Book Review - Indulge & Giveaway

Title: Indulge
Author: Megan Duncan
Series: Warm Delicacy (book 2)
Release Date: 16th December 2011
ASIN: B006M7J97A

Synopsis
  Claire's heart is torn between her first vampire love, Dmitry, and the Blood Mate, Arrick, that she is eternally bonded to with a powerfully deep and emotional connection. A vengeful vampire is haunting her steps, after Claire killed their mate. An ancient evil threatens to rip her world apart. With the danger of war looming on the darkening horizon, will Claire find the strength to fight back and protect those she loves? Even if it means embracing the darkness inside her? Is it worth it to become the evil she fears, in order to destroy it? 


My Review
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read book 1 (Savor) and took part in the blog tour and really enjoyed it. I love Megan Duncan's writing style and her ability to capture your attention and weave you into a whole different world. So of course when she offered me the chance to read this one, I couldn't resist.
This book follows on straight from where book 1 ended and I was immediately pulled back into Claire's life. It has been a few months since I read Savor but the storyline, characters came straight back.
I liked seeing Claire develop in this book both as a Vampire and a Warrior and really just grow up a bit, she starts to take a stand in what she believes in and what she wants and I found that refreshing. 
Arrick is still a bit of a mystery but I find myself drawn to him. I hope he becomes a bigger part in the series,  I really want to know what happens with him.
There are a lot of fresh new faces in this book as well as the return of some old ones and it made for an interesting mix. There are some fight scenes that had me on the edge of my seat urging Claire on. A lot of the time I felt like I was right there next to her, ready to take on the next challenge. 
I am falling in love with this series, it is so different from the other vampire series I have read and it's refreshing. 


My Rating
I would give this book 10/10. A top class read, will sweep you away into another world. Definitely worth a read.

Giveaway!!!

For your chance to win an e book copy of 'Indulge', leave a comment below with your email address (so I can contact the winner, but please disguise email to avoid spam using (at) and (dot) in the middle) And the format of e-book you would like.
Also I want you to tell me what your favourite Indulgence is. Is it chocolate, books, ice cream? I want to know!
Names will be put in a hat and the winner pulled out on Wednesday 21st December. (I'm hoping we can get the e-book to you in time for Christmas.)

Giveaway is of course International. That's all everyone - so comment away.    

FF (48) & TGIF (31)

Follow Friday

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

This week's question feature is from Books Are Vital

Q: When you’ve read a book, what do you do with it? (Keep it, give it away, donate it, sell it, swap it..?)

My Answer: It depends on the book, if I got it from the library I will of course return it but if I absolutely adored it I will then buy my own copy to keep. If it was one I brought and loved I will keep it, but if I had brought it and didn't like it I will pass it on/ give it away or donate it either to the library or a charity shop.

 

 

TGIF!

This meme is hosted by GReads!

This Friday's Question:

 

Most Popular: What blog post has gotten the most 

comments/activity on your blog this year?

 

My Answer: 

 

The post that has had the most page views was:

- Midnight Summer Festival (3) Artemis Goddess of the Hunt

The post with the most comments has been:

- 200 Followers Giveaway!!!

 

Happy Hopping, have a great weekend everyone!!!

Darwin's Children Blog Tour

I have some great new books to introduce you to, let's start with the newest installment then work our way back: 

Unnatural Law
by Natasha Larry
Fantasy / Young-Adult
Book 2 Darwin’s Children Series

Seventeen-year-old Jaycie Lerner’s psycho-kinetic power surge is over, and her astounding powers are under control for the time being – sort of. As she struggles to maintain her humanity in the face of the awesome terror and responsibility of her abilities, she also yearns for the chance at a normal life – and a relationship with Matt Carter, the best friend she had to leave behind. But Matt’s got a few tricks up his sleeve, and he’s not about to give up on his feelings for Jaycie.

As Jaycie and her family grapple with the day-to-day routine of trying to keep their world together, Jaycie’s mother figure, Allison Young, endures a personal crisis of her own. The superhuman blonde possesses the physical equivalent of Jaycie’s awesome psychic power.

So evolved, at ninety-two she still looks twenty. But what good is extended life when everyone else around her is so fragile? With no one to share her unusual life, she’s a uniquely lonely woman yearning for the romantic love she sees all around her. But in a dream she gets her wish – and it quickly turns to a nightmare for everyone else in her life. The memory of a rose is all she can hold onto in the storm of obsession that nearly sweeps her away.

Things quickly turn deadly for the vampires, but the Dey-Vah Guard fairies refuse to acknowledge there’s an imbalance in the nature they protect. As the danger gets ever closer to Jaycie and her family, the race is on to find answers before a secret plot can destroy them all. 

Smashwords

Darwin's Children
by Natasha Larry 
Fantasy / Young-Adult
Book 1 in Series

A black teen in a small Tennessee town finds more than the usual challenges growing up as she tries to master her telekinesis and help a kindred spirit. 

Book Blurb:

Life can get pretty complicated for any seventeen-year-old girl, but for a home-schooled telepathic black girl trying to survive in a prestigious private school in small-town Jonesborough, Tennessee, it can be maddening – especially when her telepathic father keeps eavesdropping on her thoughts!

Jaycie Lerner’s family isn’t the usual mom-dad-kid setup. Jaycie’s mom’s MIA, but Allison, her personal live-in ‘trainer,’ is more than a mom, with her own special abilities, like being able to lift cars and run incredibly fast. And Jaycie’s godfather John is more than persuasive – he can literally convince anyone to do anything.

As far as the rest of the world’s concerned, Jaycie’s on the outside looking in. The townsfolk love Jaycie’s pediatrician father, but she doesn’t fit in with ‘normal’ kids, and she doesn’t really want to. Most of her free time is spent training to keep her telekinetic and telepathic powers under control. But there’s one thing she can’t control – and that’s her feelings, especially when her best friend Matt is nearby. If only he knew what she was truly capable of...

Everything seems to be status quo for Jaycie until she receives a cryptic message from a stranger and meets a very unusual girl new to Jonesborough. Then all hell breaks loose!

Book Link: http://www.penumbrapublishing.com/php/genre.php?gtype=young 

Have a watch of the Book Trailer:

Author Bio

Natasha Larry resides in Huntsville, Alabama with her daughter and fiancé. She graduated from Tusculum College with a B.A. in History and is currently working on getting her certificate in education. Apart from writing, she is a self-proclaimed comic book nerd and urban fantasy junkie. Her poetry and short fiction has appeared in publications such as Writing Edge magazine and Escaping Elsewhere. Darwin’s Children is her first work of novel length fiction.

Author Web Site:
          http://www.paranormalwire.blogspot.com
          http://natashalarrybooks.com/

Books by Natasha Larry
          Darwin's Children ( Book 1 of Series: Darwin's Children )

         

Unnatural Law Book 2 Darwin’s Children Series

Why not check out the Facebook Page

Twitter: @natashalarry

e-mail: Natasha@natashalarrybooks.com

Book Review - Tallen

Title: Tallen
Author: M L Sawyer
Series: Quest of the Demon - Aftermath (book 1)
Publisher: Equilibrium Books (Aust.)
Release Date: 26 Nov 2011
ASIN: B006ETVV3Q

Synopsis
Growing up not far from the road to Chinta on the edge of the Jungle Dragon, Tallen is excited to have her two brothers home. Recent times have been hard, Tallen herself barely surviving an attack by a derelict stranger in their very own barn.
The war that never was has relieved them of their duty at Chinta, so much so, that her father, the Sergeant of the Guard, is able to return for a visit, bringing news of a possible suitor for Tallen, given that she is almost of that age.
Tallen is not sure what she wants, and the man her father brings home is not what anyone expected. But at least she knows that her family has her best interests at heart when the pompous, self-interested merchant's son is sent back to Chinta.
The aftermath of the Offworlder's quest remains uncertain, the battle apparently lost. But for a reluctant Tallen, the journey is only just beginning, upon a path from which there may be no return.

