{Review} Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner

Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 1st, 2015
Finished Date: January 18th, 2015

Publishers: Egmont
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 296

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

There's no hiding in the spotlight. Torrey Grey is famous - at least, she is on the internet. Thousands of people watch her beauty vlog for tips on how to be popular and pretty. 

But when Torrey's sister is killed in an accident her world implodes, especially as she feels partly to blame. And that's when the trolling starts...How can Torrey mourn her sister in private, when her bubbly public persona is all over the web? 

Then she meets Luis, whose family owns the local funeral home, and he challenges all that Torrey thought she knew about love, life, and loss.

The Review: Beauty vlogger Torrey Grey has thousands of people watching her vlog on You Tube. She loves it. She loves connecting to people and she loves hearing what they have to say about her vlog’s. But when Torrey’s younger sister is killed by a drunk driver, suddenly all those nice comments now turn into nasty ones when they start blaming her for her sister’s death – and really, Torrey blames herself to even though it wasn’t her fault. Moving to Texas to be close to relatives might be the worse idea her parents have ever had but once there, Torrey finds some relief in people not knowing who she is. Trying to mourn her sister is hard especially when it feels like the whole world is waiting for her next vlog. But when Torrey meets Louis – the guy whose family own the local funeral home, Louis tries to help Torrey through her grief. 

I’ve never read anything by Donna Cooner before and so I didn’t really have any expectations when I went into Can’t Look Away but I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I loved that the story dealt with serious and real life issues because it’s a story that most people will be able to connect with emotionally and that what happened to me while reading the story. I felt it was important for us to get to know Torrey’s sister and form the bond that with her and feel the loss like Torrey did, and Donna Cooner made that possible which was fantastic. 

I really liked Torrey – although to start with she’s a little self-centred because a lot of her thoughts are about herself, her vlog and fashion. But as the story progresses you can she her changing. Her sister’s death makes her realise there is more to life and she needs to grab it with both hands. And while she didn’t always do the right things to start with or more so, she doesn’t follow her heart to start with, I found that okay too. I loved that her character developed along the way. 

There are plenty of secondary characters to add the fun element to the story, although not all of them are likable, there are some gems within the story like Torrey’s cousin Raylene, Ross and of course, the love interest Louis. These were definitely my favourites from the story especially Louis. He’s such a well-rounded character and I really liked how he pushes Torrey to open up. And Louis’ family were so much fun – I loved the idea of The Day of the Dead. It’s not something I’ve heard of before but I really enjoyed reading about it.

In all, Can’t Look Away is an emotional and realistic read and I’ll be watching out for more books by this author. 

Thank you to Egmont for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Posted by Donna
Release Date: March 23rd, 2013

Finished Date: January 11th, 2015
Publishers: Listening Library
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Source: Bought
Format: Audiobook
Narrated by: Shannon McManus
Listening Time: 9 hrs and 53 mins 

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

The Review: Meant to Be is a cute and enjoyable story and it’s one I’m pleased I’ve finally been able to knock off my TBR pile.

Straight-A student Julia always does the right thing. She never breaks any rules, she always does her homework and she’s always well prepared and she believes that there is one person for her which she labels as Meant to Be (MTB). When Julia goes away on a class trip to London, she’s not prepared to be partnered with Jason; the person that always picks on her in school and calls her names like Booklicker. Soon Julia finds herself breaking all the rules because Jason gives her no other choice – she’s going to parties and getting drunk, pretending to be a super model and, breaking curfew more than once. But when Julia starts receiving text messages from someone, Jason offers to help her track him down but, as Julia and Jason spend more time together, she finds that Jason isn’t as insufferable as she once thought and soon she finds herself enjoying time in his company. But how can Julia have feelings for Jason when she’s meant to be with someone else?

One of my New Year resolutions is to try and listen to more audio books. I probably listen to about 6 a year but I’d like to listen to more. So off to Audible I went and Meant to Be was the first audio book I picked of 2015 and it was such a good choice!

I’d seen quite a few mixed reviews about Meant to Be before starting but it’s one I wanted to experience for myself and I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed Julia’s story. With the story being based in London and the fact that I’m British, I could really connect to Julia in the way she gets excited about visiting some of our most famous sites – because it was exciting for me when I first visited them too.

