Pages

Friday, July 30, 2010

: Friday Chatter - July 30th 2010 :

I just don't know where this week has gone - all of a sudden it's Friday and I am not all that sure what I did this week. LOL ... is it an age thing?
On a happy note - today was my last day of meditation classes at the Healing Centre ... I am now concentrating on holding the classes at home, and building on the wonderful people that already come along and enjoy the relaxation and inner calm from looking inside.

I haven't bought any books yet this week - or received any in the mail ... so plan on going out tomorrow and having a look around, try to find a bargain. I am thinking of trying some Historical Romance for a change - I do miss reading them.
I hope that you all have a wonderful day and weekend ... enjoy the written word!
---------------------------------------
My Friday " Book Share "
Feel free to share back with me ...
Just open your book up - and post a sentence or two (a little more if you want) ... from anywhere in the book. Oh, and share the book title and author please! Thanks xoxoxo

Lucas paused and I knew he remained worried. He wanted to ask more questions, and I didn't want him to ask. I wanted to pretend that none of it had ever happened. I needed to pretend that, just for a little while.
(Hourglass by Claudia Gray - Page 226)


: Stargazer by Claudia Gray :

Published : 2008 - Harper Teen
Paperback : 332 Pages
ISBN : 978-0-7322-8968-3

Stargazer (March 2009) returns to Bianca's story a few months later. Both she and Lucas will stop at nothing to see each other again—even if it means living a life of secrets and lies. But even as Bianca finds herself torn between two worlds, she soon discovers they aren't the only ones keeping secrets. Will powerful forces within Evernight Academy keep her from deciding her own fate, or claim her forever?


I liked the way this story flowed - Lucas is gone for long periods, Bianca feels all alone and strange things are happening around her - within the walls of Evernight Academy. Balthazar is her saving grace, after seeing her being dropped off by Lucas, who is his enemy. Their friendship helps them through a tough time - the long separations from Lucas, and Balthazar's search for his sister Charity. But as usual, things don't go to plan, and the attack by Black Cross member's leaves her with one option - run. Leaving behind the people that she loves, but placing her with the love of her life Lucas, the guy who loves her no matter who or what she is.

I know things are not going to run smoothly - can they conquer their problems and find a way to lead some sort of normal life? Will the wraith's leave her alone once she is away from Evernight? And what will happen to her if she doesn't finally take a life making her a full vampire? No doubt all these questions and more will be answered in HOURGLASS.

If you liked EVERNIGHT ... you will enjoy STARGAZER - the highs and lows, the emotions of teenage love, parental relationships and student friendships. Lies and secrets come crashing down around Bianca, which surely can only make her stronger as she learns to deal with them, and begin a new life.

RATING : 8/10

Saturday, July 24, 2010

: Evernight by Claudia Gray :

Published : 2008 - Harper Teen
Paperback : 327 Pages
ISBN : 978-0-7322-8967-6

When the story begins in Evernight, Bianca has just left the small town where she's spent her whole life. She's a new student at Evernight Academy, a creepily Gothic boarding school where her classmates are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas, another loner, who seems fiercely determined not to be the "Evernight type." There's a connection between Bianca and Lucas that can't be denied. She would risk anything to be with him—but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart... and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed to be true.

This book was a surprise to me. This started out with the typical teen, angry at her parents for uprooting her from her friends and school, and enrolling her in Evernight Academy, where she feels anxiety at meeting new people and wants to run away. Her parents are teachers there, which means they are the one constant thing in her life, which she desperately needs.

I am half way through this book when I have it all figured out - who the vampires and humans are, and then whammo ... I'm wrong. Something happens which I didn't see coming and must admit I am surprised and impressed with the way the story was written so far that I didn't pick it. And the surprises don't end there ... further on in the story, I find out that someone isn't what everyone thought and all I can see ahead is trouble. Bianca and Lucas are in for an interesting time in the follow up book STARGAZER.

Lies, secrets, love, family, deception - for me this book had it all for the YA reader ... and would recommend this book to read.

