Time Will Tear Them Apart..

 Tempest - Julie Cross

'A booming sound rang in my ears, followed by Holly's scream. Then everything seemed to stop - my heart, my breath...time'
Jackson has a secret - he can jump into his own past. But when a shocking event propels him further back in time than he has ever been before - he finds he can't return.
Now Jackson has to find a way to save the girl he loves before they have even met, and time is not on his side...

Hm. Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmm. I finished this book at 5pm today. It is now 9pm and I still cannot think of what to write! Yes it was a book about time travel, including a fit boy and love interest. Yes it was a complex plot that made you think. But I still don't know what to say...

The characters, Holly, Adam and MC Jackson were wonderful. Lovely people, so glad I met them. The idea of the story was great. maybe too much information all smushed into one story? Too many twists and turns to keep track of? That's just my opinion obviously.

It made me cry, and the ending left me heartbroken so that is a good sign....I just don't think its sunk in yet!

I can't really find anything to criticise except too many twists and turns, but again thats just my opinion. Also the time travelly science bit, wasn't explained to well for me...but I'm dumb and need things spelling out for me!
It was good, made me cry, made my heart break, made me laugh out loud and made me swoon in places. Read it :-)

Much love
JB xxxx

Forever - Judy Blume

Forever by Judy Blume.

It was first published in 1975 and was banned from most libraries and parents didn't allow their children to read it due to the obscene sexual content....that 'obscene sexual content' is now the basics that almost every 13 year old knows, or thinks they know. It just goes to show how life changes between the first copy being published and the recent rerelease of the book today. Katherine is an 17/18 year old in America, at school and the book mainly focuses on her relationship with a boy she meets at a New Years Party.


The meeting, and getting together of the couple, in my opinion was ridiculously rushed, but thinking about the context Judy wrote it in, that was probably the norm. It was a little unrealistic for me in points, and a little suprising in others.

It was an interesting and enjoyable read, following our main character as she embarks on the first love, first time, first heartbreak journey. She discovers who she is and what she wants along the way, and I hope she became a better person for it!
As I stated earlier, as a 16 year old I found it hard to take Kath seriously...I mean she was 18 and only just finding this stuff out....but that's the change of time in the real world, not the fault of some fictional character.

So have a read guys!
JB xxx

In My Mailbox #8

I am so sorry guys! Blogging really took a back seat in my life, as did reading! The only thing I had time to read was boring text books! College is stressful! But I had half term last week so I managed to read quite a few books, unfortunately I will not be reviewing those because I simply do not have time! I read Sisters Red, which was absolutely beautiful and a wonderful book which I thoroughly recommend, Evercrossed, which I cannot wait to continue the new trilogy/series of books when the lovely Elizabeth Chandler gets round to writing them and I also read some trashy romance novels that were actually quite brilliant, the best was called The Infidelity Chain...absolutely sucked me in, I stayed up til one am to fnish that beauty! I also read the final in the Evernight series, called Afterlife by Claudia Gray...what a lovely end to an addictive series!

Anyways, there are the quick reviews for what I've read! I better get my ass into gear, christmas is coming up and I have actually put so many books on my list, as well as a kindle. Oh god, I am just glutton for punishment!

Anyways, I recieved a LOT this week! I went to the lovely libraries around my local area, got the entire works of Shakespeare, because I'm studying English Literature in college and I need to widen my reading palete as well as look smart for college applications!!

I also got two books from the lovely MKB which were:

 Forever by Judy Blume and The Hunger Games Companion by Lois H Gresh.

I haven't actually read THG yet, but it is on my to buy for kindle wishlist!!

I also went to my library and got some Jane Austen works, because again widening the reading palete etc, and it would look bad if I just watched the films!!

Anyways, thanks for putting up with this HUGE post and I promise, I will be back soon!!
JB xxx

Her heart will determine the future....

BR - Glow - Amy Kathleen Ryan

Teenagers Waverly and Kieran believe their future is written in the stars.
They are part of the first generation born in space.
They are in love.
They have never seen a stranger before...until the day they are wrenched apart and suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.

That is the blurb. Now here is the synopsis from Goodreads...

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...
Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.
But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

The story = brilliant idea, very very intriguing from reading the blurb....the Goodreads Synopsis practically tells the story. In fact, this is one of the complaints I have about this book, the Goodreads synopsis tells more of the story then the book does...some of the stuff in the synopsis isn't even in the book, and it should be because if it was included the story would be complete...
The characters = cute, enchanting, realistic. Although Seth...didn't like him at all. And Waverly shouldn't either. Ryan was trying to capture the popular love triangle theme...and it didn't work. Seth is horrible, He is the baddie of the goodies and usually, I fall for that, but Seth wasn't a baddie goodie in the ooft I wish you were real kind of way. He was just horrible and should have been a baddie. Ryan should have just made the book more a focus of the difficulties between Waverly and Kieran as a couple who have the ship's expectations riding on them. Unfortunately I didn't get any chemistry between them...at all :-/
The writing style = average. The climax and epilogue was disappointing. This amazing build up, then just a deflating let down....

