reminder! and shock...

A reminder that my flash giveaway of a copy of The Second Empress by Michelle Moran is still running up until tonight at 12!

And shock that a surprising number of winners I've e-mailed for my 600 follower giveaways haven't responded in a week...hmm...I've sent out e-mails to new winners so hopefully I can get these prizes out of my hands!

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review: shadow of the wind

book info:
ages: 15 and up
grades: 9-10 and up
years: 11 and up
on sale: NOW
copy from: library
pages: 487

title: The Shadow of the Wind (el cementario de los libros olvidados)
author: Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets--an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.







OK, I read this a month ago, so this review is long overdue. I find it hard to review books that I really love, because I end up just rambling on why I love it so much. But I've read the sequel to this, and it made me SO HAPPY today because it is SO GOOD! AHHH!

"I still remember the day my father took me to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books for the first time" (Zafon, 1)

The first sentence had me hooked and immediately drew me in with the beautiful, lyrical writing that followed.  I've had experiences with books where the first few pages were brilliant, and then the goodness slowly deteriorated as the book continued. Yet this was not like that. The Shadow of the Wind maintains a beautiful high-standard, rich level that's paced so perfectly and....well, perfectly that it seems like a film. A film that flows like a soft river.

There's something about Spanish books that I find absolutely enchanting. The language, the way it translates into English, or simply the beautiful prose that's hidden in the heart of every Spaniard: I haven't a clue except that I love it. My favourite book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, (who is Brazilian and therefore speaks Portuguese, but both nationalities are similar), is simple and beautiful and The Shadow of the Wind reminds me of it's beautiful simplicity.

Yet another favourite, my favourite classical book, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, shares more in common. I've often preached that it's the best classic in that it has all the elements to make a perfect book: the romance, the tragedy, the mystery, the adventure etc...Zafon ACTUALLY mentions The Count of Monte Cristo! With good connotation of course. I'm so thrilled! I know that it's had an influence on the stories Zafon writes, but to have elements of my favourite classic, to have the benefit of being a Spaniard and have that prose, and to write an "original" (something I haven't seen before) story that's so twisted and complicated and deliciously good: it's a dream come true.

Since I can't accurately review this, all I will say is: You must read this. Like, it doesn't matter what types of books you prefer: this is one you must read.

Five trees. You must know by now that five trees are rare on a single book, but I have to say this is the best novel I have read in soo loong! It's meant for older teens and adults, I think, and it'd have a greater effect on you if you're mature enough to understand it. I'd buy it nonetheless. Keep it on your shelf until you're old enough, or read it now because...AHHH READ IT!

PS: Just finished The Angel's Game (the book after this one) and gahh, I'm even more of a fan-girl. I'm so afraid to start the next one, I don't want to stop reading his books! :) I'll have a review of it up soon!

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review: girl with a pearl earring

book info:
ages: 12 and up
grades: 7-8 and up
years: 9 and up
on sale: now
copy from: school library
pages: 233

title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
author: Tracy Chevalier

With precisely 35 canvases to his credit, the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer represents one of the great enigmas of 17th-century art. The meager facts of his biography have been gleaned from a handful of legal documents. Yet Vermeer's extraordinary paintings of domestic life, with their subtle play of light and texture, have come to define the Dutch golden age. His portrait of the anonymous Girl with a Pearl Earring has exerted a particular fascination for centuries--and it is this magnetic painting that lies at the heart of Tracy Chevalier's second novel of the same title.
Girl with a Pearl Earring centers on Vermeer's prosperous Delft household during the 1660s. When Griet, the novel's quietly perceptive heroine, is hired as a servant, turmoil follows. First, the 16-year-old narrator becomes increasingly intimate with her master. Then Vermeer employs her as his assistant--and ultimately has Griet sit for him as a model. Chevalier vividly evokes the complex domestic tensions of the household, ruled over by the painter's jealous, eternally pregnant wife and his taciturn mother-in-law. At times the relationship between servant and master seems a little anachronistic. Still, Girl with a Pearl Earring does contain a final delicious twist.

There's also a second cover that I think will appeal more to teenage audiences. Personally, I prefer the original cover, as it contains the very centre of this entire story. It has Greit, her cap and her earring and that look in her face. This is what the novel is about. But the second cover has an alarming look-alike and shows the more seductive side of this story. I'm glad they don't have her hair showing as well, and it retains the mystery in the painting too...but maids don't wear red...also I pictured Vermeer as being more rosy and blond, and without a moustache. However, yeah still prefer the original!What do you think?
Anyway, on to the review!

