Wednesday 29 February 2012

Ashley Robertson - Interview and Giveaway

Today I welcome Ashley Robertson, author of Crimson Groves (read my review) to the blog. Ashley is here to tell you a bit more about herself and is offering e-book copies of Crimson Grove to three lucky readers!


1) Perhaps to start, you could tell readers a little bit more about yourself

Growing up, I lived on a farm with cattle and horses (and one pet pig) surrounded by an expansive orange grove (my Pops still grows the best citrus you’ll ever taste). When I wasn’t exploring the great outdoors, then I was most likely writing songs. My sister, Allison, and I would sing them, and even choreograph dances for them. Eventually, I learned that I wasn’t blessed with a singing voice. :-)

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Crimson Groves by Ashley Robertson - Book Review

Title: Crimson Groves
Author: Ashley Robertson
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: November 2011
Pages: 260
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Review Copy from Author


Monday 27 February 2012

The Publication Process - An Overview

Well, a few weeks ago, I had my book Time Keepers accepted for publication by Silver Publishing. The e-book will be released in July and this time I will get a print release too. I don't have an exact date for that yet, but I am very excited as this will be my first print book release.

While thinking on this, I decided it might be nice to share with you a little about the process from acceptance to publication, based on my experiences with Silver Publishing.

Sunday 26 February 2012

Darkfever (Fever # 1) by Karen Marie Moning - Book Review

Title: Darkfever (Fever # 1)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Dell
Publication Date: 2007 (2006)
Pages: 342
Format: Paperback
Genre: Paranormal / Fantasy
Source: Copy from Friend


Saturday 25 February 2012

Sissi: Schicksal einer Kaiserin by Gaby Schuster - Book Review

Title: Sissi: Schicksal einer Kaiserin
Author: Gaby Schuster
Publisher: Loewe Verlag GbmH
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 317
Format: Hardback
Genre: Historical Fiction (German)
Source: Xmas Gift


Enchantments: A Novel by Kathryn Harrison - Book Review

Title: Enchantments: A Novel
Author: Kathryn Harrison
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: 6th March 2012
Pages: 284
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: ARC from NetGalley



Friday 24 February 2012

Primal Heat (Primes # 5) by Susan Sizemore - Book Review

Title: Primal Heat (Primes # 5)
Author: Susan Sizemore
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 350
Format: Paperback
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Copy from Friend
 

Follow Friday # 39

Q: Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most... 

When I was still living in England, I did most of my reading in or on my bed. Now I live with my husband, I tend to sit on the sofa and read while he watches TV or reads his own book. I then move to the bed and read a bit more while he has his shower etc before we go to sleep. I've never really taken to reading on buses, in cars or on planes - I like to snuggle somewhere comfortable when I pick up a book.

That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott - Book Review

Title: That Deadman Dance
Author: Kim Scott
Publisher: Picador
Publication Date: 2011 (2010)
Pages: 397
Format: Paperback
Genre: Literary Fiction / Historical
Source: Xmas Gift


Wednesday 22 February 2012

The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink - Book Review

Title: The Prophecy of the Sisters
Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Atom
Publication Date: 2010 (2008)
Pages: 343
Format: Paperback
Genre: Paranormal / Historical Fantasy
Source: Xmas Gift

Monday 20 February 2012

When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh - Book Review

Title: When Copper Suns Fall
Author: KaSonndra Leigh
Publisher: TriGate Press
Publication Date: December 2011
Pages: 266
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Paranormal / Urban Fantasy
Source: Review Copy from Author


Sunday 19 February 2012

The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht - Book Review

Title: The Tiger's Wife
Author: Tea Obreht
Publisher: Phoenix (Hachette)
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Birthday Gift


Saturday 18 February 2012

Winner - Tears of the Broken E-Book Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. A random selection has been made and the winner is:

Desiree R.

Congratulations. I have passed on the winner's details to the tour organiser who will be in touch with the winner shortly!

Winner - Vampire for Valentines Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. A random selection has been made and the winner is:

Tara W.

Congratulations. I will be emailing the winner shortly!

Blue Monday by Nicci French - Book Review

Title: Blue Monday
Author: Nicci French
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 5th March 2012
Pages: 322
Format: Ebook - PDF
Genre: Thriller
Source: ARC from NetGalley



Friday 17 February 2012

The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami - Book Review

Title: The Elephant Vanishes
Author: Haruki Murakami
Publisher: Vintage
Publication Date:2003 (1993)
Pages: 327
Format: Paperback
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Xmas Gift


Wednesday 15 February 2012

Winner - Follower Love Giveaway Hop

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. A random selection has been made and the winner is:

Miranda S.

