Saturday 30 August 2014

Requiem Ball with Derek Landy

I had the greatest night ever on Thursday night. I got invited to an exclusive party in London with Derek Landy to celebrate the launch of the FINAL Skulduggery Pleasant book.

The Requiem Ball

This was the first notice I saw about the Ball, and I knew that I had to try my hardest to win tickets. I was desperate to be there so I started to watch the blog and Facebook.

I got an email about a competition, the Requiem Ball was to be a Masked Ball, and in order to win a ticket you had to design a mask that you could wear.
If you know anything about the world of Skulduggery Pleasant, you will know that in order to protect yourself from magic and being controlled you have to 'take a name', this taken name acts like a bubble of protection over your real name. I decided that my taken name would be Catherine (Cat) Calamity, so I made a mask shaped like a cat.

It was completely home made and I was quite proud of it. However I didn't win the competition. Luckily for me my friend Kirsty also made a mask (she makes jewellery and did a beautiful wire mask) and she did win tickets. Luckily the prize was for 2 tickets so she agreed to take me with her.

The location of the party was a secret so we eagerly awaited the tickets arrival to tell us where it was.
This was the best Birthday present ever though, my Birthday was the 29th and the Ball was to be held on the 28th! So awesome.

So we found out that the Ball was to be held in 'The Crypt' on Bleeding Heart Yard near Greville Street in Farringdon. Luckily Kirsty knew where that was and we planned our trip.
We made it there in plenty of time, dressed up and in our masks and waited to go in.

As we entered we were given Wrist Bands, one black that said 'Bad to the Bone' on it and one orange that said 'Good at Heart', and we also got a badge. The location was perfect, it was like an old converted Church, really atmospheric.
We got given drinks as we arrived (non alcoholic of course) I had Strawberry Cordial with Cola it was yummy. There were professional waiters there, mostly french and very charming handing out the drinks and also mini burgers and cones with fish pieces and chips in.

We went around the hall and took photos
The Awesome Cake - painted with the book cover

Then we got an announcement that Derek Landy was about to arrive so we all headed back outside to greet him. He pulled up in a cool car and was met with cheers, which he loved!
We then headed back inside and queued up for photos with Derek

 There was a lovely lady there doing airbrush tattoos for everyone. you could either have the Skulduggery Pleasant logo, or a Skulduggery silhouette. I got the logo on the back of my right shoulder.
Yes, those are skulls on my tights!!!
Kirsty got a Skulduggery on her wrist

At 7pm they were going to do a Live Stream to all those that couldn't be there in person. Only 120 tickets were given out so a lot of fans missed out. During the live stream Derek Landy did a talk and a quiz. The 3 contestants for his quiz were Summer, Ellen and Lucas who run the Facebook Fan Page I believe. 
It had to be interrupted at one point because the Live Stream link crashed - so many people world wide tried to log on that it broke the system. 
It was good fun, I knew about half the answers to the questions and then hearing Derek tell us about his journey with Skulduggery and what it has all come to was incredible. I am so pleased to call myself one of his 'minions' (fans), he's a really nice guy and a very talented writer and he really appreciates all of his fans and the community that has built up around the books. 

After the talk, there was dancing and we each got a slice of the cake which was delicious.
Then they set up a table outside and we all got given a FREE copy of the brand new, final book 'The Dying of the Light' and to our surprise, Derek was going to sign them!
So we joined the queue and waited to get our copies.

It was an awesome night and he wrote 'To Becky' in my book and drew a little balloon with '26' inside, as it was my Birthday, he said he wanted me to remember when I got the book. It was so cool. We also got given a poster for the new book.

We smiled and thanked Derek and the helpers then made our way back. The train journey only took an hour and went smoothly.

It really was an incredible night and I feel so fortunate that I got to be there, it was a once in a lifetime moment and I would have been devestated if I had missed it.

I now have the final book to read and I know it will be Bittersweet - totally awesome and incredible and full of everything I could ever want it to be, but it really is the end and I have to come to terms with that fact. I have been following this series for years so it will be weird not waiting for the next installment.

