Becky's Barmy Book Blog

FF (123)

2013-05-24T21:13:00.002+01:00

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 Bookingly Yours

Q: The #FF is 150 weeks old! And we want to hear from you! What would you change about the hop? What do you like about it? Or just suggest a question to be used for next week!

My Answer: I love FF, always fun and easy to take part in and a great way to find new blogs and 'meet' new people to talk to. Really reinforces the community aspect of blogging.

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

Guest Post - Chanda Stafford

2013-05-23T03:00:00.000+01:00

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Falling in Love- One Book at a Time

Chanda Stafford

“Hey, Handsome. Yeah you, over there by the bar. Why don’t you come over and sit with me for a while? I have a main character’s shoes to fill, and you’re just the tall, dark, and handsome bloke to do it. Interested?”

Okay, I’ll admit it. I routinely fall in love. All the time, in fact. My husband would probably be alarmed if all the men I’ve loved actually existed in real life. As it is, if we ever run into a younger version of Harrison Ford or Hugh Jackman (preferably dressed like Wolverine), he’d be in trouble, and he knows it.

As both a reader and a writer, I love meeting the leading man. Not necessarily for the steamy romance, but the archetypes he represents. He’s got to be strong, protective, have a great personality, and a wonderful sense of humor doesn’t hurt, either, and he has to have his own teeth. Wait. That’s a real life dating rule. Sorry. But to be honest, my real life and imaginary lists are pretty much in sync. What I love in books, I also often love in reality as well.

The opposite, however, is also true. I know I’d have a hard time falling in love with someone who has poor personal hygiene, who lives in his mom’s trailer, or who thinks a hot night out is the drive-through at McDonalds. I’ve had enough personal experiences with dating (pre-husband, of course) that could make your hair stand on end. There was this one guy who… never mind. Let’s just say meeting random guys who walk up to you while you’re pumping gas and ask for your number, then actually giving them your number is never a good idea. The end result often includes the wonderful boys in blue and one heck of a lecture telling you never to do that again.

In First, the first book of my Live Once trilogy, published through Red Adept, there are three prominent male characters. Two of them are drool-worthy. The other is an eighty-eight-year-old man, but if you’re into that sort of thing, more power to you. He’s not such a bad guy when you get to know him, either. One of the younger ones, Tanner, is Mira’s first love. Right before she’s set to leave her home, she finds out she and Tanner had been given permission to be married. He’s strong and handsome, but he’s keeping secrets from her and doesn’t seem to trust her to tie her own shoes without his help. But he’s trying to save her life, so that has to count for something, right?

Mira meets the other male character, Will, when she gets to her nation’s capitol, now housed at the Smithsonian Institute. They form a deep, passionate bond, even though Will knows what’s going to happen to her, but is not allowed to say anything. He kindles in Mira a fiery hunger that definitely merits a one-true-love kind of feeling and promises to be there for her, no matter what happens. She starts to imagine a life with him outside the confines of their society, but like Romeo and Juliet, these star-crossed lovers face some pretty monumental obstacles. He breaks the law to help her, but stands down when she makes a final decision, even though he doesn’t agree with her choice.

Creating the perfect leading male (or female) character is a monumental task. Some writers draw from people they know, be it boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, family members, or coworkers. Heck, if I started drawing from my family members, I’d have to write a modern rendition of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, with no one sane enough to play McMurphy (including myself). I know I’ve done it right when it looks seamless and the reader doesn’t see the agony I went through to give my characters the best positive traits and flaws.

Even though they’re not perfect, the leading men in my stories will never ask you to pay for your own dinner, beg for a ride in your car on the first date, or take you home to meet their mothers, who happen to look just like Ted Bundy. Wait. That’s not completely true. If he’s the bad guy, then I’ll probably have him steal some old person’s fake teeth, rock a mullet, and spend his days playing Super Nintendo in his parents’ basement. But if you’re into that sort of thing, the perfect guy is out there waiting for you, too.

Here are the book links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/First-Live-Once-ebook/dp/B00CPRO2QE/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1046632684?ean=2940016614328

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/First/book-VDufk0zdIEadOEzpMNIfYw/page1.html?s=RK3bQO33oUWrdwHJNaR0BA&r=1

Other Helpful Links:

The First Tour page: http://redadeptpublishing.com/the-first-tour/

Book page on RAP: http://redadeptpublishing.com/firsts-book-one-of-the-live-once-trilogy-by-chanda-stafford/

Author page on RAP: http://redadeptpublishing.com/chanda-stafford/

Author Blog: http://chandastafford.com/

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17742946-first

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Tricksters Totem Promo & Guest Post

2013-05-22T03:00:00.001+01:00

The Trickster's Totem Description:

Life has returned to normal for fourteen-year-old Evan and his older sister, Claire. That is until Dunkle, a clever but stinky little imp, pays an unexpected visit to their school. He has come to take the siblings back to Sagaas, the mythical realm of the gods. Once again, a Relic from the ancient Mysticus Orb has fallen into the wrong hands. Only Evan and Claire, with their unique mystical abilities, can help find it.

Through the power of the Trickster’s Totem, a coyote trickster has escaped. His laughter echoes throughout the realm, as he spreads mischief and mayhem. He burns an entire crop of popcorn, carves his grinning image into sacred artifacts, and things really get interesting when he shape-shifts into Evan’s friends.

Claire and Evan must capture the Trickster, retrieve the Totem, and be careful not to become sidetracked by robotic Steampunk animals, “sweet” pixie-like Pains, and a problematic mermaid … all while dodging Mothman-like aces. Most surprising, Evan discovers the true reason dragons exist in the Native American Spirit World.

Book Links:

Amazon | GoodReads | Barnes & Noble

Description of the first book in the Relics of Mysticus series, The Serpent's Ring:

Evan and Claire Jones are typical teenagers, forced to go with their parents to yet another boring museum ... that is, until something extraordinary happens to make their day a little more than interesting. After following a strange little creature into a closed exhibit, Evan and his older sister, Claire, discover the Serpent’s Ring, one of the magical relics formed from the shattered Mysticus Orb. Purely by accident, they have awakened its powers and opened a portal to Sagaas, land of ancient gods.

Before the siblings can comprehend what has happened, the Serpent’s Ring is wrenched from Evan’s hand by an enormous fish and flown back to Aegir, the Norse god of the sea. Evan and Claire, accompanied by a band of unlikely heroes, must retrieve the Serpent’s Ring before Aegir uses its immense powers to flood all the lands on Earth.

The Serpent’s Ring is FREE for Kindle May 28^th-June 1^st.

Book Links:

Amazon | GoodReads | Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:

A magical part of H.B. Bolton’s childhood was being swept into worlds of enchanting characters, fantastical creatures and extraordinary powers—simply by picking up a book. As a mother and a teacher, she was compelled to create imaginary worlds of her own in order to share them, not just with her children, but with all children. H.B. Bolton lives in Florida with her supportive husband and two highly spirited children. Shh, can you keep a secret? Not only does she write books for the young-at-heart, adventurous sort who yearn to dive into a good young-adult fantasy story, she also writes spellbinding, heart pounding women's fiction. These particular books are written under the name Barbara Brooke, but that's another story, altogether.

Books by H.B. Bolton:
The Serpent's Ring (Relics of Mysticus, Book One)
Breaking Down (a short story)
Hungry (a short story)
Coming May 1, 2013
The Trickster's Totem (Relics of Mysticus, Book Two)

Excerpt from Chapter 16

Something rustled in the shrubs. Evan looked closer and realized the leaves were made of metal. He searched, and when he found a rock, he pelted it. To his surprise, it sounded like he had hit a stack of tin cans. A bunny hopped out, but it wasn’t a real bunny. It looked like a little robot made from the same titanium and copper found in the tree. Cog wheels made up its neck, and its cheeks consisted of timepieces. Its legs were coils instead of muscle and bone, and they sprung as it bounced toward Evan. Wires came from its nose, and they rustled together when it sniffed Evan’s sneaker. It raised its body to smell the rest of him, and Evan noticed tiny cameras in its eyes.

“I’m not sure whether that is one of the coolest or scariest things I’ve ever seen,” Evan mumbled toward Dunkle.

“You are right to fear it, for it belongs to the C’iatqos. I should have realized it sooner.”

“Nobody mentioned they had robotic rabbits.”

“That is not all they—” Dunkle started, but he didn’t finish. A tremendous clank sounded from his left, and both of their eyes flashed in that direction. A large cluster of trees shuttered; about half a dozen trees went one direction, while the other half went the other. Through the center of the trees came five hairy creatures, each standing more than eight feet tall. Muscles bulged from their arms, legs and heaving chests. They came at Evan and Dunkle, glaring down at them. Evan looked at his shoes, and wasn’t certain, but had a feeling the beasts had pointy fangs and sharp claws.

One of the C’iatqos moved closer to Evan. He poked his gargantuan finger at Evan’s stomach and then pinched his arm. He then went to Dunkle and did the same to the imp. The C’iatqo reached inside a hole in the tree. Something clicked, and the branches released their hold on Evan. The roots eased away from Dunkle, and he staggered forward.

The C’iatqo grabbed hold of the imp’s arm with one hand and Evan’s with the other, and tossed both of them over his hairy shoulders. Evan’s face squished into the creature’s sweaty back.

“Disgusting—moldy eggs,” Evan grumbled, spitting a long, coarse hair from his mouth. He turned his head and gasped for fresh air. To his surprise, his surroundings didn’t smell much better than the C’iatqo. The farther they walked, the thicker the fog and the worse it smelled. A greenish haze had encompassed Evan’s head and rolled into his nostrils. It was as if he had entered a sewer—not pleasant.

Guest Post

C’iatqo is just one word the Quinault Indians use to describe an ape-like man who inhabits the North American wilderness. In The Trickster’s Totem, they are alive and well, constructing Steampunk-style buildings and creating robotic animals in the Native American Spirit World. Evan and Dunkle are captured by one of the C’iatqos’ high-tech contraptions. They are taken to an innovative Victorian-style village and brought before an unfriendly jury. Unfortunately, the C’iatqos are not particularly fond of visitors. Evan and Dunkle are cast into the mines, where they must collect an illuminating golden dust called cochinay (also known as yellow thunder). Evan quickly discovers a few secrets about the C’iatqos and the magical substance that powers their world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Night School

2013-05-20T23:23:00.001+01:00

Title: Night School
Author: C.J Daugherty
Series: Night School (book 1)
Publisher: Atom
Release Date: 5 Jan 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1907411212

Synopsis
Allie Sheridan’s world is falling apart. Her brother’s run away from home. Her parents ignore her. And she’s just been arrested.
Again.
This time her parents have had enough. They cut her off from her friends and send her away to boarding school, far from her London friends.
But at Cimmeria Academy, Allie is soon caught up in the strange activities of a secret group of elite students.
When she’s attacked late one night the incident sets off a chain of increasingly violent events. As the school begins to seem like a very dangerous place, she finds out that nothing at Cimmeria is what it seems to be.
And that she is not who she thought she was.

My Review
I won a signed copy of book 2 in this series, as I have to read series in the right order I requested this book from the library so I could make a start.
From looking at the cover and reading the synopsis I thought I was in for your typical paranormal school with things like vampires etc in it and was actually pleasantly surprised when I got something very different.
Allie gets arrested for the 3rd time in the space of a year and her parents can't cope anymore so they send her away to Cimmeria, a mysterious boarding school that few have ever heard of. Allie is determined to hate it there, but when she arrives she finds herself fitting in and making friends, but just when she thinks she might finally be happy again strange and dangerous things start happening and soon her life is in danger.
I loved the mystery element in this book, to start Allie tells that her brother disappeared never to be seen again so you wonder what happened to him and why - you know he is alive but not why he left or where he went. This of course was a big trigger of Allie's bad behaviour. Then on top of that you have the mystery of what exactly the 'Night School' is, who is in it and what they do. And of course how it all links to Allie. Then there is a murder at the school that the teachers want to keep quiet so you wonder who is involved. I really enjoyed trying to figure out who was involved, who was trustworthy and who was a bad guy. I was almost constantly surprised and completely hooked by the book. I was only going to read for just under 2 hours, but I ended up sitting for over 3. I wanted to carry on and finish it but had to go to bed so I could get up for work the next day. I was then desperate to finish the last 100 pages today.
This book had me on my toes and desperate for more. Allie is endearing and I couldn't help but like her, she has some odd quirks and is by no means perfect, but that's what makes her so likeable and realistic.
There is a love triangle with Allie and two guys - Carter and Sylvain. I changed my mind at least half a dozen times throughout the book of who I preferred. And even if I have chosen my favourite, I still like and feel sorry for the other.
There are quite a few characters in the book (being at a school) but they all have their own personalities and pasts and I never got confused or anything.
Just a fast-paced, action packed, exciting read that I could not put down. I am so happy I have book 2 at my side ready to start. The end of this one had me desperate for more.

My Rating

Book Promo - Catching a Sorcerer

2013-05-20T21:31:00.003+01:00

Catching A Sorcerer

by Sara Walker

Synopsis: Just weeks after a sorcerer killed her mother, fifteen year old Melantha is asked to help catch the killer. She wants nothing to do with it, but then she learns one of her classmates is the son of the sorcerer. Worried for her classmate, Mel agrees. With her spell-turner powers not yet developed the mission will be dangerous, but it will be downright deadly if the sorcerer figures out who she is and decides she will follow in her mother's footsteps.

Bio: Sara Walker is the founder of http://urbanfantasyland.net/, a website established in 2008 that specializes in promoting urban fantasy and speculative fiction. She is also the founder of http://kawarthalakesnetwork.wordpress.com/, a resource for writers & authors in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Sara Walker writes fantasy and soft science fiction. She has studied under published authors Kelley Armstrong and Eve Silver, and editor Brian Henry. Her articles and fiction can be found online and in print. Find out more about Sara at http://www.sarawalker.net/.

links: PURCHASE: Just $2.99

Kindle | Kobo | Smashwords

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

Sunday night and I was learning to turn a summoning spell. Though I'd spent most of my life being home schooled, I had a feeling this was not a normal family activity for other fifteen year old girls.

"Gran, when I told you I wanted a cell phone, this wasn't what I had in mind," I said.

Gran picked through a handful of wheatberries, looking for just the right one to add to her pot. We stood at opposites sides of the round table with a copper pot in front of each of us and a host of ingredients filling the table between.

"Cell phones don't work for members of the magical community," she said.

"What community? It's just you and me."

Dumping ingredients into a pot had nothing on the convenience of electronic communication. Kids at school were constantly using theirs to call each other, text, watch videos. But not me. I wasn't allowed to have one. I had to learn the "old ways."

Gran sighed, and I knew by the way her lips were pursed that she didn't intend to elaborate. She'd been trying to get me to learn spells every night for weeks now. I'd finally caved in hopes she would back off, but that plan hadn't worked out quite like I'd hoped.

"I have to go to the library tonight," I said. I dumped a handful of crispy dried lavender flowers—for devotion so the line of communication would stay clear— into my pot.

In another time we might have been called witches. But now that term was considered derogatory. We were spell-turners. Well, Gran was. I wouldn't be a full spell-turner until I turned sixteen and came into my full powers. In all my fifteen years, in all the time I'd spent in Halifax and my current residence in Ottawa, I'd never met another turner, not another magical creature of any kind, until the day my mother died.

If there was a magical community out there, I wouldn't know it.

I hadn't been out of the apartment except to go to school in six weeks. I needed to get away, to hang with some friends— even just for a little while.

"We have books here," Gran replied in a stern tone. This was an old argument.

She was right— we had books here. Every wall of the living room was filled to the ceiling with shelves, every shelf filled with books. All had belonged to my mother.

Without coming right out to say so, Gran was subtly reminding me of the reason I was confined to the apartment. My mother had been killed by a black-spell sorcerer— that is, a sorcerer who chooses to use death to fortify his spells. For some reason Gran thought he would come after me. But I wasn't a full turner yet. I had only partial powers. Until my sixteenth birthday, every spell I turned would dissipate the moment it came together. "Learning powers," Gran called them. "Just enough juice to see what you're doing, but not so much as to harm yourself or anyone else."

She seemed convinced I had these learning powers, but for some reason my spells never seemed to turn out right no matter how carefully I followed her instructions. And that was bad news. Even though they didn't want me to know, I'd heard my mother and Gran fighting about me. Gran thought I was either a late blooming white turner or a null— a turner's daughter born without powers. My mother refused to believe I was a null. So Gran was on a mission to prove one way or another I had learning powers or I was deliberately faking not having them out of extreme laziness.

"Your mother was a good white turner," Gran said. "She loved turning spells with me when she was your age. Couldn't get enough of it."

Her mention of my mother hit me square in the gut.

"Didn't she like to do anything else? Anything normal?"

Gran pinched her lips together again. She didn't like to speak about my mother beyond her gifted spelling abilities.

I directed the conversation back to the topic at hand.

"I really need the books at the library," I said. I followed her actions and, using a wooden spoon, swirled in two cups of diluted bay leaf extract for strength. I turned the spell clockwise, same as she did. We were on opposite sides of the small round kitchen table, so I had to think for a minute which way to turn my spoon.

"Why?" Gran asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. Everything was suspicious to Gran.

I barely kept myself from rolling my eyes. "I have homework."

"What homework?"

