June Giveaway - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

This month on Royal Reviews we are giving away a copy of The Empress of Good & Evil's most recent favourite read.

The Empress said things like:
'This book was almost impossible to put down, I read it overnight & I fell in love with the main characters Ian & Beth.'

'Jennifer Ashley does a brilliant job in conveying the many varied characteristics, positive traits, & struggles of someone with this condition - difficulty with eye contact, the struggle to understand emotions & non-verbal cues, genius intelligence, learnt socially acceptable responses as opposed to naturally occuring.'

For the complete review go to The Eclectic Reader.

1. Leave a comment on this post for one entry.

2. Become a follower of this blog for another entry. If you already follow, let me know and you'll receive an extra entry.

3. Post about this give-away on your blog for yet another entry.

4. Please leave an email address or ensure you are contactable via your blog.

This giveaway IS open to international residents. The winner will be chosen at random and announced 30th June 2009 12:00pm AEST via a blog post.

Royal's Romance Reading Challenge

Start Reading Today

Winners of The Heretic Queen Giveaway!

Congratulations to Gwendolyn B from A Sea of Books and Sheri S from Bookopolis who both won hardcover copies of Michelle Moran's The Heretic Queen!

A big thank you to everyone who entered. Make sure you check back for June's giveaway!

Winner of Lover Avenged by J R Ward

Marg from Reading Adventures
Congratulations Marg we hope you enjoy Lover Avenged.
Please email us - royalreviews (at) bigpond . com

The Inspirational Review Award

So often we come across reviews that inspire us to rush out and buy another book and increase our already scary TBR piles. At Royal Reviews, we give out a weekly award to a blogger who has captivated us with an amazing review.

This week, the Inspirational Review Award goes to Smexy books for her fantastic review of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

I have been thinking about whether or not I'd read this book. Wasn't sure about the whole 'faery' theme but after reading the review on Smexy books I decided that somehow I would squeeze it in this week. Check out this review I guarantee you'll want to add it to your TBR list.

To see other recipients of The Inspirational Award follow the link.

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy #2

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Copyright: 2008

Pages: 372

I made the choice to listen to Frostbite rather than read it after the issues I had with spelling errors in Vampire Academy & I'm so glad I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Frostbite picks up where Vampire Academy finishes; Rose Hathaway is in her senior year at St. Vladimir's & in a few months she'll be a qualified guardian to her best friend, Lissa, a Moroi Royal & last surviving member of the Dragomir family.

Rose accompanied by her instructor Dimitri leaves the academy to take her Qualifier exam with legendary guardian, Arthur Schoenberg. On arrival for her test, Rose & Dimitri are instead faced with the massacre of a royal family & their guardians & the evidence that Strigoi have banded together for the attack. On high alert St. Vladimir's organise a holiday break in an exclusive Moroi ski resort in an attempt to keep the students and their families safe. After yet another attack on a Royal house a horrifying and undeniable realisation occurs that Strigoi are teaming up with humans to destroy Royal Moroi.

As we follow Lissa & Christian's flourishing relationship, we are also entertained with the romantic tension, & angst between Rose & Dimitri, Rose & Mason, and Dimitri & Tasha (Christian's aunt.)I thought Adrian Ivashkov & Tasha were an interesting & enjoyable addition to the cast of characters. Adrian another Moroi Royal is one of the rare Moroi, like Lissa, who use the element of Spirit.

I really enjoyed seeing the growth in Rose's character over the two books & learning more about her strained relationship with Janine Hathaway, Rose's absent guardian mother. Rose's trademark smart mouth, sarcasm & impulsiveness remain in evidence which I found both believable & entertaining but there is also evidence of a growing maturity, giving the reader moments that are touching & sensitive. There was one part towards the end of the book that actually moved me to tears, & I know I'm a bit of a sook but I really did find it quite emotional & real.

A little excerpt that was particularly entertaining occured between Mia & Rose after Rose took a beating in training with her mother. (Rose had broken Mia's nose a month previous.)

Mia: "Fortunately it [my nose] was only broken by a psychopathic whore & not anyone actually related to me."

Rose: I gave her my best psychopathic smile, "Too bad, family members hit you by accident, psychopathic whores tend to come back for me."
 
Once again I found Mead's take on Moroi/Dhampir/Strigoi vampire society fascinating & I loved the whole exploration of elitism in the Moroi/Dhampir class structure. I hope Tasha's fiery discussion regarding the defence of the two species will bring about some significant changes for the survival of Moroi & Dhampir & I have my fingers crossed we see these changes in Shadow Kiss.

Blood Promise, the 4th Vampire Academy book will be out in August 2009. Richelle Mead's blog Even Redheads Get the Blues is a fun place to visit with news, competitions & polls & you can get information about her adult series on her website

Click on the link if you'd like to read my review of Vampire Academy

Lovin Fridays

On Lovin' Fridays, we post an excerpt from a novel with a declaration of love or a marriage proposal that gave us the warm and fuzzies, made us laugh, made us cry or made us think.


My choice this week is Holly & Gerry's story from PS. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern.