Julia being paired with Jason is the worst thing in the world for her – she thinks it will ruin her trip and while at first she didn’t enjoy it all that much, she slowly started to change her thoughts on Jason. I loved listening to Julia’s reactions to Jason. He got her into all kinds of trouble and breaking rules and I think it was just what she needed – to let go and live a little and more importantly have fun.  The banter between them was hilarious. There were a few times I found myself chuckling to the things he said to her and vice versa. I just really liked Jason. He was fun and full of energy and I loved how he pushed Julia to do things she wouldn’t have normally done.

There were a few surprises within the plot of the story one with Chris – who is the person texting Julia – which I wasn’t overly thrilled at the outcome. It was something different but still it didn’t feel like it wasn’t really needed. And then there was Marc who Julia thought was her MTB. I wasn’t overly fond of him either and felt the story could have done without him. Otherwise, I really enjoyed Meant to Be and I will definitely be reading or listening to Lauren Morrill’s other book, Being Sloan Jacobs very soon.

{INT Giveaway} Book of Choice from The Book Affair Author Event in April.

On April 18th, I will be attending a huge author signing called The Book Affair Author Event which is hosted by Pamela Ann, Crazies R' Us Book Blog & Ashley Suzanne. Pop on over to The Book Affair website for more information. They've done an awesome job so far! 

I know some people would love to go and can't attend for whatever reason so I'm offering ONE winner ONE book of choice from the list of authors above (no more than £10) which I will get personally signed for you and then ship to you at the end of April and it's an international give away too! 

You can see below from The Book Affairs lovely banner the list of authors that are attending the event. 

Rules: 
As you can see from the list of authors above this is mainly new adult/adult authors so this will be an 17+ giveaway ONLY if you want a NA/Adult book signed! If you are under the age of 17 and an author writes YA then, you can still enter, but please state on rafflecopter form or in the comments that you want a YA book.

The give away will run end on March 18th and a winner will be announced shortly after. 

Please remember that you're book will not arrive until after the event.

Book Passion for Life are not responsible if the author you want a book signed by cancels and can not attend the event. If this does happen you will be asked to to pick a different author.  Please keep checking the page in case the line up of authors change. 

Book Passion for Life are responsible for this giveaway NOT the hosts of the event.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} Stormy Night by Salina Yoon

Posted by Donna
Release Date:  January 5th, 2015
Finished Date: January 13th, 2015

Publishers: Bloomsbury Children's
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Ages: 3-6 years 
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 40

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

When thunder shakes his house and rain pounds the windows, Bear is frightened. But comforting his Mama, Papa and Floppy helps make the storm seem not as scary. Before Bear knows it, the storm has passed, because even storms need their sleep ... and so do bears.

A hugely heartwarming tale about the fear of thunder and how to overcome it.

The Review: Stormy Night is a cute story about a bear that is frightened of a storm but, soon finds himself comforting his toy rabbit and parents too by singing the song his mother sung to him when he was a little cub.

We loved Stormy Night. It’s a great read – one that many children will be able to connect to because most will find themselves in the same predicament – and like us, we have been in this same situation. It’s a very realistic story but one that’s very sweet and enjoyable to read.

My daughter and I have read it several times since we received the book and it’s definitely a favourite at the moment. We love the illustrations to the story which are bright, bold and very colourful. And while the book has 40 pages it is a very quick read because each page on has a few words on – which is perfect for little ones who like short stories.

In all, Stormy Night is a big hit in our house and I’ll be definitely keeping an eye out for more stories by Salina Yoon.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Chase the Dark (Steel & Stone #1) by Annette Marie

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: October 17th, 2014
Finished Date: January 10th, 2015

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Kindle

Pages: 302

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are precisely three obstacles in her way.

The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to get Piper — plus every other female in a ten mile radius — into bed, and when not actively working on that, he’s annoying the crap out of her.

The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. Scarier than most people's worst nightmares. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive — and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.

And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.

Now she’s on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her for something she didn’t actually steal. She’s dead on her own, but there’s no one she can trust to help her—no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons.

...See problems one and two.

The Review: I absolutely loved this book, in my opinion it was YA perfection!
The character of Piper drew me in straight away, as did the mysterious demon duo of Lyre & Ash as we join all three in a battle against time to prove their innocence, save Piper’s father and keep the coveted Sahar Stone out of the wrong hands.
The story got off to an action packed start and that action did not stop throughout the book giving me a thrill of a read. Piper is special, she is the only female to survive being born with two Haemon parents, the cost of this is that she has no magic. Piper more than compensates for this as she trains to become a member of the Consul and is well equipped to defend herself. That is until her whole life is turned upside down and she has to put her trust in an Incubus – Lyre – and a Draconian – Ash which begins not only an amazing story but also a very tentative love triangle. I know what you all think – urgh love triangles – I’m not a fan of them myself but it was nicely done here and no one is falling madly in love right now, it was the stirring of feelings between these young people thrust into life threatening situations. Lyre is the happy go lucky, fun character with his flirtatious banter that no one can resist but Piper so that leaves Ash who of course, is the bad boy, constantly brooding, sure of himself, alpha in the making but there’s just something about him that draws you in and makes you want to know more. I like both of these options for her, I’m leaning towards one but would be happy with either at this point.
Now, it’s not all about the romance….in fact that’s just a tiny smidgen of the content of this book but believe me the storyline is awesome! We have a magical world filled with lots of different magical people – Haemons (part daemon/part human) who possess magic, humans and Daemons that come in all shapes and forms. There is a sort of Heaven and Hell but they are known as the Overworld and Underworld that don’t necessarily equate to good and evil, there is a lot of enemies on all sides – daemons against daemons, humans against daemons, Haemons against daemons, and daemons against everyone else- so there is a lot of room for conflict but this story focuses on the Sahar Stone, Piper has it and everyone wants it – meaning that she is constantly running & fighting for her life and to protect the stone throughout the book. Multiple enemies are doing all they can to capture Piper leading her into perilous situations where she is forced to fight for her life without any magic (she doesn’t have any). It isn’t all cut and dried though because there are plenty of twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes, the book full of action and the story at a great pace – I could not put it down! It had everything I want to read in a UF – action, great characters, awesome world building, diverse species, secrets and lies, twists and turns and a smidge of romance…. Now I want more! 

Thank you to Annette Marie & NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Posted by Donna
Release Date: July 8th, 2014
Finished Date: December 27th, 2014

Publishers: Henry Holt and Co.
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Source: Bought
Format: Hardcover

Pages: 486

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

The Review: Fascinating, gripping and highly entertaining, The Kiss of Deception is a YA fantasy at its best! 

Princess Lia is the First Daughter of the House of Morrighan and is promised to the Prince of Dalbreck by her parents against her wishes. Leaving Lia no other choice, she flees on her wedding day knowing that once she leaves, she can never return. Now living out her life with her friend Pauline in a quite village Terravin, it’s there that Lia tries to forget about her old life and try to become someone else. But what Lia doesn’t know is that people are hunting her for their own goals and soon it brings the arrival of two strangers to Terravin who both have their eyes of Lia. Drawn to both of these men, Lia quickly realises that they both have secrets but can Lia risk getting close to them when she’s trying to hide who she really is? 

I had my doubts before starting this book just because I’ve seen so many mixed reviews. So I tried to go into the story without any expectations and you know what? I’m glad I did because this just proves that if I had listened to the other reviews, I probably wouldn’t have read this story and then I would have missed out on such a beautiful read!

I completely fell in love with The Kiss of Deception. It’s quite a lengthy book, just fewer than 500 pages and although no real action happens towards the midway point, there was always something going on to keep me completely engrossed by the story. And yes, I’m talking about the love triangle. The most frustrating love triangle I’ve read in a long time but it was also the best I’ve read about too. 

The story is told from Princess Lia point of view but we also get The Prince and The Assassin's point of view. This adds to the mystery of the boys because Mary E. Pearson writes this story so cleverly that you don’t know who is who out of the two love interests because soon you get chapters from Rafe and Kaden – but who is The Prince and who is the Assassin? I absolutely loved trying to figure out who was who. It was so suspenseful that I thought I would burst and I couldn’t make my mind up. I was rooting for one guy from the start and I just didn’t even want to imagine if Lia ended up with the other one. So, well done Ms Pearson for writing a fantastic love triangle! 

