Sunday, 9 February 2014

I want to read that...

Free to Fall by Lauren Miller

From Goodreads: What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness? What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice?

What if you never had to fall?

Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results. Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school. Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.


I loved Lauren Miller's first novel Parallel so I am super excited to try this one!  It's published in May (US) by Harper Teen. 

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Parallel by Lauren Miller

Publisher: Harper Teen (US) Scholastic (UK)
ISBN: 9780062199799 (US) 9781407135120 (UK)
Release Date: May/June 2013
Source: Purchased

From Goodreads: Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

Ooh! This was good! Something a bit different – clever and enjoyable!

I loved the concept of this story – as soon as I heard about it I knew I wanted to read it. And I’m so glad it lived up to those expectations. I’m not even going to attempt to explain the science behind it – it makes sense when you read it (kind of!) – but it really works. And I was totally addicted to it!

I loved the characters in this. Abby and her best friend Caitlin. Micheal and Josh (especially Josh!). I loved the romance elements of the story – plus not knowing what was going to happen – how simple changes in the past affect the present. There was also a bit of a mystery too – why this was happening and if Abby would get back to ’her@ life.

Loved the ending. It was completely different than I was expecting so major kudos for that. I’m definitely interested to see what Lauren Miller writes next!


Friday, 7 February 2014

The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Publisher: Point
ISBN: 978-0545333023
Release Date: Jan 2013
Source: Purchased

This is published as The Killing of Kayla Sloane in the UK

A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?


I am a massive fan of Kim Harrington’s previous books (Clarity and Perception) so I knew I would be in good hands here. Anyone looking for a great ghost story need look no further!

This was quite creepy! I was surprised actually because I don’t usually get creeped out easily – I think it is the way the book is written – as a contemporary rather than a horror if that makes sense. It makes it all the more believable.

In addition to the creep factor we also get a really sweet and genuine romance – I really liked that element of the book. Plus I loved Jade – she is just brilliant! And I also really enjoyed the family dynamic that Jade has – and the issues they face and work to overcome.

Can’t wait to see what Kim Harringot writes next!

Saturday, 1 February 2014

Crafting Corner (1)



I'm really excited to take part in Sarah's feature - I have recently discovered crochet and needle felting and love it!  I've been really enjoying it and I love that I can watch TV while doing it (TV shows on DVD are my other addiction!) - although I wouldn't recommend not paying attention when needle felting because those needles hurt if you miss your target!

So crochet wise I have been making quite a few blankets and toys.  Any of you who already follow me on Instagram have probably already seen these but this is some of what I've been up to...










And I've only been needle felting for a few weeks but it is so addictive!  I've spent hours looking at other peoples work and there are some AMAZING creations out there - if I could make anything even a tenth as good I'd be pleased!  If you want to see what I mean check out Sarafina Fiber Art!

Anyway these are my current needle felting creations...





So hopefully by next month I'll have some new bits and pieces to show you.  I have a couple of bits I'm working on so hopefully they'll be ready. 

Sunday, 19 January 2014

Guest Post: Top 5 Favourite Hackers & Detectives (Find Me Blog Tour)

Photo Credit: Heart is Found
As part of the blog tour for her new novel - Find Me - Romily Bernard has stopped by to talk about her favourite hackers and detectives...
---

My Favorite Television Hackers and Detectives


1. Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock in BBC’s SHERLOCK series.

He’s such an amazing Sherlock Holmes. The new adaptation is stylish, slick, and I am completely hooked. I also love how when Sherlock goes to his “mind palace” it looks like some sort of gorgeous, techie screen. Wick would be all over a computer system where you just wave your hands to go from file to file. All while wearing the perfect trench coat, of course.

2. Sonja Sohm as Kima Greggs in THE WIRE.

This series was a mic drop for me. It’s just so astonishingly good. Kima is my favorite kind of heroine. She’s cold, takes no prisoners, and is really good at her job. But it’s the softer moments, when you see Kima off the job, that make her strength so much more than bad-assery. She chooses to shut down her humanity to get the job done. She knows what she’s doing and the cost it’s going to take on her. It’s truly heroic.

3. Lisbeth Salander from THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

You had to be expecting this one, right? Lisbeth is violent, does not play well with others, and is one of the most honorable characters you’ll meet in Stieg Larrson’s universe. Don’t believe me? Take a closer look. Lisbeth only goes after people who have wronged her and, frequently, these people are far, far worse than she ever was. It’s a chilling code. You do not want to mess with this girl.

4. Chloe O’Brien from 24.

She’s a computer science whiz and, though she rarely gets out of the office, she can still wield weapons when needed. I love her loyalty even though, sometimes, it comes at a very high personal price. She believes in people even when they don’t believe in her.

5. Rachel Gibson from ALIAS.

Like Lisbeth, Rachel is no stranger to violence. She was recruited into an organization she thought was a black ops CIA branch. It wasn’t. And her life was never the same again. I love how she didn’t know if she could do the job at hand, but she did it anyway because the thought of not trying, not knowing if she had what it took was way worse than failure.
---

Thanks Romily! I loved Rachel in Alias too, and Benedict Cumberbatch is AWESOME as Sherlock!!!

You can find Romily online on her Website, Goodreads, and Twitter.

Find Me was published 16 January.
 

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...