K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 67

Review: Parallel by Shana Chartier

Parallel (Interactive Ramblings Book one) by Shana Chartier 2.5/5

Ava has finally found true love with her boyfriend, Mason, and her life is absolutely perfect. Until one night, during a casual kayak ride, the two of them are pulled into a whirling vortex under a bridge, and Ava is thrown into another universe where unicorns and fairies exist in the human world. With her alternate-universe self, Avalon, and an annoying hunter named Hunter, Ava must find a way to get back through the portal and to Mason. She is able to access another portal with the help of a witch, but when Avalon and Hunter tag along, there’s no way of knowing where they’ll end up next.

Thanks to Rambunctious Ramblings Publishing Inc for giving me a free copy of this short story in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review:

A short story of just 10,000 words, easily read in one sitting. A good concept with vortexes, parallel universes, dopplegangers, fairies, unicorns, and the such. However, it seemed hard to capture the overall idea in so few words.

I liked Ava’s character as she is a tough cookie with a strong determination to find her boyfriend, Mason, who was also pulled through the vortex to the Parallel. The other characters felt a little cliche to me- especially Hunter. This may be due to this being a short story, and subsequently, character development fell a little by the wayside.

If you want a quick, light read with supernatural twists, then this is the story for you.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J.Chapman and no other parties

All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman

K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review

REVIEW: Dead by Morning by Kayla Krantz

Dead by Morning by Kayla Krantz 3.5/5

Obsession is deadly. No one learns that better than Luna Ketz, a pessimistic high school senior. She wishes more than anything to graduate but things don’t always go as planned. Luna quickly finds herself trapped in a web of lies and murders, spun by the least suspected person in her hometown. It’s not long before she realizes she’s being targeted by the person she despises most in the world. When Luna figures out who is behind the killings, things make a turn for the bizarre when she is contacted by a friend she has not heard from in years. It is then Luna realizes she is very much in danger, but although she can avoid the killer in reality, she cannot avoid him in her dreams.

Thanks to Rambunctious Ramblings Publishing Inc for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review:

A horror with a narcissitic, satanic antagonist that believes he is above the law, above right and wrong, and definitely above God. This makes Chance an unpredictable, fear inducing killer from the beginning, and he is just school kid.

Chance has a fascination with Luna that sees him weaving himself into her life at school and at home. When Luna learns of his sinister ways, he piles on the threats and ups his level of control over her by gaining the trust of her father. He seems a little torn over his emotions, but when he slips into’that’ mind set, he cannot control himself.

Chance’s obsession with Luna is cryptic, the author leaves us wondering as to what is so special about her. It is only when ‘Dreamworld’ comes into play that some things are answered. Luna’s friend Max seems to know a lot about Dreamworld, but the reader is unsure why. I know there will be many installments in this series, so I hope more comes to light on Max.

Sometimes I found Chance’s luck at avoiding arrest, and making people keep quiet, a little unbelievable, yet it added to making him appear more of a threat. I would have liked more conclusion on Max’s knowledge of Dreamworld, but I guess book two will provide that.

A teen read with young characters, a ruthless antagonist, and a supernatural element.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J.Chapman and no other parties.

All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman.

K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

 

Review: Bury the Living by Jodi McIsaac

Bury the Living by Jodi McIsaac 4.5/5

Rebellion has always been in the O’Reilly family’s blood. So when faced with the tragic death of her brother during Northern Ireland’s infamous Troubles, a teenage Nora joined the IRA to fight for her country’s freedom. Now, more than a decade later, Nora is haunted by both her past and vivid dreams of a man she has never met.

When she is given a relic belonging to Brigid of Kildare, patron saint of Ireland, the mystical artifact transports her back eighty years—to the height of Ireland’s brutal civil war. Here she meets the alluring stranger from her dreams, who has his own secrets—and agenda. Taken out of her own time, Nora has the chance to alter the fortunes of Ireland and maybe even save the ones she loves. In this captivating and adventurous novel from Jodi McIsaac, history belongs to those with the courage to change it.

Thanks to 47North and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bury the Living is due for release on September 6th 2016.

Review:

A book about Irish history interwoven with folk lore/ fantasy. It has a feel of Outlander about it, and after sticking with the first few chapters, I found I couldn’t put it down.

After Nora’s IRA father and brother were murdered in the fight for a free Ireland in the 90’s. She joins the IRA at fifteen. The narrative jumps a span of about 10 years, where Nora is a humanitarian aid worker haunted by reoccuring dreams of a man begging for her help. After following clues from her dreams (No Spoilers), she is transported back to 1923, just after the Tan War, but just before the death of Liam Lynch that sees the Free State win over the Republicans.

I like Nora as a main character; strong, determined to make a difference, and hard-headed. Thomas Heaney, the man Nora is looking for in 1923, is similar to Nora in his connections to the mysterious. The clashes between him and Nora upon their first meetings add to the reader wanting a romance to blossom between them. Then, there is Pidge, I found her incredibly endearing, a little haphazard, but that only added to her charm. As  a sub-character, Pidge worked wonderfully.

I rated this book 4.5/5. I took the half away for the slightly confusing start to Nora’s time travel that took a little while for me to get into. Once, I did, the narrative progressed perfectly and was constantly captivating. I read 80% of the book in one evening. This book is set up to be a series and I will definitely be continuing Nora’s journey.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J.Chapman and no other parties.

All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman

K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review

Novel Aesthetics Boards

What are novel aesthetics?

Novel aesthetics are visual images that inspire and/or sum up your narrative.

There are many ways to create a novel aesthetics board: keeping a file on your PC or laptop, using Pinterest (I highly recommend), or the good, old fashioned way of using a notice board and pins. Think of it as a mood board for your novel.

You can find my EVO Nation series, novel aesthetics boards here (I do use the boards as a way to highlight important quotes from the books too):

Why make a novel aesthetics board?

If like me, you like visual inspiration, or just like to see your characters in person. A novel aesthetics board can be beneficial. I look at my boards and instantly understand why I saved the images I did. Sometimes, it’s not a specific reason ie that model resembles my character, but a feeling I get from the image.

If you use the internet to compile your aesthetics board, it is easy to share via social media. This is a fab idea for authors who have a fan base. You can make novel aesthetics boards for published books, and books you are currently working on; great teasers for what is to come in the narrative.You can pick as few or as many pictures as you like to sum up your novel in a quick glance.

Why I use Pinterest for my boards?

That’s simple. Type any description into the Pinterest search bar and there is bound to be a related image appear. Pinterest make it easy to compile all related images into one ‘board’. You can make these boards private or public, and can continue to add/ edit/ or delete your board.

Here are some novel aesthetics I have started to compile for my current WIP, Thrown to The Blue:

As you can see, visual images can really bring your vision to life. Do you have a novel aesthetics board? Do you work better with the images in your head? Do you have a unique way of storing your inspirational images?

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

Images sourced from Pinterest.com

 

Review: Pavel by Brianna West

Pavel (Guardians in Love #2) by Brianna West

Eve’s entire existence and the secret power she harbors is forever changed when she meets the incredibly gorgeous Russian, Pavel Volkov, one night after he single-handedly saves her from being attacked. Claiming he’s part of an elite group of Guardians that police the Light and Dark, Pavel takes her into his protection.

The playboy warlock-faerie helps Eve unlock the secrets of her past, training the hidden power within as they attempt to keep her from the Dark that seeks to capture her. But with nothing short of disdain for the man claiming to be her protector, can Eve discover the truth behind who she really is? Will she be able to learn how to use her powers efficiently? And more importantly, will she be able to deflect the relentless advances of her so-called protector?

Thank you to the author for offering me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pavel is due for release on August 12th 2016.

Review:

Brianna West has done it again. Have I mentioned that I am a huge fan of West’s Promiscus Guardian’s series, and now the spin off series, Guardian’s in Love? Well, I am, and book two in the Guardian’s in Love series, Pavel, did not disappoint.

I have been desperate to get my hands on a copy of this ARC because its focus is on one of the flirty, loveable characters from the Promiscus Guardian’s series, Pavel, who needed a healthy dose of real love. I’m an old romantic at heart and wanted him to get a strong minded, level headed girl who could win his heart. The cat and mouse chase between Pavel and Eve kept the pages turning- REALLY fast.

The narrative is told from Eve’s POV, and I enjoyed seeing her character develop over the course of the story, and how she overcomes her own relationship fears to fall for my loveable rogue *hehe*. Seriously, that’s how you feel about these characters; you get sucked into their world and root for them all. I know that more than one reader has claimed dibs on certain characters as their fictional boyfriends. Oh, the choices! Us paranormal romance fans can be a possessive, die hard bunch. Also, if head angel, Simon, ever finds true love, I hope she is a Cornish brunette, perhaps called KJ.

As usual, West packs in oodles of hunks, kick ass heroines, love, sex, and fight scenes. Oh, and not forgetting Bernie and his t-shirts. (Another man in need of a sweetheart…Brianna West, do you hear me?)

If you enjoy the paranormal, steamy scenes, fast paced action, and a lot of love. Get reading West’s novels!

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J.Chapman and no other parties.

All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman

K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

 

 

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Getting To Know Me Tag!

I do love a good tag! Thanks to Mollie over at Mollie’s Musings for thinking of me. If you have not checked out Mollie’s blog, and you love everything writerly, bookish, cute, inspirational, and down right fabulous, then head on over and give her a follow!

This tag is self explanatory, so without further ado…

What is your middle name?

Technically, I don’t have one. My first name is hyphenated: Kayleigh-Jane.

What was your favourite subject at school?

English Lit and media studies.

What is your favourite drink?

Tea.

Favourite food?

Devil’s Food Cake.

What is the last thing you bought?

For me, personally, I bought a shirt in the charity/ thrift shop. The very last thing I bought was a Tsum Tsum for my daughter. She collects the weird, little, wastes of money. Seriously, google them, they’re bizarre.

Is there anything I should know?

I developed hayfever this summer. My eyeball jelly swelled up and everything! (I have no idea what you actually call that stuff.)

Favourite colour?

Green.

Do you have any pets?

I have two dwarf hamsters called Lavender and Juno. They tried to kill each other, so now live in separate cages.

We also seem to collect garden snails. My daughter has a thing for making habitats, and tries to bring snails into the house. She found loads in my Nana’s garden, put them in a pot with grass and leaves, and left them in her kitchen- yep, they were in her fruit bowl in no time.

Favourite Perfume?

Hugo Boss Woman, but at the moment I’m wearing Rihanna’s Reb’l Fleur.

What was the last picture you took on your phone?

My hubby and our daughter rockpooling. They caught fish, shrimp, and sea snails. After a few pics, they’re all safely back in their pools.

Do you speak any other languages?

Hmmm? If I got lost in Spain I wouldn’t starve, but I’m not fluent.

How many siblings do you have?

I have one brother and two sisters. My sisters are half sisters, but I don’t call them that because they’re not half of anything in my eyes! I’m the eldest, and my fourteen year old sister thinks I’m ancient.

What is your favourite shop?

Book shops!!! My hubby would say charity shops because I just can’t walk by one without going in.

Favourite Restaurant?

Locally, we have a restaurant called BooKoos and they do the best burgers EVER. However, a short drive away, there is a farm called Roskillys. Roskillys has petting animals, nature trails, a restaurant that serves meat that has been reared on the farm, and they do the best ice cream in Cornwall!

What phone do you have?

Lumia something or other… I’m not really up on phones. It rings and texts, so I know that it works. I have a tardis phone case, though.

How tall are you?

I think I’m 5ft8 ish.

Can you cook?

Have you ever been stung by a bee?

Three times that I remember. My mum recalls some others. The most prominent memory is when my uncle was spinning me around by the wrists like Superman, and as he lowered my to the floor I knelt on a dying bee- ouch!

What is your best childhood memory?

I’m lucky to have many:

*Sliding down the stairs on a duvet with my brother.

*Boogie boarding at the beach.

*Going jumping (Jumping is the simple term we Cornish use for jumping from rocks and walls into the sea). We did it safely of course.

*Biking through the woods.

How can I not have great memories? I live here:

How would your friends describe you?

Monica! Not only do I love making lists and organising, I also get Hagrid hair in humid weather.

Watch TV or read?

Read.

Ebook of Paperback?

I have no preference. If I read an eBook and love it, then I will buy the paperback for my collection.

Plane or Train?

Train, but only because I have been on more trains in my life than planes.

What is your definition of family?

Love.

Why did you choose to be a writer?

I was born this way, baby!

Thanks again to Mollie for tagging me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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July Reads Round Up

A quick summary of my July reads with a link to the full reviews:

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

Full Review: Paper and Fire

I gave this book 5/5. Fast paced, action packed, and a perfect follow on from book one, Ink and Bone. Wonderful world building and character development. Caine has an effortless skill for constructing raw, unique relationships.

13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough

Full Review: 13 Minutes

I gave this book 4/5. Well thought out narrative, and suspense created with multiple POVs. One well crafted, complex character, and a character I couldn’t warm to. An ending to blow your socks off.

 

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

Full Review: The Bone Sparrow

I gave this book 4/5. Important narrative about refugees in detention centres in Australia. Fraillon captures the voice of 9 year old Subhi perfectly. Slow progressing read, but powerful message, and well developed characters.

 

Demon Seed by Dean Koontz

Full Review: Demon Seed

I gave this book 3.5/5. Not one of Koontz’s best. A great concept that freaked me out more than a little, but not enough. Koontz captured the narcissitic, psychotic voice of ‘Proteus’, an highly intelligent AI system. Quick, easy read.

 

A Strange Little Place by Brennan Storr

Full Review: A Strange Little Place

I gave this book 3/5. Some stories gave me goosebumps, others were not so believable. A documentary style book, covering a plethora of goings on in Revelstoke. The author’s research and time spent on this novel is commendable. Probably more interesting for those who live in Revelstoke, or who know of the area

Dancing in the Rain by Lynn Joseph

Full Review: Dancing in the Rain

I gave this book 4/5. Narrative about loss, grief, and healing is handled sensitively and with love. An important read for older children and teens, highlighting the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks through the eyes of two children. A book for the next generation.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Full Review: Looking for Alaska

I gave this book 3.5/5. Slow starter and the main conflict was over fairly quickly. The before and after design for the narrative was interesting and worked. Alaska’s character was refreshing in context with other more introverted characters. A YA read that can transcend age, but took a little getting in to.

