No Reverse by Marion Croslydon

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Book summary: 

"A girl who needs to undo the past. A boy who wants to forget it. In love, there’s no way back. "
At high school in Steep Hill, Kansas, Cassie O’Malley and Josh MacBride were the poster couple for quarterback/cheerleader romance until they starred in their own tale of teen pregnancy. No need to say: their shotgun wedding was low-key. But when there was no baby anymore, they went their separate ways.
Five years later, Josh has breezed through Georgetown and is about to finish his post-grad degree at Oxford University. He is set to join a lobbying group on Capitol Hill, owned by his new fiancée’s father. For Josh, the sky is now the limit… only he must first take care of a tiny legal matter: technically, he’s still married to the girl who broke his heart. 
Meanwhile, Cassie has been waiting tables in Steep Hill to pay for her sick grandmother’s care. On the day of the old lady’s funeral, Cassie is served with two sets of papers. Josh is asking for a divorce. Her heart squeezes, but, well, he moved on a long time ago. But the second envelope shakes Cassie to the core. So, for the first time, she leaves Kansas and heads to good ol’ England.
There, Cassie finds that Josh has not just “moved on,” he’s freakin’ engaged to some blue-blooded heiress. The feelings Cassie had buried deep rush back to her. But no matter if he keeps thrusting the divorce papers under her nose, she needs him to save the only person she loves more than Josh, more than life itself…

         This is the first time that this is happening to me. That I have read a story that I really liked and enjoyed but then at certain point in the plot everything went downwards. It makes me wish for a time machine so I could go back and stop myself from reading further than 81% of the book.

          Up until that point this story was something. It was a NA book that I really enjoyed for multiple reasons. First of it was untypical. A lot of things already happened in the lives of our main characters so that you had to connect some fact from the past to realize why they're such a great enemies in present. This book starts with wedding which is another untypical thing as mostly books end that way as great conclusion to the story. Well here after the wedding comes some serious drama. I don't mean that as a bad things. Cassie and Josh have big history behind them and there is an interesting story about high school sweethearts who once thought have the whole world by only having each other to the great enemies that they have become.
   
           It was really interesting but not flawless. Cassie is only thing that I had problems with. She is smart, strong but for some reasons I really admire her but trust me when I say that people from Abnegation would admire her selflessness. She literary gave up on almost her life for others and not to mention tried to control lives of others by not even asking them. But I could live with that.

          Only I couldn't live with that unreasonable proposal that happened at that famous 81% of the book. Don't get me wrong, guy did have noble reasons but proposing a person who you don't even know for a month and with that you barely kissed is idiotic. That was really out of line. It might have moved some things in the story but it added all unnecessary drama as well. From that point it was just adding more drama and then pushing all that until the ending when everything resolved. That was unnecessary as the idea itself was really good and the book is really different from same old NA stories.

          Rating: 2 stars.

Until the next time,

Bend Me, Shape Me by Debra R. Borys

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Book summary:

Bend Me, Shape Me is the second novel in the Street Stories suspense series and tells the story of Snow Ramirez, a bi-polar street kid about to turn 18. She’s convinced that psychiatrist Mordechai Levinson is responsible for one kid’s suicide, and may be targeting her brother Alley as his next victim. Once again, reporter Jo Sullivan finds herself the only person willing to listen to one of Chicago’s throwaway youth. 
Snow Ramirez hasn’t trusted anyone in a very long time, not even herself. Memories of her childhood on Washington’s Yakama Reservation haunt her even on the streets of Chicago. When her squat mate Blitz slits his own throat in front of her, she knows it’s time to convince someone to trust her instincts. Blitz may have been diagnosed bi-polar, like Snow herself, but no way would he have offed himself like that if the shrink he’d been seeing hadn’t bent his mind completely out of shape.
Normally she wouldn’t care. Who wasn’t crazy in one way or another in this messed up world? After all, she’d gotten out from under the doctor’s thumb weeks ago and it was too late for Blitz now, wasn’t it? Snow’s little brother Alley, though, there might still be time to save him. If only she can get reporter Jo Sullivan to believe her story before Snow loses her own mind.