The story isn’t just centred on the romance though. It’s about a Lia trying to have a life that it hers and I loved her for it. She’s very head strong, stubborn and in my mind, a perfect fit to be Queen. I admired her determination throughout the story and loved how independent she was. You won’t get no sulking from this girl! Not only that, the plot of the story is also surrounded by political issues between the different kingdoms and there is an ancient prophecy that has been foretold. As these issues come closer to the end of the story, by the time I’d finished, I was left wanting more. And be prepared for a killer ending, talk about amazing! As soon as I’d finished this book the sequel – The Heart of Betrayal – was put straight on my wish list. The release cannot come soon enough! 

In all, take a chance on The Kiss of Deception and I promise you won’t be disappointed but left completely captivated by Ms Pearson’s work. 

4.5 flowers! 

{Feature} Waiting on Wednesday (#101)

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Donna's WoW

With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men #4)
by Linda Kage
Release Date: March 2nd, 2015

*New Adult Romance*
**Explicit Scenes and Language**

I used to think everything was black and white, truth or lie, easy or hard, that if I could just escape my strict, overbearing, abusive father, my life would be perfect. But since I’ve found a reason to risk his wrath and leave, to help a friend in need, I’ve come to realize everything I thought I ever knew is wrong. 

Friends have their own agenda, honesty come with a dosage of lie, easy doesn’t even exist, keeping secrets sucks, and love...love is the most painful thing of all. 

Maybe if Quinn Hamilton hadn’t asked me to skip classes for the day and help him pick out an engagement ring for my best friend, I wouldn’t have fallen for him so completely on that sunny Tuesday afternoon and I wouldn’t feel so conflicted. But I did, and I can’t take it back, no matter how hard I try. So I have to deal with the fact that even I’m not as good, or honest, or caring as I’d always thought I was, and no matter what I do next, someone’s going to get hurt. Probably me.

-Zoey Blakeland

*Don't worry! The hero and heroine are not cheaters.*

Donna's thoughts: I'm so eager for another book by Linda Kage and I adore this series so I'm even more excited than normal. And Quinn? More Quinn? YES PLEASE! 

Melanie's WoW

Bound by Flames (Night Prince #3)
by Jeaniene Frost
Release Date: 27th January, 2015

Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both… 

Melanie's thoughts: Jeaniene Frost? Vlad & Leila? More from the Night Huntress world? YES PLEASE!!!

<What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Want to participate? 
Grab the logo, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine. 

Happy Reading!

{Review} Eternal Dawn (The Vampire Queen #3) by Rebecca Maizel

Posted by Donna
Release Date: July 3rd, 2014
Finished Date: December 17th, 2014

Publishers: Macmillan Children's Book
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: For Review 
Format: Paperback

Pages: 400

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Lenah has sacrificed everything -- including the love of her soulmate Rhode -- to save Rhode and the world from a vampire plague. But when the only good vampire left is murdered, she knows she must avenge his death. The problem is that the murderer is her former boyfriend, Justin, who has not only become a vampire himself, but one of the most evil she has ever encountered. Lenah knows she will have to kill him in order to save her twenty-first-century friends, but can she do it? The answer is clearer when she discovers that Justin's taken her beloved Rhode hostage and is slowly turning him into a vampire too. But Rhode no longer remembers Lenah, and killing anyone is now against her nature. Will the heartbreak of seeing Rhode corrupted lead her to take a path from which she may never be able to return?

The Review: So much has changed for Lenah since she first became human. After the events in Stolen Night, Lenah sacrificed everything for the people she loves including Rhode – her soulmate – in order to stop the vampire plague by leaving the twenty-first century.  But when news comes to her that her ex-boyfriend – who is now a vampire – is ruling the vampire world with an iron fist and is willing to do anything to get Lenah back, Lenah has no other choice but return to the world she loves to help her friends who no longer remember her.  But she knows she must do it without endangering them once again. But when Justin holds Rhode captive, Lenah can’t wait any longer, she must take the fight to Justin to save her soul mate.

