Wednesday 31 July 2013

MaFTA Session: Catherine Chant (Author of Wishing You Were Here)

Hello everyone! I'm so happy to present Catherine Chant for Books & Sweet Epiphany's MaFTA session!! *squeal*

She is one of my favourite authors and I had fun knowing her.
Take a look at the interview down below. :D



1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Although I’ve been writing since I was very young (heavily influenced by the Nancy Drew series in elementary school), I went to college and studied mathematics because all the adults around me said writing/art/theater wouldn’t get me a good job. While studying math, I took a little detour into computers and after graduation I worked in the technology field for fifteen years. So I guess you could say I’m a computer nerd at heart (which might explain my affection for video games as well.) :)

2. Who are your favourite authors?

I read across a lot of genres, but I think dark suspense is my most favorite, so authors like Brenda Novak, Allison Brennan and Harlan Coben always top my list. I just finished reading the “Gone” series by Michael Grant and really loved that! Couldn’t put those books down! You’d probably technically call that series sci-fi, but it’s got lots of suspense as well!

3. When did you decide to become an author?

I had two complete novels under my belt shortly after graduating from college, but the idea of becoming an “author” (selling what I write and making a career out of it) didn’t happen until fifteen years later when I left my full-time job in technology to become a stay-at-home mom to my new baby boy. I started freelancing (non-fiction articles, website content, etc.) when my son was about a year old and eventually revisited those novels I’d written way back when to see what I had there. Once I started reading them, I knew this was what I wanted to do from now on, and haven’t looked back since.

4. What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

To be honest, I started my first book simply because I was bored. :) I had an office job at a not-so-busy office, and while teaching myself new word processing software I just started typing up my daydreams and random stuff from my imagination so I’d have some text on the screen to play with (like a practice document). Over time, that ‘stuff’ started to gel together into a cohesive story and I realized I might actually be creating something real here, not just doodle typing. That “doodling” eventually became my first completed manuscript a year or so later.

Since then, I’ve been more receptive to story ideas as they come to me and I recognize them as story ideas, not just random thoughts. As soon as I get one that I think is interesting enough to be a book, I write the idea down and store it in a special “ideas” folder I have.

5. So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)

I’ve written tons of freelance material. Everything from how to grow your own vegetable garden to how to do something in one of the new Pokemon games. Mostly I’ve written a lot of technology articles, how-to software guides and things like that, since that’s my primary background. I continue to write similar articles in the blog section of my website from time to time. One article I’m particularly proud of is the one I wrote about ASCII Art for SchoolArts magazine a few years ago.

For fiction, I’ve written a few short stories over the years that have appeared in online and print magazines, but mainly I wanted to focus my energies on novels. I have several novels either completed, at the revision stage or currently in progress.

I put a list of these “Works-in-Progress” on my website:

I do have some awards listed on my website as well:

Most are from RWA (Romance Writers of America) unpublished writer contests, which I entered when I was just starting out to gain valuable feedback from the writing judges and improve my craft.

I’ve slowed down quite a bit on the contest circuit since finaling in the prestigious RWA Golden Heart® contest in 2008, but I did enter a couple published writer contests earlier this year with my novel WISHING YOU WERE HERE. The book was chosen as a finalist in Wisconsin RWA’s Write Touch Reader’s Award contest, so I’m pretty excited about that.

6. Are you working on anything currently? 

I am currently working on Book 2 of my Soul Mates series, the follow-up to WISHING YOU WERE HERE, and I’m also working on a new “top secret” paranormal project that if all goes well I’ll be able to say more about by the end of the summer. Waiting in the wings on the back burner are two completed novels that need some revising. One is a YA mystery/suspense and the other an adult romantic suspense.

7. Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

I try very hard to treat my writing as a regular job. So I get up early, get my son off to school and then I go to my home office and work at the computer until about two in the afternoon. Then I have lunch and wait for my son to come home from school. I’m more of a “morning person” so I try to get my writing done first thing in the morning, but sometimes it’s hard because email and Facebook tempt me mercilessly. :)

8. What is the hardest thing about writing?

The hardest thing for me is procrastination, being distracted by things like email or Facebook when I’m supposed to be writing. :) And I think the second hardest thing is probably writing when you don’t feel like it, which isn’t really an option since this is my job.

9. Did any movies inspire you to write your book?

I wouldn’t say any particular movie inspired me to write the book (maybe La Bamba had a tiny bit of influence if I had to pick one), but a song definitely did, way back in the 1980’s. It was tribute song about two musicians from the 1950’s that I didn’t know much about, but the song made me want to learn more. When I looked the duo up, I discovered one of them sang a song I was very familiar with, so I was surprised his name hadn’t rung a bell. Then I read his biography and discovered he had died in a car crash several years before I was born, when he was only 20 years old. From my shocked reaction, the idea for WISHING YOU WERE HERE was born.

10. Who is your most favourite character in "Wishing You Were Here"? Why?

Wow, that’s hard to say because each of the characters, even the minor ones, have something I like about them (even mean ol’ Walter), but I think I’m going to go with a character that most readers probably like the least and that’s Sable Courtney. She just makes me smile when I think about her actions in the story. She tries so hard to be prim and proper and do what’s expected of her, but through Callie’s eyes she’s a bit of a drama queen. I’m toying with the idea of giving her a cameo appearance in the second book.

11. Are any of your characters based on anyone you know?

Nope. Every one of them I made up from my fertile imagination. Although the idea for the story was inspired by a real musician and his untimely death, everything about Joey Tempo (except maybe his choice of guitar) is totally different. Background, family, personality, all made up.

Likewise, although Callie’s reaction to Joey’s story is inspired by the shock I felt when I learned of that musician’s tragic death, she’s definitely not me. I did love classic rock ’n’ roll as a teenager, but I was ever as ambitious as she is at 17. I went off to college without any plan at all. I had no clue about what sort of job I’d have after I graduated. I even changed majors after my first semester because I was so unsure about what I wanted to do. Callie, on the other hand, has it all figured out. She’s very goal-oriented and knows exactly what she wants. (Just maybe not the best way to get it. :)  )

12. People always debate on traditional paper/hard back books and ebooks. What is your favourite?

As I write this I’m simultaneously reading a hard back, a paper back, and a book on my Kindle. So I love all formats! :) I find different formats good for different situations. The paperback, for example, is great to take to the beach (and that’s where I was the other day!). A hard back is too heavy to carry with all the other stuff you bring to the shore, and I’d never take anything electronic with me. Sand gets everywhere. I worry it could get in the e-reader buttons or scratch the screen.

On the other hand, ebooks are great for taking with you to places like doctor’s offices. The readers are so slender they fit right in your bag and off you go. Over the weekend I was at a horse show to support my sister and during the down time, I sat on a rock and whipped out my Kindle while waiting for the next event to start.

I tend to buy hard backs of books I want to keep in my collection, especially if it’s part of a set (like the Harry Potter novels, or a new Stephen King novel) because they look nice on the shelf all lined up, but I’d say without a doubt I buy most of my books on the Kindle now. So easy!

13. What is your favourite genre? Why?

Suspense all the way, but I also read many other genres because if you think about it, every story has some element of suspense in it or you wouldn’t be turning the pages. I especially love ghost stories, family secrets, and mysteries. But I also read a little bit of sci-fi and historical novels, like the Tudor books by Philippa Gregory. I’m not a huge fantasy fan, but I have the Game of Throne series on my TBR (to-be-read) pile and hope to get to it soon. (I love the TV show!)

14. I really love the cover of 'Wishing You Were Here'. Tell me about the cover and how it came about. 

I designed the cover myself, and initially I was planning something like an old postcard as a play on the title and the “Wish You Were Here” sentiment you often see on old postcards, but as I experimented with different nostalgic images (postcards or things from the 1950’s), it just seemed to give the book an “old” feel that didn’t look right for a young adult novel.

So I went back to the drawing board and decided to focus on the time travel aspect of the story instead and let the blurb on the back of the book relay the time period. Time travel got me thinking about doorways, tunnels, crossing boundaries, etc. and when I came upon the picture of the girl on the covered bridge it struck me as the perfect way to show someone traveling between two worlds. The empty grass on the far side of the bridge symbolized the unknown to me as well as the simplicity of a rural, southern town in 1957.

The image of the lone figure on the bridge also struck me as kind of romantic. It reminded me of someone waiting to meet her boyfriend, someone she probably wishes were here right now. That was my “Ah-ha!” moment in the design process. This single image said so much about what was going on in the story, I had to use it.

I did try to keep a hint of the original postcard idea, though, when I selected the typeface used for the title. I wanted it to seem as if Callie were writing those words in her own hand to Joey.

15. Do you think the cover plays an important role in the buying process?

Definitely! There are so many books available nowadays that when you look at a display of titles for sale it’s the cover that’s going to first draw your eye one way or the other. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but many readers do. They may not buy the book solely on appearance, but usually it’s the cover that makes someone look at the back of the book or read the online description to see if the story appeals to them.

16. When you first published your novel, were you afraid or excited to read the reviews?

Probably a mixture of both. :) I was hoping people would like it, but at the same time I knew from having entered so many writing contests that not everyone loves every story. I also thought about my own reading choices and reactions to books that other readers might love, but I just didn’t get. I vowed to keep reviews in perspective and remember that they are subjective.

Mainly I was just very excited that the book was available for people to read. WISHING YOU WERE HERE has had a very lengthy journey to publication.

17. What are your thoughts on good and bad reviews?

I don’t know any author who doesn’t like a good review. LOL! And I am always eternally grateful for every positive review I receive. Each one is special to me and means a lot.

As a reader, if I’m considering buying a book, I usually look at good reviews for an indication of what about the story the reader liked. If it’s the same sort of things that appeal to me, then it might influence my purchase choices.

Similarly, as a reader, I might look at negative reviews to see what the issue was. Nitpicky reviews that talk about typos or other minutia don’t sway me in the least. I want to hear about the story (without spoilers, please!). And mean reviews that just want to tear someone down and have nothing to do with the story I disregard completely.

18. What is your favourite motivational quote?

I have three that stand out me:

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” – Stephen King 

(which translates into simply, “Read a lot. Write a lot.” That’s how you become an author.)

I don’t know who said this next one. I got it in a fortune cookie at a Chinese restaurant a long time ago and taped it above my computer:

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”

And this last quote is printed on a picture of a butterfly my son gave me for Mother’s Day one year:

Believe in the magic you can create.

19. When you want to relax, what do you do?

I usually will read, knit/crochet (that’s my favorite hobby away from books), play a little Sims 3 or another video game (I think I may have mentioned earlier I know a thing or two or three about Pokemon LOL!) or I watch TV. I’m a sucker for Lifetime TV movies, anything with Gordon Ramsay and the Nickelodeon shows I watch with my son.

20. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Keep writing. You only get better with practice, so if this is what you want to do don’t stop. Lots of people say they want to write a book, but few ever finish one. Show everyone you’re a finisher and keep going! And don’t forget to read a lot too! That’s very important. (As Stephen King reminds us in the quote above).

Also, write the book you want to read, because you’re a reader first.

21. Give a shoutout to all your fans out there. :D

{Big wave} Thank you all for stopping by to learn more about me and my novel Wishing You Were Here. If you feel like traveling back in time to 1957 for a little drama, a few life or death moments, and a lot of rock 'n' roll romance, please check it out.

And an extra big, super huge, enthusiastic THANK YOU to Selina for inviting me to Books and Sweet Epiphany today! It’s been a real pleasure to meet you and talk to you about my writing.


