October 29, 2012

Book Review: The Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn

Title: The Crimson Thread
Author: Suzanne Weyn
Release Date: July 5th 2012 (originally self-published June 17th 2008)

Publisher: Scholastic 
Source: Received from KIWIreviews for an honest review

The year is 1880, and Bertie, having just arrived in New York with her family, is grateful to be given work as a seamstress in the home of textile tycoon J.P. Wellington. When the Wellington family fortune is threatened, Bertie's father boasts that Bertie will save the business, that she is so skillful she can "practically spin straw into gold."

Amazingly, in the course of one night, Bertie creates exquisite evening gowns—with the help of Ray Stalls, a man from her tenement who uses an old spinning wheel to create dresses that are woven with crimson thread and look as though they are spun with real gold. Indebted to Ray, Bertie asks how she can repay him. When Ray asks for her firstborn child, Bertie agrees, never dreaming that he is serious…

My Thoughts


In this non magical retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin, author Suzanne Weyn has instead given the reader a story set around an immigrant Irish family, freshly arrived to the slums of 1880 New York.

While a clever idea, it is sadly mediocre in its execution.
The characters are all rather shallow and underdeveloped, making it difficult to follow the story that is mostly a narrative telling, rather than a descriptive showing.
 

The men in the family are all selfish and self serving, and basically abandon Bridget to work and support the two smaller O’Malley children.
Bridget or Bertie as she is come to be known, is extremely naive in her behavior, making her an unbelievable and unlikeable character.
Ray Stalls, though supposedly a critical character for the story, only makes brief appearances and is for the most part forgotten, again distorting the original role of the character until he is a mere shadow of his dastardly namesake.

Full of historical inaccuracies, (the inaccurate and exorbitant price charged for yarn - to name but one) the story is very slow to start, made all the more frustrating by the juvenile phrasing, dragging the reader along, until its abrupt and unfulfilling end.

From start to finish, The Crimson Thread is a rather flat, under whelming read that I wouldn’t recommend for anyone over the age of 13.

2 stars :|

October 27, 2012

Book Launch Event for Kiwi: The Real Story

Today at the Whangarei library, the official book launch for
Kiwi: The Real Story took place.

Heather Hunt

Annemarie Florian



After some brief speeches made by the illustrator Heather Hunt, and author Annemarie Florian, we were told some amusing tales of Heather and Todd's adventures tracking various Kiwi through bush blocks and gully's.
Todd, heather and Annemarie
We were then treated to a wonderful and entertaining puppet show which kept the children completely and thoroughly transfixed.

Beautifully realistic Kiwi puppets
Rat attack!
The Kiwi is a curious bird

The children then had a morning tea of mud slide drinks (chocolate milk), freshly dug worms (jelly) and insect biscuits :)
Bush tucker
fresh 'worms'

Huhu grub!

This really was a lovely morning out with my girls, and we made sure to get our copy of this gorgeous book signed by Heather and Annemarie, and Todd from Backyard Kiwi too.
















Book Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Title: Confessions of an Angry Girl (Confessions #1)
Author: Louise Rozett
Release Date: August 28th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make…

1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.)


My Thoughts


I have to admit I've been putting off reading this book for a while, I just kept looking at it and thinking more teenage angst, really?
Well, I started reading it in bed, and just couldn't put it down...finally finishing at 1am - what a fantastic read!

I was instantly attracted to Rose. The girl has some issues, but she's not a bad kid. The last few months have been hell for her and she just hasn't had an outlet for her feelings, hence the angry girl status.

Filled with great characters that weren't over-the-top, over exaggerated versions of teenagers that some authors have. This teenage girl was more true-to-life, dealing with actual teenage issues like raging hormones, school bullies, and inexplicable crushes. (I know what I'm talking about, my house is usually full of teenage girls, especially on weekends!!)

Did I find Rose to be a pain in the ass at times? Yes
Was I annoyed by her behaviour, the way she sometimes acts? Yes

Hello, she's a teenager - teenagers are just not right in the head!!

(again, I have first hand knowledge of this fact!)


The well scripted story and flawless writing made Confessions of an Angry Girl an easy and very enjoyable book to read - I can't wait to read Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend (bk #2) next year.

4 out of 5 stars ;]



October 25, 2012

The Three Lost Kids: Review, Interview and GIVEAWAY

Title: The Three Lost Kids and The Death of the Sugar Fairy (The Three Lost Kids #4)
Author: Kimberly Kinrade
Release Date: October 2nd 2012
Publisher: Evolved Publishing
Source: Received from I.O Book Tours

Halloween is here and Lexie, Bella and Maddie couldn't be happier. But why does everything feel so different? Fewer houses are decorated and fewer kids are out trick-or-treating. Still, that's not going to stop the three girls from eating as much candy as they can before their parents can stop them, even if that means fighting each other for it.

When they finally discover a haunted house worthy of their favorite holiday, they forget their parents' warnings and go in alone, only to discover that the house really is haunted, and not only that, but they've been transported to a whole different world!

A dying Sugar Fairy in one of the abandoned rooms send them on a quest to find her Sugar Baby and the magic Sugar Flower in order to save her and Halloween. If they fail, Halloween will be gone forever, and they'll never return to their family.

But with Sugar Bug attacks, the Cavity Caves where they must face their deepest fears, and giant gummy bears armed with candy cane swords, the girls aren't sure they'll make it.

Their only chance is to work together, using each of their strengths to help each other. Can they stop fighting over candy long enough? Or will they be trapped in the dying Sugar Land forever?

My Thoughts


I love reading children's books, especially if its a book I can read with one of my own daughters :)

This book was a lovely, well written story, with adorable characters and great imagery. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of the Mom and Dad with their hand holding and kissing. It's so refreshing to see lovey-dovey parents :)

I really enjoyed reading this with my daughter, it was light and fun, but encourages kids to make healthy choices too.


The Death of the Sugar Fairy was a very sweet (pun intended!) story indeed, and
gets 4 out of 5 stars from me ;]

Here's what my Miss 10 had to say about the book...


This book was really fun to read, I really liked when the girls scoffed the candy in their mouths when their parents weren't looking, thats something I would do! All the sweets and candy make me want to eat it all for myself.

The haunted house that they visited was pretty spooky, and I would be really scared to go there. But Bella, Maddie, and Lexie got pretty cool powers when they went to Sugarland, that part was really cool.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series, I really like them (The Three Lost Kids),
I give this book 4 Stars ;]


First 3 books in series
Now I was lucky enough to have a chance to ask the author a few questions, here's my interview with Kimberly :)

1. What are three quirky, interesting, or little known facts you can tell us about yourself?

1: My brother was my best friend growing up, and we used to create elaborate games in our neighborhood, where we were in magical worlds and everything and everyone took on a double meaning. We could play at this for hours, and we even expanded some of these games to continue into adulthood.
2: I had many businesses as a kid. I created a museum of fossilized rocks in my grandparents' backyard and charged annual admission rates, and I even went pro with my writing once I ran out of teeth to sell to the Tooth Fairy. I'd write short stories and poetry and sell it to neighbors door-to-door.
3: I never get writer's block, ever.



2. Who are some of your favorite authors?
I'm glad you didn't ask me to pick just one! :) C.S. Lewis, Neil Gaiman, Patti Larsen, Lane Diamond, Dmytry Karpov (my husband—he's amazing!), T.G. Ayer, Emlyn Chand, Patrick Rothfuss. This is a short list, but as you can see it spans many genres and styles!
*Ohh, we share some favourites Kimberly - I love C.S. Lewis, Neil Gaiman, and T.G. Ayer too!*

3. What books do you have on your ‘to be read’ pile?
The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich, Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake, and Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor.

4. What have been the biggest challenges and/or surprises you’ve faced as a writer?
My biggest challenge is two-fold. Scheduling and outlining. For one, I have too many ideas and not nearly enough time to write them all, so I'm constantly over committing and am therefore constantly running behind on deadlines, which I hate. To that end, I have had to force myself to become a plotter, when I really prefer to just write in the flow. But plotting allows me to see the whole story before I start, thereby avoiding any major plot holes or problems that would require major rewriting (and loads of time I don't have.)
 
5. What has been the hardest thing about writing children’s books?
Staying in the voice of a child, without talking down to the reader. It's always my goal to offer a fun but challenging read to new or young readers, so they learn new words, think in new ways, but don't feel so overwhelmed that they give up. It's hard, but so worth it, to find that balance.
 
6. Did your stories/characters manifest themselves in dreams/daydreams, voices in your head etc, or do you sit down and purposely create them?
A combination of dreams, daydreams, talks with my kids and voices in my head. (Don't I sound crazy now? LOL) I don't sit down to purposely create them until I already have a strong idea screaming to be written, then it's just a matter of fleshing out and asking the all important question: What happens next?
 
7. Favorite movie and/or TV show?
I have many, and it usually changes by the season. Right now, my favorite TV show is Pretty Little Liars (Or Vampire Diaries). My favorite movie is impossible to say, I like so many.
*I LOVE TVD, I'm a Damon girl!*
 
8. Favorite actor and/or actress?
I love Anne Hathaway, Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman, Sean Connery and Gabriel Byrne, for starters :)
 
9. Who is your ultimate swoon worthy man? (Other than your hubby!)
Other than my hubby?? Well, I don’t know, I'm married to a sexy Russian Prince, it doesn't get much more swoon worthy than that. But if I HAD to pick… hmm… I'd have to say Hugh Jackman.
*not a bad choice...personally I'm thinking Gerard Butler!*

10. What is the most daring thing you have ever done or hope to do?
I've done a lot of daring things in my life, but probably the most daring was trusting my heart when I fell in love with a man I met on Twitter, and moved in with him the first time we met in person. We're now madly in love, happily married, and are co-writing books together. Sometimes being daring pays off big!
*You're definitely braver than me :)*

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Kimberly, its been an absolute pleasure having you
:)
Thanks for the great questions and thank you SO MUCH for having me on your site! :)

The inspiration :)


October 24, 2012

And The Winner Is...


Yes, this is the post revealing the winner of the $15 gift voucher to an e-retailer of your choice, kindly donated by author Toni Kenyon :)

But first, I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH TONI!!
Thank you for the really great guest post, it was super awesome having you here at My Book Chatter.

Thank you also, for sharing with me your book Private Love In A Public Place. I can't wait to read book #2 in the series :)

In case you missed my review you can read it here, and if you want some more info on Toni and her book, here are some links:


LINKS
Buy the book from Kobo Smashwords AMAZON

Author Website: http://www.tonikenyon.com
Twitter: @Toni_Kenyon

Okay here is the draw...

the entries...
'Rainbow' sorting through the entries...
this one tastes good...




yep, this is the one...




Congrats Rhonda!!!


I'm going to contact Toni now and let her know who one, and I'm sure she will contact you shortly with details on how to claim your prize Rhonda :)

Book Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: October 23rd 2012
Publisher:
Harlequin Teen
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley


Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.
Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.


My Thoughts

Well, I cant say I'm impressed at all.
Was the story good? - it was okay but it was all just a little too familiar and predictable. Yes there were different characters, different fey, but after it's all said and done; it's the same scenario, the same formula, the same fight as the Iron Fey series.


Sigh...I feel like I'm going to repeat myself, in fact, I think I will...
T
here were no surprises, no twists and turns, nothing to make me gasp and squeal with shock, sorrow, happiness...it was all very...meh.

Yep, that's exactly what I said about The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4), and I wasn't terribly fussed with the entire series, w
hich means I probably won't bother reading anymore of Ethan's books. I will say however, that I think the author writes a much better male voice than she does a female, even if Ethan is an annoying little snot.

The writing is okay, the characters are okay, perhaps a little shallow, but okay, the storyline is okay - it was all okay, nothing flash, nothing to WOW about.


Lovers of the original Iron Fey series will no doubt love this book, but as far as I'm concerned, The Lost Prince is a only worth a read when there's nothing else to do.

3 out of 5 stars :]

October 22, 2012

Happy Halloween GIVEAWAY


Its that time of year again where many of my American friends are dressing up their houses, and front porches with an array of gorgeous, scary, and fun Halloween decorations, having parties and taking their kids 'trick or treating'

While we don't go to as much trouble here in New Zealand, I thought I'd have a giveaway to celebrate this awesome time of year.


I'm giving away 10 prize packs consisting of an awesome array of
metal bookmarks, phone charms, book thongs, magnets,
erasers, necklaces, earrings, buttons, keyrings, etc.


metal bookmarks, phone charms, book-thongs
necklaces, earrings, magnets, bookmarks, buttons, etc
keyrings
Basically, I'll fill an envelope with lots of my Halloween treats and post them anywhere in the world to 10 lucky winners :)

Giveaway is international, just use the rafflecopter form below to enter
and have a...



a Rafflecopter giveaway
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...