Owl Post #24

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.  

Hello lovelies!

 

It's been a while since I've done an Owl Post--lots going happening on the blog and in life with Christmas coming up! Here's what I've received the last few weeks!

 

For Review:

  From Bloomsbury Australia......   - Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George I wasn't expecting this book but I do love fairy-tale re-telling type stories :)   - A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey I'm an Alyxandra Harvey fan, having adored her Drake Chronicles and all the other books I hers I've read. Very much looking forward to reading her latest book!   - After Eden by Helen Douglas I wasn't expecting this book, but I have read it already on a whim and it's not too bad--easy, quick read. Review to come.   ............Thank you guys!  ________________________________   From Pan Macmillan......  

- Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

I'll be participating in a blog tour coming up for the 3rd book in this series and considering I do have a copy of book two, I thought it was time I read the first on

 

..........Thank you Eve :)

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From Simon & Schuster Australia......

 

- Eternity by Elizabeth Miles

 I wasn't expecting a copy of this book seeing as I haven't read the rest of the series. I'd like to change that one day though.   - Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst I'd never heard of this book before a copy turned up in my mailbox, but I do like the sound of it. Hope I can squeeze it into my reading schedule at some point!   - Twisted by K.A. Robinson   I do have a copy of the first book in this series, Torn, but I just haven't had the chance to read it yet. Maybe one day.....   ........Thank you guys!  

 

.....From Scholastic Australia.....   - Twelve by James Phelan I haven't read the first book in this series, nor had I ever heard of it before I found myself with a copy. It's still up in the air as to whether I'll ever read it.....   - Skull In The Wood by Sandra Greaves Not sure what to think of this on--both the back, and Goodreads don't give too much away. Anyone read or know anything about it?    - Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Kate Egan This was a really lovely surprise--the pictures are fantastic and it's a really well put together picture book; simply beautiful.   Movie Pass: And because she's simply beyond awesome (and knew I hadn't seen the movie yet!) the fabulous publicist Sarah from Scholastic sent my a double pass to see Catching Fire while I'm on Christmas holidays. Thank you Sarah--I'm SUPER grateful <3   ....Thank you to Sarah and the team at Scholastic Australia!   I Bought: 

 

- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I've heard nothing but beautiful, and heartbreakingly so, things about this book and with the movie just around the corner, I figured now was the perfect time to pick myself up a copy :)

 

- The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight kick started my love for reading once more, but I've put off reading this book for a while. Finally decided to pick up a copy ($3 in a second hand bookstore in excellent condition!) after watching the movie. I'm reading this right now and O....M.....G! It's amazing! I'm in love.

 

- Wait for You by J. Lynn

- Trust in Me by J. Lynn

I've been looking for the next great NA book to read after speeding through most of Abbi Glines books and Cora Carmack's, as well as a bunch of others. Although I wasn't a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Covenant series, I ADORE her Lux series and am hoping to love these too!

 

I Won:

 

- Legend by Marie Lu

I was really excited to win a copy of this thanks to the lovely Natalie from Book Lovers Life! I've heard so many great things about Legend and am looking forward to reading it for myself. Thank you so much Nat!!

 

 

And that's me!

What book goodies has everyone received lately?!?

 

 

Book Shelf: The Virginity Mission by Cate Ellink

It’s lust at first sight when Mac sees Jason shirtless and sweating on the back of a truck. Jason is the army sergeant assigned to support the six‐week scientific expedition that Mac is participating in, and might just be the perfect candidate for another journey of discovery that Mac is desperate to undertake — sex.

Fraternisation between students and staff might be strictly prohibited, but everybody knows fruit always tastes better when it’s forbidden

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Virginity Mission is a sleek and sexy debut by Cate Ellink, set in the Australian rainforest and featuring a sensual and easy romance in the middle of an adventure.

In all honesty it’s difficult to wrap my head around The Virginity Mission. It was exactly what I expected and at the same time it wasn’t. Featuring twenty-one year old Willow "Mac" MacIntosh, on her "mission" to lose her virginity while on a scientific expedition in north Queensland, The Virginity Mission details Mac’s relationship with solider Jason who accompanies Mac’s group during their escapades and who is the object of Mac’s desire.

