Monday, 2 September 2013
Sunday, 25 August 2013
***Review*** In Session by M J Rose
Released: 20th September 2011
Publisher: AuthorBuzz
Series: No, but a collection of short stories
Format: Digital ARC
Source: Netgalley
Author Site: M J Rose
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis:
In Session, from international best seller M.J. Rose, features the return of Dr. Morgan Snow, in a brand-new story collection!
As a therapist specializing in sexual issues, psychiatrist Dr. Morgan Snow isn't easily shocked or shaken, as readers and listeners of the popular "Butterfield Institute" novels know. There are times, however, when the need for her services leads her out of the office... and into unfamiliar worlds.
In these stories, the therapist matches her wits - and her training - against three men of mystery: Jack Reacher, John Rain, and Cotton Malone. These characters are, of course, familiar to listeners as the creations, respectively, of New York Times best-selling authors Lee Child, Barry Eisler, and Steve Berry. All three swore that their characters would never agree to therapy - unless Rose found a way to get them there. And she did.
In "Extenuating Circumstances" with Steve Berry's Cotton Malone, a woman seeks help for her lover, and sends Dr. Snow overseas on a most unusual house call.
In "Decisions, Decisions", Barry Eisler's John Rain forces Dr. Snow out of her own comfort zone, and into the world of a former patient's worst nightmare.
And in "Knowing You're Alive", with Lee Child's Jack Reacher, there are revelations for both the injured Dr. Snow and her unexpected savior/patient.
Note that this book uses the actual narrators from each character's respective series (Phil Gigante/Natalie Ross: Dr. Morgan Snow; Scott Brick: Cotton Malone; Barry Eisler: John Rain; Dick Hill Jack Reacher).
All the proceeds of the audiobook and a share of the proceeds of the ebook will be donated to David Baldacci's Wish You Well Foundation, supporting family literacy. (wishyouwellfoundation.org/)
These characters are the creations, respectively, of New York Times best-selling authors Lee Child, Barry Eisler, and Steve Berry, and are used with their full knowledge and participation.
My Review:
First off I will say that I have never come across the characters written in each short story. I was happy enough to read through each one and glean an insight into each character. As with all short stories one wills stand out more than the rest and this was the one featuring Barry Eisler's John Rain. This particular story was great, I loved the character John Rain and I will certainly be looking out for books featuring this character.
Maybe if I had of read books with the characters in it might have rated more than 3 stars, but in all honesty I couldn't knock the stories or the writing style.
The main character Dr. Morgan Snow is interesting and it was nice to see how all the stories linked in with her, each scenario is completely different. So I didn't get too bored with the stories, not that they are terribly long anyway.
I think if you are a fan of each character it would be worth a read, if nothing else you may get a deeper understanding of the person.
Overview:
I enjoyed the short stories, and I certainly would check out other books featuring the characters.
My Thoughts on the Cover:
I love the colour scheme and I am totally a sucker for butterflies. Maybe if you stare at the cover more you notice the butterfly on the right is a bit damaged...... or is it just my imagination?
Friday, 23 August 2013
***Review*** Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
Released: 15th January 2013
Publisher:Penguin Books
Series: Yes #3 in the Across the Universe series
Format: Kindle book
Source: Bought
Author Site: Beth Revis
Goodreads Synopsis:
Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.
But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.
Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.
FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.
My Review:
Just one word sums this book up. WOW! I have loved every book in this series and I can say the last book just blew me away. I feel quite sad there are no more now :,( Definitely a keeper and one to cherish. I'm still reeling a little bit and it's been a few days since I finished it.
I often find with three part series it does go off the boil a little and dare I say it sometimes the final book is such a let down you feel a bit like throwing it against a wall. All that time invested in getting to the last book and bam, rubbish. I can say this is NOT the case here, Shades of Earth was awesome, magical and just damn perfect. I will say this is now officially my top book series of all time.
Overview:
A fantastic execution to the end of a wonderful series.
My Thoughts on the Cover:
Mmmmm have to say I'm a little cheesed off as it does not match my first two books :( I loved the style of the other covers. I suppose it's okish........
