FLOWER FAIRIES: Sparkle Like A Flower Fairy

FLOWER FAIRIES:

Sparkle Like A Flower Fairy 
by Cicely Mary Barker

Sparkle For Yourself!

Fairies are known for their sparkle, but have you ever wondered what it is that makes them sparkle? Fairies sparkle with magic, fairies sparkle with love and fairies sparkle with kindness, but most of all fairies sparkle with happiness.

Being a fairy is about completing your chores and doing what needs to be done, only then can you claim your reward and your crown. Helping others in need is very important to fairies, and friendships are often cemented with bracelets.

Forgiveness is a very important lesson fairies learn, and often you can make others smile with a necklace made of flowers. A little magic is often present in all friendships, in the songs sung and the wands waved.

Parties are often planned to celebrate friends, and when you can love and laugh and believe in fairies you may just discover your own pair of wings, and sparkle like a Flower Fairy.

I love fairies, and in this beautiful book you will discover just why it is a Flower Fairy sparkles, and how to sparkle yourself. Cicely Mary Barker's stunning Flower Fairies guide you through a book full of lessons, discovering hidden treasures to take out and keep. An enchanting book for any fairy fan, and pages of fun for those wishing to be a fairy.

 

Cicely Mary Barker - Flower Fairies

 

On sale: 28 September 2009
Price (AU): $29.95
ISBN: 9780723264194
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Fairies
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Sookie Stackhouse - A Touch Of Dead

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE:
A Touch Of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Sookie's Quick Bites!

A Touch Of Dead is a collection of five short stories from the Sookie Stackhouse series that has been published here together for the first time.

Fairy Dust. (takes place after Dead To The World)

Claudine enlists Sookie's help to find a murderer. A fairy has been murdered and only Sookie has the skills to discover who murdered the fairy, and why? But will she be able to discover the truth before the fairies decide to take matters into their own hands?

Dracula Night. (takes place before Dead As A Doornail)

Eric is excited, it's his favourite time of the year, and a huge party has been planed for the event. Sookie has received an invitation to a birthday at Fangtasia, but it is not Eric's, its Dracula's, and rumour has it this year he just might show up...

One Word Answer. (takes place after Dead As A Doornail)

News of Sookie's cousin Hadley arrives in the form of a demonic lawyer, and he's not alone; he comes with vampires. Sookie is about to discover what has become of Hadley, she is also set a task that seems almost impossible to her. But is this one offer she can't refuse?

Lucky. (takes place after All Together Dead)

A mystery has landed on Sookie's doorstep in the form of an insurance agent with magical powers. It's a simple case, or so detective Stackhouse and her partner inspector Broadway thought. But even with a telepath and a witch on the case, they are going to have to be more then good to crack this mystery, they are going to have to be lucky.

Gift Wrap. (takes place before Dead And Gone)

Sookie has accepted the fact that this year she is spending Christmas alone; or so she thought. Someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to make this Christmas one Sookie will never forget; but will it be the killer Were on her doorstep, the naked man in her living room, or the surprise guest for dinner that is the most memorable this Christmas?

This book is invaluable to any Sookie Stackhouse fan, and if you're not a fan you should be. So many hidden gems from the Sookie Stackhouse universe are revealed as we learn all those glorious bits of inconsequential snippets of the lives affecting our heroin, Sookie. These are the background stories that enrich the series, a must read.

 

Charlaine Harris Webpage

Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

On sale: 01 October 2009
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9780575094437
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Short Bites
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: four out of five
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Faeries Gone Wild

Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson,

Lois Greiman, Michele Hauf & Leandra Logan

Faery Lust and Mortal Love!

Tall, Dark and Not So Faery by MaryJanice Davidson

Scarlett is on a mission. A very important mission. A mission from the King, and she will let no one stand in her way. Unfortunately for Scarlett it is not a person that is hindering her, but a large, heavy, wooden door that is constantly closing in her face. If she can just get through that door, Scarlett would discover a strange and odd mix of individuals, she would make new friends, find old family and quite possibly fall in love... But only if she can get through the front door first.

Pixie Lust by Lois Greiman

Avalina has entered the Mortal world for one reason only, to search for a rare plant, a Fern. But this is no ordinary Fern, at least not to a Fay, for it is believed to hold medicinal properties, and Avalina, being a Fern Fay, is determined to find it. What she didn't count on was finding William. Only the fickle and decadent flower faeries entered the Mortal world to consort with men. So why then all of a sudden is Avalina acting just like the silly flower faeries she has so little respect for, and is being with William really worth all the trouble?

Dust Me, Baby, One More Time by Michele Hauf

Sidney may be leading a double life, but both lives are as straight-laced as you can get. By day she is Sidney Tooth, librarian and Reverie local, keeping very much to herself. By night she is the Tooth Faery, silently entering homes and exchanging teeth for coins. Nothing can upset Sidney's work routine, nothing that is except Dart. Sidney may not have time to sleep, but is she willing to make time for Dart Sand, the Sandman?

A Little Bit Faery by Leandra Logan

Tia Mayberry has never quite fit in to the Enchanted Realm. Everything about her just seems wrong compared to the elegant faeries that call the Enchanted Realm home. So Tia has decided to try her luck in the Mortal Realm, she is leaving the Isle of Man for the Isle of Manhattan. But will her luck be any better among the humans, and will she be able to overcome her secret past to find happiness in the future?

In these four stories you will find naughty tales of pixy lust and adoring fables of faery love. Highly imaginative and vividly romantic, these stories are not for the faint of heart; these are definitely faery-tales for adults only. If you love faeries and love love, you will love this book.

 

MaryJanice Davidson Webpage

Lois Greiman Webpage

Michele Hauf Webpage

Leandra Logan Webpage

MaryJanice Davidson et al @ Pan Macmillan

 

On sale: 01 August 2009
Price (AU): $12.99
ISBN: 9780312945688
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Lust/Love
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: three out of five
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Sookie Stackhouse - Gift Wrap

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE:
Gift Wrap by Charlaine Harris

The Best Presents Can't Be Wrapped!

Gift Wrap is a short story in the Sookie Stackhouse universe that has been published in the book Wolfsbane And Mistletoe. A book of short stories about the furred persuasion and the Christmas spirit from a number of different authors.

Sookie is about to have one hell of a Christmas. She is not speaking to her brother, her great-grandfather is not exactly the Christmas type, and her house mate Amelia has left her for the holidays to be with her own family. All in all this is shaping up to be one lonely Christmas.

But her brother has planned a surprise for Sookie, one she may not like. Mostly because of the danger it seems to have put her in, but she's not the only one. Another tall, dark and naked man has appeared at Sookies home seeking help, and Sookie can never say no to a person in need.

However, things are not always as they seem, as someone else has plans to surprise the unsuspecting Sookie with a gift of their own. A gift like no other has been arranged for Sookie, and it will come from the most unlikely of sources. Christmas is no time to be alone and lucky for Sookie this year she doesn't have to be.

A lovely story of family, love and yuletide cheer. An intriguing story with a twist that you will never see coming, but with an ending to warm the heart. This story takes place before Dead And Gone, the eight story in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

 

Charlaine Harris Webpage

On sale: 01 September 2008
ISBN: 9780441016334
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Christmas
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: three out of five
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The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Which Ever Way The Wind Blows!

Julian Carax was once heard to say that we only exist as long as there is someone to remember us. According to all reports Julian Carax had died many years ago, but thanks to a small boy, Julian Carax is about to exist once more amongst the living.

Awoken in the night by the cries of his young son Daniel, a father makes a decision that will change his son's life forever. Daniel is introduced to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and it is within these numerous dust filled shelves that Daniel discovers Julian Carax, and a mystery that will haunt him and bring danger to everyone he loves.

From the moment Daniel picked up the book The Shadow of the Wind at the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, he became enthralled with the author Julian Carax. The only problem was that no one seemed to know much about how to locate any of his other books, if they still existed, and even less was known about the man himself.

Determined to discover all he can about the man whose books mean so much to him, Daniel embarks on a journey into the past. Hidden beneath secrets and around dark corners, Daniel is slowly able to put together the life of Julian Carax, a life that is not so different from his own, but will he live long enough to see it through to the end of the story.

This is a story about first loves, and true loves, and loves of literature. This is a story about danger, and murder, and wars; a story of secrets and mysteries. In this story madmen roam the streets with all authority and characters escape the confines of their pages to walk amongst their readers. This is a story about The Shadow of the Wind. In this, you will be taken in, unable to escape the mystery that burns within; a brilliant and unforgettable read.

 

Carlos Ruiz Zafon Webpage

Carlos Ruiz Zafon @ Text Publishing

 

On sale: 03 July 2006
Price (AU): $25.00
ISBN: 9781920885854
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Mystery
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy Book 1

THE SEVEN KINGDOMS TRILOGY:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Not Everyone Is As They Seem!

Katsa is a member of the royal court, her mother was sister to a King, and she is a lady of the court, but she is no ordinary Lady. Katsa is a Lady Killer.

There are those who are born with extra abilities, skills known as a Grace. It can take many forms from cooking to mind reading. Katsa, however, is Graced with killing. And there is no escaping what she is for she is marked, as every Graceling is marked, with distinct eyes.

Katsa has grown up under the power of her uncle King Randa, who had turned Katsa into his own personal killing machine. One day while on a secret rescue mission, Katsa meets a man who will change her life. She will blindly follow others, lose her mind, battle great beasts bare handed, sail over the seas, assassinate a King, and also find love.

Graceling is as much a story about fighting and adventure as it is a story about love. The events of great violence and danger are not out of place next to its tender and vulnerable moments. Its world is vivid and descriptive, with its characters both warm and unique in their conception. A stunning debut that will keep you up late, eager to read more.

Seven Kingdoms - map

 

Kristin Cashore Webpage

Kristin Cashore - Graceling Realm

Kristin Cashore @ Hachette

On sale: 01 November 2008
Price (AU): $32.99
ISBN: 9780575084629
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Graced
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Butterfly

Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett

Its Not Easy Finding Your Wings!

Plum is a fruit sitting unripened on the vine, she is round and awkward and unattractive. Aria is a song, beautiful and stylish, with the potential for fame and stardom. But Ariella Coyle is a butterfly.

Plum has always felt out of place, her family is not like other families, her house is not like other houses, and she is not like other girls. Plum is at that age where change is everywhere, she is growing up, no longer a child but still is treated like one. Nothing is under her control, her friends, her family, her body. It's not easy turning fourteen.

Plum has trouble fitting in, she is unsure of herself and her place in the world, in other words she is a teenager. Plum, however, has a secret weapon; hidden deep under her bed Plum has stored her most sacred possessions that are able to give her strength and courage. There is also the 'sister' she never had, a secret friend just over the fence.

But what is left for Plum when her world comes crashing down, and her secret possessions under the bed are no longer there for her, her secret friend a friend no more?

Butterfly is the story of growing up and learning that life is messy. Life is change. There are traumas and teasing and lies, but there is also understanding and selfless acts of love. This is a charming story of family, friends and life, which speaks to everyone who is about to turn fourteen, or anyone who has ever been fourteen. A greatly enjoyable book that has something for everyone.

 

Sonya Hartnett Webpage

Sonya Hartnett @ Penguin

 

On sale: 28 September 2009
Price (AU): $24.95
ISBN: 9780143203056
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Life
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The River Wife

The River Wife by Heather Rose

Every River Has A Story!

A young girl grows up in the forest, all alone but for her father, who is always at her side. When she was quite young her mother left her, why she did not know. As a woman her husband leaves her, again she can not say why. The only thing she is sure of is the river and her duty to it. For she is not of our world, she is a river wife.

By day she walks the earth as a woman, weaving the stories of the river, by night she sheds her human skin for scales, swimming the rivers with only the moon for company. She has lived for a long time, and will go on living even longer. But she has been alone for a long time, even her father who sits by the river has become still and silent.

Long had she questioned her place, her world, her self? Was she a woman who turned into a fish, or was she a fish who turned into a woman? Why had everyone she had ever loved left her? Then one day love came to her river, and somehow he reached through to her world, reached through to her.

For the first time she stopped questioning, and allowed love to take her. But no matter how strong, love can not endure forever. For if it lasts through fault and temper, ultimately one or the other will succumb to death. No one can fight the inevitable, that with love there is sacrifice, and that sometimes in order to save the one you love, you must leave them.

A simple but brilliantly tender story to submerge yourself in. Uniquely stunning in its story telling, The River Wife is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that weaves love and magic with the enduring qualities of nature and time. A lovely modern fable with a timeless quality.

 

Heather Rose Webpage

Heather Rose @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 July 2009
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781741757422
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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