BLOGMAS DAY 24 – My Favourite Book Couples

1. Clary & Jace (The Mortal Instruments)- I haven’t completely finished the Mortal Instruments series but I ship Jace & Clary so hard, I don’t even really know why I ship them so hard! To be fair this series is full of amazing couples!
2. Will & Lou (Me Before You)- I love both Will & Lou individually and I absolutely adore their relationship. If you haven’t read this series, YOU NEED TO!
3. Anne & Gilbert (Anne Of Green Gables)–  They are a classic book couple in literature! I shipped these 2 together the moment Gilbert picked on her for having red hair.
4. Jessie & Jack (The Jessie Jefferson Series)- I struggled the whole way through this series with who I was shipping together but I just felt like I was more drawn to bad boy Jack
5. Tyler & Eden (Did I Mention I Love You)-Their relationship was complicated but it just made me ship them even more! This is a must read series.
6. Sophie & Billy (Billy & Me)- I fell in love with these 2 gradually, it is such a simple love story but it consumed me and I wish I could have a love like theirs
7. Annie & Jason (Whatever Life Throws At You) – I think my main reason for them being one of my favourite couple is because Julie Cross is such an amazing writer!!
8. Ron & Hermione  (Harry Potter) – I think this one is self explanantory
9. Rowan & Aelin (Throne Of Glass) – I’ve changed ship because Rowan is so dreamy!
10. Wing & Aaron  (Wing Jones) – Aaron is the sweetest guy ever and Wing is just such a special character!

 

BLOGMAS DAY 23 – Books I Need To Read

Six Of Crows – I  recently bought this book from a charity shop and I honestly think it’s time that I jump on board the Six Of Crows train!

A Court Of Thorns And Roses – I definitely need to read this series because Throne Of Glass is amazing and I’ve heard great things about this series so I expect nothing less.

All The Bright Places – I loved LOVED Holding Up The Universe and I’ve been recommended to read All The Bright Places numerous times, this is definitely high up on my tbr!

Am I Normal Yet? – I know it’s terrible that I haven’t read this series but I really want to!

Seed – I loved Paper Butterflies even though it made me an emotional wreck. Lisa has such a special way of writing that sticks with you.

Emma – Emma is supposed to be really good and I really want to get into Classics a bit more. Fingers crossed!

Illuminae – I’ve seen this book so many times in the past couple of months and it looks like the kind of book I would enjoy.

All Is Not Forgotten – I’m such a thriller geek and this supposed to be really good

Our Chemical Hearts – I went to the blogger event for this book back in October and I can’t wait to read it

The Mortal Instruments Series – I need to finish the series especially with the tv show coming back and I just love this series

BLOGMAS 2016 – Interview with Katlyn Duncan

So since Christmas is this week, I have decided to gift you with another interview by the wonderful Katlyn Duncan

You can contact Katlyn on her Website or by twitter @katlyn_duncan . BUT until then you can read an interview I did with her until then!

First Question-What made you want to write YA?
I’ve always felt a connection with characters in the YA age range. My teenage years were the hardest and most fun times of my life and I enjoy going back there in my mind with my characters. And I still feel like a kid at heart so that’s where I choose to write.

 How long does it take you to write and do you have a specific place to write?

What a loaded question! I suppose you mean write an entire book…and that really depends. It depends on length and timing. If I’m writing a full novel without a deadline, it always takes longer (maybe a couple of months for the first draft). But when I’m on deadline, I write much faster. I’d have to say the quickest I’ve ever written a first draft was five weeks and that’s with writing 7 days a week!

I tend to get a lot of writing done at my desk. Though there’s also the tendency for distractions. I have to log out of all social media accounts to really get my words flowing or else I’m back and forth during my session. With the new Scrivener iOS app, I’ve also been writing on the go, mostly at the gym while I’m doing cardio, only while sitting on a bike though, I haven’t mastered walking and writing yet!

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to read (obviously) and I’m obsessed with television. Right now my current favorites are This Is Us and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, to name a few. I even guest post on TvIsMyPacifier.com for recaps and reviews of these shows.

 Do you have a music playlist that you listen to and if so what’s on there?

I have to listen to instrumental music while writing or I tend to lose focus. My playlists vary from project to project. For ‘The Life After trilogy’ I was really into darker classical music and epic movie soundtracks. The last scene in ‘Soul Possessed’ was inspired by the song ‘The Game Has Changed’ from the Tron: Legacy soundtrack.

For ‘This Summer’ I listened to a lot of country, usually before a writing session since I can’t listen to lyrics while writing. One of the top songs was ‘Easy’ by Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield.

Describe “This Christmas” in 3 words

Fun, festive, sweet.

What made you want to write “This Christmas”

Normally after writing a book, I try to step away from it for some time, but I wanted to know more about Hadley and Will (from ‘This Summer’) and what their relationship would look like months later. And that timeline put me right around the holidays, which was perfect since I’ve never written a holiday romance before that.

What is your next book about?

My next book, ‘As You Lay Sleeping’, is a young adult thriller. I don’t want to give much away so you can check out the synopsis on my website, if you dare… http://www.katlynduncan.com/as-you-lay-sleeping.html (cover coming soon!)

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

I worked in the medical field for years before writing full-time. I would probably go back to that if I wasn’t given the opportunity to stay home. There are a lot of story ideas in that field!

Waiting On Wednesday – Gilded Cage by Vic James

Waiting On Wednesday is an event hosted by Breaking the Spine! The event is talking about upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England’s grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England’s most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family’s secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi’s brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

I’ve seen this book so many times on Twitter in the last couple of weeks  and I always find the best book recommendations on Twitter! The cover instantly attracts me and then the synopsis is just getting me SO excited! I get so many different vibes from this book that I can’t even put into words but what I can say is that I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE!!!!

BLOGMAS DAY 20- Guest Post by Zara Stoneley

It’s getting closer and closer to Christmas guys! Who’s Excited? 

Today I have a guest post by the lovely Zara Stoneley! A Bit of info about her below:

Zara Stoneley was born in a small village in Staffordshire and wanted to be James Herriot when she grew up. After completing an IT degree, working as a consultant, running a dog grooming business, teaching, and working at a veterinary practice she decided she had more than enough material to write several books even if she would never qualify as a vet!

She is the author of the Tippermere series (Stable Mates, Country Affairs and Country Rivals) published by HarperCollins, as well as several standalone novels.  Snuggle up this winter with her latest book ‘The Holiday Swap’- the perfect cosy, Christmas read which will whisk you from Cheshire to Barcelona, and back again!

Zara is currently writing the first book of a new series, which will be published by HarperCollins in 2017 – look out for a hot vet and the most gorgeous country village ever!

Before I hand over this post to Zara I should just let you all know that, you can find out more about Zara on her website www.ZaraStoneley.com. she also spends far too much time on social media so go and follow her on  Twitter and  Facebook   You can follow her travels in Barcelona and Cheshire on Instagram, and explore the inspiration behind her books on Pinterest.

Without futher ado….

It doesn’t feel like Christmas until… – Zara Stoneley

I love Christmas. I’m one of those people that doesn’t like starting too early – decorations in the shops in October is a step too far for me. But once I get into the Christmas spirit, usually around the second week of December, then I’m fully into it. These are some of my ‘must do’ things – what about you?

Watch ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Love Actually’. There are other festive films I enjoy, but these two are guaranteed to make me feel totally in the mood.

Toast marshmallows on the fire – cheap, easy, gooey and delicious. Though ours are often a bit singed, and ahem, have been known to catch fire.

Make (and drink) mulled wine. The smell of mulled wine, along with pine needles, just says Christmas. It’s also delicious with a mince pie or sausage roll – and the perfect accompaniment to a good film (see above).

Build a snowman. I can be quite a serious person, but this is one thing I reckon you’re allowed to do whatever your age. You’re also allowed to have snowball fights, and to roll down a bank if you can find one (like Flo does in The Holiday Swap) – in fact I’d say it’s obligatory.

Eat roast chestnuts and walk round the Christmas market. We have a great market in our small town and until I’ve walked round, bought yet another tree decoration I have to have, and sampled some of the food then I don’t feel like it’s properly Christmas.

Trim the tree. It has to be real, it has to be big, it has to be overloaded with decorations, and it has to have been knocked over by the cat at least once!

 

I hope you have a lovely Christmas whatever you end up doing, and whoever you’re spending it with.

Zara x

 

Blogmas Day 19 – INTERVIEW with Katherine Webber

No Long intro today guys because as you can see from the title I’m like the luckiest girl in the world because I get to interview Katherine Webber, author of Wing Jones!!! 

*Takes a deep breath*  As ou can guess i’m so happy to have Katherine on my blog! Before I start the interview, as always i’m going to give you a short bio and her social media info!

Katherine Webber is originally from California but currently lives in London.  She spent four years living in Hong Kong and has also lived in Atlanta, GA and Hawaii.

She loves an adventure, whether it is found in a book or in real life.  Travel, books, and eating out are her favourite indulgences.

Her debut YA novel, WING JONES, will be published in the UK on January 5th, 2017 by Walker Books and in the US on March 14th, 2017 by Delacorte/Random House.  

The film rights for WING JONES are represented by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership

Katherine is represented by Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge, and White.

You can find Katherine on Twitter at @kwebberwrites and alos on Instagram @kwebberwanders

 

First Question!What do you do when you’re not writing?

I’m reading! Or I’m going to book events—there are always so many amazing ones in London! Or traveling. One of my favorite things about living in London is how easy it is to travel to other wonderful cities in Europe. I also love exploring London—I’ve lived here for three years but I am still a total tourist!

Describe Wing Jones in 3 words?

Family, Hope, Girl-Power (totally one word!) 

What can we expect from your next book?

My next book is very different from WING JONES, but hopefully if you enjoy WING you’ll enjoy the new one too. It’s a breakup novel set in Palm Springs, California about a popular girl with family secrets who gets her heart broken by the person she thought she could trust the most. Like WING JONES, it’s about self-discovery, it has a touch of magical realism, and family plays a very big part of the story. 

What made you want to write Wing Jones?

I wanted to write a book about a girl runner, and the story grew from there. Why was she running? What made her running special? What made her special? I also wanted to write a story about a girl who fell in love but didn’t let falling in love define who she was. And I knew I wanted to set it in Atlanta, because I lived there for a year and I found it incredibly vibrant and inspiring. So all of that mixed together in my imagination, and WING JONES was the result. 

 What 2017 books are you looking forward too?

So many! A few that I’m especially excited about:

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I’ve been lucky enough to already read this and it is PHENOMENAL.
• A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard. Another one I’ve already read but think is so special and want everyone to read it. 
• The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury. The final book in Melinda Salisbury’s SIN EATER trilogy…I can’t wait!
• Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World. An awesome feminist anthology edited by Kelly Jensen from BookRiot. I don’t think it has a UK publisher yet—but I hope it will be pubbed here!
• The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig. I absolutely loved The Girl From Everywhere and am so excited for the sequel. 
• Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Laini Taylor is probably my favorite YA author so a new book from her is always cause for celebration. 

Where are your favourite places in the world?

Another impossible question! I’ve been very fortunate to get to travel to so many amazing places in the world. A few of my favorites

• London (of course)
• Orange County, California (where I’m from)
• Hong Kong (the city of my heart)
• Koh Samui Island in Thailand (heavenly!)
• Amalfi Coast in Italy (The food! The weather! The coast!)
• Yunnan Province in China (specifically Tiger Leaping Gorge—the deepest gorge in the world and one of my favourite hikes)
• Maui, Hawaii (my family lived on Maui for 3 years and it really is magical)
• Hilton Head, South Carolina (I love it so much that I included it in WING JONES) 

 

I would like to Thank Katie one last time for being apart of my blogmas and let you know you can pre-order Wing Jones on amazon now!

BLOGMAS DAY 18 -TV Series I watch

The closer it gets to Christmas the more time I have to catch up on my favourite tv shows. I watch so many shows, I don’t actually know how I keep up!

1. Empire

Empire is one of my favourite shows! It never fails to make me laugh!  I’m not going to lie about the fact that the only reason I started watching Empire was because Taraji P. Henson is one of my favourite actresses, she can play just about anything! 

2.Star

Star is created by Lee Daniels the same person who did Empire.This show has only just started but from the first episode and all the trailers, I know I’m going to love it! Plus the vocals on these girls are AMAZING! Also the songs are so catchy!

3.Teen Wolf

If you like mythology then I would highly reccommend Teen wolf as each season features a different myth! I’m so gutted that this series is ending because it means all my favourite characters are going 😦  I really hope they bring back Derek for the last season, he is my favourite character ever!

5. The Originals

I started off watching The Vampire Diaries and really loving it but then the Originals arrived and it was a whole different type of love because they are just fire! I highly reccommend it!

6. Pretty Little Liars

I started watching this series at around Season 5 and sped through the series in less than a month because it was so gripping! Ashley Benson is hands down my favourite in the show, her one liners are hilarious! alos HALEB

7.Young & Hungry

If your lookiing for a really good Comedy series then this is definitley a must watch. I’m always laughing so much I sometimes end up in tears! 

 

Guest Post By Jess

Five Classics I Love
Hi everyone! I’m Jess from bookendsandendings.wordpress.com (or @bookendsendings on Twitter), and today I’m going to diverge from my usual topic of YA and talk about five classics I love instead.

1. 1984
I read 1984 recently-ish, and absolutely loved it! I’m fairly familiar with the histories of the USSR and China, and so I found it really interesting to spot the similarities between the dystopian future in 1984 and the communist countries of the 20th century. It also had a rather bleak ending, which for me was somewhat reminiscent of Louise O’Neill! (anyone who has read either of her books will know exactly what I mean)

2. The Handmaid’s Tale
It’s probably somewhat debatable as to whether or not this book is a classics, as it was only published in 1985, but I would definitely say that it is a modern classic, and will certainly be considered a classic for years to come. Only Ever Yours (yes, another Louise O’Neill reference, but I adore her books) was described as The Handmaid’s Tale crossed with Mean Girls, so if you enjoyed it, or think that feminist dystopian fiction sounds like exactly your cup of tea, then I could not recommend this book enough.

3. Jane Eyre
This choice is somewhat different to the previous two, as they were more modern classics, whereas Jane Eyre is from the 1800s. While I’m not particularly a fan of Rochester or Jane, the book itself is clever, thought-provoking, and very rich in meaning, with layers of detail which is actually a lot of fun to read into and analyse.

4. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
When there are so many film adaptations and spin-off books (the ones that immediately spring to mind to me are Heartless by Marissa Meyer and Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes) of this one, I feel like it’s practically essential reading for any bookworm. While it is mostly somewhat nonsensical, it is also a lot of fun, and clearly an influential piece of literature when it has inspired so many movies and other books!
5. To Kill a Mockingbird
Another classic which could be considered somewhat more modern (I think that’s generally where my preference lies) but I didn’t think I could really leave this one out. All I’m going to say about this book is that if you haven’t read it yet, please do so very soon! And I’m sure many people would agree with me on that.
These are my favourite classics! I hope that you feel inspired to go and read some classics now, as there are so many wonderful ones to enjoy. Also a massive thank you to Liv for letting me write this guest post as part of Blogmas on her blog!

BLOGMAS DAY 16 -2016 Series I’ve Loved

I’m so excited to write this post because there’s been so many series I’ve fallen in love with this year! Anyway without further ado, let’s get to it!!

1.Throne Of Glass – Sarah J. Mass

Sarah J. Mass is a Queen! I LOVE THIS SERIES! My heart throughout this series has been broken, repaired and then broken again

2.Red Queen- Victoria Aveyard 

I recently read Red Queen as part of my summer reads and oh how I enjoyed it! It was fantastic! btw yu can find my review here

3. Did I Mention I Love You – Estelle Maskame

OMG!!! THIS BEAUTIFUL SERIES!! If you follow me on Twitter you know that I rave about this series every day of my life without fail! I love Estelle Maskame.This series is a must read.

4.The Mortal Instruments – Cassandra Clare

This year I have proceeded more into the world of Cassandra Clare, I have fallen back in love with Jace and everything is just right with this series! Plus I read 2 of these books as audio books which was so much fun!

6. Jessie Jefferson series -Paige Toon

This series was actually what made me fall in love with Paige Toons writing which if you don’t know is amazing seriously you need to go out and buy yourself a Paige Toon Book! Find My review of the last Jessie Book here

5.Rememeber Me – Sara Wolf

I love the character relationships in this book and the endings of the books are ridiculously good!

 

Thank you for reading my post! See you again tomorrow

What Light – Jay Asher

Amazon

Waterstones

Whsmith

Sierra’s family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon – it’s an idyllic place for a girl to grow up, except that every year they have to pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life begins to eclipse the other…

My Thoughts

I would like to thank Macmillan for acopy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Firstly the cover is beautiful and I love Christmassy books it just makes me so happy. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!

I have to admit that I was kind of disappointed with the outcome of this book it was extremely slow and I knew the whole plot of the book after about 10 pages . I thought that the book would have been a cute light read to enjoy but I was sadly wrong.

The book did not speed up at all and even though it had potential it didn’t pick up and was therefore quite dull.

It didn’t feel like the struggle between 2 states was explored enough and so I was just left bored.I really hate writing negative reviews but after pondering for a couple of days I have to admit this book was not my cup of tea.

Published By: Pan Macmillan