Bea Turvey's Blog, page 4
June 7, 2013
Ewwwh!
Dr Christian has a book out to help teens cope with puberty: Dr Christian’s Guide To Growing Up. It explains all sorts from weird feeling, weird hair growth in weird places, reproduction, STIs, contraception, bullying, intoxicants, etc. You get the idea, and all of it in a no-nonsense, we’re adults, down-with-the-youth manner with non-overwhelming clinical details and lovely pictures.
Then, there’s this on page 43:
Dr Christian’s visual of the male reproductive organs
Do you notice something amiss? That’s one way of putting teens off sex.
I had to get creative with a marker!
Filed under: New Author Tagged: diagrams, Dr Christian, male sexual organs
June 5, 2013
Entwined With You Review
Entwined With You:
Crossfire #3
5 out of 5 stars If you are a Crossfire fan please read the book before reading this review. Contains Spoilers!!!!! You have been warned. Yes! I was all twisted waiting for another dose of Gideon & Eva (would they be Eveon or Gideva in celeb circles?). I read the teaser sample posted before the publishing date and it merely served to whet my appetite further. I gasped with pleasure when it popped onto my screen and immediately got stuck in. I have given it 5/5 because it is so bloody brilliant in all obsessive things G&E but I also have a moan. A major one. Sell-out! The original concept of Crossfire was as a trilogy and this has been bumped up to five books. Now, I do not wish to cast false allegations but I personally believe the publishers have been salivating at the idea of more books=more money and as BTY and RIY were such great money-spinners why not ride the gravy train a little longer. It is not in the style of Eragon’s final book split (that completely made sense to me and was beautifully handled). Normally the idea of more Gideon and Eva would not be something I’d ever moan about. Instead I’d be whoop-de-whooping and eagerly scouring the interweb for any snippets of info on release dates and teasers. Not this time and I shall tell you why.Ready?I think the original plot is still visible as a golden thread that has been unteased into several strands and wound round a thick bundle of ‘what about’ and ‘have you considered’ and…you get the idea. Picture it: the publishing team sat Ms Day in a velvet room and tried to sell her on the idea of the Crossfire series. When she politely told them where they could stuff it they charmed and smarmed and proffered little canapes and flutes of champagne and wheeled in their arsenal of ideas. Ideas that she could easily write in to help extend the plot and turn the trilogy into a series. Then, and this is the killer, they displayed the virtual truckload of ‘More, please’ emails and requests and said, ‘how could you possibly disappoint all these fans?’ Okay, I’m making the publishers our to be mercenary bastards – perhaps they are and perhaps they aren’t, but this is what I felt, because:First – additional characters. Yep, you heard me. Mr Giroux and Deanna. Let’s focus on Deanna. Why does she exist in the book at all? What possible reason could she have to turn up? It is just a little too much like a sidecar – easily removable and will make a huge difference to the journey. In several instances I thought, ‘er, okay, but what’s the point?’ I offer two examples out of the many; the ‘buy her a glass of wine’ scenario and the bit where she is sitting in Eva’s seat at the charity do.Next – that isosceles triangle rearing up from her BFF, Cary, with his two lovers Tatiana and Trey. That triangle has developed a seriously cumbersome ‘bump’ at one corner. Again – why? It is quite possible this was always going to be on the cards and Cary would have ended up resolving the issue in one form or another. However it is just a little too clunky. Very unCrossfire.Next, Brett. Lovely, self-obsessed Brett. That little nail should have been well and truly hammered in halfway through the book yet he still protrudes like a well-placed nail just waiting to snag your tights. What’s with the coincidental trip to SoCal ? He doesn’t call her/keep in touch yet tells her he can’t wait to feel her round him again. She says she just wants to be friends, and ensures that they have dinner in one of Gideon’s restaurants so he can’t try anything on…then invites him into her flat for a coffee and says, ‘are you going?’ What’s with the smiley text she just sends on a whim? Nope, not working for me.The sex video – just slotted in there at the end and primed us for revelations in book 4. Got to keep that gravy train fuelled.The Mob? Gangsterville? Okay, I bought that, totally, especially with the bracelet, but that one tiny, little sentence brought the whole thing storming back into paddedville – who is protecting him?Anne (green dress, red hair a the charity function) getting it on with Cary – yep, that was totally going to be in the book because it sets up for the all illusive who, what and why of Gideon’s abuse that Eva is going to crack and ‘save him’ as he saved/protected her.The way she keeps things from Cary – don’t get it. Angus knows everything and Cary is her Angus. She would have told him. If not about Gideon being her secret romance then at least about the wedding. She would! Yet, it is being strung out and the reason – her insecurity. That just doesn’t gel with me. Her seesaw of I trust him implicitly and want to spend the rest of my life with him vs trust issues, jealousy and marriage is too big a step. Please. I wanted to smack her upside the head. Monsieur Giroux, Corinne and le bebe. I’m rolling my eyes because that is just so obviously a fill-in. Corinne should have been kicked to the kerb within the first three chapters. Magdalene, on the other hand….There’s more but I shan’t bore you with minor annoyances. I hope you can see why my jaw dropped when I got to the end of EWY. 50% intoxicated on G&E and 50% fuming and feeling like a shmuck.It really did feel like one of those holidays you’ve been told you’ve won…except you have to pay for your flight back…and meals…and there’s a service charge…pool use not included…. Hmm, I do sound a little bitter, don’t I? My apologies. If you’re a Crossfire fan then you will get lots of yummy G&E. I did.Will I continue flying the Crossfire flag? You bet. Only it won’t be flown quite as high or as vigorously.
