Tentative Tourist: A Mayne Attraction Short Story by Ann Mauren

Grayson Gregory is finally being taken seriously by his father, the founder and CEO of Gregory Geologic Resources. Anticipating his first opportunity to lead a project management team on a survey for Iceland's Ministry of Natural Resources, he hopes to prove to his father and the executive staff that he's ready to assume greater leadership responsibilities within the international company that will someday be his.When world renowned geologist and longtime family friend Dr. Samuel Mayne comes out of retirement to consult on the project, Grayson is ecstatic. He is certain that the collaboration and Midas touch genius of his mentor, Dr. Mayne, will guarantee the success of his debut in the driver's seat. But the presence of Dr. Mayne's travelling companion results in a frustrating change of assignments for Grayson, who becomes tasked with the oversight of a Tentative Tourist.

(Image and Description from Goodreads)

Another wonderful teaser from Ann Mauren!

So far we have had a whole novel from the point of view of Ellery the heroine of the tale, a short story from Ash, one of the corners of the love triangle, and now we get a short story from the other corner, Grayson. 

It was brilliant to be reminded all over again why I enjoyed In The Spotlight (Bk #1) so much. Ann Mauren has a way of grabbing me and pulling me right into the story and making me not want to come back out of the world she has made. 

This is the first look into Grayson's mind we have been given and it was great to get a feel for the guy that has quite a large presence in the first book while getting to see the heroine through his eyes for the first time. I can't wait to read a full novel from his point of view. 

This has well and truly got me ready for In the Smoke. I can't wait to dive back into Ellery's world!

Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things (Courtney Crumrin #1)

Courtney's parents have dragged her out to a high-to-do suburb to live with her creepy Great Uncle Aloysius in his spooky old house. She's not only the new kid in school, but she also discovers strange things lurking under her bed.

Courtney was a practical girl and it began to occur to her that perhaps she was missing something about the world. Something important.
After all. What was more likely? That the world was filled with complete doofuses?
Or that there might be something wrong with her?

This was a wonderfully dark and atmospheric introduction to the series.

Courtney, when you get down to it isn't really a nice person and yet I couldn't help but fall in love with her and her dark way of seeing things (she kind of reminded me of Wednesday from The Addams Family).

The supporting characters are certainly colourful (literally - the art is gorgeous) from the humans to the various supernatural beings that litter the book. 

This graphic novel would appeal to those who like the Series of Unfortunate Events books or even The Spiderwick Chronicles (especially the movie) as there is definitely that darkness running through it - I mean, a kid gets eaten, that is the level of dark.  

Wonderful art work and main character who gripped me and made me want to follow her through the story!

*I received this book in e-book form from NetGalley*

The Searcher by F.M Parker

I read this book years ago and when I stumbled across it again I couldn't resist giving it a re-read.

Sam and his sister Sarah are left alone after their parents are killed in an Comanche attack and things go from bad to worse when Sarah is kidnapped and taken to Mexico to be sold. Sam's one aim becomes to rescue his sister.

I suppose you could call this a coming of age story. Sam goes from being a sixteen year old boy to a sixteen year old man from the beginning of the book to the end during his journey to rescue his sister.

The writing is a bit cheesy in some sections and I found myself thinking more than once 'who even talked like that?' but I am glad that I got to give it another read.

Sunday Round-Up #3

On The Blog

Monday - Review- Wicked Jealous by Robin Palmer

Tuesday - Review - Light in the Dark by Donna Scholefield

Wednesday - Review - Girl vs Superstar  (Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker #1) by Robin Palmer

Thursday - Review - Sealed with a Kiss (Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker #2) by Robin Palmer

Friday - Feature and Follow Friday #12

Saturday - Nothing to Stack My Shelves with this week :(

In Life

I am STILL stuck on Avengers to a degree that could be considered unhealthy - but I have just treated myself to Iron Man 1 and 2 so I am branching out a little bit. ;)

I am back on the writing wagon. Eeeek so happy - as are the followers of my fanfiction account who have been waiting the best part of a year for updates. (Whooops)

Happy, happy, happy!

With Myra

(Details for where to find the story are below)

This week with Myra-

We get to meet Director Carol Lacey in a bonus segment. But just what is she Director of?

