely funnier read out loud. 

My eight year old niece enjoyed Feet: her favourite poems were Amanda the Panda because pandas are her favourite animal, Barney's Little Present and Little Timmy because both these made her laugh. She continued to recite her favourites the next day and giggles ensued. She did wonder why the drawings weren't coloured in properly :))

The Year 5 students of Cooroy State School also gave Feet and Other Silly Poems a tick of approval. Overall students found the poems funny and they especially enjoyed the rhyming ones. Their favourites were once again Barney's Little Present, The Trampoline and Little Timmy.

quotes from students about the poems: 

"they can be quite funny and quite clever" 

"sometimes they make you laugh for no reason"

"the drawings were creative and matched the poems"

However some students were expecting to see some emotion or expression on the faces of people in the illustrations.

"I couldn't tell if they were happy, angry or sad"

The year 5 teacher found this a worthwhile resource for her poetry unit and the students found reading out loud a lot of fun.

Purchase FEET @ Amazon and B&N

Mitch's follow up book Buzzz, Buzzz is also available @ Amazon and B&N.

Want to know more about Mitch Fairchild? ~ visit his website

GIVEAWAY:

To win yourself an eBook Copy of FEET by Mitch Fairchild just leave a comment on this post and don't forget your email address.

Extra Entries:

+2 tweet about giveaway & leave a link.

Giveaway ends 13th Dec and the winner will be announced on my blog

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: Nov 2011 (1st Published May 2011)
Pages: 345
Book Source: HarlequinTeen & NetGalley

Synopsis: ‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Review:

You'd think with the amount of YA fiction out there where the story line revolves around the death of a sibling or parent that this would get old. Not that I'm making light of it, far from it. I seem to be drawn to bittersweet fiction like this, especially when it's written in a way that parallels "real life" and Harrington writes in a real-life kinda way ... honest, raw, warts and all.

Mom always used to say, "Why can't you be more like your sister?" But I wasn't interested in being like June, and I definitely didn't want to live in June's shadow. Even if mine was less impressive, at least it was my own."

After the suicide of her older sister June, Harper is understandably a trainwreck. She's angry, confused, devastated and combined with the complicated family dynamics and emotions already in existence it makes for a pretty messy trainwreck. But kudos to Harper for voicing the thoughts that many of us have but don't say, because it's just not the done thing.

“I am so mad at her,” I tell him. It’s hard to admit that. I’m ashamed for being as angry as I am. I mean, she was in so much pain, she had to be, to do what she did, and logically I know it’s not fair of me to hate her for it. But no one said emotions are fair. Part of me still thinks she was a selfish bitch, for bailing on me and our mom and everyone else, for leaving me with nothing but the pieces of so many shattered lives and a guilt that will never, ever go away. “She didn’t even say goodbye, or leave a note, or anything, and I hate her for that. I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve done something.”

I liked Harrington's portrayal of Harper & Laney's friendship, it's always refreshing to read a YA where the friends actually behave like friends. I liked Jake well enough even though he did come across as a "douche-baggy hipster music snob ..." (Laney's words lol)  but I loved his passion for music. Harper and Jake rub each other the wrong way ... until they don't, and I liked that too.

Harper, Laney and Jakes' road trip across the US to scatter June's ashes in California is an adventure in itself, but it's also a journey of discovery, tears, laughs, friendship, hope and MUSIC ... complete with a van named Joplin :)

What I loved ... was the music talk, Jake is totally into the music of my late teens and early adulthood; The Rolling Stones, ABBA, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Eric Clapton. Music has played such an important part in my life, especially after the death of my baby daughter, music has uplifted and inspired, consoled and comforted, music has been a warm place and a safe harbour.  

 



"Clapton wrote this song about it, after, and it just – It rips your heart out. It is the best kind of devastating there is. He took his pain and he turned it into something beautiful. Into something that people connect to. And that’s what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you. What I’m trying to say is, it’s just nice, I guess, knowing that someone else can put into words what I feel. That there are people who have been through things worse than I have, and they came out on the other side okay. Not only that, but they made some kind of twisted, fucked-up sense of the completely senseless. They made it mean something. These songs tell me I’m not alone. If you look at it that way, music...music can see you through anything.” Jake -  (on Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven)

and make sure you check out Jake’s playlists at the back of the book :))

More favourite quotes:

Jake was right - I'm strong in a way June never was. Because I know that I want to be here. Even with the pain. Even with the ugliness.  

Life goes on, I’m going on, even without her. Not every day hurts. Not every breath hurts.
Maybe that’s all we can really ask for.

An impressive debut novel and an author to watch out for.

