Falling Under- Gwen Hayes

Pages: 324

Published: 2011 by Penguin Books Australia Ltd

Genre: Y.A/ Paranormal

Date Finished: 5^th January

Rating/ Recommendation: 4.5 stars ****

Synopsis:

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Review:

One of those novels that have sat on my bookshelf since God knows how long, and one that I was excited for all over again when I decided to start reading some of my older books.

For the most of this novel I was hanging on the edge of the seat, almost as frustrated and anxious at Theia was. But I loved the suspense and the mystery and I honestly couldn’t say that I could predict what was going to happen which made me more excited the deeper I got into the story. I have gone through some strange and wonderful things myself in regards to the supernatural and I really like the parallel between reality/ fact and the supernatural elements that blended well together. I am a sucker for a story that makes me ask questions just as much as the characters do.

There were little fragments in Falling Under where we also got a glimpse of what was going on inside Haden’s mind and life and thought that was a great way to introduce a little perspective and to understand the story from different angles.

Theia was a tough character for me to pin down, at times she had wonderful qualities about her and was fascinating; especially her part in the bigger picture. She lives a controlled life and it’s only natural for her to want to break out and experience life. Coming from the experience of being controlled 24/7 for a long period of time I understood her reaction and the desire to break free from the mold. Her choices were obvious of a typical teenage girl in her situation and for that kudos for Gwen for portraying it well, but she also had redeeming qualities, like smarts and provoking background history not to mention despite being a tad meddlesome was a good friend and wasn’t too self absorbed and self important.

The cast of characters were a great bunch with powerful Donny and quiet but eccentric Amelia together they were fantastic, all bouncing of each other and yet working together. I love those kinds of friendships. I also really enjoyed the humor and the interacting they experienced with the boys in their lives. It was an entertaining cast and I enjoyed getting to know all of them; including Haden Black who is your typical ass hat, but worth it for a good read.

I couldn’t help but feel there was a little more to just referencing some other well know Y.A books in the genre, and little pieces of the story reminded me of others I had read before, but not the point that I was rolling my eyes and didn’t enjoy the story because for me it was unique in a way that I haven’t read a book quiet like it. Gwen’s writing is fresh and yet decadent. It made me feel almost like I was drowning at some parts and I mean that in a good way [confused much]

Nearing the end I was thrown a curveball when the world as we know it is upside down and almost reversed. By this stage in the novel I was begging to finish the book as it was making me beyond anxious for Theia and almost felt like we were back at square one again with Haden. It was confusing, even after being thrown back inside Theia’s head again, but when I adjusted it was fascinating.

I certainly enjoyed the story, it took a little longer to read and process but was worth every second of it. I cannot wait to get my copy of Dreaming Awake which was published January 3^rd 2011 by NAL Trade [?]

Wrapped Up In You- Carole Matthews

Pages: 440

Published: October 27th 2011 Sphere Publishing

Genre: Chick lit/ Women’s Fiction

Date Finished: 11^th Decemeber 2011

Rating/ Recommendation: 4.5 Stars ****

Synopsis:

A Christmas fling, or has Janie found the real thing? Thirty-something hairdresser Janie Johnson's single status is a constant source of gossip for her friends and clients. So after too many nights in with her cat, a blind date disaster and news that her ex is getting married, Janie realises it's time to do something dramatic with her life. It's time for an adventure! Leaving winter behind, Janie takes the plunge and books an exotic trip to Africa. Her friends think she's mad and Janie thinks they may very well be right ...but then she falls head over heels for her tour guide and fully fledged Maasai Warrior Dominic. But can Janie now face spending a snowy Christmas back home without him? Packed with unforgettable characters, romance and laughter, Wrapped Up In You is your very own perfect Christmas Carole!

Review:

Wrapped Up In You is a quirky, easy to read and addictive novel that takes place in wet, rainy England and travels to Africa, the land of heat and rich beauty. If there is one thing I love more than anything it is a book that can captivate me and take me to places I only dreamed of going to, and one day hope I do. I have always held a fascination for Africa and when I read the premise for this book I was sold.

Meet Janie, a thirty something year old hairdresser with a pretty plain life, mix in a charming neighbour, a deluded best friend, a series of horrid experiences and a trip that would blow your mind. Everything about this book hit all the high notes. I love the drama, the characters, the personal growth in the characters and the scenery both in England and in Africa. I laughed, I shed tears, I curled my hands into fists and I remembered because we’ve all been in the path of love and its many perils and triumphs.

I had a lot of respect for Janie, until she started taking her neighbour Mike for granted. Oh Mike, how we could all use one and if you read the book you’ll know what I mean. Still she followed her dreams, took a chance not only on love but following her bliss and that is something I admire in characters. Despite one horrid mistake in dating, and news that would cause any woman to want to crawl into bed end eat a whole tub of ice-cream, she put herself out there and found herself in the process as well as a wonderful, jaw-dropping warrior to call her own. Their love just had me squealing.

I pretty much hated everyone at the Salon from the moment we met them. They were all so self- absorbed and it made me realise that there is more to life than TV, and shopping and spending money. There is more than the pain of being stuck in a relationship that just isn’t right and standing up for one that is meant to be. I was reminded time and time again that it is supposed to be about the two people involved, not a whole country. While her friends started becoming more supportive, her best friend was just a stuck up, jealous hoe bag. Erk- But I loved reading about them.

If all of Carole’s books are this good I sure as hell am going to go searching and pick them up. This novel was so downright hilarious and freaking nerve wracking that even I was on the edge through many of the chapters. Yet at the same time it was gorgeous, heart-warming and a deliciously unique read. I would recommend this to anyone, especially those in need of a good romance and for those cat lovers out there, I guarantee you will close this book with a smile on your face and a little more love for those strange, skittish fur balls.

My only issue with this novel was that I thought it would be more Christmas related. I mean look at that beautiful cover. Where was the snow, apart from a few scenes and Christmas was a little rushed over as the story was before and after the New Year. I would have liked to see some gift opening; maybe some snow angels, a little Christmas Spirit, despite her magnificent Christmas Experience.

Garden Spells- Sarah Addison Allen

Pages: 291
Published: July 24th 2008 by Hodder Paperback
Genre: Contemporary/ Fiction
Date Finished: 29th November 2011
Rating/Recommendation: 5 Stars *****


Synopsis:

In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit. In this luminous debut novel, Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of that enchanted tree, and the extraordinary people who tend it.

Good Reads Link : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2599655-garden-spells

Review:

I love Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen so when I found she had published more books I had to get my hands on this one. I don’t know why I leave books sitting on my shelves for so long. This novel is one of the many reasons I read and let me tell you why I enjoyed it so much.

I have a love for novels with many characters and their each individual story that blends together to create something magical and magical is what Sarah has created, from the first few pages till the last I was captivated by the town of Bascom, North Carolina and the people who lives in it. From Claire Waverly the recluse, beautiful caterer, to the charming old man Lester who lives on a farm with his grandson Henry, everyone had their own little piece of magic inside themselves that when brought together just made for this decadent, raw and enthralling tale of love, lust, fear, forgiveness and the willingness to move on from the past that we have all experienced at one time in our lives and connect to.

I really warmed to so many of the characters and their wonderfully mastered traits; from Clair’s fears of abandonment to Sydney’s wild adventures they were so realistic and touching and even haunting at times, but I would have to say Bay, Sydney’s daughter, was one of my favorite characters. Not of course to forget the men- a ring a ding ding –sexy !!!

There were times in this novel when I wanted to cry, scream, laugh and when my heart swooned. So many emotions that changed with every page as the story progressed and I found the day disappearing into the night and the early morning sun arising – I lost track of time reading Garden Spells, it had me hooked. There were times when I had to put it down, when the story plot thickened and things hit a little close to home, but Sarah writes so beautifully that I couldn’t let it rest long and had to know what happened.

And the food, oh my let’s not forget the food. I have an obsession with books that center around food and this was no disappointment. Every time Clair stirred something together or was out in the garden tending to her family heritage, I just wanted to throw an apron on and head out to the nursery to set up my own little garden of paradise. The way she used flowers and herbs to create her dishes was not only imaginative, but very inspirational and I loved how Sarah added a little glossary at the back of the novel explaining some of the flowers and herbs used. This aspect of the novel spoke volumes to me.

While some people may be turned away by the few sex scenes in the book, fear not they are very tasteful and are wonderfully written. The passion is flavorsome and rather than being erotic they actually reveal a lot about the characters that can’t always be spoken through their worlds.

There were very few times during which I lost my way and many times when I wanted to kill certain people – ahem ahem Emma, for instance. But the way in which everything panned out made me love this book even more than possible. I have to mention of course the apple tree too which was a character in itself that added essence and spark to the novel and its characters.

If you haven’t read any of Sarah’s novels I urge you to pick this one up first. If you like drama and romance with a little sprinkle of enchantment then you are sure to fall in love with Garden Spells.