 Here are some ways you can get to know Catherine Chant. 








Not only that, here are some links to get Catherine's book, Wishing You Were Here. TO read my review, click here





Thank you Catherine for taking the time to answer these questions.

You're Awesome!!


 

Review of #55 The Faerie Prince (Creepy Hollow #2) by Rachel Morgan

Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn’t forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current ‘sort of friend’. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to ‘collect’ as many specially talented faeries as he can find—and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi’s problems.



Hey guys!

Remember the review I wrote for The Faerie Guardian a few hours ago? No?
Well, here it is! Click this to read the review of Book 1.

Like I wrote for the Book 1 review, the first book of the Creepy Hollow Series is absolutely fantastic.

Book 2 is no exception. In fact, Book 2 is getting better with all the suspense and *squeal* romance!

Sigh...the chemistry between Violet (main character) and Ryn is absolutely adorable. You will love them at first sight because everything they do in the story is beautiful.

My favourite quote in the book is "Glowing Butts"

I'm laughing right now as I'm writing this down. It's so hilarious.

Not laughing? Well, you gotta get the Creepy Hollow Series to understand it. It made my day so it'll definitely make your day too. :D 

It made me swoon from all of the romantic notions. *giggles like the weird girl*

Anyway, the ending was a HUGE surprise. I didn't like that part one bit but I'm sure the third book will be great!

I love Creepy Hollow!!
I love Rachel Morgan!!

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Review of #54 The Faerie Guardian (Creepy Hollow #1) by Rachel Morgan

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can somehow see through her faerie glamor follows her into the Fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the Fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot—and it’ll take all her training to get out alive.



Hello again! 

The synopsis of this book absolutely grabbed my attention.
I am so glad that I read this book because its absolutely amazing!

It's a fast-paced journey all the way. Lots of suspense and amazing writing style.

I love all of the characters and it was really touching to see how the characters evolve in the story.

I've read book 2 and I gotta tell you guys, you're in for a surprise.

There's a lot of shocking scenes in this book and I absolutely love that.

You'll want more and more of Violet as you read on. It pulls you into the story in such a scale that you can't help but keep reading, re-reading and reading and reading and reading.

Simply put it, The Faerie Guardian is a book NOT TO BE MISSED. ITS AMAZINGLY AWESOME!

Sincerely,
Selina.



 

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Review of #53 Jaguar Sun (Jaguar Sun #1) by Martha Bourke

Synopsis:
DECEMBER 21, 2012 Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind? 

Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.

Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year-old. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in.

But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control.

In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth.

Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her                                                                   destiny?

                                                               Or will that destiny destroy her?


Hey guys! Check out the cover and synopsis of Jaguar Sun above. :D

I've received this book from Martha a long time ago and I've finally got the time to write the review for it. Sorry, Martha!

First of all, the cover....is AWESOME.
I love it when book covers catches my attention. I love the Jaguar at the background and it beautifully complements the theme of the book.

When I first started reading Jaguar Sun, I find it to be a really engaging read because it has the end of the world theme which I really love.

Maya (the main character) is just a highschool girl with normal issues until she saw her nightmare shadowing her. Of course, in this scenario, who wouldn't freak out?

Her grandma helped her alot and revealed that Maya was a shapeshifter.

The story is really nice to read (especially at night!) and I understand her situation really well because Martha wrote it excellently.

You can't help but be connected to Maya but sometimes you just wanna strangle her.
But, of course, you can't expect all main characters to be strong, kick-ass person all the time.

There were a few reason why I love reading this book:

ONE, I love the way Martha twist the Mayan prophecy to work for her. Imagine, it wasn't earthquakes or fires blowing up everywhere. Instead, it was a supernatural war during December 21, 2012.

TWO, I love humorous characters and there's a few of them inside.

THREE, There's shapeshifters! Most books out there are talking about vampires and stuff. Now, I get to read about shapeshifter. :D

In conclusion, (Hahaha, it's like an English essay) if you like Jaguars and twist to prophecies, Jaguar Sun is the book to get.

I'll be reading Jaguar Moon, the book 2 of the Jaguar Sun Series as fast as I can!

Sincerely,
Selina.


 

Monday 29 July 2013

Review of #52 The Reaper Within by Stephanie Jackson

Hey guys! I got this book and I gotta say, The Reaper Within is AWESOME. 
First of all, take a look at the cover. :D


Scary and haunting? The cover gave me the creeps but the story isn't like that at all. 
It was a blend of scary and interesting based on my opinion.

Take a look at the synopsis down below. 

Melissa Chaser leads what most people would think was an interesting life. Mel's job was to find wayward spirits and cross them over to the other side; she was a real life Reaper. It was a hard and dangerous job, especially when the spirits were wreaking havoc on people or property, but it was never anything that she couldn't handle.

And then she got the fateful call from Mrs. Mabry. There was a problem with a house she'd just purchased, and she needed Mel's help. It was just standard ghost stuff; things moving around, and a few disembodied voices, but nothing Mel hadn't seen a thousand times before. 

Little did she know who, or what, she would find when she stepped into the old Memphis mansion. Nothing about the ghosts in the home made any sense to her, and time was running out. Could Mel finish the job and get off the property before something in the house reaped her?


Review:
I gave this book "FIVE STARS" and you know why?
Cause its awesome.
Plain and simple.

Firstly, the writing style is great! 
Get ready for a lot of suspense because seriously, I really think this book needs a shrine dedicated to it.

I love how Stephanie created a twist to the whole "Reaper" story. The folklore, the myth of it all, well you can throw it out the door. 
If you keep an open mind, the type of Reaper that you're gonna know in The Reaper Within is going to blow your mind.

I admit, I am not a huge fan of horror movies but this book has the perfect blend of making me scared (because I love reading at night) to loving it in a blink of an eye.

I can see the Stephen King influence in the story and I gotta say, BRAVO!

Secondly, the characters compliments each other very well and I love the main character (Melissa)  because she is fearless.

If we were in her situation, we would be scared shitless. Not only that, if I have her ability, I would rather admit myself into a mental hospital.

Because, DUDE! If she decides to take a job, she will be stuck to that place until each and every spooky thingy at that place go to whatever place they're suppose to go. Oh and don't forget about those spooks who are absolutely terrifying, they're worse than The Exorcist but similar to the Black Widow.

Basically, most of the setting in the story is in this huge house which is absolutely perfect for the story.

Lastly, I didn't expect Melissa to fall in love. (You gotta read the book to know what I'm saying so I really really really think you gotta get this book. :D )
It was a really great twist to the story and I absolutely love it!!


All in all, The Reaper Within is a great read, Stephanie Jackson is an awesome writer and I really think that you will miss you if you don't get this book. It's awesome, awesome, awesome.

Sincerely,
Selina.



 

Sunday 21 July 2013

Cover Reveal of Shadowed Threads (A Rylee Adamson Novel #4) by Shannon Mayer

Hey guys!!!
I am so excited to present the cover for Book 4 of the Rylee Adamson Novel!! Squee!!

Here it is. :D



Here are some info. Enjoy!

Title:          Shadowed Threads (A Rylee Adamson Novel, #4)

Genre:        Paranormal Urban Fantasy Romance

Age Group: New Adult, 18+

Expected released date: August 15th, 2013

Cover Design: http://damonza.com/


I did a blog tour for the other three books of the Rylee Adamson Series. Click here to check it out.
For some excerpts of the book, click herehere and here!

Enjoy!

 

Review of #51 You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

First of all, I love the cover.

It is utterly beautiful! I just wanna say thanks to Janeal Falor because she wanted me to review her book and I gotta say...its AWESOME!

When I first read the synopsis, I felt it was kinda corny at first. So, I decided to read the review copy on my phone (since I don't have an ebook reader, which I wanna!).

