Haunt Me by Liz Kessler

"What the hell-" 

A sound like gunshot pierces my dream and I'm bolt upright, shaking, wide awake. 

I look down my body. I seem to be intact. No blood. 

Published by Orion Children's Books in October 2016

Pages - 400

Summary

Joe wakes up from a deep sleep to see his family leave in a removals van. Where they've gone, he has no idea. Erin moves house and instantly feels at home in her new room. Even if it appears she isn't the only one living in it. Bit by bit, Erin and Joe discover that they have somehow found a way across the ultimate divide - life and death. Bound by their backgrounds, a love of poetry and their growing feelings for each other, they are determined to find a way to be together.

Joe's brother, Olly, never cared much for poetry. He was always too busy being king of the school - but that all changed when Joe died. And when an encounter in the school corridor brings him face to face with Erin, he realises how different things really are - including the kind of girl he falls for.

Two brothers. Two choices. Will Erin's decision destroy her completely, or can she save herself before she is lost forever?

*****
Firstly I have to say Liz is a friend of mine. However I try really hard not to let that affect my reviews of her books and she always requests that I'm honest. So here goes. 
My honest opinion is that that is the best book she has ever written. I don't know how she can top this one. I'm not sure if it's because I love ghost stories, in fact I love anything involving ghosts and I'm convinced there is more to the spiritual world than we truly see, but this book really grabbed me. 

It's like a revival of the early YA books, such as Evermore, Unearthly, I Heart You, You Haunt Me and A Certain Slant of Light, which were the books that made me want to read YA in the first place. In fact it made me realise  that I've lost my direction with YA, as I've moved into reading so many more contemporary when really fantasy and paranormal are my first genre loves. 

The book is told from three points of view. Erin, a troubled teen hoping for a new start. Jo, who doesn't realise he is dead to begin with and hides a dark secret and Olly, his brother who still struggles with Jo's death. I love how the plot unfolds and brings these characters together. 
At the plot moved forward, I was convinced that someone would end up with a broken heart. Once the relationship between Jo and Erin is established and Olly turns up, the story really picks up in pace and I found myself whizzing through the pages. 
If you think this book is just a paranormal love story, then you would be wrong. It deals with some very gritty and realistic subjects that affect many teenagers of today. From bullying to self harming and drug taking to bereavement, the book really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. 
If you loved Ghost or Truly, Madly, Deeply, you will fall in love with this book too. I'm really hoping that with the release of this book, it means that paranormal YA is making a comeback. 

Setting The Scene with Ryan Graudin - Wolf By Wolf

I am so pleased to welcome author, Ryan Graudin, on to blog. In 2014, I reviewed Ryan's debut novel, The Walled City and absolutely loved it. I am so excited that she has a new novel out and I can't wait to read it too! Ryan is known for her amazing and extremely details settings, so she is here today to talk about her setting for Wolf By Wolf. 

The year is 1956 and the Axis Powers rule the Eurafrasia tri-continent. To celebrate their victory they hold a televised cross-continental motorcycle race every year. This Axis Tour spans over 20,000 kilometers from Germania (old Berlin) to Tokyo. Yael, the main character, must use her skinshifting abilities to pose as former racer Adele Wolfe and enter the race. Her mission? Win the Axis Tour, gain an audience with the reclusive Adolf Hitler and kill him.

Due to the nature of the motorcycle race, WOLF BY WOLF has an overabundance of settings to choose from. Post-war Prague, the ruins of Rome, the sweeping deserts of northern Africa, a mountainous middle east, jungles and rice paddies…. There are far too many landscapes to feature in a single post!

But fear not, I’ve chosen one! It is the landscape from Chapter 28, when Yael and the other racers are completing the leg from Hanoi to Shanghai through what is our southeast China. A main staple of that chapter is the Li River, where the racers must complete a ferry crossing on a bamboo raft.

A large part of this chapter was inspired by a trip I took a couple of years ago. China is such a gorgeous country, with such diverse scenery, but one of the most beautiful places of our trip was Yangshuo, a town right by the Li River. Some of you might recognize its landscape from the 2006 movie The Painted Veil—its main feature is its dramatic karst mountains. Here’s how I describe it in WOLF BY WOLF:

“The sun climbed high into a clouding sky, and the landscape changed, transforming into something out of a fair tale. Dramatic, sudden mountains jutted from waterlogged fields. Like the fingers of an underground giant, hungry for sky. Hundreds of tree-capped heights and hundreds of valleys braided with rivers and mists, rice paddies and lean-tos. Ancient tombs hugged the road—less dramatic mounds of earth marked by poetic stones, overgrown with tattered offerings of money and liquor bottles.” - (WOLF BY WOLF, pg 299)

My husband and I spent several days soaking up this countryside. (I even worked on my rough draft of WOLF BY WOLF while I was there!) One of our most interesting experiences here, which later became a staple in the novel, was the ride we took on the bamboo raft. These days, a lot of them are made with PVC pipes meant to look like bamboo, but I did see a few of the genuine article. They’re incredibly buoyant, but rather narrow, which made for a perfectly precarious river-crossing scene in the book.

This is a perfect example of how traveling inspires me. If I’d never gone to Yangshuo, I never would have realized how I could incorporate the ferry crossing (which becomes rather important) into WOLF BY WOLF. Whether you’re working on a novel or not, I highly recommend visiting this relaxing town. Its beauty is unique and poignant. 

I'm in awe of the places Ryan has seen. These views are stunning!

Published by Orion Children's Books in November 2015

Summary

Over ten years since the Nazis won the war, 18 yr old Yael has one mission: to kill Hitler - a captivating second novel from Walled City author, Ryan Graudin.

Once upon a different time, there was a girl who lived in a kingdom of death. Wolves howled up her arm. A whole pack of them-made of tattoo ink and pain, memory and loss. It was the only thing about her that ever stayed the same.Her story begins on a train. 

Germania, 1956. Over ten years since the Nazis won the war. 18-year-old Yael is part of the resistance, and she has just one mission: to kill Hitler.

But first she's got to get close enough to him to do it. 

Experimented on during her time at Auschwitz, Yael has the unique ability to change her appearance at will. The only part of her which always remains are the five tattooed wolves on her arm; one for each of the people she's lost. Using her abilities, she must transform into Adele Wolfe, Germany's most famous female rider and winner of the legendary Axis Tour; an epic long distance motorcycle race from Berlin to Tokyo, where only the strongest (and wiliest) riders survive. If she can win this, she will be able to get close enough to kill the Fuhrer and change history forever.

But with other riders sabotaging her chances at every turn, Yael's mission won't be easy. . .

To find out more about Ryan Graudin:

Goodreads / Twitter / Website 

Windsnap Wednesday - Week 5

To celebrate the launch of the fifth book in the series, Emily Windsnap and the Ship of Lost Souls, I am so pleased to welcome Liz Kessler back on the blog, to discuss book five in the series, Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun. And don't miss the fantastic competition at the end of the post!

Let me take you on a trip to the land of the midnight sun.

As a writer, I like using words. I use them a lot. I love having conversations with friends, I love writing books, I love writing blogs, articles, emails. I use words ALL DAY. 

Another thing I love is taking photos. So, on this occasion, I’m going to give words a day off, and share something with you that is about pictures - and music.

The fifth Windsnap Wednesday is all about the fifth Emily Windsnap book - The Land of the Midnight Sun. For this book, I went on one of the best research trips I have ever had: a trip to the arctic in the middle of the summer, when the sun never sets.

Here is how the trip went, and here are the many beautiful sights that inspired my book, with music from the choir of the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso. 

So get a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy - and let yourself be transported to the land of the midnight sun.

Emily Windsnap and the Ship of Lost Souls by Liz Kessler is published by Orion Children's Books on the 6th of August.

Summary 

When I headed to Fivebays Island with both of my schools, I thought it would be an ordinary trip - well, as ordinary as it could be with humans and merpeople side by side!

But I soon realised something wasn't right. Where was the woman who'd invited us? Why did her husband seem so uneasy? And why did an old-fashioned ship keep appearing and vanishing out in the bay?

I could tell a new adventure was sneaking up on me!

Swishy wishes,

Emily Windsnap

How would you like to win the whole set of Emily Windsnap books? And yes, I am talking about all SIX BOOKS!

Well Nina at Orion Children's Books has kindly offered one set of books to one lucky reader. 

The competition is open to the UK and Eire only and the prize will be sent out by the publisher. All you have to do is fill in the rafflecopter below. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins? by Liz Kessler

It was during a Friday afternoon double geography lesson that I first discovered I had superhuman powers.

