Monday 31 May 2010

I want to read that...

Book of Love (Knight Angels 1) by Abra Ebner

From Goodreads: When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death at age seven, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her.

Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor always resented her sister’s closeness with their father, who died when she was only six. Ever since she can remember, she’s had the strange ability to read minds, something her father held the key to. Left helpless, she drowns herself in a world of prescription drugs, sending her responsible older sister Jane – who acted as the mother her real mother refused to be – over the edge.

Seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted as a baby, left carelessly by parents that clearly did not love him. He moved in next door to Jane, sharing an alleyway window and finding in her a childhood friend that soon turned into his high-school crush. All summer, though, the pain that’s been wracking his body seemed to come with no explanation. He was done growing, was plenty healthy, and worked out regularly as a member of the wrestling team. When senior year starts, though, and the pain gets worse, the changes ahead of him are anything but what he expected, and far to animal for his taste.

When Max Gordon, doomed to be a teenager for the next thousand years, found himself standing above her dying body, he saw in her bright eyes something he hadn’t seen in the nearly one-hundred-years he’d spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was a chance he could still save her from the wreck. Jane was her name, and she was only seven, but already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, but it was an act that could have been the biggest mistake of his life.

When four teens enter Glenwood High on an unseasonably cool day in September, no one but Max could understand the future that was ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon help to bind them even closer.

When the one face Max hoped to never see again shows up on school grounds – his evil twin brother, Greg – he knows that coming back for Jane was the wrong thing to do. Finding that Greg already knows about Max’s attraction for Jane, Max finds he can no longer hope to leave again, afraid of what Greg will do.

Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop…

And Greg… he just wants everyone dead.


I discovered this on Goodreads last night and thought it sounded really good!. It was published (in the US) April 26th 2010 by Crimson Oak Publishing. Check out the great trailers for it below:)




Saturday 29 May 2010

In My Mailbox (41)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

For Review:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Puffin: 3 Jun 2010)
From Goodreads: Some summers are just destined to be pretty Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey (Bloomsbury: 5 July 2010)
From Goodreads: The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge.
It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.
This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.


The Other Girl by Sarah Miller (Bloomsbury: 7 Jun 2010)
From Amazon: Being in Gid's head by the way ...it's different from being able to read his mind. I can read his mind, but I think of that as something you can turn on and off. I am inside his head every waking minute of our lives. Molly McGarry seems to have it all - she's smart, she attends the prestigious Midvale Academy prep school and she's finally got the guy of her dreams, Gideon Rayburn. But now everything's changing. Molly and Gid got together in a very unusual way, when Molly mysteriously entered Gid's mind, and so could 'guess' what he was thinking and exactly what he wanted. This gave Molly one-upmanship over Cullen and Nicholas, Gid's debauched and rebellious room-mates, who pressure Gid and prefer him single. By some bizarre twist of fate, Molly suddenly leaves Gid's mind and enters the mind of Pilar Benitez-Jones, possibly the hottest girl in the world, and definitely not someone whose head she wants to be inside. Pilar flirts with Gid. A lot. And she appears to be the shallowest and most spoilt rich girl on campus. No longer inside the head of her crush, Molly feels her life is spiralling out of control. Gradually Molly realises that being inside Pilar's head has its advantages as she tries to influence Pilar for her own schemes and to salvage her grades - with ensuing chaos.

Big thanks to Penguin and Bloomsbury for sending books for review:)

Bought:

Firespell by Chloe Neill
From Goodreads: As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face… When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building. The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster. Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

Young Sherlock Holmes: The Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
From Goodreads: The year is 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. His life is that of a perfectly ordinary army officer’s son: boarding school, good manners, a classical education – the backbone of the British Empire. But all that is about to change. With his father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously ‘unwell’, Sherlock is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire. So begins a summer that leads Sherlock to uncover his first murder, a kidnap, corruption and a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent . . . The Death Cloud is the first in a series of novels in which the iconic detective is reimagined as a brilliant, troubled and engaging teenager – creating unputdownable detective adventures that remain true to the spirit of the original books.


