Wednesday 26 February 2014

Seven Days of Secret Diamonds: Happy Release Day [+ Interview with the author]


Welcome to day 7 of Seven Days of Secret Diamonds! The book finally hits the book stores today so happy day for us all....... I have been able to finish half the book till now and I must say I like Michelle Madow's this series way better than her Transcend Time Saga...... 

But onwards to the fact of the day:

Researching these books is the most fun thing ever, because it involves going to Vegas and partying with friends <3

YAY, its Feb 25th, 2014 and the book is finally out in the stores...... So lets see what it is actually about.

About the book:

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.



Some Bookish links:


Praise:


"Sexy and often electrifying ... Gossip Girl meets The Princess Diaries in a city that never sleeps."                                                                                                         --Booklist 

"This quick and entertaining read is filled with glitz and glamour ... get ready for one crazy and fabulous ride."                                                                                     --RT Book Reviews 

“Highly addictive! Hold on tight, because The Secret Diamond Sisters throws you head first into the Vegas fast lane. Three every day teens navigate the slippery slope of wealth, popularity, and too much freedom, along with family drama, cat fights, and more gorgeous guys than should be legal. A fun ride not to be missed!”         
                                               – Rachel Harris, author of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century


NOW ON TO SOME QUESTIONS THE AUTHOR ANSWERED FOR US: 



Q: How do you research for a book before you begin the writing process?

I got to do a lot of FUN research for this series, because of the awesome Las Vegas setting! I go to Vegas every year for a family event. Once I realized I was going to write this book, I walked through Vegas seeing it through the eyes of my characters, and being inspired by the different hotels for scenes in the book. My best friend came out to Vegas with me, and we went “exploring” through Vegas to find places that would inspire scenes. We walked through the shops, ate at the restaurants, partied at the clubs, and everything. It was a blast! My favorite part was walking through the Wynn Hotel, which is the hotel that inspired the Diamond.

Here's a picture of me and my best friend getting Eiffel Tower drinks (these will be familiar to those who have read the book!): https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/77191_555040612330_5979156_n.jpg

Q: How similar to its principle protagonist and the main cast are you? 

There are four main characters in the book, and out of all of them, I’m by far the most like Courtney. (The most down to Earth and goal-driven sister.) Although I also have aspects of the other girls in me, like Savannah’s optimism, Peyton’s dislike of following arbitrary rules, and Madison’s confidence. 

Q: Describe 'The Secret Diamond Sisters' in 5 words.

Glitzy, entertaining, sisterhood, romance, and sparkly!

Q: How was your experience working with Harlequin? Do you have specifically marvelous moment that comes to mind?

My experience working with Harlequin TEEN has been incredible! My editor, Natashya Wilson, is so insightful about how to make the story the best it can be, and has pushed me to bring the story and characters in the book to levels I never dreamed possible. A particularly great moment is when I first saw my cover. It was the moment when I could finally imagine what my book would look like on bookshelves, and the fact that the book would be published became more real than ever. I stared at the cover for HOURS the night that I first saw it!





About Michelle:

Michelle Madow has visited Las Vegas every year since she was fifteen years old, and was inspired to write The Secret Diamond Sisters while walking through the beautiful Wynn Hotel. She grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, then went to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She wrote her first novel, Remembrance, in her junior year of college, and later went on to self-publish it as book one in the Transcend Time Saga. She wrote The Secret Diamond Sisters in the year following graduation, and is so happy to finally share it with the world!

Michelle lives in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is writing more novels for young adults. She loves reading, spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping, sunshine, Disney fairy tales, and Broadway musicals. She loves connecting with readers online, so be sure to follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/MichelleMadow), Twitter (@MichelleMadow), and Instagram (@MichelleMadow).

Website: www.michellemadow.com

Sunday 23 February 2014

Seven Days of Secret Diamonds: If I Woke Up In Vegas.....


Welcome to day 5 of Seven Days of Secret Diamonds! The dates mixed up a little bit on my end so this is me posting Day 5 special after the Day 3 Makeup favorites ....... And the day 5 special is...... IF I WOKE UP IN VEGAS.....

But first, its time for today's fun fact:

The Diamond Hotel and Residences are based off of Michelle's favorite hotels in Vegas: The Wynn and the Encore.

 Interesting no......

Onwards......

So......

