The Booksnake Etc.: Home

"Would You Rather" Book Tag

July 03, 2015

How's it going booksnakes? The weekend is fast approaching and it's time for some well-deserved RnR. Or in bookworm language, Read and Relax. But before we go into our batcaves, I'd like to share somethig with ya'll real quick.

Denise from I Am Shelfless (Yes, I agree that it's an awesome name) sent me a message on Goodreads the other day, telling me that she tagged me in the "Would You Rather Only Book Tag". So of course I had to check it out because I NEVER say "no" to awesome things like this. It's relatively easy; I just answer the same set of questions the person who tagged me answered, then I tag 3 other bloggers to answer them as well! Let's begin!

Would you rather only read trilogies or only read standalones?

I like reading series, but there's just something about a book that gives you closure when you flip to the final page that attracts me more.

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Would you rather only read male or female authors?

Yikes. I like reading books by male authors because I get more insight on how a man thinks. But they don't normally write romance books, so I'll stick with my ladies. *grins*

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Would you rather shop at Barnes and Noble or Amazon?

I haven't really tried shopping in Barnes and Noble. Always have been a solid Amazon shopper. (Though I really like B&N's blog. They have really cool posts.)

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Would you rather books were made into TV shows or movies?

It depends on the length. If it's a standalone, then a movie should be its route. But if it's a really long series, (meaning longer than a trilogy) then I'd like to see it on TV.

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Would you rather read only 5 pages per day or 5 books per week?

I CANNOT read just 5 pages in a day. I can't even do that in one sitting! I need at least a chapter every time I hold my e-reader. So 5 books per week it is.

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Would you rather be a professional author or reviewer?

Oh goodness me. I'd LOVE to be an author, since I believe I have some pretty good stories brewing in my noggin, but I'm a copywriter/copyeditor. I'm good at giving information, not telling stories. Also, editing other people's work and breaking things down is one of the things I think I'm good at. With that said, it's quite obvious as to what path I ought to take.

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Would you rather be a librarian or a bookseller?

Uhm. Uhm...Librarian, I think. I'd like to believe that they actually have a deeper relationship with books, as well as greater passion for reading and gaining knowledge.

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Would you rather read only your favorite genre, or every other genre but your favorite?

Favorite genre. I'm normally a very adventurous person...just not with books. I mean, I read a few creations from different categories every now and then, but I still go back to my romance novels and all its sub-genres.

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Would you rather only read ebooks or physical books?

There are advantages to having both. I love the authenticity that a physical book offers; the paper smell, page-flipping sound, and even the bookmark you use. But the thing is, there are MANY talented authors who only gets published digitally. If I limit myself to paperbacks, I won't have the chance to know them. I've always been keen on indie authors and newbies anyway, so if I had to be exclusive, I'll go with my ebooks.

Thanks so much Denise and everyone else who took the time to read my answers. I believe I have to nominate three other bloggers now, but i'd like to deviate from the plan a bit. I'll be nominating 5 fellow bloggers, and here they are:

Floryie of Travelogue of a Book Addict

Melissa of Around the World in Books
Danielle of Reading, Writing, and What Not
Aneesa of A Book Lover
Claudia of Pen Markings

ETC. Home Specials

Swag, Swag, and A Whole Lot of Swag!!

July 03, 2015

Blog Tour Book Reviews Home Past Tours

Blog Tour of Kidnap: Guy Erma and the Son of Empire #1 by Sally Ann Melia -- REVIEW

June 22, 2015

Title: Kidnap: Part 1 of Guy Erma and the Son of Empire

Author: Sally Ann Melia

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult

Publication Date: May 17, 2015

Published by: Dickson House
Source: Copy Given by Author and Tour Organizer

ARA'S NOTE:

Ever since I started reading Mr. Brent LeVasseur's Aoleon the Martian Girl series, I decided to give Sci-Fi some serious consideration. This trilogy from author Sally Ann Melia was presented to me and I figured, "Eh, since I said I'd give Sci-Fi a chance..." And here I am now, reviewing the first part of Guy Erma and the Son of Empire, Kidnap.

SYNOPSIS:

Guy Erma and the Son of Empire is a new three-part action adventure, set a long time ago on a planet far far away.

I don't want to go! Do I have to go?

13-year-old Teodor knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom, he must help those less fortunate than himself. He must also impress his uncle the Emperor if he is ever to become the Son of Empire. A frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must go - into the Dome.

13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living soon. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to be accepted in the military academy - at the heart of the Dome.

Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?

The Empire of Freyne is a newcomer to the United Races. As a developing race, the thirteen-planet empire is of interest to other galactic races, not all of this interest is friendly. The Dome Elite is a force of space marines whose defensive actions and adventures defend Freyne and its neighbours from hostile alien pirates and acquisitive space brigands, so allowing the inhabitants to sleep soundly at night.

For the young men and women of Domeside, to be a part of the Dome Elite, you need to master the maths and technology associated with space warfare and also to be fierce fighter who can fight in confined spaces with short sharp blades. When you are in Dome Elite, you are the best!

Meanwhile politicians and imperial rulers know that whosoever controls the Dome Elite, who decides their mandate and mission also controls the empire. You have to inspire and lead the men, to have and hold the right alien alliances and legal treaties. When you own the Dome Elite. you are in power!

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sally-Ann-Melia/e/B00B9KYCTA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

REVIEW:

A book cover is actually a big deal to me. It's the first thing that catches my eye, and the blurb or reviews just comes second. If I were to pass by this book in Amazon or Barnes & Noble, I doubt that I would even spare it a second glance. Sounds harsh, but it's the truth. So when I was offered to review Exile, part 3 of the series, I decided to start from the very beginning so I can give fair judgement. Going in I thought I might have to skip a few pages assuming that I would be bored or something. I was wrong. I did not skip or skim any page, I was actually immersed in this whole other universe, and admittedly, I had a hard time coming out of it.

If a reader gets drawn to another world and starts comparing reality from fiction and favoring the alternate universe, that's a dead giveaway that the author is good and succeeded in his/her goal.

This book is fast paced, exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. The Guy and Teodor are completely different yet similar at the same time. For a couple of 13-year old boys, I'd like to think that they're very mature. But I guess that just comes with surviving in the world they live in. The writing was really good, though there were times I had to go back and re-read something because I feel like I missed out on an important detail. The beginning was also a bit too much in my opinion. That was a pretty long introduction, but I guess that happens when you're being informed of a whole new world with different sets of rules, but at the same time you see the likeness of it in our world.

I liked this book, but I feel like I would like the next two more. I give Kidnap 3.5 stars, and I look forward to reading Hunter, part 2 in this trilogy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author was born in Wallasey, England, in 1964, and moved to the South of France when she was eleven. She spent her teenage years living in the cosmopolitan city state of Monaco and became immersed in its many languages and cultures. An English girl in a French school, for three hours each week she would sit at the back of the class as her colleagues learnt English. To pass the time, she wrote stories. This led to a lifetime of writing novels, scripts, stories and articles.

In her working life, Sally writes marketing communications and manages large international websites.

In 2010, Sally joined the Hogs Back Writers, a club located on the outskirts of Guildford, and she set about turning an old manuscript into this novel: Guy Erma and the Son of Empire. Sally currently lives in Farnham, and she is married with two children.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.sallyannmelia.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnMelia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sally_Ann_Melia

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sallyannmelia/

TOUR ORGANIZED BY: