Merry Christmas 2014

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas!!  Hope you all get lots of book related pressy's ;) as well as other cool stuff.

Enjoy your time with family and friends... and remember to make the most of the moment!!

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Title: All The Bright Places

Author: Jennifer Niven
Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Publication Date: 7th January 2015
ISBN: 9780141357034
Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 400 pages
First Lines: Is today a good day to die?

Synopsis: 
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it's unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the 'natural wonders' of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It's only with Violet that Finch can be himself - a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who's not such a freak after all. And it's only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink.

My Thoughts: 
I received this uncorrected proof from Penguin Australia and I was pretty excited to read this.  When I read it was likened to John Green's novels and Eleanor and Park I couldn't wait to start reading.  As you can tell in the picture to the left, there was so much I loved about this book!  There were those lines that I wanted to savour, and come back to again and again.

I loved being in Theordore Finch's head.  I warmed up to Violet too after a little while, but Finch was my favourite character by far!  His changes in character and dress, his views on the world, his way with words.  They drew me in.  He would be the kind of person that could lift you up in a moments notice.  But he has these moods that pull him down, and make him "Sleep."  And all he wants to do is stay awake.  In the Now!

I was sad for Violet.  For surviving the crash but losing her sister and dealing with the aftermath.  To wake up and be on the ledge, have someone who was in the same boat save YOU, and then be portrayed as the hero.  For falling for Finch, and living again.  

The story itself was beautifully written.  For me there were no "lulls" or boring parts in the book. I enjoyed every bit!  I don't know whether I missed the signs,  but I didn't realise initially, that it was a story that includes mental illness until it is brought up within the book . I knew one of the main characters was fascinated with death, the other grieving for a loved one.  But there was so much more than just this!

There are so many things I want to do now.  Finch and Violet wander their state as part of a school project.  Their own rules being No phones, and leaving something at each place!  There is also mention of epitaphs in the book as well.  Another thing I'd love to have a go at.  I found after reading this that I wanted to do so much more with my life than just live.  I wanted to be something to someone and books like this really make you sit back and want to evaluate the things that you have done and want to do in life.  We are only given so many days in our life before it's too late.  Before we reach our own "Built-in ending" and I guess this has kick started the bucket list for me.

This story is about two teens who have ended up in the same place physically and emotionally and they fall in love.  It's about suicide, and survival, and grief, and love.  It's about finding the perfect day, and being the person you're supposed to be, and to matter!

This book is one that is well worth reading.

Fave Lines:  Just to pick one would be so hard!!
Page 41 - Maybe no one else will ever visit them and appreciate them or take the time to think they're important, but maybe even the smallest places mean something.
Page 315 - We do not remember days we remember moments.



Book received from:  Penguin Australia

Supernatural Urban Legends by Sherry Soule

Supernatural Urban Legends

Guest Post by author Sherry Soule

Today author, Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! The next book in the epic Spellbound series, DESTINY DISRUPTED (Older YA paranormal romance) will be published in November 2014.

To help promote these thrilling serial novels, Sherry is doing this guest post to share the news with fellow booklovers.

Hi everyone, I’m Sherry Soule—waving from the Bay Area. Thanks for letting me stop by today and chat about my books. It’s a thrill to get to be a guest and meet fellow booklovers. I have put together a few mysterious and intriguing urban legends about the Spellbound series that surround the cursed town of Fallen Oaks, California…

Urban Legend #1

Some researchers believe that certain demon races are actually the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim. (They are also considered to be Shadow People.) The origination of the Nephilim began with the legend of an archangel named Raziel. Urban legend states that Raziel escorted a sect of angels that were to instruct humans in morality.

Unfortunately, these angels began to educate man in sciences that God had deemed to be forbidden. These subjects included astrology, divination, and magic. The tutelage went on for centuries, until the angels began to pine for the human females.

After the fallen angels, or sometimes known as the Fallen, had sexual relations with the women, their unholy union resulted in the hybrid offspring called: Nephilim, which are the direct descendants of the antediluvian Fallen. Nephilim are also known as the Grigori or the Watchers.

It has been insinuated that one of the main reasons for the great flood, was not only to punish man, but to cleanse the earth of the Nephilim created from the union of fallen angels and human women. The flood banished most of the Fallen and their offspring into a Sheol.

So, do you believe in the Nephilim? What do you think will happen if they are ever freed?

