Review of Wars Of The Roses: Stormbird by Conn Iggulden

Description (From NetGalley)

Cover links to amazon

Historical fiction master Conn Iggulden retells the gripping story of the English Civil War in his new Wars of the Roses series.

King Henry V - the great Lion of England - is long dead. In 1437, after years of regency, the pious and gentle Henry VI, the Lamb, comes of age and accedes to the English throne. His poor health and frailty of mind render him a weakling king - Henry depends on his closest men, Spymaster Derry Brewer and William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, to run his kingdom. Yet there are those, such as the Plantagenet Richard, Duke of York, who believe England must be led by a strong king if she is to survive. 

With England's territories in France under threat, and rumours of revolt at home, fears grow that Henry and his advisers will see the country slide into ruin. With a secret deal struck for Henry to marry a young French noblewoman, Margaret of Anjou, those fears become all too real. As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home. Who, or what, can save the kingdom before it is too late?

My Review

There isn't really a great deal I can say about this book other than, go and buy it now!

I was completely hooked from the first page to the last and already cannot wait for the second instalment. This is one of the best pieces of historical fiction that I have read in a very long time.

The style of writing, the fully fleshed out characters, the way the 15th Century landscape jumps out at you, all of it is pure genius.

I give Wars of The Roses: Stormbird 5 out of 5 stars.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Review of How To Be A Good Wife by Emma Chapman

Description (From NetGalley)

Cover links to amazon

In the tradition of Emma Donoghue's Room and S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep, a haunting literary debut about a woman who begins having visions that make her question everything she knows

Marta and Hector have been married for a long time. Through the good and bad; through raising a son and sending him off to life after university. So long, in fact, that Marta finds it difficult to remember her life before Hector. He has always taken care of her, and she has always done everything she can to be a good wife—as advised by a dog-eared manual given to her by Hector’s aloof mother on their wedding day.

But now, something is changing. Small things seem off. A flash of movement in the corner of her eye, elapsed moments that she can’t recall. Visions of a blonde girl in the darkness that only Marta can see. Perhaps she is starting to remember—or perhaps her mind is playing tricks on her. As Marta’s visions persist and her reality grows more disjointed, it’s unclear if the danger lies in the world around her, or in Marta herself. The girl is growing more real every day, and she wants something.

My Review

I did enjoy this book but for me, I felt it fell a little short in places.

The concept is a brilliant one and well thought out, but at times there were certain aspects that were only hinted at, or glossed over, and I would have liked a bit more depth to them. Even said, I probably still would have given this book a 4 if it weren't for the ending. I can see why the author chose that particular ending, but as a reader I didn't find that it satisfied and was left feeling a little let down by it.

That being said, If the description appeals to you, I would definitely recommend giving it a go.

I give How To Be A Good Wife 3 out of 5 stars.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Review of If I'd Known You Were Coming by Kate Milliken

Description (From NetGalley)

Cover links to amazon

In these twelve award-winning stories, Kate Milliken unflinchingly shows us what can happen when the uninvited guest of our darkest desires comes to call. Whether surrounded by the white noise of a Hollywood celebration or enduring a stark winter in Maine, the characters of If I’d Known You Were Coming yearn to heal old wounds with new hurts. With a wry wit and a keen eye for emotive detail, the author of this unforgettable collection sets intersections in motion that will leave you both winded and wanting more.

In one story, a mother, driven by greed, unwittingly finds out how far her needs will push her. A hand model surprises himself and everyone else at the birthday party of an old friend’s daughter in another. With poetic deftness, a woman evaluates the meaning, the familial stories, that we carry with us from birth. In a story ripped from the headlines, a woman pines for the legs her husband lost in a freak accident at a Santa Monica farmer's market. A medical clerk, restless and alone, takes advantage of a disabled neighbor.

Kate Milliken knows the ties that bind and how tautly we will pull them. These are stories about desire, betrayal, love, regret, and family. Like all great fiction, If I’d Known You Were Coming possesses that uncanny ability to reveal us to ourselves.

My Review

I enjoyed this collection of short stories and like that some of the characters actually intercept but at different periods in time. The let down for me was that once I had connected a few of the stories I was expecting them all to end up connecting in some way and they didn't so I felt a bit let down at the end.