 

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

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Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska by John Green 3.5/5

Miles has a quirky interest in famous people’s last words, especially François Rabelais’s final statement, “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” Determined not to wait for death to begin a similar quest, Miles convinces his parents to let him leave home. Once settled at Culver Creek Preparatory School, he befriends a couple of equally gifted outcasts: his roommate Chip―commonly known as the Colonel—who has a predilection for memorizing long, alphabetical lists for fun; and the beautiful and unpredictable Alaska, whom Miles comes to adore.

The kids grow closer as they make their way through a school year filled with contraband, tests, pranks, breakups, and revelations about family and life. But as the story hurtles toward its shattering climax, chapter headings like “forty-six days before” and “the last day” portend a tragic event―one that will change Miles forever and lead him to new conclusions about the value of his cherished “Great Perhaps.”

Review:

From the rave reviews my friends gave me on this book, I feel like I going against the grain. Don’t get me wrong, I did like the book, I just didn’t fall in love. This book was a slow starter for me. There was a lot of relationship building within the group of friends, but there was a lack of conflict/action for a good portion of the book. However, this was rectified the further in I read.

The characters were well rounded, and I was surprised to actually like Alaska’s character. I have struggled to relate to similar characters in other books, yet I found Alaska refreshing in context with the other personalities in the book. Miles was a bit of a sheep following the flock- not my cup of tea.

The countdown (x amount of days before) was intriguing. Before what? I liked the not knowing- I knew it was something to do with Alaska, but that hint of mystery kept the pages turning. The after involved decoding the before and the ‘event’ (no spoilers).

A teen read with a valuable message, but slow to get started.

 

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J.Chapman and no other parties.

All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman

K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

CampNaNo Update: Finale

Guess who hit their word count goal of 30k words with 3 days to spare? Me, that’s who!

I’d like to thank my parents for giving me life, my supportive family… haha. In all seriousness, I’m thrilled that I hit my target, but as for completing the first draft of Thrown to the Blue… It’s so so close- frustratingly close.

Although the draft isn’t complete, Ezrahli, Reed, Brenneth, Quinn, Lyerdith, Teal, Lissa, Magdarra, Ageet, Merryn, and Lowven are just some of the characters who have made my NaNo experience pure fun. I’ve loved every aspect of drafting this WIP, and my characters have made reaching that 30k goal all the easier.

Not forgetting my cabin mates. I was lucky to be in a cabin with some Twitter friends and new writing buddies. They are an encouraging bunch, and we are extending our NaNo experience with a closed facebook group to continue to support each other with our projects.

I’m so glad I chose to do July’s CampNaNoWriMo as it has helped me no end with my first draft. I’d definitely recommend NaNo for much needed motivation.

Content belongs to KJ.Chapman

GIFs sourced from giphy.com

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Review: Dancing in the Rain by Lynn Joseph

Dancing in the Rain by Lynn Joseph 4/5

Twelve year-old Elizabeth is no normal girl. With an imagination that makes room for mermaids and magic in everyday life, she lives every moment to the fullest. Yet her joyful world crumbles around her when two planes bring down the Twin Towers and tear her family apart. Thousands of miles away, yet still touched by this tragedy, Elizabeth is swimming in a sea of loss. She finally finds hope when she meets her kindred spirit in 8 year-old Brandt and his 13 year-old brother, Jared.

Brandt and Jared, two boys as different as Oreo and milk and just as inseparable, arrive on the island to escape the mushroom of sorrow that bloomed above their lives in the wake of the tragedy. Elizabeth shows them a new way to look at the world and they help her to laugh again. But can Elizabeth and Brandt help their families see that when life brings showers of sadness, it’s okay to dance in the rain?

Thanks to Blue Moon Publishing and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review:

This book is written from a child’s POV, and focusses on two Dominican Republican families dealing with the aftermath of 9/11.

The prose is beautiful, and Joseph captures the children’s voices wonderfully. This book is for older children and teens, and delicately explores loss, grief, healing, and the horrors of terrorism, but also how strong a child can be, and how with love we can overcome great tragedy. This novel transcends age easily, making it accessible for all readers.

Being a parent, I found some of the scenes a little heartbreaking, and seeing the mothers struggles through the eyes of a child produced a range of emotions in me- pity, love, even anger at how the women were missing what’s right in front of them, but the ending was handled beautifully and simplistically.

With the current climate as it is, this book is extremely important for young people, and has been executed tastefully and with love. A well written, important story that deals with hard issues sensitively.

 

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J.Chapman and no other parties.

All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman

K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.