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BOOK: The Song Rising & Giveaway

Posted February 10, 2017 By LadyJai

I know, it’s been a great long while since I’ve posted. I’ve been busy. There are never enough hours in a day to do everything I want to do, let alone NEED to do. I’ve not forgotten my passion. I wish to get back to writing, everyday. But, you know…life.
In the mean time, the 3rd installment of The Bone Season  is going to be getting underway, entitled The Song Rising.

From today through March 6th, anyone in the US who pre-orders The Song Rising and sends us proof will receive a button and tattoo set. (See the photo below.) The full details can be found here.  And honestly, who wouldn’t want to wear a rad Underqueen button?

Displaying image001.jpg

Click the image above to pre-order your copy.

For those who have yet to have heard of this series, I have a treat for you.
The repackaged paperbacks for The Bone Season and The Mime Order headed out into the world on February 7th. 

And that means I am allowed to give away, not one…but TWO copies of The Bone Season! That’s two winners that can experience Paige’s journey!

The Bone Season Blurb:
Enter the world of Paige Mahoney, a gifted clairvoyant, a “dreamwalker,” in the year 2059. Her natural talents are considered treasonous under the current regime. Snatched away to a secret prison, she encounters another race, the Rephaim, creatures who wish to control the powers of Paige and those like her. One in particular will be assigned as her keeper, her trainer. But his motives are mysterious. To regain her freedom, Paige must learn to trust, in the prison where she is meant to die.

· Start date: February 9th

· End date: February 23rd

· Eligibility: USA/CAN participants only (Advocates in other territories will be running their own giveaways)

· Prize: Two copies, one per winner, of The Bone Season paperback repackage

· Shipping: We will ship from the Publisher’s office to the winners

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

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Blog Hop: Chameleon by K.T. Hanna

Posted August 5, 2015 By LadyJai

Chameleon Releases Today!

CHAMELEON Domino Project Front with Text 2

“Wow! A fast-paced, science fiction delight with fabulous action, a seamless world, and the most unique characters I’ve read in a long time.” Elana Johnson, Author of the Possession Series.

 

What I learned writing Chameleon:

Taking on criticism and separating what will enhance your story and what will change it

Taking criticism is always a delicate balance. You need to juggle what you want your story to be with what others suggest to enhance it. It’s sort of like going outside of the story in your head, and looking down on it with as fresh eyes as possible.

For me, I always found it easiest if I digested the feedback for about twenty-four hours, or at least over night. Sleeping on it, always gave me a better perspective. Because, let’s face it, upon receiving even constructively critical feedback the instinctual reaction is to say: NO! It’s my story! Never!

Now I’m pretty good at taking feedback. I do one of two things after processing it.

1) I either go: damn, they’re right, it would be so much better if a, b, c…

Or

2) I go – hmmm that’s wrong, they read it wrong. So, what can I do to make sure that what I intended this section to convey comes across?

Both 1 & 2 lead me to improving my story. Taking on feedback and incorporating it in my world because I know it will improve it, is a great thing. And because that world lives in my head, I know it better than anyone else. Sometimes this means that I haven’t communicated what I know in the right way and so it’s very possible (and probable) that others may misread, or just be confused. These parts also need fixing, but not necessarily changing.

In a nutshell – taking criticism has become a balancing act for me. Between knowing what will make my story stronger, and what portions of my writing I need to strengthen in order to better express the book I’m aiming to put out there.

The Blurb:

When Sai’s newly awoken psionic powers accidentally destroy her apartment complex, she’s thrown into an intensive training program. Her only options are pass or die.

Surviving means proving her continued existence isn’t a mistake–a task her new mentor, Bastian, takes personally. Her abilities place her in the GNW Enforcer division, and partners her with Domino 12, who is eerily human for an alien-parasite psionic hybrid.

After eliminating an Exiled scientist, she discovers nothing is what it seems. With each mission more perilous, Sai must figure out who to trust before her next assignment becomes her last.

Available at:

Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | IndieBound

If you’d like a signed physical copy, Watermark Books has them in stock.

CELEBRATION!

We’re having a blog hop, and an e-card & mega swag Rafflecopter giveaway!

The blog hop stops are noted below. Each day has a different theme and you can find out about the process, the idea, and the evolution of Chameleon, and even a bit about K.T. by visiting each blog, when their posts go live.

4-Aug 5-Aug 6-Aug 7-Aug 10-Aug
Fun facts about the book What I learned writing Chameleon Author Interviews The world of Chameleon The Evolution of Chameleon
Manuel Soto Marlo Berliner Leatrice McKinney Rebecca Enzor Patricia Lynne
J Elizabeth Hill Stacey Trombley Dawn Allen Sharon Johnston Bex Montgomery
E.L. Wicker JC Davis Suzanne van Rooyen Mandy Baxter Madelyn Dyer
Jessie Mullins Andrew Patterson Heather Rebel Jessica Therrien Carissa Taylor
Emma Adams Lady Jai Elyana Noreme Kendra Young

I’m giving away e-cards of your choice from B&N, iTunes, & Amazon – one to the value of $25, and three to the value of $10! Each prize includes a swag pack of a magnet, sticker, bookmark, postcard, and mousepad!

Just follow the options listed on the giveaway and you’ll be entered!full swag pack

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Me Squared

KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.

Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.

When she’s not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, interns for a NYC Agency, and chases her daughter, husband, corgis, and cat. No, she doesn’t sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.

Note: Still searching for her Tardis

MUG

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#BookReview: CHAMELEON By KT Hanna

Posted July 31, 2015 By LadyJai

Chameleon

(The Domino Project #1)

August 4, 2015

CHAMELEON Domino Project Front with Text 2

When Sai’s newly awoken psionic powers accidentally destroy her apartment complex, she’s thrown into an intensive training program. Her only options are pass or die.  

Surviving means proving her continued existence isn’t a mistake–a task her new mentor, Bastian, takes personally. Her abilities place her in the GNW Enforcer division, and partners her with Domino 12, who is eerily human for an alien-parasite psionic hybrid.  

After eliminating an Exiled scientist, she discovers nothing is what it seems. With each mission more perilous, Sai must figure out who to trust before her next assignment becomes her last.

Available for purchase from:

Amazon Link

kobo

ibooks

Watermark Books

**********************

Chameleon (The Domino Project, #1)Chameleon by K.T. Hanna

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was one of the lucky ones to see this novel evolve over time. Even as a rough draft, this was an incredibly strong story. I was also blessed to be able to read the final product before it was released. Oh how I love ARCs! 🙂

By far one of my favorite YA SciFi novels of all time. KT Hanna has a way of getting into the head and the heart of both her characters and her readers. Her story. Her words. Her strong plot. Her strong and diverse characters. All leave the reader feeling all the emotions and craving more. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series…and more from KT Hanna!

Sai wasn’t born a leader. It was thrust upon her and she is learning how to handle that on top of learning how to control her powers. Her interactions with Bastian and Dom are strong without the need to be saved by a guy. Sai is truly a model heroine. More girls need to strive to be like her, including me.

View all my reviews

LadyJai

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#BookReview: HENGE By Realm Lovejoy

Posted February 20, 2015 By LadyJai

Henge (Le Fay, #1)Henge by Realm Lovejoy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this ebook from the author for an honest review. Thank you so much. I love being introduced to new authors and stories and love the opportunity to share my opinions.

While I love alternate universes and Arthurian legend, this was a bit hard for me to grasp. Some YA books are just not for me.

There were copy editing errors but even big publishing houses still miss on that every now and again.

The overall story was good.

The plot, a few issues. I understand this to be a series so I probably don’t have everything I need to form a proper opinion. But when someone takes your fire magic abilities away from you early in the book, and then you’re practicing magic in your room only to have another person take your fire magic abilities away from you a little later…well, I scratch my head.

The flow of the story was good. However, the flow of sentences I found a bit redundant. I got really frustrated when I was told A then B then C happened. When C generally follows A, B is a given. Say for instance, “I was in the shower. Then after I dried off I got dressed.” This type of telling bored me.

I read Ms. Lovejoy’s CLAN and didn’t find it that way. So I am wondering if this book was meant for a younger audience?

View all my reviews

 

LadyJai

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nails.smLast year I had the pleasure of winning a signed copy of The Bone Season from Tor.Com. I had no clue what I was getting into when I received it. I had never heard of it before. But once I dived in, I could barely come up for air. Because I took part in last year’s blog tour for The Bone Season, I was offered the opportunity to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in order to participate again this year. Of course, I said yes.

The Mime Order was no different. I loved it. Samantha Shannon did not disappoint with the story, the characters, or the tension. Although I miss Warden and Paige’s interactions, it was necessary for the overall story. I’m sure we will be seeing more scenes with the two of them in later books. We did get to see more into the Syndicate than we did in the first book, and the introduction of their society and traditions was quite interesting. The one Mime-lord, mysterious, hidden in the belly of the catacombs of London and The Seven Seals, left me guessing who they could be. The end of the book, the very last words, I was expecting for quite some time. I wonder if you all will guess this ending, too?

Mime Order Blog Tour schedule

In the world of SCION, clairvoyants have a hierarchy based on the type of clairvoyant they are.
Summary of the Seven Orders of Clairvoyance

I. SoothsayersPurple – Require ritual objects called numa to connect with the æther
II. Augurs Blue – Use organic matter, or elements, to connect with the æther
III. MediumsGreen – Connect with the æther through spiritual possession
IV. SensorsYellow – Privy to the æther on a sensory and linguistic level
V.  Guardians Orange – Have a higher degree of control over spirits
VI.  FuriesOrange-red – Subject to internal change when connecting with the aether
VII. Jumpers  Red – Able to affect the aether outside their own physical limits

Bloomsbury wanted to do paint a picture of our aura. Here’s mine:

JamieDementAura.sm

While I LOVE the color blue, I do not liken myself to an Augur. I much prefer a Guardian or above. But I still love my blue. Maybe Ms. Shannon can invent a character that can disguise their aura? What do you think?

Last year, I wrote my own version of fan-fiction – a story that ties in with the world, but not the characters. I will re-post it here, but you can read the entire blog post here.

Mind Share
by Jamie Dement (published 8/26/2014)

Cracks in the cement captivated me as I walked along the street on my way home. Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. A game I played as a child, when she was alive, when I was innocent. Now, I make sure I step on every single one of them.

From the outside, our house looked like any other home. A two-story cottage, quaint with its white picket fence. It even had a porch swing. Hedge roses split our property from our neighbors. Everything perfectly trimmed. Neat and clean.

Outward appearances can be so deceiving.

Dad’s home. His car was in the driveway, too lazy to pull it in the garage like normal people. At least that gave me a heads up before I walked in the door. I know what to expect. What’s coming.

I dreaded it.

I took a deep breath before I pushed the kitchen door open. He sat at the table, bent over so only the top of his bald head beamed at me. He didn’t move, even when the screen door bounced shut. Its taught spring always brought it closed harder than it should. Like slamming a gavel down on my sentencing.

I stood, frozen, contemplating my next move.

No matter what, Mom always said, just get to your room. He stops then.

But he never stopped. She’s proof of that.

Ever since we buried her, it hasn’t stopped. He hasn’t stopped. I come home. He’s either there or not. But somehow, it still happens. If it’s not first thing through the door, it’s later when I sneak down to get something to eat. Yeah, sure he doesn’t follow me into my bedroom. But it’s getting there that’s the struggle. Either way, it’s never ending.

I pulled the strap on my backpack tighter, trying to make myself as thin as possible so I could squeeze past without touching him. Touching triggered everything. There wasn’t much room between him and the fridge but I could manage. So long as he didn’t move.

His burly hands gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles were white. I stood as tall as my five foot self could and held my breath as I walked by. He didn’t raise his head but a low moan came from deep within his chest. I felt it more than heard it. I knew what it meant. My heart pounded against my ribs, demanding to be released from its prison.

His hand twitched.

My feet tangled as I tried to run passed him, up the stairs to my room, to safety. But it was too late.

His hand grasped my wrist and everything went white.

I drifted alone on a gentle breeze. Catching the updrafts. Swirling in the downdrafts. Floating on a cushion of nothingness. The sky was crystal blue, clear as the waters of Paradise. So peaceful.

But it wouldn’t last. It never did.

“Hello, darlin’,” said Dad.

So it begins again.

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Publication Date: January 27th 2015
Genres:Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: ARC
Purchase: Amazon / The Book Depository

Add it on Goodreads!
4.18 of 5 stars 4.18  ·  rating details  ·  260 ratings  ·  147 reviews

Blurb: Paige Mahoney has escaped the brutal prison camp of Sheol I, but her problems have only just begun: many of the survivors are missing and she is the most wanted person in London…

As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on the dreamwalker, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city’s gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner. Then the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Samantha on Twitter, @say_shannon, visit her blog, samanthashannon.co.uk and join The Bone Season Facebook page.

Have you read THE BONE SEASON yet?

LadyJai

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Clan by Realm Lovejoy

Posted February 24, 2014 By LadyJai

ClanClan by Realm Lovejoy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clades is a world engineered to be identical in all manner of forms. Cloned from a single human, raised to look, act, and feel as identical as the DNA that makes up their genetics. Twain knows he’s different, hidden from the Clan since birth. To be seen would ruin Unity. When his desire to join the other Clan overpowers him, he’s caught by Father Krume, their Human DNA donor, and made to join the rest.

Twain’s known he’s different, but when he joins the ranks of his fellow Clan, it’s only then he realizes just how different.

In a world where everyone is supposed to be identical in every way, Lovejoy finds a way to create differences amongst the Clan, differences that cause the same social issues we experience in our own world – bullying, stereotyping, prejudice, segregation.

For Unity’s sake, each Clan was given a number. Sponsors tended to give pet names to their “children” so this interchanging between number and name left me bewildered most times trying to remember what number belonged to what name. While I loved the depth of the story, this made it daunting to read at times.

The story was full of action and I kept turning the page so I could find out what happened next. However, the ending left a lot to be desired. I was left with more questions than I had the entire time I was reading. I wasn’t satisfied that the story had actually ended. I don’t think it wrapped it up quite well enough for my liking.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book, with only a few issues as I stated above. I do hope Lovejoy plans on a second book to explain what happened in the end.

View all my reviews

LadyJai

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#BOOKREVIEW: Two by LeighAnn Kopans

Posted October 22, 2013 By LadyJai

Two by LeighAnn KopansTwo book blurb: Elias and Merrin’s story continues in TWO, coming October, 2013…  Elias and Merrin are on the run. After escaping the Biotech Hub, they thought they could breathe easy, or at least a little easier. But when bombs slam into the Social Welfare Hub only hours after their arrival, it becomes clear there’s nowhere to hide – and no end to what Biotech will do to get them back. Their last chance for safety and answers is the Clandestine Service Hub. CS has intel on the real, broader purpose behind Fisk’s experiments , and the newfound knowledge of the horrors hidden deep within Biotech’s walls sends Merrin back to recover a secret formula that could ruin the Supers’ world forever—and might just save the lives of the Biotech victims spiraling out of control. Elias’ sisters are counted among the victims of Fisk’s experiments, and if Elias can’t find and help them, their powers will destroy them–sooner rather than later. Returning to the place it all began terrifies him, but with Fisk ready to make an example out of Merrin, and his sisters’ lives –and the lives of all Supers–hanging in the balance, he might not have a choice. If he can’t find the courage to face his worst fears, Elias might lose more than his newfound powers. He might lose everyone he loves

My Thoughts

Maybe it was life throwing me a curve ball but I struggled with this one.  It just didn’t hold my attention like the first book. But the constant pining for “normal” that Elias did just got annoying, quick. Then I realized that Merrin’s pining for being Super was all throughout the first book. Maybe it was because it was the first book and it was all about Merrin trying to be Super that I overlooked it. Something about Elias’ constant desire to normal when the “story” seems more important just irritated me. It kind of reminded me of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix where Harry was just a whiny brat the whole way through. I wanted to chuck that book too. 🙂 But I powered through both and am glad for it…for knowing the story.

Another thing that I didn’t enjoy was his constant want to touch. I like hints, not in-your-face. romance. But that’s just me. I’m not normally a “romance novel” reader. I wanted to read the story, not the love affair. 🙂 But, I imagine that’s what classifies it as Young Adult, right?

Anyway, the overall story was amazing. Once I got past the first half of the book and I could skim the parts that disinterested me, which were getting fewer and fewer in between, I really got into it and enjoyed the rest of the story. I love the sci-tech of it all. And when you cut out all the “I want to be normal”, the “But I want to be more”, and the touchy-feelies going on, the story flew by. I craved to know what happened and so I continued until the end. All in all, I did enjoy it, despite the slow start.

OneandTwo

Book Genre: YA fantasy Book release date: October 8, 2013 Two on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18073957-two Two on pre-order from author’s site: http://www.leighannkopans.com/index2.php#!/Order_TWO Two on Amazon: To come. Two on Barnes and Noble: To come. Other book releases: One – YA fantasy Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17251203-one Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/ONE-Leigh-Ann-Kopans/dp/148499583X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377169778&sr=8-1&keywords=one+leighann About the author Leigh Ann Kopans: Raised on comic books and classic novels, Leigh Ann developed an early love of science fiction and literature. As an adult, she rediscovered her love for not only reading, but also writing the types of fiction that enchanted her as a teen. Her debut novel, ONE, is about a girl with only half a superpower, the boy who makes her fly, and her struggle to make herself whole. Leigh Ann on Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6439443.LeighAnn_Kopans Leigh Ann on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeighAnnKopans Leigh Ann on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeighAnnKopansbooks Leigh Ann on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/leighannkopans/one-two/ Leigh Ann’s website: http://www.leighannkopans.com/index2.php#!/HOME Leigh Ann’s blog: http://leighannkopans.blogspot.com/

Get in on the buzz!

