My Top Three Books of 2011

2011 is on its way out. What a year! While everyone reflects back on what happened this year, I reflect back on the books I've read...


The ones I liked, the ones I didn't, the ones I don't remember the names of the characters any more, the characters and stories I will never forget, the books that rocked my world this year. Here is my list of the Best Books of 2011.

Merry Christmas!!!

Hey everyone!


Christmas for me is about for a night forgetting all the troubles and tribulations of the year and remembering you are surrounded by people who have touched your life in one way or another - be them near you, away from you or no longer with you. 


So wherever you are, whoever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope you have a wonderful Chrimbo!!!  

Book Review - 15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins

Some books you read and find entertaining. And some books you read and never forget. This one is one I will have in my mind for a long time.

SYNOPSIS
Fifteen-year-old Laurence Roach just wants a normal life, but it's not easy when your mum is a depressed alcoholic, and your six-year-old brother thinks he's a dog. When Mum fails to come home one night, Laurence tells nobody, terrified he and his brother will be taken into care if anyone finds out. Instead, he attempts to keep up the pretence that Mum is still around: dressing up in her clothes to trick the neighbours and spinning an increasingly complicated tangle of lies. After two weeks on their own, running out of food and money, and with suspicious adults closing in, Laurence finally discovers what happened to his mother. And that's when the trouble really starts ...A compelling thriller filled with some hilarious and surreal moments. Fifteen Days Without a Head is a tender, honest story about family, forgiveness and hope. (Waterstones)

Music Mondays - Belief my John Mayer

John Mayer is an American blues rock singer songwriter. I love his voice, the strong lyrics, the beat, and those lips... *day dreams* No, I'm not perving out. He's older than me. It's allowed.

As I'm in need of a feel-good track for this gloomy Monday morning I thought this might just be the one. And, yes. It does help that he's also a little bit of an eye candy. My Monday feels better already! ^_^

Happy Monday!

LYRICS...

Book Review - Mortal Chaos by Matt Dickinson

Every so often I read a book that surprises me. This was definitely one of them.

 

SYNOPSIS

'Butterfly effect: The scientific theory that a single occurrence, no matter how small, can change the course of the universe forever. Jamie and Will, bunking off school to go hunting. Kuni, trapped in an icy crevasse. Shelton, on a deadly mission for revenge. Bakili, under attack from bloodthirsty baboons. Tina, piloting flight 492 to Moscow. For them, and many others, things will never be the same again. Some will live. Many will die. All are connected. A heart-stopping adventure that will leave readers breathless.' (Waterstones)

Out & About - Pink Whiskers

It's Christmas and everyone in the family gets spoiled. So why not the pooch?


Ok, my family will be rolling with laugher reading this because until earlier this year, when a certain Yorkshire 'Terrorist' (Terrier) walked his four little paws into my life, my idea of a pet was a rock. As said my brother: "Who would see you now, if they looked at you back then?" 


So laugh all you can, but the Terrorist is coming for Xmas. *_* He even has a Xmas outfit! For my husband's despair - he (the husband) wanted a black Retriever and I turned up with a Yorkie so every time I dress him (the dog) up he (the husband) despairs. Before you get the wrong picture, I only dress him up to see the husband's face drop. It's priceless!!! 

Book Review - Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight is the book with 'that cover'. Yeap! The one that just makes you pick it up and take it straight to the till. The million dollar question is: do the words inside it have the same effect?

SYNOPSIS

A hidden truth. Mortal enemies. Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy. (Goodreads)

Music Mondays - Just Can't Get Enough by Boyce Avenue

Boyce Avenue is a band of three brothers from Florida. And get this, they started their rise to success right here - on the internet - by uploading videos to YouTube.


I was introduced to their sound by my cousin Babi (huge thanks) who is really into her music and I just looooveeee it. His voice makes me melt and their easy groove makes me want to move. It's almost unfair. 


On a personal note, they have also worked as fab inspiration material for a novel I'm working on at the moment. There is a musician in there that is just gonna have to have this smooth voice and a band that just gonna have to have this sexy beat. ^_^ 


Enjoy!

LYRICS...

Dungeon Tickets Winner

Without further ado...

It's my pleasure to announce that the winner for the Dungeon tickets is ...

ANDREW MCEVOY


Well done Andrew! I will be in touch soon via email.

Thanks to everyone who took part and stay tuned for more giveaways!

Book Review - Settling by Shelley Workinger

Tension, heartbreak, a new hottie... So is Settling, the second book in the Solid series, better than the first? (read my review of the first book, Solid, here)


SYNOPSIS
At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids… 

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. 

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them.  (Goodreads)

Music Mondays - So Cold Ben Cocks feat. Nikisha Reyes-Pile

Nikisha is Caribbean singer songwriter, but she currently lives in the UK. I know. With winter now officially here, you probably want to ask her what she's doing in rainy cold Old England. That's what everyone asks me when they find out I'm Brazilian. We like it here, people!

She's not currently signed to any labels, but isn't her voice gorgeous? You can check her channel over at YouTube and you will be able to see her covers of various other songs too.

I first heard this song when it featured on another blog. Try as I might to find the original blogpost I wasn't able to, so if you have featured this track in your blog recently, please comment below so I can give you due credit. Great find. :-)

LYRICS...

Win a Family Ticket to The Dungeon of Your Choice!!!

Following my review of The Blackpool Tower Dungeon (read it here), I have a family ticket for four people (2 Adults and 2 Children) worth £82, if bought individually, to give away. And get this: you can pick any of the Dungeons in the UK: Blackpool, Edinburgh, York or London!

The ticket is valid until March 2012 for any of the Dungeons mentioned above.

For a chance to win, all you need to do is answer the two questions below. Don't forget to hit the SUBMIT button to enter. Deadline is Friday 8th December at midnight (GMT) and the winner will be announced on Saturday's post (9th Dec).

Good luck!!!

Out & About – The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

I am usually one of the most skeptical people. So why did I scream more than my nine year-old during our visit to The Blackpool Tower Dungeon?

The Dungeons are a popular attractions not only in the UK, but also in Europe. I had some tickets so I decided to take my nine year-old daughter, who has developed a fascination for blood and hospitals, and her friend, who loves scary stuff. I went in expecting a Halloween replay - fake blood and dead looking dummies galore - but what I got was a very interesting history lesson.