Blog Makeover thank you :D

Makeover Thank you.

I saw a post at Book junkie joint yesterday saying they had made over their blog using a lovely background from the creative people at Plumrose Lane. So I thought I would check it out and I found some great themes for free as well as really helpful tutorials about how to use it, which was awesome since I'm a total ditz when it comes to anything technical. So All We Have is Stories has had a makeover thanks to the amazing blog Plumrose Lane, its got some amazing material and tips to glitz up your blog so be sure to check it out.  

Review: Eden at the Edge of Midnight by John Kerry

Eden at the Edge of Midnight by John Kerry 4/5


The author John Kerry sent me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review, after I entered a giveaway on goodreads. I was drawn to this book initially more for the title than the synopsis which made the book sound like some thing which had been done before, but the title stuck in my mind, I think there is something beautiful about it so I was very happy for the opportunity to read the book.This is actually the first fantasy by an English writer that I've read (despite being English myself) and I was pleasantly surprised. What sprung to mind when I was reading this was Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, a blonde girl accidentally ends up in world of giant mushrooms and other absurdities and has to stop an evil from enveloping the realm, but she doesn't believe she is the chosen one.

The characters in the book are very original and relate-able. I loved the fact that the main character, Sammy, who was sarcastic and despite the fact her inner conversations seem weird they're actually quite realistic when you think of the things you say in the privacy of you own head. I did however think a sixteen year old girl that likes to play with light-sabers and such was a little odd but considering the fact the author is male it was more understandable and it was a refreshing change for the protagonist to be a nerd rather than the normal ditsy girls you come across in other YA novels. I also enjoyed watching the characters conflicting emotions and the way John Kerry kept you at the edge of your seat trying to anticipate their plans and motives. The characters where very well constructed and did a great job sucking me into the story.

I enjoyed the story line John Kerry created, I liked the fact that it didn't centre around romance but I did find myself rooting for Sammy and Mehrak and would of liked to have seen more of their relationship. The writing flowed easily and made for addictive reading, also the dialogue between people from different worlds was actually believable, which is hard to achieve in some circumstances when one of the characters would mention something which didn't exist in the others world. I found the unconventional use of the story of the Garden of Eden as the origins of Persopia very interesting but I couldn't help visualising a car every time Ahura Mazda was mentioned, even though I know their is an Ahura Mazda in some religion.

My only problems with the novel where firstly that it ended so abruptly, and secondly I felt the ending was a little disappointing and not to give anything away a bit of a cop out but it didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of the novel. In conclusion I am really looking forward to to the sequel, whenever it's coming out hopefully soon. I would recommend this book to fans of YA and fantasy. John Kerry is a great new author and I'm sure he will release more great novels in the future.

                                                               Goodread ~ Amazon

Spotlight: What I'm reading next

Oath of Servitude by C.E. Wilson

This is the story of Teague and Cailin, two teenagers who have been brought together by fate. Teague, a human, struggles to come to terms with the consequences of a recent accident that has destroyed the happy life that he had once enjoyed. Cailin, a pixi, is trying to stay true to herself while fighting against forces beyond her control that have exiled her from her home into this strange world of humans. She fears the darkness. He cannot escape it. But when the two of them are thrown together, they begin to discover the light inside of themselves.

Format: Ebook
Length: 159 pages
Published: September 2012
Genre: Young adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance.

Amazon ~ Goodreads


About the Author

C.E. Wilson is currently living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and her two dogs and two cats. They are all the loves of her life. When she’s not writing young adult fantasy novels, she enjoys writing short stories on her Deviant Art page. She loves to write stories involving giants and little people (also known as GT) and nothing helps her to write more than Coca-Cola and glazed doughnut holes.


Website: http://cewilson5.deviantart.com

Feature & Follow Friday #4

This is a weekly blog hop hosted by the wonderful Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Today's question is:

Q: The #FF is 150 weeks old! And we want to hear from you! What would you change about the hop? What do you like about it? Or just suggest a question to be used for next week!

Wow 150 weeks is awesome! Congrats!

A. Well, this is only the fourth time I've participated.  I really can't think of anything that needs changing it seems perfect the way it is. What I like about it is a pretty obvious one, Its a great way to connect with other bloggers, get more followers and find out about new blogs. And finally to suggest a question, I'm not sure if this is a question they've already had but this is my suggestion "What character most reminds you of yourself?" 

Happy Friday!

Top Ten Tuesday #5

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

This weeks topic is top ten favorite covers of books I've read.

 

Review: Desperation by Stephen king

Desperation by Stephen King 3.5/5



This is the first Stephen King novel I've read and I enjoyed it. It took me awhile to finish it as it's quite a long book. Desperation lived up to my expectations, to be honest it was a pretty average book, there wasn't anything special to it. I liked the premise and the characters but it's not something i have any intention of rereading in the future. I mainly read this book for some horror which it delivered on not particularly terrifying for an author described as "the master of horror" but still it had some gore and some scares which was what I was in the mood for when I took this book off the shelf.

Desperation was a typical good versus evil novel that was pretty heavy on the religion, something I could get over when the story line was so original. I'm always a fan of a plot that begins with a group of stranger being thrown together in life or death situations such as this and I was glad that I couldn't predict who was going to die and how the story was going to unfold. I liked the strong female characters in the book particularly Cynthia who wasn't you average horror movie ditz she was afraid at the appropriate times and could also defend herself, she was a very interesting character.



                                                   Goodreads ~ Amazon

WWW #4

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

You just answer these three questions:

What did you recently finish reading?

What are you currently reading?

What are you planning to read next?

What have I recently finished reading?

Desperation by Stephen King 3.5 / 5
I read this book looking for scares and it's exactly what I got. The plot was very intriguing as where the characters. This is the first Stephen King book I have read, it took me awhile to finish it as its quite long, but I enjoyed reading it. Review.






What am I currently reading?


Eden at the Edge of Midnight by John Kerry
I entered a giveaway on goodreads for this book and the author contacted me and offered to send me an e-copy so that even if I didn't win the giveaway I could still review the book, and I jumped at the opportunity. I love the books title and premise, at the moment it reminds me of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie. I'm really enjoying it.





What am I planning to read next?

Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun
I've been wanting to read this for a while and I just got an e-copy from net galley so I'm very excited to read it.










*Titles link to Goodreads and covers link to Amazon

Teaser Tuesday #6

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:

Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"He dropped his head to his chest and gasped for breath. He was weak, but not yet weak enough to give up the contents of his mind."

P.g 12 "Eden at the Edge of Midnight" John Kerry

Waiting On Wednesday #9

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This weeks book is:

In the After by Demitria Lunetta

They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realises that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.

Expected publication date: 25th June 2013

                                                            Goodreads ~ Amazon

Review: The Accident by Linwood Barclay

The Accident by Linwood Barclay 4/5

This was the third book I have read by Linwood Barclay, I absolutely loved No Time for Goodbye and Fear The Worst so I was excited to read another, The Accident didn't disappoint. Linwood Barclay's writing is consistent and flows very well making it hard to put this book down. I'm always entirely absorbed when reading his books they always contain twists and turns that I really don't see coming, which is unusual.

There isn't a lot I can write about this book without giving away spoilers. The Accident is highly intriguing and the writing is very gripping but the characters aren't particularly likable which doesn't actually affect how good the book is because they are still relate-able, in a strange way. I found the story-line of how far people will go in order to stay afloat in an economic downturn very interesting and believable. I loved Barclay's use of the Sherlock Homes quote "When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." it really stayed with me throughout the book and even after I'd finished reading.

The Accident is a essentially a mystery novel which grips you and doesn't let you go until the very end, I was completely engrossed and very committed to solving the case - which I didn't, I never saw the end coming and I would recommend this book to anyone who love mystery, crime and thriller. Its a highly addictive read, so be warned.

                                                         Goodreads ~ Amazon

Waiting On Wednesday #8

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting for:

Colony East by Scott Cramer

I can't find a synopsis for this book anywhere, but I really loved the first book Night of the Purple Moon so I'm really excited to read it and the cover looks great. Apparently the book is out sometime this summer, fingers crossed I'll have a copy in a couple of months.