7 Souls by Barnabas Miller & Jordan Orlando

Title: 7 Souls

Author: Barnabas Miller and Jordan Orlando

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Penguin

Publication Date: 28th March 2011

ISBN: 9780143206255

Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 384 pages

Book Received from: Penguin

First Lines:  There was the pain, first and last, that booming drumbeat of agony in her head - the kind of pain that made her want to curl up and die.

Synopsis:
Mary expected her seventeenth birthday to be a blowout to remember, courtesy of her best friends, fellow New York City prepsters Amy and Joon, and her doting boyfriend, Trick.

Instead, the day starts badly and gets worse. After waking up in a mortifying place with a massive, unexplainable hangover, Mary soon discovers that nobody at school is even aware that it's her birthday. As evening approaches, paranoia sets in. Mary just can't shake the feeling that someone is out to get her—and, as it turns out, she's right. Before the night is over, she's been killed in cold blood.

But murder is just the beginning of Mary's ordeal. Her soul gets trapped in a strange limbo, and she must relive the day of her death through the eyes of seven people—each of whom, she finds, had plenty of reasons to hate her. As Mary explores the mysteries of her world, discovering secrets that were hidden in plain sight while she was alive, she clings desperately to the hope that she can solve her own murder, change the past, and—just maybe—save her own life.

My Thoughts:
When I received this book I hadn't heard much in the blogosphere about it.  So I jumped onto Good Reads and did my best to skim through a few spoiler free reviews to find out what I was in for.  I will try my best to steer clear of the story itself as it's better to go in not knowing too much.

The first chapter hooked me in.  I was at work when I started reading and I didn't want to put it down when I got to the part where she woke up, realising she is in a bedroom display window.  Naked!

I'm actually in two minds about how I feel about this book though.  I really liked the story but I disliked the characters.  Mary was the exception, BUT at the beginning it doesn't take too long to work out that she is one of the popular girls, always in the spotlight and using everybody to get what she wants.  That being said, I did really warm up to her and by the end of the book I actually felt sorry for her.  I liked Dylan out of the other characters that populate the book but that would have to be it.

I hate to compare some books to others but 7 Souls is alot like Before I fall.  There were characters I disliked in both novels but I really enjoyed both stories.

I don't think this book is for everyone though.  I've seen the reviews on Goodreads and it is a toss up between loved it and hated it.  I'm in the middle. 

See for yourself.  If you've read this tell me what you think?  Why you liked it or disliked it.  I'd love to hear your opinions. Just remember to be careful with spoilers for those who haven't read this yet.

Waiting on Wednesday (53)

Waiting on Wednesday was brought to you by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

I can't believe I almost missed this one.  I loved Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr and have been waiting so long for the fourth book to come out.  I spotted Inheritance by Christopher Paolini on another blogger's sight and had to include this one on this weeks WOW.  It's out in 8th November 2011.
 

Synopsis
Not so very long ago, Eragon Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaesia? And if so, at what cost?p

This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Between Shades of Gray

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Penguin

Publication Date: 28th March 2011

ISBN: 9780143205418

Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 360 pages

Book Received from: Penguin (Proof Copy)

First Lines: They took me in my nightgown.  Thinking back, the signs were there - family photos burned in the fireplace, Mother sewing her best silver and jewelry into the lining of her coat late at night, and Papa not returning from work.

Synopsis:
Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

My Thoughts:
I'll admit right now I wasn't one to listen to history or anything like that when this sort of stuff was taught at school.  To be completely honest, I don't even remember anything like this being taught.  I was a bit skeptical when I read the synopsis because I wasn't sure how I was going to feel but once I picked it up and read chapter one I was completely absorbed in Lina's life.  I really liked the timeline and map at the beginning of the novel. 

From when Lina, her brother and their mother are taken from their home and herded onto train carriages along with many others and squeezed inside like sardines I knew this was going to be a heart wrenching story.

The story is written beautifully and I almost felt like I was standing there amongst them, feeling and seeing what they saw.  I also loved that throughout the book there are flashbacks to Lina's life giving glimpses of what normal life was like before they were taken away.  Another thing I liked was how Lina stuck with her drawings and record keeping of what happened while in the concentration camps, even though it was forbidden.  Such a big risk to take.

Between Shades of Gray is a heartbreaking novel about the survival of a girl and her family, enduring horrendous conditions and circumstances but still being able to maintain that little spark of hope.  This is definitely an eye opener.

Book Jacket Giveaway!

Thank you to the lovely Chas @ LovLivLife Reviews who made this awesome book jacket for a giveaway on my blog!!  The Pics are below!

 

(Books in pic above are NOT included)

For your chance to win this fantastic book cover please comment below.  Chas will pick a winner when the competition is over!

Deadline is: 4th April 2011

Just a note: please either leave your email in the comments below or have some way for me to contact you if you have won.

In My Mailbox (54)

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

For Review:

The Summoner by Layton Green

Just a small one for this week but still exciting! What did you get in your IMM?

Spellbound Noticeboard (7)

Welcome to Spellbound Noticeboard. Here is where Authors, Bloggers and others can send in anything that you'd like promoted. Competitions, book releases, blog events etc. This is your spot! So feel free to send me a line if you have anything book related (Including books made into movies) and I'll be sure to post these up! I'll also be including features etc that I come across to help spread the word for other Authors and bloggers! Just email me at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com

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Available now from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group is Alyson Noël's second release in her new and wonderfully received  'Radiance' Series, 'Shimmer'.

Alyson Noël, author of the Immortals series, continues her new series about Ever's younger sister, Riley.

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi's advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca's sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she's not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

Find out more about Shimmer here, including audio excerpts and Riley's diary:

http://www.alysonnoel.com/radiance/shimmer.php

Link to trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZqW7rJyvDU

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Don't miss out on a chance to win a free copy of Somewhere Over the Sun.  This is an awesome book!
Please click on the link for more information - Somewhere Over the Sun Website

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That's all from me for the moment.  I appologise for the late post as I've been feeling under the weather.  I'm hoping to have some reviews posted up soon. 

Waiting on Wednesday (52)

Waiting on Wednesday was brought to you by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!


This week I've picked Void: Shadows; Ghosts by Rhiannon Lassiter.  This book won't be out until 15th November 2011.
 

Synopsis:
The CPS, a secret government agency, is on a mission to seek and destroy the Hex - human mutants with supercomputer minds. They are young. They look like normal teens. They must never be allowed to grow up.
 
But the CPS hasn't discovered Raven. Soon they will feel her power and know her rage.

Raven and her brother, Wraith, must use Raven’s Hex powers and Wraith’s street skills to save first their long-lost sister, and then the entire Hex community. But before they start, Raven must overcome her mantra: work alone and think only of herself. Even then the challenges don't stop as they must crack the top-secret and high-tech security of the CPS, ally with a political-terrorist group, and then ultimately take down the evil European Federation.
And even the best laid plans can go awry.

October Girls: Crystal & Bone by L.C Glazebrook

Title: October Girls: Crystal & Bone

Author: L.C Glazebrook

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Cinderella Story Press

Publication Date: 14th September 2010

Stand alone or series: Series

Pages: 191 pages

Book Received from: Author

Synopsis:
Five days until Halloween and all hell is about to break loose. And it's all Crystal's fault.

Momma warned her not to consort with the dead and tried to teach her the magic spells that would close the portal to the afterlife. But Crystal doesn't want to be a trailer-trash witch like Momma. She has dreams of going to community college and escaping the Appalachian town of Parson's Ford. Her best friend Bone is only too happy to escape the afterlife and help Crystal break the rules. Bone died too young, and she'll do whatever it takes to remain among the living.
Then a teen movie maker comes to Parson's Ford, and he has a very special project in mind: a horror movie starring a real ghost. The kids who watch his movies turn into brainwashed zombies. And to totally complicate matters, Crystal thinks he's kind of a hunk, and she's afraid her boyfriend Pettigrew only loves her because of Momma's magic spells.
Now it's Halloween, the night when the portal to the afterlife is widest, and somebody's been messing with Momma's potions. The fate of the world is in Crystal's hands, but she hasn't been paying attention to her lessons. And a mysterious figure in the afterlife is urging Bone to stay loyal to her own kind instead of to Crystal.
The movie is rolling, the creatures are stirring, and the brainwashed teenagers are ready to welcome a new star from the other side of the grave. Crystal and Bone must overcome drama queens, coffin cuties, and mangled magic if they want to remain best friends forever-but at this rate, forever may not last much longer.