RATING : 8/10

Friday, July 23, 2010

: Fantastic Friday - July 23rd 2010 :


No .. we haven't had snow, but it's been cold enough for it. I wish that I would wake up tomorrow morning and see snow everywhere, then I can accept how cold it is. Do you get the idea that I am a sunmer gal??? LOL ... definately!

It's been a so-so week here ... still not 100% well, but alot better than I was. My parents are coming up on Sunday, then I take them to the airport on Monday where they head off for a 1 month visit to the Gold Coast, Queensland. Thinking that I might try and hide in one of the suitcases ... hehe. Hubby is away fishing for the weekend, which will do him good after the week he has had at work.

IN MY MAILBOX
Luxe by Anna Godbersen
(Thanks Penguin books)

BOOKS I BOUGHT
Spells byAprilynne Pike
Dream of Me by Lisa Cach
---------------------------------------
My Friday " Book Share "
Feel free to share back with me ...
Just open your book up - and post a sentence or two (a little more if you want) ... from anywhere in the book. Oh, and share the book title and author please! Thanks xoxoxo

At night, I lay in bed and imagined Balthazar kissing me or holding my face in his hands. The images were meaningless: I might as well have been remembering a scene from a movie. Then, as I became sleepier and my thoughts wandered, my fantasies changed.
(Evernight by Claudia Gray - Page 120)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

: Meet Stephen O'Connor - July 31st 2010 :

Steven O'Conner

Come and meet Steven O'Conner the author of EleMental. EleMental is set in Melbourne in the year 2050 and tells the story of three teenagers who are introduced to a strange computer game which interfered with their ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, and threatens to trap them in a world of virtual reality. An exciting mix of sci-fi, horror and action, EleMental had been likened by one critic as reading 'like Phillip K Dick for teenagers'.

Where: Borders Melbourne Central
Date: Saturday 31 July
Time: 2:00pm

: Win a Feel Good Prize Pack :


Enter to win a Feel Good Prize pack including vouchers for shopping, hotels and spa treatments worth over $600 from Simon & Schuster, and The Fortunes of Ruby White.

This competition is open to Australian & New Zealand residents only.

: The Stand by Stephen King :


FROM MY BOOKSHELF
From time to time .. I'll post a review of something that has been read and is now sitting on my bookshelf - waiting to be read again!

Published : 1990
Hard Cover : 1007 pages

One man escapes from a biological weapon facility after an accident, carrying with him the deadly virus known as Captain Tripps, a rapidly mutating flu that - in the ensuing weeks - wipes out most of the world's population. In the aftermath, survivors choose between following an elderly black woman to Boulder or the dark man, Randall Flagg, who has set up his command post in Las Vegas. The two factions prepare for a confrontation between the forces of good and evil.


I first read this book a long time ago ... I think when it was first published. For me, I couldn't put the book down .. it had me from the very beginning .. and made a confirmed Stephen King fan.

The writing is amazing ... there were times when I was reading this book that I actually felt the emotions, and had pictures in my head that were so real that I even felt sick. The struggle between good and bad, dark and light is covered so well in this book - it's scary actually to see how well people can be persuaded over to the dark side. Also, the hope that is experienced by people that they could survive and rebuild everything that was lost is a shining light to all of us to carry through each and every day.

Stephen King, you are an amazing storyteller ... you have a complete grasp on what you see in each book and totally absorb the reader with every word that is written from the front cover to the very last page of the book. This book is one of my all time favorites.

RATING : 10/10


: Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson :

Release date : May 18th 2010
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN : 978-1-84738-928-1

Hanover Falls hasn’t had a werewolf problem in over one hundred years. Seattle, Copenhagen, Osaka–they’ve had plenty of attacks. But when humans begin dying in Claire Benoit’s town, the panic spreads faster than a rumor at a pep rally. At Claire’s sixteenth birthday party, the gruesome killings are all anyone can talk about. But the big news in Claire’s mind is the fact that Matthew Engle–high-school soccer god and son of a world-renowned lycanthropy expert–notices her. And flirts with her. A lot.

That night, Claire learns that she is the latest in a long line of Benoit werewolves, and that contrary to popular belief, all werewolves are female. Killing humans is forbidden by the code of the pack, but a rogue werewolf has been breaking that law, threatening the existence of Claire’s new pack. As the pack struggles to find and fight the rogue werewolf and Claire struggles with her lupine identity, her heart and her loyalties are torn in two. Claire must keep her new life a secret from even her best friend–and especially from Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt…and with whom Claire is impossibly and undeniably falling head-over-paws in love.

I expected a lot from this book ... and for me, I don't think it delivered. You discover a relationship between mother and daughter, that is somewhat strained, which isn't helped by long absences. Claire has a live in housekeeper/nanny named Lisbeth, who is young, and the closest thing she has to a constant mother figure. A best friend, Emily, and a guy, Matthew, who is interested in Claire, but for the life of her, she doesn't see why. Throw in the changes that are happening to her body, and Claire is in for something ... she just doesn't know what.

The story didn't really grab me - sure there were pages where something interesting happened - but I didn't feel the beginnings of new love between Claire and Matthew, couldn't really see a great connection between Claire and Emily, definately not a lot of love between Claire and Marie (her mother) .. and had already worked out who the rogue werewolf was .. and picked up on a couple of other things that were going to happen in the book. If there is a follow up to this book, I would hope that there would be more time spent on the emotions between the characters, and try to keep the surprises coming - way too many hints in the storyline as you read.

Maybe it's an age thing - a teenager may gloss over some of the things I picked up on and enjoy the read ... but I think the older reader wouldn't.

RATING : 6/10

Sunday, July 18, 2010

: Glimmerglass by Jenna Black :

Published 2009
Paperback - 294 pages
ISBN - 978 0 3304 0378 8

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides she’s had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Soon, Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she’ll never have a chance with… until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn’t sure where she’ll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again…

Glimmerglass is a terrific read - a cross between fairy intrigue and fantasy. Dana finds herself faced with real world problems, and decides that travelling to Avalon to meet her father will solve all her problems. She knows that Avalon is special - where the real world meets the Fae world ... so has grand ideas in her head about how magical it will be, and how wonderful her knew life will be.
How wrong she was! From the moment that Dana enters Avalon it's one thing after another, not knowing who to trust or believe. Knowing that the Seelie and Unseelie want to have her under their control, and that the Queens would prefer her dead, she decides it will be best to leave Avalon and return to the US and try to get back to some sort of 'normal' life - now, that is easier said than done.

I enjoyed this book - a little bit of everything for the reader. Look forward to reading the next book SHADOWSPELL in the Faeriewalker series.

RATING - 7/10

Friday, July 16, 2010

: Vision in White by Nora Roberts :

Vision in White

Berkley Trade Paperback

ISBN : 978-0-425-22751-0
Released 4/28/09
Bride Quartet — Book One

The first book in the Bride Quartet—following the lives and loves of four friends who run Vows, a wedding-planning company. Wedding photographer Mackensie “Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother…an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac’s type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends—and business partners—to see her way to her own happy ending.

This book had a nice feel to it from the very first page. You will find yourself feeling very comfortable with Mac, and enjoying the friendship that she shares with her friends, that are also her business partners.

Your heart will break when you come across the relationship that she has with her mother Linda, a woman that is so selfish and thinks that the world revolves around her ... regardless of her daughters needs. Watching the way Mac deals with her throughout the book is interesting, and a great time of growth for her.

And then there is Carter ... the man who she wouldn't have really taken any notice of in high school, but now, she can't get him out of her mind. Seeing their relationship grow from their first meeting (helping his sister with her wedding) to see the tenderness. consideration and trust between them ... something that Mac has never had in her life before. So many situations are covered in this book that no doubt we have experienced ourselves, or seen first hand, another aspect that makes this story seem close to real life.

Great friendship, a thriving business and a love that is totally unexpected - all makes for a great read. I am definately looking forward to reading BED OF ROSES - the next book in the series.

RATING - 8/10

: Friday Chatter - July 16th 2010

TGIF - it's that time of the week again ... and I am glad to see this week come to a close - mainly because I have been sick but on the road to recovery now - just need to shake this rotten head cold and the headache that won't go away. I am heading down to see my beautiful granddaughters tomorrow ... that's always a good thing.

