Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Closed Hearts by Susan Kaye Quinn and Giveaway!

Title:  Closed Hearts
Author:  Susan Kaye Quinn
Genre:  Young Adult/Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Susan Kaye Quinn
Publication Date:  23rd May 2012
Stand alone or series:   Mind Jack Trilogy #2
Book Received from:  Susan Kaye Quinn (Author)
First Lines:  No one called me Kira anymore.




Possible spoilers if you haven't read the Open Minds


Synopsis:
Eight months ago, Kira Moore revealed to the mindreading world that mindjackers like herself were hidden in their midst. Now she wonders if telling the truth was the right choice after all. As wild rumors spread, a powerful anti-jacker politician capitalizes on mindreaders’ fears and strips jackers of their rights. While some jackers flee to Jackertown—a slum rife with jackworkers who trade mind control favors for cash—Kira and her family hide from the readers who fear her and jackers who hate her. But when a jacker Clan member makes Kira’s boyfriend Raf collapse in her arms, Kira is forced to save the people she loves by facing the thing she fears most: FBI agent Kestrel and his experimental torture chamber for jackers.


My Thoughts:
I don't know how else to start apart from.  I LOVED THIS!  I hope that's not too over the top.  This has got to be the first book this year, I've been able to sit and read within a few hours because I was so completely absorbed in the story that I refused to put it down.

I loved Open Minds but I must say Susan has outdone herself with Closed Hearts.  Once again I fell back into the world of the mindjackers so easily that it was hard when I'd finally finished  because I would have loved to have kept reading and reading.

Living with the aftermath of outing the Mindjackers Kira is forced to move with her family and live under an alias.  The good work she thought she was doing to help other mindjackers has blown up in her face and now she is one of the most hated people out.  Most jackers move to place now named Jackertown where it is not safe at all for mind readers and especially Kira.

I loved how we are introduced to so many new characters including Julian and Ava, as well as some loved and not so loved characters from book one.  Kira/Lucy has still got to be my most favourite character though.  She shows throughout the book and a strong loyalty to her family and Raf the one she loves.

I must admit there is an OH MY GOD! moment in the book which I shall not name.. but it had me brought almost to tears and while I was shocked at this part I can honestly say it gives the book a certain Wham!  that will push anyone into pleading for the third book early!

Closed Hearts is another great instalment into the Minjackers trilogy and I look forward to reading the third and last book.  If you liked Open Minds I'm sure you will love Closed Hearts!!



GIVEAWAY TIME!!

To win a e-book copy of Closed Hearts all you need to do is comment below and check on the 10th June 2011 to see if you have won.

Open to all
For Optional Extra points:

Please be sure to let me know in the comments for the Optional Extra Points!








Susan Kaye Quinn,
Author

Susan is the author of the bestselling YA novel Open Minds, Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy, which is available on AmazonBarnes and Noble, and iTunes. The sequel Closed Hearts was just released
5/23. Susan's business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist," but she mostly plays on 
TwitterFacebook, and Pinterest.





Mind GamesOpen MindsClosed HeartsIn His
EyesLife, Liberty, and PursuitFull Speed Ahead



Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Splintered by A.G Howard Book Trailer

After reading the synopsis for this I'm completely intrigued.  Here is the book trailer for Splintered


Sunday, May 27, 2012

In My Mailbox (112)


In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:


Betrayed by Edna Walters

Thank you to Spencer Hill Press for this!

Bought:


N/A


What did you get in your IMM?

Saturday, May 26, 2012

MBOB: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

This looks awesome.

Based on Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith






Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (105)


Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

Erasing Time by C.J. Hill sounds pretty awesome.  This one doesn't come out until 28th August 2012.  So keep an eye out!

Synopsis:
In this high-action and romantic futuristic adventure, there is no escape from the future for two contemporary girls pulled out of their own time.

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Full of adrenaline-injected chases and heartbreaking confessions, Erasing Time explores the strength of the bonds between twins, the risks and rewards of trust, and the hard road to finding the courage to fight for what you believe in

Pre-order Erasing Time at Book Depository!

What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Little Absent.

For those of you that have noticed, I haven't been posting up as much as I used to.  I want to explain why.  A lady from work has left and I've been moved up into her position.   Promotion some say, I say holy dooly I'm in over my head.  It means I'm working longer hours and have less time to post as often.  While I'm still settling in to this position I'm going to do my best to keep regular posting.  

Unfortunately My Alter Ego Charlie has gone on the back burner for the time being. I will also try and post on there a bit more regularly once I'm into the swing of things.

Hope everyone understands.  I refuse to give up blogging so I'm going to make this work.

Have a good niht.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting Book Trailer

Loved these books so far and looking forward to this one!


Friday, May 18, 2012

Disharmony by Leah Giarratano

Title:  Disharmony
Author:  Leah Giarratano
Genre:  Young Adult/Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Penguin Australia
Publication Date:  23 May 2012
ISBN:  9780143565680
Stand alone or series:   The Telling #1
Pages:  360 pages
Book Received from:  Penguin Australia (Publisher)
First Lines:  I've been awake here since lights out, wondering how to lay all this out for you.

Synopsis:
A psychopath... an empath... a genius.


Three siblings who will save the world – or destroy it.
They know nothing of each other. They know nothing of the Telling.
But they’ll need to learn fast if they’re going to survive...



My Thoughts:
I really liked how the synopsis of this is short, not too revealing but really draws you in.  Line one, A psychopath... an empath ... a genius.  That alone made me want to find out so much more.

I found the beginning of the story more a setting of the scene than being thrown into action straight away.  We get to meet Luke, who resided in a Detention centre, and Samantha whose job was to foretell the futures of anyone willing to pay her.  Two completely different characters but both interesting in their own worlds.  We are also introduced to a narrator of sorts right at the beginning.  There are maybe two or three chapters from this mystery person and it made me wonder who the third person was in the story.  I am still wondering :)

I think the biggest thing I noticed with this story was how well Leah has done with characterization.  I suppose being a clinical psychologist would have been a major plus when writing stories.  I can say I haven't read any of her other books but I'm willing to go out and buy them knowing that I will have characters that will jump out off the page and draw me in.  Even the minor characters stood out for me as well.

I did have a little surprise about halfway through the book.  This has a bit more of a paranormal aspect than I initially realized.  This is a good thing!

I have high hopes for this new series and I think book 1 has given us a glimpse of what is to come.  I can't wait.

Anyways without saying too much else, if you're looking for a book with a great story line and awesome characters give this a go.  I've definitely found myself another author I want to be keeping tabs on.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

An Author Blitz: Stephanie Beck and Annie Nicholas


Prizes are: 1 winner will win one copy of an ebook from Annie's Back list and one winner will win Stephanie's Unraveling Midnight. All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog post.
Visit the 5 other blogs also doing Blitz's Day for more opportunities to win.

Sigma



The Vanguards: Book 5



To defend and protect, at any cost.



Sam is Sigma of his pack, defender of the innocent and frail. Too bad the one time it mattered most, though the urge to guard the weak runs strong in his shifter blood, he failed to protect his best friend from an attack. Just when his self-confidence can't go any lower, he becomes entangled in a vampire skirmish and is left with an injured female in his arms.



Vampire accountant for Pal Robi, Inc., Clementine can't believe her master would ask her to commit corporate espionage. She’s shot when discovered, but a shifter comes to her rescue. It's as if he's made of her fantasies, and in the few hours with him she lives more than the decades she's spent among her clan.



Hiding with him on the streets of Chicago, in the midst of fighting together to stay alive, can a petite vampire break through her hero’s jaded heart?



WARNING: Hot dominating sex, an action packed evening, and a first date gone all to hell.





Annie Nicholas writes paranormal with a twist. Her stories are off the beaten path as she creates romantic, suspenseful, attention grabbing fiction.

She hibernates in the rural, green mountains of Vermont, where she dreams of different worlds and conflicts to pit her characters against.

Mother, daughter, wife are some of the hats she happily wears while trudging over the hills and dales of her adopted state. The four seasons an inspiration and a muse.

Visit Annie Nicholas at http://www.annienicholas.webs.com/





Unraveling Midnight by Stephanie Beck

Blurb:
An entanglement with a werewolf brings unexpected turns.

Scott, a lone werewolf expelled from his pack, bends over backward to give his kids everything he can - including knitting lessons for his daughter. Learning to knit becomes much more appealing with Lucy Jamieson as the teacher. His heightened senses tell him the compassionate and beautiful human might be what he and his little band need, yet getting involved with Lucy means exposing her to his paranormal reality.

Although Lucy's childhood skewed her expectations of family, she recognizes and respects Scott's desire to protect and provide for his kids. When Scott is hit by a truck, Lucy offers to help with the kids--and gets more than she bargained for after learning Scott's true nature.

Excerpt:
Scott still rested when Lucy turned on the little lamp beside the loveseat on the opposite wall of the room. He was so big, yet on the couch, he looked smaller. Pain did that to a person and her heart broke a little. She wished she could do something for him. She twisted the metal cap off the beer bottle and tried to be quiet, but it hissed when it released.
Scott’s eyes flew open and she wished she’d grabbed a glass of water.

“Sorry I woke you,” she whispered. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, not at all. Help yourself to whatever you want.”

He looked a little off, but she couldn’t quite place what was wrong. Were his eyes blurry?

“Are you feeling okay, Scott? Can I bring you some water or anything?”

“I feel funny,” he said, his grin cockeyed and adorable. Cute or not, warning bells went off in Lucy’s head.

“Fever, maybe?” She set aside her beer and hurried to him, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. “Oh, honey, you’re burning up.”

“Mmm.” He rubbed his head to her hand like an animal begging for a petting. His hand snuck out from his blanket and Lucy started when it wrapped just above her knee. “You smell so good.”

She laughed lightly. “I’m glad you think so, Scott. I need to find your Tylenol. Where do you keep it, so I can get you some to bring this fever down?”

“No meds. It’ll pass.” He kept rubbing his face to her hand. “Mmmm, so good. Everyone should smell as good as you.”

“Oh.” He massaged her thigh and, though his hand didn’t move up, it kept her attention. “Scott, you need to let me loose so I can get you some medication, sweetie.”

“I’d like to be your sweetie,” he said. “I’d even let you call me stupid stuff like cupcake.”

The fever had to be loosening up his tongue. The stoic, tough Scott she’d known so far wasn’t so chatty, but still, it was incredibly nice to hear his silly words directed at her.

“You should come snuggle me,” Scott said, tucking her hand beneath his cheek. “You know, in case I get the chills or something.”

“Right, I don’t see that happening, big boy. You need to sleep this off if you don’t think Tylenol will help.”

“Naw, doesn’t work. Just snuggles and pets soothe the wolf.”

Her confusion at his odd words was probably the reason she let herself be tugged down to sit on the sofa near his head. In a flash, he had his head docilely in her lap and the crazy talk was done, Scott back to sleep.

She sighed. How she got herself into situations like this, she’d never know. Maybe she was too nice. She should have been more firm with Scott. If she had, she’d be enjoying her beer. She rested her hand on his shaved head. It was a little warm and since it seemed to soothe him, she stroked her hand from his forehead to his neck. She had to admit the change of seating wasn’t that bad. If she were across the room in her chair with a beer, she wouldn’t be touching Scott.

The unexpected tradeoff was better than she’d have thought. He was softer than he looked and even though he always said she smelled good, he was the one who really smelled different. A really wonderful different.














Bio:
Even before she understood what all the thrusting meant, Stephanie Beck loved reading romance. When the stories didn’t end the way she wanted, writing her own was the perfect solution. From ridiculous humor to erotica, Stephanie loves being transported within a story. When she’s not elbow deep in words, her husband and three beautiful command her attention. After they are sleeping she knits or bakes cookies...or squeezes in more writing.

Links:
www.stephaniebeck.net
www.facebook.com/StephanieBeckAuthor
www.twitter.com/StephBeck123

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (104)


Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

Book 3 Reached by Ally Condie will be out in November of this year.  I love the cover and can't wait to see where this story goes.

Synopsis
Cassia faces the ultimate choices in the long-anticipated conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Matched Trilogy

After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.

In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.

What are you waiting on?

Sunday, May 13, 2012

In My Mailbox (111)


In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:
N/A

Bought:
Revived by Cat Patrick.

What did you get in your mailbox??

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Winter's Light by M.J. Hearle

Author:  M.J. Hearle
Genre:  Young Adult / Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Pan Macmillan
Publication Date:  1 May 2012
ISBN:  9781742611037
Stand alone or series:   Winter Saga #2
Pages:  448
Book Received from:  Pan Macmillan (Publisher)
First Lines:  Lamara trailed closely behind the farseer, her gaze focused on the burning torch in his hand.


Possible spoilers if you haven't read the Winter's Shadow
Synopsis:
Blake is gone.
He sacrificed himself to save Winter, leaving her alone, unprotected... hunted.
An ancient enemy is rising, but Winter is no longer the innocent girl who was fated to die at Pilgrim's Lament. She will not wait to be saved. She will do what she must to survive, even accept an unsavoury alliance with those who destroyed her love.
In the gathering darkness, the enemy of an enemy is not always a friend, and Winter must find the strength to stand alone and fight for the one she loves. For she is the key to unlocking the secrets beyond the veil of shadows.
And she is Blake's only hope.



My Thoughts:
Admittedly I had a slow start with this one.  The first two chapters for me were a struggle.  It had been so long since I'd read Winter's Shadow that it took a bit for me to actually come back to this story.  In saying that, I kept going and I'm glad I did.

As I'm sure I said in my first review, M.J. Hearle has done a fantastic job of bringing something fresh to the YA Fantasy genre and I think this is why I wanted to keep reading Winter's Light.  I was almost tempted to pick up Winter's Shadow just to refresh my memory so I could lead on with Winter's Light but as I kept reading everything came back to me and it wasn't necessary.

Both Winter and Jas are two characters I really enjoy reading about.  Winter with her abilities, and Jas with her feisty and confident nature.  It makes for a great duo.  In saying that, this is Winter's story so Jas isn't the main focus.  But a great secondary character none the less.

Sam.  An ally on shaky terms with Winter.  But one character I think has proven his worth as a loyal friend to Winter.

Blake.  Such a loved character in the first book and all I will say is that I am looking forward to where Winter's story will lead her in the third book.

All in all, a really great story and one that has me itching for that third book.  For those of you that read the book a while ago I suggest at least picking it up and reading the last two chapters to refresh yourselves for when you pick this up.

Well worth the read!

Fave Line:  

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine Book Trailer

I absolutely love this series and can't wait to read this book!!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (103)


Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

I can't wait for Prodigy by Marie Lu, the second book in the Legend series/trilogy.  This will be out early January 2013.  Such a long wait!

Synopsis

Military-trained whiz kid June and Robin Hood-esque Day met in the first book, and now are off from Los Angeles to Sin City in Prodigy (G.P. Putnam's Sons), out in bookstores Jan. 29. The Elector Primo of the Republic has died, with his son assuming power over what's left of the USA's West Coast as it teeters on full-blown chaos. June and Day join up with Patriot rebels so they can rescue Day's brother and head east for the Colonies. In order to help, though, the rebels want June and Day to kill the new Elector, who may be a step up from his dad.

Pre-order Prodigy at Book Depository!

Read a excerpt here!

What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Revived by Cat Patrick Book Trailer

I just received this book in the mail today and wanted to share the book trailer with you all. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

IN My Mailbox (110)


In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:


Whisper by Alyson Noel (book 4)
Disharmony by Leah Giarratano (book 1)

Thank you to both Pan Macmillan and Penguin Australia for sending these to me.  I can't wait to read these!


