Sunday 8 January 2012

ARC Book Review: Legacy of Blood by Alex Connor

Goodreads:  London, 1732. William Hogarth is called to a murder scene. A woman lies dead, her unborn child ripped from her body. It is a warning. Hogarth painted the future King leaving her bed. He must destroy the painting to survive. But her killers made one mistake. They left the Prince's son alive. Centuries later, one man holds proof of this line of succession and keeps a watchful eye on the Prince's heir. The legacy is a terrible burden, but also an incredible opportunity. During a flight in a private jet, when a fellow passenger speaks of having gained possession of proof of this, the Royal Family's darkest secret, everything changes. Within hours of the flight, three of the seven passengers have been silenced. Who killed them? Why? To keep the secret or expose it? Where is the proof? As the body count rises, Alex Connor ratchets up the tension is this page-turning thriller that brings history into the present with devastating consequences

Title: Legacy of Blood
Author: Alex Connor
Publisher: Quercus
Released: 19th January 2012 (although already out in Aus)
Source: Pan Macmillan Australia (Thank you)
Format: Paperback


This book is amazing to say the least.  I haven’t read a good murder mystery contemporary fiction novel for a while and this was awesome.  From the first chapter I was drawn into the mystery and history that is involved.

William Hogarth is an infamous artist who created a masterpiece that is shameful and dangerous.  A painting done in 1732, William paints the Prince of Wales with his mistress and she is with child.  William is warned!  He is then requested to visit a crime scene, which he finds this woman dead.  William now holds the most sacred secret that can cause the royal throne irrevocable trouble.  There is another heir to the throne that is the biggest national secret in history.

Going forward a few centuries, this secret is still being passed down generation to generation with proof.  In the art world, this painting has been stolen, unbeknownst to the secret holder.  On a private plane trip, the new owner of this dangerous painting has a panic attack and tells a fellow art dealer about his find.  Everybody aboard the plane overhears and they are all now in grave danger, they just don’t know it.  They think they are able to sell off this painting, which has been told as a myth, but now seems real to all.

Victor is an ex-con and has been hired to investigate the death of a passenger.  Along his journey, threats against his life are made and those of the other passengers.  Following a trail that seems to lead in circles, Victor discovers things about himself as well as the art world, that weren’t known before.  Who stole the painting and is now holding it?  Who is the descendant?  Who are the secret holders that have had the burden to carry this for centuries?

Along the journey, you follow Victor through all the twists and turns of the plot, with surprises along the way.  Seeing the gruesome details; the betrayals that cause this dangerous secret to become known to others.  I loved the book and the little history chapters added in from the artists’ point of view.  The story was easy to follow and addictive; creating suspense that makes the reader keep turning pages.  I highly recommend this to all murder mystery readers.
                                                        

4 STARS - GREAT READ

You can find Alexandra (Alex) Connor on Goodreads and Amazon.

In My Mailbox #7


In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at TheStory Siren.  Sharing books that have been received for review, purchased or given as a gift.  The hope is that you will share in the comment section what you received this week.


A fairly quiet week this week, but I'm not complaining.  My review queue and TBR list are big enough.

For Review
Via The Kindle Book Review


The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle (Goodreads)
Faith Creation by Christine Dougherty (Goodreads)
Heartweed by Erin Searles (Goodreads)
Jade Dreams by Wakefield Mahon (Goodreads)

Thank you to the Author's for offering their books for review via The Kindle Book Review.

Purchased



Vengeance (Transcend Time #1.5) by Michelle Madow (Goodreads)
The Fountain of Eden: A Myth of Birth, Death and Beer by Dan H Kind (Goodreads)
Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V Snyder (Goodreads)
Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum (Goodreads)
Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mari (Goodreads)
Slumber by Samantha Young (Goodreads)

My New Year's resolution is to not spend money on books for 3 months.  I caved and bought Vengeance for $0.99 and The Fountain of Eden and Slumber were FREE.  I also had Touch of Power on pre-order, so that doesn't count.  My wonderful husband allowed me to buy a couple of books also, so I couldn't say no to that.  But from now on, no more purchasing, unless they are FREE, until 31st March, 2012.

What did you receive in your mailbox this week?


Saturday 7 January 2012

On My Wishlist #1 - 7th January 2012



On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too.


Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters #1)
Author: Michelle Zink
Published: 1st August, 2009
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy


Goodreads Synopsis:  An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets. 

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

~~~~

That's on my wishlist this week, what's on yours?

Thursday 5 January 2012

eBook Review: Tales from Frewyn by Michelle Franklin

Goodreads: The Haanta Series is the longest, ongoing, online romantic fantasy series. Thousands of readers visit the world of the Two Continents to enjoy the daily short stories featuring all their favorite characters from the Haanta Series novels. In between the business of the books, the commander, Rautu, Otenohi, Unghaahi, Leraa, Kai Linaa and Alasdair enjoy some time together in Diras Castle, but as the stories portray, mischief lies in every corner of the keep where spiders, chocolate pies, petulant giants and grouchy cooks abound.

Title: Tales from Frewyn
Author: Michelle Franklin
Series: Short Stories from the Haanta Series Vol 1
Publisher: Red Willow Press
Released: May 2011
Source: Author via The Kindle Book Review

This is another beautifully written and illustrated addition into the series about the Commander and the Den Asaan Rautu.  Michelle Franklin certainly knows how to entertain the reader and build characters.  With this edition full of short stories, the world Michelle has created evolves and causes the reader to want more.

The short stories are hilarious.  Every story has you rolling around the floor laughing at the antics.  They involve the Commander, the Den Asaan Rautu and his brothers, Unghaahi, Otenohi and Obhantaa Leraa and his mate Kai Linaa.

All the short stories are varied in their subjects, but a majority of them are regarding Den Asaan Rautu’s considerable appetite for food and chocolate in particular.  A couple of my favourites would be the Raisin Cake and Make-outs.

Quote from Make-outs at 63% location 2271:

“As the young man watched, he notices the woman in his arms grew vastly intrigued with the giant’s attentive display.  She eagerly watched with unflinching looks, studying the ravening motions of his mouth and eager gropes of his powerful hands.”

The way Den Asaan Rautu is trying to teach the young man by demonstrating how to win the affections of his woman was hilarious and had me laughing for ages.

This is a wonderful addition to the series and I can’t wait for the next instalment.  Michelle Franklin has the perfect balance of humour, romance and drama to allow the reader to follow along easily and fall in love with the characters.
                                                        



4 STARS - HILARIOUS - RECOMMENDED READ
You can find Michelle Franklin on GoodreadsTwitter,AmazonFacebookSmashwords and her blog.

100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012 - hosted by Book Chick City


I am adding another challenge to my list this year.  As I only started blogging around July last year, this is all so much fun and the challenges are all so varied.  So I am going to participate in Book Chick City's 100+ Books In A Year as well.

Challenge Details:
  • 1st January to 31st December 2012
  • Read 100+ books in 2012 (any genre)
  • No need to select the books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go (if you have listed them, feel free to chop and change as you go)
  • You can join at any time
  • At the beginning of January 2012, you will find a link to that specific month to add your reviews
  • Audiobooks do NOT count, other formats are acceptable
  • Only fiction, NO non-fiction
  • This challenge can cross over to other challenges
  • You do not need to write reviews for each book you read, but if you decide to then Mr Linky will be available each month
To sign up and for more details, please visit Book Chick City HERE.



Wednesday 4 January 2012

Book Review: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking

Goodreads: When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth. 
With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.
Title: Switched
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle Trilogy #1
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Released: 6th January 2012
Source: Pan Macmillan Australia
Format: Paperback


I love this series!  Who would've thought that a community of Trolls could be so amazing and unbelievably remarkable!  The world and characters that Amanda Hocking has created is awe-inspiring and so unique.

This begins with a troubled teen, Wendy.  She lives with her Aunt Maggie and brother, Matt.  They move around a lot because Wendy is forever getting into trouble and being expelled from schools.  But there is a reason she is so troubled.  When she was six and having her birthday party, Wendy’s mother tried to kill her.

One afternoon while helping Matt in the garden, Wendy feels like somebody is watching her.  Wendy investigates and finds it is Finn, the boy from school.  Another night she sees a shadow out of her window and thinks it is Finn again.  Wendy climbs out her bedroom window and goes looking for Finn.  It isn’t Finn!  There are two people, one in front and the other behind Wendy.  They try to kidnap her, but Wendy puts up a fight.  Finn comes to her rescue and fights them off and they run.  Finn tells Wendy she is Trylle or a Troll and she must return to the Trylle community for safety.

Wendy lives in a palace and Finn is burdened with the hard task of teaching Wendy everything regarding the Trylle, history, current events and etiquette.  Wendy must have a coming out ball and that is another whole learning affair.

Wendy is still being chased; she must learn everything she can as quickly as she can; become friends with new people; fall in love; learn to dance and dress; and that is just to name a few things that are happening within Wendy’s new life.  Will Wendy overcome her uneasiness? Who are the people chasing her and why?  What about her Aunt and brother?

I fell in love with Wendy’s dramatic life within the first chapter.  I had read the original eBook a long time ago and was excited to receive this one for review.  There is a new short story at the end and it was amazing.  This short story is about Loki (which we will hear more of in book two and three) and his point of view about the attempts on capturing Wendy.  This is a definite must read for young adult fantasy romance readers.  I am extremely excited about the covers and the difference between the original and the current versions.  I love the Australian, but the US is also awesome.  Can’t wait for Torn to be released and is due out around February 2012.


                                                              

5 STARS - A MUST READ, AWESOME, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL

You can find Amanda Hocking on Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook and her blog.  Other series by Amanda Hocking are:  My Blood Approves series, The Hollows series, Witches of Honalee (not yet released) and Watersong (not yet released).

Have you read Switched or any other books by Amanda Hocking?  What are your thoughts?  Please leave a comment.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Teaser Tuesday #4 - 3rd January, 2012



Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 
  • Grab your current read 
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 
  • Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"Usually her name will suffice," Finn replied, and I felt like an idiot.

"Yeah.  Of course." I took a deep breath. "Anyway, I went and saw Kim." I looked up at him. "Do you know about her? I mean....how much do you really know about me?"

~ page 65, Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post or share your 'teasers' in a comment here if you don't have a blog. Thank you


Sunday 1 January 2012

eBook Review: Desired (Vampire Journals #5) by Morgan Rice


Desired (The Vampire Journals #5)Desired by Morgan Rice
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another good addition to the series.  The story is continuing with the search for the Shield and Caitlin's father.

Caitlin again travels back in time in search for her father and the ever elusive Shield that will save all Vampires.  Caitlin has gone back a couple years to 1789.  She finds Caleb and everything seems perfect until Caleb receives a message.  Off he goes and Caitlin is left alone and hurting.

Caitlin begins the search again and off on another treasure hunt.  Going from beautiful church and scenery to beautiful church, all set in Paris.  Will Caitlin find the Shield and her Father?  What will happen with Caleb?  Will Sam, her brother find true love and the Shield?

The descriptions and amazing detailing involved in the book is the best part.  Morgan has such vivid details and Caitlin is only building her character with every Journal.

Next is Betrothed #6. Betrothed


View all my reviews

Graphic Novel Review: Vampire Academy (Graphic Novel #1) by Richelle Mead



Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel, #1)Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this version of Vampire Academy.  I am officially a fan of Graphic Novels and can't get enough.  This one in particular was awesome, full of beautifully illustrated action scenes and told the story to a T from the original book.

Rose is a Dhampir, not human, but not vampire (Moroi) either.  A perfect mixture of both that can protect the vampires once she graduates into Guardian status.  This starts with Rose and her best friend Lissa (a Moroi)on the run.  Rose thinks she is protecting Lissa, but they are found and made to return to St Vladimir's Academy.

Rose is trying to work out what Lissa's actual abilities are and how she is connected to her.  All the while, Lissa is being attacked and ridiculed and Rose wants it to stop.

Of course there is Dimitri also.  He is so very handsome in this graphic novel and is the beginning of the forbidden love between Dimitri and Rose.

Awesome, I highly recommend this to all Vampire Academy fans.  A must have and a perfect addition into the Vampire Academy series.

Can't wait for number 2: Frostbite : The Graphic Novel


View all my reviews


Graphic Novel Review: The Pendulum by Anne Elizabeth


The PendulumThe Pendulum by Anne Elizabeth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Sea Lion Books for supplying this copy for review.

This series is awesome. I love the graphics and the story was action packed and full of drama.

Tia is full of borrowed magical powers and when she decides to give them back everything goes wrong.  Tia gets kidnapped in order for a race to be rescued by her powers against a Dictator. But they learn quickly that her powers are gone.

They help Tia go on a quest to recover them and she discovers a whole lot about herself along the way. Will Tia rescue the race and rid them of the Dictator? And recover her powers?

This reminds me a little of Richelle Meads Storm Born, but on a different storyline. Strong female character kicking but! Very good and highly recommended.


View all my reviews

In My Mailbox #6

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  Sharing books that have been received for review, purchased or given as a gift.  The hope is that you will share in the comment section what you received this week.

I didn't get a chance again to post last Sunday, after all it was Christmas Day.  So again, this seems to becoming a habit of mine, but it is for two weeks worth.

Received for Review
Via The Kindle Book Review


Open Minds (Mindjack Trilogy #1) by Susan Kaye Quinn (Goodreads)
Moonlight and Oranges by Elisa Stephens (Goodreads)
The Cash Converters by Greg Tjosvold (Goodreads)
Tearful is the Dream by Fresnel Lindor (Goodreads)
The Chrysalis by Cynthia Davis (Goodreads)
The Blasphemer by John Ling (Goodreads)

For Review
Via Sea Lion Books


Pantheons by E.J. Dabel (Goodreads)

For Review
Via Pan Macmillan Australia


Legacy of Blood by Alex Connor (Goodreads)



Received from My Bookworm Santa


Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Goodreads)

Gifted


Lust, Money and Murder - Book 1 by Mike Wells (Goodreads)

Purchased


Gabriel's Revenge (Evan Gabriel Trilogy #3) by Steve Umstead (Goodreads)
Betrothed (Vampire Journals #6) by Morgan Rice (Goodreads)
Vowed (Vampire Journals #7) by Morgan Rice (Goodreads)
Avenger's Angel (The Lost Angel #1) by Heather Killough-Walden (Goodreads)
Dark Angel (book #1) by Eden Maguire (Goodreads)
Amaranth (The Resistance #1) by Rachael Wade (Goodreads)
Forgiving Trinity by Liz Reinhardt (Goodreads)
Emerald by Karen Wallace (Goodreads)
Matched by Ally Condie (Goodreads)
Eve by Anna Carey (Audio) (Goodreads)
Turned (Vampire Journals #1) by Morgan Rice (Audio) (Goodreads)
Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee (Goodreads)
Dark Life by Kat Falls (Audio) (Goodreads)
Vampire Academy Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead (Goodreads)
Blood Bound (Unbound #1) by Rachel Vincent (Goodreads)
Madly (book 1) by M Leighton (Goodreads)
Death Whispers (Death #1) by Tamara Rose Blodgett (Goodreads)

OMG, I think I may need to make a New Year's resolution not to purchase any more books for six months.  I have so many in my TBR list as well as review queue.  But I just can't resist!!

Thank you to all the Authors that have offered their books for review via The Kindle Book Review; Pan Macmillan Australia, Legacy of Blood sounds amazing also; Mike Wells for offering his book and my wonderful Bookworm Santa for sending Deadly Little Secret.  Thank you all so very much.

Hope you all had a magnificent New Year's and the year ahead brings you a lot of joy!

What did you receive in your mailbox?