Thursday, November 5, 2015

Dangerous Lies - Becca Fitzpatrick Book Blitz. - Undercover Interview, Review & Bonus content.







Welcome to Dangerous Lies Fitz Bitz Tour . Am so excited to share with you today . Becca Fitzpatrick's latest release.  **Dangerous Lies. **

Today I have for you my Q & A with Stella , her life undercover and also the famous Recipe for Basil Lemonade and my book review and thoughts for this great story.  At the bottom of the post you will find some fab bloggers some whom have already posted, and more to come in the Dangerous Tour ! 








A teen is forced to make a fresh start after witnessing a violent crime—but love and danger find her anyway in this novel from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Stella Gordon is not her real name. Thunder Basin, Nebraska, is not her real home. This is not her real life.

After witnessing a lethal crime, Stella Gordon is sent to the middle of nowhere for her own safety before she testifies against the man she saw kill her mother’s drug dealer.

But Stella was about to start her senior year with the boyfriend she loves. How can she be pulled away from the only life she knows and expected to start a new one in Nebraska? Stella chafes at her protection and is rude to everyone she meets. She’s not planning on staying long, so why be friendly? Then she meets Chet Falconer and it becomes harder to keep her guard up, even as her guilt about having to lie to him grows.

As Stella starts to feel safer, the real threat to her life increases—because her enemies are actually closer than she thinks…
Paperback400 pages
Expected publication: November 10th 2015 by Simon & Schuster AU

Review




A Suspenseful, captivating thriller, entwined with lies, romance, mystery and intrigue ...Dangerous Lies is a story filled with lovable characters, characters that make you cringe, well paced romance and on the edge of your seat suspense.

With thoroughly enjoyable dialogue as well as a solid plot. Becca Fitzpatrick has delivered us a contemporary thriller – mystery with a un- put downable yet heartwarming story so cleverly delivered.
Dangerous Lies is a roller coaster ride you won’t want to get off till the very end.

Without going into the plot of the story and giving away any nasty spoilers I have to say as a reader I really enjoyed Becca’s delivery of the story. Nothing like her previous fantastic series HUSH HUSH . But A contemporary thriller that is equally well told, without the paranormal element.

We meet Stella Gordon she is in witness protection and finding it hard to adjust to her new life in Nebraska.

 She is filled with Secrets and Lies and is not finding it easy coping with her new life.

She refuses to cooperate making her new life harder, with her feisty attitude. Somewhat broken character  and being constantly snotty and angry at everyone I had to wander if she would eventually just go with the flow of the new life she had been given.  Despite her testy attitude, (came across at times whiny) I have to say I did enjoy her character. As the story progresses we get a feel for her, and as she settles in to her life her character builds and grows, even though her strong character still takes no crap from anyone she becomes a stronger and happier self. But still on edge and unsure .

Chet Falconer where do we start??

The sexy ruggedly handsome boy next door – ( drrrrools )) the mower man, cowboy ..

Chet is an important character in the story, and of course Stella’s thorn beneath the roses.  She and Chet form a friendship on lies, but slowly his personality gets under her skin in a good way. She denies the chemistry and the pull between them due to the fact that her heart lay with another. But once again the lies and secrets surface throughout the story.


I really enjoyed Chet’s character. So drool worthy, sweet, handsome, loyal and caring. (Perfect character to fall for) ha-ha. Such an easy personality to enjoy in a story, straight forward and a good friend to Stella .
The setting that the author put forth is easily envisaged. Nebraska – cowboy country so to speak. I’ve always loved the setting.

 And the fact that Chet was such a powerful and strong character enforced the cowboy country feel to the story.  The author penned the country well giving the reader great visual while reading through the pages.
With the suspense throughout the story it definably had my attention piqued. The story has many aspects within it, romance, heart ache, mystery, suspense .I feel as a reader it had everything I could want in a story. Even that HEA.


The romance was gradual, sweet and quiet steamy without being corny. No insta love . Maybe lust ! :D

While reading the story, secrets become unveiled -  the author did a great job of keeping one secret throughout the story. 

Which one is that you’re thinking? You will have to read to find out.

The climax!!! EEEEEK it will defiantly keep you on the edge of your seat. You will read briskly to find out,  gasp and wander. The author delivered this aspect well, keeping the reader engaged, engrossed and possibly heartbroken for a minute or two.  The conclusion is fast paced and happens in the last few chapters so to speak.  But well finalized and delivered non the less.

It could’ve been a break your heart HEA but it was a sigh in content thank goodness one.

Overall I enjoyed all the secondary characters within the story. All having their places within, even the villains.

Dangerous Lies is filled with tension,a  kick ass heroine and a hot and drool worthy, yet protective Hero!  Balance well with well delivered secondary characters.



Dangerous Lies is a roller coaster ride you won’t want to get off till the very end. 



Interview Undercover.


Id like to welcome Stella to Page Flipperz today.


Katrina - Howdy Stella how are you today ? ( pulls out chair and passes Stella a glass of Basil Lemonade )





Stella - I am great thanks Kat . Thank you for having me here. 

Katrina - So Stella -  I have asked you here, for you  to tell us a little about your life undercover and your thoughts.  Thanks for coming by the way !

So Stella, what is your favourite Memory since arriving in Nebraska -  Thunder Basin to be exact !

