Saturday 30 November 2013

PROMOTION & REVIEW - CONFESSIONS OF A HOSTIE: TRUE STORIES OF AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ATTENDANT BY DANIELLE HUGH

Title: Confessions Of A Hostie: 
             True Stories Of An International Flight Attendant                                             Author: Danielle Hugh
ISBN: 9789814358637
ASIN: B008JFH9A2
Publisher: Monsoon Books
Pages/File size: 148pages/337KB
Formats Available: E-Book

BLURB from Goodreads
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be a jet-setting hostie, or international flight attendant, then spending a little time in Danielle's life is a captivating journey. You might be surprised and shocked to discover many of the truths behind the lifestyle as well as the incidences and behavior of passengers at 30,000 feet. Danielle writes candidly, humorously and from the heart about life, love and her exploits around the world. From the slums of Mumbai to the glitz of New York there are as many highs and lows as take-offs and landings. Prepare for a turbulent ride of emotions and adventure, so place your seat upright, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for take-off. Danielle Hugh's passion for flying dazzles in this frank and amusing account of jet-setting around the globe. With almost 20 years in a unique working world, her juicy tales are often as shocking as they are colourful.

Book Trailer Link

INITIAL THOUGHTS
Approaching this book my initial thoughts were that as I read and enjoyed Cruising Attitude by Heather Poole and loved it, that I should enjoy this book too.

MY REVIEW
I received a free e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. So the cover is a kind of exaggerated cartoon style picture of an aeroplane and air hostess with impossibly long long legs! Appealing to the somewhat male version of the idea of an air hostess! Would the cover make me pick the book up in a book store? Yes, I think I would, the humor of the "confessions of" is appealing as it feels like you are going to be let in on a big secret.
So the book is pretty similar in content as the previous Air Hostess one I read. There's plenty of funny tales about Mary or Mary Go Round as colleagues refer to her that has had "relationships" with most of her male colleagues.
I particularly enjoyed reading the story of a turn around that Danielle has to do over Christmas because one crew member on another team has gone sick It turns out to be Princess Gabrielle who is "sick". the turn around ends with poor Danielle stuck in freezing Frankfurt with only a small carry on bag with only summer suitable clothes in it!
The book had its funny parts, but also covered passengers being drunk, having to be restrained and vomiting and the fact its the poor air hostess that gets to clean it all up. 
There's the whole hierarchy of the Air Hosties too, where the most senior get to serve the better class passengers. 
There is also an hilarious moment when one air hostess is telling the other how she copes when she needs to "break wind" whilst on the aircraft.
I feel to say anymore would be telling you too much about the book, so I'll stop here ad sum up. 
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, though not quite as much as the other book I read of a similar content. Would I recommend the book? Yes, it's a really good light read, that can be dipped in and out of. Would I read another in this series? I  would still read the second in this series. Would I read more of this book type? I intend to, I actually have one about Undertakers to read too!

REVIEW - DARKEST WORLDS - A DYSTOPIAN ANTHOLOGY BY S.K. FALLS, A.G. HENLEY, ZOE CANNON, KATIE FRENCH, MEGAN THOMASON & KATE AVERY ELLISON

All details found at Goodreads.com or Amazon.co.uk
Title: Darkest Worlds
Authors: S.K. Falls, A.G. Henley, Zoe Cannon, Katie French, 
                 Megan Thomason & Kate Avery Ellison
ASIN: B00EYMO344
Publisher: Self/Indie
Pages/File size: 237pages/409KB
Formats Available: E-Book

BLURB from Goodreads
An anthology that explores what humans are made of when society falls to its knees. Darkest Worlds includes six original novellas by award-winning authors and best sellers of Young Adult and New Adult Dystopia.

All proceeds go to Girls Write Now, a charity that promotes literacy of inner-city girls. 

Nessa: A Breeders Story by Katie French, author of The Breeders
: Eighteen-year-old Nessa knows what it’s like to be an endangered species. Growing up in a dying world where nine out of ten babies are born male, she survives by trusting no one. When Marlin, the nineteen-year-old gunslinger, kills the man who has been keeping her enslaved, Nessa decides he might be her meal ticket. What she doesn’t realize is love is still possible, even in their decimated world.

