C.L. Causer's Blog, page 10

Review - The Dying Breath

The Dying Breath by Alane Ferguson


Published - Penguin/ Sleuth SpeakNumber of Pages - 232My Review - 


'Once Cameryn thought she loved Kyle O'Neil. And she thought he loved her. But that was before he tried to kill her. Now he's after her again, sending her e-mails, leaving her notes, and making it clear that he knows exactly where she is, and where she's going to be. Cameryn's got to find a way to stop him - before he hurts her, or someone else...'
REVIEW

This book is my second favourite throughout the series and as far as I know, this book was the last in the Forensic Mysteries. The forensic and investigation side of the story took the main floor in this book. Which is the best move Ferguson could do in my opinion. What makes this series great is it's scientific bases and she exploit's that throughout all the books.  In this book you saw Cameryn's ex-boyfriend Kyle come back on the scene, hiding within the mountains while stalking Cameryn at every possible moment. After he threatens Cameryn's new love, Deputy Justin, she assists the FBI in drawing the psychotic murderer out into the open. I like this books dedication to the science but the ending which started out gripping ending abruptly and anti climatically. I would have like a more drawn out conclusion, instead of Kyle just stepping off a cliff. But you can argue that even that end was ironic and well written. 
Good ending to a great series, but the romance was too cheesy. Less cheesy and more action-y. 

Just looking through my review challenges and I've just r...

Just looking through my review challenges and I've just realised how far behind I am. For the Story Siren Debut Author Challenge I've past the half way point and I'm currently reading Cinder by Marissa Meyer. 
But I'm very far behind on the Book Chick City's Horror Challenge. Having read only 3 out of 24 I really need to start reading more if I want to make that challenge deadline. Does anyone know any horror books? I'm thinking about going mostly Stephen King as I've only read three of his books. 
AND
In honour of the Olympics, my fortnightly Top Ten will consist of Ten of this year athletes that have really caught my eye. That will be up this weekend!

Review - Circle of Blood

Circle of Blood by Alane Ferguson



Publisher  - Penguin/ Sleuth SpeakNumber of Pages - 236My Review - 

'Seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney has a tough job: she's assistant to the county coroner, who also happens to be her father. On top of that, there's her long-lost mother, who has recently re-entered Cameryn's life. And then there's the mysterious hitchhiker - who is found dead just a few hours after getting a lift from Cameryn's mother. Was the girl's death a suicide? Or could there be something more sinister going on?'
REVIEW

Better. That was the first word that came to my head after reading this book. It's the third in Alane Ferguson's Forensic Mystery series, and after the disappointing second book I needed to see more improvement in Cameryn's character if I was going to continue reading the rest of the series. Like the second book, Cameryn has a secret. This secret is again about her mother. But this time it's about her mother's connection to a recently deceased body of a young girl. I could understand and sympathise with Cameryn for keeping the secret as she was just trying to protect her mother, who it turns out has mental issues, but professionally it could have endangered her promising career. This however didn't cross her mind till the very end when she began to unravel the murder mystery. With the second book, what annoyed me the most was how her mother came on the scene and how quickly Cameryn forgave her. Maybe it's the abandonment issue in me rearing its Freudian ugly head, but that isn't something I would easily forgive. However, in this book Ferguson has turned it nicely that Cameryn has discovered the ugly truth about her twin sister's death and though she is slightly horrified by it, she sees that her mother needs help. I would have liked to have read more on the mystery side, and more run up to the discovery of the murders. It seemed to me that the discovery was very rushed and only had a couple of end chapters. But I also understand that in such a short book, you don't have the luxury of have a drawn out, convoluted plot line as some other mystery reads like Agatha Cristie or Tess Gerritsen.
 For a book this size, it's a very quick read for anyone looking for a bit more gritty, young adult book. 

Tough Skin

Recently I've been thinking about a lot of things, mostly about rejection. And I think that's where my writers block has stemmed from. I have been unable to truly get into any writing, despite having three books started, because I don't have the right mind space.

I don't think it's just me, at least I hope it's not. Getting rejection after rejection from agents, I thought I developed a tough skin towards it. But I haven't really. I believe that even the most commercially successful to the self published will get times when they think that what they do just isn't good enough.

