Books, Blogs, Authors and More discussion

Our first read will be in February 2013 - the vote on genre will happen between 8th - 15th January and when we have the result I'll post in this thread...

If you are an author, and a member of our group, and write within the selected genre you can 'pitch' your book in this thread for readers to choose from. (As part of this process you need to be prepared to supply e-copies of your book to the participating readers, similar to other ARR systems, in time for the reading month to start).

Readers interested in taking part should comment in the same thread on the books they like the look of to give us 2 - 3 'finalists' to be voted for to select the final 'Book of the Month'.

Authors - To help us along in selecting a book, please only post your nomination as:

ONE sentence on why we should choose your book
The book cover (using the Goodreads insert feature)
The book synopsis (as it appears on Goodreads)

OK - Young Adult won the vote - so please pitch your novels here if you would like them to be considered for the final round! All authors entering this should note that they will need to provide the ebook copies to the readers in the group taking part free; readers should be prepared to provide reviews on Goodreads and if they wish, join the discussion threads about the book.

Authors - please tell us:

ONE sentence on why we should choose your book
The book cover (using the Goodreads insert feature)
The book synopsis (as it appears on Goodreads)
Formats you can provide in (for us to start 1st February)

Interested Readers... When you see books you like the look of, just drop a note in the thread and the top three with the most interest will be voted on next week.

On your marks, get set... GO!

Why you should choose Time's Twisted Arrow: Book One of the CHRONOS Files: "Blend H. G. Wells' The Time Machine with BBC's Dr. Who, add a side of Jon D. MacDonald's The Girl, The Gold Watch and Everything, season generously with Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels, and you have a taste for Rysa Walker's first-in-a-series work Time's Twisted Arrow: Book One of the CHRONOS Files."

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Sharp writing, a flair for dialogue and a big, twisting imagination." - Kirkus Reviews.

They weren't panic attacks. Of that, seventeen year old Kate is certain, no matter what the shrink told her parents. But it's even harder to accept the explanation offered by her terminally ill grandmother - that Kate has inherited designer DNA from the time-traveling historians of CHRONOS, who were stranded in the past by a saboteur. Kate knows that her grandmother's story could easily be the brain tumor talking, but that doesn't explain the odd medallion or the two young men - one of them hauntingly familiar -- who simply vanish before her eyes on the subway. It doesn't explain Trey, the handsome stranger who now occupies Kate's assigned seat in trig class. And it definitely doesn't explain why Kate is now in an alternate timeline, where leaders of a previously unknown cult hold great power and are planning a rather drastic form of environmental defense.

In this new reality, Kate's grandmother was murdered at age twenty-two on a research trip to the past, which means that Kate's mother was never born, her father doesn't know her and, for all intents and purposes, she doesn't exist. The only thing keeping her from disappearing entirely is the strange blue medallion around her neck, and the only thing keeping her sane is her burgeoning relationship with Trey. To restore the time line, Kate must travel back to 1893 and keep herself and her grandmother clear of H.H. Holmes, the serial killer who is stalking young women at the Chicago World's Fair. But that choice comes at a price - she'll remember the past few months with Trey, but when he looks at her, he'll see a total stranger.

Available formats: Kindle (mobi), ePub, and pdf.

Why Forgotten Fox: My young adult fantasy novel is a quick, fun read with lots of plot twists, sure to keep readers of any age entertained :)

Synopsis:

Forgotten Fox is the first novel in the series The Celestial Saga.

In the world of Temis, where the Familiars have separated themselves from the other humans, eighteen year old Aruna finds herself exiled from home for not conforming to society, something that she did not even have control over. She is thrust into a dangerous wilderness where she is lost and alone. But she meets George, a mystical fox that grows a second tail after an encounter with a vicious animal.

As Aruna searches for a new home, accompanied by her fox, her undeniable destiny lies before them and pulls them into the ancient war of the Celestials, the demi-gods that once ruled the wild.

Even while they are pitted against these higher beings, and a family that Aruna can no longer trust, they continue the search for a place that they can call home, and people that they can call family.

Formats: ePub, MOBI (and pretty much any others by request)

Why Catalina: This book will leave you wanting to read more about Catalina, Peter and the realm of Arboroth.


Synopsis: One day the orphan Catalina is taken home by her lone surviving relative, Aunt Griselda. Unfortunately for Catalina, all does not quite go as expected. Her aunt hates her and makes her life miserable. She learns she is to be sold to Stefano the Knife-thrower and used as a human target. To escape a certain death, Catalina leaps through a mysterious crossover point and ends up in a new land called Arboroth. There, she is encounters a wolf-boy and a talking rat. She is beset by a cruel and inhospitable landscape, and all the while hunted by a pack of relentless hounds. Then Catalina discovers her aunt is also in Arboroth. And Griselda isn’t happy.

This is a fantasy tale of magic, of an evil witch and a little girl who just wants to know who she is.

Formats: ePub, MOBI

To all you readers i would like to suggest my new ebbook Howard and the Ruby Slippers available for download at amazon. Here is a comical twist to the calssic tale of Oz, I feel this would be a great opportunity for me. Just read the synopsis.

Howard and the Ruby Slippers is a tale where the wrong character winds up in the right story. It is a parody of the Wizard of Oz that asks the question “What happens when the main character doesn’t show up for their story.”

In Volume One we delve into the odd life of a little man named Howard. Someone who felt that life had dealt him a bad hand. With an ex wife draining him dry from alimony, and his life seeming to go nowhere. This middle aged, balding man would soon find himself,and his house, whisked away by a freak twister, taking him to a strange place located, (Somewhere Over the Rainbow).
Now it seems that he must assume the role of Dorothy, and make his way along the Yellow Brick Road. But unlike Dorothy who makes friends, Howard makes enemies, causing three of the most beloved characters of all time to loathe him.
Also within its pages you will find out answers to questions that you thought never to ask. Such as, what is the Wicked Witch of the West's actual name? What happened to the Good Witch of the (South)? And perhaps the most important of all, where's Dorothy?
Find out here in the retelling of this classic tale with a comical new twist.

I'm looking forward to participating in this as a reader, but I'm also offering my book as an author. I can provide copies as mobi, epub or pdf.

Cornerstone would be a good choice for a February group read because while it is technically a traditional fantasy set in a well developed world, the underlying story is one of an incredible romance.



Emariya's life was nearly over before it started. Hidden under the floorboards while her mother died above her, she escaped a brutal death then—only to go racing toward it now, sixteen years later.

After learning her father has been captured, Emariya is desperate to save him, no matter who she has to turn to for help. Oblivious to her potential gifts and the secrets surrounding her dual heritage, Emariya makes a bargain with the prince of a rival land, Torian Ahlen. In exchange for her hand in marriage, he agrees to send his forces to rescue her father. With the arrangements made, Emariya embarks on a tumultuous journey through two kingdoms as different from each other as the families that rule them.

Before long, Emariya comes face to face with her mother's killers, and learns of an ominous prophecy: her and Torian's bloodlines must never be combined. Armed with this frightening new knowledge, Emariya begins to fear the handsome prince may desire more than to steal her heart, and it will take all of her newfound skills to survive

Why Traffic Jam: It's a thrill-ride based on a very real problem in society today; something that is often over-looked and terrifying.

Synopsis: When you’re caught in traffic, you’ve got nowhere to go…

Val Delton’s life is spiraling and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. Her dad lost his job, her mom works fourteen hour days to pay the bills and yet somehow there are high-end shopping bags and an iPod in her older sister’s room. Naturally, Val becomes suspicious but her sister’s lips are sealed. Then by accident, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret hidden behind her sister’s bright smiles and cool indifference. Val has no idea how far and how deep the repercussions of her sister’s secret will reach but she’ll do whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Will she succeed before her sister’s secret destroys everyone she loves?

Available formats: PDF

Thank you!

On a Foreign Field by Hazel West (Me)

Why? On a Foreign Field is a realistic (though not literary) story about the strength of loyalty and brotherhood.

The year is 1297, Scotland and England are at each other’s throats. William Wallace, the Scottish rebel leader, is marching south to meet the English army at Stirling Bridge. Sir Reeve Montgomery is a young English knight who wants nothing more than to serve his country proudly in the coming battle. But everything changes the next day on the field when he is wounded and left for dead. Abandoned by the men he counted as friends, Reeve ends up a prisoner of Wallace’s rebels. Bitter at his capture, he thinks of nothing else but escaping, knowing the welcome he’ll get back in England if he brings information about the Scottish army.

But as he comes to know the tight brotherhood of Wallace’s soldiers, and sees the rebel leader’s utter devotion to his men and the cause of freedom, Reeve begins to wonder whether the English were right to oppress them. Faced with these troubling thoughts, Reeve finds he must decide whether to stay true to a king he has never met and a country who betrayed him, or join this band of freedom fighters who have become his friends and even brothers-in-arms, thus turning his back on everything he has ever known or believed in.

On a Foreign Field is a thought-provoking story about the hard decisions that must be made in life; a coming of age story about loyalty and the power of brotherhood between those who share a cause. It’s a story to make young people stronger and learn to find what they truly believe in and how to overcome the greatest obstacles.


Available on Amazon.com as both a Kindle and a paperback. If you don't have a Kindle it's also on Smashwords in other formats. =)

"SOULED OUT is a dark tale of betrayal at the deepest level." -The Reading Cafe

"Souled Out is a page-turner and a quick, entertaining read." -Cellardoorians

Synopsis:

Ell Clyne is lost living someone else’s life. But reading souls to save the fate of a loved one seemed like a fair trade. At first.

The lie has cost Ell her family, her future, her very soul. Now the secret is out and the vampires want answers. Becoming a pawn in her own conspiracy and being abducted more times than a psychiatrist might recommend, Ell just wants to stay alive and reclaim her life without burning something down. Oops, something else.

This is the story of a girl who isn’t a superhero or a badass, but manages to fight for her place in a cold-blooded world regardless of the pain caused by that empty space where her soul should be.


Ell may cultivate a love/hate relationship with a fellow employee and find a well-needed friend more than a little attractive, but the real love that drives SOULED OUT is the love Ell has for her estranged family and the need to reconnect with them. Nothing is more important than her family, which is what makes her predicament even more heartbreaking.

Melissa wrote: "

Why Traffic Jam: It's a thrill-ride based on a very real problem in society today; something that is often over-looked and terrifying.

Synopsis: When you’re caug..."

This looks intense and interesting! :)

This looks good.

Why The Rising? Magic, action, and adventure that leaves you asking ,"We all have a dark side, don't we?"

Managrail has been at peace for one hundred years, but things are about to change. After a near-fatal fall, Prince Simian and his sister, Lila, find themselves lost in an unknown land, forced to embark on a dangerous journey. Far away, another brother and sister return home, only to find their village of Dirth plundered and their family murdered. Two brother and sisters, different in every way, are brought together by tragedy. As the queen’s champion leads a search for the heirs, a colorful cast of allies joins them. Can the powers of the enchanted Light Bringers help them escape from ancient beasts that hunger for the taste of human flesh, and save their lands and people from the dark powers of an evil sorceress? Love-ambivalence-betrayal. Who will live and who is to be trusted?

Available in Kindle & Kindle for pc, ePub, pdf & print.

The Legend of Finndragon's Curse

Why choose the The Legend of Finndragon's Curse, by Richie Earl - I'll let my readers tell you.

The Legend Of Finndragon's Curse is a beautifully written and great Young Adult Fantasy Book, an imaginative, vivid and fun adventure, taking place in a fantastical world quite different from anything we know. (Taken from readers reviews.)

Synopsis
Three children racing against time, desperately searching for their missing father.

A medieval kingdom cursed by an evil wizard.

An ancient legend beneath our very feet.

The Legend of Finndragon’s Curse is the first book in a unique, two book fantasy adventure series and is a fast paced, engaging and thrilling page turner. The story races along with plenty of twists and turns as it heads for the prophesized confrontation between the children and the evil Finndragon himself.

Combining wizardry and magic with modern technology and containing magical animals and terrible demons, The Legend of Finndragon’s Curse is a rollercoaster of emotions that will make you laugh out loud and then fight to hold back the tears, as the children race against time to rescue their father. In doing so they have to kill Finndragon and put an end to the dreadful curse.

A young adult adventure that is sure to be enjoyed by all ages.

Available Formats

Kindle (Mobi) and PDF (Please state whether US or UK version preferred.)

Described as 'Harry Potter meets The Matrix' by one reviewer, The Puppet Spell is a fantasy adventure which will appeal to all ages.



Unlike her rebellious sister Lucinda, fifteen-year-old Lexa prefers to spend her free time playing video games, fighting the forces of evil with her partner-in-crime Marlon. But when Lucinda steals an invisibility potion from their uncle’s storeroom, she unleashes chaos into their lives. Lexa and Marlon find themselves catapulted into a world far more dangerous than any video game, full of misleading illusions, sinister Conjurors and deadly Fey, and threatened by a man with a grudge known as the Puppeteer. Accompanied only by Lexa’s uncle’s unreliable (and rather dangerous) Chimera, Lexa and Marlon must navigate this world to find Lucinda- before they too fall under the spell of the puppet master…

Available in ePub, Mobi and PDF formats.

I'm terrible at pitching my book, so the less I say, the better I suppose :) The Forever Gate is Young Adult to New Adult. You can also view the book trailer on my author page. Thanks again for considering my book!



"Hoodwink stared at the sword that would take his head tonight."

3740 A.D. The ice age has immobilized the world. Colossal walls seal off the cities from the uninhabitable Outside. Humanlike entities called "gols" run society, and force the humans to wear collars that block the innate powers mankind has evolved.

One man rises up...

Why Weaving Magic?

In the words of one teen blogger “…The main boy, Christopher, is the kind of magician you’d find in a talent show- just a normal boy, no special powers and no absurd levels of perfection about him…”–A Book So Fathomless.
Synopsis:

He loves magic. She loves romance. But the biggest illusion is the one Shantel and Christopher perform together. Sixteen- year- old Christopher fights to stay sober while fifteen-year-old Shantel struggles in the aftermath of her mother’s death and seeks refuge in a fantasy world. But the unacknowledged roots of their problems refuse to stay buried and soon, the two are headed toward a deadly magic trick. Can Shantel and Christopher move beyond magical illusions to find love?

Formats: Kindle (mobi), epub, pdf, epub

Why "The Shadow and the Rose"? If you're tired of gritty urban fantasy with unlikeable characters, you'll be refreshed by this romantic, funny, suspenseful (and slightly sexy) story of an unassuming girl who comes to the rescue of the guy she loves.



"A satisfying supernatural YA tale that effectively mixes high school, magic and mystery." --Kirkus Reviews

Ordinary high-school junior Joy Sumner never expected a classmate’s dare to bring the chameleonic teen model Tanner Lindsey into her life. Falling in love with Tanner can only lead to heartache—and danger—because his mentor is the seductive, powerful Melisande, a seemingly ageless supermodel who may not be entirely human... and who does not look kindly on rivals for Tanner’s affections.

At the same time that Joy is fighting to free Tanner from Melisande’s grasp—and from his own self-doubt—she struggles to cope with her father’s cancer and the discovery that her seemingly peaceful school in the Blue Ridge Mountains is humming with supernatural energy. Somehow Joy must find the strength to confront both the supernatural threat and her own unexpected pregnancy—and to save Tanner’s life.

Formats: mobi (Kindle), epub, pdf, doc

Jason has spent the last six years living wild on beaches. Now he’s seventeen and a feral girl walks into his life. A girl with no name. He calls her Anna. She’s fun, she’s kind—and she’s the most dangerous person in the world. The most unusual love story, and a truly strange war story… Expect Civilian Casualties turns how we see the world upside down.
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Thanks for this opportunity, Melanie!
It's available in all the usual formats

Fire by Heather James

Why pick Fire: Because is has everything: fantasy; action; drama; romance; characters who can spark flames at their fingertips; a hero who can manipulate the air and another character who can... well, you'll have to read the book to find out ;)



Is control over the elements a gift, or a curse?

Roxy thinks that she is in control of everything: with flames flaring at her fingertips and an equally fiery attitude, what more could she need? But then she meets Brae, a prince from a rival Realm, who turns her assumptions of superiority upside down.

Jasmine has none of Roxy’s confidence or intensity. But she does have a secret - and Brae - and she’s not going to give either up willingly.

I can provide epub or mobi copies.

The Blake Soul




Why THE BLAKE SOUL? It's a paranormal romance and thriller that will grip you from start to finish...but don't take my word for it, read the reviews.


Josh Blake wakes up to the sound of the chilling scream echoing inside his head. His childhood nightmares are haunting him again. But why return now after all those years of oblivion? He sets out to investigate and he changes the natural course of events, rewriting destiny and creating a whole new world for himself and for those around him. His turbulent childhood mingles with the present, unveiling the deep insecurities that lurk behind his polished exterior of fame, glory and wealth.
The Blake Soul is a gripping, emotional love story which violently collides with family feuds, guilt, betrayal and revenge.

I can give pdf copies to anyone who is interested

Thank you xxx

Okay!



ONE sentence: Three reviews, all FIVE stars on Amazon and Goodreads, what are you missing?

Synopsis: Dylan James is used to boarding schools. He's been thrown out of so many in the past two years, he's lost count. So when an elite academy in Oregon offers him a place, he doesn't think he'll be there more than a week.

But Eight Mile Island isn't like anywhere Dylan has been before. In the dense forests around the school, there are things that look human but aren't.

Things that are hungry, and waiting...

But that's the start of the mysteries, mysteries that mean Dylan may never escape.

Even if he wants to...

Welcome to Eight Mile Island.

Kindles and Epubs to anyone interested!

Thanks!

I would be interested in reading this one (hoping I did this correctly.)

Available for kindles and other formats

“A gut wrenching story which got into my heart!” - A Book And A Review. “A very moving, emotional book … carefully handled” – The Little Reader Library

Blurb:
A silent cry for help…

Suspecting self-harm, newly qualified teacher, Abriella Garside, risks everything for a troubled pupil. An incident with a craft knife and unexplained injuries are not enough to secure help for the girl.

Unsure whether Beth is being bulied or has problems at home, Abby tries to win her trust and the two begin a friendship. But has the teacher gone too far?

In the midst of Abby’s own complicated life, Beth diappears. Rumour and suspicion ignite, fanned into an inferno with Abby at its heart.

Two lives hang in the balance.

Why The Tale Of Findo Gask: If we're not part of society then why should we obey the rules?
4.24* on Goodreads, 4.0* on Amazon.com and 4.6* on Amazon UK:


Findo Gask is a thief: born in a ditch, raised in a slum and educated by the underworld.

As an unregistered child with no official identity, Findo soon learns how to keep his head down, slip in and out of places unobserved - and run from trouble: perfect talents for a thief.

To begin with, Findo steals to survive, just foraging to meet his own needs. But his exploits soon become more audacious. As he gets older stealing becomes a form of self-expression, a way of asserting his identity and shouting out his name to a world that doesn’t seem to care.

‘The Tale Of Findo Gask’ is the story of a boy who has no real place in the world but a burning desire to prove himself; someone who does what others would love to do if they had no morals… or weren’t frightened of getting caught.

From pinching cigarettes in a corner shop to an armed raid on a security firm, from saving drowning dogs to stealing a diva’s tiara, ‘The Tale Of Findo Gask’ is the story of a rollercoaster life in the underbelly of modern Britain.

It’s not a crime novel but the story of an unconventional life: a book about alienation, love and a desperate search for acceptance and purpose.

"The Tale of Findo Gask" was UK national winner of the Undiscovered Authors General Fiction Prize for 2005.

Why Runaway! Because February is Black History Month, and I'm offering free Kindle downloads February 1 - 5.

Synopsis: Robbed of his emancipation by his master’s widow, a literate 14-year-old slave boy flees into the prairie. His journey crosses a territory ripped apart in conflict over slavery: stolen elections, printing presses thrown in the river, church houses nailed shut. But folk stories and campfire songs help him find conductors on the Underground Railroad. Slavecatchers dog his trail, but before the runaway can cross the river to freedom, he must first place his faith in an illiterate freewoman.

Formats: paperback, Kindle.


Runaway!

Hello all

Jimmy Threepwood is a dark Harry Potter style book written from the viewpoint of the villain.

'Great young fantasy novel, in the vein of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Dark, but not full of vampires and werewolves as so many books aimed at young readers are at the moment.'

Formats: Paperback or Kindle

The book synopsis Many centuries ago the Elders designed the world we live in, but they knew that through time and the advances in medicine and technology, the world would slowly start to die and man would ultimately destroy the planet. The Elders created a prophecy that every two millennia, four children would receive a mystical mark. The children would grow and (one day) be powerful enough to release the mighty beast, Tyranacus. Together they would purge the world of man, allowing it to heal before the life cycle would start again. Margaret Threepwood was a gentle and loving wife and was due to give birth when tragedy struck and Margaret fell severely ill. The Gatekeeper of life and death appeared in the hospital ward and provided a one-time deal so Margaret would live as long as her son Jimmy Threepwood was brought up unloved, uncared-for and handed to the Gatekeeper and his minions on his eleventh birthday, where his destiny would be unveiled to him. As Jimmy approached his eleventh birthday he noticed strange and unusual things happening. Firstly, a mysterious crow started to follow him around school; this ultimately led to a Bunson burner accident and an unusual scar forming on Jimmy's arm in the shape of a number nine. This was followed by Jimmy protecting his friend against the school bully, but one touch changed both Jimmy's and the bully's lives forever...

It's 1976 and this is the story of a boy, a girl, a dog, a cartoon devil and One Hot Summer.

Synopsis

A story of teenage obsession and insecurity, of sensual experience and terminal embarrassment, of learning about life while struggling to understand oneself.

John Burton is 17, it’s the long hot British summer of ‘76 and his life is about to change, in ways he has carefully planned, and ways he cannot yet know, as he embarks on a roller-coaster journey to maturity by way of music, cars, love, sex, friendship, rivalry, guilt and death.

His world is populated by those who have helped mould his character: his parents, proof that opposites attract. Penny, his girlfriend, evidence that persistence can sometimes pay off; his grandmother, incorrigible and unshockable; Craig, his best friend, confidant, and sounding board; Alan, who is gay, a secret that only John knows; Katie, object of John’s pubescent fantasies; Deborah, who collects underpants; Graham, the first local to embrace punk; Dino, John’s rival in love; Sandy, the dog and other bit part players.

Mobi and ePub formats available.

Melissa wrote: "



Sounds interesting.

Hi there,

The Kriterion Saga: The World Between is more than a gripping fantasy novel because within its pages is a formula to change the life path of the reader.

Dad asked, "Where are you this evening, George?"

When he spoke to me directly, I jumped back to reality. I answered, "Sorry, Dad. I was just thinking about the story Miss MacAlpin was telling me today. She didn't have time to finish it and wants me to come back tomorrow. The suspense is killing me."

Georgie O'Dell has spent enough time with his old neighbor. Just when he is ready to give up and hang out with friends his own age, Miss MacAlpin begins telling a story that will change Georgie's life forever.

The story of Alex Edgecomb, an evil little boy with a hatred of his sister and all other living things, intrigues Georgie into hearing the rest, and he spends every possible minute at Miss MacAlpin's house from then on. Upon learning about the boy with blackness in his heart and soul, Georgie is shocked at how different—and better—his life is compared to Alex's. Georgie travels to the magical realm of Kriterion through Miss MacAlpin's story to hear the tales of Alex's entry into Kriterion and attempt to overthrow the kingdom.

When Alex's plan is found out, he is destined for judgment and must learn his punishment for the wicked life he's lived and the cruel things he's done. Georgie makes another startling discovery about Miss MacAlpin, and the story changes his life even further.

Join in on Georgie's exciting adventure to The World Between and find out if he'll change his ways or end up just like Alex.



http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/1...

Tony wrote: "Okay!



ONE sentence: Three reviews, all FIVE stars on Amazon and Goodreads, what are you missing?

Synopsis: Dylan James is used to boarding schools. He's be..."

This looks good.

Blakely wrote: "

"SOULED OUT is a dark tale of betrayal at the deepest level." -The Reading Cafe

"Souled Out is a page-turner and ..."

Already read this and it's really good!

I.C. wrote: "The Blake Soul




Why THE BLAKE SOUL? It's a paranormal romance and thriller that will grip you from start to finish...but don't take my word for it, read the re..."

This sounds quite intriguing!

Set in the beautiful Loire Valley, French Illusions, will remind readers what it was like to be young, adventurous and filled with dreams.

Synopsis:

"This is a wonderful debut memoir, made much more appealing because it is true. A well written, fast-paced book enhanced by sprinkles of French."

In the summer of 1979, twenty-one-year-old Linda Kovic contracts to become an au pair for an wealthy French family in the Loire Valley. To secure the position, she pretends to speak the language, fully aware her deception will be discovered once she arrives at her destination. Based on the author’s diary, French Illusions captures Linda’s fascinating real-life story inside and outside the Château de Montclair. The over-bearing, Madame Dubois, her accommodating husband, Monsieur Dubois, and their two children are highlighted as Linda struggles to adapt to her new environment. Continually battling the language barrier, she signs up and attends classes at the local university in the nearby town of Tours, broadening her range of experiences. When she encounters, Adam, a handsome young student, her life with the Dubois family becomes more complicated, adding fuel to her internal battle for independence.

Cellardoorians wrote: "I.C. wrote: "The Blake Soul




Why THE BLAKE SOUL? It's a paranormal romance and thriller that will grip you from start to finish...but don't take my word for it..."

Thank you

Cellardoorians wrote: "Blakely wrote: "

"SOULED OUT is a dark tale of betrayal at the deepest level." -The Reading Cafe

"Souled Out is a ..."

Thank you so much! :>

Kelly wrote: "

This looks good."

Thank you =)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...
My book, The Brown House follows a girl named Brylee who is uprooted from California to New Jersey. If that wasn't bad enough the house she lives in is well, super haunted!! This book is based on REAL EVENTS and a real home here in New Jersey. My husband lived in this house!! If you pick it you will not be dissapointed!!

Christy wrote: "http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...
My book, The Brown House follows a girl named Brylee who is uprooted from California to New Jersey. If that wasn't bad enough the house s..."

You have my attention. :>

Why Ageless?
I wrote Ageless to provide a fresh perspective on the origin of vampires, and blend it with another well-known myth (the Fountain of Youth).

Synopsis
A girl's obsession with the Fountain of Youth leads her to her destiny in this YA paranormal thriller.

On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Violet Swanson's world is filled with thoughts
of finals and college applications. Raised by her grandparents, and sent to a
private high school, Violet has lived a sheltered life. All of that changes the
night a group study date goes awry. Violet realizes her friends are involved in
a dangerous game with things that aren't supposed to exist.

When a pair of handsome, mysterious brothers kidnaps Violet, she finds out the myth of
the Fountain of Youth may not be a myth after all. Violet's past holds the key
to the Fountain's location She has to decide whether she can trust them, or if
she needs to escape from them.

All will be revealed on Violet's birthday, but only if she survives to see it.

Formats
Mobi, ePub, PDF

Wow! Some great sounding books listed here :)

I quite fancy and

It's a shame it's just one book this month! :) I'm part-way through which is great, but I have to say my vote is going with the 'my husband lived here' tagline sold it for me!

Why Read Sweet Glory:

While the United States is in the thick of commemorating the Sesquicentennial (150 years) Anniversary of its Civil War, why not pay tribute by reading a story set during this time that is: packed with adventure, sprinkled with romance, and about women soldiers (a major feature of the Washington National Archives’ exhibit) and has received glowing reviews by the International Historical Novel Society, historicalnovelreviewblogspot.com, and readers who hate history?

Synopsis of Sweet Glory on Goodreads:

Reluctant to shed her riding trousers and fully submerse herself in her role as a growing woman, Jana Brady joins the Union army in the fight for her country. Hoping for Sweet Glory, she cuts her hair and disguises herself as a young cavalryman, eager to fight the Rebels, aided by Leanne Perham, another girl from town who has donned the Union blues. Disguised as Johnnie and Leander, Jana and Leanne form a close connection with other misfits in their unit, twelve-year-old Charlie, who's hidden his age to provide for his ma, and Irishman Keeley, who inspires men to abandon their inner conflicts and band together. Jana comes to greatly admire Keeley, who frequently needles Johnnie about the occasional appearance of feminine attributes.

While Jana enjoys the camaraderie within her unit, soldiering and nursing severely test her notions of glory in war. And the possibility of dying as a man hits home when she witnesses a man and his disguised bride die hand in hand on the battlefield. Jana determines to find a way home, with the blossoming incentive of renewing a relationship with Keeley once she is again living as a woman. But this possibility seems even more unlikely when Keeley is captured and Jana is hit by a bullet. Will she be able to rescue him from the Confederates' clutches? And will Keeley love her for her true self? Lisa Potocar masterfully interweaves a moving love story with a sweeping portrayal of the heartache of the Civil War and the courage of key figures in history.

I appreciate your consideration of my story!

Lisa Y. Potocar

Why you should read ON A WING AND A DARE: Flying horses--it's what comes after the wizards, after the vampires, after the Games.



n Tremeirchson, a barn leader’s children are expected to follow their parents into the sky, becoming riders of the magnificent winged horses that are the medieval Welsh village’s legacy. Neither Emma nor Davyd, however, want to follow that tradition.

Sixteen-year-old Emma risks losing her family by following her heart. Eager to take her place in the air, she longs to ride a forbidden winged colt born in barn of her father’s biggest rival. She also dreams of the rival’s sons, not sure which she truly loves. Bold and exciting, Evan will someday lead his father’s barn. Davyd is quieter, more dependable, with an ability to get things done. Her father disapproves of both boys and pushes her toward an ambitious newcomer. He also insists she ride the colt he’s picked for her.

Davyd, also sixteen, is plagued with a secret—he is afraid of heights. Refusing to become a rider means public humiliation, his parents’ disappointment, and lifelong ridicule from his brother, Evan. He reluctantly prepares to join his family aloft in the Aerial Games that provide the entire village with its livelihood and tries desperately to think of an alternative.

As Tremeirchson’s barns prepare for the Rider Ceremony, winged horses suddenly start dying. Shocked, the adults hesitate, mired in tradition and politics. Is it a disease or poison? Accidental or purposeful? Someone must discover the answer and act before all the winged horses in the world are gone forever.

OK - Thanks for all your pitches and comments - this thread is now closed.

Due to interest in more than three - I've posted the six that received comments for the vote.