Blog Tour + Giveaway : Under The Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

I am so very excited to be the blog stop on this awesome URTS Blog Tour! I bring something special for my stop. This book was gut wrenching, beautiful and brings forth the real struggle of a young girl suffering from mental issues. Here is the blurb if you haven’t heard about this book.

Title: Under The Rose-Tainted Skies
Author: Louise Gornall
Publisher: Chicken House
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 7th July, 2016
Agoraphobia confines Norah to the house she shares with her mother.

For her, the outside is sky glimpsed through glass, or a gauntlet to run between home and car. But a chance encounter on the doorstep changes everything: Luke, her new neighbour. Norah is determined to be the girl she thinks Luke deserves: a ‘normal’ girl, her skies unfiltered by the lens of mental illness. Instead, her love and bravery opens a window to unexpected truths …

An important and uplifting debut from a British author, which tackles mental health issues such as agoraphobia and OCD.




If you are not intrigued yet, I have another card up my sleeve. I have managed to score a snippet of Louise and it is from when Norah first meets Luke. Read on.

***

'Can I help?' I can’t look up to see who’s talking to me because anxiety has my chin stapled to my chest, but when I flick my eyes left I can see his reflection in the window. It’s New Boy from next door. He has dimples, and a mop of shaggy dark hair falls casually over his left eye. 

His feet meet, four steps, and my focus is free, running wild like a liberated stallion. 

‘No. No, thank you.’ In context, this might be the dumbest thing I have ever said. ‘I mean . . .’ Deep breath. ‘I mean . . .’ What do I mean? I feel flushed, like I’ve just dipped my face in the centre of the sun. 

Another breath as I stand up, back up, and steady myself against the door frame. I straighten my sweater, pulling it down and trying to cover everything above the soles of my feet. No amount of hugging my torso can hide the two giant teddies. 

I can feel his eyes on me. Probably curious about my attire. Definitely confused as to why I’m fishing for grocery bags on my front porch.” 

*** 

I warned you, you will be left asked for more. Well if you are, I have great news for you. I am giving away a copy of Under the Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall. UK Only. Enter away.

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 Many other blogs participating in this blog tour, so nothing is stopping you visiting them and finding out more about Under The Rose-Tainted Skies.  

Review: Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

Raw and powerful, this story will stay with you for a long time

Title: Paper Butterflies
Author: Lisa Heathfield
Publisher: Electric Monkey, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 30th June, 2016
R eading Seed by Lisa Hetfield had been an experience and an eye opener for me. Tugging at my heart string the ending had left me wanting more. So I went in to Paper butterflies with a little trepidation and hope that she will blow my socks off with her writing. And I’m pleased to report she successfully does.

Paper Butterflies is the story of June who lives with her step mother and stepsister along with her busy father. On the surface it may look like a happy family, but it’s hiding dark secrets just under its surface. Amongst it all June’s ray of light in her life is Blister, her secret friend who belongs only to her and is untainted by her life.

I adored this book, in a way even more than Seed. It is clear that Lisa Heathfeild is coming into her own with her writing because each book is getting better than the last. I left the premise vague as I believe some of the emotions you feel from the plot is derived from the slow unveiling of June’s life.

Paper Butterflies is not for the faint hearted as it deal of a lot of issues life, racism, abuse, bullying and neglect. At many instances I found myself tearing up and getting angry, balling my fists and ready to exact some revenge on June’s behalf. I’m a person with coloured skin but fortunately I have never experienced racism or bullying yet.

But what is so special about this book you ask as there are a dime a dozen books with address similar themes you ask? Well, it’s the authors writing. She writes with such gentleness for her characters that I feel, she genuinely cares about them. Horrific events may occur to these characters but not once do I feel that the author is using it as a plot device instead she imbibes them with so much innocence despite the cruelty around them that it tears the reader apart. I truly feel that she is an expert in ‘showing’ instead of ‘telling’ and that is what digs a hole in your heart.

Overall, a fabulous, heart wrenching, throat clogging emotional storying which hits you where it hurts. A must read for anyone and everyone.

