Snow day by Dan Maurer

 

The first couple chapters of this book had me hooked. It started off as a normal Snow day: Children having fun, making snow angels and doing average child like things. When Tommy gets hit by a snowball we then understand why he is the way he is and we learn about his background a bit more. I was shocked at how tragic his life actually is behind closed doors. I wanted to know more about him and for that reason I didnt want to put the book down. When tommy finally escapes his home he goes to find Bobby, Billy and Lucy. They choose to run away from Tommy but he only wanted to play with them. He felt left out and so he decided to shout after the others. If Billy had stopped and waited for Tommy sooner, Tommy wouldn't of done what he did next, for Billy had turned to see that Tommy had entered a strangers vehicle. If Tommy hadn't gotten into that car would this have meant that the following events wouldnt of happened...events that would haunt both Tommy and Billy and change snow days forever??

 

I still cant get over how good this book is, I really didnt want it to end. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 and hope Dan Maurer writes more books similar to this.

 

A MUST READ....
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Description of Snow day

 

It happens each winter, and has for over 35 years. Every time the snow starts to fall late in the evening before a school day, the dreams begin again for Billy Stone. They are always the same – there’s a dark tunnel, and there’s blood, lots of blood, and someone is screaming.
> >>
> >> In this chilling childhood tale, Billy, recounts the events of one unforgettable day in 1975. On that day, he and his friends played carefree in the snow, until an adventure gone awry left him far from home, staring death in the face, and running from a killer bent on keeping a horrible secret.
> >>
> >> Set in a time before Amber Alerts, when horror stories were told around camp fires instead of on the nightly news, Snow Day is a blend of nostalgia and nightmare that makes us question if the good old days were really as good as we remember

 

 

 

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About the Author

 

Dan Maurer is an independent author, publisher, theater producer, director, and digital marketer. He is also a proud member of International Thriller Writers, Inc. and the Horror Writers Association. Throughout his career in publishing and marketing, he has been involved in the publication of bestselling titles such as John Grisham's The Firm, Richard Price's Clockers, and Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger's Lost Moon, which became the film Apollo 13. As a digital marker, he has supported popular publishing brands including Curious George, Peterson Field Guides, and The Polar Express. He has also developed marketing strategies for many corporations, including Citizen, Dun & Bradstreet, RCN and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dan is a member of an acclaimed New Jersey-based theater company and has won awards for his producing, directing and sound design. He lives with his wife and their daughter in Robbinsville, New Jersey

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~S x

Beautiful Creatures by Garcia and Stohl

 

 

I REALLY enjoyed this book. Although, the first chapters weren't very interesting, I read on because of all the good things I had heard about the book. When I got into  this book I fell absolutely in love with it! I would arrive home from school, go straight to bed and carry on reading for hours on end. I loved the growing chemistry between Lena and and Ethan, and found myself wanting Lena to let Ethan into her life. There are many secrets and mysteries involved in the storyline and if you are anything like me, you will enjoy trying to fill in the pieces of the puzzle. The book ends quite quickly, which is quite annoying but also makes me want to read the other books in the series. My only critisism is that the frst chapter or two didn't make me want to read on much unlike someone books which draw you in with the first couple sentences. I was aso quite confused to begin with but soon things became clearer and I managed to make connections with the characters. I'll definitely be buying the next book because of how much I loved the story of Beautiful Creatures.

 

 

Also, Beatiful Creatures is now a movie! I haven't yet seen it but I have high expectations and hope that it has been potrayed well on the big screen.

 

 

Updates soon! ~Nx



*Guest post by 'new' author Mia Hoddell*

Meet The Elementals

Excerpt

The Elementals

The Elementals - Beautiful, Majestic and Deadly...

Fire – A raging inferno annihilating and consuming. Once set free it is a fearsome force; destructive, passionate and always hungry. Yet when given direction it’s infinitely worse.

Water – A peaceful state of tranquillity that calms and soothes. Yet once disturbed it is an unpredictable tempest; impulsive, merciless and erratic with a judgement that cannot be moved.

