Liam and the Grump by Graham Austin-King, Illustrated by Sarah Heseltine

5 Stars

Liam and the Grump is a beautifully illustrated children's book about a young boy and his bad temper. Liam finds himself getting angry and doing `bad' stuff but doesn't know why. First his dad tries to teach him how to control it, but when that doesn't work his mum has another suggestion.

On an educational level the message is quite clear about self-control and this is a lovely story to highlight to young children that being grumpy is normal and there are ways to make yourself feel better.

I read the ebook version on my PC and though the pictures were bright and colourful I think for a child to get the full benefit the printed version would be better. I could easily see myself sat on the sofa sharing this book with my grandchildren while they turn the pages with their podgy hands.

Copy supplied for review

I have actually just ordered the print version.

Raksha (Blood and Fire Series) by Frankie Rose

5 Stars

OMG WOW

I am so glad I was given the chance to read this book; it was given to my blog to review as part of a tour. Usually only one of our reviewers reads each book, and for this particular tour I wasn't the reader. Once the tour was done, the tour host asked me if I wanted to review too, so I thought okay, I'll give it a go. Again OMG WOW!

This speculative fiction does have a few similarities to `The Hunger Games'. The dystopian society, the brutal fights to the death that the young are forced into as entertainment for the rich and powerful, `The Sanctuary' which is just another `District 12', and `the Rising'... in this book known as the `Radicals'. But there the similarity ends, and for me this book is far far better that the trilogy I know it will be forever compared to.

Kit manages to escape Sanctuary and with the help of Ryka, a young blond haired fighter, she finds her way to Freetown and hopefully safety, I have to wonder though is there really anywhere that humans are free?

This book perfectly depicts what we would imagine life would be like if society broke down. The strong become powerful and find various ways to control the masses by degrading them and forcing them to live a life of fear. The fact that Sanctuary collared their minions and dulled their senses could possibly be the fairest of these new worlds, at least their fighters didn't feel pain or guilt. Freetown didn't offer that luxury to its occupants and I have to wonder which system I would have chosen for myself!

I loved this book, the relationship between Kit and Ryka was endearing. The pain suffered by all the characters was palpable and I couldn't help but be drawn into their world and sharing their emotions. I did not like the ending, it would have been great if I had book two sat in my hand, but I haven't and I don't even know when it will be available, that frustrates me. I just didn't want it to end yet.

Copy supplied for review

Daughter of the Red Dawn (The Lost Kingdom of Fallada) by Alicia Michaels

3.5 Stars

A cross between Fairy Tale and Fantasy, Daughter of the Red Dawn is the first in what I assume will be a seven book series. There are seven lost daughters of Fallada and my thought is that there will be one book per girl. The first instalment takes us on a journey to reunite Selena, the Princess of Damu, with her homeland.

I have read many fantasy stories and unfortunately this one didn't bring anything new to the table as far as plot is concerned. It followed the fantasy recipe I see all too often, and have mentioned before in my reviews of this genre. It seems that this formula is a requirement and I will just have to accept it, so I would at least like to be given something unique within the plot to allow it to stand out above the rest and give me something to guess at instead of the whole thing being totally predictable, as was this.

That being said I love the way this author writes, she has a comfortable and poetic way with words, which easily allows the reader to fall into the story, snuggle up and stay there until it's over. As far as fantasy goes this is a very well written, visually dynamic, easy to follow book and I would love to read more by Alicia for her writing style alone, I would just like the story line to be more individual because that combined with her writing would prove to be an exciting read.

Copy supplied for review

Jumper by Jeff LaFerney

4.5 Stars

Have you ever seen the film `Jumper' directed by Doug Liman? If so this book will put you in mind of that film, Cole Flint's abilities are remarkably similar to those of David Rice, the films MC. The story line however is nothing like it. We have Cole Flint our unwitting hero who is drawn into the role of protector when he discovers his unique ability to teleport and time travel, and Hannah Carpenter who for some reason is the only person who can remove the Staff of Moses from the rock in a `Sword in the Stone' manner. Once the King of Jordan discovers the Staff on his land he wants it and all the power it holds. So with the aid of a motorcycle Cole teleports Hannah five years into the past to safety, and this is where the chapter headers become important to keep track of where and when you are while reading.

Time travel always messes with my head but I have to say this book is pretty well explained, and I didn't feel nearly as confused as I normally do with this type of story! There were some points that had me wondering, for instance ....When Cole travelled back and changed his name plus the way his victims died, his family and the police remembered the `new' past yet the reporters remembered the story they had originally posted.

The fact that certain people remembered certain pasts was briefly explained towards the end of the book, but it felt to me like an after thought to excuse why some people remembered while others didn't. Another point that felt rushed to me was Cole's parentage, it wasn't covered much throughout the story and then suddenly we find out who his mum is, again it felt like it was thrown in there just to tie up loose ends an I was a little disappointed with those parts of the plot.

I have read a few of Jeff's books, and this by far, is the most enjoyable for me. It had me staying up late to read and that hasn't happened very often just lately. I found the writing comfortable and was easily able to live in the moment. The story was fast paced, and exciting throughout and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exhilarating read.

Copy supplied for review

Number Seventy Five by Ashley Fontainne

5 Stars

When Mandy was encouraged by her best friend to jump back into the world of dating by using an online agency, she took all the precautions necessary to ensure her safety before meeting her first date. Choosing a bar filled with cops would make you feel fairly secure, and it was understandable why Mandy didn't see the real threat in time to avoid the inevitable.

