A PRINCESS AND HER GARDEN BY DR PATRICIA R ADSON

ISBN: 978-0935652932
Publisher: Center for Applications of Psychological Type
Pages: 135
Formats Available: Hardcover


BLURB from Goodreads
A Princess and Her Garden is a fable that reflects the stories of many women-and some men-who learn to put other people's needs before their own, until one day they come to realize they feel lost or unhappy because they have forgotten, or perhaps never learned, how to care for themselves.
The telling of this story is more about the awakening and arrival of you, the reader, than it is about the journey of the Princess. The authors have wisely used their years of counselling and coaching experience to create a guided journal (The Queen of Yourself) that prompts you to reflect and answer thought provoking questions about your childhood, and what you learned about taking care of yourself and others. This unique journaling experience helps you cultivate a new life story in which you love both yourself and those closest to you. Beautiful color illustrations enhance this new edition-a beautiful allegory for reflecting on any stage in life. The included book club discussion questions are designed for meaningful conversation around changing lives.
The perfect gift for people in transition, from new parents to the just-divorced, A Princess and Her Garden is also a welcome story for fresh graduates and newly-weds, and anyone (including yourself) who is learning how to take care of themselves and plant nourishing seeds.
The cover of this books looks like that of an old classical tale, which is attractive and appealing to look at. This book is kind of an Aesops Fable type of self help/journal book. The short section of the story of the Princess and her garden I read with a wry smile, the moral of the book comes across simply and strongly. The illustrations add to the charm of the book. I would imagine the lessons that the Princess learns and/or comes across will probably mean slightly different to everyone, though the core meaning I would imagine would be pretty much the same for everyone. There is plenty of "space" for the journal section for you to answer the sometimes quite searching and deeply probing questions that refer back to the story section. I read this book on kindle so obviously the questions and in depth answers that you are encouraged to give would be done in a separate notebook. I would think many would find this kind of soul searching and deep self analysis really therapeutic and freeing. I think the actual book in your hand as the journal would be better and would probably encourage you to do the journal more than just having the book on your kindle. The journal would be a deeply personal record of your life, thoughts and innermost feelings.
If you are into the self help genre of books and are willing to give the time and persistence in filling in the journal then this is for you.
Unfortunately at the moment I do not find I have the time to commit to actually doing the journal, though I totally understand the concept and what the book is trying to do. In the spirit of the book I am too busy tending everyone else's garden at the moment to tend my own and don't see my situation changing for some time. I hope to perhaps create some time to take another look and participate more fully in the journal section of the book myself perhaps as a gift to myself for the New Year! An ideal New Year's Resolution!

Available at Amazon.co.uk


Wow just had to add I will definitely be doing the journal as I have been kindly sent a physical copy of the book and I have to say it is a gorgeous book, like a keepsake type of book size.

SAVING CHRISTMAS BY CLAIRE REVELL Guest Review by Ena

BLURB from Goodreads
Rather than do the expected thing, Christmas Daniels, pursued a high powered career in London, flying across the world, never being home long enough for anything. When her father is taken ill, she returns to run Hollies Christmas Emporium, an all year round Christmas shop. 

Matt Pringle doesn't make a good impression on his new boss when he accuses her of stealing his parking space. Wanting to make up, he tries to impress her, but ends up falling for her instead.

When the bank threatens the store with closure, Chrissie sacrifices everything to try to save it. A committed Christian, Matt knows that Chrissie needs saving just as much.

Will their growing attraction help Matt save Christmas before it’s too late?


A Lovely, heartwarming, Christmas romance. A rather bumpy start to the romance as Matt does not start out on great terms with Chrissie, his new boss. Though Matt still ends up falling for his new boss. Things are not all easy for Chrissie who has financial worries, in relation to the shop, with the bank set to close her shop even though she is willing to make every sacrifice she can to keep the shop going.
The book was well written, and I really enjoyed it , the only disappointment I had was that it ended too abrubtly for my liking. I wanted it to go on a little more, sort of spread the ending out a little more. Well worth buying for a festive read! It didn't take long to read either! Definitely well worth the price!