Published by Orion Children’s Books in August 2014

Pages - 256

Summary

Jessica Jenkins is missing...
Jessica Jenkins has always thought she was a perfectly ordinary girl, until the day that part of her arm vanishes in the middle of a Geography lesson! Her best friend Izzy is determined to help Jessica realise what a great opportunity the power to turn invisible could be, but where has her new ability come from? Does this mean she's a superhero? And, when her friends are threatened, can Jessica use her superpower to help?

*****
I love the premise of this book. Who wouldn’t want the power of invisibility? Just imagine the trouble you could cause if you could make your body disappear with just a thought.  What a fabulous idea and one that seems rare within the Middle Grade market.

I enjoyed the pacing of the story and I was quick to follow Jessica as she came to terms with all the changes and revelations occurring around her. Jessica’s friends made excellent secondary characters as they each came to terms with their own problems while learning to deal with their new situation.

I know some reviewers found the connection between the super powers and gem stones difficult to believe, but personally I thought it was a brilliant idea. I could see the scientific potential and how this could actually happen.  Gem stones have always fascinated me, especially with each one having it’s own meaning and purpose in connection with our bodies. So it seemed perfectly feasible to me, that they could be used for a wider purpose.

I think a little shout out is needed to the illustrator, Emily Twomey , as the illustrations at the start of each chapter are simply gorgeous and not forgetting the awesome cover.

I do have one little niggle with the book. I wasn’t completely sure I agreed with the way the antagonist was dealt with in the story. However, I do feel that the way the book ended, the plot left it open for perhaps a future book in the series.

At times I wasn’t always sure of which age group the book was aimed at. It had a strong, young, Middle Grade feel to it, however these kids were all about sorting the problems out themselves without adult intervention, which tends to stray into the YA genre. On reflection, I think this book would  definitely suit the younger end of the  Middle Grade bracket and I think anyone who loved Liz Kessler’s last two standalone books will really enjoy this one too. An enjoyable read with a twist of Heroes in it for the younger market.

Mariella Mystery Investigates:The Ghostly Guinea Pig by Kate Pankhurst

THIS YOUNG SUPER SLEUTH JOURNAL BELONGS TO …

MARIELLA MYSTERY: (That's me!) Totally amazing girl detective, aged nine and a bit. Able to solve the most mysterious mysteries and perplexing problems, even before breakfast.

Published by Orion Children's Books

Book Summary

When their teacher Miss Crumble spots the ghost of her pet guinea pig, Mr Darcy, in her back garden, she doesn't know what to think. But Mariella knows it's up to her and her fellow Mystery Girls to get to the bottom of The Case of the Ghostly Guinea Pig.

*****

Review by Liss Norton

When I first read this book I didn't like it much. The story is slow to get going, with far too much background information about how to be a detective and about Mariella's family. I felt it would have been better to introduce the mystery much sooner, rather than telling the reader things they don't really need to know, such as the fact that Mariella's mum reads detective stories or how to set up a detective headquarters. This vague sense of dissatisfaction stayed with me for much of the book - even though the relationship between Mariella and her annoying little brother Arthur made me laugh at times - and it increased massively when I came to the information pages that are embedded in the story. These include, amongst others, 'How to Draw an Artist's Impression' and 'Guinea Pig Facts'. They break up the flow of the story and slow the pace. 

However, after a gap of a couple of weeks, I re-read the book and although I still found the long introduction and the information pages trying, I thought the rest of it was much more enjoyable. I particularly liked the rather understated humour as the characters came to life and now I knew the ending I spotted a few clues buried in the text that I'd overlooked the first time around. Does this mean that they are too well-hidden for young readers to pick up on? Possibly, but I think someone reading the whole series would soon become adept at spotting them. 

The book will appeal to girls aged seven to nine. It is full of line drawings and is divided into diary entries, some of them so long that they're no different to the narratives of non-diary stories, and those pages of information. I felt that I was being lectured when I came to these; my overwhelming urge was to skip them and I had to force myself to plough through them as this wouldn't be an honest review if I hadn't read from cover to cover. The many drawings might fool parents into thinking this book is suitable for children who aren't yet fully fluent at reading but the vocabulary is quite sophisticated at times so I don't think this is the case.

The book's plot and characters are zany enough to suit the target age range but I definitely wouldn't put it in my top-twenty-best-books-of-the-year list. However, if those information pages were left out, I think it might just make the top forty.