MOON by S.K. Falls, author of World of Shell and Bone
: Loyalty. Obedience. Patriotism. Moon Stewart has no doubt that the New Amanian way of life is the right way. The only way. But was there ever a time when she felt differently? In this companion novella to the dystopian bestseller World of Shell and Bone, the secrets of Moon's past are revealed, giving readers a glimpse into the mind of their favorite antagonist. 

The First Unforgivable Thing by Zoe Cannon, author of The Torturer’s Daughter: When a dissident working undercover as an interrogator is ordered to torture a confession from the only girl he’s ever loved, he chooses to defy both the totalitarian regime and the resistance by helping her escape—but she has an agenda of her own...

The Keeper by A.G. Henley, author of The Scourge, a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award: Peree knows his duty as the new Keeper of the Water Bearer, Fennel, is to make sure his people get every drop of their share of the water she collects when the flesh-eating Scourge roam the forest. He will motivate her, distract her, do anything he can to keep her working. He knows his duty is to his people and his people alone. What he doesn’t know is that he's falling in love with her. 

Survival Lessons by Kate Avery Ellison, author of Frost
: A young Farther prisoner named Eva escapes into the monster-filled wilderness of the Frost with a band of fellow inmates, all of whom are harboring secrets...but little do they know that Eva has secrets of her own. Set in the world of The Frost Chronicles.

Clean Slate Complex by Megan Thomason, author of the Daynight 
series: Homeless Alexa Knight agrees to help the do-gooder non-profit The Second Chance Institute in return for medical care for her sick mother. The SCI is wooing the poor and downtrodden into their Clean Slate Complexes--where "everything is provided" from jobs to food, shelter, clothing, and education. Unfortunately, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there's a catch......


INITIAL THOUGHTS
My initial thoughts approaching this anthology were that although I had read a couple of the novellas in it I was looking forward to reading the other novellas. I truly think that anthology's are a treasure trove, a easy way to discover New Authors, and New Series too.

MY OVERALL REVIEW
I actually purchased the e-book of this one form Amazon.co.uk for £1.98 and I have to say it's worth every penny! The cover is really fitting for the novellas as it shows a dystopian-esque world background. The title also fits very well.
So would I pick this up from a bookstore shelf (if in paperback) on the strength of the cover alone? My honest answer would be yes!
So on the whole and as an Anthology did I enjoy the book? Yes, loved it. Would I recommend the book? Yes, I'm already nagging Rachel saying oh you must read it! Would I read any of the Series that the novella's were from? Yes, I've already read The Breeders by Katie French. I have purchased Daynight by Megan Thomason and The Torturer's Daughter by Zoe Cannon. I also have The Scourge by a.G. Henley on my book list to read. I also plan on purchasing the World Of Shell And Bone by S.K. Falls soon as finances allow. I'm also hoping to Interview some of the Authors from this anthology too.
Overall score out of 5? 5 an excellent anthology.

INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS
Nessa: A Breeders Story by Katie French, author of The Breeders: Eighteen-year-old Nessa knows what it’s like to be an endangered species. Growing up in a dying world where nine out of ten babies are born male, she survives by trusting no one. When Marlin, the nineteen-year-old gunslinger, kills the man who has been keeping her enslaved, Nessa decides he might be her meal ticket. What she doesn’t realize is love is still possible, even in their decimated world.
MY REVIEW
This novella is part of the Breeders Series, Nessa is literally a "slave" for Big Mike who reckons he is protecting her. You see in this world women are a rare commodity. When Nessa is rescued by Marlin she is not sure whether to trust this attractive guy. In the end she does develop some trust and ends up pregnant and then she is unsure as to how Marlini will react so is scared to tell him. Marlin and Nessa are constantly on the run from the Breeders, who as their name suggests just want the women to Breed. With Nessa pregnant it becomes much more difficult to avoid the Breeders so eventually she is caught . . .and then what happens . . .
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes!
Would I like to read the series/more by Katie French? Yes, I already have!
Would I recommend this novella/Series? Definitely recommend both!
A score out of 5? 5

MOON by S.K. Falls, author of World of Shell and Bone: Loyalty. Obedience. Patriotism. Moon Stewart has no doubt that the New Amanian way of life is the right way. The only way. But was there ever a time when she felt differently? In this companion novella to the dystopian bestseller World of Shell and Bone, the secrets of Moon's past are revealed, giving readers a glimpse into the mind of their favorite antagonist. 
MY REVIEW
This novella is set in 2078 after the "War Of The Nations" which happened in 2013. In this world at the age of 18yrs people are assigned an apartment by the government. The main character is Moon (all the residents seem to name their offspring after planets). Moon has an older sister name Neptune, she is one year older Moon and somewhat of a disappointment to her mother. The mother of Moon and Neptune always wanted a much respected job in the government but missed out due to not having enough credits. You are given credits for giving names of "dissidents" and "wrong doers" to the government. You quite literally gain credits by turning in your family and friend's and neighbour's for misdemeanors.
So when daughter Neptune show's what her mother thinks of as dissident tendencies/leanings she forces other daughter Moon to report Neptune. Then later Moon gets the sought after job her mother wanted. Has Moon ever forgiven her mother for making her "turn in" her own sister? . . .  
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, I did.
Would I like to read the series/more by S.K. Falls? Yes, I intend to.
Would I recommend this novella/Series? Yes, I intend to read more of the series.
A score out of 5? 5

The First Unforgivable Thing by Zoe Cannon, author of The Torturer’s DaughterWhen a dissident working undercover as an interrogator is ordered to torture a confession from the only girl he’s ever loved, he chooses to defy both the totalitarian regime and the resistance by helping her escape—but she has an agenda of her own...
MY REVIEW
This novella also has a government/rebellion theme going on. The dissident that is the undercover interrogator is shown into a cell or "torture"room where he comes face to face with a face from his past. A face he loved and still has feelings for so much so he refuses to torture her, goes so far as rescuing her and rings his dissident contacts who tells him to take the girl back. . . . . . so does he take her back? . . . . .is it some sort of test? . . . . part of a bigger plan?
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, I did.
Would I like to read the series/more by Zoe Cannon? Yes, I've already purchased The Torturer's Daughter in e-book format.
Would I recommend this novella/Series? Yes I recommend the series purely on the strength of this novella.
A score out of 5? 5

The Keeper by A.G. Henley, author of The Scourge, a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award: Peree knows his duty as the new Keeper of the Water Bearer, Fennel, is to make sure his people get every drop of their share of the water she collects when the flesh-eating Scourge roam the forest. He will motivate her, distract her, do anything he can to keep her working. He knows his duty is to his people and his people alone. What he doesn’t know is that he's falling in love with her. 
MY REVIEW
This novella is set in a kind of cave man type of era. There are three main races. The Groundling's who live on the ground and have control of the water. It is a sightless Groundling who has the job water bearer and collects the water. The Loftie's who live in the trees with wooden planks between the trees for walk ways who protect the water bearer from the Scourge, they are called Keeper's. The Scourge are kind of like zombies, but they bite and kill so are feared. However for some reason they cannot touch a sightless person, which is why a sightless Groundling is the one to collect the water.
A new water bearer and new keeper are chosen and the novella tells us about their burgeoning relationship. . . are they even allowed to have feelings for each other?
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, I did.
Would I like to read the series/more by A.G. Henley? As I already have The Scourge I will definitely be reading it.
Would I recommend this novella/Series? The novella gives a great taster of what is to come in the book (hopefully)
A score out of 5? 5

Survival Lessons by Kate Avery Ellison, author of Frost: A young Farther prisoner named Eva escapes into the monster-filled wilderness of the Frost with a band of fellow inmates, all of whom are harboring secrets...but little do they know that Eva has secrets of her own. Set in the world of The Frost Chronicles.
MY REVIEW
This novella begins with Eva as a prisoner being loaded into a cage to be transported to a possible type of work/prison. The rumor is you get sent there and just work until you drop down dead. Eva escapes with three other prisoners who are search of a mystical sounding machine. when this machine is found there are fights between the escapee's as to who gets it. It seems at least two of the escapees including Eva are some sort of undercover agents for a rebellion group. We also find out that Eva is related to someone rather important in this dystopian world. This novella is definitely a taster of the Frost Series.
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, I did.
Would I like to read the series/more by Kate Avery Ellison? I am tempted to buy book one in the Frost Chronicles.
Would I recommend this novella/Series? I'd recommend reading this, especially if you are not sure if you will like this series/author.
A score out of 5? 4.5

Clean Slate Complex by Megan Thomason, author of the Daynight series: Homeless Alexa Knight agrees to help the do-gooder non-profit The Second Chance Institute in return for medical care for her sick mother. The SCI is wooing the poor and downtrodden into their Clean Slate Complexes--where "everything is provided" from jobs to food, shelter, clothing, and education. Unfortunately, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there's a catch......
MY REVIEW
This novella is about a charity type company that helps the poor and seemingly gives them a better life. Initially they are in one Complex until they are considered fit and well. Then they are shipped off to various destinations to repay the charity and help them work in the organisation. Alexa is helped by the charity as her mother is really sick and they cannot afford hospital fees. Her three brothers who are large muscular types are quickly taken away from Alexa and given jobs in security. The brothers "working" is the way the hospital fees will be paid off. But though this sounds like a charity it is a much sinister organisation and an when an insider shows Alexa this,she is horrified, though until her mother is well there is little she can do. . . . . So what are the people at Clean Slate Complex really up to?
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, I really did.
Would I like to read the series/more by Megan Thomason? I have already purchased Daynight and have heard that Bk#2 Arbitrate is due out soon too.
Would I recommend this novella/Series? Definitely yes! I imagine my daughter is really sick of me saying you must read this you must read that.
A score out of 5? 5


PURCHASE LINKS

                                                 




Friday 29 November 2013

BLACK FRIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA - MASQUERADE BY CAMBRIA HEBERT

The biggest names in Fiction are coming together to help YOU kick off your Holiday Shopping! Come help us spread the word for a chance to win one of FOUR $50 Giftcards!!! 
7 PM EST Time will kick off the LIVE Facebook Party where you can win one of 50 books, don't miss it! So UK Blogger/Readers don't forget the Time Difference! Please see the very bottom of this post for a list of the fantastic Authors taking part!


And the LINK you'll need


BOOK PROMOTION

ISBN:  978-1938857041
ASIN:  B008RG09SM
Series: Heven and Hell
Publisher: Self/Indie
Pages/File Size: 360pages/575KB
Formats Available: Paperback, E-Book

BLURB from Goodreads
I'm disfigured. Scarred. Ugly. 
When I look in the mirror, I see a stranger. When I look over my shoulder, no one's there… 
Yet I feel watched. Hunted. Afraid.
And then he tells me I’m beautiful. 
He tells me I’m safe.
I believe him.
Until someone tries to kill me. 
Secrets abound, danger is near, and still… my heart desires a boy with whiskey-colored eyes and far too many secrets.
Secrets that could cost me my life. 
To stay alive I have to look deep, beneath the masks everyone wears, to find the truth. 
To find myself.



PURCHASE LINKS


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cambria Hebert is a latte sipping author of the Heven & Hell series, the Death Escorts series, and the Take It Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com 

AUTHOR LINKS






***GIVEAWAY***


And here's a list of Author's who are taking part!
Lisa Collicutt, Bethany Lopez, Jennifer Lane, T.M. Franklin,
Diana DeRicci, Dawna Raver, K. A. Last, Tia Bach,
Rick Chiantaretto, Andrea Heltsley, CL Foster,
Samantha LaFantasie, A.M. Hargrove, JD Nelson,
Sharon Bayliss, Alexia Purdy, Diane J Reed,
Meradeth Houston, Leigh Talbert Moore, Erica Cope,
C. R. Everett, N.L.Greene, Cherie Colyer, Diane J Reed,
Shannon Mayer, Katie Jennings, Raine Thomas,
Julia Crane, Lizzy Ford, Tawdra Kandle, Amy Harmon,
SM Reine, JM Gregoire, Heather Hildenbrand,
Eliza Tilton, Peggy Martinez, Nicki Elson,
Faith Sullivan, JA Huss, Alyssa Rose Ivy, Jennifer Snyder,
Liz Long, Hart Johnson, Cambria Hebert, Karice Bolton,
Amber Garr, S. M. Boyce, Carrie Butler, Lynn Rush.

BLOG TOUR - FEARSOME BY S.A. WOLFE


PROMOTIONAL  SPOTLIGHT
ISBN: 978-0991019786 
ASIN: B00FHN63I8
Publisher: Self/Indie
Pages/File Size: 464pages/568KB
Formats Available: Paperback, E-Book

BLURB from Goodreads

Fearsome

Jessica Channing’s big city life should be more exciting than sixty-hour work weeks and popcorn nights with her girlfriends, but it’s not. She has worked hard fulfilling her role as a child prodigy and graduating college years before her peers. She’s the good girl, the brilliant girl.

Unfortunately, she’s also the dateless young woman.

That all changes with one phone call. Jess’s rigid, predictable life upends when she must visit a small, obscure town to deal with a relative’s death. This isn’t just any little speck of a town, though. Long lost memories come crashing down on Jess’s world when two men, the Blackard brothers, seem to lure her in. 

Dylan is cover model handsome, and pursues Jess the minute she comes to town. Then there is tall, dark and gorgeous Carson, who hides his own secrets behind his hardened reserve. 

For someone who has been governed by her own obsessive behaviors and fears, Jess lets her guard down and jumps at the opportunity to have an affair with a man she actually finds attractive for a change.

There’s just one problem. Jess discovers that she can’t have a simple romantic fling because true passion does indeed come with some very big strings attached to it. She will have to own up to her own truths about love and face the two extraordinary men; both troubled in their own ways and both determined to have her.


PLEASE NOTE:
This novel contains graphic sexual content and strong language. It is intended for mature readers.


ANOTHER NOTE: This book is 99c for the duration of the blog tour!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW


What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is S. A. Wolfe. I was born in the frigid Midwest and have lived all over the U.S., but now we reside in New York City.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I first considered myself a writer when I completed a 400-page novel in my early twenties. I got an agent, and the manuscript was shopped around like a cheap whore but never sold. I still felt like a writer even though I shoved the cheap whore in a drawer and went on to write my next novel.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I'm fortunate that I do not have to work another job outside of the house, although I will say raising children is full-time and it does not end at 5:00 PM, in fact, that seems to be when my kids get their second wind and our house doesn't go to bed until well past 11:00 pm. I used to have to come home from corporate jobs to write, but now I can write while the kids are at school, and I also like to pull a few all-nighters on the weekends.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I love New Adult romances and my next novel will fit into the same genre. I generally don't talk about my work-in-progress but I'm very excited about my next novel. The characters are very different from Fearsome. What I can divulge are some keywords: Jersey Shore, Brooklyn, surfing, sharks (this is actually the funny part), rockslides, Aspen, boy meets girl, and hot steamy scenes.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I've written four novels and one screenplay over the last fifteen years. So far, my favorite character has been Carson. He's just beautiful, inside and out. Smart, thoughtful, determined, strong, and sexy hot!

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
I have no problem coming up with ideas for characters or plots. Everyday people-watching inspires me as does having a brain that never shuts off. I'm always daydreaming.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
The title went through several changes. I finally based it on a conversation between two of the characters, and I thought it was fitting to the attraction they felt for one another.

The cover was a different issue. All credit goes to Damon at Damonza.com

I told Damon that I was afraid to go with a half-undressed hunky guy on the cover because there are already so many great covers like that on the market. I wanted people on my cover, but they’d have to be obscured somehow because I wanted the reader to imagine the characters in their own way rather than see actual models on the cover. I thought I might be shooting myself in the foot by doing this since successful indie authors do very well with photographs of models on their covers. Damon made six different covers and this one of the painted girl captured my attention for several reasons. 1) It wasn’t a photograph, so the reader could still imagine Jess in their own way. 2) After you read the novel, you realize this is one of Jess’s self-portraits entitled “Girl.” 3) The colors are captivating. I ran the cover options by a variety of people close to me and they all chose the exact same one because it grabbed their attention

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I never suffer from writer's block. I know what I have to write, my brain is screaming at me to write things down all the time. I may find excuses not to write because I'm procrastinating, but it certainly isn't because I'm "blocked."

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
I don't have a favorite book because I read everyday, and I cross over so many genres. I love classics as well as mainstream fiction. I have been saying this a lot lately, but it's true: 

"I enjoyed "Middlemarch" by George Eliot and "Lick" by Kylie Scott. 

How many people have mentioned "Middlemarch" and "Lick" in the same sentence? Probably not too many, but I think it's kind of awesome.

They are both worth reading!"

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?
I think all authors think of what they'd like to change in their books once they've been published. I know I do. But at some point you have to stop and leave that book alone and move onto the next novel.

Where can readers follow you?



Is there any other information/links you’d like to share with us?Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18461247-fearsome


Thank you! ~ S. A. Wolfe
Thank you for taking the time to take part in this Interview!


EXCERPT


I’m still daydreaming when he stops abruptly to pick up his toolbox and I bash right into his back. Perfect. Didn’t I already do this with Dylan?
Carson drops the box and turns around to catch me. “I’m sorry, did I do that?”
“No, it was me.” I rub my nose.
He’s holding me by the waist, pulling me into him, but it’s not a déjà vu of Dylan. Carson is something elsesomething I like very muchand I suspect that being torn between two men in my own imaginary, lovelorn world is a sign of my immaturity. At least, that would be the first thing my mother would say before she asks what they do for a living. My hands are wedged between us, resting against his hard abdomen.
Carson doesn’t let go, as if he’s thinking of something to say or thinking of pulling one of those fast Blackard kisses. “This could be awkward,” he says and releases his grip on me while his hands remain hovering by me.

I’m not sure if he’s having the same thought as me, that a kiss would be awkward since I’m going out with Dylan, or if it’s awkward because he sees me as some virginal geek and he’s never touched one in person before. It’s awkward because I’m over-thinking the whole scenario!




Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Thursday 28 November 2013

COVER REVEAL - HARPERS WISH - MONTANA SERIES BY KRISTA AMES

Title:  Harper's Wish
Author:  Krista Ames
Series:  A Montana Series Christmas Novella
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: 20th December (subject to change)

BLURB supplied by Bridging The Gap
Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time of year, but for Harper Donaldson it’s just another day.  Orphaned at an early age, she doesn’t have a single good memory of Christmas.

But, when a Santa’s Mailbox mysteriously appears in the lobby of the post office where she works as postmistress, Harper wonders what it could hurt to send her own letter to Santa.

Could he bring her the family she’d always wanted?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Born and raised in Northern Indiana, Krista now resides in Northern Lower Michigan.  She is married to a very supportive man who allows her to follow her true passion of writing and never complains when she is pirated away on her computer for hours.    Krista is also a mother of 4 ornery children who keep her plenty busy.  With an addition of 2 beautiful chocolate lab sisters and a playful kitty, there is never a dull or spare moment in her household. 

Krista has always loved to read and would often sit up for hours into the night not able to put down a book until she was finished.  She still reads when she can but her main focus is creating her own stories to share with the world. 

She loves to communicate with her readers so please feel free to drop her a line anytime at 

AUTHOR LINKS
The Ladies’ Cave   www.theladiescave.blogspot.com




BLOG TOUR - PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - MUTILATE MY HEART BY EMILY GODWIN

ASIN: B00DU7G8JM
Pages/FileSize: 169pages/1414KB
Formats Available: E-Book

BLURB from Goodreads
Punk rock band Mutilated Arteries has been seventeen-year-old Becca's world (aka obsession) for the last year. When the band schedules a concert in her hometown, she and her best friend Carli are the first ones in line to buy tickets. The night is everything she expects it to be and more, especially after making friends with the new super-cute bassist, Sketch.

