Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables
illustrated by Arthur Rackham

The Moral Of The Story Is...!

This is a book that has been sitting on my book shelf for some time now, and back in 2013 I began going through these stories as part of the Moral Of The Story challenge that I never actually got around to finishing.

Contained within these stories are a number of classic characters that have a familiarity about them, such as 'The Man', 'The Old Woman', 'The Fisher' and 'The Woodman'. However there are also a great many more characters in these stories that are animals of one sort or another, such as foxes, wolves, horses and mice. It is through these simplistic and uncomplicated character and animal archetypes that these stories are able to be understood for what they are without the complications that more complex human interactions can bring, giving the moral to each story a more powerful impact.

Aesop's Fables is a collection of 285 fables that are, if not actually written by Aesop himself, than are Aesop like enough to be attributed to him. As there are some who may argue the authorship of these fables the point is not who wrote these fables but the moral of these fables themselves. Although old in their origin, and at times dated in their context, the morals these stories offer are timeless as each has the potential to offer wisdom as well as whimsy to those who take the time to read them. These are stories not only to entertain both the young and old, but also to give one something to think about.

 

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables

 

On sale: 08 September 1992
Price (AU): can be found Free online
ISBN: 9780517171981
Recommended age: all ages
In a word: Fables
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Sookie Stackhouse #13

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE:
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

And They All Lived Happily ... Well, The Lucky Ones Lived!

She was told there would be consequences for using the cluviel  dor, great magic like that could not be used without consequences. But even with her telepathic abilities she could never have foreseen this outcome. Saving Sam was a decision that she would gladly make again, saving Sam was a choice that made little difference to her life, and yet saving Sam was going to change her life forever.

Being framed for murder is no picnic, neither is sharing a jail cell with Jane Bodehouse the morning after one of her nights on the drink, which for Jane happened to be about every night. But even with little evidence against her there are those who will be glad to see Sookie go down, one way or another. But before this mystery comes to a conclusion there will be more then one revelation and more then one victim dead ever after.

Dead Ever After is one way to describe her past relationships. In this, Sookie's final adventure, old enemies return for a last showdown and final attempt to kill our favourite telepathic barmaid heroine. The last in this series, this story bring to a close all those questions you had about the fate of this fairy blooded southern belle and the small town she calls home. If you have been following this series then this book is a must.

Charlaine Harris Webpage
Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

Sookie Stackhouse

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9780575096622
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: The End
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: four out of five
xx

The Ghosts Of Nagasaki

The Ghosts Of Nagasaki by Daniel Clausen

"All Fact-Seekers Beware"

From memories comes monsters from childhood, a dragon from misspent days and a girl in red shoes. With a stone for a heart and a host of friends, enemies and others to haunt him, this is a journey across time, through sea and over land to discover life, love and a brand new heart. .

The Ghosts Of Nagasaki recounts the past from memories real and re-imagined. When faced with returning to the scene of his youth, the memories and ghosts of the those he once knew invade his present, all in an effort to make sense of a life unlived and unfulfilled. A refreshing and entertaining story that is not to be read lightly.

Daniel Clausen Webpage

On sale: 08 December 2012
Price (US): $15.00
ISBN: 9781478314479
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Ghosts
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

The Rainbow Troops

The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata

"Every Citizen Has The Right To An Education"
        

From the very first day of their educational lives this small group of children were struggling to obtain what is for many a basic human right, an education. An opportunity that was almost lost to them even before it began, the sacrifices, struggles and successes these children encountered are recounted to us through the eyes of Ikal. At the hands of a man who dedicated his life to teaching and a young girl who was determined to teach so that others may succeed, Ikal and his friends are able to experience what so many of their family members and fellow countrymen were not able to, the joy of learning.
       

The Rainbow Troops are a group of children who learnt how empowering an education was to self-development. These were children with nothing and with no chance of a future, but who through an education dared to dream of a better life. Through their struggles is gained a new appreciation for the opportunities that most people take for granted, a childhood with a chance to learn, play and grow. A touching story that will lead you through the good times and the hard times of a life lived in poverty, struggling for understanding and never giving up.