Urban Legend #2

One haunted house claim that continues to be an urban legend is the infamous, Ravenhurst Manor in Fallen Oaks. Books and stories have been written based on its hauntings and its reputation as one of California's most ghostly places.

Ravenhurst Manor’s first owner was a woman and dark sorceress named, Rowan Broussard. After her death, the estate was used as an all girl’s boarding school for many years. The sixty room Gothic mansion was listed for sale with the resident ghosts. Other odd things that occurred in in this house were: doors and windows that opened or closed on their own, cold drafts, whispering voices, and some visitors even claimed to see a dark shadowy figure roaming the halls.

However, Ravenhurst is most famously linked to the disappearance of six children during the years of 1964 through 1967. (After the school was closed, the estate became the property of the town before it was sold to an wealthy, oil magnate.) After the children’s' bodies were discovered buried within the walls of the house, obviously from less than peaceful circumstances, the town buried them in Silent Hollows Cemetery.

Did these Children buried on unconsecrated ground, lead to the strange tragedy that would make this mansion so famous?

Urban Legend #3

Ah, let’s move on to the zombie apocalypse!

Another interesting urban legend states that on September 28, 1941, during an eclipse, a zombie was spotted in Fallen Oaks. To make matters worse, a fire at the local mill had swept through town. As day turned to night, more zombies appeared. Many townsfolk mistook the undead for dazed mill workers. After the residents received hugs from the zombies, they were bitten by these paranormals, and soon the epidemic spread across the town like wildfire. 

To make matters worse, the roads and bridges connecting Fallen Oaks to the rest of the Bay Area had burned in the fire. The townsfolk had no way to escape. Scores of people become lost when they chose to venture into the dark depth of Deadwood Grove rather than face the insatiable zombie menace.

Within days, the Paranormal Research Group (PRG) converged on Fallen Oaks in a variety of aircraft. They established a base on the south side of the forest and went about the process of extermination. It took two weeks to secure the town. A total of 500 people were plague-ridden, an enormous number considering that there wasn’t a zombie vaccine available at this time.

Whatever the case, Fallen Oaks’s zombie outbreak affected just under 600 people, making it one of the worst cases in U.S. history.

Are you prepared for a zombie apocalypse? What if zombies start showing up again?

Thank you so much for letting me chat up my YA series with all of you. It’s been an honor to share the eerie urban legends associated with the Spellbound series. If you haven’t seized your copy yet, please do so. Many thrilling and extraordinary adventures await you!

Places you can cyberstalk, Sherry Soule:

Official website: http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com

Official Spellbound Series Blog: http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com

goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11634793-beautifully-broken

Twitter: @SherrySoule: http://twitter.com/SherrySoule

Hunting Demons is One Thing…Dating Them is Another.

Life sucks for Shiloh Trudell. And being a demon hunter who’s in love with a cocky half-demon makes things even suckier.

Especially when she discovers that Trent, her sinfully hot boyfriend, is hiding a few dangerous secrets. Like the fact that he’s losing his humanity.

To complicate matters, witches from the local coven are mysteriously turning up dead, and as Shiloh searches for answers, she confronts her worst nightmare…Trent is being blackmailed into becoming the next leader of the Underworld.

But Shiloh is still convinced that she can save him, even after the impossibly gorgeous, fallen angel Raze tells her that a relationship with Trent is forbidden now. Warned to stay away from the only boy she’s ever loved, she can’t ignore the sizzling attraction that ignites whenever they’re around one another. Especially after a swoon-inducing night of stolen passion.

As Shiloh’s world begins to unravel around her, it soon becomes obvious that her destiny lies in one of two choices: vanquish Trent or join him in the Underworld.

DESTINY DISRUPTED (book 5) ASIN: B00OJQHU5O

Pre-Order your copy today and get it delivered to your reading device on November 28th! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJQHU5O

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/destiny-disrupted-1

Apple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id930482995

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1120565438?ean=2940046330205&itm=1&usri=2940046330205

Please “mark to read” on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13570561-destiny-disrupted

Guest Post of my "Dream Cast" by Sherry Soule

“Author Sherry Soule’s DREAM CAST”

Today author, Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! The next book in the epic Spellbound series, DESTINY DISRUPTED (Older YA paranormal romance) will be published in November 2014.

To help promote these thrilling serial novels, Sherry is doing this guest post to share the news with fellow booklovers.

So without further ado here are Sherry’s top actor picks...

My kickbutt heroine, Shiloh Trudell is a tough one. For me it is between these lovely and brilliant actresses: Nicole Anderson or Malese Jow.

Quirky, SHILOH (who never leaves the house without her fav hot pink Doc Martens) has a habit of engaging her brain before her mouth. She has seen shadows for as long as she can remember, and they always turn up when something bad is about to happen. Shiloh decides it’s her duty to find out what’s causing the mystical disappearances in Fallen Oaks before the evil claims another innocent life. Yet even as a witch-in-training, is Shiloh worthy to combat the forces of darkness? Or is she just another teen destined to befall the town curse?

  

For the part of the arrogant playboy, Trent Donovan, I think this dynamic actor / model would be great, Luke Guldan:

After seventeen years, TRENT and his father return to Fallen Oaks and are instantly under speculation. Especially when construction on their mansion awakens an ancient evil, and the vanishing of a local teen has everyone murmuring about an old witch’s curse. When Trent meets Shiloh—sparks fly. Shiloh and Trent have an almost instant connection. As their friendship changes from mutual lust to real affection, they achieve an emotional closeness rarely found. He finds Shiloh’s willful determination a challenge, but he still has a hard time expressing his feelings. Will Trent be able to survive the town curse in time to tell Shiloh how he feels?  

For Shiloh’s so-called mother, Darrah, I like this amazing actress: Kelly Lee Carlson (she would be so freakin’ perfect).

Shiloh’s mother, DARRAH BROUSSARD is an incredibly beautiful yet cryptic woman. She has never really been the “motherly” type. When she starts dabbling in Dark Magicks, she slips further away from her family. Jillian has been embracing darkness, and straying from the path of her ancestors. Will the cost of her driving ambition come at a deadly price? 

For Shiloh’s father, Jackson Trudell, this wonderful actor might be great: Oded Fehr.

JACKSON TRUDELL is Shiloh’s father, and he only wants peace within his troubled family. He is a kind-hearted man who tends to be swept up in Shiloh’s drama. He does not believe in the supernatural. Not in ghosts or hauntings or mysterious happenings as well as psychic abilities. He thinks the rumors about witches are ridiculous. Still he’s worried that Shiloh will discover his secret. Will he finally find the courage to tell Shiloh the truth about her heritage?

For Shiloh’s sassy best friend, Ariana Parsons, this remarkable actress would be fantastic: Britt Robertson.

Smart and feisty, ARIANA PRESTON is Shiloh’s best friend. Her outgoing nature, along with her snarky and blunt personality are Ariana’s most endearing qualities. Upon learning that Shiloh is actually a powerful thirteenth witch, she dedicates herself to aiding her friend in the battle against evil. But after playing around with the occult, Ariana develops a taste for the dark arts. Will her interest in the Craft only cause more havoc and mayhem in a town that is already cursed by dark magick?

For Anthony Evans, Shiloh’s mentor, I like this gifted actor best: Matt Davis.

ANTHONY EVANS is a Victorian restoration specialist and part-time paranormal investigator, with the gift of Sight. After the death of his wife, he moves in with his brother-in-law, Maxwell Donovan and his nephew, Trent to help cleanse their haunted house. After hiring Shiloh as an assistant, he decides that it’s his duty to educate Shiloh in all things supernatural. But will teaching her magick be enough to stop the evil from killing the other teenagers in town? 

For Shiloh’s brave and loving aunt Lauren, I like these outstanding actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow or Charilze Theron:

LAUREN BROUSSARD wants to help Shiloh deal with her newfound powers. Although, continuous, heated disagreements with her sister, Jillian about Shiloh’s upbringing resulted in her being estranged from the family. But what can Lauren say when Shiloh starts asking questions about the Broussard family’s dark past?

Only one actor comes to mind that could portray the dashing and ruthless, Maxwell Donavon – Australian actor and model, Julian Dana William McMahon:

Millionaire, yuppie, MAXWELL DONOVAN shares his son Trent’s intensity, articulacy, and conviction. Maxwell was married to Claire and stole not only her heart, but her sanity as well. Rumors abound after he is accused of murdering his wife. Is he really a heartless killer or is there more to this enigmatic man? 

For the Trendies aka mean girls, Ashley and Kayla, I like these young, talented actresses: Victoria Justice and Olivia Holt:

BRITTANY WITHERIDGE is the mayor’s daughter. She is the Queen Bee at Fallen Oaks High. Always calm and poised, and perfectly coiffed. She is Shiloh’s best frenemy. Ashley is very loyal to her friends while still being independent. When an unstoppable beast invades the town, will Ashley put aside her differences to join forces with Shiloh?

KAYLA BISHOP is Ashley’s best friend and captain of the cheerleading squad. At times, she can be spontaneous or cautious—whatever the situation calls for. She’s tougher than she looks, but can a bit of an airhead. Will Kayla surprise herself with her own insightful contributions to the fight against evil?

Okay, so there you have it, Sherry’s favorite actor picks. If you’ve read the Spellbound series, what actors would you pick for the leading roles?

Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:

Official Spellbound Series Universe: http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com/

Twitter @SherrySoule: http://twitter.com/SherrySoule

goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4925996.Sherry_Soule

Hunting Demons is One Thing…Dating Them is Another.

Life sucks for Shiloh Trudell. And being a demon hunter who’s in love with a cocky half-demon makes things even suckier.

Especially when she discovers that Trent, her sinfully hot boyfriend, is hiding a few dangerous secrets. Like the fact that he’s losing his humanity.

To complicate matters, witches from the local coven are mysteriously turning up dead, and as Shiloh searches for answers, she confronts her worst nightmare…Trent is being blackmailed into becoming the next leader of the Underworld.

But Shiloh is still convinced that she can save him, even after the impossibly gorgeous, fallen angel Raze tells her that a relationship with Trent is forbidden now. Warned to stay away from the only boy she’s ever loved, she can’t ignore the sizzling attraction that ignites whenever they’re around one another. Especially after a swoon-inducing night of stolen passion.

As Shiloh’s world begins to unravel around her, it soon becomes obvious that her destiny lies in one of two choices: vanquish Trent or join him in the Underworld.

DESTINY DISRUPTED (book 5) ASIN: B00OJQHU5O

Pre-Order your copy today and get it delivered to your reading device on November 28th! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJQHU5O

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/destiny-disrupted-1

Apple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id930482995

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1120565438?ean=2940046330205&itm=1&usri=2940046330205

Please “mark to read” on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13570561-destiny-disrupted

Morganville Vampires Web Series EPISODES 4-6

Looking forward to watching more of this!  Hopefully they make more!!

Morganville Vampires Web Series EPISODES 1-3

I'm so excited to be able to help share these awesome episodes.  Morganville Vampires is now a web series and depending how much they are watched .. could mean there will be a round two.

Awesome stuff!!

Morganville Web Series

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm SUPER excited and can't wait to see the first episode in the web Series Morganville Vampires.

Here is a preview:

Mark the 27th of October on your Calendars people!!

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Title: The Infinite Sea
Author: Rick Yancey
Genre: Young Adult/Sci-Fi
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Publication Date: 27th August 2014
ISBN: 9780141345840
Stand Alone/Series: The Fifth Wave #2
Pages: 336 pages
First Lines: There would be no harvest.  The spring rains woke the dormant tillers, and bright green shoots sprang from the moist earth and rose like sleepers stretching after a long nap.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST BOOK!

Synopsis:How do you rid the earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.
Cassie Sullivan and her companions lived through the Others' four waves of destruction. Now, with the human race nearly exterminated and the 5th Wave rolling across the landscape, they face a choice: brace for winter and hope for Evan Walker's return, or set out in search of other survivors before the enemy closes in. Because the next attack is more than possible – it's inevitable.
No one can anticipate the depths to which the Others will sink – nor the heights to which humanity will rise . . .

My Thoughts:
I must admit I was super excited when this rocked up on my doorstep.  Completely over the moon.

I started reading and the first chapter in had me hooked completely.  Drew me in to this group but wow by the end of the chapter I was shocked.  I knew that this would play a part further into the book so I kept reading wondering when this would pop.

The story itself is told through various characters: Cassie, Ringer, Evan Walker, some in first some in third.  This itself caused me a bit of an issue at the beginning when I thought I was in Cassie's POV then found out it was Ringers.  It wasn't made obviously clear to begin with but I did eventually tell the two apart. Especially towards the end of one of the scenes with Ringer and Teacup.

The one problem I had was that I was confused a bit of the time.  It had been so long since I'd read The Fifth Wave and when there were references and things that came up I felt a bit lost.  So if you intend on reading this, I suggest refreshing with the last couple of chapters of The Fifth Wave before moving on.  I think I have to blame this a little on the fact I read way too much lol.

I'm interested to see where Rick takes this story.  There were a few revelations and we find out a fair bit about the main characters in the book including a few new characters!  So I'm itching for the next book.

I must say the only thing that bothered me a little was that this seemed be more Ringer's story than Cassie's.  I felt like we spent alot more time in her head than Cassie's.  I begun to really like her but I wonder how the third book will turn out!

Good read!

Book received from:  Penguin Australia

MBOB: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner would have to be a favourite book of mine.  So I'm glad they've taken this and made it into a movie.  I haven't yet seen it.  But I will.  And I can't wait!!

In My Mailbox (157)

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

For Review:

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey (The Fifth Wave #2)

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Deadly Odds by Allen Wyler

Bought:

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
The White Rabbit Chronicles #1

What did you get in your IMM?

The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore

Title:  The Revenge of Seven

Author: Pittacus Lore
Genre:  Young Adult/Sci Fi
Publisher:  Penguin Australia
Publication Date: 26th August 2014
ISBN:  9780718178369
Stand Alone/Series:  Lorien Legacies #5
Pages:  320 pages
First Lines:  The nightmare is over.  When I open my eyes there's nothing but darkness.

Synopsis: 
The have killed four of us.
 They will not rest until we are all dead.
 They will not stop until your planet is theirs.
 They think we are broken.
 We will not be defeated.
 We are all that stands in their way.
 We know secrets they thought hidden.
 We have power they never expected.
 The time has come for them to fall. The Garde have suffered the ultimate betrayal: Number Five has allied himself with the Mogadorians, killing Eight and helping the Mogs to abduct Ella from the safe house. Now the fight for Earth's survival has just become that much more impossible. The Garde may not have time to mourn their fallen ally, but they'll make sure to avenge him. And help is at hand from the most unlikely of sources: Adam, a Mogadorian, has turned his back on his people. He might just be their lifeline, but are the Garde repeating past mistakes by putting their trust in him?

My Thoughts:  I received this book a little while ago, but because I'm one of these readers that wants... no NEEDS to read things in order, I picked up Fall of Five first. Once I'd finished that I was so glad I had The Revenge of Seven to keep gong because seriously things couldn't be left as they were.

It's worse after reading this book because I now have to wait HOW LONG to find out what is going to happen after this crazy as cliffhanger.  Like seriously!!

So,  The Revenge of Seven for me wasn't gripping enough to be read in one sitting.  It was good don't get me wrong.  But I found myself putting the book down alot in the beginning.  It wasn't that it WASN'T good.  I just wasn't compelled to fly through this like some books.  But in saying that I still thoroughly enjoyed the read.  I couldn't help but feel like this was just setting things up more or less for book 6 because apart from a few smallish revelations which threw a few curve balls at the reader, there was no "Oh my God" moments up until the VERY end and then it was like. No don't end on THAT! But obviously it did!

The garde split up a few times during the book having each group heading in different directions.  They are left to deal with less than ideal circumstances and I must admit I was on the edge of my seat just as something big was going down only to have the Author switch to another character!

There was one really surprising element in the form of Adam.  Of course this is all I will say but deep down I was cheering for him a bit.  Another surprising thing were the amount of Chimaerae (or however it is spelt) in this.  Finally Bernie Kosar is not completely alone!

There was a funny moment in the book that has stuck with me even now after finishing this off, and that one of the chimaera goes from being a canary to a rhino midflight.  Amusing to say the least.  I'd love to see this done in cinema, but alas I shall keep wishing.

There are a few things that are revealed in this book as well.  Obviously you will have to find these out for yourselves!  I'm surprised to find when Six and gang reach their destination and find out the outcome of their mission.

Once hitting the halfway mark I couldn't put the book down.  I needed to know what was going to happen to John, Marina (Seven) and the gang and by the last page I was trying to magically manifest the next book along unsuccessfully.

If you have been reading the Lorien Legacies series don't stop reading this book because there are a few slow spots because at the end you are going to be wishing that the next book was right there in front of you!


Book received from:  Penguin Australia for review.

In The Mailbox (156)

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

For Review:

The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore

Thank you to Penguin Australia for sending this to me!

Bought:

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner (The Mortality Doctrine #1)

The Rain by Virginia Bergin  (The Rain #1)

Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant (Messenger of Fear #1)

Zombie Apocalypse created by Stephen Jones (Zombie Apocalypse #1)
Girt by David Hunt

What did you all get in your IMM?

I went to the Brisbane Writers Festival from Wednesday to Saturday and met some really amazing people, as well as done some awesome book shopping.  Well worth the time to check out if you are interested in both writing and reading... or either!

Waiting on Wednesday (146)

Waiting On Wednesday was created 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 have been itching to get a hold of the second book in the 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey and can't wait for the 16th of September when we will see The Infinite Sea out!!

Synopsis
How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

What are you waiting on?

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title:  Eleanor and Park
Author:  Rainbow Rowell
Genre:  Young Adult / Contemporary / Realistic Fiction
Publisher:  Orion (Hatchette)
Publication Date:  30th April 2013
ISBN:  9781409120544
Stand Alone/Series:  Stand Alone
Pages:  336 pages
First Lines:  He'd stopped trying to bring her back.  She only came back when she felt like it, in dreams and lies and broken-down deja vu

Synopsis:  Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, her mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn't stick out more if she tried.
Park is the boy at the back of the bus.  Black tshirts, headphones, head in a book - he thinks he's made himself invisible.  But not to Eleanor... never to Eleanor
Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for eachother.  They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you are young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose.

My Thoughts:  Eleanor and Park isn't what I expected at all.  I'm glad to say it was better than I initially thought it would be. I am slowly reading more and more contemporary and realistic fiction.  I wouldn't say it's my favourite genre because I prefer post apocalyptic and paranormal books but I really enjoyed Eleanor and Park from beginning to end.  There were no borings bits that I found tends to happen in some contemporary which was a bonus too!

There are so many instances in the book where I can relate to both Eleanor and Park.  The very first time that Eleanor shows up on the bus, I felt so bad for her.  But I also love her attitude when faced with so many challenges.  I would have probably cried a long time before she did and I think that is why I loved her so much.  With her mismatched clothes and the way that she uses ribbons and ties, I was so glad that the Author made her the way she was and not some perfect stereotype of a girl that everyone tries to conform to be.

I really felt for Park too.  Especially towards the very end!  His parents were so supportive of him, it was hard to imagine this sort of thing happening back in 1986, and his father knowing what he knew about the family.  I think that's what makes his family all the more likeable.  Especially his Mum.

I guess this is a really good example of how first loves go.  The awkwardness, and uncertainty when getting to know another person you happen to really like.  By the end of the book I was wishing it didn't have to end!

Favourite part of the book would have to be around 170, when I happened to be sitting there grinning like an idiot at work and thinking Nawwwwwwwwwwww this is awesome!

Definitely not suitable for younger readers as it does explore their relationship a little more than other YA books.


Fave Lines:  Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn't supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.
Book received from:  Hatchette Australia

In My Mailbox (155)

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

For Review:

Defector by Susanne Winnaker (Variants #2)
Thank you to Hachette for sending this to me!
I will have to read book one first!!!

Bought:

Switching Suits by Julie Braithwaite

Sleep Walkers by Tom Grieves

One Moment by Kristina McBride

Itch by Simon Mayo 

(The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter Itch #1)

Ethan Grout by Matt Howard

What did you get in your IMM?

Guest Post: A Haunted Place in A Human Element by Donna Galanti

A Haunted Place in A Human Element

By Donna Galanti

I often get asked if the characters in my paranormal suspense book A Human Element are “me”. Yes they are…in some ways.

I was a photographer in the U.S. Navy stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, as Ben Fieldstone is in A Human Element. I worked in Fleet Intelligence processing top secret film in “the building with no windows”, as Ben did.

The beauty of Oahu is amazing with its violently defined landscape, a place to find–and keep–secrets in its hidden spots. I also lived off base in Honolulu. Likini, the wife of Ben’s friend, in A Human Element is actually named after the street I lived on, Likini Street (where I got around in a Herbie-styled 1972 white VW bug).

But in A Human Element, book 1 in the Element Trilogy, you’ll find Hawaii is not all palm trees and Mai Tais. Ben finds himself in dire circumstances there as a sailor on Oahu one terrifying night.

I also know of the dangers sailors can find themselves in on the island of Oahu if they’re not careful. I was told not to go to the Pali Lookout alone, a spot far above Honolulu in the Koolau Mountains that is set on cliffs with treacherous falls awaiting those who aren’t careful. Or those who are tossed off…or those who jump off. It’s known for its moaning, howling winds. People have disappeared up there, they’d say. It’s a haunted place where the ghosts of Hawaiian ancestors are said to roam.

But back to Ben and his night of terror at the Pali Lookout. Can he be saved? More importantly, can he be saved from himself?

Ben meets the Man in Black in Hawaii:

He closed his eyes and forced himself to find a dark place with peace and no pain. The two men continued to taunt him, but they echoed far away in a tunnel. He held his breath, willing himself to pass out. The wild wind of the mountaintop raged around him and shrieked in his ears.

Then two loud cracks shot out over the howling wind. The hands on him fell away. He let out a huge sigh, dizzy from holding his breath.

Ben opened his eyes and craned his head around to see what had happened. Under the bright moonlight the outline of the two big Samoans rose up from the overgrown road. They didn't move. The wind whipped the giant leaves of the banyan and guava trees about like sails on a great clipper ship. The buzz of traffic from the new Pali road carried up to him from below. He scanned the area. What had happened? Who else hid out there? He pulled at the stakes. His hands shook as he tried to break free.

"Forget it, kid, they're held down in cement," a deep voice said. "These stupid locals make up these playgrounds just to mess with us haoles."

Ben swallowed the saliva stuck in his throat and focused on his surroundings. There stood the green-eyed man, hidden in the swaying banyan trees. His black outfit blended into the dark forest. He moved toward Ben and holstered his gun, then popped open a switchblade from his back pocket.

"I am not here to hurt you," the man said when Ben shrunk into the rock. "I'm going to cut the ropes."

In a few swift movements he slit the ropes binding Ben, who staggered back. The man caught him and held him up, then ripped off the duct tape.

"Who are you?" Ben's body trembled from the rush of fear and a fierce headache pounded in his temple.

The man didn't answer. He bent over one of the dead Samoans and pulled out a wallet. He looked inside and threw it at Ben. "It's yours." Then the man led him by the arm down the overgrown road where he handed Ben his clothes from the brush. He tried to put them on but his hands shook so bad the man had to help him. He winced from the whip marks brushing against his jeans and shirt.

"Come on," the man said. Ben looked back at the dead men sprawled face down. They oozed like two fat walruses sunning themselves in the moonlight. "Don't worry about them. I'll dump them later, somewhere they'll never be found."

In a daze, Ben followed his savior up the rough road, stumbling behind him in the dim moonlight. Those men had carried him unconscious down this road.

"I'll take you back to base then you're on your own," the man said once they reached his car, parked off the main road. "Don't speak of this to anyone. Understand?"

Ben nodded and climbed in the car. He looked over at the stranger in black who had saved him.  "You were at my foster mother's funeral. Why are you following me? Why save me?"

"I'm an interested party. Leave it at that."

"I can't. I would have died up there for sure."

The man didn't respond.

"Thank you."

The man looked at Ben. His green eyes glowed in the moonlight that filtered into the car. "Someday you might not thank me. Someday you may not survive."

About A Human Element:

Evil comes in many forms…

One by one, Laura Armstrong’s friends and adoptive family members are being murdered, and despite her unique healing powers, she can do nothing to stop it. The savage killer haunts her dreams, tormenting her with the promise that she is next. Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite in her hometown. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, who seeks answers about his parents’ death the night the meteorite struck. In a race to stop a madman, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together. But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s emotional relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test. With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his, and she has two choices—redeem him or kill him.

**Get your evil on with this re-release, A Human Element, book 1 in the Element Trilogy! Newly edited, new scenes, new cover! Book 2 in the Element Trilogy, A Hidden Element, releases 8/28!**

Praise for A Human Element:

“Be afraid. Be very afraid. And be utterly absorbed by this riveting debut that had me reading till the wee hours of the night. A thriller star is born.” –M.J. Rose, International bestselling author
“An elegant and haunting first novel. Unrelenting, devious but full of heart.  Highly recommended.” –Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author

About Donna:

Donna Galanti writes murder and mystery with a dash of steam as well as middle grade adventure fiction. She is an International Thriller Writers Debut Author of the paranormal suspense novel A Human Element, A Hidden Element (August 2014), the short story collection The Dark Inside, and Joshua and The Lightning Road (Books 1 and 2, 2015). She’s lived from England as a child, to Hawaii as a U.S. Navy photographer.

Website: www.ElementTrilogy.com  

Blog: http://www.elementtrilogy.com/blog/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DonnaGalanti

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiAuthor

Purchase A Human Element, book 1 in the Element Trilogy, here: http://amzn.to/1mNcyCO

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