Becca's mom warns her not to fall for a rock star because rock stars are always on the road - or they die in a plane crash, like her mom's favorite band did twenty-something years ago. But after the band's tour bus breaks down and they're stuck hanging out in Roizen Hills for a week, it's hard for Becca not to fall for Sketch and his caricature drawings and toxic green eyes.

Becca knows Sketch is leaving as soon as the bus is fixed, and she can't be his fan-turned-girlfriend anyway because of the lead singer's "No Girlfriends" rule. Plus, there's something strange about the guys that Becca can't quite decipher... like how they won't reveal their real names, their always-changing odd appearances, and the guitarist's obsession with blood and zombies. Still, Becca wants nothing more than for Sketch to mutilate her heart...but it just might not be in a way she expects.



PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Godwin is a Young Adult author. She enjoys writing, painting, and sewing her own line of non-evil voodoo dolls. She's a Slytherin, trying to disguise herself as a Hufflepuff, and wishes she could read herself into books.

EXCERPT
Sketch wraps his arm around my waist and smiles in the glow of the flashlight.
“Who’s up for a séance?” he asks.
Corpse automatically agrees, and Carli does because Corpse does. Plus, this whole ghost thing doesn’t freak her out nearly as badly as it does me, but I’m not going to let them know that.
“Man, no,” Ink protests. “You don’t know what the hell you’re going to be letting into one of our bodies, and with my luck, whatever it is will be coming up into my body!”
“Ink, dude, it’ll be fun,” Corpse says from somewhere in the darkness. “If you’re that scared, just go back and wait by the car.”
“Scared? I’m not scared. I’m just not stupid,” Ink mumbles, but he follows us to the stage nonetheless.
The boards of the stage groan beneath my feet, begging me to go no further. An old, dusty piano sits alone on the edge of the stage. Its yellow keys smile maniacally at me from the darkness surrounding us. Even with the beam of the flashlight, I feel lost in the darkness around us.
Sketch props the flashlight on the stage to stand with the light facing toward the ceiling.
“Alright,” he says, sitting down on the dusty boards. “Let’s all join hands.”
We all sit down in a circle around the flashlight. Sketch sits to my right, Ink to my left. At least one of them would try to save me from any demons.
“Corpse, you want to try to contact this Elijah kid?” Sketch asks. “I’m still new at communicating with the dead.”
Corpse’s face is dark and sinister in the dim light, and it does nothing to calm the feeling of dread flowing through my veins.
“Elijah, we come before you as guests in your great music hall,” Corpse says. With every word that leaves his lips, Ink’s grip on my hand tightens. “If you are here, please give us a sign. We do not want to harm you in any way. We just wish to speak with you. If you have the strength, please, use our friend Ink as your temporary body.”
“Don’t you tell him that!” Ink screams. “Are you crazy, you stupid–”
But whatever Ink was about to call Corpse is cut off by the sound of iron wheels being tugged.
It’s the curtain.

MY REVIEW

ISBN:  978-1491283615 
ASIN: B00DU7G8JM
Series: Mutilated
Publisher: Self/Indie
Pages/File Size: 169pages/1414KB
Formats Available: E-Book

BLURB from Goodreads
Punk rock band Mutilated Arteries has been seventeen-year-old Becca's world (aka obsession) for the last year. When the band schedules a concert in her hometown, she and her best friend Carli are the first ones in line to buy tickets. The night is everything she expects it to be and more, especially after making friends with the new super-cute bassist, Sketch.

Becca's mom warns her not to fall for a rock star because rock stars are always on the road - or they die in a plane crash, like her mom's favorite band did twenty-something years ago. But after the band's tour bus breaks down and they're stuck hanging out in Roizen Hills for a week, it's hard for Becca not to fall for Sketch and his caricature drawings and toxic green eyes.

