Book Chick City: September 2009

Month in Review: September '09

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

As you can see my new blog design/banner is complete! Yay!! I *love* it and I hope you do too! It has taken four weeks to get to this point and I'm really pleased. I'm a perfectionist and can be very picky but the illustrator was just so patient and did everything I requested - I think she has done an amazing job. My hubby helped me with the navi-bar and I managed to sort out all the colours etc. I'm really pleased with the finished result. Let me know what you think! I have also created a button, so take one if you want, you can find it on my side bar.

I honestly can't believe that September is over. This year is just flying by. Shops are full of Christmas decorations and isles are full of Christmas chocolates and goodies already. We haven't even had Halloween or Guy Fawkes night yet. Ah well...

So, on with my month in review. September was an ok month with regards to my reading, although due to illness and breaks away I did not read as much as I needed to and I didn't really make a dent in my reading challenges. I'm hoping October will be a better month, especially as my All Hallows Eve starts Thursday!! I am very excited about it and have lots of reviews, guest posts, interviews and giveaways. I hope you enjoy it and participate by leaving lots of lovely comments, especially for my guests. I will be posting more about what is to come tomorrow.

General Book Chick City News:

• Sadly I didn't make the shortlist for BBAW: Best New Blog *sniffles*. I was disappointed, for a day, and then I just had a blast with all the activities, amazing giveaways and finding lots of new blogs. I really enjoyed my first BBAW and look forward to next year. I also wrote an 'end of the BBAW' post and listed all the fab new blogs I found. You can view it here.

• I did, however, receive 11 blog awards from my fellow bloggers. So thank you for thinking of me, it really means a lot.

• BCC was over at Lost in Books at the beginning of the month, where I participated in her 20 Questions feature. It was fun answering all her questions and I hope you got to know me a little better. If you didn't manage to see the post then you can see it here.

• I am quickly approaching 600 followers on Twitter and 200 on my blog, which is amazing. So, thank you to all who follow me!

Books Read/Reviewed: 10 (2 guest reviews)

• Babymoon by Melanie La'Booy

• Ruined by Paula Morris

• Star Stuck by Anne-Marie O'Connor (guest review: Carla - The Crooked Shelf)

• Gifted - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow by Marilyn Kay (guest review: Liz - My Favourite Books)

• Bloody Good by Georgia Evans

• Monster Republic by ben Horton

• The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff

• The Devouring by Simon Holt

• Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom

• Frostbite by Kelley Armstrong

Author Interviews: 4

• Lucy Diamond

• Malorie Blackman

• Brooke Morgan

• Jane Costello

Favourite Book Read This Month: Monster Republic by Ben Horton

Reading Challenges 2009 - Progress Report:

- Suspense & Thriller Challenge: 1 read, 11/12 to go

- Sookie Stackhouse Challenge: not started, 9/9 to go

- Everything Austen: I watched, 4/5 to go

- Romance Reading Challenge: not started, 5/5 to go

- Guardian's 1000 Novel Challenge: not started, 10/10 to go

- Books vs Movie's Challenge: 1 read/watched, 4/5 to go

- Stephanie Plum Challenge: not started, 15/15 to go

- Lisa Jackson Challenge: not started, 25/25 to go

- 100+ Reading Challenge: 32 read, 68/100 to go

- L.J. Smith: The Vampire Diaries Challenge: not started, 5/5 to go

So, what was your month like?

Labels: Month in Review 2009 |

31 comments |

Winners of the Ruined by Paula Morris Giveaway!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Susan

Penney

Juju (Tales of Whimsy)

Kathy

Kate (Neverending Shelf)

Congratulations all the winners!! Please email me your address and I will get the books posted as soon as possible!!

Sorry to those of you who didn't win. But don't despair as have another great giveaway coming soon!!!

Labels: Giveaway Winners |

12 comments |

The Splash Award!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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I received this award from Kim at Chapter Chit Chat. Thanks, Kim! Her blog is new to me and I think it's great, so please stop by and say hi :)

When you receive this award, please do the following:

- Put the logo on your blog/post.

- Nominate & link up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.

- Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.

- Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash Award.

The Splash Award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs. So here are my choices:

• The Story Siren

• J. Kaye's Book Blog

• Beth Fish Reads

• Maw Books

• My Friend Amy

• The Book Smugglers

Labels: Awards |

14 comments |

Author Interview: Jane Costello

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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BCC: Hi Jane, so pleased to have you here today. Please tell us about your latest book, The Nearly Weds.

JC: The Nearly Weds follows the story of a jilted bride and what happens in the aftermath of her big day that never was. Zoe, the main protagonist, is understandably distraught and flees to the US to escape. There, she is employed as a nanny for the enigmatic, arrogant single dad Ryan and his children. Despite the fireworks with her boss, she finds love, friendship and fun in America – until, that is, her past comes calling and throws her world into disarray again.

BCC: What was the trigger that gave you the idea for this book?

JC: I’d been an au pair in Philadelphia after I left university so had plenty of material about looking after children in the US – albeit quite a long time ago! After a short break in Boston with my husband last year, I decided to write a book that was partly set there. That brought its own challenges, however; we think we know American culture over here because we see so much on TV. But I found writing the dialogue to be tricky – and had to enlist the help of three American friends to check over everything and make sure it sounded natural.

BCC: You have just finished writing your third novel, My Single Friend. Can you give us a sneak peak at what it's about and when it will be released?

JC: I’m very excited about My Single Friend, which I believe is my best book to date. It’s out on April 1, 2010 and is about two flatmates, Lucy and Henry, who’ve been friends since primary school. Henry enlists Lucy’s help to embark on an image makeover – which she and her other friends Dominique and Erin approach with relish. He gets the full works: haircut and fashion overhaul, as well as master classes in flirting and seduction. But none of them imagine how successful it’ll be: after a shaky beginning, Henry’s transformation from Lucy’s terminally single friend to an irresistible sex god takes on a life of its own. Problem is, Lucy isn’t sure she likes it – so much so that she wonders if her own feelings for him were as platonic as she’d thought.

BCC: Was it a conscious decision to write 'chick-lit' or did it 'choose you'?

JC: My writing style definitely chose me. I read all sorts of books, from historical fiction to classics, but when it comes to writing I’m firmly in this genre. A lot of the pleasure I get from writing comes from expressing my sense of humour and, as such, my books are very much a reflection of my personality.

BCC: Do you put yourself or things that have happened to you into your books/writing?

JC: Usually, things that happen in my books are entirely made up - the products of my over-active imagination. But very occasionally, I’ll see something that happens in real life and that will provide a grain of an idea for a scene in the book. This is particularly the case with the funny bits, which are often based on something that’s really happened. I’ll ratchet up the drama, of course, but just a touch – enough to bring out the humour.

BCC: Are their any authors or books that have influenced your writing?

JC: There are so many it’s impossible to list them all; and in many ways, every book I’ve ever read has helped shape me as a writer, from Jilly Cooper to Emily Bronte. In a purely practical sense though, I should give a mention to Celia Brayfield, whose book Bestseller genuinely helped me write my first novel, Bridesmaids. I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of writing fiction.

BCC: Who are your favourite authors to read?

JC: There are so many! I’ve loved everyone from John Irving to Audrey Niffenegger, Sophie Kinsella to Lionel Shriver, Umberto Eco to Andrea Levy – so as you can see, my reading habits are impossible to pigeonhole! I’ve just started a book club with a group of friends, so I’m sure there’ll be many more to add to that list.

BCC: What are you reading at the moment?

JC: The White Queen by Philippa Gregory – and loving it.

BCC: Now that you have finished your third book, what will you be working on next?

JC: Number four! I’m about a third of the way through the first draft and thoroughly enjoying it.

Thanks Jane!