Andrea Hirata Webpage

Andrea Hirata @ Random House

On sale: 02 January 2013
Price (AU): $32.95
ISBN: 9781742758589
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Ikal
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

 

'You Poor Creatures'
   

This is not your ordinary story of a girl growing up. It is a story of one girl in particular, one very special, very different girl growing up with many other very special, very different children in a time when there was learning, understanding and hope. This is a life remembered, filled with laughter, friendships, loss and regrets. This story belongs to Kathy H. It is the story of her youth, her relationships and her hardships, and it is her story to tell.

Never Let Me Go embraces from the first page and shows how even a predestined life can be a full and emotional existence. This is not a story of science and technological advancement in the area of medical health, this is not a discussion on cloning and its moral and ethical implications on the individuals involved. It is a story of a girl brought into a world she doesn't understand, a world where she will never be accepted. A beautiful and tragic tale of a girl who, to most people, never really existed.

Kazuo Ishiguro @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 May 2006
Price (AU): $23.95
ISBN: 9780571224135
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Kathy
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Pandora English #3

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Skeleton Key by Tara Moss

She Has Never Been In More Trouble, Nor Looked More Stylish!

Pandora has only been in Manhattan for only a few months but already she has faced sanguine, zombies, ghosts and a goddess. Now she is looking forward to doing something normal, she has a date, albeit with a ghost. Once a month with the full moon the ghost of Civil War soldier Lieutenant Luke Thomas becomes human, well as human as you can get after being dead for over a hundred years.

Pandora had been looking forward to this night all month; it was going to be perfect. But Pandora soon learns that nothing ever turns out as planned when her date is spoilt as event after event leads to an attack of a green eyed monster. Abandoned, attacked and alone, Pandora is finding life ever more dangerous and her love life ever more complicated.

Who knew one strange date would lead Pandora to meet her destiny. As many truths about her new home and her own powers are brought to light, Pandora must stand alone to fight an army of the dead that threats to ruin a perfectly pleasant, if not a little awkward, date, brings immanent danger to her Great-Aunt Celia, and overruns Manhattan, not to mention Spektor, with their rotting corpses.

The Skeleton Key opens the door to hell and brings with it all manner of trouble for our inquisitive yet naive heroine. It is not so easy to save the world when you are still unsure of your own powers. However Pandora faces her greatest challenge yet with courage, intuition and a stylish wardrobe. A gothic love triangle that is fun, fearful, fashionable and full of tea.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan
Pandora English

On sale: 01 December 2012
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781742611631
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Necromancy
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
xx

Pandora English #2

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Spider Goddess by Tara Moss

She Is The Seventh, Whatever That Means!

Pandora is fast learning there is more to life then fashion; there are blood sucking models, a handsome dead ghost and now spiders. Lots and lots of spiders. Surviving the undead, inhuman and otherwise otherworldly was turning out to be hell, but surviving the New York fashion scene was not all that much better.

There is a mystery brewing as the number of fashion designers who are disappearing increases, however despite their popularity no one in the fashion industry seems to think much of this. Pandora, although curious, is unwittingly drawn into this mystery by forces beyond her control and she soon discovers just how deadly fashion can be.

Pride and envy are the biggest flaws in the fashion world and as Pandora finds out, in goddesses. But Pandora's troubles are only just beginning as she faces her nemesis Athanasia, battles millions of creepy spiders and discovers that there are more beings of darkness and death just waiting for their chance to battle the Seventh and step into the light of day.

The Spider Goddess brings Pandora face to face with mythological beings, artefacts from the past and the magic of the moon. As Pandora discovers more about her family history and her own future, more questions are raised as to what her destiny involves and her ability to do what must be done. This gothic tale is a web of mystery wrapped in an increasingly romantic and entertaining package.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan
Pandora English

On sale: 01 December 2011
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781742610030
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: The Seventh
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Wool - Wool Omnibus

WOOL: 
Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey

Removing The Wool From People's Eyes!

The Silo, a hundred and forty levels where people work, shop, play and live. It is home to hundreds and the only world they have ever known and all of it is underground. There is nothing else, no one else, just the death of outside and the knowledge that they are alone. They are the last people in the world.