Don’t forget if you tweet about Two, use the official hashtag!

#TeamTWO

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#BookReview: Fight Princess by M. S. Kaye

Posted September 2, 2013 By LadyJai

FIGHT PRINCESS by M.S. Kaye

Release Date: 9/2/2013

Available on Nook here.
Available on iBooks here.
Available on Amazon here.
For all formats, visit the publisher’s site here.

Things Aren’t what they seem. Don’t get involved.

Celisse is too headstrong to listen. Her best friend’s boyfriend is dead, and she does not heed Cullen’s warning, slipped to her in a note as he’s being arrested for the murder.

Cullen tries to keep Celisse out of things and also tries to avoid her, both unsuccessfully. He can’t deny his feelings for her anymore, but he knows he can’t have her—if she ever discovered the truth about his past, she’d surely hate him.

While struggling with her intense feelings for Cullen, she uses her skills as an ex-prosecutor to investigate, all while continuing to fight for Ogden, the organizer of an underground fight ring. She eventually realizes things are connected—the ring, Ogden, Cullen, the murder, and herself. She races to uncover the truth before she’s arrested or becomes the next victim—or the next culprit.

**********************************

My Thoughts

Being a local crit partner in the past for M. S. Kaye, I’ve had the opportunity to read bits and pieces of several other works of hers, though never a romance. I knew her writing, and I knew how good it was, even before she acquired her publication deal. (Which I’m so happy for her, as well as proud!)

Normally, when I think of Romance, I automatically think Harlequin-type (or even that fad that has half a hundred hues of one non-nondescript color) books. Those are really not my thing. This is *NOT* your Harlequin Romance. And I’m thankful.

What I really liked about this book, the thing that drew me in, was the story itself. Celisse is not your “damsel in distress,” a woman who “needs” a man to complete her. She is her own person by her own right. A strong woman who can take care of herself. This is definitely my ideal “princess.” The story is not strictly about the attraction, or the sex. No, there is meat (no pun intended) to this story. Engaging, and unique characters and story make for a great read for me.

The romantic scenes were tantalizing and real. The motives of both Celisse and Cullen brought frustration into the mix. And when they finally caved in, M. S. Kaye describes their interactions that left my heart racing. I could easily see where this may very well leave someone panting, but I’m a hard sell with that so don’t gauge the romance by what I say. I like the fact that these scenes are not overly done. This isn’t a porn with words. But most of all, it isn’t mush. The sex doesn’t change Celisse into a blubbering love-struck girly girl. She maintains her confidence but learns to compliment her partner. THE BEST MESSAGE!

Right from the start, the story drew me in, getting to know all the players. The mystery M. S. Kaye reveals keeps you guessing to the very end. I love puzzles and love to figure out the mysteries. I just had to keep reading. My gut instincts usually get me to the right conclusion. Near the end, though, I nearly thought I was wrong. Several twists left me questioning my own deductions.

I won’t spoil it for you. But if you like a little murder mystery with a hint of romance, this is one book you should read.  I, for one, cannot wait to read more.

View all my reviews on GoodReads

LadyJai

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I’m postponing my #WriteMotivation Update post until Friday in lieu of  The Bone Season Blog Tour. If you don’t know what #WriteMotivation is, well, we are a small group of writers (growing more each month) that loves to chuck positive messages, cookies and Dinos, and cheer their fellow author on in both good and bad times. Stop by our Twitter Hashtag, or even join our Google Plus Community. The more the merrier.

I hope you enjoy the blog tour. The book was amazing!

Here’s my one girly pleasure! Hope you like the nail art. 😛 (Click the pictures to see more detail)

The Bone Season Nail Art The Bone Season Nail Art
The Bone Season Nail Art The Bone Season Nail Art

 ☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼ 

I wanted to share with you my first piece of fanfic I’ve ever done. I’m not sure I even did “fanfic” right. It’s not about any character in the book. The location is not stated. Nothing about my piece can be found in The Bone Season. Maybe this was the beginning of Scion. Before 2059.
I combined this prompt with this book and wrote the following and won 2nd place in the little contest 🙂

I hope you enjoy it:

Clairvoyance is shunned, segregated, banned. Those who have it, hide it. Some enter the underground syndicate. Others, well…here’s a story about one of those “others”.

Mind Share
by Jamie Dement

Cracks in the cement captivated me as I walked along the street on my way home. Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. A game I played as a child, when she was alive, when I was innocent. Now, I make sure I step on every single one of them.

From the outside, our house looked like any other home. A two-story cottage, quaint with its white picket fence. It even had a porch swing. Hedge roses split our property from our neighbors. Everything perfectly trimmed. Neat and clean.

Outward appearances can be so deceiving.

Dad’s home. His car was in the driveway, too lazy to pull it in the garage like normal people. At least that gave me a heads up before I walked in the door. I know what to expect. What’s coming.

I dreaded it.

I took a deep breath before I pushed the kitchen door open. He sat at the table, bent over so only the top of his bald head beamed at me. He didn’t move, even when the screen door bounced shut. Its taught spring always brought it closed harder than it should. Like slamming a gavel down on my sentencing.

I stood, frozen, contemplating my next move.

No matter what, Mom always said, just get to your room. He stops then.

But he never stopped. She’s proof of that.

Ever since we buried her, it hasn’t stopped. He hasn’t stopped. I come home. He’s either there or not. But somehow, it still happens. If it’s not first thing through the door, it’s later when I sneak down to get something to eat. Yeah, sure he doesn’t follow me into my bedroom. But it’s getting there that’s the struggle. Either way, it’s never ending.

