Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Why I Love Romance by Julie Shackman

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Hey lovelies

It's time for the first author guest post on my blog. I'm very happy to welcome Julie Shackman on Sky's Book Corner today. Her debut novel is called Rock My World, you'll find it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ICRU3J6/

You can find Julie on Twitter: @G13Julie and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman
And now enjoy :)
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From the age of 13, I fell in love with romantic novels.

I remember reading the glossy tomb, “Princess Daisy” by Judith Krantz and the sweeping glamour of
it all, simply blew me away.

The passion; the impossibly gorgeous settings and the tortured, beautiful characters caught my
imagination immediately.

As I held this book in my hands, I just knew what I wanted to do – become a writer and hopefully
touch people with my words, in the same way authors like Judith Krantz is able to do.

My love of romance has continued since that day. In fact, I think it has grown, mainly because there
are so many fantastic romance writers out there.

The genre has expanded so much as well. It has diversified and many of the stories are moving,
funny, compelling and sexy in equal measure.

I have read many wonderful romance novels, which have left a lasting impression. Writers like
Wendy Holden; Jenny Colgan; Sophie Kinsella and Nick Spalding create effortless imagery for me,
which I find hilarious, touching and real.

In my debut contemporary romance novel “Rock My World”, I hope I have managed to reach out to
the readers too.

My protagonist, local newspaper reporter Ruby Cameron, has to deal with the ghostly presence of a
charismatic 80s rock singer and her conflicting emotions for her sexy new boss. At the same time,
she is unaware of who she really is.

In my story, I’ve strived for humour, passion, sadness and empathy. 

The thought of someone having had not a very good day, being lifted by my writing, would mean a
great deal to me.

So whether you like your Alpha Males (and frankly, who doesn’t?!) or your Confident, Sassy
Heroines, I hope you discover as much enjoyment from reading the romance genre as I do.

A huge thank you to all those fantastic romance authors out there, who gave me the confidence and
determination to write.


I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me!

- Julie Shackman

Monday, 24 February 2014

Blogger Q&A - Charlotte Dibely

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Hey my dears

Hope your week started well. It's time for this month's blogger Q&A.  In the focus today is Charlotte Dibely from http://miscrawl.wordpress.com. Thank you sweetie for answering all my questions, I know there were a lot ;) xxx
Hope you're going to enjoy this everyone, I can guarantee you: The answers are worth reading. 



1. Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Manchester, UK. Manchester is still my home! I’m the definition of a home bird.

2. How long have you been blogging and why did you start doing it? 

I’ve been blogging for about 3 years. I started off on Blogger before moving over to Wordpress. Hmm, why did I start? Tricky and this is only the second question! The honest answer is that I started blogging because I wanted to feel like I was being constructive. My life was pretty stagnant and I was doing very little with my time. I wanted to be able to say that I was doing SOMETHING worthwhile.

3. What is the name of the book you most recently blogged about?

I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk.

4. What did you think about the cover?

Bright, reminds me of Summer, girly. It sums up the book pretty well.

5. If you could ask the Author 3 questions what would they be?

-Do you ever have inappropriate dreams about the men that you create?

-How does it make you feel when people write bad reviews?

-Can I come and stay with you in New York?

6. What is you most favorite character and why?

I’ll throw this out there now: I’m TERRIBLE with the word „favourite.“ I’m indecisive and like too many things to ever have one favourite. I don’t have a favourite song or a favourite book or a favourite film. I like tons of things too much to specifically single stuff out. Favourite character? This is literally impossible for me to answer. Ok........I’ll name somebody that I really, really like. She’s one of my favourites, but not my ultimate. I could never pick.

Hermione Granger. I know, I’m one of those Harry Potter people. The fact is, the Harry Potter books were my childhood and I have so many fond memories of them. They comforted me, they were there through key moments in my life and, not forgetting, they are fantastic stories. Even though Hermione isn’t the main character, I think she represents something so important. She told a generation of young girls that you don’t have to be cool, beautiful and perfect to be likeable or a hero. She was me. Average looking, incredibly academic and, at times, socially awkward. Let’s face it; Harry and Ron wouldn’t have managed anything without her.

7. What genre is your favorite and why?

Argh, favourite. I really like chick-lit. Can I say fiction? Covers all bases. I’m cheekily just saying fiction so I don’t have to give a definite answer. I’ll give any genre a try.

8. If you were shipwrecked on a desert island what 3 books would you want with you?

Oh no, I’m sure there’s loads of books I’ve yet to read that I would love to take! If I was sensible I’d pick something long, wouldn’t I? I, my friends, am not sensible.
-The final Harry Potter book. That would be the ultimate comfort.
-Hmm. I’ll say a chick-lit because I’ll need something quite light-hearted. Mhairi McFarlane’s You Had Me At Hello, please.
-Finally, I’d pick Lord of the Flies by William Golding, purely in case I meet up with any other stranded people. I’d want Lord of the Flies as a constant reminder of how NOT to do the whole „civilization on an island“ thing.

9. Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

I’ll be really un-original and say J.K. Rowling.

10. Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

Again, I’m one of those annoying people with no particular preference. I like all 3 equally and they all have their merits. I used to hate the idea of an ereader until I received one as a gift. I like using an ereader just because it’s so easy, quick and carries hundreds of books, but you can’t beat an achey wrist from a paperback.

11. Where do you prefer to buy your books?

I’m one of those awful Amazon-reliant people. I buy my ebooks from there and any paperbacks that take my fancy. However, a few times a year I hit the charity shops and buy piles of books for ridiculously cheap prices.

12. Have you ever read a book more than once?

YES. Too many to mention. I’ve got quite an obsessive personality. If I really enjoy something or it strikes a chord with me, I re-read and re-read as a form of comfort and to make myself feel better. Then, eventually I’ll get bored and move on to something else.

13. What book are you currently reading?

I’ve just started Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh.

14. What book are you about to start reading?

Next up is The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence.

15. Have you read a book that you would like to rewrite the ending of?

Interesting question! I think I’ve muttered this to myself lots of times, especially if I’ve finished an upsetting book where somebody dies or if I think a character has made the wrong decision. However, that’s how the authors intended it to be and they ended it like that for a reason. I’d never want to change anything. The authors know the story and characters better than I ever could.

16. Do you have a favorite book cover? Chose up to 3 if you like.

Nothing specific comes to mind. However, I love the vintage Penguin books with the orange covers. I’ve got my own little collection going.

17. If you could plan the perfect holiday, what would it be?

I’d love to see culture and experience a „wow“ moment. I like history, I like taking photographs, I like swimming, I like food. I’m not a fan of lying on a beach all day in the sun.

18. How often do you blog?

Not as often as I should. I guess how often I blog is related to where I am in my life. If I blog quite a lot then I’m using it as a distraction, for something to do, or I’m at an incredibly focused point. If it’s more sporadic, then I have stuff going on in my personal life and I’m busy in some way or another. Short answer: at the moment it’s about one post every 2-3 weeks. Bad, I know.

19. What’s your favorite color?

Argh, my least favourite word: favourite! I really like red. There!

20. What are 5 items you never leave home without?

Can I have 6? Phone, purse, keys, tin of vaseline, hair clip and a snack/chocolate bar. I have an unruly fringe which may need to be pinned back at any given time, hence the hair clip.
I ALWAYS have some form of food in my bag. Always. You never know when you’re going to get stuck somewhere, or if a zombie apocalypse will happen.

21.Favorite book character crush.  Yes you can pick 2 :)

Oo. Ok. I really REALLY liked Ben from Mhairi McFarlane’s debut novel, You Had Me At Hello. Second? Hmm. I’m going to go all fan-girly and appeal to my teenage side, so Peeta from The Hunger Games. I like the nice guy, clearly.

22. Sleep in or get up early?

I’m an early bird. I always have been! I prefer to be up and about.

23. Summer or winter?

Winter! I’m not keen on heat. Nobody likes to sweat. Also, I don’t really have the legs for pretty sundresses.

24. White wine or red?

I’m not a massive wine drinker, but I prefer white.

25. Coffee or tea?

Neither! I’ve never liked hot drinks.

26. Where can we find you?

My facebook page: facebook.com/charldibs
My Goodreads page: goodreads.com/charl_dibs
Twitter: twitter.com/CharlDibs

Thank you Charlotte :) xxx



Sunday, 23 February 2014

Wedding Night - by Sophie Kinsella


Original Cover
My own cover
The blurb:

Lottie just wants to get married – to the right man, of course. She’s sure her boyfriend is about to propose.

So when the proposal doesn’t happen and she meets her first love from long ago, Lottie decides on drastic action. They’ll get married right now, with no engagement, no fuss and, above all, nos ex until after they’re safely married. It’s the perfect plan.

On the other hand ...

Fliss is in the middle of a nightmare divorce and just wants her little sisiter to avoid the mistaks she made. She decides Lottie’s marriage hast o be stopped at all costs and chases (un)happy couple to their romantic honeymoon venue on a Greek Island.

Will Lottie have a wedding night to remember ... or one to forget?

My Opinion:

When I first started reading the book I didn’t really like it. It took me quite a while to get into the story, but when I did I couldn't put it down. Only when Ben and then also Lorcan come along I got hooked. 

What about Lottie’s and Ben’s Wedding Night? Or what will Fliss do to stop them?

When Lorcan and Lottie’s ex-boyfriend Richard come along everything gets more complicated. As a reader you can feel the attraction between Fliss and Locran the first moment they meet. And you feel so sad for Richard and he is such a sweetheart. The fact that he wants to fly to Ikonos (the honeymoon destination of Lottie and Ben) and get her back is just soooooo romantic.

The honeymoon doesn’t really go the way Ben and Lottie planned. Whenever they have another go at their Wedding Night something goes wrong. It was so much fun to read these different scenes.

Richard, Fliss and Locran meet at the airport all on the way to Ikonos, for different reasons though. Fliss wants to stop the Wedding Night, Richard just wants Lottie back and Lorcan is there for business. However, there is a problem with their flight and they have to stop over in Sofia. That gives Lorcan and Fliss time to talk and the tension between them is huge. However, Fliss tells him to much. She tells him about her plan to stop the Wedding Night. He doesn’t understand her. The atmosphere between them is really weird the next morning. However, they understand each other really well, because they were both married and know how hard a divorce can be. In Ikonos it’s her who tells him what she thinks about him and all his ideas and then he realises what his future holds. The ups and downs between them made almost scream, I just wanted them to be together.
The co-narration of the two sisters is great. We got insight to both their thoughts and feelings and they were still connected all the time. 
Ikonos is wonderful to read about and it makes you want to book holidays immediately.

The ending is sweet, cute and so much fun.

I couldn’t put the book down, I really got addicted to it. Now I really want to read more about Lorcan and Fliss, because I think they’re perfect for each other and there is so much chemistry between them.
This story is soooo funny and full of laugh-out-loud moments.

Rating: 





My possible cast:

Lottie: Lea Michele
















Fliss: Rachel Bilson






























Richard: Erik Dane





















Ben: Adam Gregory













Lorcan: Adam Brody
 





























Sophie Kinsella on Twitter: @KinsellaSophie