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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
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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
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Showing posts with label Bs-review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bs-review. Show all posts
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 But, when DADT was finally repealed, and it was safe for them to live openly, Rick wanted to tell the world.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:
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Friday, June 21, 2013
Review: The Havoc Machine by Steven Harper
The Havoc Machine
Author: Steven Harper
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: ROC
Clockwork Empire Book 4
ISBN: #978-0451417046
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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In a world riddled with the destruction of men and machines alike, Thaddeus Sharpe takes to the streets of St. Petersburg, geared toward the hunt of his life….
Thaddeus Sharpe’s life is dedicated to the hunting and killing of clockworkers. When a mysterious young woman named Sofiya Ekk approaches him with a proposition from a powerful employer, he cannot refuse. A man who calls himself Mr. Griffin seeks Thad’s help with mad clockwork scientist Lord Havoc, who has molded a dangerous machine. Mr. Griffin cares little if the evil Lord lives or dies; all he desires is Havoc’s invention.
Upon Thad’s arrival at Havoc’s laboratory, he is met with a chilling discovery. Havoc is not only concealing his precious machine; he has been using a young child by the name of Nikolai for cruel experiments. Locked into a clockwork web of intrigue, Thad must decipher the dangerous truth surrounding Nikolai and the chaos contraption before havoc reigns….
What B is talking about:
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Since the murder of his son, Thaddeus Sharpe has cared about only one thing: relieving the world of its population of clockworkers. Revered by those who have suffered at the hands of these madmen, he is ruthless in his pursuit of them, and quick to dispatch justice once he finds them. But, when a beautiful woman enlists him to recover a special invention for a secretive benefactor, he inadvertently embarks on a journey that will make him question every step he takes, and turn everything he believes in upside down.
The Havoc Machine takes place during the reign of tsar Alexander III of Russia and the unrest caused by the oppression that went largely unchecked at the time. As has been true with previous novels in this series, Mr. Harper takes great care to weave the more fantastical elements of his story around historical fact. While the clockwork plague is central to the problems facing Thaddeus and Sofiya, it is the underlying, irrefutable conflict between the classes that is truly in need of attention. The Havoc Machine is part social commentary which, while told through the lens of history, is still relevant, and isn’t wrong in its implication that we don’t learn nearly as much from that history as we should.
As it is primarily a work of fantasy, there isn’t a great deal of romance in The Havoc Machine. Thaddeus and Sofiya have moments of true tenderness during the course of the story, but even that serves a greater purpose in the end. Still, there are quite a few moments when they seem to really like antagonizing each other, which I enjoyed. Their connection beyond the job they’re hired to do is obvious, however, and I found myself hoping they’d find a way to make something more of their relationship before the story’s end.
While not my favorite novel of the Clockwork Empire in terms of science and adventure, The Havoc Machine was very effective in that it led me to do some research of my own, as well tugging at my heart. This novel is quite dark in places, but so are history and science, both of which we still stand to learn a lot from. Thad’s loss is what fuels his hate, yet is by turns the thing that allows him to change. He finds in himself a kind of empathy that is only possible through the infliction of wounds that are unbearably slow to heal, yet which may be the only thing that ties us to our own humanity. Regardless, I still think this is a fascinating series, and, as long as Mr. Harper continues to explore all the possibilities within it, I’ll be more than happy to continue the journey.
B’s Rating:
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Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Review: Wicked Memories by Nina Bangs
Wicked Memories
Author: Nina Bangs
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Castle of Dark Dreams #7
ISBN: #978-0425256077
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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Thorn Mackenzie was a young Viking when he met Sparkle Stardust long ago. She used him and then abandoned him. Over a thousand years later, he has finally found a way to repay her. Employing his power of persuasion, he assembles a team that can create the ultimate fantasies and illusions. The group will work together in Nirvana, the amazing amusement park Thorn has built—right across the street from Sparkle’s Castle of Dark Dreams. To fight back before Thorn bleeds her business dry, Sparkle must hire a spy.
Kayla Stanley needs extra money, so she reluctantly agrees to do some sneaking and peeking for Sparkle. But as she gets closer to Thorn, she discovers they have a lot more in common than just a need to crush the competition and a willingness to fight dirty. As sexual tension between them mounts, she finds it harder to see the gorgeous Viking as her enemy. But with an evil force working to destroy their city, they may not survive long enough for her to help him overcome his... Wicked Memories.
What B is talking about:
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Setting her sights on law school instead of joining the family P.I. business has left Kayla Stanley in need of additional funding for her education. So, when her father’s most “important client” requests her specifically for a job, she figures it’s a good way to keep her family happy a little longer, and earn some much-needed income at the same time. But, working for cosmic troublemaker Sparkle Stardust isn’t what she expected, and taking on the sexy vampire out to destroy what Sparkle’s built will mean an end to life as Kayla knows it—one way or another.
Living for centuries with nothing but a desire for retribution to keep him warm, Thorn Mackenzie has finally gotten close to his ultimate goal—to take down Sparkle Stardust and the business she holds so dear. Everything about his plan is perfect, except for the stubborn, human investigator she’s hired to help put him out of business first. How can one mortal woman make his heart feel alive after so many years of hatred and denial? Despite all the risks, he’s determined to keep Kayla close, no matter the cost.
This is the second novel in the Castle of Dark Dreams series I’ve read, and while still very entertaining, Wicked Memories doesn’t have the same frivolity I felt in the previous story, Wicked Whispers. That’s not a bad thing in this case, as it gives the denizens of the Castle a chance to really show what they are capable of when they all work together. Although this is Kayla and Thorn’s story, it’s really Sparkle Stardust who sets the overall tone of the book, which, given my increasing familiarity with Ms. Stardust, isn’t a huge surprise.
One thing I’ll say about Ms. Bangs is that she is very adept at matching up unlikely pairs. I liked both Kayla and Thorn a great deal, and even though there doesn’t seem to be any way for them to work out, they are actually quite perfect for each other. While Thorn’s name (which he chooses for himself) is remarkably fitting, it could just as easily apply to Kayla’s aptitude for causing her own brand of trouble. As Kayla struggles to accept the knowledge that humans aren’t the only beings to walk the earth, she finds that she can’t resist the one man she’s been hired to ruin. Thanks to her attraction to Thorn, not only is she no longer desperate to escape her assignment, she very much wants to stay. Thorn is likewise altered, his thoughts of revenge becoming muted by the vibrancy Kayla brings to his world.
Sparkle Stardust and Ganymede’s relationship is the anchor throughout the series, and she is definitely at her best when Ganymede is by her side. Vulnerability simply isn’t a trait I associate with Sparkle, but seeing her perfect veneer start to fray around the edges was refreshing. As was seeing all the nonhumans join in battle to fight off a Norse god looking to relocate to their turf. These characters fight hard and have lots of cool tricks, making for a great, if somewhat easy, fight to the finish.
Wicked Memories is a great addition to the Castle of Dark Dreams series. Even though it works well as a standalone, a familiarity with the other characters would have made it even more enjoyable. I read snippets and overviews from all the other books, which helped, but I regret not having followed the series from the beginning, and I’m enjoying reading them so much that I’d still like to go back to the very first one. I’m not sure what else Ms. Bangs might have in mind for the residents of the Castle, but I sincerely hope that the note of finality present in the last line of the story is an indication of even more adventures to come, rather than an ending.
B’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Review: Shades of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian
Shades of Moonlight
Author: Stephanie Julian
Release Date: May 17, 2013
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Lucani Lovers #6
ISBN: #978-1419946561
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Wolf shifter Race Aragon knows Mara Marrucini is meant to be his, in bed and out. And he’s not about to let anyone or anything get in his way of protecting her and her baby. She’d been the prisoner of a madman and has the emotional scars to prove it. Now that she’s free, he’s going to make damn sure she gets to live her life—with him at her side.
Mara adores Race. He’s the first man to make her feel like a woman. To make her feel protected. His touch ignites her desire but she fears for his safety. Her presence in his life puts him in the crosshairs.
But with her son’s life on the line, Mara trusts no one but Race to keep them both safe. And to care for her heart—always.
What B is talking about:
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The first glimpse we’re given of the potential for a relationship between Race and Mara comes at the end of book 5, Grace in Moonlight, which I also recommend. It is a sweet little tidbit about the future mates, and sets up their interactions in Shades of Moonlight nicely. As is common for Ms. Julian’s shifters, Race’s attachment to Mara is evident from the very beginning of her time with the versipelli (“skin shifters”), even if he doesn’t understand it. One my favorite things about this story is that Race doesn’t really care why he feels so strongly for Mara, he simply throws himself into an endearing devotion to her happiness and well-being. Mara similarly trusts Race when she hardly trusts anyone else, and worries that any contact with her will put him in danger.
The ongoing build up to war with the “Malandante” (evil descendants of the Etruscans who care only for money and power) provides plenty of action throughout the series, Shades of Moonlight included. An unwilling former breeder for the Mal, Mara lives in fear for the safety of both herself and her infant son, Arin, and worries that her time with the wolves is a temporary arrangement at best. Arin, meanwhile, has a special gift of his own that throws the shifters, as well as their deities, into a further state of alarm. And if all that wasn’t enough, Race is confronted with a crisis close to home that puts his and Mara’s faith in one another to the test.
I’ve had the privilege of following the Lucani Lovers series for a long time now, and I believe it is a fine addition to the collection of any fan of shifter erotic romance. As a novella-length story, Shades of Moonlight advances the tension between the wolves and the Mal, while telling the story of an unlikely pair of misfits discovering a loving and undeniable bond with one another. Neither Race nor Mara believes they’re good enough for the other, but they can’t resist their mutual attraction, either. It isn’t logical, but it’s extremely romantic and absolutely sexy. While this story can stand alone, it is better when read within the series, as quite a few of the secondary characters already have novels of their own. While fairly simple in its execution, this story has plenty of action and sensuality to make up for it. Sometimes, the best parts of a narrative lie in not having to worry about all the details in favor of simply enjoying the story as it is, and Shades of Moonlight does that and more just fine.
B’s Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Review: Josh of the Damned Vol. 1 & 2 by Andrea Speed
Josh of the Damned
Author: Andrea Speed
Release Date: Volume 1, Josh of the Damned – April 16, 2012
Volume 2, The Final Checkout – April 29, 2013
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Josh of the Damned Volumes 1&2
ISBN: #978-1937551353
and #978-1626490062
Genre: GLBT, Comedy, Horror, Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the books:
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Volume 1 – Josh of the Damned
What most people call a hellish shift, Josh Caplan calls a normal evening. After all, he works nights at a convenience store beside the mouth of hell, selling snacks to zombies and lizard men.
Some monsters are odder—and more dangerous—than most. Like the rampaging, oversized mustache who skips the Pringles and eats the customers instead. Or Cthulhu’s half-brother Stan, who doesn't know how to take no for an answer . . . or where to put all those tentacles.
But killer facial hair and inept hentai beasts pale in comparison to the monster even other monsters fear. When hell’s big boss demands a sit-down with Josh, she reveals a destiny bigger than he’d ever imagined—or wanted. You'd think preventing the apocalypse would net Josh more than minimum wage and a hot vampire boyfriend, but it turns out saving the world can be a pretty thankless job.
Volume 2 – The Final Checkout
Josh Caplan thought he’d solved his home office problem and stopped the Quik-Mart Corporation from expanding into hell, but it turns out a guardian’s work is never done. Medusa has plans for him, and she’s not the only one.
What's a poor night clerk to do when he’s besieged on all sides by deluded vampire slayers, angry zombies, crazy gods, and the most terrifying enemy of all: a dickish CEO?
To survive this, Josh will have to do more than just rely on his necromancer boss, his hot vampire boyfriend, and his yeti stalker. This time, he’ll have to find his own inner hero to save the day.
What B is talking about:
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Volume 1 of the Josh of the Damned series includes the shorts “Pretty Monsters,” “Peek-A-Boo,” and a third, which is further broken down into three parts titled “Night of the Mustache,” “I was Cthulhu’s Love Slave,” and “Interview with the Empire.” As far as openings go, this just might just be one of my favorites yet:
“The first time the hell vortex opened in the Quick-Mart parking lot, Josh very seriously considered quitting his job. But all that came out of it was a lizard guy, and all it did was amble inside, buy a bag of chips, and leave. All the monsters, while ugly, seemed nicer than his late-night human customers, and Mr. Kwon offered him hazard pay, so he stayed on.”
I suppose there are worse motivations, and Josh doesn’t seem to be interested in expending the effort and determination needed to find a better job. Josh is a flake—a lovable, entertaining flake—that is really only interested in paying his bills however he can, and possibly having sex with the “hot guy” that keeps showing up at the store to buy chocolate. The entire series is, in fact, a gleefully silly romp through any number of creature feature archetypes, and is filled with humor (both slapstick and crude) as well as moments of endearingly goofy affection.
The first story, “Pretty Monsters,” introduces the reader to Josh’s world and some of the creatures in it. Josh is mostly an observer, adopting a “live and let live” attitude that suggests that as long as none of the monsters try to eat him and the cash drawer balances out, everything’s good. The highlight of this part of the story for me was Josh’s inner monologues about both the creatures and events that transpire, and his complete lack of impulse control when it comes to Colin (the “hot guy”).
“Peek-A-Boo” continues in a similar vein, introducing an obsessed yeti to the mix, along with a deepening of the relationship between Josh and Colin. The yeti, or “Bobo” as Josh has named him/her/it, is hilarious and revolting all at once, but when danger comes calling at the Quik-Mart, Josh isn’t going to be picky about his allies. He isn’t a natural-born fighter, and tends to need a lot of protecting, so having a vampire boyfriend and a yeti stalker certainly come in handy.
Towards the end of Volume 1 we’re finally given an explanation as to why Josh is able to remember the monsters when most humans can’t, as well as why so many monsters keep hitting on him. It’s not exactly good news, either. We also get our first taste of the world on the other side of the vortex, or “Dev,” as the monsters call it. There isn’t really a “hell,” and Josh has a lot of readjusting to do, but it is here that he’s forced to accept that things are even more complicated than he thought they were. The boss of all the monsters, Medusa, wants him to stop the greedy CEO of the company he works for, or mankind will be eradicated. It’s not exactly the side job Josh was looking for, but he wasn’t given a choice in the matter, so he tries to make the best of it.
Volume 2, or The Final Checkout, is also divided into smaller chapters called “Clerk of the Living Dead,” “Plaything of the Gods!” and “Josh vs. Destiny.” Still coming to terms with his status as a “Guardian,” as well as his ongoing mission to save the world, Josh continues to work the night shift at the Quik-Mart. Filled with even more creatures, and a human who looks like Silent Bob but calls himself “Kevin the Vampire Slayer,” this part of the series gives us a ringside seat as Josh inadvertently becomes a hero.
One of the funniest characters in The Final Checkout is Josh’s roommate, Doug, who has a substantially bigger role to play in this volume. Doug is an unapologetic stoner with far more insight than should be possible after smoking as much weed as he does. Or, maybe the bouts of clarity are the result of it. Who knows? But, both Doug and Josh’s boss, Mr. Kwon, who is also a stronger presence this time, have some of the best scenes in the series, and nearly steal the entire show.
In addition to fighting off a zombie horde sent by the home office of Quik-Mart Industries to kill him, Josh and Colin are sent by Medusa to combat her Gorgon sisters while in Dev, and stop them from sending their failed creature experiments to wreak havoc on earth. By this point Josh has fully traded in his spectator status for that of an active participant, and, rather than having to be rescued, even gets to do a good bit of the saving himself.
Although I thought it was hilarious, Josh of the Damned is not going to be for everyone. It is a goofy, snarky read that is definitely for entertainment purposes only. While Josh is in a relationship, and he and Colin are there’s never anything explicit about their interactions. But, if you need a laugh, tend to geek out on inter-dimensional butt-kicking, and are, to quote Ms. Speed, “anyone who kind of feels sorry for great monsters in really bad movies,” this just may be the perfect series for you. I think that Josh still has lots of potential, and I hope to see more from the Qwik-Mart crew in the near future.
B’s Rating:
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4 stars: Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Josh of the Damned Triple Feature #1
Josh of the Damned Triple Feature #2: The Final Checkout
Monday, May 27, 2013
Review: Portrait of a Crossroads by Kelly Rand
Portrait of a Crossroads
Author: Kelly Rand
Release Date: May 18, 2013
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
ISBN: #978-1626490116
Genre: GLBT – lesbian
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the book:
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Since finding her father’s body at the bottom of the basement stairs, Annette’s been drifting through her days, watching cars pass down the rural Ontario crossroads beside her house. Her brothers have no great ambitions, but Annette remembers a time when she did. She just can’t remember what they are.
Then she meets her neighbour, Sadie, a tattooed, world-weary, newly single portrait artist. Something about Sadie awakens something in Annette—the essence she captures in her subjects, perhaps, or the way the old familiar crossroads seem so fresh and promising from the view out Sadie’s window.
Annette begins to help Sadie, cleaning brushes and filing invoices between long lazy afternoons of conversations and shared silences. Soon, though, Annette wants more from her enigmatic neighbor, and their slowly heating friendship melts into passionate nights. Somewhere along the way, Annette discovers that her lover has illuminated for her, as with the people Sadie paints, not just her essence, but her own endless worlds of possibilities.
What B is talking about:
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Since discovering her father after his suicide, Annette keeps mostly to herself, gauging the momentum of the world outside her house by sound. Trucks, cars, and airplanes provide the only movement along the crossroad where she lives, their sounds having grown so commonplace that she doesn’t even have to look to know what they are as they pass by. She should be moving on to the next phase of her life, like so many of her recent classmates, but even the glossy college brochures don’t tempt her. But, when the artist who lives next door offers Annette a glimpse into her own life, Annette feels like she’s finally waking up from a very long, tedious dream.
There is quite a lot to like about this short story, and I wasn’t sure what to start with. Ms. Rand has an excellent ability to create vivid settings, her descriptions relating not just color, but texture and history as well. In fact, these scenes have the potential to overshadow the characters themselves, but fortunately don’t. By contrast, there’s a thoughtful economy in the portrayal of most of Annette’s life until she meets Sadie and walks through her door into a different world.
Although Annette’s circumstances in Portrait of a Crossroads could be viewed as tragic, they aren’t. Annette isn’t so much grieving, as she is waiting, but in watching the girl she was fade into something she no longer recognizes, she’s not sure where she should be headed next. She’s neither bitter, nor apathetic, but is simply an eighteen-year-old who was knocked off course by loss, and hasn’t yet begun to search for who she really is. She isn’t wallowing, but is very aware and poised to react whenever a new path might reveal itself. In short, I found Annette to be a very interesting young woman.
Sadie, Annette’s neighbor, remains a secondary character throughout the story, never sharing narrating duties with Annette, nor rising to a position of absolute permanence in Annette’s future, which works very well, as it’s Annette’s story. Sadie is older than Annette, is already living her life as she wants to, and is completely open about her sexuality. Once again, Ms. Rand’s knack for allowing the reader to assume Annette’s perspective so thoroughly is put to good use in passages like this:
As Sadie headed for the living room, Annette watched her from head to toe. Her narrow shoulder that shifted under a white shirt thin enough to reveal the faint trace of ink underneath. Her bare feet. They both had bare feet, Annette realized. They had something in common. Neither of them wore shoes.
Sadie represents just a few of the many possibilities Annette hasn’t yet considered, while becoming the impetus for Annette’s renewed self-exploration in the process.
Sex between Annette and Sadie is similarly low-key. While she is fairly certain of Sadie’s attraction to her, it is Annette who ultimately initiates their first time together, and it is their only interaction within the confines of the story. Sadie makes Annette feel a “spark” in a way her former boyfriend never could. With him, Annette was merely biding her time, but Sadie has become her fantasy. When Annette has the opportunity to act on her desires, she chooses to pursue them, and in the process, resumes the forward momentum of her life. Sadie, for her part, is willing, yet cautious, and she accepts her role as both a guide and partner in Annette’s exploration with a fondness that made their interaction even sexier.
Portrait of a Crossroads is, at its simplest, the story of a young woman finding her way. Ms. Rand has created a world of striking contrast for Annette to exist in, taking her from the monotony of a life in stasis and jolting her into an awareness that is rich in both color and feeling. That the main character happens to be a lesbian isn’t even the most noteworthy aspect of the story, which I was very happy to see. Such fanfare could have done significant harm to Ms. Rand’s wonderful storytelling, but nothing of the sort occurs. I haven’t read a great deal of f/f fiction, but if Portrait of a Crossroads is any indication of the genre’s potential, then I’m very excited to see what else might be out there.
B’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Monday, May 20, 2013
Review: A Highland Werewolf Wedding by Terry Spear
A Highland Werewolf Wedding
Author: Terry Spear
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Heart of the Wolf #11
ISBN: #978-1402266836
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: NetGalley/ Publisher
About the book:
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On The Run...
After werewolves Elaine Hawthorn and Cearnach MacNeill almost have a head-on collision on a foggy Highland road, they're pretty well stuck with each other. It'll be hours before anyone can get there to pull his car out of the ditch and they both have better places to be.
And Nowhere to Hide From Each Other...
The sexy little American brings out all of Cearnach's big bag protective instincts. If she thought she was in trouble before, Elaine has no idea what kind of complications a hot Scot can cause...
What B is talking about:
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As a lone wolf, and an alpha, Elaine Hawthorn doesn’t need a mate to control her and tell her what to do. So, when the tough, Scottish gray wolf, whose minivan nearly hit her rental (but ended up in a ditch, instead), starts bossing her around, she’s not remotely amused. Well, maybe a just a bit. Even worse, they share a history only she seems to remember, and if he discovers who she is, and the reason for her visit to Scotland, she might lose her family’s hidden treasure before she can find it.
Cearnach MacNeill is a seasoned warrior, an alpha wolf in his own right, and second-in-command of his entire clan. He is respected and sometimes feared, and when the American she-wolf who ran him completely off the road defies him at every turn, he’s dumbfounded. And more than a little intrigued. But, something else is bothering him about the sexy brunette who can’t seem to stay away from him any more than he can her, and he won’t let her go until he knows exactly what that means for him and his family.
One thing that’s been true of every Heart of the Wolf novel I’ve read so far is that they’re fun stories, and this one’s no exception. Cearnach is everything you’d expect a “Highland Wolf” to be: he’s sexy, strong, won’t hesitate to defend his clan, and is charmingly arrogant enough to get his way most of the time. However, that’s what makes it so entertaining when Elaine, who’s also an alpha, insists on doing things her own way. It’s a common device in this series, but one that I never tire of. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Cearnach scrambling to regain his footing, and as a female wolf, Elaine is as tough as he is and knows exactly what she’s doing.
Another good thing about these shifters is that, although they resemble humans a lot of the time, their inner animal is always close to the surface. Their wolves govern them in most aspects of their lives, and there’s a wildness to them that adds to their allure. It also makes these wolves pleasantly frisky, and leads to some very sexy moments between Cearnach and Elaine. These wolves mate quickly and frequently, and the teasing they put each other through makes the sex itself even better. I especially like that, although they literally can’t conceal their desire for one another, Cearnach makes sure Elaine knows that winning her over is his highest priority, and that all the power in that aspect of their relationship belongs solely to her. He isn’t just aware that she’s in control; he wouldn’t have it any other way.
While A Highland Werewolf Wedding is primarily a romance, there is also plenty of action to keep the story moving at a steady pace. Ms. Spear includes plenty of chases and suspense, and although a happy ending is never really in doubt, there’s enough of a threat that it feels nice to root for the good guys.
Each novel in the Heart of the Wolf series can easily stand on its own without losing anything to a lack of familiarity with the previous stories. Ms. Spears’ wolves are heroic and stubborn, amusing and loving, and it’s a lot of fun to just follow along wherever the story leads. Elaine and Cearnach may be my favorite pairing to date, their indisputable chemistry and playfulness adding just the right amount of edginess to the story’s unapologetically romantic intent. I have loved all the MacNeill brothers so far, and since theirs is such a large clan, am hoping for more from them soon.
B’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
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)
Purchase Info:
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