The Beasts Heart by Leife Shallcross

The Beasts Heart - 3.5 Stars

Synopsis

A sumptuously magical, brand new take on a tale as old as time—read the Beast's side of the story at long last.
I am neither monster nor man—yet I am both.

I am the Beast.

The day I was cursed to this wretched existence was the day I was saved—although it did not feel so at the time.

My redemption sprung from contemptible roots; I am not proud of what I did the day her father happened upon my crumbling, isolated chateau. But if loneliness breeds desperation then I was desperate indeed, and I did what I felt I must. My shameful behaviour was unjustly rewarded.

My Isabeau. She opened my eyes, my mind and my heart; she taught me how to be human again.

And now I might lose her forever.

Lose yourself in this gorgeously rich and magical retelling of The Beauty and the Beast that finally lays bare the beast's heart.

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of The Beasts Heart from Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of The Beast Heart by Leife Shallcross. This was published on 3^rd May 2018

This book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite stories and have enjoyed most adaptations of this classic tale. This was good, and I found this to be enjoyable read.

Great book for YA fantasy and fairy-tale retelling lovers.

Nadiya's Family Favourites by Nadiya Hussain

Nadiya’s Family Favourites – 5 Stars

Review

Once again Nadia has come up with simple, beautiful and mouth watering recipes. This time she is cooking family favourites with her own unique twists. I love the that her recipes are easy to follow and turn out fabulous. So far, my favourites from each category are.

Breakfast – Sweet Potato Waffles, Homemade Peanut Butter & Maple Bacon on Crumpets and Rice Porridge with Raspberry Rose Jam.

Lunch – Chicken, Mango & Red Pepper Salad, Pomegranate & Parsley Tabbouleh and Teriyaki Tofu & Edamame Salad.

Sides and Sharers – Cheese Biscuits with Tomato Jam, Hummus Three Ways and Prawn Potstickers with Sweet Soy Dip.

Dinner – Beef Chilli with Jalapeno Cornbread, Beef Burgers with Bacon Jam and Grapefruit Chicken Stew with Couscous.

Something Sweet – Cookie Dough Ice Cream, Chocolate, Jam & Peanut Whoopie Pies and Strawberry Coconut Ice.

Cake – Peanut Honeycomb Banana Cake, Purple Velvet Cake and Raspberry Ice Cream Cake

These are just a few of my favourite recipes from the book. But just like Nadiya’s last book I know I will have more favourites to come soon. I really recommend this cookbook.

Top 50 books to Read by the end of 2018

Below is a list of books I would like to have read before the end of 2018

1.       The Kiss Quotiant

2.       Children of Blood & Bone

3.       Gemina

4.       A Discovery of Witches

5.       The Falconer

6.       The Wicked Deep

7.       Darkest Minds

8.       Brightly Burning

9.       Daughter of the Burning City

10.    A World with Princes

11.    The Greeks Virgin Captive

12.    Flame in the Mist

13.    Smoke and the Sun

14.    Royals

15.    Practical Magic

16.    Aru Shah and the End of Time

17.    The Princess Bride

18.    Shatter Me

19.    Natural History of Dragons

20.    Orphan Queen

21.    Beautiful Bastards

22.    Shadow Queen

23.    Daughter of Smoke & Bone

24.    Fangirl

25.    Why I Loathe Stirling Lane

26.    Queen of the Tearling

27.    A Shiver of Snow & Ashes

28.    Giant Days (Novel)

29.    Anna & The French Kiss

30.    Godsgrave

31.    Beartown

32.    Caraval

33.    Save the Date

34.    Queen Rising

35.    To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

36.    Wizards of Once

37.    The Red Pyramid

38.    All the Little Lights

39.    Kiss of Deception

40.    Captive Prince

41.    The Fill in Boyfriend

42.    A Study in Charlotte

43.    Half-Blood

44.    Shadow & Bone

45.    Dark Days Club

46.    The Score

47.    The Goal

48.    Cold Fury

49.    Hidden Huntress

50.    Beautiful Disaster

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best-friends-turned-worst-enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern-day version of the Montagues and Capulets. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to try to make their way to safety. But as the two travel deeper into the rugged Californian countryside, secrets and hidden feelings surface. Soon it's not simply a matter of enduring each other’s company, but taming their growing feelings for each other.

Review

This was an enjoyable read. I really liked Zorie and Lennon and the chemistry between the pair. It was interesting following their adventures in the woods after the pair being abandoned together. This is the first book I have read by the author and will not be last. The writing is beautiful and executed well.

If you are looking for good contemporary romance than try this little gem.

One Small Thing by Erin Watt

One Small Thing - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems a small thing, just for her.

Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is…

Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get.

Now Beth has a choice to make—follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart…again.

Review

This book was beautifully haunting and well handled. My heart was breaking for Beth and her loved ones. Once again the authors writing captivated me and consumed me. I will be thinking of this story for some time to come.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 5: Band Together (#17-20) by Noelle Stevenson, etc

Lumberjanes, Vol. 5: Band Together (#17-20) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

What gives, two-legs?!
It's a battle of the bands... with mermaids! April takes it upon herself to restore a friendship that has fallen apart, but will she be in over her head as her above water friendships take a hit? When friendships are challenged, can the Lumberjanes save the day? Don't miss out on this exciting collection!

This New York Times bestseller and multiple Eisner Award-winning series written by Noelle Stevenson (Nimona, Runaways), Shannon Watters, and Kat Leyh and illustrated by the tremendously talented Brooke Allen (Home for Mr. Easter) and Carolyn Nowak (Rungs).

Review

Another enchanting volume. This time featuring on a flashback and mermaids.

Tyson Hesse's Diesel: Ignition by Tyson Hesse, etc

Tyson Hesse's Diesel: Ignition - 4 Stars

Synopsis

The first-ever original graphic novel spawning out of Tyson Hesse’s Diesel, Hesse’s popular “punk motif”-inspired, coming-of-age story about Diandra “Dee” Diesel, her mysterious flying engine, and the airship colony she lives on, Peacetowne. When a long-lost army suddenly appears from beneath the clouds, one impulsive decision made by Dee will change her destiny forever. With only her broken-down robot companion and a mysterious flying engine to help her, Dee is sent on a sky-bound journey that will take her from the darkest wastelands below the clouds to the brightest capital of her world. Her greatest challenge will be to look beyond her family legacy and create a destiny of her own choosing. Tyson Hesse’s (Amazing World of Gumball, Bravest Warriors) visually stunning graphic novel examines the importance of family, responsibility, and heroism, all set in a grand, new world! Includes the first 4 issues of Tyson Hesse's Diesel comic series, as well as over 80 pages of new, original content. 

Review

What an excellent beginning to an imaginative new world. Really enjoyable.