Eternal Dawn is a fantastic conclusion to Lenah and Rhode’s journey! If you’d have asked to predict how this series ends, it certainly wouldn’t have been this just because it was completely impossible to predict anything about this series. It’s heart-pounding, exciting and such a gripping read that I can’t see anyone disappointed with how the series ends.

Lenah is such a complex character that it’s fascinating to get to know her. I loved her from the start of the series and I love how much she’s grown. Even as a vampire there was always just something about Lenah that makes you root for her. Now she’s human, you can’t help root for her even more. She’s selfless, kind, and loves fiercely. And I adore the relationship she has with Rhode. Even though I loved Justin too, I just feel as though Lenah and Rhode are meant to be. Not matter the events in their lives that force them apart, they always manage to find their way back to one another. It’s amazing to read.

What surprised me most about this instalment was seeing all the familiar faces but one character in particular who I never thought I’d see again but did. This book just wouldn’t have been the same without him. I really enjoyed the whole plot of the story – I was hoping for some redemption or saving for one character but I guess you can’t have everything. Still it was a great read and I’m glad I stuck with the series to the end.

In all, Rebecca Maizel proves that vampire stories can still be a hit with Eternal Dawn and even though I’m sad to see this series end I think it was the best possible ending.

Thank you to Macmillian Children's Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Tainted Blood (Hell's Belle #2) by Karen Greco

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: October 16th, 2014
Finished Date: December 27h, 2014

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 292

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

After surviving a vampire assassin (not to mention an awkward affair with a hot FBI agent that ended worse than she could have imagined), witch/vampire hybrid Nina Martinez is reunited with the full Blood Ops team in Providence, Rhode Island. Her Aunt Babe is tutoring her in all things witchcraft, and her vampire partner Frankie is enjoying the benefits of daywalking, courtesy of a demon spell.

When a segment of the Rhode Island vampire population is marked for death by a tainted blood supply, Nina and her team race to find Patient Zero before the local vampire population is wiped out. But when a demon infestation threatens to take control of the city, Nina must join forces with newly elected mayor—and closet demon— Ami Bertrand before the city falls into ruin.

Filled with fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action, Nina and her group of supernatural misfits battle a surprising new enemy that threatens their very existence.

No wonder she still can’t get a date.

The Review: Tainted Blood was just as good as book one – Hell’s Belle – and had excellent progression in both story and characters.
I love this genre and am rarely disappointed but this definitely has all of the elements that I like in an urban fantasy. Nina, the main character is easy to understand and connect with and I like that she is very capable at what she does. She is still having problems connecting with her witch half even if her Aunt Babe is tutoring her, she knows enough to get by but I’m wondering if the witch half is being cancelled out by the vampire half or is there more for Nina to learn about herself?
The storyline this time sees someone tampering with the vampire blood supply sending normally submissive vampires into ferals, attacking people and gorging on blood then coming to a most gruesome end and with more and more being infected…. How long until all vampires are tainted? That isn’t Nina’s only mission though and she finds herself cowtowing to the Mayor as he holds Frankies’ daywalker status over her head.
I really enjoyed the direction the story went and I liked the way the vamps were put in danger. The whole vampire population is threatened by it and even Nina and Frankie are susceptible so there is a huge burden on their shoulders which turns into a race against time. There is also the job for the mayor that Nina is forced to do and introduces us to her cousin and a former fling , I liked this part of the story but didn’t really feel that it was going anywhere until right at the end because there are a lot of threads that blend together to bring this story to a climax and another shock is in store for Nina – which I loved! The romance was minimal again and the connection she had with Max has sort of waned off but we get the feeling that more than one person is interested in Nina and I’m routing for one a lot! Usually, I like a lot of romance and sexytime in my books but I found I didn’t mind so much that is was minimal because the story more than kept my attention. The book as always is filled with action, misdirection, plots, naughty supernaturals, strange behaviour and some more secrets to be discovered by Nina which is perfectly paced so there’s never a dull moment and I can’t wait for more! 

4.5 flowers! 