         Being a reader makes you discover different things about yourself. For example, I'm huge fan of tv-crime shows and I watched who knows how many CSI and Criminal Minds episodes but when it comes to suspense or crime books I tend to avoid them. They simply don't do it for me, but maybe I will discover some book that will change my mind. This one was a nice and interesting read but it didn't bring that epiphany, nor did I expect it to. It wouldn't be fair to set my expectations that high.

          In this book you can see that while judging people by their misfortunes or general prejudice is one of mistakes people often made. This is a story about Snow, a bi-polar girl who lives on streets. Besides that she is almost 18 and half Native American and when you get all these information we can say that she is not trustworthy. At the other hand doctor Levison is a really successful psychiatrist who has a great record and who saved many kids, and of course he is well educated man which would make him a trustworthy person. But he doesn't have something Snow does - sense of family and being protective over her brother - Alley who is in danger and a dead friend on her mind - Blitz. That would make her stronger that any other prejudice. We also have Jo here, she is a journalist who is always in search for a good story but besides that she is there to help all the homeless children. Being a journalist gives her ability to offer people a chance to say their story even though sometimes it's hard to trust. And the last person who tells us a story is Lenard - Snow's uncle who brings the background and contributes to the story.

          While Snow's, Jo's and Lenard's POV change through the novel you get to see the life of homeless kids which was sometimes hard to imagine. While it was really nicely done, at the point when government was included it was too much for me. It does sound logical and everything, but for me it was unnecessary. That and the fact that it took me some time to get into the story and make differences in narrations are the reason for the rating.

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Until the next time,

***NOTE: Copy of this book was kindly provided by the author. Thank you. 

I'm not paid for writing this review - I do it as a lover of written word. All opinions are personal.

Blog tour: Time Spell by T.A. Foster

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Book summary: 

Ivy Grace is learning that magic--and love--are all about the right timing. 
Follow the adventures of this spirited young Southern woman as she embarks upon a successful new career writing novels and movies that explore romantic mysteries of the past. 
Ivy, a witch who spends her days practicing her brand of good magic in a sleepy little city, often travels back in time to observe events of yesteryear and turn them into compelling stories for her modern-day fans. But as her uncanny ability to weave enthralling historic tales lands her in the limelight, she quickly finds that fame sometimes comes with a price. 
Evil forces now know who she is and threaten to reveal her family’s most sacred magical secrets.
With the help of her ruggedly handsome editor and a sexy supernatural ex-boyfriend, Ivy must unravel history while fighting to keep these ominous forces at bay. 
Will Ivy be able to make the ultimate sacrifice for the people she loves the most?

         I'ts been a while since I've came across some witches so I was really glad to meet Ivy. Even though I could assume some things from the blurb I can say that the plot it self was really complex and had that little dose of mystery.

          Let's go from the start. Ivy is a witch and comes from family that has been hiding their powers or talent. Besides being a witch Ivy tries to live life normally and tries to chase her dreams. One of her dreams came true after she wrote a successful novel, but the problems start when some people find themselves in her story and realize that their secret has been revealed. Then the problems start. Even though no one could assume that Ivy's book is more than fiction as it talks about one of the trickiest frauds. But the real problem is that is explaining the truth to her editor without revealing her biggest secret. Not an easy task.

         The story itself, especially the one from the past was really magically created and the way that Ivy stumbles upon it makes the whole thing really likable and good. Only Problem for me was love interest here. Luckily nothing big to worry about, just typical story. When we talk about ruggedly handsome editor he is exactly that. Not that you need more, though. I did liked his character but problem was the predictability in their relationship. It was like good old Hollywood story. That itself wouldn't be big deal but then we come to the ex-boyfriend. I can't say it was a love triangle (sort of, kind of) but at least Ivy wasn't whiny about it. That makes me like her character even more.

         Finally, the story itself was great, innovative and really enjoyable, with little issues but nothing that would ruin the whole story.

Rating: 4 stars.

About the author 

T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos.

Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. Time Spell is T.A.’s debut novel, and the first in a series about a very adventurous, clever, and magical girl named Ivy.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.

Author's 

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Giveaway

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Until the next time,

Waiting On Wednesday (#58)

You know the story. This is a meme created by Breaking the Spine and every week we pick books we're waiting for. Here are our picks for this week.
Our pick #1

Twenty-four hours can change your life . .
Allyson and Willem share one magical day together in Paris, before chance rips them apart.
The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents life throws at us.
But is one day enough to find your fate?

