Sunday 31 March 2013

Today Everything Changes (Quick Reads 2013)Today Everything changes
Andy McNab
Published January 31st 2013 by Corgi
(first published January 1st 2013) 
Format: Paperback
Pages:112
Goodreads: Abandoned as a baby, Andy McNab's start in life was tough. Growing up in South London with foster parents, and surrounded by poverty, he attended seven schools in as many years, disillusioned and in remedial classes. It wasn't long before his life descended into petty crime. By the age of sixteen, he was in juvenile detention.

Recruited into the Army from there, it soon became apparent that he had the reading age of an eleven year old. The next six months in the Army education system changed his course of his life forever. Today Everything Changes is the inspiring story of when life changed for Andy McNab
 Today Everything Changes is the story of Andy McNab, it follows him from a small child on the streets of London, to Juvenile detention, all the way through his time in the army and SAS.
I loved reading this book, although it was only short i thought the message behind it and what Andy McNab went through is inspirational! I think what made me love this book so much was Andy's Struggled to make something of himself! Not many people will know this but at the age of 14 i got told i would never pass my GCSE's, by age16 i still couldn't read very well and got stuck on words so because i couldn't read i stopped reading and therefore never got better. My mother was much like Andy's, she worked constantly to pay the bills so i grew up with the bare minimum, she had 3 kids which also meant no one had time to help me with my education or to teach me to read and my step dad used to say i was thick and stupid. At 16 i went to college and in an attempt to not feel stupid i stuck in but still wouldn't read allowed in class, thanks to twilight i found i started to enjoy reading and the more i read the better i became. There is one line in this book that stuck with me " Never forget that reading gives you knowledge, which gives you choice and opportunity in whatever you want to do in life" I am now a Psychology graduate going to in to further education and i believe reading helped me make a better future for myself. I think the message in this book that its not where you came from or what you have that is important its what you make of what you have. Andy McNab worked hard and made a successful career for himself!

I think this book as a powerful message and is inspirational
3*





The Grey ManThe Grey Man
Andy McNab
Published March 1st 2007 by Corgi
(first published July 4th 2006) 
Format: Paperback
Pages: 99 
Goodreads:  A STUNNING ACTION THRILLER FROM A REAL-LIFE HERO Kevin Dodds leads a dull, uneventful life. He has a steady job at the bank, a nice house and car. His wife goes to Bingo on a Saturday night, but he usually stays in to save money.But Kevin has spent enough quiet nights in watching TV and decides he'd like a night out himself. And he's not talking about a pint and a packet of peanuts down at the local. He's going to attempt to pull off a daring bank robbery single handed.Kevin is about to take a heart-thumping step into the unknown.For once, he's going to stop being the grey man...


I got this book simply of the fact i am addicted to Andy McNabs work and i want to read all this books!

Kevin Dodds works in a bank where he is bossed around by his boss, go goes homes and leads a dull and boring life. He craves adventure and excitement but all his friends see him as the Grey man with no excitement! One day when his boss wont let him have the day off to celebrate his wedding anniversary everything changes! Sick of been pushed around Kev goes for his most daring move yet..... he is going to rob the bank! Putting his plan in motion based on all the action movies he's watch Kev is ready! will he succeed or walk back home the grey man?

This was a fun little short story, not McNabs best work but nice for little read! I loved the little bits of the story of what his routine was, how his wife made him listen to fashion things. I liked the fact that he stood up for himself in the end! And he finally got his excitement!

A good little read, If you don't have long or just want to chill with a book this is the one for you
3*

Firewall (Nick Stone #3)
Andy McNab
Published May 12th 2011 by Corgi (first published January 1st 2000)
Format: Paperback
Pages576

Goodreads:  Tough, resourceful and ruthless, ex-SAS trooper Nick Stone is now working for British Intelligence on deniable operations. And is desperately in need of cash.
When he is offered a lucrative freelance job, Stone thinks his problems are over. All he needs to do is kidnap a Russian mafia warlord.
And so Stone is thrust into the grim underworld of Estonia, with unknown aggressors stalking the Arctic landscape. Russia has launched a cyber-espionage attack, hacking into the West's most sensitive military secrets. Stone must stop them. But the mafia are waiting in the wings with their own chillingly brutal solution...


I am hooked on Andy McNab’s books now I read one and I just keep picking up the next one, normally I get bored reading a series and have to read other books in-between but not with the Nick Stone series I started book 4 this morning and am already half way through am glad i still have another 11 left to read.

When Kelly develops PTSD and has to have private medical care Nick has to put all his money in to her treatment, strapped for cash and with no jobs going at the firm since the Whitehouse screw up he thinks his problems are over with a freelance job. He is sent to Finland to capture a Russian mafia warlord, but when circumstances change Nick finds himself making a bargain with the same man he was sent to capture. Sent to the poor underworld of Estonia Nick must find who is trying to enter military secrets. But with things not going to plan, lies been told and government agents on his trail will Stone make it out of Estonia? And to what welcome if the firm finds out?

I liked this book, once again Andy Captivates the reader, From page to page you can’t put the book down! You have a constant adrenaline rush as you follow Nick though the story wondering how he is going to get out of the situation. In this book Nick is up against Government agents so you always wonder what if they can identify him, how is he going to get out of this? I think the storyline to this book was slightly slower than other not so much slower but less quick moving around, on the other hand you do follow Nick through miles and miles of snow and wonder how he will survive the elements. A lot of jobs go wrong in this book so he is constantly having to adjust his plans which just adds to the suspense, I think the only thing I didn’t like was that he gets captured and beaten up a lot, it seems everywhere her goes some gets him and beats him up. On the other hand it just adds to the suspense because you can see he is injured, he has no resources, the weather is slowing him down and taking its toll and you just don’t know what is going to happen. Like the other books this one is amazingly written, packed with action, fights and conspiracies! McNab is an amazing author and his descriptions and attention to detail is fantastic, you can see the story play out in full colour in your head just like you watching a movie!

I felt really sorry for Nick in this book, he's constantly cold, hungry and constantly getting beat up, it seems he has nowhere to turn without someone trying to get him. Combined with his concern for Kelly and his lack of money you really see a down and out Nick in this book. I think it definitely shows that that line of work is not glamorous at all!
  
Another amazing book by Andy McNab
4*  

Monday 25 March 2013

Last Night Another Soldier
Andy McNab
Published March 4th 2010 by Corgi
Format: Paperback
Pages:112

Goodreads: Afghanistan, 2009. A Rifle section is halfway through their six-month tour of duty in Helmand Province. Sixteen men from their Battalion have already been killed. Forty-seven others have been wounded and flown back home.

The last three months have been tough and it shows. Their kit is in a bad way. They are in a bad way. Young men with tans, scruffy beards, peeling noses and lips burnt raw by the Afghan sun. Despite the hardships they are enjoying their time out here learning how to fight the Taliban. The lads are on their way to becoming the best soldiers in the Army.

Last Night Another Soldier... is the story of four of the young men in this Rifle section, partly told from the point of view of eighteen-year-old squaddie, David 'Briggsy' Briggs


I got this book because after starting the Nick Stone series by Andy McNab i was hooked so i couldn't wait to read more of this books.

After a  rough childhood David Briggs joins the Army, He is loving his job and enjoying serving his country until one night everything changes. With ammunition low and his friend Wounded Briggsy must fight to hold them off! But when one manages to grab him he is worried he could be capture alive! luckily he manages to escape, but he is injured, his friend is dead and anxiety about going back in the field after a close call is kicking in. but the war wont wait, will he make it out alive and at what cost?

I didn't no what to expect when i read this book, I love the other books I've read by Andy McNab so i wanted to read it. I cried! and not for the normal wimpy reasons i normally do but the book was so real and i felt so sorry for the people i felt like i was right there and the things those poor soldiers go through! I think this book has a powerful message!  Our Troops are out there in horrid conditions and putting there lives on the line! and alot of them don't make it home and we should remember them! I also think the end is very powerful. The book also highlights the severity of PTSD, i think it has a good message that we need to support our service men and women, just because they've left the army doesn't mean that PTSD cant occur years later.

I thought this was a great little quick read with a very important meaning!
3*

Sunday 24 March 2013

Crisis Four (Nick Stone #2)
Andy McNab
Published August 22nd 2000 by Corgi Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages:554

Goodreads: Crisis Four is Andy McNab's fourth book and his second work of fiction, but he has already established himself as a brand name. His trademark is the SAS and dirty operations, so it will come as no surprise to anyone that the hero, Nick Stone, is a hard but fair ex-SAS man, now working for £250 per day as a freelance agent for British Intelligence on undercover missions which will be denied if they go wrong. The basic story is relatively straightforward. Stone undertook a mission to Afghanistan in the late 80s with a mysterious femme fatale, the posh Sarah; they had a fling and she promptly dumped him on her return. In 1995, they meet up briefly on another undercover mission to Syria which starts to go horribly wrong as Sarah appears to be working to a different briefing. Then, in 1998, Stone gets a summons on his pager to meet his bosses at Gatwick. Sarah has gone AWOL from her apartment in Washington DC and Stone's job is to find her. This he ingeniously achieves quite quickly and there then follows a long, tense chase across the US. Sarah's true past, and the secret that she holds, is gradually revealed and the ending is truly gripping.
For all McNab's authentic detail--we get lots of information on how to kill people and survive attacks--reading Crisis Four is a bit like playing Tombraider on the computer. It's a compelling other world, where reality is only paid lip service to, but the action comes so thick and fast that you can't help turning the page. And this is what marks Crisis Four as a cut above the average thriller. It is an unashamedly blokeish book--you won't find much in the way of subtlety of characterisation--though compared to Dick Francis McNab is positively Henry James--and you have to put up with the odd few pages that read more like instruction manuals for military hardware than narrative, but these are relatively minor quibbles. So many times you get to the end of a thriller only to wonder why on earth you bothered; Crisis Four delivers on its promises. --John Crace


I started reading remote control the first in the Nick Stone series because a friend mentioned him so I thought I would have a read, after finishing the first one I decided to read the second in the series, I am hooked! Even as I type I am ready have way through the third one that I started this morning! I am so excited that it is such a long series and I don't have to wait for any to be released! It’s not my normal type of book but amazing all the same!

Nick Stone is trying to move forward with his life after the killing of his best friend and their family, after taking full custody of the one surviving daughter Kelly stone must do what is best for both of them including battling with child care and trying to work to keep them going. When he is called on a job and has to leave Kelly again he thinks his day can't get worse..... Until he sees who his Target is! Sarah is the one woman stone has ever been in love with and now she has gone missing. Stone has to go on a hunt to track her down and deal with their less than pleasant past. But when stone finds her is everything as it seems? Who is telling the truth in this game of cat and mouse? Will he carry out his job or let his feelings get in the way? Can stone make it out of this alive or will he have his heart destroyed again?

Remote control was an excellent book but Crisis Four is even better! I loved following him on the hunt to find Sarah, not only was the story line fanatic but I found some of the weapons and survival techniques really interesting to read about. Then there was obviously lost of violence and action and amazing heart stopping moments! That is what I love about Andy McNab's writing is that you are constantly in suspense, you just don't know what is going to happen, or who if anyone is safe or who is a traitor. I also love that I can't predict the plot so you are hanging to the edge of your seat throughout the whole book! I just thing he is a fantastic writer! his books are just gripping, every page just keeps you reading because you want to see Nick make it but there are situations he gets in and you’re just going 'how is he going to get out of this one'. This book was just action, thrilling, heart stopping I cant even say how good it was! I just couldn't put it down!

The more I read the Nick Stone series the more I like Nick! I think he is a brilliant male lead for an action storyline but what I do like is he isn't invincible, there are moments when he gets in trouble and there seems to be no way out, moments when you can see his feelings where hurt or he feels guilty for leaving Kelly and I think that just makes him all the more likable and also make it so you can have a connection with him.

If you haven't read an Andy McNab book before what are you waiting for? I didn't think I would like it but once you have a taste for action, SAS stuff, spying and excitement you can’t put them down!
This book was brilliant and I loved every minute, the twists and turns in the storyline were fantastic and the end was just amazing!
5*

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Deadline (Newsflesh Trilogy #2)
Mira Grant
Published June 1st 2011 by Orbit
Format: Paperback
Pages: 581

Goodreads: Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.

Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.


I got this book for Christmas of my friend, i had read feed so i was looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series!

Shaun's life has turned upside down since the loss of his sister, he is trying to deal with her loss, run the company they built together and hold himself together in front of his staff (which is hard when you can hear you dead sister talking to you in your head) but his life is about to get turned even more! When Kelly from the CDC fakes her own death and tracks him down with important information about the virus he starts digging in to research. when outbreaks start happening everywhere he steps he knows the conspiracy is far from dead! With unexpected alliances, surprise enemies will Shaun uncover the truth behind the conspiracy that killed his sister or will he suffer the same fate?

WOW! Just wow! I loved Feed and didn't think the series could get better but this book didn't disappoint it was just amazing! I loved just following the team as they tried to uncover the conspiracy that killed George! I felt like I was right there! The story line was amazing! None stop constant action! Guns, gadgets and endless numbers of zombies! I thought the plot of the story line was amazing; I love a book where I can’t predict what is going to happen and this as one of those books. I think this is the best zombie series I have read! Mira Grant is just amazing! When I read her books I can see the storyline so vividly! Even though if you read this book get tissues ready I cried my eyes out at one point! And as if the storyline isn't shocking enough the end is the cliff hanger of all cliff hangers! I hand to read the back page 3 or 4 times before I believed what I was reading! it was just brilliant! Normally I love a book with a love story in it but you don’t miss it in deadline because you haven’t got time to! People are dying, zombies are going, the team is constantly on the run and evil people are everywhere its just non-stop action!

I love Shaun just as much in this book, in Feed he was an outrageous, risk taking ladies man but in deadline you see a whole different side. He no longer goes out into the field and pokes things with sticks instead he struggles with the death of his sister and  the new responsibility of running the company not to mention uncovering that the conspiracy his sister died for runs deeper than he once thought. There are some funny moments when he's speaking to george or winding people up and some really sad get the tissues ready when he is trying to cope with her death!

This book was amazing! i literally can’t fault it! its action packed, it has zombies and government conspiracies what more could you want!

amazing. amazing ,amazing
5*
Hey Everyone! I celebration of Love Lines first birthday i have another treat for you all! The book trailer for Diana's new book Diamond Sky (Love Lines #3) Come and check it out!


Diamond Sky Trailer


 Diamond Sky (Love Lines #3)

 Diana Nixon A new page of the Love Lines story that will reveal new secrets and mysteries buried in the walls of Dever. Eileen, Christian and Evan need to find an old spell to protect themselves and those they love from being killed. There is only one problem – no one knows where the spell is hidden…. A mysterious student comes to Dever. A boy whose eyes are always watching. Who is he? What secrets are hidden behind his smiles? Is he a friend or an enemy?... When they thought they knew everything about the super powers they possessed, they could have never imagined that in reality they didn’t know a thing. The wind can turn into the worst hurricane they have ever seen. The water can destroy everything. The earth can swallow them alive. And the fire can burn them to ashes…. The illusions - the only thing they tried to run away from, will come back to ruin the world they live in, taking away everything they ever cherished and loved. When you think you are so close to getting what you want, think twice about your every step. Because what you think is the right thing to do may take away your life….

Monday 18 March 2013

Hey Guys! Welcome to the launch party of Night Demon By Lisa Kessler



Gretchen Finch’s job would be much easier if she weren’t alone in the jungle with a brilliant recluse whose every glance sets her on fire. But the more she focuses on her work, the closer she gets to unlocking the mysteries of a terrible creature—the Night Demon—that threatens the world as she knows it. Though her scientific mind tells her it’s impossible, she’s beginning to believe the ancient Mayan tales as the sinister jungle comes alive around her.


Lukas Smith has spent hundreds of years searching for answers to his immortal Night Walker nature. As a series of ancient glyphs become clear, he’s about to find out more than he’d ever hoped, but the more he learns, the more his fate intertwines with the Night Demon, and the harder it becomes to hide his immortal secret from the beautiful, intelligent Gretchen.

Together, they must find a way to stop the inexplicable violence and mass destruction surging across the earth before the Night Demon destroys more than just mankind.


Also, check out the first book in the series, Night Walker, as well as the prequel, Night Thief




Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.


To celebrate the launch of Night Demon, Lisa is giving away four prizes: A $25 Amazon gift card, a Mayan Glyph necklace, a signed paperback of Night Walker, and an ebook of Night Thief.






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday 16 March 2013

Remote Control ( Nick Stone #1)
Andy McNab
Published October 1st 1998 by Corgi
Format: Kindle
Pages:512

Goodreads:Nick Stone left the Special Air Service in 1988, soon after being involved in the shooting of three IRA terrorists in Gibraltar. Now working for British Intelligence on deniable operations, he discovers the seemingly senseless murders of fellow SAS soldier Kev Brown and his family in Washington, DC. Only Kelly, seven years old, has survived - and immediately the two of them are on the run from unidentified pursuers. Stone doesn't even know which of them is the target.

Stone is a master of his trade, resourceful and ruthless. On his own, he would stand a chance of escape. But, needing to protect the girl, he is hamstrung as together they are plunged into a dark world of violence and corruption in which friend cannot be told from foe.

As the blistering narrative drives to its blazing and unexpected climax, Stone discovers the shocking truth about governments, terrorism and commerce - and the greed that binds the three together.

Remote Control is a new kind of thriller, gritty, vivid and menacing, with a pace that never lets up. Other thriller writers talk the talk. Only McNab has walked the walk


I got this book because Andy McNab is the favourite author of someone i know so i thought i would have a read and see what i thought considering I've never read a book like this before! I have to say i enjoyed it, it wasn't what I'd normally read but the second one got delivered this morning. It did take me awhile to get used to all the secret service style references and the type of guns and stuff but i got there!  

Nick Stone works for the British Intelligence on deniable operations, when he is taken off a job in Washington he decides to make a visit to an old SAS friend before flying home, however when he arrived Kev brown and his family have been brutally murdered! Only Kev's seven year old daughter Kelly survived after hiding. Nick must go on the run with Kelly in toe not knowing who is after them, why or which one of them is the target! Stone must find out the truth and protect Kelly, but with unidentified foes, friends becoming enemies and resources running out can he make it out of this alive? or will he stumble upon some hidden truths that will make him more of a target?

When i first got this book i didn't no what to expect or even if I'd like it, it's far of the paranormal and fantasy books i normally read but as it turned out i really enjoyed it! I loved the storyline it was  none stop constant action! i really got in to the book and started to feel like i was right there running from hotel room to hotel room feeling the desperation of been hunted down and not knowing who to turn to! I also liked the way the book captured how hard it would be to go on the run with a 7 year old! The plot was also amazing it isn't to the end of the book that everything starts to fall in to place and when then there are massive twists! Normal am a sucker of romance but i didn't miss it in this book because you don't have time to, its just action pack! constantly running, fighting or plotting!

I loved Nick he was macho with guns, fighting and all his SAS skills but at the same time i laughed at how this strong and confident man can be so awkward looking after Kelly and i think he melted a bit the more time he spent with her. Kelly was so cute, i felt so sorry for her that she lost her parents and i can only imagine what its like to have to go on the run with you dads friend but it think she played a vital rule in nicks story!

I really enjoyed this book, I've actually lent it out for someone else to read and I'll definitely read the next one!
4*







Lust, Money & Murder ( Lust #3)
Mike Wells
Published (first published June 13th 2011)
Format: Kindle

Goodreads:
This book is the third in a series.
Global counterfeiting mastermind Giorgio Cattoretti takes Elaine under his wing, tempting her with heady amounts of money to apply her expert knowledge to improve his near-perfect U.S. bills. But Elaine still loves Nick. When Nick enters the picture, it maybe too late. With nowhere to turn, will Elaine give in to a life of crime, or will she find the love she has always wanted?






I got this book after reading the first 2 books, i couldn't wait to read the conclusion to the series.



Elaine still finds herself in the hands of Giorgio with no passport and no money. After been offered a staggering amount of money she is torn between doing the right thing and butting a stop to the crime she set out to destroy and the world of money,crime and luxury. will she do the right thing? or will her life take a more drastic change when someone unexpected turns up to aid her. Will she make it out alive when she finds not everything is how it seems and the man she is working with had more of an input in her life than  she thought?

I really Enjoyed this book! The end was amazing! First i thought i was going to robbed of my happy ending ! The twist and turns in the last few chapters were amazing! i couldn't believe what was happening and there were so well written. Both the previous books have been leading up to this moment! I thought the storyline was brilliant filled with action. twists and turns and alot of moments where you think something is going to happen just to find out that the rug has been pulled from underneath you! Mike is a fantastic author who spun the action and drama together beautifully to conclude the series



Also always i loved Elaine, i thought she was a strong female lead, but at the same time there was some situations where she irritated me about and others where i felt really sorry for her! I was so glad that she had a happy ending because for a moment i didn't think she would!


The conclusion to the Lust, Money & Murder series was amazing, beautifully spun together in to an action packed, heart felt ending!
 

I would definitely recommend it!



Because the ending was that good, that action packed and that omg i cant believe that just happened i have to give it
5*