New Year Goals!

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Hi fellow readers and writers out there. A late Happy New Year! I hope 2020 is treating you well so far. I am going to discuss my favourite readers and least favourite from 2019. Also, my new goals for 2020!

Least Favourite 2019

It has to be Wakenhryst by Michelle Paver. This is not to say the novel is bad! It is just my personal opinion. I really couldn’t get into this book and i had to force myself to finish the book. I felt this was a book out of my usual go to genre which could be one reason i didn’t like it. But we all have different tastes so don’t be put off by my view!

My Favourites of 2019

Image result for the summer of impossible things

This book really surprised me and i think it is why it became one of my favourite reads last year. I mean there is time travel! who isn’t sucked in at that? haha I won’t write too much about it as i have a little review of it in my blog posts if you want to check out more about this novel!

Another Favourite of mine is SummerLand it had such good twists in it ! i couldn’t put it down either. Endings are always a fav part of reading a good book and this novel didn’t disappoint me! (My review is also in my blog posts:)

New Goals

I have set myself a few goals this year which are

Start Exercising more! – This is a goal to maintain for myself to keep my health in good shape
Eat more Fruit and Vegetables- Again this is for my fitness and health goals
Read 50 books this year! – I have read one this year so far, it is going strong
Finish of writing my book- i have 3 stories on the go i am writing. i hope to finish one this year!
Finally Learn to play the Violin- I am super excited for this one! i love Violins and i hope to keep focused and determined to give playing the Violin justice.

So, thank you for reading my blog post today! I hope you all have a good 2020. Lets get reading and writing! 🙂

x Vick x

The Past

Hey, new bit of writing i am working on. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Also, does contain sensitive issues in this work.

The salty sea breeze hit Claire as she opened the door. Stumbling along the path to greet her friend. She reached for the door handle and climbed in. “Hi Claire, how was your night?” Liz questioned. “Great, can’t wait to meet my mums new boyfriend tonight” she responded sarcastically. “Oh, let me know how it goes.” Liz replied. Claire turned to the window, her eyes stared at the beach front as Liz drove her to their shop. She felt sad about arguing with her mother last night it just kept replaying in her mind. The car suddenly stopped, Liz was trying to get Claire’s attention. Liz was waving her arms in her face and shouting, “hello, earth to Claire we have a shop to run.” Claire became aware of her surroundings and was back in reality. She could smell the alcohol in the air from last nights people on the streets. “Sorry, just not with it today” she smiled. “Well, come on lets get the shop open for 9am.” She walked off to open the shutters.

Let me take you back to my past, then you can understand my present self. It all started when I met him. It was a cold winter evening, my ginger hair redder than ever, my brother still at home and my mum was happy. I must have been sixteen maybe seventeen when that man entered my life.

I walked through the door, the first thing I noticed was the smell of cooking, my mum never cooked unless we had guests. I walked towards the kitchen. Then I saw his face for the first time. He was tall with blazing hazel eyes, he had brown short cut hair and he wore a suit. I could never forget that smile. ” Hello love” her mum spoke. ” Hi… erm who is this?” i replied. He moved towards me with a twinkle in his eye as he grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I am Henry, a friend of your mothers.” he smiled. Claire thought ‘friends’ my mother can’t even get a boyfriend. “He will be here a few times a week love.” “Ok.” I moved out the kitchen towards the stairs and out the corner of my eye I saw him looking at me. I walked up the stairs and throw my bag on the floor. The walls were covered in nothing but white paint and a few photos. The smell of cooking was floating in my room.

It got weird very quickly after that first encounter with Henry. I mean what kind of name is Henry? He was there almost every night after meeting me. I thought nothing of it at the time, i was happy for my mum at trying a relationship again. The second time i saw him he started touching me.

It was a Friday evening mum was cooking lamb dinner, she looked so happy in that moment. We all sat around the table mum across from me and Henry sat at the side of me. Just a normal family dinner until his hand started to wander my thigh. I froze at his touch. “So, how was your day at school love?” My mother asked. How would you respond when i man is fiddling with your thigh. “Erm…. fine we have to start writing short stories about our lives” “How intriguing love” she responded. His hand just kept rubbing back and forth on my thigh. All i wanted was to move, to speak, to stop it! I couldn’t do that. Dinner ended, i quickly moved to my room grabbed a towel and ran for the shower. All i remember was my tears being drowned out through the noise of the shower. No one to talk to just me and my thoughts.