{Review} Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar by Emily MacKenzie

Posted by Donna
Release Date:  December 18th, 2014
Finished Date: December 12th, 2014

Publishers: Bloomsbury Children's
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Ages: 3-6 years 
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 32

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Some rabbits dream about lettuces and carrots, others dream of flowering meadows and juicy dandelions, but Ralfy dreams only of books. In fact, he doesn't just dream about them, he wants to read them ALL THE TIME. Soon his obsession sends him spiralling into a life of crime!

A wonderfully funny story from a talented new author/illustrator.

The Review: Ralfy Rabbit loves books. Rather than doing the normal things that rabbits should be doing, Ralfy Rabbit can’t stop thinking or dreaming of books and he reads as much as possible. Eventually it gets to the point where Ralfy Rabbit starts taking other people’s favourite books for himself. Until a boy called Arthur spots him and Arthur is determined to stop Ralfy Rabbit.

As a parent I really loved the premise of this book. As a fellow book lover myself, I can completely understand how Ralfy Rabbit feels. I want new books all the times. Even when I have a million to read already it doesn’t stop me from buying more. So I loved that I could connect to Ralfy. My daughter who is 4 years old couldn’t. I noticed that when we read this story she quickly lost interest and was easily distracted. I just don’t think she appreciated Ralfy’s story as much as me and I think maybe this story was a little ‘old’ for her mainly because it’s quite a lengthy story. It is only 32 pages but the story it quite long compared to some of the other stories we’ve read. It took about 10 minutes to read it. This is why I think this story may appeal to slightly older children (5-6 years). 

Even though my daughter didn’t enjoy as much as me, I still did. I thought the illustrations were perfect for the story and had so much detail to brighten up the story. I especially loved the police line up where each rabbit had their own I HEART BOOKS t-shirt on.  And I liked that Arthur could sympathise with Ralfy Rabbit and in the end, ended up helping Ralfy Rabbit. 

In all, this may not have been a hit with my 4 year old but it certainly was with me and it’s a story that I will try again with her in the near future.

3.5 stars! 

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children's Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Blog Tour} Red Eye Blog Tour with Alex Bell and Lou Morgan

We're hear today to let you know of the first two titles to be published in the new Red Eye horror series for teens from Stripes Publishing. So do you like young adult horror? Well then these two books are right up your street!

Frozen Charlotte
by Alex Bell
Release Date: January 5th, 2015

Publishers: Stripes Publishing
Genre: YA, Horror

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

We're waiting for you to come and play. 

Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone.

But they left something behind...Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. 

Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lilias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. 

And then there's her other cousin. 

The girl with a room full of antique dolls. 

The girl that shouldn't be there. 

The girl that died.

Author Interview with Alex Bell.......

Could you tell us about Frozen Charlotte?

Frozen Charlotte is a YA horror story about a girl whose best friend dies after they muck around one night with a Ouija Board app. She thinks that they might have accidentally let her dead cousin, Rebecca, escape out of the board so she travels to a remote Scottish island to stay with her uncle and surviving cousins to find out more about Rebecca's suspicious death. They live in an old converted schoolhouse perched on the cliff top, with a burnt dead tree in the garden, a bedroom filled with antique Frozen Charlotte dolls and a family who are all keeping secrets from one another. Nothing is quite what it seems and a ghostly presence seems to haunt the house. How did Rebecca die all those years ago and do the Frozen Charlotte dolls *really* move around a night when nobody is watching? 

How did you come up with the idea for the book?

I originally intended the dolls in the story to be voodoo dolls but, whilst researching, I stumbled across the Frozen Charlotte ballad. I loved the idea of these creepy old white porcelain dolls that were based on a dead girl from the Victorian era and everything else took on from there. I remember messing around with a home-made Ouija Board with my friends at school so that gave me the idea for the app in the first chapter. And I wanted to use the Isle of Skye for the location because I love that kind of remote, creepy, very traditional horror story setting. I'm a total sucker for anything Gothic!

How long did it take to write?

Two months for the first draft. 

What was the most challenging thing about writing this book?

Probably the tight deadline! I had to write about a third of it whilst I was on holiday on a ship sailing around Aruba, Columbia and the Panama Canal. Everyone else was on deck drinking cocktails in the sun whilst I was down below, drinking coffee and writing like a lunatic. It was over Halloween, though, so there were a lot of paper skeletons, giant cobwebs and ghoulish pumpkins all over the place, which helped get me in the mood. I was in the middle of writing one of the spookiest chapters one day when the huge paper skeleton on the wall next to me suddenly fell down and made me scream. I get a bit on edge when I'm writing horror! I think the staff and other passengers were all very confused by me. 

Who is your favourite character?

Cameron is my favourite character. He's the oldest of the cousins and, although a skilled pianist, he can only play with one hand because the other was injured in a fire that took place at the house years ago. I'm also really fond of Lilias, the youngest cousin. She suffers from cartilogenophobia - fear of bones. Including the ones inside her own body.   

What is your favourite quote?

"Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things." T.S.Eliot

What’s next for you?

I'm working on another book at the moment, also YA, and I have a gruesome short story about Jack the Ripper coming out in May in the Mammoth Book of Tales from the Vatican Vaults anthology. 

About the Author: Alex Bell always wanted to be a writer, but embarked upon a Law Degree as  back-up plan, writing no fewer than six novels during her time at university. Now the published author of The Ninth Circle and Jasmyn, Alex happily dwells in an entirely make-believe world of blood, madness, murder and mayhem. 

Also publishing also this month is Sleepless by Lou Morgan. 

Sleepless 
by Lou Morgan
Release Date: January 5th, 2015

Publishers: Stripes Publishing
Genre: YA, Horror

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Young, rich and good-looking, Izzy and her friends lead seemingly perfect lives. 

But exams are looming – and at a school like Clerkenwell, failure is not an option. 

Luckily, Tigs has a solution. 

A small pill that will make revision a breeze and help them get the results they need. 

Desperate to succeed, the group begin taking the study drug.

It doesn’t take long before they realize there are far worse things than failing a few exams.

Next stop on the tour is http://www.yayeahyeah.com/

{Review} Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 1st, 2015
Finished Date: December 30th, 2014

Publishers: Mira Ink
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 464

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

“I wish life could be like this forever,” I say.

“We’d be okay then.

We’d forever be okay.”

For Echo Emerson, a road trip with her boyfriend is the perfect way to spend the last summer between school and college. It’s a chance forget all the things that make her so different at home. But most of all, it means almost three months alone with gorgeous Noah Hutchins, the only boy who’s never judged her.

Echo and Noah share everything.

But as their pasts come crashing back into their lives, its harder to hide that they come from two very different worlds. And as the summer fades, Echo faces her toughest decision – struggle to face the future together or let her first love go…

The Review: DNF at page 101.

Pushing the Limits was an instant favourite of mine back in 2012 and since then I’ve been eagerly waiting for more titles from Katie McGarry because I’ve loved everything she’s produced, until now. 

Breaking the Rules is if I’m honest is hard to read, it’s the reason I’ve not finished the rest of book. I knew going into the story that not everything was going to be easy for the characters but, I almost feel like they’re in a worse place now then where they were in Pushing the Limits and it’s pretty much bursting my imaginative bubble of these characters living their lives happily together. 

As the story is told from alternative points of view, we see Echo and Noah battle with insecurities, pain, issues and honestly, it’s painful to read. One minute they’re basking in their happiness with each other, but the next, their issues bring them down and they’re arguing and second guessing everything. These aren’t the two characters that I came to love from the first book. They feel like different characters. Yes, they’ve grown but has anything really changed other than being together? No. I just don’t feel like this book was needed – not a full length novel anyway. I feel like drama has been created just for this book where it isn’t needed. Echo started to grate on my nerves and I found her a lot more dramatic than before where I’m rolling my eyes at her. And it makes me sad that I feel this way but reading it isn’t enjoyable. I don’t want these characters so sad. I want them happy and I want to remember these characters for how they were in Pushing the Limits, not Breaking the Rules.

I applauded Katie McGarry for writing a sequel for these characters and getting out more of their story because I’m guessing it doesn’t come easy when you have two very complex characters dealing with real life issues, but for me, I’d have had rather their story finished at the end of Pushing the Limits, where I can continue to imagine the characters living in a bubble of pure happiness and not having any drama to deal with. 

Thank you to Mira Ink for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.