Look out for my review, coming soon.

And by the slimmmest chance- Derek if you ever see this, I just want to say thank you! Thank you for your amazing stories and for being such a cool guy. 
 
I will be seeing Derek again next weekend anyway as he is doing a book signing in my local WH Smiths so I am going to go and get books 7 and 8 signed as he didn't come round here when they were released. If I get those signed I will have a full set of signed books!!!
 

FF (176)


Follow Friday is an opportunity to discover and follow other book related blogs! Want to join? Check it out at Parajunkee or Alison Can Read

This week's question feature is
Words I Write Crazy

Tell us about a book character you’d trade places with – Suggested by Escaping Within Pages

Sorry this post is late, but it was my Birthday yesterday so I was out for most of the day. :D

My Answer: ooh, that's a tricky one because so many of the characters and worlds are totally awesome, a lot of them are dangerous and spend their time fighting for their lives, so not sure I would want to be in that situation, but if I had to pick one I think I would have to go for Mary from 'The Secret Garden' as she gets to spend all that time in that lovely garden with lambs and deer and such. 

Happy hopping and Blogging!

 

Thursday 28 August 2014

Release Day Blitz - Iron Pendulum


IRON PENDULUM Synopsis:
A month ago, Avery thought the world ended outside Dome Four. Thought she was one of the few of her kind. Thought the war that brought the human race to the brink of extinction was over.

But a month can change everything.

After fighting to escape a tyranny she didn't even know existed, Avery has had to come to grips with all the secrets she's uncovered. But more secrets continue to come to light, revealing how little of her world she truly knew. When evidence starts to show that Dome Four might be under siege, Avery knows what she must do.

Returning to the dome she longed to escape is a challenge for Avery, but now she knows there’s corruption lurking in the shadows. A massive steam shortage leaves half the dome without power, and people are falling ill. Dying.

And they’re blaming Avery.

A month can change everything. One more month could kill everyone. The clock is ticking.

About Megan Curd:
Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college. 

When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Photography, traveling and snowboarding are hobbies she loves, and she doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.

Megan currently resides in Ohio with her husband and son, where she is trying to convert them into Buckeye fans.

Buy Links: Coming Soon!
Amazon:
Barnes and Noble:

Links:
IRON PENDULUM Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17984513-iron-pendulum

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Pendulum-Periodic-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00N367614/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409228632&sr=8-2&keywords=iron+pendulum

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Book Review - Apple & Rain

Title: Apple and Rain
Author: Sarah Crossan 
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Release Date: 14 Aug 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1408853061

Synopsis
When Apple's mother returns after eleven years away, Apple feels whole again. But just like the stormy Christmas Eve when she left, her mother's homecoming is bittersweet. It's only when Apple meets someone more lost than she is that she begins to see things as they really are.

A story about sad endings.
A story about happy beginnings.
A story to make you realise who is special.


My Review
I love Sarah Crossan, she's one of my favourite authors the Breathe series is totally amazing. So when I heard she had another book out I put a request in straight away.
Apple is thirteen years old and struggling to work out where she fits in, her mum walked out on her when she was very small and her Dad is focused on his new wife so Apple has grown up with her Grandmother. Things were going well, but her grandma is strict when it comes to going out, so she struggles to fit in at school and make friends. 
When her mum walks back into her life it looks like things are going to turn around for her, cool mum, new freedom what could go wrong?
But things are never as good as they seem and soon Apple realises what is really important and who she should be focusing on. 
This is a really sweet story, Apple pulls you in and envelopes you into her world. I found her really easy to connect to and I felt myself wanting the best for her. There were times when she came across older than she should have been, and it made me stop and remind myself how old she really was, but then again teenagers do talk about things that would surprise you.
I loved seeing the relationship between Apple and Rain develop, I did not see that coming, and they have a lot of problems, but they grow and develop together and it was lovely to see. Their dynamics were awkward at times and I couldn't see how they would make it work but it warmed my heart by the end.
This book will move you and make you feel, the characters aren't particularly deep but they pull you in and I felt that connection. 
I read this in about 3 hours, it was an easy read but also had substance to it. Sarah Crossan never fails to surprise me with her easy style but deep connections. I look forward to many more books from her

My Rating
    

Book Review: The Interrupted Tale

Title: The Interrupted Tale
Author: Maryrose Wood
Series: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: 1 Jan 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0061791222

Synopsis
Turning sixteen is a bittersweet occasion for Miss Penelope Lumley. Luckily, an invitation to speak at the annual Celebrate Alumnae Knowledge Exposition (or CAKE) at the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females provides just the diversion Penelope needs. Penelope hopes to give her CAKE talk, see some old friends, and show off the Incorrigible children to Miss Mortimer, but instead she finds her beloved school in an uproar. And when Penelope is asked by the Swanburne Academy board of trustees to demonstrate the academic progress of her three wolfish students so the board can judge the true worth of a Swanburne education, the future of her alma mater-and of her job as governess to the Incorrigibles-hangs in the balance.

My Review
It has been quite a while since I read the beginning of this series but I've always had a fondness for it, and I remember book 3 raised a lot of questions that I wanted answers to, so I was desperate to get hold of this book and discover the solutions to all the mysteries. 
However I was disappointed, whilst this book still has the same charm as the others did, it feels a little bit like a gap filler, a staller, more mysteries are added in but we still dont get any answers. 
I actually found the first half of this book a little bit slow, I was waiting for something to fall into place and make me shout 'Eureka!' (just like Miss Lumley likes to do) but that moment never came. Once we got back to the school, things did start to get a little more fast paced and I found myself more interested and reading faster because I wanted to know what happened, but yet the answers I yearned for did not appear.
This book isn't bad, quite the contrary, it is still light and sweet and fun and I did overall enjoy reading it, but I just felt it was a little deflated compared to the rest of the series.  Although I do like the development of the 3 children, they are becoming really great little characters, full of their own personalities.
I still think this would be a great series to give to children in a book group or for those who are fans of things like Enid Blyton. And I of course still want to know what happens, I just hope the next book sums it all up and finishes it off nicely. I don't want it to be one of those series that drags on.
So overall, mixed feelings - a sweet little story but it was missing something for me.

My Rating
   

Saturday 23 August 2014

Book Promo - Bound by Duty


Bound by Duty (Bound Series, Book One)
Release Date:  July 24, 2014

Synopsis: Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder, but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control, but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and doesn't even know his name.

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky southern girl, or fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is, not what she will become.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head win the battle, or her heart?

Information for: Stormy Smith



Genres: Young Adult, Romance, and Paranormal

Bio: Stormy Smith calls Iowa’s capital home now, but was raised in a tiny town in the Southeast corner of the state. She grew to love books honestly, having a mom that read voraciously and instilled that same love in her. She knew quickly that stories of fantasy were her favorite, and even as an adult gravitates toward paranormal stories in any form.

Writing a book had never been an aspiration, but suddenly the story was there and couldn’t be stopped. When she isn’t working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy’s favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere she can relax with her husband or girlfriends. 
 

Excerpt: Bound by Duty - Prologue

Her stark white hair fell down around her face. For the first time in one hundred years it wasn’t pulled back in a waist-length braid. Her crimson robes were torn and stained. She bit back a groan, her lips a tight line as the pain ripped through her once again. The invisible knife raked its way up her back as wounds no one could see flayed her skin and weakened her resolve. It had been days of this and she wasn’t sure if she could continue. As she looked up and met the queen’s eyes, Lavignia pushed the anger down and forced compassion to rise yet again.

“What is it you hope to learn, Julia? What is it you think you have to gain from all of this?” she asked weakly as she tugged on the restraints that kept her tethered to the heavy wooden chair. Her power was already weak when the Hunters had found her, and the enchanted chamber had dampened what remained to a tiny flame.