It is forbidden to speak of the outside world, forbidden to question the laws of the Silo and those who do are punished, sentenced to eviction from the Silo and shown a horrifying truth, a beautiful lie. Strapped into suits, pockets filled with scrubbing brushes, they are cast out of the safety of the Silo and sent forth into a poisonous world. No one who has been cast out has failed to clean the sensors of the silo, gifting its residents a clearer view of the outside world. No one has failed to die moments later, only meters away from a freshly scrubbed view.

No one has ever voluntarily asked to become a cleaner, to willingly accept the death sentence that accompanies the opportunity to venture outside the Silo, at least that anyone can remember. Then in three years two people had asked, insisted, to be let outside. Despite choosing to leave, they too clean as the others had, and die as the others had. But what drew them to this decision will start a chain of events that will lead to the impossible, a person cast out who refuses to clean and instead of dying just walks away, disappearing from view.

No one sent out to clean has ever made it beyond the horizon, no one ever should. The repercussions for the Silo are disastrous and the only outcome is war. The people have been lied to long enough, they want the truth, they want a different sort of leadership, a new and better world. But those in power are better prepared, know what is coming and death is the only justice they believe in. While outside, beyond the horizon one person is learning just how deep the lies run, just how dangerous the world can be.

Wool is the story of the future, of people not set adrift on an ark but kept in the dark and buried deep within the earth. The hope for a brighter future being lost amongst the dirt and layers of lies, as the years pass over generations with no sunlight, no warmth and no illumination. As humanity strives for truth, for light, they find they are chocking within the confines of the earth, longing for colour, life and wide open spaces. A story that speaks to the nature of humanity, drawing you into an unimaginably frightening world that seems all to real, a future that is all too possible. A riveting story that should not be missed.

Hugh Howey Webpage

Hugh Howey @ Random House
This Is Wool

On sale: 15 December 2012
Price (AU): $34.95
ISBN: 9781780891231
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Future
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Pandora English #1

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Blood Countess by Tara Moss

She's Just A Writer Who Sees Things As They Truly Are!

Nineteen year old Pandora has big dreams, dreams that involve getting away from her stuffy small town and moving to New York, and luckily for her that's just what she is doing. Stepping of the plane, being met by a chauffeured driver, having an interview with her dream job lined up for the morning, Pandora couldn't be happier.

But then she discovers her new home to be a strange old building in a suburb that no one seems to know exists, she is awoken in the night by a spectre who is as surprised to be seen as Pandora is to see him, and her interview for Mia magazine that was to be her big break into fashion journalism turns out to be a disaster.

Despite the setbacks Pandora manages to find a job with another fashion magazine. She also exposes an age old secret to youthful beauty and in doing so manages to make some powerful enemies, inhumanly powerful enemies who have been a long time dead. Vampire is such a nasty term for these beings, but then some of these beings are particularly nasty.

The Blood Countess introduces Pandora to the world of fashion, journalism and the undead. The sanguine (vampires) are making a profit from the lives of the innocent and taking over the New York fashion scene. Pandora, like her name sake, is a girl with hidden gifts, gifts that she is only now starting to understand. A somewhat naive but very likeable female leads in this fun new gothic series.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan
Pandora English

On sale: 01 November 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781405040143
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Pandore
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
xx

Disaster #1

DISASTER:
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Love Will Break Your Heart!

When Abby met Travis, a smoking, gambling, fighter with a bad reputation, he was exactly the sort of boy she was trying to avoid. Yet somehow he was the exact boy she could not seem to get away from. Despite her best efforts Abby was falling for Travis, but with her stubbornness and his determination this relationship was never going to run smoothly.

Beautiful Disaster is entirely Abby's point of view of her volatile yet passionate relationship with Travis, a relationship that is at times the equivalent of a train wreck. Watching, or reading, this mishap called love is scary crazy and yet you can not turn away from the disaster that is Abby and Travis. A roller coaster of a book that fully lives up to its title.

Jamie McGuire Webpage

Jamie McGuire @ Simon & Schuster

On sale: 01 August 2012
Price (AU): $17.99
ISBN: 9781471115035
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Disaster
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Aurora Teagarden Omnibus 2

AURORA TEAGARDEN:
The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 2
by Charlaine Harris

There Is More To Life Then Murder!

Dead Over Heals.