I had quite high expectations for the book...it's a good story idea, and generally a good writing style, the characters were a bit too try hard and copycat in some places, but it was an average book. Not high on  my favourites, but not bottom either.

Maybe you guys will find it more enjoyable then I do, I hope so! It's a good book, go try it and prove me wrong!
JB xxx

My Book Boyfriend #8

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly Meme, hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader I will be taking part in this Meme (hopefully) every Wednesday where I will lust over my literary crush, who I would love to be part of my life. If possible, I will include the lucky boy's stats and some quotes. I will definitely be including a picture of how I imagine he looks like and reasons why I love him.

Today's lucky boy is John Hayden, from Meg Cabot's new book ABANDON

This scrummy boy is:

• Tall, six foot four or five
• With wide biceps and shoulders
• He has a fairly obvious attitude problem
• Black jeans, skintight black t-shirt, black tactical boots and knuckles criss-crossed with scars
• The scars weren't only on his knuckles...
• His hair, falling carelessly in thick, long waves around his face and neck
• His eyes were as grey as the clouds overhead and they burned with bright intensity

Here is some pics of how I imagine him....(I'm not a big fan of guys with long hair so, I've chosen to block that out in my head haha!)

OMNOM! Isn't he a beauty? Here's some quotes that made me swoooooon:

“Why would John bother using windows or doors like a normal person? Why would he bother to say hello? Just poof. Crunch. Bye.”


“You didn't," John said, stepping from the shadows as he clapped for me, "even hit your head this time.”


“You just said you were sorry."

"I was only apologizing," he said stiffly, "for startling you. The applause was to compliment you on the improvement in your life-saving techniques since the last time you-”

“And in what fairy tale would John ever be any sane person's idea of Prince Charming anyway? He was the opposite of charming. More like Prince Terrifying.”
 
“No Hello.

No Hi, Pierce. Nice right hook you have there.
No It's lovely to see you. Sorry about your counselor being killed last night. Yes, I see your grandmother is a Fury even though I told you none was after you. I guess I was wrong about that.
Just Let's go.”

“I don't really know. I've never rescued a girl I love from the Furies before." He looked alarmed as he noticed my eyes were filling with tears. "Don't cry."

"How can I not?" I asked him. "You just said you love me."
"Why else did you think all of this was happening?" He set the book aside to wrap his arms around me. "The Furies wouldn't be trying to kill you if I didn't love you.”
"I didn't know," I said. Tears were trickling down my cheeks, but I did nothing to try to stop them. His shirt was absorving most of them. "You never said anything about it. Every time I saw you, you just acted so... wild."

"How was I supposed to act?" he asked. "You kept doind things like throw tea in my face.”

“What did that mean? Where could it go? He was a death diety. I was a high school senior.”
 
Gosh I do love him :-)
Who is your Book Boyfriend this week?
Lots of Love
JB xxx

She knows what it's like to die....

...and now death wants her back.

BR - Abandon by Meg Cabot

Well, when I recieved this little gem in the post I was exstatic! Meg is a wonderful author, her books and I have grown up together! So she springs a beauty out of her magic computer, a paranormal romance, that isn't like any other paranormal romances I've ever read....infact it's so good as soon as I finished it, I pushed it right into the top ten favourite books! Here's the synopsis/blurb:

Pierce knows what it's like to die.
Last year she flatlined following an accident
During that time, Pierce saw a dark world and met a mysterious, irresistable boy,
Now that boy, John Hayden, has turned up at school. Everytime she sees him Pierce finds herself in terrible danger. Yet she's still drawn to him.
John wants to take her back to the place she fears the most: The Underworld
The question is, why?

Now if that didn't make you squee in lust then I don't know what will!!

At first, the book is wonderfully confusing. Nothing is explained...and at first this is a delicious torture, because you keep turning the pages, desperate to find out who the boy is, how she died, why she's biking around a cemetary and yelling at random hot boys etc. It is sweet torture...
At first I thought that it lasted far to long and it might have discouraged some readers from continuing because they would get fustrated because nothing was making sense, but then I changed my mind and realised that the fustration was what kept most readers involved and turning the pages, and that Meg had dragged it out for just the right amount of time and actually got it spot on!

Then the story itself, a lovely mix of paranormal, romance, and even a teensy bit of Greek mythology was enough to set my book lust into overdrive! I was addicted...especially when the heroine was with our scrummy lead male character. I actually got butterflies of longing in my stomach haha! It was absolutely deliciously perfect, and how she got that wonderful story idea is beyond me, but then again she's always thought of wonderfully different stories!

The characters were deep, and realistic. John Hayden had me at his introduction. Bad boy, that you know in your heart is really a good boy, he was just injured by his life, and the world seem to scorn him, which causes a little attitude problem...but anyway I'll gush about him in the MBB Meme haha! Pierce was a wonderful heroine. Strong, but with obvious vulnerability. She was a little bit broken inside, just like everyone. She was very easy to relate to and I often found myself wishing I was a little more like her! The female friend, probably in the next two books of the trilogy going to become the female best friend and sidekick, Kayla was absolutely hilarious! She had a don't care attitude, a real hatred of the world, but again, an obvious vulnerability. I often found myself laughing aloud at her witty remarks or sarcastic quips! And then there's the second soon to be sidekick (I presume) Pierce's cousin, Alex. He has obvious issues with the world, and is a little bit more bad attitude then the others. He really is broken inside and he became to feel like my little brother, and I wanted to protect him and look after him! The other supporting characters are along the same lines, very relatable and very real. I enjoyed them so much, I felt part of the family!

So all in all it was an absolutely bloody fantastic book. And I'll be posting a MBB Meme, for a certain Mr John Hayden tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled, for another fittie fest!
Seriously, go out and buy the book or I swear I will hunt you down and make you memorise the whole thing and then eat it!
LOTS OF LOVE GUYS!
JB xxx

My Book Boyfriend #7

Ok lovely readers! I apologise for leaving this post so long! I have a treat for you today! But for those of you who don't know what MBB is:
My Book Boyfriend is a weekly Meme, hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader I will be taking part in this Meme (hopefully) every Wednesday where I will lust over my literary crush, who I would love to be part of my life. If possible, I will include the lucky boy's stats and some quotes. I will definitely be including a picture of how I imagine he looks like and reasons why I love him.

Today's lucky man is.......Denver Beck from The Demon Trapper's Series by Jana Oliver!

Here's some pictures of how I imagine he looks (scrummy!)



And another one, because I love you all so much and like to share pictures of yummy men!



YUMMY! This ladies, and gents, is Denver Beck, AKA Beck.
He is a Demon Trapper in the Guild that Riley and her father belong too. In fact, he was trained by Paul Blackthorne (Riley's father). He has short blonde hair, a cheeky grin and was in the army before he became a demon trapper. His life hasn't been that great, his dad wasn't around, his mum was an alcoholic and neglected him, he screwed up school and then went into the Army and watched his friends die. Paul Blackthorne helped him straighten out his life, and he's now just a tortured soul, with an averagely good life. Bless him!
He is overprotective of Riley, Paul's daughter (who he's obviously in love with too, but he doesn't know it yet!) and generally cares about his own. He likes to take care of people, but also to have a good time. He is charming and generally a bit of a flirt but he just needs to find the right girl! (ME!)

He is absolutely beautiful! Unfortunately I've had no time to get many quotes so here's a few that I could find:

"I'll be there for ya, girl. No matter what.

Beck took a deep breath and released it slowly. He had to stay strong for her, make the tough decisions. It was best that Paul's daughter never know how he felt about her. There'd be less hurt that way, for both of them.
Just keep her safe, God. I can settle for that."

Beck: "What did ya learn from this dumbass stunt?"

Here's where she was supposed to apologize, promise to be a good little girl and never do anything like this again.
Screw that.
Riley locked eyes with him. "I learned that the Holy Water better be fresh, that I need practice throwing the spheres, and that someone has to watch my back so asshats don't steal my demons."

"He pulled her into a tight embrace. There was the sting of tears on her cheeks, but they weren't hers. He kissed the top of her head and murmured something. She didn't hear what he'd said, but that didn't matter. He was alive.


"I can't face losin' ya, Riley. Yer all I got left in this world."

That brutal honesty again. He'd peeled away more armor, and this time he'd exposed his heart.

As Beck drove out of the garage, he gave the parking attendants a big toothy smile and a wave. "There's some snow on the fifth level. Thought ya might like to know. Y'all have a nice day, now!" he called out.

No wonder Dad liked working with you

So as you can see, I'm totally in love with Beck! YEY! I wish he was real :-(
JB xxx

Review - Forbidden

*SPOILER ALERT* If you haven't read Forsaken, I suggest you avoid this review :-)





'Hell has a plan for Riley Blackthorne'
Riley's beginning to think being a demon trapper isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her dad's been stolen by a necromancer, her boyfriend's gone all weird and she's getting warm and fuzzy feelings for someone who's got more secrets then the CIA. It's tempting to give it all up and try to be normal, but that's not an option with hell watching her every move.
One mistake will cost her everything - and that's the one she's about to make.

I read Forsaken, in a day. And Forbidden was only two days because I had work to do...
It was just as brilliant as the first book! Very easy writing style that you can lose yourself into, a fast paced exciting idea and a fabulous twist on paranormal. Love it!

The first book did a great job of bringing us up to date, and introducing us to the story, but this was all action! I didn't want to put it down, it was so thrilling and enthralling! The story is fresh and different, the female lead is very strong, but relatable to, and the boys...YUMMY! In the first book, I was in love with two of them, and hated one of them...(Ori and Beck I loved btw) and in the second book, I hated the other two and just love Beck!!

The twists and turns in this book are enough to keep you interested, but not so many that you get confused! It really is a brilliant book, so go out and buy it!

JB xxx

In My Mailbox #7

Since I didn't do it properly a couple of days ago I thought I'd be nice and do it again for you!

Ok I've been away for three weeks guys, so I've not been to the Library AT ALL and I haven't bought any books in yonks, because funnily enough I'm still getting through LAST christmas' books and the books I got in April for my Birthday!

Ok so from MKB I got the fantastic and wonderful Forbidden by Jana Oliver! YEY!

Also got the Lottie Biggs Series by Hayley Long because the ladies at MKB are wonderful!

Then this week, I got Abandon by Meg Cabot, which I am uber excited about! Review to follow!

That's everything then folks, I have got a review on Forbidden coming up very soon as well as a MBB meme!
JB xx

I'm Sorry!!

I know, I'm sorry!!
I went away for three weeks, and then since then I just went blogging, blah!
I DO LOVE IT! I just need to get back into it!! Which I am doing, starting now!

I'm going to tell you what I recieved in the mail this week and last week!

I got Forbidden - Jana Oliver YEY! Review and posting to come!
I also got the Lottie Biggs series by Hayley Long
and (lucky girl me eh?) I recieved Abandon in the post today! Apprantly I also have a copy of Dark Inside heading my way also, isn't that exciting!!!

I will be posting some reviews up sooon, and a MBB post asap!
JB xxx

Will their love pass its greatest test?

Everlasting (The Immortals) - Alyson Noel

Will their love be EVERLASTING?
Ever and Damon have loved and lost each other for hundreds of years - facing deadly enemies, dark secrets and a powerful curse. Now their love will be tested to its limit.
Ever and Damon finall have the chance to discover their true destiny. The choice they're about to make will unite them - or tear them apart - forever.

OOFT :') the Immortals series and I have had our bad times and good times together. The books began to feel repetitive and nearly yawn worthy. BUT THIS, was amazingly fabulous. It was different, fresh and wonderful because I felt like Ever could finally do something on her own. Damon didn't have to be there to hold her hand. She had finally grown into a strong women, capable of more then she knew, and had learnt from her past mistakes. I thought she was wonderful in this book.

Damon on the other hand, annoyed me. He wasn't his usual peppy self, but I suppose they had to go through a big change, and that took its toll on him, poor thing. He was back to normal by the end, thank goodness!

There was still so many wonderful twists in this final installment of the series, and do they get the happy ending they so deserve? It left you wondering right up until the last second where you found out if they did, or if they didn't.

Fabulous book, and you must read the others in the series, I felt like I'd been on such a journey with Ever and Damon, and I felt like part of the story and their lives :'-)

JB xxx

My Book Boyfriend #6

Sorry it's been so long since I've done this post guys! I just haven't found anyone worthy enough to be MBB, but I've found someone recently!

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly Meme, hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader I will be taking part in this Meme (hopefully) every Wednesday where I will lust over my literary crush, who I would love to be part of my life. If possible, I will include the lucky boy's stats and some quotes. I will definitely be including a picture of how I imagine he looks like and reasons why I love him.

Today's lucky boy (man!) is Captain Rhett Butler, from Gone With The Wind. He was my favourite character all the way through the book!

He first becomes known at a barbecue, and gives our Main Character (MC) a 'devilish stare and a grin of treachery' which just made my stomach just go a little bit quivery...
He has a bad reputation which follows his introduction in the novel as our MC Scarlett is given the gossip about the newcomer.

• He is gifted with suave and dashing looks
• His hair is short and jet black
• The mustache on his face curves with his sardonic smile
• His hazel brown eyes give a piercing look
• And his hands are both strong and steady (making it easy for him to become the best 'shot' in Atlanta)
• His lips are firm, but they are practiced in meeting against a woman's softer lips
• And his body far outstrips any other man's with his lean muscle and his skin is tanned and rough in the most weatherbeaten way

He mocks and taunts those he loves because he know's they are exactly the same as him, and that they will one day understand this, but also because he really isn't a gentleman and finds it amusing! He was a blockade runner during the Civil War, making money out of the nation being torn down and using it to his benefit in his attempts to win the love of our MC.

He is charming, but mocking at the same time, never serious but never joking and he is calm during a crisis except two that contain the two people he loved most in the world. He tells the cruel honest truth, because he wants no regrets and he is definately NOT a gentleman.

Funnily enough, not gentlemanly is just the way I like them ;-)

My Rhett Butler can be seen below :-D

Obviously imagine him in the dress code of the time, and an amused, cynical smile lifting the corners of his lips! He would be a charming guy to know. There's somthing about bad guys that are actually good just make me weak at the knees :-P

Love you long time Rhett!
JB xxxx

In My Mailbox #6

Hello again my lovelies!
You probably have no idea who I am do you? It's been that long since I've posted, you've all forgotten me :-(
Ah well, I've actually got some things to post, whereas before I really didn't. Also, on the 24th you won't hear of me again til the 12th (ish) of August because I'm going away on the 22nd World Scout Jamboree!

So before this week, I recieved Gone with the Wind, The Princess Bride, Jane Eyre, and another book that I can't seem to remember.

Then this week I recieved EVERLASTING, the final installment of the Immortals Series.

I honestly cannot wait to read this, if any couple deserve some peace and happiness it's these two, the poor darlings have been chasing each other across the centuries and now finally have a chance of finding true happiness and being together. Hopefully.

Sorry it's so brief guys, I haven't really had much else, been far to busy to read, and Gone With The Wind is an alarmingly large book!

JB xxx

Random bits and bobs

Just thought I'd share an AMAZING photo. I thought it was beautiful, which may sound odd, but that little spark of love and compassion just made me fall completely in love with this pic!

Isn't that amazing?!?!!?

I found out the story behind this pic, which was also kinda cute. Here is the story off Yahoo! news :-)



Video footage has emerged showing what really happened to the infamous 'kissing couple' during last week's Vancouver riots.

The couple, identified as Australian Scott Jones, 29, and Canadian-born Alexandra Thomas, became an instant Web hit after Getty photographer Rich Lam snapped a photo of them caught up in a moment of passion as tensions flared between hockey fans.
Yahoo! News published the same mystery photo in our ‘This Week in Photos’ gallery last Friday. The kissing photo sparked huge interest as it was viewed by millions of people.

However, the affectionate pair, who have been dating for six months, dismissed claims that the kissing in the photograph was staged as they broke their silence on the night’s dramatic events.

The couple had been drinking at a bar downtown when the atmosphere in the streets of Vancouver turned nasty.
Moments before the iconic snap was taken, Mr Jones was simply trying to calm down his injured girlfriend after they were hit by police as they tried to escape the violent clashes.

In the video clip, riot police can be seen hitting the couple with their shields. After the incident, Miss Thomas appears distressed and lies on the ground as she is comforted by her concerned boyfriend.

Speaking with NBC’s ‘Today’ show, bartender Mr Jones said: “I was just trying to calm her down. It was pretty scary for her, and it seemed like the best thing to do.”
“I would call myself a tourist. It was Game 7, Stanley Cup finals, so something was going to happen whether we won or lost — something big. I just wanted to bear witness to what was going on. I never felt in danger while we were down there until the riot police came along.”
Environmental engineering graduate Alex added: “It happened so fast. I never expected it to turn into that
situation so quickly.”.

To see the article, which contains the video, please click here

Just thought I'd share this amazing pic with you guys :'-)
JB xxx

Gina Blaxill Interview

I got to interview the lovely Gina Blaxill (the author of Pretty Twisted) and here are the first ten questions I asked her!
See the whole interview here!

1. Did you ever talk to someone over the internet, and agree to meet them as a teenager?


As a teenager I mainly talked to my friends from school online - I met my first "Internet person" when I was at university. We're still good friends now - we chat online, exchange birthday and Christmas presents and meet up face to face.

2. Was there somebody like Freya in your life?

There are always Freyas wherever you go! I see her as the kind of girl you always notice whether you're in school or working - the one that seems to have everything and you maybe secretly want to be. Usually I've found that these girls aren't as perfect as they seem, funnily enough - which I guess is the case with Freya in the book.

3. Is Jono based on anybody you know?

Like all my characters, he is a little bit like me - I was feeling lonely and out of place when I wrote the book, so that definitely came into it. He's also inspired by the teenagers who used to be on the bus I used every day when I was working in Norwich. There was only one bus you could get so I saw them pretty much every day - it was a bit like a social club! I got to evasdrop on a lot of their conversations and got a bit of an idea of what it was like to be a college kid living in the countryside.

4. Do you see yourself in Ros?

Ros is the character who is most like me. Like her, I draw and bake cakes, and at her age I also got quite angry about being the "reliable one" in my group of friends, who was always expected to be sensible and supportive. I also love dogs!

5. Have you ever lied about your age to a guy over the internet?

Nope! I'm usually pretty cagey with details like that.

6. Do you have a favourite Young Adult book and if you do what is it?

A book which really got to me was Lucas by Kevin Brooks - it's the only book I finished then immediately read. It's rather heartbreaking and very atmospheric and profound.

7. What was your favourite book as a teenager?

I was really into fantasy books, especially by Tamora Pierce because they were mainly about girls. Her first book "Alanna: the First Adventure" is about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a knight. It's the first book in a quartet and I loved it so much I read all the others in one day (I was at a friend's house too - she must have thought me very anti-social, coming over to see her and then just reading...).

8. Who is the author you most admire?

Agatha Christie - she's not a YA author, but she wrote so many crime novels. I'd love to have the ability to constantly invent so many clever plots and mysteries. There's a reason why after the Bible and Shakespeare she's the best selling writer in the UK.

9. Which author would you really like to read your book?

This is an interesting one - I'd love any of the YA authors who are popular today to pick up Pretty Twisted (and hopefully like it), especially ones I read when I was a teenager.

10. Now you've written the book, is there anything, looking back that you wish you could change?

This is a tough question - but I'd say I could probably make the book a little longer. My dad is adamant that there should have been a fight at the end which I'm not so sure on, but I probably could have extended the investigation part.

So thanks a lot to MKB for the opportunity to interview Gina and hope ya'll like the interview!
Sorry I haven't been around much, exams made my life a bit sucky recently. I haven't been able to read much either...can you believe I haven't even finished Jane Eyre yet and I've had it for about three weeks!!!
 
Anyways, love ya'll long time!
JB xx

In My Mailbox #5

Ok my lovelies, I haven't had much this week, just two books borrowed from my lovely library! They are:

The Princess Bride - William Goldman

The Catcher in the Rye - J.D Salinger

As you all probably know, I am wanting to do an A-level in English Literature, so this summer is going to be full of me reading the classics to broaden my reading palete...so that I can truly appreciate whatever we have to read in the class. Hopefully it's something I enjoy, then again I enjoy all books to be honest so I'm sure I will like it!

The Princess Bride is an amazing film, if you ever get chance to watch it, make sure you do. It's one of those classics that you will show your kids, who will show your grandkids, who will show your great grandkids, and so on.

Let me know what you've had in your mailboxes this week guys!

JB xx

My Book Boyfriend #5

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly Meme, hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader I will be taking part in this Meme (hopefully) every Wednesday where I will lust over my literary crush, who I would love to be part of my life. If possible, I will include the lucky boy's stats and some quotes. I will definately be including a picture of how I imagine he looks like and reasons why I love him.

Today's literary crush is Lucas Delos, because he isn't a demigod, he's a sexy demigod :-D
Lucas is the MC from the recent fabulous book STARCROSSED that I suggest you all go out and buy like NOW. Read my review here!

Stats:

• He was tall, over six feet at least, and powerfully built, although his muslces were long and lean instead of bulky
• He had short black hair and a dark end of summer tan that brought out his white smile and his swimming-pool blue eyes

Favourite Quotes :-D

"Lucas was holding her by the wrists to keep her hands away from his neck. she realized. They were locked in a stalemate, and if she could get her fingers half an inch closer, she could reach his throat."

"She lowered her shoulder and closed the distance between them, barrelling into his chest and tumbling on to the ground with him under her. She reared up to drive her fist into his face, but he grabbed her arms. She was on top and should have had the upper hand, but she had never hit anything and she could tell from the way he never wasted a movement that he had been fighting his entire life. Helen felt him do something with his hips and then he was on top. Her arms were pinned above her head and her heels were left to scrape uselessly at the ground."

"She tried to bite his face, but he jerked his head away.
'Lie still or I will kill you,' Lucas warned through gritted teeth. He was panting, not because he was winded, but because he was trying to control himself"

"There was a delivery boy at the door with bags and bags of groceries.
'He says these are for you,' Jerry said, holding out a note with Helen's name on it.
'I didn't order these,' Helen said to the delivery boy. *blah blah blah*
Helen read the note.
'Miss Hamilton
I am so sorry for my son's appalling behaviour towards you at the market today, and I ask that you accept these few things I've sent, even if you are unable to accept an apology, I understand what it is to try to put dinner on the table with no groceries, although apparently my Lucas does not.
Noel Delos'"

"Are you two dating?' he asked in a terrified voice. Helen burst out laughing. 'No we're not dating. What we're doing is trying to not kill each other. And it isn't working out too well'"

"I guess Lucas and Hector got into an actual fistfight after school yesterday at football practice. That's why they weren't in school today. They got suspended.'
'What happened?' Helen asked, stunned quiet
'Lucas saw Hector following you out of the girl's locker room and he lost it. He started yelling at Hector to stay away from you. I guess Lucas sort of said...that you were his,' Claire said timidly. Helen shook her head. Lucas had meant that Helen was his to kill, but she couldn't exactly explain that to Claire.

I can't be bothered to write this quote but I absolutely loved it (it's too long!) so check out page 180 to 181. From line 16 on page 180 to line 14 on page 181

"She tried to stand back up, but as soon as she did, she was thrown down again as something fell from the sky and landed violently on top of Hector. Lucas had rammed into Hector from above, driving his cousing two feet into the ground before he reared back on his knees to hit him *blah blah blah* Lucas blinked and looked up at Helen
'He was trying to kill you,' Lucas lowered his raised fist."

"You can still do that? Stop blades?,' Claire asked, unsuprised. 'What about the lightening thing? Can you still do that too?'
'How do you know all this about me?' Helen sputtered.
Claire sighed.
'After I pushed you off the roof...' she began.
'After you what?' Lucas yelled
'It was when we were seven! And she wasn't hurt!' Claire yelled back."

And I am so hungry and exhausted I'm going to leave the quotes there haha!
Here are some pics of what I imagine Lucas to look like!

This is the model Nic, I found him kicking about somewhere, and decided he was my Lucas ;-)

Definately let me know who your Book Boyfriends are this week! Or girlfriends, if you're that way inclined!
JB xxx

Destiny brought them together, but the Gods will keep them apart...

Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton meets Lucas Delos for the first time, she thinks two things:
the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.
An ancient curse means Lucas and Helen are destined to loathe one another. But sometimes love is stronger then hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen next....

Synopsis -
How do you defy destiny? Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history. As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

I was eagerly awaiting this book, after Amazon suggested it to me (I think they all know me by name at the headquarters, I buy so many books hehe!) and it was on my 'To buy later list' then the lovely ladies at My Kinda Book sent them to us, in our VIP packs! YEY FOR US! :D I got to read it before it came out!

I started reading it the day I got it, and apart from putting it down to go to the loo, make my dinner and move from my bed to the sofa and back again, I did not stop reading it. I read and read and read. I couldn't stop myself turning over the pages, even at midnight when my head was dropping forward onto my chest everytime I stopped looking at the pages. I physically couldn't put it down. It has been a long time since I stayed up to the early hours to read through the final pages of an amazing book, but STARCROSSED certainly was worth the fatigue the next day!