That being said, the way the author brings you inside the minds of these very odd collection of characters is remarkable and it's definitely worth a read.

I give If I'd Known You Were Coming 3 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Review of Mrs Poe by Lynn Cullen

Description (From NetGalley)

Cover links to amazon

A writer and his demons. A woman and her desires. A wife and her revenge . . . 

Inspired by literature’s most haunting love triangle, award-winning author Lynn Cullen delivers a pitch-perfect rendering of Edgar Allan Poe, his mistress’s tantalizing confession, and his wife’s frightening obsession . . . in this “intelligent, sexy, and utterly addictive” (M. J. Rose) new masterpiece of historical fiction. 

1845: New York City is a sprawling warren of gaslit streets and crowded avenues, bustling with new immigrants and old money, optimism and opportunity, poverty and crime. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is all the rage—the success of which a struggling poet like Frances Osgood can only dream. As a mother trying to support two young children after her husband’s cruel betrayal, Frances jumps at the chance to meet the illustrious Mr. Poe at a small literary gathering, if only to help her fledgling career. Although not a great fan of Poe’s writing, she is nonetheless overwhelmed by his magnetic presence— and the surprising revelation that he admires her work. 

What follows is a flirtation, then a seduction, then an illicit affair . . . and with each clandestine encounter, Frances finds herself falling slowly and inexorably under the spell of her mysterious, complicated lover. But when Edgar’s frail wife Virginia insists on befriending Frances as well, the relationship becomes as dark and twisted as one of Poe’s tales. And like those gothic heroines whose fates are forever sealed, Frances begins to fear that deceiving Mrs. Poe may be as impossible as cheating death itself. . . .

My Review

Not only does this story successfully bring to life New York City in the mid-nineteenth century, the characters themselves became a part of the landscape and help create the overall feel of the novel.

The love story between Mr Poe and Mrs Osgood is a dark one but given the types of stories Poe is famous for it seems only fitting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself wanting to learn more about Frances Osgood and her body of work.

I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author.

I give Mrs Poe 4 stars out of 5.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Sunday Check-In - #ROW80 and #NaNoWriMo

This week has been a bit of a mixed bag.

Weekly goals:

• Two book reviews a week. Done, but again, only because I got ahead in previous weeks. This week I only read one and a half books, but one of those was almost 600 pages so not too bad.
• 4 blog posts a week. No. I didn't get my weekly inspirations post out on Friday, but then I haven't been very active on Twitter or reading blogs so I didn't have any links to share.
• Visit and comment on the blogs of at least 5 other #ROW80 participants every week. Another failure, my apologies to all my fellow #ROW80ers. As this is the second week running that I have failed this task, next week I promise to visit a minimum of 15.
• Exercise at least three times a week and eat more healthily. Only managed one workout and then injured my knee (Not while working out funnily enough). I have made up for this with lots of long walks with the dogs though.

Monthly goal

• November - Write a minimum of 1,667 words a day to complete 50k in 30 days for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  I have been dipping below the word count goal on quite a few occasions but always catch up the following day. I have done 2k today but still need another 692 to get caught up.

How about you? How did you get on this week? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you. And remember, if you want to visit others in the #ROW80 blog hop you can use the links below.

Review of Upgrade by Rana Florida

Description (From NetGalley)

Cover links to amazon

7 Transformative Principles Guaranteed to Deliver Remarkable Results 

What do a graffiti artist, eminent neurologist, rocket scientist, and Grammy Award-winning musician have in common? Seven key ingredients for success.

In this groundbreaking book, Rana Florida, drawing on her years of experience working in collaboration with top global companies, offers readers the tools they need to achieve unimagined success in work and in life. 

UPGRADE gathers the best from entrepreneurs, innovative thinkers, and creative leaders, and presents their philosophies and approaches in simple and actionable terms that anyone can put to good effect in their professional or their personal lives right from day one.

Experts, luminaries, and stand-outs in their respective fields, from Andre Agassi, Nelly Furtado, and Mario Batali to Tony Hsieh, Tory Burch, Richard Illy, Daniel Pink, Zaha Hadid, and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, offered remarkably consistent advice and key principles for living an Upgraded live, which allowed them to overcome challenges, change course, and completely reboot their lives to ones with vision, purpose, challenge, and passion.

UPGRADE provides the keys to making small changes in work and life which will elevate you to a level of greater happiness and fulfillment – and bring you the life you really want.

About the Author: Rana Florida is CEO of the consulting firm The Creative Class Group, whose clients include BMW, Starwood, IBM, Philips, Zappos, and Johnson & Johnson. She writes a Huffington Post column called “Your Startup Life,” and is a regular HGTV who has appeared on The Today Show and in The New York Times.

My Review

This book certainly provides some food for thought. The first and last parts of the book were really inspiring and have pushed me to re-evaluate a few things in my life and make one or two changes. A couple of the chapters in the middle, I feel, were geared more towards people who are out there working in an office environment, with more focus on those who are in leadership roles. Although I couldn't directly relate this to my own situation I still found it really interesting.

Overall, this is an easy, interesting and enjoyable read, and may just help you change your life.

I give Upgrade 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Review of Letters From A Murderer by John Matthews

Description (From NetGalley)

cover links to amazon

New York, 1891. A new breed of cop for a new breed of killer…

The first in a series of hard-boiled New York Victorian mysteries, featuring Finley Jameson & Joseph Argenti.

If Arthur Conan Doyle had been asked to write a sequel to Gangs of New York, then this would be it.

“One genius criminal profiler. One ruthless, streetwise cop. Both will need all their wits to capture the most notorious killer of all time.”

New York, 1891. A prostitute is found brutally murdered. The victim bears the same hallmarks as a notorious recent killing spree in England. Could it be that killer has crossed the Atlantic to fresh killing grounds? Or is this simply a copycat murder? Fear spreads through a city already rife with cut-throat gangs, corruption and vice. Aristocratic English pathologist, Finley Jameson, is teamed up with Joseph Argenti, a streetwise New York cop, to solve the case. But as the body-count rises and the killer taunts his pursuers in open letters, Jameson & Argenti find themselves fighting not just to prevent yet more victims, but also to save the city’s very soul.

My Review

In a word ... brilliant.

Over the years there have been a number of books, tv shows and films based on the Ripper murders. This is the best by far.

I was gripped from page one right through to the end. The story, the characters, the setting, it was all perfectly executed. In fact, I am writing this now having finished reading it about ten minutes ago and my heart is still racing.

I agree with the Arthur Conan Doyle meets Gangs of New York comparison, and one of the characters definitely brought to mind Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting.

I could easily see this book being turned into a film and I can't recommend it highly enough.

I give Letters From A Murderer 5 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Sunday Check-In - #ROW80 and #NaNoWriMo

Good start, bad finish.

Weekly goals:

• Two book reviews a week. Done, but again, only because I got ahead in previous weeks. This week I only read one and a half books and the good lead I had is starting to dwindle away.
• 5 blog posts a week. No. I didn't get a post out on Monday but I am going to suspend those posts during November as I think I have enough writing on my plate.
• Visit and comment on the blogs of at least 5 other #ROW80 participants every week. Epic fail. Sorry everyone, I will make up for it next week.
• Exercise at least three times a week and eat more healthily. Managed one measly workout, must try harder next week!

Monthly goal

• November - Write a minimum of 1,667 words a day to complete 50k in 30 days for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  I got off to a great start but by the end of the week I was starting to flag. I did manage to keep just ahead of the necessary total word count for each day, but then this weekend I have fallen way behind. On the plus side I have a very clean and tidy house, funny how that works isn't it?

How about you? How did you get on this week? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you. And remember, if you want to visit others in the #ROW80 blog hop you can use the links below.

Review of The God King by Adrian Mallabo

Description (From Amazon)

Cover links to amazon

His one ally, a Monster older than time.

A commercial flight crashes after being torn apart by a terrible storm. Bram wakes up on an unknown island to tragedy and loss. Only he and a few survivors remain to pick up the pieces of their ruined lives. They all think that they’re alone on the island, lost in the middle of nowhere with little hope of ever going home. It doesn’t take long for the island’s original occupant to reveal its presence to Bram. There is an old and dark entity who lives there, and it wishes to use Bram’s pain and twist his soul. It wants to convince him that some of the others might not deserve to live.

