Mirain by Jacon Reifsteck - Guest Post & Spotlight ¦ Tour Stop!

Title: Mirain

Author: Jacob Reifsteck

Published: November 5th, 2016

Publisher: Ravenswood Publishing

A brief synopsis; 

Princess Sofia, just recently turned old enough to have her own personal guards. The guards, Hector, an unproven, yet ambitious young knight and his sarcastic squire, Mark, sees this as an opportunity of a lifetime to guard the noble lady from the safety of her castle...but the lady has other plans. Her home, the land of Mirain, has prospered under years of peace, but the princess becomes alarmed at the news of possibly superstitious events at the outskirts of the kingdom. Even more alarming is that few knights bother to acknowledge them, preferring to instead compete in tournaments for personal glory and recognition. The princess drags her unwilling guards to investigate the reports of monsters in the far off corners of the realm. Soon, they discovers a much bigger problem than anyone anticipated.

Workshop Assignment #2

Task: Write a descriptive piece of approximately 1,000 words.

Workshop Assignment #1

Task: Write a story (approx 1000 words) describing an uncanny experience – it could be genuinely supernatural or something that only seems supernatural. Bring copies to the workshop (or have it available in digital form).

Review #38 - Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum

Title: Hausfrau
Author: Jill Alexander Essbaum
Published: March 2015
Publisher: Random House
Source: Publicist in exchange for an honest review.

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

Anna Benz, an American in her late thirties, lives with her Swiss husband, Bruno—a banker—and their three young children in a postcard-perfect suburb of Zürich. Though she leads a comfortable, well-appointed life, Anna is falling apart inside. Adrift and increasingly unable to connect with the emotionally unavailable Bruno or even with her own thoughts and feelings, Anna tries to rouse herself with new experiences: German language classes, Jungian analysis, and a series of sexual affairs she enters with an ease that surprises even her.  
But Anna can’t easily extract herself from these affairs. When she wants to end them, she finds it’s difficult. Tensions escalate, and her lies start to spin out of control. Having crossed a moral threshold, Anna will discover where a woman goes when there is no going back.

FREEDOM

So, I have been absent from my laptop for roughly a month... Why? Because of the dreaded exams.

Overall, I think they went well - I don't think I'll be disappointed come results day, as I'll only get back as much as I put; which, admittedly, was not as much as it should have been. Oh, well. It's all over now! There's nothing I can do about.

Come September, I'll be moving to Aberystwyth to start my first year studying English Literature and Creative Writing! I was blessed with an unconditional offer, and so there's doubt that I'll be going.

But until then, I have all of summer to myself - when I'm not working. And what will I be doing? BINGE READING. and BINGE WATCHING TV. I am so excited holy cow. And I'm starting right now with the first book in the Game of Thrones series.

Well, by right now I mean after these couple episodes of Modern Family.

As such, I am back into the blogging 'sphere!

May Map Making Sunday #1

I am a huge procrastinator (my first exam is in 10 days and the only bit of revision I have done for it was about almost two months ago); so, what better to do with my time than blog? Nothing!

The first session of May for the writing group that I attend (hosted by the gracious Lily from Whispering of the Pages, with help from many other amazing people) was focused on map-making. My current WIP has a tonne of foreign lands, hence, map-making is pretty essential in order to understand (and as a reference to me).

As such, here is the first Map Making Sunday of May!

This feature will run on all the Sundays in May, which is 4 more (including today), and each Sunday will feature a new landscape/world, a description, anomalies, races dwelling in, the climate etc. Everything I deem important to the world! (Really, this is just a way to get myself motivated and so I can start a reference folder full of these for my WIP). They won't be the full details, and many will lack information in places, but that's okay!

Book Spotlight: Dead Silent by Mark Roberts - Exclusive Prologue Chapter!

Title: Dead Silent
Author: Mark Roberts
Release Date: 5th May, 2016

Review #37 - Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Title: Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter Morgan #1)
Author: Jeff Lindsay
Published: 2004

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

Dexter Morgan appears to be the perfect gentleman. He leads a normal, quiet life working as a forensic officer for the Miami Police. He has a nice, shy girlfriend and is liked by her young children. But Dexter has a secret hobby. He's an accomplished serial killer.