If I Woke Up In Vegas....... Seriously that is a tall order, I haven't yet had the chance to go out of India yet.... So waking up in Vegas is not something I can imagine ...... So, Tiffany from About to Read shared Katy Perry's song Waking Up in Vegas...... So girl i'm gonna take a leaf outta your book and share the remix version....... Because this song totally tells you everything I would experience about Vegas if it came to pass....



Also today's fun fact mentioned The Wynn and The Encore as inspiration for the Diamond Hotel and Residences so i would totally wanna visit them..



And Planet Hollywood too.... heard a lot about them......


Friday 21 February 2014

Seven Days of Secret Diamonds: Makeup Favorites


Welcome to day 3 of Seven Days of Secret Diamonds! Today we’re talking about one of my favorite things – makeup! Let me tell you something, I am no makeup expert.....

But first, today’s fun fact:

Michelle started outlining The Secret Diamond Sisters in October 2010. That’s almost four years from idea to bookshelves!

On the Agenda for today are makeup favorites that remind you of SDS. Now, my granddad just passed away five days ago, so I only just began reading the book. To draw a character sketch for the Diamond Sisters - Peyton, Courtney and Savannah


Peyton

She looked to be the angry one. And I can totally see her in something edgy, something daring.... Something Marc Jacobs.







Countney

She is the rational one. I can see her in something simple and manageable..... Something Christian Dior.




Savannah

She is the optimist one. It takes guts to be so forgiving and give compare both sides of the story before making your own decision....... I think she would then and there go all out...... Something heavy and elegant..... Something Guerlain.





Wednesday 19 February 2014

The Secret Box

Presenting The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald.

Here is the summary of the book:

The Amazing Race meets The Mysterious Benedict Society with a twist of magical mythology in this hilarious middle-grade caper about a strange locked box that transforms the lives of three kids.

The Secret Box is the first in an irresistible middle-grade trilogy that combines the magic of 11 Birthdays with the adventure of the Genius Files series and humorous quirk worthy of Trenton Lee Stewart. The page-turning mystery, alternating girl and boy narrators, and clever incorporation of mythology are sure to delight-and lingering questions will leave readers eager for more.

On her 12th birthday Jax Malone receives a surprise gift from her estranged Great-Aunt Juniper: a mysterious locked box that will only open in one location. If Jax's mom hadn't tried to return it, Jax would have assumed it was just another boring present to add to the most boring, un-magical birthday ever.

Instead, Jax decides she must open the box. So she recruits her reluctant cousin Ethan and his obnoxious, computer-genius older brother Tyler to help find the site where the box will open.

But what starts as a fun adventure quickly turns crazy, even dangerous, when Jax, Ethan, and Tyler learn that the box was not intended as a gift, but as a call for help from an ancient magical source thought to only exist in myth.

"This mystery unfolds before your eyes in a series of cliffhangers that build up to a blow-your-mind ending. Wanting to know the secret kept me turning the pages."-Dan Gutman, New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series.


Quite Possibly not my favorite children's fiction but with an intriguing plot point and although predictable but a fun read. Whitaker Ringwald's upcoming The Secret Box proves to be quite the okay read.  Particularly the mythology behind the coded box, that was definitely the best part of this book.

Adventure begins when your parents tell you not to do that one thing but its your curiosity that leads you to do it. When a coded box arrives on Jax's birthday and her mother hurriedly plans to returns it to the post office and back to sender..... So Jax's curiosity gets the better of her and she ropes in her cousins Ethan (the factoid memoriser) and Tyler (the trophy monger) in on this adventures...... unearthing a past long subdued, about a mysterious great aunt and the contents of her box.

"The Secret Box provides for an intellectual fun but a predictable middle grade adventure"

Genre :      Young Adult, Middle Grade, Adventure, Mythology

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: 25th February, 2014

My Copy: publisher & edelweiss

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

All that Glows

Presenting All that Glows by Ryan Graudin.

Here is the summary of the book:

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.


Modern with the ancient. Contemporary with the fantasy. A refreshing concept. A marvelous plot. Some pretty good kick-ass characters. With a gorgeous cover..... but somehow it doesn't keep the interest for long and we tend to get bored through the ordeal.

Honestly as I said above. I did like the story and the characters but they are just not enough to keep things interesting at all. There is Emrys, the Faery who must must protect the crown prince from creatures of her world. She is Fae. As such she doesn't know how to deal with human at first and her continued interaction with Richard form the heart of the book. But she was quite the kick-ass one.

Prince Richard is the factor in all this. He is quite the loveable one. His days may have been involved partying, booze and girls but meeting his gorgeous Fae guard, the red-headed Emrys changes him gradually, for the best. Their time together and the sweet love actually were some of the best parts of the book. They say that 'love' is one of the greatest magic of all. Graudin employs that notion pretty well in her book.

Facts still remain that this maybe a good read with all the elements intact but it is also a book that doesn't do much to maintain interest at all. But good work from Ryan Graudin.

"Modern with the fantasy, All that Glows boosts a fresh concept"

Genre :      Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: 11th February, 2014

My Copy: publisher & edelweiss

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Sunday 16 February 2014

At Somerton #2 Diamonds & Deceit

Presenting At Somerton #2 Diamonds & Deceit by Leila Rasheed.

Here is the summary of the book:

One house, two worlds...book two in our sumptuous and enticing YA series about the servants and gentry at Somerton Court.

A house divided...

London is a whirl of balls and teas, alliances and rivalries. Rose has never felt more out of place. With the Season in full swing, she can't help but still feel a servant dressed up in diamonds and silk. Then Rose meets Alexander Ross, a young Scottish duke. Rose has heard the rumors about Ross's sordid past just like everyone else has. Yet he alone treats her as a friend. Rose knows better than to give her heart to an aristocrat with such a reputation, but it may be too late.

Ada should be happy. She is engaged to a handsome man who shares her political passions and has promised to support her education. So why does she feel hollow inside? Even if she hated Lord Fintan, she would have no choice but to go through with the marriage. Every day a new credit collector knocks on the door of their London flat, demanding payment for her cousin William's expenditures. Her father's heir seems determined to bring her family to ruin, and only a brilliant marriage can save Somerton Court and the Averleys' reputation.

Meanwhile, at Somerton, Sebastian is out of his mind with worry for his former valet Oliver, who refuses to plead innocent to the murder charges against him--for a death caused by Sebastian himself. Sebastian will do whatever he can to help the boy he loves, but his indiscretion is dangerous fodder for a reporter with sharp eyes and dishonorable intentions.

The colorful cast of the At Somerton series returns in this enthralling sequel about class and fortune, trust and betrayal, love and revenge.


I'd say this again.I haven't yet had the chance to see Downton Abbey but as with the first, Diamonds & Deceit falls in the category of this period genre...... WHAT AN EXCELLENT SEQUEL IT WAS TOO.

There is intrigue. There is fashion. The season. The romance. Of new love and deceit. The conniving ladies hiding behind the social veil of the era. A bitter sweet end to a marriage and unraveling of secrets..... In other words every ingredients it needs to produce an eloquent tale to mark the sequel. Rose has been adopted by Lord Westlake. Ada and Fintan have set the date for marriage. Georgiana must learn to manage the house. Rose catches the eye of a certain Duke of Huntleigh. Ada still has feelings for Ravi, Michael and Priya are about to face the biggest hurdle of them all. Sebastian fights tooth & nail to free Oliver..... and in all turmoil Charlotte has got nothing better to do but scheme and destroy relationships.

Suffice to say there are a lot of characters in this book to actually take about elaborating on it but yes the three Westlake sisters, Ada, Georgiana and Ada  held much more prominence and improved a whole lot more throughout the course of the book. Ada in a loveless marriage to save the Somerton estate from going bankrupt and her rather attention seeking intended, Lord Fintan. Truth be told, the author proclaims Ada and Ravi together and Fintan and Charlotte but I didn't feel the attraction between the pairs at all. You can see the lust in there..... but love.... no it didn't seem so. I was rather for Ada and Fintan...... They bring out the best of it in each other...... and actually seemed to work together better too.

Now Rose. Her struggle to come to terms of her adoption and status as a lady and rise i that position gave a new meaning to the tale. She knows she must mingle but she also knows what the others say of her behind her back... Her encounters with the Duke of Hunteligh proved to be a blessing in disguise. The fit together, and in the sense brought a sort of innocence to the story as well. And I enjoyed reading their escapades.

A job well donw by Rasheed. There are not many authors out there who can maintain so many characters in the vicinity of a single book and actually manage to create a coherent tale..... I am definitely excited for a third book.

