Mini Reviews

Due to lack of time this month I am going to be posting a couple of mini reviews.

A Ring Through Time by Felicity Pulman.
(ISBN: 9780732294885)

Alice 'Allie' Bennett Has moved to Norfolk Island with her family, where her ancestors had also lived. Finding herself an 'outsider,' Allie is determined to find out the truth about her ancestors involvement in the islands past.

A Ring Through Time is haunting tale of love, betrayal and sacrifice. It illustrates perfectly how easily the secrets of the past can be lost. Well worth reading.

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for the ARC.

 Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum
(ISBN: 9781430898284)

After three years in an unhappy marriage Emily Oliphant decides to leave her husband and start over. Not an easy feat when your husband is one of the wealthiest land owners in the district, but with the help of her friend Barbara, Emily slowly begins to reclaim her independence and follows her dream.

Saving Grace is a story of new beginnings and having the strength and courage to move on when the world falls down around you. A nice light read, but the ending is left wide open for the next book in the series, making it feel unfinished.

                                    Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Hooked by Liz Fichera

Title:  Hooked
Author:  Liz Fichera
ISBN:  9781743562451
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: February 2013

Synopsis:

When Native American Fredericka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.
But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.
But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

My Thoughts:

I thought I would have a hard time getting into this book, I am definitely not sports minded and this seemed like a very sports orientated book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Even though this book has a sports theme it is the deeper themes that shine, and the handy glossary at the back help with the unfamiliar golfing terms used throughout the story.
In one respect Hooked is a classic 'follow your dreams' story, but on the other hand it also tackles some bigger issues such as racism, bullying and the socio-economic division that is sadly a big factor of our everyday lives.
I loved the characters of Fred and Ryan, it was enjoyable to watch them develop and grow as the story progressed. In their efforts to find themselves and decide what they really want they make some annoying and stupid mistakes that I am sure most readers will be able to relate to. These details really capture the essence of growing up.
Overall Hooked is a fun and enjoyable contemporary romance. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane

Title:  Indigo Awakening
Author: Jordan Dane
ISBN: 9781743562413
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: January 2013

Synopsis:

Voices told Lucas Darby to run. Voices no one else can hear. He's warned his sister not to look for him, but Rayne refuses to let her troubled brother vanish. On her desperate search, she meets Gabriel Stewart, a runaway with mysterious powers and far too many secrets. Rayne can't explain her crazy need to trust the strange yet compelling boy — even though he scares her.

They discover Lucas is running from the Believers, a fanatical church secretly hunting psychic kids — gifted 'Indigo' teens feared to be the next evolution of mankind. Now Rayne's only hope is Gabe, who is haunted by an awakening power — a force darker than either of them imagine. A force that could doom them all.

My Thoughts:

Indigo Awakening throws you straight into the action following Lucas as he runs to escape from the Believers and his sister Rayne as she desperately tries to find him.

I really enjoyed the intriguing story line but found that the constant changing between many different points of view made it feel disjointed and hard to follow at times. Although it was interesting to see the story from the 'bad guys' side and it help build suspense.

Even though there was a large number of main characters I found them to be well written and easy to relate to, it was hard not to feel for them as their worlds were turned upside down.

A fast paced, action packed and suspenseful read, Indigo Awakening is a great young adult paranormal read and I look forward to the next one in the series.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Man Drought by Rachael Johns

Title:          Man Drought
Author:      Rachael Johns
ISBN:        981743560167
Publisher:  Harlequin Mira
Publish Date:  January 2013


Synopsis:


Imogen Bates moved to the small rural town of Gibson’s Find to start a new life for herself after the death of her husband. Tired of being haunted by the painful memories of her old life, Imogen set her last remaining hopes on the little town and, in particular, pouring her heart and savings into restoring The Majestic Hotel to its former glory. But while the female-starved town might be glad to see a young woman move in, not everyone is happy about Imogen’s arrival.

Sheep and crop farmer Gibson Black once dreamed of having the kind of family his grandfather reminisces about, but he’s learnt not to dream anymore. Living in the mostly male town suits Gibson down to the ground...and he won’t have anyone — least of all a hot redhead from the city — change a thing.

Imogen has never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when it concerns her last chance at happiness. She’s determined to rebuild the pub and create a future for the little town. But can she create a future for Gibson and herself, too?

My Thoughts:

Man Drought is the first rural romance book I have ever read and honestly, I am a convert.
Imogen buys an old hotel in a small country town, Gibson's Find, after the death of her husband, desperate to find a new start. She becomes passionate about restoring the hotel to it's former glory and breathing new life into the tiny community.
Gibson's Find like many other small country communities is mostly populated by men, and after a difficult marriage  that is exactly how Gibson likes it. But the other members of the community find Imogen's arrival refreshing and are more than happy to go out of their way to make her feel welcome and much to Gibson's frustration, he can't keep this redheaded beauty out of his thoughts.

It is impossible not to fall in love with the characters in this book. Imogen and Gibson are so determined and passionate, making it impossible for them not to lock horns, but they are also in their own ways slightly damaged which makes it impossible not not to feel their pain.
Although Gibson's grandfather Charlie, was my favourite character. Charlie is just the right mixture of sweet and stubborn, and he really brings the story together.

Rachael's writing style paints a perfect picture of country WA, for me it brought back memories of times spent on the farms of my friends, I could really picture dusty paddocks and smell the gum trees and sheep. Man Drought reminded me that despite my suburban upbringing I am really a country girl at heart, and the love of the country really does run in my genes.

Overall Man drought is a touching and heartfelt story of love, loyalty and community spirit. Easy to read and delightful, a great holiday read.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC

Happy New Year

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick note to wish you all the best for the New Year. I hope it is filled with loads of lovely books!
Last year I did not quite reach my goal of reading 40 books so I am choosing a more conservative goal this year of a mere 25.
I hope you all had better luck with your reading challenges than I did!

Garden of Stones by Sophie Littlefield

Title: Garden of Stones
Author: Sophie Littlefield
ISBN: 9781743560136
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publish Date: January 2013

Synopsis:


In the dark days of war, a mother makes the ultimate sacrifice. Lucy Takeda is just fourteen years old, living in Los Angeles, when the bombs rain down on Pearl Harbor. Within weeks, she and her mother, Miyako, are ripped from their home, rounded up-along with thousands of other innocent Japanese-Americans-and taken to the Manzanar prison camp.

Buffeted by blistering heat and choking dust, Lucy and Miyako must endure the harsh living conditions of the camp. Corruption and abuse creep into every corner of Manzanar, eventually ensnaring beautiful, vulnerable Miyako. Ruined and unwilling to surrender her daughter to the same fate, Miyako soon breaks. Her final act of desperation will stay with Lucy forever...and spur her to sins of her own.

My Thoughts:

I knew nothing about what happened to the Japanese-Americans during WWII so this book was educating and confronting. The story starts in 1978 with a murder investigation involving Lucy, then through flashbacks we learn of Lucy harrowing past. After the death of Lucy's father, Miyako and Lucy are forced into Manzanar prison camp, this is the beginning of a series of harrowing events that test the strength of both Miyako and Lucy as they struggle to survive and protect each other in this horrendous place.

 Atmospheric and haunting this book was hard to put down and even harder to forget. This book has left me lost for words.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

After Moonrise by P.C. Cast and Gena Showalter

Title:               After Moonrise
Author:           P.C. Cast & Gena Showalter
ISBN:             9781921796432
Publisher:       Harlequin Mira
Publish Date: November 2012


Synpopsis:


Includes the stories Possessed and Haunted

Possessed by P.C. Cast

Being a psychic detective who can channel only negative emotions makes Kent Raef good at catching murderers, but bad at maintaining relationships. Then Lauren Wilcox arrives with a most intriguing case: her twin sister has been murdered and is communing with Lauren's spirit - and sharing her body. Raef's the only one who can track the killer and free the spirit. But soon he begins to wonder just which twin he wants to save...and why...

Haunted by Gena Showalter

Artist Aurora Harper is convinced she's witnessed a crime - a murder so brutal she's repressed the memories, only to paint the scene by the light of the moon. Now she needs her new neighbour, Detective Levi Reid, to help her track down the victim - and the killer. Levi's dealing with his own memory issues, but one thing he knows for sure: Harper is meant to be his, and nothing can take her away from him - not in this life...nor in death…


My Thoughts:
After Moonrise consists of two short stories by two great authors. This combination makes After Moorise a must read for any paranormal romance fan. It would also be a great starting point for anyone new to the genre.

Possessed by P.C. Cast:

Possessed is a fast paced story, making it perfect for a quick read. Enjoyable although perhaps a little predictable, with an unusual and unique ending Possessed is easy to read. Overall a well written tale.

Haunted by Gena Showalter:

I have not read a lot of Gena Showalter, but what I have read certainly does not disappoint, and this story is no exception. Mysterious and raunchy Haunted was a delight to read and I found myself savoring every paragraph. Full of twists and intrigue, Haunted was a great read.