Guest Review: Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses - Lorraine Heath

Today I have a guest review from the awesome Aly from Aly's Miscellany, I've been online friends with Aly since we met on Goodreads about 6 years ago (you can go and stalk her fab reviews here) and we finally got to meet in person for the first time a few months ago. Thanks so much for writing this guest review Aly!

Lord Andrew Mabry, the second son of the Duke of Greystone, has no desire to marry. As the spare, he has no obligation to provide an heir and he rather enjoys spending his days and nights in play with the demimonde. But more and more of late, he finds himself wanting to play naughty games with the American heiress, Gina Hammersley.

After her scandalous older sister marries a marquess, Gina Hammersley suddenly finds herself the darling of London with beaux a plenty calling on her, sending flowers, and filling her dance cards. Unfortunately, the one she desires most is the one who has no wish to be caught in the marriage trap: Lord Andrew Mabry.

But when they are discovered in a compromising situation, this unlikely pair must decide whether to face scandal or discover if the passion they’ve always felt is strong enough to lead them into love.

Scoundrels of St. James Series:
In Bed with the Devil
Between the Devil and Desire
Surrender to the Devil
Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel
The Last Wicked Scoundrel

Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Series:
(Features children of characters from the Scoundrels of St. James series)
When the Duke Was Wicked
Once More, My Darling Rogue
The Duke and the Lady in Red
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (Novella)

The Hellions of Havisham Series:
(Some crossover of characters from the Scoundrels of St. James series)
Falling into Bed with a Duke
The Earl Takes All
The Viscount and the Vixen
When the Marquess Falls (Novella)

Visit Lorraine Heath's website for more information

Aly's Review:
This novella is the story of Lord Andrew Mabry, the brother of Lady Grace(When the Duke Was Wicked) and Alistair, Marquess of Rexton(An Affair with a Notorious Heiress) and the son of Frannie Darling and Sterling Mabry, the eighth Duke of Greystone(Surrender to the Devil), and Gina Hammersley, the sister of Tillie, Lady Landsdowne(When the Duke Was Wicked). It starts with the wedding of Rex and Tillie where the hero and heroine serve as best man and maid of honor.

Gina is an American who fell in love with Englend when she moved here for her sister's debut. She was only 11 when that happened and, being an heiress, her dream was to marry a Peer of the Realm. Her sister's scandal influenced her debut, she wasn't as sought after because of her, even though her dowry was vast. Everything started to change when her sister met Rexton. Gina started having the debut she envisioned as a child and she met Rexton's brother, Andrew. She was intrigued with him from the start, even though he wasn't an Earl, Marquess or Duke.

After her sister married, she moved with the Duke and Duchess of Greystone and started spending even more time with Andrew. They could talk about everything, they had fun together and, most importantly, they understood each other. Gina shared her wish for adventures so, Andrew thought it was a great idea to take her to a brothel(kid you not!), to teach her to play cards and many other "unfeminine" activities.

I loved how they interacted with each other. Andrew never lied to her or treated her like a 2nd class citizen because she was a woman. He had a bit of an inferiority complex thanks to a woman who only thought he was good for sex because he wasn't on the way of inheriting a title. That colored his view and he kept expecting Gina to treat him differently because of it. It never happened.

This was lovely novella, I enjoyed catching up with favorite characters and seeing Gina and Andrew get their HEA.

Favorite Quote:
(After Andrew took Gina to the brothel)

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak with a woman of experience about what transpires between a man and woman. Tillie and I have never spoken of the details. Like you, I don't want to make a fool of myself the first time." 

"You could have asked me." 

"That would have been highly inappropriate." 

"Yet going to a brothel with me wasn't?" 

Her face warmed. She didn't think she could have gone with anyone else. She'd spoken true. She did trust him. And not only because he was Rex's brother, but because she sensed he would protect her at all costs. And he'd always shown her kindness. While his attention had seemed brotherly on the surface, she'd often felt an undercurrent of desire simmering through him. Or perhaps it was only wishful thinking on her part. He'd never done anything untoward. More's the pity.

Source: Aly's copy

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Guest Review: The Teleportation Accident - Ned Beauman

I get my love of reading from my Dad, I remember constantly begging him to read "just one more story" before bed on pretty much a nightly basis until I was able to read books for myself. He doesn't have to read to me any more but we quite often talk about the various books we've been reading and he's even written a couple of blog reviews for me in the past when I twisted his arm. It's been a long time since his last one but there was obviously something about this book that captured his attention because he actually wrote this review completely voluntarily and it just popped up in my inbox the other day when he sent it to me!

HISTORY HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE HUNGOVER

When you haven't had sex in a long time, it feels like the worst thing that is happening to anyone anywhere. If you're living in Germany in the 1930s, it probably isn't. But that's no consolation to Egon Loeser, whose carnal misfortunes will push him from the experimental theatres of Berlin to the absinthe bars of Paris to the physics laboratories of Los Angeles, trying all the while to solve two mysteries: whether it was really a deal with Satan that claimed the life of his hero, the great Renaissance stage designer Adriano Lavicini; and why a handsome, clever, charming, modest guy like him can't, just once in a while, get himself laid. From the author of the acclaimed Boxer, Beetle comes a historical novel that doesn't know what year it is; a noir novel that turns all the lights on; a romance novel that arrives drunk to dinner; a science fiction novel that can't remember what 'isotope' means; a stunningly inventive, exceptionally funny, dangerously unsteady and (largely) coherent novel about sex, violence, space, time, and how the best way to deal with history is to ignore it.

LET'S HOPE THE PARTY WAS WORTH IT

Visit Ned Beauman's website for more information

Dad's Review:
My main reading, aside from being a Terry Pratchett and J R R Tolkien fan, is normally around Science Fiction/Fantasy and Crime. So I borrowed this book from my local library on the basis of the Title and the first couple of pages, which although wordy showed an enjoyable / oblique sense of humour.

It was not what I expected as it was more a of a Romance(?), although it did pay some respect to Science Fiction.

Although still wordy, I became engrossed with the characters and humour. It was well constructed and I would recommend it to anyone who found the first few pages enjoyable.

Some quotes -

"...the two subjects most hostile to his sense of a man's life as an essentially steady, comprehensible and Newtonian mechanical undertaking were accidents and women."

"Had he ever had sex? He supposed he probably had, but the memory was by now so dim that he almost wondered if in fact someone else had just described sex to him once and he'd gradually come to miscategorise it as an experience of his own, as one sometimes does with incidents that took place in childhood"

"The entire apartment was crammed with piles of old books, often with only the narrowest of pedestrian corridors between them, and these piles were continually being rearranged, relocated, or removed, so that after every nap the cats woke up to an entirely unfamiliar topology, like a tribe dwelling in some impossible mountain range that rumbled every hour with random, hyper-accelerated geological convulsions. Yesterday, they might have found a nice ledge, hidden between two volumes of a dictionary, which caught the morning sunlight through the window; today, it would be gone, or it would be too high to reach, or it would topple as soon as they set paw on it. The cats didn't seem to leave the apartment very often, and he imagined it was because they found the great city outside to be eerily, almost unbearably static."

"... studying a portrait of a muscular grey haired man with a grim, almost demented gaze and the sort of moustache that could beat you in an arm wrestling contest"

Source: My Dad's own copy

Other Reviews:
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Guest Review: Everything is Fine (and Other Lies I Tell Myself) - Cathy Brett

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library. Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her. Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty! This review will also be appearing on Kirsty's blog.

Things haven't been going so well for fifteen-year-old Esther Armstrong. With her brother Max - her closest ally - absent, she's forced to face everything alone, not least her parents' heated arguments. As the summer holidays stretch endlessly ahead, she's desperate for something, anything, to divert her attention.

Then she finds some letters hidden in the walls of her family home, sent by a soldier to his sweetheart from the trenches of WWI. Esther is consumed by the mystery of these lovers - not very much older than herself - and what became of them. Perhaps in piecing together the jigsaw of someone else's life, Esther can work out how to reassemble her own, and how to make everything fine again...

This is a novel about growing up, moving on and the strength of a family.

Visit Cathy Brett's website for more information.

Kirsty's Review:
I've heard nothing but good things about Cathy Brett's books and while they are aimed at a slightly younger audience than the books I usually read I was keen to give them a go. As soon as I saw the cover for this one with the hints of a World War One theme the history geek in me had to pick it up instantly.

This book is essentially the story of Esther and her life as she currently sees it. Esther lives in a seaside town and is missing her elder brother who currently isn't at home and the story switches between Esther's narratives and letters to her elder brother Max as well as snippets from a series of letters Esther finds. In addition to this the book had a series of pictures dotted all the way through. I really loved the format of this book as it mixed it up a lot and I think for younger readers the variety would certainly help to engage interest. Esther is a fab character to follow. She is a strong character without being arrogant and just brilliantly normal as teenagers go. I really felt this book captured her really well as you really get an insight into what life is like living in a seaside village for a teenager who is dealing with a whole host of things all at once. I really loved seeing how her own personal story developed particularly the way she dealt with the absence of her elder brother.

The history geek inside of me went nuts over the historical side of the story. I would say too much but Esther finds a series of letters from a solider to his sweetheart behind her fireplace and these letters completely draw Esther in. She becomes fascinated with the tale that unfolds in front of her in the letters and devotes time and energy into finding out more about the people named in them. I loved this little touch and equally got drawn into her search for answers.

Overall this is certainly a book I will be recommending in the future widely but particularly to my students because of the historical side to the story.

Source: Received from Headline in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Follow Me Down - Tanya Byrne

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library. Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her. Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty! This review will also be appearing on Kirsty's blog.

The sensationally good Tanya Byrne returns with her new novel - a dark, compulsive tale of obsession and betrayal.

When sixteen-year old Adamma Okonma, a Nigerian diplomat's daughter, arrives at exclusive Croften College in Wiltshire, she is immediately drawn to beautiful, impetuous, unpredictable Scarlett Milton. Adamma and Scarlett become inseperable - until Adamma falls for Scarlett's boyfriend Dominic. Soon the battle lines are drawn and Adamma is shunned by Scarlett and her priviledged peers. But then Scarlett goes missing and everything takes a darker turn. As Adamma begins to uncover a series of ugly scandals at the school, she realises there was more than one person who wanted Scarlett to disappear and indeed that Croften has its own disturbing secrets to hide...

Visit Tanya Byrne's website for more information

Kirsty's Review:
Follow Me Down is a cracking read which will hook you from the very first page and won't let me go until you're done. If you dare to have audacity to put it down it'll niggle at you continually and beg to be picked up until you give in and devour it in one greedy go.

This review is deliberately short for two reasons. Firstly because I'm still now 24 hours on after finishing mulling it over in my mind and coming to terms with what I read and I think this will continue to go on for a few days to come. Quiet honestly I don't think I have the words to do justice to all those feelings just yet. Secondly I fear that if I gush or say too much I won't be able to rein myself in and I'll end up spoiling things for others. So please be sure in the knowledge that I loved this book from the very start.

This book follows the story of Adamma as she arrives at her new boarding school. She is the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat and has been moved to England for his new job. The story is told in two timelines some chapters from before and others after an event. As you go through you find yourself piecing the story together to make one whole and connected narrative and blimey it is a thinker. The are so many twists and parts of the story that keep you guessing that I found I couldn't second guess where the story was going and was constantly surprised about where it went meaning I quite literally couldn't put the book down. I loved the characters and how well they were done and I loved the whole variety of relationships developed as the book went on and seeing the comparison between them. The ending was brilliant and as I said earlier will stick with me for a while to come. I'm actually on the verge of wanting to reread straight away so I see everything again with that more informed brain in gear.

All in all you've got to pity the books I read next as they are never going to live up to Follow Me Down.

Source: Received from Headline in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Plugged - Eoin Colfer

I get my love of reading from my Dad, I remember constantly begging him to read "just one more story" before bed on pretty much a nightly basis until I was able to read books for myself. He doesn't have to read to me any more but we quite often talk about the various books we've been reading and now instead of begging for another bedtime story I'm always asking him to have a go at writing a review for me! Anyway, I finally got him to write his second review for the blog so please give him a warm welcome!

I read the early Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer way back before I started blogging (it's a series that I've been wanting to re-read and catch up with so I must try and get around to it soon) but after reading Dad's review it looks like I also need to add Plugged to my to read pile.

"Once I have hair I will be happy"
At least that is what Irish ex-army sergeant Daniel McEvoy tells himself.

As doorman at a seedy New Jersey casino, dealing with unpleasant customers, a psychotic neighbour and a receding hairline are all part of Dan's daily grind. Then, one especially bad day, his friend, dodgy doctor Zeb Kronski, mysteriously disappears, and his sometime girlfriend, casino hostess Connie, is found dead with a hole in her head.

Dan's been framed for a crime he didn't commit and is drawn into a deadly chain of events where a cop-killing female cop becomes his only ally and he makes an enemy of a ruthless drug-dealer. As his day goes from bad to worse, Dan discovers that his battle against baldness is the least of his worries.

Dad's Review:
I really liked Plugged, it's full of action and off-beat humour. This is the first Eoin Colfer book I've read and I regret that the Artemis Fowl novels came out after my daughter had passed the "reading to" stage (my son was never into having fiction read to him).

The story has elements of the super efficient killing machine ex soldier hero but with a large dose of irony and humour. It also has a dash of Raymond Chandler

It starts with Daniel McEvoy thinking -
"The great Stephen King once wrote "don't sweat the small stuff" which I mulled over for long enough to realise that I don't entirely agree with it. I get what he means: we all have enough major sorrow in our lives without freaking out over the day-to-day hangnails and such, but sometimes sweating the small stuff helps you make it through the big stuff"

This sets the tone for the story - a most enjoyable read.

Source: My Dad's own copy

Other Reviews:
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Poppy's Review: Sanctus - Simon Toyne

REVELATION OR DEVASTATION?

The certainties of the modern world are about to be blown apart by a three thousand year-old conspiracy nurtured by blood and lies …

A man throws himself to his death from the oldest inhabited place on the face of the earth, a mountainous citadel in the historic Turkish city of Ruin. This is no ordinary suicide but a symbolic act. And thanks to the media, it is witnessed by the entire world.

But few understand it. For charity worker Kathryn Mann and a handful of others in the know, it is what they have been waiting for. The cowled and secretive fanatics that live in the Citadel suspect it could mean the end of everything they have built – and they will kill, torture and break every law to stop that. For Liv Adamsen, New York crime reporter, it begins the next stage of a journey into the heart of her own identity.

And at that journey's end lies a discovery that will change EVERYTHING …

Sancti Trilogy:
Sanctus
The Key (April 2012)
Title & release date for the third book TBC

Visit Simon Toyne's website for more information

Poppy's Review:
Sanctus is a story about an ancient order of monks and a secret that they are prepared to keep at any cost. I was totally hooked by intrigue within the first couple of pages and read the book at every opportunity until I reached the final word. The story opens at the Citadel in the Turkish City of Ruin where the monks live and following a curious death, the race is on for the monks to ensure that their secret is protected, while others outside the Citadel see it as the time to finally uncover it. Liv Adamsen is a reporter who lives many miles away in New York and her day to day life changes forever, as she embarks on a journey into the biggest story sending ripples around the world.

I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded through the first three quarters of the book. Segments of information are shared with the reader bit by bit, and they slowly start to knit together and a picture starts to form from the past and you can see how they led to current events. Having grasped what is going on and getting to know the characters and how and why they are involved in the story, the final quarter of the book increases to a fast pace and the short chapters finally bring you to [what I found to be] a satisfying end. I found that I had to read this final quarter of the book in one sitting as it was so compelling.

What I loved was not just the story itself and how it unfolded, but also the characters. As each character was revealed and became involved in events, I got the measure of each of them and although they were not created in great depth, I still cared about some and despised others, which made the concluding chapters of the book all the more breath taking and page turning.

For me Sanctus is a brilliant mystery thriller debut novel by Simon Toyne, which I enjoyed even more than The DaVinci Code.

Source: Poppy's own copy

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Poppy's Review: Never Mind the Botox: Rachel - Penny Avis & Joanna Berry

Never Mind the Botox is a series about four professional women all working on the sale of high profile cosmetic surgery business the Beau Street Group. Each book reveals how the women cope with one of the most glamorous but challenging deals of their careers, and the dramatic impact it has on their personal lives. With a briefcase in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, can they navigate their way through a surreal world if boob jobs by day and intrigue by night – and still keep their own love lives on track?

Rachel Altman is a corporate financier with a prestigious accounting firm who’s desperately trying to keep on the straight and narrow. Hopelessly led astray by her bar diving boyfriend, she gets the chance to turn things round when her boss gives her the break she’s been waiting for. But when the deal doesn’t go as planned Rachel panics, sparking off a chain of betrayal and lies that threatens to ruin both her love life and her career.

Never Mind the Botox Series:
Never Mind the Botox: Alex
Never Mind the Botox: Rachel
Never Mind the Botox: Stella (Spring 2012)
Never Mind the Botox: Meredith (Summer 2012)

Visit Penny Avis and Joanna Berry's website for more information

Poppy's Review:
After I had decided to read Never Mind the Botox: Rachel, I discovered that it was one of four books in a series, but was reassured when it stated inside that you can read them in any order. I thought it was a clever idea to have four books about the same business deal, with each one following a different character - Rachel, Alex, Stella or Meredith.

This is Rachel’s book and she works for the accounting firm who has to assess and report the value of the Beau Street Group cosmetic surgery business to the owners and prospective buyers. Rachel is put in charge of two employees whom she is based with at the Beau Street Group offices while they carry out the assessment and compile a report and presentation. Rachel feels under particular pressure as she is hoping for promotion to director and this is not helped by her boyfriend Harry who loves a good drink and long nights out, often leading her astray. As events unfold through the book, Rachel has to deal with issues in her love, family and work life, which she finds challenging and test what she is really made of and makes her question if she is following the right direction for her future.

Rachel does have a Bridget Jones-esque feel to her character and the book has some laugh out loud moments. Boyfriend Harry is quite a character and Rachel’s friends and brother Rowan add to her hectic life and make for a richer story. I knew that the office party would be far from straight laced and event free! I also quite enjoyed the way that Stella, Meredith and Alex [from the other Never Mind the Botox books] are mentioned in passing, as meeting attendees for example, making me even more curious to read the other three to see what their stories are.

Towards the beginning of the book it took me a while to suss out Rachel’s character, until more layers were revealed and I did at times get annoyed with her for some of her decisions, thinking she should be smarter in how she dealt with a situation or would she really not realise the meaning of certain behaviour or events. As the book unfolded however, I understood Rachel more and empathised with her behaviour and decisions and they made more sense. We all have to make decisions based on the bigger picture of the world around us and emotions linked with personal relationships do often cloud our judgement at the time.
 
Rachel comes across as a professional woman but also, reassuringly, a flawed human being who does her best in life with work, family and friends, making the best of each situation. I was surprised by the way that the book ended, but I really liked it and as I said earlier, I am keen to read the rest of the series. It was lovely to read a book with characters that are easy to relate to and a story which raises a few giggles and guffaws along the way.

Source: Received from Midas in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver

Today I'm handing over to my friend Poppy who has a review for you.  I'm very happy to have her making regular appearances here & hope you'll give her a warm welcome.  Thanks for a fab guest review Poppy :o)

Shortly before his sixteenth birthday, Kevin Khatchadourian kills seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker and a teacher. He is visited in prison by his mother, Eva, who narrates in a series of letters to her estranged husband, Franklin, her account of Kevin’s upbringing.

Visit Lionel Shriver's author page on Goodreads for more information













Poppy's Review:
We Need To Talk About Kevin is a thought provoking and challenging read which may not appeal to everyone, parents and non-parents alike. The book is a series of letters written by Kevin’s mother Eva, to his father Franklin, about their family life leading up to the terrible day when Kevin killed some fellow students and a teacher at his school.

Eva’s narrative begins in her current day and reflects back from before Kevin was born, continually interspersing tales from the past with those from more recent times, providing comments of what she thought at the time, or thinks now looking back.

The subject matter and reflections of the past can often make uncomfortable reading, but hearing the story told through Eva’s eyes was intriguing. Before opening this book, I think most people will have their own opinions about the nature versus nurture debate regarding children who commit awful acts against others, and may therefore approach it with the expectation of either having their views vindicated, or substantially challenged. To me however, We Need To Talk About Kevin makes me want to do just that – talk about Kevin… and his childhood and his family – listen to and discuss other people’s opinions of the book.

The most interesting thing about this book for me, and why I feel there is perhaps no right or wrong answers about Kevin the fictitious character, is that the narrative only comes from one person’s perspective and it is told looking back on events that have already occurred. Throughout the book I questioned many stories and Eva’s subsequent comments about them, wondering about how close to the facts of the true events they really were. People do not always recall things from years gone by with a great degree of accuracy, as time and memory can remove, distort and add various details. Also as the mother of a child who committed such a horrific act, Eva may have consciously or subconsciously told a tale which validated her memory, justifying her thoughts and feelings about what happened and why.

To me, We Need To Talk About Kevin is an absorbing piece of fiction which raises many questions for discussion and/or consideration around a very difficult subject.

Source: Purchased by Poppy

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Guest Review: Night Road - Kristin Hannah

Today I'm handing over to my friend Poppy who has a review for you.  I'm very happy to have her making regular appearances here & hope you'll give her a warm welcome.  Thanks for a fab guest review Poppy :o)

An exquisite, heartbreaking story that speaks to women everywhere about the things that matter most.

People on the island still talk about what happened in the summer of ’04. They sit on bar stools and in porch swings and spout opinions, half-truths, making judgements that aren’t theirs to make. They think a few columns in a newspaper give them the facts they need. Bu the facts are hardly what matter…

Lexi and Mia are inseparable from the moment they start high school. Different in so many ways – Lexi is an orphan and lives with her aunt on a trailer park, while Mia is a golden girl blessed with a loving family and a beautiful home, Yet they recognise something in each other which sets them apart from the crowd, and Mia comes to rely heavily on Lexi’s steadfast friendship. Something which, at first, worries Mia’s mother, Jude.

Mia’s beloved and incredibly good-looking twin brother Zach finds life much less complicated than his sister. Jude thought she’d never have to worry about her son, that he’d always sail through life easily achieving whatever he, and his family, wanted and expected – but then he fell in love.

The summer they graduated is a time they will always remember, and one they could never forget. It is a summer of love, best friends, shared confidences and promises. Then one moment one night changes them all forever. As hearts are broken, loyalties challenged and hopes dashed, the time has come to leave childhood behind and learn to face the future.

Moving, haunting and completely unforgettable, Night Road raises questions no mother, daughter or son would ever want to answer.

Visit Kristin Hannah's website for more information

Poppy's Review:
To be honest this book did not grip me immediately. The prologue based in 2010 alludes to an awful event that happened six years earlier and then the story goes back to begin in 2000. The narrative is seen through the eyes of two central characters, starting with Lexi, who after living in foster care has been taken to live with her Great Aunt Eva, a family member she didn’t know she had. Together they live by humble means, but Lexi is simply grateful to have finally found family and a permanent home.

At school Lexi meets twins Mia and Zach who are blessed with a happy family life with financial stability. Zach is popular and thrives at school but Mia is more of a loner feeling rejected by her peers, when she feels lucky to meet and become best friends with Lexi, who is also subsequently accepted by her family. The narrative is also seen through Jude, the twin’s mother, who is very loving and interested in her children’s lives, but tends to be overprotective in comparison to her laid back husband Miles.

The story shows the lives of these characters over the next few years leading up to the event that happened in 2004, and then how their lives are affected as they attempt to move on afterwards. To me the story felt slow paced and reminded me of a teen show like Dawson’s Creek or Life Unexpected, with the ins and outs of teenage life and the challenges of parenting and setting boundaries. The plot highlights how much the latter teenage years are full of temptation, dramas, a desire to form friendships, love, lust and rebellion….all while having to make career choices for how to start the adult stage of life.

Night Road takes you through ten years of Mia and Zach’s family life along with Lexi, a girl who entered their lives unexpectedly and was welcomed in. This teen drama shows the difficult choices parents and their teenagers both have to make with and independently of each other. It shows how these choices are far from straightforward, or a simpler matter of right or wrong. This story also shows that choices can dramatically change lives forever in positive or negative ways, but the key to living is how you deal with them.

I have recently read more thriller or mystery books where the plot feels more unexpected and provides many twist and turns along the way and I personally did not find Night Road to be a satisfying read due to this reason. The story was emotional but I found it hard to fully invest in the characters, perhaps because for me the plot held no surprises. As I continued to read I could see where the story was going but I did persevere, feeling like I was watching a movie or a teen drama series. The narrative conveyed the thoughts, feelings and emotions of the characters clearly, bringing the reader into their lives to watch as events unfold. I did enjoy reading this novel, but I personally prefer a story which keeps me guessing until the last page. If you love a book which centres around love, lives and relationships, then this well written emotional book is definitely for you.

Source: Received from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: He's So Not Worth It - Kieran Scott

Today I'm handing over to my friend Poppy who has a review for you.  I'm very happy to have her making regular appearances here & hope you'll give her a warm welcome.  Thanks for a fab guest review Poppy :o)

Summer is here, and after her devastating humiliation at Shannen’s birthday party, Ally can’t wait to get away from all her troubles: the old friends who seem determined to destroy her, Jake – the boy she liked who lied to her – and, oh yeah, the dad who abandoned her, and is suddenly back.

A trip to the Jersey Shore is just the escape she needs. Jake is stuck back in Orchard Hill for the summer, and gorgeous but dangerous local boy Cooper seems to want her around. But the more time she spends with Cooper, the more confused she feels….

Time apart from Jake was meant to help her sort out her feelings, not make everything more complicated!

He's So / She's So Series:
She's So Dead to Us
He's So Not Worth It
This is So Not Happening

Visit Kieran Scott's website for more information

Poppy's Review:
What can I say….I really enjoyed this book! When I picked it up to read I discovered that it was the sequel to She’s So Dead To Us and paused to consider whether I would need to read that first. As I did not have a copy of the first book, I decided to read He’s So Not Worth It anyway. I hoped that I could follow the story ok without having got to know the characters before or what had happened previously in their lives.

I can reassure anyone who has not read the first book that you can read this one and get enough information to piece together the main elements of what happened before. The story covers a three month period from June, following the ups and downs of teen life. The group of teenagers in question live in Orchard Hill and you see the story unfold day by day for the most part, through the eyes of three of them. Each chapter begins with a daily field journal entry by Annie [in handwriting font which I thought was a nice touch], specifying the date, her location, and the cover she is using as a reason for where she is and finally, timed observations about the Cresties [I will explain them in a moment]. The chapters then tend to consist of two to three sections each either headed Jake or Ally, with the title denoting which teenager’s narrative we are hearing. I was initially concerned that this was all too confusing and I had no idea what was going on, but it all started to make sense and the chapter sections were consecutive so no confusion by the story jumping backwards and forwards.

Annie it turns out is observing and making notes about Cresties, so she can write a book about their lifestyle and behaviour. Cresties are the families who live on the Crest, an expensive area in their town, have privileged lives and summer homes on Jersey Shore just three hours drive away. Annie is not a Crestie, but is friends with ex Crestie Ally who has fallen out with all of the Cresties following an incident which I think happened in the last book and the aftermath was seen at the start of this one. Make sense?
 
Anyway, the book is not that deep or emotional, even though it does include topics such as teenage angst, teenage stroppiness, relationship breakups, family dysfunction and underage drinking. Each page shows you the events of each day and sometimes I giggled or laughed out loud, sometimes I yelled at the characters to grow up, sometimes I felt bad for the teens, sometimes I felt sorry for their parents and all of those out there in the real world trying to deal with their teenagers…. and then I reflected that like most adults, I am sure I too had my fair share of stroppy eye rolling moments in my teen years!

If you like the type of story which revolves around the ‘who fancies who’, ‘I’m not your friend anymore’ and ‘why does it always happen to me’ mind-set of teenage life, then this is perfect for you. The story is set in the home town and also on Jersey Shore when the Cresties leave for their beach houses. It is at the beach where some of the main characters meet a different group of teens who seem to get their kicks though doing alcohol and hanging out – which sometimes means getting up to no good. With so many teenagers hanging around over the summer, it is maybe not surprising that so many of them seem to fancy and/or dislike each other and at times I could not work out who, if anyone a certain character would end up with as there seemed to be three people in the picture! I have not included much story info as I don’t want to spoil it for you, especially if you have not read the first book. You can enjoy for yourself watching the days go by as the events unfold.
 
This is a brilliant holiday or light relief book as it is fun to read and holds your interest well. Looking back over the story I though not much had actually happened, but then I realised quite a lot had occurred, but it was so matter of fact – every day life - that if felt more like reading the transcript of a documentary programme with asides to camera, than a fictitious novel. I am even tempted to read She’s So Dead To Us.

Source: Received from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Dolphin Way: Rise of the Guardians - Mark Caney

Today I have another guest review for you from my very good friend Poppy, I knew I'd be able to convince her to write more reviews for me! Thanks for a fab guest review Poppy :o)

Dolphin culture evolved over millions of years so they could remain perfectly attuned with their world, ocean.  Unlike man, they have created an almost utopian society without feeling the need to manipulate their environment, collect possessions or wage war.  But the growing pressure of man's activities become intolerable and in frustration one faction seeks an aggressive new path, making a shocking departure from the way - the ancient philosophy that has guided them so well through the millennia.

Sky, a male dolphin close to becoming an Initiate in The Way, unwillingly finds himself caught up in the violent consequences.  To save the lives of his closest friends he will have to risk the worst punishment his clan can inflict and must decide between the two females who challenge everything he believes in.

Rise of the Guardians Series:
Dolphin Way
Captured (release date currently unknown)

Visit Mark Caney's website for more information

Poppy's Review:
I absolutely loved Dolphin Way: Rise of the Guardians and read it in three days because I wanted to immerse myself in the fabulous world which Mark Caney created. I couldn’t wait to find out where the story would take me and the chapters were short, which only made it more tempting to just read another one before putting the book down.

Mark Caney has beautifully created a dolphin culture where they have traditions, rituals, beliefs and hierarchy developed from a history spanning many years over the evolution of the Earth. The dolphins are aware of The Walkers [humans] and have made observations leading to theories about them, including that they may be at least in part to blame for lack of food in the ocean and changes in the environment. It was thought provoking to see an imaginatively presented dolphin philosophy, their view of the world and structure of their society. I really liked the fact that Dolphin Way did not simply involve dolphins living in a society replicated from ours.

The story centres on the Dune Coast Clan and in particular a young dolphin called Touches the Sky. With concerns about how the environmental changes may affect the dolphin way of life, there are rumours of a clan called The Guardians formed in opposition of The Way, wanting to change the laws of the ocean in order to ensure their survival.

Sky is a Novice [studying The Way] and he and his friends are each learning the skills and knowledge required for their roles in society as they reach maturity, including helping to teach the younger generation. Sky notices that something seems wrong in the ocean, but tries to focus on his new responsibilities and prepare for his future in the clan. Soon however, he is unable to ignore the feeling that things are not as they should be and may be about to change forever.

Dolphin Way has left me wanting more. I want to re-enter the ocean and see what is happening with the Dune Coast and other clans and species. I wish there were a whole series which I could continue to read now, but alas this is the first one. My disappointment at having finished the book was slightly alleviated however, by the words on the last page telling me that there will be a second part of Dolphin Way: Captured. Yeay…I can’t wait.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Paperback / Kindle

Guest Review: Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library.  Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her.  Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty!  This review was originally posted on The Overflowing Library here.

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

The Series:

Hush, Hush
Crescendo
Silence

Visit Becca Fitzpatrick's website for more information

Kirsty's Review:
I'm sorry to say I didn't like this as much as Hush Hush. The story picks up where hush hush finished off and continues to follow Nora's story.

I like the character of Nora. She is cute and feisty (albeit a bit dim when it comes to Patch) and I love Vee her best friend. I love their relationship and following the story for their point of view.

I really didn't like Patch in this book. I hated how he acted towards Nora and I really wanted to go and give him slap him and tell him to pull himself together and grow up.

Like Hush Hush the story goes along quite slowly to start with. A lot of ideas where built up (especially the story line involving the new character Marcie. The final part of the book was where it all kicked off and the revelations that came out were awesome. I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

All in all not bad once you got through the first part which was a bit slow. The scene has been set for a brilliant finale.

Source: Received from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Between - Jessica Warman

Today I have a guest review for you from my very good friend Poppy, she isn't a blogger (and has no intention of becoming one) but I'm hoping to convince her to make regular appearances on here as a guest reviewer.  Thanks for a fab guest review Poppy, I'm looking forward to more of them in the future!

‘It’s funny,’ Alex says. ‘I always thought you guys had such simple, perfect lives. Everything seemed so easy for you.’

Elizabeth Valchar is young, beautiful and popular. Everything is right in her expensive, glossy life…until the night of her eighteenth birthday party, on her parent’s yacht. A persistent thumping noise from outside the boat wakes her.

What Liz finds changes everything she thought she knew about her life, her friends, and what lies in-between…

Visit Jessica Warman's website for more information



Poppy's Review:
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book except that like in The Lovely Bones, the main character Liz is actually dead. I was intrigued as I assumed that like The Lovely Bones, Liz had been murdered and the book would be in her narrative until the reader found out who committed the crime. However, what soon became apparent was that the narrative would reveal much about the lives of the people Liz knew and her own life in the past and leading up to her death. I was no longer sure whether it would reveal any more about her death than was revealed in the opening chapters and in a way I didn’t care.

From the first chapter I could tell that the book was aimed at a teenage audience, but I was completely transfixed by the content and wanted to keep reading even though I am no longer a teenager! Liz came across as a spoiled ‘mean girl’ type of teenager who was used to getting her own way and had a clique of like-minded friends, a loving boyfriend, a step-sister she adored, a stepmother, her father and anything she wanted that money could buy. Liz came across as superficial and spoilt, but rather than finding this annoying to read about, I was pleasantly surprised because the book itself is far from superficial.

As I continued to read [and struggled to ever have to put the book down for any reason], themes started to emerge including bullying, social economic and high school status divide, drugs, trust, anorexia, guilt, loss, betrayal, deceit, lies and more. The narrative was a combination of Liz seeing events following her death in real time and dream like immersion in memories from her past. Initially Liz cannot remember much about her life or how she died, and the memories are a way for her to recall and start to piece together the story of her life from childhood.

What I didn’t expect from this book was to be challenged about how easy it is to judge people on face value, making assumptions based on outward appearances. The notion that you can never know or understand a person without having walked in their shoes rings very true. Morality is also questioned and the human nature of not wanting to get involved in other people’s problems. If you can see there is a problem, do you have a moral responsibility to help? There were times where I felt that more should and would have been done in certain situations…not everyone would pass on having to address some of these issues surely? Unfortunately real life shows us every day that this can be true. In many cases the people needing help don’t always want to ask for it or know how to at times and when they do it can be poor timing to find the right person who is prepared to listen and/or act on what they hear.

Between was a compelling read from start to finish. I changed my view about many of the people within the narrative as more became revealed about them, further to their outward actions and appearances. Some characters made me feel frustration, others anger, sympathy, understanding and disbelief. Overall I could see how the character’s lives intertwined and their behaviour, choices and actions mixed with various events to continuously affect their unwritten futures. Jessica Warman shows us that life is complicated and we have choices and we should take responsibility for our own behaviour. Within a well written intriguing novel, is woven much food for thought to help each of us re-assess ourselves and the bigger picture of the life in which we live.

Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Doc Mortis - Barry Hutchison

Today I'd like to welcome 12 year old Kain to Feeling Fictional, he is back today with his third review!  Thanks for writing another guest review for me Kain!

Kyle wakes up in hospital... in the Darkest Corners.

In this hospital the surfaces aren't clean, and the instruments are not used for healing.

But it's about to get much, much worse.

The doctor is ready to see him now...

The Invisible Friends Series:
Mr Mumbles
Baggie Maggie
The Crowmaster
Doc Mortis
The Beast

Visit Barry Hutchison's website for more information




Kain's Review:
The Invisible fiend Doc Mortis was an enjoyable book, but not one of my favourites as it’s a bit repetitive. I do like the way it started as an apocalypse then said 17 days later…

The way the author described the way the main characters body was feeling, they also did a good way of describing the environment. One bit I find a bit strange if not morbid is a chant that someone does. But overall I score this 3/5.

Thanks for Reading,
KAIN

Source: Received from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: The Deeping Secrets - Victor Watson

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library.  Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her.  Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty!  This review was originally posted on The Overflowing Library here.

April 1941

There was a series of overwhelming explosions, then a thumping of debris as scraps of wood fell heavily onto the truck-bed above their heads.  A metal wheel thudded down and buried itself in the grass close by, half a hundredweight of instant death.

When a particular train is targeted by an enemy bomber, the people of Great Deeping realise there's a spy in their midst.  Molly doesn't want to let such a thing ruin her Easter holiday.  Soon, she and her friends are occupied with looking for buried treasure.  But during their search, they stumble upon more than they bargained for . . .


Paradise Barn Series:
Paradise Barn
The Deeping Secrets

Visit Victor Watson's page on Goodreads for more information

Kirsty's Review:
The Deeping Secrets is the second book in the Paradise Barn series. The book is just as good as the first in the series drawing you in from the first page and keeping you hooked right through the end.

As I said from the very start of this book you are hooked. In the first chapter a train just coming into Deeping is bombed with the young characters caught in the middle narrowly escaping injury themselves.

The other shock is that it is also revealed that there is, living somewhere in the village, a Nazi Sympathiser who is planning on helping the Nazis when they invade and has been smuggling vital information to the Nazis via carrier pigeon (cue the dramatic dun dun dunnnn!!)

The story itself is a pleasant read. You get back to spending time with the characters you know and love from book one Abigail, Molly and Adam and meet new additions Joe and Edmund. I personally loved little Edmund, he is one of those children you want to take home, shelter from all the bad things in the world and feed chocolate cake to. I loved seeing how the friendships established in the book helped to bring him out of himself and change his little life for the better.

The final section of the story is where all the differing mysteries of the book are resolved and revealed. Again this was done in a really exciting and engaging way (especially the dramatic scenes on the train) which all added to making this book a wonderful read.

Certainly a book I would recommend both as an avid reader myself and as a history teacher. It strikes a nice balance between telling an engaging tale and keeping that story realistic to the time period in which it was set without overburdening the reader with tiny details that can slow the pace of a book and make it dull.
 
Source: I received this book from Catnip in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Burning Secrets - Clare Chambers

Today I'd like to welcome 12 year old Kain to Feeling Fictional, he is back today with his second review!  Thanks for writing another guest review for me, I'm glad you enjoyed the book.  Hopefully Kain will be making semi-regular appearances on the blog from now onwards so watch out for more reviews for him coming soon.

An intense and thrilling teen mystery set on a tranquil island where all seems perfect…

Daniel has dark secrets and a troubled past. So when his family move to the island of Wragge, a gentle backwater where local life remains undisturbed he feels he’s escaped. But outsiders aren’t always welcome and the more Daniel tries to conceal, the more he reveals about sinister goings on. Does this picture perfect community have something even greater to hide? An explosive thriller that tingles with brooding menace and ignites as the clues fall into place…

Visit Clare Chambers' page on Goodreads for more information

Kain's Review:
This Book was one of my favourites, my reasons being, the way the author describes the story and the other people in the story and their behaviour. I also like this books plot as it is something completely different, than all the other vampire romances and stuff. At the end of the book there is a twist on the storyline.

I hope you like this review; it could not be long as I would be giving it away.

Kain

Source: Received from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: Duty Calls: Dunkirk - James Holland

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library.  Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her.  Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty!  This review was originally posted on The Overflowing Library here.

Friday 24th May, 1940

Private Johnny Hawke, aged sixteen, awakens to artillery fire.

Hours later, stukas scream down from the sky.

Messerschmitt fighters roar towards them.  Trucks burst into flames.

Now men and mules lay dead and dying, severed limbs twisted grotesquely as blood soaks into the cobbled streets.

As Private Hawke - and his fellow soldiers - prepare to stop the German advance, there's only one question on everyone's lips . . .

How will they survive?

Visit James Holland's website for more information

Kirsty's Review:

Duty calls: Dunkirk is a brilliantly insightful and realistic portrayal of the events of Dunkirk as experienced at ground level by ordinary British soldiers. I didn't find it an easy read and it took me a lot longer than normal to get through it but it was certainly worth it.

I specifically requested this book for review because the whole concept of it intrigued me. I am always on the lookout for YA books set in historical settings which are historically accurate which I can recommend to pupils to compliment work done in class. This book is perfect in that regard. The author is clearly well informed about the period and has done extensive research when writing this book.

Another thing I look for in books to recommend to my pupils is a story and main character than they can relate to as it helps to make them empathise with the people who the story is about and draws them in to the story as a whole. Again the main character was perfectly picked in this regard. A 16 year old boy who joined up to fight for his country under age. I think seeing the war through his eyes will give youngsters a jolt because of how very horrific the nature of warfare was and make them see that it was something real that happened to people like them and not just to some random people a long time ago.

What this book also does well is its realism. It does not try to glorify war in anyway to make it more exciting than it was. Yes there are bits that are action packed but there are also scenes which are hard and uncomfortable to read, which will in some cases shock the reader. Again this adds to the story as it really helps you to get into your head what the soldiers really went through in order to save the UK from Nazi invasion.

All in all a book which is historical accurate and engaging. One I would whole heartedly recommend for teens studying the time period for a different perspective of the events depicted.
 
Source: I received this book from Penguin in exchange for an honest review

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Guest Review: The Shadowing: Hunted - Adam Slater

Today I'd like to welcome 12 year old Kain to Feeling Fictional, he recently wrote his first ever guest post for me and now he's back with his very first review!  The Shadowing: Hunted was sent to me for review by Egmont but as I'm a bit of a wuss (the cover is scary!!) and I know Kain is a big horror fan I sent him the book and he has very kindly reviewed it for me.  Thanks so much Kain, I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

Once every century, the barrier between the human world and the demon realm begins to break down. Creatures gather, anxiously waiting to cross the divide, to bring death and destruction from their world to ours. This time is called The Shadowing.

Callum Scott has always known that there is a supernatural world out there—he’s seen ghosts for as long as he can remember. Lately, he’s had visions of children being brutally murdered by a terrifying creature. Then the visions start coming true, and Callum realizes that he’s being hunted, too.

Driven by a dark destiny, he must stand against the demons that threaten our world.


And The Shadowing is almost here. . . .

The Shadowing Series:
The Shadowing: Hunted
The Shadowing: Skinned

Visit Adam Slater's page on Goodreads for more information

Kain's Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, mostly because of the way the author wrote it, but also the genre of horror as this is my favourite type. The Blurb of this book fits perfectly with the events in the book. Its Front cover would surely catch lots of people’s eyes. I must admit even I (who could watch a marathon of horror movies) raised an eyebrow as you could picture the scenes in which they took place! I also like the plot of this book.

If I had to rate it it would have to be 5/5!

This is also one of the very best books I have read.

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to comment and let me know if you liked it, or on any ways I could improve.

Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
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Guest Review: The Memory Cage - Ruth Eastham

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library.  Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her.  Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty!  This review was originally posted on The Overflowing Library here.

Alex's Grandfather keeps forgetting things. Desperate to help him remember, Alex starts collecting old photographs. Bust as Alex digs into his grandfather's past, he stumbles across secrets that have been buried since World War II. Uncovering the truth could save Grandad ... but it might also tear Alex apart

Visit Ruth Eastham's website for more information














Kirsty's Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book but I was drawn to it initially because it was compared to Michael Morpurgo's work in its style. While it's wise on some occasions to take such comparisons with a pinch of salt in this particular case it was totally justified. The story is both beautiful and multi-faceted.

What I liked about this book is that even though it is aimed a a younger teenage audience it deals with a few issues in an accessible way. The first issue it deals with is adoption and how a child who has been introduced to a family might cope with such a situation. I can't say I've seen this done in any other title. I liked that the boy in question wasn't a nightmare tearaway nor was he perfect and I thought the portrayal was realistic and heartfelt. The book hinted on issues sounding refugees and the impact of the reasonably recent atrocities in Bosnia giving the readers in insight to what happened from a personal perspective. I liked that it was highlighted as it is an event in our more modern history that is overlooked. The story also dealt with the impact of Alzheimer's on both the suffer and their family which was done in a sensitive way. Finally the author brought in ideas about the nature and morality of warfare and the impact participating in conflict had on the people involved, focusing in particular on the events surrounding Dunkirk.

Not only did the author address all these issues and do so in a sensitive way the story that held it all together was wonderful. I loved the relationship between Alex, the main character, and his grandfather and was totally absorbed in Alex's quest to help his grandfather with his memory and play detective and piece together his family's history. I loved how the story flowed and how the author weaved all the threads together.

An awesome read from a UK debut author and well worth a look especially if you have previously enjoyed the work of Murpurgo.

Source: I received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review

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