I loved the book & the movie equally, though they were quite different. They both required a box of tissues in that heart-breaking but feel-good kind of way. You know that feeling when you're sobbing your heart out and sighing over how beautiful it is at the same time.

"Their plan had been very simple. To stay together for the rest of their lives. A plan that anyone within their circle would agree was accomplishable. They were best friends, lovers and soul mates destined to be together, everyone thought. But as it happened, one day destiny greedily changed its mind."

Here's a few of my favourite excerpts from letters Gerry left for Holly -

"Save yourself the bruises and buy yourself a bedside lamp!
PS, I love you . . . "

"PS, I love you, Holly, and I know you love me. You don't need my belongings to remember me by, you don't need to keep them as proof that I existed or still exist in your mind. You don't need to wear my sweater to feel me around you; I'm already there . . . always wrapping my arms around you."

"Don't be afraid to fall in love again. Open your heart and follow where it leads you...and remember, shoot for the moon.
PS, I will always love you ..."

And of course this post would not be complete without some eye-candy provided by the oh so yummy Gerard Butler *sigh*

Guess the Hunky Hero

Can you guess the hunky hero?

This week's Hunky Hero happens to be a favourite for all three ladies on this book blog. We're pretty sure he registers high on your favourite hero list too. If you have read even one of these books, then one clue is all you will need to know who this hero is. He is that unforgettable!

The Clue: The nickname that this hero affectionately uses for the love of his life is 'Sassenach'.

You know who it is, don't you? If you've guessed our Hunky Hero with just one clue, make your guess public by leaving a comment on this post.

***Congratulations to The Book Resort for guessing last week's Hunky Hero, King Charles II.

The Queen of Happy Endings recommends The Perfect Royal Mistress by Diane Haeger to those who want to learn more about this naughty monarch. You can view her review here.***

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Pages: 327

Copyright: 2008

If you head on over to the graffiti wall on the Fever Series website, the same messages are digitally scrawled over and over and over by crazy fans like myself:

What is Barrons?

Unfortunately, excruciatingly, the answer does not lie in the pages of Faefever.

Karen Marie Moning is just a big tease a very clever writer. She's laced this novel with clues that will cause your imagination to run away with itself but she doesn't really answer any of the questions for you. Smart writing? Definitely. I know I'll be buying and loving the next book. But just because it's effective plotting doesn't mean it's not driving me absolutely dementedly insane not knowing the answers!

Instead of answers what you will find in the pages of Faefever is the darker side of Mac's journey into the Faeworld. Without giving away any plot, this book pretty much focuses mainly on MacKayla (and less on her relationship with Barrons). During the course of this novel, Mac pulls some pretty gutsy moves and they lead her to a very vulnerable situation at the end of the novel. My heart was in my throat when I was reading the last chapter and I think it could possibly stay lodged there until the series is finished. I just wish I had some sort of assurance at the end of the novel, something to put my little heart at rest for the next 3 months while I wait for Dreamfever. I just can't stand to leave Mac that way! I needed her to stand up or I needed to know that Barrons is coming for her. Please tell me he's riding in on his white horse!

Karen Marie Moning had this to say about the journey she took Mac on with the writing of Faefever:

"She's a fighter, she's a dreamer, she's a romantic. She wants her happily ever after, and I desperately want her to have it—which made writing Faefever one of the hardest things I've ever done. I knew where this installment was taking Mac, and it nearly killed us both.

So, when you read Faefever, dear reader, rest assured that Mac's dawn is just around the corner. I'm a fighter and a dreamer and a romantic myself, and a big believer in happy endings. But the story in the Fever series must be told exactly as it is, precisely as it came to me, and when you get to the end of the series, you'll see that all of it had a purpose and a reason, and that, like all of our lives, Mac's story is stamped at the heart by the grand design of something divine."

Faefever is an essential book in the Fever series and although I don't think it will ever be my favourite, I still found it immensely enjoyable. The only reason I've chosen to mark it down half a crown is because I felt that it took longer than normal for the plot to get going. It really was a fantastic book. My only suggestion to anyone considering reading Faefever is to consider holding off (if you can) for another 3 months - it's the cheat's way to avoid the awful after-effects of a really good cliff-hanger.

To read my reviews of the first two novels in this series, click on the covers below:

If you'd like to read the first 3 chapters of Faefever, click here.

Did you know? You can listen to the entire first novel in the Fever series with the widget on our left-hand sidebar. It's free and endorsed by the author.

The fourth novel in this series, Dreamfever, is due for release in the US on 18th August 2009.

Around The World Competition Wrap-Up

Every Monday we will be letting you know about contests and giveaways from around the book blogging world.

