#BlogTour Game Changer by Lasairiona E. McMaster

Well hello, yesterday was my turn on the BlogTour Game Changer by Lasairiona E. McMaster, but I straight up forgot - so sorry for that!

About the Author
Lasairiona McMaster grew up dreaming of an exciting life abroad, and, after graduating from Queens University, Belfast, that is exactly what she did - with her then-boyfriend, now husband of almost ten years. Having recently repatriated to Northern Ireland after a decade abroad spanned over two countries (seven and a half years in America and eighteen months in India), she now finds herself 'home', with itchy feet and dreams of her next expatriation.

With a penchant for both travelling, and writing, she started a blog during her first relocation to Houston, Texas and, since repatriating to Northern Ireland, has decided to do as everyone has been telling her to do for years, and finally pen a book (or two) and get published while she tries to adjust to the people and place she left ten years ago, where nothing looks the same as it did when she left.

Follow Lasairiona @QueenofFireLas on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Goodreads, Visit lasandcolgotexan.com, Buy Game Changer

About the book
AJ Williams wasn’t supposed to fall in love with a girl on the internet. But he did.

Other than living over five thousand miles away in Northern Ireland, Lisa Millar is seemingly his perfect match. AJ can’t quite believe his luck, not only is she beautiful, but she has an appreciation for both music and hockey - two of his favorite things.

Surprised by Lisa turning up unannounced in Alabama, AJ is under pressure to deal with the issue at hand. Should he risk losing her, come clean and tell her the truth? Or should he try to keep his secret under wraps?

Will true love win out? Or will AJ’s secret be too much for Lisa to bear?

Review
When Jeremy sets his friend AJ up on a double-date it's more about Jeremy wanting to get into someone's knickers, as opposed to wanting his friend to meet a great girl.

The banter between AJ and Jeremy, and of course AJ's worst enemy - his own brain and conscience, is typical locker room stuff. Misogyny is part and parcel of their relationship goals and daily interactions with the opposite gender. They aren't exactly Prince Charming candidates, but they certainly think they are.

AJ is more than surprised when he finds himself attracted to Lisa, even if it is only via chat from one continent to another. They grow closer and a spark of attraction grows into something neither of them expects. Unfortunately there are bigger barriers than oceans between them.

Let me just warn you - AJ really likes to talk to himself. He has a constant internal dialogue with himself, to the point where I am not sure he is listening because he spends all of his time having internal conversations. At times he isn't even sure whether he is saying it in his head or out loud.

It's the first in a young adult romance. A story very much driven by heightened emotions and the emotional turmoil that is felt by the young with such strength that the world always appears to be coming to an end when things don't go their way.

McMaster delivers a story full of passion, love and also one full of omissions, one that has potential for development.

Buy Game Changer at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Drama Llama Publishing; pub date 14 Mar. 2020. Buy at Amazon com.

Read my review of Bloom Where You're Planted by Lasairiona E. McMaster.

Saint Death by Marcus Sedgwick

Somehow I missed the fact this is classed as Young Adult, and to be perfectly frank it doesn't really belong in that sub-genre.

It is gritty, hardcore and it forces reality right down the readers throat. It was one of those books you finish and think 'wow.' At the same time you can't really identify why. It is just a whirlwind of brash hard-hitting realism.

Faustino is looking for a way out of his slum existence. He is tired of being surrounded by uncertainty, violence and death. Each day is a struggle and the only opportunities for any kind of advancement in life are being part of a gang or a possible escape across the border. However the Coyotaje isn't always the solution desperate people think they will be. They are ruthless groups or gangs with only one concern, to make money. They feed on the desperation of the innocent.

The descriptive scenes of the gambling are right on the button. People with the itch always think they can find the gold at the end of the rainbow. Just one more hand of cards, just one more attempt to outwit lady luck. Ultimately Faustino holds the weapon of his own self-destruction.

Sedgwick doesn't pull any punches, he just whacks the reader right around the head with a literary crowbar. It's hard to pinpoint why it is such an unusual read, perhaps it's the gritty realism and the lack of compromise. Sedgwick is relentless in the portrayal of his authentic characters and the setting. Kudos to him for the merciless ending.

Buy Saint Death at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

This book is one of those little gems shining through in a sea of books.

Barr manages to present a rather tragic story with an incredible amount of humour, love and compassion.

The reader meets two versions of Flora, actually make that three, because there is also an in-between grey area. We meet docile Flora, the girl who follows rules and listens to her parents. Then there is Flora the impulsive adventurer. The girl who is off her meds. Third Flora is the girl who exists in the confusion of post-tablets and pre-clarity.

Flora has problems with her short term memory. She relies on post-it notes, written messages on her arms and a handwritten book of memory props to get along every day.

Now at this point I have to wag a finger at any a parent who would leave a vulnerable child, teen or young adult alone based on the assumption that another teen will be looking in on them. Teenagers can be as flighty as birds and as dramatic as a reality TV show character on LSD.

So Flora is left to her own devices and ends up coming off her medication. Even before that she spends an unhealthy amount of time obsessing about being kissed by her best friend's boyfriend. The kiss becomes a pivotal part of the story, her obsession and a possible recovery.

Her search for Drake is a bold one, but it is also one ridden with dangers. The fact she is lucky enough to encounter people who care, which is perhaps a scenario we all wish for, if one of our children were alone and in trouble. Flora is halfway across the globe searching for love, and the only person who is aware of her exploits is her brother.

Barr makes an important point when it comes to vulnerable people and independence. Are they hindered by their loved ones when it comes to evolving, growing up and being able to make their own decisions? The gut instinct to keep them safe may also be the factor keeping them from moving forwards.

I really enjoyed the read. It is funny without being insulting, it is realistic without bending the boundaries of imagination and it definitely pulls on the heartstrings. I would love to know what Flora gets up to next. At this rate she may end up in a tent on top of Mount Everest.

Buy The One Memory of Flora Banks at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Follow @emily_barr Visit emilybarr.com

Follow @PenguinRHUK

Read The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr

Unrivalled by Alyson Noël

The feel of this book is an interesting mixture of  Young Adult with certain flair for the reality and cut-throat world of Hollywood. It reminded me of a Jackie Collins story without the huge dollop of sex she was known to incorporate into her books.

It's the same kind of intimate and truthful look behind the golden curtains of Hollywood lifestyles, the the ruthless choices people will make to be famous, and just how hungry they are to be in the spotlight.

Obviously the fate of Madison is left as a cliffhanger to lead into another book. I couldn't decide whether it was an intentional ploy by Noël. Was it thrown in there at random purely to hook readers, who will want to know where the girl is? A Gone Girl moment? Or did the glitzy reality TV show like competition just sink the second plot?

Tommy, Layla and Aster and just three of many when it comes to wanting a step up the ladder of fame and fortune. Taking part in a competition to become one of Ira's shaker and movers seems like the perfect way to achieve their goals.

Layla chooses to chat, gossip and lie for her bread and butter. Tommy becomes too attached to Madison and Aster is suddenly famous in a way she really didn't expect or want. I wonder if Noël will go back to what happened to Aster. It's left a wee bit open-ended in this story. It needs to be addressed in some way.

In the end I think they all sacrifice a little bit of their soul to be a part of celebrity circle.

I think this will appeal to older teens and young adults. The whole 'becoming famous' via social media and the manipulations celebs pull off to stay on the front pages, and on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Of course the real question is what happened to Madison? I guess we will find out in the next book.

Buy Unrivalled at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.