***Book Promo*** A French Girl in New York (Maude Laurent Series#1) by Anna Adams

On the Back of the Book

Maude Laurent is a spirited 16 year-old orphan who grew up in a small, provincial town in the North of France with a passion for piano and a beautiful voice. One day in Paris, she is discovered by an American music producer who takes her to New York to live with him and his close-knit family while producing her first album, with help from teen pop star, Matt. Maude will dive into a new fascinating world discovering New York City, music, family, love and the truth about her past.

From Inside the Book

Prologue

 

June 2012

 

“Okay, I’m done. Now hurry!” the makeup artist cried out. “You’re up in two minutes. Don’t you dare mess up your makeup again!”

Maude ran out, keeping her hands away from her recently rouged cheeks, and Matt hurried behind her.

She stood right behind the curtain and listened to the host’s cheerful voice, announcing her.

“Now ladies and gentlemen, we have a new artist with us tonight. She’s spent her last six months in New York working on her first album. Her first single has been released and is a huge hit . . .”

“Maude,” Matt whispered, tugging her sleeve.

“Yes?” She looked back at him, smiling.

“I just wanted to tell you . . . to let you know that you can always count on me.”

“I know, Matt,” Maude smiled gratefully.

“Her voice will take your breath away, her music is amazing . . . ”

“No, I’m serious. Our friendship has had its ups and downs, but I don’t want it to be that way anymore.”

Maude nodded.

“I don’t care if you’re with Thomas Bradfield. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

Maude paused, puzzled. “What? Thomas Bradfield—”

“Give a round of applause for Maude Laurent!” the host cried.

“That’s your cue! Go!” Matt urged.

Maude reluctantly turned away from Matt and hurried on stage.

The blaring lights blinded her as she entered the stage and faced the cheering crowd. She had to restrain her impulse to shield her eyes and continued steadily towards the dark Steinway.

She had played on it earlier but then, she hadn’t felt nervous. Her hands hadn’t been trembling, and her voice hadn’t been shaky.

Maude sat on the piano stool and looked towards the crowd.

They were all there.

James and Victoria were holding hands and beaming like proud parents. Cynthia, dignified as always, was trying to keep Ben from falling off his seat while he was waving madly at Maude. Jazmine, hands clasped, was sending all the positive energy she could muster from her seat.

Maude turned to the piano and sang her first song. She had played it many times before but this time was different. She had grown. Maude wasn’t the same person she’d been six months ago, and her performance wasn’t that of a mere teenager—it was that of a young woman who had looked at life in the eye and refused to bend her spine.

She finished her first song and prepared herself for the second.

She had planned to sing ‘Sunrise’ from her debut album, but now she knew she couldn’t play that song, not after all she’d just been through. Maude dedicated her second song, John Legend’s ‘Coming Home,’ to her parents.

She took a deep breath and started singing:

A father waits upon a son

A mother prays for his return

I just called to see

If you still have a place for me

We know that life took us apart

But you're still within my heart

I go to sleep and feel your spirit next to me.

As she played, she released the pain she had been holding back for years. Her parents were dead. They were gone forever, but she was still alive. Though her pain was severe, it also gave her strength. Strength to sing in a clear voice, strength to overcome her fears, strength to master her initially shaky fingers, and strength to let her notes reverberate through the audience.

It may be long to get me there

It feels like I've been everywhere

But someday I'll be coming home

Round and round the world will spin

Oh, the circle never ends

So you know that I'll be coming home.

Her voice rang out as clear as water from a fountain and wavered with deep emotion as the song washed away her doubt, drowned her insecurities, and melted her pain into a beautiful, calm river of hope.

Maude ended her song and carefully folded her hands on her knees.

“I did it,” she muttered softly to herself.

The crowd broke into thunderous applause. She could hear whistling and thumping. As she walked towards the host, she squinted her eyes to avoid the blaring lights and saw the crowd on its feet, cheering and calling her name.

She smiled and greeted the host, a tall man with a prominent nose and a large, kind smile.

“Wow, wow, wow,” he exclaimed. This host was known for his exuberance. But then, TV hosts are rarely known for being discreet. “That was incredible, Maude!”

Maude laughed, relieved to be breathing at a normal pace again.

“Just tell me, Maude,” he started in a conversational tone. “How does a sixteen-year-old teenager, raised in the north of France, end up spending six months in New York recording her debut album with the world’s hottest pop star?”

“That, my friend, is a very interesting question,” she answered, her dark brown eyes twinkling mischievously.

About the Author

Anna Adams is a French author presently living in Paris after having spent her childhood in the United States. She enjoys writing and reading young adult novels. She loves music, art, shopping, hanging out with friends and roaming in the streets of Paris, or writing in small French cafés.

She is currently writing the second novel in the "Maude Laurent series." The sequel to "A French Girl in New York" will be released in May 2013.

Anna Adams also loves to travel and to write about her trips on her blog at this address

http://annaadamsya.wordpress.com/

Anna Adams also loves to hear from her readers at this address:

annaadams333@gmail.com.

You can also add her on Facebook and Twitter.

You can find Anna on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ADAMSANNA1

My Thoughts

So I have to say from the synopsis and the excerpt I really want to read this. It’s the kind of book I love. I used to want to be a popstar (well rockstar. I wanted to front a band like Paramore.) so I really relate to the main characters and enjoy the journeys that they go on. I really like the cover, the Eiffel Tower in the background, and the apple with the New York backdrop in it is a stroke of genius. I can imagine the apple being shiny if it was a physical copy.

You can buy the book from Amazon: A French Girl in New York by Anna Adams

 

*** Review*** Sky Song (Sky Song trilogy #1) by Sharon Sant

On the Back of the Book

A strange-eyed boy with no memory of his true identity or real parents, Jacob could have no idea of the mortal danger he has been in every day of his fifteen years. Now that danger has found him and suddenly he doesn’t know who he can trust and what is real anymore. All he knows is that his new identity is almost as terrifying as the peril unleashing it has brought. Caught in the universal power struggle of an ancient race of beings and a destiny demanded of him that he does not want, he must fight to protect his own life and everyone he holds dear.

But when the time comes, will he be strong enough to make the sacrifices that saving them will demand?

Pre Read Thoughts

I’m choosing this because:

In short, I’m reading this because I was approached by the author; I checked the book out on Goodreads and quickly agreed. The synopsis is amazing and just the type of book that I like reading. The synopsis excites me because our main character is a guy! It’s a refreshing change. I’d love to see more books with male MCs. I wonder how many guys read YA books and get bored of all the girly leads... Anyway, slightly off topic but what I’m saying is the synopsis is definitely something that would make me pick up the book anyway.

Judging a book by its cover:

The cover is a moonlit body of water, it simple but oh so pretty. (Just to go off topic how grown up does “body of water” sound?) The font types are also very simple but I do think it stands out. If it had been a really fancy font it would’ve overwhelmed the cover. While I do think the cover is pretty, it’s not eye-catching and I’d probably overlook it if it was in a cover line up but I think the things that sell this are definitely the synopsis and the title. All this talking about the book is making me eager to get stuck in. Fingers crossed that it’s as good as it sounds.

Pricing the (possible) awesomeness:

After a quick look on Amazon (I only look on Amazon because it’s where I shop. Team Kindle!!) The price of this is £1.59 BUT if you have Prime membership (like my mum does) you can borrow it for free. However I say support the indies! So yes if you like it, buy it!

Post Read Thoughts

When I really love a book I tend to put “Wow!” but I think I should try something different before I annoy myself. So let’s go for... umm... FANDABBYDOZY!! Yes that’s how I felt about it... however, I wish I’d stuck with wow. It’s simple it’s catchy and now I’ve started this review making NO SENSE AT ALL!! Okay, I’m a bit of a geek so the whole alien thing sent me into immense fangirliness. The last time I reviewed an alien book it left me feeling sad *glares at I Am Number Four* but I can assure you this will go much better!

I try to always pick up a book with no expectations, so when I started reading ‘Sky Song’ and found myself really and truly getting suckered in I started to get excited. I just knew that I was in for a good read. The whole story is beautifully descriptive, drawing the reader into a realistic world. The action is there in spades but still it manages to subside long enough so that you can catch your breath and gather your thoughts.  I really found the story so easy to read and the pages just seemed to melt away. I just don’t quite know how to express my love for this. Actually scratch that, I think I do, I love this book nearly as much as I love Matthew Gray Gubler, and I really heart that guy!

Jacob – Jacob is our main character and I really liked him. I can get his emotions throughout the book. Sometimes he seemed to be reading from the “How to Be An Idiot” handbook, but due to his entire world changing faster than he can say “abracadabra” I think we’ll let him off. Finding out you’re not of this earth can make you a bit stressed. For the most part he’s a nice guy and I’m looking forward to the rest of his journey.

Ellen – How do I tell you who Ellen is without spoilers? Well she starts off as Jacob’s girl bestie... *leaves you to figure out the rest* As a character she makes me happy because she’s a girl in YA book and she isn’t a total wash out. She’s happy to stand her ground and not let Jacob walk all over her. I need to see more girls like this. They’re too awesome for words.

Luca – Jacob’s other friend. I didn’t really feel him as much as the other two but this might be because I don’t think there was as much of him in the book. I think he’s the joker of the trio but he has a serious side and he displays it at a crucial moment in the novel. I want to see more of him in the rest of the trilogy so I can get better acquainted with him.

Overall this is awesome. This might be a science fiction story but at the heart of it is a setting so realistic that this could actually happen to you. I really loved how easy it was to read and I really can’t fault it. The ending leaves me wanting more, which is just what should happen in a trilogy/series. I feel that for me this is the perfect start to Jacob’s adventure and the ‘Sky Song’ trilogy. A final point, I love how the title is weaved into the story.

My Rating

5 Stars – I was debating between 4.5 stars and 5 and went for the higher of the two ratings because I feel this is an example of what an indie book should be. The quality of the story and the writing shine through and make reading it a sheer joy. Top marks! I definitely recommend this to YA fans, sci fi fans and fans of indie authors. Just go buy this. Now.

A Final Note

As I said at the beginning of this review, I received my copy of ‘Sky Song’ from the author, Sharon Sant in exchange for my honest review. So thank you Sharon for allowing me to read this, it was a pleasure! 

 One Final Final Thing

Do you know what I have? I have the cover to book 2 of the 'Sky Song' trilogy. And I'm sure you want to see it. So here it is:

Isn't it nice? And looks so lovely next to the 'Sky Song' cover. Wanna see the synopsis too? I'm so glad you said yes because:


"It is a prophecy, Watcher.  And it foretells your destruction.

So comes the stark warning from Astrae.  But what does the prophecy that tells of the young moon actually mean?

Two years have passed and Jacob’s search for the second Successor brings him back to Earth. But his Watcher powers seem to be useless as the other Successor remains shrouded in mystery… And he soon discovers that his bitter uncle, Makash, is also hot on the trail.

Jacob’s quest takes him and Luca halfway across the globe in a race to get to the other Successor first. As they get closer to their goal the body count starts to rise and Jacob and Luca are dragged deeper into Makash’s deadly game as the net closes around them.

All Jacob has to do is cheat death, yet again, find another like him amongst the seven billion people that swarm over the face of the planet before Makash does, and thwart the prophecy that spells his doom. No pressure then…"

Sounds so awesome right? Well it's out on the 8th March and it can't come quickly enough for me! 

 

*** Review*** Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

On the Back of the Book

New enemies, new romance, and new horrors,

Billi's back, and it seems like the Unholy just can't take a hint.

Still reeling from the death of her best friend, Kay, Billi's thrust back into action when the Templars are called to investigate werewolf activity.  And these werewolves are like nothing Bilil's seen before.

They call themselves the Polenitsy - Man Killers. The ancient warrior women of Eastern Europe, supposedly wiped out centuries ago. But now they're out of hiding and on the hunt for a Spring Child -- an Oracle powerful enough to blow the volcano at Yellowstone -- precipitating a Fimbulwinter that will wipe out humankind for good.

The Templars follow the stolen Spring Child to Russia, and the only people there who can help are the Bogatyrs, a group of knights who may have gone to the dark side. To reclaim the Spring Child and save the world, Billi needs to earn the trust of Ivan Romanov, an arrogant young Bogatyr whose suspicious of people in general, and of Billi in particular.

Dark Goddess is a page-turning, action-packed sequel that spans continents, from England to the Russian underworld and back. This is an adventure of folklore and myth become darkly real. Of the world running out of time. And of Billi SanGreal, the only one who can save it.

Pre Read Thoughts

This is an old review so I’ll just type what I wrote.

I read the first one ages ago but the follow up never arrived in my town so I added this to my Amazon wishlist and it arrived on the Christmas of 2011!! So first of all thank you to my delightful brother, who has no interest whatsoever in my blog, I am very grateful! I don’t know how much it cost him but you can get it for £6.29 in paperback and the Kindle edition is £5.49. Not the bargain that Amazon books normally are, it has to be said. The cover is stunningly beautiful. I probably would’ve just bought it because of that. I’m a sucker for a pretty cover. I can’t wait to read this because the synopsis sounds amazing!

Post Read Thoughts

*This has spoilers in it. I have no idea why I did that. I don’t normally*

I did like this, but it didn’t blow me away. The story started off well but it kind of slumped in the middle. Moving the action to Russia helped a bit but it wasn’t until Koschey’s true intentions were discovered that the plot and pace comes into its own. I liked the writing but the way Baba Yaga and Vasilisa’s speech at the end were written made them difficult to read as that sort of writing tends to grate on me a little. I just like things written normally. Not too much to ask is it? I will say that I love the idea of the Knight’s Templar still existing through the centuries and what they do being kept a secret. New takes on legends always have a great basis.

Billi – She’s the main character and is one of my favourite YA heroines. She really is that awesome. In this book she’s getting over the death of Kay but she finds herself trying to save 9 year old Vasilisa and she meets Ivan in Russia. I’m not saying why we end up in Russia. Read the book.

Ivan – He’s a new character and I loved him. I loved the way he was with Billi and most of all I love how he isn’t weird in any way! I’ve been reading way too many books with heavy romances and Ivan reminded me that guys can be normal so top marks for him there.

Vasilisa – Vasilisa is the powerful child that’s in danger – from just about everyone actually. She’s sweet and innocent and absolutely adorable! I don’t think anyone reading this could hate her. I think she handled everything well and though I didn’t like her ending, I liked the alternative even less.

Overall, this is a pretty good book. Although it’s not the best book I’ve read it’s a good enough read for me to take away mainly positive points. It’s a great idea and the author has done an excellent job at making it into an actual story. The awesome characters are easily the best bit for me.

           

My Rating

4 stars – I was going to give this three but writing this has made me realise just how much I enjoyed this book. Well we all know how generous I am with my ratings (Unless you’re Cassandra Clare. In which case goodbye.) I recommend this to fans of Lili St Crow’s Strange Angels series. I think that they both have strong female leads and if that’s what you’re into you’ll love this.

A Final Note

I wrote this review in 2012. I’m sure my opinion still stands though.

*** Review*** Killing Rachel (The Murder Notebooks #2) by Anne Cassidy

On the Back of the Book*

*Or what I found on Goodreads in this case. 

Rose's mother and Joshua's father have disappeared. Police inquiries have gone nowhere and the case, it seems, is closed: Rose and Joshua have been told that the police believe their parents are dead. But Rose and Joshua still hold out hope that they are alive. Joshua is determined to follow up his own inquiries, which includes working out the meaning of the cryptic notebooks - the murder notebooks - they have discovered. Then Rose is distracted by odd, desperate messages she receives from Rachel, a former best friend from her school, followed by the terrible news that Rachel is dead. But perhaps Rachel's death will provide one more piece of the puzzle about what has happened to Rose and Joshua's parents . . .

A taut and pacy thriller in The Murder Notebooks series, from an acclaimed writer for teens.

Pre Read Thoughts

I’m choosing this because:

I requested this book from NetGalley not realising that it was actually book two in a series. So when I was accepted I quickly bought book 1 and started reading. If you read my review of ‘Dead Time’ you’ll know that I was very on the fence with and that makes me very apprehensive heading into this. I’ve decided to cast my doubts aside though and read it with no expectations because I want to delve further into the mystery of Brendan and Kathy’s disappearance.

Judging a book by its cover:

The cover is similar to ‘Dead Time’, which is a good thing because I liked that cover. It has the same font and gritty feel that made the first cover appeal to me so much. The image is of a wooden walkway type thing and I’m really wondering how that fits in with the story. I will say that as much as I love this cover it was actually the title that caught my attention. I mean ‘Killing Rachel’ It sounds so awesome!

Pricing the (possible) awesomeness:

This book hasn’t been released as I write this review but you can pre-order on Amazon for £5.59 for the paperback or £5.31 for the Kindle edition. As I’ve stated I received a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes so let’s get this show on the road!

Post Read Thoughts

Okay, you remember the issues I had with ‘Dead Time’? The ones that I assumed were first book jitters as Anne Cassidy figured out the pace of her book and how the series arc was going to fit over the course of the books? Well it turns out, I was wrong. They’re still there, this story wasn’t engaging either. As I was reading I still felt distanced, and not in a way I like either. I also felt like nothing really happened in the search for Brendan and Kathy until the final 20% of the story. It bothered me that the point of the series was cast aside in favour of a one book plot. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Rachel but I feel that it actually took the focus of the book and there was other, more interesting, stuff going on with Joshua’s hunt that I’d rather have read. What Rose took away from the whole thing could have been condensed into a smaller part of the story and we could’ve enjoyed Joshua’s detective mission.

The main characters haven’t improved in this book. If anything I like them even less! The only character I really liked in ‘Dead Time’ was Skeggsie and he barely makes an appearance in ‘Killing Rachel’

Rose – She’s shut herself off from the world and then has the cheek to complain when people call her “offish”. Numerous times in this book (and the previous one) people have tried to talk to her and she’s just brushed them off. I get that she lost her mum but we’ve all got problems! She makes it so hard to be liked and that makes being with her for the duration of the book awkward. It’s like being stuck in a lift with your arch enemy.

Joshua – He isn’t any better in this book. I find him to be so selfish. It feels like Anne Cassidy wants us to believe that Joshua is intensely focused on finding his dad but for me it’s an excuse for the fact that he doesn’t care about anyone around him. Rose’s ex best friend has been found dead and he barely seems to register how she feels. He just expects her to automatically follow him and agree with everything he does.

Overall I’m pretty unimpressed. Things that I’d let slide in ‘Dead Time’ are still there and in some cases are worse. The detail is so inconsistent, for example we’re told the name of Rose’s blog (Morpho) every time it’s mentioned (yea, I got it the first 100 times) but when it comes to other things it’s lacking. An example of this is bands, Anne Cassidy tends to write “A band Rose liked” or “A band Rose didn’t like”. I mean I don’t go “I’m listening to a band I like” I say “I’m listening to Fall Out Boy.” (Although it’s Green Day at the moment, I’m going off topic again.) It’s details like this that add character depth. I want to know what Rose is listening to! I do like how easy the books are to read though and, even though it wasn’t a part of the bigger picture, the mystery of Rachel Bliss, but unfortunately not much else.

My Rating

2 Stars – This just wasn’t good enough for three stars. There’s too much that I didn’t like or that irritated me. The premise of the series is solid (and I’ll probably see it through to the end) but I’m wondering if this would’ve have been a better story if it had been a standalone book. This wasn’t for I’m afraid and that makes me sad.