"Of love and sorrow, a sense of entitlement and deceit comes an exquisite sequel you don't want to miss out on"
Genre :      Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance

PublisherDisney Hyperion

Release Date: 7th January, 2014

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 Cinders & Sapphires

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Thursday 13 February 2014

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY (US/CAN): The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter


Today is the day! The cover of Gena Showalter's THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS is here! We're so excited to be able to share this with you as it joins an already stunning set! Ready to see it? Not quite yet lets take a look a the first two covers in the series!

First there was ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND...



Then came THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS...



Now get ready to EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!!!




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On-sale date: Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Add it to your TBR!  Goodreads

Pre-order your copy! AmazonBarnes & Noble
        

         


  Official book description:

I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

About Gena:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld Assassins series. In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple languages. She lives in Oklahoma with her family and menagerie of dogs, and truly believes love conquers all.







Giveaway Details:

1 complete set of The White Rabbit Chronicles (first 2 sent as soon as the giveaway is over and the winner will get the first hardcover of book 3 when it's available!) US/Canada Only




a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL: Feral by Holly Schindler

Presenting.......

The cover for Holly Schindler's FERAL, releasing August 26, 2014


It’s too late for you. You’re dead.

Those words float through Claire Cain’s head as she lies broken and barely alive after a brutal beating. And the words continue to haunt her months later, in the relentless, terrifying nightmares that plague her sleep. So when her father is offered a teaching sabbatical in another state, Claire is hopeful that getting out of Chicago, away from the things that remind her of what she went through, will offer a way to start anew.

But when she arrives in Peculiar, Missouri, Claire quickly realizes something is wrong—the town is brimming with hidden dangers and overrun by feral cats. And her fears are confirmed when a popular high school girl, Serena Sims, is suddenly found dead in the icy woods behind the school. While everyone is quick to say Serena died in an accident, Claire knows there’s more to it—for she was the one who found Serena, battered and most certainly dead, surrounded by the town’s feral cats.

Now Claire vows to learn the truth about what happened, but the closer she gets to uncovering the mystery, the closer she also gets to discovering a frightening reality about herself and the damage she truly sustained in that Chicago alley. . . .

With an eerie setting and heart-stopping twists and turns, Holly Schindler weaves a gripping story that will make you question everything you think you know.


And Some linky for you all to explore......

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Elemental #4 Secret

Presenting Elemental #4 Secret by Brigid Kemmerer.

Here is the summary of the book:

EARTH. FIRE. AIR. WATER.

Nick Merrick is stretched to breaking point. He's trying to keep his grades sky-high or he won't get in to college. He's trying to keep his brother's business afloat or the Merricks will be out on the street. He's trying to keep the secret of where he's going in the evenings from his twin brother Gabriel - or he fears he'll lose his family. And he's trying to keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who is his 'girlfriend's' partner.

And then Quinn takes to hanging around his sworn enemy, and an Elemental Guide is counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. Storms are brewing. On all sides.

SECRETS IN THE WIND. DANGER IN THE AIR.


SEXY..... HOT DAMN SEXY..... Riddled with secrets and tackling some very deep societal issues, the fourth book of the Elemental series, 'Secret' is every bit engaging and exhilarating as the previous ones and following the trend of the series of changing perspectives in every book. This time it is Nick and OMG IS IT INTENSE....

Nick Merrick is our air elemental of the Merrick bunch. And he is getting stifles and has reached his breaking point. 'Secret' is a rather aptly titled book. Secrets.... Secrets all round. And Nick doesn't know what to do. We  first saw as glimpse of this secret in the novella 'Breathless'. He fears if the secret of his meetings with his 'girlfriend's' hot dance partner comes to the front, he would loose it all. Nick is the quite and dependable;e one and he doesn't know how to handle it anymore. Added with it, the threat of the guides is another thing he doesn't know what to do about.

'Secret' is more ways than one, a break from the norm. The tension with the guides may be there but it is Nick and Quinn's inner struggle that frame the majority of the book. Nick has found out something about himself, a life-altering revelation and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He fears his attraction to the sexy Adam and fears he would loose his family too if his secret comes out. Add to that he yearns to attend college out of state but he has it in mind too that he must help with his family job.

Brigid Kemmerer tackles some serious issues this time. A beautiful story of secrets and acceptances, of forgiveness and of choices and opportunities needing grabbed when they present themselves. Kemmerer improves with each book and each story..... and I am very much excited to read the next book 'Sacrifice' with Michael.