My Review
Earlier in the year I read 'Quest of the Demon' by ML Sawyer, It was OK but didn't blow me away. I was contacted again by the author with this book. Tallen is in the first book but only briefly. When I met her as a character in the first book I wanted to know more and was disappointed she didn't feature again, so I accepted this book to read with enthusiasm.
I wasn't sure what I would think but was instantly blown away. For me, Tallen is the character that you should focus on, she grabbed me in a way Darci couldn't and I felt myself connect with her. This book takes you right into the world and the action starts straight away. I was literally sitting there in my lunch break at work reading like mad, trying to get as far as I could before I had to go back out, I wanted to know more. 
There is quite a lot of violence in this book, but saying that it wasn't overdone. I enjoyed this book and admired Tallen's strength and determination. I love her puppy Wanderer - I could just give him a great big hug. You also meet a Mercenary named John and I really liked him, I loved how he was there for Tallen, and willing to help her.
I was surprised with the route Tallen chose later in the book, her desire for revenge overtakes her, but it did offer an exciting read, wondering if she would go through with it or not. 
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first. I couldn't put it down. Incredible. I want more from Tallen. :D

My Rating
I would give this book 8.5/10. Fast paced and exciting.


*Get the book for 75% off for a limited time at Smashwords. Email me at becca9(at)gmail(dot)com saying you have read my review and I will send you the code. Code expires 4th Jan so make sure to contact me before then*

Book Release

This week has seen the release of 'Dragon's Pupils - The Peaks'. Book 2 in the Dragon's Pupils series by Martin Chu Shui.

Synopsis
"Powerful and invincible they ride across vast desert landscapes, hunting and slaying vampires under the cover of night. Jian Ke, the sword guests are more famous than ever! Admired by millions of TV fans around the nation as they pursue a life of action and adventure: a splendid tapestry depicting Liz, Henry and Sue at the top of their game. With her paintbrush in hand Liz is prepared to take on a hoard of vampires, an army of aliens and even her first kiss from the man of her dreams, Sue’s handsome older brother.

Life couldn’t be better until everything falls to pieces.

Liz must now face her biggest fears as the world she once knew slips through her fingers. No-one will be left untouched by the chaos which ensues. Armed only with her knowledge of Tai Chi, Liz must fight for what she has lost and begin the climb of her life. An unforgettable journey will take her to the Peaks.

“Dragon’s Pupils – The Peaks,” the second instalment of the Dragon’s Pupils series, follows the drama of Liz’s life as she fights monsters, wields magic and longs for forbidden love. It is a journey which will take you through Australia’s most beautiful landscapes and ultimately witnesses the transformation Liz undergoes, as she rises to meet her latest challenge."

Available now for Kindle on Amazon - you can get it here.

The second installment is exciting and definitely worth a read.
I'm not doing a proper review on this book as I have had a lot of email contact with Martin and helped to proof read the book - so I'm biased :D. I'm even in the Acknowledgements!!! *Excited*
This book has a lot of heart and Martin is passionate about what he does. So check it out.

The series starts with 'Dragon's Pupil's - Sword Guest'

FF (47) & TGIF (30)

Follow Friday

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

This week's question feature is from Roxy @ Keeping Up With Roxy’s Books

Q: Keeping with the Spirit of Giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read and if you could, you would buy it for all of your family and friends?

My Answer: Well, there are quite a few books I think everyone should read. The Bible obviously, Hunger Games, Skulduggery Pleasant. But the one book I would hand out to everyone, and i think this would be a very popular answer, is Harry Potter. These books have such great messages and just capture the hearts and minds of everyone. The magic really comes to life.

 

TGIF!

This meme is hosted by GReads!

This Friday's Question:

 

Book to Movie: Which book turn movie do you feel did the best adaptation? What about the worst?

My Answer: 

 

Best - I love the adaptation of 'The Last Song' by Nicholas Sparks. Such a beautiful book and the film pulled my heart too. I also love the film 'A Little Princess', I actually prefer the film of this compared to the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. And of course Harry Potter!