Available Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk £0.86 on Kindle

WHAT ABOUT THE BOY? BY STEPHEN GALLUP Guest Review by Ena

Nobody knew what hurt little Joseph, and no one was offering a way to help him. He cried most of the time, and thrashed about as if in pain. He wasn't learning how to crawl, talk, or interact normally. Doctors told his parents to seek counseling, because nothing could help their son, and the quality of their own lives was at risk. Refusal to accept that advice changed their lives forever. WHAT ABOUT THE BOY? A Father's Pledge to His Disabled Son chronicles a family's rejection of hopelessness and their commitment to the pursuit of normalcy.
My daughter "Jeanz" recommended that I read this book, and, I am so glad I did read it. It tells of a families frustration at a medical system that adopts a "wait and see" attitude when they really should have been proactive and tried to help Joseph live his life as normally as possible. So Stephen and Judy try every treatment available to Joseph and each time they seem to be having a breakthrough, like when a physiotherapists suggests Autism, they go back to the doctors only to have the door literally slammed in their faces again. Even when they have breakthroughs and tell the medical profession all it says is well maybe Joseph would have done this/that without the treatment you gave him! I admire how they grit their teeth and fight on for Joseph. there are uplifting moments in the book as well as all the struggling that they endure on their personal journey. Again as my daughter does not give away spoilers in her reviews I also try not too. I think Stephen is a brave, loving father who is still to this day keeping his pledge to his son. I would recommend this to all who wish to read real life stories. A must read book.


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £7.80 in paperback and £5.61 on Kindle

FOR EVERY ACTION THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES BY GAIL BAUGNIET Guest Review by ENA

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Pepper Bibeau’s insurance investigations for a Wisconsin-based company sometimes involve a murder, but she never thought she would cause one. Days before the 1968 Democratic Convention, Pepper arrives in Chicago to settle questionable medical claims from an elusive doctor. Her assignment also includes a background check on a life insurance beneficiary who admits to stabbing his wife. When a close friend is killed, and Pepper is hospitalized after an unprovoked attack, a homicide detective decides someone wants to put a stop to her investigations. For her safety, he suggests she return to Wisconsin, but Pepper is determined to learn why her insurance investigation has stirred up a tragic chain of events. What she discovers are the devastating consequences of one person’s greed that she must expose before someone stops her, permanently.
My daughter recommended that i read this book as she thought I would like it. She was right I really did enjoy it. In the past I have read Karin Slaughter and Tess Gerritsen and as my daughter said in her review I would say that Gail writes as well as both those authors I have mentioned. I thought the mistaken identity issue in the book was really well done and the who is guilty question kept you guessing to the end. i would definitely read more Pepper Bibeau novels and work by Gail Baugniet. I think this book would appeal to both male and female readers too.


Available at Amazon.co.uk

DEATH IS A RELATIVE THING BY HOLLY PATRONE Guest Review by Ena

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April Serao's love life is much like a desert, dry, dusty and a little cracked. Six years ago, her husband Sal died while having sex.
That was bad, but he was with her, so it could have been worse,
however he hadn't finished renovating the kitchen, so it really could have been better. Now April's raising their three sons alone.
Word got around about how Sal met his unfortunate demise which has earned April a "killer good" reputation. Because of it, most men put a considerable amount of distance between her and them.
Her mother Marie takes April to see a local celebrity psychic,
convinced Sal will talk to them. April knows Sal hasn't held up his end of a conversation in a long time but goes anyway because her mother is wiry tough, sports Cherry Cola #17 red hair and is a force to be reckoned with. She's also a "Sicilian Guilt Trip" ninja, and April knows she won't win the battle.
April works as a Technical Support Engineer at a company called Tin Cup Software. Her co workers and occasional partners in crime are Rob and Marley. Rob has a hologram perfect family and Marley passes the time by tweezing chin hairs while talking to customers.
She lives with a large multicolored parrot named Rodney that she believes is going through teenage angst.
An out of state business associate asks April on her first date since Sal's death and she soon finds herself struggling to balance her past, her children and friends and the possibility of new love. Her life, further complicated by a dead musician, a little latex and a few bad guys becomes a rollicking laugh out loud read that you won't want to miss.


Did I enjoy this book? Oh yes it really is a cheer you up, laugh out loud in places book. What a wicked sense of humour holly must have how she has written this humour filled book. I thought it hilarious how the men in this book kept their distance from April as though she is somehow cursed by what/how her husband died. I loved the running commentary that Sal was giving April on her new "date"! it was so typical jealous ex type of comments that he was saying to her. I would like to read more about April and Sal of course as well as seeing where life takes April and her new beau. I would recommend this as a must  read as it so lifts your mood and makes you laugh!


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £9.95 paperback £5.73 on kindle

PROMISSORY PAYBACK BY LAUREL DEWEY Guest Review by Ena

BLURB from Netgalley


Laurel Dewey’s Detective Jane Perry is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive, dynamic, and unforgettable characters in suspense fiction today. She’s rock hard, but capable of extraordinary tenderness. She’s a brilliant cop, but she’s capable of making life-altering mistakes. She’s uncannily talented, and she’s heartbreakingly human.
In this novelette, Jane is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of a woman who profited greatly from the misfortunes of others. The case leaves Jane with little question about motive...and with a seemingly endless number of suspects.


This was the first of these books I had read in this series of books, and yes I enjoyed parts of it, but I do wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the book prior to this one. This book has a strong female character Jane Perry, which is always good, and the book is also fairly fast paced so that too is good, I don't really know how to explain other than saying i feel myself wanting to say but.... all the time I am writing this review. I had expected to enjoy this book a lot more than I did. It sort of spoilt it that I had totally worked out the ending before it happened. I can't help coming back to the point I made earlier that maybe I should have read book one in the series and then I would have enjoyed it more.


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.99 paperback £1.09 on kindle

BALANCING ACT BY PATRICIA DAVIDS Guest Review's By Ena

BLURB taken from Netgalley

A twist of fate...

A promise to her sister sends rising ballet star Cheryl Steele temporarily back to the hometown she fled years ago in disgrace. Then an unexpected snowstorm and an injured foot land her in the home of Sam Hardin.

Sam’s two little girls wrap themselves around her heart…while they scheme to make Cheryl not a guest or temporary nanny, but their new mom. But staying with the Hardin family makes Cheryl uneasy. She fears confessing past secrets to Sam and fears her plans for the future are unraveling. Because the longer Cheryl
stays with Sam, the more it all feels so right…

This book was a medium type of pace and I enjoyed it all the way through to the happy ending. Sam and Cheryl go through various trials and tribulations before things turn right for them. I liked the characters of Sam and Cheryl and enjoyed their happy ending. I can't really think of anything else I can say that will not give away spoilers, so I will sum up with a definitely worth reading!

Available from Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk £3.80

SECRETS BY FREYA NORTH Guest Review by Ena

BLURB taken from Goodreads

Joe has a beautiful house, a great job, no commitments– and he likes it that way. All he needs is a quiet house-sitter for his rambling old place by the sea. When Tess turns up, he's not sure she's right for the job. Where has she come from in such a hurry? Her past is blank and she's a bit of an enigma. But we all have our secrets. It's just that some are bigger than others.

The most successful novel from a UK author with more than ten bestselling novels to her credit, Secrets will tug at your heart and whisper in your ear.

I found this book rather slow to begin with and difficult to concentrate on to read, however it did pick up pace and then became a really good read. The beginning of the book seriously made me doubt the above statement of "Secrets will tug at your heart and whisper in your ear" however that statement is certainly true for the last two thirds of this book.
I enjoyed the character of Joe even though for most of his relationship with Tess at the beginning he is "doing the dirty on her" with other women he met on his constant travels. Whilst Joe is off travelling and womanising, Tess is left at home to keep the house in order and keep an eye on Joe's mother. The relationship between Tess and Joe is a turbulent though it does have a happy ending. 

GLOW BY AMY KATHLEEN RYAN

BLURB from the PRESS RELEASE


If a violent battle destroyed the only world you've ever known, would you be brave enough to save who was left? Would love be strong enough to survive the fight? Either way, there's no turning back.


16 years ago, Waverly and Kieran were the first children born in space. Now a perfect couple, they are the pride and joy of their spaceship. they represent the future. The ship, the Empyrean, is their entire world.


They may have never seen a stranger before.


The Old Earth is crumbling, and the crew is hoping to reach (and colonise) New Earth within fifty years. They are following their allies on the New Horizon, a second ship that left a year before them, and whom they have never met. Forced to travel through a beautiful but static pink nebula that prevents from from communicating with the New Horizon, they are completely alone; living peacefully and gently, filled with hope.


One day, Kieran proposes to Waverly. That same morning, their "allies" attack without warning, and Kieran and Waverly are separated in the cruellest way possible.


Will they ever see each other again?


Well the press release describes what happens in the book, without giving too many spoilers away so I am now going to attempt to tell you what I thought of it without revealing anything else. I loved this book! It's well written, well described in a way that allows you to visualise the people and surroundings.
The book is written from two points of view, Waverly's and Kieran's, the main characters in the book. Everything begins peacefully though you do sense some odd under currents within certain characters too. You get the feeling if you dug a little deeper not all is what it at first seems. 
Everything changes when the Empyrean ship is attacked by their so called allies on the New Horizon. Waverly and Kieran are separated, and find themselves thrust into the positions of "Leader". In my opinion Waverly seems to take to this role somewhat easier and has the majority of her fellow captives agreeing with her decisions. Kieran however does not fare so well, and at times has to literally fight and cling on for survival let alone to stay the leader. Kieran does make mistakes, and there are those who take great delight in pointing them out and reminding him of them at every opportunity they get.
I would compare this book to Across The Universe by Beth Revis, and what bk2 of Twin-Bred by Karen A Wyle could be like. It has a dystopian feel to it which I loved as it is one my favourite genres. I would recommend this book as a MUST read. It is the first in a book trilogy entitled The Sky Chaser's. So it's great to know there are two more books to come, that are definitely on my wishlist. 
I also love the cover of the book, you have to presume that the female on the front cover is Waverly, though the book I received and read was an ARC copy and was a pearlescent effect in ivory with the word GLOW written in a pinkish/purple "glowing" colour and i loved that cover too.


Available Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.55 in paperback, £4.04 on Kindle

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS BY VANESSA DIFFENBAUGH - GUEST REVIEW BY ENA

BLURB from Goodreads

A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what’s been missing in her life, and when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.


REVIEW

I loved the concept of the Victorian language of flowers, and really did enjoy that aspect of the book. The whole which flowers represent what was really interesting and informative.

As for the whole story element of the book I am sad to say I found the pace rather slow, and that spoilt the enjoyment of the book for me. Others may also love the story but it just was not my cup of tea I'm afraid. It sounded so romantic, and promising from the blurb but in my opinion failed to deliver. I have read many of the reviews out and about on this book and lots of people seem to have really enjoyed it so, don't let me put you off giving it a go.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £7.01 hardback, £5.24 paperback, £4.39

GUEST POST BY STEPHEN GALLUP AUTHOR OF WHAT ABOUT THE BOY? A FATHERS PLEDGE TO HIS DISABLED SON

If Luck Takes a Holiday, Are You Ready?by Stephen Gallup

This week, a local newspaper ran an article in which new parents were interviewed about their birthing experiences. Several complained that they felt they’d been “rushed” into having C-sections (although in one case the procedure came after 40 hours of labor, and so does not sound exactly precipitous to me). While sharing the parents’ frustration that things had not turned out according to plan, I can’t avoid looking at the question from my own perspective.

Every one of the parents interviewed has a healthy child now.

In bygone times, when adequate support was not available, childbirth sometimes ended in death of the mother, the baby, or both. Take away the support and that can still happen.

Sometimes undesirable things happen anyway. Giving birth is a very, very big deal. That’s why almost everybody going into it chooses to put themselves into the hands of professionals. So I wonder at the giddy excitement some first-time parents bring to the experience. I do understand the appeal of a storybook event, enhanced by trappings such as favorite music, a room full of favorite people, and everything captured on video. You don’t get that kind of celebration when the hospital staff whisks you off for what amounts to major surgery. And so, according to the above article, what you get instead is folks who feel they’ve been wronged.

This gets complicated, because I’m sure some hospitals do become more heavy-handed than necessary in their level of intervention. Sometimes what they do may be driven by factors other than the well-being of the mother and child. When my first son was born, the hospital wanted to do a C-section, and when my wife and I objected they instead used vacuum delivery. I wonder if their rush to get that baby out was justified. It certainly did not justify the result. We later discovered that the suction applied to the top of our son’s head during birth caused him to be in pain and distress for at least the first 20 months of his life.

And there were other issues, most likely not connected with the delivery, that have continued to affect him. He’s now twenty-six, and disabled.

My purpose in writing this is not to spoil the happiness of people looking forward to becoming parents. Still, having lived through some hard times with my son and his mother, I think it’s appropriate to raise a taboo subject.

What if the birth experience not only falls short of being wonderful but actually is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to someone with profound developmental disabilities? How many new parents are prepared for that?

All of us should be emotionally prepared, in view of the rates of disability. Taking all levels of severity into account, about one child in six is born with a developmental problem of one sort or another. And that of course is before events in this dangerous world start having an effect on the child after birth.

Risk is unavoidable. We accept it automatically every time we cross the street. Most of the time, we’re lucky.

But I don’t think many people are ready for what it means when luck takes a holiday. Sometimes parents (fathers in particular) react by running away. I’ve seen it happen. Or everybody sticks around, but the marriage falls apart. The experience calls for each person involved to reach inside and see what’s most important.

In my family’s case, the most important thing was the love and responsibility we felt toward our child, who had no personal say in any of this. But it hasn’t been easy. There have been unexpected costs.

If you are approaching an event like childbirth, I sincerely hope the experience is everything you want it to be.

If the adventure is behind you, and you have nothing worse than maybe a scar and regret that things departed from your script, please let me encourage you to count your blessings.

But all of us, sooner or later, encounter significant difficulties, be it in childbirth or elsewhere. Like it or not, this seems to be a part of life. And what we can do with it, is the real story we live out.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2011/... 

Stephen Gallup is the author of What About the Boy? A Father’s Pledge to His Disabled Son. For more information, please visitwww.fatherspledge.com.

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Visit www.fatherspledge.com for updates regarding What About the Boy? A Father's Pledge to His Disabled Son

BOOKS I HAVE READ AND RECOMMEND FOR YOUR WISHLISTS!

So hope you are all having a Great Christmas, did you get books as presents? or a gift of a kindle? or do have Christmas money to spend...on books of course? I have compiled a list of books that I would recommend you have on your wishlist or to buy lists!




Books with Angels/Angelic beings in them.


The Seamstresses by Elle Lapraim
"What a lovely heart warming, thought provoking, short story"


Paradox; The Angel's Are Here by Patti Roberts,
"I enjoyed the whole notion of Grace having a kind of past life in the first dimension and getting flashbacks to her previous lives , losses, and troubles"
Paradox; Progeny Of Innocence is bk 2 in the series also now out and available to buy.


Crossroads by Mary Ting
"What a beautifully written book! A definite must, must read!"


The Bringer  by Samantha Towle
"There are angels in this story both good and bad, as well as characters who are not who they at first seem to be, it all adds to the mystery of what will happen."








"Real~Life" Feel but Fiction Books.


Forever Sunshine  by Collette Scott
"This book may be a novel but it is so true to life, it could have actually happened. Brilliant book that I read in only two sittings!"
Hannah's Blessing  by  Collette Scott
"I again enjoyed this book by Collette Scott, I love how she writes and describes things. Collette has a way of including you in the story, so you are really curious as to what is going to happen next. " Guest Review by Ena
If We Dare To Dream  by Collette Scott
"I feel so privileged at being allowed to read this book before it has even officially been published. I would recommend this book totally. In my opinion it is suitable for a wide age range. I tend to read a lot of fantasy, mystical,and paranormal books so this isn't in my heavily read genre but I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey it took me on reading it."


Twenty Weeks  by  Melisa Hamling
"The book also shows how school friendships change, people whom you thought were friends that abandon you at the first sign of controversy. it depicts the bitchiness that goes on in today's schools, so comes across realistic."


The Girl In The Box  by Sheila Dalton
"I couldn't help but love the character of Inez and when you learn her full story your heart breaks for her, she has seen so much and been through so much in her relatively short life. "




True Stories/Memoirs


What About The Boy  by Stephen Gallup
"My blood boiled on occasion during the book at the ignorance and interference of people who did not know or take the time to get to know Joseph and his family. Susannah sounds an absolutely caring child and the way she is with Joseph in the book is brilliant, and I feel from the book that Joseph is probably secretly proud of his sibling too. Well I will end my review here or I will go on forever and ever, basically go out and buy the book it truly is an inspirational, heart breaking yet heart warming book"


Wild Swans by Jung Chang
"This book is an unusual window into the lives of three women throughout the history of China. This book if gripping, at times moving and in parts even uplifting."