"Of secrets and acceptances, this is one intellectually sound book with the tinges of the sexy. An unputdownable mix"

Genre :     Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: K Teen

My Copy: Publisher and Netgalley

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Books in Series(review links):
         #0.5 Elemental
         #1 Storm
         #1.5 Fearless 
         #2 Spark 
         #2.5 Breathless 
         #3 Spirit

Saturday 8 February 2014

Romance is in the air GIVEAWAY HOP [INT]

Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
Featuring Young Adult & Clean Adult Romance

February 8th to 14th
Cohosted by Rachael Anderson





RULES : 

1. There will be only THREE Winner (subjected to change). 
2. Winner will be informed via email and *must* reply within 48 hours else I won't have a choice but to select another winner. 
3. All entries would be verified. 
4. Just fill in the rafflecopter below :
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday 7 February 2014

Alienated #1 Alienated

Presenting Alienated #1 Alienated by Melissa Landers.

Here is the summary of the book:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.


Inter star system love story with an Intergalactic exchange student?? Totally lapped it up. The plot concept may not be new but the story definitely is and our two love birds, the human Cara Sweeney and our sexy alien boy all the way from L'eihr, Aelyx (pronounced 'A-licks') totally are..... And at the end of it all I am an A-licker convert (*wink*) and proud to be so..... Oh this is going to be a difficult one to review, but i'll try the no-spoilers rule....

Cara and Aelyx. A pair without comparison. As part of the exchange with the hopes of fostering an alliance between the two planets, Aelyx is allotted to live with the Sweeney's. Tall, dark and handsome with the adage of the bland gray, Aelyx is at first a character rather hard to like. An extreme case of culture shock with this one. He is pretentious, over bearing, robotic and very distant at first. He is an alien and Earth is an experience he did not want to have. But living with the Sweeney family and observing and experiencing their way of life, he improves and bonds with the human family and more so with Cara. 

Cara Sweeney is the human factor of the book. She is sassy, optimistic, gutsy and determined to the right thing. An up and coming journalist. Her first impression of Aelyx isn't very favorable. She does not know how to deal with him, what with his hot and cold attitude. But she is not one to admit defeat and slowly but surely befriends him and gradually falls truly and irrevocably in love with this outworlder..... OH!! THOSE HOT SCENES..... CAN TOTALLY FEEL THE SEXUAL TENSION THERE.... *swoons*..... MY NEW FAVORITE PAIR......

I'd say this again applause to Melissa Landers. Turning a known plot type into something new..... the story actually reminded me a bit of the CW's upcoming show 'Starcrossed'.... but we are veering off topic here..... what I meant to say is Alienated delivers..... and it delivers big time. There is passionate love, heart breaks, jealousy, misunderstood intentions, a planet wide riot and the feeling of a new experience that makes this book unique. It is not loaded with scientific gobbledygook and Landers' exemplary writing makes it even more enjoyable.... I'm definitely excited to see what the author brings us next with the sequel, Invaded.

"Exhilarating and a never before seen Alien-Human romance"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Romance, Dystopia, Paranormal

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: 4th February, 2014

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Thursday 6 February 2014

Witch Finder #1 Witch Finder

Presenting Witch Finder #1 Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton.

Here is the summary of the book:

London. 1880. In the slums of Spitalfields apprentice blacksmith Luke is facing initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum, the fearsome brotherhood dedicated to hunting and killing witches.

Luke’s final test is to pick a name at random from the Book of Witches, a name he must track down and kill within a month, or face death himself. Luke knows that tonight will change his life forever. But when he picks out sixteen-year-old Rosa Greenwood, Luke has no idea that his task will be harder than he could ever imagine.


To point, this is an overly done, extremely predictable and somewhat boring story...... While the setting, the character implementation in the setting coupled with the gorgeous cover become its saving grace. Admittedly while this is a rather overdone plot but here it is rather devoid of any witch-y action and very much grounded in reality and society.

As far as the two leads are concerned, they felt somewhat flat. Luke and Rosa. Luke is the witch finder/witch hunter and Rosa is the witch he is sent to hunt as his first act joining the brotherhood of fearsome hunters of the Malleus Maleficorum. He is one of those who attach first and ask questions later. He was rather hasty in joining the guild without first knowing what he was dealing with or even how to actually kill the target when the time was right.

Rosa was naive and rather quite the nun. Pardon me I meant no insult but she seemed silly and self-conscious and unaware of the customs of that era. With a sheltered life style like her's, that was to be expected..... Another thing, the romance was pretty much not there at all. Non-existence for a story that depends on the burgeoning romance between the witch and the hunter. 

Overall, the plot and prose were rich with the social issues of that era. I would have loved to see more magic in it but the story was okay not brilliant......

"A rather predictable star-crossed pair in a largely overdone plot, grounded in reality but still not hitting the mark"

Genre :      Yound Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk

Publisher: Hodder Children's Books

Release Date: 2nd January, 2014

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Kismet Book Tour: The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki [ Interview + Giveaway (INT) ]


Its 4th Feb, 2014..... so it is now my turn to host Allison Pataki's The Traitor Wife about to release on Feb 11 for the day...... Read ahead for an interesting Interview with the author and an amazing Giveaway.


About the Book-



A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind America’s most infamous act of treason.

Everyone knows Benedict Arnold—the infamous Revolutionary War General who betrayed America and fled to the British as history’s most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold’s co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold’s documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot; a charming and cunning young woman, who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold’s age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as Military Commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride’s beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former lover and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

Told from the perspective of Peggy’s maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress’s affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor’s Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.


About the Author-


ALLISON PATAKI grew up in upstate New York, in the same neighborhood where Benedict and Peggy Arnold once lived. Allison attended Yale University, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. While at Yale, Allison received Distinction in the Major from the English department and served as a campus reporter and news anchor for the student-run campus television program, YTV News.

The daughter of former New York State Governor George E. Pataki, Allison was inspired to write The Traitor’s Wife: A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America based on the rich Revolutionary War history of her hometown in New York State’s Hudson Highlands.

Allison spent several years writing for television and digital news outlets prior to transitioning to fiction. The Traitor’s Wife: A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America is Allison’s first novel.

Allison lives in Chicago with her husband.





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Now for the Interview-



Q: What is the best part of writing for you?

Losing track of the time. That’s when you know that you are really absorbed into the plot, characters, and scenes you are creating.

It’s so wonderful to look at the clock and think, wow, that many hours have passed? On those days, it feels more like play than work.


Q: How do you research for a book before you begin the writing process?

For me, the goal of the research is to absorb as many facts and contextual details as possible. The research is what enables you to imagine – and then recreate – the time period, the characters, and the day-to-day reality of how life back then might have felt and looked.

For The Traitor’s Wife, the first step involved going to the places where the characters lived and interacted. So, the first stop was Philadelphia, since that was where Peggy Shippen’s story began. That was where Peggy met and fell in love with both John Andre and then Benedict Arnold. Philadelphians do a tremendous job of honoring and sharing the city’s history, especially the central role played during the Revolutionary War.

The next stop was spending time near the Arnolds’ home in upstate New York, where they lived while Arnold was commander of West Point. Unfortunately the Arnolds’ actual home no longer stands, but West Point is an incredible resource. That area of the Hudson River Valley, known as “the cockpit of the American Revolution,” is similarly commemorative of its history. There is a lot to be learned there.

Reading is a huge part of the research. I enjoyed tracking down biographies of all the principle characters. And I read about the related events that occurred, about the architecture of the period, about the wardrobe and the diet.

And then, the goal is to just find other ways to absorb details that will help recreate the historical context. The feel of the time. I visited Colonial Williamsburg. I watched the John Adams miniseries by HBO. I read a lot of David McCullough. I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where they had exhibits on Colonial-era furniture and clothing. Similarly, the New York Historical Society offers rooms full of Colonial-era furniture.

The research allowed me to put together not only the plot, but also the picture in my head of what Peggy and Benedict Arnold’s world might have looked and felt like.


Q: How would you describe your book in 5 words? Also for yourself too.

I hope that The Traitor’s Wife is:

  • Dramatic.
  • Multifaceted.
  • Suspenseful.
  • Hopeful.
  • Tense.

Q: The cover of the book is really awesome. Did you have any inputs on it while its conception stage?

Thank you! I like it very much as well.

And yes, I was so fortunate that my editor at Howard Books/Simon & Schuster gave me a large role in conceiving of

the cover. I was able to weigh-in on everything from the model’s look to the title font to the size of the colonial flag waving in the background.

One thing I felt really strongly about was that the Hudson River, and the small glimpse of West Point, had to be apparent in the background. That was the grand prize at stake!


Q: Something….anything you can tell us about THE TRAITOR'S WIFE that we don’t know yet?

It takes place right across the street from where I grew up. When Benedict Arnold was the commander of West Point, he lived in what is now my hometown, on the banks of the Hudson River. I have played in his backyard.

