Disappointing reward book

I'm really disappointed with the latest reward book I read, Sweet Valley Confidential. I really did want to give it more an initally I did give it three but it was between being okay and me liking it, hence the 2.5 stars. I always feel for authors as we can't give half stars on Goodreads, which would make my reviewing easier.

My Goodreads review:

2.5 stars

The book redeemed itself in the last half to get another half star. Maybe because I had gotten used to the style, which was different to the series of old. I was a huge fan of Sweet Valley High series as a teenager. The POV of the 'now' drifts from omniscient narrating (telling) style to third and at times it's hard to follow. Jessica still uses 'like' a lot and she sounds like a teen at times. They've moved on and use the F word, which I get why it can be used but it jerkd me out of the story as it wasn't 'Sweet Valley'. I didn't mind the first person for the flashbacks because it kept the feeling of the now. But can't ever remember first person in the series. Nostalgia kept me going on reading it as well as wanting to find out how the girls would reconcile (because being SV it is a given, right).

There were names of characters I remembered if not by name by who they were and what they had done in the series. But it all felt like info dump.

I had chosen this as a reward book as I had been looking forward to it, but it took a long time to read because I couldn't get into it. Disappointed that I didn't LOVE the book.

I'm hoping to avoid disappointment this time. Cross Stitch aka Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is one of my favourite books. The Exile is a graphic novel of Cross Stitch but from Jamie's POV. That first book only had Claire's POV. So I'm really looking forward to it because I absolutely LOVE Jamie. Sigh.

Happy reading everyone!

Reward book: End Of The Night Girl

Wow, what can I say about the End of the Night Girl other than it is utterly amazing.


"Molly, a sassy waitress, is haunted by the ghost of a murdered Polish Jew. Two novels, each a compelling page-turner, combine teasingly in one as End of the Night Girl explores the shadow cast by the Holocaust across decades, continents and cultures."

It has been a long while that I have read any literary. I'm more of a genre fan, but this was absolutely amazing. Two lives, two stories, but they are tied together. One a creation of the other, but one life more false than the other. Powerful imagery, totally spellbinding. I'm so glad I chose this book as my reward because reading it the way I did, had the book live with me longer. Had me think about it. Yes, it's a tough subject - the Holocaust, as well as the one about identity, but it's a rich book that helps you open your eyes. It doesn't lecture, it doesn't offer advice. Raw emotions spill on the page with majesty of the wordsmith's craft. And Amy is definitely a wordsmith of the highest calibre. I'm very proud of her work and to call her friend. Well done!

Next book...

I go from the deep, emotional look at humanity to something quite altogether different. Growing up, I had the treat of buying Sweet Valley High books and this year saw the return of the series with Sweet Valley Confidential: 10 years later. Which picks up the twins, Elizabeth and Jessica's tale 10 years later. A lighter read I'm sure, but still one I have been waiting to read. 

Reward book: Angel's Blood

Angel's Blood was a great read with a different look at archangels, angels, and vampires.

Elena is a Guild Hunter - and hunts down renegade vampires on behalf of their angel masters. Raphael is the Archangel of New York, and has lived millennia. Both lethal, both strong willed, they have a battle of the wills. On the trail of a killing archangel, they are forced to work together, and both change in the process.

I loved Nalini's style and worldbuilding. I must admit that I really got into it from about chapter four.

The first book of the Guild Hunter series, I'm looking forward to reading more. More mystery to unfold, more action is promised. I will not spoil it, but I'd like to see where the main characters lives go.


Now, for my next choice.

I am really excited about reading this one. I suppose that is what the reward books are all about - working on writing, so I can read these wonderful books.

Last week, I attended the book launch of Amy T. Matthews debut book, End of the Night Girl.

It won the 2010 Arts SA Premier's Unpublished Manuscript Award, and is published by Wakefield Press. We at SARA have been waiting for its release. One thing about having writing friends, there is never a shortage of fantastic books to read.

Reward book: Forbidden

Well what can I say about Forgiven. Lots really. It's steamy - very steamy, which you would expect from an erotic romance story. It's set at around 50AD - so love the ancient historical aspect. It's set in Wales (or Cymru as it was known then by the natives, Cambria by the Romance) when the Roman invasion has just hit. Carys, a Druid is in hiding but she meets a Roman centurion, Maxiumus, who she lusts after, who lusts after her. But over the course of the book, they have deep regard for the other, finally realising they are in love.

But since their peoples are enemies, all seem against them. How can they be together if it means betraying one or the other, or each other? The story is woven nicely together, and the antagonist - oh goodness, he is just scary - & no-one knows.

I loved learning more about the Druid belief in the goddesses, and the differences with Roman culture and the treatment of women.

5/5 for sure in my opinion. The next book in the series is Captive, which will be out in February 2011. Looking forward to it greatly. We have already met the heroine in this book, Carys' friend Morwyn. She's a tough character and can't wait to get to know her more.

Now for my next reward book - Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh. It's the first of the Guild Hunter series and I've been looking forward to it. I finally met Nalini at the RWAus's conference in Coogee this year, and she is so lovely.

Reward book: Untouched

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Anna has such a lovely style and voice. 

Blurb:

“I am many things,” Lord Sheene said. “Kind is not one of them.”

Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason to doubt these words.  After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire… or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this dangerously handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is not as cruel as he would have her believe…

Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman.  Locked up as a prisoner, called “mad” by all of society, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace’s sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together - for only then will Grace truly surrender to him… forever.

A very sensual read-and full of strong emotions. As Matthew is a man who had been called mad, he overcomes his own fears with Grace's help. It really is heart-wrenching to see how badly he has been treated by his uncle, and Grace's story of living a hard life after she is disowned by her family is also very touching.

Anna Campbell is a great story teller. Set in a remote manor, there is nothing stale about being in the one location for practically the whole book. This is the second book of hers I have read and I will continue to read more. :)


Next reward book.....

I decided to pick Christina Phillips' Forbidden. I have been waiting since Christina announced her sale to read this book. About the forbidden love between a Roman Centurion and a Druid priestess, this is an ancient historical romance I am itching to read and will definitely be working hard to get to. :))

Reward book time....

Shadowfae is a dark urban fantasy dealing with the supernatural underground of Melbourne. Lust, power, passion & love live in this world. The story is about Jade, a thrall and succubus. Love the first person POV for her, and the 3rd person, present tense for the other characters. Very lyrical language - very well done & a fantastic choice as a Reward Book. This book is part one of a series. Now to get book 2, Shadowglass.


My next choice for the Reward book is Untouched by Anna Campbell. I've been wanting to read this for a long time!!

Reward book: Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer

I've finally finished this fantastic compilation by Marion Lennox with fantastic stories and recipes from Australian romance authors. Enjoyed the variety of the stories and the variety of the recipes.

Yum, yum.

So that means I'm moving along with my writing & writing related tasks.






Now next, I've decided to pick a book I've been waiting to read and hence will make me work that much harder... Shadowfae by Erica Hayes. This is the first in the Shadowfae series.


Happy reading all!

~yia~

Reward book: Breaking Dawn

Yes, people would say I am behind the times as I finally finished reading The Twilight Saga's last book, Breaking Dawn.


I've tried to stay aware from they hype of The Twilight Saga & have read them because I have enjoyed them. Twilight was introduced to me & the Bootcampers  by fellow Bootcamper Dana. And I was drawn in. It's not fast paced but at the same time I felt the book speed along, thoroughly immersed in Bella's world.


Breaking Dawn concludes the four part series. I won't go into details as I don't want to spoil it but it fitted all together. Let me say I was never into these "Team" camps - Edward or Jacob. I didn't think they were needed. The story is about Bella & Edward, so I never saw Jacob as anything more as a good friend/brother figure. The fact HE didn't see that was just part of the story arc. 


All in all, it's about discovery and about family. And the great thing about this series is that it has another generation of teenage girls reading again & making it cool. 


So that was my reward book. Now to my next reward choice - Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer edited by Marion Lennox. It's a selection of stories & recipes from Australian Romance Authors. It has been waiting ever so patiently for ages. So instead of chapters it would be the snippets from this book.


Really looking forward to it!


~Happy reading~