Sunday 23 February 2014

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green


Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 2012



Blurb
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.


Verdict

Firstly I want to say a massive thank you to one of my dear book friends Kayla Oliver for recommending me to read The Fault In Our Stars and kept saying that I will love it and I got the chance to read it today on a very lazy Sunday and I got drawn in so quickly and had it finished in 6 hours.

I have a confession....I feel I could write a perfect long review for this and be like this happens and you will cry or laugh. But I think with this book you need to sit down and curl up with the book and be prepared to be drawn in the book so quickly and love the two main characters Hazel & Augustus as much as I did. 

You will certainly Laugh and most definitely will cry so have a box of tissues ready but The Fault In Our Stars really is a sad but the most beautiful book I have read this year, One thing I have realised is I don't understand how people could hate this book as it is a very touching story which will grab your heart and you will feel the pain but you will love it and will not forget about it for a long time after.

The Fault In Our Stars is the first book I have read by John Green and I will definitely be going out and buying the rest of his books right now!
A must read if you haven't read it already!
Beautiful, Perfect, Heartbreaking but some parts are laughable too.
Deserves this rating so much.

didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Cover Reveal: Ice Creams At Carringtons by Alexandra Brown

Want to see the ever so adorable & beautiful new cover for Ice Creams at Carrington's...well look no further..Ta Dahh!
I adore this cover so much and I cannot wait to read & even just hold it in my hands hehe!
Hurry up 5th June!!


Blurb
The third book in the delightful series set in Carrington’s Department Store.

Georgie Hart and Carrington’s Department Store have got the world at their feet. Since a reality TV series put them both on the map, life has been amazing! Carrington’s profits are in the pink, Georgie has carved herself a place in the nation’s heart and even better, her romance with Tom, the store’s boss, has finally blossomed after a shaky start.

Now summertime has come to Mulberry-on -Sea and Georgie is in great demand. The town is holding a big summer festival and she and her mates from Carrington’s are planning on making sure that Mulberry puts on the show of its life!

But Georgie is about to get the offer of a lifetime – one that is just too good to turn down and something that will test her loyalties to their limits… Will Georgie be able to pull off it off once again, or has her luck finally run out?


You Can Preorder on Amazon right now!

Paperback         Kindle

Cover Reveal: You're The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

Want to see the new cover for Giovanna Fletcher's new novel..then Taaa Dahhh...!

How Beautiful & Very colourful eh?
I am so very excited!!




Blurb
A new novel from the author of Billy and Me about love and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.

And that's the problem.

Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?

Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...

You Can Preorder right now on Amazon!!

Kindle        Paperback

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Book Review: The Toy Taker(DI Sean Corrigan #3) by Luke Delaney

Title: The Toy Taker
Author: Luke Delaney
Publisher: Harpercollins
Publication Date: 13th February 2014


Blurb
Your child has been taken…

Snatched in the dead of night from the safety of the family home. There’s no sign of forced entry, no one heard or saw a thing.

DI Sean Corrigan investigates.

He needs to find four-year-old George Bridgeman before abduction becomes murder. But his ability to see into dark minds, to think like those he hunts, has deserted him – just when he needs it most.

Another child vanishes.

What kind of monster is Corrigan hunting? And will he work it out in time to save the children?


Verdict


BOOOM.....Luke Delaney is back with his third DI Sean Corrigan novel and things are just getting better!

Thank You Kate at Killer Reads,HarperCollins for sending me an early Arc copy of The Toy Taker, I couldn't wait to start, hehe!
I am big fan of Crime books and I have always been a fan of Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin && Michael Connelly. So When I got sent Luke Delaney's third novel The Toy Taker, I was over the moon once again as I loved both Cold Killing && The Keeper.
A child goes missing, snatched in the middle of the night, no sign of entry & no heard or seen anything. It is Di Sean Corrigan's job to solve this case and catch the abductor before it turns to a murder investigation....


Within the first couple of chapters you are going to be hooked...You are thrown back into Sean Corrigan's world with his colleagues Sally & Dave where its all chaos as they are being relocated to Scotland Yard where they are becoming a new Special Investigations Unit, So any crimes that are really bad,they are called.  I love the way we get to know all the characters and we get deep in Corrigan's mind at times and how he try's to think like the killer's.
I was dreading reading incase it became gruesome, child abductions are bad and I felt like I needed to read with the light on and make sure all the doors were locked.. I did thoroughly enjoy this book though.



