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.

 

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 (:

 

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

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 (:  

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 (:

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 (: