Debra's Book Cafe

Book Review - The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

2012-02-16T00:04:00.001-08:00

In a modern-day take on the myth of Persephone, 18-year-old Kate Winters is thrust into a mythical world, where she must pass seven impossible tests and outsmart a spiteful god in order to save the life of not just her mother but of her captor as well.

My Review:

What a great book. I have to admit that I do not know a lot about greek mythology so it did take me a bit to try and figure out who was who (a couple that I had already heard before) but after reading this book I am definately going to be picking up more greek mythology books (fiction and non-fiction). Although there was a bit in the middle where I felt it dragged for me, it was well worth the extra concentration effort as this book as such an explosive twist at the end it definately made me stand up and pay attention.

I absolutely loved this book.

Best wishes

Debs

Waiting on Wednesday - The Girl who Could Silence the Wind by Med Medina

2012-02-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

Expected Release Date: 13th March 2012

Sonia's entire village believes she has a gift, but it's only in leaving home that she finds out who she truly is. A compelling tale from a rich new voice in young adult fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Sonia Ocampo was born on the night of the worst storm Tres Montes had ever seen. And when the winds mercifully stopped, an unshakable belief in the girl's protective powers began. All her life, Sonia has been asked to pray for sick mothers or missing sons, as worried parents and friends press silver milagros in her hands. Sonia knows she has no special powers, but how can she disappoint those who look to her for solace? Still, her conscience is heavy, so when she gets a chance to travel to the city and work in the home of a wealthy woman, she seizes it. At first, Sonia feels freedom in being treated like all the other girls. But when news arrives that her beloved brother has disappeared while looking for work, she learns to her sorrow that she can never truly leave the past or her family behind. With deeply realized characters, a keen sense of place, a hint of magical realism, and a flush of young romance, Meg Medina tells the tale of a strongwilled, warmhearted girl who dares to face life's harsh truths as she finds her real power

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review - Winging it by Deborah Cooke (Book 2, Dragon Diaries)

2012-02-13T23:43:00.003-08:00

Below is the blurb for book 1 in the series, Flying Blind. If you would like to read the blurb for Winging it please click here.

The next generation of shape-shifting dragons from the popular author of the Dragonfire novels.

Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal, except she's been told she's destined for great things. Zoë's the one female dragon shapeshifter of her kind. But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr and her powers are AWOL, so she's sent to a Pyr boot camp.

Zoë quickly realizes that she has to master her powers yesterday, because the Pyr are in danger and boot camp is a trap. The Mages want to eliminate all shifters and the Pyr are next in line-unless Zoë and her friends can work together and save their own kind.

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke (Book 1, Dragon Diaries)

2012-02-12T23:39:00.000-08:00

Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal, except she's been told she's destined for great things. Zoë's the one female dragon shapeshifter of her kind. But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr and her powers are AWOL, so she's sent to a Pyr boot camp.

Zoë quickly realizes that she has to master her powers yesterday, because the Pyr are in danger and boot camp is a trap. The Mages want to eliminate all shifters and the Pyr are next in line-unless Zoë and her friends can work together and save their own kind.

Publication Date: 2011
Publisher: Allison &; Busby

My Review: 9 out of 10

If you would prefer to see the video review, please see the bottom of this post.

I have to admit that this is the first dragon book I have read. Up until now, I had thought that I would not like dragon stories but I am always willing to give something a go before deciding whether or not to like or not like it. This story was so fun to read, I really enjoyed it.

This story was so full of information about dragons, their way of life, how they change from human to dragon etc I was so glad that this was the book I had chosen to gently guide me into the ways of the dragon. Not only did the author describe information as it happens with the characters but also put in little lists of things such as 'Five Things the Pyr Can Do', 'Five Things about the Wyvern' and 'Five Things about Mages'. I am not sure if this is just specific to this story or dragon stories in general but I do hope to find out.

There are some wonderful characters in this book that I absolutely loved, Zoe being one of them. At the beginning of the story, she is unsure of herself and just waiting in the wings (excuse the pun) for her powers to come to her as she is supposed to be the Wyvern, which is a female dragon who has very special powers. There can only be one Wyvern living at any time. When she is sent away to a boot camp, she soon discovers she has more strength than she realised and even has more powers than she realised. Zoe also has a great sense of humour which comes through in Deborah's writing. I did laugh out loud at some of the things that Zoe comes out with.

I have to admit that at the boot camp there were quite a few characters in the mix that I did have a little trouble at the beginning trying to remember each character but that really didn't deflect from the story, which was so fun to read.

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Valentine's Day Book Recommendations

2012-02-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Fragment Friday - A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

2012-02-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday - Life is but a Dream by Brian James

2012-02-08T23:36:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

Expected Release Date: 27th March 2012

Alec and Sabrina are crazy in love. Problem is: Sabrina’s really crazy.

Sabrina, an artist, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents check her into the Wellness Center. There she meets Alec, who is convinced it's the world that's crazy, not the two of them. They are meant to be together; they are special. But when Alec starts to convince Sabrina that her treatment will wipe out everything that makes her creative, she worries that she'll lose hold of her dreams and herself. Should she listen to her doctor? Her decision may have fatal consequences.

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: The Underside of Joy by Sere Prince Halverson

2012-02-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

Set against the backdrop of redwood forests and shimmering vineyards, Seré Prince Halverson's compelling debut tells the story of two women, bound by an unspeakable loss, who each claims to be the mother of the same two children.

To Ella Beene, happiness means living in the northern California river town of Elbow with her husband, Joe, and his two young children. Yet one summer day Joe breaks his own rule--never turn your back on the ocean--and a sleeper wave strikes him down, drowning not only the man but his many secrets.

For three years, Ella has been the only mother the kids have known and has believed that their biological mother, Paige, abandoned them. But when Paige shows up at the funeral, intent on reclaiming the children, Ella soon realizes there may be more to Paige and Joe's story. "Ella's the best thing that's happened to this family," say her Italian-American in-laws, for generations the proprietors of a local market. But their devotion quickly falters when the custody fight between mother and stepmother urgently and powerfully collides with Ella's quest for truth.

The Underside of Joy is not a fairy-tale version of stepmotherhood pitting good Ella against evil Paige, but an exploration of the complex relationship of two mothers. Their conflict uncovers a map of scars--both physical and emotional--to the families' deeply buried tragedies, including Italian internment camps during World War II and postpartum psychosis.

Publication Date: 12^th January 2012

My Review: 7 out of 10

This is a truly beautifully sad story touching on some very deep emptions. For me, this was a story that I had to sit up and pay attention to rather than one I could relax to. The range of emptions that the characters went through, I have to admit that I went through those same emptions to when following their story (sadness, happiness, despair, anger etc etc). With all that emption, I found this was a very exhausting read. Alongside the emotional characters there are some very emotional issues dealt with in this story such as the death of Joe, the father, husband and ex-husband.

There were times in this story that I sided with one or other of the characters, especially with Ella and Paige. At certain points in the story, I have to admit that I did side with one or the other character and that made for really interesting reading. I have to say that what made this story stand out for me is the character of Ella and they way that she stood up for what was right. That, in a character and in real life, is a trait that I admire.

Best wishes

Debs

January 2012 Reading Update

2012-02-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

Best wishes

Debs :-)

In My Mailbox/Book Haul - 5th February 2012

2012-02-05T09:39:00.001-08:00

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Brewingteabag You Tube Book Club - February

2012-02-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

This month we are going to be reading Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.....

Below is the intro video....

If you would like to check it out, follow the book club and/or join in, the link to the Brewing Tea Bag channel is to the right hand side.

Best wishes

Debs :-)

The Kissing Tree Winner....

2012-02-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

The winner is...

Erin Taylor

CONGRATULATIONS!

Best wishes

Debs

Book Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (Book 1, Delirium)

2012-02-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

Below is the blurb for Book 1, Delirium. If you would like to know more about Book 2 please Click Here

Lena Haloway is content in her safe, government-managed society. She feels (mostly) relaxed about the future in which her husband and career will be decided, and looks forward to turning 18, when she’ll be cured of deliria, a.k.a. love. She tries not to think about her mother’s suicide (her last words to Lena were a forbidden “I love you”) or the supposed “Invalid” community made up of the uncured just beyond her Portland, Maine, border. There’s no real point—she believes her government knows how to best protect its people, and should do so at any cost. But 95 days before her cure, Lena meets Alex, a confident and mysterious young man who makes her heart flutter and her skin turn red-hot. As their romance blossoms, Lena begins to doubt the intentions of those in power, and fears that her world will turn gray should she submit to the procedure.

Estimated Publication Date: 1st March 2012

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Fragment Friday - Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

2012-02-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday - The Difference between You and Me by Madeleine George

2012-01-31T23:58:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

Expected Release Date: 15th March 2012

Jesse cuts her own hair with a Swiss Army knife. She wears big green fisherman's boots. She's the founding (and only) member of NOLAW, the National Organization to Liberate All Weirdos. Emily wears sweaters with faux pearl buttons. She's vice president of the student council. She has a boyfriend.

These two girls have nothing in common, except the passionate "private time" they share every Tuesday afternoon. Jesse wishes their relationship could be out in the open, but Emily feels she has too much to lose. When they find themselves on opposite sides of a heated school conflict, they each have to decide what's more important: what you believe in, or the one you love?

Best wishes

Debs :-)

February 2012 New Releases

2012-01-31T13:27:00.000-08:00

Books shown in the above video
(Publication dates taken from Goodreads)

The Boy on Cinnamon Street - 1st February 2012
The Girls of No Return - 1st February 2012
Harbinger - 2nd February 2012
This One Time With Julia - 2nd February 2012
Someone Else's Life - 2nd February 2012
The Rivals (Book 2, Mockingbirds) - 6th February 2012
Two Truths and a Lie (Book 3, The Lying Game) - 7th February 2012
Almost Everything (Vampire Princess of St. Paul #3) - 7th February 2012
Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) - 7th February 2012
Once: Before Midnight; Golden; Wild Orchid - 7th February 2012
Dead to You - 7th February 2012
In Too Deep - 8th February 2012
The Miseducation of Cameron Post - 7th February 2012
Above World - 14th February 2012
Interrupted: Life Beyond Words A Novel - 14th February 2012
The Butterfly Clues - 14th February 2012
Bewitching - 14th February 2012
Scarlet - 14th February 2012
The Vanishing Game - 14th February 2012
The Nightmare Garden (Iron Codex #2) - 14th February 2012
Arcadia Awakens (Arkadien #1) - 14th February 2012
Trafficked - 16th February 2012
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare - 16th February 2012
The Disenchantments - 16th February 2012
The Catastrophic History of You and Me - 21st February 2012
Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) - 21st February 2012
Faery Tales & Nightmares - 21st February 2012
A Beautiful Evil (Gods & Monsters #2) - 21st February 2012
Double - 27th February 2012
A Touch Morbid (Book 2, Touch Trilogy) - 28th February 2012
Bzrk - 28th February 2012
Partials (Partials #1) - 28th February 2012
Riding out the Storm - 28th February 2012
Allegiance (Legacy #2) - 28th February 2012
Shooting Stars - 28th February 2012
When the Sea is Rising Red - 28th February 2012
Pandemonium (Delirium #2) - 28th February 2012

Fragment Friday: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

2012-01-27T12:25:00.000-08:00

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Waiting on Wednesday - Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

2012-01-24T22:39:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

Expected Release Date: 2nd February 2012

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.
But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2012-01-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

Lena Haloway is content in her safe, government-managed society. She feels (mostly) relaxed about the future in which her husband and career will be decided, and looks forward to turning 18, when she’ll be cured of deliria, a.k.a. love. She tries not to think about her mother’s suicide (her last words to Lena were a forbidden “I love you”) or the supposed “Invalid” community made up of the uncured just beyond her Portland, Maine, border. There’s no real point—she believes her government knows how to best protect its people, and should do so at any cost. But 95 days before her cure, Lena meets Alex, a confident and mysterious young man who makes her heart flutter and her skin turn red-hot. As their romance blossoms, Lena begins to doubt the intentions of those in power, and fears that her world will turn gray should she submit to the procedure.

Published: 1st February 2011

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: Return to Finkleton by K C Hilton

2012-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

Below is a blurb from Book 1, The Magic of Finkleton. If you would like to read more about Book 2, please click here.

Most folks say, "Mother Nature controls the rain." However this is not the case in the village of Finkleton.

In the perfect little village of Finkleton, the weather is always perfect. Every farm grows the best, biggest, healthiest crops in the entire world, and everyone is happy.

Soon after the Finkles inherit their Uncle Harry's shop and move to Finkleton, they discover magical secrets hidden in his shop. One clue at a time, Jack, Lizzy and Robert learn the town's amazing secret. No, Mother Nature is not in charge in Finkleton!

Ever since Uncle Harry's death, the weather has not been cooperating. Farms are starting to fail. Will the Finkle children be able to solve all the magical mysteries before the village is destroyed?

Come along to Finkleton. A very special, magical adventure is about to begin!

Expected Publication: 2012

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: Blind Date Check Mate by Veronica Blade

2012-01-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

Should a woman who’s unable to forget her first love give “happily ever after” one more try?

Shelby Winters’ one great love went sour. If she can’t feel that way about a guy again, why bother? When Shelby’s best friend sets her up on a blind date with Logan, the guy who broke her heart, he pursues her relentlessly, forcing her to make a choice: give her heart what it’s always desired and risk total devastation or shut Logan out and lose her only shot at happiness. To Shelby, it’s a lose-lose situation. Or is it?

Published: 15th January 2012

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: First Date by Krista McGee

2012-01-21T08:31:00.000-08:00

Addy Davidson discovers God's unexpected plans for her life when a reality TV show turns her quiet existence on its head.

The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight.

The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

Published: 10th January 2012

Best wishes

Debs:-)

Book Review: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

2012-01-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

Published: 5th January 2012

My Review: 10 out of 10

What an amazing book. What made this story great for me was the banter between friends Eloise, Jo and Devlin and how 'tight' their friendship is. The writing was so easy to read the story just flowed through seemlessly.

For a more detailed review, please see below:

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Book 1, Sookie Stackhouse Series)

2012-01-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

A fun, fast, funny, and wonderfully intriguing blend of vampire and mystery that's hard to put down, and should not be missed. (Susan Sizemore)

Published: 1st May 2001

My Review : 9 out of 10

I absolutely loved this book. I have watched the first two seasons of True Blood on the TV so I was hoping that this book would be slightly different from that and it was. There are quite a differences between the book and the show, it was almost like I was reading a different story.

For a more detailed review, please see below:

Best wishes

Debs

Book Haul (21st January 2012)

2012-01-21T06:14:00.002-08:00

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Haul (19th January 2012)

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Fragment Friday - The Society of S by Susan Hubbard

2012-01-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday - The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

2012-01-18T00:09:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

So more about the book….

Expected Release Date: 21st Febraury 2012

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Book 3, Hunger Games)

2012-01-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Below is the blurb for the first book in the series The Hunger Games. If you would like to read the blurb for Mockingjay (book 3), please click here

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

If you would prefer to see the video review, please see the end of this post.

When I first heard about the Hunger Games and read/saw all the hype surrounding it, I have to confess that I really wasn't sure that this series was for me. After a little while, the story did intrigue me and I thought I would give it a go and I am so glad that I did. This is a series that I really enjoyed, from start to finish.

Throughout the whole series, including this final book, there were so many twists and turns that I was not expecting it kept me on my toes. Following Katniss through her journey in the Hunger Games and beyond was mesmerising. What a strong character, perfect for this storyline and a character that I was always voting for to make it through the other side.

With this final book, there are a few twists and turns, definately action packed with a few moral dilemmas thrown into the mix, I loved it.

For all of you who have not tried The Hunger Games yet and are unsure, give it a try and you might just be surprised what you think of it....

Best wishes

Debs :-)

The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award!!!!

2012-01-14T12:52:00.000-08:00

Krista @ CubicleBlindness Blog nominated me for The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. Thanks so much Krista.....

Here are The Rules:

Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
Share 7 random facts about yourself.
Pass the Award on to 10 deserving blog buddies.
Contact those buddies and let them know.

7 Random Facts about Me:

I am a super organised person... I like things organised and in its place and if it is not then it has to be pretty quick!

I took Krista's typing test and got 95 wpm... Wanna try click here

My favourite colour is turquoise.

My favourite food is chocolate although I am trying to stay away from it as one of my New Years resolutions.... Ahhhhh.....

One of my most fondest reading memories was when I was a kid and every Saturday I used to take a trip down to the local library (about 5 minutes away from my house). I could have lived in that library...

My favourite TV show when I was a teenager was California Dreams...

My favourite movie is Message in a Bottle...

I am going to nominate the following people:

Best wishes

Debs :-)

December 2011 Wrap Up

2012-01-14T08:24:00.001-08:00

So sorry for the late posting.....

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Fragment Friday - Velvet by Mary Hooper

2012-01-14T06:12:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday - Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

2012-01-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

So more about the book….

Expected Release Date: 24th April 2012

Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.
Best wishes

Debs :-)