I love how with Luke Delaney's books is that with him having experience in the met police and has witnessed cases like this, You definitely feel hooked with his books. Delaney certainly knows what to write to get his readers interested.
I am never a big fan of crime books when it involves children as it effects me quite bad and I can feel quite sadden if anything goes wrong or if the killer does horrible things. At some points in the book I had goosebumps but just needed to carry on reading.
For big fans/new fans of Luke Delaney's book are going to love this book, If you love crime reads, I would definitely recommend this book! I cannot wait for the next book in the DI Sean Corrigan series!
5 words to sum up The Toy Taker; Creepy, Gripping, Pulse-racing, Like-able & will want more & more...
 
didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it

Book Review: The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson by Paige Toon

Title: The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson

Author: Paige Toon
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Date: 30th January 2014


Blurb

Meet Jessie, the daughter of Johnny Jefferson, as featured in Johnny Be Good and Baby Be Mine…

My fifteenth birthday was the worst day of my life, and it's inconceivable to think that any single day in my future will ever be as bad. My mum was killed in a freak accident on her way to pick up my cake. Even when there was still no sign of her after two hours later, and my friends started to arrive at our house, it never occurred to me that she wouldn't be coming back.
That was six months ago. My mum died without telling me who my real dad was. And for a while I hated her for it. I thought she's taken the secret of my father's identity with her forever. But she didn't. Holy hell, she didn't. Because three weeks ago I found out the truth. And I'm still reeling from the shock of it. My dad is none other than Johnny Jefferson, mega famous rock star and one-time serial womaniser. And now I'm on my way to LA to meet him and his family. 
My tiny little world has just got a whole lot bigger…



Verdict

Yay Paige Toon is back this year with a new book! Woohoo! I was so happy & excited when I heard that Paige was bringing another book out but this time it would be her first YA novel and that it would be Johnny Jefferson's daughter Jessie's story, I couldn't wait to have my very own copy tehe! I am such a huge fan of Paige Toon's books and I Loved this one just as much. 
I have to thank the lovely Catherine Ward @ Simon & Schuster for my copy of Jessie's story and it has also been signed now by the lovely Paige herself so i'm even happier hehe!

So we meet Jessie Jefferson a 15 year old teenage who when it was her birthday tragically lost her mum to a freak accident while collecting her birthday cake so now she lives with her step dad/ teacher Stu and is so frustrated as her mum never told her who her real father was until Stu her step dad told her that her real dad is none other the Johnny Jefferson..yes the handsome rockstar... Jessie's life soon takes a change and she feels so excited that she knows her real dad finally.

I just loved every single page of this book! At first I was a bit worried incase I didn't enjoy it being a YA Novel...but how could I not love it? It's written by the fabulous Paige Toon but also we got see a different side to Johnny and also get Jessie's side of things which was great. 
The cover of The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson is completely different to any of Paige's books but I suppose with her looking for a Younger age reader this cover would certainly appeal to a younger adult. I loved the cover so much!

I always love the style of writing with Paige and even with this book I soon got sucked in and couldn't put the book down. It felt a bit strange reading from a 15 year old's mind but you soon get stuck in and her reaction to her who real dad is was just priceless! I loved that we got to read about Johnny & Meg again Yay...I had missed them :)
Although I felt at first we saw a different side to meg, her being a stand offish towards Jessie I felt was a bit mean but I suppose anyone in that sort of situation would find it awkward. I did feel they could of been a bit nicer to Jessie but hey who knows in the next book hehe.

I loved all the characters in this book and I felt a bit sorry for Step dad Stu as he feels Jessie will probably forget about him and his plain and simple life but I doubt Jessie would ever do that although she was a bit of a handful at times. 

For true fans of Paige Toon's books I would say go grab this book, read it as you are going to love it just as much as the rest of her books. I am so excited that we will have two Paige Toon's books out every year now hehe!
I cannot wait to read more from Jessie for defo!

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson completely deserves a 5 star rating or even so my rare gold star rating..hell yes for being such wonderfully written, a roller-coaster of highs & lows & just damn right brilliant!
Thank you once again Paige for writing such a fab story!

Paige Toon Book Signing for The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson Manchester 8/02/14


The ever so lovely Paige Toon was back in Manchester on Saturday 8th February 2014 for the signing of her new YA Novel The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson in Waterstones. It was so lovely to see Paige again as I met her last year as was really chuffed as she recognized me straight away, It was the same again this year, it was like I was meeting a long lost friend again :)
Paige is one of my favourite authors & I have been recommending her books to all my lovely friends & work colleagues.
One thing I love about meeting Paige at her book signings is that she is so down to earth and is always willing to chat to her readers and doesn't rush you off after signing your books. 
 










- Me & The lovely Paige ^_^








 - Carol & The Lovely Paige again ^_^








 - I am now a proud owner of 4 signed books by Paige , My Mission is to have every one of her books signed eventually hehe :)


I had the most fab day seeing Paige Toon again and we was discussing Thirteen Weddings and when she is back in Manchester in May which i'll be there again yay! :) I Loved reading The Accidental Life Of Jessie Jefferson, It is fab and was so great to read from Jessie's side of things....just a shame we have to wait til next year now for the next installment..booo!
However I cannot wait to see the cover of Thirteen Weddings, as Paige said you may think it's very similar to The Longest Holiday but the colours will be slightly different...either way it is going to be fab!

Fiction Addiction Book Tour: Made In Nashville by Mandy Baggot

Title: Made In Nashville

Author: Mandy Baggot
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Publication Date: 6th February 2014



Blurb

An on-stage attack left Honor Blackwood with more scars than just the one on her face. It’s been ten years since she left her spot as Nashville’s brightest country music star. Is now the time to return? And is she brave enough to do it?

Country rebel and rock star, Jared ‘Jed’ Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He’s wild, he’s sexy and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on Honor, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind?

Honor’s record label sign the ex-boyfriend that dumped her and suddenly going back to her old life is harder than she thought. Can she get a new contract? Will she get to perform at the Marlon Festival? Or will Dan Steele destroy everything?

When a secret from the past becomes public knowledge it’s no longer just about the music. Are all the people in her life lying to her to get what they want? And who is really behind the anonymous gifts she keeps getting sent?

Join the country scene to find out!



Verdict
I Thank Mandy Baggot & Sharon Goodwin from Fiction Addiction Book Tours for letting me part of this tour.
I have never read a book by Mandy before although I do love all her book covers so my mission for the rest of this year is to read more of Mandy's books woohoo!

Let's get down to the business of this review, Firstly I loved the cover, who wouldn't love a cover with a hot cowboy with a guitar?
I have never really listened to country music but after reading Made In Nashville I actually just wanted to get some cowboy boots on, a cowboy hat and dance to country music hehe!
We meet Honor Blackwood who was attacked on stage 10 years ago and left with a scar but is also scared deep down too, She was Nashville's brightest country music star but is now the time to make a come back?
We also meet the hunky country rebel & rock star Jared "Jed" Marshall he is hot, wild & every lady wants a piece of him but he only has his eyes set for one lady and that is Honor Blackwood.

This is a fab story! I loved how we got both Jared's & Honor's side of their story and you soon easily get to know them both & by half way through you will be squealing and shouting yayyy!! :)
I loved how we got to know about Honor and her accident, how it has affected her mentally but also physically. Honor hates looking in the mirror because her scar always reminds her what happened that fateful night 10 years ago. I was so cheering along for her & Jared to get it on, I could just imagine them being such a cute couple who I loved reading about.
I loved how Jared came across as such a rebel & rock star who never listens to rules but I loved how at times we got to see the softer side of him & how vulnerable he can be at times too.

Mandy has written such a great book that will have you giggling, also maybe shed a few tears but I do feel you will fall in love with this book & how you will want more from Honor & Jared for sure!

Made In Nashville deserves a terrific 5 star rating for having a hunky country music cowboy who you will certainly drool about all through the book hehe!
didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it

Now is your very own chance to win two prizes..

First Prize is an e-copy of Mandy Baggot's Do You Remember..
all you must do is comment below your answer to this question
If you could choose any hunky male who would it be and why?
I'll pick a winner for the e-copy on Friday 14th February at 7pm.


The Second Prize is a rafflecopter comp for your chance to win a
white Kobo mini, £10/$15 Amazon GC, Signed Paperback copy of Strings Attached and signed copy of Security

Fab prizes definitely!
Good Luck Everyone!