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Friday, 30 November 2012

Blog Tour & Giveaway: True Love Way by Nancy Scrofano


Hi Guys!  I'm really excited to be part of the blog tour of True Love Way by Nancy Scrofano.

For my stop of the tour I have a guest post from Nancy and also a giveaway for an e-book copy of True Love Way.  This giveaway is open to Everyone!

First off I'll kick off with the details of the book :)

Released: 20th April 2012
Publisher: Simon & Fig
Series: No
Author Site: Nancy Scrofano

Goodreads Synopsis:
Marlo Spencer relishes all things retro. Old TV shows, classic movies, and even the collectible lunch boxes to go with them. In fact, she's quite cozy in her Malibu apartment, surrounded by her treasured knick-knacks and vintage memorabilia. It's her best friend, Nik, who doesn't get her fascination with all that "old junk," as he calls it. He especially doesn't understand why she's so keen to get back to their hometown of Napa when her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris and nary a single phone call, eager to reunite with her. So, when Marlo heads up north to wine country to rekindle her relationship with Josh, Nik tags along, claiming he was already planning to visit his sister, Savannah, Marlo's gal pal. Once they reach Napa, however, dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and past betrayals are revealed, leaving an unsuspecting Marlo to pick up the pieces. Can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her heart?

Guest Post:  Series vs. Stand-Alone Novels

A few days ago, I found a synopsis I had written a while ago for the sequel to my debut novel, True Love Way. It got me thinking about series and stand-alone novels. I started wondering if a sequel and possibly a series make sense for these characters and their world. From the start, I’ve wanted to at least write a sequel in a similar way to Emily Giffin’s novels Something Borrowed and Something Blue. Her novels tell the story of best friends Rachel and Darcy, so Something Borrowed is from Rachel’s perspective and Something Blue is from Darcy’s perspective. I love that because it gives the reader the opportunity to get both sides of the story and get to know both girls really well. In True Love Way, Marlo is the narrator, but her best friend Savannah plays a huge role. I would love to write a sequel from Savannah’s perspective. I’ve even thought of writing a dual narrative novel from both of their perspectives, alternating by chapter. True Love Way can definitely stand on its own, so writing one or more sequels is a decision I have to make carefully.

As a reader, I don’t really have a preference between series and stand-alone novels. If I love a book and want to see what the characters will do next, then I definitely want a sequel, and possibly a series. However, sometimes a story is better when it’s left as one book, not because it isn’t good, but just because the journey of those characters reached its conclusion. It’s up to the author whether or not a series is appropriate. And it can be quite a big decision for the author, as I’m finding out. I would prefer to write series because I think it’s fun to see what characters are up to, but it also depends on the readers’ interest, if enough of them want the story to continue past one book.

My favorite series is The Little Lady Agency novels by Hester Browne. I also love The Daughters series by Joanna Philbin. My favorite stand-alone novel is Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. How about you? What are your favorite series and stand-alone novels? Which do you prefer and why?

Author Bio:

 Nancy Scrofano is the author of True Love Way. She is a freelance writer, and she is the founder and managing editor of The Chick Lit Bee, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction. 

Nancy is at work on her next novel. For more information, please visit http://www.nancyscrofano.com.







Giveaway:


So here are the details: 
  • There will be 1 winner- winner will receive an e-book copy of True Love Way sent directly from the Author.
  • ·         Open to Everyone·      
  • You must fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter
  • Giveaway will end 14th December 2012
  • Please don't leave your email address in the comments box
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

***Review*** Breathe by Sarah Crossan



Released: 11th October 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Series: Yes, #1 in the Breathe series
Source: From Publisher for review purposes
Format: ARC - Paperback
Author Site: Sarah Crossan


Goodreads Synopsis:

When oxygen levels plunge in a treeless world, a state lottery decides which lucky few will live inside the Pod. Everyone else will slowly suffocate. Years after the Switch, life inside the Pod has moved on. A poor Auxiliary class cannot afford the oxygen tax which supplies extra air for running, dancing and sports. The rich Premiums, by contrast, are healthy and strong. Anyone who opposes the regime is labelled a terrorist and ejected from the Pod to die. Sixteen-year-old Alina is part of the secret resistance, but when a mission goes wrong she is forced to escape from the Pod. With only two days of oxygen in her tank, she too faces the terrifying prospect of death by suffocation. Her only hope is to find the mythical Grove, a small enclave of trees protected by a hardcore band of rebels. Does it even exist, and if so, what or who are they protecting the trees from? A dystopian thriller about courage and freedom, with a love story at its heart



My Review:

I got really excited when I read the synopsis of Breathe, it sounded just my kind of book and it was!  I was blown away with this one, absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  I'm really into dystopian books and have read quite a lot this year, but this one stood out for me.  This one will definitely be in my top 10 books of 2012.

I loved the story, I loved the characters and most of all I loved the way it took a simple concept and blew it up to a fabulous heart stopping ride. I was on the edge of my seat a couple of times. Sometimes you have to take a step back and realise that something like this could be possible in the future, it's quite scary.

 I liked that the book centred around three characters, they were so different to each other.  I'm a big fan of multiple points of view.  I think my favourite character would have to be Alina, she is headstrong and passionate but even she goes through a character development.  The other two main characters are Quinn who is a premium, he really comes into his own when he leaves the pod and sees a different world from which he has been living in.  And the last is Bea who is an auxillery, she is best friends with Quinn. Bea is caring and compassionate and has a secret love for Quinn.

I want to be first in the queue when the next in the series arrives.  I can't wait to see what happens next in the story. I cannot recommend Breathe enough, it ticked all the right boxes for me.



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Overall:
A heartstoppingly amazing book, I loved it!

My Thoughts on the Cover:
I do like this cover, it sums up the book.  I love the colour scheme, it really is a pretty cover and one I would pick up in a bookshop. 

** Many thanks to Bloomsbury for supplying me with a copy to review ** 



Wishlist Wednesday #53

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:

Welcome to the Wasteland. Where all the adults are long gone, and now no one lives past the age of nineteen. Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan’s post-apocalyptic debut is the first of a trilogy in which everyone is forced to live under the looming threat of rampant diseases and brutal attacks by the Variants—hermaphroditic outcasts that live on the outskirts of Prin. Esther thinks there’s more to life than toiling at harvesting, gleaning, and excavating, day after day under the relentless sun, just hoping to make it to the next day. But then Caleb, a mysterious stranger, arrives in town, and Esther begins to question who she can trust. As shady pasts unravel into the present and new romances develop, Caleb and Esther realize that they must team together to fight for their lives and for the freedom of Prin.



Ooooh this one sounds interesting :)  Definitely sounds like my kind of book.  I love post-apocalyptic books, I'm really into them in a big way at the moment.  I hope this is another excellent one to add to the list.  It's not out until March 2013, so a little bit of a wait.  But hopefully it will be worth the wait!

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Wishlist Wednesday #52

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:

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past —that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza’s bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity–style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be—and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel.





I've just been watching the In My Mailbox video post by the Story Siren and she mentioned this book.  It sounds brilliant.  I just love the cover!!  It's not out until March 2013 so it will be on my wishlist for a few months.  It sounds just my kind of book!!

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

*** Review *** Separate Lives by Kathryn Flett



Released: 5th July 2012
Publisher: Quercus
Series: No
Source: From Publisher for review purposes
Author Site: Kathryn Flett

Goodreads Synopsis:

Your partner of ten years, and the father of your children, receives a text. You happen to see it.

It says:

'Start living a different kind of life... P :-) xxx'

You don't know a P. But you know this spells trouble.



My Review:

I have to say it's been a while since I read something contemporary, but I slipped into the narrative of this one like you slip into a nice hot bath.  It felt lovely and relaxing.  I've mostly been reading YA for the past year, but it certainly made a nice refreshing change to have a different feel to a book.

I have to say overall I did enjoy this book.  I really liked the fact it was told from different POV's it certainly gave each characters side of the story.  It certainly showed how each persons life was affected by the decisions they made and the consequences that followed.

I thought the story flowed well and I also liked the fact that there were some parts of the story are told in email and letter format.

My favourite character would have to be Susie, I could really relate to her and I enjoyed how her part of the story panned out.  The characters seemed real and I do like that in a book, it has to be believable for me.I didn't like all of the characters but I suppose you are not going to like all of them.

I have to say I liked how the ending panned out, I did feel that it ended on the right note.  There were a couple of twists in the plot, a couple were a little predictable. 

Would I read anymore books by this author??  Yes I would!


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Overall:
I would have to say it really did flow well and I will be reading it again at some point.

My Thoughts on the Cover:
I am so used to all these amazing YA covers that this one does feel a little drab in comparison.  I can't say this cover jumps out and says pick me up now.

** Many thanks to the Publisher for supplying me with a review copy **

A New Follower


Hi Guys!  I thought this picture of my cat Mitzy was too cute not to share.  

You never know perhaps it's Mitzy that writes all my reviews :)

I guess I have a new follower?!?  What do you think..........

Monday, 19 November 2012

***Review *** Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel


Released: 25th September 2012
Publisher: Del Rey
Series: Yes #2 in the Gone With The Respiration series
Source: Netgalley - for review purposes
Format: Digital ARC
Author Site: Lia Habel

Goodreads Synopsis:

Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

Lia Habel’s spellbinding, suspenseful sequel to Dearly, Departed takes her imaginative mash-up of period romance, futuristic thriller, and zombie drama to a whole new level of innovative and irresistible storytelling.


 My Review:

As this is book two in the series I am not going to go into great depth about the plot, I'm just going to discuss my feelings about the book.

I have to say that I really really enjoyed book one in the series, Dearly, Departed.  Dearly, Departed was my favourite book of 2011, I raved about this to anyone who would listen.  So as you can imagine I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of Dearly, Beloved.  The anticipation of this book was immense.

From then on my little bubble was burst........ I struggled to get into this book, it was stagnant and flatlined all the way.  Gone was the excitement I had eagerly anticipated.  Don't get me wrong Bram and Nora were as animated as I remembered, but the plot did nothing for me.  Big big disappointment. I only hope book three, if there is a going to be another in the series, is better than this one.

This book is told from several POV's, which I did like, it's always good to get a different angle on the story.  I have to say that my favourite character was Vespertine, even though she didn't feature heavily in this book, she is a brilliant character.

Obviously as the series continues you do get more character development.  It was nice to learn a bit more about the backgrounds of some of the characters.

I have to say I was pleased to finish this book, it was a long hard slog, almost felt like I was wading through mud.  Normally I fly through books that engage me, not the case with this one.  It must have taken me twice as long to read.


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Overall:
This one left me feeling depressed, I really loved the first in the series, but this one did not even get close.

My Thoughts on the Cover:
I love the cover, it is so delicate and gorgeous.  And totally matches the character of the book.

*** Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for supplying me with a review copy.




Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Wishlist Wedneday #51

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:


Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas


Goodreads Synopsis:

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.


This one popped up as a Goodreads recommendation, so I thought I'd take a look at it.  It was published yesterday, so hopefully sometime soon I will get my hands on a copy.  I'm a bit so so about the cover, I don't love it and don't hate it.  The synopsis sounds really good and something that would hit the right note with me. Eeeeee so on the wishlist it goes :)

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

***Review** Glitch by Heather Anastasiu



Released: 7th August 2012
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Series: Yes #1 in the Glitch series
Source: From Netgalley for review purposes
Format: Digital ARC
Author Site:  Heather Anastasiu

Goodreads Synopsis:
In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.




My Review:

I have to say I was so so excited to get my hands on this book.  The blurb sounded fantastic and just my kind of book.  But when I read this my heart started to sink, it was the fast paced and edgy book I was hoping for.  This one is a real slow burner and it took me quarter of the book to really get into it. I thought OK, maybe a shaky start and I can forgive it for that, but then it just flatlined after a couple of really exciting chapters.  There just didn't seem to be the action and excitement factor in this book.

I felt like picking this book up and pretending it could be a snow globe, shaking it, and then mixing it all up to get a bit of movement going.  It was lucky I never hurled it across the room in frustration.

I don't think I really got to know the characters in depth either, this didn't help, I have to feel connected to at least one of the characters but it just wasn't there for me.  I can't really give this any lower than a three star rating as I have to admit after a wobbly start to the series I do see potential.  So Heather Anastasiu I will give this series one more book before I give up on it.

It does leave a bad taste in the mouth when you are really expecting great things from a book and sadly it doesn't deliver.  Dont' let my review put you off, it just wasn't for me........ 


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Overall:
I have to say that I am disappointed with this one, not enough action or excitement for me

My Thoughts on the Cover:
Well purple is my favourite colour so it gets a thumbs up from me, but that aside I do like the cover as it is so relevant to the book.  It is eye-catching. 

**Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for giving me a copy to review.

 

Wishlist Wedesday #50

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:

From the author of Fracture comes a psychological thriller with fear, and its ability to manipulate the brain, at its heart. Megan Miranda’s masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.
Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend is dead. He bled to death in her kitchen. She was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear.


When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. She feels a hand touch her shoulder in the night, hears a voice whisper her name. Caught between sleep and wakefulness she can’t be sure what’s real and what’s dream. Mallory is no longer sure if she is completely sane, nor does she know what she is truly capable of. When a pupil is found dead, suspicion falls on Mallory and even she can’t be sure she isn’t responsible.


With a narrator that can’t be trusted, a love interest who may not be a hero and a cast of potential traitors, Hysteria is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.



I have to say that when I saw that Megan Miranda had written another book I got quite excited,  I really adored Fracture.  This one is completly different to Fracture but I have to say that it does sound really exciting.  It's not out until  February 2013 so I will be on the edge of my seat waiting for it to hit the shelves!!  On the wishlist it goes :) 

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

We're back :)

Hi Guys!  
I just wanted to say that Hades and myself are back from a short break.  A new house move and no internet for a little while meant that Chocolate Chunky Munkie had a bit of a dormant period.  But I am pleased that we are back and raring to go.

I have plenty of reviews to post over the next coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled.  My internet may have been down but my books were certainly read :P

I will be kicking off tomorrow with a Wishlist Wednesday post, it's one I like to participate in and it's hosted by the lovely Dani from Pen to Paper.


 
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