Top Ten Tuesday - Beach Reads

Unfortunately I wont be taking part in this week Top Ten Tuesday as even though I could visit the beach when on holiday if I do go on holiday, I do not have any beach reads or go to authors for beach visits. I will make up for it next week though.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish

Murder And More - Gerald Darnell

Synopsis:

Carson's feud with a local crime reporter continues, and then suddenly the husband of his client is brutally murdered - a husband he's been hired to investigate. Mysterious characters weave a web of blackmail and suspense, while leaving Carson with more clients than he can handle. The Memphis police have warned Carson to back off, but an employee of a friend is missing from a murder scene and he's determined to find her and the killer. Follow Carson to New Orleans, Humboldt, Memphis and Florida as he chases numerous suspects trying to track down a missing person and the killer he's been hired to find. Enjoy this unusual adventure for Carson Reno, while he struggles to solve the case of 'Murder and More'.

Review:

I can't exactly say what I was expecting because it wasn't what happened at all, anywhere near in fact. I loved how fast paced it was, as soon as I begun reading I was pulled into the drama and it was unexpected at that.

I was at first concerned that I wouldn't be able to make sense of all that was going on as this book is a part of a series ( Carson Reno Mystery Series) but as Gerald explained to me this book stands alone and everything ended up being crystal clear so I easily understood everything.

The pictures involved in the pages of the book were really nice and a great change from the usual block of text. I like how not only they split up the text but also helped you imagine the story unfolding in these places because after all each and every one of the photos were of either places or of objects used in the story which helped enhance the overall immersion.

I have to admit I didn't see any of it coming, i was always greeted with a new surprise just as the characters were. 

The characters were portrayed well enough for you to automatically know how they'd react in different situations based upon their behaviours and such. For the characters who are involved in this story whether they have large parts or small parts in the story really interested me. 

The plot was very much a great one, it was a very well thought out and well written. Part of me thinks only Gerald could of pulled off such an extraordinary plot line like he did. Although to some the plot may seen far fetched or whatever, it was very gripping and brilliant. 

I have to give this book a 5/5 I'd feel horrendous and it would feel very wrong for me to mark it anything else. It was truly brilliant and gripping all the way through. There are no negatives from me. I will be checking out more of Gerald's work when I have free time. 

Crime Log

I sip my tea and sit down unfolding the days newspaper in my lap. I flick through the pages, dog with six legs, a page all about the sun for some reason which I cared nothing for.

Then I reach the section I wanted. The crime log. It listed pictures and names of criminals from all over the country. Today I notice a few familiar names who had made it into other crime logs.

Three rows down I spot an even familiar name. My own. I was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. I look over the section again to make sure I have it right.

After the third look I understand it's there. My heart begins to thump louder in my ears, a lump in my throat and a taste in my mouth that my tea couldn't cover.

I don't understand, I haven't touched anyone. Im 5ft 5 how could I? I'm snapped out of my thoughts by a loud knocking on the front door.

"Open up its the police" and I try not to panic, it's a case is mistaken identity. All I had to do was let them in and iron out the creases.

With my tea in had I slowly walk to the door.
"I'm opening the door now' I tell them as I open the deadlock, pull out the chain and twist the key. As soon as the door opens I'm grabbed by several hands my cup of tea is now all over me and the mug has been taken away.

Everything happens so quickly I don't get a chance to talk. I'm read my rights as I'm cuffed and placed in the back of the car and taken to the station.

It takes them 3 weeks to realise I wasn't their person.

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed

This is a list of 10 books that over time my love has grown for. Okay so Geek Girl had to make it, unfortunately the rest of the geek girl series book covers wouldn't fit on.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish

Last Year's Resolution - Robert Lampros

Synopsis:

Last Year’s Resolution is a novel about Edmund Stovender, a famous author who falls in love with Marie, a journalist who calls him for an interview just before the performance of his hit play. Their lives accelerate through an epic adventure testing their faith, strength, and love for each other, as they discover that their story might pivotally influence the fate of the world.

Review:

This book has been on my to be read list since the near end of April. Robert had contacted me and asked for a review and I of course said yes.

Thanks to the simple 170 pages I managed to finish the book in one sitting which I found very handy and lovely. This books is a Christian Novel, it is heavily based around faith and I didn't even mind it at all, it was quite nice to read. Although primarily faith related there is a subtle romance all the way throughout the book, between the main character Edmund and a journalist Marie. The romance was sweet, clean, but still passionate. It was the kind of romance that lead you on but never quite goes there which in all honesty is the best kind of romance.

