TALON by Carian Cole

I absolutely loved this book. Again, I was impressed by the style of writing of Carian Cole and this book was the perfect companion for STORM - a book I also loved.

Asia (love the name) is a woman with a troubled past who seems unable to meet her dream man. Talon is a rock star known for his "reputation" with women, who is fed up with the usual one night stands and disappointments that follow from them.

Both are ready for a new start and become willing guinea pigs for a social experiment. They agree to marry without meeting first... it's a modern "arranged marriage" come science experiment. The idea is funny and interesting. Trademark to the previous book I read, Storm, the attraction at first is non-existent, but as they get to know each other sparks fly - sizzling in some parts!

But, the story, which has an unexpected twist, and writing is fantastic and I got drawn into this world SO easily!

I would personally LOVE to see the whole Ambers & Ashes series as a TV series and hope someone takes note. It's time for a new kid on the block - move aside vampires, open the doors to rock stars! As far as I know it has never been done and I think its time for stereotypes to be cast aside.

Another fantastic novel - a MUST read in my books. But, take note this is for 18+ only due to the sexual nature and swearing! (I might add that even though I hate swearing in this case it makes the main character, Talon, cute & funny at times - weird, I know!)

Buy on AMAZON NOW!

Enjoy, Vanessa :)

SWAYING by Lucinda Blanchard

*~NEW RELEASE on #KindleCountdown deal~*

I met this local author recently and have started reading her book - a world I never knew existed... enjoy & Happy New Year! 

Vanessa :)

'Swaying' is Lucinda Blanchard's debut novel which is set on the Isle of Wight. Charlotte has one desire in life - she wants a daughter. But you can't choose what you have... can you?

Desire soon turns to obsession as Charlotte embarks on a difficult and controversial journey to sway the odds to have a girl; even though it threatens her marriage, her sanity, her two sons happiness and her friend's life.

How far is she prepared to go, and at what cost?

'Swaying' is available from Amazon in paperback and kindle. The kindle version is currently reduced to 99p/99c offer ends 5th January 2016.

Amazon - UK - US -

Social Media links - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

My Review... 3 Stars

I have just finished reading this and I feel emotionally drained...

When I first found out about this book, I had my reservations about reading it, since I knew it would hit  a sore nerve. However, since I had met the author at the local library and I saw it on a KDP Countdown deal for only 99p I thought I'd give it a go.

Now, I have to say up front this is a very hard review to write. I know that getting a review that is a 3 may be considered by many authors to be a failure BUT let's be clear that this book is well written and an incredible debut. The problem is the subject-matter was one I found hard to stomach for personal reasons.

The premise of this story is about swaying the odds to have a girl not a boy.

When I found out I was having a baby I was over the moon and frankly did not care what it was. My parents were desperate for a boy and got three girls! When I found out I had had a boy after a difficult caesarian section I was overjoyed. But, in this book the character, Char, goes into a meltdown.

Char's relationship with her husband is so strange and I did not like him one bit. I could understand he was frustrated by her reaction, but I could not see what was special about their relationship. Ultimately, this is why we have children, isn't it? To have a family? I found their relationship hard to understand...

Then when she falls pregnant again after "swaying attempts" she again finds out its a boy. Now, at this point I'll admit that I had a girl - after another horrendous caesarian experience! Again, personally, I was glad that I was fine and that the baby was okay - the girl bit was a bonus (although a part of me felt bad for my son not having a brother)!

In this story, Char is scarred... she loves her boys but wants her girl!

I know of many couples who have had to resort to IVF and then adoption to have children and I find the whole premise of this book hard to swallow. However, I admire the author for tackling this head on and giving us an insight into the world others live in. Unfortunately, the damage caused by these obsessions is not always irreversible. 

I felt so sad when events unfolded and will not say more to not give too many spoilers. There are so many children looking for a good home in England at the moment. Is going to the expense of having a child, or in this case swaying, worth it? The pain caused by the need to have the perfect baby is surely not worth it... Parenthood is about more than having the perfect child. I know I always wonder how other parents do what they do, and many look at me wondering how I do what I do, and you know what? We all do our best.

In China, I believe parents prefer boys, so obviously in every culture, your personal upbringing, circumstances, etc, dictate what you view to be ideal. No-one ever seems satisfied! I missed my career for many years...

I am glad I read the book and hope you understand why for me it had to be a 3. When you have seen someone lose a child, or be unable to conceive... the sex of the child is irrelevant! Either way, like I said this is an incredible debut novel. I will be interested to see what the author comes up with next.

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.