The room was dark, but the sun was slowly rising. An orange and pink glow filtered through the small window above Julia’s head. The colorful rays that should have resembled hope of a new day only shed light on the reality that Lavignia would never leave this room alive.

Julia stepped from the shadows and walked slowly toward Lavignia. She stopped and crouched down, putting herself at eye level.

“Oh, Livvy, dear. Don’t do that,” she said, her tone patronizing as her ice crystal eyes narrowed. “Don’t pretend you can still look down on me from your Elder tower. Don’t pretend you can utter your polite words and suddenly I’ll remember who you are versus who I am. I know exactly who I am. I am the one who rules them all. I am the one they will bow down to and worship. I am the Queen. Not you. Or your sisters. Your time is done.”

She looked back over her shoulder to the Hunter who stood in the still dark corner of the room and nodded. The Hunter’s eyes burned bright orange as Lavignia’s screams echoed off the walls. Julia raised her hand and the screams dropped to whimpers. With that same hand, she reached out and took Lavignia’s.

“Livvy, look at me,” she commanded. Dazed, dim violet eyes struggled to focus and find hers. Julia tightened her grip, digging her scarlet nails into Lavignia’s already tender flesh, making her yelp and their eyes connect.

“Livvy, you need to tell me,” she said.  “I know you see it. You knew this day would come and you know I won’t stop until you tell me. I scoured the lands for you. I know there are others left, but they can be saved. You can save them, old friend. You just have to tell me.” Her tone was persuasive and gentle, but the frantic look that passed through her eyes told Lavignia the truth the queen couldn’t hide — she was scared.

“You won’t harm the others? You will let them live out their lives hidden and free? You will swear an oath?” Her words trailed off and Lavignia’s eyes closed, the torture of the last few days taking its toll. She could only hope the oath would keep her people safe.

She didn’t see the triumph that straightened Julia’s posture or the sneer that twisted her thin, painted lips. “Of course, my dear. I swear to you that I will not seek out and harm the remaining Elders. I swear that I will not take their freedom.”

“Your blood,” Lavignia said, her words barely audible.

Julia removed a small dirk from the folds of her skirts and repeated the words as she slid the blade down her palm. As the deep red drop hit the floor, she sent a small wave of power through to heal the wound, reveling in the knowledge that she had won.

“Now, Livvy, darling, you must tell me.” When Lavignia didn’t respond, Julia whipped back around to the still silent Hunter. “Help her. Give her what she needs. NOW!” she commanded, panic finally breaking through her controlled facade.

The Hunter flicked a wrist at Lavignia and she suddenly straightened, her eyes luminescent and shining at the welcome invasion of power that flooded her system, giving her renewed life for a few precious seconds.

With sudden clarity, she saw the future that had eluded her. She looked down on Julia with authority and pity as the words that would cement the queen’s fate fell from her lips.

“You will have your time, but it will end. She will be born to the one who got away. Inside her, the five families will merge and only a man who is both king and companion will tame the wild and set her free. She will be your undoing. She will lead them all.”

Julia reared back, Lavignia’s words not the ones she expected. Seconds later, her dirk was buried deep in Lavignia’s chest. Lavignia collapsed back against the chair, a content smile mocking the queen from her lifeless face.

Julia’s breath heaved in and out in short bursts as she turned to the Hunter. “I made an oath. You did not. Find them. Kill them all.”

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Blog Tour - The Teen Wythche Saga

Teen Wytche Saga


The Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon

Think magic will solve your problems?

Bring you love? Cure you? Protect you? Help you find someone who is lost?

Think again.

Magic tests friendships. It hisses, chirps, stinks up the room, backfires, and explodes. Magic forces you to make tough decisions. Shatter limitations. Discover your true self. When you use magic, expect results in the ultimate triple-un—unpredictable, uncontrollable, and so undeniable.


And you thought navigating high school was tough.