I looked towards Liz she had opened the shop. I reached for the door handle and started walking towards the red door with sign Crazy Book Nerds Place. Its funny how events change your path you thought you had set for yourself. I opened the door books in every direction that is what i like to see. “I made you a coffee, it is on the counter” Liz shouted from the back. “Thank you! I love you so much” I shouted. I got the whiff of coffee as i reached for the mug and brought it to my mouth.” Liz emerged from the back door. “Hi, you look better already,” She smiled. “I feel better, thank you for bearing with me.” I smiled. “What are friends for” she responded just as a young man with glasses entered the shop. He looked confused like he wasn’t meant to be there. “Can i help you?” i asked. He jumped dropping papers he had in his hands scattering all over the floor. I rushed over to help collect the papers up. We both reached for last one and our hands briefly touched sending shivers down my spine. All the papers collected, i give them back and he provide me with a small smile. “So, Is there anything i can help you with?” i asked. He stuttered “I…I work for delivery company.” “Oh, great is it just a signature you need?” I smiled up at him he turned his eyes towards the ground. “Ye…..sss” he responded. I signed the document and he quickly walked away. “Well, it is settled your scary!” Liz laughed. Claire moved towards her gave her a small smack on her arm. “I am not scary!” Liz couldn’t stop herself from laughing even more.

The day went on not many visitors today. Liz and I locked up the shop and got in her car to drive home. “Do you fancy staying mine tonight” Liz spoke. I looked along the beach again, all the tourists sitting and waiting, sometimes i think i am waiting for time to rewrite its self or stop all of a sudden. ” I wish i could but i am meeting my mum’s new boyfriend.” i replied. “oh shit! i forgot about that. Text me later babes.” she said. I got out the car and headed for the door. I felt sick, tearful and alone.

Thanks for reading 🙂 Let me know your thoughts of my work!

x Vick x

Til Human Voices Wake Us by C.S Johnson

Firstly thank to R&R Book tours and C.S Johnson for the copy to review on this tour.

Genre- Science Fantasy/Mermaids

Sometimes the difference between reality and insanity is only a matter of absurdity.

There is nothing wrong Milo Bishop fears more than the thought that he is going insane.

Having grown up hearing his Uncle’s Jay’s stories about strange mermaids Milo never had a reason to believe they were actually true. But when a near death experience gives Milo a verison of a mermaid calling to him for help, Milo is forced to test his uncle’s claims. And when he winds up in Rasulka, the mermaid community tucked away, deep under the southern California seas, the question of his uncle’s sanity is the least of his concerns.

I loved this book! It has mermiads involved which hooked me straight away! It was a bit of a slow starter for me as i felt the story could have hooked readers in more qucikly.

I liked the style of this book as it was easy to follow and read. The characters were all likeable which i liked and the relationship between Milo and Laura was so cute.

There is a pre sequel to this book which i felt provide more backstory to this novel. I really enjoyed getting to know where the story was heading. I also have to say how the mermaids are not portrayed as your typical friendly loveable creatures which i liked as most writers take that route.

Now the ending is always my favourite part of novels. This book provide a happy and satisfying end to the story. It is completed without a cliff hanger which makes wonder if there will be a follow on book to this one. I hope there is becuase i love mermaids and loved this story! Go check it out if you love mermaids!

Ps- Such a beautiful cover too!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Corners Untouched by Madness- A Personal Journey of Overcoming Mental illness By N.Daniel

Firstly, thank you to R&R book tours and N. Daniel for a copy of the book to read.

Synopsis-

Daniel, the main character, settles for s mundane office job in the surburbs but is haunted with guilt. When a beautiful woman from his past appears, it ignites a chain reaction, setting him on a journey to confront his troubled history. Based on actual events, this inspiring story attempts to enlighten its perseverance. Will Daniel be able to brave his trauma and put his inner demons to rest? Or will he be consumed by the most cunnning adversary of all? The truth.

Before i get into my views on the book let me just say this cover is so beautiful! It fits perfectly with this story.

This book was like a breath of fresh air. At the moment i am getting into reading more about mental illness so this book was right up my street. We don’t talk enough about mental health and i hope people read this book to get a deeper insight.

At first it started a bit slow for my liking but then i got hooked in! I really loved this book at how it expresses the emotions of the joruney he takes. It deals with of course serveal mental health illnesses.

The story is really beautiful and i can’t express how much i really enjoyed it! The writing style was easy to read and follow too which i like in a good book.

Now getting to the end of the book is my favourite part. This didn’t disappoint it leaves you wanting to know more! It was just a perfect fitting for this story and i couldnt put it down.

Final note – I take my hat off to the author N.Daniel for writing about the issues in the book. I also, thank you for providing your perspective of the issues in the book. I hope more people write about mental illness so people can not feel alone and get the deeper understanding you provided! Again THANK YOU!

5* from me !

Paper

Hi, to anyone that reads my blog i am doing a poem post today. Hope you like it! 🙂

Delicate, thin, or thick,

the texture should not define it.

A dull ache for it to appear,

Why does it define me?

…………………………….

White is all I see, yet others see the colour.

Come to reach me? Step closer, give it a rip.

There are many sheets, there are many to choose.

I am in line waiting for you.

……………………………..

Crumbled, broken, destroyed!

One sheet is all you had to choose!

Multiple packs are never enough!

Why can’t you see me!

…………………………………..

Ripped apart by hopes and dreams

Paper thin these walls creeped in.

Alone again, so paper thin.

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed 🙂

x Vick x

Walking with Elephants Review!

Firstly, i want to thank sliver dagger book tours for allowing me to review this book. I applogise to them as my review is really late! I am sorry about that. Please find below a review and my thoughts on the novel.

3⭐️⭐️⭐️

I felt it started off really slowly and continued at that pace. However, that is only my personal opinion. I like that it had lots of dialog in the story as for us readers it gives us more feelings of what the characters are feeling and the emotions at that time.

I love endings in books and a reason why i gave it 3 stars was because i did not like the ending of this book it provided the answers to questions i had but it didnt leave me shocked or wanting more! I like books that do that.

However, i loved the romance in this story it was well placed in the story and i really enjoyed it through out the book. I would still recommend this book to people as i enjoyed it still.

Thank you to Sliver Dagger Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

New Beginnings By Johanna Nield

Synopsis-

Natasha Arden loves music, food, sex, clothes (not necessarily in that order….) and her boss.

Unable to tell anyone because he’s married, she pours her heart out in the only way she knows how: a private blog.

Her feelings are tested when Jamie is suddenly widowed, and their relationship flips dramatically as he starts to lean on her for support.

Once foot-loose and fancy-free, Tasha is now frantically striving to navigate a minefield of moral dilemmas and social taboos. Follow her story as she endeavours to understand grief, love, loss and most importantly: her choices.

This book was set out in a blog format which allowed for us to get the perspective from the main character Tasha. I liked the format as it is different style to read than I normally do. The issues addressed in the book was good and it dealt with how grief can affect people differently. So, I really enjoyed that.

I really liked the relationship that growed throughout the story and felt that it didn’t feel rushed like some authors do. I liked the little bits of dialog that was shown through the blog style as, then it still gave some perspective and interaction from the other characters.

The only thing that stopped me giving 5 stars was the beginning was a bit slow to get me hooked in to it. Also, the ending didn’t leave me shocked or surprised and I like that in a book but that is just my personal preference.

I would recommend this book it is a good book that I enjoyed reading.

Writing Update!

Hi, everyone i am posting below a chapter from a novel i am working on. I would love critical feedback! That is how we all improve 🙂

All I see is her face every night, every day and every dream. My little sister eyes when I told her the news of the selection. That day was a blur, everything happening all so quick I couldn’t even take her with me away from him.

My arrival was quick the plane landed on the Sky people’s ground. The ground here was different, it had sparkle in it like glass. I turned around to look at my new surroundings. All I could see was glass, I didn’t understand. As I turned back around a figure was moving. It was a woman walking towards me in her black suit, as she got closer, I noticed her eyes were an unusual purple.

“Welcome to your future here at SkyMore.” she smiled.

“Erm…. thanks, I guess.” I shrugged.

“Now, if you would like to follow me, I will show you where you will be staying.” She started walking away.

I followed her as this was my new life, without my sister, it hurt my heart.

“I hope you like it here, we do our best to try and get you settled. My name is Delilah”

She opened the car door for me to get in. This is all so surreal I thought. The air smelt different here more of a fresh scent rather than a dirty smell.

I watched from the windows until we reached one of the shiny buildings, it went up forever.

“Most new comers have the same expression when they reach SkyMore” Smiling at me.

“It is a lot to take in seeing myself in all this glass” I smiled.

“Follow me please”

The entrance was so grand, it was like stepping into a movie. There was even a check in desk like the movies! I followed her into the main hall where there were three others waiting there. I glanced in their direction, two boys and one girl, all looking at me with their piercing eyes. Suddenly, we stopped that’s when I realised, we had reached them.

“Joseph, this is Adam, Bridget and Callum. You will be this year’s students to join our society. The rules are simple:

No access is permitted below level one
No going outside after ten pm
Everyone in their rooms by eleven pm
No questions about your families

If we all manage them, we will get along fine.” She smiled.

The girl raised her hand. We all turned to look at her.

“Yes, Bridget” Delilah annoyance showed on her face.

“Can we not even contact family?” She squeaked out in fear.

“No, I am afraid people her will become your new family. Now, time to see your rooms.”

The stair case was even bigger than the entrance! Must have been over thirteen levels. Not one of us talked much on the way to our rooms. But then again, we were four strangers placed in a weird new society. We reached level seven, there were ten doors all which had names across them. We reached the first stop, Bridget was first to discover what lay behind the door. Then followed Adam and Callum. The slow walk to the last door at the end of the corridor had my name on it.

“This will be your room. If you have any questions my office is based on level three.” She smiled and placed the key in my hand. I waited until she left, then I placed the key in and turned the handle to discover what lay beyond.

Thanks for reading i appreciate it 🙂

SummerLand by Lucy Adlington

This is a YA novel that was inspired by true events from war. At first it intrigued me as it wasn’t something I normally read about. So, I was lucky to receive this copy from Reader First. It follows the journey of Brigitta of love, friendship and family.

The first few chapters did hook me into the story the plot did get going straight away from there. The chapters all have food items as their names which was weird at first but then I thought it brought humour to a serious written about topic. Also, the food in the chapter was written about in each one which was cool.

The characters were well developed in the novel and all had good interactions throughout. I loved the music element in the novel it brought more live to the book as well as focusing on the struggles Brigitta faced. The book sets first person perspective which I like as it made it more personal to the character.

I love a good ending! This book did not disappoint it was a twist I didn’t figure out or expect! I think it was definitely a highlight of the novel for me.

Overall, I would recommend this book as it is a more excitable way to read about war times and the story is so touching. That twist at the end too!

Thanks for reading!

xVickx

Through Her Eyes by Sophie Fahy

Synopsis-

Life is not always black and white, sometimes, it’s a thousand shades of grey. Seventeen year old , beloved Alyssa Darlington has always been a party girl: quick-witted, fierce and very smart; with a strong future ahead of her. But after surviving a brutal attack at her best friend’s end of summer house party, the only thing that seems fitting is revenge. And when this becomes her twisted reality, it’s easy for the shadows to take over. After something so traumatic, Alyssa struggles to stay at the top of the social ladder- climbing to the top is hard- trying to stay there while, newly, partially blind, is even harder. There’s a weight upon her shoulders. Quietly searching for answers, Alyssa unlocks memories and reveals secrets that should have been buried. Three suspects. One love. A whole lot of family drama.

Firstly, I want to say a thank you to Sophie Fahy for allowing me the privilege to read a copy of her novel. This book is a YA contemporary mystery. It delivered all the aspects from each of the genres throughout the book. Her novel is released on 28^th August! Go check it out 😊

Absolutely loved this book! It had so much drama, suspense and mystery. It starts of as a YA novel as the main character Alyssa is shown at her best friend’s summer party. The plot really gets going straight away which I really liked. The novel focuses on the perspective of Alyssa throughout and the challenges she is faced with. The mystery of the attack is well set throughout the book as new secrets are found through each chapter. All the characters had good interactions and developments throughout. The book deals with being partially blind which I thought was great. I also, have not read many books on being partially or fully blind so, I enjoyed the perspective the author perceived.

As a reader the ending is always the best part and I sometimes do get disappointed. However, this ending was amazing I did not expect it or see it coming! It was that good I have gone back to read the last chapter twice already haha.

Fav Quotes-

“The boy you love.

The boy you hate,

The boy who thinks your invisible”

I love the use of the repetition here it is really effective.

“My mind is like a blank sheet of paper: white and clear all over.”

Again, I love the effect it has, and it really showed the feelings of Alyssa at the time.

Overall, this book did not have anything bad about it in my view. I loved it! The end was just WOW.

Hope to read more of your novels to come Sophie Fahy 😊

Thanks for reading guys!

xVickx