So there I was, squinting into the small screen of my Samsung S2, reading every single page with my breath held. A sudden thought struck me and that's when I knew, this story is truly a work of art.

I was confused at the beginning but as I read more, I fell in love with the character's world. It isn't beautiful or anything but it was definitely a different world where women are basically used for breeding. If your blood has a great, immense power of magic, your dad will sell you to the highest bidder. I fell in love with that world not because I have a sick sense of humor but because that world really compliments the whole story and it intersects itself with every character in the book.

I love the writing style and really felt sorry for the main character, Serena because she was abused.
But in the end, I really I was really happy for her because she fell in love with a man.

The community in You Are Mine are really different from ours. Women are treated like crap, they have no say in anything and men are such a-holes. However, I love how Serena fell in love with the man who owned her because he is not like the others and he treats her with respect.

I would love to tell you how she came to be owned by that man but it'll be a spoiler. XD

I really love how the story turned out and I can't wait for book 2!

Sincerely,
Selina.
 

Review of #50 Enigma Black by Sara Furlong Burr

Enigma Black is a fast, heart pounding story.

It started out nice and easy but in the end, it was explosive!

A truly great read. I am so glad that I passed up the opportunity of a movie night for a book night. :D

There's elements of political struggle, conspiracy theories about the government, romance and death.

I really got attached to the main character, Celaine because she has been through a lot. I really admire her strong character and you have no choice but to feel her pain and feel concern towards her actions.

If you love science fiction and romance, this book is what you want. However, keep in mind that this is book 1 and the ending is really really killing me.

The suspense in the book is utterly perfect and the characters complimented each other.
In conclusion, 5 stars!

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Monday 15 July 2013

Review of #47, #48 and #49 (The Starlet Series) by Carla J. Hanna

When I first read the synopsis of The Starlet Series (Starlet's Web, Starlet's Run and Starlet's Light), it sounds really really interesting. This is because it is my first time to stumble on books on a celebrity's life, especially one who is becoming an adult.

When I started with #47 Starlet's Web, I love the starting. However, as I continued reading, I find that the writing style has changed and there's no...whatchamacallit 'Oomph' in the story.

I love the characters but I find the main character very whiny. It seems like the whole story is being deliberately lengthen. So, yeah... I kinda got bored in the middle.

The good thing about Starlet's Web is I got to experience the 'celebrity lifestyle' which I have absolutely no idea whether its true or not. Other than that, its okay.

After finishing book 1, I did not feel satisfied with the ending so I decided to give another try by reading book 2, Starlet's Run.

Apparently, book 2 can be read as a stand alone series but I find it ridiculous.
There's a lot of elements in book 2 which are really connected to book 1.

The main character is still being whiny and there's a lot of jealousy going on.

The main highlight of Starlet's Run is when the main character has cancer due to a 'special' drug that her mom gave her. I know it sounds terrible when I said it like that but you gotta read the story to find out the whole story. I don't wanna put it here because they are spoilers. =)

Anyways, I find Book 2 to be Slightly better than book 1. However, I still find the book kinda boring. (Sorry Carla! I love the theme, covers and all but I believe with better editing, it'll be a great read!)


Since I've finished Book 2, I was thinking, "What the heck." and proceeded to read Book 3 (Starlet's Light) because I got this book for an honest review.

And I gotta say, Book 3 is so much better than the previous books.
Because, its FANTASTIC.
I'm so glad I endured book 1 and 2 because this reminds me of life.
Life is torturous (I'm not talking about the book!) but in the end, its super beautiful you just want to live over and over again.

I love the twist in book 3 and I gotta say, its a damn surprise.

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Review of #46 Wish You Were Here by Catherine Chant

This is the best book I've read in the month of July.

Wish You Were Here is a book where you can't stop reading, your heart pounds in time with the characters in the book, the writing style just drags you into the story and in the end, you can't help but fall in love with the book.

I love the time travelling theme in the story and the beautiful love story between Callie and Joey Tempo.

When I said "love story", I meant there's a lot of pain, anguish, slight jealousy and the ups and downs of a relationship. The way Catherine Chant wrote the story really really really pulls me in and made me feel whatever the main character is feeling.

For me, that is one of the few elements of a really awesome book.

The story is unforgettable and the characters are likable. 

When I first read the synopsis, I was immediately pulled in because of the words, 
"She's out of place. He's out of time.". 
That was like, the one of the best lines I've ever read.

At first, I thought the book was similar to the 'Time Traveler's Wife' but I really got a sweet surprise.
Its completely different. Well, that's what I thought.

If you ever get your hands on this book, trust me, you HAVE to get it. 

For me, a good book is when the story is able to drag you in, scramble up all your emotions, and letting your heart ache in pain when you've reached the ending.

Seriously, go and get it. I really really really REALLY want the paperback version of Wish You Were Here. If I DO get it, I'll put it up on my FAVOURITE BOOK SHRINE (which is my bookcase) :)

Sincerely,
Selina.



 

Friday 12 July 2013

Review of #43 Stranded Love a.k.a. Tender Moments by Massimo Marino

Massimo Marino is fantastic!

Stranded Love a.k.a. Tender Moments are filled with really really short stories.

But, they are seriously creepy.
The stories are fascinating because they are not connected yet somehow the connection is there within the stories.

I love love love the writing style. The whole story is just plain creepy. But it's good.

It is Creepy-Good. :D

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Thursday 11 July 2013

Review of #44 The Samantha Project (#1) by Stephanie Karpinske

The Samantha Project is fantastic!
When I first read it (I had the old copy, not the updated version), it was kinda slow at first but the story grows into a humongous tree and starts fruiting awesome storyline, characters and suspense.

I love how the main character, Samantha, slowly develops into a great character.
The storyline is similar to some books yet it is slightly different from the others.

I love the plots and the twist, the dashes of romance in between, the blend of human emotions that is unpredictable and great characters.

Not only that, the science fiction background absolutely complements the story.
Plus, the bad guys who wants Samantha and her love interest is really awful and terrible, makes this book a killer.

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Review of #42 The Cadence by Casey Hays

The Cadence is fantastic!!!! Not only that, it is ORIGINAL.

I absolutely love the whole concept of the book, where this group of young adults has different heightened sense. It's based on the Touch, See, Feel, Smell and etc.

I love how the story started with Emma King (I feel your pain) and her character development in the story really made me love this character to the core. She started out okay but in the end, she took charge and showed who's boss.

Basically, The Cadence, as the title shows, is a group of bad guy who, of course, wants more power for world domination and bla bla bla.
So, this group of young people somehow ended up with each other on circumstances unknown to us mere humans. They are all drawn together into a Circle where they would be complete. When they are finally complete, they will have to face The Cadence, the ultra-evil group of humans who are not humans anymore.

I love this book because the writing style got to me, the story hooked me in and of course, every YA book in the world has a character where the the main character (Emma) would fall undeniably in love with that guy even though he acts like a prick, being all bad-ass and stuff.

There's no other words to describe this book than awesome. Even if there is, I'll still stick with awesome.

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Review of #41 Reprobate - A Katla Novel (Amsterdam Assassin Series, #1) by Martyn V.Halm

If you like a kick-ass heroine, multi-talented and a non-judgmental main character, Reprobate is the book for you.

Reprobate has a great start, it'll hook and drag you into the story whether you want it or not.

Katla is an assassin and she is a damn awesome one at that. In fact, she's like the Assassin Creed guy + The HitMan guy all in one.

I love how Martyn introduces the character in the story. Not only that, each and every character has a certain quality about them that I can't get enough.
It is represented through different points of views at different times and it all merges in the end with the  crossing of paths with one another.
It is also something like the 'Vantage Point'.

This is also my first time in reading a novel of such storyline. Reprobate is unique and each character compliments one another.

