Review ~ Bring Me Home (Shattered Hearts #3) by Cassia Leo

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 19th December 2013

Publisher: Random House UK, Transworld

Description:
Sometimes letting someone go is the ultimate act of love.

Claire Nixon is a college student with a past full of secrets and heartbreak. She was saved once by her first love, and rock star, Chris Knight. But when she encouraged Chris to leave town to pursue his dreams, both Claire and Chris didn’t realize it would be the biggest mistake of their lives.

After a devastating year apart and thousands of miles of distance between them, Claire met sexy surfer Adam Parker. With his awful jokes and profound patience, he helped Claire pick up the shattered pieces of her broken heart for the second time.

But now Chris has returned and he is willing and determined to make Claire’s dreams come true—the same way she did for him when she let him go.

With Adam’s former girlfriend in the picture, Claire finds herself torn between the new, passionate love she shares with Adam and the love and family she shares with Chris.

My Opinion

Once again, as soon as I finished reading Piece of You, immediately, I started reading Bring Me Home. The cliffhanger from Pieces of You would have been unbearable had I not had Bring Me Home to start straight away and I was eager to find out how the author was going to end what had been a great series so far. 

In some ways, Bring Me Home lived up to my expectations and in others it did not. This was definitely the book I didn't like the most out of the series but don't take that the wrong way, I still loved it, even if I had a few problems.

I'm struggling to find new things to say about this book that I haven't written in my last two reviews. Bring Me Home had all of the qualities I like and even more trouble and problems added to the narrative. It was just as engaging and like with the other books I couldn't put it down. I really don't want to say too much about the story as I don't want to ruin the first two books for you but I will say that everything is rounded off nicely. Even if I dislike Claire's choice, there is a sense of finality, a happily ever after and all the loose ends are tied up well. The series ended on a good note that resolves all the drama and I was glad about that.

There were quite a few sweet moments in this book that made my heart melt and this both annoyed me and made me fall in love with the story. It annoyed me because I wanted to hate Chris but after everything he does I just could help but fall in love with him too and find myself disliking Adam. It is very rare that my loyalties to a guy in a book change so it was a surprise and I think a big achievement that the author can draw those kind of emotions out of a reader.

Bring Me Home was the longest of the three books and definitely has the most crammed in, with regards to the plot. There were a total of five points of view in this book - a few too many I think -  as Lindsey and Jackie were added in a couple of times. However, I was thankful that the author didn't develop their story too much as that would have been too confusing. I didn't feel it was necessary to get their points of view because they weren't that vital. Beside that the only other complaint I have is that at one point everyone seems to be having babies! I was reading and kept thinking, 'really again!' This is only a minor quibble though as the narrative is good enough that you can put it to the back of your mind.

Overall, Bring Me Home was a great conclusion to the series. It rounds everything off nicely and although I would have preferred a different ending to the one I got, it still worked. I really need to buy these books in paperback now!

 

Review ~ Pieces of You (Shattered Hearts #2) by Cassia Leo

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: January 21st 2014

Publisher: Random House UK, Transworld Publishers

Description:
Claire Nixon and Adam Parker each have a painful past too heavy to carry alone. Claire once tried to push Adam away but his relentless pursuit of her heart made her walls come crumbling down, and now they know they’re much stronger together than apart. 

But now Claire's attending college a hundred miles away from Adam, and the distance is forcing a crack. To add to the strain, Adam is sent to Hawaii on business, and doubts start creeping into both their hearts. 

Claire’s also dealing with her ex, rock star Chris Knight, being back in her life. Chris wants Claire more than anything, and he knows just how to get her: only he has the power to mend the final missing piece of Claire's broken heart. How can Claire ever choose between taking a chance on new love, or a second chance at having a family and a home?

My Opinion

I was glad that I requested all three books at once when I saw them as after finishing Relentless I moved straight onto reading Pieces of You. This book did worry me slightly as Relentless gives a clear indication of how this story was going to go and it was the emerging love triangle that had me slightly worried as I didn't know where the main focus would be. However, I did find myself enjoying the book.

I found Pieces of You more emotional than the first as with the re-introduction of Chris as a main character it brought more baggage and old memories up as they try to deal with what Claire did when they were apart. I was torn between liking Chris for the way he coped with everything as he becomes a vital part of Claire's life again and disliking him because I favoured Adam. By the end I still preferred Adam, but I didn't find Chris annoying like with the first book as he seemed to have matured and was there at the right moments. The character development in this book was great.

As you can probably see from my vagueness, I'm trying not to give anything away in case you haven't read Relentless. I always find reviewing sequels hard as I don't want to ruin the plot for anyone so I'm going to limit most comments. However, one thing I liked was the point of view switch. Unlike in Relentless, you get Adam, Claire and Chris's point of view in Pieces of You. When I saw this in the table of content I was slightly hesitant and wondered if three people telling the story was going to be too much and overwhelming with information. However, I was surprised at how well the book flowed. Three people were just about right and it gave and insight into every important character what with being written in first person. It definitely gave you a lot of detail and it also created minor stories within the bigger picture to keep things interesting.

Overall Pieces of You was a good sequel. It was just as fast-paced and engaging, so much so that I didn't realise how long I had been reading it when I stopped. The love triangle does not overshadow the emotional content and it was great to read about the characters developing.

Oh, and it also leaves you on a terrible cliffhanger so you may want to get the third book at the same time to avoid shouting in frustration! 

ARC Review ~ Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling

ARC paperback won from in a competition by the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 14th February 2014

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Description:
Behind the ivy-clad walls of an exclusive boarding school, lurks a sinister web of corruption, scandal, and conspiracy. American student Raven Stone has noticed something is horribly wrong. First there were the unexplained disappearances. Then there were the teachers' lies. And now the death threats ...Also entangled in the disturbing turn of events is the enigmatic Kieran Storm - a fellow student with a killer intellect and a body to die for. He's heading for trouble and taking her with him. Raven can feel herself falling in love, but can she trust a boy she knows almost nothing about?

My Opinion

When I got an email from the author saying I had won an advanced copy of Storm and Stone for my review of a previous book by her, I squealed and did a little dance around my living room. I've had Storm and Stone on my wish list ever since it appeared on Amazon and it was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading this year, so I was eager to start it as soon as it came. Unfortunately, I had some other books I was under obligation to review first so I had to wait a few weeks (yeah I know it's not that long really). Anyway, Storm and Stone didn't disappoint and I think it's my new favourite by Joss Stirling.

The blurb didn't really give me much to go on with what was going to happen in the book so I didn't know what to expect beside some romance and mystery. I definitely didn't see Joe and Kieran's part in the book coming though. And although their roles are revealed quite early on I'm not going to ruin anything for your by saying it. I'll let you find out for yourselves.

For me the best part about this book was that it was believable - especially the relationships between characters. The banter between Joe and Kieran was brilliant and made me smile as they teased one another. I especially like Joe's joke on Kieran's class schedule! It was easy to believe they were close and I liked the differences in personality. They worked together, with Kieran's over analytical mind contrasting with Joe's easy manner that drew everyone in. Kieran's personality never failed to amuse me, especially when the comments were not appropriate for the situation.

As well as this Raven was a great character. Having had a hard time growing up, she was easy to relate and sympathise with. She was likeable, yet she wasn't weak and didn't let her tormentors get the better of her. I loved her strong attitude and how she took no nonsense from anyone-even Kieran. They balanced each other well in the relationship and I think the author did a great job of building the romance. It was sweet, fun, emotional and had just the right amount of danger.

With plenty of twists and turns, Storm and Stone kept me engaged throughout the entire book. I didn't pause once while reading it! There is plenty of action that leaves you hanging on every word and I was surprised at how the plot developed. The book was definitely not what I was expecting which made it all the more enjoyable.

Overall, Storm and Stone was a brilliant read that delivered on my high expectations for this author. I love her work and can't recommend it highly enough. If what I said above wasn't enough there is also a subtle message about stereotyping and prejudices that was cleverly woven into the book. It's not glaringly obvious but it's something I've come to notice with this author and she is one of the few, for me, who can pull it off well due to the subtlety. If you love romance, action and mystery I would definitely recommend this book to you. I just wish it wasn't a standalone as I'd love more on Kieran and Raven!

Book Tour ~ Sparks by RS McCoy - Guest Post

"Everyone in the world has a spark, a light inside that guides them, keeps them alive.”

Myxini School for Children specializes in training young men and women who have powerful sparks. Strikers are taught to manipulate fire. Trackers learn to find animals in the most formidable terrains. Handlers are instructed in communication with large predators. But forty years have passed since the last time they had a Reader – a student with the ability to read minds.

When Lark Davies enrolls at Myxini, he knows there aren’t many like him, but he doesn’t realize just how rare his abilities really are. He thinks nothing of being asked to keep his spark a secret; after all, he can barely control it. Thoughts and emotions flood unbidden into his mind until he can scarcely walk or hold a conversation. But just when he needs it most, his ability fails him.

Larks meets Khea, a small frightened girl who mysteriously insights his protective nature. He has no explanation for the curious strength of their relationship, and it doesn’t help that she is one of the few people in the world whose thoughts can’t be read. As he struggles to get to the root of their unique bond, Lark begins to unravel more power than even his mentor expected, but in the process makes himself a target to political leaders eager to take control.

Guest Post ~ Coming Clean: How to Tell Others That You Write

For many of us independent authors, we started out in the moonlight hours. By day we are accountants, firemen, teachers and telemarketers, but at night, WHAM! We throw on our fancy capes and live the glorious lives of characters that exist only in our minds.

At some point, we are ready to emerge from the darkness and present our baby to the world. We may attempt the traditional publishing route at first, or go directly to the less formidable self-publishing. Either way, our blood, sweat and tears will see the light of day.

Whether or not you decide to quit your day job, we will all have to tell the world that we are writers. It might be that we need to be present for our marketing strategy, or maybe we need to contact independent bookstores and beg for mercy. No matter what, the truth has to come out.

Why don’t we just tell everyone from the get go? Why is there such a stigma for new or independent authors? For some of us, the content of our novels may not jive with our daily lives. Accountant by day, erotica novelist by night; perhaps not a great conversation starter at lunch.

Or maybe there is some mildly inappropriate component to our novel that we don’t necessarily want to reflect on ourselves or our family. Just imagine: “Hey Grams, I just wrote this book! Kids are dropping F-bombs and making out in the back seat like you wouldn’t believe! Can you pass it around to all your friends?”

Perhaps we’re just nervous of being judged. Writing has a tendency to be intensely personal, even if the content is fictional. What if someone reads our book and doesn’t like it? We could go down in writing infamy, to lie for all eternity somewhere next to Rebecca Black and William Hung.

So who should you tell and where should you start? First, consider whether or not the content of your work could have negative repercussions for your job. Do you teach elementary school? Then it’s probably great if your students, parents, and coworkers are in the know about a children’s book you just published. On the other hand, if you wrote a book about sex crimes, you might just want to keep that to yourself between nine and five.

Second, could your friends and family be negatively represented by your novel? If you wrote a young adult novel about time travel, you’re probably safe. If you wrote a book on the misery of your childhood and all the therapy you had to pay for, then perhaps you shouldn’t mention your book at Thanksgiving. It’s just not polite.

Then, consider if your friends and family could represent a network connection for your genre. My mom happens to host a monthly book club for some wine enthusiasts. I offered them an early copy of my manuscript and was grateful for the feedback. I know when the editing is complete, those lovely ladies will be my biggest backers.

Most importantly, do you love writing? Has writing become a part of who you are? If there isn’t a reason to keep it to yourself, then by all means share it with the world! Shout it from the proverbial mountain top. Tell your barista at Starbucks, the girls who bags your groceries, and anyone else you can get to listen.

In fact, it may be easier to start with strangers. For all you know, you’ll never see them again. A guy on the corner asks for your spare change? Lean out your window and shout “I wrote a book and it’s damn good!” Sweet little lady in the elevator wants to swap life stories? Feel free to drop in a “I’ve been writing in my basement for three years” between breaths.

It’s time to embrace it. Be proud of who you are. You are a writer. Someday you will be published. Go forth and tell the world!

Sparks Chapter Four Excerpt

I ran over to her as soon as I saw her, but the blank expression she wore made it clear she wasn’t all that pleased to see me. It had been months, and I'd almost thought she'd gone home, or hadn't had a bright enough spark after all. I could have jumped and yelled from excitement to see her.

“Khea?”

“Lark, have you met my mentor Mathias?” She turned to look at a middle aged man who stood behind her. I couldn’t get a read on either one, though it was hard to tell in the commotion of the training area. He wore the gray coverings that all mentors wore, and despite the age on his face, his golden hair matched the yellow pendant about his neck; which itself was inlaid with a black stone spider.

“Where have you been all this time?”

“Training, of course. Haven’t you?”

“Well, yes, but-. Why haven’t I seen you?”

“Mathias is responsible for all my lessons.” She was cold and dismissive, almost as if I bothered her. I couldn’t believe it. Why is she being so weird? I only wanted to make sure she was safe, that she was taken care of. What happened?

With a wave of dismissal she walked past me to challenge Parvani and I was sure my mouth dropped to the ground. Does she have any idea what she’s doing?

“Is she crazy?” Micha asked. He seemed more worried for her mental faculties than her general well-being, though I couldn’t disagree.

They stood and faced each other as Sinha commenced the fight. Khea was at least a full foot shorter than Parvani and looked like she could be her toy. I didn’t imagine Parvani was going to let her down easy.

In a moment of what must have been suicidal desire, Khea lunged, blocked a punch, and landed her fist square on Parvani’s cheek before the larger girl dropped onto her back on the ground. It was the most impressive display I had ever seen. Once she knew what she was up against, Parvani put in real effort to fight, and for a while, it seemed as if they were evenly matched. The final blow came when Khea grabbed Parvani's wrist, spun around her, and forced her to the ground. “Yield,” Parvani let out, defeated.

Without a word to me or Micha, Khea walked back to Mathias and he led her away. It was all I could think about the rest of the day, and into the next morning. What happened to Khea? Where has she been all this time and why is she so distant now? And since when was she some sort of combat master?

The next day Khea returned alone and challenged Shaz, a move that made me feel that Micha might have been right. Unlike Parvani, Shaz only lasted a measly few minutes before the pain in his leg prompted a yield. That time I was able to catch her before she left.

“Hey, Khea. What’s going on? Why won’t you talk to me?”

“I’m sorry, I’m not allowed to.”

“You’re not allowed to? Says who? That Mathias guy?” It seemed outlandish that anyone should be prevented from seeing me, particularly Khea.

She nodded before she replied, “I’m not supposed to talk to you. Please leave me alone.” Right then a boulder fell from the sky and crushed me. I just wanted to make sure she was alright. Why would someone prevent that? What made it worse was that she went along with it. She hadn’t fought against it or refused to follow his rules. My insides ached in a new kind of pain.

She began to walk away, but she turned around suddenly and leaned in close. “Meet me at the gardens after dinner,” she whispered. A wide smile pressed into my cheeks; my friend was in there somewhere. Mathias may have convinced her to follow him publicly, but somewhere and in some small part, she was still my friend.

About the Author

RS McCoy didn’t ever plan on being a writer. With a career teaching high school science, writing is the last thing she expected. But life never goes the way you think it will. While battling cancer, she picked up her laptop and let the words flow out. One year later, her first published fantasy novel will be released on Amazon soon and her second novel is in the works. She is a wife, mother of one with another on the way, a scientist, baker, gardener, and life-long science fiction and fantasy addict.

ARC Review ~ A Burnable Book: A Novel by Bruce Holsinger

ARC (paperback) received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 30th January 2014

Publisher: Harper Collins

Description:
London, 1385.

A city of shadows and fear, in a kingdom ruled by the headstrong young King Richard II, haunted by the spectre of revolt. A place of poetry and prophecy, where power is bought by blood.

For John Gower, part-time poet and full-time trader in information, secrets are his currency. When close confidant, fellow poet Geoffrey Chaucer, calls in an old debt, Gower cannot refuse. The request is simple: track down a missing book. It should be easy for a man of Gower’s talents, who knows the back-alleys of Southwark as intimately as the courts and palaces of Westminster.

But what Gower does not know is that this book has already caused one murder, and that its contents could destroy his life. Because its words are behind the highest treason – a conspiracy to kill the king and reduce his reign to ashes…

My Opinion

When I first received an email from the publisher with an offer to review this book I will admit I was hesitant and did have to read everything a few times before deciding to give it a try. Historical fiction isn't my usual genre of choice but it was the thriller aspect and the murderous implications for royalty that caught my attention. It has taken me a while to get through this book - and it wasn't without problems - but the author won me over by the end which surprised me greatly.

A Burnable Book has a very authentic setting and it is clear that the author has clearly done his research into the time period, customs and mannerisms. It enveloped you in the 14th century and I felt the setting was faultless in its crafting. All the information, down to the smallest detail were intricately woven into the time period and it made for a believable setting and aided the realism of both the book and characters.

The start of A Burnable Book intrigued me, with the murder of an unknown girl. It set the scene for everything but after this chapter, I hit my biggest problem with the book. For me I found that there was a significant lack of aspects that made this book a thriller until the last 100 pages. Personally I found the pacing to be much too slow, with the book containing large chunks of text that didn't move it on quick enough and a lack of action. The sections where characters interacted where good but in the first half - maybe 2/3rd - there was a significant lack of this in some sections.

I say sections because Bruce Holsinger created a large cast of characters, and while some are written in first person from John Gower's point of view, the prominent part of the book is written in third. It jumps from character to character giving a very good over view of everything that is going on and I think it worked. I'm not usual a fan of big casts as there are too many individuals to focus on but what made it work in Holsinger's book is the fact that at everything links together. It also works because it keeps you guessing as to what is really going on and who is really the one pulling the strings.

The sections about the girl's murder and the hunt for the book after 50% where by far the best sections. These had good pacing, a lot of speech and kept me engaged. I will admit my attention did wain in some of the other sections - especially when new characters were introduced. However, what won me over with this book was the ending (last 100 pages). It made all the slow sections worth while and I was glad I stuck with it. The author cleverly leads you on numerous false paths before finally revealing everything and it does keep you guessing. There were a few parts I figured out but it was nothing in comparison to the big picture.

Overall A Burnable Book is a good read. It is not a quick read but if you stick with it the revelations and plot development are well worth it. I would have liked more actions and bit better pacing to keep my interest throughout the start but it delivers in the long run. If you like historical fiction give this a go win it's released.