Praise for the Teen Wytche Saga

Spell Check Cover Ariella 
Spell Check

“Ms. Moon has crafted a spellbinding story. I was entranced within the first chapter,”
Tifferz, 5-star Amazon Review

“Spellcheck is a delightful teen romance about best friends, magic, and bad decisions.”
Romancewriter, 5-Star Amazon Review

A great read that kept me captive, I couldn't stop reading! Ariella Moon has created a piece of art! I can't wait for the next book!”
Jennifer Badgett, 5-Star Amazon Review



Spell Struck Cover 
Spell Struck


"A fantastic YA paranormal read, reminiscent of the film "Practical Magic"! Spell Struck combines quirky but fun teen characters dealing with new schools, romance, and family problems, with magic, and more serious topics like suicide and kidnapping."
Sarah E. Bradley, InD’Tale Magazine


5 Stars, Crowned Heart for Excellence
“The Teen Wytche Saga is a gripping series of books that combine otherworldly magick with the everyday struggles of growing up a teenager in America… Unexpected plot twists at every turn of the page grab you and hold on from start to finish.”
Karyn Pickles, 5 Star Amazon Review


“I loved Spell Struck even more than I loved Spell Check!”
Freddie, 5-Star Amazon Review

Spell Fire Cover 
Spell Fire

This book looked fun and magical from the start … I really want to go back and get the first and second book now and read the series from the beginning. Ariella has made me fall in love with the characters in the middle of the story. I also can not wait for the fourth installment.”
Becca Wilson, 5-Star Amazon Review


“Great cast of characters, diverse protagonist, fast-paced action and romance, and a touch of different types of regional magic all tied into a fantastic read. I would highly recommend these to any woman (no matter the age) looking for an uplifting paranormal romance!”
Freddie, 5-Star Amazon Review


I loved it!!! Absolutely loved it!!!...
“Overall a great book and an awesome series... I would definitely recommend this book to all the fantasy and YA lovers and hope that you guys will love it as I did.”
CUTEsatarupa, 5-Star Amazon Review


Author Ariella Moon
ariellaAriella Moon is the author of the Teen Wytche Saga, a sweet Young Adult paranormal series. Ariella writes about magic, friendship, high school, secrets, and love in Spell Check, Spell Struck, and Spell Fire from Astraea Press.
Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety, and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. Ariella is a Reiki Master, author, and shaman. She lives a nearly normal life with her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and an enormous dragon.


Social Media Website Social Media Blog Social Media Facebook Social Media Goodreads
teen wytche saga tour
Tour Schedule
Blog Tour Giveaway


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 9/7/14


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Tuesday 19 August 2014

Book Review: Zero Hour

Title: Zero Hour
Author: Will Hill
Series: Department 19 (book 4)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 5 Jun 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0007505852

Synopsis
As Dracula continues his rise, the men and women of Department 19 wait for good news. But hope is in short supply – the country is beginning to fall apart as the public comes to terms with the horror in their midst; a cure for vampirism remains years, even decades away; and their supposed ally Valentin Rusmanov has not been heard from in weeks.
Jamie Carpenter and his friends are working hard to keep the forces of evil at bay, but it is beginning to feel like a lost cause…Until familiar faces from the past bring news that could turn the tide. News that takes Matt Browning to America on a desperate search for a miracle, and sends Jamie and Larissa Kinley into the darkest corners of eastern Europe, where something old and impossibly powerful waits for them.
Something that could stop Dracula for good.
But the clock is ticking.
Night is falling. And Zero Hour is almost here…

