: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer :

First Published in 2006 in Great Britain by Atom
Paperback - 434 pages
ISBN : 978-1-904233-65-7

About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizinf voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn't realize is that the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back ...

Deeply seductive and irresistibly compelling, Twilight is an extraordinary love story that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.
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Before I hear you start groaning "Not another Twilight Review, it's been done already" ... well, yes everyone else has done a review on it, except me ... and as I have just finished reading this for the 14th or 15th time, I thought why not?

By now - everyone knows the story, so I will not go into it - I think that Stephenie Meyer did a wonderful job writing this book .. it's fresh, and not once do you find yourself getting bored with it. The characters are all believable and loveable - Bella's love for Edward, and Edward's undying love and devotion to Bella, comes through so strongly in the book, that young girls and even more mature women around the world have sat back and said "I want love to be like that".

As we all know - life and love brings ups and downs ... which are shown in the story - and seeing the way that each issue is dealt with is interesting. And the whole Cullen Clan - it really turns your head around and makes you rethink everything that you ever thought about vampires. And the 'sparkle in sunlight' condition that would expose the Cullens to the humans ... brilliant ... it's a nice way to show them as being different, apart from their beauty, their skin and their cool touch.

Charlie is an interesting character in the book - ever bending to please Bella, and would dearly love to know what is going through his mind.

I don't know that Stephenie had any idea what a phenomenon she was unleashing on the world when she sat down and wrote this and the subsequent books, but I am so glad that it happened in my time, and I have been able to read the books, and see the movies - and walk away feeling good and content.

Comparing the book to the movie - I don't know that you can. I loved them both for what they are ... and yes, naturally there is a lot of things that have been left out in the movie - as usual, artistic writing and direction are responsible - but it happens with the best of book to movie transitions. All I can say is that when I sat down to watch the movie, I didn't take my eyes off the screen ... loved every single minute of it ... and will not reveal how many times I have seen it so far ... you may just get me locked up ... hehe. The only thing that I will say about the movie - I wish they had been more consistent with the way that Edward looked.

: Mid week Chatter :

I have been sadly neglecting things here ... so sorry.
I have so many book reviews I want to get up - along with some film reviews ... so I should be posting up a storm over the next couple of weeks.

And ... I collected a couple of boxes of books from a lady through Freecycle ... not alot in there that I wanted to read, but I did manage to score a few books - they aren't new, but still worth reading. Guess now it's my turn to put them back on Freecycle and see if anyone wants to take them from me.

My Tag forum has been going nuts the last couple of months, as well as stuff with real life ...birthdays etc. My hubby's 50th birthday party is this weekend ... so lots to get organized.
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It's always exciting to hear that you have won a competition you entered on another person's blog ... but then very disappointing when you never receive the prize. I allowed a month (and yes, this lady lives in Australia) then contacted her ... she quickly got back to me to say that she would send it off, she'd forgotten about it.
Another month goes by and I contact her again - nothing. Give it another week, then message her letting her know that I am disappointed that I haven't received it and if I don't hear back from her, she won't hear from me again, and I'll just assume that I'm not getting the prize.

You guessed it - she never got back to me! I allow for real life stuff ... but she's around ... posting on her blog and facebook! Guess you're always going to come across it aren't you? Why even bother holding a contest, announcing a winner, and then not sending it off? All I can tell you is that I won't ever ever enter a contest on that ladies blog again! And no, I won't name her ... but hope that none of you end up in the same position as me.

So, with that said ... I'd appreciate an update from anyone receiving their prizes from me ... just so I know you got them and enjoy them.
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I stood in front of my bookcase last week trying to work out what to read next ... you know what it's like - you pick up one book ... nah, put it back and pick up another ... nah ... and so it goes on. In the end I gave up and walked through the lounge room saying "I might as well read Twilight again" (youngest son rolls his eyes) ... so I did ... omg, I never get sick of reading it. And I know I said that I wouldn't do a review on it cos it's been done by so many people, but guess what? I LIED ... hehe ... yep ... I've read the book at least 14 times now and I owe it to myself to review it.
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Hoping you all have the best of days ... and that you have an amazing book in your hands.
xoxoxoxoxo

: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey :

This edition published by Penguin Group (Australia) 2010

Paperback : 351 Pages

ISBN : 978-0-14-320403-9

Marrying a Vampire definately doesn't fit into Jessica's senior year 'Get A Life' plan.

Enter a bizarre new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu, who claims Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth, and he's her long lost fiancé. He's arrogant, officious, embarassingly overprotective, and well, incredibly hot.

Armed with a copy of Growing Up Undead : A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health and Emotions, Jessica tries to imagine the transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire Princess. But just when things start to heat up with Lucius, a devious cheerleader sets her sights on him.

Soon Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war ... and save Lucius's soul from eternal damnation. All of which leaver her to wonder : Wouldn't life be easier if she could just fall for a nice normal boy?
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Basically all you need to know is written above ... I bought this book and then let it sit for quite awhile before I decided to read it ... and I have to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised once I started to read.

The story is well written - the story behind Jessica's parents death and how she came to be brought up as a normal American teenager by the most loveable hippy style parents .. it's believable. Come on ... you never know what is out there hiding in the shadows!! :)

Lucius comes across as arrogant and just trying to fulfill his duty, as you will discover as you read the letters he writes home to his uncle. But, as time passes, you can see both Jessica and Lucius having a change of heart ... and the attraction begins to grow.

Read the book ... I don't think you will be disappointed - I wasn't.

RATING : 7/10

: Spells by Aprilynne Pike :

Published in Australia 2010
by Griffin Press
Paperback - 426 Pages

ISBN : 13-978-0-00-734700-1

"I just can't storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't 'steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said.

"And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then I guess I'll be waiting forever"

In this extraordinary tale of magic, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this follow up book to WINGS ... the story continues to grow and the emotional attachment to the characters remains strong.

Laurel is summoned to Avalon to go to school to learn all the essentials a Fall faerie needs to know ... and she finds it hard to walk away from her boyfriend David, even knowing that she loves him and wants to be with him, but is scared that the attraction she has to Tamani may grow to cause her more heartache.

School for Laurel is a challenge ... and on the odd occasion, Tamani comes to escort her around Avalon - showing her the sights and introducing her to his family. Laurel finds the lessons at school hard but step by step, she begins to improve, and when the summer is over and she can return to David and her family ... she also brings along a lot of homework that she needs to do - perfecting spells is something that she is taking her time getting used to.

Tamani doesn't give up trying to encourage Laurel to leave David, and she finds herself torn for awhile ... not sure what she wants to do, as she is becoming more aware that she is in love with both of them. It's only when she is faced with David leaving her, that she decides to stay and asks Tamani to go away.

The trolls are back and causing havoc again - for her, David, their friends and even her family. At one point, Laurel is unsure if her mother even cares for her anymore as their relationship has changed since it was announced she was a faerie.

The ups and downs, the highs and lows ...you can enjoy the story and the connection with the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

RATING : 7/10

: Graphic Novels Online :

Do many of you read Graphic Novels online?
Sharing 3 links here ... if you don't already know about them
http://www.junglestudio.com/roza/

http://www.meekcomic.com/archives/

http://requiem.seraph-inn.com/

: Wings by Aprilynne Pike :

First Published in 2009
Paperback - 360 pages
ISBN - 13-978-0-00-731436-2

Laurel has always lived as an
ordinary girl ... but now something is happening
to her. Something magical.

In this enchanting tale of magic,
romance and danger, everything you thought
you knew about faeries will be changed
forever.


Yes ... it's true ... a book on faeries that has some truly original elements to it.
We follow the story of Laurel ... leaving the comfort of home schooling and attending high school - and finds herself being befriended by the most gorgeous guy in the school.

The awakening of Laurel as a faerie, and the way she deals with it is done nicely. And true to form, as her relationship with David has blossomed into teenage romance, she decides to let him in on her little secret, scared that he may leave her and hoping that he doesn't.

Laurel finds herself caught between David (human boyfriend) and Tamani (fae boyfriend from the past). She is still so caught up in her human existence and her very strong feelings for David, but can't quite dismiss what she feels for Tamani either.

So ... back to normal everyday life, which includes ups and downs with family and friends (not telling - you have to read it for yourself) and then throw in some trolls who are trying to gain control of the land that their previous house lives on ... as they want to find the gates to Avalon.

I enjoyed the story - loved the originality of the blossom, and loved the little love triangle. I felt the emotions throughout the book and also could vividly conjure up a picture of the trolls in my mind - not a pretty sight!!!!

The story flowed well, and being the first of a series of 4 books, I think this series has alot of potential to expand the story in a few directions ... Avalon, her family, her feelings for David compared to Tamani etc

I enjoyed this and think you will find this nice reading.

RATING 7/10

: September Giveaway Winner :

Sorry that I haven't been around ... it's been crazy around here lately ... but will try to get back into posting some reviews real soon.

Anyway ... onto the important part of this post - the winner of the September Giveaway.

And the winner ... chosen at random.org is ...

NOMES

Congrats .. I'll be sending you an email shortly.

Thank you to everyone who enters the giveaways ... I always appreciate the comments/feedback. It's nice to know what others think, or read

The October Contest will be posted soon ... so keep your eye open for it.