And Myra is bed bound as she recovers from the attack. 

~~~If you guys would like to check out my National Novel Writing Month novel you can find it here ---> Sink or Swim (NaNoWriMo 2012) my pen-name is SleepyScribbler there.~~~

Feature and Follow Friday #12

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly Blog Hop that can be found over at Parajunkee’s View and Alison Can Read

Q: What is the last book that kept you up late into the night just to finish it?

Oh, wow. You know what, I have no idea. It has been quite a while since a book has grabbed me that much.

Nope, sorry, right now I am drawing a blank. 

Although I do have a whole pile of books waiting to be read though and I am going to have to start staying up all through every night to get through them before the end of the century ;)

(I don't think that counts though does it ;))

Sealed with a Kiss (Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker #2) by Robin Palmer

Lucy B. Parker has finally settled into her new life in New York City, living with her new frister (friend + sister), superstar Laurel Moses. She's got a new BFF in Beatrice, and she's spending her summer vacation off in L.A. visiting Laurel on the set of her new movie and meeting teen heartthrobs left and right. Life is good, until Lucy develops a crush-and unlike previous crushes, this one is not on a character in a book or a movie, but on a real living breathing boy, Beatrice's brother Blair. Unfortunately for Lucy, nothing ever seems to go as she plans. Because although Lucy dreamed that Blair would be her first kiss, it seems like someone else might beat him to it!
(Image and Description from Goodreads)

This was brilliant at showing how far Lucy and Laurel's relationship has came since the beginning of the previous book - although I wouldn't go as far as so say 'fristers' as there are still quite a few kinks to be ironed out. 

Lucy and her mum have moved to the big city to be with Laurel and her father which means that Lucy is getting settled into a new school and making new friends and also trying to get settled in a new city. 

One of the highlight of this book was the supporting character of the doorman at the building where Lucy now lives. He was always there to tell her where to go and to listen to her when everyone else was too busy - he was a right proper sweetheart and I really hope he make some more appearances in future books.

Her mother, although still less gormless that other mothers tend to be in YA is still pretty rubbish but she still manages to 'get' that something is wrong with her daughter when she is upset - even if this does come along a little late in the game) so the bonus points stay in their shaky places for the time being. 

It was fun to watch Lucy in Laurel's world of stars and fame, getting to dress up and being given make-overs. She didn't fit in perfectly and did make some mistakes and put her foot in it a few times but that just made her all the more adorable and real. 

And then there is the matter of that kiss...

This is shaping up to be a fun series :)

Girl vs Superstar (Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker #1) by Robin Palmer

When Lucy B. Parker gets friend-dumped right before school starts, she figures things can't get much worse. But then her mom announces that she's dating Laurel Moses's dad. THE Laurel Moses ? the TV-movie-music star whose face is on the cover of every magazine. Suddenly, Lucy's life is turned sideways! Up until now, her main goal has been to just get through the day without totally embarrassing herself. And now she's going to be the less-pretty, less-talented stepsister of the most famous girl in the world!

OR

Sixth grade is hard enough for Lucy B. Parker, but it gets so much worse when her mom announces that she's going to marry Laurel Moses's dad. Yes, that Laurel Moses--the TV-movie-music star who makes Hannah Montana look like some random kid from the sticks. Suddenly, Lucy's life is turned upside down and sideways. All Lucy wants to do is get through the day without totally embarrassing herself too much, but that's hard to do when you're the less-pretty, less-talented not-quite sister of a mega superstar. 

(Image and Descriptions from Goodreads)

So, around September last year I decided to broaden my reading horizons and read more YA...girly stuff (I think there might have been a pod next to my bed when I made this crazy choice). Why? Well, because I never read this stuff when I was in the age bracket so I thought I would give it my best shot now. 

**Crickets and tumble weed**

So I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  I mean, sure, there was plenty of OTT-ness on Lucy's part but not to the crazy extent that I have read in some books and her mother was one of the less STUPID, IDIOTIC parents that I have read so that got the book some major bonus points in books. 

Although while we are on the subject of mother what the heck is it with al these parents keeping their dating secret from their children and then just dumping the information on them. I understand that there are things that a parent would like to keep to themselves but come on, just suddenly pulling a several months old relationship out of no-where and planting it in-front of your child is not fair!

