Sunday 31 January 2016

Review: The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding

Title: The Storyteller's Muse
Author: Traci Harding
Published: 1st February 2016
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Harper Collins Australia in return for an honest review
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: *****

My Review:

The day I received this from Harper Collins, I was in the middle of reading something else and I had decided to  be good and finish my it before starting this one but I opened to the first page and before I knew it I was 20 pages in and completely of the understanding that there was no way I was going to finish any other read till I finished this one, which I was pretty sure would be later that day.

I should have known this because how does one have a new book from their favourite author of all time and not read it straight away?

The short answer is that it isn't possible especially when a novel is as good as the Storyteller's Muse.

This book is definitely a one sitting kind of read and I absolutely flew through it.  Traci is a master story teller. This is one of the constants of Traci's books. You always know you are going to be swept into a strong spellbinding story that won't let go of you until the end.  I loved that this book kept me guessing. Some of the threads and twists I guessed early and marvelled at skill of the writing that kept these secrets hidden until the right moment for them to be revealed.  Other developments completely took me by surprise which was even more thrilling. There were a number of different threads and stories running through this book but all flowed seamlessly together.

There are three main stories being told in this book.  There is the story that main character Peter is transcribing for renowned but previously retired author Penny Whitman , the story peter then feels compelled to write and the story revolving these two writers and their friends linking al, three stories and time frames together. Each of the three stories whilst standing well by themselves are made stronger by the linking of the three of them together.

The story itself is a departure from the previous fantasy trilogies and is a fresh, new standalone story completely removed from previous series and worlds.  That being said, having been a fan for many years,  I could totally see how much of what Traci has written and researched in the past have led to this story being written with the vein of paranormal and elements of esoteric woven in.

But one of the bests things about this read is that one does not have to be a previous fan of Traci nor read any of her previous works to be able to enjoy this novel.  If you love mysteries or books about writers or artists of any type or if you just love a story that will keep you guessing and engaged from beginning to end, then pick up this book and enjoy the ride.

This is Traci Harding at her best and I give this book 5 stars!
Sapphired Dragon xx




About The Book:

 

The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding

 



Bestselling author Traci Harding moves into commercial fiction with a story of intrigue and deception. A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.

Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story. Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel. When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.



 check out the good reads link
Publication Date: 1st February 2016
Purchase: Angus & Robertson Bookworld  | Order A Signed Copy! | Harper Collins Australia | Amazon

Friday 29 January 2016

M9B Friday Reveal & Giveaway : Ashes in the Sky by jennifer M. Eaton #M9BFridayReveals



Today Jennifer M. Eaton and Month9Books are revealing the first chapter for ASHES IN THE SKY, which releases March 15, 2016! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to be one of the first readers to receive a eGalley!!
A quick note from the author:
Hello alien fans!

I have to admit that Fire in the Woods was meant to be a stand-alone. When approached
to write a second novel, I really had to scratch my head. I mean, the story was over, right?

Well, apparently I “left them screaming for more” as everyone always says
I really didn’t want to deal with the direct aftermath of book one, so I decided to fast forward a few months: to a time when things should be settling down for poor, exhausted Jess. All she wants to do is get her life back to normal again, and to do that, she needs to get back to school.

Unfortunately for Jess (and maybe fortunately for us) it will be a little while before our girl has anything close to a normal life again. So enjoy Jess’s first day back at school after saving the world. Here is chapter one of Ashes in the Sky: book two of Fire in the Woods.

Alien Kisses!

Jennifer M. Eaton




Title: ASHES IN THE SKY
Author: Jennifer M. Eaton
Pub. Date: March 15, 2016
Publisher: Month9Books
Format: Paperback & eBook
Find it: Amazon |
B&N
Goodreads
After inadvertently saving the world, eighteen-year-old Jessica Martinez is ready to put adventure behind her and
settle back into the familiar routine of high school.
 
Though when she's offered an opportunity to photograph the inside of an alien space ship, Jess jumps at the chance. After all, she'd be crazy to turn something like that down, right?
 
Spending time with David on the ship has definite advantages and the two seem to pick up right where they left off. But when Jess discovers a plot to sabotage David's efforts to establish a new home for his people on another planet, neither David's advanced tech nor Jess's smarts will be able to save them.
 
ASHES IN THE SKY is an action-packed,
romantic Sci Fi adventure that will leave readers screaming for more.






Exclusive Excerpt
1
Dad’s brow creased. “You don’t have to do this, Jess. We can turn around now and go home.”


His fingers rapped on the limousine’s armrest as we pulled up to the entrance of my normally quiet school. Outside, police officers and several uniformed security guards held advancing reporters and camera crews on the sidewalks.


“Relax, Major,” Elaine said, across from me. She pulled out a compact and touched up her lipstick. “Two months after single-handedly saving the world from an alien invasion, Earth’s teenage savior returns to finish high school.” She snapped the case shut. “This is the public interest story of the year.”


Dad’s nose flared. “Yes, she’s supposed to be going to school, but you’ve made it a media circus. Why’d you have to schedule a press conference in the auditorium?”


She slipped her lipstick back into her designer purse. “They would have been here anyway. The best way to calm a stalking fox is to invite him in for tea.”


“Tea? I’ll give you tea.”


I held up my hand. “Dad … ” I didn’t have to finish. I never did. Their arguments were always the same. Father protects daughter, while the publicist pushes media exposure as far as she can legally get away with—and me stuck in between.


Elaine wasn’t all that bad, as far as publicists went. Not that I’d known any other publicists, but she’d been by my side since my very first press conference, and the hundred or so more over the past two months. She could be pushy, but she understood the power of a pint of Death By Chocolate ice cream at the end of a long day, which totally earned her brownie points in my book.


Dad’s gaze returned to me. “We just got back. Do you really need to do another press conference?” The deep lines around his eyes added to the weight of my own exhaustion.


I shifted in my seat, my hands clammy against the leather interior. “If we go home, they’ll just show up here again tomorrow. Let’s get this over with. Maybe then things can get back to normal.” I grabbed his hand. “I can do this.”


Dad pressed his lips together. Of course, he knew I could do it. But knowing and wanting me to answer another set of invasive questions were two different things, and I loved every stubborn inch of him for it.


Elaine fluffed my hair and adjusted the collar of my shirt. “Show time.” She knocked twice on the window, and the Secret Service agent outside opened the door for her. She glided through the crowd with a practiced grace.


Camera-palooza erupted outside. Dang, there weren’t this many photographers when I met the president.


Dad stepped out before me, an imposing figure in his combat uniform. Having an over-protective father did have its advantages. No one was getting by this bodyguard. No one.


I closed my eyes and clutched the charm on my necklace. My mother’s strength seeped into me, giving me courage. You’ll be fine, I heard her whisper. You’re my strong little girl. Always have been.


“I’ll try, Mom.” I opened my eyes and shuddered. You would think I’d be used to the feeding frenzy by now. This was the longest fifteen minutes of fame ever.


Steadying myself on the limo door, I stood.


“Jess, look over here.” Flash.


“Miss Martinez, how does it feel to be back at school?” Flash.


“Jessica, to your right.” Flash. Flash.


The faces and camera lenses blurred. My mind filled with the phantom sounds of alien weapons. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply to ward off memories of blinding lights and screaming voices.


It was over. The aliens had left, and I was alive. We were all still alive.


The Secret Service closed in around us as Dad placed his hand on my back, guiding me to the front entrance. With a well-rehearsed smile, I made my way forward, hoping to avoid a repeat of tabloid-gate when the worst-of-the-worst photos of me turned up on the cover of the National Daily.


Dad moved beside me as we stepped over the threshold. I slipped my fingers into his hand and squeezed. One more press conference. Just one more. I could do this.


We made our way through a throng of reporters, students, parents, and teachers to the auditorium. Hundreds of voices jumbled into one chaotic roar rebounding off the lockers.


A microphone appeared in front of my face. “Ms. Martinez, how did you—”


Dad pulled me to his chest as two Secret Service agents pounced on the guy. The reporter and the agents sunk back into the crowd, disappearing like a stone thrown into water.


“There will be question and answer time after the presentation,” Elaine called as we passed through the auditorium’s stage door.


I exhaled, rubbing my arms. That had to be the worst crowd ever.


Dad circled the area behind the curtains and checked the cracks and crevices backstage. The Secret Service agents had long since given up on trying to convince him that the government pre-secured all of my speaking engagements. I used to joke about their paranoia, until someone actually found a bomb. Those guys in ugly suits quickly became my best friends.


“Did you practice your speech?” Elaine asked.


I raised an eyebrow. “No.” You’d think she’d stop asking me that. I hadn’t memorized one yet. Why would I start now?


I pulled aside the curtain and scoped out the auditorium. A sea of smiling, wide-eyed faces filled the room. Camera crews and reporters intermingled with the student body.


Going back to high school was supposed to help me get my life back.


This fiasco was not getting my life back. But maybe if I answered everyone’s questions now, they wouldn’t keep asking later.


Hey, a girl could dream.


Elaine patted my shoulder before heading out past the curtains. Her heels clopped across the wooden stage as she passed a huge poster of National Geographic’s “The Night the World Stood Still: Special Edition.”


