The Beast of Callaire by Saruuh Kelsey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20590654-the-beast-of-callaire?ac=1

Purchase links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Beast-Callaire-Legend-Mirror/dp/1291790608

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beast-of-callaire-saruuh-kelsey/1119059310?ean=9781291790603

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beast-Callaire-Legend-Mirror/dp/1291790608

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424300

SUMMARY

Yasmin is a descendant of the Manticore. A creature of Persian mythology. A Legendary.

But she doesn’t want to be. Unlike the Legendaries in The Red, Yasmin wants nothing more than an ordinary life. She tries to fool herself into believing that she doesn’t change into a beast every full moon and savagely kill innocent people.

But when Yasmin starts hearing a voice in her head and is drawn into dreams that aren’t her own, she is led to Fray—a girl who once saved Yasmin from hunters, who has shadowy memories that hint at her having Legendary magic—and Yasmin is catapulted into a life of Majick and malevolence.

Despite the danger around her and Fray, Yasmin might finally have a chance at being a normal girl with a normal girlfriend. But with Legendaries being killed, a war between the Gods brewing, and the beast inside Yasmin becoming stronger each moon, her mundane life is little more than a dream.

EXCERPT

The wood is beautiful through these eyes, but I wish I could choose what they looked at. The edges of the leaves are crisp, the flat green my human eyes would see is brought into bright relief. But I only see what the beast wants to see, so I can’t focus on each brilliant new thing because I’m wary and paranoid of what the beast will be drawn to next. A squirrel—a rabbit—a stray human wandering along the trail.

I could kill someone and I wouldn’t be able to stop it. My jaws would rip flesh from bone and I’d be paralysed in my mind, watching the horror as it happens. I know because it’s happened. Six times. Thankfully, four of those people got away with only claw welts or bite marks. But two of them are dead because of me.

One was a girl no older than nine. I killed her when I was fourteen, before I’d become used to the Change, before the beast had settled into its control of my body. Now it only kills for sport, not by accident, and mostly it hunts small animals. Easy prey. Even in Manticore form, I’m a coward. I’m glad of it.

The second person I killed was a middle aged man last year. He had a gun pointed at my friend Willa as she lounged in the pool of Almery Wood. I’m not sure whether he meant to kill her for spoils or just for the hell of it, but I don’t regret killing him as much as the young girl. It still haunts my nightmares sometimes, though, his glazed green eyes and slack, wrinkled face.

I still don’t know why the beast killed to save my friend. Maybe there’s the smallest connection between the two of us, between girl and monster. But as the leaves are ripped beneath large, golden paws I’m not so sure. The Manticore is a creature made of bloodlust and vicious intentions. I doubt there’s any part of it that cares about anyone other than itself.

The beast steps into a clearing lit by moonlight and shakes out its fur, the feathers of its wings tickling my ears—its ears. I shake my head instinctively to get rid of the irritation but the beast’s head stays still. It doesn’t care about what aggravates me. I doubt it even knows what aggravates me. I might have thoughts but this creature is mindless.

The beast turns suddenly, my head spinning with the motion, and it regards the trees, all tall and close together, their braches reaching out and speckled with leaves. My hearing strains for a noise—I’m not sure what startled the beast.

A low, guttural growl comes from the depths of the beast’s stomach and I finally see what the Manticore heard. A middle aged man comes from behind a wide trunked service tree, the vibrant leaves contrasting against the intentionally dark brown of his jacket. He meant to blend in, whoever this man is. I futilely try to urge the beast away, to turn and run, but the Manticore will never back down.

The beast’s ears prick to the sound of footsteps but by now it can’t move at all. All it can do is raise its large head, pull downy wings around itself as a flimsy, useless shield, and watch as the owner of the footsteps nears us.

Wide, green eyes are right in front of my eyes, bushy brown eyebrows drawn low and accompanied by a frown. A girl. A girl in the woods. Thank you, I think at this stranger but I have no Majick in this form so she doesn’t hear my gratitude. This is an angel come to deliver me a swift death, to save me from this excruciating feeling.

