Friday, 26 January 2018

Guest Post - THE DU LAC PRINCESS by Mary Anne Yarde


Guest Post

THE DU LAC PRINCESS
(The Du Lac Chronicles Book 3)

BY

Mary Anne Yarde
 




The multi award-winning series The Du Lac Chronicles continues:
War is coming…
The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant. Her crime? She is a du Lac.
All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.
Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.

 

BOOK EXTRACT

 

“This isn’t a laughing matter,” there was censure in the monk’s words.
“If I don’t laugh then I am going to cry. I have been made to feel like a sinner even though I haven’t sinned, not really. I am a woman without hope and without any friends or family. I have lost everyone I ever loved, and now you tell me that life is going to be difficult. How much more difficult can it get?”
“The Pope has condemned you with Bell, Book and Candle,” Brother Daniel stated. “But that is not all. The Abbot made sure that the Pope was all too aware of your crimes. I am sorry, Amandine, but the Pope will never welcome you back into the Church.”
Amandine gasped, her laughter faded and any colour that was left on her face vanished. “What?” her voice was quiet, barely audible. “But I thought…all the penance. I thought… Tell me it isn’t true.”
“You are damned,” Brother Daniel confirmed. “No one will want you, neither man nor Church. You are completely at the mercy of Philippe. But rest assured, I believe he has every intention of protecting you. I will not lie to you, my dear, you will be shunned, even with the King’s support. The chances of you marrying again are very slim.”
“I wasn’t looking for a new husband,” Amandine said as she tried to make sense of Brother Daniel’s words.
“It also means that you will never be able to leave the protection of the castle. The protection of this room.”
Amandine scoffed with realisation. “I am to be Philippe’s prisoner? Why don’t you just say what you mean?”
“You are not his prisoner, think of it as being his special guest. This is for your own protection. Many would see you hang or worse. I have spoken to the King. Alan will be in charge of your safety from now on. Philippe thought you would find no fault in that, as you and Alan appear to be on good terms. Amandine, you must understand there are many who saw what you did the day Merton died. They saw how you were dressed in his clothes. They saw how you threw yourself at him. How you got down on your knees and begged the King for mercy on Merton’s behalf. They saw how Merton reacted when you were threatened. And those who didn’t will have listened when the Abbot condemned you. You are a fallen woman, a threat to their good Christian souls. Our main concern now is keeping you alive. You must never leave this room. Ever.”
“But I thought—”
“That you were doing penance? So you have said. Did you really think that the Abbot was going to pardon you of all your sins? Oh, Amandine, you are not stupid. He was never going to give you absolution.”
Amandine shook her head, and she began to wring her hands together in despair.
“You must be strong,” Brother Daniel reached across and stilled her hands with his. “And brave. Just like our Lord Jesus was in those darkest of days. Remember, he too was condemned for a crime he did not commit.” He smiled at her and squeezed her hands. “I must leave you now. I shall make sure some food is brought up, but it will be tested before you eat it, so do not fear about being poisoned.”
“Poisoned?” Amandine gasped, she had not even thought of that.
“You need to rest and regain your strength.” Brother Daniel rose to his feet and smiled down at her. “I will be back tomorrow to listen to your confession.”
“If I am damned, then what need do I have to confess?” Amandine asked, staring defiantly back at the monk. “Besides,” she looked away, “I consort with demons. I am evil. I am a sinner. My soul will burn in Hell. I will be damned forever—”
“Ask for mercy, and you will receive it,” Brother Daniel stated, interrupting her.
“I have,” Amandine challenged back, “and look where that has got me.”




ABOUT THE AUTHOR



 Mary Anne Yarde is the Award-Winning author of the International Best Selling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Briton and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury--the fabled Isle of Avalon--was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.







MY THOUGHTS


To read my review of The Du Lac Princess, click here



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Thursday, 14 December 2017

Book Review - THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner


THE MAZE RUNNER
(The Maze Runner Series
Book 1)

BY

James Dashner


When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there - or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything - even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out.


MY THOUGHTS…


I've been putting off reading The Maze Runner series for a long time. The books have just been sitting on my shelf as I read everything but them. After a couple of months, I picked up this book and read the first sentence...

Here I am, four days later. I didn't write a review as soon as I finished the book because I was too busy reading book two.

This book is terrific, with drama, the fight for survival and a hint of mystery, my three favourite things merged into one book.

My favourite characters are Minho, Newt, Thomas and Teresa, in that order. I still don't know why I like Minho and Newt so much, but I think it's because of how they are both great leaders. The reason Thomas isn't my favourite character is that I feel like too much of everything that happens, happens to him. I think that maybe Newt, Alby, Minho or Gally should be suffering as well as Thomas.

All in all, I Highly Recommend this book to everyone, young adult or not, as it is such a great book!


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THIS BOOK?





Thursday, 16 November 2017

Book Review - THE TREASURE OF GWENLAIS by M.T. Magee


THE TREASURE OF GWENLAIS

BY

M.T. Magee



Escape to the award winning mystical realm of Rinefield! Inspired by the majesty of the Scottish Highlands and the beauty of the rolling meadows of Ireland! The romance and beauty of Celtic and Gaelic legend and folklore.

Can a reluctant Princess heal the torn Kingdoms and the heart of a battle hardened warrior Prince? Join Laurel on an extraordinary journey, filled with excitement, treachery, danger and finding a love you only dared dream of! A love story that will leave you breathless, and a world like none imagined! And unforgettable family saga with characters you will hold dear!


MY THOUGHTS…

The Treasure of Gwenlais has quickly become one of my favorite books!

I fell in love with the characters, and I thought that the book was beautifully written, especially the waltz.

I loved the world created by M.T. Magee and thought that this romantic, once in a lifetime read was, as I said, a once in a lifetime read!

The cliffhanger at the end left me wanting to read book two as soon as possible, and I can't wait to read on with the story.

I Highly Recommend this book to everyone!

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THIS BOOK?




Book Review - THE DU LAC PRINCESS by Mary Anne Yarde


THE DU LAC PRINCESS

BY

Mary Anne Yarde





War is coming…

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant. Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.



MY THOUGHTS…

The Du Lac Chronicles continues with another fantastic book by Mary Anne Yarde!

The Du Lac Princess is by far my favorite book by Mary Anne Yarde, and there were many new characters to keep the story even more interesting than before. Out of the intertwined storylines, i loved reading about Galahad and Teagan. They are possibly my favourite characters in the series, in the order of Galahad, Teagan and then Alden.

The tension never ends, with an impossible love story and a quest to start. The Du Lac Princess had me sat on the edge of my seat and then when I had finished reading it, jumping up and down in anticipation of book 4!

This book is Highly Recommended for all Historical Fiction lovers, who are looking for the most epic love story ever.


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THIS BOOK?



Saturday, 21 October 2017

Book Review - BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Alex Tully

 
BEAUTIFUL CHAOS

BY

Alex Tully



"Full of snappy prose & situations as funny as they are suspenseful...a lot to like here." ~ Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize in Fiction

While most seventeen year-olds work part-time delivering pizzas or whipping up frappuccinos, Brady O'Connell's job is a little less conventional. Helping his dad with the family 'business' is a responsibility he doesn't take lightly, especially when thousands of dollars are being exchanged. There are rules to be followed, timetables to be kept. But when his best friend Jay gets backstage concert tickets, and business interferes with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet their favorite band, Brady decides to break the rules, just one time.

And one time is all it takes to send his life spinning out of control.

When an envelope full of cash ends up in the wrong hands--specifically in the hands of a pretty red-head named Vivienne--things get messy in a hurry. Where Vivienne goes, a whole lot of chaos seems to follow.

But sometimes...chaos can be a beautiful thing.

From the author of Hope for Garbage comes another fast-moving, emotionally-charged tale, full of plot twists that will keep you guessing, and true-to-life characters you will root for. Most of all, this is a story of first love--crazy, chaotic first love--love that hits us hard, and never lets go.


MY THOUGHTS…


This book has to be one of my favorites.

I felt that I connected with the characters very well and the plot was an excellent one.

I liked both of the main characters, Brady and Vivienne. Brady was always trying to please his father and to succeed in what he was doing. Vivienne was determined not to give up helping Brady and was impatient for her freckles to fade!

One character I didn't like was Chad. He was overprotective and not a very pleasant person in general. Every time his name came up, I would get worried for Brady and Vivienne, thinking that Chad would hurt them in some way.

I Highly Recommend this book to Young Adult readers, who are looking for a little romance, suspense, and an excellent book!


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THIS BOOK?


Friday, 22 September 2017

Book Review - TOMORROW THE WORLD by Josephine Cox


TOMORROW THE WORLD

BY

Josephine Cox





No.1 bestselling writer, Josephine Cox's Tomorrow the World is a compulsive tale of love and secrets, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin, Catherine Cookson and Kathyrn Hughes. 

'Driven and passionate' The Sunday Times

Bridget Mulligan loves her husband. He is caring, loyal and dependable - everything a woman could ask for. But she can't quite forget Harry - the one that got away - and when a snow storm drives her into his arms, the inevitable happens. Nine months later a child is born. 

Overcome with remorse, Bridget is determined that her husband should know the truth, but her confession can lead only to heartbreak. Although he allows his wife and her child to continue living in his home, Tom Mulligan makes it clear that their marriage is over. Lonely and afraid, Bridget finds comfort in the friendship of Fanny, a feisty young mother who knows what it is to be alone. But Bridget's life can never be complete until she has the love of the only man she ever really wanted...



  
MY THOUGHTS…


The ending to this book made me happy... so did the actual story, but the ending made me especially happy.

I thought that the event that started the story was wrong and that Bridget shouldn't have given in to temptation - she was married after all. Although, without that one event, there would be no story for me to add to my 'favorites' shelf!

I loved the characters of Bridget, Ruthie and, despite it all, Harry. They all seemed like really nice people, and I thought that the ending turned out well for them.

I was not sure what to think about Tom Mulligan. One minute he loves his child and the next he hates it. I believed that how he treated Bridget was appalling, even though she was honest and, in many similar cases, many lies would generally be told and things would be made ten times worse. I was slightly sorry for him at the end of his characters part in the story (no spoilers) but what happened, happened because of his own choices.

I do love this book and Highly Recommend it to any Josephine Cox/Historical Fiction/Historical Drama lovers!


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THIS BOOK?



 

Sunday, 17 September 2017

Book Review - PAPER BUTTERFLIES by Lisa Heathfield


PAPER BUTTERFLIES

BY

Lisa Heathfield





Stand By Me meets We Were Liars - a heartbreaking and stunning breakout novel for teenagers from the award-nominated author of Seed.

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one - and a secret one. Not even her father knows about it. She's trapped like a butterfly in a jar.

But then she meets Blister, a boy in the woods. And in him, June recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away. But freedom comes at a price . . . 

Paper Butterflies is an unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal, Sarah Crossan's Moonrise, Jandy Nelson, Jennifer Niven and Louise O'Neill.

'It broke my heart over and over. Destined to be one of THE most important books this year.' - Melinda Salisbury, author of The Sin Eater's Daughter.

'A gripping and harrowing tale . . . best YA proof I've read this year.' - Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller.



 MY THOUGHTS…


This book touched my heart. The torture that June goes through at home with her stepmother made me want to cry, but the book was written so well that I just kept reading until the end.

I was hoping for a happy ending for June. So, as soon as Jacob (Blister) Wick was introduced as a character, June's future seemed to brighten. Blister and June, the two main characters, were my favorite two. This was only to be expected as they are the nicest characters in the whole book (in my opinion).

The ending surprised me. I'm not going to give anything away, but there was that small hope at the end which made me wish for a book two to be in my hands immediately. Just when I thought all hope was lost, Lisa Heathfield brought a small ray of sunshine to the last page and hope came back for June.

I Highly Recommend this book to anyone as it is one of my favorites and everyone should read it.


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THIS BOOK?