So far he's killed dozens of people and has never been caught, because he knows exactly how to dispose of the evidence. And there are those who would rather he wasn't caught at all, because Dexter is a serial killer with a difference. He only kills the city's bad guys.

Then Dexter's well-organised life is thrown into chaos. Another serial killer is invading his territory - and he wants Dexter to come out and play...

Review #36 - Brave New World

Title: Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Published: 1932

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

Far in the future, the World Controllers have created the ideal society. Through clever use of genetic engineering, brainwashing and recreational sex and drugs, all its members are happy consumers. Bernard Marx seems alone harbouring an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations, where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress...

Huxley's ingenious fantasy of the future sheds a blazing light on the present and is considered to be his most enduring masterpiece. 

Guest Post ¦ "Mr Prump is NOT Donald Trump" - Robert Eggleton

Not so long ago I did a spotlight and guest post on the new adult book Rarity from the Hollow, which you can view here.

Today, I am joined again by Robert for a new guest post! Should you be interested in the current Presidential elections, I highly recommend giving this a read! (It is NOT political propaganda).

Easter Rising Centenary Commemoration {Discussion}

Source: http://www.turtlebunbury.com/

The Easter Rising of April 1916 is an integral part of Irish history; there's no question about it.

Now, I'm not Irish (I've never been to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland) so you're probably wondering why I'm talking about it. Well, a few reasons really: as a British citizen, it is a part of my history also; I'm currently studying Irish History as my A2 History course; the centenary of anything is a huge event.

Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, thousands attended celebrations in Dublin, along with wreaths being placed in cities all over Ireland. Thus, I felt as though today would be as good a day as any for me to share my knowledge and opinions on the event.

Review #35 - Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts

Title: Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts
Author: Janet DeLee
Published: May 2015
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Source: Author Copy in exchange for an honest review.

A brief synposis; (Via Goodreads)

Dreams aren’t just for the young, and Ginny Lawther is happy to prove that even at the age of fifty-eight she can still brave a leap of faith…she just needs a little prodding from like-minded individuals. Step one: place an ad in the local newspaper inviting other dreamers to form an Ideal Life Club. Step two: see if anyone shows up.

When Ginny meets four hopeful strangers at the first club meeting, she thinks they’re off to a great start.

Now it's only a matter of time before the sixty-something widow Hilda turns her crafting into a full-time career; the twenty-something Jerry becomes a professional musician; and the thirty-something housewife Lydia publishes her cookbook. That is, until the rugged divorcé, Lee, sets a goal to solve his ghost problem—and upends all their lives!

Suddenly the support group isn’t just trying to navigate the ups and downs of pursuing their dreams; they’re also wrestling with a strange cast of spirits who keep interrupting their endeavors. What do these apparitions want? And why have they latched on to the Ideal Lifers?

Haunting, humorous, and hopeful, Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts sparks the imagination and breathes unexpected life into everyday reality.

Book Spotlight: Rarity from the Hollow {Gatecrash Tuesday!}

Title: Rarity from the Hollow

Author: Robert Eggleton

A brief synopsis; 

Lacy Dawn's father relives the Gulf War, her mother's teeth are rotting out, and her best friend is murdered by the meanest daddy on Earth. Life in The Hollow isn't great. But Lacy has one advantage -- she's been befriended by a semi-organic, semi-robot who works with her to cure her parents. He wants something in exchange, though. It's up to her to save the Universe.   To prepare Lacy for her coming task, she is being schooled daily via direct downloads into her brain. Some of these courses tell her how to apply magic to resolve everyday problems much more pressing to her than a universe in big trouble, like those at home and at school. She doesn't mind saving the universe, but her own family and friends come first.   Will Lacy Dawn's predisposition, education, and magic be enough for her to save the Universe, Earth, and, most importantly, protect her own family?  Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction filled with tragedy, comedy and satire. It is a children's story for adults, not for the prudish, faint of heart, or easily offended.

Review #34 - Starve, Volume 1

Title: Starve
Author: Brian Wood
Illustrator: Danijel Žeželj, Dave Stewart
Publisher: Image Comics
Published: January 29th, 2016
Source: NetGalley

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

Once the world's most famous chef, Gavin Cruikshank's been in a self-imposed exile for years. His little foodie television program has since evolved into STARVE, an arena sport that pits chef against chef for the pleasure of their super-rich patrons. It's a stain on a once-noble profession, and Chef Gavin is ready to go to war to stop it. Two things stand in his way: his arch rival Roman Algiers, and his adult daughter Angie, who probably just wants her dad back and acting normal. 

Review #33 - Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Title: Ashes
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Published: 2011
Publisher: Egmont

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

No, she thought. No, please, God, I'm not seeing this

Seventeen-year-old Alex is hiking through the wilderness when it happens: an earth-shattering electromagnetic pulse that destroys almost everything.

Survivors are divided between those who have developed a superhuman sense and those who have acquired a taste for human flesh. These flesh-hunters stalk the land: hungry, ruthless and increasingly clever...

Alex meets Tom, a young army veteran, and Ellie, a lost girl. They will fight together and be torn apart, but Alex must face the most difficult question of all: 
In such a vastly changed world, who can you trust?

A story of high-wire tension, gut-wrenching twist, and burgeoning love, Ashes will leave you breathless.

Thoughts of Steel by K.E. English - Guest Post! ¦ Tour Stop!

Title: Thoughts of Steel (The Ruination Gods) Book 1
Author: Keith Edward English
Published: February 10th, 2016
Publisher: Ravenswood Publishing (Chimera Imprint)

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

The world turns cold as steel when it begins to die, and the divine will answer for the plight of man...

Life, as the inhabitants of Zepzier know it, ends as things of myth become a harsh and terrifying reality. Everything that Phalax, a battle-hardened defender of the kingdom of Cavia, has cared for begins to slip through his grasp as nightmares begin to plague his world. When he loses everything, he is left with nothing but a need for revenge, and the road to vengeance will be paved by the blood of both friend and foe.

Phalax once upheld justice. Now, right and wrong have no meaning to him, and morality has no bearing on his actions. He worships no gods, not even those who imbue him with incredible power. He will murder the enemy of his homeland and leave no threat standing. Nothing will stop him--no mortal, no demon, no god.

Review #32 - Wuthering Heights

Title: Wuthering Heights
Author: Emily Brontë
Published: 1847; 2002
Publisher: Penguin Classics

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads)

Published a year before her death at the age of thirty, Emily Brontë’s only novel is  set in the wild, bleak Yorkshire Moors. Depicting the relationship of Cathy and Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights creates a world of its own, conceived with an instinct for poetry and for the dark depths of human psychology.

Guest Post! 'Why YA?' by R P Channing ¦ Gatecrash Tuesday!

R P Channing started writing three years ago, but never published anything even after churning out over a million words of fiction. Thirst: Blood of my Blood is the first book he dared to publish. When asked why, he said, “Because it’s the first thing I wrote that my wife actually enjoyed reading.” When not hammering away (most literally) at his keyboard, he can be found buried in a book, reading anything from romance to horror to young adult to non-fiction to comedy. 

You can find R P Channing at his Website, Amazon and Twitter.

Debt ¦ Book Spotlight!

Title: Debt
Author: Rachel Dunning
Published: March, 2016
Genres: New adult, Romance, Sports Romance
Rating: 17+
Length: 400+ Pages

A brief synopsis; 

The Debt Collector

I pay my debts, and I expect others to.

I was raised in the slums of London, I knew nothing of privilege. My father was murdered when I was seventeen. Morty figured my father's passing meant I would automatically take on dad's debts. I refused.

And I paid for that refusal.

So did my sister.

So now I fight. All I know how to do is fight. The best cash is in the states, so that's where I am now. A big fish called Vito came along offering me a "favor" when I arrived.

Another debt.

I paid for that one too.

I knew Kyla Hensley would be trouble when I met her. But I wanted her. I could see through the falsehood of her wannabe-slutty clothes and her sexy legs. So I chased her.

Besides, trouble is my middle name.

Kyla Hensley

I was brought up in privilege, but I lacked everything else. My father is a business tycoon who buys and sells and doesn't care who gets rolled over in the process.

I never knew my mother, and all I have of her is a photo with a note scrawled on the back in French saying "I'm sorry." The only Female Figure I had growing up is my dad's wife who is a bleach blond with seven boob jobs. We never bonded.

I drink. I party. I meet guys.

But I wasn't always like that.

I've had a string of lovers in the last few years, the worst and most recent of which was Vince Somerset. My best friend Vera was dating a guy called Rory Cansoom who is the opposite of Vince in so many ways, and yet so the same.

She and I hit the road for the summer, getting away from the two college psychos and just trying to have some fun.

But there's a funny thing about trouble, the more you run from it, the more it finds you.

Which is when I met the Debt Collector.

It was only supposed to be sex. He made that clear. I made that clear.

That's all it was supposed to be.

I never expected to fall in love. I never expected to fall so deeply, madly, uncomfortably in love with a man who is wrong, so wrong for me.

And yet...so unbelievably right.

In The After ¦ COVER REVEAL!

Title: In The After
Author: Elisa Dane
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Published: February 2nd 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

A brief synopsis... (Via Goodreads)

Sadie Reynolds is a liar with secrets. At school, she’s part of the popular crowd known as AE, despite being broken inside. She hides it well. She has to. The slightest bit of imperfection will land her in the same shoes as her Geeky neighbor named Ian. 

Ian and his only friend are the object of Sadie’s friends’ ridicule, ire, and entertainment. The AE rule the school with intimidation and retribution against anyone who would dare question their supremacy. 

Sadie steers clear of most of it, terrified someone will find out her secret. She isn’t the least bit perfect. In fact, she suffers from PTSD stemming from the murder of her mother right before her eyes when she was a child. She can barely cope from day-to-day, hiding her truth and trying to fit in. But she knows it’s only a matter of time. 

Hayden is a “Waverly,” a kid with the misfortune of living in the small farming town of Waverly that borders the very affluent Lexington Parrish. The AE doesn’t mix with “Waverlies.” Ever. 

Desperate to get away from her oppressive friends, Sadie crashes into Hayden at a bonfire and the attraction that sparks between them is nothing short of electric. But Hayden’s an outsider and when things heat up, Sadie will be forced to choose between her friends and her new boyfriend. 

Only Queen Bee Britt isn’t having it. She will not allow Sadie to cross her. Sadie can either do what Britt wants her to do or she will reveal Sadie for the PTSD freak that she is. 

Sadie does some soul searching about who she is and who she wants to be. She can’t live her life like this. Not any more. One fateful night will help her see how much things have to change. 

She’s determined to no longer allow the AE to rule her life. She will be strong, stand up for Ian and love who she wants in Hayden. Determined and invigorated, Sadie goes to school feeling hopeful for the first time in forever.
But, the unthinkable happens. 

Shooters attack dozens of students before the two eventually take their own lives, leaving the school a decimated shadow of what it once was. 

Suddenly who lives where, wears what or loves whom seems like the least of Lexington Parish’s problems as everyone and everything changes forever in the after. 

IN THE AFTER by Elisa Dane is a hard-hitting and heart-warming story of tragedy, love, loss and redemption. It is recommended for readers 14+.

Increasing Online Presence

Hello!

Today, surprisingly, I am writing a non-book related post. This post is all about my online presence, how I've gone about increasing and for what reasons.

If you're interested, please read on!

The Next Great Adventure Vol. II

Well, here it is. My first blog post of 2016. And what's a New Years blog post without an obligatory reflection, eh?

I did a very similar post this time last year, so I can safely say this shall most likely be a recurring post. This shall be filled with details of the highs and lows, some photographs, and my ambitions for 2016!

 So let's get started...