My Review
I have been obsessed with this series for the last couple of weeks and couldn't wait to get my hands on book 4! I will be honest and say I thought it would be the last one in the series - it is not!!! There is one more to come, this book ends with the simple words 'to be concluded' but those simple words hold so much weight and meaning. I can't believe I have to wait to find out how it all ends. Considering this book only came out in June - it's going to be at least a year until the next one, how can I possibly wait that long!? I hope I am wrong and it's much sooner than that - I have to know how it all turns out. 
Anyway onto the review - 
Zero Hour continues where Battle Lines left off but a couple of months further down the line - the hour of Dracula's return is closer than ever and the Department 19 team are pushed to their limits. Every officer available is out on recon missions - scouting out vampires and bringing them down, some more dangerous than others, but each day the threat rises and life becomes a struggle just to survive. 
Our main character is still Jamie but Larissa, Matt, Katt, Turner and Holmwood all play much bigger parts and that's how I like it. The whole organisation seems to have come to life and all of the people feel like team mates - people I know and trust. They step off the page and into my mind and heart, I route for them, fight with them and feel their hope and loss. I could not be further into this world without physically climbing through the pages and now I have finished this book I feel a little lost. 
At one point I looked at this book and thought 'how can this not end in 700 pages - surely there can't be that much too it, and another book to come?' but my word you would be surprised - the pages are filled with everything and anything - but it is all vital to the story, every single bit works towards the final hour and builds the world, the characters and the plot. And I soared through those 700 pages, never looking back, desperate to know what happens but dreading the end. I don't know how Will Hill does it, I really don't. These books are just incredible and the writing just flows off the page. These books could be twice as big and still not be enough for me!
I am so happy to have discovered this series and proudly name it as one of my ultimate favourites. I highly recommend it and think everyone should read it.
Slight warning that there is a lot of violence, blood and gore included so younger readers need to take care.
I now sit, waiting for news on book 5 - waiting for the day Dracula faces Larissa and Jamie again, wondering what the outcome will be. For the moment though, I have found 5 short stories from the series on Amazon and downloaded them on my kindle, so I can still dip into the world of Department 19 and find out a bit more about it's past. This may help to maintain my sanity - for now!

My Rating
   

Saturday 16 August 2014

Book Review - Fintan Fedora Explores Again

Title: Fintan Fedora Explores Again
Author: Clive Goddard
Series: Fintan Fedora (book 2)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: 3 July 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1407139111

Synopsis
Fintan Fedora is the world's worst explorer.

He's so rubbish, he can't even find a lost sock!

But that's not going to stop him. He's off to China to find the legendary lost treasures of Yin.

Can Fintan dodge the angry gangsters and kung fu fighters and bring back the treasure?


My Review
I read book 1 in this series over 2 years ago now but it has stayed with me and I still recommend it to people, so when I found out there was a second book I knew I had to read it. I ordered it at the library and waited for it to come in. I have been working my way through a series of books by Will Hill, but they are too big to carry in my handbag, so on my way out yesterday I grabbed this book and popped it in my bag (I never go out anywhere without a book on me). 
I ended up getting there early and had 20 minutes to sit and wait, I pulled this book out and read the first 61 pages in that time and struggled to put it down. 
These books are pure delight, so full of fun and sillyness- it will make you laugh out loud and groan at the cheesyness - but in a good way. 
I picked it up again this morning and got straight back into it. I finished it within a couple of hours overall, it was just as charming as the first book and full of witty, sarcastic humour. 
I really enjoyed reading it and think Fintan is a real treasure of a character. 
This would be a great series to give to a book group, would create some good discussions with the children.
I hope there will be more to come in this series.

My Rating
    

Book Promo - Unbreakable

Exciting new announcement from the fantastic author CC Hunter. There is a new book coming on 30th September called 'Unbreakable'

Unbreakable is Chase’s story on how he became an orphan and a vampire.
In Unbreakable you’ll learn:

  1. Della Tsang wasn’t Chase Tallman’s first love.
  2. Never eat a hot dog in two bites in front of someone you want to impress.
  3.  When your dog doesn’t like someone, trust your dog.
  4. According to a palm reader, Chase will come upon an amazing power, but whether he will use it for good or evil is yet to be seen.
  5.  Never let someone you don’t know very well get you alone in a haunted house.
  6.  Chase is told he’s a bad kisser.
  7. To a boy, girls are as frustrating to understand as they are intriguing.
  8. Never underestimate the power of a pet’s love.
  9. Siblings can be a pain in the butt, but never take them for granted.  If you lose them, there will be an empty hole in your world.
  10. Never turn your back on a challenge.  Especially if that challenge involves a life or death decision.