Hope you all had a great week:)

Wednesday 26 May 2010

I want to read that...

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

From Goodreads: With her rare ability to breathe fire, Jacinda is special even among the draki—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when Jacinda’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret.

Sounds good doesn't it? And the cover is gorgeous! It's published September 7th 2010 by Harper Teen (US).

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Blue Moon By Alyson Noel

Review Copy: Macmillan. Available now
From Goodreads: Things have changed for Ever since she met her beloved Damen - not least because she's got a whole new set of powers, courtesy of her new Immortal status. Just as she's getting stronger, though, Damen seems to be weakening. Panicked at the thought of losing him, Ever finds a path to the in-between world known as Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen's tortured past. But in searching for a cure for him, Ever accidentally discovers a way to twist time so she can save her family from the accident that killed them. It's all she's ever wanted - but so is Damen. And Ever must choose between them...

I really enjoyed Evermore. I felt it was unique and was a great start to the series. As such, I had high expectations for Blue Moon.

While I liked it overall I have to admit I found this one really hard to get into at first. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it - while I was reading it I liked it. The problem was as soon as I put it down I found I was not compelled to pick it back up again, finding myself reading something else instead. Once I got about half way through the book things completely changed. It was as if someone had flicked a switch and I raced through the rest of the novel, not stopping once! I think this is because Ever started to take control and regain some of the sass she was lacking in the first part of the story - to begin with it was as if she was just reacting to everything instead of trying to find a way to change it.

Ever is a great character and even though I sometimes get frustrated with her I really like her and enjoy taking the journey with her. The story itself is intriguing - I enjoyed finding out about Damen's history and about Summerland, and considering how this installment ends I am now very interested to see how things pan out in the next book. I am glad I persevered because the second half was fantastic! It's a shame it didn't grab me from the start but it definitely ended on a high and I'm looking forward to Shadowland when it's published.

Monday 24 May 2010

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon: Book Trailer

You all know I can't wait to read this one - and after watching this trailer I think I may have to read it next!



You can also download the song here and read an interview & chapter excerpts here.

Infinity

From Goodreads: At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity. Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead. But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu. As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

It is published 25 May (US) and 27 May (UK)

Blood Feud: Sample Chapter

From Goodreads: The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge.

It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.




I can't wait to read Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey. It's published July 5th 2010 by Bloomsbury. Anyone who wants a sneak peak can read the first chapter below. A big thanks to Bloomsbury for sending the chapter:)

BloodFeudUKChapter1PDF

Sunday 23 May 2010

In My Mailbox (40)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

For Review:

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (May 27th 2010 by Definitions)
From Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Maya and seventeen-year-old Lochan have never had the chance to be 'normal' teenagers. Having pulled together for years to take care of their younger siblings while their wayward, drunken mother leaves them to fend alone, they have become much more than brother and sister. And now, they have fallen in love. But this is a love that can never be allowed, a love that will have devastating consequences ...How can something so wrong feel so right?

Nicholas Bane by Melvin Burgess (June 3rd 2010 by Puffin)
From Goodreads: His most substantial book to date, this compelling story of a teenager caught in a corrupt 1980s Care Home is a powerful study of a particularly highly-charged and distressing subject. Handled with great sensitivity and engrossing narrative drive, it is an important addition to the understanding of how childcare can go so wrong. When Nick's mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly, the 14 year old is sent straight into a boys' home, where he finds institutional intimidation and violence keep order. After countless fights and punishments, Nick thinks life can't get any worse - but the professionally respected deputy head, Mr. Creal, who has been grooming him with sweets and solace, has something much more sinister in mind. Nick has no choice but to escape. Living on the run, he falls in with a modern Fagin, a cheerful Rasta who fences stolen credit cards and car stereos. The scarring, shaming experience he suffered at the hands of Mr. Creal can never quite be suppressed, and when the old hatred surfaces, bloody murder and revenge lead to an unforgettable climax.

Fortune by Megan Cole (ARC: July 8th 2010 by HarperCollins Children's Books)
From Goodreads: Fortune tells the story of three very different girls – Madison from New York, Simonetta from Rome and Sapphire from London – who all receive mysterious invitations to the 50th birthday of Brad Masters, billionaire record executive. But what could the girls possibly have in common? The truth shocks them all, and turns three strangers into something much closer and more dangerous – after all, family make for the deadliest enemies... Most of all, though, Fortune is something totally new in the booming teen romance market. So it's time to wet our lips and unashamedly embrace the glitz and glamour of the snogbuster.

Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda ARC/Manuscript: July 1st 2010 by Puffin)
From Goodreads: After the death of her soulmate Kay by her very own sword, Billi SanGreal has thrown herself into the brutal regime of Templar duties with utter abandon. There is no room for feelings any more – her life is now about hunting down the Unholy. But when Billi and another Knight Templar are caught at the heart of a savage werewolf attack, only Billi survives – except for a young girl at the scene who Billi unthinkingly drags away with her as they escape. But Vasalisa is no ordinary girl. She is an avatar with an uncontrollable power – and it’s not only the werewolves who want her. Billi has to flee to the frosty climes of Russia, with a human timebomb who, it seems, could destroy the world . . . THE DARK GODDESS will take Billi to Russia to rescue Vasalisa, a young girl Billi’s promised to protect. To save her, Billi must defeat the werewolves that serve the witch Baba Yaga – and the Dark Goddess herself. Baba Yaga is sickened by the destruction and corruption humanity has spread across the natural world. She recognises mankind has become a plague upon the Earth, and her duty is clear: to cleanse the planet and rid it of the pestilence of Man. Billi is sent to stop her, but does she have the right? Betrayed and alone, Billi faces a final mighty battle in the abandoned ruins of Chernobyl.

A big thanks to Puffin, Harpercollins and Random House for sending me books to review:)

Bought:

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
From Goodreads: At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity. Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead. But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu. As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
From Amazon: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS
Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. And she made the wrong one… After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s Academy — and to her best friend, Lissa. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he’s out there, somewhere. She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true— Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. Only this time, he won’t rest until Rose joins him… forever.


Angel by Cliff McNish (This is recommended by Becky @ The Bookette and sounds awesome)
From Goodreads: Freya's intense passion for angels led her into years of mental illness. Now, just when she's starting to believe she's normal again, a dark angel starts to follow her. Soon she learns a stunning truth: She is an angel herself. And an angel's job is nothing like she imagined it would be...

How did you all do?

Thursday 20 May 2010

Ondine by Ebony McKenna

From Goodreads: This is a brilliantly witty fairy tale with a mystery that is as surreal as it is sinister. One girl. One boy. One spell to be broken. Ondine de Groot is a normal fifteen-year-old who lives with her family in the European country of Brugel. She has a pet ferret called Shambles. But Shambles is no ordinary ferret...He's Hamish McPhee, a boy cursed by a witch. A witch who happens to be related to Ondine. When Shambles turns back into Hamish temporarily, Ondine knows that she has to help him break the spell. He is the most gorgeous boy she has ever met and her one true love! He just can't remain a ferret forever. Can he?

I really enjoyed this one. It was really easy to get into and really funny. I really liked the writing style and loved the footnotes - they really added to my enjoyment of the story.

It didn't take me long to get into the story - it basically had me hooked the moment Shambles spoke! I loved all the characters, especially Shambles! Is it wrong that I really want my own talking ferret now? Ondine was really sweet and I like the way she progress through the story - it felt as if Shambles/Hamish has a good affect on her. I also enjoyed the stories involving the secondary characters and the whole world McKenna created.

Although I liked the ending and how everything plays out I did find myself coming to the last page and feeling disappointed that it had ended. I wanted more! Now I know there is a sequel (and third book) in the works I'm happy and am looking forward to the rest of the story.


A big thanks to Becky @ The Bookette for sending me a copy to review:)

Wednesday 19 May 2010

I want to read that...

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
From Goodreads:
"Come on, Lisabeth," Death said, not unkindly. "It’s time to do your job."
The words didn’t make any sense. "My job?" Lisa said as Death helped her to her feet. She was a seventeen-year-old high school junior in the suburbs; she didn’t have a job.
"Thou art Famine, yo," Death said. "Time to make with the starvation."