You pour your heart and soul into a piece of work, whether it's a work of fiction, non fiction, poem, lyrics, short story or even a haiku and you're going to be disheartened by a bad review, rejected submission or losing an award.

By creating something and then letting it out for the whole world to see, you are placing your neck, and heart, out for it. For me it will not feel as severe for an internationally renown author, but it will still hurt the same way. I think in any creative industry where the work created is subjective, you are going to have people dislike your work. I just hope that in time I can develop a tough skin that will lessen the blow. Because no matter how brave and nonchalant your exterior may be, it will always affect you.

Review - The Angel of Death

The Angel of Death by Alane Ferguson



Publisher - Penguin/ Sleuth SpeakNum of Pages - 256My Review


'Being an assistant to her coroner father means that Cameryn Mahoney has seen more gore than your average seventeen-year-old. But even Cammie is shocked when Kyle O'Neil, the most popular guy in school, finds the gruesome corpse of their murdered English teacher in his own bed. As Cammie get involved in the case, she finds herself drawn to Kyle, and considers trusting him with the secret that she can't even tell her father . But when their relationship starts to move towards romance, the struggle to solve the case of her teacher's death intensifies. Will Cameryn be too preoccupied to identify the killer in time?'

REVIEW

I was so hopeful after reading the first book in this forensic detective series, that I actually bought the next three offline, which I never really do. I thought that because I enjoyed the first book through its shortness, quick yet very intriguing read, that the other books could only get better. A couple of chapters into 'The Angel of Death' and I didn't want to read any more. I've said numerous times before that I like my females leads to be strong woman. And while Cammie was very secure in herself in the first book, she stuck by her beliefs and refused to give up, her character dropped drastically in the second. She shut out her friends and family because of her mothers sudden re-appearance and the truth about her twin sisters death. She welcomes the obviously suspicious attentions of the school's golden boy and very quickly develops a relationship in the matter of days. I expected her to rationally question it but in the rush to blot out the confusion of her parents lies, she acts rashly. The true identity of the killer was very obvious to me and I like my murder mysteries to be just that, a mystery. Something that will keep you guessing till the finale when everything and the true identity is revealed. Another pet hate is how she quickly welcomed her mother back into her life. Something that is a big issue with me, is that her mother ditched her when she was a child, never talked, wrote or even emailed her only daughter and the mother expects to be welcomed back with open arms. While it's very cathartic for Cammie to finally be reunited and have a possible family reunion, the realism of the reunion ruined it for me. The best things about this book, like the first, was the accuracy in the forensic discipline. It's this series shining beacon of writing. From the police procedure to the autopsy, I enjoyed the whole excerpts. 

Top Ten - Classic Adaptions

This weeks Top Ten is about Classic Adaptions in TV and Films. I love seeing how people have adapted classical literature. I tend to prefer television programs, specifically BBC, because they tend to include more of the plot from the book then cutting out bits all over the place.

So, here's my Top Ten....


10  -    'Lost In Austen'  (2008)


An ITV channel four-part drama about the modern 21st Jane Austen fan, Amanda Price, who is in love with the book 'Pride and Prejudice' and in particular a certain Mr. Darcy. Tired of her lazy boyfriend, she stays in one night and hears a disturbance in her bathroom. Coming from a room is Elizabeth Bennet herself. They trade places and Amanda begins to live out Pride and Prejudice for herself. Only, it doesn't turn out quite like it does in the book. 
Best Bits- 
Finding out that the Elizabeth Bennet gets a job as an Eco Nanny, Mr. Wickham is actually the good guy while Georgiana lies about being 'ravished' by him and that Caroline, Mr. Bingley's sister, is a closet lesbian. 
And of course, when the Amanda Price gets accosted into singing for the nights entertainment. A very interesting song choice indeed!





9  -     'Great Expectations'  (1946)




My family has seen the newest television series and said it was brilliant. But there will always be one adaption that I will forever remember. We read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens in High School and after we compared it to the 1946 film adaption. I have only seen it a couple of times, but one scene that I will always remember is when the audience first sees Miss. Havisham and her dreary manor. To this day, that scene always wigs me out slightly. I have no idea why.
Best (freaky) Bit - 
Miss Haversham welcoming Pip into her decrepit manor. "Come nearer. Let me look at you. You aren't afraid of a woman who has never seen the sun since before you were born?"







8  -    'Nicholas Nickleby' (2002)



I haven't yet read the book and this is the only film adaption I have seen of it but I loved it instantly. Jamie Bell performance as the young crippled boy Smike was one of the best acts in the film. The main character, Nicholas played by Charlie Hunnam, becomes the head of his family after his father dies leaving them with nothing. Prevailing on the fortunes of a wealthy but cold hearted Uncle, Nicholas finds work as a tutor at Dotheboys Hall. While the cruel treatment of the boys should have been a heart rendering moment in the film, the comedy of how the owners daughter falls over herself in love with him breaks the seriousness of the beginning. But all in all, a very good film. 
Best Bit - 
Nicholas - "Weakness is tiring. But strength is exhausting. You see I cannot save you. For I need saving too."







7 -    'Pride and Prejudice'   (2005)




There are some many different adaptions to this book alone that it overshadows the rest of Austen's books. While I enjoy Pride and Prejudice, it isn't my favourite book. But this is my favourite adaption for it. Not only do I enjoy the relationship between the main characters, but I also like the small roles like Charlotte and Mr. Collins. 
Best Bit - 
Elizabeth - "...'Lizzy' for everyday, 'My Pearl' for Sundays, and... 'Goddess Divine' but only on very special occasions. Darcy - 'And what shall I call you when I'm cross? Mrs. Darcy?
  


6  -   'Doctor Zhivago'  (2002)


I remember this coming on the television one night as a back to back 6 hour block of programs. I had never even heard of it before, but with nothing else on and to bored to do any homework I absently began to watch the beginning of the first episode. Six hours later it was about 3 o'clock in the morning and my eyes were red from crying. I ended up watching it all despite having school a few hours later. I never regretted it as it's a fantastic adaption. But beware, don't expect a happy ending like there are in Austen or even Dickens adaptions. Despite this, it made me enjoy it even more as it made it more heart wrenchingly believable, as life doesn't often have happy endings. 
Best Bits - 
Yuri - "It's all a mystery. Love - the idea that there is someone already there in the world who might hold the key to your whole existence."






Halfway through!



5  -   'Becoming Jane'  (2007)



A lot of Jane's Austen's life has been lost to the passing of time. We know the journeys, marriage proposals and places where she has lived, but other than her works and her untimely death at 41 from Addisons Disease, not much information is around anymore. For someone to write so expressively that over 200 years later people are still reading it, we don't know that much about her life. I feel this film is a brilliant creative piece that brings the attention back to the Author and how her life might have been. 
Best Bits - 
Lefroy - "How can you, of all people, dispose of yourself without affection?Jane - "How can I dispose of myself with it?"
And of course the dance scene that never fails to bring a smile to my face when James McAvoy appears!
 



4  -   'Bleak House'  (2005)

Bleak House is my favourite Dickens book and I was surprised with the BBC adaption. They didn't fail to express the convoluted plot with each characters history and to bring the story to its peak with the secret of the main characters parentage and the final court hearing with the surprising results. And they did it in such away that it keeps you glued to the programme throughout the series. With 15 episodes it wasn't an easy task. But it is a fantastic series to watch if you have a spare rainy couple of days. 
Best Bits - 
A line that always made me chuckle was Mr. Smallweed - "Shake me up, Judy!"





3 -  'North and South'  (2006)



I first saw this last week and it is by far already one of my favourites. After watching Richard Armitages great performance as Guy of Gisbourne in BBC Robin Hood (for the first time also a couple of weeks ago), people told me of another one of his programs. I had heard good things of 'North and South', but I had no idea how amazing it would be. Instead of focusing solely on the love story, it shares its plot with the struggles of the lower class in a fictional town of Milton and how the cotton factory work is damaging not only their health but also their income. The cinematography during the indoor factory scenes is superb with the cotton fluff flying around like snowflakes. It is definitely a must see for any period drama enthusiasts. If only to see Richard Armitage's smouldering looks, hear his deliciously deep voice and see his half cocked smile at the end of the four part series!
Best Bits - 
Margaret - "I wish I could tell you how lonely I am. How cold and harsh it is here. Everywhere there is conflict and unkindness. I think God has forsaken this place. I believe I have seen Hell and it's white. It's snow-white.
But the ending at the train station is a fantastic scene with both acting and the song as it wells up to the climax!