A man falls out of the sky to land squarely in Aurora's, or Roe's, back yard and questions are raised, besides the obvious that is. But Roe is distracted by other matters. Now fully settled into married life the honeymoon is definitely over and Roe has found herself a little bored, restless and to be honest a little lonely, what with all the travel her husband does for business. But others too have noticed her husband's absence and are taking advantage of the situation to declare there own feelings. Of cause all this has nothing to do with the body that fell out the sky to land in her yard. Or does it?

A Fool And His Honey.

Roe was having the worst day of her life and things were only going to get worse. When an unexpected guest drops in leaving an unwelcomed burden on Roe's shoulders, they also leave behind a murder to solve and a missing person to find. But as its family that has landed trouble on Roe's door step she can hardly walk away. So as the lies and deceptions unfold into a twisted family feud, this misadventure will turn out to be the worst Roe will ever have to face. And a murderous plan will only end in blood and tears leaving Roe alone to pick up the pieces.

Last Scene Alive.

It has been almost a year since Roe's world was shattered, and in that time her life has come to a complete stand still. Unable to move on Roe is stuck, living in the past with only her grief for company. That is until she is visited by an old flame from the past. But with him comes a reminder of a dark and murderous past the size of a Hollywood film crew. Although the movie crew is entirely unwelcomed, Roe does find something worthwhile to hold on to, despite her stepsons visit, an actress's murder and the dangerous threats to her own life.

Poppy Done To Death.

It was no secret that Poppy, Roe's stepsister in law, was cheating on her husband, nor was it any great secret that the husband was also stepping out. So Roe, despite her fondness for Poppy, always kind of knew the marriage wouldn't last. What Roe didn't expect, however, was for the marriage to end in murder. But with so many possibilities of scorned lovers and enraged spouses, as many of Poppy's lovers were married, Poppy's murder could only be a result of her cheating ways. Right?

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 2 is an engaging collection of the last four books in this murder mystery series. Aurora, or Roe as she is known, is still a librarian; however she is no longer shy about expressing who she is or what she wants. Shrewd and determined, Roe's interest in murder and mystery is still as strong as ever, as is her perchance for finding herself in awkward and perilous situations. Entertaining as ever, these crafty and intelligent murder mysteries are the perfect way to spend the day.

Charlaine Harris Webpage

Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

On sale: 01 April 2011
Price (AU): $35.00
ISBN: 9780575096509
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Aurora / Murder
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

White Horse

White Horse by Alex Adams

"The Plague That Killed The World's Population"

The jar was the beginning; it appeared out of nowhere, delivered by no one to be found sitting in her living room. No one can say how it arrived, this ancient jar, or where it came from. But all that was secondary, the only thing to matter now was what the jars sudden presence in her home and in her life meant. The jar was a mystery, and the only thing she knew for curtain was that this mysterious jar frightened her.

It started with the weather, then it was the war. But it wasn't just one country against another, if it had been there might have been somewhere safe to run to, but it was the whole world and nowhere was safe. Now there were monsters lurking were before there were only people. With no where safe, she ran in the direction of the one person she loved, because at the end of the world where else would she want to be.

Having lost everyone she ever cared for, somehow she still manages to carry on. Because despite the disease, the death, and the monsters, despite the end of the world, life still goes on. Armed only with hope, she will walk halfway across the world to find a new beginning for the future, or she will die trying, for what else has she to live for.

White Horse is a gripping tale of the end of the world and those who are left behind to survive it. This is the story of one ordinary woman who makes a heroic journey across a wasted and broken earth in search of hope, love and life on the other side of the world. As the story unfolds the truth about the jar, the war and her love is uncovered. This is a survival story that tells of strength and humanity in a world that is no longer what it was. An intelligent, passionate and keenly written story that will hold you captive.

Alex Adams Webpage

Alex Adams @ Simon & Schuster

On sale: 01 May 2012
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9780857209962
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: White Horse
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Sookie Stackhouse #12

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE:
Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

What I Did, Or Didn't Do, For Love!

Having watched friends and loved ones marry, have children, and lead reasonably normal lives, at least for the most part, Sookie has often wondered what it would be like to have those things for herself. Yes, technically she is married to Eric, but a marriage to a vampire is not exactly legal, nor ideal when you only get to see your husband for a few hours a couple of nights a week. Not too mention the added stress of a vampire Queen out to claim your husband for her own.