"What do you mean? I go to high school now. I get homework." I used to be home-schooled. Right up until 52 days ago when I lost my mother. Then Gran had to take over as my teacher. She used to be able to teach my lessons for the few months of the year when I went to live with her in Halifax, but now that I was in grade ten, my studies had advanced to the point where she didn't understand anything in my textbooks. So she marched me down to the nearest high school. She would have signed me up right then, but they were closed for winter holidays. Imagine that.

"The new semester starts tomorrow, February second, according to the literature I received from the school," she pointed out.

Crap. "I'm catching up from last semester," I said, carefully examining a handful of calendula. I felt more than saw Gran carefully examining me.

"Who's the boy?" she asked.

"There's no boy," I answered quickly. Too quickly. Double crap.

"I might not know much about quadriplegic equations or—"

"Quadratic equations," I corrected.

"Or, what goes into a good Theseus statement, but—"

"Thesis statement. Theseus killed the Minotaur."

"But," she said again with emphasis, ignoring my corrections, "I know my granddaughter."

This time I did roll my eyes. "Whatever."

His name was Rory Macdonald. But I wasn't about to tell Gran that. I met him in the principal's office on the morning of my first day. It was his first day, too. A drunk driver had killed his parents and now he was living with his aunt. I met him again later in the day at the guidance counsellor's office. A special grief counsellor had been brought in to meet with us. Neither of us wanted to meet with her, but nobody asked us. His aunt was almost as controlling as my Gran.

We didn't have plans for tonight, so I didn't have to worry about calling him to cancel. He'd mentioned he'd found this place, where he liked to go on Sunday nights to play bass guitar for a band. I'd only hoped to stop in and hear him play.

"You may invite him to come here," Gran said, ignoring my denials. She released three drops of cedar oil, for dedication, into the liquid swirls in her pot. "But you won't be going out."

I bit back a scream. It used to be my mother and Gran had no trouble keeping friends out of my life, what with shipping me off to Halifax twice a year and homeschooling me. I never got to go to birthday parties, Halloween parties, camping trips or any other fun thing that normal girls did.

"Friendship is dangerous," Gran would say. My mother would agree. She would even agree when they were having that big fight that lasted for weeks.

I tried a new angle. "I need to use the computers at the library."

"What do you need those confounded contraptions for?" she asked. Her tone was one of surprise, even though this wasn't the first time we'd talked about my needing a computer for schoolwork. She just didn't get the concept of computers. Ever.

I listed the reasons on my fingers. "Research, report presentation, statistical analysis—"

"Hmph. In my day we had to do all of that by hand." She peered down her nose at the runny swirls in my pot. While mine was little more than a pathetic soup stock, hers had taken on shimmering hues of purple and green. I didn't have to see her face to know she was disappointed.

Still, I pressed my case. "Look, it's not a big deal. I can take care of myself."

"Hmph." She tapped the wooden spoon on the pot rim.

"Please? Can I go for an hour?" Oh, man. That sounded so desperate.

"No," she said simply, placing her spoon on the table next to her pot. She carried the empty vials to the sink and turned on the hot water.

"Gran—" I cried.

"I cannot permit it, Melantha. If you do not go outside this apartment with me, then you do not go outside this apartment at all."

I rolled my eyes and groaned. "You are completely impossible!"

If my words stung even the slightest, she didn't show it. She carried on with washing the dishes. "I'm sorry, Melantha. But I promised your mother."

"Promised her what? Promised you would keep me a prisoner and never talk about her?"

I slumped into a chair with my arms crossed. This was hopeless. Gran was super stubborn. I needed a new approach.

Temporarily abandoning my potion, I snagged the tea towel on the way to the sink. Unexpected helpfulness always put Gran in a good mood. I hoped it would be good enough to let me out.

She cleared her throat. "Your potion is incomplete."

"My potion is nothing but water with twigs and leaves in it." I noticed she didn't tell me not to dry the dishes. Nor did she tell me to start over and make the potion again. We'd been down that road before. It always resulted in the same thing: failure. Whatever it took to make a potion, I didn't have it. My mother and Gran had been convinced my spells would come together the closer I got to my sixteenth birthday, but so far they always amounted to nothing.

"Did you project your light into it?" she asked in that snippy tone that said she already knew the answer.

"Yes." I hated it when she said "light" instead of "magic".

"And?" Gran prompted.

"And what? Nothing happened." I shrugged. I felt my power, my magic. It flowed through me, the same as blood and oxygen flowed through me. It was there. I could feel it the entire time we put together these spells. But magic also dredged up too many memories of my mother. And there wasn't much light there when I thought about how she died. It was more like a choking sensation. I hated that feeling.

"You're not trying hard enough," Gran said. That was what she always said. I didn't answer. There was no point. She'd already made up her mind.

Maybe the truth was, I could have tried harder, but turning spells just felt wrong. If my mother had been killed by bullets, would I still be expected to attend target practice?

"I don't understand what's so bad about having friends," I said, plucking a soapy plate from the drain board.

She shut off the water. "You know the reason. They can be used against you. And you against them. It's better for everyone if you just don't have them to begin with."

Yeah, I'd heard that part before. It was stupid. For some reason my mother and Gran thought I would be kidnapped and held for ransom. I couldn't understand why. We didn't have anything of value. It wasn't like we were millionaires.

So who were they protecting me from?

"As for going out alone," Gran continued as she washed a pot, "there are many kinds of evil out there. You are not safe on your own."

"But I won't be on my own. I'll be with friends!"

"Together you'll be on your own."

"But that makes no sense at all!"

An eerie wind howled outside the windows. If the weather was getting worse, I was sure to lose this argument. I crossed the apartment to the living room windows and used the tea towel to clear away the condensation on the cold glass. Snowflakes swirled under the streetlights below. Even the weather wanted to keep me inside.

There was a sharp knock at the door. I met Gran's gaze. She appeared as surprised as I was, but where I welcomed any and every visitor, I knew she would send away whoever was on the other side of that door. By the expression on her face, she suspected I'd invited a friend over without permission. I hadn't, but knowing Gran, that wouldn't make a difference.

I dove for the door, but Gran beat me to it. She leaned cautiously up to the peephole.

"Open up, Alberta. I'm here to speak to the girl." It was a man's voice— muffled, old and tired. The voice of someone older than Gran, someone ancient.

The girl? I hoped for his sake, he wasn't referring to me. There was something familiar about the voice, something that sent a nervous sense of foreboding all the way down to my toes. This was one visitor I didn't want to see.

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop Winner

2013-05-20T10:00:00.000+01:00

There were 437 total entries into this giveaway. :O

The winner was picked using Rafflecopters Random.Org generator.

The lucky number picked was: 428

Holly has been emailed and has 3 days to respond. Big Congrats and Thanks go to her.

She has won a choice of one of these books:

Picture Book choices:

It's a Book by Lane Smith

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

What The Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson

Middle Grade choices:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

YA fiction:

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Congrats to Holly, thanks to all who entered.

Book Review - Breathe

2013-05-18T23:27:00.003+01:00

Title: Breathe
Author: Sarah Crossan
Series: Breathe (book 1)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Release Date: 11 Oct 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1408827192

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?

My Review
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I actually received this a while ago but never got round to reading it. Then I was looking for something to give my Teen Reading Group and decided this would be a good choice so it gave me the excuse to pick it up.
We are introduced into a world of the future, there is no more trees and oxygen is running out. A select few are given the chance to live inside the 'Pod', where Oxygen levels are managed and people are provided with air tanks. It still comes down to status, the rich 'premiums' can afford more oxygen, therefore can lead better lives, whilst the poorer 'subs' are taxed for any excess oxygen they use.
First we meet Alina, a young girl trying to make a difference. As part of the resistance she is feisty and determined. Her mission is essential and she wants the resistance to win. She can come across as a bit cold at first and I wasn't quite sure what to make of her but I actually found myself liking her as the book went on. Sure she isn't exactly endearing but something about her made me like her and I wanted to get to know her better.
We then meet Bea and Quinn. Quinn is a Premium, one of high standing, his father works for 'Breathe' the government in charge, he has an abundance of oxygen, money and opportunity but he isn't a spoilt brat, he does all he can for Bea and they are the best of friends. Bea is a sub, her parents work as hard as they can just to afford enough oxygen for them all to live on. Bea hates taking money and things from Quinn but he never makes her feel bad. There is definitely tension between them in the book - Bea loves him but he's totally clueless. I loved to see how they worked together and became closer but also more independent too. Bea really grows up through the book, her eyes are opened and she doesn't back down.
I saw some complaints about the characters but for me they were well written and worked well, i could visualize them all and they seemed to be realistic enough to me, I felt like I knew them and saw them grow and develop.
The whole idea is very well constructed and it all makes sense, it's a very scientific idea, how to run on limited oxygen etc, what would survive, but it's done really well and makes it totally believable.
There are some questions left unanswered by the end of the book, especially who is Abel? but it is set for a trilogy so maybe we will find out in the next book. The ending of this book certainly sets you up for an exciting sequel and I can't wait to get my hands on it. October suddenly seems very far away.