If you would like to know more about Jane Costello or her books, then visit her website: www.janecostello.com

Labels: Author Interviews |

3 comments |

GUEST REVIEW: 'Gifted: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow' by Marilyn Kaye

Monday, September 28, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Title: Gifted: Here Today - Gone Tomorrow (Gifted #3)

Author: Marilyn Kaye

Publisher: Macmillan Childrens Books

Publication Date: 2 Oct 2009 (UK)

Paperpack: 224 pages

Genre: Supernatural

Young Adult

Source: Own Copy

Guest Review by Liz

My Favourite Books

SUMMARY:

Meadowbrook Middle School is an ordinary school with ordinary students – queen bees, jocks, nerds, brains, all the usual suspects. With nine exceptions. These students look like the others, but each of them has a special supernatural attribute that marks them out. You could call it a skill, a talent or a disadvantage, but each of these students is unique – they’re gifted.

Shy, dreamy Emily’s premonitions aren’t always quite right, and the gifted class usually don’t take her seriously. But as Emily's visions get clearer, her classmates are forced to listen to her – before it’s too late…

REVIEW:

"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" is the third book in the Gifted series by popular American author, Marilyn Kaye.

For Emily, being able to see the future is anything but a gift. Her visions cause trouble, confusion and people don’t understand her. This includes her mother who is very set against her daughter not only being part of the special class at school, but having these visions at all. It’s not even something she can help.

Her tutor at school, Madame, has urged her to examine these visions to accurately examine them to help them understand it.

When she has visions of some of her class mates disappearing she hesitates to tell anyone. She’s unsure of her visions, no one believed her in the past, why should they now?

As the story unfolds and we realise that Emily’s visions are in fact true visions of the future, you sort of wish you could shake a few people in the novel, to get them to believe her. Her classmates see her as a bit of a flake and choose to ignore or ridicule her abilities.

This of course is very hurtful and it makes Emily even more hesitant to talk to them about what she’s seeing.

The novel – recommended for ages 11+ - moves at a rapid pace. We have a chance to spend some time with Emily and with some of the other nine students in the class but this time spent feels far too fleeting. We only have vague impressions of these other students, none of them really positive, to be honest. They are selfish, mean and sometimes incredibly nasty and self-indulgent, failing to see the bigger picture, to work together as a team for the good of their friends.

Madame is as mysterious as the actual kidnappers who take some of the kids for their own nefarious purposes. It is frustrating as you never quite figure out who she is and what she’s up to. The novel creates more questions than answers and although it is a good ploy to keep everyone reading the rest of the series, it feels like it is exactly that, a ploy.

VERDICT:

Each novel in the series deals with one character from the special class and the adversity they face when it comes to using their gift. It’s a very clever idea, similar to Heroes but it sadly lacks the interesting characters and story lines. I am almost tempted to say that maybe we should wait for the entire series to come out before buying it, it can then be read over a weekend, so that all your questions can be answered and hopefully you will be able to spot the character development and the whole of the story arc. As it stands, each novel feels like a mere chapter, fun, but not very meaty.

You can find out more about the author here:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Books in Series Order:

1. Out of sight, Out of Mind

2. Better Late Than Never

3. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

4. Finders Keepers

5. Now You See Me

6. Speak No Evil

Labels: Authors I-L, Book Reviews, Guest Review, Supernatural, Young Adult |

6 comments |

In My Mailbox (#10)

Sunday, September 27, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I am very happy with my books this week. I bought two and received three for review. I think as of next week I will also post a summary of the book as well.

For Review:

• Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (Scribner - sent by Regal Literary). I was so happy when I received an email asking me if I would like to review Her Fearful Symmetry, my answer: Hell Yeah!!

• Silent Killer by Beverly Barton (sent by Avon). When I read the press release the publicist send with their email, I thought it sounded really good. I love crime/thriller novels.

• Warrior of the West by M. K. Hume (sent by Headline Review). This sounds like a really great fantasy, looking forward to reading this one.

Bought:

• Drood by Dan Simmons. I've had my eye on this for a while. It sounds so great; very atmospheric and interesting.

• Passion by Louise Bagshawe. I love books by this author, yes they are a bit trashy but just so much fun to read, especially when on holiday!

So, what books did you get this week?

Labels: In My Mailbox |

24 comments |

Friday Finds #1

Friday, September 25, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Friday Finds is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. I had a great week of finds. All came from perusing other blogs and I have included a link to their site. There are two that I can't find the link for, so if it's you let me know and I will add it. :)

Here are my top 5:

Title: Witch Craft

Author: Caitlin Kitteridge

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Publication Date: Sept 2009 (UK)

Paperback: 352 pages

Blog: Amberkatze's Book Blog

Synopsis (Goodreads)

Someone, or something, is setting fire to the homes of the city’s most infamous non-humans, racking up a body count that’s growing by the day. And strange, otherworldly creatures no one has seen before—selkies trolls and harpies—are causing chaos throughout the city. Racing to stop the carnage, Luna turns to sexy federal agent Will Fagin for help. As they work to uncover the source of the bloodshed, Luna’s attraction for Will deepens. But just as she learns Will’s darkest secret, Nocturne City is thrust into total chaos—leaving Luna and Will in a path of destruction they may not be able to stop…or survive.

Title: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Walker

Publication Date: 7 June 2008 (UK)

Paperback: 416 pages

Blog: Anna's Book Blog

Summary (Goodreads)

A murderer is loose in New York City and the victims are Downworlder children. Clary Fray and her fellow Shadowhunters have a strong suspicion that Valentine, Clary's father, may be behind the killings. But if he is the murderer, then what's his true motive? To make matters worse, the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, has been stolen, and the mysterious Inquisitor has arrived to investigate, with his eyes vigilantly targeted on Clary's brother, Jace. Clary will need to face some terrifying demons and even more terrifying family decisions. No one said that the life of a Shadowhunter would be easy.

Title: House of Dark Shadows

Author: Robert Liparulo

Publisher: Nelson

Publication Date: 1 Sept 2009 (UK)

Paperback: 304

Blog: Pippins Lair

Summary (Goodreads)

In this stunning adventure series from acclaimed author Robert Liparulo, a house that is more than meets the eye will change the lives of the King family forever. When the Kings move to a new home in a new town, the house seems odd at first; but things get really strange when they realize that some rooms are portals to other worlds.

The Kings face terrifying dangers within the rooms of their home, but it still seems like an adventure until people start coming out of the rooms and into the house. When one of the intruders kidnaps their mother, they must find a way to rescue her-but who would believe such a fantastical story? Watcher in the Woods - The King Family begins their search, quickly realizing that they must learn more about the worlds in order to find their mother. But they also must pretend that all is well at home. When a stranger appears and tries to force them to sell the house, their desperation reaches new heights.

Title: Sea Witch

Author: Virginia Kantra

Publisher: Berkley Trade Publishers

Publication Date: July 2008 (UK)

Paperback: 304

Blog: Blodeuedd Books For Life

Summary (Goodreads)

First in the new The Children of the Sea series from the USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR.

For years, Margred has gone without the touch of another. Now, her need has driven her beyond her world to sate her desire. For she is a Selkie-a legendary being of the sea, able to shapeshift into seductive human form. Finally, she has found the one man she wants…

From the land… A burned out veteran of big city streets, Caleb Hunter was only too happy to take a job as police chief on the peaceful Maine island of World's End. Nothing ever happens in this tiny community bounded by the sea. Until he meets a woman who's everything he's ever dreamed of. And more…

To each other… Their passion is undeniable. Irresistible. But when a murderer begins targeting women in World's End, Caleb must face the terrible possibility that the killings are somehow connected to the mysterious Margred - and that the power of their love may change the fate of human kind.

Title: The Midnight Guardian

Author: Sarah Jane Stratford

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Publication Date: Dec 2009 (UK)

Hardback: 304 pages

Blog: Mis(h)takes

Summary (Goodreads)

Although it is not the vampire way to interfere with human politics, they remember the destruction of the first World War. Their food supply was badly depleted, leading to a vampire famine, and a devastating vampire war. When London’s vampire tribunal senses that Hitler is paving the way for another human war, they are determined to break the spine of the Nazis before much more damage is done. But as they delve deep into Hitler’s war machine, they discover that the Nazis are more monstrous than they ever imagined, and that they are more encumbered by their inhumanity than they ever thought.

A vampire saga in the tradition of The Vampire Chronicles, the debut title in this exciting new series follows the beautiful and cunning Brigit’s attempt to escape from the continent and return to her long-time lover Eamon in London, while shepherding out dangerous cargo that is the only hope of salvaging their mission. As Brigit, a millennial vampire, over a thousand-yearsold and possessed of special powers earned by age, hurls toward her destiny on a Reich train, she is tailed by vampire hunters and Nazi officers out to destroy her. Her soul’s eternal love waits for her across the channel, and she’ll need his strength and the strains of humanity yet alive inside her if she’s ever to find her way back home.

Title: Dark Slayer

Author: Christine Freehan

Publisher: Piatkus Books

Publication Date: 3 Sept 2009 (UK)

Paperback: 416 pages

Blog: My Favourite Books

Summary (Goodreads)

A rumor has persisted in the vampire world of a dark slayer—a woman—who travels with a wolf pack and any among the vampires who meets her is slain. Mysterious, elusive and seemingly impossible to kill, she is the one hunter who strikes terror into the hearts of the vampires.

Ivory Malinov is that woman, betrayed by her own people, by her family, by everyone she held dear and she hunts during the night with only her pack to sustain her sanity. She has not spoken to or been with any other person for a hundred years other than to feed from or slay. She stumbles across a body on her way back to her lair and discovers—her lifemate.

He is Razvan, branded a hated criminal, detested, feared and loathed by all Carpathians—he is also a dragonseeker of one of the greatest lineages of all Carpathians Held captive nearly his entire life by his grandfather, the Carpathians bitterest enemy, he is seeking the dawn to end his terrible existence. This is a story of two people, horribly betrayed, wounded in spirit, fighters to the death, who must struggle to unite against a common enemy.

Labels: Friday Finds |

8 comments |

Author Interview: Brooke Morgan

Thursday, September 24, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Brooke Morgan is an American living in London. Tainted is her first novel.

BCC: Firstly, welcome to Book Chick City. Please tell us a bit about your latest novel, Tainted.

BM: Tainted is a psychological thriller set in a small town on the East Coast of America, which has the story of a romance at its core, but which addresses questions such as: do you ever really know the person you’ve fallen in love with? Can people with a dark past actually change their character and be redeemed by love? How does a woman’s love for her child interact with her love for a man? Questions which will, I hope, stay in the reader’s mind after the end of the book.

BCC: Where do you like to write?

BM: I would like to write in a secluded place with a great view and no interruptions, but I actually write at home on my desktop computer.

BCC: Have any other writers influenced you as a writer?

BM: I wouldn’t say any authors have influenced me. I admire so many and often wish I could write like them, but I try to find my own voice and stick to that. I like authors who delve into the psyche, but think that any one doing that does it in his/her own distinct way.

BCC: What are you working on now?

BM: I’m writing a new novel entitled Cheated, which is all about betrayal and the ramifications of betrayal. It’s also a psychological thriller, and, like Tainted, it is set in America – this time in an exclusive co-ed boarding school.

BCC: What do you enjoy doing outside of writing?

BM: I love playing tennis and poker, and I have to admit I watch a fair amount of TV. But what I most enjoy is spending time with my children.

BCC: Tell us about your writing process.

BM: My brain functions best in the early morning – which is actually really annoying because no one gets to see me at my best – they’re all asleep. So I get up at six and start writing after my first cup of coffee. Many cups of coffee later, I start to fade, but always leave the book at a place where I know what I want to write next. And in the afternoons, I often re-write.

If I get really stuck, I take a bath, wash my hair and try to clear my brain so I can think things through and work out whatever problem had me stumped. Amazingly, that usually does the trick for me.

BCC: Who are your favourite authors to read?

BM: It’s hard to pick favourite authors, but I’d say Dickens, Tolstoy and Austen, then moving on to the more modern, I love Elmore Leonard, and hugely admire Dennis Lehane, Richard Price, Kate Atkinson.

BCC: What are you reading at the moment?

BM: When I’m writing fiction, I don’t read fiction, so right now I’m reading a great and funny book on poker by Al Alvarez called The Biggest Game in Town.

Thanks, Brooke!

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