But, as always, Sookie has other matters to tend to. Eric has been framed for a murder she is not entirely sure he is innocent off, having caught him feeding from the victim only minutes before her murdered body was found. The fae left behind on this side are becoming increasingly restless and dangerous, not just to each other but the wider population. There are also complications with the weres, or at least one were in particular who would like to see the end of Sookie. Then there is the cluviel dor.

Deadlocked sees Sookie trapped between a rock and a hard place. While it is true the fae cannot lie that does not mean they cannot deceive and being family the betrayal will cut deep. Meanwhile her relationship with Eric is strained at best and while both are looking to the other for an act that will prove their love, neither are willing to act themselves. However the sacrifice Sookie makes for love is not the one anyone would have expected and despite how much she cares, in the end love will break her heart.

Charlaine Harris Webpage
Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

Sookie Stackhouse

On sale: 01 May 2012
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9780575096585
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Cluviel Dor
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Aurora Teagarden Omnibus 1

AURORA TEAGARDEN:
The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 1 
by Charlaine Harris

One Real Murder Can Change Your Life!

Real Murders.

The real murderers met once a month to discuss real murders. It's a group made up of people with an interest in murders from the past. It's a place to discuss, investigate and ponder the motives and means behind true crimes. But things begin to take a turn for the worst when Aurora, or Roe as she is known, discovers the victim of a very new real murder and comes to realizes that one of their own really is a real murderer. If she can survive this encounter she may have another situation on her hands with not one but two potential love interests.

A Bone To Pick.

Getting over a broken heart is never easy, especially when having to attend the wedding of the one who broke it. But Roe has other matters to attend too such as dealing with three weddings, a funeral, a break-in, a birth and a very unwanted mystery involving a murder and a headless corpse. The one good thing in Roe's life, a newly gained inheritance that should have been cause for celebration, was beginning to be more trouble then it was worth, and considering the sum of that inheritance that was really saying something.

Three Bedrooms One Corpse.

After giving up her job as a librarian, Roe decides to try her hand as a real estate salesperson; after all it was a business she was expected to inherit from her mother, so she may as well give it a go while she had the time. However after her first experience Roe just knew it wasn't for her. It had nothing to do with strikingly handsome man she was dangerously attracted to, nor had it anything to do with the dead body they discovered within the house. The job just wasn't for her. But in the middle of house hunting, falling in love and fighting for her life she may just manage to solve a murder or two.

The Julius House.

The Julius house was an old mystery, six years old in fact. In one day the Julius family had disappeared from that house, no warning, no clues and no reason behind the disappearance. Now the house was Roe's as was the mystery. Just how had one family disappeared into thin air? It is a mystery she cannot resist, unfortunately there is another mystery Roe must solve, one much more frightening and extremely more important to her personally, that of her fiancés past. But while solving one mystery may be a matter of pure curiosity, the answers from the second mystery will change her life.

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 1 is an intriguing collection of the first four books in this murder mystery series. Aurora, or Roe as she is known, is a shy librarian, a failed real estate salesperson, an extremely curious woman and an intelligent but stubborn lady. With a little too much time on her hands and an interest in real murders, all this equates to a woman who will and has found herself in more then one dangerous and troubling situation. Despite her drawbacks, following Roe through a series of mysterious murders has been as fun and entertaining as it has been thrilling and clever.

Charlaine Harris Webpage

Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

On sale: 01 December 2010
Price (AU): $35.00
ISBN: 9780575096479
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Aurora / Murder
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Lily Bard Omnibus

LILY BARD:
The Lily Bard Mysteries Omnibus by Charlaine Harris

Life In A Small Town Can Be Murder!

Shakespeare's Landlord.

Lily Bard is trying to keep a low profile, stay invisible, but she soon learns that is an impossibility in a small town. With a shattered past and a fear of discovery, the last thing Lily wanted was to be implicated in a murder, however she reluctantly finds that if she is to prove her innocence she is going to have to solve this murder on her own. But in retrospect the death of Shakespeare's landlord could have been the best thing to ever happen to Lily.

Shakespeare's Champion.

