Marshmallow Skye Review By Dayna

Marshmallow Skye – Cathy Cassidy.

SKYE and SUMMER TANBERRY are identical twins, and SKYE loves her sister Summer more than anyone else in the world. They do everything together, but lately Skye’s been feeling like second-best – it’s the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses he’s fallen not for her, but for Summer, it hurts.

Skye wants to be her own person, but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? Will Skye ever step out of Summer’s shadow and find her own chance to shine?

So, I have stepped away from the vamps and the werewolves, the Shadowhunters (or demon hunters for those of you who aren’t familiar with Cassandra Clare’s work), the demons, and faeries, to delve into a more, true to life story but, before I could even get as far as opening the book, I couldn’t help gushing and drooling over the cover. It’s gorgeous! It’s sweet and cute and was really making me crave chocolates. It’s so yummy looking!

The story was so beautifully written. It is aimed at a younger age group (9+) but it’s written in such a way that an older person -like myself- wouldn’t feel out-of-place reading it. I admit, I was a bit unsure about reading it at first because of the fact it was aimed at younger readers but I’m so glad I did. I could happily go back to the beginning and start all over again. There is such a fab twist to the story. I really wasn’t expecting it. I just kind of expected it to be about growing up and finding yourself etc but it isn’t quite. There is a lot more to the story than you may think when reading the blurb. Yes, it’s about a girl who feels she’s always in her twin’s shadow and it’s about becoming a teen and discovering boys and make-up and the usual teen-coming-of-age stuff but the story takes a different turn and after Skye and her sisters come back from trick or treating and telling ghost stories, they come home to see that their parents have been rummaging in the attic and have brought a few things downstairs including a trunk full of old clothes. accessories and letters. From there onwards, there is a deeper, spookier side to the story and I loved how the story unfolded and how there could be more to Skye’s dreams of “Ghost Boy” than you may think.

I think girls who read this book will be sure to empathise with Skye and her friends and all the things they are going through when it comes to turning the big ONE THREE. It also teaches them that it is perfectly ok to go against the grain, to be their own person and not to follow others if that’s not what makes them happy.

I rate this book 5/5

You can buy Marshmallow Skye here

You can find out more about Cathy and her books here . The site is awesome and is so gorgeous and pretty!

Thank you to Penguin for asking us to review such a fab book.

The Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices Convention.

Being a fan of both of Cassandra Clare’s 2 series, I (Dayna) frequent the google group for them quite often. Just recently there has been talk about how awesome it would be to have a TMI/ID con. Where? You might ask. Well, in the home of TMI itself, New York of course! Thanks to Mina and Eileen, this may well be possible. I personally think this is an absolutely amazing idea -it even has the backing of Cassie herself- and if I can help in some way and/or can get myself to New York then I am SO there. After fans discussing it during the YA Crush Tourney thread, a new thread was set up specially for it and here’s the post about it:

“Hello Everyone,

I’ve been talking with Mina Blak, and we came up with a crazy idea for
starting a convention for all people who are interested in Cassandra
Clare’s TMI/ID Universe. We were thinking of holding it in New York
City sometime next year, hopefully around the time that City of Lost
Souls is being published.

We’d like to see how many people would be legitimately interested in
an endeavor like this. We’d like to know if you’re interested in
attending, organizing, or anything of the sort. Any feedback is
really appreciated, since if we were to actually come up with
something, we’d have to start working very soon.

I currently live in Wisconsin, USA. This means that organizing
something on the East Coast wouldn’t be the easiest thing for me, but
I’d be willing to try if there’s enough expressed interest in
something like this.

I’m asking everyone to make this go viral. Post something about this
on your Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and anywhere else you can think to
see what kind of feedback we could get.

If you’re interested in getting a hold of me personally, here’s my
contact information. Please no spam, just legitimate questions and
feedback only, and put something in the subject line about
“convention” here:
thewisepenseuse@hotmail.com
cornerchairseat.tumblr.com

https://twitter.com/#!/thewisepenseuse

Thank you
~Eileen Kelm”

So….what do you guys think?? Since that post there has been talk about maybe having it around the release of the City of Bones movie (how would it be if it coincided with the movie?!?!) or maybe for the release of the last book, City of Heavenly Fire. I think to have it then would be the perfect way to say good bye and fairwell to such an amazing series. There are bound to be some tears shed.

So, what I’d like you to do is help us TMI/ID fans spread the word. Post about it anywhere you can, tell all your friend’s. Let’s get this news going global. We need as much interest as possible to make this awesome event really happen for reals.

If you have experience in organizing events/conventions (or even if you don’t but may have a brilliant idea) please put your suggestions forward on how we could raise the funds for such an event as this. My own suggestion would be to see if any organisations would be willing to sponsor the event (maybe even Simon & Schuster would be interested)? Or even a fan or 2 who could contribute “x” amount of money towards funds (a bit like a producer of a movie I suppose) where they would then earn a percentage of the profits if the convention is successful? Just an idea or 2 there.

Thoughts?

Madly/Wolfhardt Review by Dayna

Madly/Wolfhardt – M. Leighton.

Madly is your average nearly-eighteen year old girl-for a mermaid princess, that is.

Madly James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in Slumber when the unthinkable happens-there’s a prison break in Atlas, Madly’s home beneath the sea. A traitor has set free eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants.

The first spirit to arrive is that of Ulrich Wolfhardt, a man that was once obsessed with wolves and a young maiden he would follow through the woods. After a bite from a wolf, Wolfhardt’s obsession with the girl became an unnatural hunger and the young maiden’s grandmother cursed him with a fate worse than death. And now he’s back…with a vengeance and a bite that can infect others as well.

Madly must learn the identity of Wolfhardt’s descendant and stop him before he kills again and spreads his curse across the earth. But the only person strong enough to help Madly is Jackson, the Sentinel who vowed to protect her and the one person capable of breaking her heart. Can Madly resist forbidden love long enough to save the world from Wolfhardt? Or will she have to sacrifice her heart and her destiny to save the ones she loves?

Before I start rambling on about how awesome the book was, I just wanted to take a moment to comment on the cover which I think is so breathtaking, so ethereal. It encompasses the atmosphere and theme of the story perfectly.

Now, on to the review. but, wait, I just want to add that…I am in love with Jackson. There I said it. And if I may, I’m going to borrow a phrase from the lovely author, Tiffany King and say, Jackson is a McHottie! I wanted to take him for myself. He’s my new fictional crush (there are a few lol) who I imagine to look like Alex Meraz or Eric Balfour but is as tall as Daniel Cudmore. Jackson is Madly’s love interest but she is unfortunately due to be betrothed to Aiden and that is all I will say on the matter because I want to make it as non-spoilery as possible).

I have to admit, I am glad I hadn’t read Madly before now and that I was able to read it knowing that I could move on to Wolfhardt straight after because if not, I would have been left with a mouth hanging wide open in disbelief thinking, “WHAT? NO! I, I…It can’t end there!!” *sulks* As it was, this didn’t happen and was safe in the knowledge that I could just swipe the page and continue reading

Madly and Wolfhardt are an amazingly enchanting and wondrous read about the Mer folk with a modern day twist. There were some incredibly funny moments and we can not forget that there were some very steamy moments too This was my first experience of reading about the Mer and it has been very enjoyable indeed – that’s an understatement! I love that they have their own magical world but journey on to shore to interact with our world to protect the descendants of the Lore. I also love that it was interwoven with fairytales. I was quite shocked when Wolfhardt finished because I wasn’t expecting it although it was a perfect place to finish it. There was such a shocking twist to the tale that even I hadn’t seen coming.

I have to say, I am intrigued to know what will come of the twins (one of which Madly’s friend, Jersey was dating but who then dumped her). There’s something odd about them. My thinking is they are part of a certain fairy tale and I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out which but I can’t put my finger on it I then thought maybe they could be the Grimm brothers. I’m hoping we find out more about the twins in book 3. I’m also wondering what will happen to poor old Aiden and how what happened will affect his life as a mer.

I’m so excited for book 3! I wish I could read it already. I’m itching to find out what happens!

I rate this book 5/5

To find out more about M. Leighton and her other amazing books (which I so can not wait to read) go here

Note: This was an E-book kindly given to us by the author specially to review for the blog.

The Immortal Beloved Blog Tour!

 
 

Secret Lives of Fiction Lovers are taking part in a blog tour for Katie M John between 18th-25th August .

On the 20th of August at 5pm (UK time) we will be hosting a character Q&A session live on twitter asking the characters of The Knight Trilogy all your questions! Have you ever wanted to ask Blake, Mina, Sam or Vivien (or any of the other characters) a question? Now’s your chance! Email your questions to SecretLivesofFictionLovers@gmail.com

When we all read books we can all imagine what the characters look like, we want to see what you think they look like! If you’re artistic, why not draw Mina for example? We want to see them all, even cartoon and anime! All drawings will be posted on the blog on the 23rd August.

If you can’t draw don’t worry! I can’t draw but I can imagine which celebrity I would want playing Blake! Can you? Tweet us your celebrity and we will put them on the site also!

Don’t forget to check out Katie M John’s blog and stop off at the other blogs throughout the tour for more fun, games and competitions!

Immortal Beloved Blog Tour Schedule 18th-25th August!

18th August
Author Interview at: I Bet You Think This Blog is about you.

19th August
Guest Post by Katie M. John. ‘Knights versus Vampires’ & Review at: Two Chicks on Books.

20th August
Live Character Q&A Twitter Chat with Author (40-50mins. 5pm start) & Drawing Contest hosted by: Secret Lives of Fiction Lovers.
@tlmfarmgirl will be hosting a twitter contest.

21st August
@ThamyDuff Quiz, which Knight is for you?
Review of Immortal Beloved at: I Bet You Think This Blog is about you.

22nd August
Character interviews at: Readingawaythedays.blogspot.com

23rd August
Review of Immortal Beloved at: Secret Lives of Fiction Lovers.

24th August
Guest Post from Katie. M. John at: Tamara’s Book Ramblings

25th August ****RELEASE DAY****
Review of Immortal Beloved at: Readingawaythedays.blogspot.com

The Well Review by Dayna

The Well-Peter Labrow.

Trapped. Missing. Cursed. Fourteen-year-old Becca Richards and her stepbrother have fallen to the bottom of an ancient well. Their parents are away; they won’t be missed for days. The predatory man who had been stalking Becca now switches his attentions to her best friend. Two women who know where Becca is trapped are desperate that she should never escape. Over the course of a week, family, friends and strangers are drawn together by a terrible shared fate – from which not all will escape. ‘The Well’ is a darkly gripping tale about how we respond to the hand fate has dealt us – and the consequences of our choices. The Well deftly intertwines a story of supernatural horror with a tale of one of the greatest fears of modern life. As the book progresses, the two stories become one – driving relentlessly towards a single, thrilling finale. The Well is a fast-paced, riveting story that will grip you – and keep you guessing – until the very end.

Totally creeptastic! An incredibly chilling and disturbing read. When I saw the title I thought, “What on earth could happen in a well that takes 260 pages to explain?” as it happens, a lot! I really like the fact that the book is written from each character’s point of view. It makes a change to know what each character is thinking. The main focus of the story is on Becca and Matt who fall down a well after fooling around but you also get to know the lives of the other characters. Each characters paths then eventually cross and it’s a race against time to get Becca and Matt out but there is a much, much darker reason as to how they came to end up in the well which unravels as the story progresses.

Labrow doesn’t sugar coat stuff and is brutally honest about certain things that happen in the book which I found shocking at times yet refreshing; he really does get inside his characters heads and have them talk, think or do things that, when you think about it, would actually be quite realistic for a person to do or think but are usually too shocking for most authors to reveal in their books. I have to admit there were times when I found certain parts quite unsettling but I just couldn’t stop reading – It had gripped me by its’ claws and refused to let go. It had me scared witless at times and if this was a movie I’d be hiding behind that cushion throughout the whole film – seriously! It has been years since I have felt so scared and creeped out by a book that I was afraid to go to bed in case of nightmares. Stephen King, you have some serious competition there my friend!

If you love your horror and being scared silly, then this book is definitely for you!

I rate this book 5/5

Check out the trailer!

Visit Peter Labrow to find out more!

The Well can be purchased from Amazon as either an ebook or paperback .

Note: This was a review copy given to us by the author.

Meant To Be Review By Dayna

Meant To Be-Tiffany King.

Krista Miller feels like she has lived her entire life in a glass box with her every emotion on display. She can’t help feeling like a defect as her sensitivities have made her socially inept and without any real friends; the one exception being the boy that visits her each night in her dreams.

Krista’s emotions are put to the test when a move to California triggers a devastating change to her fantasy world. The nightly comfort that the boy provides has now become a recurring nightmare as he is taken from her by an unseen force.

Struggling to appear normal, Krista enrolls in a new school and finds it to be nothing like she thought. Her new life is sent spiraling out of control from a strange connection with a boy, Mark, who claims to know all her secrets.

As Krista begins to explore the emotions that Mark evokes in her, secrets about their mysterious past and their predestined purpose threatens to separate them just when they have found each other.

Can a dream become reality and why is Krista so inexplicably drawn to Santa Cruz?
After Krista’s Dad’s passing, her Mum, much to Krista’s surprise and joy, decides they should move to Santa Cruz and make a new start. On her first day at her new school, Krista be-friend’s Sam and realises they have so much in common that maybe there is more to it. Maybe they have some kind of connection but what? Soon after, she meets Mark and, Sam’s boyfriend, Shawn. They all share this freaky connection although Krista’s connection to Mark is much more intense.

I love the main character, Krista. She actually reminds me of myself. She loves chocolate and could quite happily spend hours in a book store. The relationship she has with her mum is just lovely. I felt so sad when they had their little “hiccup”. It’s pretty much how I feel when in The Gilmore Girls Rory and her mum have that big fall out. I just really felt for them and hoped that things would be ok.

The relationship between Krista and Mark is pretty intense but, because of certain things that have happened, you can understand why.

When I first started reading Meant To Be I actually thought it was just going to be a romance story but then it takes this sudden, exciting turn where it’s no longer focused on romance but on fighting for their lives against an unexpected villain.

Meant To Be is an incredibly sweet and suspenseful story with a very interesting turn of events. The story flows beautifully and the character development was great. A perfect summer read! I never wanted it to end. I have it as an eBook and just kept swiping the screen and saying, “Noooo but I don’t want it to end there!” and was extremely happy to discover there was to be a sequel as there is so much we have yet to learn about the characters, their past and why they are the way they are. I’m looking forward to the sequel, Forgotten Souls so much which will hopefully be released at the end of this month!

I rate this 5/5

Visit Tiffany King to find out more!

You can buy Meant To Be (Ebook) from Amazon for 99c (US).

Exiled Review By Dayna

Exiled – M.R. Merrick.

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase’s birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle’s protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened, and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle’s agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can’t do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle’s plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other’s life depending on it.

Wow there was action from the very beginning. A spellbinding read that I never wanted to end. I think I must have gone through all emotions possible reading this book. It had me laughing so hard in some parts, frustrated in others, incredibly angry and then crying at other parts so get ready for a rollercoaster of a ride! Merrick’s writing is incredible and if you’re like me and like updating your statuses with quotes from books then this is quote-a-plenty! Merrick is also so brilliantly descriptive that in my head I could vividly picture each scene as it unfolded. The detail put in to the monsters and fight scenes were so descriptive that at times it verbally made me go “Ewww” and “Oh my god I could so picture this scene in a movie or something right out of an episode of buffy”. Gotta love a book with detail like that. It makes it all the more engrossing and exciting to read. I also loved that magic and the use of the elements were part and parcel of being a demon hunter.

I have to say that I loved Merrick’s unique take on the classic vampire where-by in this, when the vampire transforms into its’ demon form, its’ ‘Milky skin faded into transparent flesh, revealing the moving muscles beneath. Veins ran black through the vampire’s face and limbs, pushing against the thinning clear skin. Strange muscles in his hands pushed bony talons out over his finger nails, and the whites of his eyes disappeared, filling with an inky blackness.’

Character wise, I love Rayna. She’s got spunk and I love her sarcasm and wit. Actually, the same could be said for Chase.  They have more in common than they care to admit to begin with. Love the witty banter and chemistry between them. I’m hoping for more chemistry in book 2 (please? Pleeeaaase??? Pretty please with lots of chocolate and chocolate ice-cream and lots more chocolatey goodness on top?). Rayna and Chase are such strong characters who have been and continue to go through so much both separately and together.

The relationship Chase has with his mum, Tessa is so loving and sweet and whenever I see the phrase “You and me, always,” it brings a little tear to my eye.

The character, Willy is one of my favourites. He’s so lovely. He’s a little wimpy and I kind of imagine him to be a little geeky looking too. I found myself wanting to protect him and I felt especially bad when Chase roped him in to doing things he didn’t want to do but he pushes down that fear and reluctantly does it anyway because he wants to help. I can’t wait to see how he develops in book 2!

The sequel to Exiled will be called Shift and will hopefully be released mid-December. Is it December yet??

If you’re a Buffy,  Supernatural fan or just a fan of the whole demon hunter thing in general, you’ll be sure to enjoy this.

I rate this 5/5!

PS: I want a golden torrent!

You can purchase Exiled as an ebook from:
Amazon US

Amazon UK

Smashwords

The Forest of Adventures Review – By Dayna

The Forest of Adventures – Katie M. John.

 

For seventeen year old Mina Singer, falling in love with an Arthurian Knight on a white horse was never part of the plan – especially being that she’s an ordinary college girl living in the twenty first century.
As Mina finds herself catapulted into a land she believed only existed in the bedtime stories of her childhood, she soon discovers that Fairyland is not quite as innocent as she imagined.

The question is…who will come out alive?

Haunting, beautiful and sexy, The Forest of Adventures, is a dark romantic quest into the land of true and forbidden love.

 

Mina and Sam are childhood sweethearts but then she meets the mysterious Blake and her life is completely turned around. He introduces her to a world that she thought was only a legend, a myth. Never in her wildest dreams did she think the Arthurian legend could be real.

Being a fan of the medieval times, I love the magical-ness and romanticism involved in this story and how the Arthurian Legend was cleverly intertwined with modern day. Reading this book I felt like I had been transported into The Realm. I felt like I was right there amongst the knights, the swords, the pavilions and was just itching to wear the gorgeous clothes they wore. I could picture it so vividly in my mind.

I actually like The Realm’s stance on the role of women in their society. They were seen as very powerful and intelligent women. They were respected. If a woman had a baby, everyone would help out so her life wouldn’t change too much and she could still do the things she wants to do. It was only talked about a little in the story but it was just something that stuck in my head.

At first I was torn as to whether Mina should be with Sam or Blake but I think she made the right choice in the end. It didn’t stop me from feeling gutted for the guy that she chose not to be with though. I really felt for him.

Big thanks to Lauren for recommending TFoA to me. She knows my book tastes so well! I’m sure she was pleased that I’d finally read the book so she’d have someone to gossip with about it I’d have to completely agree with her about the mercy fight! That was so shocking! I still can’t get over what happened!

I’m still in denial about the ending. I’m choosing to believe that all is not as it seems. I think it’s an evil trick *keeps telling herself that*

Overall, an enthralling read that I want to read again and again! Very excited for the sequel, Immortal Beloved!

I rate this book 5/5.

To find out more visit The Knight Trilogy

Read Lauren’s review HERE

Let me introduce you to Exiled by M. R. Merrick – By Dayna

Here at SLoFL we are really looking forward to reading Exiled by M. R. Merrick which will be released 1st July. There will be a review coming soon but for now we thought we would introduce you to the book.

 

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase’s birthday, the bloodline stopped.

 

Exiled without the Circle’s protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle’s agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can’t do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle’s plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other’s life depending on it.

Sound like your cup of tea? It’s definitely mine! It will be available as an E-book from Smashwords for $2.99.

Twilight: The Graphic Novel Volume 2!

So word on the street is that Twilight: The Graphic Novel volume 2 is out in October!!

Not heard of this? Well…..

“When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcel

ain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret..”

So if you haven’t already got book 1 here! Let the countdown begin!!!

Also why don’t you check out The Twilight Illustrated Guide
As soon as we get a set date for the UK and a link we shall post!