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Friday 31 August 2012

Blog Tour: Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert


 Hi Guys!  I'm really pleased to announce that Chocolate Chunky Munkie is hosting a tour stop for the amazing new title by Katee Robert called Wrong Bed, Right Guy. 

For my stop of the tour I have an author interview with Katee and also one lucky person will get to win an e-book copy of Wrong Bed, Right Guy


Released: July 20th 2012
Publisher: Brazen an imprint of Entangled
Series: Yes #1 in the Come Undone series
Find At: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK
Author Site: Katee Robert


Goodreads Synopsis:

Seducing Mr. Wrong has never felt so right...

Prim and proper art gallery coordinator Elle Walser is no good at seducing men. Heck, she’s been throwing hints at her boss for months, but he’s completely clueless. Desperate to escape her mother’s matchmaking efforts, she comes up with a plan—buy some lingerie and climb into her boss’s bed. The plan goes brilliantly…until she accidentally seduces a sexy stranger instead.

Bad boy nightclub mogul Gabe Schultz just had the best almost-sex of his life. Too bad the smoking hot blonde thought he was his brother and bolted before he could finish what they started. Though her holier-than-thou attitude puts a serious damper on his mood, Gabe’s never been one to give up on something he wants. And he wants Elle. But does a man who lives on the dark side really have a chance with a proper lady?


Author Interview: Katee Robert

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
 I’m a mom, a geek, a gamer, a writer, and a juggler of many things.

What inspired you to want to become a writer? 
When I was growing up, my grandpa had an ongoing story that he’d tell us a new chapter of every night he babysat. It was about the Three Bears, and they went on the most fabulous adventures. It made me want to create my own stories.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 
It’s sexy and funny and Gabe will melt your panties.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? 
This is a tough one. I’d say Poe, but we’d probably just drink ourselves stupid and wax on about depressing things. Actually, that sounds kind of awesome.

If you could travel back in time to a certain event in history, what would it be? 
I’d have liked to see Rome in its heyday. That’s not exactly a specific event, but what an experience!

Giveaway

Chance for one lucky person to win an e-book copy of Wrong Bed, Right Guy.  The prize is being generously supplied by the publisher and is open to Everyone!!


So here are the details: 
  • There will be 1 winner - The winner will receive an E-book copy of Wrong Bed, Right Guy  directly from the Publisher.
  • ·         Open to Everyone      
  • You must fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter
  • Giveaway will end 9th September 2012
  • Please don't leave your email address in the comments box


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Wishlist Wednesday #45

Every Wednesday, Dani at Pen To Paper features Wishlist Wednesday, a meme in which you can list a book that you really want to read or keep meaning to get. These are books that you want to add to your wishlist, and believe me there are plenty!  I've decided to use Dani's feature every Wednesday :)

So what do you need to do to join in?
  • Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
  • Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
  • Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
  • Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post.
  • Put a link back to pen to paper (http://www.pentopaperblog.com/) somewhere in your post.
  • Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

So here is my book for this weeks Wishlist Wednesday:


Goodreads Synopsis:

Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home—and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.

Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia’s origin—a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.

Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost. This is a supremely compelling debut novel that blends the awakening romance of Matched with the mystery and jungle conspiracy of Lost.




I thought this one sounded so different and the synopsis just captured my attention. Imagine the life you thought was perfectly normal wasn't and that you were basically an experiment created by scientists. Gripping stuff!! It's not out until September but I would love to get my hands on a copy!

Friday 24 August 2012

Author Interview: Robert Shields



Released: June 15th 2012
Publisher: Fruitbat Books
Find At: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBookstore
Follow on Twitter: Robert Shields

Goodreads Synopsis:

She leaned over and kissed him on the mouth totally catching him by surprise. Her warm lips erased any symptoms of being cold on the bridge, yet she froze him in place. It was wonderful, but it was over in a flash and he thought, "I never kissed her back."