One of the things that I really enjoyed was watching Lucy's feelings towards Laurel change. It was so realistic and kind of funny how I could tell she was really not wanting to like this girl but was finding it more difficult to hate her the more she go to know her.

This is a good read (and part of a series, which is always a bonus) and I think it would appeal highly to young girls up to around 13 years old.

                                                                                                         

Light in the Dark by Donna Scholefield

It began with an unfortunate meeting, a forced abduction and six seeds from a pomegranate. What followed was a forced marriage, the growth of an innocent maiden into a powerful goddess and a passion which would eclipse even death itself. This is the story of Hades and Persephone, whom the Fates and the gods played games with, but who ultimately won the greatest prize either could have hoped for; freedom and love.
(Image from Goodreads - Description from Amzazon)

This is just going to be a quick mention of this book. 

The myth of Hades and Persephone is my all time favourite Greek myth, a few come close but no cigar.

This is not my most favourite of all the adaptations and tale that I have read so far but it is pretty good. (I read this as a eBook (I have no idea if it is available as a physical book or not) and the formatting was pretty wonky - and that did jar be from the narrative sometimes. I would be halfway through a paragraph and suddenly I would get the line that is supposed to be the footnote to the page (Author name, book title etc) it was pretty annoying) 

This re-telling of the story is a more true account of how the myth runs...if that makes sense since it is a myth. 

In other words, if you are looking for a happy, fluffy tale of love and devotion you ain't going to get it with this book. Don't get me wrong, the love that they feel for each other comes across beautifully but there are plenty of obstacles, mistakes and heartbreak for both Hades and Persephone to overcome. 

Wicked Jealous by Robin Palmer

Simone never saw herself as the “cute girl”—she was always the chunky, band tee wearing, France-obsessed smart girl. But now that Simone’s a few pounds lighter and sporting a new retro style, things have gotten, well, weird. Her crush Jason seems to actually know she exists. And when Simone’s soon-to-be step-monster Hillary stops ignoring her, Simone knows something is up. When Simone’s brother offers to let her move in with him and his six room-mates on the beach for the summer, Simone jumps at the chance. But living with seven very different college boys isn't exactly helping her land her very own happily ever after.
(Image and Description form Goodreads)

This is the first Robin Palmer book that I have read...well, listened too ;) 

Wicked Jealous is a modern take on Snow White and unlike many Snow White re-telling's that I have read the characterisation of Snow White didn't bug me! Go figure. 

Simone (Snow White) begins the story as an Ugly Duckling, she is overweight, binges regularly on her favourite junk food and is allergic to apples. And then everything changes when she signs up for a night class...only to end up attending a Zumba class. 

I loved this book. Simone was so relatable and a sweetheart - although she puts up with a heck of alot more than I would and I wanted her to explode so much but she never did. e.g. She comes home to find that he dad's girlfriend has redecorated her room and packed away all of her things and she holds it together remarkably well. 

Simone's father is, of course, an idiot. Need I say more. 

But the characters who really brought the book alive were Simon's best-friend, her brother and her brothers room-mates. They all care for Simone for who she is and not what she looks like. And they all have their own little quirks which made me love them even more. 

There is also the group of ladies from the Zumba class who take an immediate shine to Simone - she is the youngest member of the class by at least 20 years. 

I really don't want to say too much about this book and give too much away. 

This is a fun read with enough twists and deviations from the original tale to keep me plenty interested - and you guys all know I am hard to please :)

If you want something light and YA to read where you can route for the heroine all the way I would recommend this!

Sunday Round-Up #2

That's the end of another week. Can you believe it?

ON THE BLOG. 

Monday - Review - Goblin's Bride by Anastasia Rabiyah

Tuesday - Review - Wonderland! 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The Wonderland Alphabet'

Wednesday - Review - Clarts and Calamities by Henry Brewis

Thursday - Review (well...mainly a rant - complete with lots of capital letters) - Something to Blog About by Shana Norris (A Rant)

Friday - Feature and Follow Friday #11

Saturday - Stacking the Shelves #6

 IN LIFE.

I am still hooked on The Avengers Movie. 

Oh my goodness guys! Les Miserables was AMAZING! I cannot remember the last time a film has affected me so much. It was beautiful and I was crying almost the whole way through it. Gorgeous film and stunning acting. 

WITH MYRA

No update in the life of Myra this week. 
-Sorry