Lisabeth Lewis is no stranger to starvation. Her life revolves around counting calories, constant exercise, denying herself even the strongest cravings. Lisa is in a constant battle with hunger for control over her body. When, in a moment of desperation, she almost gives up that control completely, she is visited by a wisecracking messenger who turns out to be Death. He offers Lisa a rare opportunity: to become one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse—Famine. As Famine, Lisa travels the world on her black steed, visiting parts of the world where hunger is a painful part of everyday life. She’s horrified to see her own power destroy crops and turn food to dust. But when she finds a way to harness her power as Famine and use it for nourishment rather than deprivation, Lisa finally gains the courage to face her own problem.

A wildly original approach to the issue of eating disorders, HUNGER is about the struggle to find balance in a world of extremes, and uses fantastic tropes to explore a difficult topic that touches the lives of many teens.

When I saw the cover for this one I just fell in love with it! I also love the premise - I think it sounds like it could be fantastic! It published October 18th 2010 by Graphia (US)

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Cover Wars: Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I love both of these! I really like the design in the background on the US but also love the way Nick is in the shadows in the UK one. Both this week I think! REALLY can't wait to read this one - it sounds fab:)



UK / US

From Goodreads: At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity. Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead. But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu. As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

Which cover do you prefer?

Monday 17 May 2010

Author Interview: Luisa Plaja

Luisa Plaja is the author of Extreme Kissing, Split by a Kiss and Swapped by a Kiss. She also runs the fabulous website Chicklish. She kindly took the time to answer a few questions....

What inspired you to write Swapped by a Kiss?
I found I had a lot more to say about Rachel after I finished writing Split by a Kiss. Many aspects of Rachel's erratic behaviour are unexplained in Split by a Kiss because they're not relevant to Jo's story (yet?!). I really wanted to show where Rachel was coming from, and to tell her story. The body swap was an obvious follow-on from Split , too, with Freaky Friday being one of Jo's favourite films, and with Jo and Rachel so clearly misunderstanding each other right up to the final word of the first book - and beyond.

Do you have a favourite scene in the book?
In Swapped by a Kiss? Well, some of the more potentially embarrassing scenes are loosely based on real-life experiences so... not those. Hee. I think the final scene before the epilogue is my favourite, but the night-time scenes of high tension between Rachel and a certain boy come a close second.

I really love your characters (especially Zac and Albie *sighs*) Do you base them on people you know? And do you have a favourite?
Thank you, and thank you for loving Zac and Albie! No, I don't usually base my characters on people I know, but some are based on people *I think* I know but I've actually never even met. This is ideal as it gives me a starting point and limitless scope for development. It's very difficult to pick a favourite character. I get hopelessly obsessed with all of them.

If you had the chance for one of your books to be made into a movie which would you choose and who would you cast in the roles?
This is a tough and brilliant question! Well, Swapped and Split by a Kiss are more obviously filmic, I think, and you'd only need one actress for the main roles in both of those, so listen up, Hollywood! ;) But I think Extreme Kissing would make a better quirky European art-house film, so... I don't know! As for the cast, I'm going to cheat even more and throw this open to anyone reading this! Any thoughts, anyone?!

Did you always intend on becoming a writer?
Intend on, no. Dream of, yes. I've always worked with words, though. I've been a dictionary editor, a television subtitler and a linguistic software developer. Words are yummy and I eat them for breakfast, sprinkled on my muesli.

Was it a conscious decision to write for teens?
No, not really. It's the kind of fiction I love most, though, and writing it feels natural to me.

If you could only save 3 books from your bookshelf what would they be?
Heaven forefend! In what atrocious dystopia does this barbaric dictat become a necessity? I would escape from this fearful regime by fleeing to the local library and boarding up the doors with pile upon pile of meaty books, which would then sustain me for the remainder of my long, happy, word-filled life, muesli be damned! (Um, qui-iick - next question!)

What’s next for you? Are you working on another book?
Phew! Yes, I am. It should be out next spring and it's another standalone teen novel about life, love and self-image, with a premise that I've already caught myself wishing was entirely realistic.

----

Thanks Luisa! I am still picturing the boarded up library... lol

Sunday 16 May 2010

In My Mailbox (39)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren



Dido by Adele Geras (For review: Random House. Available now)
Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper (For review: Bloomsbury. Published June 7th 2010)
This Is Me From Now On by Barbara Dee (For review: Barbara Dee. Published 27 April)
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - After reading amazing reviews by Jenny and Carla I had to get this one:)
Albatross by Josie Bloss
Love at First Click by Elizabeth Chandler

and then in London....

Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Far From Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters (really fancied trying this author and couldn't decide between the two so just bought both!)
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Switch by Carol Snow
The Girls by Tucker Shaw
Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien
After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates
Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin, Charlotte Brontë

and from Netgalley

The Clearing by Heather Davis
Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

It was really great spending the day in London and meeting up with other bloggers - I hope everyone who came had great day. It was really great to meet you all:)

Hope everyone has had a great week for books:)

Saturday 15 May 2010

Win Wasted by Nicola Morgan

From Amazon:
When danger, passion and chance collide…

Jack worships luck and decides his actions by the flip of a coin. No risk is too great if the coin demands it. Luck brings him Jess, a beautiful singer who will change his life. But Jack’s luck is running out, and soon the stakes are high. As chance and choice unravel, the risks of Jack’s game become terrifyingly clear. An evening of heady recklessness, and suddenly a life hangs in the balance, decided by the toss of a coin. In the end, it is the reader who must choose whether to spin that coin and determine: life or death.

Sound Good? Well...

I've been offered a copy for one lucky reviewer out there. All you have to do is finish the following sentence in twenty words or less...

"I'd like to review Wasted because..."

You can make them as honest, bizarre or outrageous as you like:)

I will then pick the one I like the best as the winner!
If you fancy entering just fill out the form below:)

Good Luck ...

Contest Information:
* Contest will close Sunday 30 May 2010
* You don't have to be a follower to enter
* Open to UK Residents only
* The prize will be sent to the winner directly from Walker
* In order for the prize to be sent I will need to pass on the winner's details - please only enter if you are happy for me to do so.

Don't forget to check out Nicola Morgan's blog for Wasted - she is currently visiting blogs for a tour throughout may. You can find a list of tour dates on her sidebar:)


THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. .

Thursday 13 May 2010

I want to read that...

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

From Goodreads: What if love refused to die?

Haven Moore can’t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother’s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.


I'm really liking the sound of this one. It's published August 2010 by Puffin / Razorbill

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja


Review copy: Corgi (Random House) Available now.
From Goodreads: When Rachel's on/off boyfriend David goes to a music festival in England, she jumps on a plane to surprise him - but she gets a shock of her own. Not only does she find David kissing someone else, but it's their friend Jo! Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round-perfect Jo.

Rachel runs away, wishing she could leave her life behind - and she suddenly finds herself in Jo's body! Can she keep this swap a secret? Can she unravel what's really going on? Can she get to grips with Jo's out-of-control curly hair?

And if she discovers that being in someone else's shoes isn't all it's cracked up to be, can she ever be herself again?


I was so excited to read this book. I loved Spilt by a Kiss and could not wait to revisit the characters - and I can tell you that I loved it! Not only is it completely hilarious but it is also incredibly romantic and Luisa has the marvelous ability to completely floor you. There was one thing in particular that I did not see coming!

Many of the characters return from Spilt by a Kiss and it was great to see Jo again - I loved hearing her side of events through her 'diary' entries. We also have David who, in this book, completely won my affections! As for Rachel, I absolutely adored her. I loved her sass and snarky comments but it was also lovely to get to know the 'real' her as opposed to the one she pretends to be. Being a character who is not afraid to speak her mind I loved the way we got to see what she was really thinking! It was also really good fun to see Tori again, and it was really interesting seeing her through Rachel's eyes.