Becca knows Sketch is leaving as soon as the bus is fixed, and she can't be his fan-turned-girlfriend anyway because of the lead singer's "No Girlfriends" rule. Plus, there's something strange about the guys that Becca can't quite decipher... like how they won't reveal their real names, their always-changing odd appearances, and the guitarist's obsession with blood and zombies. Still, Becca wants nothing more than for Sketch to mutilate her heart...but it just might not be in a way she expects.

INITIAL THOUGHTS
Approaching reading this book I was unsure whether I would really enjoy it or not. I'm not totally sure what my expectations were, I don't read a lot of "lighter" "chick-lit" so I kind of either love them or hate them. 

MY REVIEW
I received a free e-copy of this book from the Author via Oops I Read It Again Book Tours in exchange for my honest review and posting on this date as part of the blog tour.
The cover is quite hunting in that you see the heart drawn on the window and the red background with the condensation dripping down the window almost mimicking blood. I really like the style of the font of the Authors name and the book title. It has a calligraphy feel to it.
Would the cover make me pick the book up (if it was in paperback) from a bookstore shelf? Yes, it is bright enough to catch my attention and the heart and dripping condensation leave you wanting to know who drew the heart and what it represents.
So now to the book,  at the outset it seems the book is going to be a straight forward tale of three girls going to see their favourite band at a local venue, then things turn a little more sinister. 
Becca loves more "out there" bands than her friend Maddy, though her other friend Carli also has the same taste in music. How can I describe the girls relationship? Becca and Carli are BFF's and Maddy though a friend is kind of the "third wheel". This shows in the section of the book where they go shopping nd Maddy sort of turns her nose up at the "Emo shop" that sells band tee's etc. the shop that Becca already spends much of her money in! where she treat herself to the other band she loves t-shirt, a Depressed Michael band tee.
As Becca begins to see similarities between the bands lead singer and the lead singer of a band her mother loved years ago. Is it possible that Nightmare could actually be the same guy, the Brian Hawkins her mum still raves about?
So Becca, Carli and Maddy are going to see their favourite band, though the band is more like an obsession to Becca. The band is called Mutilated Hearts and consists of lead singer Nightmare, his younger brother Banshee, Corpse, Vertebrae (bassist) and Ink (drummer). The bassist Vertebrae has just left the band so the girls will get to check out the new bassist as it will be his first official concert with the rest of the band the night the girls go to see them.
The band members certainly seem to live up to their gory names, with Ink literally being covered in tattoo's, and Corpse is quite plainly and simply obsessed about zombies and the dead!
The girls go to the mall to buy some new clothes for the gig. Becca bumps into an attractive guy who ends up telling her his name is Sketch and that he is playing with his band at the venue the girls are going to. So Becca and sketch part ways with Becca kind of promising to look for him at the venue. I mean yeah his band may not be Mutilated Hearts but if they are on the same bill they must be decent.
So Becca is getting ready at home when her mum has a "talk" with her. It's a mother daughter heart to heart where Dawn tells her daughter not to get carried away as she did years ago "making out" and "giving her heart" to the lead singer of Death Of Darkness, Brian Hawkins. Dawn gave her heart to Brian, who then had to fly to his next gig and his plane crashed and all aboard dies in the horrific fire that followed the crash. Of course Dawn (Becca's mum never ever truly got over the loss of her first love). though whilst talking and reminiscing with Becca admits if the crash had not happened she would not have married Becca's father and Becca possibly would never have been born.
So the girls go to the concert and guess who the new bassist for Mutilated Heart's is . . . . .
I really don't want to say a great deal more about the story. Lets just say that two of the girls, Becca and Carli end up living the fan girl dream to begin with until things take  shady turn. It seems that Becca and her mum Dawn may have similarities but so do the bands they love, Death Of Darkness and Mutilated Hearts too.
So did I enjoy the book? I really, truly loved this book. Becca and Carli live a little of the fan girl dream of really meeting their favourite band . . .           
Would I recommend the book? I highly recommend this YA Chick Lit/FeelGreat book.
Would I read a Book Two (if available)? I was thrilled to see that there is in fact going to be a book two, and it's on my "Want To Read"list now!
Would I read other books by this Author? I will be taking a close look at any titles by this Author.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com