Filed under: New Author Tagged: book reviews, crossfire, Entwined With You, EWY, Sylvia Day
June 3, 2013
Padded seats optional
I’ve already said in a previous post that intend to do the London-Brighton bike ride and I pulled my bike out of the garage to commence operation Get-Bea-Riding. The seat had split so I pinched my husband’s padded seat cover.
Next on the list is the bike rack – luckily a neighbour saw me struggling (‘couldn’t bear to watch you thrash it any longer. I thought you were going to run it over’) and came over to help. Let just say, this bike rack must have been designed by someone who suffers from that weird condition known as ‘too-many-arms’.
With my daughter’s help I lifted on the bike and we all trundled off to a friend’s house in Windsor. Once there, I pumped up my flat tyres and also pulled on my new padded bike shorts (they’re supposed to be panties but there’s no way I’m travelling sans a proper pair of knickers).
I shall refer to my buddies as Ms S and Ms C. Neither Ms S nor Ms C possess bike helmets so, in a show of solidarity, I left mine behind. I don’t have a water bottle holder so I left that behind too, hoping one of my buddies would share theirs. I did not however relinquish my bike gloves (well, my husband’s bike gloves) as I am fully aware what an extended length of time resting on one’s hands will do – oh, please, do use your imagination!
Ready to face the challenge of Windsor Great Park, Ms S, Ms C and I leapt onto our bikes (that sounds more energetic than it was in reality) and trundled off. We stopped half a minute later so I could activate ‘MapMyRide’ – my android phone app to let us know how wonderfully we were doing.
I have walked around the Great Park several times and it is a wonderful place. Peaceful, spacious, acres of fields and woods and well maintained gently undulating pathways. As a biker the gently undulating pathways suddenly morphed into steep, unkempt, pot-holed, gravel-laden, slippery paths. Gentle inclines suddenly loomed like near-vertical slopes and three times I got off to walk – one of those times I just convinced myself there was no way I could manage it without a conveniently accessible de-fibrillator. A bike can do strange things to one’s perspective.
8.23 miles later (no, I’m not telling you how long we took!) we returned home not because we were tired, or because our legs ached but because Ms S had sore shoulders, Ms C’s hands were very tender (I had offered to share my gloves) and my front bottom* was broken (at least, that’s what it felt like), despite the double padding – triple if you count the natural padding covering my rather generous arse. My lovely buddies were very polite in not mentioning my additional (over)weight that naturally ground me into the saddle, and pounded me onto the seat whenever we went over the smallest pebble or dip.
So, my first foray into biking this year was, in equal parts, a delight and a pain. I just had to have pudding to comfort my poor, bruised nether regions.
*insert whatever euphemism you feel most comfortable with. eg Frou-frou; Shelleys; baby-maker; fanny; Aunt Bess; HooHa; Yaya; Mound of Aphrodite.
Filed under: New Author
No Such thing As Immortality Review
3 out of 5 stars
SPOILER WARNING
Choc Lit – whom I love – sent me the link to the free book, publicising it as a good fix for those of us still suffering from Twilight withdrawal. Well, I was hooked, as would any Twilight fan be. I can see why they make this claim as the writing is very similar, particularly the depths to which the author delves to explain the hero’s perspective. (Hero POV). Unfortunately, and I cannot tell if this is due to editorial cutting or the author’s decision, there are too many ‘just there’ moments. There is too little build up to significant events/emotions/decisions and too much build up in other places.
I do not see the point of Madeleine – she gives no additional insight to any of the characters psyche, unless her purpose is to be an information tool, but even that felt unnecessary as any of the other characters could have provided that.
The flashback to explain the current circumstances was so far into the book it was unnecessary – we’d managed to piece it all together by then and the regression just felt like we were being the same thing all over again.