Steven Callup’s cover photo was one of those shots every aspiring photographer dreamed of catching: perfect lighting, engaging subject, active backdrop, and undeniable emotional tone. I wasn’t drooling over this masterpiece, though; because the photograph featured me.


The flames over my shoulder were in crisp focus and flawlessly mirrored in my dark hair. The mottled hues of a fresh sunrise blended perfectly with the devastation in the background. And my God, the expression on Dad’s face as we embraced … the love in his eyes.


That night would haunt me forever. Something incredible had happened, and it had nothing to do with an alien invasion. That cover immortalized the moment for the world to see: a year after my mother’s death, my father finally opened up and started to feel again.


I released the curtain, ready to face my peers, knowing that no one gave a rat’s ass about me or my dad.


They only wanted to know more about David.


I mean, I totally got it. An alien guy crash lands on Earth and has to escape before his people wipe out humanity. Heck, I’d be interested, too. But the clincher was that David changed his people’s minds because of me. I was the heroine in the story of the millennia, whether I liked it or not.


I cringed, thinking of how many people had contacted me for the movie rights. Ashes in the Sky, they wanted to call it. What kind of idiotic title was that? Ridiculous, all of it. The world almost ended right in front of me. I didn’t need to see it again on a big screen.


As Elaine announced my name, and the audience applauded, I wondered if anything would ever be as it was before David’s people arrived.


I took my place behind the microphone and squinted into the harsh auditorium lighting. I’d been in that audience dozens of times, but never on stage. The faces looking back at me were familiar, but distant. Awestruck.


This place was my school. My safe haven. Having the media here was wrong.


I gritted my teeth and gripped the sides of the lectern. This assembly would be the absolute last time I talked about what happened to me in public. Ever.


A mop of perky, blond curls caught my attention from the third row. My BFF Maggie beamed as she gave me a thumbs-up. Part of me relaxed, knowing I had a friend near.


Maggs was the only other person who’d known about David before the Army started chasing us. She even risked her own rear-end helping us escape. She’d talked her way out of a grounding from her father, the general, thank goodness. Damn, he must have been ticked when he found out what she’d done.


Taking one last breath to steady myself, I edged closer to the mic. “You’d have to be dead not to know what happened two months ago. So I’m just going to open it up to questions.”


Hundreds of hands shot into the air.


One of the moderators handed a microphone to a bubbly girl with a blond ponytail. “Is it true that the alien looked just like Jared Linden?”


And, it starts.


“Yes. David mimicked an advertisement and looked just like Jared Linden’s character in that movie Fire in the Woods.”


Okay, that was only half of it. The truth was far too embarrassing. David pulled Jared Linden’s features from my mind. He didn’t look exactly like Jared. Just the hotter parts. The rest was an amalgamation of other cute guys he’d yanked out of my brain. There was no way I would admit to that, though.


A tall kid in a black band tee stood. “So what really happened out there? They were going to annihilate us. How’d you get them to change their minds?”


I cleared my throat. A flash of David’s smile and the warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine. “Luck was totally in our favor. If David’s plane hadn’t crashed, we never would have met. It didn’t take long before he realized the human race was worth saving.”


A teacher handed a microphone to a girl wearing glasses. “How long will it take them to terraform Mars?”


Ugh. I tried to think of David’s new home like Seattle or Los Angeles, but it wasn’t. It was Mars. As in: not Earth. Talk about your long distance romance.


“I have no idea how long it will take them to make Mars livable. I do know that they are running short on supplies, so I’m hoping it will happen pretty quickly.”


A girl in a cheerleader uniform flagged down the lady with the microphone. “Everyone says you and the alien were doing it. Inquiring minds want to know. Was he any good?”


Camera flashes singed my eyes as a teacher tried to pull the mic away from the girl.


“No,” a reporter shouted. “Let’s hear the answer.”


The audience murmured, shifting like hyenas waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting foal. Beside the stage, Dad’s face became an unnatural shade of crimson.


Crap.


“Well?” the cheerleader asked.


I wiped the sweat from my palms, remembering the shockwave that raged through me when David’s lips covered mine. The tabloids had reduced our relationship to supermarket trash, and Rah-Rah Girl probably wouldn’t know a real emotional connection if it bit her.


David and I shared something so deeply intimate it transcended everything. No one could possibly understand. I wasn’t even sure I understood. All I knew was that I was in love, and I’d probably never see him again.


I blinked, realizing the room had gone quiet, awaiting my answer about doing it.


My hands fisted, but I forced a smile and rustled up the rote response Elaine had prepared for me. “I heard that rumor, too, but David and I were only friends.” A sickly gash sliced through my heart. The thought of living the rest of my life with him on another planet was akin to living in the desert without water.


Was he out there somewhere, longing for me as much as I yearned for him?


My stomach fluttered. I hated how people’s stupid questions dredged up feelings I’d worked hard to suppress. I had to get off that podium.


A kid in the back stood. “How does it feel to know that six million people died while you were out there hugging dear old dad?” He pointed over my shoulder to the huge magazine cover behind me. “How does it feel to know the death count is still rising?”


It was? “Umm—”


“When did you know they were hostile?” someone else shouted.


My heart thumped against my ribcage. “I, uh—”


A reporter snatched the microphone. “Do you honestly believe they won’t come back and finish us off?”


The rumble of voices intensified. Cameras flashed as dozens of voices drowned one another out. So much for school being my safe haven.


Elaine gripped my shoulder and pulled me from the dais. “Thank you,” she said. “That’s all the questions we have time for today.”


She scooted me past the curtains, Dad following close behind. The volume in the auditorium escalated.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “We should’ve been ready for that. Next time—”


“There’s not going to be a next time.” I thrust my chin in the air. “That was my last public appearance. I’m already behind in school, and I need to graduate this year. I just want to get back to my classes and put this all behind me.”


She grinned in that syrupy way adults do when they are about to condescend your butt. “We’ll talk about this later, honey.”


Dad’s gaze seared through her before he offered me a nod of approval.


No, Elaine. We would definitely not be talking about this later.







Corporate Team Leader by day, and
Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.
 
Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at
helping all writers be the best they can be.
 
Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.
 
Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active
imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter Facebook | Goodreads









Giveaway Details:




1 winner will receive an eGalley of ASHES IN THE SKY. International.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 25 January 2016

Teaser Tuesday #115: The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding #teasertuesday





Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My current read is The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding and my two lines are from page 124 of 372

You avoided this story all through your career! You had to wait for the very last moment, didn't you?




The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding






Bestselling author Traci Harding moves into commercial fiction with a story of intrigue and deception. A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.

Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story. Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel. When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.



 check out the good reads link


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Thursday 21 January 2016

#T4T - THE ARTISANS & THE PERILOUS JOURNEY OF THE NOT SO INNOCUOUS GIRL and A Giveaway! @Month9Books








Welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday! #T4T presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!
 
Today, we will be showcasing two titles that will tickle your fancy, and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!
 
You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:
 









Title: THE ARTISANS

Author: Julie Reece
 
Pub. Date: May 12, 2015
 
Publisher: Month9Books
 
Pages: 300
 


 
They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.

To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.

Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad's drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.


But Raven's stepdad's drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she's ever known out of jail, or worse.

Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries' clothing line, signing over her creative rights.


Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can't imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.


But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?



Praise for THE ARTISANS:


"The Artisans has all the elements I love - spooky intrigue, strong friendships, and a romantic tension to be savored."  ~ Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy.


"Read The Artisans in the middle of the night with a flashlight if you dare. The perfect b lend of romance and horror with a strong female lead kept me reading through the night."~ L.S. Murphy author of PIXELATED Bloomsbury Spark and REAPERJ. Taylor Publishing



WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:


"Wowza!!!!

That book was so freakin' good! Intense, insane, freaky at parts and sooooo good! I haven't had emotions like this about a book in a long time!"~ Mindy Blogger @ Magical Urban Fantasy Reads


"The first thing I thought when I finished this book was 'dang, I would love to see this as a movie'. The Artisans has such an awesome and haunting concept to it plus I just adore all of the characters."~Jena Blogger @ Shortie Says


"The Artisans was a unique modern day retelling of Beauty and the Beast filled with mystery, romance and wonderful characters. From the first page I was completely lost in the wonderful setting that Reece created."~Bridget Blogger @ Dark Faerie Tales













Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.


I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.


Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.

Then I thought I’d write one down…

Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. 

I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!


Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads










 
Title: THE PERILOUS JOURNEY OF THE NOT SO INNOCUOUS GIRL
 
Author: Leigh Statham
 
Pub. Date: March 17, 2015

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
 
Pages: 297

Formats: Hardcover, eBook
 





Lady Marguerite lives a life most 17th century French girls can only dream of: money, designer dresses, suitors and a secure future. Except she suspects she may be falling for her best friend Claude, a common smithie in the family's steam forge. 

When Claude leaves for New France in search of a better life, Marguerite decides to follow him and test her suspicions of love. But the trip proves more harrowing than she had anticipated, revealing secrets and testing her strength as well as her heart. Love, adventure and restitution await her in Canada, but only if she can survive the voyage.

