DEADHEAD by Clare Kauter

Social media is fantastic for many reasons. For example, it helps me know what's going on by checking trends on Twitter, I can see my family & friends via Photos on Facebook, and I can drool over amazing pictures of food on Pinterest!

When I first joined Twitter in 2012, it was a brave new world. Many authors talked and shared books (as they do now), but I found it easier to get feedback online. Nowadays, its harder to strike conversations via Twitter, and I have to admit that I prefer Facebook Groups for chat!

However, I have come across many amazing authors & books via Twitter. I would never have thought to read them, or talk to the authors otherwise. Many of the interviews and reviews I have done have been by this informal acquaintance.

I met Clare Kauter the other day after she was the only one to respond to my question on Twitter, asking whether people still downloaded books.

After chatting for a while, I asked her what she wrote and could recommend and she agreed to send me a copy for review. This is the fun - you never know what you'll get! Well, I was in for a treat. The only thing I don't really like for this book is the cover. It could be much more fun - something like Bewitched would work for this!

Enjoy,
Vanessa :)

DEADHEAD by Clare Kauter

This is such a fun read! The voice of the main character, Nessa, is brilliant. The entire books feels like a conversation, flowing naturally and full of surprises.

Basically, Nessa is being investigated for practising magic without a licence (I know, fun huh?) She has to solve the murder of Ed, a ghost who turns up as she is being interrogated. Along she way, she makes friends with a fae, witch, and shifter! 

With awesome powers, she is capable of many feats, which include a private line to the devil (a she of course) and Death (who has an amazing sense of humour). 

We see zombies, vampires, and a lot more... this is a fantastic read if you enjoy quirky humour filled with the supernatural.

Personally, I found it SO original and different to anything I have read recently that I have to award 5 stars.

Done! Passed my #Goodreads reading target!

With over a month to spare, I have met my reading target of 100 books via Goodreads...

I only read 58 last year, which explains why I have written half as much! What can I say ... I started as a reader and I love books!

Anyway, the list is long but let's give credit to some of the authors.

Amazingly, I have not given out many 5 stars! I must be getting picky... these are the two books that got my coveted trophy since my last post!


"I think we all need escapism and this book was perfect for me! Definitely 18+ with mature themes and content, but the story-line is fantastic. 

Basically, good girl meets bad boy and they hit it off! We all have a "wicked" animalistic side, and I like to think that when two people share a certain chemistry they can be at one together in every way.

There are a lot of erotica books out there, but good ones need to have a story-line that work and characters that are believable and make you want to root for them. This book has it all.

If you like romance with a bit of spice then read this... I loved it!"

Available *~FREE~* via Amazon

"Wow... I loved the characters, story-line, and ending of this book.

When Zoe meets Jet she is instantly attracted to him, but for a change she challenges him to talk to her. When they do, it sets in motion a chain reaction. They are soul-mates in every way, and have to deal with emotional baggage caused by tragic circumstances.

The way the relationship develops is natural and it did not take long for me to love them both and hope their story had a good ending.

You'll have to read it to find out more. Perfect for readers who love romances with complications.


Can't believe I got this free on a promo. This is the kind of book I would happily pay for."

Available *~FREE~* via Amazon

These books also deserve mention...

All these books are available to purchase via Amazon... click on the links! (Works for any Amazon site, but prices shown on this blog are in pounds at the time of posting).

*~FREE~* as an ebook

SAVING GRACE via Amazon

DEATH BY A HONEY BEE via Amazon

ANGELIC BUSINESS via Amazon

HALFSKIN (The Vignettes) via Amazon

Less than £1 as an ebook

ONLY TIME WILL TELL via Amazon

Less than £5 as an ebook

GONE via Amazon

THE SUNRISE via Amazon

SOUND OF THE TIDE via Amazon

ESCORTED via Amazon

CATALYST via Amazon

This October, I was lucky enough to listen to Victoria at the Isle of Wight literary festival and was so intrigued by the story that I had to buy the book.

The paperback was only £7, which I thought was very reasonable seeing as I also got it signed!

"This story is fascinating and yet terribly sad since it is based on reality. Historical fiction is a fantastic way to connect with issues which we otherwise would be oblivious to. On the basis of the current migrant crisis and the misery faced by people as they strive to reach Europe at the moment, this book is a must read.

It is fiction, interwoven with the stories of several families, but I could relate to the issues on hand and felt truly sorry for characters whose seemingly "perfect" life was torn apart in the conflict affecting Cyprus.

How easy it is for the mighty to fall when war erupts.

I have to admit that I found the beginning confusing to follow since there were a lot of characters, but by a third of the way I was hooked. The ending brought tears to my eyes. Like Victoria said, maybe one day that dream will be a reality.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction."

Nicholas Allan, IWLF 2015

Nicholas Allan is the author/ illustrator of over thirty children’s books. 

He has won numerous awards, including several BAFTA’s! His talent was already evident at the age of 12, when he made a galleon out of a walnut shell, which was exhibited in London.

He wrote his first novel when he was 14, a story about a murder in a school. He sent it to a big publisher some of you may have heard of, Macmillan, who, although they did not accept it, asked to see his next!

He has also studied painting at the Slade School of Art, where he had his first radio play broadcasted by BBC Radio 4. Consequently, he completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia.

Nicholas has worked as a waiter, a publisher’s office and even as a part-time teacher of a life class before he published his first book, The Hefty Fairy (1989). 

Since then he has been a full-time writer and illustrator. Many of his books are bestsellers, including The Queen’s Knickers, Father Christmas Needs a Wee, Jesus’ Christmas Party, Cinderella’s Bum, Heaven, and Where Willy Went.

His books have also been translated into twenty languages and he has also authored Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series for CITV.

Find out more about Nicholas via his WEBSITE.

Join him at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival...

Saturday 16th (16:00) & Sunday 17th October (15:00)

Buy your tickets by clicking on the link HERE.

You can find all his books on Amazon.


Visit my Main Blog to find out more about me and how I have been involved with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival so far!

Sara Grant, IWLF 2015

Sara Grant is an American living in the UK. She is a writer of multiple personalities, writing fiction for both children and teens.

In her own words: 

“Inside my head can be a confusing place -- I've got a sparkly magical side and a dark, edgy side too.”

We are very lucky to have her visit the Island since she is a busy lady who has, as a freelance editor of series fiction, worked on twelve different series and edited nearly 100 books (this is a LOT of books). 

She also gives writing workshops in the US, UK and Europe.

 
Visit her website to find out MORE.

 Join Sara at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival...

Sunday 17th October (10:00 & 14:00)

Buy your tickets by clicking on the link HERE.

You can find all her books on Amazon.

She is also on TWITTER.

Visit my Main Blog to find out more about me and how I have been involved with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival so far!

Bridget Marzo, IWLF 2015

Bridget Marzo has an extensive repertoire which include sharing lots of words and pictures about her childhood, her children’s book career working for publishers in different countries, and all she has learnt from teaching for over a decade in a Bauhaus-inspired art school and giving workshops around the world.

I am truly excited to be able to hear about her latest book, TIZ & OTT’S BIG DRAW, which has already received rave reviews and a Kirkus star of exceptional merit.

According to The Observer,

“Adults will derive metaphorical mileage from the story and relish the remedy for a creative block as much as any child: out of a deep hole emerges a rainbow-coloured ladder. A joy of a book – for all ages.”

Join Bridget at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival...

Saturday 16th (15:00)

Buy your tickets by clicking on the link HERE.

Visit my Main Blog to find out more about me and how I have been involved with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival so far!

You can find Bridget on Twitter, and buy her book from Amazon.

Diana Kimpton, IWLF 2015

Diana Kimpton is an author I can relate to and certainly one my daughter (who is horse crazy) will want to see.

In fact, I have read several of her books to my daughter already and I think they're brilliant!

If you visit her website you will find out more about her so CLICK HERE

But, in a nutshell, she has been a teacher, mum, and now writer! Even though, when she was at school she was not convinced about English (this really rings a bell for me). In her own words, "I was already too much a writer at heart to enjoy dissecting other people's stories". I have to say that I loved dissecting stories, but I hated learning about grammar!

I love the range of books this author has written. From picture books, non-fiction, and even a guide for parents to help children with maths! Fantastic.

I am really looking forward to hearing her talk and suggest you check out her books now via Amazon too... Amazon link. You can also look her up on TWITTER.

Join Diana at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival...

Saturday 16th (14:00) & Sunday 17th October (12:00)

Buy your tickets by clicking on the link HERE.

Visit my Main Blog to find out more about me and how I have been involved with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival so far!

Andrew Weale, IWLF 2015

The first author I am introducing at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival is...

ANDREW WEALE

Andrew Weale has many attributes of which he can be proud of… he gained  scholarship to Oxford University to study Latin & Greek, he set up his own theatre company (which allowed him to travel the world), and he even visits clairvoyants! Lucky this, since this soothsayer told him he would become a writer and he did!

Since then, his imagination has run wild and he has produced several fantastic picture books, and has great fun sharing his love for the art with children and adults alike.

Added to all this, Andrew is a film maker, song writer, web designer and photographer. And he is STILL developing, so ... WATCH OUT! Who knows! Maybe he'll be a ballet dancer next!

Find out more about him by visiting his WEBSITE

Buy his books via RANDOM HOUSE or AMAZON

Join Andrew at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival...

Saturday 16th (10:00) & Sunday 17th October (11:00)

Buy your tickets by clicking on the link HERE.

Visit my Main Blog to find out more about me and how I have been involved with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival so far!