Novella
Starbound Series Novella
Check out my review for These Broken Stars
Check out my review for These Broken Stars
Written by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Science Fiction, Romance
Published October 8th 2014
109 Pages
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★★★★Science Fiction, Romance
Published October 8th 2014
109 Pages
Download Free
Add to Goodreads
The breathtaking short story that connects the first two novels in the Starbound trilogy, These Broken Stars and This Shattered World.Tarver still has nightmares about the night, six months before the Icarus crash, when he rescued a group of civilian researchers being held hostage by brutal mercenaries. Now Tarver and Lilac must reconcile his memories of that fateful night with the truth that they uncovered on a mysterious planet after the Icarus crashed.
Tarver is on his way to the research facility, along with fellow soldier Fisk on their routine patrol. Believing that faulty equipment has caused a transmission to be cut short, the two are sent to explore the facility. But what they find is a hostage situation. The mercenaries are holding the resident scientists hostage and tarver finds himself fighting for his life, and those around him he vows to protect.
Alliances will be torn, blood will be shed and Tarver will never be the same again.
Kelly's Thoughts
This Night So Dark follows the story of Tarver, taking place before he found himself on the Icarus, and being stranded with Lilac before disaster struck. He holds the position on the patrol squad, seemingly an easy task as he recovers from his duty on the front lines. As he recalls that night at the facility to Lilac, the reader learns more about LaRoux industries, the technology that fueled the Icarus and why he was a celebrated and decorated hero. It was a superb read.
The second half of this free novella contains the first three chapters of These Broken Stars and This Shattered World, which I'm eagerly awaiting to be released. This Shattered World is the story of Jubilee and Flynn, one a military captain and the other a rebel leader who is holding Lee hostage in the midst of an escalating war. It was three chapters of brilliance. The reader is thrown straight into the action and introuduced to the two new characters, Lee and Flynn, that will take the Starbound series to the next level.
I'm giddy with excitement waiting for it's release.
Four: A Divergent Story Collection
Written by Veronica Roth
Novellas, Dystopian
Published July 8th 2014
160 Pages
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia
Add to Goodreads
Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen year old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. His transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. He will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.
Newly christened as Four, he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future, and the future of the entire faction system.
Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.
Written by Tim Winton
Editon Published June 25th 2014
162 Pages
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Abel Jackson has lived by the sea at Longboat Bay ever since he could remember. he helps his mother each day and loves to dive. One day he meets Blueback, the biggest and most beautiful fish he's ever seen.In the small community of Longboat Bay, ten year old Abel and his mother live off the land and spending their days in the company of one another. While snorkeling for Abalone along the pristine coastline, Abel discovers the most tremendous Blue Groper the bay has ever seen. Affectionately named Blueback, for his magnificent and brightly coloured scales, he's sly, he's playful and incredibly cheeky and Abel has fallen in love with the gentle giant.
When Abel's mother is approached by developers she decides she must do something to protect their fragile piece of coastline. But can Abel and his mother save Blueback and Longboat Bay in time?
As Abel strides into his teenage years, Blueback represents his life on the coast at Robbers Head, until a local developer releases that Longboat Bay is the ideal location for tourists, but the Jackson's won't go down without a fight. It's then, when Abel realises that in order to protect the water that Blueback and the marine wildlife call home, he'll need to learn about the ocean to preserve what men are out to destroy, leaving his mother as a staunch advocate for the preservation cause.
But throughout it all, Blueback is the one constant that the Jackson's are fighting for. To keep his home safe for generations to come.
Kelly's Thoughts
Throughout Abel's lifetime, his mother has seen illegal poachers who threaten to destroy the Bay by illegal fishing, developers who want to spoil the magic of the serene coastal property, raising a child alone with no support and living off the land to make ends meet. She's a phenomenal role model that should be celebrated. But it's her determination to protect her coast that will resonate with environmentalists worldwide.