The aspect of faith was a personal thing for the protagonist. I wouldn’t call it a theme throughout the book where he acted on God’s Will and Commandments but it was definitely his driving force and that was evident throughout the book. It was subtle but definitely there.

I love the fact that the protagonist is an author, I love reading books about characters who write books It’s just like watching a version of yourself. I had times where I would sit and compare myself to the protagonist because he was so passionate and hardworking, I always thought, do I work as hard as he does? Do I have the same amount of drive and determination as he has? I felt like I could relate to him on a deeper level, but even readers who aren’t writers will love this character. His desire to be the best at what he does is something that anyone with a burning passion for something can relate to.

The plot was fast faced, the characters well developed and loveable and I must tip my hat to Robert for creating such a novel that is an expression of the power of faith and importance of strength in bad times. I liked the read and although not what I would usually read, Last Years Resolution is a refreshing read and a 5/5 from me. A definite recommendation to those who appreciate a well written novel.

Update!

Its that time again where I update all of you on the things going on both in my life and related to this blog.

Fist of all a week ago I hit 8000 page views and I couldn't be more thankful that what I am now, its been a fun journey so far and I really hope it will be in the future. I want to thank you all for visiting and reading the content on my blog.

Secondly, there is a current poll going on the blogs twitter where you get to vote for what content you want to see more of on the blog and It lasts a week so you have one week until your decisions take effect.

Thirdly, a while ago I uploaded a blog post about my new found pass time doing digital art. I now have a Facebook page dedicated to all of my art so far and If you'd like to keep up to date with all of my work click here and like the page and there you will see each time I post any new update on my work.

Finally some of you may not know but this blog also now has an Instagram page, it has been linked in a recent post for Top Ten Tuesday on this blog but if you want to see everything I do behind the scenes of this blog and all of the other wonderful stuff follow here

Unrelated to all of this, I injured my knee over a year ago and I ended up on crutches in a thigh to ankle knee support for a week and then had to do exercises which didn't help. Finally went to the doctors and he said there is nothing wrong with my knee. No swelling etc. even though there clearly is. I have to now call up Physical Therapy and learn exercises to strengthen the ligaments and tendons in the knee or something.

Post Apocalypstic Wasteland

So much war
So much death.

The screens in my bunker had shown it me all, the day I came down here I was 17, and by my count I now stand at a very old 67. My skin has begun to loosen, my sight worsen and I cant hear anything anymore, which when war is raging seems best. I had always been sure I would die by the time I was 40 but I had defeated my own expectations and although the war is still raging on outside of my pimped out bunker I can longer stand the sight of the same old 4 walls. They had been my only company for 50 years.

my knees shaking as I climb the steps, my breathing becoming a harder chore by the second. By the time I reach the door I deliberate on waiting another day and turning around and walking back down the steps but I know this is my only chance to see what it our there with my own eyes.

I push the door open, the seal of protection breaking within a second. The air barely changes and I I take my first weary step outside. The once green grass now stood yellow and weathered, the soil bumpy in random places. The air was thick with the smell of smoke yet none was visible. I circle the bunker, no building stood for a fair mile and a half and those that did were unstable.

There was no sign of life, I was truly alone. 50 years in a bunker to avoid what seems to be an endless war but now I was going to continue living in a bunker knowing I had avoided a war for no reason.

I circle the bunker one last time,sloeer than before taking in all I could before climbing back down the steps in my bunker closing the door after myself with a heavy heart and stinging eyes.

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Picked Up On A Whim

This is a list of 7 books I've picked up which have either been recommendations, books I've not know a lot about.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish

The Sign Of One - Eugene Lambert

Synopsis:

ONE FOR SORROW, TWO FOR DEATH.

In the Barrenlands of Wrath, no one dies of old age. Kyle is used to its harsh laws, but the cold-blooded separation of identical twins and execution of the 'evil twists' at the Annual Peace Fair shocks him.

When Kyle himself is betrayed, he flees for his life with the reluctant help of Sky, a rebel pilot with a hidden agenda. As the hunt intensifies, Kyle soon realises that he is no ordinary runaway, although he has no idea why. Fighting to learn the hideous truth, their reluctant, conflicted partnership will either save them - or kill them.

Review:

I won my copy of The Sign Of One by Eugene Lambert from Maximum Pop Books Via twitter. I can not explain the expectations I had for this books because well, I had none. I was interested and drawn to the book but went in to reading it with a completely blank mind and just let it all unfold.

With that said I must state that anything past the first chapter or two I was no expecting having read the first chapters. I was caught by surprise quite a lot throughout this book which was pleasant.

The book revolves around Kyle who attends his first Annual Peace Fair and from that moment on his life just gets flipped and nothing will ever be the same Once Kyle is betrayed he's forced to run with Sky, a rebel who balances on the fine line of fierce.

I found myself really involved with the book, fully emerged and emotionally attached to the characters. The best I can say to you is it expect the unexpected. Kyle is a really loveable protagonist and for Sky, her spirit and fight make her an incredible female character. The other characters written in the story are very well written and woven into the story, they are all someone who plays either a vital or very minimal part in the story and progression of Kyles story. The books itself is very face paced, each page turned brings a new thing into the story. The balance between the progression of the story and the characters was beautiful and perfect.

I adored the concept of an evil and a good twin, it just made the story unique and intriguing. I feel slightly unfortunate to not have a twin after reading this book, whether that's a good or bad thing I will never know but hey ho my kind of look alike older sister will have to do.

Lastly, as part of a trilogy I really do look forward to what Into The No Go Zone which is released in 2017 brings. I really can not wait, its that gripping. I loved the ending and really do hope that the next book hits the spot. I dread to think of the things that can happen in the second instalment.

In a whole its a 5/5 from me, I thoroughly enjoyed it and even though I have to wait for 2017 to see the guys again, I definitely will. A gripping story, and a recommendation for anyone who wants to read a new kind od dystopian.

A Dream Catcher

The crowd was alive and roaring. Their hands clapping as they wrecked their throat screaming support.

The team had only just walked into the field and we're now lining up for the national anthem. Somehow I had found myself in the tunnel instead of at my seat and no one else had noticed either. I had taken a chance and crept up through the crowded tunnel avoiding anyone who looked official and could have me banned. 

I was sweaty by the time I reached the opening, my back moist with panic sweat. I look out seeing three players I had always wanted to meet and now was the time. In a final push I sprint, heading directly for them. I stop in time to hear people now shouting at me and my heart thumped and my mouth ran dry. The players however were not alarmed and when I reach Owen he notices I'm the one being shouted at but smiles.

"Good luck." I smile to him and offer to shake his hand which he accepts. I run to both of the other players and wish the same before rough hands take a hold of me. Owen takes a step forward to stop the mam handling but he has an anthem to start loving soon and so he takes a step back into line.

"Let her of" he shouts instead and Im no being dragged anymore, Owen ends up talking to a few people who steal glances at me leaving me flustered before I'm escorted surprisingly to my seat just in time for the anthems. 

Top Ten Tuesday - 10 Websites/Apps I Visit Daily

1. Most often it's Instagram app.
2. As I deleted the Facebook app I now visit it through the Internet browser on my phone as frequently as I do Instagram.
3. Blogger, I have to keep checking my stats for some reason and then I add more posts. I tend to visit them even more frequently on days posts are scheduled.
4. Aldiko is a frequently visited app as that's how I read all of my Ebooks including those that I have been asked to read and review.
5. Natwest, something about me just always leads me to check the balance in my bank frequently even if I know how much is in there. I'm weird I know.
6. Email/Gmail I love to check if I have any word from my penpals and such.
7. Snapchat, I have to keep up that Snapchat streak plus who doesn't like to send photos to people ?
8. Spotify I mean a day without music is hell 
9. Duolingo because having studied German for two years, I've spent the last two years forgetting it all so I now do up to 15 minutes of German each night before bed to re learn the language.
10. Messenger is a frequent one too mostly because I like to talk to my class mates before I leave for college or just talk to anyone who wants to reply 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish

Tales Of Blood And Sulphur Apocalypse Minor - J.G.Clay

Synopsis:

Eleven Tales steeped in Blood and reeking of Sulphur

J.G Clay takes you on a journey through the voids of Reality and into dark places where demons, mutants and inter-dimensional creatures taunt, taint and corrupt Humanity. Survival is not guaranteed, sanity is not assured and death lurks in every corner. These are the Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor; eleven twisted tales of terror and mayhem.....

There are cracks in the skin of Reality. Some are microscopic, others are as wide as a four-lane motorway. As the fault lines increase and widen, the door to our world shines like a beacon in the darkness, a warm and inviting sight to others beyond our understanding. When They cross over into our realm, The Tales begin......


Review:

Full of twists and turns you're definitely gong to have a mind blowing experience reading these tales. I must say that Tales is a gory, dark and horrific read for a mature reader. The tales had me so hooked I am pretty sure I was lost in every tail that followed the last. There are moments that do feel ever so real but the tales are written with the creativity of sci-fi fantasy which when combined creates a marvellous dark horror.

With a suspect, Null, being interrogated in the epilogue it soon becomes clear that there is a rare, strange wisdom about the man that gives you the heebie-jeebies. The tales he tells will haunt whoever listens.

'Have you ever sneaked out for a fag, looked at a patch on the lawn, and found it to have grown with no explanation? Or, maybe you have walked home one evening after a few drinks, cutting across the  desolate park and heard noises – a voice ‘help me’? Then again, maybe you’d prefer to have a pint with the devil, listening to The Clash on the jukebox, and being encouraged to join his dark side whilst in an almost trance-like state? Perhaps you’re trapped in an apartment, with little or no food, caged in by zombies, and you need to leave for a few minutes to get some supplies? Or find yourself in a Dr Who-like scenario with creepily smiling cyborgs, with automated voices set, out to control and intimidate those who go against the new regime. If you don’t conform you won’t want to wait to see what will become of you!'

Tales is for sure a disgustingly gory read, with scenes full of more bodily fluids than you can count that have an important role in the horrific scenes. Brains are splattered, bones are cracked and blood runs ever so freely. Heads are taken off, skin is burned by flame and acid-like saliva, organs are shredded. I could go on and on, if you want to read this I'd invest in a little light when it comes to the night.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the tales, they were ever so nicely woven together and the creativity within them blew me away. I also have to admit that hearing Birmingham, (which I live 30 minutes away from) so many times within a set of tales couldn't have made me any happier than it did here.
I have to give the tales an overall rating of 5 out of 5 I couldn't fault them at all, captivating, immersive, truly tales of horror.

Cat Got Your Tongue?

It begun the same as it always did.

I roll out of bed at 6am, knocking over the buzzing alarm clock on my way and by the time I've gathered my things for my morning shower, it has stopped buzzing. I wash quickly and leave my hair slightly wet as it would dry as I made my breakfast. 2 pieces of toast as per usual and they're well buttered, as usual. They're consumed within 7 minutes and I clean up after myself, the house begun to wake up then, around 6:45 when the sun was beginning to rise, heating the house slightly causing it to creak and crackle.

I brush my teeth, scrubbing my tongue as hard as I could before using minty mouth wash for effect and then I left the house, climbed into my car and made the quiet journey to my workplace 34 minutes away. I pull up and wave to a colleague who has pulled up just before me and was collecting his things. he waved back, a gracious smile on his lips.

I carefully work across the car park after locking my car and then walk through the large doors which I barely manage. Michelle, our receptionist looks up to greet me as I walk forth ready to sign the sheet on the desk like we always would.

"Morning." I smile, except for the work never left my lips, it stayed sealed behind my lips, stitched to my throat. I try again this time wiping the look of mild concern off of my face.
"Morning." I smile again, and like the last time nothing came out. Michelle looks to me, her eyes glazed with concern and guilt.

she quickly looks around before looking back to me, then she pulled out a piece of paper from the near by printer and with a fake smile wrote something down. She smiled and slid it towards me.

"Smile, they're watching, none of us can talk, we need to act like normal." she smiles and as she had written I smile back at her and mouth a thank you for the note and made it out like the note passing would happen each day.

As I walk from the desk I turn around and wave at her tucking the note into my pocket, goose bumps rising on my skin.

Top Ten Tuesday - 10 Characters I wouldnt mind revisiting in 10 years time.

 

1. Harriet Manners from Geek Girl, I mean she develops a lot over the breaks in books and I think revisiting her in 10 years would be both a delight and heartbreak.
2. Katniss Everdeen from the epic The Hunger Games, I think it would be interesting to see how 10 years would play our for her after everything she has been through.
3. Charlie from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, because 10 years in the future of a boy who had grown up without friends and suddenly had ones that would die for him would have a tremendous effect on him and I would want to see how it panned out.
4. Madeline Whittier from the brilliant Everything Everything, its pretty much down to the fact she had no life because she wasn't allowed one and to now know the truth I think witnessing what 10 years of change and freedom can do to her would be amazing.
5. Charlie from Blackspoon, okay so this guy has been through a lot and where we left him wasn't exactly beautiful so 10 years down the line the situation might be a lot different to how it was and I think it would be rather enjoyable to have a catch up.
6. Will Grayson from Will Grayson Will Grayson (so many Will Grayson's here) because how he left him was purely brilliant and I guess the effect would have been marvellous and to see how it had effected him over 10 years would be beautiful.
7. Will Grayson from Will Grayson Will Grayson, ( another one I know, I'm sorry.) He too was left in a perfect situation which was just as beautiful as other Will Grayson's situation. I just want to see how both of their lives play out.
8. Matilda I mean come on? who doesn't want to see her in ten years time? she's pure greatness.
9. Liesel Meminger because she's such a great child and i want to know what comes of her from a further 10 years of life.
10. I'd like to visit London 10 years after The Humans to see if anything at all has been changed my.