Above the Law by Carsen Taite

Above the Law
by Carsen Taite
Pages: 264
Date: June 14 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: Lone Star Law Series (2nd in the series)

Review
Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 20 to 30 of 2016

received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

This is the sixth work that I have read by Carsen Taite, and the fifth novel length work.

I had not realized it a the time I requested this book, but everything I've read by Taite has been series work. Including this book here. Which was a problem because I hadn't realized that going in - and this is the second in the series. I had some idea that this was actually the first book in a new series, not a sequel. That seems to be a pattern for me, though, with Taite work. heh. mmphs.

The first work I read was a short story - turned out that it was a new story in a trilogy Taite had worked on at some point. So I had read the end of that series before I'd ever read the first. Then I read the three books in that Luca Bennett series. And now I've read the two books in the Lone Star Law series.

Though I again almost read backwards - like I had done with the Luca Bennett series. This time, though, I caught myself - when I got to 1he 12% mark of this specific book here and was confused by what was going on - I stopped and looked closer at everything. Realized that I was in book two of a series and stopped. I did not immediately get book one and read it but shortly thereafter I did.

This is not a book that should be read by itself, or first. This book starts a week after the end of the last book's events, and continues the mystery threads that had been running throughout that first book.

There is a slight problem, though, and one of the reasons I didn't immediately realize I was reading a sequel. The main characters were changed. Which, in and of itself, is confusing. Because Peyton, the main character of the first book, is deeply involved in working on the mysteries, and, separately, 'suffers' a form of personality change detectable in this here book. As in, her personality changed. Well, enough to be noticable for me, maybe not that big of a deal. The problem is that there is some good reasons and or 'excuses' for this change, but we, the reader, are now on the outside looking in, and do not have access to these reasons.

The main character in this book here, well one of the two, is Dale Nelson. DEA Agent. She was in the first book, though something of a side character. An important side character, but still a side character. She's matched up in this book with a new character taking the role of co-book lead - one Lindsey Ryan, super reporter.

So: The characters: As noted, the main characters are DEA Agent Dale Nelson, and reporter Lindsey Ryan. The side characters are Peyton Davis, Lily Gantry, Lily's mother Sophia, Sophia's drug cartel brothers, and several other side characters from the first book.

Dale had meet the love of her life while in the military, she was working as an MP, and Mary (Maria?) had been working as a lawyer. They shared a deep love. Then Dale's wife was gunned down about a year before the start of this book. Dale is still mourning the loss. Somewhat to the point of somewhat impacting her job.

Lindsey is a high profile television reporter who has spent a career diving into danger (like being embedded in military units in war zones) and following her gut and not what the network wants her to do. This time Lindsey goes along with the network wishes, because of several reasons - partly because she 'ambushed' two high profile interviewees, and partly because if she 'gives in' she'll have . . . um, free . . um . . more control of her career. The network wishes involve going on assignment to Dallas to do a puff piece on the DEA and their drug program in which people can turn in their drugs.

Lindsey's devoted to her career and pursues it somewhat single-mindedly - which I mention because she doesn't exactly have any one else in her life.

So, as is somewhat normal, when the Romance part came around, the two leads - the two people with POV, bounced against each other. Which seemed . . .. Well, let me come at it another way. Dale is still mourning the loss of her wife, and somewhat plans to spend the rest of her life doing so (or, at the very least, not getting into another relationship). Lindsey is still having 'issues' with adjusting back to the first world, and has never been that good with relationships. Though she's had several. Including with the producer on to her current assignment. Neither one of them, Dale and Lindsey that is, seem to be in a good place to have any kind of relationship.

To be fair, their vague feelings of lust, and their attempts to wrap their brains around the issue seemed somewhat realistic. There were elements that I had issues with, including parts I can't mention without being spoilery, but for the most part, I just simply didn't care about either of them being in a relationship with the other. Quite frankly I didn't particularly care about either character. I neither liked nor disliked them. They weren't bland, they weren't meh, they weren't thin - they were just people I didn't particularly care that much about.

Falling back on the mystery and . . . .. There's a lot of conspiracy and weirdness going on. It's all mysterious and stuff. There's even a bit of danger and death. But, for the most part, the mystery threads just kind of bumbled along, bubbled along, with some of the mystery energy diverted to basically Dale and Lindsey investigating each other.

Hmm. This was a rather bumbling review. Sorry about that. There was just nothing that tackled my interest - not the romance, not the mystery, not the emotional troubles both of the leads face(d).

May 30 2016

Little White Lie by Lea Santos

Little White Lie
by Lea Santos
Pages: 264
Date: July 1 2010
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (Matinee Romance)
Series: Amigas y Amor (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 27 2016
I'm quite happy that a random thought that floated through my brain this week did in fact float through my brain. For it lead me to this book here. Granted, I've had the thought before; I just acted on it this time. I'm being awfully vague, no? Not communicating directly? The two main stars in this book had that problem. Figured I'd include something like. But let's move on.

The thought that had floated through my mind was the idea that I wanted to read more books with non-traditional characters in them. This is weird, right, considering I’m talking about books involving lesbians. To someone outside looking in, any random lesbian, regardless of shape, race, religion, socio-economic status, would be non-traditional. Me? Well, lesbians come in all shapes, sizes and . . . um . . . forms. I was kind of hoping for, as a starter at least, one in a fictional book who wasn’t lily white.

Which lead to ‘acted on’. I’d figure I’d try diversify my reading a little more by actually noting what I’ve been reading – genres/themes/occupations/ages/race/still wondering if I should had religion to the mix (though that one’s harder to determine). Did find that I’d read some non-lily white books. So my impression, based somewhat on reading books by authors who are not lily white themselves but who seemed to fixate on lily-white characters (I appear to be fixated, myself, on the phrase ‘lily white’), was inaccurate. But still. I wanted more.

Which lead me to books by Lea Santos. And every character name in the book descriptions, seemed to indicate, at the very least, non-lily white characters. Also lead me to notice she had five books listed (not including the omnibus collection of all four in her friends and lovers series), and one had that ‘not published’ indication. Hate when I see things like that. I tend to see those on authors who died before books got published (though after they got mentioned as upcoming); or publishing changes occurred (publisher closing down; those in control of series changing their minds (specifically referring here to things like when Star Trek commissioned books set in the new alternate universe, signed up authors, and the books themselves had gone through the stages of being written, but then the Star Trek people squeaked, and cancelled all of them (except for a young adult series); etc.

So, while five books are listed, I only have four I can access and read. But hey, I have four books I can read! So, I started first one. I think I read somewhere, maybe in a review, that the books are linked – well, I can say immediately that I’ve only read the first book and the book descriptions, but I already know the books are linked. The second book in the series stars Iris – Iris plays a large role in this first book.

The first book, though, involves a professor/researcher named Emie Jaramillo who, early on – based on ‘things’, decided to not pay any attention (or little) to looks, and devote as much attention as possible to brains. As in, she wasn’t going to make an effort to ‘look good’, but she was going to make an effort to develop a keen brain. Course that can kind of backfire as she’s in the position now, at least in the start of the book, of believing she’s ugly (or at least so plain no one would want anything to do with her (she makes some comment like ‘not even a philosophy professor would make a pass at her!’, which indicates either that all philosophy professor’s are sluts, or desperate)) and disbelieving of anyone who says otherwise. She’s the first point of view meet in the book, but not the only one in the book.

No, there’s also Gia Mendez, an artist who works on a specific television show. As a make-up artist (though she’d prefer to try to make her living through her art). She’s somewhere nearish 34, and – judging from Emie’s reactions, drop dead gorgeous (judging from some of her own reactions, she doesn’t think she’s that bad looking, but not drop dead gorgeous).

Emie and Gia meet well on a television show – backstage. Emie believes that she is there to describe cloning. Gia’s there to provide some make-up duties. They flirt. They seem to get along well together. Then Emie goes out and immediately sees that things look odd for a discussion on cloning. But sits. The audience makes noises. The host makes noises. Eventually it comes out that Emie is there because another professor at her university thinks that Emie is too bookish looking to date. Emie is horrified and flees. All of this occurred in front of her parents and friends (who were in the audience, though not in on the ‘humiliating prank’). Naturally Emie now wants nothing to do with Gia.

Gia, though, is horrified by the whole event. And quits. And drives long distance to apologize in person.

The two, Gia and Emie, then circle each other. Neither trusting in their own feelings, or in the feelings of the other.

Emie decides that she’s going to ‘get back at’ that other professor by getting a make-over. Gia, trying to come up with some reason to be allowed to stick around, says that she will help with the make-over. Gia, though, is under the impression that Emie does in fact lust for that professor. She’s the only one who thinks that though.

This is a brilliant great work. Lovely characters involved. A solid five star work. And, judging by reviews, this isn’t even the ‘good’ book in the series, so I have that issue to look forward to. *bounces around happily*

(Oh, and by the way, Gia Mendez? From Chicago. I do not recall if they mention where Emie is from – possibly from where she currently lives, Denver, but somewhat unlikely for various reasons).

May 27 2016

Lay Down the Law by Carsen Taite

Lay Down the Law
by Carsen Taite
Pages: 264
Date: April 20 2015
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: Lone Star Law Series (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 26 2016

This is my fifth work I’ve read by Taite, and fourth book.

My favorite of the bunch still remains the first, the short story I’d read in that ‘Girls with Guns’ book. Which is strange, in its way, since that had actually been a short story that is both chronologically and by publication date, something that had occurred after the Luca Bennett trilogy.

This book here is not actually the fifth work I’d started by Taite, though. No that would have been ‘Above the Law’. Which I only realized after I’d read 12% that I didn’t have a clue what was going on - because I was reading the second book in a series. So I paused my reading of that second book.

Dale Nelson is in the first book, but is very much something of a side character. Important, but I’m not sure that I’d even put her up to even third most important in the book. No the two most important would be those with points of view. That would be Peyton Davis, and Lily Gantry.

Peyton Davis is an assistant USA attorney (AUSA). A US Attorney is president appointed (as in USA President), and is the chief federal law enforcement officer within their jurisdiction. An Assistant USA Attorney is not president appointed and could be among as many as 350 AUSAs who work for a particular US Attorney. Peyton grew up on a ranch in north Texas, and wandered off to college and law school before joining the government as a AUSA in Washington DC. The book opens with her return to her hometown as a local AUSA.

She’s back to head up a task force focused on a Mexican crime cartel. Even before she can get herself settled, and before she is even supposed to report to work for the first time, Peyton is called in to visit a crime scene. A trailer full of dead bodies. The mystery part of the story has begun.

Lily white - adjective meaning ‘pure or ideally white. Without fault or corruption; totally innocent or immaculate’. I’m not sure what Lily Gantry’s birth name had been, it might have even been Lily. But it hadn’t been Gantry, and, to put it crudely, Lily’s coloration is a topic of concern for her personally. In that her family are all quite pale in coloration. She? She’s quite a bit darker, brownish. Definitely not ‘lily white’. For she was adopted into the family. A off-spring of a woman from Mexico had been adopted into the oil rich Gantry family. She sees her parents as hers, they’ve treated her as such, and, other than the obviousness of her ‘difference look’, she’s their daughter, even if not by blood. Not that everyone in the extended family, or, for that matter, others in her class (specifically one Virginia Taylor - but then the Taylor’s are also in the oil business, and rivals with the Gantry oil company - they probably would not have been best friends anyway).

Lily has been out of the country until about six or so months before the start of this book. She’s highly educated with a degree in engineering, and with several patents in alternate fuel sources.

Peyton and Lily circle each other, and something of a budding romance begins . . . before it abruptly and rudely stops. Is interrupted. Some words that convey this idea. Interrupted by events. For, as noted, Peyton is a AUSA. Head of a task force. And her first taste of that case lead her to a crime scene involving a trailer filled with dead bodies. A trailer that is later found out to be owned by Gantry oil. In and of itself not a ‘interrupting’ type of event. I mean, they had reported the trailer stolen. No, it’s the part where this revelation that the trailer is Gantry owned, lead to Peyton learning that there’s a case currently being worked on in her office against the Gantry family. Kind of puts a different twist to a budding romance, hmm?

I’ve read books before where two circle each other, even if they shouldn’t, because of ‘cases being worked on’. But this one has an interesting twist on that theme - Peyton and Lily were circling each other before Peyton even learned of there being any case that may or may not involve the Gantry family.

So - that’s going on. A mystery involving a Mexican cartel, a Texas oil business, and a budding romance. Plus, not yet mentioned, a big old ‘family issue’ taking place within Peyton’s own family involving her family farm and her family. Her dad has health issues, and the oldest son has taken it upon himself to take charge. Despite the fact the mother is still there and technically is the owner of the place. And despite the fact that his ideas do not mesh with family heritage and desires. So, that’s in there as well. Family drama circling both of the main characters.

Oh, and one last bit - I’d mentioned that Lily was adopted, well that is a theme in the book as well - and more than just the part wherein Lily is browner than the rest of her family. No, there’s also this ‘family trust’ issue that comes up in the book, and certain potential ‘issues’ that crop up.
An enjoyable book. The Dale character is kind of thin, though has some meat - but as mentioned, she might star in the next book, but isn’t even third most important in this book. Peyton and Lily seem well formed.

A good solid four star book.

May 27 2016

Parties in Congress by Colette Moody

Parties in Congress
by Colette Moody
Pages: 264
Date: February 14 2011
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: none

Review
Rating: 6.0 out of 5.0
Read: February 26 2014 & May 25 2016

I do not normally reread books. And the last time I read this specific one, the one time before, was in February of 2014. 2+ years seems enough time, eh? heh. I believe this is the first time I've reread a lesbian fiction book.

There are many reasons why I tend to not reread - the easiest to mention is the simple fact that I kind of expect to be 'let down' form any prior experience with a book. I mean, I've read it once before, there will not be any surprises. So . . ..

In this specific instance, the reread just reinforced how impressive this book is. And how much I liked this funny humorous book. Rereading enhanced instead of subtracted from the experience.

And, looking over my prior review, I do not agree with what I'd previously written - for the most part. I mean, I mentioned wincing while reading. Whatever was causing that in the past, didn't smack me in the face this time. The only real thing that is vaguely mind-boggling from the prior read and this read here is the mere idea of a lesbian working for a Republican. But, to a certain extent, I had a better 'handle' on it this time.

Oh, and as some might have noticed, this book pushed me to absurdity - in that I've finally created the shelf I'd threatened in the past - the six star shelf. And placed this book on it. It's a quite good book.

re: ages. I know one, the Democrat, is 34. I had thought the other was in her twenties, but then there were some comments from her about how young someone was acting (a twenty year-old she bumped into at a bar). So both might actually be in their 30s. Then again Bijal Rao (rhymes with cow) is on her first paid political job assignment, so maybe my 20s impression is correct.

May 25 2016

Actual Stop by Kara A. McLeod

Actual Stop
by Kara A. McLeod
Pages: 312
Date: June 14 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: Agent O'Connor (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 2.8 out of 5.0
Read: May 23 to 24 2016

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Insert here my standard 'this is the first work I've read by this author' statement.

In praise of this book and this author: the author appears to be capable of writing a coherent, competent, clear book with relatively detailed characters.

In the opposite of praise of this book (though not of this author): baring a few minor characters, I somewhat grew to rather dislike the characters. To a deep level of dislike. Plus, while the book appeared competently written, there were a few issues I had with it on a structural level as opposed to substance level.

There were several occasions in which the author spent time creating build up, and then not delivering. Specifically referring to:

(1) a great deal of time and energy was put in by the characters to get ready for the president of the USA to visit NY, it is the reason why the main character's ex-girlfriend was in NY - for that visit of the President. And then . . . nothing. Mind you, I wasn't exactly expecting much. Heck, I'd have lived if there was just a line that said roughly 'the president entered the car and was driven to the hotel'. Instead we got build up and then . . . the after party. The story-line went something like 'the president is coming' to 'Wheels up' (in other words, the president has left). It is not a huge issue, just felt like something of a let down. Though I didn't specifically deduct any 'points' for this issue.

(2) for some unknown reason, a real jackass of a man popped up in the book. Ryan's boss (Ryan being both the main character and only POV) asked Ryan to 'put him in his place', or words to that effect. Because he is being a real arrogant asshole. The storyline went from having that boss asking Ryan, to Ryan at her desk looking tired. As in, none of the actual event takes place in the book. I've no idea why this scene was in there in the first place, there's no inherent reason for it's inclusion, and then the action part of the scene (like the action part above) got cut.

(3) for no known reason, Ryan's direct boss (different guy than in 2, who is a higher up guy), is a real asshole. Towards many, but especially towards Ryan. I've no inherent problem with this characterization. Nor do I have any inherent problem with the 'why' being left blank. My problem has to do with how a 'mystery' got generated around him. That was never answered. he acted suspicious in several occasions - (a) screaming at his wife; (b) practically begging Ryan to not investigate the suspected terrorist; (c) storming into Ryan's office then coming to a surprised stop when he realized she was actually in there (what was that about?). etc. Clouds of mystery. Added to the 'real asshole' characterization. I kind of assume(d) that this might have been build up for another book.

(4) I have no real inherent problem with the build up and then lack of follow-through in four. Though it follows a pattern, so I included it A possible terrorist plot was revealed. Unless it was connected to the events that occurred at the end of the book, it was just a plot thread without resolution

(5) Meghan (Ryan's partner). (a) She acted kind of pissed every time Allison (Ryan's ex) turned up; (b) acted very suspiciously at the end of the book engagement ring on finger - refused to discuss it; acted super ashamed; somewhere along the way I had the thought that all the characters were dislikeble except for Meghan - and the only way I'd probably dislike her if it turned out she was having an affair with the dispicable boss . . . and then she turned up with an engagement ring. More likely, the ring is connected to that asshole rookie agent who Ryan had to 'put in his place', and who Ryan showed great displeasure with - Meghan would probably be ashamed to be engaged to that guy

On the substance level: every character, for the most part, had a good bit of characterization stuffed into them; but were quite loathable. Loathsome. Unlikable. I didn't like any of them.

Mystery: the only real book long mystery involved that guy who had passed counterfeit money and possibly had ties to terrorism. That played a big part in the beginning of the book, but very little the rest of the way.

Action: except for one specific scene at or near the end, there was a lot of build up for action scenes, then the actual action scenes got 'cut' (again, except for the last action sequence).

Romance: Let's see. Love triangle. Cheating. Assumation of cheating. Etc. I didn't particularly like the relationship between Ryan and Lucia (the two were dating at the start of the book). Ryan was quite dismissive of her, and refused to call the woman she had been dating for six months her girlfriend. Lucia seemed quite lovable and deserved anyone other than Ryan well, other than cheating on Ryan, and going bat shit insane, but whatever.

I do not really get the Ryan-Allison relationship. It really read like an abusive relationship. Ryan loved Allison. Allison showed a certain amount of affection. Allison did not wish to publically acknowledge the relationship. Got pissed at Ryan if Ryan crossed a line and showed too much affection (or even, at times, was in the same room). Got pissed at Ryan if Ryan didn't show affection. Basically Allison was a massive bitch to Ryan, and Ryan was psychologically abused. I'm not actually sure if we are talking about love here or Stockholm Syndrome.

None of Allison's 'reasons' for her actions, which get revealed at the end, are the kind of thing that would give her a pass or otherwise . . . . um . . . forgive her. And, quite frankly, I've heard the abuser in an abuse relationship saying some of the same things Allison gave. She was afraid. She didn't know how to handle her feelings. She did what she thought was best for both of them; without consulting Ryan.

Boiled down: I'd give this book some rating nearish 2.8 stars, rounded up to 3. In thinking about whether or not I'd read this author again, I reminded myself of how many books I've DNF, or rated lowly, by authors I'd given a ton of 5 stars to. (I believe the author with the most books I've rated 5 stars is also the same author I've DNF'd the most books by - Georgette Heyer). Point being, sometimes the same author will create love/hate inside of me. So yes I'll probably read something else by this author.

Heck, I'd recently read a book in which something like 99% of the readers gave a super low rating, or DNF'd the book (no, I'm not talking about this book here). I also gave that book a low rating. And then, not immediately but eventually, I read another book by that same author. Authors that can create emotions in me will be given plenty of chances to interest me. Well, 2 to five chances.

And yes, there are parts of this book that enraged me. Many parts.
- Like the part wherein Ryan got pissed at her girlfriend when her girlfriend got angry at her for canceling yet another date. Without actually remembering to call to cancel.

- And the several occasions in which Ryan did improper things (interviewing a counterfeit suspect, as a favor, when she had no power to do so (power? authority. I mean authority); ironically, or not ironically, by doing so she found a reason, a justification but that was after the fact), some of which are illegal (driving while texting/talking on the phone).

Re: improper. I'd put that one in my status updates:
Seriously, what the does she expect to accomplish here? I thought of that before she even entered the apartment.
(A) she's let a possible criminal know the 'government' is onto him;
(B) gained no information for her troubles (from the interview, later learned some things);
(C) if she had gained information . . . what was she going to do with it? She wasn't authorized to be talking to this guy. she later traced some of his calls. Saw connection to terrorists. Her reaction? When learning that an old partner had rejoined the counterfeit division of the Secret Service, inform him that she might have some questions for him about a case. As I noted in my notes (and then saw in the book itself (as in, Ryan also thought of this issue); learn of a terrorist connection, who should you contact? Ryan thinks of asking the coutnerfeit division some questions. Apparently forgetting (and then later remembering) that she was tasked to the joint-terror task force

hmm. The book was/is a lot more coherent than my review.

May 24 2016

The Setup Man by T.T. Monday

The Setup Man
by T.T. Monday
Pages: 272
Date: December 2 2014
Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard
Series: Johnny Adcock (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 22 to 23 2016

This is my first book by this author that I have read, and the first book in a series.

This book probably would have never crossed my path if I hadn't done something I hadn't done in probably years (though I used to love to do this activity) - visit an actual bookstore. The second book in the series was sitting there in the 'new stuff' part of the Mystery section and it looked neat and stuff. Looked it over, went to see if they had the prior book - looked that over and . . . here I am, two days later, book read.

I've read a number of books involving sports and mystery. And athletes who solve crimes on the side. The only ones that I ever really seem to like are the ones where there's something extra, like when there is also historical fiction, like in Troy Soos Mickey Rawlings series. Especially as, in the Rawlings series and other historical fiction, the ball players make peanuts, so side jobs are not hobbies, but necessary.

Here? The story is set in modern contemporary times, and the main character makes a million five. He has a kid and an ex, but the ex made a ton of money off her second husband so she’s neither dying for support, nor begging for it. So for him to work as a private detective, on the side, is entirely because he’s bored and wants something to fill the time. No, literally, he says that at some point.

This man here, the main character, is all-around a joke. A guy who set out to try to get a job as a bull-pen pitcher so that he could work 10 minutes a day for millions of dollars. And as a detective he is something . . . well, I already said joke, but yes, that. During the course of reading this book, I happened to catch a film, ‘The Nice Guys’, about a ‘punisher’ (a guy who gets paid to go around giving out messages, and/or beating people up) and a ‘private detective’ working a case in the 1970s. Johnny Adcock, the main character in the book, reminds me a lot of the guy in the film, the detective one, but not in a good way. At one point in the film, the guy’s daughter notes that he is the worst detective ever. He’s lazy, drinks too much, and can’t detect which end of a paper bag has the opening in it. Then he shows a few flashes of brilliance. Well, Adcock is somewhat similar. Bouncing around like a moron, with a couple of bursts of brilliance.

And it is not lost on me that this almost over the hill bullpen pitcher had been talking about what he planned to do in retirement, early-ish in the book. Take over some hotels, make them private, put in some ‘special staff’ (aka, hookers), and allow access to only professional athletes. Then the story that unfolds, the mystery, is basically something similar (just without hotels). And Adcock seems not at all self-aware of that fact. But hey, I get it, people can joke around about what they might or might not do, joking about opening up a string of brothels for athletes is a little odd, but not necessarily something to be used as a gauge of character. No, it’s what happens at the end of the book (and in small snippets during the book), that lets people in on the truth – Adcock is a hypocrite, a criminal, and an all-around bad guy. Even if he can pretend to himself that he was doing it for a good reason. Adcock blackmails some people to help set up a college fund

There is a very strong chance, about 75 to 95 percent chance, that this will be it for me. That I will not tackle the sequel, ‘Double Switch’, even if it was the book that initially got me interested in the series.

While, in the end, I’m able to give the book a good solid 3 star rating, I do not recommend this book to anyone.

May 23 2016

The Iron Phoenix by Rebecca Harwell

The Iron Phoenix
by Rebecca Harwell
Pages: 240
Date: May 17 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: None (yet)

Review
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 21 2016

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

There is a neat detailed book here set in a fantasy world. The reader is only given a view of one city on the planet but other locations are briefly named at times. Those other locations are just that though, names.

Years before the start of this book, a nomadic tribe became aware of a 'Great Storm' and sought shelter in a specific city. For various reasons the rulers of the city offered the nomadic people a new home to live in and they accepted. Their 1000+ nomadic journey had come to an end.

The book opens twenty years later. The two different people's continue to live together but with a great deal of mistrust and a certain amount of fear. There are people on both sides who wish and/or loudly comment on how things were better before the nomads came/moved into the city.

The former nomads are of dark skin. Their men are super good at fighting and many have joined the city guard. While the women have magical gifts. Important to the story: the former nomads do not have same sex relationships, while the city natives are said to have this possibility.

The story mostly follows two people. Both descendants of the nomads. A girl who is about to turn 18 (which is important because that's when she's supposed to find her man). And a man whose age is not specified. Both have strange magical abilities. One uses these abilities to create chaos, while the other attempts to do good while at the same time thinking that she is cursed and that dire consequences would occur if her nature were discovered (both the magical part and the lesbian part).

If this had been a MF book the two I mentioned above would probably have circled each other, in a potential romantic manner. Though not necessarily come together. But this is not that type of book (an MF book).

And yet there is something of a love triangle. Consisting of two of the nomad females and the son of the leader of the city.

This was a quite interesting neat book. And while there were elements of teenage angst and the like common to young adult books, it was more of a smallish element not an overwhelming one..

I'm being quite vague in this review mostly because I only have access to a phone. So - not easy to express thoughts. Long and short - good book, I liked and would recommend.

May 21 2016

Descended from Dragons by Tricia Owens

Descended from Dragons
by Tricia Owens
Pages: 218
Date: May 12 2016
Publisher: Self
Series: Moonlight Dragon (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 3.66 out of 5.0
Read: May 19 to 20 2016

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Romance Beckons Cooperative for an honest review.

Anne Moody lives and works in Las Vegas. Specifically inside a 'cursed' pawn shop. I'm not sure why I put cursed in scare quotes. I mean cursed as in literally cursed. The kind of place that Anne can't really up and leave - filled with things that are cursed, some of which talk to Anne in a way only Anne can hear (in a 'you are going to die; you will meet the love of your life and he will kill you; etc.' kind of way), plus random non-cursed items.

Anne is the descendant of dragons. I'm not exactly sure what that means, though there is reference to dragon in her blood, and, separately, reference to the Chinese being descendant's of dragons. Even saying that I still don't know what that means exactly.

As far as this story is concerned - Anne Moody is a powerful dragon sorcerous (sp?) who has a dragon familiar, and she herself has 'dragon' in her. In that, if she isn't careful, she'll literally turn into a dragon and run around killing and destroying, and being a big badass predator. Supposedly. Anne's been kind of trying to fly under the radar because Las Vegas has these 'Oddsmakers' who keep an eye on things and anyone who gets too public, or shows too much power, is taken out. Whatever that means. Since she is flying under the radar, her true power level is unknown.

Also because she is flying under the radar, most do not know who and/or what she is. Even her friends are in the dark. And her family is either dead or missing.

The story involves a powerful unknown entity who wishes to gain access/control over a demon and use their power and minions to take over Las Vegas. If they succeed they will get lots of power.

Anne kind of backs into the story by having someone drop off a gargoyle statue which is less a statue and more of an actual gargoyle. One that is cursed - what with having a demon pushed into it. This leads to Anne learning of the evil dude's activities, and directly/indirectly causing that evil dude some 'issues' and putting some roadblocks in front of that guy on his quest for success.

Interesting enough story though I had certain 'issues'. She is super powerful but makes comments indicating a lack of desire or interest in 'learning' the thing she needs to know (see, for example: comments made when she mentioned dropping out of college). Certain comments are made that are on the edge of ... not exactly sure how to word this issue - lack of awareness of a LGBT world (see: 'of course she didn't fall under the succubus power because wrong gender - there is a 90% chance I am reading that wrong).

Not exactly sure about rating. Something around 3.5 to 3.7.

May 22 2016

Jane’s World: The Case of the Mail Order Bride by Paige Braddock

Jane’s World: The Case of the Mail Order Bride
by Paige Braddock
Pages: 240
Date: June 14 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: Jane's World

Review
Rating: 3.66 out of 5.0
Read: May 18 to 19 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

Introduction
Jane’s World is/was (not sure if it’s still around) a webcomic (online comic) that started in 1995. I’ve never heard of nor have I read this comic before I happened to come across this book. This book, while set, I assume, in that ‘Jane’s World’ universe, is not a comic book/graphic novel, but a fully fledged novel. Though there are a few illustrations here and there in between chapters.

I was all set to then turn from mentioning the comic and having never read it before, to the idea that I’ve never read this author before. But there are two links in the book that tell me information about the author. One says ‘About the Author’, the other says ‘By the Author’. I had not read the ‘By the Author’ one until just this moment. Apparently Paige Braddock is also Missouri Vann. And I have read a book by Vann - Whiskey Sunrise - a book I read in February of this year and gave a rating of 4 stars.

This will be/or was my first that I’ve read with the ‘Paige Braddock’ by-line though.

Characters
There are two points of view (I’m fairly certain there are only two, hopefully I’m not forgetting something).

Point of View Characters
Jane ‘J.T.’ Wyatt is a former news journalist for a left leaning newspaper that folded. Needing work, Jane joined the Library as a Librarian. She does not have a Masters in Library Science degree, though. She lives in a trailer park, and specifically in one with some guy named Ethan. I do not know what their relationship is as it was never established, though Jane appears to be fully lesbian, and Ethan is either bisexual (he really seems super close to this one guy, Silas, nicknamed ‘Bigfoot’) or straight (he drools excessively over Natasha). There is a comment by Jane about how Ethan acts like her younger brother, implying that whatever connection they have, it isn’t actually brother-sister. Romantic relationships: Jane has, apparently, dated everyone who will date her within the nearest 20 mile radius, also see Dorothy section.

Dorothy is the owner of a coffee shop. Part of the money came by way of her mother – who sees this infusion of capital as allowing her to constantly be in the coffee shop giving advice. About six weeks before the start of the book, Jane and Dorothy broke up. That’s the kind of relationship they have, though, since college. They date, they break up, they get back together, they break up again, repeat (mostly, it seems, the break ups are instigated by Dorothy).

Characters meet at the Library
Elaine – is the ‘hot’ librarian type that Jane kind of fancies. She’s also the reference librarian

Jake is the children’s librarian who dresses like a hipster.
Janice is the 65+ year old librarian.

Doris is a regular.

Captain Underpants is a regular. Someone who shows up wearing just his underwear and a towel (as a cape) to inform people about the dangers of skynet.

Jane – as mentioned, works here.

Characters meet at the Coffee Shop
Angie is a worker at the coffee shop. She’s big, tall, stern looking with a military bearing, though apparently a marshmallow.

Dorothy’s mother visits a lot to give advice.

Doris is a regular.

Dorothy owns the place and works here.

Characters meet at Jane’s Trailer
Ethan lives in Jane’s trailer.

Silas is Ethan’s BFF and looks like Bigfoot.

Mrs. Beeman is a nearly blind neighbor.

Natasha is a gorgeous woman who turns up one day and says that she’s Jane’s mail order bride.

Jane lives here.

Plot
Six weeks after being dumped by her girlfriend, Dorothy, Jane is bouncing around at her job at the library. She’s just arrived. Frantic phone calls suddenly start coming in from her roommate Ethan. Apparently there’s some hot woman there who wants Jane. Jane makes an excuse and heads home.

Ethan wasn’t wrong – there’s a hot woman there. And she ‘wants’ Jane. Natasha, the hot woman, tells Jane that she’s there as Jane’s mail order bride. She even has a receipt. One thing leads to another and Jane finally realizes that her PayBuddy account had been hacked (no, PayBuddy isn’t a way to get around using the word PayPal, it’s a cheaper alternative – at least in this book universe).

The book then unfolds as follows: Jane attempts to figure out what happened, and how to ‘get out of’ the situation. Much silliness and humor occurs. Some of which is totally over the top.

Humor
There is humor throughout the book. And the beginning can seem downright hilarious at times. There’s a slight problem, though, in that some of the humor 1) is based on silliness and absurdity; 2) gets repeated.

Humor based on absurdity kind of needs to have the absurdity to keep building to keep the humor going (to a certain extent). Meaning that the humor builds from ‘this is funny; this is absurd, but funny and still within the realm of reality; this is absurd and outside the realm of reality’.

The repetitive nature of the jokes is a separate issue. I’ll give one example, though put it behind spoilers.

There are numerous times, and I mean numerous, wherein the ‘joke’ is that someone sees Jane and assumes, based on her appearance, that she is a man. The first time this occurred caused a mild form of semi-smile. Repeated use of the joke was less funny with each repetition.

Overall
This book is set in Northern California. I mention that immediately so I can then note that there’s a vague similarity in the humor level, in the absurdity of the humor, between this book and books I’ve read by Dave Barry set in Florida (referring here to his adult books of fiction (as opposed to his many collections of his essays, and his many children’s books)). I have no real point in mentioning this except that I thought of this while reading the book so . . . there – book reminds me of a Dave Barry book like Big Trouble (which was made into a movie).

I rather liked this book and, in the beginning found it hilarious. As time passed the humor somewhat dimmed and moved into the realm of too absurd and a little too silly.

Up to 77%, I was hovering near a rating of around 4.3 stars (which basically means 4). Then things just got too bizarre and absurd. By the end I'd give the book a rating of 3.66 (basically 4).

For the most part there was some good characterization - though with a heavy dose of absurdness.

Good thing this is a humor book and not a 'lesson book' or I would have to dock a star.

Lesson: ~ accept the person as they are and don't try to change them (see: Dorothy & Jane relationship. Somewhat counter balanced by the many comments of how much people want to change Doris (and the several jokes re: her appearance. Then – in the end she had a makeover and boom everyone liked her now. Mmphs.

May 19 2016

Just Say Yes: The Proposal by Kris Bryant

Just Say Yes: The Proposal
by Kris Bryant
Pages: Unknown
Date: June 1 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: Wedding Novellas (1st in trilogy)

Review
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 19 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

This short story is the third work that I’ve read by this author. Including this story here, the author now has an average rating of 3.83 (as in, everything I’ve read by them averages out to 3.83).

This story here is the part that some books dwell on extensively, though mostly seem to skip over. The part in the relationship when the two people in it have known each other for a while, and one or the other ‘pops the question’. And by skip, I mean that there are many romance books I’ve read (I’m not sure if I’d limit that to lesbian fiction or not) wherein two people come together, conflict, bounce off each other then . . . end of book but for the epilogue. And the epilogue is like a year later (more or less) and the two people are already married. Meaning the book skipped over the proposal and engagement period. This one’s just the proposal part. I hadn’t thought of it, but the prior book I read was an ‘engagement’ part type story – I hadn’t thought of it because the engagement was an accident.

This was a good solid book. Well rounded characters, for the most part. There were moments wherein I felt like I was in some kind of thriller, what with the pulse-racing moments attempting to ‘get things right’ and the like.

I keep calling this a short story, because I know it is one, though I am uncertain how long it actually is, pages wise.

Bah, I got distracted by things that do not really matter.

This story involves a local television reporter named Finn McCoy (the book description on Bold Strokes Books has it as Tessa Finnegan “Finn” McCoy, though I don’t recall the full name ever being used (ETA: ah, I see it got used once, the full name)) and paralegal Amber Kent. They have been together for four years and Finn sets about putting together the ‘perfect’ proposal for she wishes to marry Amber.

Ah, there it is – the reason I was on the publisher website. Okay then, the story is 20,000 words (odd, exactly 20,000 words?). And it is part one of the Wedding Novellas series (The Proposal (this book), The Planning (Keeping Time by Emily Smith), and The Wedding (Piece of Cake by Gun Brooke)). Three different couples (and authors) though.

Well, I think I’ve babbled long enough, inanely. I enjoyed the book.

May 19 2016

Heart Block
by Melissa Brayden
Pages: 264
Date: November 1 2012
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: None

Review
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 16 to 18 2016

This is my sixth book by this author.

I liked most of the people involved, and the 'pivot points' (points of conflict) were handled well. Most importantly I liked both of the main characters, the little girl, and the dog too. Except for one specific moment, though, I felt kind of distant from everything that was occurring. Everything was a little too predictable. And quaint. And sweet. And the formula was again followed. I'm not going to mention what the formula is exactly, since doing so is, in a way, spoiler-y.

Well. Didn't have much to say about this one. It was there. I read it. Well, no, one last thing - every time when something did begin to annoy me, something would pop up to block the annoyance. Like - I spent a little too much time wondering about the woman from Mexico whose name was Sarah. Then learned she had 'whitened' her name to fit in.

May 18 2016

Arson Plus and Other Stories: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Early Years, Volume 1 by Dashiell Hammett, Richard Layman (Editor), Julie M. Rivett (Editor)

Arson Plus and Other Stories: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Early Years, Volume 1
by Dashiell Hammett, Richard Layman (Editor), Julie M. Rivett (Editor)
Pages: 100
Date: June 14 2016
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road
Series: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Early Years, Volume 1 (The Continental Op)

Review
Rating: 3.90, 4.90, 4.0
Read: May 16 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and MysteriousPress.com/Open Road in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my first book by this author, though I am unsure how many I’ve actually read. Nor do I think that this is the first book I’ve read that involved the Continental Op.

The book opens with a quite interesting little section on the author – like how Hammett had been a private detective for three years, was in the military, and was off and on suffering from an illness. Plus, he spent the last ten years of his life unable to publish – because of the ‘red scare’ of the 1950s, and died owing massive amounts of money to the government (said in the book to be due to ‘penalties’ connected to the government wishing to ‘punish’ him.)

Oh, and directly important to the stories/writing – Hammett, before he began his writing career, took a course in writing. Something like ‘private secretary’, or the like, which gave him instruction in journalistic style writing – so that his stories stand out in the ‘Black Mask’ universe as being straight forward, solid works, without a lot of the lurid over-sensationalization that the other works tended to include.

Enough of that, that’s go to the short stories.

Arson Plus
First off – I learned another thing I hadn’t known – Dashiell Hammett wrote his first bunch of stories using at least one alias (and this story here, along with ‘Slippery Fingers’ (there is no mention of which author name was used with the middle story – ‘Crooked Souls’) used the name Peter Collinson). Apparently Hammett had started off writing jokes and satire – sending them off (and getting them published) in something called ‘Smartset’. The publisher of that magazine redirected Hammett to the less high-brow ‘Black Mask’ and redirected his writing.

Second off – this is not Hammett’s first story, and I am uncertain if it is the first Continental Op story. I kind of assume it is since the point of the project is to publish all of the Continental Op stories in a series of short story collections. So why am I uncertain? Because the first two short stories in this collection have the same date. Both appeared in the October 1st 1923 edition of the ‘Black Mask’ magazine.

Arson Plus involves a story about a house that burned down out in the country near Sacramento. The Continental Op operates out of San Francisco, but he was called in on the case, I believe by the insurance companies – since the fire department suspect arson.

This is a rather good solid story. And, despite the very limited number of characters involved, one that I didn’t ‘figure out’ before the end. It’s also not a hard-boiled detective story. Which I kind of knew going in – that, while Hammett is known as being deeply connected to hard-boiled detective stories, the Continental Op stories are more straight forward detective stories. Involving a detective with a large agency behind him. Completely unlike such people like Philip Marlowe, and Sam Spade, and the like, who operated mostly on their own (likely after their partner had been killed), drank a lot, and talked about dames. There is no mention of dames (though there is a woman in this story, and she is eye-balled – more in a ‘I’m a middle aged detective, maybe if I were younger I’d have appreciated being made to wait for her to ‘pretty’ herself up, but I just wanted the facts’ kind of eye-balling).

I’d give this story a rating somewhere between 3.75 to 4.20, and, to make an overall rating easier later on, I’d peg this as a 3.90 story.

Crooked Souls
As mentioned, this Continental Op story also appeared in ‘Black Mask’ magazine, and on October 1st 1923.

The Continental Op has been called in on a kidnapping case. A big powerful man has had his daughter taken from him. And he wants her back. Though he doesn’t wish to pay the kidnappers.

Two things first off – (1) private detectives, as shown in these first two stories, have a great relationship with the local police; heck, they literally work together on cases – sometimes taking direction from the private detective; (2) showing the difference between these types of stories and those involving the hard-boiled private detectives of Marlowe and Spade type – the Continental Op has a large number of people working with and for him. Though this time the action actually takes place in San Francisco (one of the favorite haunts of hard-boiled detectives of the early years).

To add a third thing I should have already mentioned – I learned, through the various notes here and there, that Hammett hadn’t actually intended to leave the character unnamed, but an unnamed detective seemed to have worked in the two Continental Op stories he’d had published by the time of the letter mentioning this issue, and ‘he doesn’t deserve a name’. He’s just a place-holder for the type of detective he worked with – large, fat, competent, no nonsense.

Rounding back to this short story – I rather enjoyed this one. Quite riveting in places. Quite worthy of a rating up near 4.90 stars. And another story that I didn’t spot immediately how it would turn out (though, this time, I had an idea, and I wasn’t off the mark; it’s the side things I hadn’t picked up on).

Slippery Fingers
In this third Continental Op story, and the last in this collection, Hammett again uses the Peter Collinson name on the byline. This story appeared in ‘Black Mask’ on October 15th 1923.

A rich older man has died. The police have bloody fingerprints and several directions to look, but cannot determine the killer. The rich old man’s son calls in a private detective, in the form of the Continental Op.

There’s a note at the beginning of the story from the author. I’m not sure if that’s something that had been there before the story in the magazine, or not. I’ve read a large number of short story magazines in my time, so I know that type of thing – a note before the story, does have a tendency to occur. I mention that because there’s a comment about how ‘you’ll have the time of your life trying to solve this crime…’. Which is odd, because, of the three stories in this book, this one was the least difficult to decipher.

No matter. Strong story. There’s a neat little trick that occurs that I can’t mention without being spoiler-y; it’s not the first time I’ve seen that trick before, though I didn’t expect to see it in a story from 1923.

Overall, I’d rate this one something around 4.0.

Overall
The first story involved arson, the second involved a kidnapping, and the third involved murder. The stories have a similar feel (as in, it felt like all three were in the same character universe), while, at the same time, didn’t stick to just one ‘thing’ to investigate. The stories should solid investigative powers, were not formulistic, and were quite entertaining.

These are three competent good mysteries. Mixture of detection, and action. Each story has a certain amount of violence, and two have gun-play.

A few of the words and phrases were a little strange, but otherwise there isn’t anything in here that feels dated or unnatural. The only example I can recall at this exact moment, of strange words/phrases, is how often the Continental Op mentioned the machine. Meaning an automobile. I believe that term was used in all three stories. ‘He had left Wayton in his machine, arriving about ten-thirty…’, ‘We get a machine, and take a look at what’s left . . .’, ‘I got back in our machine and . . .’ ‘I get a machine from the nearest garage and . . .’. This is the first time I’ve ever seen ‘machine’ used in reference to an automobile. There was mention of a ‘fire wagon’ in the first story, but I’d seen/heard that phrase before.

The story could easily have been written today. And set back in 1920. Heh. I mean, there are a lot of face to face meetings that would have taken place by cell phone and the like, and some bouncing around that would have been easier to handle with cameras/cell phones, and the like.

An enjoyable collection of short stories, and informative ‘other’ stuff (intro/letters from Hammett in regards to the stories). Overall, let me see, 3.9, 4.9, and 4.0. This equates to an overall rating of 4.27.

May 16 2016

Twist of the Magi by Caren J. Werlinger

Twist of the Magi
by Caren J. Werlinger
Pages: 38
Date: November 5 2014
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Series: None

Review
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
Read: May 16 2016

Nice enough story, I suppose. I didn't particularly like how passive Penny seemed, and how her affections so easily bounced around. Quite shallow, until she's basically slapped in the face by reality.

Probably a story I'd give around 3.5 stars to. Possibly 3.7.

May 16 2016

Building Blocks
by J.A. Armstrong
Pages: Unknown
Date:
Publisher: Bumbling Bard Creations
Series: By Design (7th in series)

Review
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
Read: May 13 to 15 2016

I've felt for a longish while that I'd love to read one of these books (well, not that one series I can't get into) by Armstrong in a full length book (more than 200+ pages at least).

Well . . .. There are three hour movies that feel like almost no time has passed when it's over. There are 90 minute movies that feel like days have gone by while it was playing. This book? I do not actually know how long this book was, since that information is oddly missing, but it felt more like a three hour movie that felt like it was taking days to complete.

Now there were moments when I was thinking that this would end up being another 5 star effort. Or 4 star. Or . . .. Well, that was before things kept being tacked on. Then again, I've felt two things before: a desire for the book to be over already (mostly in that third series); and that these stories seem to work better in shorter form. There's only so much lovey-dovey; we are such great people; emotional rollar-coasters; before my brain exits my body and visits the beach or something insane like that. Can you imagine? Sand gets into everything as it is, but if only my brain visited? I'd never get the sand out.

Despite my ramblings, there is a good-ish story here. Mostly. The whole 'evil Klein dude' story line has been building up and building up for a good long while now. And Candace was finally going to unleash herself. And . . . it all just kind of fizzled, really.

Zero Visibility by Georgia Beers

Zero Visibility
by Georgia Beers
Pages: 289
Date: February 24 2015
Publisher: Brisk Press
Series: None

Review
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 12 to 13 2016

Just some quick thoughts - I loved the interaction of Emerson & Cassie . . up to the 23% mark when suddenly they got thrust aside for brand new point of view (Vanessa). And all the crap she brought to the story. I was horrified when she appeared, and feared the worst. I never grew to like her, care about her, or want to have anything with her story, but I got past my horror. As the story still mostly revolved around Emerson and Cassie.

Then some evil troll business man got a point of view. Then Mary, Etc. I, obviously personally, did not feel that their bits of story needed to be told from their point of view, and, to a certain extent, told at all. At least the parts told directly from their point of view. But still, story remained mostly focused on Emerson and Cassie.

I rather liked both of the main characters, and most of the side characters (with exceptions here and there – that Jonathan guy annoyed the hell out of me).

As I mentioned, I just had some quick thoughts I wanted to drop here in this box thingie. I liked the story. I liked most of the characters. There was a certain amount of angst and hair-pulling moments (and one moment wherein I had a ‘oh god, two single lesbians and suddenly there are kids thrust into the story-line?’ thought, though the kids, despite their initial gasp of horror from me, didn’t subtract from the enjoyment of the books (and added something)).

Right, as I said, just a few thoughts leaking from my mind.

May 13 2016

Show Time by Suzanne M. Trauth

Show Time
by Suzanne M. Trauth
Pages: 320
Date: July 19 2016
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Series: Dodie O'Dell

Review
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 10 to 12 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Lyrical Underground (Kensington Books) in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book that I have read by this author (I include notes like this so that readers of the review know ‘where I’m coming from’ – if it’s the 1st book I’ve read by an author my interactions with the author’s work would be different than this had been the 21st book I’ve read).

This book is a cozy mystery set in New Jersey. There is something of a romance, but not capital R romance. As far as I can tell, everyone in this book is heterosexual.

Characters
Main
Dodie O’Dell is a woman who has a degree in management and had lived her whole life on the Jersey Shore (except for an internship in Pittsburgh). Hurricane Sandy, though, has forced her to relocate – what with the restaurant that she managed damaged (there might have been something about a damaged dwelling as well, I forget now). She found another place to manage, though, in a small northern New Jersey town called Etonville. She works at Windjammer which is directly adjacent to the Etonville Little Theater (ELT) – a place that puts on plays using live actors. And a place that Dodie is talked into helping out at.

Police
Chief Bill Thompson – is the chief of police. Former NFL player. Former member of the Pittsburgh police.

Suki Shung – is a police officer (and possibly only non-white person in the entire town).

Ralph Ostrowski – is a police officer (and lazy).

Edna May – is the police dispatcher (and actress at ELT).

Townspeople/Others
Lola Tripper – is a former high school teacher who is connected to Walter and acts in ELT productions.

Carol – hairdresser and mother of Pauli. Pauli is a computer geek who helps set up a website for Dodie’s restaurant.

Henry – owner and chef at Windjammer. Is tense because a newish restaurant, La Famiglia has opened up in the town, and Henry has always been the best restaurant in town.

Benny – works at Windjammer.

Elliot Schenk – former and current member of ELT. Works or worked in finance (‘on wall street’).

Penny Ossinging - incompetent stage manager.

Morty and Marshall Wendover – work many businesses, including authentification of documents.

Random mix of others – there are others mentioned, some with lines, some without, but who play a small enough role I can shove them here in others. Without naming.

Murder Victim
Jerome Angleton is an older man, a retired high school teacher, who worked in the box office at ELT, and, at times, acted on stage.

Romance
There are at least four or more romantic relationships mentioned in this book, not counting the part where the play Romeo & Juliet is being staged for a performance by a small theatre. Most are learned along the way, one or more would be kind of spoiler-y to mention now. The only one I can mention directly would be the one that is ongoing when the book opens – that of Lola and Walter. Lola’s Dodie’s friend, and Walter is the director at the Etonville Little Theater.

One of the romantic entanglements plays a key role in the book, but most are ‘just there’ in passing. And one, the only one that shows bits of Romance (i.e., getting lost in someone’s eyes, etc.), is not actually at the official dating stage.

Plot
Dodie, who has relocated from Jersey Shore to Etonville, works as a manager in a restaurant. Her first day . . . either working at Windjammer, or in Etonville, she meets Lola who becomes something like her best friend. Which leads, as such things can do, to a friend asking a friend for help. Or, in this case, Lola asking Dodie to help out in the Etonville Little Theater – they are attempting to stage Romeo and Juliet and they could use all the help they can get.

So, Dodie works in the restaurant and over at the theater. Occasionally meets up with other friends, including Carol, the hairdresser, and Jerome, someone who has a tendency to come over to sit with Dodie during her evening break.

One thing leads to another, and things begin falling apart at the restaurant (not really, just some delivery issues) and at the theater (numerous conflicts/clashes of personalities/death).

Naturally, when death rears its head, Dodie decides to investigate, especially since it involves her something-like-a-friend Jerome. Involves as in he’s dead now. Murdered.

Both Dodie and the police investigate. The police, in the form of Chief Bill, has an odd relationship with Dodie in a ‘thanks for the information’, ‘don’t get in our way’ way. Also the police seem more incompetent than I’d expect. In a – certain things turn up the police should have seen, or found out in routine investigation, but strangely didn’t. I’d say more incompetent than I’d expect, because they have the feeling of being competent people, other than lazy Ralph, yet they keep doing certain things wrongly. *shrugs*

Overall
I liked the book, though there were a few areas I found annoying. Dodie’s experience and knowledge base seemed to fluctuate. Like how she just loves libraries, but has never visited Etonville’s library and acts quite shocked at the idea that libraries might have computers. Then, after one visit, bluntly states that she knows the whole layout of the library. Or how she’s an acquaintance of Jerome’s but acts shocked that the guy would have any interests beyond mysteries (she knows he likes mysteries because he shares his books with her; per chance he knows she likes mysteries so hasn’t mentioned liking other things? Hmms?).

Then there’s the part wherein, already so overwhelmed by the responsibilities heaped upon her that she becomes ill during the course of the book, she still believes that she is better able to handle investigating murder. Than the police. But then this is a cozy mystery involving an amateur detective, or in other words I already knew this issue before going in. And, the police did kind of ask for her help (more of a ‘if you hear anything’ and less of a ‘please investigate’).

But still, despite those few moments of discomfort on my part, I enjoyed the book. Would recommend it. Probably something I’d rate somewhere between 3.8 and 4.2 stars.

May 12 2016

Femme Noir by Clara Nipper

Femme Noir
by Clara Nipper
Pages: 252
Date: September 1 2009 (orig: November 3 2007)
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (Originally Alpha World Press)
Series: Nora Delaney (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0
Read: May 6 to 10 2016

This book here is my second book by this author.

This is a book about a hugely successful college basketball coach (Mooreland University Wildcats) who, and this is important to the story, is a bald black butch. Apparently powerfully built, physically fit, smokes like smoking will be outlawed tomorrow and she wants to get as much as she can beforehand, and drinks like there’s no tomorrow. Also chases every woman who is appropriately femme enough.

Characters
Nora Delaney is the 35 year old basketball coach mentioned above. Tall, powerful, orally fixated (cigarette, leaking pen, finger, she needs to suck on things) and currently living in Los Angeles as a basketball coach. A hugely successful basketball coach. The fact that she is a hugely successful basketball coach is the least believable part of this book – she has no impulse control, put a drink in her hand and she’ll drink it (no matter who puts it into her hand, or what is in the drink), put a woman in front of her, and she’ll fuck her (even if she doesn’t like the woman; even if she’d prefer to leave and hump a different woman), but most importantly, for a big strong butchy basketball coach, she sure is wimpy. In that, she has no ability to deal with people with strong personalities, who do not take no from her, who literally leap onto her back. This? This is a hugely successful basketball coach? Someone unable to control the situation or the personalities around her? A basketball coach, sure, but hugely successful?

Max Abbott is a woman who, despite the book description, is barely in this book as a character. She’s apparently quite voluptuous, has red hair, and is very pale in coloration. She is lusted after and stalked by Nora. Oh, and Max, for all I know, is as sex-crazed as the description describes, but she sure isn’t in this book. Everyone else is, but not her.

Michelle McKerr is Nora’s ex. And is the reason why Nora is in Tulsa, because Michelle had apparently been living there before she died . . . in L.A.

Darcy Tate is Nora’s contact in Tulsa. She’s hooked up with Ava-Suzanne Morgan-Frazier (girlfriend) and Jhoaeneyie Crosswaithe (friend). Ava is a musically inclined artist. Jhoaeneyie works in a gas station. Though tells everyone that she’s a shrink.

Sloane Weatherly is one of the people who knew Michelle and one of the people Nora talks with. She is also one of the few black people in Tulsa (maybe the only one she actually speaks with).

Jack Irving is a gay man Nora meets in the first bar she enters in Tulsa.

Amber is Michelle’s local ex. And a woman who enjoys disrobing and not taking no for an answer.

Lila and Reese are a couple. Kind of. Lila sings and has a restaurant. Reese is an artist who beds all the femmes in town. Nora doesn’t like either, though spends time with them anyway. Because, what the fuck, why not, right?

Tonya is Nora’s best friend in L.A. And, other than a few scenes in the beginning of the book, not really in this book.

Plot
Pussy hound Nora Delaney gets a call from her crazy ex-Michelle. Michelle wants her to ‘come here’ immediately. To help her. Course Nora thinks that Michelle is in Tulsa, and since Nora is in LA going to her immediately is kind of out of the question. Plus, Michelle is her crazy ex, not her crazy current girlfriend. Still, she sits up that night, wondering if Michelle really is going to come over (which she threatened after Nora refused to go to her) before slumping over asleep.

In the morning Nora heads back to the woman she had fucked the day before, for some nice breakfast. Upon returning to her apartment she finds that it has been trashed. Eventually learns that Michelle had been murdered, and immediately heads to Tulsa. Mostly so that she could be in the area Michelle had been in, definitely not to do anything grand like investigate her death.

Upon arrival in Tulsa, Nora immediately heads to a bar, and meets three of the oddest ducks in the world. Darcy, Ava-Suzanne, and Jhoaeneyie. Nora instantly takes a dislike to them, but sticks close to them like glue. Instead of, you know, fleeing in the opposite direction. Though she does make a few attempts, unsuccessful, to flee. Nora also meets Sloan, Max, and Jack in this bar.

Nora hangs out with Darcy and her gang, despite disliking all of them, and despite her desire to spend time stalking Max (which she has a tendency to do, stand outside her wide open window gazing up at her while thinking about how she wouldn’t allow her to do stuff (like have uncurtained windows) – that’s a theme for Nora, how she wishes to control others). Also, once she hears of it, she investigates the race riot that took place in Tulsa in 1921. And attends Michelle’s funeral. At no time, though, does she investigate Michelle’s murder (though people would occasionally slip information into her ear for no inherent reason; well, technically, she does occasionally ask people questions about Michelle, but about Michelle, not necessarily about her murder).

Overall
The constant daydreams by Nora about fucking people were annoying. Visiting Tulsa, and Nora’s reactions to the place were interesting. There are a lot of ‘characters’ in this book, and while I wouldn’t particularly want anything to do with any of them in real life, they were interesting to read about.

The book was more coherent than the other book I’d read by this author. It was easier to ‘take’ how poor the mystery part of the book was this time around, since the prior book I’d read involved many murders, and a police officer who seemed more determined to not work, than to solve crime. While this one involved a woman grieving the death of an ex, and one who actually noted, at least once, that she wasn’t investigating the death. So the lack of real investigation was actually expected. Still this wasn’t a mystery, so I’ve removed the book from that shelf.

To a certain extent, the greatest weakness in this book is the character of Nora. Specifically the part where she meets three people who she kind of likes in Tulsa, but spends the majority of her time with people she kind of despises and dislikes. Mostly by her own choice.

The ‘mystery’ of Michelle’s death is both logical and kind of stupid. But, meh. The book wasn’t about the mystery. But about the journey. Or something. Also, Nora’s quite insane.

May 10 2016

Paladins of the Storm Lord by Barbara Ann Wright

Paladins of the Storm Lord
by Barbara Ann Wright
Pages: 314
Date: May 17 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series:

Review
Rating: 3.30
Read: May 5 to 9 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is my sixth book by this author. First science fantasy. I’ve previously read a four book a fantasy series and a 1 book, stand-a-lone, historical fantasy book. I realize that this book here falls into the science fiction category, but I think of it as science fantasy. What with the mysterious powers that are not science based, and the dryad like aliens.

I mentioned in either one of my updates or in a thread that this book has a similarity, in a loose way, with David Weber’s Safehold series. I do not wish to go too far down this path, but in short Safehold is about: a colony ship arrives at a planet. Something different than planned occurs and the colonist, who had been frozen, are awoken on the planet without any knowledge of their past and thrust upon them is this ‘religion’ that both puts the ships crew as gods, and includes things like ‘technology cannot go above a certain level’ in the rules. Then hundreds of years later an android is awoken – she has the memories of her time as a human female crewmember. She’s going to go out amongst the ‘peoples’ and stuff. Not exactly the same as the story here. Not by a long shot, not really, but that series and this book reminded me of each other.

Here, this book, – a colony ship arrives at a planet – it isn’t the planet they had been aiming for, and something mysterious happened to both put them off course and to give the crewmembers ‘god-like’ abilities. The colonists, who had been frozen, are sent down to the planet. They’ve either been given, or made up themselves (though I think it was given), that the crew members were gods. Though they were allowed to retain memory of their prior existence, and knowledge that the ‘gods’ had been humans at some point. To be fair, the crew members do have god-like abilities. Petty gods, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Tech base is kept at a relatively lowish level, but not due to any religious rules (or need to hide from vicious aliens (the real reason to keep the tech base low in Safehold). No, the tech base is limited to the situation – the planet isn’t the one the colony ship was aiming for, and most of their supplies are already on the planet – that other planet. And the planet they did land on apparently is low on metals. So they know about technology, they just don’t have the means to enable a higher level of technology.

So. That’s the foundation. A colony ship was heading to a new colony world. Something mysterious happened and the ship arrived at the wrong planet. No word is mentioned as to whether or not the ship was stuck there. Or had communication issues. Or anything. Heck, there’s even mention that the colonists had hoped for rescue, so the lack of a word or two mentioning that the ship didn’t have more power, or the communication gear was fried, or something, was vaguely annoying.

Distracted myself there. Sorry. Ship arrived. Crew awake as if from sleep, but look around – they were supposed to have been on duty. They are on the bridge. Many are dead. One, named Dillon, has a raging headache. Duo, is missing an eye. Lazlo is wandering around trying to help – he isn’t the doctor, just someone called upon in an emergency. The doctor is dead. Lessan – the navigator, another person who had woken up, is horrified, jerking around, looking for live people. Marlowe and Christian are also wandering around, and speaking oddly. Lessan decides to go wake up the captain, Dillon – for unclear reasons, wants her to stop. Grabs at her, she tries to pull free, he increases his desire to keep her from leaving, and she’s electrocuted. The crew, as mentioned, has these mystery powers now. Unexpectedly. And, as seen, from the first moment the reader meets him, Dillon is a massive asshole.

So, next chapter – two hundred years later, colonists are wandering around doing stuff colonist like.

This is where I’d say something like ‘the main character is’ or ‘the main characters are’ but . . . there are none. I know that the book description specifically mentions two – Lieutenant Cordelia ‘Delia’ Ross and the Storm Lord (that being Dillon), but neither has the main point of view. Both have point of views, and are important to the story-line, but neither are the main point of view. As mentioned, there is none.

Here’s also where I’d put down the point of views, except, there’s like 20 of them (not really, but a ton of them). There’s Cordelia, Captain Carmichael, Liam Carmichael, Dillon, Lazlo, Lydia (I think that’s the prophet one’s name), Horace, Nettle, Usk (the old drushka point of view (drushka being what I’ve been calling the dryad aliens), B46 (the ‘boggins’ queen), etc (I can’t recall now if Paul Ross, Shiv, Flood, and others also have point of views or not).

So, I can’t really give a list of main characters, because there isn’t really a main character. Nor can I do a list of POV’s, as there are just so many of them. So, let me just boil things down. The colonists live near a swamp in a place called Gale (the main humans in this story, not all humans on this planet). They share the few remaining armor they have left (suits of armor), while others wear ‘leathers’. They patrol around the town, and in the nearby swamp. The ‘paladins’ are the local security/town guards. The town and paladins ‘worship’ the god known as ‘Storm Lord’ – he who helps control the weather – moving rain, clouds, etc. Which Dillon, as Storm Lord, does in fact do.

In the swamp are two intelligent or proto-intelligent species. One of which is actually broken apart into two factions – one that wishes to wipe out the humans (old drushka), and one that does not (drushka). The proto-intelligent species, boggins, is at a level wherein they can use sticks they find on the ground as spears, and have a certain low cunning – they’ve been ‘augmented’ though to a level of true intelligence (a level they might have reached on their own if they had had the opportunity and lots of time). The old drushka still have a ‘wipe out the humans’ mentality, though they haven’t done anything to advance that mentality in a good long while; at the same time they don’t like how the whole drushka has been split and wish to join everyone back up again. The boggins are running around trying to figure out what to do with this new intelligence, though they know that one of the things they wish to do is wipe out the humans and the drushka.

There is a solid story here. It’s readable, it’s interesting, and it intrigues me enough to pull me along. There’s a slight problem, though. With minor exceptions, like a few of the yangui’s (sp?) – the augmented humans, Nettles and Shiv, I kind of despise everyone.

Of the original crew: Dillon’s insane with lots of power. A real asshole. The other ‘god like’ crew members, except for Duo and Lazlo, are mostly unknown to the reader – might even be some great people in there, or more assholes, not given enough to know. Duo’s another insane one with lots of power, but doesn’t get a lot of ‘screen’ time (or pages). Lazlo’s a weak-ass coward who has spent the last 250 years lusting after Dillon and doing his bidding, which includes some seriously evil shit, despite the fact that Dillon is just friendly to Lazlo because Lazlo has this ability to heal.

Of those on the planet: Captain Carmichael is described in a way that lends one to believe she’s super competent and really good at her job. Though when she actually tries to do anything, she is shown to be kind of incompetent and lacking in abilities – no idea what that’s about. Long and short, she’s an incompetent dick with a veneer of competence and respect. Liam Carmichael, son of Captain Carmichael, is a drunk and a skirt-chaser who is largely incompetent. Lieutenant Cordelia Ross is friends with Liam, and shows a lot more competence than many others in this story. She’s also, though, a drunk and a skirt-chaser with a lot of bigotry (see: her reaction to seeing ‘Sun and Moon’ people in the town) and arrogance mixed in.

Of those who are drushka (and why is that always lower case in the book?): Nettles is competent and good at what she does. Shiv acts impulsive and immature, but she’s likable despite these handicaps. None of the drushka, though, has enough pages to get a firm handle on their characters.

Of those with point of views who I haven’t mentioned above: some I do not know why they are in the book. They have no real presence, beyond a couple scenes here and there. No, not why they are in the book, why they have point of views. Lydia, the prophet, appears to be there to . . . um . . show what a prophet is like. And have yet another person be sorry for in regards to close ones deaths.

Romance
Almost forgot this one here. There's a bit of romance going on in this book. It drives several of the characters actions so I can't say that it is not of importance. But this isn't a capital R romance. It just is a book that includes romance. drushka and humans. Gods and humans. Humans and humans. Straight, lesbian, and gay relationships. More straight than any other kind. Not counting one-night-stand type deals, there is 2 lesbian, '2' gay (I might not otherwise count Dillon and Lazlo, but Dillon has controlled Lazlo for 250 years because of Lazlo's lust for him, even if there isn't anything more than a manipulative relationship here), and 2 straight. I'm being purposely vague. Though I'm not sure why. Story opens with three relationships in place (well, once the prologue is over) - Lazlo and Dillon (gay), Paul Ross and Reach (straight), and Lydia and Freddie (lesbian). Three more 'develop' over the course of the book.

Overall
Bah. Enough of that. Let's do the overall thingie. There is a good solid story here. There are just too many people telling it. And most of them are not people I want to have anything to do with. Even so, I was planning on giving this book a rating near 3.5 to 3.8 stars – closer to 3.8. Since that is ‘close enough’ to 4 stars, I was going to mark the book as 4 stars. Since there’s no way to mark the book as being 3.5 stars. I was hovering on the edge, though and . . . . something that occurred very near the end pushed me in the opposite direction. In the end, I cannot give a rating higher than 3.3 stars – still a good solid rating. And without half stars, that gets marked down as a 3 everywhere that lacks half stars (GoodReads, Netgalley) and 3.5 everywhere that has half stars (LibraryThing, if I still posted there, Leafmarks – similarly if I still posted there), and 3.3 on my blog.

May 9 2016

Collide-O-Scope by Andrea Bramhall

Collide-O-Scope
by Andrea Bramhall
Pages: 390
Date: April 10 2016
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Series: Norfolk Coast Investigation Story (1st in series)

Review
Rating: 4.70 out of 5.0
Read: May 3 to 4 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by this author. I rather enjoyed the first book I had read by this author.

Location
A small village, Brandale Staite, in North Norfolk England. A place of 39 year round residents (there had been 40, but Connie’s dead now). The village swells to four hundred ‘in season’. ‘The campsite holds six hundred people per night.’

Note: there is a map at the front of the book. It shows King’s Lynn (where Kate lives and where a second murder investigation takes place off-scene), Hunstanton (where the police work out of while investigating) but does not show Brandale Staite (unless that is also called Brancaster?).

Main Characters
There are two points of views in this book.
Detective Sergeant Kate Brannon is relatively newly promoted to her position (three weeks before the beginning of this book), and relatively newly arrived in the area (moved to Kings Lynn from Norwich at same time as promotion). Though she grew up in a small village like setting near the sea. Nearish to an oil rig. This is important since her pop worked on one. Before it burned – it and him on it. Mother died when Kate was young. So she was raised by her grandmother, but she’s passed on now as well (when Kate was 17). Kate is currently 35. Drives a BMW Mini.
Of Importance: There is a question that Gina asks Kate, something like ‘will someone miss you when you die?’ the answer is ‘no’.

Georgina ‘Gina’ Temple is a woman who works as the second in command at Wells campsite (the manager). She is a mother of 9 year old Sammy, who she had when she was 17, making her 26 when the book opens. Had liked drinking a bottle of Shiraz with Connie. Also drinks Rioja.
Of Importance: Sammy (daughter), Matt Green (father of her child), and Connie Wells (boss and friend).

Secondary Characters
NOTE: Since this is a mystery and ‘everyone’s a suspect’ I’ve attempted to add people as their names came up the first time. Not by order of importance.

Police
Inspector Savage is the person in control of the crime scene where Wells body was found. He is meet at the beginning of the book, and mentioned several times thereafter but has little to no interaction with the story after the beginning.

Detective Inspector Timmons is Kate’s direct boss and would have normally lead the investigation of Wells death but for a slightly higher priority murder investigation involving three women in a ‘the middle of King’s Lynn.‘

Dr. Ruth Anderson is the medical examiner.

Sergeant Stella Goodwin is ‘an experienced sergeant’ who will handle the inside the office stuff, while Kate handles the outside the office investigation. Technically she has been 'left in charge' when Timmons goes off to attempt to solve some other 'more important' case. I say technically because Goodwin and Brannon more often work together than have Goodwin dictate what Brannon will do.

Detective Constable Jimmy Powers is Kate’s assistant. ‘A guy in his late twenties.’

Police Constable Collier is a newbie partnered up DC Brothers. Both working on the investigation.

Detective Constable Tom Brothers works on the investigation. Makes jokes a lot. He ‘looked a little like a panda in reverse.’

Len Wild is the head of the forensics team working on the murder investigation.

Villagers
William Clapp is a worker at Wells’ campsite. He is a ‘thin, blonde guy’ with a ‘diamond earring . . . in his left ear.’

Leah Shaw is Connie’s ex. Described as being the people person of the relationship, though that is not in evidence in the book. Leah is currently bunking with Ally Robbins.

Matthew ‘Matt’ Green is the father of Sammy Temple, and works for Sands. Lives in ‘Pebbles Cottage, Brandale Staithe.’

Ally ‘the Cat’ Robbins works on a lobster boat (or a fishing boat at least). Has a reputation of being ‘a tramp who’ll sleep with anything that doesn’t say no.’

Edward and Rupert Sands are the people that own half the village. Something like bitter rivals of Connie Wells.

Murder Victim
Connie Wells is/was a woman who ran the successful camp site in the village – the one that, in season, provides a great deal of support to the rest of the business in the village. The campsite is called ‘Brandale Backpackers and Camping.’ She was formerly attached to a woman named Leah, but sometime in the past, prior to the start of the book, they had split apart (six months prior?). Everyone, including the ex, but not including Gina and Sammy, describes Connie as being a bitch. And kind of disliked her. Medical examiner gave an approximate age for Wells of between 30 and 40.
Of Importance: Merlin (dog), Leah (ex.), workers of her business, villagers

Plot
The book opens with a prologue. One that I see occasionally and kind of dislike for one specific reason. It allows the reader to see the character alive and bouncing around as a fully realized character. Then kills them. There’s a reason I stopped reading so many mysteries. Gets depressing – that.

Well, so, the book opens, and a woman is out walking her dog along a particular path near a marshy flood plain. She has her camera with her and is taking pictures. Unlike most of her times taking pictures, she is less focused on nature and the like, and more on what is happening involving some lobster traps.

Gun shots go off. Merlin, Connie’s dog, squeals in terror. The birds flee. Connie shrugs. The noise makers have gone off – sounds that are made in the morning by farmers to drive off birds.

Connie raises her camera and focuses. Another shot goes off.

Chapter one finds a Detective Sergeant Kate Brannon heading to a crime scene. There’s a frantic dog being held by a police officer, a crime scene inspector, and police. The police do not yet know who the victim is, since she does not have any identification on her, and she is missing her face.

The book proceeds with following Brannon as she investigates. Timmons, her boss, would normally be the lead investigator, but another case comes up of slightly more importance.

Relatively quickly, like in the first chapter (I think I recall), the identity is revealed to the police, though, of course, the reader already knew. Connie Wells has died. By gunshot.

Wells, it turns out, has a business in the village, or on the outskirts, that involves a seasonal campsite. That campsite adds a ton of business to the village, and, as some note, the village itself would greatly suffer if that campsite were to close. Which, as it turns out, Wells was within a week of doing. And the whole village knew about this issue.

Meanwhile, Wells has an ex-girlfriend who has made threats against her.

The richest family, or at least the one that owns half the village (I rephrase as I do not know how wealthy Connie might have been), also despise Wells. It was mutal.

So – everyone wanted her dead. Well . . . not exactly. One at least wanted her dead. The rest? Baring a few here and there (including Gina and Sammy Temple, and possible one or more of her other employees), just thought she was a bitch.

So Brannon must first determine who the victim was, then who killed her.

Overall
There are many types of police books – a few of the varieties include (1) those that are mostly about the crimes and the people who investigate them (emphasis on investigation – police procedural – ‘just the facts’); (2) those that are like 1, but include a heavier emphasis on characters; (3) similar to 2 but injects romance while still focused mainly on the investigation; (4) like 3 but focus is mainly on the romance, while the investigation takes something of a back seat; (5) those which are mostly romance in nature, maybe mixed with danger, but the focus is heavily focused on the romance; plus a million and one other variations.

This book is one that leans between 2 and 3 above – the book is heavily into the murder investigation (Kate), with some character development stuff (Gina), while having a bit of romance floating in the air . . . lightly in some places (beginning), a lot heavier in others (80%+) (Kate, Gina).

I was thinking, while reading this book, that it reminds me of reading a Peter Lovesey book. I did not have a fully developed thought when I was thinking of Lovesey – beyond the idea that, unlike many/most lesbian fiction mysteries that involve the police, this specific book had a Lovesey vibe. This means nothing to those who have no idea what I’m talking about, of course. See, not fully developed thought. My point of thinking of him, had to do with emphasis – a lot of the lesbian fiction mysteries I’ve read have had romance be something of much greater importance than the mystery (at least those that include the police – there are many wherein it seems as if the characters in the story forget that there’s actually a mystery to solve, in favor of . . . um . . humping); while this book here gives greater importance to the mystery.

Still, no inherent reason to bring Lovesey up. It was just a thought that had crossed my mind at some point. Lovesey’s books, specifically those that involve Peter Diamond, are ones that involve murder investigations set in England which is a more leaning 2 (depending on book and scene) with occasional dips into injecting romance. As in there is a lot of importance on characters.

Right. No idea why I had that thought. Let’s move on.

This book was a rather thrilling exciting mystery that included the right mix of romance. Granted, those who look for romance, as in capital R Romance, should probably look elsewhere, but there is a flavor of it here.

There is one slight issue I have with the book. Though it is hard to indicate my 'issue' when it occurs so late in the book that I can't really mention it. I'll just say that there is something of a cliche in lesbian mystery books that pops up near the end. Though, to be fair, I've seen the scenario play out similarly in 'mainstream' fiction. I've just seen it more often in lesbian mystery books for whatever reason. Also, to be fair, this "cliche' is handled quite well in this book.

Despite my 'issue', this a rather good book. Quite enjoyable. I would probably give the book a relatively solid rating of 4.70.

May 4 2016