DOUBLE REVIEW - RELUCTANT MATE & PACK ENFORCER - CASCADIA WOLVES BY LAUREN DANE

Title: Reluctant Mate

Series: Cascadia Wolves

Author: Lauren Dane

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: 1st December 2016

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"I can't touch you yet. Once I do, it's over."  

As daughter of the ruling Pack family, Layla Warden is under pressure to settle down. Find a nice wolf mate from a nice wolf family and have nice wolf babies. Layla has other plans, but when you're a werewolf, biology trumps plans. And when Layla meets Sid, the sex is so intense, so hot, so consuming, it's more than just a connection. It's a mating bond.  

Sid Rosario wasn't expecting to find his mate so soon—some wolves never find theirs. Now that he's found Layla, he's never letting her go. But lust and desire alone aren't enough to secure their bond. If they want this incredible happiness to last, there's one more thing they'll have to do…

~ This  book was previously published under a different title ~

REVIEW

I have to confess I think I may have read this Reluctant Mate & Pack Enforcer in the wrong order. So I discovered this book covers the story of Layla and her mate bonding with Sid, that was referred to in Pack Enforcer. Though I feel I should say after reading this book, I personally think they can be read in either order. 

The cover features a back view of a muscular male and woman embracing. Then the author’s name appears in the mid section of the cover, with the title smaller directly beneath Lauren Dane. If someone described this placement and sizing of author name and title, I readily admit I would probably scrunch up my nose presuming it would not look aesthetically pleasing but it truly works. I do like both the placement of the title and its font style. The bottom third of the cover has a rolling hills landscape with a forest of trees, which upon reading the book I would conclude is the land which surrounds the Warden’s private home. I love the wolf in the bottom left corner, how it forms part of the landscape, giving the perfect place for the series title, Cascadia Wolves.This cover would draw my eye to it on a book store shelf and encourage me to lift it from the shelf to learn more about it, so I’d say the cover does its job very well.

So the main kick butt female character at the centre of this novella is Layla Warden the eldest daughter of the Cascadia Wolves Pack. Which means Layla is part of the ruling pack family. Layla is described as a tall, busty red head with beautiful china blue eyes. The other female heavily featured in the novella is Layla's best friend, pack member Tia Mathers. The three males featured in the plot are Sid Rosario, a tall, dark, dangerous man who oozes rebellion! who has short black hair and a row of earrings in his right ear. Sid is an artist who normally resides in Tucson. The other two Rosario's are Sid's cousin Adam, who is quite well known to Layla and Tia, in fact he has dated and slept with Tia. The other cousin who is called upon for help by Sid is Shane Rosario. Shane is higher in his pack hierachy than Sid but is tall and dark haired like Sid and is close to him as it is Sid's family that have shown him the werewolf ways as his mother is human. Layla is under increasingly more pressure to settle down, find a mate and have little werewolf babies to carry on the family line. This book is set in 1996, ten years prior to Pack Enforcer which was one of the glaring clues that informed me I had read the books in the wrong order. Duh! Well I was suffering an ear infection at the time! Layla is fiercely independent keeping her pack life and work life totally separate, unlike her female cousins who all work in a pack family business. Layla is adamant she is sooo not ready to settle down and procreate, no matter what her family and pack wishes are! 

It's during a night out at Nautica that both Layla and Tia end up bumping into Adam and Sid. Sid spots Layla and Tia and questions his cousin Adam about the females. Adam replies quite literally giving Sid the females "pedigree". Sid is insistent he is not interested in Layla's pedigree, but he does find her instantly attractive and feels drawn to her. So it's up to Adam to introduce everyone. Layla also eels a strangely strong pull towards Sid. . .she feels lie she is falling under some sort of spell. When Layla learns that Sid is her mate and bonding to him she panics and goes on the run, away from pack, family, friends and Sid. Layla is finishing it difficult to accept and she knows she has to complete the tri-bond too or she will slowly go mad. Initially it's suggested that Adam be the one to complete the tri-bond. but naturally the fact Adam has slept with Tia complicates things in Layla's mind so Sid generously contacts another of his cousins to complete the bond. Layla knows she needs the tri-bond desperately and is eventually found by Sid. Both Sid and Shane take things slowly and try to make the tri-bond as easy as possible for Layla. I won't explain what the tri-bond is other than to say it is an important and totally necessary part of the mates bonding.

There is an epilogue at the end of this book which has what I would consider a small spoiler for Pack Enforcer regarding Nina and Tracy, so I feel for me that I read them in the correct order. 

I loved the Cascadia Pack dynamics and how they are not necessarily set in stone, nor seem to force the females in the pack to be succumb to the males will, or be at the makes beck and call. Even after the bonding I am sure that Layla will continue doing the work she wants to do. Sid seems to be type of werewolf that will come up with a compromise with her on all aspects of their lives, from her working to them procreating.

I should probably say that these titles are a little steamy, certainly 18+ in my opinion, though I personally would not class them as erotica. To me erotica is pure sexual scenes, and very little plot or character building or background. These novella's are definitely plot driven so to me are not erotica. I found I thoroughly enjoyed them and am eager to read more when they are available.  To be honest if the next one was out now I would be purchasing it to read! I can truthfully say I have found another author to add to my favourites list.

Title: Pack Enforcer

Series: Cascadia Wolves

Author: Lauren Dane

Genre: Paranormal, Shifters, Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: 1st December 2016

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This wolf mates for life… 

Nina Reyes knows trouble when she sees it, and Lex Warden, Enforcer for the local werewolf pack, is nothing but. When her brother gets in too deep with some dangerous wolves and comes to Nina for help—dragging super alpha protector Lex into her life—she can handle it. She might have put her grifter past behind her, but she's still got what it takes. If only she didn't find Lex—his body, his scent, even his domineering nature—so intoxicating. 

As Enforcer, it's Lex's job to protect his people. Nina might be more capable of handling herself than he initially thought, but that doesn't mean she's safe from their enemies. His need to protect her is more than just pack business—Nina, a human, is his mate. Bedding her once is not even close to enough; to satisfy his wolf, he needs a true bond.  

The heat between them scares Nina, but sometimes the reward is worth the risk, and the thought of living without Lex terrifies her more than any threat the werewolf mafia can pose. Lex will do anything to keep her safe. And when the Rogues catch up to them, he'll get a chance to prove it… 

This book was previously published under the title of Enforcer ~ GR Link

REVIEW

To be truly honest I was in a bit of a reading rut and I was awaiting a few titles I had already signed up to read and review to become available for me to read. So I decided to sit down and think out of what has become my usual reading comfort zone of the dystopian, and the post apocalyptic genres. I went back to an older favourite genre of shifter romance. . .and found this re-released title on Netgalley and chose to read this book.

My thoughts whilst approaching reading this one were quite mixed after seeing the genres readers have classified this book as “erotica” and I do not read that genre. Whilst reading this book, which I would say is an 18+ more adult read due to some steamy scenes I have come to the conclusion that I may perhaps have a different idea on what I would call erotica than other readers. I think of erotica being made up of vast majority of sexual scenes with very little plot line. I would not categorise this book as erotica as it has a strong plot line, great characters that draw you into their lives and dilemmas, and hold you there for the book journey.

The cover features a back view of a muscular male holding what could be a weapon. Then the author’s name appears in the mid section of the cover, with the title smaller directly beneath Lauren Dane. If someone described this placement and sizing of author name and title, I readily admit I would probably scrunch up my nose presuming it would not look aesthetically pleasing but it truly works. I do like both the placement of the title and its font style. The bottom third of the cover has a rolling hills landscape with a forest of trees, which upon reading the book I would conclude is the land which surrounds Cade and Lex Warden’s private home. I love the wolf in the bottom left corner, how it forms part of the landscape, giving the perfect place for the series title, Cascadia Wolves. I certainly prefer this book cover to that of the previous edition of the book. This cover would draw my eye to it on a book store shelf and encourage me to lift it from the shelf to learn more about it, so I’d say the cover does its job very well.

So I’ve already mentioned that some readers seem to classify this book as falling into the erotica genre, personally I do not totally agree with this. Yes it is aimed at adults as it contains descriptive steamy scenes so I’d agree it is an 18+ aimed book. I would also add the genres of fantasy, paranormal, romance with shifters/werewolves. Another point I should add if you are a romance reader/fan this book comes along with the Carina Press Romance Promise! - which says a book “comes with all the romance you are looking for!”

So how does the female human Nina Reyes become embroiled in the Cascadia Wolves problems? Well to explain you need to know more about Nina’s earlier life. Nina has had to be tough since her parents died, when she was just 12 years old. Though distant cousins took her in along with younger brother Gabriel, they were only wanted for the income housing them gave. Nina soon took on the role of mother to Gabriel, trying her best but regularly failing to keep him out of trouble. They run away when it seems the authorities are about to place them into care with a strong possibility of them being parted from each other. Nina does what she has to in order to survive, pay rent and support herself and her younger brother such as stealing, and petty theft. She goes on to finding a more legitimate form of income doing cleaning. With help from her employer she obtains an education and becomes a computer geek/hacker! Though Nina does break the law she does so only long enough to give herself and Gabriel a fresh start elsewhere. Things are ticking long nicely, Nina has her own florists shop but then trouble finds Gabriel once again with him getting into a bar brawl. . . the trouble is he is also bitten and given the lycanthropy virus which mean he is now a werewolf. Nina has mixed feelings on this but accepts her brother as she always has and hopes being part of a “pack” will help him settle down once and for all. Sadly Gabriel is helping pack brother Tommie look into some problems within the pack concerning pack members quite high in the hierarchy. Tommie is shot, Gabriel is on the run with the “evidence” on a laptop and unsurprisingly turns to his beloved sister Nina for help, dragging her into an already dangerous and volatile situation. Though it’s not all bad as she ends up meeting the “most feared wolf in North America”, Lex Warden! Lex totally underestimates Nina, her love and protectiveness towards her brother, as well as mistaking her for the quiet, nerdy, “librarian like” she likes to portray but he soon learns differently. Irrespective of her disguise Lex soon realises she is his mate and quickly becomes over protective when her brother, home and business are targeted by the rogues and those who are woring against the pack from within it.

Nina quickly learns Lex doesn’t take no for an answer and neither does his brother and Cascadia pack Alpha Cade. She is stubbornly independent, and soon shows she is determined to stay that way. Nina also shows that though she is what is considered a weaker human she is not afraid to face death to stand by her love or her brother.

I could seriously ramble on and chatter on and on about this book. Wow this book is brilliant I fell in love almost immediately with the Cascadia Pack. I am eager to read more and am so glad that the series seems so extensive. I am also interested in discovering some of Lauren Dane’s other shifter book series, such as “de la Vega Cats”, “Cherchez Wolf Pack”, and “Diablo Lake”, having said that I did enjoy Lauren Dane’s writing style, so maybe I should branch out and try one of her more contemporary genre book series too.

I had lots of favourite characters within the Cascadia Wolves already, from the main characters to the rogues and the extended Warden family. Naturally I love the kick butt female character of Nina Reyes, with her long curly hair and hazel eyes she is an independent woman who hides behind a severe hairstyle and fake glasses on a daily basis. When there’s a need to dig around within the pack to find out who is betraying them Nina isn’t afraid to step up and put her own life on the line to discover which of the three suspects is the guilty party. Then there’s the two main hot hunks of the Cascadia Wolves pack, Cade Warden, 40 year old, hazel eyed, still single pack Alpha who commands and receives great respect from the other pack members. Along with his 6” tall, brown/blonde haired, gorgeous green eyed brother and pack enforcer (Alexander) Lex Warden. Hmmm gorgeous! Er where was I? . . Aah . . . other characters I felt an immediate kinship towards the following female character along with the possibilities of great future plot involvement, with Megan and Tracy both kick butt young woman. Even the rogue suspects in this book had a few tiny likable qualities!

My first thoughts upon finishing this book was. . . .What a great introduction to a fantastic new shifter series for me to work my way through! Then I remembered that this series isn’t actually “new” as such but it seems the first couple of books have been re-tweaked etc.  So my next thoughts were: When can I read the next book? Is the rest of the Cascadia Wolves Series being tweaked and re-released and if so when will they be available to read? To sum up I have to add that this is another brilliant shifter series to add to my list of greats which include Amanda Carlson’s Jessica McClain Series, Kelley Armstrong’s Women Of The Otherworld, Karina Espinosa’s MacKenzie Grey Series, J.A. Belfield’s Holloway Pack, as well as both of Rachel Vincent’s shifter series, Shifters and Wildcats.

REVIEW - THE MAGDALEN GIRLS BY V.S. ALEXANDER

So Christmas Day has been and gone. You've rushed around doing everything for any guests and family you had round, now treat yourself to a book to curl up on the sofa or in bed to read. Indulge yourself with a fantastic, realistic read.

Title: The Magdalen Girls

Author: V.S. Alexander

Genre: Historical, Literary, Contemporary

Release Date: 27th December 2016

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Dublin, 1962. Within the gated grounds of the convent of The Sisters of the Holy Redemption lies one of the city’s Magdalen Laundries. Once places of refuge, the laundries have evolved into grim workhouses. Some inmates are “fallen” women—unwed mothers, prostitutes, or petty criminals. Most are ordinary girls whose only sin lies in being too pretty, too independent, or tempting the wrong man. Among them is sixteen-year-old Teagan Tiernan, sent by her family when her beauty provokes a lustful revelation from a young priest.

Teagan soon befriends Nora Craven, a new arrival who thought nothing could be worse than living in a squalid tenement flat. Stripped of their freedom and dignity, the girls are given new names and denied contact with the outside world. The Mother Superior, Sister Anne, who has secrets of her own, inflicts cruel, dehumanizing punishments—but always in the name of love. Finally, Nora and Teagan find an ally in the reclusive Lea, who helps them endure—and plot an escape. But as they will discover, the outside world has dangers too, especially for young women with soiled reputations.

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PURCHASE LINKS

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REVIEW
I have read other books similar to blurb of this one. It seems totally wrong to say I enjoy reading this type of story, as what has been done to these women truly is horrific. I do however believe that these books need to be written and read so that these awful acts are addressed publicly and officially (and loudly) apologised for. I think that there should be some form of amends made for the suffering these women underwent at the hands of those running the establishments.
The cover of the book fits the book very well. It features a young women about to become a Magdalen. We don't seethe young woman's face which represents the fact when entering the convent all the young girls are stripped of their previous identity, clothes, possessions and even their hair!
My thoughts throughout reading this book were on a continual tidal wave going up and down as the young women journeyed through their lives as best they could and their experiences were revealed. I find it a crazy concept that so many were forced to give up babies they could have supported with a little help. In comparison in this day and age young women in this situation have life a lot easier. In fact nowadays it sometimes seems that young women are being rewarded for having a child out of wedlock and with a father who has no way and no intention of supporting their offspring. As I am writing this section of my review I am only a few percent into reading this book and already I firmly believe an apology is way, way overdue for those whose lives were broken by such an horrific act of removing a woman's child so quickly after birth and for the treatment these women had to put up with in the laundries within convents and other similar establishments. Yes, its a subject I feel quite strongly about!"
I'm at around half way through the book and find myself really routing for the three main Magdalen's this book is centred on, to escape. Then again I wonder what would they or could they do if they escape. What help is there available to them if they do manage to get out of the convent. Society looks down on these women. If an escapee Magdalen is spotted, the majority of people won't help, they'll just call the guards. (Police)
I'd say that the genre this book falls into is realistic, women fiction. In a book store this book would be placed in the "romance and saga" section of the fiction department.
I guess I should give you a bit of an overview of the book. Basically we witness two different girls that though from similar backgrounds find themselves being shipped off to the nuns. To be more specific the nuns at The Sisters of the Holy Redemption. Neither of these two girls are actually pregnant, in fact they haven't even had sex at the time they are sent away. The two girls, naturally protest their innocence to their parents, and we the reader the reader know the girls are not guilty of anything but perhaps a little naivety. With each girl it is the father that is the main instigator that ensures they are sent away for good. 
Teagan Tiernan is accused of "making eyes" or "attempting to seduce" the new priest visiting the parish. Sure she finds the Father Mark attractive, he is after all the youngest Priest she has ever seen. The Priest seems pretty flattered by the attention he is receiving from the women of the parish himself. Teagan has a crush on a local boy, Cullen Kirby, only her heavy drinking father does not approve of him as Cullen is Protestant and the Tiernan family are a good Catholic family. 
Nora Craven is accused of "cavorting"with her boyfriend Pearse, who is somewhat older than her. Her father loses it when he catches Nora kissing Pearse in their family home.
Both girls receive a similar welcome at The Sisters of the Holy Redemption convent from the Mother Superior, Sister Anne. Sister Anne prides herself on showing the girls the error of their ways using love. Her love and the love of God. In fact Sister Anne has individual blocks with the letters LOVE on them in a prominent place in her office. Though as you read the book you quickly realise that Sister Anne's version of love is very different to that of a "normal" person. 
Both girls are given new names when they enter the institution, Teagan Tiernan is told she is now called Teresa and Nora Craven is given the new name of Monica. They are also now known as Magdalen's. The girls are taken to Sister Rose in the cuttery, as all Magdalen's are given a short hair cut, apparently to avoid accidents from long hair becoming caught in any machinery. The girls are also given a grey rough fabric shift style dress to wear. A white apron completes their uniform. The young women/girls are set to work in the laundry, which means sorting the laundry,washing it, stain removal, drying and ironing as well as any mending that needs to be done. The majority of the Magdalen's work in the laundry. Other more fortunate ones can be put to work making and repairing lace. 
There is other main Magadalen's we learn more about are Betty, an older woman who has long since become resigned to her montonous life of drudgery at the hands of the nuns. Then there's Patricia, a greedy, similar aged to Teagan and Nora, a petty Magdalen, who regularly snitches on her fellow Magdalen's to the nuns to gain favour. Patricia plans on becoming a nun as soon as she is able. From what we see of her character within this books pages, she would fit right in with the majority of the nuns featured in the book. The last Magdalen who plays a large important part within the book is Lea. Lea is a considered a "good magdalen" by the nuns and does not work in the laundry. She has her own task which is reproducing a copy of the "Book Of Kells". 
In one scene in the book Teresa, Monica and Lea are being punished made to lay as if on the cross like Jesus. they are instructed they may not eat, drink nor soil themselves and will stay there until Sister Anne deems them to have learnt their lesson. The girls react different during the punishment. Teresa is silent, Lea mutters a prayer and the still confident at this stage Monica spits on Sister Anne!
Another more favoured punishment is being put in the penitent's room. Which from the description is more like a cupboard, with a small stool in it and nothing else. Once the door is closed and locked the penitent is left in the dark to think on their sin. Whilst in the room, Sister Mary-Elizabeth sneaks the "guilty party" a drink, a slice of toast or for a visit to the jacks (toilets).
Sister Anne, the Mother Superior comes across as a very nasty piece of work who actually seems to almost enjoy the punishments she doles out! Though later in the book we learn that she has her own inner demons and her own family history to deal with. In fact that very family history that pains her literally once again lands on the doorstep of The Sisters of the Holy Redemption for her to deal with!
Though I really loved all the characters of Teagan/Teresa, Nora/Monica and Lea, I found Lea fascinating. She seems to exist in her own little world in her head. She wants everyone to be happy and be nice to each other, and that's her wish for the Magdalen's and the Nun's. So sadly it is something that is unlikely to happen within the book. I guess you could say one of the three girls is vindicated and eventually escapes The Sisters of the Holy Redemption for a new life. Though I doubt her memories of her time with the Nun's is something she will ever forget, nor be able to fully forgive. Another of the three girls escapes briefly, but seems doomed to stay at The Sisters of the Holy Redemption forever, and seems to have lost all hope of ever having any kind of "normal" existence. The last girl of the three does a selfless act, that sadly fails having a tragic end outcome for more than one of the Magdalen's. 
I did enjoy reading the book, and think the circumstances covered in the book that actually really did happen to many girls, needs to be something told and retold and passed down the generations. I was both surprised and shocked to read that institutions such as the one featured in this book where still in existence and operational in 1996!
The subject of babies being taken away from their mother and put up for adoption is touched upon in this book, though is not the main theme. I think there are many people, in fact I'd probably go as far as saying, many more people than we may realise that were affected by all the different aspects that this book touches on. It is imperative that these displaced children and parents be reunited if they wish.
It is truly truly horrific when you think about the families that have been torn apart. That sure this actual book is fiction but I feel I should stress it is based on real events!
I have already recommended this book to my mum, and daughter, insisting they must read it. My heart genuinely goes out to anyone that has either been through what is depicted in the book either themselves or a family member or friend they know has suffered in this way. My mum and I have read other similar titles and watched movies on the subject. How could I describe this book in only two words? "Thought provoking" kind of horrific to learn the book is a depiction of what was really going on behind those convent walls.
A subject I feel strangely fascinated with it all. Would like to read more on the subject n totally agree with the Author and their reasoning why this has been kept quiet even in the present date. I cannot believe that these institutions were still in existence in 1996, just twenty yrs ago!!!
I could go on and on about this book and others I have read similar to it but I will force myself to limit myself to one last sentence to sum up my final thoughts on this book. I found the book a very emotional and moving read.

REVIEW - PAPER BUTTERFLIES BY LISA HEATHFIELD

Title: Paper Butterflies

Author: Lisa Heathfield

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Release Date: 30th June 2016

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June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one – and a secret one. She is trapped like a butterfly in a net. 

But then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him she recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away from her home and be free. Because every creature in this world deserves their freedom . . . But at what price?

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PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US

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REVIEW

I have read another title by this author, Seed which I thoroughly enjoyed and found very interesting, yet different to my normal chosen genre. So when I saw this one I knew I wanted to read it. After finding myself in a bit of a reading rut, having a dilemma not knowing what to read next, I flicked through some older books on my kindle/tablet. I decided to read a few pages of this book, and I'm glad I did as I immediately felt drawn in and wanted to know more about the main character June.

The cover is a close up image of the main character of this at time harrowing book. June is mixed race, so is darker skinned and in looks favours her late mother, rather than her "Mr Average" father. The title of the book is displayed prominently on the book along with the byline of "Can you fly with broken wings?" which so aptly fits this young innocent girl, who has to adapt to the loss of her mother, a "new mum" being brought in by her father and a step sister too. I can't honestly say I love the cover and that's what attracted me to the book as it wasn't. I was compelled to read the book because of the blurb.

I think I could perhaps describe this book as disturbing in certain sections, the awful, vindictive abuse poor June has to put up with from her step mother whilst still plainly distraught with grief from the loss of her own mother. June's mother drowned in a nearby river whilst swimming. . . or did she? Could it be that June's mother discovered something about her husband that drove her to feel unable to carry on and take her own life, leaving him and their daughter behind. Kathleen is the new mother June's father brings into the family home along with her own daughter Megan. Kathleen take the role as wicked step mother to the extreme, and Megan seems to be the evil step sister too. The things Kathleen does to June range from plain spiteful to being horrific. From forcing so much fluid down a young June, denying her use of the toilet before school therefore causing June to wet herself on the bus. Kathleen also forces June to eat large portions of stodgy food causing the young teen to gain weight. Kathleen manages to do all of this without June's father ever noticing anything at all. Kathleen also coerces her own daughter Megan, who is a year younger than Kathleen to help her carry out the spiteful acts, and vicious attacks on June. To make things even worse June is also bullied at school for being different to the norm. The other children do not attempt to take June under their wing to offer solace or any comfort at all,they just belittle her, calling her names, saying she smells and in one particular incident being racially abusive. For the most part the adults at the school are either ignorant or choose not to see what the increasingly isolated June is going through. there are many occasions where June almost tells an adult exactly what is going on in her home. ...there are also occasions where she hints quite heavily at being unhappy at home but sadly she is neither heard nor seen until its far too late.

The one bright light in Junes life is her friend Blister. I loved Blister as a character, and how he came by his nickname too. Blister comes from a large family, his parents adopt children and are immediately welcoming to June. It is with the Wick's family that June has glimpses of what a real loving family should be like. How parents are supposed to react with and around their children. Though the Wick's family don't have lots of money they have love and are more than willing to share that with June whenever she can escape from her own home of torture. The Wicks children don't attend main stream school, they are home schooled by Mr & Mrs Wicks, and June so longs to be taught this way, to escape her poor school life. Another safe haven for June is the abandoned caravans, where she first met Blister. They soon become firm friends, supporting each other. Blister has a brother called Tom who is ill and well his health is slowly deteriorating. June knows this and enjoys helping Mrs Wick's, Blister and his family care for Tom. June keeps Blister and the rest of the Wicks family a secret as long as she possibly can because Kathleen and Megan spoil everything for her. June has a box hidden in her bedroom containing items that are precious to her, some origami Blister has done for her, a treasured scarf that belonged to her mother, that if she closes her eyes tightly and sniffs it still smells of her too. So she can pretend for a few stolen seconds that her mum is still with her. It is the destruction of this hidden box and its beloved contents that finally pushes June to retaliate. Sadly that first, small act of vengeance, has accidental, tragic consequences for June. Finally someone has to take notice of June, but it's not necessarily what you can say in a good way. However June at last has someone to talk to, a Reverend, ultimately someone who believes her. As she gains the Reverend and the final release of speaking about the horror of both her home and school life, it means she loses the unrestricted access to her best friend and now boy friend Blister. June had confided in Blister some of the awful acts Kathleen and Megan had done to her. The Wicks family learn the whole story, and though found guilty and locked away they still stand firmly by June whenever and however they can. 

I loved the characters of June and Blister, I so wanted a happily ever after for them. One of my "Thoughts Whilst Reading" comments was mainly centered on the character of June and was "What an awful life June is having. It's like June is more than one person. She loves alone time with her father yet doesn't tell him how awful Kathleen n Megan treat her. She is bullied at home and at school. June is 'more herself ' with Blister but she doesn't tell him the true horror of her treatment at home....but knows some of what happens at home, and most of what happens at school."This book however is much more realistic, and incidents occur, punishments have to be given out and accepted. During the interactions between June and an older woman called Mickey who is featured in the latter section of the book both crushed my heart, took my breath and made the tears roll down my cheeks all at the same time.

This book is written from the prospective of June, from "Before" when she is a young child having lost her mother, getting used to a new family dynamic when her father brings in a new mum and sister, and from "After" when she is a young woman finally revealing the true horror of her life to a Reverend. I have to say I found this book amazingly written, it didn't just make me tear up, I really cried and finally sobbed at the ending. Then at the very end of the book there is a small "letter" style chapter from the point of view of Blister. . . and just as he gave June hope and a reason to go on, he gives the reader that sliver of hope, that chink of a light at the end of the tunnel.

I could go on and on about this book, it horrified me! At times I was internally shouting and screaming "How can you not realise how unhappy this girl is?" at some of the adults June is around. I also had strong feelings towards June's father. . ."Why couldn't he see how upset his daughter was?" Then something is revealed about his relationship with Kathleen that made me wonder. . .maybe he can see how upset June is but he doesn't want to handle it. . .preferring to turn a blind eye and deaf ear. Wanting to play happy families with Kathleen and Megan. At times during the book I admit I hated Megan, not just for what she did to June, but the fact she kept silent about it, and never seemed to even attempt to comfort June. Then during a conversation between an older June and Megan, she reveals the reasons for her behaviour, whilst not making her actions forgivable, they do explain them a little. At the very end of the book June totally isolates herself from those that love and desperately want to support her, she also forgives those that quite literally made her life a living hell, yet seems unable to forgive herself. The scene where she is given a photograph which shows the people supporting her and petitioning for her totally broke me. I had to stop reading, calm myself, then continue to the end of the book. 

This book is an amazingly powerful, highly emotional, at times crushing, disturbing but also a very thought provoking book. Lisa Heathfield is an amazing, talented author and I will once again be on the look out for any other books by her.

BLOG TOUR - DOMINION - THE END OF ALL THINGS SERIES BY LISSA BRYAN

Title: Dominion

Series: The End Of All Things

Author: Lissa Bryan

Genre: Sci-Fi, Post Apocalyptic, NA.

Publisher: The Writers Coffee Shop

Release Date: 3rd December 2016

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A generation has passed since the pandemic known only as the Infection ended the world as we know it. In a little town in the Appalachian Mountains, Taylor has known only a harsh and brutal struggle for survival in a land littered with the rusted-out remnants of a lost world. By day, she labors in a coal mine. In the evenings, she tends a secret collection of beehives, and uses the honey to pay for lessons in survival skills, such as hunting, fishing, and collecting herbs. Her home is a single room in a crumbling old motel, and her only companion is a pet box tortoise named Go she’s had since she was a child. 
When her town is destroyed by a vicious gang of raiders known as the Nine, Taylor escapes with Dylan, the son of the mayor. Their only plan is to head south and escape the Nine’s vast territory, avoiding areas contaminated by meltdowns and industrial pollution where mysterious illnesses plague the residents. 
Dylan has never known hunger or hardship and struggles to learn survival skills. He’s never known a woman like Taylor either. He tries to pay her back by teaching her to read and telling her the stories passed down from the world of Before. 
They certainly didn’t plan on falling in love. Taylor fights it every step of the way, because in her world, any emotional attachment is dangerous. She’s been taught since childhood that love slows you down, makes you weak. But the feelings growing between them cannot be denied. 
Taylor finds herself slowly breaking every one of her hard-learned rules of survival. She discovers that perhaps some of those things she’s always fought to avoid are the very things that make life worth living. 
. . . And death shall have no dominion . . .

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EXCERPT

“In the old days, fat women were considered to be very beautiful.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I had this book of pictures of paintings that used to hang in museums. All of the great beauties immortalized in those paintings were plump. And usually naked.”

Taylor laughed. “I suppose if you’re going to take hundreds of hours to paint a picture, it might as well be of something guys want to look at.”

“I wonder what happened to all of those paintings.” Dylan lay back against the sleeping bag beside her and tucked his arms beneath his head. The poncho crinkled as he moved. “They’ve probably crumbled away now with no one to take care of them.”

“But you had them in your book, right? So they’re not lost.”

“The original is.”