A Bookworm’s World is hosting a giveaway of 5 copies of The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson. US & Canada only. Ends May 30th

A Novel Menagerie is giving away 3 copies of April & Oliver by Tess Callahan. International. Ends May 28th

Alaine – Queen of Happy Endings is holding a May Giveaway and you can pick the book you'd like to win. Chose from The Battle of the Queens by Jean Plaidy, The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick, Poison Study by Marie V Snyder, Dark Prince by Christine Feehan or Tempt the Devil by Anna Cambell. International. Ends May 31st

Booking Mama is hosting a Mother's Day giveaway - three sets of mother related books. Canada & US only. Ends May 31st

Books By Their Cover is having a massive giveaway to celebrate 150 followers. Open to US visitors only. Ends July 4th

J.Kaye's Book Blog is holding a number of giveaways. Open to US & Canada only. Ends May 30th
Passages to the Past is giving away a copy of Frenchman's Creek & My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. Open to US & Canada Only. Ends May 27th. Hurry Ends Soon

Passages to the Past is giving away a copy of Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. International. Ends June 8th

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away a copy of Testimony by Anita Shreve. Open to US and Canada only. Ends May 30th

Reading Extravaganza is hosting a giveaway of 5 copies of Afraid by Jack Kilborn. Open to US and Canada only. Ends May 31st

Reading Extravaganza is holding a 'I’ve been Naturalised' Giveaway. Great choice of books. Ends May 31st

Reading, Writing and Ranting is hosting a 'Birthday Month' giveaway and you can choose Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris or The Host by Stephenie Meyer. International. Ends May 31st

Stop, Drop, & Read is hosting a giveaway of 5 signed copies of Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell. US only. Ends June 1st

The Book Resort is having her very first giveaway, 2 signed copies of The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus. International. Ends May 30th

The Eclectic Reader is holding an eclectic giveaway. 1st & 2nd prize. Choose between The Gargoyle, Bitten, Slave to Sensation, Distracting the Duchess, Witch Fire & A Place Beyond Courage. International. Ends May 31st

The Tome Traveller's Weblog is giving away a copy of Frenchman's Creek or My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier. Open to US & Canada. Ends May 31st

Wendy's Minding Spot is giving away an ARC copy of Dying Bites by D. D. Barant. US & Canada only. Ends June 15th

Wondrous Reads is giving away a signed copy of Out of the Blue by Val Rutt. International. Ends May 28th. Hurry Ends Soon

If you'd like your giveaway promoted on Royal Reviews please email us, royal reviews @ bigpond . com or put a comment and link in this post.

Inspirational Review Award

So often we come across reviews that inspire us to rush out and buy another book and increase our already scary TBR piles. At Royal Reviews, we’ve decided to give out a weekly award to a blogger who has captivated us with an amazing review.

This week, the Inspirational Review Award goes to Ibeeeg from Mom - Musings for her fantastic review of The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick.

I was unsure about whether or not this book would make it to my TBR pile but after reading Ibeeeg's review, I know I just have to read it! I have never read a novel about the Arthurian legend and I'm afraid this review may have opened a can of worms for me...

Check out Mom - Musings, you'll find a friendly blogger who writes wonderful reviews (she has great taste in books too!)

Click here for previous winners.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Published: October 2008

Pages: 312

Copyright: 2008

Rating:


I listened to The Graveyard Book on audio and oh what a treat! It's narrated by the author, Neil Gaiman, who reads brilliantly, does different character voices making each totally believable, & I found his reading style & voice quite mesmerising. I really did become completely immersed in the world of the graveyard. A truly "ageless" read.

Gaiman is delightful on podcast, with trademark self depreciating humour he informs of the origins of The Graveyard Book & how he made a start on it many years ago & put it aside quite a few times, believing he wasn't a good enough writer to pull it off. Of the first chapter he states "it's the scariest thing I've ever written."

It begins with the murder of a toddler's family, (violent but not graphic) by the man Jack. A midnight toddle, to a nearby graveyard means the little boy narrowly avoids the fate of his entire family. Saved by the residents of the graveyard, Nobody Owens (Bod) is adopted by the long dead, Mr & Mrs Owens & granted the Freedom of the Graveyard. His guardian Silas, neither dead nor alive, brings him food and ensures he is educated in the ways of the living & the dead. We follow Bod as he travels through ghoul gates, attends public school, makes friends of the dead & undead variety & learns to fade & haunt.

While a little scary, & definitely creepy, this story also has a sweetness & goodness that I found very touching. The Jack of All Trades plot is quite bizarre but ultimately this is a tale about family, friendship & growing up, albeit a little strangely, but hey this is fantasy. Chapters are structured as short stories moving through Bod's life & by the ending I had tears in my eyes. It's not a bad ending but an emotional one, it reminded me of The House At Pooh Corner, when Christopher Robin comes of age.

Favourite quotes:

"What's so important that you have to go away?" Bod's six year old mind tried to imagine something that could make Silas want to leave him and failed. 'it's not fair."

His guardian was unperturbed. "it is neither fair nor unfair, Nobody Owens. It simply is."

"Name the different kinds of people," said Miss Lupescu. "Now."

Bod thought for a moment. "The living," he said. "Er. The dead." He stopped. Then, "...Cats?" he offered, uncertainly.

Are [people] happier dead?"

"Sometimes. Mostly, no. It's like the people who believe they'll be happy if they go and live somewhere else, but who learn it doesn't work that way. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you."

Check out Neil Gaiman's website for lots of interesting & amusing info & a visit to Mr Bobo’s Remarkable Mouse Circus – Neil Gaiman’s official website for young readers is an absolute must. Here you will be able to watch the master storyteller himself read The Graveyard Book in its entirety.