Clearly Ashley is skilled in building suspense, and weaving a complicated plot to keep the reader guessing, and this piece of work also shows how well she can pull the reader in emotionally too. What Mandy felt during her time in the cave was so well written, with great detail and emotion, that it has given me a new respect for this writers work, the editing was on point and with everything combined this was a faultless novella. Fast paced and gripping from the onset, Number Seventy Five is a book worthy of any thriller lovers shelf.

Copy supplied for review

The Bloom by Elizabeth Anne Lance
4 Stars
As Erin prepares for her first `London Season' she has no real intention of finding her perfect match.... Her mother on the other hand is determined to marry Erin off to the first eligible bachelor she sees. Jackson finds himself in a similar situation. He is quite happy to continue his plant studies, he doesn't have time for the `frivolities of the Season' but since he is the heir and it is now two years since his father passed, his mother insists he at least looks for a bride.
Erin and Jackson soon realise that their mothers want them to be together, so agree between themselves to be friends and nothing more just to keep their mothers happy. As the Season continues and they spend more and more time in each others company, Erin's feelings for Jackson begin to change, but she isn't sure if he feels the same.
The Bloom is a light-hearted romantic novella, set in the early 1800's and is a fun, if predictable read. It isn't overly heavy with details of the period but it stays within the lines of those times and how the `nobility' meet and woo their partners. The ending did feel a little quick, and I wish it had been concluded with more detail, but that is my own personal issue in general with novella's, something usually has to be rushed, and in this instance it was the second to last chapter.
Copy supplied for review

Morrigan by Laura DeLuca

3 Stars

Morrigan is a fantasy story that follows the pattern of the genre...a teenage girl finding out she was born with powers, going on a journey with the help of a male, and together they have to defeat the evil, that she is in some way, related to.

I found the book very longwinded and though overall I enjoyed the read, I did feel really disappointed with certain aspects of it. The relationship between Morrigan and Tiarn was rushed and lacked emotion. There was no build up to it, no feeling with it, it just, was, and for me that ruined the story. I wanted, well needed more to make the connection believable, as it stands it doesn't ring true nor does it feel credible.

I did enjoy the interaction between Morrigan and her family. It made a nice change for me to be kept wondering how things were going to turn out, I suppose it was slightly predictable but not entirely so that in itself got my attention and kept me hooked.

The Kindle version I was given for review had a number of mistakes and I think this book could only be improved with another read through and a few tweaks here and there.

Copy supplied for review

Avenger (Impossible #3) by Julia Sykes

4 Stars

As we come to the end of the Impossible Trilogy, Claudia is hell bent on revenge after finding out it was Ronan who killed her parents all those years ago.

I have found this whole series really exciting. I was on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering just what catastrophe would be the next to befall these people and how, or if, they were going to survive it. The plot is action packed, unpredictable and full of twists and turns. Just when you think things are going one way, wham, something completely different happens.

Julia Sykes has got a great way with words. Her writing makes it easy to visualise each scene. The characters are well rounded, not perfect, they have flaws and that makes them believable. I was very impressed by the steamy scenes, they are really well written without gross or crass words making them feel smutty, although there was still that bottom drawer issue that I wished was not included, but we can't all love everything about every book and I have mentioned this issue in my reviews for the first two series instalments!

If you want a story with intrigue, lust and love, this one is a winner it has it all and I would recommend it.

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Between These Lines is a love story written from both Chase and Evie's POV, and has an ending I didn't see coming, infact even as I was reading it I couldn't believe what was happening!

Chase is the broody male with a secret, he loves poetry and reading and is very reserved giving off an air of indifference... which is not strictly true. He sees Evie and watches her from afar, but then a school project forces them together and we watch as we learn opposites really do attract.

Evie is struggling with her parents less than stable marriage. She is left alone more than she should be, and has to deal with a boyfriend who has violent tendencies with no clear way out of the relationship. As her friendship with Chase grows Shane's dark side becomes more visible, until things finally get out of hand....I really don't like Shane!

Jennifer Murgia has the ability to pull you into her world. Her writing is tight and her characters well rounded. This book was anything but predictable and I really enjoyed it, I would highly recommend this to all lovers of coming of age dramas.

Copy supplied for review

When I began reading End Storm I hadn't read the blurb so had no idea it was a zombie book. I think that fact added to my enjoyment. When everything started happening, the sky turned an odd colour, there was an explosion in London and everyone was running but they didn't know what from, I was right along side them, I didn't know what was happening either! I totally put myself in the position Emma was in. What would I do if I was at home with my children and hubby was at work and something like that really happened? Would I wait for him? Would I take my children and run? The thought is too scary to think, I would be a mess!

This book is non-stop from start to finish, the danger is constant and somehow Maz Marik was able to pass those feelings of worry onto me. Nowhere was safe and there was no way to relax while experiencing what each of the characters were going through.

The big shocker for me was the ending. I did not expect it and didn't like it. Not that it isn't a great ending, it is just that I personally don't like my reads to end that way. Not an expert on Zombie stories, although I have read a few, this one has got to be one of the most emotion building ones I have come across and I highly recommend it if this is your genre of choice.

Copy supplied for review