Closed Hearts by Susan Kaye Quinn (Book 2)

Bought:


N/A

What did you get in your IMM?

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Disharmony by Leah Giarratano Book Trailer

I can't wait to get started reading this one. It sounds really cool!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Sneak Peek : Excerpt Four of Teri Terry's Slated


Thanks to the awesome Laure from Hatchette Children's Books, here is the last  excerpt of Slated by Teri Terry.

I hope you all have enjoyed the excerpts and want to get the book I've read it and loved it!


*-*-*-*-*-*
‘Can I see?’ Amy asks. She cranes her head forward,
but I angle the sketch away.
‘Not yet. Hold still, or I won’t be able to finish it.’
‘Bossy thing.’
‘It won’t be long now,’ I say, glancing back at Amy and then down to my drawing, for a few final strokes of my pencil.
Amy smiles. ‘Are you level?’
I turn my wrist to check. ‘Yes. 5.2 and steady.’
The door opens but I don’t look up.
‘Are you girls ready for breakfast?’ Mum says.
‘Nearly,’ I say, looking at Amy one more time, then at the sketch in my hands. A final stroke, there. ‘Done,’
I say, and put the pencil down.
‘Let me see!’ Amy springs up, and Mum walks over.
‘That is so good,’ Amy says.
Mum’s mouth is in a round ‘o’ of surprise. ‘That is Amy, you have captured her, just so. I want to frame this and hang it on the wall. May I?’ I smile. ‘Yes.’
Breakfast is pancakes. Eaten with butter melting in streaks, and syrup, or strawberry jam. I try both, together: very nice.
‘Don’t think you’ll be eating like this every day,’
Mum says. My sketch of Amy is on the fridge with a magnet instead of a frame on the wall, and Mum has reverted to her pointy self.
‘Amy, you’ve got twenty minutes before the bus and you don’t look even a bit ready to me.’
‘Can’t I stay home with Kyla today?’
‘No.’
‘Where’s Dad?’ I ask.
‘Work, of course. Where I should be, but had to take leave to mind you.’
I do the math. Amy is going to school, Dad’s at work: that leaves Mum and me for the whole day.
‘When can I start school? Can I go today?’
‘No.’
Amy explains. ‘You’ve got to be assessed by the area nurse first; she has to think you are ready. Then the school tests you to work out where to put you, what year. Though they’ve sent some books for you to read.’
‘Oh.’
‘The nurse is dropping in this afternoon to meet
you,’ Mum says.
I vow to act as well adjusted as possible. Amy dashes upstairs in a flurry of finding school
books, uniform. She is in her last year of A-levels. At nineteen she should be done, at university, studying nursing like she wants to, already. But she needed an extra year to catch up. And she was fourteen when she was Slated. I’m sixteen now. How many extra years of school will I have?
‘You can wash up,’ Mum says.
‘Wash what?’
She rolls her eyes.
‘The dishes.’
I stand and look at them on the table.
She sighs. ‘Pick up the dirty dishes from the table and put them there.’ She points at the worktop next to the sink.
I carry one plate across and go back for another.
‘No! That will take forever. Stack them up. Like
this.’
She stacks plates, pulling out knives and forks and clattering them on the top one, then plonks the lot on the worktop.
‘Fill the sink. Add soap, just a little.’ She squeezes a bottle into the sink.
Bubbles!
‘Wash them with this brush.’ She scrubs a brush across the plate. ‘Rinse it under the tap, put it in the rack, like so. Repeat. Got it?’
‘I think so.’
I plunge my hands in the hot water.
So this is washing up.
I carefully clean a plate of the sticky remains of pancakes and syrup, rinse it and put it in the rack.
‘Pick up the pace or you’ll be there all day.’
I stop, and look around.
‘Pick up what?’
‘The pace. It means go faster.’
Plates, then cups. This isn’t so bad. I speed up and Mum starts wiping them with a towel. Amy rushes down the stairs as I start on the cutlery.
I gasp, and look down: a thin line of red drips from a knife clasped in my right hand.
Amy bounds in. ‘Oh no! Kyla.’
Mum turns and clucks under her breath. She grabs
a sheet of kitchen paper.
‘Press it against, don’t bleed everywhere.’
I do, and Amy rubs my shoulder and looks at my Levo: 5.1.
‘Doesn’t it hurt?’ Amy asks.
I shrug. ‘A little,’ I say, and it does, but I ignore the jagged heat that throbs through my hand, and
stare, fascinated. Bright red soaks into the kitchen paper, slows, then stops.
‘Just a nick,’ Mum says, peeling the paper back to look. ‘The nurse can check it later. She’s all right, Amy.
Run or you’ll miss the bus.’
Mum wraps a bandage around my hand as Amy bounces out the door. Mum smiles.
‘I forgot to mention, Kyla. Knives are sharp. Don’t hold them by the pointy end.’
So many things to remember. Nurse Penny unwraps my hand later for a look.
‘It should be all right without stitches,’ she says. ‘I’ll just put some antiseptic on it. Might sting a bit, mind.’
She splashes some yellow stuff on my hand that smarts and makes my eyes water, then wraps it up again.
‘It was weird,’ Mum says, ‘when she cut it. She just stood there looking at the blood running down her hand. No tears, no reaction.’
‘Well, she’s probably never cut herself before.
Never seen blood like that.’
Huh. Love it when people talk about me as if I’m not even there.
‘It didn’t send her low or anything. And—’
‘Excuse me.’ I smile my best well-adjusted smile.
They both jump as if I am a ghost that materialised before them the moment I spoke. ‘When can I go to school?’
‘Don’t worry about that yet, dear,’ Penny says.
‘Have a look through the books they sent.’ And she turns back to Mum. ‘You have to try to remember to point out hazards, like knives. She may not look it, but in some ways she is really like a small child, and—’
‘Excuse me.’ I smile again.
Penny turns.
‘Yes, dear?’
‘Those books the school sent. I looked through them this morning. They’re too easy, all stuff I already know from the hospital school.’
‘A genius then, are you?’ Mum says, with a look on her face that says I’m quite the opposite.
Penny pulls a netbook out of her bag. Frowns and taps the screen on the side, then runs her finger across the screen, searching files.
‘Well actually, she isn’t far off. Tested age appropriate before she left the hospital. That is most unusual; most of them are years behind. I’ll get the school to send some more stuff. Or Amy might have old school books around? We need to work out what subjects you should take.’
She shuts her netbook and turns back to Mum.
‘Where was I? Oh yes. There are no sharp corners, no hazards at the hospital. So everything needs to be pointed out. Like crossing the road, and—’
‘Excuse me.’ Even to me my smile is starting to feel stretched. Dislocated.
‘What is it this time?’ Mum says.
‘I already know what subject I want to take.’
Penny raises an eyebrow. ‘Oh, you do, do you?
What, then?’
‘Art.’
She smiles. ‘Well, you may need a few more practical subjects. And they’d have to assess you to
take you in art.’
Mum points at the fridge. ‘She drew that, this morning. Of Amy.’
Penny gets up to look; her eyes widen. ‘Well. I should think they’ll let you, dear.’
She turns back to Mum.
‘You did such an amazing job with Amy; she is a delight. I’m sure, with time, Kyla will adjust to your family.’
I cross my arms. Kyla will adjust: what about everyone else?
‘She had a nightmare last night,’ Mum says.
‘Screamed the house down.’
Penny opens her netbook again. Asking me might be an idea: I am the one who knows all about it.
‘There is a history of that, I’m afraid. No doubt why they kept her so long at hospital. Nine months instead of the usual six. We’ll look at some ways of controlling that in Group. They tried all the usual meds at hospital, but they made it worse if anything. And—’
‘Excuse me. Could you talk to me, instead of about
me?’
The smile slips from Penny’s face.
‘You see what I’m up against,’ Mum says, and sighs.
‘Part small child, part stroppy teenager,’ Penny
says. ‘Now Kyla, dear: let me chat to your mum. Why don’t you run along upstairs?’
I shut the door, hard, and plonk myself down on the bed. No sign of Sebastian, and it is two long hours before Amy gets home.
My folder of drawings sits on the dressing table. I pick up a sketch pad. Now the shock is over, no matter about the ones that went missing. If I close my eyes, they are all in my mind. Every detail. I will draw them again. I grasp a pencil, but it is no good: it rests between
my thumb and index finger, just where I cut my right hand, the hand I draw and write with. Time for an experiment: pencil in the left hand. It feels awkward at first; wrong. I do a few quick sketches and it starts to loosen up, but I can’t shake the feeling of wrongness, an edge of fear almost, that something will happen if I continue.
But I can’t stop.
A fresh page: who first?
Dr Lysander. Getting her right is all about the eyes. Tricky eyes, she has; mostly shielded and cold, but she peeks out now and then. When she does she seems more startled about it than I do.
I begin, hesitant at first with an unfamiliar hand.
Line, shading, all. Faster and surer as confidence increases. Dr Lysander begins to look back at me from under my pencil. Goose bumps rise along my arms, my neck.
Strange.
I draw much better with my left hand.