Stella - Sheepishly grins, well I am sure ya all can tell   from the smile on my face you can guess.  But I have to say meeting such wonderful people of course including Chet .

Katrina - At first you found it hard to adjust to you new life  and enjoy your stay including the people how did this change ?

Stella - Learning to accept the giving nature of the people here, family here is important. I just wished my family was different .

Katrina - So life Undercover - what is its downfall ?

Stella - Always being aware, cautious that I don't slip up with the lies and secrets I need to keep and feeling guilty about them. Towards the end I really liked them I was so glad it all came out. Moving to a new place, new life, new friends.

Katrina - You had many Dangerous Moments , and lots of lies and secrets to hold onto, can you tell us your worst fear ?

Stella - him finding me.

Katrina - Bad moments ?
Stella - Having to be in the WITSEC program,  romantic complications, learning a new lifestyle, all while trying to avoid my past. Realizing 
 they to were a lie.
Katrina - Ok Stella, happy moments in your new life ? Care to share ?

Stella -Playing ball, swimming and Basil Lemonade .. and of course meeting Chet .and my new friends.



Katrina - Speaking of Chet, where is here atm ?

Stella - Oh he is out rounding up some cows somewhere or fixing a fence.



Katrina - The Basil Lemonade - I have to say Its to die for ! I called Carmina and got the receipe off her I hope it tastes ok :D

Stella - Oh yes she gave me this to give to you the recipe in hard copy :D to share !

Katrina - so Stella - Thunder Basin will it be home now ?

Stella - yes most definelty I Have my new life now ,  Carmina , Chet and the others. With everything more or less happening only a few loose ends to tie.

Katrina - Well Stella, thanks for answering my questions today and best of luck with your new life. No longer filled with Dangerous Lies and Secrets I hope.







Basil Lemonade  Recipe with Basil Lemon Syrup recipe.

INGREDIENTS

    • 2 cups basil lemon syrup
    • INGREDIENTS for basil lemon syrup

        • 4 cups packed fresh basil sprigs (top 4 inches; from a 1/2-pound bunch)
        • 4 cups water
        • 2 cups sugar
        • 9 (4- by 1-inch) strips lemon zest

      PREPARATION

        1. Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Let stand at room temperature, covered, 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container and chill until cold, about 1 hour. Strain syrup thourough a sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids.
      Cooks' note:
      Syrup keeps, covered and chilled, 5 days 
    • 2 cups cold water
    • 2 cups ice cubes
    • 1 1/4 cups fresh lemon juice
    • Garnish: fresh basil sprigs; lemon zest strips


PREPARATION

    1. Stir together all ingredients in a large pitcher, then pour into tall glasses half filled with ice.
Cooks' note:
Lemonade, without ice, can be made 3 hours ahead and chilled, covered.




THANK YOU TO SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA FOR THE ARC! Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick is published 10th of November, 2015.



Thursday, May 21, 2015

The Age Of Miracles - Karen Thompson Walker

It still amazes me how little we really knew. . . . Maybe everything that happened to me and my family had nothing at all to do with the slowing. It’s possible, I guess. But I doubt it. I doubt it very much.”

Luminous, haunting, unforgettable, The Age of Miracles is a stunning fiction debut by a superb new writer, a story about coming of age during extraordinary times, about people going on with their lives in an era of profound uncertainty.

On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, 11-year-old Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray. Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life--the fissures in her parents’ marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.

With spare, graceful prose and the emotional wisdom of a born storyteller, Karen Thompson Walker has created a singular narrator in Julia, a resilient and insightful young girl, and a moving portrait of family life set against the backdrop of an utterly altered world.


Age of Miracles can be brought via Simon & Schuster Australia and any information regarding the author and book can be found HERE


My review

3. 5 stars

Thought provoking, fresh and realistic. 

The Age of Miracles is a wonderfully written story, unlike any I have ever read before. This alone had me intrigued and keen to delve in .

I was enthralled and had it read in no time at all. The writing was easy , and the book paced well . 

This book is told from a young girl Julia's pov - her story of the * slowing * its occurrences and how time is added to our 24 hour clock. 

The earth slows its pace and instead of having a usual 24 hour clock time every day the clock gains time. 

Days and nights are longer, the routines of life are affected including the tides, the animals and people. It affects the every day living of life. Not only humans but animals and the atmosphere and climate. 

People have had to learn to live with the change including Julie and her family. Strong friendships are lost along the way, one particular one gained. Love lost and heartbreak endured. 

I did like the young love story between Seth and Julia. It was sweet, I was sad to see certain things happen and would love to have at least had some hea lol. 

I did read this book very quickly , I found it an easy read with fantastic descriptions. I really loved the way this author wrote. She had enough depth in her words to float me along at a great pace and to also enjoy the story. Her words brought her story to life, and the characters , both main and secondary were very believable and real. 

In these certain events if they should happen the story seems quiet realistic. 

My only issue was the way in which the story ended. I felt I was left high and dry not knowing what was going to happen. We know the slowing continued, the earth continued but I would like to have seen more. A finale so to speak. 
I felt we had this great story line going somewhere and then nothing.. No end conclusion.. 

But overall - I did really enjoy this authors writing style. Loved her vivid descriptions and in depth detail into thoughts, feelings and surroundings.

I would recommend this book to all who like a change of pace, and story. It really was thought provoking and realistic . 


Big thank you to Simon & Schuster for supplying me with the book for review for my honest opinion.