When Lily unwittingly steps in to break it up a public fight, she also puts herself in the middle of the towns growing tensions. Not long after she discovers a murder victim. When all she wanted was to be left in quiet, she is again drawn into the lives of those in this small town discovering she is losing more friends then she realised she ever had. If Lily is to survive this race war with her life she is going to have to get to the bottom of this murder.

Shakespeare's Christmas.

Christmas isn't Christmas without family, food and a murder or two. As Lily heads home for the holidays, and also for her sisters wedding, Lily is facing up to some old demons. However someone has kidnapped a child and is desperate enough to kill any who would dare take that child from them. Unavoidably Lily becomes involved, but this time she is not alone. With Jack by her side Lily will uncover a devastating truth and discover a new side of herself.

Shakespeare's Trollop.

When Lily discovers the body of the town trollop in a compromising position she, as with everyone else in town, must assume that the murderer is one of her lovers. Meaning that just about every man in town is a suspect. However as the clues are gathered Lily must admit that things are not adding up. But in a case where little makes sense and where one death leads to another, discovering the truth will not be easy.

Shakespeare's Counselor.

The time has come for Lily to face her past if she is to embrace her future. Very reluctant to join but determined to do so, Lily begins attending meetings for rape survivors. Unfortunately after only a few weeks someone has decided to send a message to her group in the form of a murdered rape victim. As the bodies pile up in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, Lily experiences great loss, abuse of her trust and ultimately a new future.

Lily Bard Mysteries Omnibus is a great series of Who-Done-It tales centred around a strong, independent, intelligent women with a dark past and no future. Written without any supernatural influence by a skilled author of the genre, these in-depth and well thought out murder mysteries will keep you guessing just as much its well developed and colourful characters will keep you entertained.

Charlaine Harris Webpage

Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

On sale: 01 January 2011
Price (AU): $35.00
ISBN: 9780575096448
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Lily / Murder
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Coffee at Little Angels

Coffee at Little Angels by Nadine Rose Larter

There Is More Then One Side To Each Story!

In high school they were the best of friends; growing up in a remote country town they had little other choice. Now, years later, they had all grown up and gone their separate ways, at least most had. There were some who were still clinging to the past, unable to change or move on from events long ago, others however tried outrunning the memories of the past that still haunted them. None of them had expected to meet up so soon, there were some who would have rather not at all, but death has a way of bringing people together, weather they want to or not.

Coffee at Little Angels brings together seven people who were once close high school friends but now have nothing more in common then the death of a mutual friend. While for most of them it had been years since they last meet up, for others there had barely been a day between visits. All had been affected by the friendships they once had, all were hurting from the secrets, betrayals and broken hearts of the past. Now however over one weekend and numerous cups of coffee these strangers will reconnect, and rediscover what brought them together in the first place.

Nadine Rose Larter Webpage
eBook @ Amazon

On sale: 26 May 2011
Price eBook (US): $9.99
ASIN: B005HFK7UG
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Reunions
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
xx

Tova Gallagher #1

TOVA GALLAGHER:

Ecstatic Evil by Amanda McNeil

It's Good To Be A Little Bad!

Tova would be your average country girl moved to the city to own and run a book store with her best friend if it wasn't for a few small but crucial details. Her father was a demon making her a half-demon, or halvesies as they are known, and for her whole life she has been visited by two guides, one her cousin Bartleby who also happens to be a demon and the other a fairie named Fay.

It has been Bartleby and Fays' job to convince Tova to choose a side and the time has come for Tova to make a decision. Either join the side of 'good' and let the fairies help her suppress the demon within or join the 'evil' demons and embrace her dark side, denying her humanity but still getting to keep her demonic powers. With not just her own soul at stake but the future of all humanities, Tova had better make the right decision.

Ecstatic Evil is the first in a new series of serial books that is to have new entries published ever few months. An exciting, sexy, short story that easily fits into your day. Full of demons, fairies, werewolves, magic and a hot, steamy romance, this little tale will leave you wondering just what is in store next for this devilish new heroine.

eBook @ Amazon

On sale: 07 July 2011
Price eBook (US): $0.99
ASIN: B005C1AMK0
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Tova
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
xx

Haunted Heart

Haunted Heart by Tania Donald

What I Did For Love!