I pulled the strap on my backpack tighter, trying to make myself as thin as possible so I could squeeze past without touching him. Touching triggered everything. There wasn’t much room between him and the fridge but I could manage. So long as he didn’t move.

His burly hands gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles were white. I stood as tall as my five foot self could and held my breath as I walked by. He didn’t raise his head but a low moan came from deep within his chest. I felt it more than heard it. I knew what it meant. My heart pounded against my ribs, demanding to be released from its prison.

His hand twitched.

My feet tangled as I tried to run passed him, up the stairs to my room, to safety. But it was too late.

His hand grasped my wrist and everything went white.

I drifted alone on a gentle breeze. Catching the updrafts. Swirling in the downdrafts. Floating on a cushion of nothingness. The sky was crystal blue, clear as the waters of Paradise. So peaceful.

But it wouldn’t last. It never did.

“Hello, darlin’,” said Dad.

So it begins again.

 ☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼ 

The Bone Season

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I won a signed ARC copy from Tor. At first, it was highly intimidating. The size, the maps, the flowcharts, the glossary! Yes, the glossary!

I started reading the first few chapters and felt very overwhelmed with the language. It used old street/gangster slang combined with made-up slang. In the beginning it made my head spin! I nearly stopped reading because of it. The glossary helped, yes. But having to reference it made it daunting, to say the least. But I got used to it, eventually. I still had to reference certain words, even towards the end, just to be sure I was correct. This did throw off the pacing, in my opinion.

Shannon’s world building is in-depth, sucking you into the London underground, but drawing an alternative reality, one in which requires all the maps at the beginning in order to keep straight. I’ve always loved alternate history, and Shannon does well with this aspect. Yes, it’s in the future, but the history is different. Set in England 2059, which really isn’t all that distant, the past history of the nation/world is marginally different, but still incorporates certain historical points and people that we can relate to, so we are not too removed from the story.

But the story…

The story drew me in. The conflict, the emotion, the action. All of it left me craving more with each turn of the page. Getting inside Paige’s head, Shannon’s first person POV, was definitely worth it. She knows how to instill the necessary emotion in Paige and the reader, while keeping everyone else at a safe distance.

Despite the complexity of the world and the language, I definitely would recommend giving this book a try. See for yourself.

For me, I can’t wait to read more.

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In honor of her release, we are having a blog hop to celebrate. I thought it would be fun to join in and I hope to spread the word around for everyone. I had the pleasure to interview Samantha Shannon. It is definitely interesting to get some real feedback from authors. This was fun! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Without further ado….

Here’s Samantha Shannon:

1) Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? When did you start writing? Anything or anyone influence you? Or have you always known?
I’m from West London, England. I started writing at about thirteen and wrote my first novel from the ages of fifteen and eighteen. Before that I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do – I always said I wanted to be a vet (no idea why, I’m terrible at the sciences) – but my mum tells me I used to write little stories when I was about nine, so I guess the urge to write was always there – I just didn’t fully recognise it until I got older. I’m the first writer in my family, to my knowledge.

2) What do you do when you are not writing?
Mostly I read – apart from write, it’s my favourite thing to do. I love going to the cinema, too. I specialised in Principles of Film Criticism at university, which has given me a real appreciation for good films.

3) How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve always been drawn to fantasy – you can break all the rules. The dystopian element was inspired by Margaret Atwood. I read her book The Handmaid’s Tale just before I started university and fell in love with it. Characters in a dystopia are in extremis, and that allows you to see a side of them that you wouldn’t be see if they were in, say, a kitchen sink drama, which is pure realism. The Bone Season really mashes up multiple genres – I just wrote the story I wanted to write, even if that meant veering away from ‘genre etiquette’.

4) Where do you get your ideas? Do they come at you as an image that you have to expand? Do they come as a problem you have to solve? or the other way around?
I started writing The Bone Season after completing an internship at David Godwin Associates (DGA), a literary agency in Seven Dials, a small district in London. While I was there, I had a vivid image of a girl having the same day at work as me, but she happened to be clairvoyant. There are a few shops selling crystal balls and tarot cards in Seven Dials, which I suspect is where the image originated from. I started building the world after that, creating the Seven Orders of clairvoyance and the basic foundations of Scion. Paige’s voice was really what drove the story – I built the details of the world around her.

5) Do you ever experience writer’s block? What do you do to curb it?
If I get writer’s block I usually go for a walk to clear my head. I have to get away from the manuscript for a while. When I come back, I’ll feel refreshed and ready to get back to work.

6) Plotter or pantser? Can you go into a little bit of your methods?
I use what I call the ‘flesh-and-bones’ structure: I know the skeleton of each plot, and all the major joints, but I let the characters write themselves to some extent. I think it takes the fun out of writing if you have every tiny detail planned.

7) Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published yet? Or was Bone Season your first? Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
I wrote a sci-fi romance novel called Aurora before The Bone Season. It was rejected by ten agents and remains unpublished. Now I read it back to myself, I can see why! It wasn’t particularly unique and the writing was terrible. It was much easier to get The Bone Season published. I sent it to the agent I’d done an internship with and he took it on very quickly. I was lucky.

8) I loved the interaction between Paige and Warden from the very beginning. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I think my favourite part was when Paige enters the butterfly’s dreamscape in Chapter 16. I loved imagining what it might be like inside a butterfly’s mind. It’s one of my great pleasures to write dialogue between Warden and Paige, so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!

9) I rediscovered my dream almost 3 years ago. Sold a few short stories, but the novel is unbelievably scary. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Always be open to constructive criticism. You need to be fairly thick-skinned in this industry! More importantly, don’t give up at the first hurdle.

The Bone Season by Samantha ShannonFUNZIES:

10) Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point? (not much point really, between my immediate family and my cats, no one else will see it.)
I do make it. I still live with my parents, and my mum blows a fuse if my bed isn’t made.

11) Star Trek, Star Wars, or Doctor Who? Or a mash-up of all 3? (I’d love to see a mash-up! throw in some Monte Python while you’re at it!)
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never seen Doctor Who! I like both Star Wars and Star Trek, although I can’t call myself an expert in the latter as I’ve only seen the 2009 film. I love Spock.

12) cats or dogs?
I prefer dogs, generally. I’ve had quite weird pets in my life. I used to have a tarantula and now have a tortoise.

13) favorite flavor of caffeine?
Oh, coffee, absolutely. I’m a cliché like that.

Follow Samantha on Twitter, @say_shannon, visit her blog, samanthashannon.co.uk and join The Bone Season Facebook page.

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I hope you enjoyed this post. Please let me know what I could have done different/better. I’ll never stop learning.

LadyJai

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The First Confessor (The Legend of Magda Searus, #1)The First Confessor by Terry Goodkind

Synopsis: In the time before the Confessors, when the world is a dark and dangerous place, where treason and treachery are the rule of the day, comes one heroic woman, Magda Searus, who has just lost her husband and her way in life.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ZOMBIES!

What can I say, I’m a sucker for Zombies! While Goodkind doesn’t blatantly come right out and say the word, or even give them a prominent role in the book (I’m sure they will have one in the later books), they are there. And this rendition is fresh, at least for me. I like that he’s mixed the magical element into it. I love the concept he’s instilled in their use.

And, come on, who doesn’t love zombies?

But aside from that, I know that Goodkind has gotten back into his groove. This book cements my theory that he did not write The Omen Machine. Goodkind has gotten back into his groove. The characters, though borrowing mannerisms from previous characters, have the love/hate qualities you come to expect from Goodkind’s world. This is a story, expounded upon from the tales weaved through The Temple of the Winds of Baraccus and Lothain. And I’m sure some of the Magda and Merritt details had been splattered throughout the other 12 books as he gives up pieces to the histories of the Confessors. I’ve fallen hard for the relationship that Magda and Merritt are building together and their cause.

And, even though the stories of the Great War fought by wizards from both the Old and New Worlds have been weaved throughout The Sword of Truth series, there is a hint that what we’ve already learned, the facts about that history written in books for future generations, may not be the truth.

Goodkind has redeemed himself with this book, in my eyes. His journey and determination into self-publishing is amazing. I commend him for his reasons, and am glad to have supported him in this endeavor. Although I do enjoy the tactile feel and smell of printed books, the eBook is so much easier, less space, and it “should” be less money than the printed piece.

Can’t wait for the next installment of Magda and Merritt.

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Book Review: The Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik

Posted August 10, 2012 By LadyJai

Crucible of Gold (Temeraire, #7)Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overall the book was spot on. Good progression in the series, and good story.

There are a few issues I’ve been having lately with her books, though, and that’s her long drawn out main plot. The earlier books have a lot of action and a lot more story. The characters are complex and fun and you can connect with each of them. But with each progressing book, we lose the subplots, the action, and the connection to any of Novik’s characters. I was not devastated or surprised where I should have been. I was emotionless. I was utterly sad with her lack of focusing on the characters, especially the interaction between the dragons and the humans. Yes, she’s already established their personalities, but there was nothing to make them grow, or keep them intriguing like they used to be. Now, they are flat, uninteresting. I was definitely disappointed.

She also seems to drag on with connecting the dots for the overall arc of the series, rather than focusing a sub-plot for each book and touching on the overall arc. It’s more like I am reading one large book, with a very long pause in between sections. I will continue reading the series, though, just to find out what’s going to happen next. You know, kind of like a season finale on your favorite TV show…this just just like that. Unless, unless she cannot pull through for the series finale.

Another problem I found irritating in this book in particular, is her use of the colon. It is almost as if she uses it as a period rather than its proper use. Or maybe the editor mistook the period for the colon? I don’t know.

“A colon informs readers that something more is coming along. The words after a colon define or clarify what came before the colon.” (http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/…)

But here’s an example:

“They dragged themselves slowly through the jungle, until Laurence dreamed one night of gulls crying, and work to hear their voices: when Temeraire went aloft there was a cloud of them wheeling and circling in the distance over the great mouth of the river where it met the open endless ocean blue: they had come to the shore of the Atlantic.”

Yes, that’s two colons in one sentence. I’ve never seen that before. Maybe it’s just me. But I’ve always been told the colon is used for lists, or joining a dependent clause with a dependent clause without the dash drama (you know, the long dramatic pause and then the reader expects some fantastical revelation. The colon omits the drama.) But, I don’t quite understand the usage throughout the whole book. Each use of the colon, I found, was a separate sentence in and of itself.

Not sure if anyone else would be bothered by this, but I sure was. It distracted me from my reading and my overall enjoyment of the book (along with the issues I mentioned before).

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LadyJai

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This week is Merry Farmer‘s Birth-week. And in celebration, she is offering her first Historical Romance in the Loyal Series up for free. You can read my review below. And since this is one of my first encounters with a WELL WRITTEN self-published book, I wanted to promote it for her.

You can get her book here:

The Loyal Heart (The Noble Hearts, #1)

The Loyal Heart by Merry Farmer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overall story: This is definitely not your average Robin Hood tale. Although it has similar characters and circumstances: a bandit stealing money from a noble on the road in the middle of the woods, Prince John, the sheriff, I think that’s the extent of similarities.

The story revolves around loyalty, while the title is only scratching the surface. It has several layers intricately woven throughout the whole book. Loyalty to the crown, loyalty to the master, loyalty to the family, loyalty to the childhood sweetheart, and loyalty to your true heart. It will keep you guessing, plotting, and wanting.

I love a deep, psychological, in your head type of book. Books that make you think. Go deeper than the surface. The story and characters all have many layers and Merry Farmer gives it a good show.

Grammar/Editing: I would have LOVED to have been able to do a line-by-line critique/edit of this while it was still in beta. I truly enjoy helping writers become better writers, while they do the same for me. There are a few grammatical errors and POV confusions throughout the book. (“Glancing” is definitely an overused word that left me groaning by the end.) While tripping me up every now and again, they are still easy to overlook because of the story as a whole.

When you are the author and so close to the story, it’s easy to miss errors. Even having a single copy-editor, I could understand some slip through. Heck, even traditional published books still have their own grammatical/spelling errors. But if the author has a couple of really good people, betas, critique partners, that are willing to go over it line-by-line, fewer errors will ever get through. The more eyes the better, right?

Characters: Merry Farmer makes me become, fall in love, despise, loathe, cringe, want, and fall in love all over again. Her characters are not just three-dimensional, they are real–each having a distinct personality all their own. Whether you want to love them, hate them, or both, you will find that you will question, you will want to reach through and strangle them, slap them, or shake them until they wake up. No person is perfect, and nor are her characters. Some even have redeeming qualities, while others are pure evil.

  • Lady Aubrey: Very strong and independent. A main character you can really get into the head of, feel what she feels, and plot, hope and love right along with her. She’s calculating. She’s head-strong. She’s smart. All of which, make her clash with any and all men she meets. And in this era, a woman like that should be put in her place. She will have none of it, from anyone. Well, maybe just one…
  • Sir Ethan: A very noble man. Fights for what he believes in. Defender of the crown and country. Fights for his country, his land, his right, and his love. At every turn, Aubrey clashes with his wishes, his plans, his attempts to get back what is rightfully his. But he always puts his priorities in the wrong basket, which ends up getting him into a lot of trouble.
  • Sir Crispin: You are supposed to despise him. He is the epitome of authority. Secrets. Lies. And a “love” for Aubrey that looks to be a strategic move, only superficial. She refused him once before. She refuses to be controlled, told what to do. Infuriating Ethan. But through her decisions, her actions, she begins to see the truth, and so does the reader.
  • Lord Buxton: I loathe this man! Not just hate him. I LOATHE him. He’s disgusting. He’s brutal. He wants what he wants and doesn’t care who he hurts in the process to get it. As long as he gets it and it makes him look good doing it! I wanted to see him dead. Well, if not dead, then stripped of everything and made to beg on the streets—a fate worse than hell for him. People like him do not deserve greatness. But it’s people like him that always seem to get wealth and power, even today.
  • Jack: I adore this character, even though he says “Oy!” way too much. 😉 His basic, rough, very matter-of-fact character is someone you just can’t help but love. He is true to himself, and everyone around him. There is no hiding who he is. He is definitely not blinded by power, nor loyalty to anyone but himself and his heart. He makes his own way in life, does what he feels is right, regardless who does or doesn’t follow. He is a very strong supporting character who’s loyalty changes when he sees the truth with his own eyes.
  • Geoffrey/Toby/Tom/other minor characters: I’m not sure that we need to have a point of view for any of the minor characters. There aren’t too many to distract the reader, but I don’t feel the need to get into their head at any given time. We could easily see their POV through their actions and through the eyes of the others, I think.

I am not a very fast reader due to my real life situation. I read when I can. I also write when I can. So when the voices in my head tell me to write, I write. When I’m stuck, I read. This book was really engaging, riveting at points. I didn’t want to put it down, even when life made me. I am pleasantly surprised that I found a self-published book, worthy to stand the ground against a traditional published one.

I still fear, though, the self-published world is inundated with bad books. Since everyone can publish, everyone thinks they can write. I hope to find more quality, self-published books out there, like Merry Farmer. This is the first self-published book I actually enjoyed and while I don’t normally read romance, I’d still recommend this book. If you like historical romance, a strong female main character, a bit of sword play, chess, settings in the medieval era, Robin Hood, and lord/peasant society, secrets, spies and plots, you will enjoy this book. However, be warned, there are a couple of very detailed, intimate scenes that are rather necessary for plot progression. This is not something you want your teenager reading.

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LadyJai
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#BookReview: The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind

Posted June 19, 2012 By LadyJai

The Omen MachineThe Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Because I loved The Sword of Truth Series, the characters, and the world, I wanted to see how Terry Goodkind handled the world AFTER the death of tyranny. I was sorely disappointed.

While I could understand the possibility that someone new, who never read the previous 11 books, would pick this book up and read it with fresh eyes, I cannot understand the continued repetitiveness of describing who these characters are/were throughout the entire length of the book.

Goodkind’s repetitive nature doesn’t stop with just telling the reader who the characters are. He has a nasty habit of repeating a lot of the information in the story, sometimes paragraph after paragraph, sometimes weaving it in throughout the chapter, or chapters. After a few times the reader starts scratching their head and wondering if the author thinks the reader is dumb or forgets easily. The 525 page book could easily have been edited down to 300 pages just by removing the repeat offenders. Or, edited down to 300, then brought back up to 525 pages by finishing the story! (but I will go into that in a moment)

The feel of the writing was definitely not Goodkind feel. In my eyes and heart, I believe that either Goodkind forced this book to appease his fans, or he had a ghost writer. The characters I came to love were flat, nothing more than a sounding board. There was no growth. The characters had already fulfilled their growth in The Sword of Truth series. It ended. That should have been the last we heard of everyone. But for some reason, everyone wanted another Richard and Kahlan story. I certainly did not need this. Kahlan lacked her usual strong feminine appeal. Just because she was sick she didn’t need to be so clingy. She never was in the previous books. Now that Jangang is gone, what? she suddenly turns all princess-y and becomes insecure and needy? I was not happy with her, or any of the other major minor characters that were so well-loved. In this book, they only provided a means for Richard to figure the puzzle out. They asked childish questions, obvious questions. Basically, it was like Richard was talking inside his head, but Goodkind slapped a face/name to the one asking the questions. They really weren’t needed. Very disappointing.

The reader is left wondering who really is the antagonist in this book. Based on the synopsis, we would assume Hannis Arc is. But after reading it in total, we are left wondering. Really, is it the machine? Is it the Hedge Maid? Bishop Arc? Abbot Ludwig? Come on, make up our minds already! It took 500 pages to build up to the climax of the story. Richard talking to the machine. Prophecy running rampant throughout the lands. The discovery of a mysterious prophecy machine. The treason going on in the palace instigated by Abbot Ludwig for the sake of Bishop Arc. But really, Ludwig wants all the power. A slight detour showing us that Bishop Arc is guiding the Hedge Maid.

At 500 pages we are lead to believe that Bishop Arc is the true antagonist. We “guess” that he’s controlling the Hedge Maid and The Omen Machine. He is controlling “prophecy” and that Richard will have to fight him in the end to stop all the nonsense. Yet, we are left with the “knight in shining armor come to save the beautiful princess from the horrible Hedge Maid”, but the REAL evil is never addressed at the end. All the questions that surround the omen machine, Bishop Arc, and Abbot Ludwig are left unanswered. It was a poorly executed ending. More like, “OMG there’s so much more story, but I have to hurry up and finish because I’m at 500 pages, and really it’s only about Richard and Kahlan so I can end it there, right?!”

No, I’m sorry, I did not like this book. It was not in the nature of Goodkind. I feel cheated. I don’t think this book is worthy of the rest of his books. The story is good, whenever/if ever he finishes it. But to leave it as is…I will not be recommending this to anyone. Richard and Kahlan, and all the rest of the characters from the Sword Of Truth world, should have ended with the final book in the series, Confessor.

I do hope his next book THE FIRST CONFESSOR will be much better. At least that will have new characters and a new plot to follow, grow, and hopefully fall in love with.

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Summary:
Seventeen year old Ava Walker has everything a girl could ask for. She’s captain of the cheer squad, has tons of friends, and could easily have any guy she wants. Being popular is easy.
Lying about her entire life, on the other hand, isn’t.
Since she was little, Ava has had a connection with the dearly departed. She knows seeing dead people is abnormal, but they never try to communicate, so she does her best to turn a blind eye. The older she gets, the worse her visions become. With more and more ghosts showing up, her secret is on the verge of driving her mad.

The only person Ava ever trusted is her best friend, Devon. Only, she hasn’t really talked to him in years and lately he hasn’t been acting like himself.

To make things worse, her evil stepfather, Mark, is hitting the bottle harder and harder. Ava hates the alcoholic psycho her mother married a few years ago. To him, beating women is a sport. Lately, the beatings are getting worse. Ava fears it won’t be long before her mother is among the ghosts invading her life.

She wishes Mark would just die. When he suddenly does, her life changes forever.

Just when she thinks her family is safe, Mark shows back up.

Not all ghosts are silent, and dear old Daddy wants some serious revenge.

Be careful what you wish for …

My Review:
This is the second self-published/indie book I’ve read that I actually really enjoyed. In a row, no less. Maybe I am getting better at picking the good ones out of the haystack.

There were some definite flaws with editing on occasion. Not too many, but when they showed, they always seem to jump out of the page at me. Maybe because it is the fact that I am a writer too. I don’t know. But editing mistakes (i.e. spelling, punctuation, and wrong words used) really make me stumble when I read. There weren’t as many in Ms. Rae’s book as I have encountered in many other self-pubbed/indie books. So, I’m keeping this at a minimum. (I would have loved to have done a line-by-line critique/edit for her on this. Not everyone can see every error. Even the big 6. And I believe that having at least one or two betas/critiques that are good with copy editing, as well as a professional copy editor, are essential.)

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast-paced, easy to read story with engaging scenes. With Ms. Rae’s choice of 1st person of the two main characters, I struggled at first, but it allowed the reader to get into the head of both Ava and Devon. The book was definitely filled with strong emotions. As a reader, though, I felt more connected with Ava. Because this is the first in a series, I was left wondering what happens next and can’t wait to read the next installment.

ASIDE: I’ve been contacted by the author. She informs me that there is a new version available and hopefully all the editing mistakes have been caught and fixed.

LadyJai
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Book Review – Invisible by Jeanne Bannon

Posted April 11, 2012 By LadyJai

InvisibleInvisible by Jeanne Bannon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I won an e-copy of this book via the author’s blog: http://beyondwordsblog.blogspot.com/
I am a slow reader, as I like to enjoy the book. But I also am doing many other things, like writing my own. So, it took me a little while to finish this book. But what I’d like to say is, I DID finish. Unlike the last three books I’ve attempted to read, this story was engaging. It was easy to read. Grammar was excellent, and the plot was solid. I did enjoy this book. We all love “the underdog wins” kind of book, don’t we! 😀

However, there were a few things I had issues with in the book. We know Lola is supposed to be tall and overweight. I don’t feel that the author accurately described Lola. I never got the picture of an obese teen. Nor did I get the feeling she was overly tall. At 5’8″, that’s not too far reaching. Rather, the image I feel the author painted of Lola was more “normal” than she was going for, only a little chunky, despite Nino’s comments to her.

I clearly could see Charlie as the author wanted, I felt more feelings for Charlie than I did for Lola, and she wasn’t the main character. I think this poses a problem.

I’m not too keen on “ugly chick gets beautiful guy”. Because, let’s face it, really how many times have you seen this in YOUR high school? This is just fantasy we’d all LOVE to have happen in real life. But it just doesn’t. If Lola really is ugly…she shouldn’t get a beautiful guy. A guy, yes, but not gorgeous.

My biggest character issue is with Gram. Gram is in her 80s, but talks and acts like a teen. I could not find anything in her character as believable, really. Though her role in the story is crucial, the character personality is wrong.

Other than those issues, I really did like this. The story, the message especially. “You have to love yourself before others will love you.” This one phrase is very important and teens just don’t get it. I know I didn’t when I was a teen.

The bully/bully-ee conflict hits home with me, and I am sure with so many. However, I was starting to worry about the outcome. I really did not want an eye-for-an-eye type outcome. And, let’s just say, I am happy with the ending! No need to spoil it for you.

I definitely would recommend it to the teen reader! Especially, someone who is on the brunt end of a bully, or a girl who is not happy with who she is.

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