Forgotten by Cat Patrick AND Giveaway

Title: Forgotten

Author: Cat Patrick

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Hardie Grant Egmont

Publication Date: 1st June 2011

ISBN: 9781921690624
Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 280 pages

Book Received from: Hardie Grant Egmont (Proof Copy)

First Lines: Aren't Fridays supposed to be good?  This one started badly.

Synopsis:
Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

My Thoughts:

I was thrilled to be given the chance to read a proof copy of this.  Just the synopsis alone had me thinking, 'Wow!  How is the Author going to pull this off?'.  Well, after reading this, I've got to say Cat Patrick has done a brilliant job. Even before I'd started reading this I got a giggle out of the dedication.  "This is for my girls.  Later, when books are for reading, not eating."  I can definitely relate to that as my little one is at the eating stage with his books! 

London Lane was a character I fell in love instantly with.  She's a character I couldn't help but sympathise with.  Imagine having to write notes for yourself every night before bed because as soon as the next day is there she forgets everything she has seen that will happen that day.  Luke was another fantastic character.  He's nice looking and kind,and one that London doesn't forsee in her future.  I'm definitely adding him to my list of literary crushes! 

I really enjoyed reading Cat Patrick's writing.  The story is written in first person, present tense and it worked really well with the story.  I couldn't help but be pulled in.  I had to know what happened next, whether London would remember Luke and whether she would help change the future to stop her best friend from making a huge mistake.

Forgotten is one of those novels that has definitely stuck with me long after finishing.  An utterly original and unique storyline, lovable characters and a mystery unravel,  I recommend this to all YA readers!!

Note: The film rights for 'Forgotten' have been sold already!!

GIVE AWAY TIME

Thanks to the lovely Jen at Hardie Grant Egmont she has given me a PROOF COPY of Forgotten to giveaway!

Open to AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND only

Head on over to the Forgotten Facebook page and like it! 

Closes 30th April 2011 at 11:59pm AEST

Extra Points:

+2 for blog post or sidebar mention of Forgotten and post link in the comments with your entry

+1 for Tweet

(Please use Meeka_21 in Tweet so I can keep track!)

UPDATE


We've had a hiccup with the form!  Please use the comments below to enter!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Finished Book is Here: Without Title

Hi all!  I just wanted to share this with you.  Here is the first lot of 'finished' copies of Without Title.  I will start sending books out this week.  I'm not sure which order to go.  Whether to start from the First Giveaway and go that way, or to send to winners first.  You decide!!  Either way Winners and Runners Up will have their book soon!!

Here are a few sneak peaks inside :)

I'm super excited and can't wait to get these out to you ASAP!! 



The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong Book Trailer

Book Jacket Giveaway Closed!

Okay everyone just a quick note to let you know that the Book Jacket Giveaway is closed !! (books in pic above are NOT included)

Will let you know when Chas at LovLivLife Reviews picks a winner!

In My Mailbox (55)

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

For Review:

The Screaming Season by Nancy Holder (Book 3 in Possessions)
Thanks to Erin and Nancy for sending this to me.

Defiance by Lili St. Crow (Book 4 in Strange Angels Series)
Thank you Tina from Penguin Australia

As I Die Lying by Scott Nicholson

Liquid Fear by Scott Nicholson

Thank you Scott for sending these to me.

Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer

Thank you Sammie for sending this to me.

Unsavory Delicacies: Three Short Stories of Suspense by Russell Brooks

Thank you Russell for sending this to me

Bought:

The World Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide by Eva Talmadge and Justin Taylor

How To Write The Perfect Novel by Chancery Stone

Bird By Bird by Anne Lamont

 

So that's my super awesome book week this week.  What did you get in your IMM?

Feel free to leave a link to your IMM in the comments below so I can have a look at your stash :)

Sticky Beak (49)

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!

This week the links are mainly for Writer or anyone interested in reading this sort of thing.  I've been reading a lot into the process of creating good stories and characters so this is why :)

The Other Side of the Story:

Do You Believe In Magic? Building a Magic System for Your World!

Going Once, Going Twice... Writing Sequels

So You Wanna Be A Writer?

The End is Near: What Makes a Good Ending?

Guest Blogger Aliette de Bodar on Plotting Your Short Stories.

Guest Blogger Juliette Wade on World Building in Short Stories

Lunchtime Link: Creating Engaging Characters

The Whole Story: Plotting Multibook Goals

Prologues: Not As Evil As You Think

No Pain No Gain: Killing Your Darlings

Grammar: What You Need To Know To Write

Babbling Flow: #VAbook - First Page Critiques

Writer Musings: Which Is Better: Plot-driven or Character-Driven?

Sisters in Scribe: Building a Fantasy World

Deadline Dames: Does Something Have to Change?

Hope you enjoy reading these posts and find something you can use!

Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres

Title: Burn Bright

Author: Marianne de Pierres

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Random House Australia

Publication Date: 1st March 2011

ISBN: 9781864719888

Stand alone or series: First in the Night Creatures Series

Pages: 316 pages

Book Received from: Random House Australia (Thanks Marianne)

First Lines: Retra pressed her fingers to her thigh.  The intense pain from her obedience strip had receded to a steady throb and nausea

Synopsis:
Into a world of wild secrets and deadly pleasures comes a girl whose innocence may be her greatest strength.
In Ixion music and party are our only beliefs. Darkness is our comfort. We have few rules but they are absolute . . .
Retra doesn’t want to go to Ixion, the island of ever-night, ever-youth and never-sleep. Retra is a Seal – sealed minds, sealed community. She doesn’t crave parties and pleasure, experience and freedom.
But her brother Joel left for Ixion two years ago, and Retra is determined to find him. Braving the intense pain of her obedience strip to escape the only home she’s ever known, Retra stows away on the barge that will take her to her brother.
When she can’t find Joel, Retra finds herself drawn deeper into the intoxicating world of Ixion. Come to me, whispers a voice in her head. Who are the Ripers, the mysterious guardians of Ixion? What are the Night Creatures Retra can see in the shadows? And what happens to those who grow too old for Ixion?
Retra will find that Ixion has its pleasures, but its secrets are deadly. Will friendship, and the creation of an eternal bond with a Riper, be enough to save her from the darkness?
Listen well, baby bats. Burn bright, but do not stray from the paths. Remember, when you live in a place of darkness you also live with creatures of the dark.

My Thoughts:

I'd read one of Marianne de Pierres other books called Sharp Shooter and really enjoyed it so when I heard that she was publishing a Young Adult novel called Burn Bright, I was over the moon!  The cover is spectacular and I thought it was fantastic she was Aussie too.

Retra/Naif the main character, is a teenage girl living in a sealed community where affection is a sin, rules and punishments are harsh and the knowledge they are given is limited. When her brother Joel escapes to Ixion, island of evernight, music, laughter and freedom, Retra and her parents are left to suffer the consequences of Joel's actions. Two years later she follows in his footsteps, not for the partying but to find Joel.

Retra/Naif is quite a naive character and it is obvious to those who travel to Ixion as well as those inhabiting, which is dangerous.  Luckily for her she has a few on the inside to help her blend in.  I really warmed to Retra.  She's completely out of her comfort zone, and breaking every rule she has ever known and introduced to the life of drugs, sex and partying.  She has to grow up real quick.

I found the world building in Burn Bright brilliant. The world of Ixion is a mysterious, dark and beautiful place to be.  The mix of parties, well lit paths and colourful characters;  add in the dangers of straying from paths, the mysterious Ripers and the few but absolute rules is what breathes life into this story. 

Burn Bright is original, engaging and well written story.  If your looking for a YA story with a very different kind of world that is both exciting and disturbing this ones for you.

Burn bright, baby bats!