First Term at L’Etoile-School for Stars by Holly and Kelly Willoughby

Molly and Maria Fitzfoster could barely breath for nervous excitement as they clutched each other on the back seat of their dad’s old Bentley. As the car bounced along the enormous, sweeping drive, they craned their necks out of the window trying to catch a glimpse of their new school. The September sun streaming through the rows of poplar trees completely blinded them.

Pages - 173

Published by Orion Children’s Books in June 2013

Book Summary

On the first day of term at L'Etoile, School for Stars, twins Maria and Molly Fitzfoster meet Pippa Burrows who's won a song-writing scholarship to the school. The talented trio share the same dreams of super-stardom and become best friends. But will their friendship stand up against Lucifette Marciano's plans to wreck their chances and claim fame for herself?

*******

I’m always a bit dubious about books written by celebrities, but I have to be honest and say I really enjoyed this one. The book is a mixture of all my favourite things that I love  in fiction aimed at the younger market.It embraces the retroness of Enid Blyton’s Mallory Towers while combining it with the magicality of Vivian French’s Tiara Club series and the sassiness of the St Trinian’s Girls. 

The writing captures your imagination and whisks you off in style to mix with the elite of the show business world. Imagine a school where all the Hollywood celebrity offspring go to and you would have a clear indication of what life at E’toile might be like.The twins Maria and Molly are adorable, yet both stand out individually, with their differing looks and completely different personalities.

Unlike other boarding school stories, they haven’t been afraid to embrace modern technology. Maria runs an anonymous blog, where she lets out secrets and gives out advice to all her fellow students. While her sister, Maria, searches the internet for the latest fashions and texts Albie to deliver them once a week.

The book has a strong theme of friendship which runs right through the story. If everyone had friends like Maria and Molly, there would be a lot of happy people in the world.

This book is an easy read and one that could be devoured in an afternoon. I think it is aimed at the older tween but would easily suit an advanced reader in the 7 to 9 age bracket. If your child dreams of stardom and watches The X Factor on repeat, then this series will definitely be ideal for them.

The Day I Met Kelly and Holly Willoughby

On Thursday I was given the opportunity to meet Kelly and Holly Willoughby before the public signing of the first book in their children’s series, School for Stars, which is entitled First Term at L’Etoile. The book had been published that day and the signing had been arranged for Harrods.

When I arrived to meet them I was surrounded by members of the press. I actually felt like Hugh Grant in Notting Hill, when I was asked whether I would be filming and did I have my questions ready as I slipped in before the Press Association! It was a surreal moment.
Before you read on, can I just say that all photos used are my own.

On entering the room, I managed to get a couple of minutes talking to Kelly, while Holly had a couple of photos taken. I asked how long the book had taken to write and she said it was three months. She also told me it was the first one out of three to be published, with the other two ready to go.

Holly and Kelly kindly signed two copies of the book for me and we talked briefly while having a couple of photos taken. 

Both Kelly and Holly were far too interested in my School for Stars sweetie jar, which barely survived the journey home.  Just one of the perks of being a blogger!

 

I followed the ladies down to the signing where many people were waiting patiently to meet them both.

On the way home I read half the book and I really did enjoy it. It reminded me of the Tiara Club books by Vivian French, but with the retro aroma of Enid Blyton. Pop back later today for a full review of the book.

Here is a little more about the book from the press release.
Holly and Kelly always dreamed of writing a children’s book together from when they were little girls dressing up and putting on shows for their parents or making up stories.  Their dream has now come true with the launch of L’ETOILE, SCHOOL FOR STARS.  This series is a perfect mix of Glee and X Factor but with all the classic charm of Ballet Shoes and Malory Towers; full of midnight feasts, makeovers, dares, drama and dance.
This dazzling new series combines Holly’s intimate knowledge of the entertainment industry and runaway imagination, with Kelly’s creative mind and love of writing, and together they have created a glittering series of friendship and adventure.
On the first day of term at L’etoile, School for Stars, twins Maria and Molly Fitzfoster meet Pippa Burrows who’s won a song-writing scholarship to the school.  The talented trio share the same dreams of super stardom and instantly become best friends.  But will their friendship stand up against spoilt and scheming Lucifette Marciano’s plans to wreck their chances and claim fame all for herself?
The first in an enchanting new boarding school series for every girl who has ever danced in front of the mirror, sung into a hairbrush, tried on her mother’s heels, or dreamed of becoming a star!  This will be followed by SECOND TERM AT L’ETOILE in August 2013.
 

Thank you Orion for  a lovely afternoon.

One Dollar Horse by Lauren St John

Casey used the twin points of her horse’s ears to line up the jump, like a sniper lining up a target on a gun barrel. Even from a distance it looked enormous: Everest in miniature. An artistic flower display attempted to make light of it, but the blossoms and shrubs did little to disguise the reality of Badminton Horse Trials’ most notorious fence. The Wall of Fear was the nickname given to it by riders who’d fallen there. If she survived it, she’d be well on her way to winning the greatest championship in three day eventing. If not…

Published by Orion Children’s Books in March 2012

Pages - 309

Goodreads Summary

Fifteen year old Casey Blue lives in East London’s grimmest tower block and volunteers at a local riding school, but her dream is to win the world’s greatest Three Day Event: the Badminton Horse Trials. When she rescues a starving, half-wild horse, she’s convinced that the impossible can be made possible. But she has reckoned without the consequences of her father’s criminal record, or the distraction of a boy with melty, dark eyes, with whom she refuses to fall in love. Casey learns the hard way that no matter how high you jump, or how fast you gallop, you can never outrun the past.

*****

This is one of those books I’ve been meaning to read for awhile. I’ve heard so much about Lauren St John and I was intrigued to study her writing style. Not that I managed to study it, because I got so wrapped up in the story I couldn’t put it down and raced through it to find out how it would end.

The One Dollar Horse is an emotional, yet thoroughly absorbing read. I’m not a huge fan of horses, but this book gave me urges to learn how to ride.The author must have a passion for horses too, because it spills out through the characters in the book. It took me back to books from my childhood such as Black Beauty and Flambards. It has all the signs of a classic children’s story.

I learnt so much about horse riding and the UK horse racing scene from this book. The author has obviously spent a long time researching this book because the descriptions are very detailed.

The characters draw you in immediately, as the author throws every obstacle in their way. Casey is one in a million girl, who finds the one in million horse. On the verge of being destroyed at the knackers yard, Casey and her father save Storm from destruction. You follow Casey on an emotional journey as she takes on the equestrian world to achieve the dream she has cherished all her life. Casey and Storm are the underdogs, who blast tradition and competition into smithereens. From the very beginning, you are fighting alongside them, willing them to beat the system. They are the unlikely heroes.

The story pulls at your heart strings, as Casey and Storm face one catastrophe after another. On many occasions, it looks like everything Casey dreamed of would come to a premature end.

I loved this book. I thought it was flawless. A finely crafted story with unique characters ranging in quirks and diversity displaying a rags to riches plot line to its fullest. I’ve read so many children’s books in the last couple of years but this is the closest book that has ever transported me back to my childhood. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Magic Trix: Flying High by Sara Grant

Trix leaned forwards and aimed her broom for the stars. She shot off like a rocket, bursting through a thick, fluffy mattress of clouds. Speeding through the clouds felt like being tickled by a thousand feathers. The whipped through her curly brown hair as she flew higher and higher and faster and faster until Little Witching was a twinkly blur below her.

Pages - 134

Published by Orion Children’s Books in March 2013

Summary

There’s a big surprise in store for witch-in-training, Trix Morgan, but first she must learn to fly her very own broomstick - with a little help from her magic kitten, Jinx. There are lots of thrills and spills - will Trix ever get the hang of flying? And can she help Pippa overcome mean-girl Stella’s nasty tricks?

********

I just adore this series and we have only got as far as book 2! I honestly can’t wait to see what else will happen as Trix learns the art of becoming a fairy godmother. In this book, Trix and the other students learn to fly. It isn’t as easy as it looks  but with the help of some magical friends, Trix is soon soaring through the sky. Jinx, her familiar is utterly gorgeous as he skips through the story, occasionally giving his side of the story.

We finally get to meet Trix’s Aunt Belle, who oozes independence and excitement. You can see why Trix adores her so much. As the story progresses, surprises magically occur and Trix learns so much more about the people she loves.

I would have adored this book as a child and I cannot recommend this series enough. It is just bursting with magic surrounding a brilliant storyline. Add a sprinkling of magical characters and you have a beautiful timeless tale.

A short sweet book that makes you wish you had just a smidgen of magic in your finger tips. I am really looking forward to Book Three.

The Witching Hour by Sara Grant

The long black tail swished from side to side with each tick tock. The yellow googly eyes looked from left then right. The big and little hands clicked into position, both pointing straight up. Trixibelle’s black cat clock meowed twelve times.

Pages - 126

Published by Orion Children’s Books in March 2013

When Trix turns ten she finds out that she’s a witch! It’s the best birthday present ever and Trix can’t wait to start casting spells. But learning witchcraft isn’t easy, and nobody non-magical must know!

Can Trix keep the secret and use her magic to help her best friend, Holly?

******

What a delightful debut for a magical new series for  the 7 to 9 year olds. I loved this book from the first sentence. I felt like I had whooshed down a helter skelter into the magical world of Enid Blyton. It took me a couple of hours to read it and I was left wanting more from this enchanting world.

Trix is an adorable character who doesn’t find magic easy to begin with. I was completely smitten by her and  her familiar, Jinx who wasn’t very good at staying out of mischief. Trix not only has to deal with learning with the difficulties of magic but she also has to put up with nasty Stella and her  friends from the Enchanted Grove school. Stella is a bit of a know it all and I do hope she is brought down a peg or two before the end of the series.

Trix struggles to keep her magic a secret, especially from her life long friend Holly who she shares everything with. Yet Trix goes out of her way to help Holly and builds up her confidence in the process. A delightful tale with a happy ending.

You can’t read these books without commenting on the gorgeous illustrations by Erica-Jane Waters. They are simply stunning and just add even more magic to the book.

This is going to be an amazing series, I can feel it in my bones. One for every child to cherish for years to come.  Move over Rainbow Magic, you have some new competition on your doorstep! Now if you’ll excuse me, I must dust off my fairy godmother outfit and hunt for my wand in case I get the call to join to join the Sisterhood of Magic.

About Zooming Time, Opal Moonbaby! by Maudie Smith

Pages - 310

Published by Orion Children's Books in February 2013

Imagine you're asleep. You've been sleeping soundly for hours and the night has almost passed you by. Night has a knack of doing that, of pocketing its mysteries and vanishing, leaving you alone with the morning.

Summary

Opal Moonbaby is an alien. She reads minds, has a special brain dictionary, which is a bit muddled, and a pet who is a mix of six different animals. She's also Martha's best friend.

Martha can't wait to take her to school- but she has no idea what will happen when they get there!

******

Opal Moonbaby is one of the most entertaining and colourful characters I have had the pleasure of spending time with. She bursts on the page like a sparkler that never dims and you can’t help but fall in love with her alieness which makes her so naïve to the ways of the world. She is  innocent, yet excitable, like a new puppy.  She’s the alien version of Anne of Green Gables.Her mispronunciations and cliché confusions produce deep belly laughs with each new statement. As Opal zooms from one disaster to another, you struggle to keep a straight face as such laugh out loud moments.

Martha, her bestest friend, puts up with a lot. She feels responsible for Opal and takes looking after her very seriously. More seriously than Opal does. She tries to advise Opal, but Opal is having way too much fun to listen. Until it is nearly too late.  I really didn’t give Martha the respect she deserved until half way through the story, when I realised how troubled she was by Opal’s behaviour and how desperately worried she was about her safety, when basically Opal was out of control. A force of alien nature! Martha is one of those children you would be proud as a parent to call your own.

I loved the inclusion the Mercurials. They were very entertaining characters, especially with their long and uncontrollable hair that held all their power. I would also love a Domestipod! Opal’s imaginative dwellings should be available to buy as a doll’s house alongside the Barbie and Sindy homes.  I am in awe of the powers of Maudie Smith’s imagination. How she comes up with such unique and entertaining characters and settings, I have no idea.

The jokes and hilarious scenes aside, this book does have a deeper meaning. It looks closely as the theme of friendship and what makes a really good friend. Opal realises her errors as the book progresses and goes out of her way to make it up to Martha.

I would buy this series for any young girl, who enjoys comical tales and knows the true meaning of friendship. A blooming, zooming, fantabulous read!

North of Nowhere by Liz Kessler

Pages 229

Published by Orion Children's Books on 17th January 2013

I need to write it all down. That's the only way I'll believe it's true.

Spring half-term of Year Eight. All those incredible, impossible things. Did they really happen? I've tried a hundred times to tell myself that they couldn't have done, that none of it is possible.

Amazon Summary

When Mia's grandfather disappears, Mia and her mother immediately rush down to stay with her grandmother and offer support. With no friends and no internet access in the little seaside village where her grandparents live, Mia is bored and lonely--until she makes friends with Dee, the daughter of a fisherman from a nearby island, and Peter, who is on holiday with his parents. But Mia's grandad is still missing, and actually meeting face to face with Dee is proving surprisingly difficult. Mia becomes determined to find out what's going on, but the truth is much more mysterious than she ever imagined...

********
Liz Kessler has done it again. 

North of Nowhere seems to have collected the essence of excellent time travel stories and weaved them together to make a modern, believable book with a strong British feel to it that is a ruddy good read. 

There is the growing and long lasting friendship I so loved in Tom's Midnight Garden and the detailed planning of time travel to save the future from the past that was such a major part of the Back To The Future films. There is a heartbreaking moment too, which brought tears to my eyes as I remembered something similar that happened to Nicholas Lyndhurst in Goodnight Sweetheart. 

Liz captured the mind of the pre teen so accurately that she could almost have been sat in my house listening to my two in conversation. 

I also thought the book handled the difficulties that often do occur because of the generation gap extremely well. I loved the way Mia was beginning to realise that perhaps raising her voice and arguing wasn't really going to get her anywhere. My girls are just beginning to adopt the 'Be Nice' strategy.

I loved that the story was told from multiple points of view, as well as using other methods to communicate such as letters and the diary. 

I was not expecting the ending at all. I can’t say what I wasn’t expecting or I’ll give it away, but I’ll just say the ending took me by surprise!

I thought North of Nowhere was stunning! Mindblowing!  I can’t say much more to express how much I loved it because this book insists on secrecy otherwise the surprise will be spoilt.

So in the end all I really need to say is - READ IT! It is awesome!

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Letterbox Love (16)

Britain at it's best, bringing you it's own version of IMM! All the books that came through my letterbox thanks to publishers and Royal Mail!  Also all the books I have bought this week - as if I didn't have enough. 

********

Review Books

The lovely peeps at Piatkus Entice have been teasing me with books this week. Miranda's Mount by Philippa Ashley ( which won best E-book at the Festival of Romance awards this week) and A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas are two of their digital titles which have both been released in November. To find out what other delights Piatkus Entice have, please click here. 

Also from Piatkus, I received Storm's Heart by Thea Harrison, which is the second book in the Dragon Bound series. This will be published on the 27th November. 

Forbidden by Jacqueline Frank - this will be my first Jacqueline Frank book as it is the start of a new spin off book, from her popular Nightwalkers series. Published on the 27th November.

Jane Eyrotica can only be described as Fifty Shades of Grey meets Jane Eyre! Published on the 29th of November.

Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione is the fourth book in the Lord of the Deliverance series. Published on the 20th November. 

Thank you ever so much to Piatkus for such an abundance of books!

How to Fall by Jane Casey is the first YA crime thriller from the best selling author Jane Casey and will be published in January 2013. Thank you Corgi.
Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher has been on my wish list since I first heard about it last year. Annabel brought us My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, which so far has been nominated for 24 awards. This new book will be published in January 2013. Thank you Orion Children's Books
Hidden by P.C and Kristen Cast is the tenth book in the House of Night series and was published in October. The series is presently having a cover makeover so look out for the new look in stores now. Thank you Atom Books.
Lexiland by Suzi Moore is a heartwarming debut novel about coping with grief and loss. It will be published by Simon and Schuster at the end of January 2013.

Netgalley Review

I received this book to review via Netgalley from Bloomsbury. Hysteria is the second book from Megan Miranda who brought us Fractured last year. This will be published on February 14th. Thank you Bloomsbury.

Books Bought

I had a little splurge this week. Especially for my Kindle...

A Winter Flame by Milly Johnson

Dream Little Dream by Sue Moorcroft - this was published last week by ChocLit and will be my first book by this author.

A 1980's Childhood by Michael R Johnson.

Yours Truly by Kirsty Greenwood. Kirsty is well known as the editor of the lovely blog Novelicious and has worked hard to get this book published. This is a self published book and I look forward to reading it. 

At the moment I am exploring the New Adult genre. I couldn't resist these two books.

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Easy by Tammara Webber

So these are all the lovely goodies to come into my house this week. Which one shall I read first?