Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Radleys by Matt Haig

The Radleys: A Novel
 Title:  The Radleys
Author:  Matt Haig
Publisher:  Free Press
Publication Date:  December 2010 (US), original release July 2010 (UK)
Format:  Hardcover, 366 pages
Age Group:  adult
Website:  www.radleysbook.com

What happens when two vampires decide to give up blood and live a normal life?  How long do they keep the family secret from their children?  Peter and Helen Radley live by the rules in the Abstainer's Handbook but are drawn back into the world of blood with a single act of violence which forever changes their future.

The Radleys is unlike any vampire book I have ever read.  It is a family saga and could be written about many English families, if those families happen to be vampires.  It is the relationships within the family that truly matter - between husband and wife, parent and child, between two brothers.  It is the discovery of a family secret that changes lives and redirects many paths.  The Radleys is nothing like Twilight or True Blood or urban fantasy novels featuring vampires.  There is much less action and more introspection.  There are moral questions and a strong attempt to blend in to the unblood English society.

Told in short chapters with shifting focus, The Radleys is a dark examination of life in English suburbia when keeping the family secret is held more closely than anything else.  If you are a fan of all things English and vampires, I highly recommend The Radleys.  I found it a delightfully dark change of pace from the other types of vampires stories that seem to be taking over books and movies these days.

Be sure to check out the website, www.radleysbook.com, for an excerpt, book trailer, and Twitter chatter from some of the characters.

I received a copy of The Radleys from the publicists at Free Press (a division of Simon & Schuster) in exchange for my honest review.

(Completely random connection - The Radleys live at 17 Orchard Lane, The Banks family in Mary Poppins lives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane.  I kept thinking of this every time I saw the address in the book.)

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the BeastTitle:  Beauty:  A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
Author:  Robin McKinley
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Publication Date:  original - 1978, pictured edition - 2005
Format:  Hardcover, 247 pages (cover pictured is the paperback version)
Age Group:  10+ (according to the inside cover of the version I read)

I think the only version of Beauty and the Beast that I have been exposed to is the Disney movie version.  At least, that is the only version I remember at this point which may be because my two year old has been watching it over and over and over lately.  Apparently she has moved on from Mary Poppins...

Anyway, since the Disney version seems to be the only thing I have to compare Robin McKinley's version to, it is an interesting comparison.  The first major difference for me is that Beauty has more family in the book than just her father.  Perhaps she always had sisters in the traditional fairy tale version but this was new to me.  I found the loss of fortune and the move to the country a great way to get some insight into Beauty's true character before she meets the Beast.  Beauty's acceptance of her plain appearance and her willingness to do hard work are quite the contrast to Belle who feels above the rest of the villagers in her small town.

The character of the Beast has a very different personality in this book compared to the movie as well.  In the movie, the Beast has a terrible temper and this starts the relationship off on the wrong path.  The Beast in the book is kind and gentle from the beginning and it is simply Beauty's fear of him that prevents her from entertaining the idea that the relationship could develop into something more.  Even as Beauty grows beyond her fear and develops a great friendship with the Beast, she is the one who cannot move beyond his physical appearance.

I greatly enjoyed this version which has more emphasis on family and takes the reader much deeper into the characters and their relationships than the Disney version.  The division of the novel into three parts works very well, although the first two parts put together might equal the length of the last section.  The very end felt a little rushed toward the 'happily ever after' but I think the majority of fairy tales are like that.  Break the magic spell and boom everything is grand and happy.  Sometimes I wonder what happens after that part!

Beauty is Robin McKinley's first novel and was originally published in 1978.  I think the timelessness of the story and the writing contribute to it having been reissued in several versions.  McKinley captures all the details in a simple manner that is charming and easy to read.

I borrowed this book from my local library and read it to participate in the Reading with Tequila Book Club discussion for December on Goodreads.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Riddler's Gift by Greg Hamerton

The Riddler's Gift: First Tale of the Lifesong (Part One)Title:  The Riddler's Gift
Author:  Greg Hamerton
Publisher:  Eternity Press
Publication Date:  August 2010
Format:  2 Paperbacks, Part 1 is 321 pages, Part 2 is 294 pages
Age Group:  Adult
Series:  Tale of the Lifesong

The wizards believed in Order but then one defied the rest and brought Chaos, threatening to destroy the world.  One sanctuary remains, a safe haven where one special person can develop the magic that might save them.  When Tabitha Serannon takes a ring that isn't hers and sings an ancient song, she releases a power that she doesn't understand and cannot control.  Will she learn to balance the Light and the Dark before it is too late?  Or will the entire realm fall under the rule of the Darkmaster and all hope be lost?

The Riddler's Gift is a fantastic fantasy tale!  It reminded me of the epic adventures written by Terry Brooks and Robert Jordan.  There are many characters to get to know and different story threads to follow but Hamerton has written them in such a way that there is no confusion.  Shifts between places and people flow easily.  Each detail is important and nothing has been left to chance in the connections between the stories.

The overall story drew me in quickly.  Unfortunately, I had very little reading time when I was reading the first paperback so it seemed to take me forever.  This had nothing to do with the story though -- I really wanted to be reading it!  I finally got some solid reading time when I got to the second paperback and devoured it in just a couple of days.  The small sections within chapters actually turned out to be a bonus for me when I was reading the first part because they were natural breaks where I could leave off even if I'd only had a few minutes to pick up the book.

The Riddler's Gift has magic, battle, good, evil, self-discovery, a guide, a journey, and even a bit of romance.  In short, it is everything one would expect in an epic fantasy novel.  It is also wonderfully crafted with the true voice of a story teller.

I am looking forward to continuing the adventure with Second Sight.

I received this book directly from the author in exchange for my honest review.

You can purchase The Riddler's Gift from Amazon.com as a two-part paperback:  Part 1 & Part 2 or the Kindle edition.

If you are in the UK, you can also purchase the entire story as a single paperback from the author's website or the publisher's website.  I don't know if either of these sites offer international shipping.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Book Blogger Hop 12/10

Book Blogger Hop


Each weekend, Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books hosts the Book Blogger Hop.  It is a great way for book lovers and book bloggers to find new book blogs and get to know each other.

I actually wasn't going to participate in the Hop this week because there has been so little going on here lately.  In fact my last post was last week's Book Blogger Hop!  Then I visited the linky and found out that my question was selected this week so I think I better jump in and answer it :-)

"What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs?  Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?"

I think my favorite part about book blogs are the reviews and author guest posts.  I have so much fun learning about new books and authors this way.  Of course, the giveaways are always fun too!

Things have been very quiet around here since Thanksgiving.  I've spent the last couple weekends traveling and just haven't had the time to read that I wish I did.  I'm currently really enjoying The Riddler's Gift by Greg Hamerton when I get the chance to sit down and read. It is actually a 2 part paperback so it is taking me longer than usual. I really hope to get it finished this weekend so I can review it.

I think next up on the reading list will be Beauty by Robin McKinley.  I borrowed it from my library to read for the Reading with Tequila Book Club on Goodreads.  I'm also anxiously awaiting my copy of Pale Demon by Kim Harrison that I'm getting through the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.

Thanks for Hopping by!

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Book Blogger Hop 12/3

Book Blogger Hop


Each weekend, Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books hosts the Book Blogger Hop.  It is a great way for book lovers and book bloggers to find new book blogs and get to know each other.

I really like this week's question:  "What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

This is actually a really easy one for me to answer: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.  I had seen a lot of positive reviews of this book going around but I just couldn't get into it.  I read the entire thing but found myself annoyed with the characters a lot.  I think part of my difficulty was that it just wasn't the kind of book I had been expecting.  I was a bit nervous about posting my review because I knew so many people had enjoyed this book but I actually got a pretty positive response to it on the blog.

If you have hopped over from the Mr. Linky, Welcome!  I hope you will stay a bit and look around. I review a wide range of books including (but not limited to!) urban fantasy, young adult, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, chic lit, cozy mystery, and some non-fiction.  I love getting comments so please let me know you stopped by!

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Mega Swagbucks Friday

Search & Win


Over the past year I have earned about $200 in gift cards through Swagbucks!  This has paid for most of Christmas this year which means we aren't adding anything to our debt and then hoping to pay it off with the tax refund.  I know some people are earning prizes even faster than I am.  I tend to be skeptical of these kinds of programs but this one really does give you what they promise.

The first Friday of each month, I post about Swagbucks.  That is because every Friday means Mega Swagbucks for searching (but I don't want to overwhelm people with reminders every Friday)!  Haven't tried Swagbucks yet?  It is super easy - simply use the Swagbucks search engine to do your normal Internet searching and sometimes you will be rewarded with Swagbucks which can then be redeemed for some great prizes. My theory is that if I'm going to be searching the Internet anyway, I may as well get rewarded for doing it.

My favorite prize is the Amazon.com gift card.  There are also tons of other gift cards available plus you can redeem for various merchandise as well.

On Fridays, Swagbucks gives out more Mega Swagbucks (anything over 10) than usual which means you can earn your desired prizes even faster.  The most I've gotten from one search so far is 59 Swagbucks.  I'd love to hear if one of my readers finds a high value one today or any other day!

Don't forget to check out the Special Offers section and keep an eye out for Swag Codes as well.  Both of those can help those bucks add up!  Daily Polls get you 1 Swagbuck each day and they recently added other trusted survey sites for another option to earn.

Swagbucks links contained within this post are referral links and I will earn some Swagbucks if you sign up using those links.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Changing Your Life with a Thought

Recently I wrote a review of Infinite Quest by John Edward.  Although I didn't find the book as useful as I'd hoped, I have found a few of his articles more straightforward and helpful.  The first one that I posted was on Creating Positive Change in your life.  This one is on changing your thinking when facing unpleasant and difficult situations.

Changing Your Life with a Simple Thought: What You Can Do to Get Back on Track
By John Edward,
Author of Infinite Quest: Develop Your Psychic Intuition to Take Charge of Your Life

Consider how you react when things do not go "your way." Are you quick to judge the situation from a negative or blaming viewpoint, or do you stop and think about the experience as a whole and what valuable lesson might be there for you to learn? How you program your experiences makes all the difference in the world. In my new book, Infinite Quest, I give readers a "metaphysical toolbox" of sorts, which they can use on their spiritual path. One of the first tools offered is a clear and definite change of perspective.

I was only nineteen when my mother passed over and losing her left me feeling very alone at the time. As I sat in my car looking up at my mother's bedroom windows, I heard a simple message that I still remind myself when encountering any difficult situation. In that moment of grief I was given two options: Option #1: BE A VICTIM and spiral further into negativity and use whatever the situation is as the excuse, or Option #2: MAKE IT AN ADVENTURE and turn life into whatever good you can manifest.

Live Passionately and Be a Force for The Universe To Use. You can accomplish a lot, or you can stagnate and slow down the process. Ultimately your destiny is in your hands. Often it seems much easier to just blame it on "the man upstairs" and say it's his entire fault that these things are happening in your life. You could blame your parents or your childhood experiences, but as of today you know that your life is solely your responsibility and you no longer can use anything or anyone as an excuse. Take the time to make things happen for you instead of letting them happen to you.

Be the Best YOU Possible

Know you are capable of rising to any challenge. You can start to realize that your free will is alive and kicking and it's totally up to you how you choose to live your life. The more energy and effort you put into this experience the more you will benefit from it. It goes back to the simplistic boomerang theory of energy--what you project out comes back.

I am not trying to give you the impression that all you have to do is say a few affirmations and everything will fall into place. Both magic and change require commitment and perseverance to manifest. There is no quick fix and it doesn't happen overnight. There is a conscious lifestyle shift that has to happen and only then can real change take place.

As long as you see yourself as a student of the Universe -- eager to learn and willing to listen -- you will continue to grow mentally and spiritually. Be hungry for knowledge and keep your mind open to whatever lessons you are meant to receive.

The spiritual results play out very differently for every one of us. It is important not to look for the instant gratification or the immediate reward. One step at a time. You will see, feel, and experience life through a different lens and that is the true prize. Know that the decisions and choices you are making today yields a more amazing tomorrow. Open your eyes and pay attention, but not just to people and situations, but what the Universe itself is whispering in your ears.

© 2010 John Edward, author of Infinite Quest: Develop Your Psychic Intuition to Take Charge of Your Life

Author Bio
John Edward, author of Infinite Quest: Develop Your Psychic Intuition to Take Charge of Your Life, is an internationally acclaimed psychic medium, author, and lecturer. On his internationally syndicated talk shows, Crossing Over with John Edward and John Edward Cross Country, he captivated audiences worldwide with his unique abilities to connect people with loved ones who have crossed over to the Other Side. John has appeared on many other talk shows, including the Today Show, Oprah!, and The View, and has been a frequent guest on CNN's Larry King Live. He is a regular guest on morning radio, including New York's WPLJ and Los Angeles' KROQ. John has been featured in articles in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, People, and Entertainment Weekly. John is the author of several New York Times best-sellers, including Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories and What if God Were the Sun? He conducts workshops and seminars around the world, and is the founder of the metaphysical website InfiniteQuest.com. John lives in New York with his family.

Please follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.

This article has been posted with the permission of FSB Associates.
Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.