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Sunday 22 June 2014

Blog Tour - The Long Fall by Julia Crouch



Hi Everyone! I was really thrilled to be asked to take part in this blog tour - The Long Fall by Julia Crouch.  I'm currently reading the book attached to the tour, I'm about half way through and the book is excellent. It seems fully of mystery, tension and the main character is quite complex, which is what I really like in a book.

For my stop of the tour I have an extract from the Long Fall, but first I'll give you the book details and synopsis.



 The Long Fall by Julia Crouch

Released: 19th June 2014
Publisher: Headline
Series: No
Find at:  Goodreads | Amazon UK

Author Site: Julia Crouch

Goodreads Synopsis:
How far would you go to protect your secrets?
Greece, 1980
Emma takes part in a shattering, violent event. An event to which she is anything but an innocent bystander.She is only eighteen, but this marks her fall from innocence.It will haunt her for the rest of her life.
London, now

Kate has the perfect existence: a glossy image, a glamorous home, a perfect family.But there are cracks.All is not what it seems.

And now the two worlds are about to collide.Somebody's out for revenge.Someone who has been waiting thirty years..


Extract from The Long Fall                                     

EMMA

23 July 1980, 9 p.m. Marseille. Youth Hostel.

Today is the worst day of my life.
Something worse than anything I ever thought would happen to me has happened.
To me. The bright girl with the brilliant future.
To me. The fucking stupid girl.
I’m on my own in the youth hostel girls’ dorm. The laughter of Hans the warden and the German boys in the big hall downstairs jumbles with the Jimi Hendrix, echoing up the stone stairs and travelling down the corridors to tangle in my ears.
They bought wine and cooked up some moules and invited me to eat with them.
But I can’t.
I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know what to do.
I can’t believe it really.
To make sure it actually happened, I’m going to write it all down, even though it’s going to hurt, every detail I can remember.

So, after my late lunch and a stretch out on the beach, I get the bus back up from town and take the pretty, grassy footpath that runs from the bus stop to the youth hostel, between the high stone wall of the old chateau and the high metal-fenced boundary of another large property. It’s quiet, late afternoon, still light. The wind has dropped and the sky sings with blue.
I’m happy.
I was happy.
A thickset man is up about a hundred yards ahead of me, walking in the same direction. I think nothing of it. I only even frown slightly when he reaches the end of the path, turns and starts walking back towards me.
I think perhaps he’s forgotten something. As he gets closer, I notice he’s got sunglasses on and this red cotton scarf tied around the lower part of his face, like a cowboy. I look away, keep moving. But I wrap the strap of my day bag around my hand, ready to swipe if I need to.
Even then I think I’m being stupid. I still have the chance to turn and run, but I don’t do it.

You see, I thought at the time that it would have been insulting. I had to give him the benefit of the doubt. Just because he was a thickset man with a scarf over his face didn’t necessarily mean he was going to be a danger to me.               

But.




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Tuesday 17 June 2014

***Review*** The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow



The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Released:  February 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Yes, this is book one in the Secret Diamond Sisters series
Format: Digital ARC
Source: From Netgalley
Find at:  Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble
Author Site: Michelle Madow
Many thanks to Netgalley and  the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.



My Review

This is the first book I have ever read by Michelle Madow, I do have another of her books lurking somewhere on the kindle and I will certainly be rooting that one out soon. 

I have to say I did enjoy this book, it's fun and easy reading and one you can just escape to.  The style of writing flows nicely between the three main characters, who I add have three very different personalities.  It's fun it's fresh and I will definitely be reading the next in the series which I have seen is out later on in the year.

This book is a mash up of Gossip Girl in Vegas.  You have the glitz and glam of Vegas with the elitism of Gossip Girl.  Two worlds collide and make up a very excitable and interesting read.  Lots of interesting characters to keep you amused.

If I have to be critical I would say that the naivety of the girls, who are thrust in this world of glitz and glam did just grate on me a bit, I felt like shouting wake up and smell the uber rich coffee girls.  When it comes to boys them seem to be taken in by the boys charms, I would have really kicked their asses if they'd have pulled any tricks with me!  

I like the bitchiness this world creates, the rivals and the newbies clash somewhat.  Where there is money, there is rivalry. 

I would recommend this book, I have never been to Vegas and it gave me a really wonderful rich and colourful description.


Overview
A colourful and vibrant look into the privilege Vegas teen circle.

My Thoughts on the Cover
I have to be honest this one doesn't automatically grip me.  I can see all the relevance to the book but I will say it would be one I wouldn't look twice at in the bookstore.  It seems like there is too much going on and the title and author name do not stand out enough for me.


 
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