This is what I remember historical fiction novels being like. It's the typical historical fiction novels, yet when I say "typical" I mean in a good way. Typical as applied to paranormal is in a bad way, like "I'm sick of this". But it's hard to go wrong with historical fiction.

This book is magical in it's simplicity. It's not too complicated. There's no war going on, there's no savaged, powerful pre-destined heroine or dangerous hero. It's simply about a maid working at a painter's home...and well, a bit more complicated than that. I think it's very well done, but also incredibly simple. It's a single story, following a single, easy plotline. It's both a good thing, and a slightly bad thing.

I really enjoyed the vague MC, Greit. She seems very bland, yet in that way she remains an enigma. I don't entirely know what's going on in her head, nor do I know the mind of Vermeer. Painters are always difficult to understand, but there's beauty in not understanding sometimes. I remember Michelangelo from The Agony and the Ecstasy being quite complicated as well. Artists are great characters.

The story itself is nice and sweet and poetic. Full of small details that make the story unforgettable. I give it four trees for making me think.

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flash giveaway: The Second Empress!

I realised that I still had 1 finished copy of The Second Empress to giveaway to you all, and thought I'd make this one last a week in order to get both winners (one from my 600 follower giveaway) and one from you all!

This time, this is simply to promote this lovely historical fiction novel! It was published August 14, and now being the end of September: you've only one week to enter :)

About the Book


National bestselling author Michelle Moran returns to Paris, this time under the rule of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte as he casts aside his beautiful wife to marry a Hapsburg princess he hopes will bear him a royal heir

After the bloody French Revolution, Emperor Napoleon’s power is absolute. When Marie-Louise, the eighteen year old daughter of the King of Austria, is told that the Emperor has demanded her hand in marriage, her father presents her with a terrible choice: marry the cruel, capricious Napoleon, leaving the man she loves and her home forever, or say no, and plunge her country into war.

Marie-Louise knows what she must do, and she travels to France, determined to be a good wife despite Napoleon’s reputation. But lavish parties greet her in Paris, and at the extravagant French court, she finds many rivals for her husband’s affection, including Napoleon’s first wife, Joséphine, and his sister Pauline, the only woman as ambitious as the emperor himself. Beloved by some and infamous to many, Pauline is fiercely loyal to her brother. She is also convinced that Napoleon is destined to become the modern Pharaoh of Egypt. Indeed, her greatest hope is to rule alongside him as his queen—a brother-sister marriage just as the ancient Egyptian royals practiced. Determined to see this dream come to pass, Pauline embarks on a campaign to undermine the new empress and convince Napoleon to divorce Marie-Louise.

As Pauline's insightful Haitian servant, Paul, watches these two women clash, he is torn between his love for Pauline and his sympathy for Marie-Louise. But there are greater concerns than Pauline's jealousy plaguing the court of France. While Napoleon becomes increasingly desperate for an heir, the empire's peace looks increasingly unstable. When war once again sweeps the continent and bloodshed threatens Marie-Louise’s family in Austria, the second Empress is forced to make choices that will determine her place in history—and change the course of her life.

Based on primary resources from the time, The Second Empress takes readers back to Napoleon’s empire, where royals and servants alike live at the whim of one man, and two women vie to change their destinies.

This giveaway is open to US residents only, and will end in ONE WEEK! The only way to enter is to leave a comment on why you wish to read this book :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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hiatus

Hello readers!
   You may see that I'm at one of my low points in blogging, and I must confirm your suspicions. It's the last 9 weeks of the semester starting next week, and I need to pull of my dropping grades. Which means no distractions, including:

• blogging
• tumblr
• 9gag
• reading

  They're distractions, but not bad ones. I'm not saying that I don't like them, but only at this time do I need to think about my priorities. Which are grades. So I'll see how in a month or two, and I'll be dropping by as often as I can so I'm not gone FOREVER for this end of the year. I'll see what best I can do. Weekends will be the only times I'll be able to blog!

 Thanks so much for sticking with me! I hope that over any holidays or breaks and during the summer, I will return full fledged to you all in complete reading indulgences! Until we meet again!

-Kirthi

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giveaways end today!

Hi readers!
 My 600 follower giveaways end today and if you haven't entered already, here are the links! (they're found at the top of my page, but here they are just in case you'd like to click from this page)

600 Follower Giveaways:

a copy of The Second Empress by Michelle Moran 20/9

a copy of Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear 20/9

a copy of Airhead by Meg Cabot and Girl Out Loud by Emily Gale 20/9 (pick your thon!)

a copy of Cat Girl's Day Off by Kimberly Pauley

a copy of Above by Leah Bobet

a copy of Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft

Thank you all for helping me achieve this awesome number!

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a touch of whimsy

Hello readers!
In my attempt of contributing to the book blogging world and join society once more, I've made this post:

I'm feeling whimsical. And euphoric. My study schedule was usually just come home, relax and do whatever, and then cram finish my homework. Freshman year, I'd just finish homework during lunch period! But now I've been working right after home, and I have so much to do yet I also have more time because I've given myself time. I have yet to study my maths, but I will soon, promise :)

Now, for a touch of whimsy.
with the help of Tumblr, my latest technological achievement. (I recently got one and shamelessly promoted it on Voyage, a writing/literary blog you should definitely check out, hint hint)

My favourite childhood story: Winnie the Pooh. I love these characters so much. Honestly, I was obsessed in the best possible connotation of that word.

found (my blog, haha)

                 

source

And this that made me think a lot.

"Ernest Hemingway once won a bet by crafting a six-word short story, that can make people cry. Here it is." 

found

A powerful writer that I hope to have the privilege of studying soon, once I make the time to do it. What do you all think of him?

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review: the city's son

book info:
ages: 12 and up
grades: 7-8 and up
years: 9 and up
on sale: now in stores!
copy from: publisher
pages: 422

title: The City's Son
author: Tom Pollock

Expelled from school, betrayed by her best friend and virtually ignored by her dad, who’s never recovered from the death of her mum, Beth Bradley retreats to the sanctuary of the streets, looking for a new home. What she finds is Filius Viae, the ragged and cocky crown prince of London, who opens her eyes to the place she’s never truly seen.

But the hidden London is on the brink of destruction. Reach, the King of the Cranes, is a malign god of demolition, and he wants Filius dead. In the absence of the Lady of the Streets, Filius’ goddess mother, Beth rouses Filius to raise an alleyway army, to reclaim London’s skyscraper throne for the mother he’s never known. Beth has almost forgotten her old life – until her best friend and her father come searching for her, and she must choose between the streets and the life she left behind. (goodreads)

Now look at that beautiful cover! I got the not-so-good cover, the one on the right. This book is all about the city of London, the magic, the myth and all the creatures in it. The cover above, the UK edition I believe, is absolutely magnificent in showing the diversity in the book, whereas the US one just looks like a cheap paranormal romance. I like how the first cover's placed importance on the actual book and city and story, rather than this one (the one I received) that just blatantly spits out a few elements from the book like a careless little graphic job. I sound harsh, sorry, but that's what I feel it is, you know?

On to the review!

It's taken me too long to read this. I'd read the first ten pages: get bored, leave it alone, then go back because I had to complete it. The process would repeat over the course of nearly a month, until today when I've finally completed the remaining 80% in about an hour and a half of determined reading.

The story is rich with unique concepts, fascinating creatures and a really intriguing premise that is like one I've never read before. It's just that the...the way it's written, is without flow. It's very choppy, and confused me many times. I had no idea what was going on, or what the actual goal was or anything!

Even the creative wild ideas seemed...empty at times. There wasn't much description of settings or battles and I didn't have that film playing out in my head; I couldn't visualise the story like stories are supposed to be visualised. I skimmed near the end, getting tired of reading without transitions and finally sighed with relief at the end.

However, The City's Son is bold, original and fast-paced; exciting at times. I believe a lot of other people will enjoy this more than I have, and I can see why it'd be lovable my audiences.

I award this book two and a half trees, mostly because I as a reader didn't enjoy it. There are ups and downs, but the negatives, for me, outweighed the positives. Recommended for lovers of urban fantasy!

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song: lazy days

Hello readers!
  OK I'm going to be working very hard today to complete and review books I should have done ages ago: so I am on a roll!

 You may already know, but I am a huge Enya fan. She was the first singer, the first song I ever enjoyed when I was young. Before, I never really listened to music at all, but she introduced me to it. The joy of music :D And today reminds me so much of one song: Lazy Days:



From my most favourite album of hers: A Day Without Rain. It's like: my album, me theme songs, my life. Enjoy!