My Review

The concept for The God King is a great one, with the potential for some truly terrifying and creepy scenes. Unfortunately, it didn't quite deliver.

I could not get to like the main character or really feel connected to him in any way, and the whole book read like a first draft. Sometimes things were repeated in the very next paragraph (or even sentence in some cases), with only slightly different wording. At one point the main character's name changed from Bram to Adam and had me confused as to who they were talking about. Another character who isn't introduced until the final quarter of the book changed gender more times than I can count, and yes, even in the same sentence! In one paragraph alone she changed gender four times.

It's a shame really, this writer does have talent. There is a solid structure in place and the idea for the novel is a great one, I think it just needs a few more drafts and some serious editing.

I give The God King 2 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Weekly Inspirations #31

Image from dailyhaha.com

As I didn't post last Friday, here are my favourite links from the past two weeks. Have a great weekend.

Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Villains' Rewards http://goo.gl/ZTZPLb  via @JanetL717

Advice I Wish I’d Been Given When I Started … Part 1 http://buff.ly/Hu7Mwz  a guest post by @MsBessieBell over @LiveWriteThrive

Writing The Spooky Scene http://buff.ly/1aofXaG  via @mooderino

The Alliterative Allomorph: Why Literary Journals Should Accept Reprints & Simultaneous Submissions http://buff.ly/16pXAPe  via @MsBessieBell

Author, Jody Hedlund: Having Self-Discipline All Year (Not Just During NaNo!) http://buff.ly/1iwEhpK  via @JodyHedlund

Color to Shape Your Novel http://buff.ly/1hxGL9K  via @LiveWriteThrive

Writers Write, Right? http://buff.ly/1aqXrsc  via @mooderino

NaNoWriMo Dialogues: “I Think I Suck And I’m Not A Real Writer” http://buff.ly/1fiS0Rk  via @ChuckWendig

Shapes to Shape Reaction in a Novel http://buff.ly/1bczebD  via @LiveWriteThrive

Review of Clean Burn by Karen Sandler

Description (From NetGalley)

cover links to amazon

“No child should ever stay missing…”

Wry, smart, tough private eye Janelle Watkins swore off investigating child abductions four years ago, when she left the San Francisco PD.

But when two clients with missing children beg for her help, Janelle can’t say no. Even though it means returning to the scene of her nightmares – her hometown of Greenville.

Forced to enlist the help of her ex-partner and ex-lover, Greenville County Sheriff Ken Heinz, Janelle soon finds herself playing with fire in more than one way, and in a race against the clock to find the missing children before it’s too late.

If Janet Evanovich and the Cohen Brothers ever sat down to collaborate on a story, then this is exactly the kind of incredible novel they might come up with – one full of twists and turns and memorable characters…

Isn’t it about time you met the unforgettable Janelle Watkins?

My Review

This book had me hooked from the first page and kept me hooked till the very last. I really love the flawed main character and the relationship she has with her ex-partner. The plot was fast paced and intricate and deals with some very ugly subjects perfectly.

The only critique I might have is that it all seemed a little coincidental, the fact that the case takes her back to her hometown and her ex-partner just happens to have moved there and is now in charge, as well as the source of her demons and what is going on in the case. While this kind of thing would usually annoy me and put me off a book, or at least make me knock a star off, in this case it didn't. I thoroughly enjoyed every single page and could not put it down. I really hope that there will be a second book, if there is I will be buying it straight away.

If you like Detective stories, this is one you do not want to miss.

I give Clean Burn 5 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Sunday Check-In - #ROW80 and #NaNoWriMo

As predicted, due to half-term this week, my productivity took a nose dive. My son is back at school again next week though so hopefully I will be able to play catch-up then.

Weekly goals:

• Two book reviews a week. Done, but only because I got ahead in previous weeks. This week I haven't even finished reading one book, although I am 80% of the way through it and plan to have it finished tonight.
• Write a minimum of 100 words of new fiction every weekday. This didn't happen until Friday when NaNoWriMo started.
• 5 blog posts a week. No. I completely forgot to post my weekly inspirations on Friday so only 4 times this week.
• Visit and comment on the blogs of at least 5 other #ROW80 participants every week. Done. To make up for last week I actually doubled this and visited ten.
• Exercise at least three times a week and eat more healthily. Not a chance with a four year old at home.

Monthly goal

• October - Complete the NaNo Road Map course. Done. 
• November - Write a minimum of 1,667 words a day to complete 50k in 30 days for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  On target with 5025 words so far.

How about you? How did you get on this week? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you. And remember, if you want to visit others in the #ROW80 blog hop you can use the links below.

Review of The Returned by Jason Mott

Description (From NetGalley)

cover links to amazon

What if the end were only just the beginning?...
Harold and Lucille Hargrave’s lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. But in their old age they’ve settled comfortably into life without him… Until one day a government agent appears on their doorstep towing Jacob behind him—still eight years old, exactly as he was on the day he died.
All over the world people’s loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why or why this is happening, whether it’s a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy at their doorstep is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he’s their son. As tensions begin to rise across the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family must navigate the conflict between those who believe the Returned are a gift and those who are afraid of the unknown—a conflict that threatens to rock the very foundation of our humanity.

My Review

I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. I liked the characters, and it was an interesting concept, but it just seemed to meander about. It was written from an omniscient point of view and all the head-hopping just had me confused and kept me disconnected from the story. It seemed to raise a lot of questions and never really answer them. It got me thinking, and I don't think it is a book I will ever forget, so from that aspect I guess it did it's job and could be called a success, but I don't think that I actually enjoyed the journey.

The part of me that was disconnected from the story and found it hard going wants to give 2 stars, but another part of me respects what the story achieved in terms of the way it made me think and feel and wants to give 4 stars. For that reason, I'm opting for the middle ground.

I give The Returned 3 stars out of 5.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Review of Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Description (From NetGalley)

cover links to amazon

In addition to the P-38, there are four gifts, one for each of my friends. I want to say good-bye to them properly. I want to give them each something to remember me by. To let them know I really cared about them and I'm sorry I couldn't be more than I was--that I couldn't stick around--and that what's going to happen today isn't their fault.

Today is Leonard Peacock's birthday. It is also the day he hides a gun in his backpack. Because today is the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol.

But first he must say good-bye to the four people who matter most to him: his Humphrey Bogart--obsessed next-door neighbor, Walt; his classmate Baback, a violin virtuoso; Lauren, the Christian homeschooler he has a crush on; and Herr Silverman, who teaches the high school's class on the Holocaust. Speaking to each in turn, Leonard slowly reveals his secrets as the hours tick by and the moment of truth approaches.

In this riveting book, acclaimed author Matthew Quick (Author of The Silver Linings Playbook) unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made--and the light in us of all that never goes out.

My Review

This book manages to deal with several very difficult subjects with such raw honesty that you can't help but be moved by it. Although the story is dark, there are glimmers of light here and there that you pull you through and give you hope.

As a mother I found it particularly heart-wrenching and wanted to reach through the pages of the book and do anything I could to help the main character. It really brings home just how important it is to take the time to really listen to our children.

I think this is a very important book that could teach us all a little something about looking out for others. I highly recommend it.

I give Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock 5 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:

1 star: I will never post a 1 star review because this means it was so bad I couldn't finish it, and I don't won't publicly rate a book I haven't read all the way through.

2 stars: I may have liked the story but it was badly written or it may have been a boring story well written. Something about it kept me reading but I didn't enjoy it.

3 stars: A good, enjoyable read. If the description appeals to you I'd recommend reading it.

4 stars: A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and may even read again. I will want to read other books by the same author. Highly recommend.

5 stars: Reserved for books that blew me away and whose characters I can't get out of my head. These are books that I will definitely read again, possibly several times. If I read an e-book version I may even have to go buy a hard copy for my shelves. Why are you still here? Go read this book right now.

Can You Write A Novel In 30 Days?

It's that time of year again. On November 1st thousands of people will embark on the seemingly impossible task of writing a novel in 30 days as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). If you have never heard of this challenge I strongly advise checking out the website here.

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / freedigitalphotos.net

The first time I took part back in 2009 I had never written anything longer than flash fiction. I had always wanted to write but at that time it was a dream I had kept hidden for years, jotting down flash fiction pieces every now and then but never really taking it seriously.

So what changed in 2009? I had my son. I wanted him to grow up to believe that he could do anything if he set his mind to it and put in the work and when I heard about the challenge I figured it was my job to lead by example. With only a week to go before the start of the challenge I played around with a few ideas and jotted down some notes but I basically started with very little idea what I was going to write. Even so, I did it. At the end of November I had a completed first draft of my first ever novel, I was over the moon and so proud of myself. I even admitted to those closest to me that I dreamed of being a writer.

Unfortunately, when I read back through what I had written, I hated it. There were some great elements in there but it was too meandering and there wasn't enough structure to it. At the time I didn't really know enough about the craft to even start fixing it, so I put it away in a draw with the promise I would get back to it one day.

Roll on November 2010 and while I had written a few more flash fiction pieces and worked a little on craft, I still hadn't really achieved very much. I decided to give NaNoWriMo a go again. This time I plotted out quite a bit of the novel before hand and once again I finished the month with a complete draft. Although much better than my first attempt at writing a novel, it still needed a whole lot of work and probably a complete re-write.

A little disheartened I decided I would concentrate on learning the craft before attempting another novel length piece. Unfortunately, reading about the craft seemed to take over and I spent less and less time actually writing. If anything, I think I read so much writing advice that when I was faced with the blank page I became paralysed, how could I ever live up to all that advice? Everything I wrote felt wrong.

This year I decided it was time to make a drastic change. I stopped keeping my dream a secret and told everyone. I started this blog to try and encourage other writer's to have more belief in themselves and their dreams as I was trying to do. I took several writing courses that actually involved me writing instead of just reading about the craft, and the feedback I received really boosted my confidence (one short story was compared to Stephen King!!!). I became a book reviewer (another long held dream), and with all of the craft knowledge I have gained over the past couple of years I could easily work out what worked or didn't and why. In fact, being a reviewer and picking these books apart to see how they tick has probably been the best training yet. I also discovered #ROW80, and the goal setting and support that comes with it has been immensely helpful.

Now, November is nearly upon us again. I have a fully formed story road map and I am better prepared than ever before. This time I am confident that I will come through the other end with a draft that I will actually be able to work on and polish into something great.

Although those earlier attempts were cringeworthy, they were a necessary part of the process. Writing them taught me so much and with every project I take on I get better and better. 2012 has been a great year for me professionally, but it was that first NaNoWriMo that kick-started it all. If you have never taken part before, I can highly recommend it.

How about you? Are you taking part this year? Have you taken part in the past? If so, what was your experience like? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.

If you want to connect with me on the NaNoWriMo forums my username is Polgara.

Sunday Check-In - #ROW80

I had to really push the boat out this week as next week is half term and I will have my four-year old at home, and we have plans for every single day of it, so I know I will struggle to get as much done. Over all, I ma really pleased with how it went.

Weekly goals:

• Two book reviews a week. Done. I managed to read and prepare the reviews for 4 books this week. I also read a third of another but have since declined to review it. The writing itself was beautiful but nothing actually happened and I was so bored and disinterested I couldn't bring myself to finish it, and I will never review I book I haven't read all the way through as that would not be fair.
• Write a minimum of 100 words of new fiction every weekday. This didn't happen every day as my planning for NaNo and reading took priority again, but on the days that I did I far exceeded the word count goal, so I ma considering this as a success.
• 5 blog posts a week. Done
• Visit and comment on the blogs of at least 5 other #ROW80 participants every week. Sadly not this week, but I will make up for it by doubling this goal for next week.
• Concentrate on one room a day and have a good clear out. Not completely finished, but only one room left.
• Exercise at least three times a week and eat more healthily. I managed the exercise and there is not a single part of me that does not hurt, but in a good way, and I feel much better for it. The healthy eating on the other hand went completely out of the window this week.

Monthly goal

• October - Complete the NaNo Road Map course. Done. Just waiting for feedback on a few points and a little bit of last minute prep before it all kicks off next Friday.

How about you? How did you get on this week? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you. And remember, if you want to visit others in the #ROW80 blog hop you can use the links below.