*-*-*-*-*-*

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (102)


Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

I came across this the other day and just love the cover.  Crewel by Gennifer Albin will be released 16th October 2012 and I can't wait.

Synopsis

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar

Title:  Night Beach
Author:  Kirsty Eagar
Genre:  Young Adult/Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Penguin Australia
Publication Date:  30th April 2012
ISBN:  9780143206552
Stand alone or series:   Stand Alone
Pages:  324 pages
Book Received from:  Penguin Australia
First Lines:  I run up the dunes with the wind howling at my back, my ears burning from its bite.

Synopsis:
Imagine there is someone you like so much that just thinking about them leaves you desperate and reckless. You crave them in a way that's not rational, not right, and you're becoming somebody you don't recognise, and certainly don't respect, but you don't even care.
And this person you like is unattainable.
Except for one thing . . .
He lives downstairs.
Abbie has three obsessions. Art. The ocean. And Kane. But since Kane's been back, he's changed. There's a darkness shadowing him that only Abbie can see. And it wants her in its world.



My Thoughts:
I'm a fan of Kirsty Eagars.  I've read everything she's written so far, and this is by far my most favourite read.. There's moments that cause goosebumps rising up my skin and other times I'm shaking my head thinking of the times I had been there once.. feeling the same things Abbie had felt.

Abbie is a girl that I could totally relate to.  She has a major crush on Kane and I'm sure most of us have been there feeling exactly the same as Abbie.  She's vulnerable, passionate about her surfing and art and totally head over heels for Kane.  And he knows it.  Up until a certain point Abbie is under the impression that Kane doesn't know she exists but when he comes home from his trip away he is a different person.  And maybe not for the better.  Of course, we wouldn't have a good story without having the main character being curious and Abbie is trying her best to work out what is going on with Kane.

Kane is alluring and a perfect portrayal of a few aussie guys I know.  Abbie puts Kane up on a pedestal of sorts and as a reader I could see why her encounters with him had her so hooked on him.  It was kind of scary how past experiences for me lined up with the things that Abbie did.

Kirsty has an uncanny ability in bringing the characters and story to life and is continually amazing me with her writing.  There were so many little quotes I wrote down throughout the book that really stuck out for me and that's also why I loved this story so much.  I haven't even mentioned the spooky moments through the book that really raised the hairs on my arms.  But I won't say too much there, I'll let you all read this for yourself

If you want something truly aussie to read with a great spooky twist be sure to pick this up!


Fave Line:  
You want to be the kind of driver that people look at and think, yeah she'd be handy in a robbery. - Page 183

Kane's never been safe. Ultimately he's never been within reach. That's the key to why I'm so caught up on him - I know that. I'm obsessed. And what feeds an obsession is not getting what you want. - Page 244

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