2  -  'Sense and Sensibility'  (2008)



I can already hear the outcry now! How can you prefer this one over the more popular 1995 adaption with Emma Thompson in it? Well, the answer is simple. I can not, though I have no idea why, watch anything with Hugh Grant in it! For some unknown reason, I have a severe aversion to the man. I don't hate him, as I'm sure he is a fine bloke, but I just don't like his acting. The only time I can stand him, was in Bridget Jones Diary's and that's because I love Renee Zellweger in it. ANYWAY, the 2008 version is fantastic in my opinion. Sense and Sensibility is my favourite Austen book as it was the first I read as a teenager. I love Elinor more than any other Austen character and believed Hattie Morehan did a great job in portraying the characters true identity as the only level handed woman in the family. Her emotional range in this series is outstanding and I feel that each of the Dashwood girls as well as there suitors are more appealing in this version than in the 1995 one. And the location of the cottage just on the Devonshire cliffs was a beautiful setting that I find myself wishing I was there.
Best Bits - 

Marianne: Come, Im taking you on a walk.

Margaret: No. I've already been for a walk.
Marianne: You need another.Margaret: It's going to rain.Marianne: It is NOT going to rain.Margaret: You ALWAYS say that, and then it ALWAYS does






And finally.....


1  -  'Jane Eyre'  (2006)



I must have seen over 4 different adaptions to this and I know there are dozens more. Like Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', Jane Eyre is frequently adapted. While I enjoyed other versions, like the 1996 and the newest 2012 blockbuster movie, none really compare to the 2006 BBC television series. Both main actors bought to life the characters and made the role's their own. The faux serious - playfulness in Toby Stephens and unique features in Ruth Wilson makes this program more enjoyable. And the chemistry between the two actors is undeniable. They bring the seriousness of the classical story with a hint of flirty playfulness that other adaption fail to do. While you know what happens in the end (as the story has been rehashed more than any other) you begin to enjoy the journey the program takes. 
Best Bits - 
Rochester - You're going to prevail upon that miserable family to find you a new situation. Ungrateful girl, admit it!Jane - No, sir. I've told you they do not like me, sir. To offer such a service... I shall advertise.Rochester - Devil, you will! Advertise! I wish I'd only offered you a sovereign, not ten whole pounds. Give me back nine.(Jane puts her hands behind her back)Rochester - Jane, I have need of it.Jane - (Smiles) No, sir. I do not trust you.

Graduation Snaps

Just a quickie for the Graduation Snaps!

Busy Times

The past couple of weeks have been very busy for me. Not only did I graduate from University, but I also finished Deadly Secrets and have entered the final edit, but I've also written outlines for two very different stories. One has a working title of 'A Little Bird Told Me' and the other is set in a different fantasy world. But more on them later once I've completed a more detailed outline. 
My Graduation Present from my family.A wicked trunk for all my journals :)

The finished prototype to Deadly Secrets.



More details and the fortnightly Top Ten to come this weekend. 

Potential

After a few emails from readers (which you have no idea how stoked I am to actually say that) asking about the release date for the second book of The Lazarus Children, I decided to do a blog posting. 
The reason I put off adding it to the book series page was due to not exactly knowing the release date. But I'm currently writing the book now and I feel confident enough to say that Potential, Lazarus Children book 2, will be completed early September. 
I have the last two weeks in August to get the finishing touches on final edits, formatting, covers etc done before releasing it on Amazon. 
It will be mid August that I will have an exact date for the release. 
So watch this space
:)

Partials - Review

Partials by Dan Wells



Publisher - Harper CollinsNum of Pages - 468My Review
4/5

REVIEW
The problem with Dystopian books for me is a number of problems. They can be either be flawed in their technology, not be scientific enough, or be so far fetched that it makes me disbelieve. I've read a number of dystopian science fiction to clearly find out what I like to read and what I don't. 
With Partials, I didn't have a problem with any of these points. One of my favourite lessons in school was science, but that's not to say I'm an Einstein in the subject. Partials gives the science behind the technology, the air born plague, the inability for babies to survive and even the machine Partials themselves. 
While maintaining this level of believability, the author Dan Wells didn't smother the plot with the technical jargon. It made it simple for everyone to follow. And if science isn't your bag, there is plenty of action, double-cross and violence to suit different tastes. 
I managed to read this in a day, and it completely wiped me out. In a very good way.