Congratulations. I will be emailing the winner shortly!

Sunday 12 February 2012

Sister Queens by Julia Fox

Title: Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castille
Author: Julia Fox
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: 31st January 2012
Pages: 432
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Non-Fiction / History
Source: ARC from NetGalley


Saturday 11 February 2012

A. M. Hudson - Guest Blog & Giveaway - Tears of the Broken Tour




Today, I welcome author A. M. Hudson to give us some insight into her writing and tell us a bit about her latest release. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the page!




Friday 10 February 2012

The Golem by Gustav Meyrink - Book Review

Title: The Golem 
Author: Gustav Meyrink
Publisher: Dedalus
Publication Date: 2010 (1915)
Pages: 262
Format: Paperback
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Xmas Gift


Follow Friday # 38

Q: What would your prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?

Well, I guess I'd keep reading new ones. Sure, I could stick with one I love, but if I read it too much it might lose some of its magic. Perhaps I will end up reading many mediocre ones, but amidst them, I might also find a new gem!

Vampire for Valentines Giveaway Hop (Intl)

Welcome to the Vampire for Valentines Giveaway Hop, hosted by Felicity Heaton and Bitten by Paranormal Romance.

This hop runs from 10th February to 16th February 2012 and a number of blogs are participating, so do go and check out their giveaways too.

What's up for grabs I hear you ask. Well, for this hop, given the vampire theme, I am offering:


1 x PDF E-book of Day-Walker


Wednesday 8 February 2012

Sissi:Im Dienst der Krone by Gaby Schuster - Book Review

Title: Sissi: Im Dienst der Krone
Author: Gaby Schuster
Publisher: Loewe Verlag
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 317
Format: Hardback
Genre: Historical Fiction / German
Source: Xmas Gift



The Last Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko - Book Review

Title: The Last Watch (Watch # 4)  
Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
Publisher: Arrow Books
Publication Date: 2009 (2006)
Pages: 440
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal
Source: Xmas Gift


Shilpa Mudiganti - Guest Blog - Always You Tour

Today I welcome Shilpa to the blog to tell us a bit about Casanovas and her new release, Always You.

Over to you, Shilpa! 



Why I cannot help but love Alex Knight, the Casanova! 

So the other day when I was getting ready to send another round of review requests, an email popped up. It was from a male friend of mine who so kindly agreed to read my debut romance novella “Always You”. Apart from his generous review, he asked me one unexpected question, “But Shilpa, how can a woman love Alex? He is a Casanova.”

Tuesday 7 February 2012

The Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko - Book Review

Title: The Twilight Watch (Watch # 3)
Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
Publisher: Arrow Books
Publication Date: 2008 (1998)
Pages: 440
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal
Source: Xmas Gift

Follower Love Giveaway Hop (Intl)

Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson.

This giveaway runs from February 7th to February 14th 2012.

There are hundreds of blogs participating, so once you finish here, don't forget to check them out by visiting one of the sites above!

I'm sure you're wondering what's up for grabs here!

Well, one lucky reader will win a book of their choice up to AU$10 from the Book Depository.

This giveaway is International. So long as you are over 13 years of age and The Book Depository ships for free to your country, you can participate. To enter just fill in the Rafflecopter below.

Sunday 5 February 2012

The Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko - Book Review

Title: The Day Watch (Watch # 2)
Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
Publisher: Arrow Books
Publication Date: 2008 (1998)
Pages: 487
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal
Source: Xmas Gift



Friday 3 February 2012

Follow Friday # 37

Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kickass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male? 

I read a huge range of books, so I couldn't say they all featured something such as a particular style of heroine.
But, what I look for in books is a good storyline that is well thought-out and executed. Believable and well-rounded characters that I can get behind. Descriptive prose, good dialogue and that extra spark that makes a book stay in your mind well after you've turned the final page.

Thursday 2 February 2012

The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Wodehouse - Book Review

Title: The Code of the Woosters (Jeeves # 7)
Author: P. G. Wodehouse
Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd.
Publication Date: 2008 (1938)
Pages: 286
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction / Humour
Source: Xmas Gift