Several times it took me a few sentences to work out what was going on – the first time this happened was at the very start of the book! I couldn’t work out the scene at all and it took a few reads to ascertain that the hero is racing his souped up car against his friend’s – with their lights off (why?). Why exactly did he crash into her – something that I would have expected him to focus on more. Does he have super-keen reflexes and would have expected to automatically avoid her? I’m still very confused about the whole scene.
Also, how old is the heroine? I originally thought she was in her early twenties, then, after calculating her relation ship with Jordan thought mid-twenties. But, later we are told the incident involving Seth was 29 years ago – so she’s in her thirties? And she’s been with the current architectural firm…I gave up.
I like the idea of the book. I’m intrigued by the concept of a faerie/vampire relationship, but I wish there were more clues about the nature of the heroine (and I don’t mean the vague refusal to mention anything by Aunt Hetty/Heather).
That was another thing. The nickname/full name consistency. The book is from his POV, and either he calls his brother-in-law Freddy or Frederick. Stick with one, please, and after 200 years surely his whole ‘coven’ should be using the same nicknames? (This was my daughter’s biggest bug bear and she insists there were too many nickname/full name combos).
So – Twilightesque? Vampires – tick. Emotionally intense – tick. Insta-attraction – tick. Wanting to kill on sight – tick. Someone wanting to kill her and he has to prevent it – tick. She is his life, etc – tick.
Yet…I’m not gasping for #2. Please, Ms Tranter, it is a wonderful storyline. Get a better editor and some enthusiastic beta-readers who aren’t afraid to pull it to bits.
Filed under: New Author Tagged: book reviews, Sarah Tranter, Twilight, vampires
May 21, 2013
Embrace Review
4 out of 5
Embrace, Entice, Emblaze and Endless by Jessica Shirvington
This is my new fave author of the year. The series is wonderful and my replacement for City of Bones (Cassandra Clare) and once again features angels. So why didn’t I give it 5 stars? Because the book dedicated so much space to back-fill. Okay, before you all start having a go and saying I was being too picky I do understand that as Violet was completely unaware of the whole idea of other realms, angels, etc we needed someone to explain what the hell (no pun intended) was going on, and I admit I appreciated that the information was released in short sections. But I was more interested in the story and I wish Jessica had found a way to cut down on the explanations. However, this is only true for this one book. The other books in the series do reveal further details but in a less verbose manner that is far easier to swallow.
The characters are wonderfully described in temperament and physical characteristics with lots of show not tell scenarios. All of them beautifully flawed jewels.
There is a love triangle – my current pet hate – but it is not of Clockwork Princess proportions and you really feel for Lincoln, Violet and Phoenix. I’m getting ahead of myself but you will want to fall straight into the next book.
Jessica - thank you for this series. It is lip-smackingly yummy.
Also, please write faster!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/593285868
Filed under: New Author Tagged: Embrace, Endless, Entice, Jessica Shirvington, Reviews, Violet Eden
April 4, 2013
Natural Born Angel Review
3 out of 5 stars
I was wavering between 3 and four stars but went for 3 in the end because while it is written well I was left feeling decidedly unentertained.
*******************SPOILER ALERT*****************
I was disappointed because: a) (yes, there’s a list!) Where’s the love? That wonderful romance and the connection between Jacks and Maddy that kept me glued to Immortal City?
b) Jacks was seriously getting on my nerves – happy and excited and then slowly deflating because Maddy is consumed by trying to do WHAT HE WANTED! She’s in a difficult situation, working with people who are really shitty and, with the exception of Susan, trainers who have already written her off before she’s even started. He told her to get on board with the angel lifestyle…and then moans because she isn’t spending enough time on him. Grrr. She told him she was conflicted, didn’t like Protection for Pay and slowly but surely he tries to make out she’s being naive in wanting it to change – when he promised to help her bring about the change! Also, it’s not that’s asking her to give up all things human more that he’s asking her to become anti-human – grow up and use your brain! Then, she does an unprotected save, something she always said was her goal and is clearly upset because she may get her wings taken away (and he knows exactly how that feels) but does he come in and cuddle her? Give her support? Some understanding? No – he hollers ‘Do you know what you’ve done?’ No, you jerk, she wasn’t thinking of the moronic idiots who are supposed to be running the show and acting like children fighting over a toy, she was doing what she promised to do – keep humans safe! Also, if you keep telling her ‘nothing is wrong’ then how the hell is she supposed to know something is wrong? She can sense something’s bothering you and is willing to let you tell her in your own time…don’t then tell her she wasn’t paying you enough attention! Yes, I wasn’t best pleased with Jacks and damn, but I wanted him to be more mature than he’d been in book 1. I mean, he got the girl. He gets to be with her but as soon as she isn’t paying him enough attention, doing what he wants, or the situation isn’t about him and the way he feels he’s miserable.