BOOKS I HAVE BOUGHT THIS WEEK

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black ... I have been wanting to read this for awhile and now have it safely added to the 'to read pile' Check out Jenna's site and keep up to date with what she is doing now ... JENNA BLACK
I hadn't read any of these books by Rachel Hawthorne ... and saw this series on special - so bought the lot!
I have been searching for the full set of these books by Vicki Petterson for awhile now ... and could only ever find Book 1 and 3 - but not this week - all 3 of them jumped out at me from the shelves, so grabbed them ... hehe ... I think my 'to read pile' is starting to shake ... it's getting so big!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My Friday " Book Share "
Feel free to share back with me ...
Just open your book up - and post a sentence or two (a little more if you want) ... from anywhere in the book. Oh, and share the book title and author please! Thanks xoxoxo

Neither the car or her mother showed on Monday. On Tuesday, when her patience ran thin, Mac's calls to her mother's house and cell went directly to voice mail.
By Wednesday, she actively entertained the thought of reporting her car stolen. But then she'd just have to bail her mother out of jail.
(Vision In White by Nora Roberts - Chapter 15)

: Inspiration - July 16th 2010 :


They say a true friend can go long periods of time without speaking and never question their friendship. These types of friends pick up just like they spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how faraway they live...

Thursday, July 15, 2010

: Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton :

Tyger Tyger - A Goblin Wars Book
Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date : November 15th 2010
ISBN : 9780547330082


Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

This book has it all ... for the young teenager with the active imagination, they are going to have some pretty amazing pictures popping into their heads as they turn the page.

The story never rests - there is always something happening - and you find yourself being taken on a magical journey ... with part of you knowing/hoping that there will be a happy ending.

As Teagan's journey takes them into a magical dark place in search of her father, they find out some news about their heritage that could make all the difference to the budding relationship between Teagan and Finn.

The way the story ended, leaves me with no doubt that there will be ... or should be .. a follow up to this book. And throughout the book, there are underlying messages (well I think there is) regarding trust, promises and naturally, the ongoing battle between good and bad, light and dark, and the choices that we all make as we walk through life.

Well done Kersten .. a brilliant read for the young teenagers, YA or anyone that just likes a good story.

RATING : 8/10

Monday, July 12, 2010

: Full of the Flu :

So feeling a little sorry for myself right now ... lol
Staying warm and snuggled up on the couch ... reading and watching some movies.

So far .. I have watched Nora Roberts MIDNIGHT BAYOU and TRIBUTE - not bad - both movies remind me of the Danielle Steele movies that I used to watch a few years ago.

Looking for more to watch if this flu doesn't clear up, so feel free to suggest something - anything ... I don't mind.

- Stay Healthy -

: My new Granddaughter :


Yes, I know I have been missing this last week ... but there has been a really good reason.
The photo above shows me with my granddaughters Harlow (18months) and Amity (3 days old)
Little Amity was born on July 9th weighing in at a tiny 6lbs 9ozs.
Mum and baby are home now ... and doing well.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

: Dark Flame by Alyson Noel :

The Immortals Series - Book 4
First published in 2010
ISBN - 978-0-330-52061-4
Paperback

In this eagerly awaited continuation of the bestselling Immortals series, Ever struggles to help her best friend Haven transition into life as an immortal—trying to keep her from doing anything that puts them at risk, while attempting to gain control over her enemy Roman, so she can finally obtain the antidote that will allow her and Damen to be together. But when the spell she casts backfires, resulting in a strange, foreign pulse that binds her to Roman instead, Ever turns to Jude and dark magick, desperately attempting to break free of the curse, and ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including her beloved Damen.

I read this book over the course of a day ... it's very easy to read. We follow the struggle that Ever faces trying to get the antidote from Roman, so that her and Damon can be together, and when she resorts to magic, she uncovers a demon that she didn't expect.

Knowingly or not, Alyson actually covers alot of the emotions that teenagers face - feeling bad about themself, not trusting those that love them, trying to handle things on their own and friendships being lost.The story flows perfectly - we have our central characters - and that is basically it. And that is all that the story really needs.