It was simply beautiful. An incredibly poignant story that reminds us to take care of our environment from an author who leads by example. I hadn't heard of Tim Winton prior to reading Blueback, but the popular award winning Australian author is an incredible ambassador for Australian Marine Conservation Society and has been decalred a Living Treasure by the National Trust, and I can certainly see why. But the magic of Blueback isn't only confined to the storyline, but the series of Penguin's Australian Children's Classics are all simply stunning
Red At Night (Harlequin More Than Words)
Written by Katie McGarry
Published April 1st 2014
84 Page Novella
Find more information at More Than Words
In Red at Night, Stella and Jonah are total opposites. She's the girl with purple hair from the wrong part of town. He's a high school senior who hangs with the cool crowd. Until a car accident leaves him haunted by guilt, and Jonah starts spending time at Stella's favorite refuge… The local cemetery.
Stella knows she should keep her distance, after all, she spent her girlhood being bullied by Jonah's friends. Once he's sorted out his tangled emotions, Jonah won't have time for her anymore. Too bad she's already fallen for him.
Written By Juliet Madison
Published September 1st 2013
42 Page Novella
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
Getting three wishes isn't all it's cracked up to be when an unfortunate spelling error in Mandy's high tech magic lamp changes her wish for a Greek God to a Geek God. His fashion IQ is in the negatives, he’s clingier than cling wrap, and he has a penchant for breaking into song at inappropriate moments.
Before Mandy can request a replacement wish, she has to put up with him for twenty four hours, and the timing couldn’t be worse, it's her friend’s wedding day, her ex will be there, and the God of Geeks insists on coming along for the ride!
Mandy is on the end of yet another failed relationship, she's thirty six, single and struggling to keep her business afloat. She has plenty to be grateful for, her friends, family but not falling over yet another box in her apartment that is inundated with art supplies. When she spots an unopened birthday present given to her by her parents eccentric neighbour Valarie, opening it may just prove to be far more entertaining than she had first thought.
The tacky pink Aladdin lamp with a touch screen, promises Many that her life is about to change, complete with magical jingles and three wishes shall be granted. But asking to drop two dress sizes and bigger breasts violates the novelty item's terms and conditions. So when Mandy's next three wishes are actually granted, she realises she should have rechecked what in fact, she was wishing for.
A beautiful, tidy house that will never need cleaning? Not only does Mandy have a beautifully furnished and clean apartment, but it now features her ideal studio space. Spills and stains vanish before taking hold, what more could a girl ask for?
How about an endless supply of credit that never needs to be paid off?
But when you wish for a Greek God, it's important to check the spelling before pressing submit. The result is Jonathan Fortran Schnecklmyer, her very own Geek God. Wearing high waisted shorts and suspenders, thick black glasses and sporting a charming pair of socks and sandals, he can set up a Wii, has a random fact to share for any occasion and according to the lamp instructions, is not to be left alone while Mandy's return is being processed. She only needs to endure the overly affectionate and doting geek for twenty four hours until her return request is processed... Sounds simple enough.
But Jonathan can't be left alone and Mandy has a wedding to attend. Serenading bus passengers with a preschool song, an underwear zip mishap, and not only stopping the wedding with a horrifying announcement, but serenading party goers at the reception... Perhaps Mandy's spelling mistake will be worth hanging onto.
Kelly's Thoughts
I absolutely loved I Dream Of Johnny. It was fun and laugh out loud funny. Author Juliet Madison has certainly found her calling with comedic writing, my only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer. I could have easily read a full length novel with the adorkable Jonathan Fortran Schnecklmyer. It'll be the best half hour of reading you're likely to have had all year.
Katherine’s place is the
same as any woman’s, on the shelf next to the dresses and bolts of
cloth. When she’s sold to a warlock, life grows even bleaker. Her new
owner is as old and rancid as he is cruel, driving her to do the
unthinkable: run.
Nothing prepared her for being on her own. And
she’s definitely unprepared for the warlocks hunting her down. But she
must stay one step ahead because if caught, the best she can hope for is
death.