My Rating

Blog Tour and Guest post - Trail of Bones

2013-05-18T03:00:00.000+01:00

Tour Schedule

Trail of Bones

Ready for a new adventure? Are you a fan of fantasy, young adult, science fiction and action stories?

“No mercy, No rules - Welcome to the Trail of Bones!”

Run with Purpose – battle cry of the Shade Wolves

Magnus, the runt of a litter of Shade Wolves, wants nothing more than to be a loyal, strong member of the pack. But when an ancient enemy threatens his friends and family, he faces a choice that could tear him from all he's known and loved.

Born in captivity, the giant panther Kelor knows nothing but suffering and loss. He struggles to find his place in this world of terror, and he battles to protect his family without succumbing to the darkness lurking inside him.

Falling captive to the evil Warden, the two are forced to fight in the battle of the beasts known as 'The Trail of Bones'. How will Kelor and Magnus learn to work together? How will they escape a fate of despair and death? How will their choices affect their comrades? Their enemies? And the forgotten magic that could doom all life of their world?

Let the adventures begin!

A fun, exciting, clean read for teens, young adults, adults and readers of all ages. Pick up your copy of this fantasy adventure today!

Are you a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan, Orson Scott Card, Jim Butcher and other fantasy and science fiction authors? You’ll feel right at home with Trail of Bones. This fantasy story offers a strong moral message, suspense, action, and mystery, in a world full of magic, unlikely heroes, and devious villains.

Amazon

Book Trailer

Editorial Reviews

Salisbury is a rising star in genre fiction. This book makes a unique and exciting contribution in the fantasy realm. The first of great things to come. --Jake Black, "The Authorized Ender Companion" "Smallville" "Ender's Game: Recruiting Valentine"

Amazon Reviews

Conclusion:
A fantasy adventure that features lots of action and intrigue that is geared to a YA audience.
There are moments in this tale that are especially well done... story telling at a level that I'd be interested to see what this author would do with an adult orientated fantasy work.
As a dedicated YA work... 5 Stars.
~ Ray Nicholson

The beginning of a great adventure!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book of the Trail of Bones series. It is an unpredictable adventure, with heartwrenching acts of love and friendship. The story ended before I was prepared to put my Kindle down, and now I will wait anxiously for the second book to be published. In the meantime, I think I'll read it again with my eleven-year-old son; I'm sure he'll love it as much as I do. Give it a read!
~ HRL

Enthralling story line that really pulls you in
…The characters were some that I will not easily forget because he explains their background in a way that makes the reader really connect and believe they are real. He creates a world that I long to see. I really grew to both love and hate different characters. I think that is a sign of a really great author when they can make us feel so much emotion towards a character.
~ Janason

About Chris Salisbury

Chris Salisbury has been writing fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and action thrillers for years in independent films. Now he’s expanded his love of good movies, such as Gladiator, Counte of Monte Cristo, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, Star Trek, to the world of books. Trail of Bones is the first book in a planned four part fantasy, young adult series targeted at readers of all ages.

The father of four enjoys a wide range of interests from scuba diving to softball, coaching basketball to playing Battlefield 3 on his Xbox 360 or NCAA Football with his sons. He is also a big advocate for literacy and reading for young boys. There seem to be few titles that appeal to young boys and young men to hold their attention, trigger their imaginations and create a love of reading. Chris is out to change that.

In addition to the Trail of Bones series, he also has a number of other titles in development including historical fiction, action, suspense thrillers, and several science fiction properties. There’s a lot more on the horizon, so enjoy Trail of Bones but be sure to look for more captivating titles from Chris Salisbury in the near future.

Blog * Website * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/31/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post

What makes wolves so popular?

Have you ever seen one in real life? They're magnificent. Huge compared to most dogs, and they look at you with piercing yellow eyes. It's as if they look you at say "I know things, mysterious things, things you will never know or understand". And why not? Wolves are apex predators of the forest but also wrapped in contrasts and intrigue. All of this make these creatures more and more fascinating.

Wolves have powerful jaws, with razor sharp fangs, but they rarely hunt alone. The cunning hunters travel in packs and often use strategy, various tactics and even fear to gain the advantage over their prey instead of brute strength and speed. In many ways they exhibit behavior, both alone and in social settings that man at times has emulated or aspired to. The alpha male and alpha female are the dominant leaders in the pack and provide order to the group. Other wolves have specific roles within the pack, such as protector, scout, hunter, or even nurturer of the young.

Can you think of another animal that is so complex, and yet at the same time so iconic. It's no wonder that societies have included the wolf in their legends, myths, symbols, and cultures. A fierce hunter worthy of fear and respect, but also one to aspire to be like. While other top predators such as sharks or alligators seem like mindless killing machines, the wolf is anything but. Stealth, speed, power, cunning, loyalty to the pack, moments of play and leisure, leaders and followers - the wolf will in many ways will always remain a mysterious beast, perhaps one we may never truly understand, but still remarkable and intriguing as it has throughout time.

Book Review - The Reluctant Assassin

2013-05-17T23:17:00.003+01:00

Title: The Reluctant Assassin
Author: Eoin Colfer
Series: W.A.R.P
Publisher: Puffin
Release Date: 11 April 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0141341750

Synopsis
Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP) Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern day London, followed closely by Garrick.

In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a seventeen-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world.

My Review
I got an e-copy of this through NetGalley to review.
I read the Artemis Fowl series by Colfer and really enjoyed them so was excited to see what he would do next. I saw this advertised and thought it sounded quite good. I'm never really a fan of time-travel stories but if they are done right I can get by, and besides I love things set in the Victorian era (not sure why but anyway) so I got ready to enjoy this new book.
I have to admit that I didn't particulary enjoy it though. I found the basic plot idea fascinating but it seemed to pass very slowly. I was checking the percentage progress through the book so often I felt like the pages were hardly moving. The set up was good and the whole world is built well, but it then turned into a cat and mouse game. Garrick would chase Riley and Chevie and almost catch them, they would escape at the last minute and he would chase them again, and so on, repeat. Yes the circumstances they escaped from were different but it didn't make much difference to me. I just wanted them to either beat him or be captured and get it over with.
As for the characters, they remained that, characters. Usually when I read I connect to the people and they become real, leaping off the page but these didn't seem to do that, the closest to it happening was Riley, he had a certain charm, he was a loveable rogue. but that wasn't enough to make me really care.
Garrick himself confused me, he went by a few different names, I think! I got muddled with references to things/people and places in the past. Then I wasn't sure if he was jsut a magician or if he actually had special powers or whether he was something worse, Colfer often refers to him as 'it was like the Devil himself was after us'. He had strange skills and would do illusions (which again confused me) and seemed to be able to do things and know things that wasn't normal. Some of it is explained by the process in the Time machine, but the rest was just strange.
Chevie, although written as 17 seemed older to me, she has worldly experience and a sharp tongue and she just read as at least 20. She was a bit moany and irritated me a little bit. I did like the way she takes charge in the 'past' and takes Riley under her wing.
Parts of the book seemed to pick up and I would start to dive in, then I would get turned around or they would run around 'escaping' again and I would sigh.
This book took me the best part of a week for me to read, which for me is really slow, I just didn't feel the need to pick up the book and continue it. Instead of snatching any minute I could to read, i would look for something else to do to put off having to pick it up again.
Maybe it just wasn't the book for me, but I really struggled with it.
I know Colfer is a fab writer, he's shown that before but this time for me it just fell flat.
Also, I'm not sure if this is supposed to be YA or Middle Grade, but it had a lot of gore in it. And I mean a lot, I was shocked by it. There are a lot of deaths and killings but some of them described in more detail than I felt necessary. At one point he describes how to pick the correct knife to kill someone, to make sure it cuts through muscle and bone. That's just gross. I mean there are a lot of books with fighting and blood in, but they are usually against monsters or zombies or something, it's different, not quite as real. I was surprised by it.

Anyway, the idea was good and it had it's moments, but for me this book just didn't make me go WOW.

My Rating

FF (122)

2013-05-17T10:02:00.003+01:00

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 Picture Me Reading

Q: School is out! What is your favorite Summer Reading book??

My Answer: School still isn't out over here yet, you guys break up very early!!! But anyway, I don't think I can pick just one. Summers were always the time that I would read as much as possible, I usde every available minute to sit in the sunshine and read. My record number of books was 62 books over the 6 week holiday, i literally did nothing but read. Now I'm older and have to work I don't get summer holidays so that number has dropped but I usually have a couple of weeks and will read as many books as possible in that time.

One of my favourite books set during the summer is 'Twenty Boy Summer' by Sarah Ockler, it's an awesome book. Love it, so I guess that's my answer.

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter my 'Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop'. Open Internationally.

Book Promo - Domino 29

2013-05-15T03:00:00.000+01:00

Agent Colt Shore: Domino 29: When an ordinary kid learns he’s the heir to a secret agent dynasty, F.A.L.C.O.N. puts him on a case to protect a famous rock group and find a missing journalist. Before he knows it, Colt Shore has gone from body guard to rock star to full-fledged agent when he learns that a human trafficking ring plans to kidnap a group of teenage girls. It will take more than his ingenuity and skills and a couple of cool gadgets to protect his new friends and rescue the captured girls before it’s too late.

Buy it on Amazon!

About the Author:

Axel Avian grew up in an organization not unlike F.A.L.C.O.N in a town not unlike Springfield, Missouri. He has traveled the world for his work. To relax, he enjoys sky and scuba diving, hang gliding, rock climbing, and snowboarding. He reads whenever he can and routinely trounces opponents on video games.

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop

2013-05-12T22:59:00.000+01:00

Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 13th – 19th

Hosted by

KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks

& I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

What is Children’s Book Week?

"Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!"

For more information please visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com/

I absolutely love Children's books, right from Picture Books up to YA, they are filled with so many possibilities. There is something magic about books anyway, but children's books have that extra spark for me.

No matter what your age I believe you should still be able to enjoy Children's books.

For this Giveaway I will offer a choice of one of 3 books from my favourites for each category- either a Picture Book, a Middle Grade Novel or a YA fiction. i.e one winner will win one book from one of the categories. Giveaway is International

So starting with youngest first here are the Picture Book choices:

It's a Book by Lane Smith

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

What The Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson

Here are the Middle Grade choices:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

And lastly for the YA fiction:

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Here are the rules:

1) Competition opens Monday 13th May
2) Competition closes on Sunday 19th May
3) Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.
4) You Must be a Follower to enter!
5) One Name will be selected at random as the winner.
6) Contest open Internationally!
8) Winners will have 3 days to reply or another winner will be selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the other blogs taking part for more chances to win:

Book Novella Reviews - The Fractured - Blemished

2013-05-11T23:57:00.000+01:00

There are 2 novellas that are based on the world of 'The Blemished' by Sarah Dalton. They have been given their own series called 'The Fractured'. So far there are 2 books in the series and I am going to review them both in one post.

Title: The Fractured: Elena
Author: Sarah Dalton
Series: The Fractured (book 1) : Blemished (book 2.5)
Release Date: 14th March 2013
ASIN: B00BUR609W

Synopsis
In a fractured Britain, the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control. Parents buy designer babies and those with genetic faults are labelled Blemished and shunned from society.

Elena Darcey is just as perfect as the other clones, but there is something different about Elena, because she’s in trouble. After helping Area 14’s most famous criminals escape, Elena has to get out before her teacher-- the formidable Margaret Murgatroyd --finds out that she is a sympathiser for the Blemished. The perfect opportunity arises as a beauty pageant promises the winner a trip to London. Will Elena cope with the cut-throat world of a beauty pageant filled with sabotage, violence and betrayal? If she makes it to London, will she find the safe haven she craves? Does she discover more than she'd expected after meeting the mysterious Jake Bloom?
My Review
You see quite a bit of Elena in book 1 - 'The Blemished', although she is a secondary character she plays quite a vital part in Mina's story and you see her grow and change throughout the story so I was actually quite pleased she would be getting her own story.
This book follows on from the ending of book 1 - Mina has escaped and Elena helped her get away, but no-one can know what she did or there will be serious trouble.
When a beauty pageant crops up Elena sees it as her chance to escape too, to leave Area 14 and head to London, but she has to pretend to be someone else to get through and London may not be all she expected either.
I like the way Elena has grown and adapted from book 1, she becomes somewhat more human and approachable. She actually seems to think about her actions and how they will affect others.
This novella was short and sweet and packed with excitement. It will have you flipping the pages over desperate for more.
This didn't go where I expected it to but I really enjoyed it and I still want more. The ending surprised me and I just have to know what Elena does next.

My Rating

Title: The Fractured:Maggie

Author: Sarah Dalton
Series: The Fractured (book 2) : Blemished (book 2.6)
Release Date: 1st May 2013
ASIN: B00CL8B1SY

Synopsis
In a fractured Britain, the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control. Parents buy designer babies and those with genetic faults are labelled Blemished and shunned from society.
Margaret Murgatroyd failed in her mission to capture three Blemished escapees. She fears the Ministry will demote her to full-time teacher and remove her Ministry rights. But Margaret is surprised as she’s given a new opportunity with new responsibilities, the only problem are old memories it brings up. Margaret remembers herself as a young girl, Maggie Powell, and the mistakes she made as a young lab technician working at the Genetic Enhancement Ministry as it first embarked on its take-over of Britain. She remembers the mistakes she made, the people who betrayed her and the way it shaped her as a woman.

My Review
Desperate for more from this world I found this and downloaded it immediately, it's only 74 pages and took me about 20 minutes to read but does so much for the series. At first I was confused as to who Maggie was, we know her as Margaret in The Blemished. She is the mean head-teacher out to get Mina, she is a formidable woman and seemingly heartless.
I was intrigued what this book would bring, but it is a great addition to the series. You learn of Maggie's past - who her father was, how she got her heart broken and what she lost in life. After reading this you can kind of understand how she became so bitter, I still don't like her and she could have handled things better and moved on, but I can see why she is how she is. It was refreshing to get that insight. I still think she is horrible and uncaring but now I know why. It doesn't really make it better but it does give you a sense of understanding and I don't quite dislike her as much as I did.
This also brings an insight into how the whole GEM project started and why and it makes you realise just how creepy it all is, and how realistic it seems.
I am still left wanting more, I just know certain characters are going to be thrown back together and I can't wait!

My Rating

Book Review - The Vanished

2013-05-11T23:36:00.001+01:00

Title: The Vanished
Author: Sarah Dalton
Series: The Blemished (book 2)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: 30 Jan 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1481863391
ASIN: B00B76P2KO

Synopsis
The Vanished are the forgotten: those who live beyond law or society. Mina fought for freedom. She fought for a better life – a future. But even a free world can decay.
As Mina begins her new life in the Clans she meets people with surprising knowledge about her power, knowledge that could change everything – even her relationship with Daniel. But as she makes new friends, old friends turn against her in shocking betrayal.
Life in the Compound is tough; there are ways and traditions so strange that Mina begins to suspect foul play at the very heart of her new home. Instead of leaving corruption behind in Area 14, Mina is faced with the rotten core of human nature as a Clan warlord threatens to invade the Compound. The Clans are turning against each other and Mina is stuck in the middle.

The Vanished is the second installment in the Blemished series and follows Mina’s story as she continues to challenge those in power and seek out new dangers. With even more rebellion, romance and betrayal, The Vanished promises to take the reader on a roller-coaster ride of adventure and emotion.
Will freedom fall?

My Review
After finishing book 1 I just had to know more, I immediately bought it from Amazon on my kindle app. I'm still not a massive fan of ebooks but they certainly have their uses.
This starts right where book 1 left off, Mina has managed to escape Area 14 and has made her way to Scotland, it's supposed to be a safe haven but things aren't all what they expected.
The clans aren't quite what Mina expected, there is split groups, arguments and dissension between the members and Mina is thrust into the heart of it with her friends Daniel, Angela and Sebastion.
ONce there Mina is reunited with her father and you discover some of his past and secrets, I don't like him very much, he tends to put plans and strategies before his daughter, he does show a soft side but not very often. Then we are introduced to the 'Freaks', a group of kids who have powers like Mina, her dad had been 'collecting' them, meet Kitty, Mike, and Hiro. They all have different powers but they fit together and become stronger. (I won't spoil the link or their powers).
I really liked the group and how well Mina fit into the group, they bring more excitement and a sense of belonging into the book. The real shocker for me was Angela's reaction, I actually quite liked her in book 1, I felt sorry for her and admired her strive and kindness, but all that vanishes in this book. Mina is still determined to stand by her, but I have to admit I would have distanced myself as much as possible.
I liked the characters at the Clans and round it, they bring a wider view of the world. And each person mentioned had a purpose, they all moved the plot forward or made a difference somehow, one of my favourites is Ali.
This book has a lot more action than the first (The Blemished), it's a lot faster-paced and dangerous, a war is brewing and Mina seems to be caught in the middle.
The writing flows off the page and the characters become like friends, you are transported through the story and it draws you further and further in.
I really love this series and can't wait to see where it goes in the next book.

My Rating

FF (121)

2013-05-10T21:54:00.002+01:00

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 NerdHerd

Q: Happy Mother’s Day! Who is your favorite mom from fiction?

My Answer: ooh, didn't know it was Mother's Day, we have ours in March over here.

My answer is going to be very predictable and very common on today's hop I think. My answer of course is Mrs Molly Weasley. She is so caring, kind, loving, understanding and fiercely protective. She's a strong women with great morals and will do anything for those she loves. Such an awesome woman.

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

3 Wishes - Emma Newman Project

2013-05-08T22:35:00.000+01:00

Emma Newman author of 'The Split Worlds' series is trying to create a bit of community magic.

She is asking people to think about what you would wish for if you hda just 3 wishes. You then share your wishes with her and anyone else taking part, and then wait to see if someone can make your wish come true.

Of course that means that your wishes are at lest in some way achievable, or able to be helped with.Then is someone has a contact, resource or ability of some kind to help you, they can get in touch and help your wish come true.
So my standard wishes of winning the lottery, for my friends and family to all be happy and in jobs/relationships etc that they love or being able to go on holiday would not be ideal here.

I have thought about this long and hard, but here are my wishes:

1. To get my YA novel published, and I mean traditional publishing - with a proper publishing company instead of self-publishing. If anyone has any contacts I'd love to hear from you, or really any tips on querying would be helpful.

2. I would love to look at a career in publishing, so far I don't have any degrees or anything, but would love to see what it would be like to make sure it's the path for me. I'm submitting my application to Egmont Press for Work Experience this weekend. But any advice or contacts elsewhere would be appreciated.

3. I would love to raise more than £100 for Cancer research. I am taking part in 'Race for Life' this year with 2 of my colleagues. We are going to run the 10K race, I've started training for it and everything. I lost my gran to Cancer last year and I want to do as much as possible to raise awareness and money for further research so other people don't have to go through that.
If you would like to help by making a donation please go to our Sponsor Page here

So those are my wishes for now. It's important to me that one of them is selfless, I want to spread the love further.
So if you can help with my or any of the other wishes found on Emma Newman's page I appreciate it, if not, that's OK. Don't feel like you have to, but if you have wishes of your own feel free to join in.

"These three wishes are part of a wish-making community organised by author Emma Newman to celebrate the release of the second Split Worlds novel "Any Other Name". Can you make any of them come true? Come and see what other people are wishing for and find out how to join in at www.splitworlds.com/split-worlds-extra/three-wishes – who knows, perhaps someone could make one of your wishes come true."

Book Trailer Reveal - The Sixth Power

2013-05-07T03:00:00.000+01:00

THE TRAILER

Today's book trailer reveal is for The Sixth Power by Carol Nicolas. Enjoy!

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Tania Westing, a high school senior, is one of the Gifted Ones, descendants of an ancient family with seven special powers. Some of the powers are common, and some are rare.

Until her geneticist brother Tom was murdered, Tania lived an ordinary life. Now hidden in her mind is a clue that will reveal Tom's research, including secret formulas to unlock all seven powers. During spring break, Tania meets and falls in love with handsome Dan Maclean. When Tania reveals her rare power to heal, the evil Gifted Ones who killed Tom suspect Tania has his research and formulas and come after her. Tania must learn to use her powers to help save Dan's sister in time to keep Tom's secrets safe.

Purchase your copy:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol Nicolas lives in northern Utah (USA) with her husband. A native of Canada, she attended BYU-Idaho (formerly RicksCollege) and obtained a bachelor's degree in education from BrighamYoungUniversity (Provo, UtahUSA). A teacher, mother of five, wearer of silly socks, and fan of sci-fi/fantasy books and films, she enjoys growing herbs and vegetables, painting, and researching her family history. She likes rock, pop, Celtic and classical music. She has traveled throughout Europe; her favorite city there is Paris, though the romance of Venice is a close second. She speaks American English (with a Canadian accent after she has been talking with her Canadian family on the telephone for just a few minutes), as well a basic modern Greek, which she studied for 4 years to be able to communicate with her husband's family on their bi-annual trips to Greece. Her deepest secret: she hides chocolate in her desk for emergencies!

You can visit Carol's blog site at http://carolnicolas.wordpress.com

Connect with Carol:

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | YOUTUBE

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THE GIVEAWAY

Carol Nicolas will be giving away a $75 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky person at the end of her tour! Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Promo - A Surefire Way

2013-05-07T02:00:00.000+01:00

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A SUREFIRE WAY BY J.T. BOCK

Paranormal romance with elements of romantic suspense and humor

• ISBN: 9780988836204

• 393 pages (approximate on e-reader),
119,000 words

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J.T. Bock's A Surefire Way, the first tale of the UltraSecurity force, delivers the following:

• a group of superhumans (UltraAgents) joined to protect citizens from evildoers—for a pre-contracted fee

• a kick-butt, rookie agent with daddy issues who doesn't follow the rules

• a quick-tempered boss annoyed with his rookie agent for not following the rules

• a flawed, yet incredibly attractive, hero afraid of bugs

• a half-roach villain with an ego problem

• a self-absorbed, vengeful god set to destroy the world (What else would a god do with his time?)

• a sexy goddess with a personality disorder

• a forbidden romance and even more forbidden sexytime

• loads of action and adventure like running, jumping, shooting guns and things, traveling to alternate worlds, battling cranky gods, bouncing a head around, searching for creepy Aztec skulls, and other fun stuff

• did we mention forbidden love?

BOOK DESCRIPTION

UltraAgent Surefire’s plan is simple: Capture the transhuman thief Raven. Win back the respect of her father. Get a raise.

Easy, right?

Except Surefire just broke the number one rule of her employer, UltraSecurity, a niche security firm that solves crimes committed by genetically enhanced humans like Raven. She trailed Raven into a warehouse without backup. And something more powerful than any transhuman is waiting inside.

Raven’s plan is simple: Atone for his past crimes. Return stolen spiritual artifacts to restore the world’s balance. Don’t get caught by UltraSecurity.

Easy, right?

Until a spunky UltraSecurity agent is suddenly on his tail, although Raven wishes she was on … well, never mind … he can’t get distracted from his mission. Because she’s followed him into a warehouse filled with his reclaimed relics, and Raven’s ex-partner in crime is about to unleash a supernatural-sized complication into his plan.

His old partner has accidentally summoned an Aztec god who will destroy the world unless Raven stops this spirit with a superiority complex. To do this, Raven must team up with Surefire and reveal the truth about his powers, exposing her to a force that can either save the world or destroy them both.

Following Raven into that warehouse throws Surefire into a surreal world filled with moody gods, day-glo skulls, dizzying dimensional portals, maniacal half-roach magicians, and a sexy thief who is more than he appears under his snug t-shirt. Is Raven a criminal, or is he working for a higher power? Surefire needs to be certain, because if she joins him on this mission, she’ll have to surrender everything she believed in for a surefire way to save the world, discover her destiny and find true love.

-->

About J.T. Bock

When J.T. Bock was a child, she wanted to be James Bond or Indiana Jones or a vampire hunter or Wonder Woman. Whatever brought her the most action, adventure and romance while play acting on her stage—otherwise known as her grandmother’s basement. Now J.T. has assembled her own team of action heroes, supernatural creatures and maniacal villains and set them on adventures far from her basement to exotic lands and alternate dimensions.

From a secret location outside of Washington, DC, J.T. conjures these pulse-pounding tales to share with those kindred readers looking for an exciting escape. Her alternate identity enjoys spending time with her workaholic husband and their sidekick rescue dog, traveling to interesting locales (San Diego Comic-Con), and enjoying life to the fullest with an amazing group of family and friends and a good glass of wine.

Check out J.T.’s latest adventures on her website (www.jtbock.com) or find her by flashing her initials in the sky, opening up her favorite bottle of Pinot Noir.

@jtbockcom

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: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - The Blemished

2013-05-06T23:00:00.001+01:00

Title: The Blemished
Author: Sarah Dalton
Series: The Blemished (book 1)
Publisher: Sarah Dalton
Release Date: 7 Aug 2012
ASIN: B008UP8C52
ISBN-13: 978-1781766675

Synopsis
A beautiful world comes at a price...
In a world filled with stunning clones Mina Hart is Blemished. Her genes are worthless and that takes away her rights: her right to an Education, her right to a normal life and her right to have a child.
Mina keeps a dangerous secret which she never thought she could share until she meets Angela on her first day at St Jude's School. But their friendship is soon complicated by Angela’s adoptive brother Daniel. Mina finds herself drawn to his mysterious powers and impulsive nature. Then there is the gorgeous clone Sebastian who Mina is forbidden from even speaking to…
The Blemished is a frightening take on a fractured future where the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control of Britain. It will take you on a ride filled with adventure, romance and rebellion.

My Review
I did a promotion post for this book last year and the author sent me an e-book copy of the book to read if I could. As my mountainous pile has been hanging over me for the past year I hadn't got round to it. But tonight it called to me and as my pile is getting down to a more manageable size I got stuck in.
This book is a dystopian/paranormal cross. Set in a world where beauty and perfection are cherished and strived for anyone deemed at fault is looked down on - they are called the 'Blemished'. The Blemished are children that have a family history of illness but were born the 'old way'. Most babies now are called 'GEMS' - they are genetically enhanced, almost like clones to be perfect - health, beauty, behaviour, it's all bred into them.
Mina is a Blemished but she has a special secret - she has a hidden power, but in a world where she should be hidden in the shadows and is looked upon as a waste, it's hard to stand up for what is right.

I liked the world created by Dalton here, it's scary because it's something that probably could happen, it's been on the news about genetic experiments with babies already so this isn't too out there, and the result is not positive. This is so well written the world comes alive off the page and I could visualize it all.

Mina is a great heroin, confused and a bit lost but with a great inner strength and feistyness that shows you she is willing to fight no matter what. She is loyal and caring and will stand up for those that need help.
Angela is Mina's new best friend, she's a bit of a gossip but seems generally quite nice, she has quite a hard time of it and handles everything as best she can, but I'm not sure how invested she really is in the friendship.
Daniel is Angela's adopted brother and has a secret power too, he becomes utterly devoted to Mina and Angela, willing to sacrifice everything to keep them safe. I loved his loyalty and fearlessness, but he did get a bit self-pitying at times which I wanted to slap out of him.
The whole controlling government set up was sufficiently terrifying and their teacher at the school made Miss Trunchball seem like a pussy cat!
There is a romance element to this book, some love triangles involved and it adds to the suspense, I'm not sure who I want to end up with who, but I was gripped to see how it would all unfold.

This book will totally hook you in. I read it in one sitting and did not want to put it down. I have also downloaded book 2 straight away to get stuck into. I have to know what will happen to everyone.

An excellent book and world, Dalton has some pure talent.

My Rating

Book Review - One Hundred Names

2013-05-05T23:47:00.001+01:00

Title: One Hundred Names
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 11 Oct 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0007350469

Synopsis
Journalist Kitty Logan's career is being destroyed by scandal - and now she faces losing the woman who guided and taught her everything she knew. At her terminally ill friend's bedside, Kitty asks - what is the one story she always wanted to write? The answer lies in a file buried in Constance's office: a list of one hundred names. There is no synopsis, nothing to explain what the story is or who these people are. The list is simply a mystery. But before Kitty can talk to her friend, it is too late. With everything to prove, Kitty is assigned the most important task of her life: to write the story her mentor never had the opportunity to. Kitty not only has to track down and meet the people on the list, but find out what connects them. And, in the process of hearing ordinary people's stories, she starts to understand her own.

My Review
I can't really remember how I got into Cecelia Ahern's books but I've read every one she's ever written. She's not my usual type of book, as you know I focus on YA edging toward paranormal and fantasy, but something about Ahern captures my heart from my mind. So when I heard another book was coming out I knew I had to request it. It took a while to come through the library as it had a waiting list on it. Then when I did get it i didn't have time to read it. Then this afternoon I decided to pick it up. It was nowhere near the top of my pile but it was calling to me.
I liked the idea behind this book, it intrigued me and I wanted to see what the author would do with it. Kitty Logan has been involved in a scandal at work, she's been kicked off the TV news program she was working for and she's being plagued by abuse. But her mentor and lifelong friend Constance still has faith in her, she's the editor of the magazine Kitty works for and they start to talk about the stories they would love to write. Constance is terminally sick but tells Kitty of a file she has stored at home. Kitty goes to retrieve it, but before she can get back to ask what it's all about Constance has died. Kitty becomes obsessed with solving the 'list' and working out what Constance was trying to do.
The file contained a single list of 100 names, Kitty must find out who these people are and what connects them all in time to write an article as a tribute to Constance.
One of the reasons I thought this was intriguing was because 100 names is a rather big amount, especially for a 420 page book - that's a lot to get through in a fairly short space and I wanted to see how and why.
I will admit that the start of this book was quite slow for me, it sets up the situations and some of the characters which drags a bit, you are thrust into their lives and have to get to know them. As they are strangers to me at the beginning of the book I did wonder why I cared, but as the story developed I got to know each one better and it made it all worthwhile.
The book doesn't speed through 100 names I am pleased to say, instead 6 names end up playing a dominant part and you get to know them better. Out of the six 'Birdie' was my favourite, a seemingly boring old lady that actually has an enchanting past. But they all had a unique angle and point of interest. And with Kitty linking them together anyway you feel like you are part of a great adventure.
The intrigue of wondering how they are linked on this list is what keeps you hooked throughout, I tried to work out many different ways but couldn't come up with a conclusion, but I smiled when it is revealed.
Very well written, the characters start to feel like old friends the further you get through the book. Although I did occasionally get confused with some of the names, it never lasted long, as if aware it could be a problem Ahern drops casual hints throughout linking to each of the character to help keep you on track.
This is not my favourite of her books but I did really enjoy it and I like the message behind it, it made me think a bit about how we see other people. Maybe we do all have a story waiting to be discovered.
I still remain a fan and look forward to seeing what Cecelia Ahern will do next, her books are always original and unpredictable and I think that is what I love the most.

My Rating

Book Review - Stealing Parker

2013-05-05T23:20:00.001+01:00

Title: Stealing Parker
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks (book 2)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: 25 Oct 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1402271878

Synopsis
Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.
So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?
But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?

My Review
I didn't realise this was book 2 in a series, I never usually read series out of order, but to be fair with this book it read as a stand-alone. It's just set in the same school as the first book.
I've heard a lot of good things about this author and wanted to give her a try, I basically ended up with this one because it was the only one by her that we had on our library system (something which I am trying to change now, I'm asking them to buy her other books for sure!)
Anyway, at approximately only 250 pages this looked like a quick read, and a fairly easy one too, perfect for a lazy Sunday morning so I got stuck in.
When living in a small town everyone seems to know your business, so when Parker's mum is involved in a scandal, everyone is buzzing about it. And Parker ends up taking a lot of the flack, people she thought were her friends turn their back on her, she quickly decides she doesn't want to be their target and so decides to change her life completely. Quitting the sport she loves, losing weight and becoming someone new. But sometimes change isn't for the better.
Parker comes across at first as quite self involved, worried about what others think, trying to make people see her a certain way, but when you start to find out more about her story you can see why she is like that and you can actually see she has an inner strength to her that has to be admired. Her family has fallen apart and she's lost her friends but she doesn't give up. OK, so maybe trying to completely reinvent yourself isn't the best idea but I can see why she did it.
Drew is the only friend who stood by Parker and a real sweetheart, 'Corndog' aka Will seems to come across as a bit of a jerk but he has a spark to him and I like how he grows throughout the book.
This book does contain scandal, and mentions of sex, quite a bit actually so definitely not suitable for younger readers. Some things are described in more detail than you would normally see in YA fiction, so be warned.
It's good to see Parker come to terms with her past and look forward to the future, she really develops throughout the story and becomes a better person because of it. She sure makes mistakes on the way and sometimes hurts those around her, but we all do that and she learns from it in the end.
I will go back and read Catching Jordan (book 1) as I am intrigued how they link, but I don't think you need to read it to enjoy this book.

My Rating

Book Review - The Dregs

2013-05-04T23:39:00.001+01:00

Title: The Dregs
Author: Piper Kelley
Series: The Gloom (book3)
Publisher: Piper Kelley
Release Date: 24th June 2012
ASIN: B008EGOFYY

Synopsis
What will happen when evil finds its way into the human world? In this exciting final installment of The Gloom Trilogy, Poppy finds herself in the Dregs, a run-down industrial park with danger lurking around every corner. Somewhere hidden in this wasteland of factories and warehouses is an old foe of Winsome, who has eluded her twice before. Here, Poppy must put an end to this terrible force for once and for all, before both Winsome and the human world fall victim to her enemy’s dreadful magic.

My Review
This is the third and final part of the series, Just when everyone thinks the danger has passed an old enemy shows up with one final plot for revenge, but this time he takes his battle out of Winsome and into the human world. I really liked the flip on sides seeing the characters from the fairy land coming into our world and Poppy being the one at ease, it was an interesting change to the group dynamic and I enjoyed seeing how they adapted to it.
Once again we have Poppy, Brady, Gus and Peregrine involved and I liked seeing the growing relationship between Peregrine and Poppy, they are overcoming the past and starting to really get to know each other.
I also liked to see Brady and Poppy grow closer, you just know they are meant to be together.
The world was very well built and described, the Dregs are in our world, an abandoned warehouse lot full of creepy homeless people, burnt out cars and empty buildings, really quite creepy and I could totally picture it all. I kept expecting someone crazy to jump out at the characters, it builds the tension well.
We see Poppy change the most over this book, both in the way she looks at her relationships with her mum, little sister, dad and even with Augusta and Brady. You see her grow up and come to think about things a bit more, she tries to cling onto some things, but ultimately she is prepared to do what is necessary.
I found this to be an exciting conclusion to the series, again it's short at about 140 pages and it only took me an hour to read but that hour like the one before it flew by.

This is a great fantasy series for children, great fun and quirky characters will capture imaginations.

My Rating

Book Review - The Doldrums

2013-05-04T23:22:00.002+01:00

Title: The Doldrums
Author: Piper Kelley
Series: The Gloom (book2)
Publisher: Piper Kelley
Release Date: 23rd June 2012

ASIN: B008E9OAGO

Synopsis

Tragedy strikes a celebration at Winsome’s castle. One of Poppy’s closest friends is taken, and Queen Augusta’s trusted aide is gruesomely injured trying to prevent the kidnapping. Poppy’s resolve to rescue her friend leads her to the Doldrums, a mysterious network of goblin caves set in an enormous mountainside, where an old adversary lies waiting for his revenge.

My Review

We're straight back into the world with this book, picking up right where book 1 left off. Poppy has come to visit her mother and friends in Winsome but whilst there one of her friends is kidnapped. Queen Augusta tells them to wait and plan a rescue, but Poppy wants to find her friend before it's too late, so she sneaks out with her friends Brady and Gus, determined to get her back.

This one seemed a little bit more exciting than the first, I think because I knew the characters better, it felt like there was more at stake. I liked Annie as a character and really wanted Poppy to find her and bring her home.

Brady is growing more as a character and I like his courage and quiet confidence and the easy friendship between him and Poppy. I liked Gus even more, his spirit and heroics are really endearing, although I'm still not sure what he is supposed to look like.

Sneaking through a world of goblins and trolls the characters have to face danger at every turn, but I liked how you weren't really sure of what was to come next.

Augusta is still very short tempered and straight laced but I actually really like her, I found myself waiting to see if that tough exterior would crack and on the rare occasions it does you see a whole other side of her.

Again this book is quite short at approx 150 pages and I finished it within about an hour, the plot carries you through and I was actually surprised by how quickly it passed.

The series is certainly getting better.

My Rating

Book Review - The Gloom

2013-05-04T22:56:00.002+01:00

Title: The Gloom
Author: Piper Kelley
Series: The Gloom (book 1)
Publisher: Piper Kelley
Release Date: 23rd June 2012

ASIN: B008E9HWVY

Synopsis
To the faeries in Winsome, the Gloom is a living nightmare. Few have braved to enter the dangerous land engulfed by the Gloom, and even fewer have made it out whole. In desperation, Queen Augusta, ruler of Winsome, turns to Poppy, a human with mysterious ties to the faeries. Poppy must rely on her wits and her bravery in this strange new land to put a stop to the Gloom and bring Winsome back to life.

My Review
I was sent the entire trilogy in ebook format in exchange for an honest review. This is part of the batch of reviews I have been trying to catch up with. Can't believe I let them sit there so long. But good news is I'm getting back on top and have almost cleared the pile. So apologies to Piper for the very long delay.
I loaded this onto my ipad and it said 400 pages, with it being the first part of a trilogy my heart sank a bit, I thought it would take me a while to read, but then I realised it was the formatting, the pages and text came up huge, there was probably about 170 pages worth of writing in the end, so I ended up reading it very quickly. (In fact I read the entire trilogy in one day, reviews of book 2 & 3 to follow).
Poppy thinks she is relatively normal, she lives with her dad, stepmum and little sister, she never knew her mother, she left when Poppy was still a baby, her dad won't talk about it and Poppy finds it's best not to think about it. But then one evening after an argument with her stepmum Poppy goes to sit in the garden by the old tree, she knows it was a favourite place of her mums and she likes to sit there too. But whils sitting there she gets a visit from a very strange looking creature who takes her through a portal in the tree to the magical world of Winsome. She is told that she is the only one who can get rid of the 'Gloom' an area of darkness and madness taking over the land.
I liked the set up of the two worlds and how they connected together and the different areas of Winsome. I really enjoyed the sense of magic and the fact you were never quite sure what could happen next or who would appear. In fact the whole world was very well constructed and written, I could visualize everything and felt a part of the world.
My only down to this book was the fact that I couldn't really cage how old Poppy was supposed to be. She was old enough to babysit her little sister, but she couldn't drive yet, so I would guess somewhere between 13-16 although I think kids younger than 13 can technically babysit, at times she was quite young sounding, a little whiney and scared in places and her language seemed a little bit young. I couldn't really get a proper image in my head of what she looked like as I couldn't decide on age, I mean I had a rough image from hair and eye colour etc, but was a bit confused otherwise.
Which was strange, because with characters like Augusta, Benny, Peregrine, her dad and step mum and little sister I could visualise them all quite easily, they were very well set up. It's not a big grumble, but I did wonder throughout. I could also never picture what Gus and Sug were meant to look like, described as being imps but looking like pieces of firewood, they are small enough to sit on her backpack, yet she cradles him in her arms like a baby. Wasn't sure how to picture them, had an image of something that looked like a cross between a cockroach, a stick insect and a sort of Gollum looking creature. Very peculiar.
Being quite short the pace is good and flows very well, I read through quickly and enjoyed the storyline. It was a good read and I did want to go onto book 2, but there were just a few details missing I think.
If you want a good fantasy adventure I would recommend it though, easy to read and good fun.

My Rating

FF (120)

2013-05-03T10:22:00.002+01:00

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 Pretty Deadly Reviews

Q: Give us a sneak! What are you reading? Tell us about a fun or fail scene in your current read.

My Answer: You've actually caught me between books, I just finished 'Thrall' last night and haven't picked a book up yet this morning. I'm actually trying to decide which book to pick up next. Actually, this could be my chance to get your opinions, so my immediate options are:

1. W.A.R.P by Eoin Colfer

2. Night School by C.J Daugherty

3. Breathe by Sarah Crossan

So, any favourites there? What should I pick. They are all ones I have to review so have to read pretty soon. Or should I just ignore them and dig into my new Alexander Gordon Smith book - 'The Storm'.

Becky's Barmy Book Blog

FF (123)

Q: The #FF is 150 weeks old! And we want to hear from you! What would you change about the hop? What do you like about it? Or just suggest a question to be used for next week!

My Answer: I love FF, always fun and easy to take part in and a great way to find new blogs and 'meet' new people to talk to. Really reinforces the community aspect of blogging.

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

Guest Post - Chanda Stafford

The Tricksters Totem Promo & Guest Post

Book Review - Night School

Book Promo - Catching a Sorcerer

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop Winner

Book Review - Breathe

Blog Tour and Guest post - Trail of Bones

Amazon

Book Review - The Reluctant Assassin

FF (122)

Q: School is out! What is your favorite Summer Reading book??

One of my favourite books set during the summer is 'Twenty Boy Summer' by Sarah Ockler, it's an awesome book. Love it, so I guess that's my answer.

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter my 'Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop'. Open Internationally.

Book Promo - Domino 29

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop

Book Novella Reviews - The Fractured - Blemished

Book Review - The Vanished

FF (121)

Q: Happy Mother’s Day! Who is your favorite mom from fiction?

My Answer: ooh, didn't know it was Mother's Day, we have ours in March over here.

My answer is going to be very predictable and very common on today's hop I think. My answer of course is Mrs Molly Weasley. She is so caring, kind, loving, understanding and fiercely protective. She's a strong women with great morals and will do anything for those she loves. Such an awesome woman.

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

3 Wishes - Emma Newman Project

Book Trailer Reveal - The Sixth Power

AMAZON | BARNES &amp; NOBLE

Book Promo - A Surefire Way

Book Review - The Blemished

Book Review - One Hundred Names

Book Review - Stealing Parker

Book Review - The Dregs

Book Review - The Doldrums

Book Review - The Gloom

FF (120)

Q: Give us a sneak! What are you reading? Tell us about a fun or fail scene in your current read.

My Answer: You've actually caught me between books, I just finished 'Thrall' last night and haven't picked a book up yet this morning. I'm actually trying to decide which book to pick up next. Actually, this could be my chance to get your opinions, so my immediate options are:

1. W.A.R.P by Eoin Colfer

2. Night School by C.J Daugherty

3. Breathe by Sarah Crossan

So, any favourites there? What should I pick. They are all ones I have to review so have to read pretty soon. Or should I just ignore them and dig into my new Alexander Gordon Smith book - 'The Storm'.

I know I haven't answered the question at all, but never mind! :D

Happy Hopping & Blogging. :D

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE