A Whisper of Thoughts...: 2012

Monday, 31 December 2012

Last post for 2012

Let's hope for a happier and harmonius 2013...

Hello dearest readers,

It is the final day of 2012 and I say: thank the Lord it's almost over. Ok, this year wasn't completely terrible and I guess it could have gone much worse but it was too exhausting, nightmarish and way too much drama, even for my standards.

I have finished reading one book, and am still listening to an audiobook.

Current book list:

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott read by Denis O'Hare.
One of my friends once recommended that I read a book called the alchemist. Now, I am not sure if this is the same book he spoke about but I needed to add an ebook onto my ipod before work and I found this in the online e-library.

Surprisingly, it is quite interesting and I like the reader's voice too, which always helps. I think the book is aimed at the young adult/teens 12-14 year olds but I am enjoying it. I wanted to learn more about alchemy ever since reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and also due to Sydney from the Vampire Academy series since she too is an alchemist.

I'm not quite sure how far into the book I am yet because my ipod seems to trip back to previous chapters for no apparent reason but I should be done in the first week of the new year!

Second Chance Grill by Christine Nolfi
*Spoiler alert*
I did not think I would be able to complete this book in 2012 since I was only 42% through yesterday but as my mummy had an endoscopy appointment today, I found some time to read in the hospital waiting room. This was kind of ironic considering the latter part of the book takes place in a hospital.

I found this an adorable read, it was cute, entertaining and truly heartwarming; a book packed with emotions.

The story begins with a young doctor taking a sabbatical from her medical career by setting up the restaurant that her aunt had left her. Mary is re-opening the restaurant diner to keep herself busy and help herself overcome the loss of her bestfriend and almost-sister Sadie, who died in an accident.

I enjoyed reading about Mary because she sounded genuine, with her attempts to fit into this new town that did not trust her, especially since her cook had given half the town food poisoning on opening day! Mary has her own battles between following her heart or standing by her responsibilities.

And in enters Blossom, an 11 year old girl who is mentally older than her years. Blossom's mother left her when she was very young so her Italian father, Anthony, brought her up. The father-daughter relationship is fun to read as there are times when Anthony isn't sure how to react with his daughter's adolescent behaviour.

I felt very connected to Blossom. Her mischievious ways and snarky yet adoring comments could charm anyone and she won my affection entirely. Blossom tries to set her dad up with Mary for her dad and herself since she does not have a mother.

The growing friendship and love between the two felt very real and touched me. Mary's feeling of hopelessness when cancer attacks Blossom again almost made me cry. Almost.

Overall a touching and delightful read!

Some of my favourite quotes from this book:
"That was cool how you picked the lock. Where'd you learn breaking and entering? Is there an online class?" (BLossom to her best friend Tyler)

"Anthony was old enough to have seen death up close. He’d lost his grandparents, an uncle, two friends. The human body wasn’t built on forevers; the heart clogged and slowed, and muscles grew frail and weak. Age happened to us all, and he’d donned grief every time a loved one breathed the last. Yet for Blossom, death was an error. She risked being taken out of turn."

Happy New Year!
Zed (:

Note: There are some intimate moments between Anthony and Mary that will
not be suitable for younger children.

Saturday, 29 December 2012

2013 TBR Challenge

Welcome to 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge hosted by 6 bloggers, with 12 mini challenges and 24 books to be won! And guess what, I am participating :S

There were many many books that I have been meaning to read for quite some time but I have just not had a chance to do so and that's what I hope this challenge will motivate me to do.

Guidelines
***This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013***
+ Anyone can enter! You don’t have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you’ve read! (On your blog, Amazon, Goodreads or Shelfari!)
+ Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that’s been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2012 or earlier! NO 2013 ARCs or 2013 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
+ You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood suits you.
+ When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge.
+ You can move up levels, but no moving down.
+ Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
+ On the 20th of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will be a unique theme, and include a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from that month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of your choice from The Book Depository. It’s open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e., the entire year).
+ If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking.
+ December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you’ll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway for a box of books.
You don’t have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in the giveaways!

To sign up click on the Link!

My TBR list:

I am only aiming for the firm handshake level (1-10 books) because there is so much more that I wish to do in 2013 so I don't want to tie myself down too much.

1. Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout.
2. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter.
3. The first two books in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare.
4. The two books in the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver.
5. A book by my author friend Dennis Higgins.
6. A Part to Play by Jennifer Fry as she so kindly sent me an autographed copy.
7. Haven by Lucian Barnes.

Thursday, 27 December 2012

Bestest Boyfriends of 2012

My Best Book Boyfriends of 2012.

1. Ok ordinarily I would leave the best until last but I believe Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars deserves a special mention. Yes, Augustus in the book is a disabled guy who suffers from Cancer but he was also unbelievably adorable so I could not help being awestruck! On a different note, I cannot wait until John Green comes to London in February 2013, I already have my tickets (: Yay me.

2. Patch from Finale (Hush Hush #4) by Becca Fitzpatrick. Dark, mysterious and unpredictable, Patch was definitely one of my favourites.

3. Hmmm....who can be number 3... perhaps the lazy yet loyal Shane from Morganville Vampires?

4. Another best boyfriend of mine (now that definitely sounds dodgey) was Daniel from Rapture (fallen #4) by Lauren Kate. I liked his predicament of losing his Luce again and again, and still being unable to stop himself from falling in love with her.

5. Oh my, how have I forgotten to mention the warrior Akiva from Days of Blood & Starlight. His story is beautiful, falling in love with the enemy, watching the Chimaera slaughter his beloved and then having her resurrected as Karou.

6. There were many potential boyfriends in the The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, and although this was not a top read for 2012, I think one of the raven boys makes this list. The focussed Gansey in his search or perhaps poor Adam always trying to fit in? No, I preferred Ronan's fierceness to the others, partly because he seemed more of the tortured soul than the others, and partly because he made me laugh the most too, with his brash comments!

7. *sigh* and ofcourse the one and only Adrian from The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead. Adrian's charm and his attraction to alchemist Sydney, puts him in my top 10 for sure!

8. Now, I tend to prefer dark over light but in the case of Fated (Soul seekers #1) by Alyson Noel, I must say I quite liked Dace, although I try to omit his long hair when I picture what his character looks like!

9. Raffe! Awesome guy from Angelfall by Susan Ee, loved his slow growing with Penryn who is on a mission to try and get her sister back.

10. I am finding it rather difficult to think of a tenth best boyfriend because although I read plenty of books this year, a fair number of those books were releases prior to 2012, which I had not gotten around to reading. And so, I will end this post with the one and only Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries. Yes I am cheating again because I have not actually read any of the new vampire diaries book releases by L.J.Smith, instead I watch the TVD series. Regardless, the bestest of best boyfriends for 2012 has to be Damon Salvatore!

Happy Days
Zed (:

Tuesday, 25 December 2012

Best villains of 2012

Best VILLAINS of 2012

Hello there! My list of top villains is as follows:

1. The ageless supermodel Melisande from The Shadow and the Rose by Amanda De Wees.

2. This one may seem strange because I am choosing Skinny from Skinny By Donna Cooner. For me, Skinny was the inner voice within Ever and although Skinny was part of the main female character herself, I thought the subconscious was Ever's enemy. Until Skinny was destroyed, Ever could not have her happy ending.

3. Hank from Finale (Hush Hush #4) by Becca Fitzpatrick

4. The two queens from Forged by Greed by Angela Orlowsky-Peart. Amber and Crystal were both vicious characters and although Amber was more venomous than Crystal, they were both villains to me.

5. My final villain (because I cannot think of 10) is from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. The villain in this book was the disease of cancer. Now, some may question why I have chosen an illness as a 'villain' but to me a villain is someone or something that prevents a person from being happy or successful. It is possible to destroy tangible villains but with something like cancer, it could not be destroyed and so Cancer was the ultimate Villain of 2012.

I hope you enjoyed my five villains from 2012!

Zed (:

Review of Scarlet Night

Scarlet Night

By Megan J. Parker

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About the book

Zane Murdoch just got a tattoo.

The problem is, the tattoos are a magically infused curse that turns him into a raging beast and the only hope he has of curing it is absolving his rage. Seems simple enough until he and his clan are nearly demolished in a powerful attack. Now Zane finds himself involved in a paranormal battle of mystical proportions and breaking the curse may be a bit more challenging than he thought.

Serena Vailean is alone in the world and quite frankly that's how she likes it…

At least until she finds a way to bring back her dead lover, Devon Thomas. Unfortunately for her, plans have a nasty way of changing and she finds herself thrust back into the world she's been trying so desperately to escape. Her only hope is to seek
help from the very people she has gone to great lengths to avoid.

As an epic battle approaches, Serena and Zane must rely on each other and overcome their personal demons if they plan to survive.

Unfortunately, caging a demon makes them all the harder to control.

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My Thoughts

I was given this e-book in exchange for an honest review and like the many new authors books I have recently reviewed, I really enjoyed it.

Be warned, there is a fair amount of strong language used but in a comical way. Some of the most action-packed scenes made me laugh because of Serena and Zane’s banter.

Serena has the uncanny ability to irritate anyone and get under their skin without trying. Her bluntness is refreshing and sets her apart from ‘ordinary’ female protagonists in paranormal fiction.

As with all brilliant stories, this ends with a cliff-hanger, and has me confused to know what will happen next!

Merry Christmas all

Zed (:

Best Book covers of 2012

Best Book Covers of 2012

Sorry guys, I didn't get a chance to write up my top 10 books yesterday but in terms of covers, these were my favourites. I think the covers I have chosen are semi-biased, because when I read a book I end up liking the cover more too, and vice versa!!!

Happy Christmas!

10. Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

(inspiration for my haircut too!); and

9. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

8. The Golden Lily By Richelle Mead

7. Silenced by Raebeth McGee Buda

6. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor; and

5. Fated by Alyson Noel

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

3. Cinder by Marissa Meyer; and

2. Alive in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles, #1)

1. Angelfall by Susan Ee

This was my favourite book of 2012. Loved it!!!

HAppy Holidays...

Zed (:

Sunday, 23 December 2012

Blood debt tour!

Title: Blood Debt

Series: Touched #1
Author: Nancy Straight
Self-Published
Release Date: July 13, 2012
Pages: 293
Buy Link: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Smashwords

Blurb:

Her whole life, it had just been the two of them. Before her mother’s last breath, she gave Camille the information she had craved her entire life: the identity of her father. Daring to contact him, Camille was welcomed by an entire family she never knew existed. But nothing comes without a price, as she discovers when her family claims a legendary heritage tracing back to a Centaur touched by Zeus.

As she learns the secrets of her Centaur bloodline, she is drawn into a forbidden love with Drake. Her family acknowledges her life may be the blood debt required to pay for her mother’s transgressions. The same person who once held her mother captive, and forced her into decades of hiding, now controls Camille. Her only chance is to seek a piece of her mother’s past that will win her freedom and the life she desperately desires.

About the Author:

Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband and two children.

She enjoys reading all types of Paranormal and Young Adult literature – so long as there is a love story. She loves Starbucks’ White Mocha Latte and Mountain Dew, (but not together). She has a lead foot so she sets cruise control when she drives, even in 25 MPH zones. Nancy almost never wins when she plays Angry Birds, but keeps her 8 year old close, so he can clear the hard levels for her. She grew up on a farm and is opposed to eating fresh chicken (not opposed to meat - just opposed to any meat that was alive a few hours before lunch). Nancy has written five Young Adult / New Adult novels and can be found nightly on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Hey all, you have the choice to win Book 1 (Blood Debt) or Book 2 (Centaur Legacy) so enter, enter, enter!!!

Zed (:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, 22 December 2012

apologies

My Apologies...

Unfortunately the BFG was not outside my window last night and so I found it incredibly difficult to go back to sleep. As I switched on my kindle, the battery life caught my attention. Dang it! The red light. I had forgotten to charge my kindle during the day. Oh well, I would be able to read at least a couple of chapters.

But, what to read since I had only yesterday finished Forged by Greed by Angela Orlowski-Peart. I knew there were a few other books that I needed to read and review but I couldn’t remember if I had put them on my kindle yet, or if they were still in my email :S

Luckily, I found a book and began to read. I finished the first chapter and I’m afraid to say I couldn’t read no more. From reading my blog you probably think that I love every book I have read, since I only post positive reviews. I wish that was true but it’s not. There are a ton of books out there that I just can’t get into, or manage finishing.

It’s a shame because not all books suit me. You see, it’s like in Harry Potter when the wand chooses the wizard. Well, I am of the opinion that the book chooses the reader. If it just so happens that you find yourself reading a book that you don’t enjoy that doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with the book, you might not be suited to read it.

I had this problem this morning, and it didn’t help that the book was erotic fiction. Now, I’m quite selective when I agree to review a book for an author, and I just don’t enjoy reading erotic fiction so I don’t know how I made the mistake of agreeing to read this one :S Erotica is very popular but it’s not one of my genres and I’m sorry for agreeing to read and review that book. I don’t like to disappoint.

So, for all you authors out there, if I don’t finish reading your book I won’t review it because I’m afraid your book doesn’t like me. I would rather not write a negative review when it’s not the book or the author’s fault, it’s mine.

My Apologies.

Friday, 21 December 2012

skinny review

The inner voice that we all have inside us...

SKINNY

By Donna Cooner

Incredible! I listened to the audiobook on my drive to and from work (since the 4th HP audiobook was unavailable from my library) and I love it.

Ever is a big girl, weighing over 300 pounds and has a 'goth tinkerbell' always whispering thoughts into her ear about what other people think about her, making her question everything from her best friend Rat to her father...

The book is about her journey when she undertakes surgery to reduce her weight.. But the surgery doesn't make the voice go away.

Ever learns who she really is and begins to see other people from under their outwardly appearances.

Like she says, Cinderella wasn't always good and the stepsister wasn't all bad.

Brilliant book- highly recommended!

Zed (:

Forged by Greed review

Forged By Greed

By Angela Orlowski Peart

About the story

Two Seattle 16-year-old Shape Shifters, Jatred and Jasmira, are torn between following their hearts and protecting the order of the world. The path of the star-crossed lovers leads only to destruction.

The ancient Shape Shifter Races—the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards— live among humans and fit perfectly into modern life, while keeping secret societies with their own laws and traditions.

Two Goddesses, Crystal and Amber command their respective Races. One is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means sacrificing Jatred and Jasmira’s love.

The Amulet commissioned to bring stability into the world remains hidden and concealed with the help of advanced technology. Jatred is the guardian of the Amulet and key to the Goddesses’ conflict.

The forces of nature are disrupted. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions rake the world. The Goddesses go to war and summon all their Shifters to join in the conflict. Jatred and Jasmira must fight not only for their love but to protect the future of both Races and humankind.

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My thoughts

I’ve read a few books about shifters but this was definitely different; in the good way. At the start I was a little concerned because it dove into the love story and I didn’t really know the characters well enough to understand whether it was a crush or a hint of ‘true love’. However, once Jatred’s memory was altered I liked it a lot more, how he couldn’t remember Jasmira but he saw hints of her in everything, and small traces of her lingered around him despite her not being near.

The two queens were brilliant! I must say I don’t like either, Crystal is too harsh and Amber too power-hungry but I think that was the point and I admired their ferocity.

Overall, Forged by Greed had enough suspense, humour and adventure to make for a great read!

Zed (:

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Review of Silenced

A book that hits home

Morning all, If you saw me previous post (which I know you all did considering how loyal you followers are), then you will have read a snapshot of the book I’m helping to promote for a friend-author; Raebeth Buda.

Raebeth sent me an e-copy of Silenced for an honest review and I have been swamped with work, other books that I have promised to read and review, and Christmas that I only began reading Silenced yesterday morning before heading to work.

I finished reading the book in a surprisingly short amount of time since I began it yesterday morning before heading to work and completed it yesterday evening after work! I couldn’t help it, Silenced wouldn’t let me go.

Whilst at work my mind kept drifting to Amber’s problem with control and her addiction to cutting. We see so many books on bullies, drugs, drink issues and so on but there are very few books around (that I have read) about issues like dealing with control, for example by causing pain or eating disorders.

Silenced is so well written, full of emotion and hurt yet it’s all relatable so it doesn’t feel like this could never happen to you or me. Amber could be any teenager suffering from a variety of family, friend and fitting-in problems but it’s her thought process and the way she deals with her problems that make Silenced unique.

It ends with a cliff-hanger and providing I still write this blog when the sequel is released, you will find the review here because there is no way I can forget this great read.

I’m not usually at a loss for words but I don’t know how to write a review that does justice to what I have read and so I will stop here.

The only thing I will say is please read Silenced by Raebeth Buda...it IS worth it...

Zed (:

Amazon links to purchase/like the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Silenced-Volume-1-RaeBeth-McGee/dp/1480254665/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355898175&sr=8-1&keywords=raebeth+buda

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silenced-Series-ebook/dp/B00ANRBNDS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355898221&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Silenced

Silenced

By Raebeth Buda

Hello dear readers... Please check out this new release...here is a snapshot..

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Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

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I will be reading and posting my review soon but until then you can visit the following sources for more info about the book or the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raebethbuda

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5095502.RaeBeth_McGee_Buda

Website: http://raebethmcgee.weebly.com/index.html

Blog: http://raebethmcgeeswriting.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/raebethmcgee

Happy Sunday!

Zed (:

Friday, 14 December 2012

Ruby Blue Review

Ruby Blue

By Julie Cassar

Hello my dears, I apologise for not blogging for a while, but what with exams (which are finally over for now) and going back to work full time, I have had very little time to read and review. But I am back now so you can look forward to lotsa reviews over Christmas and the new year!

This book was given to me free in exchange for an honest review. I tend to read quite deep, complex stories that drag me into their world, and make me really think about what is happening, keep me on edge. And I really enjoy that but it's nice to have a light read every now and again. Something that makes you want to smile and that's exactly what this book made me do.

Ruby Blue seems like an ordinary teenager, adores ice cream, has a goth gay best-friend....and she can see fairies. Ruby's character is bursting full of life, drama and fun (mostly). At times, she can barely speak a full sentence in front of her first love-crush, but is not shy enough to stop eating in front of him!

The fairy element is incorporated into the story very well, in the way that her two fairy friends can take human form and she has been close to them for 12 years. The overall simplicity yet, 'sparkle' of the story is enough to raise anyone's spirits.

I would recommend this book for everyone, especially for the early teens. Sometimes it's nice to have a story with a happy ending.

Zed (:

Friday, 7 December 2012

The Shadow and the Rose

The Shadow and The Rose

(The Ash Grove Chronicles #1)

By Amanda DeWees

Ok, I'm a sucker for famous/popular guy falls for the girl next door but there was so much more to the Shadow and the Rose than a simple love story. In fact, this love story was far from simple!

16 year old Joy Sumner is enrolled in Ash Grove High School for Performing Arts where only the elite and talented students are taken. If it wasn't bad enough that Joy is daughter of the english teacher, everyone at the school has a clear goal as they are either budding musicians, actors, or dancers who all look like something out of Vogue.

Joy, on the other hand, is neither overly talented in music, nor does she have the physical beauty, features or grace to pursue a career in drama or dance. Although her pianoist skills improve during the year, I thought this was quite disappointing because I would have hoped for her to have a secret talent that suddenly emerges but no such luck!

One moonlit night Joy heads to the cemetery on a dare to pick a white rose from a specific bush in the graveyard. There she meets the gorgeous, charismatic Tanner; student turned model. Or at least one layer of his varying personalities. A brief meeting that has a lasting impression, and so their story begins.

I liked how the supernatural aspects are developed in the book, as opposed to overwhelming the reader from page 1 with characters, magic and a confusing story.

My thoughts

I appreciated Joy's strength while she tried to fit in with the other students, improve her academic performance and not worry about her father who was suffering from cancer.

Tan on the other hand was a leeeetle too weak willed for my liking. Please don't misunderstand me, I looked forward to the Tan/Joy scenes but I do wish he had a bit more backbone to fight for himself without being pressured into it.

My favourite character was Joy's best friend Maddie, who has a similar personality to my own best friend. Talented, fiercely loyal, stubborn and an uncanny knack of picking the wrong boys!

If you have read this pick you will think I've missed out mentioning the 'villain' Melisande but I don't want to spill all the secrets- find out for yourself!

Thanks Amanda for providing me with the ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. I eagerly await the sequel!

Zed (: