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Showing posts with label Jessica Shirvington. Show all posts

Stacking The Shelves: Including #BTCYA Party!!

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves.

So what new books have I added to my shelves this past month?

Well firstly I went to the Harper Collins #BTCYA Party at their Sydney office…and it was AWESOME!!

Pizza, books, fellow readers and some of my all time favourite authors (*COUGH* JESSICA SHIRVINGTON!), hosted by one of my favourite publishers…what more could I ask for?!

I got to meet the lovely Jess Shirvington again and she is such a fabulous lady!! I also got to meet Gabrielle Tozer, Tara Eglington & Sarah Ayoub! All these authors were so amazing, taking the time to chat to everyone as they signed their books. I'm sure I had a dazed fangirl expression to would frighten most people away, but they were all so nice and chatted to me anyway ;)

The only downside, was I was too awkward & shy to go introduce myself to anyone, since I wasn't sure if I'd actually met them online :( At the next event we should all wear name tags with Twitter handles!

PURCHASED

Corruption by Jessica Shirvington

I absolutely adore Jess's books and this final instalment in the Disruption duology is possibly one of my most favourite series ever!

YOU MUST READ THIS SERIES NOW!!!

The Intern by Gabrielle Tozer

Fabulous book! Sort of like a YA Devil Wears Prada

(that description doesn't do this book justice - just read it!)

How To Keep A Boy From Kissing You by Tara Eglington

This story sounds so adorable and fun and can't wait to start it!

Hate Is Such A Strong Word by Sarah Ayoub

I was told by the lovely ladies from Dymocks Bookstore that if I liked Looking For Alibrandi I'll love this one…and that was enough to make me buy in on the spot!

PHYSICAL ARCs FOR REVIEW:

This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Thanks so much Allen & Unwin!

I was so suprised and beyond excited to receive this copy. This is one of my most anticipated books this year!!

Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham

Thanks to Allen & Unwin!

I loved this TV series and can't wait to see what the novel is like!

Hope in a Ballet Shoe by Elaine DePrince & Michaela DePrince

Thanks to Allen & Unwin!

This sounds like such a beautiful story!

eARCs FOR REVIEW:

Inside Out by Lia Riley

Thanks so much to Lia via Netgalley!!

I'm so excited to read the final instalment to this awesome series!

Wild by Sophie Jordan

Thanks to the publisher via Edelweiss!

When We Met by A.L Jackson, Molly McAdams, Tiffany King & Christina Lee

Thanks to NAL Trade via Netgalley

I've already read and reviewed this set of novellas - Tiffany King & Christina Lee were my favourites!

Captured Love by Juliana Haygert

Thanks to Juliana for sending me a copy!

Loved this book - review to come

GIFTED

The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman

Thanks so much to Kay who gifted me this book in the YA Scavenger Hunt!

Have you read any of these books?

What books did you add to your shelves?

{Review} Disruption by Jessica Shirvington

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Title: Disruption

Series: Disruption #1

Author: Jessica Shirvington

Published: April 1st 2014

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Sci-Fi

Source: Paperback ARC provided by HarperCollins Au for fair & honest review

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads | Amazon

BLURB:

What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?

What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?

Eight years ago, Mercer Corporation’s M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.

Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she loves most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.

Now, Maggie is ready. And Quentin Mercer – heir to the M-Corp empire – has become key to Maggie’s plan. But as the pieces of her dangerous design fall into place, could Quentin’s involvement destroy everything she’s fought for?

In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking.

Warning: The following review will contain major fangirling

REVIEW:

The story:

Wow this book…I don't even know what to say except I LOVED IT!!! Such a unique storyline and one that really makes you think. I actually felt like this is something that could honestly happen in the not to distant future and I find that both scary and extremely exciting!

Despite this book being labeled as a dystopian, it's more of a sci-fi, with the story being set in a slightly futuristic version of our own world. The only difference between this world and our current one is the 'M-band' technology. An M-band in basically like a smart phone on your wrist, and at 18 a compulsory app called 'Phera-tech' is activated. It can tell you how compatible you are with someone based on the pheromones the put out (ie. over 40% would good friends, over 80% would make a great romantic pairing). But if you score 4 negative ratings within one month - your labelled a Neg, believed to be a risk to society, and taken away. And this is exactly what happened to Maggie's father.

Maggie is determined to find her father in one of the many secret underground holding locations. With the help of her 'friend' Gus, she's worked so hard to find him and is getting closer, and with the help of Quentin Mercer - son of the creator of the M-Band - she believes she will finally find him. But while working together, they grow closer and for the first time ever Maggie starts to question her actions. How far is Maggie willing to go to find him and is she prepared to live with the consequences?

The characters:

Maggie, finally a strong kick-ass heroine!! It was so incredibly refreshing to have a female MC who wasn't completely in the dark and constantly being rescued - in fact it's Maggie who is doing the rescuing. She doesn't like to rely on anyone else and know how defend herself. But despite Maggie's strength, she is also realistically flawed, making decisions that she later comes to regret, but this just added to her being such a realistic and relatable character.

Quentin Mercer is in the position that we often see YA female characters in. He's just starting to realise that the world he believed was safe, is not what he thought it was. While trying to come to terms with the new revelations he also doesn't want to believe he's father would be capable of these evil actions. Quentin, while perhaps a little naive is incredibly loyal and I completely fell for him.

Gus is one of my favourite characters and he's relationship with Maggie. Despite Maggie holding possible blackmail over his head, they seem to have form a strange and unorthodox friendship. They constantly bicker and argue, creating some hilarious conversations that often became scene stealers. But somewhere under all that they do care about each other - and thankfully it always remains plutonic.

The romance:

The relationship between Maggie and Quentin is quite unique. At first Maggie sees Quentin simply as a means to an end, a stepping stone to finally locate her father. But as she starts to see past the 'heir of M-Corp' label, she starts to see the real Quentin. The chemistry between the two of them was excellent and they both try to ignore their growing attraction for very different reasons. This romance was very slow burning, which I loved and I can't wait to see more of these two!!

The writing:

I'm a Jessica Shirvington fangirl, there, I said it. She is my favourite author ever and in my opinion she can do no wrong. It's obvious when reading her books, that she does her research, and as a result the backstory and world building are always strong and draw you into the book. There was also plenty of action to push the story along, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

FINAL WORD:

Disruption is an absolute STOP-WHATEVER-YOUR-DOING-AND-READ-THIS-BOOK-NOW, kind of story!!! A strong heroine, a unique & compelling storyline, incredible writing and plenty of action…what more could you ask for?! Go read it NOW!!

CONTENT:

Sexuality: mild

Violence: medium / some fights and murder (not descriptive or graphic)

Language: mild-medium / some f words

Drugs & alcohol: mild / some minor underage drinking

{Blog Tour} Disruption by Jessica Shirvington!

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Title: Disruption

Series: Disruption #1

Author: Jessica Shirvington

Published: 24th March 2014

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Sci-fi/Futuristic Romance

Goodreads | Amazon

BLURB:

What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?

What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?

Eight years ago, Mercer Corporation’s M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.

Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she loves most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.

In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking.

INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA SHIRVINGTON:

Hi Jess and welcome to The Reading Realm. We’re so excited to have you here today!

Hi Amy, Thanks so much for inviting me to be a guest!

Q. Young Adult books are being read by people of all ages, what do you think it is about these books & characters that are capturing people's attention?

I’m a bit of a romantic at heart so the first reason I’d pick would be young love. It is something we all experience – whether we are reflecting on our first love, in the middle of experiencing our first love, or looking forward to our first love. It binds us all together and no matter our age we understand and appreciate the intense emotions that often surround it. The second reason is that YA characters are often not dealing with the things we are all quite happy to escape for a few hours – job, mortgage etc. I think the sky is the limit for young characters and the adventures they can go on. For readers that makes YA books very appealing.

Q. What book (if any) from your childhood made you fall in love with literature?

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – by C.S Lewis

Q. So far your books have been told in first person POV. Is this something you consider for each story, or does your writing style naturally lend itself to first person?

It is something I consider. And for me, as a writer, I gravitate towards the more emotional story lines and in order to get as close to those emotions as possible I find that I need to be in the main characters head – experience things as she does and feel them as she does. It is a conscious choice but that doesn’t mean I will never change to a different narrative.

Q. Do you have any writing quirks or rituals?

I handwrite all of my chapter breakdowns. I carry a large notebook with me everywhere I go and in that book is everything to do with the latest story I am working on. It becomes a kind of bible that I am extremely possessive about!

Q. With Disruption set to be released shortly can you give us a little insight into the main character Maggie. What makes her tick?

Maggie is unlike any character I’ve written or come across. To me she is more similar to a lot of male characters in YA books.

I was getting a little tired of the male characters being the ones to bring the unsuspecting girl into a new world – to show her she was part of something and not only that, but a pivotal part. Often, the girl is fed information only when it is deemed necessary by the boy, who often is manipulating the main character. Well, Maggie is the opposite. She has all the information, she is calling the shots, she is bringing in an unsuspecting guy to this world she is involved in, and she is manipulating everything! She is extremely strong and works towards her goals in a single-minded fashion. She doesn’t let anyone persuade her or control her but she spends a lot of time blackmailing the people around her. And underneath it all, she is fiercely loving and loyal.

Q. Your female heroines, Violet, Sabine and now Maggie are very strong yet still make realistic mistakes. Is it important to you that readers can relate to your main characters?

Absolutely. Love or hate them, it is important to have a viewpoint. I had a girl come up to me the other night who loved the Violet Eden Chapters but hated Violet. I loved talking with her because I could see why she felt the way she did and I even agreed with her in many ways. But stories are about a journey, about growth and character development. If they started off perfect on page one, why bother reading on? I need my characters to be both strong and flawed because that is how the majority of people really are.

Q. The Violet Eden Chapters and Between the Lives, were both emotionally driven stories. What can readers expect when they pick up Disruption?

My stories will always be emotionally driven so they can expect more of that. But also, this book is different because there are no supernatural, no otherworldly elements. It is just Maggie in a world just like ours just with a new technology. People have been calling it Dystopian but it really isn’t. If anything, it is a sci-fi thriller (as you mention below).

Q. As Disruption is a science fiction novel, what kind of research did you do while writing?

Heaps. I love research and it has become a part of my writing process that I adore. I went to Arlington, Virginia, where the book is set. I travelled to all the places Maggie does in the book. I went out to hidden government sites and found ex CIA operatives to talk to. I went to the White House, to Georgetown University, I spent time travelling the Metro and walking the streets. Every scene and description has as much truth and research in it as possible.

I also spent a lot of time researching pheromones and microchips so that I could keep the story as close to reality as possible. In the end, it was actually frightening how much of the technology I talk about is already in development.

Q. What was the most difficult part about writing this novel?

Probably deciding on the world rules. I was creating a new type of social structure with a science at the centre of it, so working out all of that took time and a lot of rewriting so it never became overwhelming for the readers (which I hope it isn’t!).

Q. Finally, do you have a favourite quote or line from your new book you'd like to share with us?

In one of the first scenes between Maggie and her friend Gus, they’re talking over the phone and she has just jumped up and realised she gravel and a bad cut on her ass.

Before hanging up, Gus says:

‘Hope that gravel burns like hell when you’re pulling it out.’

It sums up their relationship.

Thanks so much for stopping by and answering some of our questions!

Thanks so much, Amy!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Shirvington is the author of THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS also known as THE EMBRACE SERIES, stand alone novel, BETWEEN THE LIVES and has an exciting new duology called DISRUPTION on the way in 2014.

An entrepreneur, author, and mother living in Sydney, Australia, Jessica is also a 2011 & 2012 finalist for Cosmopolitan’s annual Fun, Fearless Female Award. She’s also one of the lucky few who met the love of her life at age seventeen: Matt Shirvington, a former Olympian and current sports broadcaster for Foxtel and Fox Sports. Married for twelve years with two beautiful daughters, Sienna and Winter, Jessica knows her early age romance and its longevity has definitely contributed to how she tackles relationships in her YA novels.

Check back later in the week for my review of Disruption!

Stacking The Shelves: The Jessica Shirvington Fangirling Edition

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Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves.

This weeks post is basically me fangirling over Jessica Shirvington. I appologise in advance.

So this week I went to my first ever book launch party & signing!! Squeezing 4 heavy books in my bag I braved the rain and made the 2 hour train trip to Sydney to meet my favourite author, the lovely Jessica Shirvington!! And I'm happy to say that it was totally worth it!!

Jessica Shirvington was so lovely! Not only personalising and signing books, but spending time chatting to each and every person and taking photos too.

Also there, was her hubby Matt Shirvington (an Olympic sprinter) and their adorable daughters (it was so cute when they both raised their hands to ask questions during the Q & A). It was such a relaxed and friendly event and I had such an amazing time!

Thanks so much to Jessica, and also to Amanda Diaz and HarperCollins for organising the event!! It was fabulous to meet you both! :)

Me and the lovely Jess Shirvington!
(Big Sister came with me too, but she didn't want her pic here :)

ARCs for Review:

Disruption by Jessica Shirvington

Thanks so much for Amanda Diaz from Harper Collins Australia for sending this one!!!

The cover for this is made of metallic shinny awesomeness!!!

Signed Books:

Thanks so much Jessica for signing all the books I brought along!!

Fangirling will continue on Monday with my Blog Tour post for Jessica's new book Disruption!!

Well that's what's new to my bookshelf - what about you?

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!

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So today is January 26th, Australia Day and I thought I would celebrate with a special post about my favourite Aussie authors, and some Aussie slang just for fun!!

AUSSIE SLANG/PHRASES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fairy Floss - cotton candy

Maccas - McDonald's (as in the fast food shop)

Bogan - basically someone who is trashy. The closest translation would be 'white trash'

Mozzie - mosquitoe

Cozzie - swimming costume

Sunnies - sun glasses

Brekky - breakfast

Ute - utility vehicle aka pick up truck

Tosser - an idiot

Devo - devastated

Budgie Smugglers - speedos, mens bathers

Pash - short for passionate kiss aka snogging, making out ;)

AUSSIE AUTHORS I lOVE

Jessica Shirvington

Not only one of my favourite Aussie authors, but Jessica Shirvington's books sit proudly on my top shelf, right next to Harry Potter...need I say more?!

Amie Kaufman

I absolutely loved her debut novel co-written with Meagan Spooner and can't wait to read more from Amie! And it's also just been announced that it has just been picked up as a possible TV series!

Ellie Marney

Her debut book Every Breathe came out last year and I can't wait to continue to series. And in exciting news Every Breathe is set to be published in the US later this year!

Melina Marchetta

I read my first book by Melina back in high school and have loved her books ever since. They always have really beautiful messages woven into them.

Rachel Brookes

I absolutely love how Rachel waves her Aussie flag with an Australian MC in her New Adult series. And with plenty of Aussie slang and cultural reference too!

David McRobbie

David's books where the reason I first fell in love with YA stories, after reading See How They Run when I was about 11 or 12. I still love rereading his books!

Vanessa Garden

Vanessa's debut novel Captivate has just been released and can't wait to start reading it in the next couple of weeks!

Mem Fox

And I can't talk about Australian literature without mentioning the incredible Mem Fox! One of the most popular Australian picture books would have to be Possum Magic! Although one of my first memories is my Mum reading me Koala Lou - the line "Koala Lou, I do love you. I always have and I always will" is one of my favourite lines ever written and will always have a special place in my heart.

While there are of course many many other talented Aussie authors, these are just some that I have personally read and loved.

Have you read any of these books?

Are there any other Aussie authors that you love?

Stacking The Shelves #11

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Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves.

Okay so I'm finally posting Christmas haul!! Plus a couple I bought myself - all physical copies these past two weeks!!

Gifted:

Endless by Jessica Shirvington
Empower by Jessica Shirvington
Hidden by Sophie Jordan
Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck
Onyx by Jennifer Armentrout
Opal by Jennifer Armentrout
Origin by Jennifer Armentrout

Purchased: