Cover Reveal - The Fallen Stars

Today on the blog I am proud to be part of the cover reveal for Stephanie Keyes new book The Fallen Stars. Here's a what a few people have said about Stephanie's work

"Imaginative and fast-paced. Couldn't put it down!" - E.G. Foley, New York Times Bestselling author of The Gryphon Chronicles

"This well-written and intriguing fantasy was a delight to read. I can't wait to read the second novel in this series!" - Linn B. Halton, author Never Alone on The Star Child by Stephanie Keyes.

 

So, just what is the new book all about? Here's the blurb:

 

When all is lost, he will have to make the ultimate decision.

Kellen St. James was just your average seventeen-year-old prodigy, until he eighty-sixed the Lord of Faerie and proposed to a Celtic goddess. Now everything in Kellen’s life gets turned upside-down when Calienta, Kellen, and friend, Gabriel Stewart, find themselves on the run from a seriously irritated group of faeries. The worst part? They have zero idea why. 

Suddenly, Kellen finds himself stuck in the middle of another prophecy that questions everything about him including where his loyalties lie. Plus, Calienta’s more than a bit different; she’s making choices that he doesn’t understand. And Gabe, his best friend? He’s started doing all sorts of freaky things that make Kellen question who he really is.

Kellen and Calienta will fight to stay together and keep the hidden part of the prophecy from becoming reality.  

When the ultimate power is within reach, which side will he choose? 

Release Date: 12-April-2013, Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

 Sounds good? If you liked Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Need by Carrie Jones, or Fallen by Lauren Kate, you will love this book!

 

About the author:

 

 

Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she’s still doing the same thing, except now she puts those ideas down on paper.

When she’s not writing Stephanie is also a graphic designer, presenter, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she’s best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.

Keyes is the author of The Star Child YA Fantasy series, which currently includes The Star Child and The Fallen Stars. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy.

So, without further ado lets see what the new cover looks like!

 

 

I think you'll agree its absolutely stunning! And there's more...........theres a comp! 

 

Giveaway (Open to US, UK and Canada)

1 wired star bookmark, 3 Star Child (Book 1) ebooks and 5 The Fallen Stars eBooks. Just click on the link! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Louisa is 27 years old, has a boyfriend and still lives at home with her parents, sister and nephew. Her life has no real direction; she has had the same job for years and has not experienced anything of life. She has no ambitions to do so. It’s a simple life and one she feels at ease in. However, all this changes when she loses her job.

Louisa accepts a job as a carer for a young local man Will, who has been in an accident and is now a quadriplegic. He is full of sadness, anger and resentment at the hand that fate has dealt him. He certainly doesn’t want Louisa in his life. Will feels he no longer has any control over his life but is determined to change that in a shocking decision. What he doesn’t reckon on is the impact Louisa will have in her attempts to convince him life is worth living. Louisa herself is in for a shock at how Will begins to change her own life. Both continually fight a losing battle around the influence each has on the other both giving a little of themselves.

This book is a triumph to JoJo Moyes talent. An emotionally raw book that had me sobbing like a baby. Sensitive subjects such as euthanasia, disability and the right to choose life are tackled here. It poses a moral dilemma for the reader and takes you on an emotional roller coaster, leaving you feeling drained but glad you let this book be a part of your life. 

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A Kettle of Fish by Ali Bacon

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to read this book before its publication and what a little gem it turned out to be.

The main character Ailsa is about to start university. But, her plans don’t go the way she had hoped and with an ill mother to look after Ailsa is torn about the direction her life will take. She soon begins to settle for the ‘easy option’ when she meets Ian. However, the memories of the times she spent with her father as a young child continue to haunt her and his absence seems to loom large in her life. Ailsa never really understood why he left her and her mother so abruptly when she was a child and it is something her mother doesn’t wish to discuss.

As Ailsa’s life begins to unravel she makes some startling discoveries about her family and soon finds answers she wishes she had never gone in search of. All the dots seem to connect and the people in her life are bound by a common history in a mysterious way. The secrets that reveal themselves are more shocking that she could have imagined!

I loved this book. It had me hooked from page one. It appears initially to be about a young girl whose life is torn and directionless. However, it soon becomes apparent there is a mystery unfolding with many shocking revelations! It’s addictive reading and draws the reader in, weaving little clues throughout the book that make you want to scream ‘I THINK I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!’

However, Ali Bacon never fails to totally surprise the reader just when you think you have the upper hand and have totally grasped what you THINK has happened. There were a few ‘open mouth’ moments for me. Loved it and would highly recommend. You won’t be disappointed! Available in Kindle and Paperback (see below)

          

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Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson

All Saba Tarcan wants to do is sing. But, it is The Second World War and her ambitions will lead her down an unexpected and dangerous path.  Whilst singing for some injured airmen in a hospital she meets Dom, who himself becomes star struck with the beautiful half-Turkish Saba. 

Saba is signed up by ENSA, an organisation providing entertainment to the troops on the frontline. Her father is horrified by the idea but Saba defies him and soon finds herself in North Africa, on the greatest adventure of her life.  Dom cannot forget the beautiful singer who lifted his soul and helped him on the road to recovery and needs to see her again. Can love be found amongst the chaos of war? Saba soon finds that there are others who are interested in her but possibly for all the wrong reasons and this may ultimately impact on the course of Saba and Dom’s love story.

This is an intriguing and atmospheric book. I loved the backdrop of exotic and far flung places described in such a way to transport the reader making them feel part of the many cultures caught up in the conflict and understand their suffering.  Saba is an instantly likeable character and many other interesting and animated characters are introduced throughout the book. Some are not all they may seem.  Gregson’s descriptions of the haunted frontline soldiers and airmen brings to life the difficulties endured during the Second World War and the sacrifices made by many. 

This review appeared on www.lovereading.co.uk

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The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

Moth, a 12 year old girl from the slum tenements of Manhattan in 1871 is the daughter of a gypsy fortune teller. Her father leaves and Moth and her mother, like other families in the tenements struggle to live. A life in poverty becomes a grim fight for survival. However, Moth’s mother, whether through desperation or in an effort to give Moth a better life sells her as a lady’s maid. Moth’s life takes on many twists and turns, and she finds herself in the murky, seedier world of the Bowery. She is befriended by many people most of them dubious, such as Miss Everett who intends to exploit Moth’s virginity and sell it to a wealthy gentleman. However, there are some desperate to look out for her welfare, such as the intriguing Dr Sadie who administers medical care to the girls in Miss Everett’s care. She desperately attempts to lead Moth down a different path towards a better life.

From the start I loved this book. The subject matter of child prostitution is grim and there are some startling scenes in the book. However, this is a fascinating book, giving the reader a glimpse into the past. The characters are intriguing and the further you get into the book the more you want the best outcome for Moth. Her life and her experiences are heart breaking and in telling her story she draws the reader into her world, making us care about her.

*This review appeared on Lovereading.co.uk

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Author in the Spotlight - Julia Hughes

Brook Cottage Books is thrilled to have Julia Hughes as our featured Author in the Spotlight! Here's a little bit about Julia in her own words.

 

 

"I'm an eldest child and walking my younger brother and sister to school and back, I'd tell them stories – a captive audience! On leaving college, I worked at the BBC, helping write stories for their "Schools' Programmes". That was back in the day, before satellite telly made it over to the UK and 'Auntie Beeb' ruled the air waves! I gave it all up for the good life, and moved down to Cornwall, one of the most beautiful counties in England, and often known as 'God's own country.' I think the greatest compliment I received was 'Julia's more Cornish than the Cornish.' I picked daffodils in winter and made pasties for the holidaymakers in the summer. But all good things come to an end: I upped sticks to be closer to my family, and landed in a little village just outside London, and have been here ever since, scribbling away at my stories. "

 

I don't specifically write in any one genre, an idea will flitter into my mind, and the story develops. My first three titles, "A Raucous Time", "A Ripple in Time" and "An Explosive Time" are action adventures, while "The Bridle Path" is romance. I think I'd overdosed on the testosterone flying around in the previous three books and wanted something a little more feminine and romantic.
My latest title "The Griffin Cryer" is an adventure/fantasy. What makes this genre special is the opportunity to really allow imagination to take flight, and even create whole new worlds for readers to explore.'

Everyone loves a freebie and at Brook Cottage Books we are thrilled that The Griffin Cryer by Julia Hughes is free on Kindle from 12th - 16th January (midnight) so there's still time to grab a bargain! Its now on my TBR list! So, whats the book about? Here's a bit of blurb!

 

Frankie Shaunessy's friends are out of this world!

It's an easy mistake to make - instead of whistling and calling for her dog, fifteen year old Frankie accidentally summons a griffin and his rider from another world. The Rider is tall, blond and extremely rude. On the other hand, Balkind is the sweetest, most lovable griffin Frankie's ever met, and Frankie is determined to help the Rider and his griffin find a way back to their own world.

Dealing with parallel universes, disgruntled warriors, and hungry griffins is the easier part of Frankie's life. At school, Frankie learns friends can become enemies, teachers aren't always right, and the boy of your dreams can be all too human. Told in approximately 53,000 words, suitable for young adults, and all those who've ever dreamed of riding a griffin.
Cover art by Laura Wright LaRoche of LLPix.com Designs

Julia's website: JuliaHughes.co.ukor tweet @Tinksaid

 The book is also available on Amazon.com as well as Amazon.co.uk

 

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The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands

 

This book is about 8 women who have remained true and loyal friends through their entire adult lives. The book explores their relationship over a period of 40 years. They meet regularly to play bridge and basically to put the world to rights, although their friendship extends further than just their regular Bridge meetings. They have supported each other through very difficult periods of their lives and each of the women has drawn strength from the collective group.

Each of these unique women brings something different to the group. Coming from a diverse range of lifestyles with equally diverse points of view they seem to gel and have, over time become a special sort of family who remain fiercely loyal to one another. The book examines many issues that the women are forced to examine and deal with in their personal lives from grief, illness and marital breakdown.

I found this book a fascinating read as the idea of enduring friendships is something that I can relate to. I myself have been lucky enough to be friends with the same group of friends since my school days – almost 30 years! We too meet regularly and come from a variety of backgrounds and have also dealt with some of the issues the wonderful ladies in the Bridge Club have dealt with.

Patricia Sands has crafted a wonderful piece of writing through this book. Her descriptions of the various locations throughout Canada are absolutely breath taking. The reader can almost imagine themselves there. The characters in the book, or as I found myself referring to them as ‘the leading ladies’ are likeable in their own way. The fact that each is so different makes the dynamics of their relationship so interesting. It is very difficult to find a favourite character as they are all so fabulous and the reader soon becomes engrossed in each individual’s story.

The book explores just how far you would go for a friend. How much would you do to help them in a very difficult situation? For each of the ladies in the book, there is no limit. They love each other like sisters and no-one will ever break this bond they all share.

I can definitely recommend this book. It’s a wonderful, heart-warming, heart breaking story that is well worth a read. Have a box of tissues at the ready however and make sure you are wearing waterproof mascara!
 

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