 

Worst - Eragon, this book is so incredible the movie totally didn't live up to it. Really didn't like it. Also Northern Lights - again I was a massive fan of this book but the film changed too much AND cut off the end!!! Why!?!

Happy Hopping, have a great weekend everyone!!!

 

Know Me Better 8th December

"Know Me Better" is a new weekly meme hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. Each week five questions are asked as a way for your readers to get to know you better. Want to play along? It's easy! Just click the link above to take you over to the host's page. From there, copy and paste the meme image into your blog along with the meme code. Link back to the host and you're done.

Here's this weeks questions:

Pet Peeves?
I always thought I was a pretty calm person, but lately things have been niggling me more. People who chew with their mouth open - eugh. I don't need to see that and the noise they make chewing is so irritating.
Parents who let their children run around and make a mess and just ignore them. When they do eventually leave they never clear the mess up after them. Grrrrr. We have a few of these in the library and it always irritates me when they come in.

Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again.
Well, a typical weekday would be - up at 8am get dressed, breakfast etc. Leave house at 8.40 to get to work for 9. Work at library until 6pm. Leave work, come home and eat dinner. Have 20 minutes to sit and read. Get up and changed ready to go out, then depending on the night I go to either Zumba (mon), Trampolining (tues & thurs), JuJitsu (weds) or Diving (fri). I tend to leave about 7pm and get home around 9.30. Once home I load up my computer, check blog comments, read posts by blogs I follow, post anything I have to post. Then check my Facebook and Twitter. Once that is done I will either sit and read or I will do some novel writing, or if I have any work or forms to do I will fill them in. If I'm really tired I will watch something either on YouTube or I will shut down and go to watch my TV. I usually go to bed between 12.30 and 1 - I flop exhausted and fall asleep in minutes.

Pizza or Pasta?
I love both but Pizza would win. I love me a good pizza. mmmm

Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
Hunger Games!!!

Favorite sport?
As you can see above I do a lot of sports and I love them all. I also love Gymnastics and wish I had time to get back into it. I also love to watch Gymnastics. But Out of the ones I do I think Diving is becoming my favourite but it's a close race. I also like to watch Diving, some of the things I've seen people do is incredible.

Jamie Magee Image Tour

Today I would like to introduce you to 'Jamie Magee' an exciting new YA author. This tour is to promote her 'Insight' series and her new release 'Image'. Here is a bit about each book.

Insight:

Some say that dreams are the doorway to the soul. Willow Haywood is no stranger to that doorway. Each night she shares a blissful, silent dream with a stunning blue-eyed boy. With each new moon she is haunted by a painful nightmare shared with a different boy, who’s always hidden by the shadows.

In her waking hours she must battle her sixth sense. The one that allows her to feel others emotions as if they were her own. This insight is exhausting and frustrating causing her to draw inward, only trusting her family and few close friends. Oddly, this sense also attracts ghostly images that seem to appear out of nowhere. With a touch, they take her to wherever they may be, allowing her to change their emotion. This alone would cause most to go insane, but Willow filters her aggression by painting, capturing the emotion she changed.

One August night a nightmare came days after the new moon. In this dream the shadowed boy marked her wrist with star, leaving her father no choice but to share a family secret that would tie all of the odd attributes of Willow’s life together. Now, she has no choice but to outrun the fate that is closing in around her.

In an attempt to lure her, the shadowed figure captures her closest friends. In order to save them, she must weave through broken myths, half truths, and the undeniable power of the Zodiac. With each step she takes Willow comes to realize that she has lived before, her path is one that she chose, and this trial is simply the beginning.

Embody:

Not many Scorpio’s are known for their patience, and Willow Haywood is no different. Her only desire is to love Landen Chambers and redeem the lost souls of Esterious, but the path to that desire is long, dark and dangerous...

Before Willow’s life had a chance to balance the sudden revelations and grief she had to endure to get to Chara a disturbing discovery is made. A photo, one that shows Willow blissfully embracing the flawless image of Drake Blakeshire; giving her not only proof that she had lived before, but that she had loved him.