Katherine has just been sold to a wealthy warlock, due to the potent mix of magic within her blood. In a society where women are but mere possessions, their only worth comes from their ability to bare a son, to carry on the next generation of warlocks. Nigel, Katherine's new owner is cruel, unforgiving and far older than should be legal. Katherine is defiant and won't go down without a fight.
Katherine's mother has always been a secret advocate for revolution, encouraging Katherine to flee the oppression under her new ownership. She enables Katherine to drug the warlock, ensuring she can escape and find the Tarnished hideout. But when she follows her mother's directions, she stumbles upon a young Tarnished male, who comes to her aide against the authorities. Charles works within a group of Tarnished that intervene with women who don't want to be owned. The group live underground and have several tunnel locations in which women and Tarnished alike hide.
Expected to take all of her belongings in her escape, Katherine has left behind a hair ribbon, one that a special person in her life had given her. When the pungent Nigel Crowell uses the ribbon and casts a hex to find her, the entire hideout is on the run. Katherine won't put anyone else in danger, but Charles won't let the young beauty go. The two teens are now on the run, but when one of their own turns against them, will they be able to outrun their pursuant or die trying?
Mine To Tarnish is the novella depicting Katherine's story, of how she came to be as an integral part of the Mine series. The series is set in a magically dystopian world, where women are nothing more than possessions, their only value is how magically potent their blood is, so that they have the potential to bare the next generation of powerful warlocks. Any woman who doesn't comply is Tarnished, which is signified by an intricate web of tattoo's across her face and placed into a life of servitude. It's depressing and oppressive, but females are incredibly resilient and a rebellion is on the cards.
I really enjoy Janeal Falor's style of writing. She's factual and to the point, not wasting time on lengthy descriptions, rather delving straight into the action. I'm really looking forward to the release of Mine To Spell, the second book in the series.
Mine To Tarnish
(Mine: Book 0.5)
Written By Janeal Falor
Expected Publication 02 / 12 / 2013
112 Pages
Thank you to Janeal Falor and YA Book tours for the competition giveaway.
We left off from Dahlia with only a name, a name that is the next piece to the puzzle. A name that will eventually, 'lead us to him.' But before we delve into the continuation of the Blood Crave Series, let's answer the question that's been on all our minds.
Who is Rowan?
This 21,000 word novella answers that question, and of how Rowan has come to know the vampire with pitch-black eyes
The mean streets were no place for orphaned, twelve year old Rowan Miller. For the past three months, Rowan has lived on the streets since her alcoholic father's passing, having never known her mother, who passed when Rowan was an infant.
Seeking shelter under a bridge in the dead of night, Rowan is approached by a tall, almost brooding man in his twenties, and although startled, she immediately feel that this man means her no harm. His presence a warm comfort, a kindred spirit. Kaji can feel Rowan's heart crying out for help.
Kaji is a Lamia, or vampire, as determined by today's pop culture references, and offers Rowan the opportunity and safety of food and shelter, in exchange for the talkative and boisterous girl to teach Kaji what it is like to be human again. Kaji quickly becomes the only person that Rowan can rely upon, with the two now finding what they both needed most... Family.
As the years pass, Kaji and the mysterious Lamia Adam train Rowan, teaching her weaponry and defense, but nothing could prepare Rowan for her first encounter with the Lapsus, or fallen angel, as she was brutally stabbed taking out the trash during her first shift as a waitress at a local cafe. Kaji, hearing her silent plea for help, rushes to her aid, only to find Rowan's life draining from her bleeding body. Kaji has no other choice, she is his reason for existing and the only way to bring her back, is to turn her. But is he too late?
He flees with Rowan's body to the Cross household. The family being derived from the fallen, but a family Kaji's trusts with his life... And Rowan's. Remy is instantly taken with the still, lifeless Rowan, her beauty mesmerising. But after seven years of caring for Rowan, Kaji needs to leave. He cannot endanger her life any further, whether she is human or not. As Rowan adjusts to her new life as a Lamia, Remy now becomes her anchor, her tie to her humanity.