I thought the 'swapped' thing was done brilliantly and I loved how both characters also alluded to events from the first book. Again the book was rich in storylines - with so much going on I found myself completely gripped - really not wanting it to end. Both Jo and Rachel had really good storylines and I was equally interested in both. I loved Jo's interactions with Rachel's mother and I really enjoyed watching Rachel get to see life from someone else's point of view.

As I said before - it really is funny! There were so many times I found myself laughing out loud and there is one scene involving 'quicksand' that had me laughing so hard I have still been sniggering to myself all day! It is definitely a novel that will bring a big goofy smile to your face. But it is also more than than. The characters felt real and honestly depicted. The romance is really sweet and you can feel a true connection between the couples. I don't know what else to say really except I Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!


Tuesday 11 May 2010

Webchat with Luisa Plaja: Fiercebook Wednesday 5pm

Just a quick post to remind everyone that Lusia Plaja (author of Split by a Kiss, Extreme Kissing and Swapped by a Kiss) has a webchat over at Fiercebook tomorrow at 5pm, for approximately 1 hour. I've been told to 'expect chatter about books, writing, romance and body swapping…' Sounds fab!

Also, I've just finished 'Swapped by a Kiss' and I have to say it is now my favourite by a mile - I just loved it. I should (hopefully) have a review for you tomorrow:) In the meantime, if you fancy reading an extract check out the widget on my sidebar:)

Monday 10 May 2010

WIntercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw

Review Copy: Headline. Published 13 May 2010
From Amazon: Ten years ago Kate Winters’ parents were taken by the High Council’s wardens to help with the country’s war effort. Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane – the High Council’s most feared man – recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council’s experiments into the veil, and he’s convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace.The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft – a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft.

I found myself completely captured by this novel and was immersed in it from the beginning. I loved the premise, the characters and the writing. It all felt very exciting! I wasn't sure what to expect from any of the characters or situations and it felt fresh and very different from anything I have read before. Perhaps this is due to my limited experience with 'straight' fantasy reads - but as an introduction to the genre I found this one superb.

At first I was disappointed the story wasn't written in first person with Kate as the narrator, but as time went on I was glad this was not the case. I really enjoyed the way we were able to see the story unfold from the different character perspectives. This gave much more insight into each of the characters and their motivations. I loved Kate from the beginning. She seemed strong and wilful yet kind and loyal. I enjoyed taking the journey with her. Edgar was interesting but I wasn't sure what his true interests were - but that added to the mystery of the novel. As for Silas Dane, I think he has to be one of my favourite character creations. I didn't know whether to hate him or love him. You could practically feel his presence radiate from the page - I couldn't wait for his scenes and loved his interactions with Kate.

I found the whole story to be compelling and I loved the end. I raced through the final pages of the book not wanting the story to come to an end but desperate to find out what happens. I would love to revisit these characters so I am really hoping this is the first in a series. There is definitely the potential to take it further and I know I would, without a doubt, be first in the queue!

Brilliant!



Saturday 8 May 2010

In My Mailbox (38)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Review

Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja (Corgi childrens: 29 April)
From Goodreads: When Rachel's on/off boyfriend David goes to a music festival in England, she jumps on a plane to surprise him - but she gets a shock of her own. Not only does she find David kissing someone else, but it's their friend Jo! Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round-perfect Jo.

Rachel runs away, wishing she could leave her life behind - and she suddenly finds herself in Jo's body! Can she keep this swap a secret? Can she unravel what's really going on? Can she get to grips with Jo's out-of-control curly hair?

And if she discovers that being in someone else's shoes isn't all it's cracked up to be, can she ever be herself again?








Bought

Runaway by Meg Cabot
From Goodreads: Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope... what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved—since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed—this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.


Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter
From Goodreads: A fiercely individualist Goth girl wakes up to discover that the whole world has gone Goth and she's actually -- gag -- popular.

Jade Leigh is a nonconformist who values individuality above all else. She has a small group of like-minded Goth friends who wear black, dabble in the dark arts, and thrive outside the norm. They're considered the "freaks" of their high school. But when Jade's smart mouth lands her in trouble -- again -- her principal decides to teach her a lesson she'll never forget.

Taken to a remote location where she is strapped down and sedated, Jade wakes up in an alternate universe where she rules the school. But her best friends won't talk to her, and the people she used to hate are all Goth. Only Clarik, the mysterious new boy in town, operates outside all the cliques. And only Mercedes, the Barbie clone Jade loathes, believes that Jade's stuck in a virtual reality game -- because she's stuck there, too, now living the life of a "freak." Together, they realize they might never get back to reality...and that even if they do, things might never be the same.


Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
From Goodreads:
You know, I always thought I told you everything, but there are some things I should have said but never did. I should have told you about the time I lost your new sunglasses. I know you really liked them. I should have apologized the time I ruined your brand-new skirt, the one with the beading. I should have apologized for a lot of stuff.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.

It's been seventy five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her, and she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone, and Amy doesn't want to talk about it. No one knew Julia like she did. No one gets what life is without her.

No one understands what it's like to know that it's all your fault.

Amy's shrink thinks she should keep a journal but instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia. As she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past holds its own secrets--and that the present deserves a chance.


How did you all do?

Friday 7 May 2010

I want to read that...


Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

From Goodreads: When Lenah Beaudonte, a 500-year-old vampire queen, wakes up a human teenager at an ultra-cliquey prep school, she must choose between embracing the humanity she’s always craved and saving her new friends from her vicious coven. The first in a sizzling new YA series.

Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.

Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?


This one sounds like it could be really good and I LOVE the cover! It's published August 3rd 2010 by St. Martin's Griffin (US)

Thursday 6 May 2010

Cover Wars: My Worst Best Friend by Dyan Sheldon

Oooh! I really like them both - and they seem really different. The US one is a bit more quirky and captures my interest (love the shadow) so I think I'm going to go with the US cover this time.



UK / US

Which do you prefer?

Wednesday 5 May 2010

I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Review Copy. Orchard (6 May 2010)
From Goodreads: The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school teaches advanced martial arts in PE, chemistry always consists of the latest in chemical warfare, and everyone breaks CIA codes for extra credit in computer class. So in truth, while the Gallagher Academy might say it's a school for geniuses what they really mean is spies. But what happens when a Gallagher Girl falls for a boy who doesn't have a code name?

Cammie Morgan may be fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti), but the Gallagher Academy hasn't prepared her for what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without him ever being the wiser, but can she have a regular relationship with a regular boy who can never know the truth about her? Cammie may be an elite spy in training, but in her sophomore year, she's doing something riskier than ever—she's falling in love.


This one made me laugh. I liked the School and the whole idea behind it - and I really like the main characters. Cammie was fun and witty and I enjoyed having the story told from her point of view. Her friends Liz, Bex and Macey were great fun too! Especially Bex - she was my favourite and I loved her driving! Josh was interesting but the romance between him and Cammie only had my passing interest. I enjoyed the 'spy' stuff much more.

I admit it's a bit silly at times but I got the impression it wasn't supposed to be taken too seriously. The action scenes were my favourite part - and I liked how they were injected with humour. The final action scene had me laughing out loud.

This is going to be a guilty pleasure of mine. For some reason I feel as if I shouldn't have liked it but I did. I really did - and I can't wait for the next in the series!

Monday 3 May 2010

Book Trailer of the Month: The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

I really love this trailer - it could be an advert for a TV series! Can't wait to read the book as it sounds ace. It's available now in the US and is published 30 June in the UK.



You can check out the authors website here and you can read an excerpt here

Saturday 1 May 2010

In My Mailbox (37)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren



For Review:
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards (Puffin: Published 1 July 2010)
The Pack by LM Preston (Phenomenal One Press - available now)
The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell (Harpercollins - available now)
Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody (Bloomsbury: Published 7 June 2010)

Bought:
The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
Society of S by Susan Hubbard
The Year of Disappearances by Susan Hubbard
Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti
The Killer's Cousin by Nancy Welin
Locked Inside by Nancy Welin
Black Mirror by Nancy Welin
My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter


How did you all do?

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