c) And the biggest disappointment – a love triangle! I kid you not. As if there weren’t conflicts aplenty we were sold out to that flogging-a-dead-horse cliché. Please, give the sodding love triangle a rest already. You left me disliking Jacks at the end of the books do you seriously want me to hate Maddy, too? Tom is nice enough but I wasn’t getting the same connection as I had between Maddy and Jacks in Immortal City. Don’t do it Maddy. You’re just feeling a little lost and he’s a human connection, someone who tells you he understands while Jacks is acting like a brat but he doesn’t understand you at all. He is anti-angel and wants you to denounce a side of yourself you’ve only just discovered. When Jacks gets his head out of his arse he’ll realise how pathetic he’s being. Please, just wait – give him a slap to wake him up but wait for him.
What did I enjoy? The few occasions we were offered to see Jacks and Maddy interact but they were oh, so lame. Maddy’s evolution into an angel (I would have liked to see her kick Emily’s butt training-wise!). The internal human-angel conflict Maddy goes through and her determination. Hmmm, it’s not much when I add it up.
So, I shall read the last book in the trilogy, but without the eager anticipation I had for this one.
Filed under: New Author Tagged: angels, Immortal City, Natural Born Angel, Reviews, Scott Speer
March 31, 2013
Clockwork Princess Review
It’s taken me a whole week to get round to writing this review. I pre-ordered the book as soon as it became available and read Clockwork Angel and Prince while I waited. I have given it five stars because the story is fabulous, the writing is as superb as ever and the character development is wonderful. I won’t spoil your pleasure by telling you exactly what happens because it is all crucial to the plot. However, when it comes to the romantic element let me just say I sighed in disappointment. I can completely see where Cassandra Clare was going with this, but it didn’t have to be this way and I cannot understand why Ms Clare persevered with such a painful conundrum. I shall have to give away an element of the plot to let you know what I mean.
**********************spoiler**************************
[ Tess loves Jem. But she also loves Will. Will loves Tess, but he will stand aside because he cannot bear to see Jem, his Parabatai, hurt. Jem is dying and he finds out Will loves Tess and he also stands aside as he cannot bear to see his Parabatai in pain. A love triangle with a difference. They all three love each other. I like a book with a clear-cut hero and heroine - I want to know which fella I am rooting for to get the girl! But this was messy and the Parabatai/soul-link was held up as the excuse. I don't like cheaters but neither Jem nor Will bore Tess any ill feeling for loving the other. Sorry - this just didn't work for me, no matter how hard Ms Clare tried to explain it away.
If there were categories for the star ratings I would give the romantic element a bare 1.
Filed under: New Author Tagged: Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess, Infernal Devices, Reviews
The Collector (Dante Walker) Review
I’m glad I read the reviews before starting this book because I would have put it down after the first couple of chapters. I did not like Dante. He was everything I detest – arrogant, egotistical, bullying, cocky, shallow, intolerant, stuck-up…the list is long! But he does get better and by the end of the book I was rooting for him. Charlie brings that tiny spark of goodness still lingering in his heart to the fore and he slowly begins to develop a nicer personality without losing the bad boy attitude. It is unfortunate that Charlie, who is beautiful inside (yes, I know!) but not so great-looking on the outside ends up being beautiful on the outside too by the end of the book. I say unfortunate because I was hoping that her inner beauty would blaze its way through either by divine intervention or just because she grew into it…fairytale HEA. But the reason for her physical transformation is crucial to the plot and Dante’s re-evaluation of his ego.
Angels, demons, devils, sins – yet it is suitable for teens.
I really did enjoy this book, however it took some perseverance.
Filed under: New Author Tagged: Dante Walker, Reviews, The Collector, Victoria Scott
March 17, 2013
Scarlet by Moira Young – Review
Another superb offering from Ms Young. In Cinder she twisted the cinderella story and this one twists Red Riding Hood. I cannot wait to find out what Cress and Winter bring to this magical contemporary fairytale series.
In this book we are introduced to a new character, Scarlet, based on Little Red Riding Hood, and possesses a red hoodie to keep in character. While it also features a wolf and she has to rescue her grandmother who has been captured, her father does not come to the rescue… and you won’t be disappointed when you find out what happens (much).
Cinder gets to grips with her new identity – being Lunar and being the missing Princess – while trying to stay one step ahead of both the Lunar and Earth authorities.
Meanwhile the new Emperor has to find a way to prevent Queen Levana from declaring war on earth.
We swing back and forth from each of the main characters’ POV in a way that does not make you dizzy and keeps the timeline in check.
Filed under: New Author Tagged: contemporary fairytales, Lunar Chronicles, Moira Young, review, Scarlet
