Sticky Beak (53)

Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.


The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!

Here's Mine:

Cool Stuff to Check Out:
La Femme Readers: Tantalizing Future YA Releases plus Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick reveal!
Hebel Design: Check out the Curse Workers jewelry!!!

For Writers:
The Writer's Buzz: From a Writer's POV. Now featuring non-published writings on this online magazaine!!
Procrastinating Writer's Blog: Guidance for writers who struggle to get started!
Laura Pauling: Writing Past Our Weaknesses

That's all from me!

Reunion by Jeff Bennington

Title: Reunion

Author: Jeff Bennington

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Publisher:  NexGate

Publication Date: 1st May 2011

ISBN: 9780615443683

Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 336 pages

Book Received from: Author (Proof Copy)

First Lines: David Ray stood in front of his mirror, dressed to kill.

Synopsis:
David Ray killed eight students and then turned the gun on himself. He thought the shooting and suicide would fix his world. It didn't. The massacre threw Tanner Khan and the other survivors into chaos.
Twenty years later, Tanner and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion to lay the past to rest. Although they suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building.
Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray.
Once they're inside the school, they discover that a dark entity has joined them. It has come to collect a debt, long overdue, and someone has to pay. Will Tanner and his classmates overcome their fears, putting the pieces of their lives back together, or will they be consumed by their worst nightmare?

My Thoughts:

When Jeff approached me to read Reunion, I was excited.  The cover was creepy and after reading the synopsis I was pretty much sold on the story. 

The one thing that surprised me was the beginning.  Why write Reunion?  Once reading that I understood why a book like this needed an explanation.  I'm glad Jeff Bennington took the time to write this story, while there are supernatural elements throughout, it does make you stop and wonder.  What happens to survivors?  How do they pick up their life after something horrific happens.

Bennington has done an amazing job at creating three dimensional characters who are flawed and realistic.  At the beginning we are given an idea of what each character is like at that stage in their life.  The lives they live, the goals they want to achieve, their relationships etc.  Jump forward to twenty years after the shooting, we get to see what each survivor is up to, whether they are doing what they dreamt of, who they're with, how they are coping etc.  Then bang, one former student has the idea for a reunion.

Reunion is a gripping read that will have you turning pages quickly to find out what happens next.  It is an entertaining novel but it also touches upon school shootings and the effects it has on those that survive. You're guaranteed to take more away from this book than just an engaging story!

Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle

Title: Winter's Shadow

Author: M.J. Hearle

Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  Pan Macmillan1

Publication Date: 1st June 2011

ISBN: 9780330404471

Stand alone or series: Series.
Pages: 424 pages

Book Received from: Pan Macmillan (Proof Copy/ARC)

First Lines: Madeleine Bonnaire fled beneath the flickering street lamps of Rue Descartes.

Synopsis:
Blake Duchamp... 

He's all that Winter Adams can think of. Ever since their fateful meeting at Pilgrim's Lament. Ever since he looked at her with those emerald eyes. Ever since he saved her life.  

But Blake isn't all that he seems. There is a strangeness about him, something dark and otherworldly. Something dangerous. In his attic is a secret he would kill to defend, but Winter seems to have a special ability to make him forget his duty. And he is her only protection against the gathering darkness.

The only problem is, to protect Winter, Blake must risk exposing her to an even greater danger. Himself.

My Thoughts:
With so many books in the YA genre these days, you would think that Authors would have exhausted every paranormal option out (Don't get me wrong I love what is out there!).  But thankfully no!!  M.J. Hearle has brought a fantastic and original story to the mix.

Winter's Shadow is told mainly from Winter's point of view but we also get glimpses of Blake's side, as well as flashbacks to the 1800's about a woman named Madeleine.  I really liked how M.J. Hearle had mixed things up abit with the three point of views.  It helps the reader understand the motivations of each character so the reader isn't left too much in the dark.  Yet, it's still obvious that it is Winter's story

Another thing I enjoyed about reading this were the relatively short chapters.  I found myself staying put longer than usual just to sneak in one more chapter, even though there were a million things to do!

Winter's Shadow was a compelling and suspense filled book that kept me hooked from beginning to finish!  M.J. Hearle has brought a fresh perspective to the YA paranormal book genre and I look forward to reading more of his work!

Fave Line:  There were a few favourite lines but I think this one was the best! 'Wielding her furry guardian like a weapon, Winter passed into the front hallway.'  Classic stuff!!

Rachel Caine Blogger-Breakfast, Brisbane

I was lucky enough to be invited by the awesome people at Penguin Australia to attend a Blogger-only breakfast with bestselling Author Rachel Caine!

You can imagine how excited I was to finally meet  Rachel Caine, AND fellow Queensland bloggers Brittany from Nice Girls Read Books and Lisa from Badass Bookie.  So the last couple of days have been filled with random "Oh My God" every so often while working, with no explanation whatsoever.  This is why! lol

But I must say that getting there was an adventure within itself!

Determined to be prepared for today I was up all night last night until just after 12 making sure I had everything ready for the morning.  I stayed at Mum's house so I could get up and go, and leave the little one still asleep (alot easier getting ready without him swinging off my leg). 

Disaster no 1.  Despite the two alarms I set for 5am, Mum comes in at 5:30 to wake me up.  First thought - I haven't slept long enough, give me five more minutes, Second thought - Holy **** I'm meant to be at the train station in 20 minutes.  I can't miss that!

Disaster no 2.  I miss the train I was meant to be on and as I'm walking down the stairs the second train turns up,  I forget to scan the go card (never used it before) and get on!  I spend the next half hour on my iPhone doing some last minute brush ups on the Morganville Vampire Books (Gotta love Wikipedia and Goodreads)

Disaster no 3.  Just a note - When in a hurry, DO NOT TRUST GOOGLE MAPS!  That being said I started following said maps and realise that I have walked a block in the OPPOSITE direction of where I'm meant to be going! lol.

Main thing is I got there in time, and just a warning for those coming from Adelaide Street way to get to Medina Executive, there is one steep hill to get to reception! (Picture above does not do that hill justice.  Alot steeper in real life lol)

The breakfast was delicious and the atmosphere was so relaxed that I wondered why I had been nervous to begin with!  We were even lucky to receive some goodies including official residency in Morganville thanks to the Id card Rachel Caine brought for us, as well as a very funky looking bookmark. 

Rachel was so easy going and willing to answer every question we threw her way.  We also got a few little hints for what we might expect for Book 11 Last Breath which will be out in November this year.  I can't wait. 

Felicity, Marketing Manager of Penguin was just equally as cool and it was awesome to finally meet her as well.  I'm sure I drove her nuts with my emails leading up to the Blogger Breakfast!

After brekky, Rachel was kind enough to do some booksigning and have some photos taken.

(From left to right) Brett, Brittany from Nice Girls Read Books, Rachel Caine, Lisa from Badass Bookie, and me!

Afterwards I hung out with Brittany and Brett doing some serious bookhunting around Brisbane before I had to venture on back to work!  It was good to be able to just talk books with someone else who loved them just as much as I do. (Lisa we wish you could have been there too)  I would have loved to stay for the booksigning but maybe next time :)

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to the Penguin Group, Rachel Caine, Felicty, Brittany, Lisa and Brett for an unforgettable experience.  This may be my first book blogger event but I hope to have many more down the track!  You all ROCK!!

P.S  I loved your phone cover Lisa!

P.P.S Check out the slippers I'm going to order!!  Look familiar?? :)

Bite Club by Rachel Caine

Title: Bite Club

Author: Rachel Caine

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Penguin

Publication Date: 3rd May 2011

ISBN: 9781921880094

Stand alone or series: Book Ten in Morganville Vampires series

Pages: 442 pages

Book Received from: Penguin Australia

First Lines:  Looking back on it later, Claire thought she should have known trouble was coming.

Synopsis:
Morganville, Texas, is a quiet college town where humans and vampires live in relative peace. But lately a great deal of blood is being spilled - not in a feeding frenzy, but for someone's twisted idea of entertainment.

After discovering that vampires populate Morganville - and surviving a number of adventures with her new night-dwelling friends - college student Claire Danvers has come to realise that for the most part, the undead just want to live their lives.But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport being broadcast over the Internet: bare-knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against one another - or, worse, against humans. Tracking the signal leads Claire - accompanied by a loyal group of friends and frenemies - to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville. And if they want to survive, they'll have to do a lot more than fight...

My Thoughts:

The Morganville Vampire Series just seems to be getting better and better.  Bite Club, book ten, focuses mostly on Shane.  There are bits here and there throughout the book from Shane's POV in first person and with the way the story goes I think it is definitely needed to keep that balance of love/hate relationship with him. 

I've really grown attached to Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael so reading this one was a little harder than the others in terms of emotions.  They've had their clashes and problems before but this time it will really test the boundaries of their friendship and loyalties.

As always I have a special spot in my heart for Myrnin. I've never met a character quite like him.  He's the whole package: Scary, funny and utterly unpredictable!  What with those vampire bunny slippers how can you not love him.

Bite Club is fast paced, action packed, and utterly brilliant.  Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride through Morganville people.  Because things are gonna get a bit full on!

Fave Line: ' "See?" he said, with an unholy amount of glee. "I hardly broke any laws at all.  I should drive more often." ' - Myrnin.

Giveaway Winners!! YAY!

Thank you to the awesome Rye James, Author of A Soul Worth Taking and Jenny from Hardie Grant Egmont for supplying these copies for the giveaway!!

Winners of A Soul Worth Taking are:

Stephanie

&

Victoria Zumbrum

I have forwarded your email addresses to Rye James so that the code for Smashword can be passed on to you!

The Winner of a Proof copy/ARC of Forgotten by Cat Patrick is:

M.J. Hearle

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and enter into each giveaway. 

Note -  winners were picked using Random.org

In My Mailbox (59)

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

For Review:

The Taste of Apple by James Laidler (Book & CD combo)

I was very interested when asked to review The Taste of Apple.  It's a Verse novel (which will be the first one I've ever read) that comes with a cd component with a mixture of fiction, spoken word and music.  I can't wait to start this!

What did you get in your IMM this week?