I liked the story ... feeling Ever's struggle, right up to the end of the book. Don't want to give anything away for those that haven't read it - but the story doesn't have the ending that I did expect ... so will be eagerly awaiting the next book NIGHT STAR to see what Ever & Damon face next time.

RATING - 8/10

Friday, July 2, 2010

: Blood Kin by Maria Lima :


BLOOD KIN by MARIA LIMA

The Blood Lines series — Book 3
October 27, 2009
ISBN-13: 9781439156766
ISBN-10: 143915676X

The perils of power…

Keira Kelly has come into her full powers, and they are frighteningly strong, creating a distance between her and her human friends in her beloved Rio Seco. It is time to obey her great-grandmother Gigi’s orders, and rejoin her family in northwest Canada, where Keira can learn to handle her dangerous new skills. She’ll have friends with her every step of the way—her shapeshifter brother Tucker, his beloved Niko, and, to Keira’s dismay, her cousin on her mother’s side, Daffyd ap Geraint, the Sidhe prince who suddenly appeared in her life and now refuses to leave—but her vampire lover Adam has insisted on staying in Texas. And while there are certainly perks to being Family, such as a private Lear jet for the flight to Canada, and a fabulous penthouse condo overlooking Vancouver, there are threats looming that nobody, not even Gigi, has anticipated. Keira’s Sidhe inheritance from her mother is far more important than anyone ever realized, and the fate of the Clan may depend upon what she does….

Keira and Adam are still together, as is Nicko and Tucker. Things seem to be going well, and then Keira begins to feel the full force of the change, which has her summoned to Canada. Naturally as you can guess, things don't go according to plan and they find themselves trying to solve the mysterious murders of some homeless men, knowing that it has something to do with Keira, or at least the Kelly clan.
I am really happy to say that Maria kept this story going with even more twists and turns that had me itching to see what happened next. I for one felt like everything written about the Fae, Shapeshifters, Vampires etc rang true and felt that Maria gave perfect descriptions of places, people and events. The books flows so well - the story is never boring. If you can even begin to guess what happens to them, then you should be writing books ... lol
The final instalment in this book BLOOD HEAT comes out on October 29th 2010 and I can't wait.

RATING - 9/10

: Paranormal Haven Giveaway :

Paranormal Haven is having a 450 Follower Giveaway
Great prizes and it's international as well ... so click the button below to go there.
This contest runs for the month of July 2010

450 Follower Giveaway

: Friday Chatter - July 2nd 2010 :

Hello again ... getting around to this a bit later than I normally do, but it's been one of those weeks.

At long last the Twilight: Eclipse movie screened - a group of us headed into the Crown Casino to watch Twilight (6.30) New Moon (9.00) and then Eclipse at 12.01am. I have to say Eclipse is by far my favorite of the movies so far ... I think they did the book justice, and all I can say is bring on Breaking Dawn, but I understand it's at least 500 days away :(

That said - I was useless the next day ... but I took my niece to see Eclipse at 10am, and we both enjoyed it so much. Wonder if I can drag anyone else back to watch it with me again? Did you think I am addicted?

My poor little granddaughter Harlow is down with croup and a viral infection - she was coming tonight for a visit, but wisely, they are staying home with her now. Held the Meditation Class this morning ... and then did the Grocery shopping. Tonight my beloved Bulldogs play the Hawks ... so looking forward to that.

IN MY MAILBOX
Rawhide Ranger by Rita Herron (Mills & Boon)
Killer Body by Elle James (Mills & Boon)

BOOKS I BOUGHT
Lord of Legends by Susan Krinard
Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
The Twilight Sage - Eclipse : The Official Illustrated Movie Companion

Busy weekend ahead ... I am trying to get BLOOD KIN by Maria Lima finished ... only about 100 pages to go, so hopefully tonight or tomorrow

Wishing you all the best of weekends ahead - and to all celebrating July 4th - have fun and be safe!

: June Giveaway Winner :


The winner of the June Giveaway ($25 Amazon Gift Card) was Grace (comment #9) as drawn at random.org

Congratulations ... and I will be in touch very soon.
And a big thank you to everyone that entered ... I will be adding all the books recommended to me in the sidebar.

July contest will be posted soon.