My Thoughts:
While I did enjoy this book it didn't captivate me as some books do.  The unusual friendship between Crystal and Bones was definitely cool and quite witty at times, but Crystal didn't jump out at me as much as Bone did.  She's stuck in Darkmeet as a Tweener and definitely has her own issues to deal with there and I found Darkmeet more interesting than Crystals world.

The story itself was enjoyable and the writing flowed well.  Written in third person past tense, we get to see this from mainly Crystal and Bone's POV.  I think the POV's work well as we get to see where Bone 'lives' and the scary night creatures and people she's up against.  I also liked how Crystal was from a long line of witches born and bred for a sole purpose but was a bit disappointed that she wasn't very interested in the lotions and potions stuff that her mother creates.

I'm curious to find out what Crystal and Bone deal with next in Dead and Unfriended.

Fave Line:  But lying got easier as life got harder.  If that wasn't in the Bible, it should be.

Whisper of Light by Jennifer DeLucy

Title: Whisper of Light

Author: Jennifer DeLucy

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  Omnific Publishing

Publication Date: 26 October 2010

ISBN: 1936305410
Stand alone or series: Book 2 in Series

Pages: 272 Pages

Book Received from: Omnific Publishing

First Lines: Following the quiet sounds of a sitar, I wound around the house in search of Wendell.

Possible spoilers if you haven't read the first book Seers of Light.

Synopsis:

The saying goes that all men are created equal... but Nicole Abbot knows better. Lacking the supernatural gifts of the Sentients she has known all her life, Nicole has lived with her nose pressed to the glass, withering beneath the guilt of her own inadequacies and the disapproving glare of her father. It's easy to believe that the universe has forgotten all about her, but things are not always as they seem. With the arrival of Christian Wright, a handsome but complex Combatant with a troubled history, Nicole is forced to question everything she has ever believed about herself, proving that sometimes, our most flawed perceptions are those reflected in a mirror.

Jennifer DeLucy again plunges us into the world of lingering spirits, dark apparitions, and malicious vampires. But this time she takes us to the California coast where we get to know a new ensemble of gifted souls that are just as vibrant and endearing as the Sentients we came to love in Seers of Light. In Whisper of Light, DeLucy delivers exciting supernatural encounters as well as very human interactions that will both break your heart and make it soar.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved Seers of Light and when Micha from Omnific Publishing asked me if I wanted to review the second book in the series I jumped at the chance.

This story follows the Sentients from the West Coast and the story is told from Nicole Abbot's POV.  I was surprised to find that the timeline of the first book and this one is around the same time and after you read this you will see what I mean.

Nicole is the sweetest woman you could ever meet.  She has the patience of a Saint and is very sensitive.  She lives with a bunch of misfit Sentients and while both her parents are sentients, Nicole doesn't seem to have inherited that ability.  She has a full on responsibilty providing therapy for children through music and looks after her mother who seems to be suffering from Alzeimers/Memory loss.  Her father is a bitter man and blames his daughter for the rapid decline of his wife, and takes time out of his day to taunt Nicole.  It's heartbreaking to see a father treat his own daughter like that and I just wanted to jump in the book and give her a hug!

When Christian disappears for a while in the first book Seers of Light, he comes to stay with Nicole's family and we get to see a very different side to him.  I won't say much more than that. 

Whisper of Light is beautifully written and I can guarantee if you enjoyed Seers of Light you will absolutely fall in love with Nicole and her family.  Fantastic Read!

Spellbound Bookshelves (9)

Welcome to my new feature Spellbound Bookshelves! Each week I'll be posting up pictures of Readers Bookshelves. As this is just starting out, I'll need to ask you help in spreading the word and hopefully sending in pictures of your bookshelves. I'll also be including awesome bookshelves to store your books in for a bit of variety.

Here's a few of weird (but cool) looking bookshelves

If you'd like to have your bookshelves featured on Spellbound By Books just pop me a line.  melissa@spellboundbybooks.com 

In My Mailbox (53)

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

For Review:

Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle -Proof Copy

(Thanks to Pan Macmillan)

A Girl Named Willow Crimble by Giuseppe Bianco - Review Copy

(Thank you Giuseppe for sending this to me)

The Angel Within by Shontara - Aussie Author I met at Mount Tamborine Markets

(Thank you Shontara for sending this)

Bought:

No Everyday Dragon by Pamela Lamb 

A Secondhand Dreaming by Pamela Lamb

Blood on the Snow by Pamela Lamb

- Aussie Author I met at Handmade Expo at Bundamba

Well that's all from me for now.  What did you get in your IMM??

Sticky Beak (48)

Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.

The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!

Here's Mine:

Cool Stuff to Check Out:
Hand Crafted Pens & Acrylic Gifts
Bookseller and Publisher: 2011 Miles Franklin Longlist announced
La Femme Readers: Tantalizing Future Releases
Publishing Perspectives: Surveying the good and bad of book trailers.

Thats all from me for now.

Off for a few days..

Hi all,

For those of you that check back daily, you will have noticed that last night I hadn't posted Spellbound Noticeboard/Review/book trailer.  I appologise, as I try to put something up everyday.

I've come down with some kind of viral infection and haven't felt up to posting anything on the website.  Fingers crossed I will be up to getting back to normal posting tomorrow. 

Thank you all and hope you have a good night

Waiting on Wednesday (51)

Waiting on Wednesday was brought to you by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!


I just come across the second book in Kersten Hamilton's Goblin Wars series called In the Forest of the Night.  This is not due out until 3rd October 2011.
 

Synopsis
Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have rescued Tea's and Aiden's father and have made it out of Mag Mell alive, bringing a few new friends with them. But The Dark Man's forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Teagan soon realizes that she is not the target of the goblins. In fact, the goblins call her princess, and call her to come out and play. Something is happening to her, and she suspects it’s an infection she picked up in Mag Mell. An infected cat-sídhe becomes her test subject, and Teagan is determined to cure it of the sickness that seems to rot its flesh. If she can find a cure for the cat-sídhe, then maybe there is hope for her.

Meanwhile, Kyle and Isabeau, Teagan’s goblin cousins, show up in her school, disguised as a substitute teacher and a foreign exchange student. They are sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive. Once awoken, it will burn away every other aspect of her being, leaving her pure and solely goblin. When the process is complete, she will belong to Fear Doirich, the Dark Man. It is just a matter of time. In the meantime, Kyle and Isabeau are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Teagan’s family and friends.

Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn to be hunted to the death or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her, but as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich.

And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

Forsaken by Shadow by Kait Nolan

Title: Forsaken by Shadow

Author: Kait Nolan

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  Smashwords

Publication Date: 25th March 2010

ISBN: 9781452302898

Stand alone or series: Series
Pages: 127 pages

Book Received from: Author

First Lines: He didn't open his eyes when he heard the scream

Synopsis:

Cade Shepherd is on top of the world as this year's Ultimate Fighting Champion. He doesn't even remember his life as Gage Dempsey, a Shadow Walker with the ability to magically transport himself from shadow to shadow. In fact, he can't remember anything before waking up in a cheap motel room ten years ago with mysterious burns on his hands--not even the woman he almost died for.


Embry Hollister has picked up the pieces of her life, learned to control her ability to generate flame, and now works an enforcer for the Council of Races. But when her father is captured by the human military and the Council refuses mount a rescue mission, Embry has no choice but to go rogue. All she has to is find the man with the new name and new life who was completely wronged by her people, give him back the memories they stole, convince him to join her on what's probably a suicide mission, and hope that after ten years of living as a regular guy he still remembers what her father taught him. And after that, she just has to leave him. Again.

My Thoughts:
This story starts off with a bang.  Cade Shephard wakes up in a dodgy motel room with burns to his hands and no recollection of how they happened, or who he is.  Chapter one had me hooked from the get go and I sympathised with Cade.  How would you feel if you woke up, with no memory  and have to walk out of there with no sense of direction or know whether the crappy car sitting in front of the motel is yours?

Embry is one character I actually didn't like when she first came on the scene.  I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was but it took a few chapters for me to warm up to her. 

The one thing I wished the story did was go on for a bit longer with Cade in the dark.  On the second chapter I got what was going on from Embry's point of view and I hoped he would have gone through with a bit more detective work without it being served on a platter by the reader.  In saying that though, there is a lot more to Embry and Cade's story that is slowly revealed throughout.

The story is action packed once everything has been laid out on the table and I found that I read through this quite quickly.  It was a captivating read, though I wished it was longer.

Great start to a series.

Spellbound Bookshelves (8)

Welcome to my new feature Spellbound Bookshelves! Each week I'll be posting up pictures of Readers Bookshelves. As this is just starting out, I'll need to ask you help in spreading the word and hopefully sending in pictures of your bookshelves. I'll also be including awesome bookshelves to store your books in for a bit of variety.

Here are some amazing bookshelves I've come across!

 

 

 

Books to go!!

Okay that's all for now.

Enjoy!

In My Mailbox (52)

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

For Review:

Bandits by LM Preston (Thank you to LM Preston)

Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres (Thank you to Marianne and Random House)

Reunion by Jeff Bennington (Thank you to Jeff Bennington)

Feast of Fools (Book 4) by Rachel Caine

Lord of Misrule (Book 5) by Rachel Caine

Carpe Corpus (Book 6)by Rachel Caine

Fade Out (Book 7) by Rachel Caine

Kiss of Death (Book 8) by Rachel Caine

Ghost Town (Book 9) by Rachel Caine

Thank you to Tina from Penguin Australia for sending these to me!

Hunter's Moon by F.E. Heaton

So how awesome is that!! A totally unbelievable week for me!

What did you get in your IMM??

Sticky Beak (47)

Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.

The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!
Here's Mine:

Cool Stuff To Check Out:
All About {n}: Bookcase of the week.  Very cool feature on her blog

Cool Authors to Check Out:
Adi Alsaid: A very talented author of Somewhere Over the Sun.  His blog posts are as inspiring as his book, so check it out!
Cat Patrick: Author of the absolutely amazing novel Forgotten. P.S Paramount bought rights to Forgotten and Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit is attached to play London.  Info from the website.

For Writers:
Beyond The Margin: Worth checking out.  Some interesting articles featured on here!

Just a relatively short one this week.  I haven't been surfing the net much lately but am hoping to pick up some *free* time very soon.

Burn Bright Book Trailer

I got this book in the mail this week and sooo can't wait to read it.  Have read the first chapter and am like WOW! 

Twelfth Grade Kills by Heather Brewer

Title: Twelfth Grade Kills

Author: Heather Brewer

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher:  Penguin Aus  

Publication Date: 28th February 2011

ISBN: 9780143205180

Stand alone or series: Series (Book 5)

Pages: 336 pages

Book Received from: Penguin Australia

First Lines: D'Ablo's flesh had almost completely healed from his blistering battle with the sun a year and a half before, but his hand... his hand was gone for good.

Possible spoilers if you haven't read the previous books

Synopsis:

It all comes down to this.

Vlad’s running out of time. The Elysian Council has given him weeks to live, and that’s if the Slayer Society doesn’t kill him – along with all the citizens of Bathory – first. Then there’s the issue of Vlad’s father, who may or may not still be alive after all these years, and oh yeah, that tiny little detail in the Pravus prophecy about Vlad enslaving Vampirekind and the human race. So much for college applications.
In this epic finale to Heather Brewer’s heart-stopping Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, dark secrets will be revealed, old friends will become enemies, and warm blood will run cold. Just be careful it isn’t yours.

My Thoughts:
After a long and painful wait for the very last book in the Vladimir Tod series, I finally got my hands on this one and devoured it within a single sitting.

I've absolutely adored Vlad from the very first book and while I was sad to finish this series, I was also happy to finally have answers to the questions that had been building up.

I can't believe Vlad's father turns up after all these years.  Admittedly I was kind of annoyed that he is back from the dead (so to speak lol) and trying to make amends with those who believed he was gone all these years.  The emotions are flying, and secrets are emerging. 

I was impressed to see Joss with a little more substance in this book as well.  I liked all the characters but at times I thought Joss needed that little bit more, and Twelfth Grade Kills definitely delivers.  Vlad has grown as a character too.  With the newfound knowledge he has he still is the awesome character we met in the first book.

Twelfth Grade Kills is full of twists and turns, some expected and some not, secrets revealed, Vlad is betrayed and a character we absolutly love dies!  A great end to the series.  But is it?  I kind of get the feeling that Heather has left the ending open for possibly Vlad Goes To College??  I could be wrong, but fingers crossed she does :)

The Byron Journals by Daniel Ducrou

Title: The Byron Journals

Author: Daniel Ducrou

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Text Publishing

Publication Date: 28th June 2010

ISBN: 9781921656460

Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 360 pages

Book Received from: Bought

First Lines: "I think I was born into the wrong city."  Andrew buckled up for take off

Synopsis:

Andrew and his mate Benny have finished school and are heading for the holiday of their lives in Byron Bay. They are not sure what they're looking forward to most: the surf, the girls, the music, the partying or just being away from Adelaide. Things don't go to plan, and Andrew loses his mates. But he finds Heidi. Heidi is not like anyone he's ever met before, and she takes him into her world, which feels a million miles away from his past. But is Andrew really prepared for the ride he's about to take? The Byron Journals is an exciting debut novel by a fresh new voice in Australian literature. Fun, and sometimes frightening, it takes a clear-eyed look at the desire to escape your past and the dangers of running headlong into your future

My Thoughts:

After reading some fantastic Aussie Authors in the past few months (see- Kirsty Eagar & John Marsden) I vowed to take more time to pick up books from the authors of Australia. So when I came across The Byron Journals on another Aussie blogger's site I went out and bought this.

Andrew has alot to escape from. He caught his father sleeping with one of his students, and to keep him quiet he's paid him off, money that he's using to go to Byron Bay. His mothers a Criminal Defence Lawyer who, while she thinks her work stays at work, has unknowingly caused Andrew to be beaten to a pulp. She also drinks. Alot. So when Andrew and Benny arrive at Byron Bay together, they are in to party it up big. Girls, music and the occasional joint.

The first night they are there, Andrew and his friends follow music to a house party with loads of drinking, music and fun. There he meets Tim and later Heidi and Jade. Andrew doesn't count on is the falling out he has with his mates within the first few days and finds himself at Tim's doorstep looking for a place to stay.

Right from the start I could see Andrew's journey slowly spiraling out of control. Tim, Heidi and Jade are great at first but as he gets to know each more personally, the secrets start to emerge and Andrew realises he may not know them as well as he thought. I can't say his choices were all that smart either but considering he just goes with the flow it's understandable how easily he gets in too deep. Between living with his new mates or going home to his disastrous family life, it's obvious which one Andrew prefers so he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep everyone happy.


Since The Byron Journals has alot of drug references and sex scenes I don't think this is a book everyone will enjoy but in saying that if you want something a little different and definitely Australian give it a try. It was a definite eye opener for me. Plus the way that Daniel Ducrou describes the scenery is absolutely amazing.


Originally Posted on the Book Lovers Inc site

Waiting on Wednesday (50)

Waiting on Wednesday was brought to you by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!



This week I've picked Scored by Lauren McLaughlin.  This one sounds really cool!  It won't be out until 25th October 2011 so mark it down on the calendar!

Synopsis
Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.


What are you waiting on??

Blogoversary Winners!

The winner of the print copy of Minder is:

Cheryl F!

The winner of the e-book copy of Minder is:

Jill of the O.W.L

The winner of the print copy of Matched is:

Alexa

The winner of the print copy of Whisper of a Witch is:

The Slowest Bookworm

The winners of the e-book copy of Whisper of a Witch are:

Susan Mann

Petit

The winner of the print copy of Conviction of a Witch is:

Victoria Zumbrum

The winners of the e-book copy of Conviction of a Witch are:

Bethie

Justpeachy36

and....

the winners of a copy of Glass Houses are:

Lily

Victoria Zumdrum

Stephanie

Congratulations to all the winners!!  Please email me with whatever details I need to get the prizes out to you.

Thank you to everyone who participated!!

Spellbound Bookshelves (7)

Welcome to my new feature Spellbound Bookshelves! Each week I'll be posting up pictures of Readers Bookshelves. As this is just starting out, I'll need to ask you help in spreading the word and hopefully sending in pictures of your bookshelves. I'll also be including awesome bookshelves to store your books in for a bit of variety.

Thanks to Jo from Fluidity of Time I have a very cute pic of one of her library bookshelves from her Summer Reading programs with an 'ocean theme'

Thanks again.  You can send any bookshelf pics to melissa@spellboundbybooks.com



IN My Mailbox (51)

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

For Review

Forgotten by Cat Patrick (Proof Copy)

Release Date: 7th June 2011

Thanks to Jenny from Hardie Grant Egmont!!

Also, just a quick note. Today is your last day to enter any of the giveaways for my blogoversary. You can find the links here!

So, what did you get in your IMM?

Sticky Beak (46)

Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.

The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!

Here's Mine:

For Writers:
Deadline Dames: When the Writing Isn't Working
Marianne Delacourt: Crime Writing with Meg Vann
Acorn Independant Press.Ltd: 5 Aside Story

Cool Stuff To Check Out:
Randomhouse Publishing: Read Chapter one of Burn Bright!!
Good Choice Reading: Saturday Sayings, a new meme worth checking out!
Guardian.co.uk: The Dog's who listen to Children Reading.  I thought this was really cute
Better Read than Dead: Worth checking out.

Somewhere Over the Sun by Adi Alsaid

Title: Somewhere Over the Sun

Author: Adi Alsaid

Genre: Fiction

Publisher:  Dog Ear Publishing

Publication Date: 15th November 2010

ISBN: 9781608448319

Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 208 pages

Book Received from: Author

First Lines: It started inside of an MRI machine.  I felt like gunpowder inside of an eight-foot bullet as I waited to be shot out into the ER, or maybe into Maternity, lying as perfectly still as I could remember to.

Synopsis:

Alan, a spirited young writer with a wandering imagination has discovered that the stories he writes are suddenly coming to life. At the suggestion of his loving father, Alan embarks on a quixotic journey to visit friends and use his new found gift to write them all happier lives. There are a few limitations to his power; he can't cure diseases, he can't summon pots of gold, and headaches accompany each reality-infused story he lives out, but the appreciative and optimistic Alan is not deterred from creating fantastical characters and storylines to give his friends more literary lives.


My Thoughts:

Just reading the synopsis alone had me intrigued about Alan.  I loved the idea of a young writer going on a journey to write his friends happier lives, but I sure wasn't prepared for what was contained within these pages.  And being a recreational writer, I'm oddly drawn to characters who are creative.  So this book was definitely a winner!

Right from the start I knew this was going to be an enjoyable read.  From the MRI scene, to the lonely room I was drawn in by the writing, and the style.  It's amazing how Adi just breathes life into his characters and those inanimate objects we pass by every day, not taking a second glance at. 

The story is told mostly from Alan's point of view, with a scattering of chapters from his father and the friends we visits.  Changing from one character to the next was easy, they were all so different and lovable in their own way. 

Somewhere Over the Sun for me gives hope when life seems mundane and takes what little joys we all take for granted and creates magical experiences from them.  Alan is one Author I will be keeping tabs on in future.  His style of writing is unique and one I enjoyed reading immensely. 

For those of you who enjoy creative characters and a witty and heartfelt read I suggest you get your hands on a copy of this. 

P.S Adi, the sex scene was brilliant!


Fave Line:  Too many!   - Here's one ;)  "It's kind of like what we go through in the washing machine.  Lots of spinning and bubbles, and then heat at the end." Hopefully not too spoilery.

A lovely Surprise in the Mail - Once Upon A Time

Very Pretty Front Cover!!

And heres the back.

These are my proof copies/ finished product, although one of the books I've already started going through with the red pen picking up errors and things that I have missed.  There aren't too many thank god!  My only issue with this is the toss up of justifying the text inside.  I did attempt this twice with disastrous results eg. words gone off the page etc so it didn't really like it.

In the next few days I'll be correcting any errors before printing the bulk load and sending it off to all of you!!

For the Winners and runners up, I will need you to send me your address so I can get them in the mail for you as soon as the final copy is printed.

Send me a line at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com