• Books,  writing

    #Ad Q&A • C.v.Wyk – Blood & Sand (book)

    Hi All,

    Today is going to be a little different as I’m hosting a Q&A with debut author C.V. Wyk. Her first novel Blood and Sand comes out January 2018 (& February 1st in the UK). I wanted to give you an idea of who she is…

    Your name, location, book/series

    C. V. Wyk

    Washington, D.C.

    Blood and Sand (book 1)

    What’s your all time fave book?

    Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier

    Tell a random personal true story.

    I once met the original Red Power Ranger at an El Pollo Loco. It was glorious. (I was 7.)

    What inspired your first book?

    Ahh!! Where to start? There have been so many books and movies and songs that have made their mark on BLOOD AND SAND, probably too many to name. But Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “The Mists of Avalon” and the movie “Gladiator” are definitely high on the list.

    Which author can’t you put down?

    Dot Hutchison. Her stories are always so intricate and detailed and fantastic. Real writer goals.

    Who is your fave author?

    Who isn’t??? Lately though, I’ve been enjoying a lot of John Scalzi’s work.

    What is your all time fave series?

    His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

    Are characters inspired by reality?

    A couple of them. Xanthus’s physical description is based on an actual guy I know, and Jezrael’s name was borrowed from a friend.

    Recommend a best seller?

    The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison. It is so, so different from BLOOD AND SAND but absolutely brilliant if you enjoy thrillers.

    How did you get into writ/blogging?

    I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, but the first story I ever wrote and shared was in 7th grade.

    How long have you been at it?

    Forever?

    Please tell me your website/details

    Website: www.cvwyk.com

    Twitter/Instragram: @icvwyk (twitter)

    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30975382-blood-and-sand

    What is your fave (u wrote) book?

    This one because it got me an awesome author and editor J

    Do you like tv shows from books?

    I try to keep an open mind. It really depends on who’s behind the camera and how well committed they are to making the best possible adaptation. One TV show that recently got to me was The Handmaid’s Tale. So dark and so well done.

    Who is your fave book instagram?

    There are so many good ones, I can’t choose!

    How long did it take to announce your book to friends n family?

    I waited a couple of weeks. A part of me was genuinely afraid that the whole thing was a big practical joke, and someone was waiting around a corner to jump out and say, “Just kidding! Your book sucks! Na na na!” But that didn’t (thankfully) and I eventually told my friends and fam the news that changed my life!

    [Disclaimer: an affiliate link means the author receives payment and I get a small amount for buying from that link only]

  • Uncategorized

    3 YA books TBR in 2018

    This is a post dedicated to the top 3 YA books that were talked about all over the bookish community that I didn’t get chance to read in 2017. They are below with front covers and synopsis’s’ so you can see if you want to read them too… I’m sure you will!

    Turtles all the way down – John Green

    The story centers around 16-year-old Aza Holmes, a high school student living with multiple anxiety disorders, and her search for a fugitive billionaire. The only other details of the plot known to the public before release were that it contains, either literally or figuratively, tuatara, Star Warsfanfiction, an unexpected reunion, friendship and values of life. -Wikipedia.

    La Belle Savage – Phillip Pullman

    Set ten years before the His Dark Materials trilogy, the story follows 11-year-old Malcolm Polstead, his dæmon Asta, a village girl named Alice and her dæmon Ben who become the protectors of the infant Lyra Belacqua and her dæmon, Pantalaimon, in their canoe, La Belle Sauvage, after a flood. The novel introduces the alethiometer specialist Hannah Relf and a new villain, Gerard Bonneville. Returning characters include Lyra’s father Lord Asriel and mother Mrs Coulter, and the Gyptian elder Farder Coram. -Wikipedia

    Stalking Jack the Ripper – Kerri Maniscalco

    (Actually this is the first book in the series, released 2016 but I want to read this before starting her 2017 “Hunting prince Dracula”)

    The book follows Audrey Rose Wadsworth, in 1888 London. Audrey along with Thomas Cresswell twist their way through the London back world in order to discover who is harvesting and killing woman. And the shocking discovery of who is JacktheRipper. – Wikia/Fandom

    Have you read any of these? Are they on your TBR? Would you recommend them?

  • Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] Wicked – Gregory Maguire

    Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

    All about Politics, Witches and Wizards.

    I want to say I am reviewing this book after not reading in ages! Now that I think of it, I really should do a re-read at the end of the year when I get some time out of my busy reading schedule.

    This book is my all-time favourite book and it’s pretty good if I may say so myself. On my first read, I dived right into and it took me about 3 days to finish it. I really loved it.

    It is basically the backstory of who the “Wicked Witch of the West” in “The Wizard of Oz” is; where she came from, how she became “wicked” and why the wizard doesn’t like her.

    WARNING:

    I personally read the book before seeing the musical and felt it was an added bonus to the book & a FANTASTIC SHOW but do not be under the illusion that if you do decide to choose to approach Wicked the other way you will get the same experience ..you WON’T

    If you are looking to read this book (and the rest of the series) before watching the musical on Broadway/west-end I would wholly recommend this. However, I must caution anyone who has watched the Musical – This book is a long and sometimes quite a hard read. Although it is interesting it’s NOT like the musical suggests; fun and easy.

  • Books

    Christmas Reads? 2017

    As you are probably already aware, by the date this was posted, that Christmas isn’t far away. This is the closest I get to being festive online and I am getting excited to have lots of fun with family and friends!

    I am doing my top 3 reads that I think you could read this Christmas (2017). As always it is your choice on what you read but I think these are some brilliant suggestions to get you in the Christmas mood…

    1. Harry Potter – JK Rowling – Yes, there are scenes where the characters are around at Christmas but it is not a festive book as such but when I read the books they made me feel awesome & festive!
    2. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott – This is a book I am currently reading. It is a classic & once again after watching the old film I understand there are scenes of Christmas but not Christmasy.
    3. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens – This is the classic tale of a business man in Victorian London who gets shown how to be festive. I’ve seen loads of film adaptations but never read the book.

    Are you planning on reading any Christmasy books this year? What are they & are they traditional tales or modern classics? Tell me in the comments below.

     

    MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE & ALL

  • Books

    GoodReads Reading Challenge 2017.

    I am finally coming up to the end of my GoodReads Challenge in 2017.

    As you might have noticed I upped my amount of books to 15 as I went over 12 earlier in the year.

    This may seem quite small but it is because I am going from; A person who would not touch a book, in months, to; A girl who is now reading pretty much all my free time (when not sleeping, volunteering at a library – with free access to more books, learning a language or studying at home.)

    The reason I choose the GoodReads Challenge was that I needed the motivation to read again.

    I had the perfect opportunity to start from scratch and make a new blog . to try and encourage me to carry on going. I am now in about 4 groups on facebook dedicated to reading and blogging so I have the community around me now.

    How are you progressing with your Goodreads challenge? Are you happy reading? Do you feel more pressure to read within the book community because others are? Give me your thoughts and your responses to others!

  • Books,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] #ad Cold Feet: The Lost Years – Carmel Harrington

    35960041
    GIFTED*
    A trip down memory lane with the original cast!

    This book arrived nice & early with a press release explaining the publishing date, plus quite a bit of information on both the book and author. I then picked it up to read and here is my review…

    This book is centred around the lives of the original cast of Cold Feet. It is an easy read and is based on the time between the old first series 1-5 in the 90/00s and the beginning of series 6. The current series airing in 2017 on ITV (UK) is series 7.

    After reading a few paragraphs it is easy to slip back into the characters’ world in Manchester (UK). It shows light comedy and lots of relationship troubles as you expect from people that age.

    We get to have another fun look into the lives of David, Karen, Adam, Jenny & Pete. Also, it includes their friends, family, work partners and others. It, however, is set very close to Rachel’s death. She is brought up a lot which drops the tone sometimes but overall, it suits the storyline.

    This book is not only interesting it has good humour and suited for anyone over 15.

    Would you recommend this book? Yes, I would to anyone who enjoys the TV series. It’s a fun read!

    DISCLAIMER: I got this book from the Publisher “Hodder & Stoughton” for an honest review