Summer’s Gone by Charles Hall + Giveaway (Aust) DRAWN

13 Feb 2015 2 Comments

by Amy in 5 Stars, Giveaway Tags: , , , , ,

Published: 19th February 2015Goodreads badge
Publisher: Margaret River Press
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
★   ★   ★  ★  ★  – 5 Stars

One short, beautiful summer of love, and then a tragedy – and the Vietnam War – will drive four friends apart.
But nothing is straightforward about what has come between them. And nothing is clear, really, until years later, when Nick goes back to where it all happened and trawls through his memory to put the pieces together.

Charles Hall’s novel tells a very personal story set in Australia in the rebellious days of the 60s, a decade of upheaval, when one’s own journey was intensified by the politics of the world – civil rights, feminism, drugs and, at the heart of the upheaval, the Vietnam War and conscription. It was a time of uproar on every level – families, music, film, relationships and a belief that not only did the world need changing but that ordinary people could change it…

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

What I love about this book is how Hall manages to capture the feeling of Australia in the 1960s and the following years through war, feminism, personal journeys, and most of all what it meant to be young. As someone who was not even alive during this time I found myself getting sad and reflective about the whole thing and it isn’t even my story, or close to my experiences, but Hall makes you become involved with these characters and care for them and every set back or joyful moment they have becomes yours. I was reminiscing alongside Nick despite the fact I have never experienced anything even remotely close and these were not even my memories to recall.

Part of what makes Hall’s writing work is that he knows how to make the reader understand the emotions and experiences of the characters. He knows how to capture the feeling of being young and doing whatever you want but at the same time also knowing the past is gone and knowing you could never have it again, leaving you to just look back at the past. Hall’s words convey the strength of friendship and the power it has, and through shared experiences there builds a bond and a solidarity that makes you think it can last forever.

The writing is sublime in as much as it is simple and uncomplicated, and the story is so well told it really does become a part of you. As you read you are pulled into these lives almost immediately; the experiences that Nick and his friends have are so real and you know them and pity them and celebrate them intensely. The same can be said of all of Hall’s characters, even the briefest appearances and mentions are able to convey a wonderful understanding of who they are as people and you truly feel like you know these characters.

The story is told through Nick, who alters narrating between the present day and thinking about the past. It is also told out of chronological order which is a brilliant move by Hall as it only adds to the reading experience by flitting around and going backwards and forwards and having memories within memories. Hall blends these different memories and moments together fantastically, he knows when to stop and move on and how to link back to the scenes that have been left unfinished or to slowly reveal hints and clues as he goes.

The amount of forethought and small details that you brush off as insignificant is wonderful, you never know what may be important later and Hall hides it brilliantly. These small details are scattered throughout and seem inconsequential but everything is connected and Hall demonstrates that everything they do and the people they meet are important and do have an impact on their life in some way.

There is an initial mystery that surrounds the story but as the novel progresses this fractures off into multiple issues and as a result shows the complexities of friendships and relationships and life, yet another thing Hall depicts brilliantly.

The best way I could describe this book is that it is beautiful and tragic and wonderful all at once and it is a heartwarming story about being young and in love. From the early pages I wanted to give this book five stars and I am so extremely pleased that the same could be said when I closed the book. A truly amazing bittersweet story.

Giveaway

In celebration of the upcoming release of Summer’s Gone I have ONE PAPERBACK copy to giveaway (Australia only I’m afraid)
Click here to enter via Rafflecopter

Entries close 28th February at 11:59pm AEDST.

Good luck!

 

You can purchase Summer’s Gone once released via the following

Fishpond

Margaret River Press

Amazon

 

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Icy Pretty Love by L. A. Rose + Giveaway

15 Dec 2014 1 Comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, General Tags: , , , , ,

Published: 15th November 2014
Goodreads badgePublisher: Self Published
Pages: 174
Format: ebook
Genre: New Adult Romance
★   ★   ★  ★   ★  – 5 Stars
Icy Pretty Love Cover - compact

Glass-doll beauty. A shy, proper smile. Georgette Montgomery is the perfect billionaire’s fiancé.

Or she would be, if she existed.

A dark past. A smile that hides everything. At nineteen, Rae Grove escapes her disaster life by pretending to be other people—specifically, whoever the man paying her that night wants her to be.

Until she’s offered enough money for a one-way ticket to a better life. All she has to do is fly to Paris and pretend to be the fiancé of young business tycoon Cohen Ashworth for one month. Within an hour of meeting Cohen, Rae knows three things about him:

1. He hates everyone and everything.

2. He has abundant wit and a knife-sharp tongue.

3. He uses 2 to make everyone aware of 1.

Before long, Rae’s determined to crack open his unbreakable shell. Cohen’s determined to stay unbroken.

But no one escapes unscathed when two opposite worlds collide.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book for review

This is a great novel. As she has demonstrated with her other novels, Rose is brilliant at telling a story and she uses her characters to tell her stories wonderfully. With Icy Pretty Love she offers something a bit different than before, but with the same style and skill as I have come to expect from her writing.

The story is not intense or even too serious but it is heart warming and the characters draw you in and you become involved in their lives and who they are as people; complexities, flaws, and strengths included. Rose has created characters that are real people, they are not overly special and held to a pedestal, they just are people, and they are trying to deal with their lives as best they can. Cohen and Rae have different lives, different pasts, and see the world through their own eyes and Rose contrasts these beautifully, using Rae to showcase their differences but also keeps their experiences and interactions grounded, making them authentic.

There is a greater focus on character exploration and development than on a sexual side as seen in Rose’s previous books, which is great if you are not a fan of detailed sex scenes or a strong reoccurrence of them, but this story isn’t actually about the sexual relationship between Rae and Cohen, or even romantic relationship essentially. It is about them discovering who they are as people, what they are doing with their lives and where they want to go. Perhaps that is why I loved it so much, Rae shows Cohen that there is beauty in the world and that being nice to people is important instead of being negative and horrible all the time. They learn and grow from being in each other’s company, some more than others, and they help to improve their lives and benefit from their time together.

Cohen comes across as rough and arrogant but even from the start there is something about him that makes you wonder, something secretive and unspoken, not just in his actions but in himself that hint that maybe his rough exterior is more mask than true nature. Granted he isn’t completely wonderful, but Rae brings new life into his world and with her optimism she aims to turn his view around. Rae notes multiple times it is hard not to keep sounding like a self help book in doing so but she is right about many things she tells Cohen, and as the month passes together you see their influences on one another flourish.

Cohen also hides a secret, and while I thought it was going in one direction, when I realised it wasn’t I was more intrigued to find out what it could possibly be, and I was not disappointed. Rose balances out the content in this story remarkably well and includes the information that is needed for the story while not keeping the mystery the focus of the narrative or making it a key point.

As for Rae, I loved her. She takes life as it is, tries to better herself, and even though she has had a rough life she does not let it get her down, instead she learns from it and it makes her strive harder. She also does not let it dampen her view of the world though she is not ignorant of the bad that does exists, and it was touching reading about her reactions as she explores Paris. Knowing where she has come from to where she ends up is a moment that makes you proud of her, and glad she has been given the chance she has.

Watching Rae influence Cohen is charming and captivating, as Cohen keeps his secrets close and you watch the pair get to know one another and figure out how their strange relationship will work. The characters are truly gorgeous, and the stories than surround them are divine. They are authentic, hopeful, lost, genuine, and Rose makes sure there is no exaggeration in her words that fault the flow of her narrative.

The negative moments of the story are balanced and there is not an overload of sunshine and lollipops but there is a strong grounded reality in the story Rose is telling us. There are secrets, revelations, surprises, and a wonderfully heart warming and real story being told and one that I look forward to reading again. Once again Rose has done a magnificent job.

You can purchase Icy Pretty Love via the following

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Giveaway

Giveaway

As part of her blog tour Rose is offering up ten ecopies of Icy Pretty Love.

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the author:

L.A. Rose recently made it out of college alive and with an English degree. She’s a habitual beach bum, a cuteness aficionado, and a not-quite-recovered romance addict. She’s a big believer in laughter as medicine and steaminess as…more medicine. You can never have enough medicine. Icy Pretty Love is her third New Adult standalone.

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Revenge and Retribution (#6) by Anna Belfrage

02 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, General Tags: , , , ,

Published: 29th June 2014
Goodreads badgePublisher: Silverwood Books
Pages: 371
Format: ebook
Genre: Historical Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  ★  – 5 Stars

 Life in the Colony of Maryland is no sinecure – as Alex and Matthew Graham well know. But nothing in their previous life has prepared them for the mayhem that is about to be unleashed upon them. Being labelled a witch is not a good thing in 1684, so it is no wonder Alex Graham is aghast at having such insinuations thrown at her. Even worse, it’s Matthew’s brother-in-law, Simon Melville, who points finger at her. Not that the ensuing hearing is her main concern, because nowadays Alex’s entire life is tainted by the fear of what Philip Burley will do to them once he gets hold of them.

As if all this wasn’t enough, Alex also has to cope with the loss of one of her sons. Forcibly adopted by the former Susquehannock, Samuel is dragged from Alex’s arms to begin a new life in the wilderness. How is Alex to survive all this? And will she be able to put her damaged family back together?

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

I definitely thought I was at a disadvantage when reading this book by not realising it was the sixth in the series, but Belfrage writes in such a way that if you pay close attention you do get told the key moments in their story and past that you have missed. By piecing together references and casual remarks the story and events of the previous books are made clear. Granted this isn’t in any detailed or complicated way, but it is enough, enabling you to enjoy and understand the current one.

Belfrage works it into the story seamlessly as well and while the references are often small and fleeting, they are enough to help you work out what has happened in the past, enabling you to understand how the events and situations in the current book came to be. As a result, even if you haven’t read the others, you still get intensely involved in the story and being so far into the series it could almost be a novel on its own, with only a more detailed back story required. As a continuation on the other hand, I can see it as a great addition to the saga, continuing the story of Alex and her family with real situations, events, continuity, and consequences.

Being the sixth book, there is a sense of it being another chapter in the Graham family saga rather than one that introduces anything new. A lot assumedly has been established in the earlier books and there is an investment in the family already. However even though it was my first introduction, by the end of the book I too was invested in the family, with the brief catch up to their past and the nature and honest reality of their lives, it is hard not to get involved.

There are great, complicated, and detailed characters that bring this story to life. Each character has their own story to tell and their own life to lead but they are all connected together so well. Belfrage manages to be detailed but not overbearing with information and despite the numerous characters, there is no confusion and it is fairly easy to keep track of who everyone is and what their role is.

Despite being from the future, by the time the sixth book occurs, Alex has spent many decades in the past and has established a life there. This means that there is a lot of focus on the current life, rather than her former, though there are occasional references and mentions about her life from the 21st century. Few people are privy to her secret, and it is great to see how those in the know cover when an issue arises and learn how she has hidden it so well. There is a fascination about each of these characters, not just Alex and her secret, and I got immense pleasure from reading about them and seeing their struggles and joyous moments.

The conflicts and dramas reflect the era but there are many similarities to the present day as well, reflecting what has changed and what has stayed the same. Seeing the Graham family live and survive without any of the modern comforts was part of the enjoyment and you realise just how clever and innovative the early settlers were. It also gives credit to Alex who is able to use her modern knowledge and adapt it to the different era successfully.

From the beginning of the book there is a feeling of something big developing and it grows steadily, snowballing to a gripping end through a narrative that is engaging, fast-paced, and at times emotional for numerous reasons. There are shocks and harsh realities, and some things that are very adult, brutal, and violent, something that may not appeal to everyone, but it is not without purpose and all of varying degrees. The characters are tough though and you see their strength and determination shine through with every obstacle that is thrown at them, no matter the size or severity. I don’t think you need to have been invested in these characters for five books beforehand to understand who they are, Belfrage demonstrates their strength and vulnerability so well, whether it is for simple things, the brutal, or the heartbreaking.

There is also a beautiful mixture of the present and the past, and even though Alex has become accustomed to her new life, there is still evidence of the old life shining through, making her stand out amongst the other characters. This is another reason to return to the beginning of the series, to see the gradual adjustment to this different life.

The historical aspects are well researched, and while I know little of American history, especially colonial times, there are minute details that bring this story together and add realism to the time travelling aspect. With so much happening there is never any real certainty of what will happen next, and with so many characters, each with their own troubles it means that surprises are always in store.

Belfrage has created a fascinating and captivating story filled with characters that you come to know, admire, and love. It is definitely a story that makes me want to go back to the start of the series and be introduced to Alex from the very beginning. From what is hinted at and mentioned in this book it is certainly a unique and mysterious journey but with an added danger as well, and one that is never truly forgotten.

 

The Donor (Part Three) by Nikki Rae

29 Sep 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Donor, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , ,

Published: 30th September 2014
Goodreads badgePublisher: Self published
Format: ebook
Genre:  Young Adult/New Adult
★   ★   ★   ★  ★  – 5 Stars

[Disclaimer: This is a serial novella that will be told in parts about the length of a short story (20-30 pages)]

Casey may have not known what was in store for her when she met Jonah Black on MyTrueMatch.com, but now that she’s with him, life has become even more unexpected. She’s discovered someone else in the picture and now she cannot figure out how she fits into the puzzle.

Convinced that he doesn’t need her, Casey is torn between giving up and doing whatever it takes to help her family. But Jonah, it turns out, needs her more than she knows.

Time is something neither of them have.
Can they hold each other together as the clock runs out?

Note: I was given a copy of this book to review

This is the final instalment in Nikki Rae’s The Donor novella and it is an excellent conclusion to a great story. The characters really drive this novella and we see them shine once more with Casey’s relationship with Jonah as well as with her family. Even through three short instalments a clear understanding of who these characters are is established. Rae uses her words well and with care and everything has a purpose.

The story follows on from the surprise in part two and it takes the relationship between Casey and Jonah somewhere new and unexpected. There are many surprising revelations but Rae maintains the calm and emotional connection between her characters and uses this to bring more sensitivity and sentiment into the story rather than over the top hype.

When we are first introduced to Casey we are unsure of what her intentions with Jonah are, and with each part we have seen their connection grow, as well as understand more of what their relationship involves. With the conclusion of this novella it is clear there is so much more to learn and it seems Casey is not the only one hiding secrets. Rae manages to change what you thought you knew about Jonah and Casey and transforms this little story into something even better than it was before.

Rae gets you so involved with Jonah and Casey that when the ending comes you are not expecting it. It isn’t that there is anything grand or outrageous in terms of action, but how Rae portrays these characters, each with their own vulnerabilities and insecurities, is great to read. Each part of this story has been a slow emergence of their thoughts and feelings, a gradual intimacy that doesn’t need over the top excitement or extravagances. The two of them together, still so unsure of one another, but still with a strong connection, brings out the best in The Donor and you realise just who these characters are and what they mean to one another and the purpose they bring to each other’s lives.

The ending is ideal. I found a “Wait, what?” escape from my mouth when I realised it didn’t keep going and stops where it does but after I recovered I realised it was the best ending to have, satisfactory but without having to play out everything in detail. Rae’s stories seem to do that, you get so invested into her stories that when the ending comes it is hard to believe they’re over. But they are given the best kind of endings for the story and Rae gives you the pleasure of furthering the story in your mind while not leaving you unhappy or without a solution or answers. Once again The Donor follows suit as Rae manages to conclude this novella with style and in a way that gives you answers but also doesn’t need to wrap everything up perfectly. A great conclusion to a wonderful novella.

 

 

 

 

 

Fractured Innocence (IFICS #2) by Julia Crane

24 Sep 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, General, IFICS, Science Fiction, Young Adult Tags: , , , ,

Published: 6th February 2014
Goodreads badgePublisher: Valknut Press
Pages: 194
Format: ebook
Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  ★  – 5 Stars

*Warning 17+ due to sexual gritty topic and language. 

Kaitlyn and Erik are sent on a mission to track down Vance Dasvoik, a ruthless monster. His latest thrill—abducting and selling young women.

Vance’s current victim: Aaliyah, a seventeen-year-old who never imagined walking her brother home from school one evening would change her life forever.

The mission quickly turns personal for Kaitlyn when she finds Aaliyah beaten, her mind and soul fractured from abuse of the worst kind. Kaitlyn knows firsthand what it’s like to be haunted by the past and resolves to bring justice to the elusive Dasvoik.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review.

In the previous book we were introduced to Kaitlyn and her abilities as well as her life at the compound. With this second book, the story takes a different direction as we see Kaitlyn in action, doing exactly what she has been designed to do and using her super soldier abilities to hunt down human trafficker Vance Dasvoik.

The story takes place mainly off the compound which was great because it allowed you to see how other people see Kaitlyn, not just those who know what she is. This also demonstrated how far Kaitlyn has come in trying to integrate with society and how she copes in the real world.

Like before we get multiple points of view from Kaitlyn and Lucus, but there is also the perspective of Aaliyah, a young girl who has been kidnapped by Davoik. Aaliyah’s perspective balances out the others nicely and it shows readers the other side: what is happening to the victims, and who and why Dasvoik is the target of the operation.

There is some recapping but it very minimal and Crane does well to keep it natural and within the story. It is also spread throughout so it does not impact on the flow by getting it over in one go, nor does it leave you confused about what has happened beforehand by ignoring it completely. By having a space between the last book and this one Crane manages to blend the recap in with the explanation about what has happened in that time as well as the developments and improvements Kaitlyn has made.

Kaitlyn is different, she no longer has to hide her true self and she is more open about what confuses her and what she is capable of. She still has a lot to learn and because of the logical part of her she does not always know why she needs to learn certain things, but she complies any way, eager to fit in.

As for Aaliyah, Crane is tactful but honest and description with her ordeal and situation. There are strong sexual and violent moments but Crane handles it well, bringing us into Aaliyah’s experience and her mind. The story captures the trauma and terrifying events, bringing out the emotional response not just the descriptive. As terrible as it is, Crane does a brilliant job in the gradual and realistic progression of Aaliyah and what she goes through, we see her struggle, cope, and reason with what she goes through. It makes for great reading, if at times a bit hard to read. You feel so sorry for her, but admire her strength and you hope that she is strong enough to recover.

The Aaliyah storyline and perspective is shocking, but it brings reality and conflict into the story, bringing it into the real world and away from the science experiment feel from the first book. This is a great sequel because you see Kaitlyn in action doing what she has been designed to do and the mission is it makes an already great story a gripping and intense one.

 

Purchase Fatal Abduction via the following

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

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