Review copy provided by Electric Monkey via NetGalley Releases on the 30th June, 2016

Blog Tour: Resurgence (Silver Blackthorn Trilogy #3) by Kerry Wilkinson

The finale which will leave you asking for more

Title: Resurgence
Series: Silver Blackthorn
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 5th May, 2016
A fter being impressed by the first two books in the Silver Blackthorn Trilogy, I was really looking forward the finale of this action packed, thrilling adventure.Read my review and blour tours for Reckoning and Renegade here, here and here.

The events in Renegade had the set up for Resurgence pat down and it was a fast paced adventure. Silver becomes the unlikely hero of these subjugated people while she is internally struggling with her own role in this rebellion. Her life has changed so much and it is evident as we see lots of character development.

What I enjoy most about this series has always been the friendships between the teens who suffered under the deranged king and his castle. Not just the friendships, but the relationships good or bad are nuanced and layered and a treat to read.

Some dystopian authors shy away from brutality and this fails to convince of the unfairness of a cruel regime. But I think this series is not only brutal but it encapsulates the misery and suffering of people so well, that the reader really starts rooting for this rag tag bunch of kids.

Of course, there is a vague love triangle but I was sure from the start, who the eventual winner of Silver’s heart was.

Kerry’s writing has always been spot on and he is quite clever with his plot devices and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will definitely recommend this series for readers who love dystopia and looking for a fix.

Review copy provided by the publisher, PanMacmillan, UK.

To celebrate this blog tour, I am able to give away 3 sets of the entire Silver Blackthorn Trilogy. Yes people, that 3 sets of 3 books for 3 winners! All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecoptor widget below. This giveaway if UK only, and end 22nd of May. Visit me on Instgram and Twitter for more chances of winning. Feast your eyes on this beautiful copy of Resurgence.

Photo credit: Escapism Fanatic on Instagram

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Blog tour Review: Pompidou Posse by Sarah Lotz

Refreshing, nostalgic and captures your imagination from the on set

Title: Pompidou Posse
Author: Sarah Lotz
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton , UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 10th September, 2015
A fter writing serious fare like Three, Sarah Lotz splashes the wiring world by venturing in the YA scene. Inspired by her own memories of Paris, the story follows art students, Vicky and Sage who end up living on the street of Paris. Set in the 1980’s, it was nostalgic and edgy with a subject matter which felt intimate, gut wrenching and funny. .

The story is told in dual perspective, where Vicky tells her own experience to her reader while Sage’s life is told in an array of diary extracts. This type of writing rounded off the stories and scenes really well, while it kept the narration from getting boring. Alternating between husking and begging, sleeping on the street, these two young women get closer than ever. .

Sarah’s dark humour and insight into life’s small struggles was dark and that’s how I liked it. .

All in all, the book was not something one can sing laments over but I felt like a voyeur, looking into somebody’s memories. Fondness and rhetoric reflecting in each page, it was atmospheric while telling the reader, a coming of age story where the characters learn life’s lesson’s the hard way. .

If you are looking for something new and edgy and are fed up of those new adult romances, give Pompidou Posse a chance. It was refreshing, nostalgic and it will capture your imagination and your heart form the first page.

Grab your copies now.

Review copy provided by Hodder & Stoughton, UK.

Audio Tour: The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

I cannot say how excited I am about kick starting the blog tour of this amazing debut by Dawn Kurtagich’s called The Dead House. I’m not someone who reaches for a horror book as my usual genre and I started this book with some trepidation. However, I can assure you tis book was amazing. More of this will be coming later in the review but now I must proceed and squeal how delighted I am to host this blog stop. Plus I was got a surprise for you at the end. Yes a Giveaway too.

Before we go any further, let’s remind ourselves about what The Dead House is about.

Title: The Dead House
Author: Dawn Kurtagich
Publisher: Indigo Books, UK
Released: 1st August, 2015
Part-psychological thriller, part-urban legend, this is an unsettling narrative made up of diary entries, interview transcripts, film footage transcripts and medical notes. Twenty-five years ago, Elmbridge High burned down. Three people were killed and one pupil, Carly Johnson, disappeared. Now a diary has been found in the ruins of the school. The diary belongs to Kaitlyn Johnson, Carly’s identical twin sister. But Carly didn’t have a twin . . .

Re-opened police records, psychiatric reports, transcripts of video footage and fragments of diary reveal a web of deceit and intrigue, violence and murder, raising a whole lot more questions than it answers.

Who was Kaitlyn and why did she only appear at night? Did she really exist or was she a figment of a disturbed mind? What were the illicit rituals taking place at the school? And just what did happen at Elmbridge in the events leading up to ‘the Johnson Incident’?

Chilling, creepy and utterly compelling, THE DEAD HOUSE is one of those very special books that finds all the dark places in your imagination, and haunts you long after you've finished reading.
 
For, this audio blog tour, Dawn has prepared these fantastic audio teasers. I’ve been lucky enough to snag the teaser where the one of the main characters, Kaitlyn introduces herself. Listen on and I promise you will be screaming for more.


Creeped out yet? Believe me when I say I jumped a few times while reading this book and yes, it was in bright daylight. I loved the format of this book, which is written in a unique format which I’ve never come across before, It was fascinating and I was hooked. Apart for my min review above, I have a copy of the final copy of The Dean House to giveaway. It is UK/IRE only and I’m not responsible for any items lost in the post. All you have to do is enter via the rafflecoptor widget below.

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Review: The Baby by Lisa Drakeford

Sensitive and mature

Title: The Baby
Author: Lisa Drakeford
Publisher:Chicken House Books, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 2nd of July, 2015
It's Olivia's birthday and she is having a great time, until she opens her bathroom door and finds her best friend giving birth. From then on, everything changes. The Baby is the story of five friends told in five perspective of the consequences and changes a baby brings in peoples lives. Especially in these circumstances, it changes lives but also people. .

Going too much into the plot will give the story away as the enjoyment of the book rests on how slowly facts are revealed and what you always suspected come true. I relished how subtlety and masterfully the author made me sympathises with a character I found deplorable. It showed what a profound effect children can have on people around them..

The Baby explores the relationship and dynamics between five people, how the arrival of a baby changes them for better or for worse. This is a smart book which explores many avenues including teen age pregnancies, sexuality, friendship and even abuse. .

Sensitive and mature yet The Baby manages to capture an essence of what it is like being a Teen with 'adult' problems. .

Review copy provided by Chicken House Books, UK. 

  Released on the 2nd July, 2015

Review: Seed by Lisa Heathfield

A twisted, ugly, raw emotion churning experience.

Title: Seed
Author: Lisa Heathfield
Publisher:Electric Monkey, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 16th April, 2014
W hile I had Seed sitting on my Kindle for a while, I did not plan on reading until I saw the glowing recommendation by one of my fellow UK Book Blogger. She urged me to pick it up and I admit I'm grateful that she did.

It also took me a while to write a review for Seed as the book left my thoughts disarrayed and scattered. I will only give a vague premise as I strongly believe even a small detail can be spoilery. So Pearl lives in a farm called Seed, with her family. She is home schooled and and worships nature with their leader Papa S. Seed and it's life is what Pearl know until one day there are new comers who bring new scenarios and new questions with them.

I'm purposely being vague here as this book is something which should be gone into as blind as possible and the way things get revealed is half the fun. Pearl's life seems perfect to her and at first she hates the newcomers who bring uncertainty with them. The relationships between the people in Seed kept me on my edge of my seat. The whole set up so weird and twisted but reading from Pearl's point of view, it seemed the other way around. Ellis and his family bring the much needed change and then events starts unfolding rather quickly. Some of them are sweet while some of them were horrifying.

What I loved most about Seed was how there were different dynamics between each family member and how skilfully Lisa Heathfield manages to capture ever glare and glances which are telling yet leaving me asking me for more clarification. The author is a master of 'showing not telling' which gave so much depth to this book.

The ending is what left me utterly gobsmacked. I wasn't sure if I wanted to applaud or scream at my Kindle for the ending. I may warn you it felt like a cliff hanger to me.

This book is highly recommended to YA readers who want to try something new bored with the regular dystopian, contemporary romance, or fantasy. It was twisted, ugly, raw, emotion churning experience which I definitely want to repeat again and again. Do yourself a favour and try this book.

Special thanks to Michelle from Tales of Yesterday for her recommendation

Review based on a copy received from the publisher via Netgalley.

Blog tour and Guest Post: Renegade (Silver Blackthorn #2) by Kerry Blackthorn

Im pleased to say that my blog has been lucky enough to participate in the Renegade Blog Tour. To top it all off, I get to have Kerry Wilkinson himself, writing a post and telling us about his childhood inspirations and experiences about how his love for english developed. We all have someone or something which inspires us to either write or in my case, an unhealthy obsession with books. So, without too much fuss from me reads below what Kerry has to say and after that scroll down for a chance to win a copy of Renegade, the second book in the Silver Blackthorn series.

However, before we jump in, let's remind ourselves what Renegade is all about.

Title: Renegade
Series: Silver Blackthorn
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: PanMacmillan, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 7th May, 2015 
Silver Blackthorn is a fugitive from the law.
Silver Blackthorn has committed treason.
She is dangerous. Do NOT approach her.
A large reward is on offer. Report any sightings to your nearest Kingsman.
Long live the King.

Silver Blackthorn is on the run. She fled Windsor Castle with eleven other teenagers, taking with her something far more valuable than even she realises: knowledge.

With the entire country searching for the missing Offerings, Silver must keep them all from the vicious clutches of King Victor and the Minister Prime. Until now, no one has escaped the king and lived to tell the tale.

Or have they?

With expectations weighing heavily on the girl with the silver streak in her hair, will she ever find her way home?

When I was 16-years-old, I was predicted a grade E for my GCSE English exam.

I was, of course, outraged - largely because I wasn't completely sure if news of such a catastrophic forecast would somehow make its way back to my mum.

My English teacher was a canny bloke named Mr Moger. I do know his first name but it still doesn't sound quite right using it while talking about a teacher. He knew that deep down, beyond all my messing around, attempts to get a laugh from classmates and general immaturity, I had a vague idea of how to string a sentence together. He predicted that E not particularly because he thought I'd get such a mark, more because he knew it'd really annoy me.

And it did.

Unable to see through such a complex, dastardly scheme, I thought, 'I'll show you, mate'. And I did all right - I got a B. Not quite off-to-Cambridge grades but definitely better than an E.

The point of that story is that, eighteen years on (ugh), things have gone in such a circle for me that now I get to go into schools and tell teenagers that story. There are always a couple of nervous glances from teachers but the students get my point - that underneath the fronts we put up, people like teachers and parents still know what we're capable of.

Writing the Silver Blackthorn trilogy, first Reckoning in 2014, now Renegade in 2015 and - cheap plug - Resurgence in 2016 - has opened doors for me that being a crime writer never has.

Sure, being at a crime festival might get you questions like, 'Where do you get your ideas from?' - but you don't get young kids straining high, arm in the air, legs crossed tight, ready to ask, 'Please, Sir, can I go for a wee?'

I love going into schools and talking to young people about my books and, beyond that, I suppose, life in general. Students seem to naturally expect an author to have been amazing at school, someone desperate to be a writer all their lives. When I tell them I was average in class and fell into writing almost by accident, it's always enlightening to see the lightbulb go off as they clock that not everything has to be planned out from such a young age.

I've enjoyed some great support from the young adult blogging and review community in terms of getting the Silver books known about. Despite that, I suppose the biggest challenge for any author is to get his or her books into the hands of the readers for whom they've been written.

When I was a kid, there was no chain bookstore in my little Somerset town. There was the library and there was a shop named The Hunting Raven, in which I spent ludicrous amounts of pocket money. I strongly suspect it was my teacher's suspicion of what I actually did with my free time that led to him double bluffing me with that grade prediction.

Isn't that inspirational? One of my english teacher was also responsible for instigating my love for words and I'll be eternally grateful for her efforts. If you are intrigued by the Silver Blackthorn series, click here and here for my reviews for Reckoning and Renegade. Even better, for a chance to win a copy of Renegade, the second book in this series, enter via the Rafflecoptor below. This giveaway is UK only and I'll be posting this book myself.

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Blog Tour + Review: Renegade ( Silver Blackthorn #2) by Kerry Wilkinson

A worthy sequel to Reckoning

Title: Renegade
Series: Silver Blackthorn
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: PanMacmillan, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 7th May, 2015
W hen I read Reckoning last year, I thought it was a good book with potential. Then Renegade comes out and nails it. It picks straight up from where it ended with Silver running with the rest of the Offerings. They are starving and cold and to the point of exhaustion until they come across a refuge. But who are these people who are willing to help her and go against the King. There is a prize on Silver’s head and she is s fugitive of the Crown.

In Reckoning we get to see only a small amount of the iron core that Silver was made of but in Renegade she comes out as the leader of the group. They all look up to her guidance and I think she fits the role perfectly. She is smart, loyal, determined and brave and reading from her point of view was kept the story going.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the author explores a few more characters from the first book which I really liked. I really enjoyed Silver’s slow bonding with the other Offerings and them playing a bigger role in the story.

I still think the King is a pig who deserves to die a painful death and my hatred for him increases ten folds when new events unfold. Thing also come full circle with Silver meeting friends and allies but some of them less trust worthy then the others.

Unfortunately, there is the dreaded YA troupe of a love triangle brewing but thankfully it does not overpower the story but instead appears from time to time. I know which Team I’m supporting but only time will tell what will happen next.

Overall, Renegade is a worthy sequel of Reckoning and in my humble opinion a tad bit better too. All problems with Reckoning were addressed and while it had slow parts the rest of the plot made up for it. The climax had me on tenterhooks and left on somewhat of a cliff hanger. Renegade was clever with plot twists when you least expect it, with a hint of romance and adventure to keep everyone interested. I’d recommend it to YA dystopian lovers.

Review copy provided by the publisher

Released on the 7th May, 2015

To celebrate the release of Renegade, I have been given an extra copy for a giveaway. Thank you PanMacmillan for this generosity and making me feel like a fairy Godmother. Enter via the Rafflecoptor below. Due to postage costs, this giveaway will be UK only. 


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 Check out the other blogs participating in the blog tour for more chances to win a copy of Renegade.

Review: Under My Skin by James Dawson

James Dawson proves again why is a heavy weight in UKYA

Title: Under My Skin
Author: James Dawson
Publisher: Hot Key books, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 5th March, 2015
While I have heard a lot about James Dawson, I haven’t read any fiction he has written before. Hence when given a chance to read Under My Skin about a haunted tattoo, I pounced on it.

Before I get down to the review, let me tell how beautiful the actual book was. With sprayed bright pick edges and filled with various tattoo inside and outside, it had a running theme throughout the book and it gave a clear picture what Molly Sue looked like.

The story is about Sally Feather, a shy, introverted girl who is bullied at school. With old fashioned parents and only a few friends she somehow gets tricked into getting a tattoo of Molly Sue. The tattoo make her feel rebellious and powerful but then it starts talking. That’s right. Her tattoo starts talking and moving around.

Sally Feather was a well written protagonist whom readers will be able to relate to instantly. Sally’s parents are conservative and Sally feels they don’t understand her. Her only life-line are her childhood friends. I loved how getting Molly Sue, Sally grows as a character. At the beginning when she is awkward, shy and a pushover by the end of this book she gains confidence and a personality.

My copy. (via my Instagram Account)

My favourite thing about this book was Molly sue. My feelings were so conflicted about her. I loved what she did for Sally, helping her gain confidence and standing up for herself. She was the little jolt of energy that Sally needed. Molly Sue helps her navigate the dangerous waters of high school and achieve whatever Sally wanted. However this is where the twist is, that Molly Sue was out of control. She takes things to another level. She was willing to go to any length to get what she wanted. Soon she was taking over Sally’s body and committing crimes which were being blamed on Sally.

I really enjoyed the sassy and mouthy Molly Sue even if she was evil. The whole thing was creepy and edgy. The concept of a haunted tattoo which spoke, moved and took over your body will stay in my psyche for a long time and I don’t think I’m ever getting a tattoo. I loved how diverse this story was and how concepts like feminism and homosexuality were addressed.

Overall, I really enjoyed my first foray into James Dawson’s fiction. Under My skin was beautiful, poignant, creepy and eerie. With a dash of romance, friendship and family, Under My Skin was highly entertaining and has convinced me why James Dawson is such a heavy weight when it comes to UKYA.

Review copy received from Hot Key Books, UK

 

Review: There Will Be Lies by Nick Lane

An adventure and a journey in more ways than one

Title: There Will Be Lies
Author: Nick Lane
Publisher: Bloomsbury, UK
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 6th January, 2015
Nick Lane's There Will be Lies is one of those books that left me conflicted in more ways than one. The best way to get into this book is going in with as little knowledge about the book as possible. It can be enjoyed most when you don't know when the next page will hit you like a train.

It starts with Shelby narrating about her life and how she lives with her mother and has been home school. But before she knows it her whole life gets turned around and she finds her self on the road with her mother and before her journey ends her life starts unraveling.

First of all I have to give credit to Nick Lane he managed to keep my interest up until the very end. I enjoyed the way this book was written and there were two stories running simultaneously and were being flipped between each other. This helped chase the occasional monotone of a story stuck in one place. I also enjoyed how Nick Lane wrote pieces of literature which were profound and yet simple. The narration was spot on and everything was kept in wraps and as each lie was brought in and then shattered to reveal a nugget of truth.

Shelby was a great protagonist. I loved her strength, resilience and and sass even when facing situation which would have broken any regular person.

However I would have enjoyed it even more if there was some more romance in the story. It was hinted at towards the beginning but it never took off from there. Lastly, I wish there was an explanation as to what was the Otherworld? It ended with a bang but an explanation would have been cherry on the cake.

There Will Be Lies was not what I expected it to be. It is not a genre that I read often but it kept me entertained and engrossed with Shelby and her various troubles. It was an adventure and a journey in more ways than one and how selfishness can sometimes lead to love and forgiveness.

Published on the 6th of January, 2015 by Bloomsbury, 2015.

ARC Review: Captive by A. J. Grainger

A Plot with so much potential but it didn't sizzle

Title: Captive
Author:A. J. Grainger
Publisher:Simon and Schuster, UK
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 29th January, 2015
A new UKYA author writing about a girl in captivity! I was all overt his book, as soon as it came out. The premise goes like this. Robyn is the daughter of the Prime minister who lives under the constant fear of the media and danger. Her every move is chronicled and her family is under scrutiny all the time but one day she gets kidnapped. Imprisoned in a dark cell and awaiting her fate, Robyn learns more about her captives and about one in particular. Soon she starts wonder if her growing sympathies are her own or is she suffering from Stockholm syndrome.

I was curious how a captivity story will be treated as I have read many stories about captive and captor romance and I have loved them in the past. This part of the human psyche is so intriguing and twisted that it never fails to surprise me as how some emotions change to the opposite side of the spectrum. Unfortunately, Captive failed to really grasp me. It was nothing is particular that put me off. thaw writing was fine, the plot dragged a little in the middle but was ok and the romance had a strange pace of it's own. All in all it was not bad but it was the culmination of these above that it failed to capture my attention.

I have read many books in this type of scenario and I have seen the potential drama they offer but I believe as this was a YA title, it failed to grasp and fully utilize this dark and serious subject.

Over all, Captive was an average read for me, which failed to raise up to it's expectation. The topic was a difficult subject to write on and the author did an acceptable job of it however it failed to make an impression on me.

ARC received from Simon and Schuster, UK via NetGalley