But it seems that Kaji leaving doesn't guarantee her safety.
Fallen Tears is a short novella as part of the Blood Crave series, which tells the heart wrenching story of Rowan, the orphaned girl who finds her savior in the form of Kaji, a vampire. It was beautifully written and emotionally charged and fills in the blanks between Dahlia and Rowan, books one and two. Fallen Tears has left me eager to start Rowan, and I cannot wait to continue the series.
Fallen Tears
(Blood Crave: Book 1.5)
Written By Christina Channelle
Published 25 / 01/ 2013
Please note, Fallen Tears is a 21,000 word novella
Fans of The Mortal
Instruments and The Infernal Devices know that Magnus Bane is banned
from Peru, and now they can find out why. One of ten adventures in The
Bane Chronicles.
There are good reasons Peru is off limits to
Magnus Bane. Follow Magnus’s Peruvian escapades as he drags his fellow
warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss into trouble, learns several
instruments, dances, and disgraces his host nation by doing something
unspeakable to the Nazca Lines.
Magnus Bane was banned from Peru by the High Council of Peruvian warlocks. For the flamboyant, handsome warlock, Peru was one of his favourite destinations. Reminiscing, it may have been one of several incidents that have caused him to be ostracized, spanning almost two centuries before the secret meeting to determine his fate.
This is the story of Magnus Bane.
When Magnus called old friend Ragnor to join him in Lima, the City of Kings, he never expected that the hideously dressed, gloomy, green skinned warlock to be so grumpy as the two set out on an adventure. When Edmund Garcia, one of the richest merchants in Peru propositions the services of Magnus, he never imagined that the two warlocks would be asked to safeguard Peru's chief export, guano, bird droppings. But Magnus isn't to blame for Ragnor's tantrum on the high seas, sinking the boat with the precious cargo aboard. His wanton destruction of Peruvian property wasn't the reason he was banned from Peru.
Decades on, Magnus, Ragnor and Caterina find themselves back in Peru, searching for hidden treasure with Nayaraq, a mere mortal. Magnus had begun putting a price on his magic before he was but twenty years old, but never did he imagine that the treasure hunt would leave him a wanted criminal for decimating a temple. But that wasn't the reason that Magnus was banned from Peru.
After meeting the handsome young musician Imasu, Magnus decides to learn a new instrument in order to catch the young mortal's eye. He was discouraged from playing in public, by no less than a crying child, a city ordinance and a small riot. Sadly, the arrangement wasn't permanent, nor was the relationship. Leading to an alcohol fuelled rampage of epic proportions, enchanted flying carpets, decimating the Nazca Lines, and leading a guinea pig army after a medicinal ritual gone astray. But his night of drunken debauchery and crime was again, not the reason he was banned from Peru.
Kitty is a con woman that has captured the attention of the handsome warlock, and flee together on a whim. Stealing, spending on booze and useless trinkets while spending but one summer falling in love. But his sudden crime wave was not the reason he was banned from Peru by the Peruvian warlock High Council.
Then what really happened in Peru?
I loved Magnus Bane in Cassandra Clare's The Moral Instruments series, but unfortunately What Really Happened In Peru was not only incredibly dull, but borderline atrocious. The storyline spanned centuries, but delved into what he was wearing so often, that the actual memories were barely skimmed over. Fans of Magnus may enjoy his fleeting adventures, but it'll probably leave the general reading populous irritated at the few hours of their life that they've invested in this.
What Really Happened In Peru
(The Bane Chronicles: Book One)
Written By Cassandra Clare
Published 16 / 04 / 2013
(The Bane Chronicles: Book One)
Written By Cassandra Clare
Published 16 / 04 / 2013
133 Pages
When eighteen year old Laurel Harris discovers she’s pregnant four weeks into the start of her freshman year at prestigious Colman College, she has all intentions of telling her father. But being away at school makes it too easy to hide. And while she can’t explain to her friends, or to herself even, the reasons why she doesn’t want the baby’s father to find out about the pregnancy, the rest of her world begins to unravel.
Freshman year is hard enough. Most girls get through by forming close friendships, finding new boys and a phone call from mom or dad on Sunday. Laurel has to navigate all of it while hiding an unplanned pregnancy from a summer fling...
An imperfect heroine plagued by bad choices and haunted by the memory of her deceased mother and grandparents, readers are sure to identify with Laurel as she navigates teen pregnancy, in secret, in a remote college setting
Laurel is a freshman in college. Before leaving to begin her new academic pursuits, escaping her cold, distant father, the memory of her deceased mother and grandparents, Laurel is now pregnant. She's left the baby's father behind, with no relationship to speak of, just casual sex between two friends.
Laurel is conflicted. She knows that emotionally and financially she won't be able to cope with being a single mother at only eighteen years old. But after an antagonising decision, she can't bring herself to abort the pregnancy, or offer the baby up for adoption. She refuses to use her father's insurance for her appointments, and hides her pregnancy from her father, friends and from the charismatic Mike.
As the months fly by, Laurel finds herself immersed in doctor's appointments and a support group for teen mothers. Besides the medical staff, the only people in Laural's life that know are Mike, and her biology professor. When Laurel finally works up the courage to confront her father, he has life changing news of his own, starting with moving Laurel out of his apartment.
As her due date creeps up, Laurel knows that she can't keep the baby a secret any longer, she needs support. But when complications arise before her due date, she'll be forced to share her secret.
Of a baby that will change her life forever.
Freshman Forty is one young woman's emotional pregnancy journey, from the day she finds out she's expecting. The emotions that she experiences are exasperating, but realistic. My only complaint is that I had wished it were longer. I would love to see what becomes of Laurel's character five or even ten years from now.
I'm not a mother yet, but found the delivery chapter very emotional. It was ultimately a beautiful novella about bringing a new life into the world.
Freshman Forty
Written By Christine Duval
Published 21 / 02 / 2013
185 Pages
Thank you to Xpresso book tours
You can purchase Freshman Forty on Amazon
Christine Duval has been writing creatively since the fourth grade when she penned her first short story entitled "London Terror," about the murder of a cat in London. She grew up on the North Shore of Long Island and lived in Italy twice as a teenager: once when she was sixteen in Bologna and in a small town on the Adriatic Sea called Porto San Giorgio; then in Florence when she was nineteen. Her parents wondered if she'd ever come back.
College was spent in the Finger Lakes: the inspiration for Colman, Milton, and Kashong Lake in Freshman Forty. It really is cold, wet and grey there - OFTEN! But when the sun comes out, boy is it pretty.
Life eventually took her to New York's Upper West Side, the place she'll always consider home. Though for now she resides in New Jersey with her family and a very spoiled love bird who can't decide if he's a boy or she's a girl.
185 Pages
Thank you to Xpresso book tours
You can purchase Freshman Forty on Amazon
Christine Duval has been writing creatively since the fourth grade when she penned her first short story entitled "London Terror," about the murder of a cat in London. She grew up on the North Shore of Long Island and lived in Italy twice as a teenager: once when she was sixteen in Bologna and in a small town on the Adriatic Sea called Porto San Giorgio; then in Florence when she was nineteen. Her parents wondered if she'd ever come back.College was spent in the Finger Lakes: the inspiration for Colman, Milton, and Kashong Lake in Freshman Forty. It really is cold, wet and grey there - OFTEN! But when the sun comes out, boy is it pretty.
Life eventually took her to New York's Upper West Side, the place she'll always consider home. Though for now she resides in New Jersey with her family and a very spoiled love bird who can't decide if he's a boy or she's a girl.
You can find Christine via Her Website Goodreads and Twitter
Sophie McKibbin finds herself back in Sam Crawford’s life after ten years. Unfortunately, Sam is dating Lola, Sophie’s high school nemesis. Lola dumps Sam the day before he was supposed to introduce his mystery girlfriend to his family over the Fourth of July holiday. With the looming fear of disappointing his mother once again and his long held feelings for Sophie, he asks her to take Lola’s place.
With family feuds, an old flame, and feelings that have been locked away for a decade, there is bound to be some fireworks.
Lindsey Gray dreamed of being several different things as a child such as a doctor, an actress, and a chef, but none held her attention like putting pen to paper and creating her own world through words. She has written three full-length novels and one short story for The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House and is now taking the self-publishing leap with her novella, "Fireworks". A mid-west native, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading almost anything she can get her hands on, and making life interesting at each and every turn.
You can contact Lindsey via her Blog Facebook Twitter and her Amazon page
Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.
But not the rape girl.
That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.
Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.
The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same
It should never had happened. She said no, but he didn't listen.
Valerie is having a party, her mother has gone away for the weekend, leaving Valerie and her six year old sister alone in the house. Her sister is put to bed as the party goers start arriving, and soon the binge drinking begins.
After a few drinks, Valerie is slightly tipsy, just in time to see Adam arrive, the boy of Valerie's dreams. After a daring game of spin the bottle, Valerie is far too drunk, vomits, and passes out.
When Valerie wakes to a hangover, her clothing in disarray, and Adam perched too close for comfort, whispering coercion, holding her down. She said no, but he didn't walk away.
A rape test, pending criminal charges, school taunts, lies and malicious friends are a result of Valerie being brave enough to tell someone. She's treated as the instigator, that she's lying to gain popularity, she's a whore, or poor Adam is being victimised. The police don't seemed to believe her, her legal representatives clearly have no interest in trying the case, and her school has allowed Valerie to be bullied, often catering to that of the accused, Adam.
Valerie is strong, she's an inspiration to girls who are victims of sexual abuse. This will not define her.
Rape Girl made me beyond furious at the treatment of Valerie. She was painted by peers and trusted adults as a liar, that she was promiscuous, to stop playing the victim and move on with her life, often giving the impression that she had no right to tell anyone about what happened to her. But for all of the judgmental, so called 'inconvenienced' adults that Valerie should have been able to trust, luckily she had pillars of support. An unlikely friend, a councilor, a cute barista, a victim support group and her loving mother. It was the difference between living... And self destructing.
Rape Girl
Written By Anna Klein
Published 01 / 09 / 2012
126 Pages
Leia lives on the Island, a world in which children leave their parents to take care of themselves when they are ten years old. Across this Island runs a wall that no one has ever crossed. The Fools living behind it are not amenable to reason – they believe in illusions. That’s what The Book says, the only thing left to the Eastern Islanders by their ancestors.
But when a strange man washes ashore and Leia meets a Fool face to face, her life will never be the same. Is what she and her friends believe about the Island really true?
Or is everyone in their world, in fact, a Fool?
On the island there are no parents, only children, their leader is the eldest at twenty one years of age. Before each child becomes a teen, they leave their parents and homes, never to return. Twins Leia and Luc now call the small island home.
In a dictatorship, the child citizens all adhere to the telling of The Book, featuring light sabers, fathers that abandoned their children, and a history of being able to use The Force. Whispers around the camp is that their leader is keeping secrets... And Leia plans to find out.
It isn't until Leia meets Walt, the mysterious boy from the wrong side of the wall that separates the island, that she releases that something is horribly wrong in their world. With talk of men coming across to the island by boat, the children of the island revolt. It seems there is far more beyond the horizon that any of them could have dreamed of.
The island is a quick story of a dystopian world, in which a group of parentless children are learning to survive, guided by an old Star Wars book that they believe as gospel.
Sounds like a strange concept, but as the story unravels, readers will find themselves marveling in this brilliant, but short novella. I honestly hope that Jen Minkman might consider rewriting The Island and turning it into a full length novel, even a series. The concept is entertaining and I'd love to read more.
The Island
Written By Jen Minkman
Published 01 / 07 / 2013
80 Page novella
80 Page novella
Thank you to Jen Minkman and Netgalley for a review copy
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