“I honestly don’t understand how that matters. As long as you still have the picture in the book, it still exists. A painting is an idea, right? So as long as the idea survives, that’s the important part.”

“That’s one of the reasons why I think reading and writing are so important,” Dylan said. “So ideas can be preserved, passed down. You said you used to save your valuables so you could trade them for knowledge, to learn how to make something or find the resources you needed. Reading is another one of those skills that would help you find knowledge.”

She smiled at him. “Okay, you win. It’s important, and I’ll try harder to learn it.”

He took out the notebook he’d found in the child’s backpack and selected a charred stick from the fire. He touched the tip to make sure it was cool and handed it to her. Slowly, she traced out the letters TATOR.

He took the stick from her and wrote below it TAYLOR.

“But I like TATOR better,” he said. “It’s cute. Tater.”

She made a face at him, but she wrote her name correctly below. She began his, but she only got as far as “DYN,” and then admitted she couldn’t remember it.

He put his hand over hers and wrote the word. DYLAN.

He hadn’t let go of her hand. Taylor looked up at him, and saw him gazing down at where their hands were joined. Taylor released the stick. He twined their fingers together and stroked his thumb over the back of her hand, a soft stroke from the knuckle on her index finger down to the soft webbing where her thumb joined her palm. He caressed that little curve of skin, and a shiver ran through her. She noticed she wasn’t breathing and cleared her throat. He looked up at her, those blue eyes connecting with hers in a jolt she felt deep within her.

She licked her lips. “I—I better . . .”

He kissed her. The notebook fell off her lap into the dust at her feet, but neither of them noticed.

This Tour was done in conjunction with:

The Writers Coffee Shop

REVIEW - ASSASSIN - INSURRECTION SERIES BY A. DEEN

Title: Assassin

Series: Insurrection

Author: A. Deen

Genre: Sci-Fi

Release Date: 3rd October 2016

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Mankind has heard the voice of the Albatross speak against the Establishment for years. The resistance sees him as their leader, their symbol of freedom from oppression. No one knows he was once an assassin, a shadow of fear and torment wielded by the Establishment as a weapon of death. Until now. But there are secrets more horrifying than the Albatross’s past, deceptions interconnected with the Establishment and the alien enemy that humanity believes it defeated.

When Everett awakens on an abandoned outpost in the asteroid belt, he is desperate to find Ellie and warn the resistance of the Locusts’ impending return. Neither may be possible, especially when Everett faces an old adversary who knows he’s hiding more than just a savage past. But when intruders enter the outpost, they’ll have to work together to escape with their lives or lose everything they’ve fought for.

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PURCHASE LINKS

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INITIAL THOUGHTS
As this is the fourth book in this intriguing series I was looking forward to reading it. I really wanted to know what had happened to Ellie, one of my favourite characters in this series.

THOUGHTS WHILST READING
Still loving the characters, thinking the Albatross aka Everett will make gret book boyfriend material. Then again so would Gemson!

COVER THOUGHTS/COMMENTS
This cover perfectly matches all the others, with just the different novella/episode changed.

REVIEW
This book starts with Everett aka the Albatross hearing his name being called out in the distance. At first the voice calling seems far away to him but as he regains full consciousness it becomes closer. Then the pain hits along with the memories of what happened with the Butcher. Once totally aware, Everett can feel an IV in his arm. Not being one to lay and wait for answers to come to him he sets about finding out what, where and who he is with. As he discovers he is in some sort of large hangar type building, his memories all come rushing back and he is filled with terror as he recalls what the butcher told him he would do to his beloved Ellie. Everett is filled with a sudden urgency but is equally torn. His head demands that he needs to warn the resistance of the locusts attack plans, where as his heart is urging him on to find Ellie!
The torture he underwent in the last book (no spoilers!) is still affecting him very badly, it’s a struggle to think and even harder to get his body to obey his instructions to move. So when Gemson arrives in the hangar directing a barrage of questions at Everett, he decides he needs to co-operate. The first question Gemson barks is to demand to know “What he is?” a difficult question but Everett replies honestly that yes he is human but a human changed. Again I can’t reveal much more of their conversation as it would reveal spoilers. Gemson then leads Everett to believe that Ellie has been mortally wounded. 
This novella covers a lot, there’s the brotherly protectiveness of Gemson, the hurry to contact the resistance. . .that’s if the resistance will even believe him now they know the full truth of his past as an assassin. . .can he make the new leaders of the resistance believe him?
Asassins are sent to kill Everett, his former “brothers” M-Six, L-Nine and Eight-Zero. It doesn’t matter that the human in them agree the Everett (formerly One-Seven-Five) though they fight their implants as much as possible there are some great fight scenes within the book. Also though not totally human there are some brilliant emotional scenes between the Assassins, their resignation at what has to happen. One of the assassin reveals a vital piece of information to Everett which make him meeting up and getting the resistance to believe him vital if earth is ever to fight and win against the alien locust intruders.
We get to meet Yaren in this novella too, whom Gemson refers to as a cyborg. His attitude is to look down on Yaren as non human and some sort of freak. His mind set soon changes as they all have to fight together against the establishment to escape to a hidden place to meet up with General Ortega.
I loved the dialogue, and verbal sparring between Yaren and Gemson. Yaren is prepared to sacrifice everything to fly her passengers to safety and to take them to meet General Ortega.
Everett also finally has some time alone to talk to someone he really cares for. He is concerned at what she will say about hi idea to bring down the locusts. It’s pretty sad really as they have quite literally only just found each other. Though they are both determined to make the very most of what little guaranteed time together on their journey to the rendezvous with General Ortega.

FINAL THOUGHTS
So to sum up here are just a few of the questions I have for the next novella.
I am eager to find out if General Ortega will believe and welcome Everett back into the resistance. Will the resistance get organised quickly enough to fight the locusts? Can the resistance win? What will he think to Everett’s idea to fight the locusts, what could well end up being a suicide mission. I found this novella Another engrossing episode! Certainly leaves you wanting more! 

THE INSURRECTION SERIES

Subversive

Operative

Inquisitor

Assassin

REVIEW - MONSTER ISLAND: THE NOOSE - MONSTER ISLAND SERIES BY KATIE FRENCH

Title: Monster Island: The Noose

Series: Monster Island

Author: Katie French

Genre: YA, Action, Adventure, Thriller

Release Date: 12th November 2016

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My name is Kat Voss. 
I was kidnapped, along with other teenagers like me, and dropped on an island where creatures stalk us in the night. 
Then someone hung my twelve-year-old baby sister from a tree like bait. 
The voice on the other end of the camera tells us we have one hour to find her. 
What if I’m too late? 

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REVIEW

I received a free copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for my honest review.

I was certainly eager to read this one, wanting to know more about Kat, Lucca and Dev. As well as being super curious about the reasons why the teens were where they are and who had kidnapped them and taken them to this island. I had so many other questions after finishing reading Monster Island: Taken.

The cover of this book is very similar to Monster Island: Taken other than obviously the title "The Noose". This time we have a brown hue for the background colour. The trees are still there and this time though the title font has remained the same the colour is blue. Could this be suggesting the teens situation is improving? Is more light being shed on their situation?

I think specified genres of YA, mystery, thriller are still right but personally I feel it also has a bit of a dystopian, and horror edge to it aswell, maybe thats just me or because I have read other books by Katie French that are dystopian. I'll be interested to read what other readers would say on this. 

Monster Island: The Noose instantly picks up where Monster Island: Taken had left us and a certain character quite literally hanging! I felt immediately pulled back into the mystery, intrigue, and horror of the book as well as the characters dragging my back into their feelings of confusion and disbelief that they are in this situation at all. So we know that one of the younger characters is dangerously suspended from a tree in the forest somewhere. Kat and Lucca watch in horror as she is lowered towards whatever monsters are circling below her. Obviously petrified of being mauled by the animals she does as she is instructed to do, which is to look straight into the camera and scream hers sisters name whilst crying.  The electronic voice informas the teens they have on hour before the girl is lowered to the forest floor and the awaiting beasts!! Kat's reaction is naturally to run right out into the dark wilderness they are in, to attempt to find her sister. Lucca tries to use a more reserved common sense approach, that they need weapons, warm clothes etc.

We also get some flash back scenes from Lucca in The Noose. We learn he and his mother have recently been forced to leave and sell their beautiful home and most of their treasured possessions because "things have gone bad" for Lucca's father where he works. Lucca is annoyed as the move has of course upset his mum, whom he loves dearly and as his father is away for the majority of the time feels very protective towards. Lucca's relationship with his father is what at best I would call poor. 

In this book we have chapters from the point of view of four out the five characters featured in it. Five chapters of the story are told from Lucca's point of view so it makes sense we learn more about him, his interests, his family and begin to see he may have had a small clue or two that can explain just a little of clues that are being left around for the teens to find. We, the reader, also have two chapters from Kat, one from her sister Joslyn and a rather disturbing chapter from the perspective of Dev as he is tricked by a new character the teens meet on their search for weapons to defend themselves. Dev finds himself in the postition of meeting one of the teens captors, though not discovering their identity as they are masked. We do leave Dev in a really precarious situation, so we now have two characters lives "hanging" in the balance and their fates in the hands for the prople who kidnapped them. 

Again I found my favourite characters to be Kat, who continues to be a strong teenaged girl even in the face of the horror of seeing her sister being dangled above strange beasts in the forest. The other character I have taken most to is Lucca, you really do feel his emotions during his flashbacks. As we meet Lucca's family in the flashbacks, it also makes you think about what his mother may be going through, has she realised he is missing yet? Or because Lucca was allowed to leave school early, is his mother still oblivious to the danger her son is in?

Some of the questions I had from bk one, Monster Island Taken were answered, some of the answers are still fascinatingly obscure. I think for ever little clue to an answer the reader is given there are maybe another five questions that arise. So yes aspects in Monster Island: The Noose are still shrouded in mystery and secrecy.

I read this book in just one sitting and as I came to the end have to admit to shouting (silently in my head) "You cannot be serious! You can't be leaving this book here, now?" So to say Monster Island: The Noose left me wanting more is an understatement!! 

What else can I say about this series other than I am enthusiastically, though a little impatiently awaiting more! I certainly recommend this series so far!