P.S. My 600 Follower Giveaways are still going! Please go on and enter!

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topic: brotherhood (and a bit of homosexual-ness)

(15/9/12): well this is awkward. no comments....:O

Hello all! (warning, this post contains homosexuality (in the literary context, nothing more! So if it'll offend you, please ignore this and go on your merry way!)

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

 Shall be my brother"

The quote accurately describes what I'm trying to say. A relationship with spilled blood is a different one than with one with flowers.

   I've told myself that I will not budge until this entire post is written, edited, and published. So it shall be.

   Now, the universe has brought together this chain of events and memories that go as follow:

• The film "Alexander" (2004) with Colin Farrell and Jared Leto
• The studying of "The Epic of Gilgamesh" in English class
• The studying of Classical Greece, the Persian Wars etc... in World History
• and not-so-recently, the watching of BBC's "Henry V" ("We few, we happy few, we band of brothers")

Brotherhood

    There are similarities between these that you may notice, and of course the title: brotherhood. I have been feeling a sense of envy for the gender of man. That being a man has such different context than being a girl. To be in the army, for example, creates a strong bond between a sector of soldiers that cannot be made in the streets of Rome, or in the courts or in the house. The blood, the survival, the united feeling of brotherhood and fighting against a common enemy: the honour, the glory! I'm a massive fan of Shakespeare's  histories (have yet to read more of his tragedies), especially the Richard III, Henry IV and Henry V plays. I made a post about it here on Voyage, if you'd like to read it. (go on, go on: read it)

  Since then, I've been curious about the relationship between males. Friendships in particular. Even today, friendship between boys (men) are casual, happy, loving and fun, mostly. What the general idea between female friendships is drama, boy trouble, sleepovers, and giggles. Now which friendship would you choose? The happy loving fun one. Now, I'm proud to be a girl, don't get me wrong (though I'm not super feminist) But boys have this special friendships with each other, one that doesn't need too much talking, one that flows and just comes naturally: whereas from my experiences, girls need to talk and explain to understand each other (my best friend and I are like that). I've been envious of that sort of friendship.

 It's really hard to explain. I hope you all know what I'm trying to say!

 You may have heard me rant about my love for "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini?

An Archetype 
 I'm seeing something alarmingly similar to this in many many types of media. The brotherhood between to opposites. You might be familiar with:

• Jem and Will from The Infernal Devices
• Phineas and Gene from "A Separate Peace"
• The King of the Hunt and the Irial (From one of Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely books)
• Alexander and Hephastion ("Alexander" (2004))
• Thor and Loki from "Thor" and "The Avengers" !!! 

They have personalities that complement each other. I've seen it with most commonly a brash, arrogant muscled (blond) hero and his "sidekick" or "companion" who is level-headed, calm and a critical thinker (usually dark haired) and both of them for an "unlikely" friendship (it seems likely to me) that makes them friends for a lifetime.

Homosexual

   Please don't get offended, but I'm OK with homosexuals. They're people, humans: in my opinion, everything's chill. They've taken that lovely brotherhood relationship to the next level, and love  is a beautiful thing. The way they form relationships is much more complex than the usual male-female relationship, which is most often portrayed with lust and romance. The love between two males, in the comparisons and works I've read, is usually more subtle and more romantic than lust-orientated. Now, I'm talking about in the past. Nowadays...well there's literature read for pleasure that argues what I've just said. My two main examples are The Epic of Gilgamesh, and the film "Alexander". In the future, I might read more literature

 Before I start, here's a quick summary I've written for those who don't know Epic of Gilgamesh:

  Gilgamesh is created by the gods, two thirds god one third human, and rules over a kingdom. He becomes too powerful, and uncontrollable, since no one can rival his strength. So the gods create another, a man called Enkidu. He's as beautiful, and goes off to challenge Gilgamesh. They fight: but become friends afterwards. Enkindu and Gilgamesh then head off into the forest to defeat it's gaurdian Hammrabi or something (because this god told them to) and before they leave, Gilgamesh's mother asks Enkidu to look after her son and protect him. Enkidu later dies, and Gilgamesh becomes rage-mode furious.

  I noticed that the both of them had a "homosexual"-like relationship, and then decided to see if my suspicions were correct. It was. There's this article online that explains everything more in deph, but here's an excerpt:

"Gilgamesh, king of Uruk (called Ereck in Gen 10:10), is described as “most handsome.” But because he is two-thirds god and one-third human, he distresses the citizens of Uruk with his insatiable sexual appetite and boundless energy. So the gods create a companion for him, named Enkidu, a wild, hairy man with “long tresses like those of a woman.” After a prostitute is sent to tame and train Eniku, who also is “handsome … just like a god,” he is brought into Uruk, where he meets Gilgamesh. Meanwhile Gilgamesh has had two dreams, one of a falling star and the second of a mighty axe, toward which he feels strangely attracted. His mother explains, “A mighty comrade will come to you … [and] like a wife you’ll love him, caress and embrace him” (Tablet I). When Gilgamesh and Enkidu finally meet, at first they fight furiously, but then they “kissed each other and formed a friendship.” Gilgamesh persuades Enkidu to go with him to subdue the monster Humbaba, who lives in the Cedar Forest; so the king and his companion “took each other by the hand,” first to go have great weapons fashioned (Tablet II) and then to seek the blessing and prayer of Queen Ninsun, Gilgamesh’s mother (Tablet III). After Gilgamesh has a series of bad dreams, Enkidu comforts him, saying, “’Take my hand, friend, and we shall go [on] together, [let] your thoughts dwell on combat!’” (Tablet IV)." (in my version, it was the "embraced and formed a friendship")

   In ancient Assyria and in that time period, being homosexual and being with prostitutes wasn't considered bad at all. It was considered normal. Now I wish I could've seen more of Gilgamesh and Enkidu's story, but I think it's beautiful in it's own way. It reminds me, of course, of the film "Alexander"

   Alexander was portrayed as being homosexual, for his fellow comrade and soldier and childhood friend (taught by Aristotle like Alexander) Hephastion (Jared Leto). All this may be fiction for the film, but Alexander was taught by Aristotle. I've only seen three quarters of the film, but it was enough to feel the beauty of their relationship as well. War-minded, conquering Alexander and loving gentle Hephastion. I don't like Alexander. He was magnificent and remarkable in his achievements, admirable in his skills and knowledge: but he destroyed and he killed in cold blood and anger and was a war-monger. Nonetheless, the way the film portrayed their complicated relationship with so many layers that it's so difficult to maybe express it in words, really touched me. Here's what my explanation won't do justice (I'll explain with pictures and quotes)

above: Hephaisition, below: Alexander

(Hephastion is like, pale with blue cracked lips and sweating and barely alive. He's going to die in a matter of minutes)

"Hephaistion: [on his death bed] I'll feel better. Soon I'll be up.
Alexander: We leave for Arabia in the spring, I can't leave without you!
Hephaistion: Arabia... you used to dress me up like a sheik and wave your wooden scimitar...
Alexander: You were the only one who'd never let me win. The only one who's ever been honest with me. You saved me from myself. Please don't leave me, Hephaistion.
Hephaistion: ...I remember the young man who wanted to be Achilles, and then out did him.
Alexander: And then what happens? That was a myth only young men believe!
Hephaistion: But how beautiful a myth it was.
Alexander: How we reach, we fall! Oh, Hephaistion.
Hephaistion: I worry for you without me.
Alexander: I am nothing without you! "

(The scene where Hephasistion eventually dies while Alexander rants about his aspirations with conquering the world. Bah, Alexander! He wasn't REALLY with Hephasistion when he died)

Earlier, a scene I actually watched: (Roxane is Alexander's Persian wife, whom he's just married that day)


Hephaistion: [crying softly, he shows Alexander a ring] I found it in Egypt... the man who sold it to me said it came from a time when man worshiped sun, and stars. I'll always think of you as the sun, Alexander. And I pray your dream will shine on all men.
[puts the ring on Alexander's ring finger, then embraces him]
Hephaistion: I wish you a son. You're a great man. Many will love you, Alexander, but none so pure and deep...
Roxane: [Roxane enters]
Hephaistion: [Hephaistion exits guiltily]
Roxane: You... love him?
Alexander: He is Hephaistion. There are many different ways to love.


Love that last quote. Well said, Alexander, well said.


My point of this whole post is to appreciate brotherhood. Friendship. I see so little friendship played out between boys in YA lit. It's always the boy spending time with the girl and solving out their problems. But that unexplainable relationship between two boys, not homosexually, is something I'd like to see.

It's different for girls. We have our own ways of friendship :) So I hope I haven't just lost a hundred readers because of this discussion/topic post. It's taken me an hour and a half to type up fully! What do you all think about this? Do you understand what I'm trying to say?

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what I'm doing

Hello all!
  I've remained very dormant with this blog and I really want to write more and do more with it! So I will. Homework and studying isn't an excuse to just leave everyone. So for now, I'll let you know what I'm up to reading-wise.

 I have a fantastic school library that has ALL the updated YA books in the modern world, rather than the public library that has nothing. In fact, my school is doing this wicked Kindle check-out where they check out Kindles to readers! It's the most brilliant idea, and I'm filling out a form to be able to do that, but I'll only use it for books I can't get in the paper edition. I love paper books.

 Currently, for class, I am reading The Epic of Gilgamesh (this version)

A great king, strong as the stars in Heaven. Enkidu, a wild and mighty hero, is created by the gods to challenge the arrogant King Gilgamesh. But instead of killing each other, the two become friends. Travelling together to the Cedar Forest, they fight and slay the evil monster Humbaba. But when Enkidu is killed, his death haunts and breaks the mighty Gilgamesh. Terrified of mortality, he resolves to find the secret of eternal life...
(image and summary from goodreads)

I have yet to write a re-review on The Life of Pi because my thoughts have completely changed for that one after going over it in class. I have a quiz on this book in class tomorrow, so I'll be off to read it soon! For those of you who have read it: what do you all think?




Also reading:

summary here

summary here

They may look boring, but I've just barely gotten through both of them, so I have no opinions at the moment. I don't usually do these "currently reading" posts, but I feel like I should fill you in and repentance for my absence. Thank you all for sticking with me, and remember to enter my 600 follower giveaways!

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blog tour: excerpt reveal and giveaway!

Hello all! Right, it's been a while, hasn't it? So sorry! I have loads to tell you all, and I'll save those for later posts, yeah? :)
I rarely participate in blog tours, but I joined a blog tour website and decided to get more involved with them! Thus, I present to you: The Dark Promise Tour.

photo credit: goodreads

About the Book:
Rylie has it all - great friends, dream boy, loving family. But on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, her perfect little world shatters. A stranger claiming to be her real mother appears with a secret: Rylie is a faery whose powers will be unleashed on her birthday. Captured and forced into a new life, Rylie struggles to keep everything she loves and discovers a terrifying truth: some promises cannot be broken



Excerpt Reveal:
***

The doorbell rang.
I glanced over at my clock. It was nine o’clock at night, kind of late for visitors. I made my way to the top of the stairs, curious as to who it was, and I heard the door open. “Mrs. McCallister?”
“Yes?” my mother answered. I could hear the question in her voice, indicating it wasn’t someone she knew.
“I need to talk to you and your husband about your daughter. It’s important.”
What? I snuck further down the stairs. There was a beautiful lady with long light blonde hair standing at the door. She was young and lovely, and looked like she could be a runway model. I wondered why in the world she wanted to talk to my parents about me.
My father was at the door now. “What is this in reference to?” he asked, his voice all business.
“Please, may I come in? This isn’t something I’d like to discuss outside.” The woman glanced over her shoulder as if looking for someone.
My parents looked at each other, but I couldn’t see their faces clearly, and then my father nodded. “Okay.” They both stepped aside to let her in.
Although this lady seemed familiar, I didn’t know her and didn’t like the fact that she was here because of me. I continued down the rest of the stairs and followed behind them.
My mother led her into the living room. The lady’s piercing green eyes rested on me, sending a chill down my back. My father followed her gaze. “Rylie, do you know this woman?” Dad asked.
“No.” I shook my head slowly. “I’ve never seen her before.”
“Rylie, maybe you should go to your room,” Dad suggested, his gaze demanding I do as he said.
“No. If this has something to do with me, I want to hear it.” I crossed my arms and sank against the back of the couch.
Mom and Dad exchanged a worried glance, but turned back to the lady on the couch. “Please, go on.”
Without taking her eyes from me, the lady calmly stated, “My name is Azura, and I am Rylie’s birth mother.”

***
DUN DUN DUN! OK that is one tantalising excerpt! Though it isn't the book I'd prefer to read, it sounds bloody good!!

Guess what? I have an e-book of this novel for one lucky US resident! That's right :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, if you're interested in the book and want to find out more, the next stop is at Danielle's blog. I hope I haven't killed you from that intense excerpt reveal, and if you're still alive: have a lovely day!

P.S. The giveaways for my 600 follower celebration are still in motion and this month! I have very few entries, so pleaseee enter? :)

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