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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
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Showing posts with label 4.5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4.5 stars. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Review: Return of the Fae by Lynn Cahoon
Return of the Fae
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Release Date: June 21, 2013
Council Series #2
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Suspense with Romance elements
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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A witch in training, a hunter on the prowl, and a world in jeopardy.
Learning the rules of being a witch takes years, but Parris McCall needs to master them in only weeks. Knowing how to wield her magic is the one thing she has to keep her grandmother safe and herself alive.
Ty Wallace is going mad with his desire for Parris, but he has to maintain an emotional distance from her. She’s a distraction in his quest to find Coven X before they grow too strong, taking The Council and everyone he knows down with it.
As Parris labors through the academy manuals, the couple takes a trip to find Ty’s mentor. He’s their only hope in helping Parris with her studies. To their dismay, the old man has disappeared. Their only clue comes from a witch banished for actions against The Council. When they return, not only do they find their own lives threatened, but casualties in the war between the covens have risen. And a new life hangs in the balance.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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Lynn Cahoon brings us the second book in her Council series with suspense, romance, and spells full of power. Return of the Fae lives up to its name. We do see the fae returning to Ty and Parris. We also see things between the couple intensifying, making the heat index 3 out of 5. They’ve got awesome chemistry, but ‘real life’ called, and they had to answer.
Per Amazon, this title is estimated to be a mere 113 pages. I’m guessing that’s why it felt like I was done reading before I even settled in to my spot on the couch. I continue to want more of Parris & Ty’s story. I want to see the happily ever after. I did purchase the first book in the series, A Member of the Council. I was glad I did, too. I like starting a series at the beginning. I do feel like Ms. Cahoon did a good job filling in back story as needed, however.
What worked for me was the chemistry between Ty and Parris. They seem as natural together as peanut butter and jelly. Jason Mraz & Colbie Callat (see video here). Tequila and lime. You get the idea. I think what I liked the most about this couple was the way they seemed to auto-bond – whether they would admit it or not – and it was all casual. Not intense beyond your most wild imagination. The suspense was perfect. Pacing – awesome. Secondary characters were set up just right. With enough involvement to keep things interesting, yet not take away from Parris and Ty. In fact, their relationship was enhanced by the others involved in the story. None of the characters were superfluous. They were all planned and purposeful.
What I wasn’t too keen on was the hot/cold of Ty. Make. Up. Your. Mind! It’s cool if he doesn’t want to really get involved with Parris until things have settled…but don’t sleep with her in the interim. Not. Cool. I see where it has value in the plot, but couldn’t there be another way to increase the romantic element?
Even though there was one little element with which I struggled, I really enjoyed Lynn Cahoon’s newest title in the Council series, Return of the Fae. I look forward to reading future titles in this series.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Review: A Marine Affair by Heather Long
A Marine Affair
Author: Heather Long
Release Date: June 3, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Always a Marine #13, Novella
ISBN: #978-1613335444
Genre: Military Romance, M/M
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Elijah Masters have been secret lovers for years. They nurtured their very private relationship with planned vacations and leaves, always meeting somewhere different—always escaping off the grid. It worked for them—career officers with a desire to serve their country and a passion for each other. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones—Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
What B is talking about:
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As dedicated Marines who’ve never hesitated to put their duty to their country above all else, Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Eli Masters accepted the need to keep their love a secret for years. But, when DADT was finally repealed, and it was safe for them to live openly, Rick wanted to tell the world. Unfortunately, Eli wasn’t ready to come out, despite the changing times, and in a moment of need and doubt their relationship ended. But, one year apart isn’t enough to undo ten years of loving each other, and now that Eli is home again, Rick isn’t willing to let him go without a fight.
I have a fondness for military fiction as well as m/m romance, so A Marine Affair was enjoyable on both fronts. Eli and Rick are interesting, strong characters, and Ms. Long imbues them with an unexpected amount of depth, given the short length of the story. Both are Marines, one serving stateside as a surgeon, one taking dangerous assignments overseas. But, they each respect the path the other has chosen, nurturing their relationship as best they can over the course of a decade during secret rendezvous and stolen moments while on leave.
The root of the trouble between Rick and Eli isn’t revealed right away, but instead through a flashback a little further into the story, creating an immediate need to stick with these men to find out what really happened. Surprisingly, Eli’s refusal to live his life “out and proud” is rooted in a secret he’s kept hidden from Rick, one that has nothing to do with their lives as Marines. It is a reminder that “complicated” is a universal label, and that sharing a life with someone means that some secrets, regardless of how closely guarded they are, can no longer yours to bear alone.
One of my favorite things about A Marine Affair is that, while the sexually explicit scenes between Eli and Rick are definitely worthy of an enthusiastic response, they don’t overwhelm the story itself. Each one has a specific purpose and is very well written, and illustrates the vastly different stages the relationship has gone through as the story progresses.
Overall, A Marine Affair is simply a wonderful story. The characters are complex enough to seem real, while avoiding the feeling that the author’s intent is being handed over in intentionally digestible parcels. The narrative isn’t preachy, just sincere. A Marine Affair is easy and sweet, and, for such a quick read, Rick and Eli’s story mattered to me. It was a pleasure from start to finish and I’d love to read more of it’s kind.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, July 8, 2013
Review: Fangs for Nothing by Erin McCarthy & Kathy Love
Fangs for Nothing
Author: Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Trade
The Fangover #2
ISBN: 978-0425257449
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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When one of their own ties the knot with a dominatrix (no pun intended), The Impalers—a vampire rock band—are ready to party down. But trouble awaits them once again when they wake up…
Attending their bandmate Saxon’s wedding seemed simple enough for Johnny Malone and Drake Hanover. But after waking up in a dominatrix’s dungeon, they realize their cash and cell phones have been stolen—along with the bride’s wedding dress and the groom. And then there’s the matter of the two women in the room…
Loose cannon Johnny is handcuffed to Lizette, an uptight paper pusher. She wants to help save Johnny from the horrible fate in store for him at the hands of the Vampire Alliance, but he won’t sign the paperwork. Then there’s Josie, the waifish caterer from the reception, who rescues Drake from a sex swing. Josie may be cute and make a great cupcake, but Drake knows she might also be the thief. Or it could have been that gang of drag queens all dressed as Cher…
Regardless, Johnny and Lizette need to get out of these handcuffs. Drake and Josie need to find their missing belongings. And Saxon needs to be located before the Vampire Alliance comes down on them hard…
What VampBard’s talking about:
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Fangs for Nothing, a dual effort for Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love, combined cross-dressing with sunlight-avoiding vamp rockstars in one of the cutest, quirkiest, funniest reads this summer. I’m not gonna lie. I yearned for moments that I could sink my teeth into this cute story, set in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Vampire + Domme = crazy wedding antics. Add in Cher through the Decades and the insanity begins! You’d think that Saxon and his bride, Zelda, would be the main focus of this title… but not so. We’re focused on Johnny and Lizette (love that name!) as well as Drake and Josie Lynn. Watching their antics to solve the age-old high school prom-ish mystery, ‘Who spiked the punch?!?’, was intense and hilarious!
What I absolutely adored: They all woke up in Zelda’s ‘dungeon’ in various states of undress and creative dress. Lizette’s propriety. Josie Lynn’s intensity. Johnny’s change. Drake…period. He qualifies as Hunk-o-the-book for me. The entire plot arc – especially the conflict resolutions between the couples.
Things I wasn’t too keen about: The bat thing. It was, however, creative!
It’s really difficult to write a review without gushing about some of the antics of the ensemble. It was such a fun read – I don’t want to ruin it for anyone! Fangs for Nothing is a perfect vacation read! Steamy enough to fill a sauna, yet light-hearted and comedic. Totally awesome break from my traditional reading fare.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Review: Spartan Frost by Jennifer Estep
Spartan Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #4.5
ISBN: #978-0758294777
Genre: Young Adult (Urban Fantasy), novella
Format(s): E-book
Book Source: Purchased with own funds
About the book:
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I'm Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was--until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.
Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I'm fine, that Loki and the Reapers don't have a hold on me anymore, but I can't risk it. I can't risk hurting Gwen again. So I'm leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.
I know Gwen wonders what's happening to me, whether I'm safe. I can't tell her, but this is my story. . .
What G & U are talking about:
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Gikany and Una have fallen in love with the Mythos Academy series. We love Gwen and the world she inhabits. We tend to get completely caught up in the stories and lose all sense of time. Ms. Estep gives us a treat in this series with Spartan Frost – a short novella that gives us a glimpse into Login-freaking-Quinn’s mind. If you are a fan of this series, this novella is a must read!
Through this very short novella, we see how torn and broken Logan is over his betrayal of Gwen. He is still reeling from being tricked by his stepmother and bound and controlled by Loki through a necklace, which causes him to almost kill Gwen – his beloved Gypsy Girl. Spartan Frost is a bit of an emotional jaunt as we see Logan home with his father – with whom he has a broken relationship. However, we are given a glimmer of hope at the end. That is until you read the short snippet from Midnight Frost and become agitated at the peril Gwen finds herself in. Our only complaint is that it was a novella… and we just wanted more!
If you haven’t started the Mythos Academy series, you are seriously missing out. This is a series parents can read with their kids (seventh grade and up) or as an adult to enjoy. They are really just great reads.
Their Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, June 3, 2013
Review: Kiss Across Swords by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Kiss Across Swords
Author: Tracy Cooper-Posey
Release Date: May 25, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Kiss Across Time #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic, Historical Elements
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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To save them all they must win back one reluctant heart…again.
Taylor Yates never dreamed growing up she would end up happily living with two drop-dead sexy vampires and time-hopping through their thousand years of personal history. Her life is complete…or is it?
When she finds herself at the siege of Jerusalem during the first crusade, Veris doesn’t know her at all and doesn’t want to. Worst of all, he and Brody are total strangers, and Taylor drives a wedge in deep between them by trying to seduce Veris at their first meeting—not something a lady of the day does if she wants to keep her head.
Taylor and Brody must woo Veris using the customs of medieval England, win his heart and his full commitment before Jerusalem falls in four days’ time—or when they return to their own time, their lives as they know them will be gone…
What VampBard’s talking about:
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Ohhh Emmmm Geeee! This was my mantra as I burned through the second book in the Kiss Across Time series. I couldn't get enough of the sensuality and intimacy between Brody, Veris and Taylor. Kiss Across Swords is definitely a must-buy for connoisseurs of paranormal menage with a historical bent. Pretty specific audience, huh? Not really. The series would be a great introduction to any of these genres for the novice reader. I'll walk y'all through my thought process on this one!
We definitely have to classify the series as paranormal. Veris and Brody are centuries old vampires. However, even if you're not into paranormal/ vampires, don't worry. It's really not something that is 'in-your-face' throughout the storyline. Some biting, some feeding (and feedings are off-stage), but nothing obnoxious. Historical elements. Um. Hello?!?! this story takes place, almost in its entirety, during the Crusades! There is DEFINITELY a historical influence to this title, and Ms. Cooper-Posey did some great research with regard to garments of the time, and available resources. Menage erotica is a gimme. Threesome in detail. Even when it's just M/M or M/F, the well-written scenes bring something to the story – their purpose is clearly to get the reader further immersed in the relationship between the partners. Which can be tricky, as intimacy is something shared between the three main characters, but not exclusively with all three at once. The M/M/F, M/M, and M/F content is flaming hot, earning 4.5 out of 5 for Heat Index.
There's a strange twist that I never expected to happen when I was reading the first title in the series, Kiss Across Time. Taylor is pregnant. Even though the present-day Veris and Brody are unable to father children, and Taylor would never dream of straying, the time-traveling escapades of this trio has landed them in unexpected waters. I found it especially emotional when both Brody and Veris found out about the pregnancy.
The conflict was so high throughout this title I felt like I expelled a huge sigh of relief when this installment of the Kiss Across Time trilogy ended. There's definitely a different 'feel' to Kiss Across Swords when compared to Kiss Across Time. Swords is more intense, whereas Time was giving us a quick introduction to the vampiric society and getting our buy-in as readers for the plot. We also became invested in the relationship between Veris, Brody and Taylor. Swords is definitely a continuation of the first installment, but is heavier in feel in comparison.
There are major implications should Brody and Taylor fail to cause Veris to fall in love with Brody again. This is one of those times where I'm pretty sure, were I in Taylor's position, I'd be pretty pissed about the time-travel thing, even if it allows her to catch a glimpse and live side-by-side with Brody and Veris in their past. The potential for unraveling the current space-time continuum is entirely too high for me. And, I'm pretty sure that Brody and Taylor never watched Star Trek, because they completely ignored the Prime Directive during their time-travel escapade. At the end of the story, there IS a HFN – the promise of a third book leads me to believe that there will be a HEA, and that the 'present-day' appeared to be nearly as they left it prior to their leap to 1066 Jerusalem.
Veris. He is definitely the logical thinker. It's always difficult to get someone that thinks logically to ditch that way of thinking and follow their heart. Veris is definitely not an exception to the rule. I liked the fact that Veris needed to be wooed by Brody for time-space to be restored. After all, some wooing would have taken place in the past, right? The last comment I want to make about Veris is a personal observation. I. Adore. Veris. The silent, thoughtful warrior is the type of person that seems to be wary of others, but once he lets them in, he is whole-heartedly committed to a relationship. I think that is why is was so difficult for Taylor (and Brody) to miss him. They knew he was committed to them, but didn't want him to necessarily have to work through his inner conflict on his own.
Brody. I think Brody is definitely the temperamental musician. He appears to lead with his emotions, but that occasional quiet, brooding exterior shouldn't fool us. He's a deep-thinker and capable of so much more than anyone can see on the surface. He loves with all his heart, and doesn't enter into a relationship unless he's going in with his all. I had a few 'awww' moments when Brody was with Taylor. He is SOOOO sweet! I look forward to hopefully seeing a LOT more about Brody in the next title.
Taylor. I'm going to be honest. I wasn't all 'Team Taylor' for this book. While she still remains a strong, positive heroine, I think that hers was the first story. I was meant to dote on her during the first title, and this time, it's Veris's turn to shine. Taylor, however, remains the intelligent, quick-witted, and creative woman that needs to simply figure out how to get her little family back together. With Veris away in Europe in the present, the travel back to the Crusades was one way that she could see him. And, I think that it was kind-of cool that she got to see how Brody and Veris met. It was even more awesome for the reader to watch!
I truly adored Kiss Across Swords. One of my personal quirks is that I bog myself down in keeping timelines straight, and ensuring that I understand how things align. Ms. Cooper-Posey did a fantastic job with the various timelines and resolving them back to present-day. Discrepancies in the present-day reality were explained so that I didn't feel as though they were continuity issues. I am infinitely happy with the Kiss Across Time series thus far, and I can't wait to dive in to the third title, Kiss Across Chains in a few weeks. Look for it July 1st!
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Review: Generation V by M.L. Brennan
Generation V
Author: M.L. Brennan
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Roc
Fortitude Scott series #1
ASIN: 978-0451418401
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Fortitude Scott’s life is a mess. A degree in film theory has left him with zero marketable skills, his job revolves around pouring coffee, his roommate hasn’t paid rent in four months, and he’s also a vampire. Well, sort of. He’s still mostly human.
But when a new vampire comes into his family’s territory and young girls start going missing, Fort can’t ignore his heritage anymore. His mother and his older, stronger siblings think he’s crazy for wanting to get involved. So it’s up to Fort to take action, with the assistance of Suzume Hollis, a dangerous and sexy shape-shifter. Fort is determined to find a way to outsmart the deadly vamp, even if he isn’t quite sure how.
But without having matured into full vampirehood and with Suzume ready to split if things get too risky, Fort’s rescue mission might just kill him.…
What G & U are talking about:
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Generation V is a new and exciting urban fantasy debut novel from M.L. Brennan. This engrossing new vampire mythos is a thrilling and engaging suspense that is tempered with humor.
Our hero, Fortitude, is an average guy. That is... until he begins his transition into a vampire. In this world, vampires are born not made. As they mature, vampires are just like humans, except they must feed from their parent once a month until the transition begins. Fortitude is doing everything he can to postpone that transition for as long as he as he possibly can. Some of his methods are a bit akin to being a difficult child, but after being introduced to his older siblings, Prudence and Chivalry, we don't blame him. As he is trying to make his own way in the world (staying human) he rejects living with his mother and tries to make it out on his own. This is why he is living the life of a starved college student. His college degree in film theory seems to only get him so far, as he works for a dive coffee bar.
Something finally changes for Fort when a strange vampire enters his mother’s territory. Fort sees this as his opportunity to see if his family is better or worse than others out there. Sadly, he finds out that his family may actually be the more modern and new aged group than those out there. This chance meeting however, starts a chain reaction. As Fort tries to save a "pet" from this seemingly evil vampire's possession he discovers that this vampire may be collecting other young girls.
This quest that Fort finds himself on in Generation V also finds him with a reluctant but comical sidekick, Suzume, the kitsune bodyguard. Suzume has been assigned by Fort's mother to keep her son alive while the foreign vampire is in town. However, Suzume almost steals the spotlight between her more than capable skills and wonderful sarcastic wit. She and Fort make a very unlikely but wonderful team. The camaraderie and occasional tension between them brings laughter when needed and a sense of grounding as well.
The world building in Generation V is seamlessly intertwined with the plot. Part of this ease is that Fort had been reluctant to learn anything of the supernatural community. Simply put, he was trying to be as human as possible. However, being paired with Suzume, who is a fount of information - condescendingly offered, Fort learns about the other supernaturals. We look forward to learning more about this world that we have only been given a glimpse of.
If you are looking for a new and fascinating urban fantasy with Vampires in the center of it all, please pick up Generation V and follow our unlikely but strong and courageously hearted hero, Fort.
Their Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Friday, May 24, 2013
Review: A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses
Author: Molly Harper
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Books
Half-Moon Hollow #2
ISBN: #978-1451641851
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Edelweiss
About the book:
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Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.
Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson's book shop.
Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn't need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?
What I’m talking about:
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Nola, a witch with mediocre talent but potential to be more, moves to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky from Ireland after one too many "nudges" from her deceased Nana. She leaves behind her doting boyfriend and the safety of her family with the purpose of recovering four magic items that her Nana entrusted to her lover from years ago--Nola’s unknown grandfather.
Immediately Nola earns the trust of and makes friends with the locals, who are critical in Nola’s quest to find the lost items. In addition, Nola befriends her hunky neighbor, Jed, who lives in the other half of Nola's rental home. Jed’s sexy body and easy-going nature has Nola second guessing the “normal” boyfriend she left back home.
I am a first time reader of Ms. Harper’s books, and I can say with certainty that A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses will not be my last! I completely enjoyed Ms. Harper’s writing style, humor, and world-building. Although this book falls within a series, which is a spin-off of another one of her series, I never felt lost or that I was missing critical back story.
A Witch’s Handbook is told from the first person POV of Nola, which gives it a “chic lit” feel, but it’s not dumbed down or overly silly. After a rough childhood (horrible mother!) and armed with the desire to “be normal,” Nola tries to hide who and what she truly is. However, she is intuitive and smart, and coming to The Hollow allows her to discover this for herself. I enjoyed watching Nola laugh with her new friends/family and learn to love herself and all the quirks that come with being a McGavock witch. Her sense of humor is outstanding (for example calling an opossum trapped in her cupboard a “rodent of unusual size”), and her nature is light and fun.
At the center of the tale is the need to recover the four everyday “magical” items. We learn that these items hold the key to keeping the Kerrigans, who are the "black magic" members of the McGavock family, from gaining power over Nola’s family and wrecking havoc in the world. The story includes a bit of mystery as strange things start happening around Nola, to include a break in of the bookstore formerly owned by her deceased grandfather. Adding to the tension is a looming deadline before which Nola has to locate the items. Altogether, it created a bit of excitement, suspense and tension which had me constantly trying to figure out the who, what and why’s.
Probably the best thing about the book is the troupe of locals who become Nola’s adopted family. The banter with local vamps Andrea and Jane lend humor to the tale, but also allow us to see different sides of Nola. Andrea’s husband, Dick, is another source of comic relief, stemming from his silly actions when dealing with Nola. Then there is Jed, who has a “devil may care” attitude one moment, while in the next, he leaves flowers for Nola at her windowsill. Watching their romance develop was sweet and sexy. I adored Nola and Jed, and I loved how she helps him with a “family problem” that is pretty humorous. In the end, the story chronicles how everyone comes together in friendship and love, which makes this book such a feel good read.
The entire story was well-scripted, thoughtful and humorous. From the process of searching for the artifacts to the budding friendships with Jane, Andrea, and the rest. Her flirtatious nature with Jed, and her humanity work at the local clinic. I also enjoyed the slow uncovering of Nola’s childhood memories, to include how horrible her mom was and conversely, how loving her father was.
A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses is a wonderful story! Although overall the book is light and fluffy, the humor and plot are sharp, making this a worthy read. I enjoyed almost every moment of the story, smiling on the inside and out. It wasn't deep or emotionally gripping, but fun and warm. It is entertainment for the sake of joy. There was an interesting and exciting plot behind the fun, and the humor made me chuckle several times over, possibly recognizing it as something I would do or say. Everything was well-written, with no loose ends or side stories left dangling. I most certainly plan to visit Half-Moon Hollow again.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Review: Country Mouse / City Mouse (2 books) by Amy Lane & Aleksandr Voinov
Country Mouse/City Mouse
Author: Amy Lane & Aleksandr Voinov
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Country Mouse Books 1 & 2
Genre: GLBT – M/M Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the books:
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Country Mouse, April 23, 2012
ISBN: #978-1937551346
Owen may be a bit of a country mouse, but he’s loving his vacation in London. After a long day playing tourist, he’s on the hunt for some cheap beer and a good burger. Instead he finds a man hunting him, an arrogant prick with only one thing on the brain: the kind of meat that doesn’t come on a bun.
Eighty-hour weeks at a trading desk don’t leave Malcolm Kavanagh much time for meaningful relationships. Besides, in his world, everything’s a competition—even sex. When his newest one-night-sub fails to show, Malcolm sets his sights on the pretty young Yank on the bar stool beside him.
Owen’s all for an adventure with a native, but he’s not the pushover Malcolm thinks he is, and Malcolm’s not as shallow as he tries to be. They both soon learn that nothing's too intimate to share with a stranger, and the strangest things happen when two people share the most important pieces of their hearts.
City Mouse, March 18, 2013
ISBN: #978-1626490055
A magical weekend, a breathless declaration, a happy ever after... Right?
Wrong.
When Malcolm Kavanagh took his first step toward emotional maturity by declaring his love to Owen Watson, that was just the first chapter in their story. Anyone who’s ever been in love knows that happy endings take a lot more work than that.
One problem: Malcolm has never been in love. He doesn’t know the rules of a relationship and isn’t confident enough to trust that his is real. He learns the ropes by sharing his life and his flat with Owen, but relationship boot camp proves a challenge. Everything is a struggle, from accepting Owen’s low-status job to putting his boyfriend above his personal trainer.
Luckily, Owen knows a little more about relationships, and labors patiently to survive the first six weeks of their life together. From the art galleries of Cambridge to the tawdry majesty of the Dominion theatre, Owen adapts to England while Malcolm adapts to the whole human race. Maybe, if Owen is patient enough and Malcolm learns to give, the two of them can make it past Relationship Armageddon to a real happy ending.
What B is talking about:
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As a fan of M/M Romance, I was very excited to have the chance to review both Country Mouse and City Mouse at the same time. As there is no significant time lapse between the two stories, they are perfect companion pieces, and it was a real pleasure to see both characters make their way from a passionate, impulsive, fairytale beginning through the more weighty strains of trying to live with the person they love.
In Country Mouse, we meet Owen Watson, an American on his own in London for the first time, and Malcolm Kavanagh, a British stock trader/occasional Dom with posturing issues. Owen’s liberal, open upbringing has given him an endearing honesty and confidence that is impossible to resist, as Malcolm quickly discovers. Malcolm, on the other hand, lives in a world where appearances are everything, and he’s become so good at maintaining a pretense of control that he can usually make himself believe it. That is, until he meets Owen.
I absolutely loved Owen, and eventually Malcolm, too, but that’s the idea, I think. Malcolm keeps the best parts of himself hidden, whereas Owen doesn’t hide who he is at all. From the moment they meet, Owen pokes through Mal’s carefully constructed façade, keeping him so off balance that the warmer, softer, more vulnerable side of himself, the one Mal thinks he can’t afford to reveal, shines through. And it’s that man, the one behind the bluster and expensive suits that captures Owen’s heart.
Of course, Owen and Malcolm initially get together under the premise of hooking up, and I am happy to say that they are exceptionally good at it! Even from their first encounter, their personalities are apparent, and very much a part of how they play off one another whether in bed or out of it. While the scenes are highly enjoyable and very explicit, what I liked best about them was seeing Mal give more and more of himself over to Owen, and Owen proving that he’s strong enough to keep Mal together through it all. It’s a nice situation all around, and Ms. Lane and Mr. Voinov comfortably maneuver what was intended to be a temporary thrill into much more.
By the time Owen and Malcolm should have said goodbye to one another, their story becomes something entirely different than either anticipated. Malcolm, stuffy, image-conscious, and afraid, discovers that what he wants most will take a leap of faith, and that, surprisingly, he’s up to the task. In one insanely romantic act, he questions everything about the person he thought he wanted to be, and, in the process, changes the course of both their lives.
City Mouse, by contrast, begins with a day or two of feigned food poisoning followed by a crash landing back into the “real life” version of Malcolm’s world. Neatly divided into seven chapters (one for every week leading up to “Relationship Armageddon,” and another that will decide whether there will be a good ending or a tragic one), it is the exploration of what occurs when Malcolm and Owen attempt to merge their lives into a lasting happily ever after.
Although Malcolm is slightly older than Owen, it is Mal that has the most growing to do in order to keep Owen by his side, and his fear of sabotaging their relationship is so pervasive that it nearly ruins everything. As the weeks tick by, both men learn a lot about the difficulties of making a relationship work when even the lure of phenomenal sex can’t always compete with the realities of utter exhaustion. There are so many obstacles in their way, mostly self-induced, in Malcolm’s case, that the sense of impending doom both men suffer from seems perfectly legitimate. But, the sweetness of their time spent together, whether watching a show, eating a meal, or waking up together brings all the noise of those conflicts to a standstill, leaving behind nothing but a longing for what they could have with each other. These scenes are lovely, and some of my favorite throughout the story.
The extension of their time together also leaves more opportunities for them to explore each other’s sexual inclinations. Mal is definitely the more adventurous of the pair, and in the earlier part of City Mouse he teaches Owen plenty. I won’t spoil any of the naughty fun, but it’s worth noting that Mal likes to play, and has quite a few kinks to work with. Owen, fortunately, isn’t afraid to experiment, making this one amazingly steamy read. I tend to avoid using the phrase “hot” with regards to sex scenes, if possible, but that’s simply what these are—and then some.
Country Mouse and City Mouse were both a lot of fun to read, and I loved them so much that I’ve bought them for my permanent collection. Read together, they satisfy a more frivolous desire for a love-at-first-sight kind of romance, as well as providing the satisfaction that comes from watching two people fight for one another and the love that they were lucky to discover. Owen and Mal are great characters, Owen for his generosity and ability to see people for who they really are, and Mal for trying so hard to be a better version of himself. Toss in those amazingly hot scenes the two get up to, and these stories are definitely keepers.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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