I will admit I did enjoy this book. I’m a sucker for a tension filled romance which this certainly is. The Virginity Mission is quite quick, but centers pretty much only around Mac’s desire to lose her virginity and the start of her relationship with Jason. If you’re looking for a long drawn out romance with plenty of depth, then this probably isn’t the book for you but if you're looking for a sexy, physical story then this is definitely for you!

The Virginity Mission really just centers around Mac and her desire to connect with someone and sleep with them for the first time, but that’s not to say that there isn’t a connection between Mac and Jason because there is. Their relationship is sexy and thrilling, with an aspect of forbidden thrown in for good measure.

I quite liked Mac and I think Ellink wrote her fears and insecurities very realistically. It's no hard feat to imagine that someone experiencing a sexual relationship for the first time would act like Mac did. In fact, it was quite easy for me to put myself in Mac's shoes. Her self doubts and her second guessing herself really are quite normal and I liked that Ellink didn't write Mac as too self-assured and confidant. Rather she was a young woman discovering lust and desire for the first time.

Personally I liked Jason, even if I felt like there was so much more to him we could have learnt and I enjoyed seeing his and Mac's romance spice up. My biggest issue with this story, is that I really would have liked to explore the characters more and see a bit more depth to the story.

Still, encompassing romance, sex and adventure, The Virginity Mission is a fun, easy book to pass the day and will easily sweep you up into a passionate and exciting romance that is enjoyable to read. Worth a go! 

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Harlequin and Escape Publishing (Thank you Polina!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it:  Escape Publishing | Kobo |  Booktopia | Amazon
My Recommendation:  If you enjoy contemporary and NA then this is right up your alley!
Cover: I love this cover--very simple but oh, so sexy!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a stand alone, but I would be against reading more they this author in the future.

Happy Birthday Escape Publishing: A Warlord's Lady by Nicola E. Sheridan- Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to another brilliant Happy Birthday Escape Publishing post! Today I have an exclusive excerpt from A Warlord's Lady by Nicola E. Sheridan as well as the fantasy bundle giveaway!

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I stumbled from the room, looking as though I’d been riding a horse for hours — which I had, I suppose. The Warlord’s sexual appetite was as prodigious as his hunger for power and domination. He rarely spoke to me, but I often heard him speaking at length to his generals as they walked down the marbled corridors surrounding my rooms. The Warlord’s manner was always brusque, his tone always curt and his face always hard — but man, he was handsome, and this fact alone made certain my sexual duties were never a chore. 

[Excerpt from Memoirs of a Warlord’s Love Slave, Chapter 7]

***
Sabra looked up from the book, her book: Memoirs of a Warlord’s Love Slave, a New York Times Best Seller.

She dropped it back on the crumb‐covered coffee table. There it landed, rejected in a rain of biscuit debris. The book was a mistake. It should never, ever, have been written.

Yet her eyes lingered upon the glossy cover, reluctant to completely ignore it. A model, much thinner and prettier than she’d ever be, graced the cover. In a sweeping low‐cut mauve blouse that barely covered her nipples, she smiled saucily up at Sabra. Behind the girl stood a male model, shirtless and glowering. He looked as though he’d discovered regular milk in his soy latte. The real Cain Dath could never look so spoilt.

Her stomach clenched and memories rushed through her body, leaving her hot and restless. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to push them aside and stared again at the cover of the book. It lay discarded, like a dead thing.

Having a best seller had come with a hefty price, and not just in the book royalties. Once released, it had taken investigative reporters little more than a week to decipher her nom de plume. Within two, the world media had been banging on her door. Sabra’s round, wide‐eyed face now stared back from every magazine, newspaper and television she looked at.

‘It’s been said that the Magician Warlord, Cain Dath, has a harem full of women.
Why did he kidnap you?’

‘What is special about Sabra Westwood?’

‘What can you do that all other women could not?’

So many questions and she couldn’t answer even one. She didn’t know why the
Warlord had captured her…she really didn’t.

Until her kidnapping while holidaying in Laos, she’d worked at a metal fabrication company in the payroll office. No, there was nothing particularly special about Sabra Westwood. Mousy brown hair, grey eyes, short and more than a little squat — people rarely looked at her twice. Yet there was one thing; one small thing that Sabra took pains to keep secret. This abnormality of hers, which she’d rather people not discover, did make her just a little different from every other late‐twenties, single Aussie girl. Sabra Westwood, despite all other appearances, was a Chameleon.

In a world where magical beings were as common as spots on a leopard, a Chameleon wasn’t anything particularly outrageous. It was just odd. For all intents and purposes, she was just like any other ordinary woman — except her skin contained cells
collectively known as chromatophores. The presence of these cells gave her the rather unique ability to change skin and hair colour and, if she so desired, blend in with the background. Providing she was stark naked, Sabra could blend in with anything, from a brick wall to paisley carpet. However, walking around camouflaging yourself constantly was tiresome and not entirely practical, especially given the nudity requirement; Sabra rarely used her ability and, as she didn’t like to be singled out, took pains to hide her difference.

For much of her incarceration with Cain, she’d wondered if it was her Chameleon abilities that had attracted him and his minions to her. It certainly couldn’t have been her plain‐Jane appearance. Sabra found herself pondering why the great Warlord couldn’t have found another Chameleon to satisfy his desires — if indeed that was what titillated him so much? Why her? She wasn’t even slim; less so now that she was practically under home detention — for her own protection, of course.

Sabra Westwood took a bite and released the half‐eaten chocolate biscuit onto the saucer from where it came. The skin on her fingers had turned a soft chocolatey brown to match it, but instantly returned to its usual golden olive once she released the biscuit from her grip. She could control the ability much better these days, but when she didn’t concentrate, portions of her body would camouflage to match whatever they made contact with. It used to dismay her schoolteachers no end. She snorted, and then licked her fingers clean of the melted chocolate remnants. At the warm slippery sensation, her mind was instantly thrown back to Cain’s touch. Frustratingly, Sabra felt her heart speed up. It thumped loudly in the fleshy confines of her chest and her loins tightened. Lord, I must have Stockholm Syndrome, she thought. The worst thing was that she probably did. It had been just over a year since she’d escaped; she was no closer to being relieved of the torturous, traitorous feelings and crippling flashbacks that swelled within her every time her mind roamed restlessly to her time in captivity, or the seductive captor who’d kept her there.

Sighing and pushing other more difficult thoughts aside, she glanced out the window to where several armed security men stood posted outside her home. She was back in Australia, at home, free from the Warlord’s capture, but almost enslaved again. The Australian Government was certain Cain would come to collect her, sooner or later. How they knew this and why they thought it true was a mystery to Sabra — but they fervently believed it. Now, Sabra couldn’t leave her home without armed guards, and the government insisted on placing Magical Ion Sensing Devices all around her home. No untoward magic would happen on their watch; none at all. Sabra wondered when it would all end.

Disrupting her thoughts like a gunshot, the telephone rang and echoed down the corridor. A high‐voltage spasm of excitement rippled through her body. It was him. Struggling not to run, she paused and waited for the requisite six rings, to ensure the phone‐tapping specialist was ready to do his part. Finally, she strode up the corridor, her bare feet padding on the thick, woven hallway runner.

‘Hello?’ her voice was breathy, and her hand turned as white as the slimline handset.

‘I’m coming to get you.’ The voice was low and gravelly and it resounded with fury. 

Magic, murder and mayhem collide when an ordinary woman meets a powerful warlord — and writes a bestselling, tell-all book... It's got to be Stockholm Syndrome... Eighteen fateful months ago, Sabra was kidnapped by the infamous magician warlord Cain Dath, and her body just won't let her forget. Hidden in the humid depths of the Laos jungle, she shared everything with him, but he never shared his heart.

In his position of power, Cain cannot show weakness. He must lead his people to freedom and no one — not even the woman he's fast becoming obsessed with — can stand in his way. Then Sabra sells her story of love slavery in a tell-all exposé and brings fame, fortune, and every one of his enemies down upon them both. Now, she is open to attack on all fronts, and he can no longer stay away. The man who enslaved her may well be the only man who can save her.

Add on Goodreads!

Purchase:

Escape Publishing | Amazon | Kobo

Nicola E. Sheridan is an Australian author of paranormal / fantasy romance. A qualified teacher and archaeologist, she has an enduring love of mythology and loves to weave lesser-known mythological creatures into her tales. Nicola lives in Western Australia with her indulgent family and two cats. Nicola’s likes are probably endless and too numerous to list here!

Visit Nicola:

Website | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Fantasy Bundle:

 

Details:

For your chance to win a Fantasy bundle featuring A Warlord's Lady as well as four other fabulous stories, be sure to comment with a way to contact you!

 

Sharing isn't necessary, but always appreciated :)

 

Open internationally!

 

**On Tuesday I have Chao's Born author Rebekah Turner on the blog for a chat!**

 

 

Blog Tour: Captivate by Vanessa Garden-Character Interview with Marko & Miranda

Today, thanks to HarlequinTEEN Australia, the Captivate Blog Tour stops by as author Vanessa Garden sits down with her two main characters Marko and Miranda for a chat, and boy is it an interesting one!

______________________________

 

Captivate Character Interview with Marko and Miranda by author Vanessa Garden

Marko and Miranda are seated beside one another. Miranda is wearing jeans and a fitted t-shirt with embroidered robins flying across her chest. On her right hand she wears a ring she keeps touching. Marko is wearing head-to-toe black and knee-high boots with daggers strapped to them. He notices me eyeing them and takes one out, offering me a closer look and warning me the blade can split hairs. I take it, feeling giddy to be touching something of Marko’s. It’s beautiful. The hilt is silver, highly polished, worn with use and studded with golden crystals. I lean forward to hand it back and as I do I notice a scar on Marko’s forehead. I make a mental note to ask about it later.

Vanessa: So, great to have you here today, guys.

Marko nods and clears his throat. 

Miranda: No problem. 

Vanessa: So, let’s get right to it then.
What makes the underwater city of Marin special? Miranda, you go first.

Miranda: First of all, the city is so beautiful it takes your breath away. It’s lit up by these gemstones called light-crystals, the city’s energy source, and as a result the entire city glitters. But what makes it special is not its beauty. For some reason being in Marin, and away from the real world, helps me to see my true self. I don’t put on any masks in Marin. It’s all me and I like being able to come clean, faults and all, on who I really am as a person.  

Marko: It’s my home. I love every square-inch and could never imagine living elsewhere.

Vanessa: What is your most treasured possession? 

Marko: Possessions aren’t as important to me as people, but, if I had to choose, it would be my grandmother’s ring and my father’s dagger. (He taps the hilt of the dagger he showed me a moment ago) 

Miranda: My mother’s laptop. It has all of her screenplays on it. She kept a daily journal there too. I like to read her thoughts whenever I’m feeling a bit lost or just when I miss her. (She opens her mouth to say something else but then closes it and instead gently caresses the ring on her finger with the pad of her thumb)


Vanessa: What is your idea of happiness?

Marko: (his grey-blue eyes flicker over Miranda before turning back to me) To love and be loved in return.

Miranda: (blushes and shifts in her seat while Marko stares at her intently) Happiness is where I stop losing my loved ones. I want to be able to love without fearing loss.

Vanessa: Okay, while on the subject of fear, what is your greatest fear?

Marko: The destruction of my kingdom.

Miranda: Never seeing my sister or grandparents again (she glances at Marko from out the corner of her eye) I’m also worried about making the right choices. I want to know if I can trust my instincts. 

Vanessa: What trait to you most dislike in a person?

Miranda: Dishonesty… and deceit. 

Marko: I agree. Especially when the treachery is committed by a blood relative. To betray a family member is the most despicable of acts. (Marko’s cheeks flush with quiet rage and he grips the chair arms until his knuckles turn white)

Vanessa: Okay… let’s lighten things up a little. What would I find on your bedside table?

Miranda: (visibly relaxes and smiles softly) A bottle of perfume given to me by somebody special.

Marko: (releases a deep breath, releases chair arms and dips his head to hide a cute grin) A well-thumbed book – ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck - most recently read by somebody very dear to my heart.

Vanessa: Marko, do you read often? 

Marko: (stares wistfully into space) I used to love to read. But as time passes and (his grin disappears and his eyes seem to lose their sparkle) my responsibility to Marin grows, I find I don’t have that luxury anymore.

Miranda: I’ve always got my head in a book. I love, love, love to read.

Marko smiles at Miranda’s exuberant response and she smiles back. 

Vanessa: Okay, last question. Any regrets so far in life?

Marko: (sighs and rubs the back of his neck.) I have a great regret which has tortured me in my sleep since I was ten years old (his blue eyes turn cold, the colour of steel) Because of this I have vowed to live with no regrets from here on (he looks at Miranda, pointedly)  

Miranda: (shifts in her seat) I regret not telling my parents ‘I love you’ enough. I regret what I said to my best friend at the beach, one winter’s night over three years ago, and… (she bites a nail before tucking her hands beneath her thighs) I regret not telling a certain someone, very recently, how I truly feel about them. But I hope to change that soon.

Marko stares at Miranda, eyebrows raised but she doesn’t meet his eyes. She thanks me and stands to leave. Marko immediately rises and gets the door for her. He is much taller than her. Her head reaches the middle of his chest. They’d make a cute couple. 

Vanessa: Thanks for coming, guys!

Miranda smiles over her shoulder. The smile is mysterious and her wide brown eyes sparkle with deep secrets. 

Marko nods and gives me a wink before following Miranda out the door. When the door closes, I remember about the scar on Marko’s face, but it’s too late. It will have to wait for next time.

_________________________________________

In a glittering underwater world, nothing is as it seems...

For the past twelve months since her parents’ death, seventeen-year-old Miranda Sun has harboured a dark secret — a secret that has strained the close relationship she once shared with her older sister, Lauren. In an effort to repair this broken bond, Miranda’s grandparents whisk the siblings away on a secluded beach holiday. Except before Miranda gets a chance to confess her life-changing secret, she’s dragged underwater by a mysterious stranger while taking a midnight swim.

Awakening days later, Miranda discovers that she’s being held captive in a glittering underwater city by an arrogant young man named Marko...the King of this underwater civilisation.

Nineteen-year-old Marko intends to marry Miranda in order to keep his crown from falling into the sinister clutches of his half-brother, Damir. There’s only one problem. Miranda is desperate to return home to right things with her sister and she wants nothing to do with Marko. Trying to secure her freedom, Miranda quickly forms an alliance with Robbie — Marko’s personal guard. However, she soon discovers that even underwater, people are hiding dangerous secrets...

Add on Goodreads!

Pre-order:

Bookworld | The Nile | iBooks | Amazon (Kindle)

 

 

 

A bookseller and Young Adult author, Vanessa loves nothing more than immersing herself in the exciting world of books. When she is not raving about her favourite reads with customers, or mentally casting actors to play the characters in her next novel, she enjoys hanging out with those she loves most.

Visit Vanessa:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter

 

 

I'd like to thank Polina and the entire HarlequinTEEN Team as well as Vanessa for putting this tour together! Captivate will hit Australian stores in January so be prepared to grab your copy but for more fun beforehand don't forget to check out the rest of the tour. Click the above image to head to the website or head here.

Happy Birthday Escape Publishing: Finding Home by Lauren K. McKeller-Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 Today I have a great excerpt from Finding Home by Lauren K. McKeller to share with you, as well as another chance to enter to win the YA bundle that includes it!

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‘Amy, we need to talk,’ Dad said.

I sat across from him at a table in a crowded restaurant that was full of the usual Sunday morning types. Dad looked completely different to the man I’d seen onstage the evening before. Then, his look had been slick: ripped jeans, designer shirt; now, he appeared a lot older than his 37 years and more tired. His hair looked a mess, sticking up in all the wrong places, and his clothes were dated.

‘About what?’ I sipped my orange juice. The cool liquid helped my head, which throbbed from my efforts of the evening prior.

‘Your behaviour at the show,’ he finished. It hadn't happened yet, but — oh, yes, there it was — the sigh. That inevitable exhalation that always seemed to occur just before Dad did something he didn't want to do. ‘You’re seventeen. You know full well that you shouldn't be drinking.’

‘I’m 18 in three months. And so what, anyway?’

‘So you can't keep acting like this.’ A frown creased his face.

I twirled my straw around. Little flicks of juice spun up the sides of my glass, creating a tiny, orange mosaic. ‘It's not like I do it all the time.’ I shrugged.

‘Just every time you come and see the show. And when you're not at the show, you're in a hotel room by yourself.’

