Here’s a letter from Lauren Galley, President of Girls Above Society to Marianne about International Day of the Girl:

I had such an amazing time celebrating IDG 2013 with some amazing girls! I really wanted to share the Nepal Chapter video with these girls so they will get a glimpse of what it is like for girls in other countries. Education is not a choice for many and girls in the U.S. are not always educated to this fact.

The girls I celebrated with are at-risk girls. An organisation called Cy-Hope gives these girls a safe place to go in their community where they can get help with homework, etc.

I have been giving “Girl Talks” there for about 6 months and it really has opened my eyes to the greatness they have to offer. I love empowering them and sharing some of my “Girl Power” so they can lead the way and make positive choices for their future.

Here is the video ( just edited) and some pics. We watched the film, danced to Katy Perry’s song ROAR, and had a special balloon lift off. Each balloon flying was to show how each girl has the ability and right to soar in the clouds because she is educated and has the “power”.

“A rainy night.

A car crash.

After the accident Sarah moves to a new school. A new place where no one knows what happened to her or her brother—where she doesn’t have to deal with the history that’s pulling the rest of her family apart.

Will is keeping his head down at home, just trying to get by. Then his sister Lauren comes back—as caustic as always but somehow changed. Will doesn’t know what upheaval brought her home. But it’s sparking some serious change in his life too.

Eliat’s got no mother of her own, and she’s way too young to be one. Looking after a two-year-old, trying to finish school—sometimes all that keeps her sane is partying as hard and fast as she can. Now the pressure’s building and Eliat just wants to get away.

Just get into a car and drive.”

If you have no patience for long winded stories, I will say straight up, this is not the book for you.

The characters are well thought out and lead multi-faceted lives. I’d have to say the character I most identify with is Eliat. Being a young Mum is its own kind of hell. I can’t imagine how it would be to still be trying to finish school, and having the desire to act irresponsibly, on top of being orphaned. Gritty and real.

The butterfly effect isn’t linear in The Accident, and you never quite know how your actions can play a part in the lives of others. Other than the title and chapter headings of before or after the accident, you are left wondering about about the point of the book. However, eventually a point is made and it is deadly, sharp and stabs deep.

In no way is this a story wearing a mass market bow, neatly tying the ragged, frayed and blood stained strands together for an ending. It is a granny knot, ready to be pulled apart with just the right amount of pressure. If you want to try something off beat and indulgent, give this debut novel for Kate Hendrick a go.

Paperback, 272 pages

Published June 26th 2013 by The Text Publishing Company

ISBN: 9781921922855

 “Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He has learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down – which means he’ll have to find someone he can trust.

POWER. ENEMIES. EVERYWHERE.”

Hunter was the star of the ebook, Fearless, and it was nice to see him get a whole full length novel of his own.

The poor guy just can not catch a break until the eldest Merrick brother, Michael, gives him the chance to get his feet under himself. I haven’t read a whole lot of books where guys are nice to one another for the sake of being nice. There is usually strings attached or some awful ulterior motive. Makes me wonder which is more believable. I honestly hope guys would help each other.

I enjoy reading the interactions between the Merrick brothers, and adding Hunter into the three ring circus gave me more than one occasion to snort giggle. I even read one bit out to my husband and even he laughed (which hardly ever happens). 

As with the other books it wouldn’t be complete without a little romance to add a little sweetness. Kate and Hunter have an awkward thing going on, but it’s giggle worthy and made me sigh.

If you haven’t read this one yet, you might want to track it down for the September school holidays. (along with the other books and ebooks) and consume them, or re consume them as the case may be from the very beginning.

Brigid’s books lift my mood and can turn around even the worst day. Love me some Merrick brothers.

The next book is due out in January, and will be called Secret. Can not wait!

http://www.brigidkemmerer.com/

Paperback, Australian, 294 pages

Published June 1st 2013 by Allen & Unwin (first published May 28th 2013)

ISBN: 1743310765 (ISBN13: 9781743310762)

*Recommended for mature teens and adults

Eleanor “Elle” Chance, that is—a high-flying dirigible pilot with a taste for adventure and the heroine of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, steampunk, and paranormal romance into pure storytelling gold.

It is 1903, and the world is divided between light and shadow. On the side of light is a wondrous science that has transformed everyday life by harnessing magical energies to ingenious new technologies. But each advance of science has come at the expense of shadow—the traditional realm of the supernatural.

Now two ancient powers are preparing to strike back. Blood-sucking immortal Nightwalkers and their spellcasting Alchemist allies have a plan to cover the whole world in shadow. All they require is the sacrifice of a certain young woman whose past conceals a dangerous secret.

But when they come after Elle, they get more than they bargained for. This enterprising young woman, the daughter of a scientific genius, has reserves of bravery and determination that even she scarcely suspects. Now she is about to meet her match in more ways than one: a handsome yet infuriating Warlock named Hugh Marsh, whose agenda is as suspect as his charms are annoyingly irresistible.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published March 5th 2013 by Del Rey (first published January 29th 2013)

Elle, an airship pilot, thinks that she is doing her friend Patrice a favor. But her trip to Paris goes horribly wrong. She loses her package before making it back to the ship and then finds out that her father has been kidnapped by the Alchemists.  A lost parcel, a broken ship, and a man who has decided he must protect her and help her find her father; Elle is in for a shock as her life is about to change.

This was the first time in a long time that I felt the author got Steampunk aspect completely right. The gadgets, airships, automatons were fascinating and leave such an impression that the story would not be the same without them. My absolute favourite character was the absinthe fairy who takes an interest in Elle and even narrates parts of the story.

Elle is a pretty spunky character. She is used to an independent life flying her airship, carrying weapons, and the comfort of her home life with her inventor father and predictable long-time house keeper.

When Mr Marsh comes into her life and now tells her that he knew her mother, and can help her get her father back, she reluctantly agrees to his patronage and accompanies him across Europe, by air and by train putting together the mysteries of the Alchemists and their connection to the scientist.

The world-building  is very imaginative and entertaining. The reader will get their fill of warlocks, nightwalkers, alchemists, magic, oracles and science. With an absinthe fairy who narrates between chapters, sky pirates and the fight for the  balance of Light and Shadow, this story was fun, exciting and at times romantic. 

How to get your brain ticking over.

Funks suck, and I’m not talking about that Wild Cherry song…

which can pull you out of any bad mood!

You know what I’m talking about. Moods that resemble something that would create a weather warning if it were to be let loose on the world. Feeling like you can’t get out of your own way and damn it, if only you could think about something else, ANYTHING else, you’d be able to get on with what ever it is the funk is holding you back from.

Here are a few things I do to rip myself out of a funk (besides playing the Wild Cherry song that is)

• Go for a walk. You really can not be angry if you walk far enough.
• Retail therapy. A new lipstick can be a mood lifter.
•  Manicure. I do my own so I can do nail art and go crazy with colour without breaking the bank. Compliments can make you smile.
•  Fresh air. After a winter of windows closed and not a whole lot of air flowing through the house, throw those windows wide… burn some incense to get the ball rolling.
•  Spring cleaning. UGH yuck. Works though… damn it!
• Eating fresh fruit. All that healthy vitamin stuff, but that crunch of a really good apple or the tang of a kiwi fruit. Yep, sounds like bliss to me.
•  Dance around your living room to a good song. *note, this is even better with the disapproving stares of a younger sibling or your kid while you get down and boogie.
•  Visit the library and try a new author, genre or format of book. If you always stick to the Morganville Vampires, you’ll be missing out on all the other fangy fiends that can change your outlook. Try an audio book, a large print book or a graphic novel. Borrowing from the library is the best way to get something new without the risk of paying for something you may not like.
•  Watch your favourite movie. That daggy one that you don’t tell anyone you actually like.
•  Pamper you pets. Brush them, play with them, make them bliss out. They’ll love it and you’ll giggle at the expressions they make. (in lieu of a pet, maybe volunteer at the RSPCA or another animal shelter. All animals need a little love)

 Good luck beating the funk. Let me know if any of these tips work for you too!