It is 514 pages of pure yumminess! I loved the Romeo and Juliet starcrossed lovers feat, mixed with Greek mythology it certainly was a great combination. It really did work quite well together, they way Angelini got Helen and Paris of Troy's story (who are considered one of the most popular starcrossed lovers in mythology) into the modern world, with massive twists and turns of other Greek legends thrown in with it!

Helen (our Main Character) was a drag at first, in my opinion. She was beautiful (tourists stared at her face for gods sake!), sporty and seemed perfect but within the first few chapters I grew to like her. She wasn't perfect, she had trouble finding who she was, just like every teenager.

Lucas then blazes into her life, and he is the 'most ridiculously beautiful boy she's ever seen'. When that was said, I just groaned aloud, thinking oh no, another book where the guy is perfect, has super powers and the girl is some helpless weakling who can't think with her own brain. So. Wrong.

Not only does their first meeting not go as planned, but it leads to a LOT of sexual tension and pent up passion between the two. And we all know things go bang when that happens! They aren't supposed to be together, or are they? is the question repeatidly going through my head as I read on and on.

I really enjoyed seeing Helen develop as a character throughout the book, she becomes aware of herself and her powers and stops feeling as socially awkward as she did before Lucas, and his family threw themselves into her life. It was great to go on this journey with her, and see her turn into a kickass heroine, able to protect herself. I loved how her friendships and relationships with those around her grew, to match her growing confidence as she accepted herself for what and who she was.

Claire, the best friend with a lot of spunk, was one of my favourite background characters. Her comments actually had me laughing out loud because she really didn't care what people thought of her, and she had total belief in Helen and her abilities.

Simirlarly the other background characters seem just as important as the MC's which is really nice to see. Hector is a sweetie who just wants to protect his family and he really made me swoon. Jason was unbelievably sexy to me, he was the mediator between Hector and Lucas, but whenever Claire was around his laid back attitude was replaced by his super hot temper. I loved them two, Claire and Jason, but I just wished their chemistry wasn't as rushed and hastily put together. They have two more books to explore what they feel for each other, and Angelini panicked a bit I think and rushed what could have been something brilliant in the background.

There were a lot of twists and turns, which was hard to wrap my head around. I advise you don't read it as fast as I did, and have breaks to assess what you've learnt, and to allow it to sink in and to think about what it did to the story and the characters. Otherwise you just become a bit overwhelmed trying to figure it out in your head, like I did, and I still haven't mananged to start another book because I'm still working through what I learnt in STARCROSSED. I'm trying to sort out what I do know, what my theorys are and what I want to happen in the next two books before I start reading another book.

There are three other things I have to complain about. The first is the size of the book. I believe that it was dragged out, considerately dragged out. There were parts that were described to the nth degree, whereas other parts, like the action and fight scenes were rushed through and that left me with a feeling of things being unfinished. Especially as the fight was the thing that Helen had been training for all the way through the book!

The second thing is the irritating way it is written. I can easily lose myself in a good book, specially with easy POV but with STARCROSSED I found it confusing. The POV was third person, which is fine if it's going to be consistent, but Angelini kept switching from concentrating on Helen and Lucas, to Hector's POV but still in a third person way, or to Lucas's POV or to Noel's POV. It was annoyingly jumpy but I can understand why. I think she thought she had to explain every thought and feeling every character had, instead of letting the reader get that from the writing.

The third and final complaint is the ending. I hate cliffhangers, because despite the complaints I really did love the story and what Angelini did with these characters and their legends. I want to know what happens next!!
There are lots of questions left unanswered, which leads us into the second book of the trilogy DREAMLESS, which I can't wait to get my hands on next year. Hopefully, in the third and final book, all the questions will be answered and outcomes will be reached for every problem these characters have faced!

Her debut was good, and I will be keeping all eyes on her for the time being!
And she should be proud, this is the longest review I've ever done on a single book!

JB xx

In My Mailbox #4

This week I have had a very lovely week!

From MKB I have, the wonderful, first book in the trilogy; Starcrossed (which I read in one day! Review to come) a tote bag that says Book Geek, it's well cute! And mirrors, merchandise of Starcrossed!

And from my lovely library; Jane Eyre!

JB xx

BR - Pretty Twisted

Pretty Twisted - Gina Blaxill

Not only did I get this book from MKB, but I also won the competition to interview Gina Blaxill!!! SO I will be posting the interview with the lovely lady herself, on this blog, as soon as I get it done!
'Two different stories.
One missing girl.
Who would you trust?'

'As the train entered the tunnel, it struck me just how biazarre this all was. It could be a chick-flick tag line: "girl likes boy but keeps it hidden as she helps boy search for the girl he loves"'

Ros met Jono online just a couple of weeks ago. Now Jono's beautiful ex-girlfriend has disappeared without a trace...and disturbing evidence is coming to light. So Ros agrees to help him search for her - but she is hiding a secret of her own.
This is only the beginning.
This story is about to get PRETTY TWISTED

I opened the book, to the first page and instantly was sucked in. I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and how it played out realistically. I enjoyed the refreshing style that Gina wrote with, and that she gave both her main characters a chance to show us what they thought. Their two voices were so different you could NOT get confused with who's point of view it was.