 

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:


"The writing is solid and the world-building – that clever combination of historical detail and Ms. Statham’s imagination – is excellent."~ The Australia Times Books


“I'd give more than five stars if I could. I’d recommend this to anyone who is a fan of young adult steampunk, girls who aren't afraid to wield guns and wear pants in an age of dresses, adventure, and a dash of romance.” ~Bitches n Prose


“ I ADORED this story, and these characters, and I don't want to give too much away. It is all worth stumbling across on your own! With a cover to drool over, fantastic characters, a simmering romance, awesome historical settings, and majorly cool steampunk elements, The Perilous Journey
of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl (awesome title) easily captivated me, and now that it is over I want MORE!” ~ The Best Books Ever


“  I've only recently discovered Steampunk, and every story that I read in this genre makes me love it even more. The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl was such an adventure! This book is
rich in so many things and lacking absolutely nothing.”~ Pretty Little Pages


 












Leigh Statham was raised in the wilds of rural Idaho, but found her heart in New York City. She worked as a waitress, maid, artist, math teacher, nurse, web designer, art director, thirty-foot inflatable pig and mule wrangler before she settled down in the semi-quiet role of wife, mother and writer. She resides in North Carolina with her husband, four children, five chickens and two suspected serial killer cats. If the air is cool and the sun is just coming up over the horizon, you can find her running the streets of her small town, plotting her next novel with the sort of intensity that will one day get her hit by a car.


Connect with the Author: Website |Twitter Facebook | Goodreads











Complete the Rafflecopter below for a

chance to win!





 Giveaway Details:


 

3 winners will receive an eBook of THE ARTISANS & THE PERILOUS JOURNEY OF THE NOT SO INNOCUOUS GIRL. International!




Tuesday 19 January 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #18: The Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard





Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly featured hosted by Breaking the Spine to spotlight the not yet released books that I wish were in my hot little hands right now.

This week I am waiting on The Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard. Book 1, The Red Queen was one of the first books I read in 2015 and one of the best, and I gave it 5 stars when I reviewed it here.
 
The early bird reviews I have seen are all saying that this is even better so it is any wonder it is on my pre-order list.  I am looking forward to getting lost in this world and story again :-)
 


Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard



Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?



 check out the good reads link
Publication Date: 9 February 2016
Pre-Order: Booktopia  | Book Depository | Hachette Australia | Amazon



What book are you 'waiting on' this week?

Monday 18 January 2016

Review: This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

Title: This Raging Light
Author: Estelle Laure
Published: 12 January 2016
Publisher: Hachette Children's Books Australia
Source: Hachette Children's Books Australia via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: ****

My Review:

I fell in love with this book from the first page.  From the first line I knew I would not be able to put it down until the last line and even then I kept trying to scroll for more pages on my kindle in the hope that there was more.

I really loved the voice of this book.  Right from the beginning I felt connected so it was easy to relate and feel for Lucille as the story progressed, to understand her feeling of barely keeping her head above water as every thing around her changes and falls apart and I really wanted things to work out for her.

I loved the way the author really captured that awkward crush stage when overnight someone you may have know for ever, you suddenly see  in a different way where you can't actually be in the same room as them and actually be able to speak and you can seem to take that change back no matter what you do and I could feel the growing connection between Lucille and Digby even if I didn't always approve of the way it developed.

This book also caught be by surprise.  I was caught up in the read and the feels and the rhythm of the story when suddenly Ms Laure took the story up a notch and this change of rhythm really adds to the story and suddenly a really good story was a really great story and couldn't ait to see how  it would turn out.

I went through all sorts of emotions whilst reading this book and in dealing with the realness of it.  As a mother, I struggled to fathom how a mother could leave her children like that... but it happens and this breaks my heart. I marvelled at Lucille's bravery as she deals with life and having to be the main care giver for a younger sibling and holding it together while her whole world is falling apart .  Add in a cast of solid supporting characters and Ms Laure has created a story that feels real and fills you up in the way only a good book can.

I adored this book and give it 4 stars.
Sapphired Dragon xx





About The Book:




This Raging Light by Estelle Laure 




 


How is it that you suddenly notice a person? How is it that one day Digby was my best friend's admittedly cute twin brother, and then the next he stole air, gave jitters, twisted my insides up?

Lucille has bigger problems than falling for her best friend's unavailable brother. Her mom has gone, leaving her to look after her sister, Wren. With bills mounting up and appearances to keep, Lucille is raging against her life but holding it together - just.

A stunning debut to devour in one sitting, Laure captures completely the agony and ecstasy of first love.



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