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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 GLBT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GLBT. 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 But, when DADT was finally repealed, and it was safe for them to live openly, Rick wanted to tell the world.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:
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:
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:
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Review: Flawless by Cat Grant
Flawless
Author: Cat Grant
Release Date: April 22, 2013
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Irresistible Attraction #4
ISBN: # 978-1626490123
Genre: LGBTQ, M/M, Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the book:
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Steve Campbell used to be a player, until a mid-life crisis opened his eyes to his long-repressed love for Connor, his soon-to-be-married best friend and business partner. Coming out at thirty-eight means learning how to date all over again, and this time, Steve’s not willing to settle for empty one-night stands. He wants the real thing.
Gil Alvarez has never had it easy, struggling through childhood and rejected by his family for a body that didn’t match who he was inside. A skilled driver and mechanic, he’s working hard to make his auto shop a success. The last thing he needs is a rich white guy in a candy-apple-red Ferrari tempting him, but Steve’s ready smile and easygoing manner prove irresistible.
One brief, intimate encounter leaves them both hungry for more. Gil’s not ashamed of who he is, but he’s terrified that Steve will reject him—or worse—when he discovers what Gil can’t find the courage to tell him.
What B is talking about:
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Having lived a seemingly sheltered existence until coming out at the age of thirty-eight, Steve Campbell has a lot to learn about his new life as a bisexual. Tired of one-night stands and the disappointment of looking for more in all the wrong places, what he wants most is to find someone special he can commit to. But, just when he’s almost ready to give up, he gets a helping hand from an attractive stranger, and realizes he has a chance at a love he never anticipated, and one that may never come along again.
Passionate, talented, and determined, Gil Alvarez works hard to keep his auto repair shop afloat and his dreams alive. After the assistance he offers the poor, hapless car owner he met at the beach comes back to bite him, he’s determined not to let the man get under his skin. He’s got enough problems already, thanks. But, even though he knows it’s going to end in disaster, he can’t stay away from Steve, realizing too late that the secret he’s kept hidden could cost him the only real happiness he’s ever had.
While Flawless works well as a standalone, I do wish I’d been able to read the other stories in the series in order to better understand Steve’s origins and his emotional evolution. Steve is certainly well meaning, but his social skills could use some work. He is aware of his own shortcomings well enough to seek outside counsel when he goofs up, at least, and readily owns up to his mistakes. When he realizes how badly he’s offended Gil, he attempts to make amends, rather than turn his back on their tentative relationship. He’s a work in progress, but I like where he’s headed.
I really loved Gil, though. He’s a fighter and a survivor. Though he doesn’t look much like most people think a mechanic should, he owns his own business and is very good at what he does. That Gil is hopeful about what he feels for Steve, understandable wariness aside, really pulled me in, and I very much wanted everything to be okay for him, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
Flawless is a short, but very sweet story, especially once Steve and Gil work past their misunderstandings. Although I really loved Gil from the beginning, Steve grew on me, too, after a while; particularly as he began to piece together for himself just exactly how difficult Gil’s life has been to this point. Eventually, the two resolve their differences and realize that they don’t have to fit the rest of the world’s expectations in order to be happy. In Flawless, Ms. Grant gives welcome attention to a much-neglected topic, and does so with sincerity and heart. I only wish their story hadn’t ended quite so soon.
B’s Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Flawless
Monday, April 8, 2013
Review: Touch & Geaux by Abigail Roux
Touch & Geaux
Author: Abigail Roux
Release Date: April 8, 2013
Publisher: Riptide Publishing, LLC
Cut & Run Book 7
ISBN: #978-1937551872
Genre: Romantic Suspense, GLBT, m/m romance
Format(s): Paperback (288 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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After having their faces plastered across the news during a high-profile case, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have become more useful to the Bureau posing for photo ops than working undercover. Just as Zane is beginning to consider retirement a viable option, Ty receives a distress call from a friend, leading them to a city rife with echoes from the past.
New Orleans wears its history on its streets, and it’s the one place Ty’s face could get him killed. Surrounded by trouble as soon as they land, Ty and Zane are swiftly confronted with a past from which Ty can’t hide—one with a surprising connection to Zane’s.
As threats close in from all directions, both men must come to terms with the lives they’ve led and the lies they’ve told. They soon discover that not all their secrets are out yet, and nothing lasts forever.
What B is talking about:
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It takes a very special series to engender true loyalty, never mind complete dedication, among its readers, but the Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux has done just that. Following the lives and relationship of FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett, two characters that become more endearing, frustrating, and challenging with every novel, it is a series that consistently hits nearly every note just right. With the newest addition to the series, Touch & Geaux, this is more undeniably true than ever before.
In many ways that the previous novels only hinted at, Touch & Geaux is a kind of reckoning for Ty and Zane and presents them with what is certainly the most difficult test they have faced together thus far. Ty’s past, in particular, and the repercussions of his actions, makes the journey they set out on an especially brutal one. While we’ve had glimpses into Zane’s history, and how it’s shaped the man he’s become, Ty’s adult life has largely been a mystery until now. The entire story is a lesson in truth as well as faith, and serves as a reminder that anyone who’s set on too high a pedestal is bound to fall sometime. Even those we love the most.
One thing that makes Touch & Geaux such an important step in the series is that a sort of balance of errors is achieved between Ty and Zane. Whereas before, Zane’s mistakes heavily influenced the evolution of their relationship, this time it’s Ty’s past that threatens to destroy everything they’ve fought for. With a terrible truth he’d never allowed himself to consider suddenly staring him in the face, Zane’s faith in the one person he’s ever given himself to completely is shattered, leaving him scrambling for equal footing on unfamiliar ground. Confronted with his own heartbreak and the unmovable force of Ty’s convictions, Zane falls back into old habits, eventually wanting nothing so much as for Ty to hurt as much as he does.
Although the romantic moments between Ty and Zane are some of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, they are primarily a reward for the torture Ms. Roux gleefully casts on her characters and readers alike. As with the other stories in the series, Touch & Geaux is a race against time, forcing both men to use every bit of their knowledge, skill, and determination to survive. While every time Ty and Zane find themselves in danger is a nail-biting experience, Touch & Geaux takes that fear and desperation to an entirely new level, pushing them well past any reasonable breaking point.
Now about those romantic moments…
Aside from being some of the hottest, sexiest, most amazing scenes I’ve ever read, these moments show just how incredible Ty and Zane are together. What began with awkward expressions of attraction mixed with full on, want-it-right-this-instant sex has evolved into a physical need for one another that has more to do with their hearts than it does anything sexual. In Touch & Geaux, their encounters take a painful, dark turn that left me speechless, but makes it clear that vengeance and sex should never be engaged in simultaneously. Fortunately, from there the journey back to each other begins again, albeit with shaky steps and more loss, and is colored by a hard-won sweetness and devotion that made my heart absolutely ache for them both.
Ms. Roux has a real talent for bringing her characters to life, and writes the disillusioned hero to perfection, never shying away from their flaws and shortcomings, but rather showing that even heroes build lives they can’t always be proud of. Dashing in and saving the day is a fine and romantic notion, but it doesn’t address the fact that sometimes those same heroes are the only ones who remember that they’re human, and being deserving of the trust that’s placed in them is a burden in and of itself. While their actions may lead to more than a few restless nights, occasionally the ends do justify the means, and the cold, hard truth is that that’s as good as they’re ever going to get.
The Cut & Run series is one of the best I’ve ever read, in any genre, and Touch & Geaux is my favorite yet. Ms. Roux has crafted a story that pulled me in from the first page, and refused to let go until long after I’d finished reading, making the real world feel a little less true for a time while the story continued to play itself out in my imagination. Ty and Zane are among those rare characters that stay with me long after the cover has been closed, their missteps, cleverness, humor, and passion giving them life beyond the page. With only two more books planned for the series, I am both nervous and excited to know what else Ms. Roux could possibly have in store for Ty and Zane, given how far they’ve already come. Regardless, I’ll gladly see the series through to the end. It’s been one hell of a ride so far.
B’s Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Friday, March 29, 2013
Review: Lover At Last by JR Ward
Lover At Last
Author: JR Ward
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: NAL
Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
ISBN: #978-0451239358
Genre: Paranormal Romance, m/m romance
Format(s): Hardcover (608 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.
What I’m talking about:
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Like almost every other fan of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I have been waiting for this story since Blay and Qhuinn shared their first (extremely passionate) kiss in the sixth book, Lover Enshrined (June 2008). I am happy to report that for me, Lover At Last met my expectations and is a wonderful addition to this long-running series.
There is a lot that happens during Lover At Last, and I’m not going to try to give a play-by-play summary, but rather hit a few of the high points. Overall, I felt the writing was tight and the flow of the book much better than those in recent history. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I actually enjoyed every section and subplot, and I didn’t skip over any parts. All of the pieces created a richer story that I simply adored.
First and foremost, this is the story of the love between Blay and Qhuinn. Although there is a lot going on around the couple, the book never loses focus on the ending point -- their union. I knew that with their shared history, this wasn’t going to be an easy journey, but thankfully, their path to HEA wasn't made to be ridiculously difficult. Prior to this book, we started seeing a more mature Qhuinn, and his transformation and growth continued during Lover At Last. At one point when he thought he might die, Qhuinn’s first regret was that he would never know is unborn daughter followed by the fact that he hadn’t told Blay his true feelings. As a parent, I got that and adored Qhuinn even more because of it. He has grown up.
Blay... poor Blay. The young warrior has been hurt so many times by Qhuinn, and frankly, I didn’t blame him one iota when he continued to push Qhuinn away, even letting him believe Blay loved Saxton. I adored reading Blay’s innermost thoughts as he wondered if Qhuinn truly was growing up. His confusion and hesitation was all too real and perfectly done. I also loved Blay’s interactions with his family. Those parts of the story added value by demonstrating and contrasting the backgrounds of both warriors.
Luckily for us, we didn’t have to wait the entire book for some sexy hookup time. At first, the couple’s sexual encounters were driven by anger and filled with desperation. It was very emotional to watch Qhuinn beg, taking whatever he could get, and have Blay push away when he felt they were getting too close. In the end, their romance was both passionate and sweet. The epilogue was probably one of the best scenes ever in a BDB story. *sigh*
As far as the numerous side stories go, I have a hard time picking which is my favorite. First, we pick up again with the Lessers - and before you cringe and want to skip... these sections are not overly long and contain and/or initiate other powerful scenes that I enjoyed immensely. One of my absolute favorite scenes in the entire book falls into this category. While hunting Lessers, the Brotherhood finds itself in danger of losing one of their own. Qhuinn steps up big time and attempts to fly a plane to take the injured warrior home. The journey and conclusion was powerful and brought tears to my eyes. Just wonderful!
There is also the continuing drama of Layla’s pregnancy (with Qhuinn). Again, I was prepared to be annoyed, but let me tell you, Layla grew some big ones since the last book. She’s a much more confident woman and I love how she stood up for herself when Havers tried to put her into a tough place. And the time Layla and Qhuinn spend together furthers my adoration for Qhuinn and how both characters have matured.
The book also deals with Xcor and his Band of Bastards. Xcor is simply evil and twisted, and it will be interesting to see how Ms. Ward finds a way to redeem him. There is also a significant side story for Trez (thinking he may be the next book?!), and another dealing with Assail - the vampire who took over Rehv’s drug business in Caldwell. Both were left with significant loose ends that will hopefully be addressed in the next book. Finally, there is a very small and somewhat subtle thread dealing with Wrath, Beth and the idea of an heir/child. I really enjoyed the set up for some major (future) drama and conflict there.
Honestly, I truly enjoyed Lover At Last from beginning to end and every bit in between. Blay and Qhuinn (and the reader) finally got the story they so richly deserved. I was delighted that every part of the book, including the numerous side stories, were well-written and enjoyable. Overall, I feel that as a whole book, Lover At Last is the best yet of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4.5 stars,
BDB,
Black Dagger Brotherhood,
GLBT,
JR Ward,
m/m romance,
NAL,
paranormal romance,
Twimom Review
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