This story was quite a gentle thriller, really suited to teenager readers and perfect for people looking for something that doesn't end with the boy getting the girl and everything being happily ever after!

I was enthused by this book, to try and keep out of the paranormal romance genre that takes over my bookcase at the moment and try some different books. And so far, it's going really well.

I loved this book. It was exciting and a real page turner, written with a great technique and natural flow of words. It kept you wondering right up until Gina wanted to reveal everything, which she did wonderfully. Every loose end was wound up, which is good, because I hate loose ends...they irritate me beyond belief haha!

You should really go out and read this fantastic book!

JB xx

My Book Boyfriend #4

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly Meme, hosted by Missie at  The Unread Reader I will be taking part in this Meme (hopefully) every Wednesday where I will lust over my literary crush, who I would love to be part of my life. If possible, I will include the lucky boy's stats and some quotes. I will definately be including a picture of how I imagine he looks like and reasons why I love him.

Because of my exams, I haven't been reading as much...and I apologise...so this is just a post, full of me lusting about the recent film I watched, with the guy I want to be my film boyfriend (if that's possible LOL).
It isn't a new release, but I barely have time to sit and watch The Vampire Diaries, so I have no time for films really. Because I'm on study leave, I'm finding I have plenty of time to watch all my recorded tv and films!

So I watched Prince of Persia: Sands of Time yesterday! And I loved it! It is an epic story of war, discovery, love, adventure and fantasy. Here's the trailer!

Omnom Jake Gyllenhaal! When I first started watching it and saw him, he was bare chested (with hair everywhere!) and fighting, and it was kind of gross. I was like ew. But then when he put his armour on, and his head-thing in the desert, he looked quite fit. So he's obviously one of those men, I prefer to see with their top on, or with their top off but moving very quickly so you only get glimpses of muscles rippling.

Here's some pics of him; and because it's a film I've got a few quotes, and I recall that he was cocky, but not nasty and him and the Princess where so perfect for each other!

Prince Dastan: You enjoy telling me what to do
Tamina: Only because you're so good at following orders
PD: Don't push your luck

Bis: Oh so you won't be happy until you get us all killed?
PD: Oh, wonderful speech Bis, Rousing!

T: Dastan, where's the dagger?!
PD: You're welcome to search me for it. You'll have to be very thorough!

T: That's impossible!
PD: Difficult, not impossible.
T: All the more proof you're insane!
PD: Why do you look so impressed?

T: Must feel wonderful winning such a claim for destroying such an innocent city.
PD: Oh, a pleasure to meet you too, Princess

T: Well Well the solution would be to kiss me then kill me, but I have a better solution...
[grabs sword]
I kill you!
PD: Perhaps we can find another solution!

T: [as Dastan is leaving on his horse] So you're just going to leave me here, in the middle of nowhere? Noble Dastan, abandoning a helpless women in the wilderness! What does your precious honor say about that?
PD: [returning] Give me the strength not to kill her.
T: [shoots Dastan a look]

T: Such a noble prince!
PD: Such a genle princess.
T: How taken you were with my fainting act, eagerly leaping to assist the fallen beauty.

PD: Who said you were a beauty?
T: There must be a reason why you can't take your eyes off me.
PD: You're... I... I don't trust you. And you're not my type.

T: [about to die] I'm ready for this
PD: I'm not!

T: You know you really walk like one. Head held high, chest out, long stomping strides. The walk of a self-satisfied Persian prince. No doubt it comes from being told since birth the world is yours, and actually believing it.

PD: I wasn't born in a palace like you! I was born in the slums of Nasaf, where I lived if I fought and I clawed for it.
T: Then how did you become a prince?
PD: The king... marched into the market one day, and he... I don't know, he... he found me. He took me in, he gave me a family, he gave me a home.
[he turns away, then turns back]
PD: What you're looking at, is... the walk of a man, who just lost everything.

T: [Dastan is eyeing a necklace that rests within Tamina's shirt; she notices him looking] See what you were looking for, Prince?
[later]
PD: It's hard for me to admit... but you were right...

[he rips off her necklace containing some of the Sands of Time]
PD: ... I did see what I was looking for.
 
 
T: I'm desperate for a drop of water!

PD: Well that's more than we have since you emptied our canteen hours ago.
T: I wasn't born of this desert like you Persians, all shriveled and angry. My constitution is much more... delicate.
PD: I think you mean spoiled.
T: The wells of Alamut are famed for their clean, cold water.
PD: Perhaps less time admiring your wells and more time guarding your walls, and you wouldn't be here.
[pause]
PD: Hah, a miracle! I've silenced the princess!
[he turns around to see Tamina lying on the ground; he moves over to help her]
PD: Tamina? Tamina. Can you hear me?
T: [she suddenly knocks him out cold with a bone and steals the dagger] Yes Dastan, I can hear you!

The second picture, is my favourite by far! *Yummy* And since I found so many quotes, which are all wonderful, you can forgive me not posting last week, and accept this film boyfriend...and I pormise I will get back on track!

JB xx