December 25, 2011

Christmas Blog Hop WINNERS!!!!!

My lovely husband picked names out of a hat so its totally random

 


 






And the winners are.................

 



 1st..........Alice Priday
 



2nd.........nat2am
3rd..........nicolesender




please email me at bookschatter@gmail.com in order to claim your prizes (otherwise I'll draw another name)

CONGRATS ALL and thanks to everybody that entered, Merry Christmas

December 18, 2011

And The WINNER of DESTINY is....................

Proserpine


Congratulations Proserpine :) I'll send you an email shortly.

Thanks everyone for taking part.....and I hope you all take some time to read Mireille Chester's wonderful books :)

December 12, 2011

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop

Intoxicated by Books

Thanks heaps to Christina at intoxicatedbybooks for hosting this really great Blog Hop and thanks for dropping in to 'My Book Chatter'

So what's up for grabs??

Well people that pop in regularly know that I love ANYTHING to do with Angels. 

So what better for a Christmas giveaway than a book about Angels.....how about a Nalini Singh book about Angels?!?!

Thats right leave a comment and your email address on this blog post and one lucky commenter will win Angel's Flight by Nalini Singh which releases February 28th 2012 and will be shipped directly from The Book Depository.
(You MUST be able to receive free shipping from The Book Depository to receive your prize :)

And as its Christmas, I have 2 runners up prizes of these gorgeous metal bookmarks (1 to each runner up) 


Giveaway closes at midnight December 24th 2011 and winners will be notified via email and announced on the blog.


From Goodreads:

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all...

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless...

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.



I hope you'll check out all the other great blogs taking part in the hop for more chances to win some spectacular prizes :)

December 10, 2011

Book Review: Lure of Song and Magic by Patricia Rice

Title: Lure of Song and Magic
Author: Patricia Rice
Release Date: January 1st 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

Workaholic TV producer Dylan Ives believes former singing sensation Syrene Malcolm holds the clue to finding his kidnapped son. A lost child herself, Syrene cares about the missing boy even though Dylan's personality is nothing short of rude. But Syrene refuses to unleash her dangerous siren's voice, even for a man who is impossible to deny...

Click here to read an excerpt






My Thoughts

I had not previously read anything by this author and so had no expectations, and only in writing this review did I realise that this is a contemporary and present day continuation of the author's historical Malcolm and Ives characters.

That being said there really isn't a lot to complain about. 
The writing is good, the characters are believable, if a little 'Hollywood unrealistic' and there's enough mystery and shady back story to keep a new reader like myself interested.

Sadly, I just didn't connect with the characters.

I felt no urgency, no heartfelt longing in the love story. 
It was just a nice, not bad, slow paced romantic read for me.
3 Stars

December 3, 2011

Book Review And Giveaway: Destiny by Mireille Chester

I am super excited to be a part of this blog tour and I hope you'll all pop over to the author's blog page and check out her books, and maybe even visit some of the other blogs participating for more chances to win your very own copy of Destiny. Check out the details at the bottom of the page to win a copy here :)


Title: Destiny (The Chosen One Trilogy #3)
Author: Mireille Chester
Release Date: December 1st 2011
Publisher: Baico Publishing Inc.
Source: Received from the author for an honest review


As the final battle draws near, Hayden must deal with personal loss, unexpected good news, and the usual attempts on her life. Was the prophecy right and can she do everything that is expected of her? Can she go through with her plan when just one mistake could wipe out everyone she loves?

Here's an excerpt:

“There!”  I pointed down to a cluster of rocks below us.
Dodge angled his wings and turned in that direction.  The wind blew my hair in my face and I brushed it out of the way.
Are you sure?  I didn’t see anything.
“I’m positive I saw something.  There were at least three of them.”
Were they human?
“I don’t know.  I didn’t have time to check.”
Dodge beat his wings and took us higher into the air to avoid arrows if any were to be shot at us.  He made a lazy circle around the boulders.
They’re running.
I spotted the three beings running through the trees.  I sent a nudge towards them and shuddered at their lack of aura.
“Humans!”
Why aren’t they shifting?  They could at least pretend to be Majs.
“I don’t know.”  I glanced down and behind us where a tiger, a leopard, two grizzlies and a wolf were running to keep up to us.  Jasper looked up and I pointed in the direction of the three we were chasing.  “Do you think these ones will just surrender?”
Dodge blew out of his nose.  Probably not.  It’s almost as if they have orders to die if they get caught.
We had been travelling a week towards Howel and had come across four packs.  Out of the hundred Majs I had scanned three of these had turned out to be human spies with shifting stones.  All of them had decided to fight when they had been discovered.  None of them were alive.
“There’s a clearing up ahead.  Let’s fly ahead and cut them off.  Jasper and the others shouldn’t take too long to catch up to them if they don’t shift.”
Dodge veered off and headed to the open ground, circled back and hit the ground running just as the humans came scrambling into the meadow.  I pulled my swords and Dodge folded his wings over my legs to keep them out of the way.  One of the humans gave a shout and the three of them came to a stop then spun around as the rest of our pack charged out of the woods behind them.
They put their hands up and stood back to back.  Our pack circled them.  Rainen shifted so she could talk. 
“Identify yourselves!”
One of them, the smallest of the three, it was hard to tell the color of his hair because of the hood he wore, jumped and tried to sprint away.
“Don’t!”   This came from the blond human as Matthew launched himself at the hooded one.  He drove his shoulder into the leopard’s side and knocked him off of his friend.  The third man, this one with hair so pale it was almost white, stayed frozen in place.
Jasper crouched low, ready to spring at the blond man who stood between the shifters and his friend.  The latter was still lying on his stomach, his head in his arms.
“Your pack,” said the blond man.  He had his back turned to me.  “It’s different.”  He looked from one animal to the next.  “There’re both kinds in it.”  He ran a hand through his hair.  “God, what did she call them?  Nommies?  No.  Nimals?”  He shook his head, frustrated.  He turned to the light haired man.  “You know this!”  His friend stayed quiet.  “The other ones.  It sounds like magic.  Mage?  Mag.  No, that’s not it either.”  He took a deep breath.
The more he talked the more familiar his voice sounded.  “Look, I’m looking for Hayden.  You’ve got to be one of her packs.”
Jasper growled low in his throat and stalked closer to the human.
“What is your interest in Hayden?” asked Rainen.  She did a great job of not looking in my direction.
The man hesitated.  “I just need to find her.” 
Jasper shifted still ready to strike.  “If you were to find Hayden, what would be your purpose with her?”
“I need to talk to her.”
“What would you say to her?”
“What?  Umm.  Well, honestly, I guess the first thing I would ask her is if she’d had a chance to have a shower lately.”
My heart jumped in my throat as the voice and the sentence suddenly made up my mind about who the man was.  I sheathed my swords and slid off of Dodge.  The man turned at the sound of me landing on the ground and his hazel eyes locked with mine.
“Hayden!”


My Thoughts 

First of all, you have to read books 1 & 2 in this series and you can read my reviews for them here:
Book 1  Book 2

So, on with my review for Book 3 in The Chosen One Trilogy

I have laughed, I have cried. 
I have been shocked and surprised, excited, angry and relieved.
I have been devastated.
And I have cried some more (get the tissues ready!)
I have been totally and utterly enthralled by the world of Quelondain.

Mireille Chester has sent me on an emotional roller coaster ride that hours (and even days) after finishing this book, I still find myself tearing up when thinking about some of her incredible characters. 

I can say with 100% honesty, that this entire series, but Destiny especially, is a story I will hold near to my heart for a long time yet.  

The Chosen One Trilogy has been a story that is just so powerful, so totally engrossing, that I have completely lost myself in its pages. 
Am I rambling?
I know I'm rambling!
but I find myself at a loss as to fully articulate how wonderful this entire series has been for me. 

If you want to read a series of fascinating characters in a completely new and exciting world and be taken on a journey of a lifetime then this is the series for you.  

A series to cherish forever, and the easiest 5 Star review I have ever given ~<;]


NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY  

The fabulous author of this series, Mireille Chester, has kindly offered up one ebook copy of Destiny to a lucky commenter here at 'My Book Chatter'
So leave a comment and a valid email address for your chance to win :)

Links of interest:

Mireille's Blog

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

November 29, 2011

Book Review: Cinderella and The Sheikh by Teresa Morgan

Title: Cinderella and the Sheikh
Author: Teresa Morgan
Release Date: April 7th 2011
Publisher: Self published 
Source: Received from the author for an honest review

She's about to get charmed...

Libby Fay's safe little life as a waitress at a posh New York boutique hotel implodes when Sheikh Rasyn Al Jabar, black-eyed and seductive, crashes into her world and swears that he loves her.


The powerful sheikh will do anything to prevent becoming the ruler of his North African homeland, including marrying a woman who is inappropriate to be queen. When he sees the beautiful, bubbly waitress, he knows that she is the perfect wife to help him avoid the throne—all he has to do is make her fall in love with him.

All her life, Libby has longed for the same loving, equal partnership her parents had—something she couldn't possibly have with a forceful sheikh who ignores all her objections. But Rasyn seems to be able to charm her into anything, including his bed. Soon, she finds herself on a plane to Abbas, transported into a fairy tale come true.

Unfortunately for Libby, a Cinderella is the last thing this Prince Charming wants.

Excerpt 

Chapter One

The happiness of one woman was a small sacrifice compared to the fate of a country.

Sheikh Rasyn ibn Bakr ibn Rahman al Jabar watched her tuck a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear. Even from across the crowded lobby of Hotel Scheherazade, even separated from her by the glass wall that divided the café from the hotel, she drew his awareness to every move of her lush body. The busy porters and smartly dressed guests bustling around him faded like smoke as he watched her.

Even from here, Rasyn could see the gray-haired gentleman sitting at her table was dazzled by her too-wide smile. He snuck a glance down her generous cleavage when she set his meal in front of him, as Rasyn wished to do.

Rasyn folded the paper he'd been pretending to read across his knee, taking care not to smudge the ink onto his Alexander McQueen suit. She was lovely, he had to admit, even to his critical gaze. Lovely enough to tempt any man into making a fool of himself. No doubt she thought herself too fat, but who could explain Western standards of beauty, with their skeletal models and anorexic actresses? Her breasts would spill over his hands as he ran his thumbs over her nipples. Her lush backside would press against him as he gathered her to his hardened body.

A ripple of guilt threatened his resolve. Of course she had done nothing to deserve what he would do to her. However, for the good of all Abbas, he had to act. His cousin Imaran belonged on the throne, despite Uncle Anwar’s inclinations.

And it had to be soon. His uncle's illness loomed over Abbas like a shroud. The threat of the country devolving into tribal factions fighting over the succession was very real. Securing Imaran's rise to power meant proving his own unworthiness. If that meant seducing an uninvolved woman, so be it. The alternative meant people would die.

He would ensure her pleasure, at least. And when they divorced, enough material compensation to ensure she never had to wait tables again. Perhaps even a degree of celebrity.

Across the lobby, she laughed at something the old man said. Her smile transformed her face from mere beauty to that of an exotic houri.

She was perfect for his needs. He'd come to Manhattan intending to find an ordinary woman to seduce. But as soon as he'd seen this one, with shining ruby glints in her hair and eyes as green as an oasis, he'd forgotten all thoughts of plain women. He knew that she wasn't immune to him, either. The second they'd locked eyes, nearly a week ago, she'd dropped a tray of drinks, scattering liquid and shards of glass across the floor.

That's when he'd chosen her. She was beautiful, tempting, and vulnerable to him. No one would wonder why he fell for her.

Yes. He smiled inwardly. She was perfect. Beautiful.

And oh-so common.

My Thoughts  

A reasonably short read that was easily devoured in a couple of hours, this book is just as described in the title, a Cinderella story, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I found the writing flowed easily and I connected well with the characters.

The story was sweet and romantic, sexy and funny, with tension and angst in all the right places. 

Cinderella and the Sheikh was an all round great romantic interlude.

A delightful 4 Star read ;] 


Links of Interest

Purchase Cinderella and the Sheikh at Smashwords or at Amazon

Author's Facebook page 



November 28, 2011

And the winner is......................




Cecilia
 I'll be emailing you shortly to claim your Angel Wing earrings :)


Be sure to keep a look out because I'm having a few more giveaways over the holiday season 
so check back soon 

November 23, 2011

Book Review: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

Title: Lord of the Abyss (Royal House of Shadows #4)
Author: Nalini Singh
Release Date: November 22nd 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

My Thoughts

WOW
The best in this series was definitely left til last. 

Nalini Singh has done what Nalini Singh does best.

Fantastic world building. 
Extremely loveable main characters.
Great supportive secondary characters.
Exciting story.
Sexual tension to the extreme.
GREAT SEX!
Fun, laughter, sadness, love and loss, this story has everything.
Exciting story, exciting story, exciting story. 

I read Lord of the Abyss in one sitting and absolutely LOVED it.
Micah is a hottie and a sweetie and just so damn lovable, and Liliana is the perfect woman for him. 
Theirs, is a most beautiful love story that I would happily re read a lot.

A brilliant 5 Star read ~<;]

 



November 22, 2011

Book Review: Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen

Title: Lord of the Wolfyn (Royal House of Shadows #3)
Author: Jessica Andersen
Release Date: October 18th 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden.
To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance.
Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…
For practical Reda Weston, nothing could explain how reading a sexy version of "Little Red Riding Hood" catapulted her into another realm—face-to-fang with the legendary wolf-creature who seduced women. A wolf who transformed into a dark, virile man….
Dayn cursed the Sorcerer that turned him wolfyn and damned him to a lonely fate. As a beast, he mated with women to gain strength.
Strength he needed to rescue his royal parents. But as a man, he craved Reda's heated, sizzling touch. With little time left, Dayn had to either embrace his wolf to save his kingdom…or fight it to save his woman.

My Thoughts 


I was hoping for something really, really great here and sadly it fell way short.

The story was very slow paced and I found myself skipping over the pages for something to grab my attention but found it lacking.

I found the characters weak and truthfully, rather boring. 
There just wasn't any real spark for me, and I found the fraising repetitive.

The action picked up a bit towards the end but by then I was over it and glad to see the end.

A rather forgettable 2 Star read :|

November 21, 2011

Quickie Giveaway

I've been totally sucky in the blogging department just recently and my review pile hasn't gotten any smaller due to my hectic personal life at the moment. 
Throw in some sick kids, the hubby staying out of town for work, and a recurring health problem for myself and its disaster all round!!

We ALL need a pick-me-up.

And what better way to do that than a giveaway!

Now if you follow the blog you know I love anything to do with angels of any kind, so imagine my delight when I found these totally cute, if inexpensive angel wing ear-rings.

So here's the deal....

Just leave a comment, say hi, or whatever, but leave an email address and at the end of the week I'll draw a winner.

Easy peesy lemon squeezey!!!!!

November 14, 2011

Book Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Title: Tempest (Tempest #1)
Author: Julie Cross
Release Date: 17th Jan 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.


My Thoughts 

This book has already been compared to movies such as, The Butterfly Effect and Jumper.  
There are similarities, yes. 
But Tempest is something different, and much, much more.
(so clear your mind of any preconceived ideas)  
This book will blow your mind.

Tempest is not just an action packed read.
Its a love story, a conspiracy story, a mystery thriller, an action adventure, futuristic like fantasy with some chick lit moments thrown in too (tissues required!)
It really will mess with your head.

Julie Cross has intense story writing skills and has built a well written world full of vivid and alive characters, who she has thrown into some truly thrilling scenario's.

I loved reading this story from a male P.O.V. (whiny girls in love with 2 boys is SO overdone!) Jackson's story is a refreshing read. 
A young man who is strong willed, has strong morals and has a great sense of what should be right with the world.
Although his life has never been perfect (even with his privileged background) he still understands the true meaning of family and loyalty. And his love for Holly is timeless....although I much prefer 007 Holly over 009 Holly.

Tempest really is a fantastic book to sink your teeth into.
A 5 Star read ~<;]



November 9, 2011

Book Review: Fire With Fire by Penelope King

Title: Fire with Fire (Demonblood Series #2)
Author: Penelope King
Release Date: October 31st 2011
Publisher: Ascension Press
Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Book #2 in the Demonblood Series...

It's been over two months since Lucky and Liora decided their fate outside the cave. Over two months since Kieron left to finish his mission.

So why hasn't he returned?

Crushed and confused, Liora finds comfort with a mysterious stranger, a guy whose motives include more than just healing Liora's broken heart. Meanwhile, Lucky finds herself in the arms of an old friend...the one who has always laid claim to her true soul.

When the reason for Kieron's disappearance becomes known, loyalties will be tested, friends will be betrayed, loves will be lost, and hope will be found. Once and for all, Lucky and Liora will have to chose their destiny. And not everyone will survive their choice.

My Thoughts 

I have been chaffing at the bit to get my hands on this book since I read 'A Demon Made Me Do It' back in August. You can read that review HERE

I literally devoured Fire With Fire. 
Which probably was a bad idea, as I missed things that I shouldn't have.

But hot damn....I was Bones deprived!!
I will freely admit to having a HUGE crush on Bones ;P

I've now had a chance to have a bit of a re-read and you will LOVE every single sentence, every word in fact, of this engrossing, thrilling, exciting, sexy, tear jerking love story.

Yes I said tear jerking.....BIG hint *you will need tissues*

Penelope King has yet again produced a most beautifully written book that will leave you gasping for more, more, MORE!

When will Book 3 be available?
I dont know.
What I do know is, I will be I am chaffing at the bit for it already :)

Fire With Fire is most definitely a 5 Star read ~<;]




Other books available:

Demonblood Series Book #1
         
      












Spellbound Trilogy #1















Author links that may interest you:

Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4893411.Penelope_King

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002167812628






November 8, 2011

Book Review: Silverbirch by Rob Kaay

Title: Silverbirch; A Tear in the Fabric of the Night Sky
Author: Rob Kaay
Release Date: October 31st 2009 by Robkaay Publishing
Publisher: Robkaay Publishing
Source: Received from the author for an honest review

By eating an extremely rare mushroom that has a red lightning bolt image naturally built-in to its black-gilled underbelly, Nudge discovers he can create a tear in the fabric of the night sky that will allow his soul to legally leave Earth and enter Silverbirch.

My Thoughts

This is definitely not a book I would normally read, in fact I am way out of my comfort zone here.
The characters are definitely interesting and the storyline is really original. 

A diverse group of children that live through a horrendous event, meet up again as adults to tackle the mysteries of their past, and encounter something so exceptionable, so unexplainable that they are quite literally changed forever. 

I will say that there is a lot going on in this book. 
Lots of substories and plot lines and differing P.O.V to keep the reader on his/her toes. And I really did enjoy the twist in the age old heaven/hell, angels and souls story.
I did have moments of information overload throughout and wondered if I myself had ingested some mushrooms.

Overall a well written, if mind boggling (for me anyway) story.
An enjoyable 4 Star read :]

October 31, 2011

Share The Book You're Most Thankful For.....


When I was 9, my Dad took me to see The Neverending Story at the movies.
I eagerly watched Bastian read about Fantasia, a mystical land which desperately needs a hero to save it from destruction.
I also feel in love (for the first time ever) with Atreyu


A few years later, when I about 13, I found the book The Neverending Story by Michael Ende in my school library.
I had never been so engrossed by storybook characters before in my life. 
Yes the movie had been great but the book just blew my mind. 
It was while reading The Neverending Story that I realised how much more powerful words were than pictures.
And I feel in love with Atreyu all over again ♥♥♥


Its thanks to the beautiful and fanciful world that Michael Ende created that I fell in love with books (and leading men!!!)

Beth Revis is having an ULTIMATE giveaway over on her blog and you really need to check it out
 
 


That's right!
One person will win 19 signed books, a box of Turkish Delight, and a metric ton of swag and book goodies!

There's also going to be four runner-up prizes
 
So what are you waiting for head on over to 

Guest Book Review: The Tiptoe Guide To Tracking Fairies by Ammi-Joan Paquette

Title: The Tiptoe Guide To Tracking Fairies
Author: Ammi-Joan Paquette
Illustrator:
Release Date: April 25th 2009
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

What better way to celebrate the wonderful world of nature all around us than a hunt for local fairies? Children learn to spot the tell-tale signs of fairies in residence in this delightful mix of photos and illustrations. Then children can take their tracking skills outside to discover the magic in their own backyard. A perfect book for spring or summer!

My Thoughts 

This is another book I got for my nine year old daughter to read over the school holidays.
She happily read this to her four year old sister.

The following thoughts are entirely her own with no editing (bar spelling) from me.

I enjoyed this book.
I did like it but I don't think its good enough for my age, but my sister liked it heaps.
Its more a little kids book but good for big kids to read to little kids.
The fairies are kind of cute too.
3 Stars

October 29, 2011

Guest Book Reviewer: Cloudberry Castle by Janey Louise Jones

Title: Cloudberry Castle - Ballet School Secrets
Author: Janey Louise Jones
Release Date: November 1st 2011
Publisher: Floris Books
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley


Katie Mackenzie, who is crazy for ballet, and her family have opened the Cloudberry Castle School of Dance. Living at the school should be great-there are lots of girls with whom to make friends, a new ballet teacher has arrived from the Scottish Ballet, Katie can dance all day, and her mother is her ballet teacher. However, when posh girl Leo arrives with her chauffeur and trendy diet, she threatens to ruin everything. Leo might be spoiled rotten but she's a brilliant dancer-perhaps even better than Katie.
Will Leo out-dance Katie and get to play the lead role of Princess Aurora in the Christmas performance of The Sleeping Beauty? As the dance drama unfolds, Katie and her friends discover the statue of a little ballerina in the castle's grounds. Could it lead them to uncover more of Cloudberry Castle's hidden secrets?
This is the second story about Katie's ballet adventures at Cloudberry Castle, full of gorgeous girly charm. 

My Thoughts

So we've just had 2 weeks school holidays here in New Zealand and as any mother knows, it can sometimes be a mission to keep the kids entertained.

My nine year old daughter, who struggles at school, has shown an interest in books just recently and so I thought it might encourage her if she got to read and review a book before it hit the shelves.
And what do you know, she loved the idea!

The following thoughts are entirely her own with no editing (bar spelling) from me.

I really enjoyed Cloudberry Castle The Ballet School Secrets book. 
I liked the part when it was the big show. 
I didn't like when Tilda badly twisted her ankle, that hurt a lot.
All the people are interesting characters and its exciting.
I would really want to read more of these books.
5 Stars


October 27, 2011

Q&A With Guest Author Giles Paley-Phillips

The Fearsome Beastie Blog Tour

Before I introduce my very special guest author Giles Paley-Phillips, lets get to know him a bit more by reading his bio (courtesy of his blog page)

Giles was born in East Sussex in 1977 and grew up on the south coast. He neglected his education to pursue a career in music. He spent a number of years performing extensively around the UK, including slots at the Glastonbury festival. In 2006 Giles released a collection of lyrics and poems in aid of Leukemia Research, a charity dear to his heart, having lost his mother to the disease when he was six. After the birth of his first son, and a chance encounter with a collection of nonsense poetry by Shel Silverstein in a charity shop, he was inspired to turn his attention to Children’s writing. His debut picture book 'THE FEARSOME BEASTIE' CAME OUT IN MAY(Maverick Books) followed later in 2011 by THE THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT DINOSAURS which will be published by Gullane in a collection of nonsense poetry THERE IS A LION IN MY BATHROOM (Rebel books 2010, with proceeds going to Leukemia Research) and is OUT NOW in all good bookshops Giles still lives in Seaford with his wife, Michelle, and their two sons, Elijah and Sonny.

Welcome to My Book Chatter Giles, and thank you for being my very first guest author.
I have to say that my girls and I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Fearsome Beastie together. (You can read the review here)

Where did the idea or inspiration for TFB come from, and how long did it take to write?
The story was inspired my two son's desire to play hiding under blankets from monsters. Writing the story took about a day, but tweaking and refining it took a lot longer.

The illustrator, Gabriele Antonini has done a beautiful job with the pictures in this book, they're just gorgeous. Did you have any input into the look of your ‘Beastie’?
Not really, I saw an initial colour sketch and it looked great.

My Miss 4 thinks that The Fearsome Beastie is naughty and shouldn’t eat children!! If you were a Fearsome Beastie, what would you eat? 
I would eat Pork Pies! 
(insert sigh here....I miss pork pies something fearful nom nom!!!---Cath)

You’ve had some success with your band Burnthouse in the past and I know you wrote song lyrics. When did you realise that you wanted to write children’s books and was it an easy transition? 
It was when my first son was born, I just wanted to write for him, but it took a while to figure it out.


What have been the biggest challenges and/or surprises you’ve faced as a writer?
I find editing extremely hard.

Do you have any plans to write or would you consider writing a novel for adults?
Not for adults, but I would like to write something for older children


Who are some of your favourite authors and what books do you have on your ‘to be read’ pile?
In children's literature I love the work of Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein and Brian Selznick. In adult books, I really like, Chuck Palahniuk, David Glen Gold and Bret Easton Ellis.

What are three quirky, interesting, or little known facts you can tell us about yourself?
I got run over by a car when i was 10! 
I ran 400m in my county championships, I'm tee total!

Is there anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t touched on yet? 
I have two books out The Fearsome Beastie and There's A Lion In My Bathroom!
 
Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more surprising information and tidbits :)

If you would like more information about Giles and/or his books, here are some links that may interest you:



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