Air – An impassive, wild force that cannot be contained. Once let loose it delights in the mayhem; chaotic, frantic and cruel it creates a substantial power when enraged.

Earth – A reasonable and rational mind but has eternal strength and endurance. When agitated it creates a superior force; loathsome, devastating and unruly, with carefully considered strikes that do most harm.

The world cannot survive without these creatures but what happens when the world can no longer survive with them either?

Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1) ~ Page 3

~ ~

When writing Deadly to Love I wanted the protagonists to be human as originally this book was going to be a YA Romance. However, when I discovered the Elementals through a little research, I knew instantly that they would be the antagonists and the book took a very different turn.

I found out that these creatures were related to heavenly powers, especially the arch angels but I wanted to break these ties. I’m going through an angel faze with the novels I am reading but I didn’t want to include them in Deadly to Love as it would limit the power of The Elementals and this is something I didn’t want.

I wanted the Elementals in my book to be in control of themselves and have a mind of their own so I could hopefully create a believable antagonist. For me, if I had kept the heavenly ties in it wouldn't sound plausible for two reasons because, one; heaven is meant to be good and sin free which would lead to complications and two; they would be answering to a hierarchy which would limit their freedom.

Once I had gathered the basic facts and research I wanted, I started to mould them into a new species of their own. I developed their backstory first so I could give them a motive to wreak havoc and become the villains. After this, I started to develop their looks and powers. I envisioned the Elementals in Deadly to Love as women mainly but this may change in the sequel (you’ll have to wait to find out).

Anyway, when developing their looks, I used the colours which are associated with the elements:

• Orange – Fire
• Blue – Water
• Purple – Air
• Green – Earth

I wanted them to look unassuming and graceful seeing as they are essentially spirits so I tried to describe them as light and mystical, using the effect of women underwater for inspiration as to how they would move and how aspects of them lsuch as their hair would react. Once I had all of this down in a character profile I could begin to write the book.

This is the general process I went through to create The Elementals but I have tried not to give away too many spoilers and so have left a few things out.

~Mia x

 

 

 

Description
There is a love that is so dangerous, so powerful, so intoxicating that it embraces your heart and smothers your mind until it leaves you defenceless. Serena knew that but still, it didn't stop her. His name was Kai. He was the most beautiful, irresistible man she had ever encountered. Their attraction was too compelling to fight and she knew she would go to the end of the world beside him. That is love. However behind the allure was hidden a deadly secret – a secret that threatened her fragile life... But secrets best left unsaid never remain hidden forever. When Kai reveals his true identity, she is exposed to a frightening world she had no idea existed. Controlled by powerful Elemental forces her life is placed in mortal danger. Unbeknown to them, their lives have been entwined from the beginning and it leads her to discover an even greater secret about who she really is. As the pieces begin to unravel and death becomes a reality, Serena is forced to decide what is more important...her love or life.

Buy Links: Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Paperback (Lulu) and Amazon

About the Author
Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and her preferred genre is Young Adult, Paranormal Romance. Before 2009, Mia wouldn't even pick up a book and was more interested in sports. However she finally found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of both reading and writing. Mia began with poems and after getting two published in separate anthologies she moved on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series The Wanderer Trilogy and from there other ideas have emerged which she hopes to turn into novels as well. Elemental Killers is her second series and book two will be out soon.

Author Links Blog: http://miahoddell.blogspot.com Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mia-Hoddell-Author/421368247889610?ref=hl Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaHoddell Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/miahoddell
What people are saying

"It was a very original idea, not to mention modern. I loved that little twist. This story had such a good plot and the story structure was sound." ~ Kacii - The Kooky Bookworm 5/5

“I read this book in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down. The story line was original, intriguing and made you feel like you were part of the action. As well as this there were many twists and turns that kept me hooked and the book was really well written with a solid plot. The book didn't reveal everything straight away which was great as it left in suspense right up until the end.” ~Lucy M 5/5

“I found that it's surprisingly original concept was quite common in real life but not so much in books. I found it a delightful read that I will look forward to reading in the future. And the new cover! Marvelous.” ~ Kathy H 5/5

“All I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different. I love the twist and detail she used I was instantly pulled in and felt like I was there with the characters.” ~Brianna 5/5

"This book surpassed all of my expectations and kept me hooked from beginning to end. In Deadly to Love the action is constructed incredibly well, it is fast paced but filled with loads of detail that leaves everything easy to imagine and visualize." ~ Billie 5/5
"Mia Hoddell used the senses well to add depth and engage me as a reader, especially during action sequences or heightened moments. I really struggled to stop reading this book!" ~ L. Morgan 5/5


Also, we will be reviewing this book on a later date :) ~ N&S x

GUEST BLOGGER!
This week Mia Hodell will be posting. She has written three novels and is an up and coming author. Her novels are called-

• The Sheol ( The wanderer trilogy)
• The flawless (The wanderer triogy)

and

•  Elemental killers - Deadly to love  (OUT NOW!)

Also, we will be reviewing all three novels in the next couple months.

Keep an eye out for Mia's post as we're sure it will be great!
-S&N x

 

Walking Disaster

Walking Disaster  by Jamie Mcguire. The main character is called travis all the boys want to be him and all the girls want him.At a young age his mother died, but taught him two important rules Love hard. Fight harder.Abby Abernathy is the first girl to treat him the way he feels he should be treated, with dislike and disinterest. It is her lack of interest that sparks his determination to win her round. Will the invincible Travis 'Mad Dog' Maddox be defeated by a girl?

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This isnt my usual choice of book but there is something about it that i like. Dont think i be able to put this book down :)

Im going to get this at the weekend and keep everyone updated :) hopefully it will be a good read....

                                                               Xx S xX

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Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This book has to be my favourite book of all time (so far). The book was incredibly well written and was a good follow up to the previous book in the trilogy (The Hunger Games) Suzanne Collins did very well to create imagery and not only make you feel as though you were in the book by describing every single detail perfectly, bringing out emotions and telling you exactly what Katniss (the main character) was experiencing, feeling and thinking. I really felt for characters in the book and I even cried at certain points in the book! I was so eager to read this book after reading the previous one and seeing the movie and could not put it down. There were even nights were I would read from 9pm to 2 in the morning and it only took me 3 days to read, not because I was reading through the book quickly but because I simply couldn't put it down.
The book ends with a fustrating clffhanger which left me so on edge I had to go out and buy Mockingjay as soon as possible. I really like the changes in Katniss, Gale and Peeta throughout the three books and I think that Collins is such an amazing author.
I can't wait to see how this book is potrayed on the big screen but if its anything like The Hunger Games, then it will live up to the books high standards :) Too bad there isn't another book (which is what I so desperately need!) I reccommend this bok highly to anyone who has not yet considered reading it.

Hi!
Welcome to our blog. We're going to start off by posting some general good-to-know facts about us :)
Here we go!


N

Favourite book/s: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins , Beautiful Creatures by Garcia Stohl

Favourite book genre/s: Young adult, Fantasy and Action.

Favourite Film/s: The Lovely Bones, Harry Potter 1-8, The Hunger Games and The Time Travellers Wife

Favourite Film genre/s: Romance, Comedy and Action.

Why I love to read: I like to read because I love the idea that a single book has the power to transport you to another world, to give you a new identity and brings out so many emotions. Also they can encourage you to open your mind to new possibilties.
I also like the sense of achievment when you finally finish a book but not so much the sadness of realising that the book is over and that you have to come straight back to reality.





S

Favourite book/s: The time travellers wife by Audrey Niffenegger, P.S. I love you by Cecelia Ahern, One Hundred names by Cecelia Ahern (and the list goes on...)

Favourite book genre/s: Wartime, Chicklit, Romance and True Stories

Favourite Flm/s: Goodnight Mister Tom, Pleasantville, P.S. I love you, The Time Travellers Wife

Favourite Film/s: Wartime, Romance, Comedy and Thriller

Why I love to read: I love getting lost in a book and letting my imagine run wild. I like to discover unheard of authors because they are more original and tend to be the best kind of books to read.


S&N x