~~~If you guys would like to check out my National Novel Writing Month novel you can find it here ---> Sink or Swim (NaNoWriMo 2012) my pen-name is SleepyScribbler there.~~~

Stacking the Shelves #6

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme that you can find over at Tynga's Reviews :)

I was weak! I admit it, I have no self control. But in my defence, how was I supposed to walk by the books that are the next two in a series I am reading when I had finished the one I had.

How? You answer me that.

Feature and Follow Friday #11

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly Blog Hop that can be found over at Parajunkee’s View and Alison Can Read

Did this question stump any one else or was it just me?

After much thought and head scratching I have reached a decision.

Alvin the Treacherous

Alvin the Treacherous is a recurring villian in the 'How to Train Your Dragon' series by Cressida Cowell. I think there is something always a little bit difficult about coming up with baddies for kid books - you don't want them to be too evil, but then at the same time you don't want then to be so washed down that they are laughable. 

Alvin the Treacherous though is WICKED. He has no problems with trying to kill Hiccup and his friends and he would be more than thrilled if he succeeded. 

He is always different every time he appears in a book because of the previous 'Kill Hiccup' plan failing and him usually getting stuck in his own trap - it is going to be interesting to see what body  part he is missing after the last failure. :)

(As soon as I read this weeks question I starting thinking in general terms like (for example) in romance novels there are always some really evil people - because, hey, the hero and heroine don't deserve their HEA if they don't survive some nastiness. But then as soon as I tried to narrow it down to one my brain drew a blank)

Something to Blog About by Shana Norris (A Rant)

Libby Fawcett decides to start a secret blog so that she can have an outlet to vent her feelings and frustrations. When Seth Jacobs (her crush since eighth grade) witnesses her tragic (and comic) run-in with a Bunsen burner in chemistry class, or when she finds out that her mother is dating the father of her arch-nemesis, Angel Rodriguez, she’s able to keep a level head and make it through school each day with each blog posting. But when her entries get posted all over for the whole world to see, will Libby be able to walk the halls—or face Seth—ever again?
(Image and Description from Goodreads)


Are you guys ready for a rant and some spoilers attached to those rants? Because, I am not going to lie to you, this is going to be the rant-iest rant in the history of ranting. (Ok, maybe not, but it will be pretty close)

Before I begin though there is one thing that I would like to say about just 'where' I am coming from with this. 

In my mind as soon as you have a child, that new life, that blank slate on the surface of the earth that is half you becomes your number one priority. Everything you do or say will have some bearing on that little bundle of joy through out its life. So how come whenever a love interest enters the seen all of this goes out of the window. 

Another quick thing - I am not against single parents finding love. 

So, lets begins. 

Dating the father of the girl who has bullied your child for years at school. Ok, so this in itself is not a bad thing in my books. But then (wait for it) expecting you child to sit all happy through a dinner with their tormentor across the table from them.

WHAT. THE. HELL!?

And then when your kid tries to explain why they feel/are acting how they are you pull the 'there must be a reason they (the bully) act like that'. I am getting palpitations just typing this. 

SERIOUSLY. 

Your daughter has just old you that they had toilet paper purposefully stuck to them so they were traipsing it through the halls at school without knowing and that is all you say?

YOU SUCK AS A PARENT!

 My personal favourite - 
Your daughter gets jumped at school - hair pulled, scratched etc, and all you have to say is 'Grounded' because they fought back against their attacker. 

WHAT!

So you expect your child to just lay there and get the snot beaten out of them. 

I hated the mother in this books beyond belief. I mean, at what age do adults forget what it is like to be tormented and bullied on a daily basis and pull the 'I'm sure when you get to them...' line. 

Gah! I am so angry as I type this. 

It isn't even like I am the age of the heroine and I am thinking "Maaaaaan that, like, totally isn't fair,". I am 22 and I think that this mother is lousy! And, from what I can recall, at no point does she tell her kid that she understand how she is feeling, or anything. 

And don't get me started on the dating for 7 months before telling you kid thing. 

Once again. GAH!

And another thing. 

Your daughter is spoken down to RIGHT IN FRONT you when you go to the guys house for a family dinner and you do nothing. What the hell kind of parent are you?

Seriously, I would love to read a book where THIS mother get bullied at work or something and see how the fizz she copes with it. Hah, perfect opportunity for the daughter to say "But wait mum, there must be a reason they are doing what they are doing. And I am dating there son so you are going to be seeing them a lot more often. Get over it" That would be lovely. 

And the moment that knocks all others out of the park. 

The mother telling the daughter that what goes on between her (daughter) and the bully (boyfriends daughter) has nothing to do with the mum or the boyfriend. (I want to turn the screen blue so much right now)

I am going to end it there but there are loads of things in this book that got up my nose. 

So yes, for the majority of this book I was wanting to kill this mum and she pretty much ruined the whole book for me. 

Ok, rant over. 

Clarts and Calamities by Henry Brewis

This is the humorous diary of a year in the life of a hill farmer, with frequent disasters and rare triumphs.(Image from Goodreads  - Description from Waterstones.com)

This book was just what the doctored ordered at the time when I was reading it - it proved to be a lovely diversion during the family holiday from hell *shiver*

The diary cover a year of a sheep farmer and is told with a humour that comes across as being natural and not forced. 

