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Monday 13 January 2014

BOTW - Whichever Way the Wind Blows


Whichever Way the Wind Blows

Teen Romance / Humour

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Skyla's mom has always wanted her to attend Stella High Girls' Boarding School. After all, who wouldn't want to? Being in the midst of pretty girls with high self esteem who all come to learn how to be models and actresses? Skyla's mom's dream. But it's not Skyla's dream. However, one photo-taking spree, a boy who keeps his last name a secret, an accident and the revealing of a lost dream may change all of that.

Click here to read the book.

Saturday 11 January 2014

Friday 10 January 2014

Bookvie: Vampire Academy - out February 7, 2014 (USA)

  

Who’s in it:
Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry and Sarah Hyland

What's it all about (book blurb from Goodreads):
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Vampire Academy - Official Trailer - The Weinstein Company


Movie Stills








After Twilight, I gave up on reading vampire-themed books as I found them all to be a replication of the same storyline, and ultimately, I became bored. So, I settled for watching TV shows like Vampire Diaries, The Originals and True Blood instead.

I have been waiting for a breathtaking series to rekindle the vampire craze, so I might just pick this one up and see what I make of it. We'll see how far I get. Whether I finish the book or not, I will watch the movie.

So, have you read the books? What did you make of them and are you looking forward to the movie?

Thursday 9 January 2014

Must-Read: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


Release Date: March 14, 2006
Publisher: Knopf Books

Summary (from Goodreads):

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

BOTM - Adam and Evie

Adam & Evie

Before she became Evie Chase, Hollywood's Golden Girl, Evie was nothing more than a nerd at the bottom of the Roosevelt High food chain. Her best friend? Popular jock Adam Fields--who she didn't leave with on very good terms. To put it bluntly, they never spoke again.

Fast forward three years, and everything's changed. Seventeen, senior year, forgetting the past. Evie's out in LA living the dream, and Adam's still at home finishing off high school. She thinks it's all behind her, while he tries to uphold his belief in not regretting things in life. And all goes well--the both of them living their separate lives--until . . . She's back.

It's pretty awkward when "nerd girl" suddenly becomes the girl that everyone envies. And it's really weird when the person you find you missed the most is the one who hurt you.



Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

I'm seventeen years old, laugh a little too loud, and a lover of life. I love watching Friends--because it's the best show ever. Peanut butter is amazing. I have a great talent for making situations awkward. And of course, I love to write. (:

2. What types of books do you write?

My books are mostly of the Teen Fiction/Humor/Romance genre, but I'd love to dabble in some fantasy later on.

3. How many books have you written?

I've written many, but finished none. Adam and Evie will actually be the first novel I've ever completed. (:

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

Catching Fire is definitely one of the top movies I'm looking forward to. I can't really think of any books I'm waiting for right now.

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

It varies, really. I like to read something from the Young Adult Romance genre, like a basic teen book, but I also enjoy reading books from the Fantasy genre.

6. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

1. Food
2. Water
3. A boat

7. Are you considering a sequel?

For Adam and Evie, possibly. It's not as much a sequel than it is a spinoff. Some Adam and Evie  characters will be featured in it, but the story itself is almost stand alone. But really, everything's up in the air.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?

I love writing. I absolutely adore it, and I always have. It's a great escape and such an amazing way to express yourself. I'm not very good at opening up to people outright, so being able to let out my feelings through this venue is incredible to me. Whether you're elated or saddened by something, you can express it through writing. It really is such a powerful, powerful thing.


Adam and Evie Scavenger Hunt

Click the image below for more details

Author Spotlight - leighleigh17

Stupid Love

Being considered the dumbest girl in school isn't exactly a dream come true for Caroline Miranda. Especially when Bryce Hart, the guy she's been crushing on for the past three years, is a top notch genius. He's good looking, quiet, and smart.

But Caroline soon figures out that appearances aren't everything after she confesses her love, only to be told from the guy himself that he, 'doesn't like stupid girls'.

With a broken heart, Caroline vows to never think about Bryce ever again. But how can she do that when certain circumstances keep pushing them together?






Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

My name is Taylor, but as a writer I go by Leigh, which happens to be my middle name. I turned sixteen years old on October 31st, and I've been in love with reading and writing ever since I first picked up a book. Before I learned how to read the words on a page, I used to pick up any book and pretend to know what was inside of it, making up my own story based on the cover. I like to think of those moments as a sign of the future for my writing.

2. What types of books do you write?

The most common genre I write is romance, whether it be teen-school romance or fantasy-romance, if I get the idea and keep thinking about it, I'll usually write something on it. I'm also one of those writers who usually get their ideas from something that's actually happened in real life.

3. How many books have you written?

Well, complete wise, one, but it was a short story. How many have I started? About thirty, and one of those is currently two-hundred pages and almost completed. It's something I am planning on trying to get published.

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

I'm a huge fan of the Mortal Instruments series, and I'm really looking forward to the last book coming out. Also the final book to the Tiger's Curse series, which isn't as well known but is overall a really interesting set of novels. I'm kind of looking forward to Divergent, since I read the book. I think that's the only movie I'm looking forward to this year as of right now.

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

Anything. And when I say that, I really mean it. Currently, I have almost three-hundred books on my book shelf, and some of them range from 'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', 'Pride and Prejudice', the Harry Potter Series, to 'Thirteen Reasons Why'. Usually I like books to have some romance in it, but I'm open to anything that sounds like a good story that's worth telling. 

6. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

That's a really hard question that I always have trouble answering... Well, if there was no technology on said island, I would bring:

1. My bookshelf that has all my books on it (does that count as one thing...?)
2. Water
3. And food. 

7. Are you considering a sequel?

With 'Stupid Love', the book is based off of a really popular story that I first came across while watching a Korean Drama. There have been many forms of that story, such as a Japanese Drama, and even a Taiwanese one, even though it was originally a manga. What I did was take some of the basic points of the story and then twist them in different ways. As for a sequel, there will most likely not be one. However, 'Stupid Love' is the first story from the Drama Jerk Series I'm writing. There will be three, each one based off of another Drama I've seen.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?


I'm not exactly sure what inspired me. When I was younger I was always more creative than my three older brothers, and I would sometimes get this urge to just make something. All through elementary school I recieved awards for some of the short stories I would write, and finally, at the age of eight I realized it was something I really wanted to do. So I started. Only to realize that my writing style, my grammar, just... everything, was awful. Which every writer starts out that way, so I began writing all the time and now here I am. That inspires me most today, I think. The fact that I've come so far already.


Excerpt

"Maybe if you had a little coordination..." he trailed off. My eyes squinted.

"So I'm clumsy, big deal. At least I have a heart," I spat.

"If I didn't have a heart I would be dead."

"Too bad you're not."

"Like you mean that. How would you be able to live without your 'one true love'?" he scoffed, quoting a part of my love letter. My eyes narrowed and the car stopped as we reached the local pizza place. The doors to the van opened and everyone began to get out.

"Wanna bet?" I said. Before Bryce could reply, I lifted my foot and kicked him straight in the chest. The force was so strong and unexpected, that he tumbled backwards out of the car and onto the pavement. The laugh that flew from my lips was loud and obnoxious.

"Hey!" Bryce screamed angrily when he sat upwards. His hair was ruffled and anyone could tell that he was furious. In fact, it was the only emotion I'd ever truly seen on his face.


"Oops," I shrugged, casually.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Cover Love - Unravel (Linked #2) by Imogen Howson


Release Date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Summary (from Goodreads):

Untold dangers await telepathic twins in this sequel to the futuristic, romantic thriller called classic sci-fi, space-travel adventure at its best. After Elissa and Lin exposed the government's secret experiments in Linked, which Booklist called a roller-coaster ride into space that just about everyone should enjoy, their home planet Sekoia is thrown into chaos. Determined to do their part to help the planet they've hurt, they return to Sekoia only to discover that things are far worse that they imagined. Resources are suddenly scarce, people are scared, and there's a rising current of anger against the Spares. When Lissa and Lin find themselves among another group of Spares and twins, they feel like they've found their kindred spirits at last. But a threat none of them could have expected is lying in wait for Sekoia's Spares.

Monday 6 January 2014

BOTW - Taken By Destiny


Taken By Destiny

Teen Romance / Mystery

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Sixteen year old Lucy Harper is an average, happy girl with a good life. One decision plucks her from the life she knows in America to an unfamiliar London where she is a stranger to everyone. This mysterious place forces Lucy to realize that in life, we have to fight for those we love. We must make sacrifices. 

The longer Lucy stays in this place the more odd things begin to happen. Ominous dreams stain her sleep, where she encounters a strange girl who brings about more questions than answers. The mystery deepens with the presence of a boy shrouded in intrigue. In time Lucy learns that her presence in this place means more to some than others. In time she learns what she is fighting, and what is worth fighting for.

As she fights for those she loves, she is faced with a destiny she never thought possible.

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - The Unusuals


The Unusuals

Teen Fiction /Adventure

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Jamie Smith was never a normal girl. All her life she was training and running from The Government. Everything changes when everyone except her and five other Unusual are left to fend for themselves. Jamie Smith must now over come not only running from the Government but also betraying best friends, prophecies and the fear of losing everyone she loves...

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - First Kiss & Broken Promises


First Kiss & Broken Promises

Teen Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

First Kiss can be earth-shattering and so can ‘broken promises’, especially when both are sealed and delivered by the one who has held your heart in the palms of his hands since the day you turned a teen. 

Seventeen year old Divya Narayan is a high-spirited young girl with an adventurous streak in her, who doesn’t think twice before taking a risk. She learns very early in life that broken promises by ones you love equals a broken heart. So she makes two promises – Never to fall in love and never to break a promise. 

One fateful night four years ago, Aryan Diaz not only broke Divya's heart but also her trust and their unique bond of friendship. When the charming heart-breaker returns next door to Divya, he holds more than a key to her locked heart; he has answers that can set her free to break the promises she made. 

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - Stupid Love


Stupid Love

Teen Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Being considered the dumbest girl in school isn't exactly a dream come true for Caroline Miranda. Especially when Bryce Hart, the guy she's been crushing on for the past three years, is a top notch genius. He's good looking, quiet, and smart.

But Caroline soon figures out that appearances aren't everything after she confesses her love, only to be told from the guy himself that he, 'doesn't like stupid girls'.

With a broken heart, Caroline vows to never think about Bryce ever again. But how can she do that when certain circumstances keep pushing them together?                                            

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - A Nightmare's Fate


A Nightmare's Fate

Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

When Raven loses her fiancé, her world falls apart. Having lost the love and light in her life, she struggles to find a way out of the darkness. Her friends band together to try to get her back in the game, feeling again and possibly loving again. However, Raven's attempts at blind dates fail and she's left alone for a time until a stranger steps into her life and turns her sadness around. But everybody has their secrets, will her new beau's pull her even further into darkness?

Click here to read the book.

Saturday 4 January 2014

Wednesday 1 January 2014

BOTM - The Baby Project

The Baby Project

Meet Aurora "Rory" West. She's clever, sarcastic, and pretty but still very average.

Meet Kale Matthews: the cliché playboy. He has the money, the life, and a charming personality that no woman can deny. Well, except Rory.

These two had little in common. In fact, the only thing they shared was their hate for one another. Little did they know that one day their whole lives will change due to one little thing:  A baby.









Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

I'm fifteen and turning 16 this coming March! Many people are surprised to hear this but I am a Muslim!

2. What types of books do you write?

I write humor, teen fiction, and romance!

3. How many books have you written?

The Baby Project is my only book I've written. I had two other ones, but they were more for testing out my writing skills.

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

This year I was really excited for the third book in the 'Divergent' series. It came out a week ago! I'm not going to ruin the series for you if you haven't read it...

BUT OH MY GOD THE ENDING! :'(

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

I really like teen fiction books with a little romance and humor! Too much romance (like Twilight) just doesn't work for me. Sorry Team Edward and Team Jacob fans! Haha :)

6. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

1. Continuous supply of food
2. Limitless amount of water
3. Vast amount of books

7. Are you considering a sequel?

No, not for The Baby Project.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?

For some people, writing is a way to entertain. For others, it's a way to express what they are feeling. My inspiration for writing stems from both. I was amazed by the mere essence of books and the sense of security and happiness they gave me. When I had bad days- with bullying- I would just come home to read and it honestly made me feel better. From that feeling and through gradual maturity, I determined why not give writing a go? Me writing was never for the votes, reads, or fame. If I can be a reason that someone smiles, no matter what is going on in their life, then why not write and make that little difference in their life?


The Baby Project Scavenger Hunt

Click the image below for more details

Author Spotlight - EvilGhost


Haunted


Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

My name is Pooja, my friends call me Pooh and I'm 15 years old, from India. I first started reading books when I was 10. I started by borrowing a book from my previous school's library. The first book I read was-- The journey to the center of the Earth and since then I am hooked to reading books.

I love to read and finish a book within two days to start with another. I've grown up reading books by Enid Blyton, Rick Riordan, Anthony Horrowitz, Christopher Paolini, L.J. Smith, R.L. Stine and more. And I usually tend to mess up while I'm writing because I'm not so fluent with English and also because it's not my first language. Irrespective of that, I love to read English novels--a lot!

2. What types of books do you write?

I write romance books, as I find it easy to express. However, I love to write horror, paranormal, action but my knowledge and vocabulary holds me back. So, Haunted will be my second try on Paranormal.

3. How many books have you written?

I've written 5 books, some on standby because I have no idea how to continue them with the same flow I had when I first started it. I have 3 stories that I'm working on at the moment. However, none of them are completed.

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

I'm looking forward to reading- The Blood Of Olympus by Rick Riordan which, I think, will be the last book in the The Heroes of Olympus Series. As this is year is already coming to an end I'm dying to watch Fast and Furious 7 which may release next year-- 2014.

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

I love reading books that contain suspense, action, thriller, adventure and paranormal. Books that keep me excited and the craving to know more.

On Wattpad, I like reading Romance as many of such genre books are written by teenagers like me and it'll be like an experience to know what today's generation of teenagers are capable of in writing and many have surprised me-- in a good way. :)

6. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

1. An iPod (with a battery that never gets over-- if such do exist)
2. Books
3. FOOD and plenty of water!

7. Are you considering a sequel?

It depends on how the story ends. If the readers enjoy it and want to know what happens after the story ends then I may make a sequel to it.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?

I love to read books and not once did the point cross my mind to write a story of my own. That was until I discovered Wattpad, recommended by a friend on Twitter. She wanted me to read and tell her how I liked the story, since then I started reading more books on Wattpad and was surprised to know that it was written by teenagers like me.

Inspiration kicked in when I read The Payne Killer. It gave me an idea to create my own story. Since then I let my imagination take control and express itself, that let me into new bases of writing. And I would get these wonderful ideas only when I'm going to sleep or in shower.

By the time I step out to jot it down, I wont even remember what the base of the story was. I usually mess up with my tenses, grammar and stuff, but I believe that experience is the best teacher. :)


Excerpt

“I wish I could listen to your morning voice every time we talk,” she whispers, nibbling on my ear lobe.

I flip to face her and wrap my arms around her bare waist pulling her closer, until our bodies left no gap in between.

“I could do that,” I reply, and pull her beneath me as I hover above her. She giggles like a little kid and locks her arms around my neck, pulling me closer.

I oblige and stick my tongue out, licking her jaw line and turn towards the soft spot I’ve known on her neck to plant a small hickey.

“You’re something, Harry,” she whispers, tilting her head towards the side giving me full access to her neck.

I smile at her remark when a cold sensation jolts me out. I pull away and fall down the bed, with her laughter ringing above me as I struggle with the tangled blankets. She repeatedly calls my name, “Harry, Harry.”

My eyes flutter open into the bright light emerging from the window in front of me as the cold sensation springs on my back again. 

“Harry,” a familiar voice calls.

“What just happened?” I question, taking in my surrounding and shaking my head vigorously as droplets of cold-water fall down my curls.

 “You wouldn’t wake up and had this goofy smile on your face, I had to do it.” The person shrugs, waving an empty mug in front of me.

“Had to do it by pouring cold water over me?” I ask, crossly.

“It worked, what were you dreaming about?” the person asks, kneeling beside me, when I finally take his appearance. It was Colton.

“Whatever,” I reply and stand up, pulling off my wet t-shirt and shove it to the other end.

“What were you dreaming about?” he speaks after a long pause.

“Why do you ask?” I question and turn towards my wardrobe and pull out a black shirt.

“You were constantly smiling like an idiot,” he says, and I notice the smirk in his words, “…probably a girl?”

“I was thinking about cupcakes,” I reply without thinking and Colton bursts out laughing.

“Sure,” he says and walks out, giving me my peace of time.

After a quick shower, I meet Colton downstairs for breakfast. He was sitting on the couch, breathing out a cloud of smoke whilst talking on the phone.

I serve myself to a cigar and settle on the sofa next to Colton.

“Did you hear about Daniel?” he asks.

“Yes, it was very unfortunate though.” I reply, scrunching my nose as I tried to remember the pale faced, black haired friend of mine back in high school, “I don’t understand. How could that happen?”

“His girlfriend said he had a heart attack, so did the doctors.”

“He had an unfortunate death, when’s the funeral?” I couldn’t do anything, but grieve at my friend’s death.

“It is around 5PM, be there, at least this time,” he states, firmly.

I answer with a nod and place my cigar into the ashtray, leaning towards the headrest of the couch and closed my eyes.

Laughter cringes into my ear and I flutter my eyes open, looking into my surroundings searching for the voice’s owner. There was nothing but silence. I turned to Colton, who was busy smoking yet another cigarette. I shake my head and close my eyes again.

Laughter erupts into my head again and I sit straight on my seat and turn towards Colton, “You hear that?” I ask.

“Hear what?” he questions back. He couldn’t hear the laughter, how was that possible!

I shake my head, “Nothing.” I lean back onto the couch back and close my eyes for the third time.

The same laughter rings into my ears and I fall to the conclusion that it was just my head, playing different emotions, including the laughter.

Laughter of a girl, I knew.

The laughter rings louder into my ears, and a smile creeps its way onto my lips as I drain in the memory of the voice’s owner. Suddenly, the voice croaks and faints into small sobs. The sobs become louder, until, words begin to form, “Harry, please,” in a moments’ time the sobs turn into loud screams as the voice shouts, “Harry!”

I jolt awake and shake my head vigorously and my curls fall all over forehead. I swipe them away and turn to a worried looking Colton, “You alright, Harry?” he asks.

“Need some fresh air,” I say, and get up and clumsily walk outside, into the cold November air.

I skip my way towards the Cadillac standing on the porch avoiding the convertible that—still unfortunately —haunted me.

 I get into the car and drive out into the open. I stretch my arms outside the window and let the cool air take the suffocation off me for some time.

The laughter, memories and everything of my past seemed inevitable and threatening, it was as if I would lose my emotional balance any moment.

I stop my car into an empty car park and slam my fists onto the steering wheel, frustrated. I needed a break, from her, her memories and my conscious guilt.

I was in time for the funeral, in fact; I was half an hour early. Daniel and I sure did break out on bad terms 4 years ago, but that didn’t stop me from visiting his death ceremony, even if he didn’t stay alive for sharing apologies, and those sweet memories of college times.

However, I wasn’t prepared to meet the sight of his family’s condition. His girlfriend was crying, leaning on to Daniel’s sister’s shoulder while his mother stood there, staring at the ground, with a deep aura of sadness and grief surrounding her.

Any moment now, I knew she was going to break down. I walked towards her and she lifted her head to look at me. She gave me a weak smile before she lost her balance and fell. I took hold of her and she dug her face into my shirt, weeping.

I stroked her head softly and muttered soothing words, or I tried to, “He’s not going anywhere, he shall always be with us, in our heart.”

What killed me in the inside was the cause of his sudden death, a heart attack? Daniel stopped drinking 4 years ago—that’s what I think—and he never smoked. He was the like those guys who always had a healthy diet and went to gym regularly. What could possibly go wrong?

Daniel’s sister—Rosemary, took her mother in her arms as she let me walk towards the grave.  

I read the words softly, “Daniel Rolleston, 1977-2000.”

Happy New Year 2014!