Expected publication: November 7th, 2013

Our pick #2

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Expected publication: November 26th, 2013

We'd love to see your picks so feel free to link them up.

Until the next time,

Blog tour: The Exemeus by Folami and Abeni Morris

Hello. Today I have The Exemeus blog tour for you. Don't forget to follow the tour and enter for a chance to win a brand new Kindle Fire. 

Buy the book at Amazon

Book summary:

Her short life was devoted to love and to hate. Love of the man who stole her heart, hate for the man who stole the world. Murdered by the government she swore to destroy, she's been given another chance to make it right. But to save the planet, she needs the help of the most powerful mystic the world has ever seen—unfortunately he hasn’t been born yet.

In a world where fear is the only currency, Dephon has committed the ultimate crime: inspiring hope.
His only goal is to make it safely through ninth grade, but on a post-apocalyptic Earth run by the Treptonian government, it isn’t that simple. Heir to a legendary power, Dephon Johnson is the only threat to the government’s rule. And on Trepton, all threats must be eliminated. When hundreds of assassins are dispatched to neutralize him, Dephon is forced to fight back. His only chance of survival is to enlist the aid of the greatest warrior the world has ever known. The only problem is, she's been dead for 13 years.

        It's not a secret that I love fantasy, but another thing is that I like that old kind of fantasy. Where you have old books and good old mystery around. This book has all of that and what's even more interesting it's dystopia at the same time.

        This book is divided into two stories basically and they're intertwined. We have a story about a young boy Dephon who lives in a future world. The world as we know it has been destroyed and now the Treptonian government runs what's left of it. Only he doesn't know that he has a power, a power he inherited from his mother and father, but father is ready to face the truth and help him. Until one day one person from the past shows up and gives him The Exemeus. His mother's Exemeus to help him figure things out and what's more important to meet her better as he never had a chance to. As soon as he opened the book he meets someone who is there to lead him through it and become a friend he never had. With a little time left he must learn all there is about his magic and the way to save the world.

          While reading his mother's Exemeus we travel into the past and other world - Haylee's world. Where we get to know how did it started and what happened. I can say that Dephon was a sweet boy and was a good narrator, but Haylee was easier for me to connect with. It was easy to flow from one story to another and to connect the dots. While meeting Haylee and Singelton and their love story and then comparing that to the past in which Dephon lives you can see the changes that happened not only in the world but in people.

          It's really hard to balance while writing this review. It is confusing when you start the book but the magic starts when you become able to connect the stories and to see the bigger picture, or better said the whole picture. All in all, I can say that I enjoyed in this story that has a wonderful magic in it, with coming of age and a bit of romance. With this I can't wait to see more and hopefully I'll get to see more of outside world (which is probably the only thing I missed here).

Rating: 4.5 stars.

About the authors

Folami and Abeni Morris are a sister-sister writing team. Together they wrote (and rewrote) The Exemeus, somehow managing to accomplish it without murdering one another. Despite their facial similarities, tendency to finish each other’s thoughts and stick up for each other constantly, no, they’re not twins and thus deserve their own individual bio.

Folami Morris:

Folami grew up in the tiny city of San Mateo Ca, where nothing ever happens and no one ever leaves. She went to Xavier University for undergraduate, getting her B.A in physics and her B.S in Biology. After graduation she returned to California, to live in an even smaller city, where even less happens, Antioch Ca. During this time she escaped the monotony by hanging out with her imaginary friends Hyalee and Dephon, and by writing the Exemeus. She finally escaped to Queens NY and now realizes that quiet and tiny aren’t so bad. 

Abeni Morris:

As luck (and logic) would have it, Abeni grew up in the same tiny little town as her sister, then she too escaped to the tinier town of Antioch. She has yet to leave. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development from Cal State East Bay. She is the mom of two amazing kids, who swear that they deserve a percentage of the book proceeds and a ton of the credit. At least she raised dreamers.

Author's Website

Giveaway 

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Scavenger Hunt - stop #3

Scavenger Hunt Time! (Win a Kindle Fire or $150!) 

This is open internationally, but if you are outside the US you will receive the $150 via paypal.

Welcome back! Hopefully you were able to answer yesterday’s questions. Here are your next two clues!

5. Who is Dephon’s only friend?

6. What planet does Dephon’s only friend come from? 

 
Now go to A Bookish Escape. If you missed a stop on the tour stop back and visit My Guilty Obsession. There is still plenty of time for you to walk away with a brand new Kindle Fire.

Don't forget to follow the rest of the tour and check other stops.

Until the next time,

Thank you Candace for organizing the tour.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

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Book summary:

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.But her heart never wavers.
After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.
Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 
Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

         After Throne of Glass I expected a lot of Crown of Midnight. Without doubt Throne of Glass was one of my favorite reads last year so at times I feared that I set my expectations too high. Good thing though is that no matter how high they were this book managed to bring that and more.

          Celaena is who I wanted to be. She was so kick-ass that you simply couldn't but imagine being in her skin. With that she also managed to be a really smart, witty and when necessary emotional. I know I sound like I have a huge crush on her but that was the world I wanted to be in and the person I wanted to be. In Crown of Midnight she developed in a right way and became even better than she was. With her progression the story progressed as well. It was so well paced and every thing happened when it was time for that.

        After winning a competition Calaena is back in business. Now she has to kill all the people she is ordered to and when she sees that something big is preparing she can help but do a little research which will discover some serious things but still she has a business to and and freedom to pay. With that her relationship with someone (I won't spoil things, no worries) is something she cannot avoid anymore and the secret she keeps inside of her keeps her busy. Add a bit of magic here and there and you get perfect story that Crown of Midnight is.

        But, we also get to see the other side of Calaena, the only that takes over when everything crashes. The one that's deadly and trained to kill and the one that does not forgive nor forget. And the one to who revenge is serious business.

        With the ending that leaves you at the edge but at the same time finishes one chapter in her life we see that Sarah J. Maas is really a master in writing that kind of endings that will make you remember the story and at the same time put you in agony because you need and want more. We need that time machine people!

Rating: 5 stars.

Until the next time,

Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta

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Author's

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Book summary:

Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child’s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. The complex tangle of bloodlines, politics, and love introduced in Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exilescoalesce into an engrossing climax in this final volume.

After the reviews for Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles it's time for the final book in this series. I hope you'll enjoy our review for Quintana of Charyn. 

Tanja: You know how they say - All good things come to an end, that's the case with this series. Being in this magical world was an amazing experience. But before I go and cry my heart out (I'll miss this series badly) let's talk about this book. I already assume that our readers are ready for our worships. Don't you think girl?
Glass: Well, I'm afraid that we bored them to death with our reviews of Melina Marchetta books and they will just skip this review. But we love it so much! We can't help ourselves! I don't know about you, but I am ready to cry for the rest of my life because I've read all of her books.
Tanja: I still have Looking for Alibrandi left but I really hope she'll publish something soon. Anyhow again it'll be hard to talk about this because it's the third book in the series, but let's try. You know what I really like here? Well, I'll tell you. I like it how we have different narrators and basically stories, but I wasn't confused for a moment here. Somehow you always know what's happening where.
Glass: You took words from my mouth (or should I say, you typed it). I usually find multiple POVs annoying because authors use it mostly in romance novels to show story from male and female perspective. It isn't luckiest choice in most cases because it is pathetic attempt to create ultimate female fantasy - bad boy who acts like brute and feels like 15 years old girl. Melina Marchetta pulled it off masterfully. It's almost as if you jump into the body of Froi, Quintana or Finnikin. You can feel that it's someone else's thoughts and voice.
Tanja: Exactly, there was no way to get lost and your feelings changed as the narrations changed. I really loved that aspect of her writing. (Is there the end of our "why we love Melina Marchetta?" list? - Honestly I don't think so!). Another thing, I admire those people who read Froi just after the book came out and then had to wait for Quintana. I'd go mad, probably even walk to Australia.
Glass: I'm really happy that we waited this long to read this series. It's weird how you get completely different impression of author reading hers or his realistic and fantasy novels. Melina rocks on both fields. Speaking of everything we liked, I have to say that my favorite thing about this book is ending. I think most of the readers will be satisfied with how everything came to its place, but still it is kind of open ending. So much things can happen, everything isn't written in the stars. It feels somehow real.
Tanja: Yes, I think that waiting really payed off in this case. We got to meet Melina that rocks contemporary world but then you get to see that she rock fantasy world as well. I wanted to say that, you're always stealing worlds from my mouth (but you know great minds think alike *winks*). Yes nowadays authors tend to leave open endings but it's hard to find balance but as usual Melina rocks that too. I really liked that little dose of mystery that stayed with us while you're completely happy with the ending itself.
Glass: So who is your favorite character? And you can not cheat - pick only one, male or female! I 'd say Phaedra. She went trough such transformation from the first time we meet her. You know that I'm sucker for girl power.
Tanja: Because you picked Phaedra I'll go with Lucian. Most of male characters here are dream-worthy but Lucian really found his place under my skin. Luckily I know he is in good hands so I'm happy for that.

        All in all, we really enjoyed this series and this is one of the series we wish never ended. As always Melina's stories were outstanding and brilliant. We eagerly wait for more.

Rating: From 1 to 5, we'll go with zillion.

Thank you for the wonderful comments and we really hope that we'll see your reviews for this series. 

Until the next time,

ARC Review: Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Expected publication: September 10th, 2013

Author's 

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Book summary: 

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that’s in store for her?
Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.

           We all make bad decisions, don't we? Well one of mine was requesting this book. While Code Name Verity received numerous praises I never finished it. I tried to blame it on war stories which I didn't read but then after reading Between the Shades of Gray I though that this time around I'd enjoy this one. Well I did not.

            Like I said after never finishing Code Name Verity I needed few pages to see where I stand and to connect all the dots but once everything started to role so the issues started to appear. Me and Rose simply couldn't connect, not now and probably not ever. I couldn't feel and of her thoughts and only time I could get hints of her feelings was when she was flying. But things started to turn around with the second part of the book. After Rose was captured and sent to Ravensbruck I get to see the pain and struggle. Not Rose's but with the pictures of concentration camps and with the idea of how human life was worthless to some. Also with some of her poems which I really like this book wasn't such a disappointment to me as I initially thought.

            The author really created so realistic and heartbreaking picture of the war and pain but when you and the person who tells you the story don't connect the feeling is never complete. But at the end of the day this book accomplished its goal as it told the world. All in all, I think it's time to say goodbye to this series.

Rating: 3 stars.

Until the next time,

***NOTE: Copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, Disney via NetGalley. Thank you. 
I'm not paid for writing this review - I do it as a lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

Waiting On Wednesday (#57)

You know the story. This is a meme created by Breaking the Spine and every week we pick books we're waiting for. Here are our picks for this week.

Glass' pick

Madison Waters knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. She was already working for one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston as a research assistant, and in a few short months, she would finally graduate from Harvard and collect her law degree. Everything Madison had worked so hard for, was well within her reach.

But when Madison has to take an unexpected trip back home, she's blindsided by the one thing she'd never planned on.

Desperate to escape his wicked past, Holden Brooks moved to Madison's hometown five years ago. It was a struggle at first, but he eventually overcame the demons that nearly destroyed him back in Texas. Holden is in a good place in his life and love is the very last thing on his mind.

Everything changes the moment their two paths collide and they soon find out, fate has a plan of its own.

You never know when love will come along and change...everything.

Expected publication: September 19th, 2013

Tanja's pick

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

Expected publication: September 17th, 2013

We'd love to see your picks so feel free to link them up.

Until the next time,

Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons

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Author's

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Book summary: 

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.
Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….
Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.
Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.
With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

        I have no idea why it took me so much to write this review. I have read this book a while ago and it really was a great read I just needed some time to put my words together so here we go.

        Article 5 was one of the books that I really enjoyed. Last year was time of dystopia explosion and with all new concepts and stories I was in heaven but now with sequels I can divide those that were really amazing and those that were forgettable. This one goes into the first category.

         But it didn't seem like that at the start. When I started reading this I was really afraid as the story was slow and while things happened nothing happened in general. But soon enough I realized that it was only building it up until everything exploded because after that I started reading as fast as I could. We got to see the awful picture of society and the way the people were treated and sometimes it was hard to go on. Ember and Chase tried to work as hard as they could and with everything going on the things between them were sometimes hard, not to mention the past and burden they carried on their backs. We saw Ember grow here and while I might not agree with some of here moments still in the situation she was in I can't but admire her and her strong will. Chase at the other hand was still the boy I fell for and after this I fell even more. Being so strong was admirable considering the circumstances.

       That made this book real as it wasn't all pink and fluffy at the end of the day, every day was a struggle they had to endure and some days were bad but some were good. But they had each other at the end of the day. I really loved how this story developed and the relationship itself. Now I can't wait to see how this all will end.

Rating: 4 stars.

Until the next time,

Author Interview: Ingrid Jonach

I have a pleasure to host Ingrid Jonach, the author of When the World was Flat (and we were in love), here at Ja čitam, a ti?. I asked her few questions about her debut book and everything else. But first something about When the World Was Flat (and we were in love).

Book summary: 

Looking back, I wonder if I had an inkling that my life was about to go from ordinary to extraordinary.When sixteen-year-old Lillie Hart meets the gorgeous and mysterious Tom Windsor-Smith for the first time, it’s like fireworks — for her, anyway. Tom looks as if he would be more interested in watching paint dry; as if he is bored by her and by her small Nebraskan town in general.But as Lillie begins to break down the walls of his seemingly impenetrable exterior, she starts to suspect that he holds the answers to her reoccurring nightmares and to the impossible memories which keep bubbling to the surface of her mind — memories of the two of them, together and in love.When she at last learns the truth about their connection, Lillie discovers that Tom has been hiding an earth-shattering secret; a secret that is bigger — and much more terrifying and beautiful — than the both of them. She also discovers that once you finally understand that the world is round, there is no way to make it flat again. An epic and deeply original sci-fi romance, taking inspiration from Albert Einstein’s theories and the world-bending wonder of true love itself.

Author Interview

Hello Ingrid. Thank you so much for stopping here today. Let's get to the questions. First of I'm really curious where the idea to write a sci-fi novel came from? Were you inspired by some other books or authors? 

When the World was Flat (and we were in love) actually originated as a romance, inspired by Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I decided to bring in the science fiction after the first draft, because (without spoiling too much of the storyline) I have always been fascinated by the possibilities of other worlds and other lives – whether through reincarnation or parallel dimensions. I realized these theories would work well as background for the relationship between Lillie and Tom. I think it has resulted in a unique blend of the romance and science fiction genres.

I must say that I'm surprised that your idea came from physics. I mean you have degree in Professional Writing and that's not really connected with physics.

I have been interested in other realities, reincarnation and time travel for many years and have gobbled up any books or movies with these concepts. I actually think it was watching Back to the Future with my two older brothers that first introduced me to the concept of alternate worlds, particularly when Biff changes the future by interfering with the past in Back to the Future II.

I have always been fascinated by Albert Einstein (there is a debatably great Australian comedy movie called Young Einstein that I think everyone should watch) and when I started looking into String Theory (which is one theory on other worlds) I was pleasantly surprised that it led back to Einstein. I really enjoyed researching his theories and his life with a view to featuring him throughout When the World was Flat (and we were in love).

I am by no means a physicist, but I am extremely intrigued by various theories about the world. My aim was to take this science and fictionalize it to work with the storyline. This is another reason why I love Einstein. He was a big believer in imagination and once said, “Play is the highest form of research.” He used to spend a lot of time daydreaming to come up with his theories, which is not unlike what you do as an author!

What was the hardest thing to write (create)? Characters? Plot? Villain? 

This would have to be the action scenes.

I am very visual and tend to act out my scenes (pulling faces at the computer as my characters converse), but I am a complete couch potato who would never go sky diving or abseiling off the edge of cliffs (although I did once parasail in Mexico and used to learn Tae Kwon Do). I think this is part of the reason why I have a hard time visualizing action scenes.

Even so, there are at least three scenes that involve either fist fights, car chases or car accidents in When the World was Flat (and we were in love). These have actually ended up being my favorite scenes, which I think means I finally succeeded in making them realistic (after many, many drafts!).

Do you plan to make this a series? Or you have other plans?

It was originally written as a standalone, but I have since been thinking about what would happen in a sequel and have been working on a draft.

My priority though has been a separate standalone novel that is loosely connected to the theories in When the World was Flat (and we were in love). I have a lot of other scientific theories that I would love to explore in future YA novels, however I want to ensure they are complementary to When the World was Flat (and we were in love).

I noticed that you're from Australia. For some unknown reason I tend to really enjoy reading books from Aussie writers? Do you have any favorite? (Mine is Melina Marchetta).

I have many favorite Australian authors!

I grew up reading a lot of books by Victor Kelleher, who writes across a broad range of genres, including science fiction and fantasy. I also read a lot of Robin Klein, who wrote a famous Australian children's book called Hating Alison Ashley. My favorite Robin Klein books, though, are those featuring the Melling sisters (All in the Blue Unclouded Weather, Dresses of Red and Gold, and The Sky in Silver Lace), which are set in 1940s Australia.

And I also love Melina Marchetta. I was actually lucky enough to hear her speak not long ago at a literary festival where I live in Canberra.

I have also read that you finished college not so long ago. Do you have any memories you want to share with other students? Or maybe some advice? 

I would definitely advise anyone at college (or university as we call it here in Australia) not to limit themselves to one profession and embrace both expected and unexpected opportunities.

I thought I would use my degree (Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing with Honors) to become an English Teacher. Instead, my journalism minor led me to work for a newspaper, before leading me into public relations and communications. I would still like to study teaching, but I would never give up my career experiences to date.

Author's bio 

Ingrid Jonach writes books for children and young adults, including the chapter books The Frank Frankie and Frankie goes to France published by Pan Macmillan, and When the World was Flat (and we were in love) published by Strange Chemistry.

Since graduating from university with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing (Hons) in 2005, Ingrid has worked as a journalist and in public relations, as well as for the Australian Government.

Ingrid loves to promote reading and writing, and has been a guest speaker at a number of schools and literary festivals across Australia, where she lives with her husband Craig and their pug dog Mooshi.

Despite her best efforts, neither Craig nor Mooshi read fiction.

Find out more at her webiste.

Giveaway 

Enter below for your chance to win one of two awesome prize packages as part of the Around the World in 80 Days Blog Tour for When the World was Flat (and we were in love) by Ingrid Jonach. 

There will be two winners worldwide. Each prize package includes:

• a signed copy of When the World was Flat (and we were in love)
• a pair of silver plated key-shaped earrings in a When the World was Flat (and we were in love) gift box
• a When the World was Flat (and we were in love) bookmark.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check our blog on September 8th, because I'll be reviewing this book then. Also don't forget to check out the rest of the tour.

Until the next time, 

Showcase Sunday (#6)

Hello darlings. Well this week's Showcase Sunday will be special as Glass is joining us too and I haven't done this post in a while so it'll be huge. But for you who don't know this is a meme where we post the goodies we've got. It's hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea. So let's see Glass' haul.

Glass' paperbacks 

These are some of my favorite contemporaries. 

1. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta 

2. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

3. The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

4. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma 

Of course, a little bit of adult reads. The Original Sinners: 

1. The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

2. The Angel by Tiffany Reisz

3. The Prince by Tiffany Reisz

4. The Mistress by Tiffany Resz

And for review - Thank you Daira!

1. Anatomy of a Single Girl by Daria Snadowsky 

2. Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

Now onto my paperbacks, therefore
Tanja's paperbacks 

First my gifts to myself

1. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas 

2. The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis 

Some gifts from other bloggers and publishers

1. The Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (Thank you Maja @The Nocturnal Library)

2. Siege and Storm by  Leigh Bardugo (Thank you Bec @Reads in Wonderland)

3. ARC of Skulk by Rosie Best (Thank you Caroline @Strange Chemistry for this arc)

Now some gifts from other authors 

1. Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini (Thank you so much Kimberly and Rockstar Book Tours too)

2. Confiscated by Leah Spiegel and Meg Summers

3. Compromised by Leah Spiegel and Meg Summers

4. Mission One of Auggie the Alien by Leah Spiegel and Meg Summers (this was a surprise)

Thank you ladies so much! 

We've got some ebooks too. You've been warned about the length of this post.
Glass' ebooks 

Tanja's ebooks 

Some we have both got. Hopefully you'll see our reviews soon.

Thank you - NetGalley and Edelweiss then Heralquin, HarperTeen, Egmont, Balzer + Bray, HarperCollins, Disney Hyperion, Entangled Teen, Martin Simons, Debra R. Borys, Xpresso Book Tours, CBB Book Promotions and IFB Blog Tours. (Hopefully we haven't forgot anyone).

And last but not least Tanja has got some swag

Thank you Lea @Between Fantasy and Reality

Until the next time,