Running away from the memory of Drake’s hypnotizing touch, and the prophecy set before her seemed like the logical thing to do. That is, until a dark dream reignites her passion to save the hopeless dimension of Esterious. Willow struggles to find patience – to learn everything she needs to know before she faces Drake again, but her eagerness is dangerous and one step in the wrong direction takes everything and everyone away from her – the only way to survive this trial is for Willow to remember who she is and what she really wants out of this life.

 Image:

There is an ominous darkness, one that that is so dense and mind numbing that you can feel the chills race across your skin as the energy of the hatred behind it hovers near you. They thought that it was over…that he was dead….they never imagined that he was more powerful dead than he ever was alive.

 A war is on the brink of erupting in the  dark dimension of Esterious, the victory Willow had a few days ago was nothing less than vague memory. With each thought she has she fights the images of Drake’s dark eyes, his words… his promises. Doubt seeps into her soul as she stares forward and what could only be the hardest battle she has faced thus far.

Venus is meant to be the planet of love and peace….but when it falls into retrograde its influence changes. Matters of past relationships will surface; choices will be made with the mind and not the heart. Gateways to an evil that cannot be fathomed will open. Willow and Landen’s only defense is to hide their family away, and lock themselves in the palace that was once ruled by Donalt. The energy is heavy and dark within these walls…there is a presence that lingers and strikes at will. Cruel illusions are placed before Willow, but that is not even hardest part…what is hard is standing in room with Drake and Landen and listening to others tell you of lives that you cannot recall…for them to tell when and how you are going to die.

 Every prediction and theory is about to be proven wrong…and the choice before Willow’s heart holds the lives of millions at stake. The question is will be she be able to see through the illusions before her and make a choice…she can live with?

Jamie's Bio

Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she'd never been, introduce her to people she's never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.


This is the link to Jamie's fan page: https://www.facebook.com/Insight.Jamie.Magee

Jamie's Website is here, check it out!

Book Review - Crossed

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Series: Matched (Book 2)
Publisher: Puffin
Release Date: 24 Nov 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0141333069

Synopsis
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
  
My Review
Crossed is the second installment in the Matched Trilogy, following on from where the first book ended.
I read Matched last year for a Book Day at work and was surprised by how much I loved it, so I was really excited when Crossed came out. As I'm broke right now I had to request a copy from the library instead of buying one (although I still want my own copy), the library copy came in quite quickly and I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
At 366 pages I thought it would take me a while to read but I actually sped through it. I had finished the whole thing in less than 3 hours! I would glance at the page numbers and find I was much further than I thought I would be, i was literally flying through the book, It was so good.
Cassia is trying to find Ky and Ky is trying to find Cassia, whilst both of them try to stay alive and figure out where they want to go once they are back together. I could feel Cassia's love and pull towards Ky, her desperation to be with him again. Her true devotion and I loved how Ky felt so lost at times, wondering who he really was and what his life comes down to.
The world in this book is incredible, it's like Ally has taken a brush and painted this beautiful yet deadly world in front of me, I could picture the whole thing and I felt like I was there. I laughed and cried along with the characters and when i thought Cassia had made a wrong move I was yelling at the book and gripping the pages tighter, desperate to know if it worked out right or not.
I literally could not put it down. I totally adored this book, I think I even enjoyed it more than the first. This left me feeling like I had been on a journey with the characters, it was so real to me. I can't wait for the next installment.


I was quite shocked when I loaded Goodreads to get the synopsis and I found quite a few negative reviews for this book - it seems to be a real love it or hate it book. But I really truly loved it. Amazing how different people see or experience books. 


My Rating
I would give this book 10/10, I really loved it. 

Contest for Aspiring Writers

I have another exciting competition to tell you about. If you've ever dreamed of being published this could be for you. Open to US only.

"Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers.  This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation.  See http://bookwish.org/contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

• Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot

• Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau

• Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust

• Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe

• Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors

• Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For.  Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012.  If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript).  You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss.  To enter, follow the instructions at http://bookwish.org/contest."