I just want to gush at Katla's abilities. She's just so awesome!
The whole storyline has that quality of a TV Series but if you think that's boring...well, it's your loss. :D
I love all the parts where there's action, shooting and killing in it. I love how each and every detail of the kill is being described. It made me feel like I'm actually learning something valuable in the book, not that I WANT to kill someone. It's just knowledge to me.

I believe this book is awesome enough to be in my favourite books list.

Sincerely,
Selina.

 

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Review of #40 After Summer by Hannah Harvey

After Summer is a rollercoaster, you can literally feel the ups and downs of life and you're going through whatever the characters are going through.

That's the beauty of Hannah Harvey's writing.

This book is absolutely beautiful and the story is really touching. I almost cried at some parts because the emotions that the characters portrayed in the book was so strong, you can't help but be swept away by their torrent of emotions.

This book questions everything in life and it'll probably form connections to readers who are reading this.

After Summer talks about the bond of friendship, the ties of a relationship, the aftermath of a funeral and love. It also talks about the decisions we make in life and how a simple decision could affect everybody is a different way.

The beautiful portrayal of the whole story made me question my plans in life because it opened my eyes.

The underlying theme in After Summer for me is, "Your future isn't written in stone."
Some people might expect you to do as you're told but you're the one living this life. You might feel so confused in what you want to be, who you want to become and where you're going to go in the future that you might lose track of your own goal.

After Summer is undeniably beautiful, heart-stopping, a great companion in life and an awesome motivational speaker. Its very pages teaches you about life, love and hate.
The end of the book is absolutely stunning, written perfectly to give a book the end that everybody is craving for.

There is no doubt that Hannah Harvey is awesome. I give this book a million stars if I could.
Bravo!

Sincerely,
Selina.

 

Review of #39 Daimones (Daimones Trilogy #1) by Massimo Marino.

Hello everyone!!

When I first got to read Daimones, I was absolutely clueless about the whole book because the synopsis was pretty vague about everything.

Now that I've read the book, I finally understood why Daimones was the winner of the 2012 PRG Reviewers' Choice Award in Science Fiction.

It is simply fantastic!

Not only that, I need to say that Massimo Marino is AWESOME.
I love the writing style (Go, Indie!) and the way the whole setting of the book is being portrayed.

This book is unlike the others. Basically, Daimones is about the fear of the unknown.
I love the characters because they have depth. The way they act and feel drawn me into the book because I imagined everyone to feel something like that if there were to be an apocalypse.

Every single page of the book is a work of art.

If you want suspense, a hint of fear and you want to know how the world will turn out to be in the event of an apocalypse, this book is it.
Trust me, you'll grow to love the characters and the story.

Sincerely,
Selina.  

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Review of #38 Blood Debt (Touched #1) by Nancy Straight

Hello everyone!! Its been so long since I last wrote a book review but now I'm here, writing as fast as I can so I can take a holiday after the exams. :D

I've read Blood Debt about a month ago but I didn't really have the time to write a review (which sucks) because I was having a lot of presentations, booths and virtual blog tour.

Even though I've read Blood Debt a month ago, the whole story is so captivating that I can't help but remember every piece of the story.

Nancy Straight really made the story different from the others, she took elements from Greek mythology and made it her own!

Centaurs in Blood Debt is ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT from what we'd imagined. They do not have hooves and they are ABSOLUTELY Hot. Seriously.

The rules of the centaur community made the story all the more interesting because there's elements of forbidden love, the undeniable connection between the main character (Cami) and her love interest (Drake).

The centaur society is also beautifully fitted into the puzzle piece of Blood Debt.

I definitely love the suspense as it is continuously stretched in the story but you can't help but keeping wanting more of Camille.

All I can say is, Blood Debt is fantastic and it's a definite change of scenery from all the norms of vampires, werewolves, or anything supernatural in particular.

I really really want to read Book 2 because this awesome story isn't finished yet.

Sincerely,
Selina. :D