I relinquish my grip on consciousness and let the waiting blackness swallow me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Saruuh Kelsey is the author of the Lux Guardians series. Her debut and the first in series, THE FORGOTTEN, a YA science fiction set in Victorian London and London 25 years in the future, is out now for free. Book two, THE REVELATION, releases October 7th. THE BEAST OF CALLAIRE, the first novel of a new YA fantasy series, with a same sex paranormal romance, is out May 20th.

Website: http://saruuhkelsey.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luxguardians

Tumblr: http://theluxguardians.tumblr.com

Blog: http://syntaxreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

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Since You've Been Gone by Anouska Knight

Published: July 29 2014

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18528411-since-you-ve-been-gone

Source: A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

SUMMARY

How do you learn to love again?

In one tragic moment, Holly Jefferson s life as she knows it changes for ever. Now to the external world, at least she s finally getting back on her feet, running her business, Cake. Then she meets Ciaran Argyll.

His rich and charmed life feels a million miles from her own. However, there s more to Ciaran than the superficial world that surrounds him, and he too is wrestling with his own ghosts. Will Holly find the missing ingredient that allows her to live again and embrace an unknown and unexpected tomorrow?

REVIEW

To be honest, I found this book hard to connect to, I don't know if it was me not being in the right frame of mind for it or what, but I just didn't connect really to any of the characters or the plot, however, I seem to be one of the few that feels this way, so that is good.

We meet Holly and we find out right away that her husband has passed away and she is now trying to figure out how to live life without him, and she is doing this by throwing all of her time in to her cake shop called "Cake". 

There are quite a few characters that we meet in this book, like Holly's employee Jesse, he is really funny! Also her sister and brother in law, they were always there for Holly and tried to keep her on track with where she wanted to go and made sure that she got out of the house. 

Then we meet Ciaran, and he is the "typical" trust fund baby, or so Holly thinks. He turns out to be someone that she can really get to know and fall for, but there are bumps along the way that may end up making her think that he really is just a playboy.

I really think that you should read this book and find out for yourself what happens, as it is not a bad book in anyway, it gets a 3/5 from me.

Sale books for JL Berg

 

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About NEVER BEEN READY: Years after suffering the tragic loss of her husband, Ethan, which left her alone to raise their young daughter, Clare Murray still holds the last letter he wrote with the words "When You're Ready" written in his familiar messy handwriting, unable to break its weathered seal. Ready for what? He was her entire world, and Clare had accepted a life without him, without love. Until years later, fate brings her to an emergency room, and face to face with a stormy-eyed doctor intent on changing her mind. Son of a billionaire, Logan Matthews has spent his life trying to make his absentee father proud. Without a family to depend on, all he's ever wanted is a place to call home. After a failed marriage, Logan believes he's unworthy of love...until he meets a woman who awakens his spirit and transforms his entire life in an instant. But how far are Clare and Logan willing to go for love? Can his love mend the pieces of her grieving heart? When their love is tested, is Clare ready to put her whole heart on the line again? Can Logan learn the true meaning of love, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness? When a second chance at love is given, Clare and Logan learn you are never truly ready until you're ready to risk it all.

About NEVER BEEN READY: Leah Morgan was done with men. After barely surviving a horrendous childhood, and a boyfriend who bailed when things got rough, Leah had given up on love. Then she met him, Hollywood’s new golden boy who suddenly had eyes only for her. She tried to convince herself that one night couldn’t hurt, but after six months, the memories of his mesmerizing gaze and searing touch still invaded her every thought. Declan James had just one rule when it came to women. Keep it simple, and never linger. That all changed the moment he met Leah. Even across a crowded bar, he could tell she was different. Sweet, with just the right amount of sass, she made him break his golden rule and now he couldn’t walk away. When casual becomes anything but, and emotions run deep, will Leah and Declan fight their fears, or let old insecurities tear them apart? When Declan’s past comes roaring back in a way neither of them could have expected, will they stand united or be torn apart by the challenges that lie ahead? It was only supposed to be one night, but only forever will do.

A Life, Forward by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21852694-a-life-forward?from_search=true

Purchase links:

A Life Forward: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Forward-Rowan-Slone-Novel-ebook/dp/B00JHRYEJA/ref=la_B005VRG1S2_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399402765&sr=1-3

A Life Redefined: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Redefined-Rowan-Slone-Novel-ebook/dp/B00DL5XGYI/ref=la_B005VRG1S2_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399402765&sr=1-2

SUMMARY (BOOK 1)

Seven years ago, an innocent act by Rowan Slone turned her life into a nightmare. Since the age of ten she’s lived with the burden of her baby brother’s death. Now she is seventeen and all she wants to do is graduate high school, go to college, and escape the loveless family she has endured all these years—the same family that holds her responsible for his death. But no one holds her responsible more than herself.

When long-time crush Mike Anderson invites her to the Prom, suddenly her future looks brighter. Rowan’s younger sister, Trina, however, is determined to ruin her new-found happiness, no matter the cost. And when Rowan discovers her mother’s long-held secret, she finds herself teetering on the edge of an abyss. Can Rowan find the strength to move toward the future or is she doomed to dwell in the past?

SUMMARY (BOOK 2)

Her father is gone. Her mother is in jail. And Rowan Slone has left her dysfunctional, violent past behind. With college looming on the horizon, she has a new job that she loves, and a safe place to call home. She is close to achieving everything she ever wanted-a sense of family, a sense of purpose, and a sense of self.

But there are cracks in Rowan’s life that threaten to send her future crumbling to the ground. When her relationship begins to suffer, her father returns and her long-held secret is discovered, Rowan must find the courage to fight for the most important thing yet-herself.

EXCERPT

Scene between Rowan and her boyfriend, Mike Anderson, in A Life, Forward:

My hand itched to swing out and slap his handsome face. But that face wasn’t as handsome as it used to be. It was harder, more angular, more severe. He’d shaved this morning but dark stubble still peeped through. Something had changed in my boyfriend since he left this summer; something that I did not like.

Maybe, though, I had changed, too.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I am not your charity chase. Back off, Mike. This is in the past.”

“But how? How is it in the past?” He stared at me a hard moment then blurted, “That’s why you always wear long sleeves. My God, Rowan, you can’t even wear normal clothes.”

If someone threw me into the middle of a tornado, I wouldn’t have felt more frazzled, confused, stirred up. “This is me, Mike. Take it or leave it.” The shakiness in my voice disproved my strong words.

He was silent, eyes focused on my arm. It started to burn under his gaze, and I had to clench my fist to keep from scratching at the dozen lines, from tracing the ugly A.

Sometimes I still wanted to cut but I didn’t.

I. Didn’t. Cut.

My legs were covered in silky light hairs because I refused to hold a razor between my fingers. I’d bent over backward, writing in my journal, studying late into the night, putting more hours in at the shelter, just to occupy my mind.

I didn’t cut anymore.

I didn’t cut anymore.

I don’t cut anymore.

I don’t cut anymore.

“I don’t cut anymore!” A soft knock on the door was the only thing that interrupted my screams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracy Hewitt Meyer is a multi-genre, multi-published author of new adult fiction as well as adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has a B.A. in English and a Master of Social Work, both of which feed her true passion-a love of writing. Born and raised in the beautiful state of West Virginia, Tracy now lives in the mid-east with her family, a goldendoodle, and a bearded dragon.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5323127.Tracy_Hewitt_Meyer

Website: http://www.tracyhewittmeyer.com/

Twitter: @TracyHMeyer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracyHewittMeyer

Annabel by Kathleen Winter

Published: April 2013

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16124495-annabel

SUMMARY

A finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Governor General's Literary Award, the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, and a #1 national bestseller, Kathleen Winter's spectacular debut novel is now available in a new edition.


In 1968, into the beautiful, spare environment of remote coastal Labrador, a mysterious child is born: a baby who appears to be neither fully boy nor girl, but both at once. Only three people are privy to the secret — the baby's parents, Jacinta and Treadway, and a trusted neighbour, Thomasina. Together the adults make a difficult decision: to raise the child as a boy named Wayne. But as Wayne grows into adulthood within the hyper-masculine hunting culture of his father, his shadow-self — a girl he thinks of as "Annabel" — is never entirely extinguished, and indeed is secretly nurtured by the women in his life.


Haunting and sweeping in scope, Annabel is an unforgettable novel about a one person's struggle to discover the truth in a culture that shuns contradiction.

REVIEW

I cannot remember when or where I got this book, but I am so glad I did, and so glad that I read it! It takes on a very interesting topic and not one that I have ever read about before, so I am not sure how realistic this story would be, however, it feels very real while you are reading it. I loved all the characters, even all their flaws, and there were a lot. Kathleen Winter just made the people and the surroundings pop out at you with every word that was written.

We are first introduced to Jacinta and Treadway, the parents of Wayne who is born right at the beginning of the novel. They seem like the typical "normal" couple, but not everything is at it seems on the outside. Treadway is what you would call a man's man I guess, he goes out and works, and Jacinta stays home with the baby and tends to the house. When Wayne is born a hermaphrodite, no one knows what to do, and Jacinta thinks that she can hide it from Treadway and make a decision later, but Treadway knows, and he makes the decision for them, a decision that will forever have consequences for Wayne.

Throughout this novel there are many different subjects that are brought up, trust, loyalty, friendship, lies, and so many more. I finished the book today and I know that I will be thinking about it for days and weeks to come, and I love when that happens as I know that it will be a book that I will read over and over again. 

We see Wayne grow up through this novel, trying to fit in, not knowing where he belongs, but for the longest time, he does not understand why. We see Treadway try and reinforce the fact that he is a boy over and over again, and to Wayne he does not know why his Dad is fixated on this, and why it should matter so much, until the day that he finds out the truth of the situation.

I don't want to say much more about what happens in this novel, but I do strongly suggest that you read it, I think that it touches on so many subjects that everyone can find something to relate to in it. An absolute 5/5 must read from me!

Still At Your Door by Emma Eden Ramos

Publication date: February 22, 2014

Publisher: Writers AMuse Me

Genre: YA/Contemporary

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18849022-still-at-your-door?from_search=true

Purchase links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Still-At-Your-Door-Fictional/dp/1927044944

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/still-at-your-door-emma-eden-ramos/1118670496?ean=2940148213307

SUMMARY

YA -- Sabrina "Bri" Gibbons has only a few short minutes to pack her things and help her sisters pack theirs before running with their mother to the bus that will whisk them away from Butler, Pennsylvania, an abusive relationship, and a secret that none of them wish to acknowledge. She was not prepared, though, for her mother to drop them on the streets of New York with the promise that she would be right back. Haunted by the sight of her mother running back to the cab, Bri, with Missy and Grace in tow, settles in with their grandparents. Thoughts of her present and her future collide with memories of her past, her dead father, and her mother’s bizarre episodes. She watches her sisters struggle with school and acceptance, all the while knowing the lack of any sense of security will make it impossible for them to carry on as ‘normal’ children. She finally lets her guard down enough to allow someone else in and sees a faint glimmer that her dreams might be attainable. Disaster strikes again, this time targeting her sister. Is it possible for Bri to find that balance between her dreams and her family’s realities?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Eden Ramos is a writer and student from New York City. Her middle grade novella, The Realm of the Lost, was recently published by MuseItUp Publishing. Her short stories have appeared in Stories for Children Magazine, The Storyteller Tymes, BlazeVOX Journal, and other journals. Ramos’ novelette, Where the Children Play, is included in Resilience: Stories, Poems, Essays, Words for LGBT Teens, edited by Eric Nguyen. Three Women: A Poetic Triptych and Selected Poems (Heavy Hands Ink, 2011), Ramos’ first poetry chapbook, was shortlisted for the 2011 Independent Literary Award in Poetry. Emma studies psychology at Marymount Manhattan College. When she isn’t writing or studying, Emma can usually be found drinking green tea and reading on her kindle.

EXCERPT

I hold tight to my memories of the solid years. Each one is a crystal vase filled to the brim with brightly colored petals. Summer, ‘99: Missy is five, I’m six. We’re vacationing at Virginia Beach with Mom and Dad. Mom wears a black one-piece, a white sun hat and no sunscreen. Her lanky, bronzed legs shimmer under the fiery rays, but it’s all well and good. “Gypsy skin,” she explains, lathering up my little sister. “You and I have it.” She winks at me. “Missy here’s more like Daddy.” In front of us, Dad talks to a blonde boy with a surfboard. He turns to us and beckons. I jump to my feet, eager to hit the waves. “Sabrina.” Mom presses her leathery palms against my cheeks. “Bri-bear.” She kisses my nose. “Go on.” I grab Missy’s hand and we scamper toward the giant salt pond, ready for Dad to scoop us up and wade us through.

Another summer, many years later, Missy and I come across what looks like a secret stash of sea glass. We collect the emerald green fragments just as a mother-sized wave unfurls to scoop them back up. The edges have been smoothed over, calmed. I slide my index finger across one side of the largest piece. Missy stands next to me, peering out toward the horizon. I turn to her, the glass held tightly in my fist. Before I can begin, she says, “Water life is easier.”

“Huh?” I stare down at the rushing waves. A thick clump of seaweed tickles my ankle.

Missy seizes a shard from her stash and flings it. The water swallows the glass whole. There’s no resistance on either side. “It wasn’t ready.” She shakes her head.

“What does that mean?” I ask. “How is water life easier?”

“I don’t know. I guess… you go in jagged. You’re jagged when you go in but smooth when you come out.”

Trying to understand, I scrutinize my sister’s profile. I recognize our mother in her pronounced cheekbones, her long black lashes.

“But not us.” Missy speaks to the open water. I just happen to be standing by. “We come in soft, without edges. Those come later.”

“You mean we get jagged with age?”

“Yes.” Missy’s eyes grow big. She cocks her head to one side, then turns to meet my gaze. “That’s what happens to us.”

INTERVIEW

1.  Tell us a bit about your new book, “Still, At Your Door”.  What influenced you to write it?  I like the blurb that I read on Amazon.

Thank you! I wanted to explore the mother-daughter relationship. I am interested in the bond mothers share with their daughters, but I wanted to write about a scenario in which the roles were reversed. Sabrina must care for her sisters, Missy and Grace, and Sheila, their mother.

2.  I saw another book on your page, “Realm of the Lost”.  What was your influence there?

I wrote The Realm of the Lost after reading Dante in an Italian course. I was intrigued by Dante's nine circles of Hell, and his theories on life after death. I read a few articles on near death experiences, compiled the information, then took it from there.

3.  What else have you written?

I wrote a poetry chapbook titled Three Women: A Poetic Triptych which was shortlisted for the Independent Literary Award. I've also written a number of short stories that have been either published in journals or anthologized.

4.  You had a book launch March 17 at WordUp Books in NYC—how did that go?

My most recent reading was on April 3rd at a store here in NYC called Book Culture. It was wonderful. I was blessed to have Dr. Hilary Hallett, film historian and author, present me.

5.  I could see from your blogsite that you have written in several different genres.  Is YA your favorite?

Definitely! YA is definitely my favorite genre.

6.  Would love to have you post an excerpt from your newest book!

sure! Here is the prologue and first chapter: http://www.writersamuseme.com/stillatyourdoor.htm

7.  How do you like living in NYC?  Have you lived anywhere else?  

I am a New York girl. I lived in Salt Lake City for a year. I don't ever see myself leaving NYC for more than a year at a time, though.

8.  You are taking psychology classes.  Which ones are your favorite?  Besides writing, what type of career do you see yourself doing in a few years?

I was a psychology student (that bio has since been updated) and enjoyed most of the courses I took. My favorite, though, was probably child development. I volunteer at a local bird shelter. I am also in the process of getting certified to work with developmentaly challenged children. I love being around kids.

9.  Anything you want to share about your home life?

I am in the process of getting a bird. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

10.  I know that reading, writing, and studying take up a lot of your time.  Is there anything else you like to spend time doing?

I love bird watching! I could do that for hours on end.

Thanks!

Screaming Divas by Suzanne Kamata

Publication date: May 18, 2014

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18442148-the-screaming-divas

Publisher: Merit Press

Pages: 208

Genre: YA Contemporary

Purchase links:

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-screaming-divas-suzanne-kamata/1116741607?ean=9781440572791

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Screaming-Divas-Suzanne-Kamata/dp/1440572798

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Screaming-Divas-Suzanne-Kamata/9781440572791

SUMMARY

At sixteen, Trudy Baxter is tired of her debutante mom, her deadbeat dad, and her standing reservation at the juvenile detention center. Changing her name to Trudy Sin, she cranks up her major chops as a singer and starts a band, gathering around other girls ill at ease in their own lives. Cassie Haywood, would-have-been beauty queen, was scarred in an accident in which her alcoholic mom was killed. But she can still sing and play her guitar, even though she seeks way too much relief from the pain in her body and her heart through drugs, and way too much relief from loneliness through casual sex. Still, it's Cassie who hears former child prodigy Harumi Yokoyama playing in a punk band at a party, and enlists her, outraging Harumi's overbearing first-generation Japanese parents. The fourth member is Esther Shealy, who joins as a drummer in order to be close to Cassie--the long-time object of her unrequited love--and Harumi, her estranged childhood friend. Together, they are Screaming Divas, and they're quickly swept up as a local sensation. Then, just as they are about to achieve their rock-girl dreams, a tragedy strikes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Back in the day, Suzanne Kamata spent a lot of time hanging out in a club in Columbia, South Carolina, much like the one in Screaming Divas. (The beat goes on . . .) She later wrote about musicians for The State newspaper, The Japan Times, and other publications. Now, she mostly writes novels. In her free time, she enjoys searching for the perfect fake fur leopard-print coat and listening to the Japanese all-girl band Chatmonchy. Her YA debut, Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible was named the 2013-2014 APALA YA Honor Book and Grand Prize Winner of the Paris Book Festival. For more info, visithttp://www.suzannekamata.com or follow her on Twitter @shikokusue.

Inspiration for writing Screaming Divas

For a long time, I’d wanted to write a novel about an all-girl group. At first, I had the idea of writing a novel about a 1960s Motown group like The Supremes, but I figured that there would be a lot of research involved, and there was a huge likelihood that I would get something wrong.Also, someone had already written the musical “Dreamgirls.”  Then I thought it would be fun to write a book about a band similar to the ones involved in the Riot Grrl movement, which pretty much happened in the Pacific Northwest -- bands like Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, and Babes in Toyland. I set my book in Columbia, South Carolina, where I went to college.

I first started writing the parts about Trudy as a novelization of the life of Courtney Love It started out as kind of writing exercise, something that I was doing just for fun while I tried to figure out how to revise another novel I’d been working on. I changed the names and the setting, of course, and some other details. Eventually, the book took on a life of its own, and Trudy did, as well.

When I’m writing, I tend to throw everything I’m interested in at the moment into the book, so you’ll find references to The Supremes, Sylvia Plath, Edgar Allan Poe, The Gogo’s, the Columbia artist Blue Sky, Joy Division, and the Capitol Cafe, where I used to hang out with my friends after a night of dancing in a club very much like The Cave.

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