Want to know more about Hannah Harrington? ~ check out her blog.

and the Aussie cover is my favourite!! (just saying)

Six Sentence Saturday Reviews

SIX SENTENCE SATURDAY

My US buddy Staci from Life in the Thumb designed this review format and I'm stealing borrowing it because it's cool! Actually she gave me permission; isn't she sweet? Thanks Staci <3

Six Sentence Saturday is:
"Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!
At the end of each review I will post a rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards."

Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts - You must read this book NOW!!

4 of Hearts - A great read, put it on your TBR list

3 of Hearts - Happy that I read it...a good read.

2 of Hearts - Just OK, nothing to write home about

Joker Card - Don't bother (Why did I?)

AGAIN by Lance Zarimba

Published: Sept 2011

Book Source: Untreed Reads Publishing

Love is patient, love is kind, love lasts forever.

An elderly couple revisits their relationship after the husband experiences a debilitating stroke. How will the change in physical abilities and expectations affect their relationship?

My thoughts:

This was a moving short story, well written but giving that it gave new meaning to "short" it did leave me wanting more. While the couple remain nameless their journey to intimacy after the husband's stroke is sensitively captured by the author and the emotion of their relationship is palpable.

She could feel the unevenness of his muscle tone. One side of his body was solid and firm, while the other was soft and pliable. One side was the way things used to be, and the other was the way things were right now.

For this couple love and patience prevailed over physical limitations and emotional trauma. A hopeful read which I'm sure would be appreciated by those experiencing a similar situation.

You can purchase this one on Amazon for $1.49

 

Mom and Dad Aren't Getting Along (Now That Mom's a Zombie) by Garry McNulty
Published:
Book Source: Untreed Reads Publishing

Synopsis: Teddy's teen years were bound to be affected when his mom returned from the supermarket infected by a zombie bite. Dad immediately insisted he and his wife sleep in separate bedrooms. Mom silenced a complaining neighbor by eating him. Then there was the unfortunate Avon Lady incident.

Family harmony hit a new low, however, when Mom discovered Dad's new girlfriend and became one really unhappy zombie. Teddy's doing his best to keep the family together, but it's getting tougher all the time. What's a teenager to do?

My thoughts:
An amusing horror story that gave me quite a few giggles. 

Teddy's mum is a zombie, his best friend Tryker is pretty cool with it but Teddy's dad is not quite as accepting of mum's new, all-flesh diet.

“You know the guy next door, the one who was always coming over to complain about stuff?”

“Tall, skinny, sour-faced guy?”

“That’s the one. He came by yesterday, ranting about something, and my mom attacked him like a lioness bringing down a giraffe. It was horrifying but at the same time…”

“At the same time, TOTALLY AWESOME!” said Tryker, interrupting as he sprang up in the bed. “I wish my mom could do cool shit like that instead of wasting her time on that stupid book club. And gardening.”

Teddy’s trace of a smile changed to a frown. “Of course, I did feel bad about what happened to the Avon lady.”

“Hey, even zombie moms aren’t perfect.”

A great story for reluctant readers with fitting 'teen-speak' and a touch of gruesomeness that would be suitably appreciated by boys in particular.


Pick this one up on Amazon for $1.50

Thanks to Brendan from Untreed Reads for these titles :)

Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart

Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Lharmell #1
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 290
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: I wanted to turn but I was held captive by the song on the wind. I’m coming, I told the voices. Please, wait for me.

When her sister becomes betrothed to a prince in a northern nation, Zeraphina’s only consolations are that her loyal animal companions are by her side – and that her burning hunger to travel north is finally being sated.

Already her black hair and pale eyes mark her out as different, but now Zeraphina must be even more careful to keep her secret safe. Craving blood is not considered normal behaviour for anyone, let alone a princess. So when the king’s advisor, Rodden, seems to know more about her condition than she does, Zeraphina is determined to find out more.

Zeraphina must be willing to sacrifice everything if she’s to uncover the truth – but what if the truth is beyond her worst nightmares?

Review:

This is one addictive, effortless read with a creep-ily original fantasy world to boot. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, in fact I finished this in one night. Blood Song isn't epic fantasy but YA fantasy done epically well.

Zeraphina  is not your ordinary heroine, she has a bizarre craving for blood and an overwhelming compulsion to travel North. She's also strong, feisty, stubborn and a little bit lost. Her trusty sidekicks; an eagle named Griffin and a cat called Leap are a great addition to the cast of characters with their own engaging personalities.  

Rodden, adviser to the King of Pergamia, is dark, mysterious and just a little scary. Rodden & Zeraphina have that kind of sparks-flying relationship based on mutual antagonism that I absolutely love.

Escapism at its best, Blood Song has a little bit of everything; intrigue, suspense, magic, romance, creepiness (gotta love creepy) and a big helping of fantasy adventure. I'm stoked to add another talented Aussie author to my must-read list and a new YA fantasy series to my keeper bookshelf!

Blood Storm, the 2nd book in the Lharmell series will be out August 2012 - *Woot Woot*

Want to know more about this awesome debut Aussie author? ~ Check out her blog Dangers Untold & Hardships Unnumbered.

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Genre: YA Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Gone With the Respiration #1
Release Date: 18th October 2011
Pages: 470
Book Source: Random House Publishing & NetGalley

Synopsis: Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Review:

I just fell for a ZOMBIE ... who would of thought??

After a sluggish start the zombie rattler picked up pace! The first 50 or so pages are a slow but necessarly chew through back story and world history but don't give up, I promise it's worth it.

In this eclectic genre fusion Lia Habel gives readers a remarkably drawn world, chock full of original zombie lore. New territories & tribes have risen in the place of nations. The New Victorians have adopted Victorian values & virtues while embracing advanced technology; think digidiaries, ID chips, holograms. While the Punks, so called extremist rebels are not so technologically enamoured.

And thanks to 'The Laz' virus that raises the dead there's also good zombies and bad zombies thrown in the mix -

the Good: undead that 'come back' relatively intact with their memories and personality, they still have 'cravings' but they get their protein from ... you guessed it ... tofu. They also require regular medical assistance to maximise their expiry date.

the Bad: also referred to as Grays are the rotting, flesh eating zombies of our nightmares.

I adored the cast of characters, especially Captain Abraham Griswold (Bram), he's a Punk, he's dead and he's utterly charming. Thankfully he's retained his humanity, his chivalrous personality and the majority of his looks lol. Bram's comrades at Z base are an absolute hoot; Chas, Coalhouse, Tom, Renfield and Dr Samedi. The witty banter and often hilarious comraderie had me giggling like a loon.

"Have you heard of vampires?"
I nodded. Who hasn't?
"Had you heard of zombies before you came here?"
I shook my head.
"See?" He thumped his book for emphasis. "Vampires are just zombies with good PR! That could be us in a few years!"

Nora Dearly is a New Victorian, as is her best friend Pammy. Nora's outspoken, stubborn, brave and not particularly conventional and thus entirely likeable. Pamela comes across as a bit insipid but she certainly comes into her own as the novel progresses, finding inner strength in adversity.

There are five different narrations, each quite distinct but Nora & Bram are the key note speakers. Whilst I had no problem with the changing POV I did enjoy the chapters narrated by Bram & Nora more than the others.

So ... Girl is alive, Boy is dead and against seemingly insurmountable odds a romance flourishes and it's just ... delightful. This is one uniquely fun read and I for one cannot wait for Dearly, Beloved.

About the Author: Lia Habel was born in Jamestown, NY, and has lived there the majority of her life. Her first book, Dearly, Departed, is a sweeping tale of zombie-living romance set in a cyber-Victorian/steampunk future. When Dearly, Departed sold, Lia was swimming in debt incurred from her studies and years of un- and underemployment, with only a few dollars to her name. Miss Habel lives with three former ally cats. She enjoys attending anachronistic and steampunk events, watching zombie movies (she has watched over a hundred of them), commissioning ball gowns, and collecting Victorian and Edwardian books. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities she has recently been given.

Want to know more about Lia Habel? ~ visit her website.

Song Of The Nile by Stephanie Dray ~ Review, Interview & Giveaway

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: Cleopatra's Daughter #2
Copyright: Oct 2011
Pages: 416
Book Source: Courtesy of Author for Blog Tour

Synopsis: Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra’s daughter has become the emperor’s most unlikely apprentice and the one woman who can destroy his empire…

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

Forced to marry a man of the emperor’s choosing, Selene will not allow her new husband to rule in her name. She quickly establishes herself as a capable leader in her own right and as a religious icon. Beginning the hard work of building a new nation, she wins the love of her new subjects and makes herself vital to Rome by bringing forth bountiful harvests.

But it’s the magic of Isis flowing through her veins that makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra’s daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother’s throne be more than she’s willing to pay?

Review:

Everything that I liked in Lily of the Nile was multiplied ten-fold in Song of the Nile making for an 'unputdownable' read. Ms Dray's skill is more refined, polished; the detail - exquisite, the pace - whirlwind, the characters - engaging and the plot - mesmerising.

Song of the Nile is a darker installment which in itself, appealed to me and at the risk of repeating myself I just love the way Stephanie interweaves history, artistic embellishment and mysticism, creating a captivating tapestry of plausible events.

Song of the Nile picks up where Lily of the Nile ends, Selene is married off to Juba and the pair begin their new life as King & Queen of Mauritania. I don't want to give too much away so I'll just say that Selene's journey is fraught with danger. She's a quick study, she fights hard to achieve all that she does as the beloved leader of a now prospering nation. But the fight is not without its costs, their distance from Rome is not outside the reach of Augustus and the power play continues.

Cleopatra Selene is such a fascinating character, she's resilient, passionate, ambitious, compassionate, and intelligent but obsessed with obtaining her rightful place on the throne of Egypt alongside her twin brother Helios. I cringed at some of her choices but was ultimately inspired by Selene's development throughout the book and spellbound by the growth of her power as the daughter of Isis.

I know it sounds cliched but Stephanie Dray really brings the time period and the characters to life; I was completely immersed in the experience. ... the mark of an excellent historical fiction author. 

I wait with bated breath for the final installment!

Want to know more about Stephanie Dray and her work? ~ Check out her website.

Purchase Song of the Nile @ Amazon or B&N or The Book Depository.

I'm thrilled to welcome Stephanie to my blog and hope you enjoy the interview:

1. I love the interweaving of fact with fiction, historical accuracy blended with insightful, convincing embellishment; for me this is historical fiction at its best! Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing?

Thanks so much for those kind words! While I'm willing to tinker a bit with the historical timeline to suit a narrative fiction arc, I sweat the small stuff. I try to make sure it's all authentic. That I've gotten everything right. So I'm always horrified when something slips through the cracks.

2. I understand you have a long-time love of all things Egyptian & Roman; how much research went into writing Lily of the Nile and Song of the Nile?

More than five years of research went into Lily of the Nile, but in truth, I've never stopped researching, so we're going on almost a decade here now. I'm always learning something new, finding some tidbit I hadn't considered before, and so on. In fact at the moment, I'm trying to track down a certain statue at the Louvre so that I can see I can better determine whether or not Drusilla of Mauretania was Selene's daughter or her granddaughter.

3. Any 'news' you can disclose on the final installment in the trilogy?

I don't have a title or release date for it yet, but I can tell you a little bit about the themes in it. In Song of the Nile, I was very aware of Selene as a symbolic personification of Persephone (or Kore). If she was a young maiden with the problems of maidens in this middle book, she is now very firmly a mother, with the problems of a mother in the next novel. Like Demeter, she has to worry about her beloved daughter being stolen away to Rome, where the emperor has a claim on her. Selene has finally carved out some happiness for herself, and I intend to show in this last book, how she fights to hold onto it at all costs!

4.What do you think makes your stories different or unique to others in the market?

Up until this year, I'd have pointed out the inclusion of magical realism in my historical fiction as something that decidedly set me apart. But at the moment I'm reading Pilippa Gregory's latest, The Lady of the Rivers, and she's definitely flirting with the supernatural! I suppose I would say that my novels make a decidedly direct appeal to young women to embrace the divine feminine inside themselves and to use Cleopatra Selene as an inspiration.

5. What's next on the table for Stephanie Dray?

Right now I'm knee deep in writing the third and final installment of the Nile trilogy. After that I'm considering another ancient queen. Perhaps Dido of Carthage or Olympias of Macedonia. Or maybe I should leave the ancient world to explore another time period altogether. Do you or your readers have a preference?

Ooh I do Stephanie, please stay in the ancient world! I'd love to read a novel on Dido of Carthage, I remember discussions in ancient history lessons of Dido, her mathematical prowess & her tragic end.

6. What are you reading now?

Philippa Gregory's Lady of the Rivers.

7. If you could be dropped into any book as a character who would you be and why?

Oh I wouldn't go back in time, I'll tell you right now. As much as I love to read about history, I love my modern conveniences. I'm not a good camper. I love luxury. So, perhaps I'd want to be a character in some modern day story, like The Devil Wears Prada or something :P

8. Describe yourself in three words.

Obsessive. Ambitious. Loyal

GIVEAWAY:

To win a copy of SONG OF THE NILE please leave a comment answering Stephanie's query in Question 5 & follow Stephanie on one of these profiles: newsletter, Twitter, or Facebook.

Don't forget your email address

 US/Canada only (sorry)

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+2 tweet about this giveaway & leave a link

+5 comment on my review of LILY OF THE NILE & let me know.

Giveaway ends 23rd November and the winner will be announced on my blog.