I love the world of Shadow Falls and can't wait to get more. Definitely on my list to read. I can't recommend CC's books enough. 

Start today with the first in the original series 'Born At Midnight', trust me - you won't regret it.

Friday 15 August 2014

FF (175)


Follow Friday is an opportunity to discover and follow other book related blogs! Want to join? Check it out at Parajunkee or Alison Can Read

This week's question feature is
Reading Habits of a Recovering Daydreamer

Suggest a question! We need questions of the week for future FFs. Any ideas?

My Answer: 

- Undiscovered talent - tell us about a book you loved but no one else seems to have heard of. It can be new or old, any genre. Let's spread the love.

- Book Merchandise - show off some of your stuff - posters, t-shirts. Whatever you got!

Happy hopping and Blogging!

 

 

 

Book Promo - Firebolt


Firebolt
by Erika Bester writing under Adrienne Woods

GENRE: Fantasy, YA, Romance
 

BLURB
 For the love of blueberries, Elena Watkins was destined for greatness, even though she didnt know it. Before entering Paegeia Elena was not special, she wasnt even average until the night her father was killed by a creature she thought only existed in fairy tales a dragon. With her fathers death leaving her orphaned, Elena is whisked away to her true birthplace, Paegeia. Arriving at Dragonia Academy, the premier school for young Dragonians; a school she was never meant to attend because her father was a dragon. Unbeknownst to Elena danger is lurking behind the enchanted vines concealing the once thriving capital of Paegeia Etan. Goran, the darkest sorcerer in the realm, has lain dormant for over a century behind the crumbling city. There, in the shadowy ruins he plots his revenge to destroy the only weapon that can kill him the King of Lion Sword. When the sword is stolen without a trace Elena doesnt think twice about seeking it; knowing deep down that it is her destiny to save her new home.



AUTHOR BIO
Adrienne Woods is born and raised in South Africa, where she still resides on the East side of Johannesburg with her husband and two little girls. She's been writing for the past four years and in her free time she likes to review books of new and upcomming authors.


For the love of blueberries, sword fighting, spell-casting and taming dragons was not the academy lifestyle Elena Watkins had in mind when she entered Paegeia.

Blog url: woodsadrienne.wordpress.com
Twitter: erichb3
Facebook: Fanpage: The Dragonian series
Goodreads: Adrienne Woods

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Blog Tour - Shadow of a Life

Shadow of a Life by Tifani Clark

Jamie Peters plans to spend the summer before her junior year with her nose stuck in a book—not saving lost souls. Usually the girl that blends into the crowd, Jamie’s world is turned upside down when a mysterious ghost begins to follow her.

But Sophia isn’t just any ghost.

A hundred years earlier, Sophia’s disappearance sparked a national mystery that remained unsolved. Jamie knows the legends surrounding Sophia’s disappearance, but she never dreamed she would find out what really happened . . . or that her family might have had something to do with Sophia’s disappearance.

Determined to set Sophia free, Jamie blows the dust off her family’s past and unearths clues to discover what she must do to save Sophia’s soul. She enlists the help of childhood friend—and secret crush—Peter Ashby as she sets off on a dangerous quest to find a missing map. Spending the night in a graveyard, crawling through a dilapidated barn, and staring down the barrel of a gun aren’t enough  to deter Jamie from helping Sophia. But can she find the answers she needs before another ghost gets revenge on her and Sophia?

Author Bio
Tifani Clark grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho (yes, that’s where they grow all the potatoes) as the middle of five children. She had a lot of space to imagine and daydream and often pictured herself as a character in one of the many books she read. She was habitually found pretending to be Scarlet O’Hara. Tifani loves mystery and hates it when one goes unsolved. She is married to the love of her life and is the mother to four fabulous children. When not writing, she enjoys playing the violin and piano and traveling to new places. She especially enjoys visits to national parks and places of historical significance.




SMASHWORDS:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/466289