It is filled with passages that I couldn't resist giggling out loud too - which of course lead to me needing to read the out loud to my mum - who I was sharing a room with, which then had us both smiling - which believe me, was sorely needed. 

The only damper to the book was the mentions of abuse against the animals form the farmer. I don't think it was all that often but it does stick out in my mind a little. 

Wonderland! 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The Wonderland Alphabet'

Alice in Wonderland by Raven Gregory, Robert Gill and Jason Embury

**Recieved in e-book form from Netgalley.com**

The one thing known is that her time spent in a world full of insanity left her a broken adult. However, her courageous will to survive is what ultimately saved humanity. Now the story of Alice's visit into Wonderland is fully revealed and the truth of the terror will be told in full From Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco, and Joe Brusha, the minds behind Grimm Fairy Tales and Return To Wonderland, comes the series that Zenescope fans have been waiting for Follow Zenescope back down the rabbit hole and discover a world of madness like you've never seen before
(Image and Description from Goodreads)

Dark, disturbing, bloody and NOT FOR CHILDREN!

That is all. 


The Wonderland Alphabet by  Alethea Kontis, Janet K. Lee and Lewis Carroll
**Recieved in e-book form from Netgalley.com**

As I only got to view this as a black and white e-book copy I didn't get the full experience with colour images but I think as a physical, full colour book this would be a fun addition to a child's library - even if they aren't already familiar with Alice's story. 

(Although some of the pictures where a little freaky - the Cheshire cat for one had a bit of a 'I will eat you or haunt your dreams forever' kind of vibe.)
 


**I recieved both of the above books in e-book form from Netgalley.com**

Goblin's Bride by Anastasia Rabiyah

Elgar left his home in the Grimfer Mountains to start a new life away from goblinkind. In the village of Fairbrook he finds a steady market for his wares, a fine burrow in the woods nearby, and something he never counted on: a bride. After meeting her, he wakes the next day with a peculiar fever that worsens day by day. He suffers taunting dreams and can't stop thinking of her. She's human; he's a goblin, but his condition can't be denied. He's found his mate. A bond between them can't work, or can it?

(Description and Image from Goodreads)

Umm...I am really stuck for something to say about this book. Girl meets goblin, goblin gets girl out of some unwanted marriages. Girl and goblin get together. Drama happens. And they all lived happily ever after. 

Really guys, I am pretty stumped with this one. 

The story had potential but the characters ruined it for me. Especially our heroine. She is different - of course she is - and so her father finds it to be a miracle when he gets someone to agree to marry her - then why the heck does she end up with another suitor as soon as the first is taken care off! Within pages of this book starting fiancée number one has been bashed on the head with a rock and has forgotten who she (Isabella) is and then fiancée number two is thrown into a gorge - and I won't spoil number 3. 

Isabella is SO whiny it is unbelievable. But not just that! When he first meets Elgar and she asks for his help to get out of a marriage that will be taking place that day he lobs a rock at the poor guy - killing him for all we know - and she shows no worry for him at all, that this guy could be dead because of her wanting out of marrying him. All that she cares about is that she just got what she wanted. As soon as that happened anything could have happened to her and I wouldn't have really cared. 

All in all this is an OK (as in 2 out of 5) read - despite the main characters not gelling with me. I have a soft spot for goblins so that did help me get through it.

Sunday Round-Up #1

Hi guys.

I am going to try and get into the habit of doing a weekly round-up of the blog and bits and bobs! :) Here goes.

On the Blog. 

Monday - Review - Snow (Book #4 in Fairy Tale Flirts Series) by Lisa Scott

Tuesday - Review - How to Twist a Dragon's Tale (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #5) by Cressida Cowell

Wednesday - Review - Belle (Book #3 in Fairy Tale Flirts Series) by Lisa Scott

Thursday - Review - Masques (Sianim Bk #1) by Patricia Briggs

Friday - Feature and Follow Friday #10

Saturday -

 In Life.

I have become ADDICTED to the Avengers movie - which I have only just go to see (no I have not been living under a rock). It is AMAAAAAAAZING! 

That is all.

With Myra.

Update on my NaNoWriMo Story Sink or Swim. 

The first 5 chapters of Sink or Swim can be found on WattPad. 

In Chapter 1 Myra has been hospitalised after a freak shark attack. 

Chapters 2-5 - we get to experience the day that will change her life. 

If you guys would like to check it out you can find it here ---> Sink or Swim (NaNoWriMo 2012) my pen-name is SleepyScribbler there.