A fool knows the price of everything and the value of nothing is the romantic theme between Paige Wheeler and Storm Lancaster. The intelligent high school expellees serendipitously meet at a garage sale and end up approaching sex in an awkward text book fashion. They start viewing the relationship through the lens of economics as if sex was a commodity. As they grow closer together, Paige’s promiscuous past comes to light that haunts her, which leads to complications in their relationship. Storm’s ineptness in handling the pressures of a relationship from previously attending an all-boys school causes problems while Paige finds some amusement in his immaturity. Her sterilized view of sex creates consternation for Storm over their rapport. At their new school, they make a mutual friend in Jamal. The trio engages in pranks as their friendship with him develops. Storm’s proclivity as an adolescent male leads to poor decisions with Paige as Jamal, often the voice of reason and conscience is ignored to the detriment of the couple. Emotions spin out of control after a frolicking camping trip with Paige’s old high-school buddies and the sexual economics experiment explodes.



I'm really excited to have author Robert Shields  drop by Chocolate Chunky Munkie and answer some questions for me.

Author Interview:  Robert Shields

What inspired you to become a writer? 
I started writing at an early age. I give the credit to my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Gowen, because she made us write all the time. The first thing that I ever wrote was a fan fiction piece on Star Wars where the rebels actually stop the Empire from boarding their ship in the opening scene and they kill Darth Vader. I also started my own sports newspaper that had a whopping circulation of one when I was ten. I have since been writing a weekly syndicated sports column in Arkansas for over fifteen years on the side.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book? 
Because we have all been in love with a person that we thought was greater than us, but in the end you find out their only human.

Your favorite authors? 
As a child I loved S.E. Hinton and all her books being the Outsiders, That was then this is now, Rumble Fish, Tex etc... I did not realize until later that the “S” stood for Sue and the “E” for Eloise. If I had known the author was a woman from the beginning, I may have never read the books. I do believe although it is contrary that women can write great men characters and men can write great women characters.

 Thank you Robert for taking time to answer my questions, some great answers  :)

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Wishlist Wednesday #44

Every Wednesday, Dani at Pen To Paper features Wishlist Wednesday, a meme in which you can list a book that you really want to read or keep meaning to get. These are books that you want to add to your wishlist, and believe me there are plenty!  I've decided to use Dani's feature every Wednesday :)

So what do you need to do to join in?
  • Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
  • Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
  • Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
  • Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post.
  • Put a link back to pen to paper (http://www.pentopaperblog.com/) somewhere in your post.
  • Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

So here is my book for this weeks Wishlist Wednesday:



Goodreads Synopsis:

Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.

     Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

     As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.




I came across this book a few days ago and thought it sounded just my kind of thing.  So on the wishlist it went.  This book sounds such an awesome read.  It's not out until October, so a little bit of a wait.  I thought I'd best have a break from zombie books, can't have you thinking I'm on a one track zombie themed ride :D

Monday 20 August 2012

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Conjure by Lea Nolan


Hi Guys!  I'm really excited to reveal the new cover for Conjure by Lea Nola.  It is so pretty and I love the ethereal feel about it.  The girl,trees and the fireflies make it so magical.


About CONJURE: Be careful what you search for…

Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.
When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.

LINKS: Goodreads | Author Website | Author's Twitter


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Wishlist Wednesday #43

Every Wednesday, Dani at Pen To Paper features Wishlist Wednesday, a meme in which you can list a book that you really want to read or keep meaning to get. These are books that you want to add to your wishlist, and believe me there are plenty!  I've decided to use Dani's feature every Wednesday :)

So what do you need to do to join in?
  • Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
  • Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
  • Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
  • Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post.
  • Put a link back to pen to paper (http://www.pentopaperblog.com/) somewhere in your post.
  • Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

So here is my book for this weeks Wishlist Wednesday:



Goodreads Synopsis:

 After she was buried, Jessie awoke and tore through the earth to arise, reborn, as a zombie. Jessie’s gang is the Fly-by-Nights. She loves the ancient, skeletal Florian and his memories of time gone by. She’s in love with Joe, a maggot-infested corpse. They fight, hunt, dance together as one—something humans can never understand. There are dark places humans have learned to avoid, lest they run into the zombie gangs.

But now, Jessie and the Fly-by-Nights have seen new creatures in the woods—things not human and not zombie. A strange new illness has flamed up out of nowhere, causing the undeads to become more alive and the living to exist on the brink of death. As bits and pieces of the truth fall around Jessie, like the flesh off her bones, she’ll have to choose between looking away or staring down the madness—and hanging onto everything she has come to know as life...




Now try hard not to groan......yes I have chosen another zombie novel :P  Last weeks Wishlist Wednesday pick was Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry, well this week it's Dust by Joan Frances Turner.  When I was in Birmingham Waterstones with Dani @ Pen to Paper last week, she had to hold me back and stop me hyperventilating as there was a whole display dedicated to zombie novels.  This is one of the books I stopped and had a browse at.  I decided not to get this one when I was there as I had already by then picked up Rot & Ruin.  But I have to say that I was very impressed with the synopsis.  So on the wishlist it has gone and hopefully it won't stay on there long :D

Tuesday 14 August 2012

***Review*** Shift by Em Bailey



Released:  May 7th 2012
Publisher: Electric Monkey (Imprint of Egmont)
Series: No
Format: Paperback
Source: From publisher for review purposes
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository


Goodreads Synopsis:

"There were two things everyone knew about Miranda Vaile before she'd even started at our school. The first was that she had no parents - they were dead. And the second was that they were dead because Miranda had killed them."

Olive used to be the school queen-bee. But that was before her breakdown. Now she's the class loner, and can only watch as new girl Miranda latches on to Olive's ex-best friend Katie. Soon Miranda is talking like Katie, dressing like Katie - even going out with Katie's boyfriend.

And then Katie dies. Everyone seems to believe it was a tragic accident, but Olive isn't so sure. What if the wild rumours are true? What if Miranda really is a killer...?



 My Review:

Oooh this one certainly got the mind into overdrive. It’s quite complex in places and there are a few twists here and there. I have to say it was a little bit predictable in places though. I did guess some of the twists, some were just no brainers. It did go a little flat in places for me; I really wanted edge of the seat drama. This is why I am not giving it a five star rating; it just didn’t get my pulse rating.

The main narrator is Olive, not all is what it seems with her. She’s quirky, feisty and a little bit of a problem teen. She’s had mental issues in the past. She used to be the school queen-bee but fell from grace when she distanced herself for her popular best friend. It’s not until you get further into the story that you start to get a very different picture. I did like Olive and you can quite clearly hear her voice and opinions throughout the story. There is something that has happened to Olive in her past and it is referred to as ‘incident’ you never learn about this until near the end of the book, well not the full picture. But it does keep you guessing and certainly puts the mind into overdrive. Olive would have to be my favourite character, yes she had flaws but they certainly made her more endearing. Who wants a flawless character.......I certainly don’t.

Miranda was a strange girl; she was a bit sinister and certainly gave me the he bee geebies. I’m really pleased I don’t know her in real life as I think I would run a mile. You can certainly see some disturbing behaviour and also the effect she has over some people. There is certainly mystery surrounding Miranda.

Mmmm boy candy was in the shape of Lachlan, he was certainly a dish. I would have to say that I was certainly rooting for him in the Olive department.

The very first page had me intrigued, and I have to say that I did enjoy the ending too.


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Overall:
This was a good story and I did enjoy it. Maybe a tad predictable, but this didn’t really worry me that much. 

My Thoughts on the Cover: 
I can see where they got the idea for the cover, it certainly relates to the book. It is very clever how they have done it, however, I personally don’t like it that much and I wouldn’t really go for this in the bookstore. Not to say it’s bad but not for me.

  *** Many thanks to the publisher for supplying me a copy of this book for review.***

Sunday 12 August 2012

Showcase Sunday #9 V-log

Hi Guys!  Welcome to another Showcase Sunday :D  I've had enough books in to do a video, so I hope you enjoy watching it!!

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky @ Books, Biscuits & Tea- what a great way to see what everyone else has had in their mailboxes :D







 
For all the links to Goodreads please click on the titles:

Many Thanks to:
Hot Key Books
Dani @ Pen To Paper
& Julie
    What books did you get in your mailbox this week?  Leave a comment and a link and I will have a peek :D

    Tuesday 7 August 2012

    Wishlist Wednesday #42

    Every Wednesday, Dani at Pen To Paper features Wishlist Wednesday, a meme in which you can list a book that you really want to read or keep meaning to get. These are books that you want to add to your wishlist, and believe me there are plenty!  I've decided to use Dani's feature every Wednesday :)

    So what do you need to do to join in?
    • Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
    • Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
    • Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
    • Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post.
    • Put a link back to pen to paper (http://www.pentopaperblog.com/) somewhere in your post.
    • Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

    So here is my book for this weeks Wishlist Wednesday:

    Goodreads Synopsis:

    In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn’t want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash—but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

    Acclaimed horror author Jonathan Maberry makes his young adult debut with this detail-rich depiction of a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has fallen, the dead have risen, and danger is always imminent.
    I can now hold my hand up and say "yes, I Jenny, am now a fully fledged lover of zombie books!"  The last few books I've read in this genre to name but a few - The Forest of Hands & Teeth series by Carrie Ryan, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel and the more recent Horizon by Sophie Littlefield has certainly whetted my appetite for more.  Believe me I would never have thought it :P  Rot & Ruin has been recommended to me by so many zombie loving readers that I think it's high time it went on the wishlist.  The cover is really freaky.  If you have any other zombie related book recommendations please mention them in the comments :D

    Monday 6 August 2012

    Author Interview & Giveaway: Lisa Shafer


    Released: February 4th 2012
    Publisher:Create Space
    Series: Yes #1
    Format: E-book
    Source: From author for review purposes
    Find At:  Goodreads |Amazon UK | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
    Author Site: Lisa Shafer

    Goodreads Synopsis:

    Lurking in the nuclei of a few rare human cells is an as-yet unstudied gene. It is a gene that makes the inheritor crave mammal blood and faint in bright sunlight. It is a gene that prevents the bearer from appearing normally in digital or mirror images.
    It’s a gene that makes life heck if you’re in junior high and trying to fit in.

    Eric Wright is a half-vampire with a problem. Several problems, actually. He can’t tell bloodlust from his rollercoaster adolescent hormones. The cutest girl in first period English wants him to become a vegetarian. And the assistant principal suspends him when he refuses to explain why his skin appears translucent in a school security video.

    Then Eric’s non-vampire mom, who’s definitely not telling everything she knows, takes him with her on a business trip. To Scotland, where it never stays sunny for very long. The perfect hang out for a vampire. Or several. If only Eric can find one to talk to before he makes any more stupid mistakes....


    You can see my review HERE


    I'm really excited to have author Lisa Shafer  drop by Chocolate Chunky Munkie and answer some questions for me.

    Author Interview:

    Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
    Here's my official Amazon author page description: Lisa Shafer is a Utah native and a writer of young adult fiction. Her current novels and WsIP all contain elements of the paranormal or urban fantasy, but someday she hopes to branch out into steampunk as well. As she has spent so many years teaching puberty-ridden adolescents, she tends to prefer first person POV in order to use teens' perspectives on the world. Or, possibly, she never really grew up and tends to see the world that way naturally. When she is not grading her students' papers, reading, or writing, Ms. Shafer enjoys traveling. Her bad habits include staying up way too late at night to read and eating way too much chocolate.

    Or, if you want the LONG version, here's the link to my ABOUT ME page on my blog: http://lisashafer.blogspot.com/p/about-lisa-shafer.html 

    What inspired you to want to become a writer? 
    I've always loved telling stories. I daydreamed a lot as a child and made up fantastic worlds for my dolls and stuffed animals. I created imaginary friends and told my real friends stories about them -- and my friends started copying me, so I knew I was onto something with that. :) My first success as a writer came in 6th grade (the last year of elementary school, age 11), when I won a class contest for writing a story. We'd had to use a certain list of vocabulary words (vial, crimson -- those two were on the list), and the teacher read my story out loud. I can still recall how cool I felt when the other kids laughed at all the right moments. That story, of course, was about a vampire.

    Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
    You should read my book if you would enjoy a humorous take on a vampire who's stressing out about being a teenager AND bloodlusting at the same time. What sparked the idea for your novel? In the autumn of 2003, I was teaching a group of 9th graders (ages 14-15, the 3rd year of secondary school) about reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, herself, etc.), using the idea of a mirror to convey that such pronouns reflect themselves. I was joking with them to get them to remember better, and I happened to tease a boy named Eric about only half-showing up in a mirror because of his odd sunburn on only one hand (He'd been golfing with a glove on one hand.). And the idea of that boy's being a half-vampire popped into my head. I told the class, and they laughed at the idea -- and the book was born. That class gave me other ideas over the first few weeks. The real Eric simply told me one day, "I want telekinesis." And I worked that into the plot. Also, the kids knew I'd been studying in Scotland (I did my MSc at the University of Edinburgh.), so they wanted the fictional Eric to go there, as it does have a great climate for vampires.

    Your favorite authors? 
    Oh my. You DO realize I'm an English teacher, right? Okay, I'll try to narrow it down. Shakespeare is my number one favorite ever. Period. Other writers I adore are Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker (of course!), JRR Tolkien, and Jane Austen. Now, authors I love who are still LIVING include: JK Rowling (who is awesome!!), Ian Rankin (I own every single Rebus book), Steve Hockensmith, Alan Bradley, and Connie Willis.

    If you could go to dinner with one of your characters who would it be and why? 
    I think I'd like to sit in on the pizza dinner Eric shares with Alasdair, Patrick, Sharon, and his mom. That would be a fun place to be. :)

    And a PS: Anyone interested can find me on my blog: http://lisashafer.blogspot.com/ on goodreads, on twitter, and on Pinterest (links on my blog). My book is available in paperback and e-book on all the Amazon sites, and I have two more books coming out within the next few months.

    Thank you Lisa for taking time to answer my questions, some great answers  :) 

    GIVEAWAY:

    Lisa has kindly offered to supply the prizes for this giveaway.  One winner will get a paperback copy of Confessions of a Teenage Half-Vampire, this will open to US, Canada & UK.  Two winners will also be able to win an e-book copy of the book, this is open to Everyone.


    So here are the details: 
    • One winner will get a paperback copy of the book and two winners will also be able to win an e-book copy of the book.
    • ·         Paperback copy is open to UK,US & Canadian followers.  E-Book giveaway is open to Everyone      
    • You must fill out the rafflecopter forms below to enter
    • Giveaway will end 17th August 2012
    • Please don't leave your email address in the comments box

      a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Sunday 5 August 2012

    Showcase Sunday #8 V-log

    Hi Guys!  Welcome to another Showcase Sunday :D  It's been a few weeks since I last posted about my book haul.  So I have plenty to show you.  I decided to do another video.  I hope you enjoy watching it.

    Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky @ Books, Biscuits & Tea- what a great way to see what everyone else has had in their mailboxes :D



      


     For all the links to Goodreads please click on the titles:
    Many thanks to:
    Bloomsbury
    Mira Ink
    Quercus

    Mentioned:
    Dani @ Pen To Paper
    The Forest of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan
    Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
    Horizon by Sophie Littlefield

    Click HERE for the links to my giveaway page

    What books did you get in your mailbox this week?  Leave a comment and a link and I will have a peek :D

    Saturday 4 August 2012

    ***Review** Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire by Lisa Shafer



    Released: February 4th 2012
    Publisher:Create Space
    Series: Yes #1
    Format: E-book
    Source: From author for review purposes
    Find At:  Goodreads |Amazon UK | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
    Author Site: Lisa Shafer

    Goodreads Synopsis:

    Lurking in the nuclei of a few rare human cells is an as-yet unstudied gene. It is a gene that makes the inheritor crave mammal blood and faint in bright sunlight. It is a gene that prevents the bearer from appearing normally in digital or mirror images.
    It’s a gene that makes life heck if you’re in junior high and trying to fit in.

    Eric Wright is a half-vampire with a problem. Several problems, actually. He can’t tell bloodlust from his rollercoaster adolescent hormones. The cutest girl in first period English wants him to become a vegetarian. And the assistant principal suspends him when he refuses to explain why his skin appears translucent in a school security video.

    Then Eric’s non-vampire mom, who’s definitely not telling everything she knows, takes him with her on a business trip. To Scotland, where it never stays sunny for very long. The perfect hang out for a vampire. Or several. If only Eric can find one to talk to before he makes any more stupid mistakes....



    My Review:

    Imagine being a teen and going through puberty, not easy right. But add onto that by being and teen and also being a vampire..... not easy at all.

    I found this book to be highly amusing, you can’t help but chuckle about Eric and his mishaps. He is a typical awkward teen, certainly where girls are involved. Things haven’t always gone swimmingly for Eric around the ladies, he had a very traumatic episode when he was younger and he bit a girl. So to Eric every little awkward moment is heightened. Eric has some good friends at school; this helps him get through things. By the sound of it Eric has moved school a few times and this time he seems settled, but it only takes one person to notice how unusual he is and then that would be the end of his time in that area. Eric is a well likeable protagonist; he really does have a good heart. But average, no this is not a word I would use to describe Eric.

    The content of the book is certainly suitable for younger teens; there are no graphic scenes and no bad language.

     There are many books on vampires out there and it takes an amazing book to stand out, this one certainly holds its own.

    I found the writing style of this book flowed well and there were some well placed moments of humour. I think this was good as instead of being a serious and angsty teen book it was light hearted and fun. There were some serious bits in there, but then again Eric is a bloodsucking vampire so what do you expect.

    To sum it up I did enjoy the book and I would like to read the next in the series. I would like to know what happens to Eric.
    Photobucket

    Overall: 
    If you want a fun and light read featuring teens going through puberty and a bit of vampirism thrown in then this book is for you. 

    My Thoughts on the Cover: 
    This is simple but effective. It does give you a rough impression what the book is about. The blood spatter effect is fun and the font gives the impression that this is not a crime or gore fest kind of book.

     *** Many thanks to the author for supplying me a copy of this book for review.***

    Friday 3 August 2012

    ***Review*** Horizon by Sophie Littlefield


    Horizon (Aftertime #3) by Sophie Littlefield

    Released: 24th January 2012
    Publisher: Luna
    Series:  Yes #3 in the Aftertime series
    Format: Digital ARC
    Source: Netgalley for review purposes
    Find At:  Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
    Author Site:  Sophie Littlefield

    Goodreads Synopsis:

    Cass Dollar is a survivor. She's overcome the meltdown of civilization, humans turned mindless cannibals, and the many evils of man.But from beneath the devastated California landscape emerges a tendril of hope. A mysterious traveler arrives at New Eden with knowledge of a passageway North—a final escape from the increasingly cunning Beaters. Clutching this dream, Cass and many others decamp and follow him into the unknown.Journeying down valleys and over barren hills, Cass remains torn between two men. One—her beloved Smoke—is not so innocent as he once was. The other keeps a primal hold on her that feels like Fate itself. And beneath it all, Cass must confront the worst of what's inside her—dark memories from when she was a Beater herself. But she, and all of the other survivors, will fight to the death for the promise of a new horizon….



    My Review:

    I can hold my hand up now and say that I love zombie books, and this one is by far one of my favourites. The other one is The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. However when I compare the two books together, Horizon is more dark and graphic. I LOVED this book. It had me on the edge of my seat and I did manage to sneak home early from work to get it finished. I know this is the sign of a book that is going to get full marks from me :D

    Horizon is part three of a series; I will say that I have not read the first two books. But this didn’t matter as everything is explained thoroughly and I didn’t have any blank moments. Yes, don’t get me wrong it would be better to read all three books in order, but in my opinion if you want to delve straight into Horizon it is possible.

    Zombies are pretty gross and this book certainly has no qualms about describing how they look and what their actions are. It’s not over the top either; some books have you howling in laughter because they seem silly and ridiculous. Not in the case of Horizon, it gets the balance perfectly right.

    I have to say that the main character Cassie is one of my favourite apocalypse survivors, she is totally flawed, which I guess there wouldn’t be many survivors who didn’t have some issue of some sort. She is treated like an outcast, even though she does her fair share of work around the settlement. At times it seems she is only tolerated as she is a hard worker and people adore her three year old daughter Ruthie.

     I think you would have to read books one and two to get more detail of Cassie’s story and how she came to Eden, but you do get snippets of the past in Horizon. Cassie is torn between two love interests and this seems to tear her in two, there are some angst moments.

     I’m not going to go in to great detail about the story as I tend not to when they are not the first in the series. I would have to spoil it for people.

    I would definitely recommend this book to post apocalypse and also zombie book lovers. It was great and I think I will be raving about it for some time. I have ordered book one, Aftertime, and when it arrives I will be reading it straight away!


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    Overall: 
    Had me hooked from word go, and certainly has given me more appetite for this kind of book. I will be checking out Sophie Littlefield’s other titles. 

    My Thoughts on the Cover:
     I like the font of the title, but I do think that the authors name could have been better laid out. The colour scheme is quite flat and this gives the impression of a post apocalyptic book. I love the barbed wire and the crows, very chilling and very spooky. It’s very clever how the name of the book is Horizon and this is also incorporated on the cover. If you saw this cover in the shops then it would certainly give you a bit of an idea what it is about, especially the detail of the cracked pavement. Yes I do like the cover and I would be drawn to it.


     *** Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for supplying me a copy of this book for review.***


    Thursday 2 August 2012

    Blog Tour: The Blessed by Tonya Hurley - Interview, Review & Giveaway (UK)


    Hi Guys!  I'm really excited to be part of The Blessed blog tour.  Coming up for my stop of the tour I have a review of the book, an author interview with Tonya Hurley and a giveaway.  One lucky UK follower will be able to win themselves a paperback copy of this book.




    Released: 2nd August 2012
    Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
    Format: Paperback
    Source: From Publisher for review purposes
    Find At: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository
    Author Site: Tonya Hurley

    Goodreads Synopsis:

    Brooklyn teens Lucy, Cecelia and Agnes find themselves in the emergency room at Perpetual Help Hospital at the lowest point in their lives. Lucy, the superficial party girl; Cecelia, a drop out rock chick; and Agnes, a hopeless romantic. All rebels running from their lives and themselves, plagued by broken hearts and broken dreams. Enter Sebastian. Mysterious, compelling, seductive. He seems to bring each of them what they long for...
     But in the battle for his heart, will they lose their souls?


    My Review:

    This is a very dark and edgy book. At times it comes across quite dark but there are some meaningful and deep moments. From the word go when the three girls all come into the emergency room, the mood is set. They all have their problems and they are all at their lowest ebb.

     This one was certainly a rollercoaster, it has moments of being brilliant and moments where I thought it was okish. I think this was mainly to do with the fast speed of the plot; it seemed to be like a whirlwind. I really wanted to stop and just take in a bit more detail. 

    The three girls Lucy, Cecelia and Agnes all had their fair share of problems. Sebastian the compelling and mysterious boy comes along and gives each girl what they are craving. He is almost like a drug to them. It is quite uncomfortable to see how needy these girls are, but then again we are talking about a book that is not at all fluffiness and light. It’s gritty and certainly nothing is glossed over. 

    I have got some favourite parts of the book; I will just mention them as they won’t spoil the story for you. The first chapter when all the girls arrive at the emergency room was excellent and also when the girls first come to the church. There, that’s all the details I’m giving. 

    My favourite character would have to be Lucy; I certainly didn’t like her ego at the beginning of the book. She is selfish, she is egotistical and everything has to be for her benefit. But I loved the stark comparisons to the other girls, Lucy really stood out for me. A girl that you would love to hate in real life.

    I have to mention the artwork in the centre of the book; the pictures are so pretty and detailed. There are pictures of the three female saints and there is also some verse which corresponds to each of them. I thought this was a lovely addition to the book. 

    I’m rating this book as a four star because at times it was really really good, but there were times that let it down a bit and I certainly think that giving it three stars does not do justice for this book. I have never read a story like it, so it is really unique. 



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    Overall: 
    Edgy, dark and gritty this book is certainly a tale of how when things can go wrong in your life you don’t know what is really at stake. 

     My thoughts on the cover:
     I love the artwork on the cover; the tattoo on the back of the girls back is so detailed and pretty. It would certainly stop me in my tracks at the book store. The title is embossed red foil and really adds effect. I just love it!

    Author Interview:  Tonya Hurley

    1. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 
     Because it's different to every other young adult book out there.

     2. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
     Know yourself. Accept yourself. Be yourself. Have faith in yourself.

     3. What was the hardest part of writing your book? 
    Dealing with revered religious icons in a modern context can be tricky.

    4. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 
    I'm writing the second book in The Blessed trilogy right now and I've just completed a ghostgirl Christmas novella which will be out this Fall. Fingers crossed for a ghostgirl film and a THE BLESSED project in the near future.

     5. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 
    I was amazed at how young the saints that I've chosen to re-imagine for this trilogy were when they were martyred. Just teenagers. The more I learned about them, the more it seemed to me that theirs were some of the first great young adult stories ever recorded.

    Giveaway:

    Chance to win your very own paperback copy of The Blessed by Tonya Hurley.
    As the book is kindly being provided directly from the Publishers it is open to UK only


    So here are the details: 
    • There will be 1 winner - The winner will receive a paperback copy of The Blessed  directly from the Publisher.
    • ·         Open to UK Followers·      
    • You must fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter
    • Giveaway will end 14th August 2012
    • Please don't leave your email address in the comments box
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

     
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