If you’re a fan of romance and intrigue, you’ll love this novel by award-winning author, Rosemary Clement-Moore. Sylvie Davis, the main protagonist, is a self-assured, wise-cracking teen with a strong will and a sly wit. When her dream of becoming a world-famous ballerina ends after a disastrous stage fall, she is forced to reassess her life and shift her considerable focus elsewhere. In an effort to curtail a lapse into depression and substance abuse, she is sent to Alabama under the care of distant relatives. Her family believes that the change of scenery will be just what the doctor ordered.

Instead, Sylvie finds herself growing more perplexed; she meets two young men between whom her affections quickly become torn. There is the intelligent, brooding Welshman: Rhys, and the expansive, all-American boy: Shawn (whose mutual disdain becomes increasingly evident throughout her stay). To further add to Sylvie’s confusion, occurrences of a supernatural bent are starting to take place around her, causing her to question first her sanity and then her resolve. With only her beloved lapdog, Gigi, as a reliable companion throughout the unfolding mystery, Sylvie learns to follow her heart and trust her instincts.

Clement-Moore’s characterisation is top-notch: Sylvie is a memorable lead character, delightfully complex in her reactions and dialogue. Her romantic interests are equally appealing: mysterious Rhys is coolly charming and aloof; charismatic Shawn warms a room with his megawatt smile and easy company. Aside from its involving plot, the book’s strength lies in its utterly real observation of daily life — Clement-Moore has a real knack for describing the sometimes very awkward exchanges between her characters and the way they interact with their environment. If you’re looking for a fast, punchy read, this isn’t it. Instead, prepare to be slowly drawn into Sylvie’s psyche, and to watch family secrets and mysterious events unfold through her somewhat cynical eyes.  At 518 pages, it’s not a quick read, either; so, be prepared to commit to this substantial, cleverly-woven romantic mystery.

Splendour Falls – Clement-Moore

September 8th 2009 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2009)

Hardcover, 518 pages

ISBN

0385736908    (isbn13: 9780385736909)

literary awards

YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults (2010)

Bec Says

WINTER FLINGS – 31 BOOKS JUST WAITING FOR YOU TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THEM!!

All the way through July, you can have your wicked way with one of 31 fantastic Hachette books.

Read the books! 31 tempting titles… Become a Match Maker…

Win prizes! Daily comps! Win the book of the day! Win an iPad! Win the ULTIMATE WINTER FLINGS prize!

Sign up on Facebook! Win extra prizes… Hook up with fellow book lurrrvers & shoot the breeze about your reads…

Brigands MC - Robert Muchamore (Thursday's book)

The Red Necklace - Sally Gardner (Friday's book)

Kiss Me Deadly – Tales of Paranormal Romance (Edited by Trisha Telep).

Zombies and Genies and Angels. Oh my!

This is a seriously twisted treasury of magical, fantastical stories.

You’ll be thrilled, chilled, and romanced by so many creatures from the darker side of your imagination that your head will spin. Fairies aren’t always what they seem and walking nightmares need love too, you know.

The stories that had me wanting more were ‘The Spy Who Never Grew Up‘, by Sarah Rees Brennan, and ‘The Spirit Jar’ by Karen Mahoney.

We find out what would happen to Peter Pan if the monarchy decided he’d make an excellent addition to the secret service; and robbing a bookstore leads to a budding romance between a Djinn and a kick-ass Vampire named Moth.

Enyo gets wrapped up in a fight for survival when an antiquated pre-marital ritual requires the sacrifice of a Unicorn in ‘Errant’ by Diana Peterfreund. And death isn’t quite so permanent in ‘Many Happy Returns’ by Daniel Waters.

Those are just a few of the awesome offerings by the thirteen authors in this collection.

Also included in the book are stories from the New York Times best-selling authors Becca Fitzpatrick, Maggie Stiefvater, and Rachel Vincent.

Editor Trisha Telep has got it going on right here.

Keep an eye out for more romantic stories with bite put together by Trisha in The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire.

Kiss Me Deadly – Edited by Trisha Telep

August 3 2010 by Running Press Kids

Paperback, 432 pages

ISBN

0762439491 (ISBN-13): 978-0762439492

Kelley Armstrong is the author of the “Women of the Otherworld” paranormal suspense series, “Darkest Powers”  YA urban fantasy trilogy, and the Nadia Stafford crime series.  She grew up in Ontario, Canada, where she still lives with her family.  A former computer programmer, she’s now escaped her corporate cubicle and hopes never to return.

1.         The first ten chapters of your latest book, The Reckoning, are available on your website. Were you an advocate of this publication model previously and will you continue to give away free chapters of your books?

It’s actually my publisher (HarperCollins) that does this.  They use software that allows you to read the first ten chapters, though you can’t download it etc.  Usually I’m only allowed to give away up to three chapters, so I love this.  I wish I could do it for all my books.

2.         You write about a wide range of supernatural beings in your books, including werewolves, vampires, demons, and witches. Which are the most fun and interesting to write about?

Growing up, werewolves were my favourite type, so when I decided to try an Anne Rice “monster as protagonist” book, they were my first choice.  They remain my first choice, though I love doing others.

3.         You write for adults and young adults. Is it tricky to shift gears between the two?

It hasn’t been a problem so far.  My main adult series has narrators ranging from twenties to forties, male and female.  Shifting gears became the norm for me, so I never got into the habit of narrating only one type of story.

4.        Which of your many characters Burns Brightest in your mind and why?

It’s like doing the different series–I like the characters all for different reasons!  The easiest to write, though, is Elena, because I’ve done her voice the most often.  I’m not sure she burns brightest, but she’s my comfort choice.

Kelley’s website: www.KelleyArmstrong.com

Kelley’s YA (Darkest Powers) site: www.DarkestPowers.com

Bec Says

Techno-Bling:

‘Technology that makes the transition to highly visual, over-the-top jewelry.’

Thank you, Urban Dictionary.

So, have you seen this yet? Aliph have just released their sexy new blingin’ bluetooth headset. Wear this and you can look just that teensy less like pretentious twats and more like bejewelled crazy people who talk to themselves. And I guess it works ok, since it’s being touted as ‘CNET’s Highest Rated Headset. EVER’ (their caps, btw).

Personally, I’m holding out for Super Talent’s gold USB drive (at left). You know, you really shouldn’t have to download your Brad Pitt pics and Lady Gaga Mp3s important documents on anything less than an 18-carat memory stick.

For lovers of Swarovski crystal, there’s iriver’s shiny new N15-Jewel, a schmick MP3 player that sparkles while you groove (right):

I suppose everyone’s by now heard of the 24-carat MacBook? It’s probably a bit passé by now, isn’t it? Which makes me wonder whatever we’ll all do once we’ve loaded up on our 2-minute bling wonders… God knows how quickly fashion changes & how rapidly today’s toy wonder becomes obsolete!

If you do tire of your GoldVish Le Million, your 201-carat Chopard, or your Bugatti Veyron, never fear… TG Gold-Super-Markt have just released their GOLD To Go gold bullion vending machine.

“..the GOLD To Go ATM is located (unsurprisingly) in the lavish Emirates Palace Hotel, in Abu Dhabi. Now, when hotel guests want to exchange their cash for something a little more economically-stable, they won’t have to bother with gold store clerks or business hours…”

Not a minute too soon, if you ask me! How many times have you been out and found yourself embarrassingly short of bullion?

I yi yi. What a world!

Music: Pink Floyd – Money

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Rich

Spandau Ballet – Gold