Eloise was a simple village girl whose life was consumed by her rose garden, her dear friends Georgiana and Miriam, and the possibility Mr Jones, a very amiable man whom she could grow to care for over the years they might spend together as man and wife. Although this was the future she could expect, somehow Eloise couldn't help wanting more, more then her little village, more then an agreeable marriage. What she dreamt of was a deep romance, but the price for such love does not come cheap.

With the newly arrived Mr White comes new possibilities for Eloise. With his alluring presence in her life, Eloise is awakening to a passionate love filled with the joy of possibilities and the pain of neglect. However if Eloise is to survive this new love and her lovers demands she is going to have to survive a transformation that will lead her through dark and beguiling ways. But even if she survives this transformation she may still yet fall pray to a darker end.

Haunted Heart tells the tale of love, passion, danger and a life lived through any means with only one goal; survival. As one young girl crosses the threshold into womanhood, she steps between the boundaries of her moralistic society and into a world of dark seduction, a world that brings life with death, a world of loneliness and of great love. In this mixture of a Jane Austen character let loose in the world of Dracula, what follows is a provocative tale of romance, where in the end one woman will sacrifice all for her love.

Tania Donald @ Penguin

On sale: 27 June 2010
Price (AU): $29.95
ISBN: 9781921518706
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Hearts
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

The Mall

The Mall by S. L. Grey

 

Shop Till You Drop, Literally!
  

It was supposed to be a quick trip to the mall, make the deal, score a hit and get back before anyone noticed that she, and the kid she was looking after, were missing. But after returning from her dealer to Only Book, the store she left the kid waiting in while she made her transaction, she discovered the kid had disappeared.

A run in with mall security should have been just what she needed, they would find the kid and she could leave, however they are not as helpful as she hoped. Worse still they are threatening to call the cops and with the stash in her pocket there is no way she is going to risk getting taken in. To find the kid she is going to have to take matters into her own hands.

When he left for work that morning he never imagined his day would end being held at knife point by a drugged up girl, forced to search behind the scenes at the mall for a kid that has probably already been found is long home by now. But as the detour through the mall becomes more and more dangerous and surreal, he realises he has more important things to worry about.

The mall became a labyrinth, it shouldn't have been possible, he knew the mall and none of these turns and corridors existed. But here they were being chased by monsters in the dark, stumbling over dismembered mannequins and being confronted by a distorted version of reality. Suddenly getting out is not a question of how by why.

The Mall is a gritty, raw and provocative story that turns society inside out and strips it down to expose its discarded, scared and rotting core. Through drugs, violence, consumerism and days spent in a nightmare world on the run for their lives, Rhoda and Dan discover that the life they once had is no longer the life they wish to lead. A thought provoking and chilling read.

S. L. Grey @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 August 2011
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9781848878860
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: The Mall
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Sookie Stackhouse - The Sookie Stackhouse Companion

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE:
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris
  

'A Complete Guide To The Sookie Stackhouse Series'
  

Welcome to Bon Temps, a cosy little town where a freakishly high number of supernatural's call home and where life is anything but easy and laid back. For Sookie, a telepath, life has drastically changed since the vamps came out of the coffin a few years back. More specifically her life changed the night she met her first vampire, Bill, and ever since then she has never looked back.

Several years, and books, later Sookie is still solving, plotting and uncovering murders in her own unique corner of the south. However just because Sookie is a mind reader does not necessarily gain her access to every secret hidden within the minds of those she encounters, such as the private dialogues between Eric and Bill that are now revealed. Nor had she any idea that the Chocolate Cake Caroline Bellefleur is famous for is a scandalously easy recipe to follow.

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion is a comprehensive peak into a small southern town and the people who call it home. While Charlaine Harris sits down to a q&a, Sookie gives up all her knowledge on the supernatural beings that have had a great impact on her once simple life. This is a perfect way to rediscover the books, test your knowledge on the events in Sookie's life and enjoy something new in a bonus short story.

Charlaine Harris Webpage

Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

Sookie Stackhouse

On sale: 01 September 2011
Price (AU): $32.99
ISBN: 9780575097537
Recommended age: 18
In a word: Sookie Stackhouse
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: four out of five
xx