The Worst Thing She Ever Did

The Worst Thing She Ever Did by Alice Kuipers

Everybody Hurts, Sometimes!

Sophie is just trying to get on with things, isn't that what they tell you to do after something like this. She's sure she would be fine if people would just stop asking how she's doing. She doesn't want to talk about it, she doesn't even want to think about. She just wants to be left alone.
She's fine.

But slowly Sophie is coming to realise that she is not fine. Not by a long shot. Last summer Sophie's world was turned upside down and nothing has been right since, not her friendship with her best friend, not her relationship with her mother, and certainty not her own mind.

Sophie is angry all the time and living with the pain of what happened, the guilt, is tearing her apart. She doesn't want to think about it but its always on her mind, her sister is always on her mind and she can never forget her and what happened. But maybe, eventually, she can learn to live with it.

The Worst Thing She Ever Did is a beautifully moving story full of heart about the loss, pain, confusion and anger felt when those you love are taken from you. Very much a bitter-sweet story of tragedy and grief, it is an emotional book that will bring tears to your eyes. Brilliantly written with feeling, you wont be able to put this book down.

Alice Kuipers Webpage

Alice Kuipers @ Murdoch Book

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $19.95
ISBN: 9781741968071
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Loss
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Anxious Hearts

Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw

Home Is Where The Heart Is!

Gabriel and Evangeline, Eva and Gabe; two couples living more then one hundred years apart sacrifice everything to find what it means to love and be loved. Despite their differences both couples experience similar hardships and separation through distance, time, grief and death only to discover true love in the end.

Ever since that day under the docks when Gabe and Eva lost their shoes Eva knew that no matter what was to happen in the future, she would follow Gabe anywhere. But that was years ago, and although neither have talked to each other since that day, although years later Gabe disappears without a trace, she knows she would follow him still.

As children Gabriel and Evangeline played together but it was as they grew older that they realised their true feelings for each other. Even when on their wedding day when Gabriel and Evangeline were torn apart, neither would give up on the love they felt for each other, even if it meant they would lose each other in the end.

Anxious Hearts is a love story caught somewhere between dreaming, imagining and memories of a past life. It is a tale of longing, losing and finding love, but not all endings are happy ones. The alternate perspectives are the heart of this story with both Eva and Gabriel searching for the one person in their lives who make them feel complete.

Tucker Shaw @ Thames & Hudson

Tucker Shaw @ Abrams Books

On sale: 06 July 2010
Price (AU): $24.95
ISBN: 9780810987180
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Sisters Red

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

One Heart, Two Souls!

Scarlett was eleven when she was bitten, torn and ripped apart, along with her whole world. There was little choice in the matter when she threw herself in front of her sister to save her from the 'wolf', but it was not enough to save her grandmother. Scarlett changed that day but not into one of then, she became a hunter of them.

Rosie can't remember a time without them in her life, werewolves some call them, but that is not their true name. Only a couple of years younger, Rosie watched in horror as her sister took on the 'wolf' to save her, now Rosie lives for her sister. She hunts them with her sister; she hunts them for her sister.

Hunting is their life, the only life Rosie knows, for Scarlett it is the only life she wants. It is a passion that drives Scarlett and Rosie is happy to follow until she sees how different life could be, until she discovers her own passion. But Rosie is indebted to Scarlett; she could never not hunt, could she?

Sisters Red is a twisted fairy tale of loyalty, love and big bad wolves. It is a world where heroines bleed, romance is forbidden and hidden secrets threaten to destroy all that they have fought to protect. A tender and sweet story of sisterly love that must battle through the dark and bloody world of betrayal, loss and monsters to find a life that is filled with passion.

Jackson Pearce Webpage

Jackson Pearce @ Hachette Children's
Sisters Red

On sale: 01 August 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781444901474
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Wolves
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Parasol Protectorate 1

THE PARASOL PROTECTORATE:
Soulless by Gail Carriger

Soulless But Not Heartless!

Alexia Tarabotti is not like other girls, she's old, twenty-six actually, and plain with a large nose and tan skin, but being half Italian she can help neither the nose nor the tan. All of this is undesirable enough without being outspoken and assertive; it's no wonder that she is a soulless spinster.

All Alexia wanted was a quite place to be alone to enjoy some tea and treacle tart without being harassed, accosted or annoyed in any way. However she suffered the height of rudeness when a rogue vampire not only tried to bite her but sat in her treacle tart without even the manners to intrude himself first.

Well what choice did she have but to kill the insufferable fellow, besides with that badly tied cravat and cheep shirt the vampire was practically asking for it. Lord Maccon, werewolf and head of the BUR, would gladly liked to have seen an end to the whole messy affair were it not the beginnings of a dangerous and attractive mystery.

Soulless gives a Victorian twist to the vampire/werewolf genre that is highly creative and utterly hilarious. Traversing the dangers of social etiquette, scientific advancements, rituals in courtship and an unknown danger that is putting all at risk, Alexia is able to keep her dignity, for the most part, but her reputation may be shot. A daringly delightful detective story that is deliciously satisfying.

Gail Carriger Webpage

Gail Carriger @ Hachette

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $15.99
ISBN: 9780316056632
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Parasols
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: four out of five
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The Prince of Mist

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

A Man By Any Other Name!

Max was thirteen when his eccentric watchmaker of a father decided to move the family out of the city and to a beach house in a small town on the coast. There was war coming and it was a move to keep them from danger. However danger found them but it wasn't the war, it was something much more sinister.

Hidden behind a high wall at the edge of a forest is a garden full of statues, but these are not ordinary statues. A sunken ship sits at the bottom the sea, but it did not sink naturally. The clock at the old station was not just slow it was moving backwards, but that was not the only clock to be moving back time.

A new friendship, a hidden secret and a promise that must be kept will lead to a summer that will change lives forever. A summer that would bring fear to your very core, a summer that would break your heart, a summer that would never be forgotten.

The Prince of Mist is just one name this sinister being goes by. It is also a dark and haunting tale of danger, magic, friendships and love. One of the most eerie and gripping mysteries that will leave a chill down your spine and so unforgettable that will stay with you long afterwards.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon Webpage

Carlos Ruiz Zafon @ Text Publishing

On sale: 03 May 2010
Price (AU): $22.95
ISBN: 9781921656354
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Mystery
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Wings #2

WINGS:
Spells by Aprilynne Pike

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss!

Six months ago Laurel found out she was a faerie, she also found out about the Tolls, natural enemies to the faeries, and made a great enemy in the Troll named Barnes. But since then Laurel has returned to her human life with David, however her faerie heritage has never been far from her mind and neither has Tamani.

With the threat of the Trolls still looming Laurel's choice to stay with David and her human parents has not left her exiled from the faerie world, far from it. Laurel has been summoned to Avalon to continue her faerie training so that when the Tolls strike again she will not be left helpless. However the faerie world brings her more then just new skills and new dresses, it also brings her closer to Tamani.

Laurel has made a choice, she has chosen to be with David, a human, and she couldn't be happier. So why then is she repeatedly drawn to Tamani, a faerie like herself, she just can't seem to get him out of her mind. Straddling two worlds Laurel is never able to fully commit to one world or one boy. Although she is with David she is still holding onto an image of Tamani. But the time has finally come to choose, or else she threatens to put not just the humans she loves in danger but the faeries also.

Spells is not just a story of potions and magic, it is an introduction into the faerie world of Avalon. Slow to start as the world of Avalon is introduced and explored, it builds up to an exciting showdown. At its heart this is a story of relationships; family and friendships and love. These faeries will give new meaning to the term flower faeries, but before you dive in make sure to acquaint yourself with book one Wings, there is a lot of history to be learnt. A gorgeous and tender story that remains pure in spite of allusions of intimacy and the constant threat of danger.

Aprilynne Pike Webpage
Aprilynne Pike @ Harper Collins

Wings

On sale: 01 May 2010

Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780007347001
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Spells
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Montacute House

Montacute House by Lucy Jago

But She Never Owned A Mirror!

Cecily Perryn is an illegitimate child and as such is very lucky to hold the position of poultry girl at the estate house of Montacute. A position she is very proud to have and happy with too as she enjoys the company of the hens, they were much more accepting of her then those folk in the village, even those of her own relation.

For three years Cess had worked for Sir Edward Mortain, the Earl and master of Montacute, but it was only recently that she had know his son to be at residence. However such things did not interest her as they did her socially aspiring cousin Amelia, what was more interesting to Cess was what she discovered on the morning of her thirteenth birthday beneath the bottom of a hen, and no it was not an egg.

But this discovery was only the beginning of a series of seemingly random events to happen at Montacute, not the least of which being the disappearance of her best friend William. Can it really have anything to do with the dead boy who was earlier discovered as well as the rumour of witches that has everyone reaching for their pitchforks and, if she's not careful, pointing them in Cess's direction?

Montacute House is a story of court intrigue, murderous mystery and happily ever after. A little disappointed with the predictable outcome to this story, there are also a couple of story threads that are left without purpose. However despite this it still managed to be a solid read and a pacey adventure into the past.

Lucy Jago Webpage

Lucy Jago @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 June 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781408803776
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Witches
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: three out of five
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Ondine #1

ONDINE:
The Summer Of Shambles by Ebony McKenna

A Witch Did This!

In the small country of Brugel a girl is spending her summer holidays at Psychic Summercamp, a very real summer school that is not at all as fun as you might believe. Ondine having slept through an exam has had enough and has decided to run away to home, but she doesn't leave alone. A ferret, Shambles, has decided to leave with her.

On the journey home Ondine is shocked to discover that Shambles, the ferret, can talk. More then that he was in the past a real boy. By the time she arrives home she has learnt the how and why this is possible, however there is little time to ponder this now as things at home are hectic.

As the youngest of three daughters, Ondine along with her sisters face their greatest challenge in their overprotective father. This is despite the murderous plots, crippling gossip and thieves in the night. But there are some good things to look forward to too; a recovered treasure, a handsome duke and a new romance.

Ondine is a very simple but charming story of magic, mystery and love. As the first in a series this book offers a little of everything, including some very quirky little footnotes. Although not the story of water nymphs I had imagined it to be, those of you who know the mythology behind the name Ondine will know what I'm talking about, it is non the less an ideal read for any young girl looking for a pinch of mystery, a dash of enchantment, and a stirring of romance.

Ebony McKenna Webpage

Ebony McKenna @ Hardie Grant Egmont

On sale: 01 April 2010
Price (AU): $14.95
ISBN: 9781405253420
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Shambles
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Bridei's Court - Book 1

BRIDEI'S COURT:
The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier

The Best Laid Plans...!

Bridei's destiny is to one day become king, the druid Broichan and his secret council have worked hard towards this even before Bridei was born. They planned every step and every aspect of Bridei's life, save one.

Tuala was a gift from the gods, a daughter of the goddess and a child of the Good Folk. She and Bridei grew up together, much to Broichan's dismay, but even he would not turn his back on what was seen to be the will of the gods. But neither would he trust her, especially with Bridei.

In time Bridei and Tuala's childhood friendship grew into something much more. It was a love that would be tested time and again, a love that would face many dark times.

Bridei was to be king, it was destined, but the people would never accept one of Them as Queen, for the Good Folk were feared and despised. But if Bridei could not marry the woman he loved was he really willing to risk his destiny, a kingdom and the wrath of the gods to be with her?

The Dark Mirror is a sacred place haunted by the memories of the past, showing the possibilities of the future. An intricately plotted story of a boy and a girl and a great destiny. A love story at heart, this is a tale of friendships and betrayal, of politics and war, and the gods. A monumental adventure that steps into the past seamlessly blending history with myth and fantasy. A brilliant read written with beauty.

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780330426008
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Destiny
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Winners!

Winners!

My Winter Flings competition is now over and five lucky winners have been drawn.
It was a tough decision deciding who should win, so in the end I put all your name into a hat, well actually it was my purse, and drew out five winners.

Congratulations to

rebeccababeeey

Country Weddings

Emma Kate "Coops" @ Whats Cracking Coops

Glaiza

tkj81

Each of you will be receiving the following FIVE books featured on Winter Flings.

If the winners could contact me by 4 August so I can collect your names and addresses I'll get your books out to you asap.

Thanks so much to all of you who entered, and thanks also to the lovely people at Hachette Children's and Winter Flings who provided the books for this giveaway.
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