REVIEW: Paradox by Patti Roberts

*****

This is so totally different from anything I've read recently and I have to say... WOW. Patti Roberts is a truly remarkable writer. The way she weaves her tales among the story is extraordinary. I can honestly say I was in awe of the way she managed to do it. I'd love to have that talent. The story was so unusual... in fact it was a story within a story, or should I say a story within a story, within a story... I could go on because there are several different tales going on in the book at different times in history. And it's not confusing, Patti Roberts has managed to intertwine these aspects beautifully.
I also love the fact that Lisbon has been incorporated (I live in Portugal, but I won't say anything more!) My only criticism is that I NEED to know what happens next!! I can't wait for book two!

YA Indie Carnival: Block Busters

What do you do when you're, ah...BLOCKED! When you've written your characters into a corner, or maybe a black hole, and they can't get out? What do you do when you stare at that blinking cursor in the middle of the night? How do you bust your blocks?

Image courtesy: Free Digital Photos

I find the only thing I can is to get away from the computer, away from the story and do something completely different. Perhaps read a couple of books by other awesome writers or listen to some music. As we talked about last week, there's nothing better than a great piece of music to get the imagination running again. Or a movie? Anything that will make me think about something else always seems to help. Because I'm not thinking about it too much, I find that light bulb moment happens much easier!
So what about you? What do you do to loosen up the cogs of your imagination?
See what my other, awesome, fellow Carnis, do by clicking the links below...

1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series

2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews 

12. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13. M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping 

14. Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15. Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls 

16. Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter 

18. TG Ayer
19. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy 

20. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21. Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover 

22. Courtney Cole Writes

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REVIEW: Outside by Shalini Boland

*****

Over a year ago I had the privilege of reading what has now become one of my all-time favourite YA vampire books. The book was called Hidden and it was written by fellow indie author, Shalini Boland.
Since then, I have been eagerly awaiting her to release more. Imagine my delight, therefore, when I noticed she'd released a book entitled Outside. Initially I thought it was the long awaited sequel to Hidden. I was completely wrong about that, of course, but it didn't matter. I soon discovered that Outside was not about vampires or the supernatural, but about a dystopian society in south western England. I was hooked. Ever since childhood when I read a book called Z for Zachariah, I've loved dystopian novels, post apocalyptic novels, anything set in a world gone wrong.
Outside is exactly the kind of story I love, about a young couple who embark on a journey through potential terrifying locations to try and avenge something horrifying that happens in the beginning of the book. I'm not saying any more because I'd hate to give anything away. What I will say, though, is that Outside is simply brilliant. Shalini's writing just flows beautifully and I can't wait to read more from her. I wonder if Outside is the first in a series too? I hope so... I can certainly see the potential for many more!
But I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I need to be patient!
All in all, a fabulous read.