And that’s how I discovered the story of Peggy Shippen Arnold just a couple of years ago. While walking my dogs on the nature trail now known as “Arnold’s Flight,” I stumbled on a historical marker describing Peggy and Benedict Arnold. I hadn’t known that Benedict Arnold had been married. And I certainly hadn’t known that his wife – a beautiful, intelligent, and charming woman – had played such a huge rule in his treason. I was hooked!


Q: What advice would you like to give budding authors or those who want to start writing?

Do it! If you feel impassioned to write and you have a story that you are inspired by, then write it. Write it, and edit it, and rewrite it, and edit it some more. Stick with it.

And be forgiving of yourself along the way. The first stuff you write is not going to be great. It might not even be good. Mine certainly wasn’t. But keep at it. Seek the input and advice of people you trust, and people who want to support you and help you grow as a writer.



GIVEAWAY TIME-


A Kindle paperwhite! The giveaway is open internationally provided Amazon.com ships to you.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Tour Schedule Recap:


Monday, January 20th - Daily Mayo
Tuesday, January 21st - Fire & Ice 
Wednesday, January 22nd - Sofia Loves Books 
Thursday, January 23rd - Little Miss Drama Queen
Friday, January 24th - Book - A - Holic 
Monday, January 27th - The Most Happy Reader
Tuesday, January 28th - Evie Bookish
Wednesday, January 29th - Books Besides My Bed
Thursday, January 30th - Crossroad Reviews
Friday, January 31st - Reading Reality 
Monday, February 3rd - Curling Up with a Good Book
Tuesday, February 4th - Le Grande Codex 
Wednesday, February 5th - Bewitched Bookworms 
Thursday, February 6th - Supernatural Snark
Friday, February 7th - Rose's Book Corner

Sunday 2 February 2014

Jeeves #16 Jeeves and the Wedding Bells

Presenting Jeeves #16 Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks.

Here is the summary of the book:

A gloriously witty novel from Sebastian Faulks using P.G. Wodehouse's much-loved characters, Jeeves and Wooster, fully authorised by the Wodehouse estate.

Bertie Wooster, recently returned from a very pleasurable soujourn in Cannes, finds himself at the stately home of Sir Henry Hackwood in Dorset. Bertie is more than familiar with the country house set-up: he is a veteran of the cocktail hour and, thanks to Jeeves, his gentleman's personal gentleman, is never less than immaculately dressed.

On this occasion, however, it is Jeeves who is to be seen in the drawing room while Bertie finds himself below stairs - and he doesn't care for it at all.

Love, as so often, is at the root of the confusion. Bertie, you see, has met Georgiana on the C�te d'Azur. And though she is clever and he has a reputation for foolish engagements, it looks as though this could be the real thing. However, Georgiana is the ward of Sir Henry Hackwood and, in order to maintain his beloved Melbury Hall, the impoverished Sir Henry has struck a deal that would see Georgiana becoming Mrs Rupert Venables.

Meanwhile, Peregrine 'Woody' Beeching, one of Bertie's oldest chums, is desperate to regain the trust of his fianc�e Amelia, Sir Henry's tennis-mad daughter.

But why would this necessitate Bertie having to pass himself off as a servant when he has never so much as made a cup of tea? Could it be that the ever-loyal, Spinoza-loving Jeeves has an ulterior motive?

Evoking the sunlit days of a time gone by, Jeeves and the Wedding Bells is a delightfully witty story of mistaken identity, a midsummer village festival, a cricket match and love triumphant.


To be true, the only Jeeves story prior to this one I read was a short story in school 'Jeeves in Springtime'. While that does does not make me an expect on all things Jeeves but I liked what I read and when I saw this on Netgalley, I couldn't resist requesting it. Sebastian Faulks presents in his own words a representation of Bertie Wooster & Jeeves. And without it sounding a true copy, he presents his view of Jeeves and what he liked about it all. To serve as an example to modern generations about these stories and urge them to give it a go. Must say he does a good job for it all.

A lively read. Faulks' interpretations of Jeeves was definitely spot on and the tone was definitely right. All the hair-brained plannings and the dialogues were too spot on, as expected.

"Faulks' Ode to Wodehouse - A job well done"

Genre :      Adult Fiction, Histrorical, Humor

Publisher: Hutchinson

Release Date: 7th November, 2013

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository
 

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