‘And?’

‘And it's not normal, it’s not healthy, and I want you to stop.’ He ran his hands through his thick black hair and stared me down. His craggy face was a minefield of peaks and troughs, and he had the sort of distinguished nose that would make an actor on The Bold And The Beautiful jealous. It felt weird to think of the thousands of middle‐aged women who had worshipped him onstage the night before. To me, he was just my dad and a pain in the ass, at that.

A lady strutted her way over to the table. ‘Excuse me, but can I please get your autograph?’ She threw her blonde curls over her shoulders until they were resting on her double D‐sized boobs, and then shoved a piece of paper under Dad's nose. Two tables away, a group of women in their early thirties were giggling, whispering, and pointing in our direction. I averted my gaze. It was enough to make me sick.

‘Can we get out of here?’ I squirmed in my chair.

Dad ignored me, signing the napkin and making polite small talk with the lady. She leaned forward again and touched his shoulder, tossing her head back when she laughed. It would only be a matter of time before she would reached across the table to grab something and ‘accidentally’ brush her breasts against his chest. I think a tiny bit of vomit
actually began to work its way up my throat and into my mouth.

‘I'm leaving,’ I said, grabbing my bag from the floor beneath me.

‘Amy, wait.’

‘What?’ I spun around. The blonde had retreated to her table, and Dad was now indicating I should sit. I did, rolling my eyes and letting my bag slump to the ground. I’d had enough.

We sat in silence for a while, studying each other.

‘I think you should go to your aunt’s.’

‘For a holiday?’ I asked, my brow furrowing.

‘No, Amy,’ he said, sighing. That brought Dad’s total count for the day to two. ‘To
live.’

The words resonated in my head, sounding over and over again, like I was in a church hall or a bad horror movie. To live, live, live, live.

Dad was sending me away. 

Moody, atmospheric, and just a little bit punk, Finding Home takes contemporary YA to a new level of grit...

When Amy’s mum dies, the last thing she expects is to be kicked off her dad’s music tour all the way to her Aunt Lou in a depressing hole of a seaside town. But it’s okay — Amy learned how to cope with the best, and soon finds a hard-drinking, party-loving crowd to help ease the pain.

The only solace is her music class, but even there she can’t seem to keep it together, sabotaging her grade and her one chance at a meaningful relationship. It takes a hard truth from her only friend before Amy realises that she has to come to terms with her past, before she destroys her future.

Add on Goodreads!

Purchase:

Escape Publishing | Amazon | Kobo

Lauren McKellar grew up in a beachside town north of Sydney, Australia. A self-confessed nerd, Lauren spends every spare second she has writing books and hungrily devouring new releases from her favourite authors. With a passion for Young Adult and New Adult fiction, she especially loves stories that are real and flawed. Lauren is a magazine editor and freelance fiction editor. She juggles her time between editing, writing, and going for long walks on the beach with her partner and their two puppies. She loves to meet new people, so feel free to chat with her on Twitter, Facebook, or on her blog.

Visit Lauren:

Website | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

 

YA Bundle:

 

Details:

For your chance to win a YA bundle featuring Finding Home as well as four other fabulous stories, be sure to comment with a way to contact you!

 

Sharing isn't necessary, but always appreciated :)

 

Open internationally!

 

**On Saturday I have another excerpt to share with you--this time from A Warlord's Lady by Nicola E. Sheridan**

 

 

Book Shelf: The Beautiful and the Cursed (The Dispossessed #1) by Page Morgan

Ingrid Waverley is a young woman to be reckoned with. Faced with her brother's mysterious disappearance after an abrupt move to Paris, she is determined to discover what has happened to him. Soon she and her sister Gabriella are drawn into a Parisian underworld more terrifying than they could ever have imagined, but watching over them are two impossible (and impossibly handsome) young men. Luc is a 'Dispossessed', an ancient gargoyle whose sworn duty it is to protect the humans who inhabit his abbey. Nolan has secrets of his own too. He is a member of the Alliance - a shadowy group dedicated to keeping Paris safe from the demonic forces that threaten to destroy it.

Secrets, danger and hidden powers stalk the girls in this beautifully imagined paranormal romance that will keep readers gripped from beginning to end - and one thing is for sure - you'll never look at a gargoyle in the same way again...

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Beautiful And The Cursed is beautiful and darkly seductive, lending imaginable beauty to a mysterious and thrilling read. Full of tantalizing romance, mythical creatures and powerful characters this truly is a compelling story!

In all honesty, heading into The Beautiful and the Cursed I really wasn't expecting that much. It wasn't as though I wasn't expecting to enjoy the story; I simply wasn't prepared to discover how much this gothic stunner would steal my heart. I seriously loved this book!

Even in the opening chapters the compelling characters and magically described setting promised untold adventure. The story was incredibly well written; the writing is descriptive and lyrical. Set amongst a dark Parisian backdrop, the gothic poise and old worldly feel of the story is undeniable; pulling you straight into another time and place.

The characters in this story were brilliant. All so well written and well rounded, each gave so much to the story and considering this is the first book in the series, the connections that have begun to develop are already amazing to read about. All the characters complimented each other so well and the intricate relationships between them allows for a lot of interesting romantic possibilities in the middle of the danger that is gripping Paris throughout the story.

Told in various POV's The Beautiful And The Cursed focus's mainly on sisters Ingrid and Gabriella "Gabby" Waverly, with Ingrid being the main protagonist. I liked Ingrid I really did--there's something undeniably likable about her, but you know who stole the show for me? Gabby! This girl has some serious fire and some serious attitude. She may be young, but she shows oh, so much promise.

With the two sisters desperate to find their brother Grayson, author Page Morgan writes some thrilling romantic connections in The Beautiful And The Cursed, for both Ingrid and Gabby. Ingrid finds herself in an unexpected situation as she bonds with protector and guardian gargoyle Luc; a man she can never be with, as well as Vander; the kind and mysterious scholar who also happens to be able to kick some serious butt. Vander is a serious sweetie and definitely more than he seems, but Luc and Ingrid have a tangible relationship from the beginning that just wins me over--I'll definitely be vying for them!

Gabby on the other hand sets the pages of the story on fire with the intense and electric connection she forms with Scottish rogue and Alliance member Nolan. From the very moment these two meet they do nothing but fight and bicker and as the tension escalates, begin to prove that age is no barrier as they both make it evident they're as mad for one another as the other. Eeep! I LOVE Gabby and Nolan--their relationship is soooo much fun to read about and I cannot wait to see it develop further!

Page Morgan blends dark romance with mystery and addictive adventure in The Beautiful And The Cursed. The intriguing storyline is full of excitement and has plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained. The story progresses well and I was completely absorbed as the motivations behind some characters were discovered and betrayals were revealed.

The characters are put through the wringer at times, but things just get more and more dangerous as the story progresses; leaving me as the reader more drawn into the tale. The Beautiful And The Cursed is an unexpectedly compelling read, whose rich and gothic storyline has me eager to get my hands on the second book as soon as possible!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Hot Key Books (Thank you Sandra!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Love a good gothic tale or characters with plenty of chemistry? If yes, then this book is for you!
Cover: I understand what they were trying to do with it, but I don't feel it does the book justice!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Absolutely!

Blog Tour: These Broken Stars-Interview with Amie Kaufman!

Today I'm thrilled to be taking part in the Australian Blog Tour for These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner thanks to Allen & Unwin! Though I'm yet to post my review of These Broken Stars, I adored the book and was really excited over the prospect of chatting with one of it's authors--Amie Kaufman!

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Hi Amie and thank you SO much for agreeing to sit down and answer some of my questions! I'm super excited to pick your brain today about your writing experience and all things These Broken Stars :) 
Thank you so much for having me!

First off I have to say congrats on These Broken Star’s release! I recently had the pleasure of reading it myself and LOVED it—I'm very excited for the next book. Let's talk about the inspiration behind These Broken Stars. Where did the storyline stem from? 
That’s lovely of you to say! The storyline came about because I’ve always had a fascination with shipwrecks and castaways, and Meg and I both love stories set in space—we toyed with ideas just for fun, and that’s where the seed for These Broken Stars showed up.

This was obviously the first time you had ever worked with another author when writing a novel, how did you find the experience? 
We both love it. We’re great friends, and we’ve been flatmates. We always say if we can negotiate who’s going to do the dishes, writing a novel was going to be easy.

