Review of Young Moon, by Sharon Sant.

Firstly I have to say OMG cliff hanger!! This book which is the second in the sky song series, is really compelling and easy to read. I love the way the characters are developed further and their teenage angst in the unfolding love interests with Ellen and there telepathic bond. The loyalty of his long suffering best friend Luca. We get glimmers of Jacobs home world ‘Astrae,’ understand his drive and his deep rooted connection and love with his earth family. Who at times appear to be at a loss with Jacobs priority’s. In young moon the characters undertake a new role of detective, they have a mystery to solve in finding Jacobs twin sister. The reader is swept along as the clues unfold before them. The vision by Ellen that gets adds to the puzzle. The boy’s decide they must travel to America, but besides the practical factors such as time and money, you begin to question is this all just too easy? The answer will surprise you. I love Sharon’s ability to write both the most lovely kind a gentle characters like that of Jacobs mother and then switch to paint the blackest of all, Makash. The thing I like best about this YA series is that Sharon has imagined a whole other world, ‘Astrae,’ and a race of alien people who understandably have different values and ideals. What an imagination. ‘I take my hat off to her.’ Now for book three!

Book Review The Whale Whispers of Ensorclea written By Ed Drury

This is a beautiful book and I really enjoyed it and whole heartily recommend it. Ed is a natural story teller, I have never come across his style of writing before, he writes concisely, even economically. But not in a mean way, as each sentence is like a spoonful of the best tasting chocolate pudding, packed full with expression and sentiment. I was spell bound by the Whale whispers people, how they lived as one with their environment and painted there bodies like their cousins the large fish as a mark of honour to swim with them. How they had there one magic secret language and they communicated with their honoured ancestors with shamanism. The Whale whisperer’s clan shared their world comfortably with nature. Also I was intrigued by the story of the aliens as they were termed, who had travelled from another planet and had settled their. These people were industrial and wasteful but still shared caring bonds between each other. The story takes you on a path to unravel the mystery of the alien queen’s death, but however there are many more strands of the story’s which act as undercurrents to the main plot. In the start of the story we are given a glimmers of the world of the whale whispers, though the visions that Levi experiences by his old friend Rrawk. Which only leads him to be reminded his true identity and connect to shared ancestors. There are interesting strong bond between the princess Lore and her father the king. His responsibility is not only to his family but to the people in his kingdom and he seems weighted down by the responsibility. We learn that the king has a dark agenda to gain the land of the whale whispers to exploit the natural resources by mining. The story is full of charming and wonderful descriptions. I could tell that Ed is a musician by the way he writes. He describes how the dances in the whale whispers weave in and out off each other with such clarity and also goes into detail about a strange musical bow shaped interment made from a gourde is played and the noise it makes. This story is much more than a case of good versus evil. As nothing is as clear cut and I enjoyed the twists and turns. I also felt I had been taken on a spiritual journey and marvelled at the glimpses of truth I felt I learn something about myself while reading, although I cannot pin point quite what, I can tell you I feel different in a good way. This book is a young adult triumph and not to be missed.

A Doodeedoo Review

A Doodeedoo Review Tony Gilbert (Author), Sammy Gilbert (Author), Blaze McRob (Editor) Great Pictures - Rhymes - Fury characters – Monster. Good to read out loud and also in an audiobook so you don’t have to. Over some time or another who hasn’t invented an invisible friend? Oh wait is that just me? Each page of Doodeedoo is beautifully illustrated and text is easy to read. I like the way that the type face looks as if it has been hand written. Also Lovely crafted images on every page of this book, that look like they have been drawn with children’s crayons. The words are skilfully brought alive by Tony’s rhythmic words The story starts with a charming young girl mouse who had started to read the classic book Frankenstein. She only reads the book as far as when Frankenstein who is a monster come to life and is so inspired she decides to have a go at making her own. Partially because he was lonely BUT mostly because he could. Being an ingenious type of mouse, she sets about making her creation out of a sock which is stuck together with super glue She even gives her new friend the super cool name of Doodeedo Then mouse gave her sock friend, eyes made from buttons and a string mouth. She made a boy different coloured eyes But oh know, to her surprise! The puppet made from a sock Turned out to be a complete shock! Oh golly I’m rhyming now LOL But don’t worry, I did not give away the ending with is simply delightful. And if you children are as silly as me, they will love this book too!

sky song

Book Review Sky Song, part one of a trilogy by Sharon Sant The best bit about finishing this book is that there are two more to read. I first became a fan of Sharon’s work after reading, ‘the memory game,’ which was an awesome read and this YA book does not disappoint. This story starts with an orphaned teenage boy Jacob, who’s world has been turned upside down. He is draw along a fated path, which he struggles to come to terms with. He has two close friends, his best friend Luca and Ellen. The story is filled with teenage angst, as Luca is Ellen’s girlfriend, however Jacob is able to connect to Ellen on a physic plain of which Luca is excluded. Sharon writes the connection between Jacobs family, his unknown parents and his parents who adopt him. We experience Jacob’s thoughts as he is forced to choice between all he knows and loves and a duty that is foreign to him. All good books have a baddy, someone of pure cunning evil and this story does not disappoint. There a brilliant descriptive fight scenes and imageries of real panic and fear of loss of those Jacob has come to love in the human world. Only a glimpse of Jacob’s real world is revelled so far, but I am sure that the next two books we will learn more. I recommend Sky Song and I am looking forward to following the story to the end.

Juice for a healthy new year

Juice for a healthy new year I am sure that some of my readers may be shocked about me recommending a juicing book, after all I not known for my healthy living. Being a lover of pop tarts and all thinks cake like. But like pretty much everyone I plan to start the New Year off with a bang and make a real effort to get back on track. I bought a juicer sometime ago and really enjoy using it. I got the PHILIPS Viva Collection HR1863/01 Juicer which cost 70 pounds at the time, but is on=line at the moment for under 50 pounds. It easy to clean and makes a good quantity of juice. I download, 40 recipes for weight loss and healthy living by Jenny Allen http://www.amazon.co.uk/Juicing-Recipes-Weight-Healthy-Living-ebook/dp/B00CGEZDOQ (free at the time of writing this) This is an American book so I am not sure that here in the UK we can get all the ingredients for some of the 40 recipes that are listed. But with a bit of imagination it’s possible to substitute some things and still get a refreshing drink. I have a saying if in doubt use an apple. The thing I liked best about this book is that the recipes are laid out nicely, and it tells you the weight loss and health benefits of each ingredients. And there are loads! Strawberries and Beetroot are high in antitoxins, and packed full of vitamins. Herbs such as parsley aid digestion and are low fat. There are fruit juices recipes and vegetable juices recipes. Ones you get the hang of making juice, it’s quite nice to make up your own. I like to mix fruit and veg together. A nice mixture is apple, beetroot, celery, orange and a carrot. That your 5 a day in one glass! I have found that a glass of juice is quite filling, although some mixes I have made on my own have not been so easy to swallow and I have washed them down with a packet of biscuits. LOL. But it’s all a learning curve 

Review of Here Lies Love by Dan Thompson

Review of Here Lies Love by Dan Thompson A Masterpiece from cover to end. Here is one of those rare books, which is constantly brilliant throughout. Each character is carefully described and very lifelike. The plot, which is macabre in places, moves at a pleasing pace too. The story starts with Abbey, the heroine, who is a feisty redhead, who along with other girls has been trapped and caged by a monster, Stefan. You hear her inner thoughts and fears as she waits her impending doom. She shudders at the sounds in the house; her captor’s perverse games which only aim is to thrill himself. She is very brave for such a young age of seventeen and this is her story of self-discovery and growth. Later in the book she meets characters her own age, Tristian and Ryan, both very lifelike in there description. Ryan, is tenderly described, he is the gentlest character in the book. His friendship with Tristian paramount in his life, and who I strongly suspect of being gay. Tristian, a strong and beautiful man, is exquisitely described, and probably the best hero I have every read. He is everything and more you would hope for Abbey. Abbey clings to life, almost faltering at one point, but her will to survive and seek the revenge against her father that she feels she need to move on with her life and find peace, drives her on. Her Father is a difficult character to understand at first, but the author writes him with all clarity, so you are left with no doubt at the end of the story. Dan Thompson is a poet and quite breath-taking in the way that he describes the planet and how the sun as escaped from the sky and the beauty of the moon and the stars. I could not put this book down; the story, both gripping and chilling. In between reading the chapters, I would think about the story and wonder what the next chapter would be. The story ends well; Abbey’s final fate is open and wholly her own choice, which leaves it open for a next book, which I will surely hope is one.

Love Life, Live Life by Sue Stone

Love Life, Live Life by Sue Stone Now and again, something will come along and smack though your life path, and I am glad to say that this book did this for me in a positive way. Sue though her writing teachers us that our thoughts make our reality, create our view and way that we experience our world. This book I believe is relative to everyone, and can make huge impacts in the way you can live and enjoy life. Using her own life experience Sue teachers you in easy steps not to dwell on the negative but rather to choice to focus on what you would like in your life; All be it the better job, car and friendships. The way to achieve this is spelled out for you and with practice by concentrating on the small things that are good in your life you can attract more good things. I have been practising Sue’s teachings for a few months now, and I have defiantly improved my well-being. Now I know some of you reading this right now, my think I am talking about wishful thinking, but that’s not it and I would whole heartily recommend this life affirming book to anyone, but especially those who feel they have no direction and are just going through the motions.