Surviving The Angel Of Death  by Eva Mozes Korr & Lisa Rojanni Buccier
"This book covers an horrific time in history, a time that should never be forgotten, did the world learn from the atrocities that occurred, not really as war and segregation still seem to be occurring in todays so called modern world. I could seriously go on and on about this book, about the people who turned a blind eye when Eva's family were taken from their village, there is so much covered in the book. the cover must send a chill down your spine as I know it does mine."


One Little Speck  by Gaynor Goodchild
"I think it was extremely brave of Gaynor to tell her story with nothing held back. As someone who has seen and lived  life with Domestic Violence it is a difficult subject to talk about alone, yet Gaynor manages to speak about that as well as her added addictions of alcohol and drugs."




Vampire Novel's


The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn
" I cannot recommend it enough, its vampires but not in the usual glittering, sugar coated teen way. This is Vampires for the mums!The book is brilliantly written, the descriptions of the emotions so good you can almost feel what the characters are feeling"


A Job From Hell by Jayde Scott
"Chick lit with a bit of bite thrown in ! (if you'll pardon the pun!) Definitely want to read more of Jayde Scott's books."
Doomed by Jayde Scott is bk 2 in the series and is also out now!




Shifter Novel's


Low Red Moon  by Ivy Devlin
"I really enjoyed this brilliant book and wonder what the identity of the acclaimed author as Ivy Devlin is a pseudonym she is using. All I can say is if you loved Shiver, or Twilight you will adore this Teen novel."


Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Barnes
"Wanted to try this book as I had never read anything by this author before, and I didn't regret my decision. It has mystery and intrigue. It looks at how Bryn has fitted in to pack life, it has close friendships, the type where you would die for each other and also a touch of romance."


Tempting The Enemy  by  Dee Tenorio
" A definite"I recommend to read" I also have to add I love the cover, I presume it is a picture of Jade-Scarlett. Her eyes draw you into wanting to know more about her too, and of course wanting to read the book. I think a cover is the first thing that catches your attention with a book."
Deceiving The Protector by Dee Tenorio
"Oh Wow I loved this book.....I really did, it is up there with The Shifter Series by Rachel Vincent and the Kelley Armstrong Women Of The Otherworld Series! and to be totally honest I never thought I would find a shifter series as great! I just want to read more...... Dee please tell us there's going to be lots

more? The possibilities seem endless, I mean we haven't actually been in Ressurection yet, well, only briefly so there are many more shifters to meet and their stories to tell."

Cry Wolf  by Patricia Briggs
"I enjoyed following Anna's life, she starts out kind of downtrodden, the bottom of the pack ladder. Anna puts up with awful things happening to her. Then she meets one of the most powerful werewolves in the country who wants her for his pack."






Action/Mystery/Suspense


For Every Action There Are Consequences  by Gail Baugniet 
" I would compare it to books by Tess Gerritsen and Karin Slaughter...maybe perhaps not as gory but definitely as good!
"For Every Action There Are Consequences" is a true statement that is reiterated throughout this novel and within the plot line and in many of it's characters too."

Piercing Through The Darkness by Emerald Barnes
"This is quite a short story but very enjoyable. I enjoyed seeing the tragic accident from both points of view, from Kandi's when she finally remembers it and of course the devastation that her biology teacher Mr Chandler went through and is still going through now because of it."


The Good,The Bad, And The Murderous by Chester Campbell
"I hadn't read book one of the series but it didn't really matter, and it certainly didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book. Its a well written book full of action and suspense. I really liked how the chapters are organised as i hate to stop reading half way through a chapter. the Chapters in this book were kept to a reasonable size for you to decide to stop reading to just read to the end of the nearest Chapter."




Other Paranormal 


Seers  by Heather Frost
The way it swaps and is told from Kates point of view and then Patrick's point of view is really good too because you are able to get their individual reactions to the same situations.Wow what a brilliant book."


Beloved Lifemate  by   Jodie B Cooper
"Am looking forward to reading more of Miranda and Colin's tale. I hope there is more of Miranda and Colin, that's the only fault I had, I wished it was longer,...a full length novel. I would also say that this series is aimed at the older teen/adult due to the content."
A Dragon's Dream of Love by  Jodie B Cooper
"I really enjoyed this short tale, it had romance, paranormals and much more! It is so well written you feel Leah's desperation to find a good dragon, you also fell her starting to fall in love with Derek."
Stolen  by Jodie B Cooper 
"I really loved this short novels series, only disappointment that I wanted each of the novels to be longer! I loved how well the awkwardness between Eric and Katrina as they go through puberty was portrayed."




Dystopian 


Delirium  by Lauren Oliver
"So to sum up, because I have to sum up even though i feel like I could go on forever talking about this book. So to sum up a brilliant book, that did in parts remind me of Matched by Ally Condie ~ the whole being paired up scientifically, the book also reminded me of Divergent by Veronica Roth ~ with the evaluations that have to be undertaken at a set age. As I loved both those books I loved this one too. What more can I say than go buy it and read it now!"
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver is due out in 2012
"This is the second book in this series and is full of danger, with more forbidden romance and the beautifully descriptive writing we expect from Lauren Oliver"


Outside by Shalini Boland
"The whole idea of the rioters and having to build perimeters was actually made even more believable by the awful riots going on in the UK whilst I was reading this not so far fetched novel. If you love dystopian you will love this, in fact I would call it a must read for dystopian fans! I have also heard from the author that there is a sequel in the process of being written."


Ashfall by Mike Mullin
"This book in my opinion falls into the dystopian category, but it has love, longing,tragedy, murder, suspense and even a little humour thrown in. I certainly recommend this book as a must read , and I am looking forward eagerly to book two!"


Matched by  Ally Condie
"Another great book that I seriously could not put down. A very different concept, kind of a futuristic version of an arranged marriage. Descriptions are detailed, for example you can visualise the dress Cassia wears at her Matching ceremony, and you really do understand how she must be feeling too."
Crossed by Ally Condie is also now available and on my wish list!


Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
"The story also covers the fact Gaia has a burn scarring her face which she believes makes her ugly and unlovable etc. Gaia later learns how she came about this scarring and why. At times you actually ache for the character."
Prized by Caragh O'Brien
"I loved the cameraderie of Josephine and Dinah and the fact they quickly accepted Gaia for who she truly was. I even enjoyed the blinkeredness of the cuzines so set in their old ways.
The book ends in such a way as to set the scene for a book 3....so I will be impatiently waiting lol"



Fey/Fae/Fairies


Feyland  by Anthea Sharp
"I loved this book, there is something going on all the time, it really keeps your attention,whether it is learning more about Tam's life in the Exe where he lives with his younger brother and his mum, or whether it is "life" in the sim game. The places within Feyland are described so well you can picture them. 
The characters are really likeable and you care about them straightaway."

Coexist  by  Julia Crane
"The book is more aimed to the YA/Teen market but as you will see from my profile information I am certainly no teen but I still really enjoyed this book. it really flowed, not sure how else to describe it other than to say it was written in a way that led you through the story, it wasn't taxing in any way. Yes you get attached to the characters too, you feel Keegan's need to see Rourk. You feel the frustration of Rourk watching Keegan from distance and his jealousy when she talks to boys at school."
Conflicted   by   Julia Crane is now also available and in my to-read pile!






Otherworld


Twin-Bred   by   Karen A Wyle
" The story shows the issues of trust and different races learning to live together in peace. I could go on more and more about this book but do not wish to include spoilers, but I would compare this book to Across the Universe by Beth Revis."


Across The Universe  by   Beth Revis
"This book was totally different to the other books I had been reading at the time. I liked the whole different idea of a space ship transporting people to populate another planet. It was quite a complicated plot really, but I feel it was well written and easy to follow. After a slow beginning the pace of the book picked up and I enjoyed reading it."




These are just a few of the books I have read and reviewed and would recommend, I could go on with this list forever, but hopefully these will give you a good start to choose from. There are lots more reviews please take a look at the A ~ Z listing. 

Wishing you all a Happy Book Filled New Year!