You can see my review of:
Across the Universe (#1) HERE
A Million Suns (#2) HERE
Monday, 19 August 2013
***Review*** Every Seventh Wave by Daniel Glattauer
Every Seventh Wave by Daniel Glattauer
Released: 31st January 2013
Publisher: MaClehose
Series: Yes, book two in the series
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Goodreads Synopsis:
The eagerly awaited sequel to "Love Virtually"--2011's wittiest, most compelling love story. ""How will this go on, Leo? The same as before? But where will it go? Nowhere, just on. You live your life, I live mine. And the rest we'll live together." " "Love Virtually" ended as Leo abruptly departed for a new life in the United States, determined to end once and for all the intense cyber-exchange that threatened Emmi's marriage and his own happiness. But shouldn't these unconventional lovers--intimates who have never met in person--get another chance? Readers thought so, and begged for more. The captivating story continues as Leo returns from Boston and gradually resumes his email contact with Emmi. But now he has his own real-life relationship, with Pamela, a woman from the US. Still, Emmi and Leo cannot stop writing to each other, no matter the consequences. When Pamela learns of Leo's secret and unusual liaison, she returns home, and Emmi's marriage to Bernhard is tested to its limits. Once again Daniel Glattauer delivers an irresistible page-turner--and a sequel worthy of the original.
My Review:
Well as you probably know me by now as this is not the first book in the series I will be giving nothing away about the plot. I don't want to spoil things.....
What I will say is be prepared........ this is a rollercoaster of a ride and I felt quite exhausted by the end of the book. I honestly did not know where the story was going to go next, but I can say I was satisfied with the ending.
Again like Love Virtually this is purely written in email to email format. Therefore I could whizz my way through it. It took me just under a day to read, I rarely put the book down, only when I needed a cup of tea :)
I have to say my only niggle is, that sometimes I wasn't too sure at first which character was writing the email, it did take a little guess work at times and I did have to skip back over things a few times; but a minor hindrance.
My favourite character had to be Leo, I did find Emmi a bit annoying at times, but there we are. I can say both books are worth reading so if you haven't got a copy go put them on your wishlist :)
Overview:
A nice quick read, but beware it should come with a health warning. Don't think my nerves could cope with a third book.
My Thoughts on the Cover:
It's a sweet cover and depicts the story well.
You can see my review of Love Virtually HERE - This is the first book in the series
Sunday, 18 August 2013
***Review*** Girl on the Net - My not so Shameful Sex Secrets
Released: 27th May 2013
Publisher: Carina
Series: No
Format: Digital ARC
Source: From Netgalley
Author Site: Girl on the Net Blog
Author Twitter: @girlonthenet
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis:
I’m Girl on the Net. You might know me from my blog. This is some stuff I do with my life.
Why did I write an erotic memoir?
The most obvious answer is ‘because I’m a pervert’ – I like sex; I like talking about it, reading about it, doing it, watching other people do it, and hearing other people’s stories.
This is my story. Don’t read it if you’re going to be offended by whips, submission or lots of sex.
Who am I?
Not telling. And if you think you know, please don’t spoil the secret…
My Review:
I was stepping outside my normal box with this one. After dipping in my toe into the erotic scene I thought I'd give this one a go. I have to say I did think this was good, it was frank it was honest and I found I could not put it down. Okay I have nothing much to compare this book to as I've only read a handful of books in this genre. I even had a handful of comments from friends on Goodreads asking why I was reading this book, well it was a pleasant escape from the norm.
Written by an anonymous blogger called Girl on the Net, the story takes you through different life stages and her experience with sex. I could to certainly relate to certain things and some were eye openers. Just goes to show how comfortable talking about sex has become for women, many years ago it would have remained a mystery.
This book was funny, honest and totally frank, there is a no holds barred approach to Girl on the Net. Even though I'd never heard of this blogger before I have read this book, browsed her blog and subscribed by email. Thank you Girl on the Net for writing a book that secretly we all want to read...... and write :)
Overview:
I think every girl should read a book like this, if nothing it certainly educates you.
My Thoughts on the Cover:
If I have to be truthful I actually don't like this cover, it doesn't stand out and catch my eye. I think the block of black colour is too much. But I do like the pink high heels.
Thursday, 15 August 2013
***Review** Pride by Penny Jordan
Released: May 1st 2011
Publisher: Harlequin UK
Series: No but there's three books in one
Format: Digital ARC
Source: From Netgalley
Author Website: Penny Jordan
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Dark family secrets A missing heir The scandal is about to break... Even the most powerful are touched by tragedy. Reeling from the death of their wastrel, playboy half-brother, the Leopardi family must find his illegitimate child. Rocco believes that Julie Simmonds is merely a gold-digger until he sees how truly she cares for his tiny nephew. But then it's proved that the child is not the missing heir... Alessandro doesn't employ women. So when he finds Leonora piloting his private jet, he's furious. And soon she's distracting him from his duty to find the missing Leopardi. When Falcon finally tracks down his late half-brother's child, he's appalled by the circumstances of his conception. Falcon will do anything to protect Annie, his nephew's mother. Even marry her... For fans of Danielle Steel and Barbara Taylor Bradford.
My Review:
I have been having a spell of YA books and thought I'd pick up something a little more grown up. This has been sat on my shelf for a little while and I don't honestly know why I waited that long. I think it ticked all the boxes in the swoony hunky men department. Three stories all rolled into one book, all about different brothers of the Leopardi family. Each story is sort of entwined and follows on in time from each other.
At times yes I did feel it was a little cheesy and predictable and sometimes I did get a bit frustrated at the characters. I just wanted to shout out loud and them and give them a bit of a shake up. For some seriously intelligent people they could not see past their noses, all it takes is a bit of communication. But I guess it must have hit a note as I actually cared about what happened to the characters.
All the stories were equal in my eyes, I could not pin point my favourite. I did enjoy them and I would certainly seek out more books from this author. Nice easy writing style and a very comfortable light read for a bit of sheer escapism. I did get to learn a bit more about Sicily, somewhere I would love to visit, thank you Penny Jordan that's one country added to my holiday list.
If I had to gripe at one thing is that there were no more books in this series. I would have loved to see where each character would end up in the future.
Overview:
I did enjoy this book and I would say it is what you are looking for if you want a bit of escapism with romance elements.
My Thoughts on the Cover:
I like it, especially as it is simple but effective. The purple dress and writing stands out nicely.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Author Interview: Elle A. Rose
Author Interview: Elle A. Rose
Tell
us a little bit about yourself.
This is a scary question! (Truthfully? The voices in my head tell
me to write, so I do) Okay, well, I'm the author of The Chronicles of Amber
Harris-my first YA series-and Hideaway Hill a romance novel. I'm currently
turning a short story I wrote for an anthology into a sci-fi novel and I'm
editing my latest romance novel.
Please
tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Because Amber
freaking rocks, enough said!
What sparked the
idea for your novel?
The idea for Last Teardrop came
from my love of vampires. There's always a running storyline in my head-it's
like an on going movie. It keeps going and going, but I've realized that once I
write it out, it goes away. Which makes room for new titles (do you see the
headlines? Coming soon to Elle's head). One day, I was reading this one book (I
won't say which one) and decided that I could do this too! I had a story and
thought it would be neat to try and share it with others.
Your favourite
authors?
There are so many authors that
have touched my heart. I think sometimes when asked this question many will give
you names of classic writers and I do love the classic works, but my favorite
authors will include: Stephenie Meyer, Rachel Caine, Richelle Mead (are you
seeing a trend? Vampires!!!) Of course there are more, but I think these are my
top 3.
If you
could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and
why?
If I could have
dinner with anyone, it would be my granddad. I miss him so much and I would love
the chance to tell him for the last time how much I love
him.
If you could travel
back in time to a certain event in history, what would it
be?
One
event I would love to go back and experience is the creation of pickles-dill
pickles to be precise. I would like to shake the inventor's hand! Best food
ever!
Favourite fictional
character?
Can I choose more than one? The
minions from "Despicable Me". I love those little guys!
If you could trade
places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead,
real or fictional. With whom would it be?
I have no clue. I'd rather not
trade places with anyone, however if they were rich, I'd be happy to swap bank
accounts for a week so I could live it up with my own family and
friends.
What
is the last book you read?
I read 3-4 books at
a time. Fall of Night, by Rachel Caine and Bloody Little Secrets, by Karly
Kirkpatrick are the last two book added to the Read status.
Thank you Jenny
for this interview and for sharing my book with your blog!
Synopsis:
Living
for over two hundred years as an immortal, one usually doesn't run into others
from their past human life, let alone, find out it’s their brother’s new mate.
After witnessing a vampire kill her close friend and becoming one, Amber Harris
is thrown into a world of secrets, darkness and cravings.
Closing her heart off
from both love and her new vampire family, she sets off into the world alone.
After spending fifty years apart, she reconnects with her family, including the
newest member, who happens to be her hot headed vampire brother ‘s new mate.
Recognizing the girl from her human past, Amber is convinced her family is in
danger. With the news that her brother and mate are thinking about separating
from the family, Amber must work quickly to uncover the truth before she and her
family lose him forever.
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