What was the typical writing process between you and Meagan? Did one of you write predominately Tarver and the other Lilac, or did you switch back and forth? 
During first drafts I write Tarver and Meg writes Lilac, but during revision we both edit every chapter, so by the time we’re done we’re often not sure who wrote a specific line.

Whose initial idea was it to write together? 
We’ve been writing together for so many years, I honestly couldn’t tell you!

I've noticed that you plan on co-writing another series too in the future with Jay Kristoff. Obviously it's something you enjoy, but what do you feel is the biggest pro and con when writing with another person?
I honestly don’t think there are cons—I just love it. The biggest pros are that you’ve always got someone to brainstorm with when you get stuck, and you’re often surprised by the twists and turns of your own story!

Can you describe both Lilac and Tarver is one sentence each?
There’s a lot more to Lilac than her spoiled, society girl exterior would suggest. Tarver’s about to face a bigger challenge than any he’s seen on the battlefield.

Can you share with us your favourite quote from These Broken Stars?
My favourite line changes regularly, but here’s only I love today. Meg wrote it, and it’s when Lilac’s having a terrible time on a hike and is thinking about how she must look to Tarver:
 “Only a little further, Miss LaRoux. You’re doing well.”
I’m not doing much at all. I might as well be a rag doll. Comes complete with matching shoes. Spine sold separately.

Now, I don’t want to give away any spoilers for those who haven’t read the book yet, but there’s quite a twist involving Lilac at one point throughout These Broken Stars that shocked me ten ways from Sunday. Where did THAT come from? 
That came from Meg’s brain—she’s awesomely evil sometimes. Writing Tarver’s point of view for that section was one of the harder things I’ve done.

I imagine emotionally it really would have been--that's certainly a hard time for Tarver! Who or what have been your biggest influence throughout your life? 
People. My parents are smart, strong, independent and resilient. My sister’s an epic adventurer. My husband’s a kind, funny, thoughtful guy. Possessions don’t matter—people do.

For those of us like myself who are dying for the next book, can you throw as a bone and give us a hint as to what we can expect? 
In This Shattered World, you’ll meet Captain Jubilee Chase, a soldier with a fearsome reputation, and Flynn Cormac, the leader of the planetary rebellion. It’s set on a planet called Avon, and if you read These Broken Stars carefully, you might catch a mention or two of Avon!

Oh, wow! So the whole series isn't going to feature Tarver & Lilac! That's quite interesting. [Note: I've since learned the trilogy will be a set of companion books featuring different couples--very exciting!]

6 Quick Questions:
1. Summer or Winter? Summer! I love the sun.
2. Singing or Dancing? Both, every time I take a writing break! Stops me getting a sore back from sitting at the computer for too long.
3. Favourite Colour? Blue.
4. Favourite Movie? Right now, Midnight in Paris.
5. Lucky Number? 14.
6. Hero or Heroine? Heroine.

Thanks again Amie for taking the time to chat with me - I certainly appreciate it. I'm very excited for the next book in the Starbound Trilogy and wish you luck with all your future writing endeavors!

 

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

Add on Goodreads!

Purchase:

Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon

Amie Kaufman is the co-author of These Broken Stars, the first in the Starbound trilogy, and writes science fiction and fantasy for teens. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, their rescue dog, and her considerable library. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.

Visit Amie:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Meagan Spooner grew up reading and writing every spare moment of the day, while dreaming about life as an archaeologist, a marine biologist, an astronaut. She graduated from Hamilton College in New York with a degree in playwriting, and has spent several years since then living in Australia. She’s traveled with her family all over the world to places like Egypt, South Africa, the Arctic, Greece, Antarctica, and the Galapagos, and there’s a bit of every trip in every story she writes.

She currently lives and writes in Asheville, North Carolina, but the siren call of travel is hard to resist, and there’s no telling how long she’ll stay there.

In her spare time she plays guitar, plays video games, plays with her cat, and reads.

Visit Meagan:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

I'd like to thank Aimee Kaufman once more for joining me today. She and Meagan Spooner have written something special with These Broken Stars! Published by Allen & Unwin, These Broken Stars is available online and in all good bookstores. Grab your copy--you won't regret it!