Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Catalyst by Fletcher DeLancey

Catalyst (Chronicles of Alsea, #4)Catalyst by Fletcher DeLancey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*I received this book from Ylva Publishing in return for a fair review.

There have been four books in the Chronicles of Alsea that have been previously published. This is both the fifth book published and not the fifth book in the series – no, this is book four in the series (the fifth entry appeared out of order earlier this year in July).

This specific book here picks up seemingly moments after the end of the third book – ‘Without a Front – The Warrior’s Challenge’. Of importance to this story – a) do not read this book here out of order or, for that matter, as a stand-alone, I do not think it actually would work as a stand-alone; b) third book ends with a wedding. Fourth, this book here, begins with the happy couple going on their honeymoon.

They do things differently on Alsea (the name of the planet). In the Earthling culture I’m most familiar with, after a wedding, a happy couple wanders off together for a period of time and lose themselves in being together – in say Paris, or Hawaii, but mostly in a bed. The Alseans add a step to that, yes, the happy couple does tend to wander off somewhere ‘nice’, but they add an extra layer – they bring their families with them. For, you see, the bonding is of two families, not just two people.

Some of what you might expect on a honeymoon does in fact still occur. The two wiggling near each other, say, in a nice setting. Some that occurs is somewhat unexpected. Like here, Salomen and Lancer Andira Tal had a bonding ceremony at the end of the previous book (third book in the series, not previous book published, which is the fifth book in the series), then went to have their honeymoon on a nice island. Their honeymoon cabin is actually something of a treehouse – surrounded by other cabins and treehouses. Housing Salomen’s father, and two of her three brothers (third is off in jail), plus Andira’s guards – including such people as Micah and Lead Guard Fianna Vellmar; plus the person who bonded the couple – Lanaril ((view spoiler)); plus (yay for pluses) Captain Ekatya Serrado of the Protectorate and Dr. Lhyn Rivers.

I mentioned in my review for the fifth book in the series, Vellmar the Blade, that there was something of a Princess Bride vibe – specifically because the Vellmar story was being told by an older person to youngsters – with them interacting in a similar way that Fred Savage and Peter Falk interacted. Well, there’s a vibe that I picked up on with this book here as well. I’m sure it is a story telling method as old as time – I think it even turns up in Beowulf, that Old English story from something like 975 A.D. I should have watched more camping films. I’m sure they had some I could have seen wherein people gathered together then told stories. But I didn’t. The story telling technique that I am referring to involves people gathering together, telling each other stories – mini-‘stories’ are shown, then back to the people gathered; which also happened in Beowulf when he visited the King in that big hall – and he, or one of his friends, I forget which now, began telling tales of how great Beowulf is – a true hero – so that story would be told (like the time went swimming and murdered a sea serpent, then back to the depressed hall where everyone is drunk and waiting to be eaten by Grendel – people do have to do something while waiting to be eaten).

Right so, the point being that the purpose of having the two families join the happy couple on the honeymoon is so that everyone can ‘join’ as one big happy family. Also to make sure the newly bonded remember to eat. And are entertained. And now we get to my ‘vibe’ tangent – they get entertained by having people tell stories. Well here we just experience two of the story tellers – Ekatya and Lhyn tell about their time back among the Gaians in the Protectorate space.

So – two, well more, but two main story threads – ‘present day’ on Alsea; and flashbacks to Ekatya and Lhyn’s two or so years back in Protectorate space. Both story lines are quite fun reads to follow. And it should be stressed that the ‘present day’ part of the story line is a lot more than just people sitting around telling stories – even if I kind of made it sound that way. ‘Stuff’ does happen.

There needs to be a Warning, though – there is some rather . . . graphic stuff that happens in this book. Sex, but I’m mostly referring to the violence part – bloody, tortuous violence.

The notes I left myself which probably should have just been reworded and made my review:

(view spoiler)

Rating: 4.88

December 1 2016



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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Love in an Elevator: A Romantic Comedy Anthology

Love in an Elevator: A Romantic Comedy AnthologyLove in an Elevator: A Romantic Comedy Anthology by Aven Ellis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


7 Chick Lit stories, 1 Dick Lit story, some by authors I've read before.

Hold the Lift by Aven Ellis
Age 23, Denver, Writer/reporter, athlete, MF

Woman arrives back to her apartment building after a long day of making fajitas. Smells like that. Is vaguely worried about how bad she smells. Doors begin to close, an English accent calls out 'hold the lift' - woman debates about doing so or letting the doors close. Holds the lift. Man gets on. Elevator goes up. Gets stuck. They are forced to spend hours talking. They get to know each other and like what they find. Eventually elevator repaired and their life (and story) continues.

Neat enough story. First thing I've read by this author.

Rating: 4.25

November 6 2016

Down, then Up by Beth Labonte
Las Vegas, Writer, Age - 31?, Second Chances, Flashbacks

One of the two authors in this collection that I have previously read.

A woman is on a Bachelorette trip, for her sister, to Las Vegas and she thinks it is worse than being on death row for a murder you did not commit, or winning the jackpot but losing the ticket in a fire. All because she gave up alcohol or something like that.

Late one night Lauren Oswald, the star of this particular story, is sent no a mission by her drunk sister and her sister's equally drunk friends - go forth and acquire donuts. Lauren initially thinks of fighting this request but then notices that one of the women seems to be on the edge of barfing. And then she recalls that she might actually like getting away for a while. So she does - darting out the door to find donuts.

The mission is derailed/redirected, adjusted immediately. When the elevator door pops open and Lauren spots the one man she didn't want to see - her ex-boyfriend from college. Who she hasn't seen for something like 10 years.

She briefly thinks of not getting on but does.

Whereupon a series of flashbacks and 'current present events' unfolds. Showing Lauren and Jamie Mullins (that ex-boyfriend) marching forward from introduction to each other, friendship, relationship, then splitsville, to leaping forward 10 years to 'today'. Though the first flashback occurs 13 years earlier.

Quite deep and enjoyable story - complete in and of itself - a full story, not just a snippet like many short stories can be.

Rating: 4.45

November 20 2016

Going Up? by Whitney Dineen
New York, Blue Collar, Mob Boss/Mafia

Another author I've read before.

A woman goes to New York from Western PA to try to succeed at her chosen profession (massage), but fails to get much luck. Takes a job as an elevator operator in an upscale location to pay the bills ($28.50 an hour to operate an elevator, mmphs).

Ends up flirting with one of the people who regularly rides the elevator who she thinks is a handy-man. Gives a massage to a mob boss (different guy), gets conned out of her fee by an old woman, etc etc.

Her grandmother owns and runs a biker bar, her mother . . . um, is equally 'independent' (word choice used in story) but I can't recall what she does, something about pottery, and her grandfather could be a mob boss . . . possibly/potentially.

This is actually a pretty interesting slice of life story involving a young woman finding a long lost family member. Problem, though, is that this story is in a romance collection. And the romance? Very thin. Very. Basically it consisted of 'young woman meets young man, they flirt, now they are a couple'. And so . . . lower rating. Sadly.

Rating: 3.5

November 21 2016

Taking a Chance by Becky Monson
New York, Facing Fears, Age-20s

Haven't read this author before.

A neat story about a woman somewhere around 23 years of age who is attempting to fulfill her dead sister's bucket list - she made a promise. Even if most of the things on the list are things that she's afraid of (like heights, and close spaces, and people, and germs), but she made a promise.

She bumps into a man in the elevator on the way up to the top of the Empire State Building who attempts to help her when she begins to show signs of panicing. panic-ing. hmms. He is about 27 or something like that.

I initially gave the story a rating of 4.45, though it probably deserves something higher than that.

Rating: 4.50

November 29 2016

Happy to be Stuck with You by Rich Amooi
Humor, Finance, Dick-Lit

Certain amount of humor does not overcome some of the short-comings inherent in this story. I was reluctant to read this one, but I figured I shouldn't prejudge a story just because it's by a man and starts in the point of view of a man - and calls itself chick-lit when it's clearly dick-lit.

But then the POV shifted to a woman and . . . I wanted to just toss the story and not finish it. But it is just a short story. And. Stuff. For better or worse it was not easy to read that type of female character and know that it is by a male author - granted it isn't easy to read when know female author, but harder to take with male author.

Then there was that 'smile' 'beautiful' comment and I wanted to shove a ice pick into the guy's dick.

So, this story didn't work for me.

Rating: 1.5 - 2

November 29 2016

Upstairs, Downstairs . . . and the Lift Between by Geralyn Corcillo
England, Class/cultural differences

Haven't read this author before.

A woman has saved up five years so that she can have a 'country estate party' type of 'fantasy' experience in an old Baron estate in England. She herself is from California and works with computers.

She is a bright bubbly type, full of energy and joy. Brightens every room she enters. She's Maisy.

Then there's a fella named Mark. He's always running all over the place, working on/for Drakenfall -the name of the country estate.

Then Mark and Maisy meet, and both take a fancy to the other. But . . . one is a guest, and the other works downstairs. Soooo....

Lovely story. A few things of annoyance, but easily brushed past. Oddness about the narrator - vaguely confused, but I think everything was actually narrated by some old woman who watched everything unfold. Not exactly a POV I've come across a lot in my reading. Some vaguely disinterested/interested third party narrating stuff.

Rating: 4.9

November 29 2016

The Only Way is Up by Lindy Dale
Australia, Writer

Haven't read this author before.

A rather emotional woman, and a rather unprofessional man end up having their lives entangled. Twice. First when the woman fainted in an elevator and woke up to a man kissing her (him: I was giving you mouth to mouth!; her: You were sexually assaulting me!), then again when it turns out that the man had actually being heading to the hotel (in which the elevator was lcoated) to meet the woman (though neither recognized the other upon first meeting - the man didn't know what the woman looked like, and the woman didn't know her publiscist was sick and that his boss would be handling her on her book tour).

Well. PR man acts very unprofessionally. Writer woman acts professionally in public, and quite emotionally out of the public eye. Naturally they are perfect for each other.

The 'neatest' thing about this specific story is the part where it was taking place in Melbourne Australia.

Rating: 3.3

November 29 2016

Out of Order by Dee Ernst
Building Super, Paralegal, Writer, Morristown New Jersey, age: 40s

Haven't read this author before.

The lead female in this story has a rich aunt who lives in Morristown. She's going to Paris for a week, and needs her niece to live in her place to watch her dog. The LF (heh) is a paralegal with a writing fetish. Hmm. That isn't right. Fetish. hmm. Well, she writes in her spare time but is not confident enough to attempt to get her stuff published.

Neat thing about the story - both lead female and lead male are in their 40s.

Lead male is a building super (manager) and, apparently, something of a 'hunk'.

Which can cause 'issues' since the lead female has a lot of trouble acting like herself around handsome men - she turns into the type of woman who tries to guess what the man really wants then force herself to be that. She's attempting to stop being that type of woman.

I rather liked this specific story. So much so I've already picked up another book by this author (well, to be fair, what I picked up was the first book in her mystery series - which was free).

Rating: 4.44

November 29 2016

Overall

Hold the Lift by Aven Ellis - 4.25
Down, then Up by Beth Labonte - 4.45
Going Up? by Whitney Dineen - 3.50
Taking a Chance by Becky Monson - 4.50
Happy to be Stuck with You by Rich Amooi -2.00
Upstairs, Downstairs . . . and the Lift Between by Geralyn Corcillo - 4.9
The Only Way is Up by Lindy Dale - 3.30
Out of Order by Dee Ernst - 4.44

Overall average rating: 3.9175



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Monday, November 28, 2016

Truth Behind the Mask by Lesley Davis

Truth Behind the MaskTruth Behind the Mask by Lesley Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’ve forgotten why that might or might not be important.

I’m not certain how I did it, but I seem to have managed to read the only, well no, one of the few stand-alone books the author has released. All the rest appear to be in one or another series. Vaguely annoying since this one seemed quite interesting and I wish to read more.

Right so -
The Writing
- this book is written in a certain way that the/a reader has to understand before they enter. Or at least pick up on quickly. Otherwise they might . . . not take it well. For the book, you see, is written in a kind of melodramatic, over-the-top way. Which is understandable, in its way, when you add in the part wherein this is a superhero book – and, while it is true not all superhero comics/films/tv shows are told in that style, but enough of them are for it to be something of a ‘trademark’ of the genre. And, so, yes, this book follows something of that style. This is the twenty-third superhero prose book that I’ve read (as in, everything is these wiggly words without any illustrations, as opposed to the something like 245 superhero comics I’ve read – gah, I just noticed that I accidentally included some of those superhero prose books on my superhero shelf so . . . something less than 245 superhero comics/graphic novels). Superhero prose books tend to have kind of goofy/over the top plots/dialogue. This one has more of a goofy/over the top dialogue/writing style while the plot has a certain more sanity to it.

The
Characters
- We were not directly told – an astute reader can pick this up . . . well, a reviewer after the fact attempting to work the math can spot that 19 years before the start of this book, the main character’s mother and father – the Osbornes (restaurant owners . . . and Sentinels (well, one was a Sentinel, other was a Sighted) – the people who act in a superhero like way in the city) were killed by the Phoenix gang. Two daughters were nearby (one being the main character). One was close to 18 (Melina), the other closer to . . . um, 4 (Pagen). The 18 year old had been dating a 20 year old named Rogue at the time of the assassination, had been for two years. Their relationship was pushed when the attack occurred – for Rogue moved in with Melina to help raise and be a guardian for Pagen.

The story opens (baring flashbacks), as noted, roughly 19 years later (though I got that from reading that Pagen was 4 at the time of the attack, and is now 23). Pagen is now working as a security specialist (or whatever title they gave her – she evaluates and installs security systems), and, secretly, a Sentinel (masked superheroes, though I do not think that specific word is ever used; the bad guys seem to like to call the Sentinels ‘freaks’, while the Sentinel’s call themselves vigilantes). Her sister Melina, 37, also works for the security company and as a Sighted (the watcher type who hangs back and watches lots of camera screens, and handles communication and stuff – easiest to just say that the Sighted operate basically like ‘Oracle’ did/does in the Batman universe, though you’d need to know that character . . .). Rogue fills the last spot in the trio – she’s 39 and, a Sentinel, Melina’s partner, Pagen’s mentor, and parent-figure.

The story mostly follows a specific path – Sentinel’s watch and guard the city of Chastilian, and there have been attacks occurring in the city by a new gang. One that leaves a mark linking it back to that Phoenix gang who had taken out the Osbornes. It couldn’t be Phoenix himself, since the reader learns early on that Phoenix was taken out of the ‘game’.

Meanwhile Pagen has bumped up against a specific woman. And before I continue down that path I forgot one specific thing – Pagen/Melina/Rogue are all something like 6’5’’ (well, maybe closer to 6 feet 3 inches). I mention that because the ‘specific woman’ that Pagen bumped into – at a job site – is Erith. Described as having very red hair, pale skin, kind of boney and malnourished looking, and about 5 feet flat (give or take 3 inches). I mention this ‘bumping into’, because both almost instantly grow attached to the other. Erith being that woman’s name. Erith Bailey (hopefully I have that last name right). Erith’s kind of like an excited puppy whenever Pagen turns up.

That paleness is important – because it is very obvious that Erith is being abused. Which becomes another plot line to follow – Pagen attempts to help her but is unsure how – beyond being outside her window at night. Sentinels ‘do not involve themselves with domestic disturbance situations, the police handle those’. Still . . . Pagen can’t let things stand as is. And, so, that plot line is followed.

Notes that got turned into babbling words:
(view spoiler)

Fun, exciting book. If I went the route of digging into things, as in – what fandom does this remind me of and therefore what could this be a fanfiction of – I’d note the Batman universe connections – the Oracle part; and while Batman likes swinging around on wires and the like, and it could very well be the model being used here, it really seemed more like I was picturing a bunch of Spider-women (Spiderman) swinging through the city. Oh, and the big villain guy reminded me of the Joker. If I had to think of someone for him to remind me of.

Pushed, I’d probably rate this somewhere around 4.4.

November 29 2016




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Friday, November 25, 2016

Head Trip by D.L. Line

Head TripHead Trip by D.L. Line

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


You know that scene in Total Recall when Arnold goes into a 'memory' place for a nice 'vacation' trip to Mars? And suddenly stuff is going wrong, and technicians are screaming that something's going wrong? Well, this story isn't that - since the woman who went to the memory place didn't have technicians screaming and running around - but otherwise it was damn near similar. Removing Mars and stuff like that. And hidden memories.

Replace Mars with Berlin. In 1985. And Arnold for some random woman who would make the worst spy ever (not because of the way they look and act, or anything like that, but because of their personality - weak-willed, stupidly arrogant (diving into a mission without allowing anyone to tell her what her mission actually is, etc.), quite 'wimpy', and talks to herself (a lot - and this is before, right, adding that part would be spoiler-y).

And so - woman goes to that memory place. For a vacation - she just loves shooting up 'commies' on her Playstation. And so she asks for a vacation like that to be implanted in her brain. But she refuses any information - she's going in by the seat of her pants . . . . quite stupid that. And . . . it was established early on that they have the ability to implant languages and the like into the brain. That's how she got French. Her trip puts in her in Berlin and assigns as her 'enemy' the KGB, but . . . she doesn't get either German or Russian implanted into her brain. Why did they even include that part about her getting French implanted if they weren't going to put languages into her, and other skills?

So, she's on this mission and completely bloody incompetent. Start to finish. Completely . . .. One of my worst experiences in my life was forcing myself to read that 'vacation' trip to 1985 Berlin. That was just incredibly . . . annoying/irritating/etc. And why the fuck (ack, I've been trying to keep from including fucks) did the super spy have a heavy thick Russian accent? Seriously? Yes, she's from Russia but . . . they have fucking heavy fucking accents in the movies, not in the real world scenario - they have fucking training, classes, etc. so they don't have really thick fucking accents ..... Fuck. My head hurts.

Yes, well, naturally the vacation trip goes to hell, she exits a little early, and suffers massive health issues. Then runs into someone who looks like the twin of someone she ‘meet’ on her ‘vacation.’ And so . . . they investigate and shit.

There is an interesting premise here. I hated, scratch that, loathed every character though. Andrew the smarmy technician, Jack the overly solicitous underling (to the lead female character), to Tasha the Russian spy with the thick accent but awesome ass; less so Trisha but I’m sure there’s something to loath about her (Trisha being the Tasha clone/twin/template).

This book makes me wish I could go soak my brain in acid.

Right, finally tracked down ‘head female woman’ name – Shelby Hutchinson. Which is stupid of me, since the bloody obvious Russian spy with the really thick accent kept calling her by her whole fucking name every fucking two fucking seconds. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF…acid bath for brain please.

One last note – it’s some far date in the future, but there were references dropped that didn’t really make a lot of since for it being the far future. Why would someone be described as being a ‘skinny Billy Idol wannabe’ in 2039? Also a) ‘skinny Billy Idol’ as opposed to what? Billy Idol is a super skinny dude; b) he was born in 1955 – he would be 84 in 2039, if still alive people born and living as adults in 2039 probably think of him the same way people born in my generation think of . . . oh, Betty White – old (though I’ve seen some early pictures of her – she was quite nice looking back in the day (good grief, I accidentally just saw a nude picture of her, Betty White had posed nude at some point? Huh; ironically I just saw a Snopes page for her saying that the hot young woman that gets returned as a 20 year old White isn’t her; but I had not been looking at those pictures when I mentioned she was quite nice looking back in the day – but actual pictures of her when she was 35; you can tell how bored I am of this book and review in that I first examined what people would think of Billy Idol in 2039, then started looking at pictures of Betty White)).

November 25 2016




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The Spy in Question by Amanda Kyle Williams

The Spy in Question (Madison McGuire #4)The Spy in Question by Amanda Kyle Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


And we, as in me, have once again reached the end of a series. It has been 13+ years since the last book appeared, and a completely different series has popped up and reached three books since then, so a fifth book is unlikely and/or unexpected to appear.

This specific book finds Madison McGuire focused on and in Peru.

The President is up for reelection and he figures it might help his chances if he ‘did something’ about drugs. He looks at some plans then sets two separate ones in motion. Then turns things over to his Chief of Staff with the idea that he’d have plausible deniability (you know, like with Oliver North and that Iran-Contra thingie).

One mission involves a group of military personal inserted into the jungles of Peru. Their mission: destroy coco processing locations, record plane tail numbers, and in general cause havoc to Shining Path guerilla force which claims the coco fields as their own (and those fields, apparently, are where 70% of the coco comes from (I got confused somewhere along the way as to whether or not this was 70% of Columbia’s drug cartels coco production or 70% of the world’s coco production)). Note about the book description: It is misleading, specifically the part that reads “The resistance fighters are disciplined and courageous, their main cog Paulina Holgodo, a jungle-savvy Latina” (first off – that implies that Holgodo is a member of the resistance (and the prior paragraph lets the reader know that ‘the resistance’ is not referring to the US military force inserted into the jungle – what with the line ‘American help to a small resistance band hidden in the Peruvian jungle’), Holgodo is a Sergeant with the US military, not a resistance fighter; her band of military personal are not, in fact, in the jungle helping a small resistance band – they themselves are the small group running around the jungle shooting things. Though there is a resistance group, it isn’t connected to the military personal, and as far as I know, they are not even specifically connected to the jungle).

Mission two involves Madison McGuire sent into Peru to make contact with a specific fella who was a farmer, but is now the head of a brand new resistance group – the National Liberation Front (I believe that was the name used). The Shining Path had wandered in and destroyed a community –killing a few of the members there, killing cows, taking some animals, and then leaving. One of the people killed was that fella’s sister. Naturally he’s pissed. The government is corrupt and powerless in the face of the Shining Path, and the Shining Path, despite having some vague seed of ‘fighting for the people’, is corrupt and hooked up with the drug cartels. And so, that fella (I really should have used his name at some point, I believe it’s something like Enrique Navarro), raises the local people to fight back – or at least defend themselves and their communities against the Shining Path.

And, as is something of a common theme with this series, the government, as in the US government, is kind of dickish and corrupt – out for its own interests. I’ve mentioned it before – that specific thread reminds me a lot of how John Le Carre books go – what with the sad depressed operatives working for depressing incompetent and/or corrupt government forces.

This is a damn good series, and readable by any and everyone. It is unfortunate that some would notice that Madison McGuire was a lesbian and flee in the opposite direction, crying out in horror. But, their horrific homophobia is both their loss and mine (since the one group kept themselves from reading four good books; and another (as in me) find themselves having only four books to read (since the author saw the writing on the wall (I’ve been told), and realized that lesbian fiction books just don’t sell enough copies)).

For those looking for romance – look elsewhere; for those looking for graphic depictions of a sexual nature – there is some sex, though not very explicit and not much of it. For those looking for a fun exciting action packed thrilling adventure . . . they might find it here depending on what ‘they’ mean by those words. This is a good spy thriller.

November 25 2016




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Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)Soulless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second time I have read this book. First time I read this book was almost exactly 7 years ago.

Of note: of those people directly meet (as opposed to only mentioned), the only people from the prequel series who turn up in this book would be that Lord Akeldama (that vampire guy who lives for information). And Countess something or other - Westminster hive queen. The Hisselpenny family also turned up in the prequel series, but not specifically Ivy - Alexa Tarabotti's friend.

The Queen of England was mentioned in prequel series but was not meet (she was meet in this book). Maccon, who for some reason was referred to as 'Lord Conall Maccon', despite being an Earl, was mentioned in prequel but not meet. Dewan & potonte(sp?) meet in prequel but only mentioned in this book.

Genevieve Lefoux, the woman (girl) who liked dressing like a man (boy) in the prequel series and has a spinoff FF book, is not seen or mentioned in this book.

Of note 2: To those reading this series chronologically - the prequel series involves characters ranging in age from early to late teens plus side characters who are adults. There is a bit of romancing but at a different level than in this book (the difference between slight touches and outright naked humping (which happens once or thrice in this book here)).

Also, I suppose it should be noted, the prequel series seems to have had a larger Steampunk vibe than this book here (which, apart from actual scientists running around, and mention of 'machines' and mechanical things, has a much more of a Urban Fantasy vibe).

Right. There was humor, mysterious actions, fantastic creatures and a bit of eroticism in this book. An enjoyable book. And I believe that there was sufficient distance from my prior reading to be able to fully enjoy this book without running into one of the issues I have with rereading - being annoyed by repetition (or already knowing, with great detail, what will happen).

Rating: 4.63

November 23 2016



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Monday, November 21, 2016

Soul Bonded by Meghan Malone

Soul BondedSoul Bonded by Meghan Malone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A woman, escaping from a ‘boring’ get together in Lake Tahoe with friends (boring because she expected an exciting singles weekend, but instead found a bunch of woman alternating talking with lust about significant others or offering ‘condolences’ to Katie for her singlehood at the ripe old age of 33 (actually that might have been ‘alternating between making lustful comments about significant others, or bitchy comments about significant others, plus offering condolences to Katie for being single’), ends up finding out that leaving a couple hours early was a bad mistake. A very bad mistake.

That woman, who I’ve referenced indirectly, is Katie Connelly. The book opens on day three or four, or possibly five of her trapped inside her car on the side of the road. She decided that it would be better to stay there for someone to help her than trying to walk anywhere (for many reasons, including her lack of direction, plus the blizzard conditions (that’s part of her ‘leaving early’ thing – if she’d stayed until she was going to originally leave, then she’d have seen the bad conditions and not have tried to drive in those conditions), and her lack of warm clothing (though she has a suitcase and stuff – that part was vaguely confusing to me, though I did pick up on the concept that ‘cute adorable gloves aren’t the thing if you want to keep your hands warm’).

So, right, day three or four. She’s starving, cold, scared, and finally decides to pop out of her car and make a break for it. Except that the snow, by this time, has more or less covered her car. So when she actually opens her car door, it only manages to move an inch, though that’s enough for a mound of snow to fall on her. She manages to close the door again, but she’s in even worse conditions now. Minutes, hours, possibly days pass. Then, while in a daze, Katie notices a bare hand and arm moving in front of her, knocking the snow off of her front window. Then punching through her window. Then vague idea of being carried. Then vague idea of being snuggled against.

When Katie finally awakens she finds herself in an unfamiliar location. Warmer, much more refreshed than she expected to find herself. Very hungry. With a warm body next to her. She jerks up and notices that the warm body is . . . a friendly dog. One thing leads to another and it the man who rescued her turns up, a guy named Rafe. Who, it appears, has no means of contacting the outside world. And the weather conditions are still quite bad.

Katie alternates feelings of fear of the strange muscular man, with odd feelings of . . . attachment, lust towards him. Then, to complicate matters more, someone knocks on the door. She over hears someone berating Rafe for getting involved with Katie. Mentioning how she’s going to be raped, murdered and (forgot third thing, eaten?). Maybe even by Rafe himself. Rafe does not make any comments to this that sound like disagreement with the idea. Naturally Katie is even more disturbed by these events.

Is it spoiler to note what actually is going on? A cabin in the wilderness. A blizzard. Rival gangs sharing territory somewhat peacefully but with an edge of almost war between the two. And both seem to think of outsiders as humans - said with disdain – the humans part. Well, if you haven’t picked up on it yet I’ll point you to the cover – which happens to show wolves.

This book here is the fifth book that I’ve read by this author. Fifth, eh? Anyone coming across my review blind might not catch the significance of that statement, that number. Well, simple enough really – Meghan Malone, the author of this book, has written a sum total of . . . one book. And no I have not read this book five times – this is my first reading of this book. No, the four prior reads by me of this authors work were under a different name – that other name being Meghan O’Brien – lesbian fiction writer.

O’Brien is kind of known for having graphic depictions of sex scenes in her work. Involving women. With Women. Well, how about Malone? Well there are no erotic displays of graphically described sexual encounters between women in Malone’s work . . . but there are involving men and women – or between one man and one woman. Several. The first one was nice enough – the second one was . . . not something I wanted to read (a woman going wiggling around and placing her lips there on a man, and licking, and sucking . . . is not something I wish to read). After the second I reverted to just skimming the sex parts to make sure I didn’t miss anything important.

Overall a rather tense, exciting, thrilling book – if this was television I’d call this a ‘bottle episode’ (no idea if that’s a real tv trope – I picked up that term from an episode of Community – meaning an episode wherein people are trapped in one small location for the entirety of the show – here that means that the action of the book takes place mostly in and around a cabin during a snow storm.

This, as noted, is my fifth book I’ve read by this author, and the fifth that I’ve rated five stars. And yet I still seem so reluctant to start books by O’Brien/Malone. No idea what that’s about – the reluctance.

November 21 2016




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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas: A Diz and Clarissa Story by Ann McMan

Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas: A Diz and Clarissa StoryTwas the Nightmare Before Christmas: A Diz and Clarissa Story by Ann McMan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The fourth in this series of short stories involving Diz and Clarisaa, and the only only not in that 'Tales of Diz and Clarissa' otherwise known as Three.

As expected, the story takes place in Baltimore right around Christmas and the Rachel Maddow look alike Diz has gotten herself in trouble yet again. Because Marty, her friend, has gotten himself very ill and so Diz has to watch his three kids and super large dog. Which also includes a trip to the mall to see Santa on Christmas Eve. Which shouldn't take more than, say, 4 hours.

- Diz or Rachel Maddow?

The 'Clarissa is always pissed at Diz and her accidental troubles' continued. Though with a hint of amusement on Clarissa's part. Plus Clarissa actually got 'into the action' this time (and was the cause for some of Diz's troubles).

Good enough continuation of the series.

November 20 2016



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Saturday, November 19, 2016

Three by Ann McMann

ThreeThree by Ann McMan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Contains three of the four Diz and Clarissa short stories.

Nevermore
Two coworkers work in the same basement area. One is named Diz, the other Clarissa. One's destined to not rise much above her current position, the other is headed to the moon (or something like that). One looks like Rachel Maddow while the other has red hair . . . and is gorgeous.

They bicker a lot.

One, the rich one, Clarissa, invites the other, Diz, to spend time with her at the Christmas party - since Dash, the boyfriend of Clarissa, will be late. And so they do - spend time together there. Diz getting steadily drunker, Clarissa nursing 1 glass of wine.

Lovely little short story. Abrupt ending.

Rating: 4.25

November 17 2016

A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore
It's a year later and Clarissa, as the first story promised, is rapidly moving up the company ladder, while Diz is still in her old position. Though with a new office mate.

Most of this story does not take place with both Clarissa and Diz in it.

This one had humor and it made me tear up (and, just like the first story, there was vomiting).

Rating: 4.62

November 17 2016

Blended Families
Family, Holiday, Christmas

This is the story that I probably shouldn't have read immediately. There's only so much 'one partner blaming (largely incorrectly) the other for every mistake known to man; while the other partner just takes it like a doormat that feels lucky' before I explode. So I ended up pausing this specific story before continuing.

Once I continued it the story turned out okay - good even.

The two main characters are once again about to enjoy Christmas (every story, including the fourth not in this collection, are set during Christmas time in Baltimore). The difference this time is that both live together, and they are going to have a 'blended families' Christmas party - both of their families. The ultra-rich, and the less than ultra-rich. Diz, naturally, is ashamed of her family (for whatever reason - a lot of her problems are built on her feeling ashamed of herself or of her family).

As normal - stuff occurs out of Diz's control that end up involving the police, damage, and her partner - Clarissa, being ultra pissed at her (while also fighting back laughter).

Rating: 3.9

November 19 2016

Overall
Nevermore: 4.25
A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore: 4.62
Blended Families: 3.9

Overall: 4.257

November 20 2016



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Little Lies by Lila Bruce


Little Lies
by Lila Bruce
Pages: 228
Date: October 14 2016
Publisher: Self
Series: None

Review
Rating: 3.00
Read: November 17 to 19 2016

It is hard to write something when I went on 'vacation' some point between reading this book and the time to try to write something.

Probably doesn't mean anything, but my 3 rating here now moves this author into 1 position way from 'hitting' all the possible stars. My take on the author is all over place. Four books read by them now, and 1 was 2 stars, 1 was 3 stars, 1 was 4 stars, and 1 was 5 stars. As I said, probably doesn't mean anything. Except that I'll probably be more tentative about trying my next book by this author.

Cover - Before, during, and now - seeing that cover? I imagine that the book will be, is, and was a western. That cover would be perfect for a Annie Oakley type (not Annie Oakley herself, as she didn't use a pistol, had long 'largish' hair (well the real one, not the who turned up in movies and the like - who, oddly, looks like a match to the cover here (other than color of hair).



Right, so - a woman long long ago had, in a fit of whatever married a guy. Almost immediately divorcing him. Amicable split. Though she hasn't seen him in a longish time and only then because that guy's grandmother had died. She hasn't see him in a long time, doesn't know what he did with himself after they split, and has no clue where he is located or how to contact him - they have no remaining connections.

The book opens with that specific woman resting on the ground in a bank. Because she was shot - by bank robbers. She is helped by a woman who happened to be there - a woman she recognizes from seeing her at a coffee shop. That woman helps slow/stop the bleeding and helps keep her alive.

Unknown to shot woman, Lia Broddock, the 'helper woman', Dylan McKenzie, is actually Special Agent Dylan McKenzie - an FBI agent whose 'target' is Lia Broddock - as in, she's been assigned to watch her in case that woman's ex-husband just happens to stumble nearby.

The ex-husband's been a bad boy - he went to work as an accountant for a specific firm and somewhere along the way picked up a specific special client - the head of a mob family.

For 'reasons', that guy, the ex-husband I mean, had looked at two people on his internet before going into hiding - which is why the FBI was/is watching Lia. Specifically Dylan and a man named 'Brock'.

That whole FBI thing was super weird - the boss was always screaming at Dylan, and the partner is a smug bastard (yet, for unknown reasons, Dylan seems to still respect and like both). Apparently the boss would have preferred that Dylan have let Lia die instead of helping her when she got shot - at least that's the impression I got from the screaming. That boss, Henry (or was it Harry?) sure seems incompetent - I mean, the FBI wish to know where that ex-husband guy is because he has information that will help take down a crime family. Someone who isn't a suspect for anything, other than a potential source of information on that ex-husband. And instead of seeing it as a good thing that an FBI agent has successfully injected themselves into the 'target's life, he instead sees it as this super bad thing that should never have happened. And has to be talked into taking advantage of the situation that has developed - the situation of having an FBI agent get close.

The characterization for both lead women is odd - there's a kind of rich/poor dynamic that gets built up but . . . neither of them actually are poor; neither of them are 'resting' on money - neither are living a live of high expense or luxury. Yet there's still that dynamic there. What with Lia constant squeaks of surprise when she learns of Dylan's 'rich' background - not in a 'what is a rich person doing as an FBI agent' but in a 'what is this rich person doing near me?' - yet, Lia herself seems to not care particularly about money - I mean, she herself was married to a guy who apparently was the only living relative to two people who had mounds of cash. She's been around money. Bah. Again bah. It's hard to think about that I could possible be meaning here. mmphs.

Okay then - I've babbled incoherently long enough - book was okay, nothing overly great about it. Couple of moments of annoyance felt by me about the events occurring. I would neither recommend nor not recommend this book. It was . . . there and I read it and now it is done.

November 20 2016

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Half to Death by Robin Alexander

Half to DeathHalf to Death by Robin Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Unfortunate that I wasn't in a position to write a review for this when I read it 3 days ago.

Okay, so, a group of friends go on vacation, start walking around out in the cold, in the snow, one falls through ice. Has to be rescued, and, technically, was dead for 20 minutes. This book stars that woman who was dead. That would be Sloan Hawkins.

Sloan has hidden herself away since her 'death' for the past 2 months; from the outside world and from her friends. Her best friend, and the woman who she grew up with as something of a sister, Miranda, has given her a little room but won't take this hiding any longer and forces the issue.

And so Sloan comes out a little bit. And lets Miranda know why she has been hiding. It has to do with something Miranda would/could never guess - the experience created a situation in which Sloan has trouble touching others. No, not for reasons you might expect (unless you did expect it). It's because she gets emotions, and memories from people when she touches them. Full blown experiences - as if she was there - as the person in their body. The first time this occurred was when a friend, Deb, touched her when she awake in the hospital and she relived her own retrieval from the frozen lake - from the point of view of Deb.

Naturally that will/can cause complications. If a person losses themselves inside other people's thoughts/feelings/emotions. And you have no control over it.

And so, Miranda decides to try to help. For Sloan to 'train herself' so that she can have control.

Meanwhile a woman named Corrine 'Jade' Verner comes into Sloan's life. Jade is this super hot, very well built fitness trainer at a gym (fitness trainer - nice to see lesbians holding more positions *nods* - and there's a reason why she is 'gorgeous'). Everyone kind of assumes (including Sloan) that Jade has it all - she looks perfect, has perfect body, perfect breasts, etc. And they treat her as a sex object - and/or that she is nothing more than her looks.

Sloan's 'abilities' allows her to see that there is more to Jade than her 'perfect' looks. A lot more. And, to a large extent, Jade actually hates the way she looks (more that people treat her as being nothing more than a body, and overlook whether or not she has any actual talent/ability, or brain; less in hating her body or body image).

The interaction of Sloan and her three groups of friends (she is/was friends with Miranda Donahue (paramedic), Deb, and Lonna - those three are in couplings (hence the 'three groups'), which pull in Marty (hooked up with Miranda), Angel (hooked up with Deb), and Paige (hooked up with Lonna)). Quite interesting dynamic/interactions - and then there was the horrifying injection (to the people in the story) of one of them suffering from anorexia and how she and her friends try to 'handle' it.

Of the friends, Miranda has the largest 'part' in this book, with her partner Marty next or tied with Deb, followed up with Angel. Lonna and Paige are kind of sideline characters.

The interaction between Sloan and Jade was good also - and that 'Heart Trouble' type 'spark of ability' that turns up in this book was very much needed for Sloan and Jade to get past being a player (Sloan), and self-hatred (Jade) to reach the relationship they were able to reach.

A good book all the way around. Wish I had been able to write 3 days ago so I'd actually have had something better to put here but wasn't able to write until now.

November 20 2016



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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger

Manners & Mutiny (Finishing School, #4)Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


And so this specific story comes to an end. A story that I had originally avoided because I'm not really into reading young adult books set back in the 19th century England set in a finishing school. And, yes this part is particularly important, mixed up somehow with 'Steampunk' (a genre I've rarely liked (the exception to that 'rarely liked' is, oddly enough, that prior series I'd read by Gail Carriger (which this series here, Finishing School, is a prequel).

My reasons for avoiding the series were founded on misconceptions and wrong misguided beliefs. For this is much more than a 'finishing school', and while the people involved are quite young, they do not act 'irritatingly' young. This is a different time in history - an idea I had actually forgotten until just this moment - people's ages do not correspond then to today (as in, how they are treated). I had gotten used to the concept of 'you are female, 23, unmarried - therefore a spinster' without considering the opposite.

All the 'normal' characters who have shown up in this series return again (but for one young woman who is off in Scotland now). Time passes. School related stuff happens; party related stuff occurs; family members are revisited. Sky-pirates attack. Death and destruction occurs - all par for the course for this series.

The book itself is/was quite good and entertaining and the series itself was fun. Sad now that my time with the people involved has come to a close. I know some of the characters in this series pop up on the next, the one I've already read, but those would be the side characters in this series (and that). And there's a sequel series as well that got added after that Parasol series, but 1) that one is like 40 years after this series here (if I understand correctly), and 2) more of a spin-off of Parasol, not Finishing School. Though all of the series are related.

Well, off to contemplate rereading the Parasol series. Lots and lots of books to be read, all because I want to read a FF book by Carriger and I do not want to miss anything or spoil anything. I know the events in that FF book take place after Finishing School, and think they take place after Parasol as well.

November 16 2016



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Thursday, November 10, 2016

Fiber by Seanan McGuire

FiberFiber by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Weird short story. 5 cheerleaders returning after cheering something or other. Packed into one car. One of them, Laurie, is eating Jaime Lee Curtis poop yogurt and suddenly ‘has to go’. Despite not wishing to pull over, the woman pull over (Laurie has some kind of ‘whammy’ power that gets people to do things if she words things ‘just right’ (which apparently involves her opening her mouth and saying things). The others apparently/supposedly also have some kind of other ‘stuff’ going on with them, though the one that’s important to the story would be the lead narrator – Heather. Who used to be a zombie.

So, as I was saying, they pull over. Stopping at a ‘convenience store with gas’ so Laurie can poo. The place looks like it’s the set for a horror movie. Complete with jars of, apparently, human meat.

As I said – weird story. Then the convenience store attendant turns into a werewolf or something (a wendigo).

And then some cheerleader moves were performed, wendigos were flying all over the place and . . . stuff happened.

Rating: 3.5

November 10 2016




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Devil in Disguise by Robin Alexander

Devil In DisguiseDevil In Disguise by Robin Alexander

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book took place in Louisiana and there's an old woman involved. That's everything from the normal Alexander checklist in the book. And the old woman wasn't even wacky or funny. She was just there.

There is no real humor in this book. The romance, while there is in fact one in the book, was not the main point of this book.

No, this was a psychological thriller type. Don't get me wrong, I've read and enjoyed books like that in the past, been a while, but I have. Thinking of the book in those/these terms - as a psychological thriller and I'd rate it at about a 2 . . maybe 2.7. As a Romance? hmms. Maybe something around that as well.

This is a love triangle type book - mixed up with a psychological thriller. I knew from the beginning who the 'evil' one would turn out to be, and even how the book would ultimately unfold. Didn't get one specific aspect correct, though. The nature of the crime/criminal/insanity.

Right, said this is a love triangle book and didn't elaborate on that aspect. Natalie has spent some time cooped up somewhat hiding away from the world because of a horrible traffic accident. One that badly damaged her body, and killed her girlfriend. It's been a while now though and she believes she might be ready to actually move on and have a girlfriend or something like that.

Right when she makes that decision the universe plops down two women - one that leans more to the butchy side of things (though, as one character noted, she's more 'sporty' than 'butch'), and the other more femme (with unexpected muscles). Both women know of the other and kinda don't like each other, both though are interested in Natalie and kinda accept the concept that they will compete for Natalie's affection.

Terry's the 'butchy' one and lives in a cabin nearby. Quite handy with tools and stuff. Lyn's the more femme one - the one who always seems to be dressed nicely (nicer than one would expect for the area).

Meanwhile, while this epic love triangle unfolds ('will she choose Lyn? Terry? or maybe a battery powered vibrator?'), another story unfolds as well. A story of psychological warfare. Conducted against Natalie - with the intention of . . . well, I assume, driving her insane. Someone has been breaking into her house and moving things around - taking things, replacing things, returning things - but in a way (at least initially) to cause the invaded one to question their sanity. Did they leave their hairbrush there? It'd be completely unlike them to do so but . . . who else could have done it? Lives alone - no pets to play weird games. The games ratchet up. And up. Eventually Natalie breaks enough to seek help. Help thinks . . . well, let's not go spilling all the secrets, eh?

It was an interesting enough book, in its way. To a certain extent the best part of the book was the part that involved the dogs. Otherwise - nothing that I'd expect of an Alexander book seemed to be here (other than, as I mentioned, the story taking place in Louisiana and there being an old women involved somewhere in the background). I kind of knew what kind of book I was getting when I entered, though, so I do not think I'd have magically liked this book more if it had been released under a different name (as in, I wasn't exactly expecting a normal Alexander book when I entered the story).

November 10 2016



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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Arrested Hearts by Holly Stratimore


Arrested Hearts
by Holly Stratimore
Pages: 312
Date: December 13 2016
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: None

Review
Rating: 3.7
Read: November 7 to 8 2016

*I received this book from NetGalley, and Bold Strokes Books in return for a fair review.*

A book about a cop and a factory worker. I was excited to read this one after reading and rather enjoying the author's first book.

Characters
Officer Randi Hartwell is a thirty-something police officer who hates her job, is corrupt, and - in general - hates her life. Oh, and she's a player.
Friends: Nikki from the band that appeared in this author's first book.
pets: none
drink of choice: unknown, though known to drink beer.

Jule Chapin is around 32 years old and is a factory worker. She spends her free time drinking, smoking and in general hanging around wasting time - or at least she did. Very early on in the book she decides to turn her life around (based partly on the fact that her longish term girlfriend had dropped dead on her, about a year before the start of this book).
Friends: Mostly Brenda, though she also hangs out with/hung out with Kathy and Toni - all three are fellow factory workers with Jule.
pet: dog - Sirius.
Drink of choice: something other than alcohol.

Plot
A cop pulls over a woman who is on her way home from a bar. The cop claims she pulled the woman over because of the bumper sticker (no not the rainbow one, the one about how her dog is smarter than an honor roll student). The cop then proceeds to order the woman to walk a straight line; and performs an illegal search and seizure while the woman is distracted - finding an illegal substance. The cop then produces this substances and cockily says 'sleep with me or I'll arrest you'; to which the woman responds with a 'I'd prefer to be arrested.' And this is how Jule and Randi meet.

For some unfathomable reason, Jule can't stop thinking about 'Officer Hartwell', despite, you know, how they first meet. Oddly, Randi also has a certain problem of keeping Jule off her mind. And so the two gingerly circle each other. Jule continuing to attempt to better her life (stop smoking and drinking, taking up jogging/exercise/yoga/dating 'appropriate' women); while Randi continues to stalk and harass Jule (and get caught up in a serial sexual rapist case (she keeps finding the victims, but isn't assigned to the case)).

Overall
I do not find corrupt cops fun, and do not find sexual harassment funny or sexy. An argument could be made about consent, choices, etc. - well 1) I mention sexual harassment and not rape; 2) cops and the justice system are intimidating.

It's quite possible that I could have and would have given a higher rating but for both the use of sexual harassment in the story with the addition of the hand waving - the, well because of a traumatic experience . . . it's okay. Hmm, no. No. No.

So we are in a case of - I liked the book (for the most part) despite my strong opinions on the matters of corrupt cops, and weak justifications for poor behavior.

Oh, as an aside - there is a massive amount of sex in this book. Also a bunch of softball played, if we are filling out 'other stuff that occurs in the book' type things.

Rating: 3.7

November 8 2016

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Because of Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys, #1)Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a surprisingly readable book - one that I would not have even thought to look at but for the fact that I was 'frustrated' that I had nothing much to vote for during a round of GoodReads choice voting. So was looking over the books - trying samples and the like. Tried the sample for this one and instantly acquired it.

Set in or around 1779 in Kent England, the story alternates points of view between one George Rokesby (heir to the land, title, and most of the fortune of the Rokesby’s), and one Billie Bridgerton (eldest child of the Bridgerton’s, a titled family that lives 3 miles from the Rokesby’s – though because this is England in the 1700s, being the eldest doesn’t mean anything if one is also a female (otherwise it means everything)).

We meet George and Billie for the first time on a roof. Near a cat. For, you see, Billie had been attempting to save said cat from up a tree. But I said we had been on a roof, yes? Yes – Billie and cat had fallen – a great distance – from said tree to said roof (said said said, mmphs . . . hehe). Billie has injured herself and has no means of getting down even if she hadn’t injured herself. So she was quite happy when George and wandered by – even if he is the one Rokesby brother who she is on a somewhat near to dislike level relationship. George proceeds to get himself stuck up on the roof as well – a matter of an annoyed cat darting at the wrong time, a near fall, and a foot that accidentally knocked over a ladder. Whereupon another Rokesby brother wandered by – and saved them both (though not the cat; considering that they left the ladder up, and cats are quite resourceful, don’t worry for the cat).

So – right from the beginning you, the reader, meet three of the characters and learn something about their personalities. Andrew is flippant, always joking, and making clever remarks. Billie is the kind of woman who is ‘singular’ – wearing ‘breaches’ out and about when women of the time didn’t do that kind of thing (though she does wear dresses most of the time – so yes, that book cover that shows a woman in a long green dress is her). George is the eldest Rokesby and less . . . or more . . . hmms. Less playful and more serious.

A great book, a fun book, a much more modern book than I expected to find – modern in terms of the information and graphic nature of the scenes – it still is a book set in the 1770s, it just allows the fact that the people are in fact human and have human . . . reactions, adventures, etc. Basically, what I am saying is that this is not a ‘Clean Romance.’ I believe this might be the first book that I’ve read set back in the 1600-1700-1800s that was in fact graphic. And I’ve read a lot of books set back then. So it was somewhat jarring when George suddenly had an erotic dream involving fondling breasts (or, later, when he was awake and wandering around – having to ‘hide an erection’ because of his arousal); then, of course, there were the actual interactions between Billie and George – considering that George and Billie were contemplating the fact that the mere fact that they might get stuck on the roof for an entire night might end up forcing them to marry each other – the stuff they actually get up to, shockingly enough, goes a lot further than that.

I rather liked both of the main characters – though both had tendencies wherein I was reminded that they both were in their twenties, and not as characters tend to be in books like these (well, at least men – many of whom seem to be in their thirties – and courting women in their teens (or women who are so ‘old and spinsterish’ to actually be in their 20s).

It should be noted, I suppose, that this is a prequel series. Which should be noted. But I can’t really say anything more than that – since this is also the first book I’ve read by this author. This is the prequel series to a later series titled Bridgertons (though that somewhat confuses me considering the role and importance of George – since the Bridgerton and Rokesby are said to be great friends and see each other as family - and George is the eldest and heir of the Rokesby’s . . . and is a new character. Confused as to how this can be a prequel series in that situation – you’d have thought George would have turned up before now; especially since Billie is described as being the elder sister to Edmund – who, apparently, plays some role in the Bridgerton series). The first book in the Bridgerton’s involves a ‘Daphne Bridgerton’ – not a name that appears to have come up in this book here.

Hmm. Billie is the oldest in this book. She’s supposedly the elder sister to Edmund – who appears to pop up in the later series. But, looking at a chart I saw on a review for the first book in that later series, neither person appears. That lists Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Hmms. I should pay better attention. Of course. The first book in the later series starts in 1813. This book here, ‘Because of Miss Bridgerton’, is from 1779. So I’m confused as to the mention of Billie being the older sister to Edmund that is made in the Q&A for the book.

Second book involves Anthony and takes place in 1814. Benedict is in book three. Colin in book four. Eloise in book five. Francesca in book 6. Hyacinth (who the heck is that?) in book 7. Gregory in book 8.

Ah. Edmund is the father of all those Bridgerton people. He’s too young to be in the ‘Because of Miss Bridgerton’ book – off at school and off ‘screen’, and ‘too old’ for the later series.

Right, sorry, got distracted trying to link things up. Hmms.

Rating: 4.88

November 9 2016



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Monday, November 7, 2016

Fresh Tracks by Georgia Beers



Fresh Tracks by Georgia Beers
Pages: 240
Date: November 1 2006
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Series: None

Review
Rating: 4.75
Read: November 6 to 7 2016

7 lesbians ranging from mid twenties (I think directly in the middle at 25) up to 50 (most in 40s, one at 33, another at 45, another at 50, and I believe the others are in the 40s somewhere) meet at a couples 'cabin' in the woods on 75 acres in Upstate New York.

Everyone and possibly the dog have a point of view in this book (okay, there's one passage that could be stretched to be from the dog's point of view but probably wasn't actually). And while there were helpful little subsection headings with big bold words on them listing a name (like Molly), the book still had times when it drifted. Like, for example, being in Molly's point of view, under her bold name, and suddenly I realize that the book has actually slipped into someone else's point of view without making note of the sliding.

Okay then - Amy and Jo are the solid stable couple who offered their friends their 'cabin' (re: constant use of '' around cabin - 'your place is nicer than many people's homes!') for a week. If I understood correctly, Jo's 50, while Amy is closer to 45. One is butch-er than the other, one talks more than the other, and both still have a very strong sex drive despite having been a couple for many years. Both have jobs, though I've forgotten now what Amy's is, and I only recall what Jo's is because of several comments about how Jo fixed up the cabin - Jo is a contractor. I 'forget' their jobs because everyone is on vacation time. Ah, I just remembered Amy's job while thinking of her friends’ occupations - Amy is both a chef and the owner of a restaurant.

The singles
Then the friends - Sophie (black woman whose age escapes me but might be around 40, I forget her job as well). She is still attempting to get over a bad breakup with her ex who had cheated on her.

Laura is a chef who ended up working for Amy before moving on to a job with a retirement community. I believe she is in her 40s. She is also working through a bad break up – this time with her husband. And with her girlfriend. she cheated on her husband with this girlfriend, but the girlfriend ditched her after Laura surprised her by divorcing her husband. I have a feeling I might be getting her name wrong, like it might be ‘Lauren’ instead of Laura, but I can’t check at the moment as my reader is dead.

Darby rounds out the ‘singles’, and she wasn’t invited. She just dropped in – as she has an open invitation to do so, she’s ‘Aunt Jo and Aunt Amy’s’ niece. She’s 25, a player, and a manager at Blockbuster (each time that was mentioned I wondered when this book was written, hehe). And one of the reasons I’m super glad that most of the people in this book were in their 30s/40s/50s (though some of those ’20 something’ stuff seemed a little too stereotypical – too ‘of course she’s that way, she’s a dumb 20 year old’).

the couple
Rounding out the party of 7 are Molly (33) and Kirsten (40s) who have been in a relationship for something like 12 years (I might have the 12 year thing off, and Molly’s age might be off as well, I was going off of the fact that 1) Amy knows Molly because Amy baby-sat Molly when she was something like 7 and Molly was 12; 2) Molly in turn helped Amy when she would she baby-sat Darby, and since I ‘knew’ Darby and Amy’s ages, I came up with the age for Molly, but now I’m suspicious of that age). Molly and Kirsten have been going through a super rough patch at the moment – Molly is kind of passive-aggressive, and while she has a lot of issues she wants to discuss, she has trouble with conflict – meets it by not meeting it, by ignoring it. Kirsten isn’t that much better in the communication department, she’s fleeing communication by diving deeper and deeper into a job which is causing Molly to get more and more annoyed with her. But of course no one actually talks and so . . .. To round things off – Molly is a kindergarten teacher and Kirsten is a VP at an Advertising firm.

So – those are the 7 lesbians. Who spend a week together.

Quite good book, I enjoyed it.

Rating: 4.75

November 7 2016

Friday, November 4, 2016

Pink Panther Volume 1 by S.A. Check

ow
Pink Panther Volume 1
by S.A. Check, Batton Lash, Keith Davidson, and S.L. Gallat
Pages: 128
Date: December 13 2016
Publisher: American Mythology Productions
Series: Pink Panther

Review
Rating: 3.5
Read: November 4 2016

*I received this book from NetGalley, Diamond Book Distrubotors, and American Mythology Productions in return for a fair review.*

This is a collection of 5 previously published single issues (Pink Panther 1-3, Trick or Pink Halloween Special, and the Pink Panther Free Comic Book day issue.

Before I get started I should note that I've seen and enjoyed the original Pink Panther movie, and seen probably all of the others. And seen the short comic clips involving the Pink Panther. I've never before read a comic involving the Pink Panther though.


'The Mighty Pan-Thor'
Okay, so, Thor and some green costume wearing dude are fighting 'somewhere in the heavens'. Thor's hammer falls and lands near the Pink Panther. Who picks it up and takes it with him. Because hey, who couldn't use hammer? And . . . um . . I guess stealing is acceptable (it's a hammer lying in the street next to a fence. Did a worker put it there, go off to do something, and come back to find it gone? or . . . ).

Somewhere along the way, the panther realizes that this is Thor's hammer. And decides to become a superhero. Which doesn't seem to work for some reason. Then . . um . . the comic is over. Um. Well. Um. This might have been interesting to watch at the beginning of a movie, but in comic book form this was kind of . . . not very exciting.

Rating: 3

Intermixed with the pink panther comics are 'The Ant and the Aardvark in Clean Sweep' 1 pagers.

'99 Pink Balloons'
A boy turns 3 and has a birthday party. And the Pink Panther is his party entertainment. The boy is not, initially, pleased.

hehe.

Rating: 4

And then another ant and aardvark 1 pager.

'Pink Panther in Fly Boy'
The pink panther is hungry but has no money. He does have a fly, though, and plans to use it to try to get a free meal.

Things didn't go well.

Rating: 3 . . . I've no idea why I'm rating these little tiny snippets. I think I'm going to stop rating the individual thingies.

'Shell-Shocked'
Pink Panther plays one of those street games wherein he moves shells quickly and people try to guess where the pebble is located.

'Drawn & Quartered Box'
Pink Panther is chased by his arch-nemesis Inspector Jacques Clouseau. And . . um . . . I do not understand what happened. Suddenly there are zombies? And now we are in the old west? and . . . what is going on in this comic?

'Pink in the Machine'
Pink Panther goes to a store. Examines a virtual reality device.

'Jurassic Pink'
Pink Panther back in the time of the cave men. And dinosaurs. Because they totally went together as evidenced by the documentary 'The Flintstones'.

Neat one. I'm going back, temp, to rating stuff - 4.5.

'Big City Pink'
Pink is off to get a job. But gets diverted when a little girl loses a balloon. Speeds around the city trying to get that balloon.

Another neat one. 3.7.


'Pink Halloween'
Halloween party. Pink Panther going as Frankenstein. Accidentally bumps into real Frankenstein. Their party invitations get mixed up, Pink goes to wrong party.

Okay story.

'Scared Pink'
Pink is causally strolling in the city when he decides to take a break and see a film. A scary film.

Another okay story.


'Harvey Pink Panther #1 (November 1993)'
Ack - they have Pink Panther talking? mmphs.

Story 1: So, Pinkie develops a better mousetrap. Goes to patent office. Accidentally runs into a guy with a time gun.

Story 2: And then Pinkie climbs a mountain. Meets snowman.

Story 3: Ah, and then the third story in this section involves a case for the Inspector. Hmm. Interesting 'case'.

Story 4: Pink Panther is robbed. Goes to a school of karate to learn self-defense.

Overall
The collection was about on par for what I would expect for a collection of Pink Panther comics. Okay stories. A few mildly amusing. Most kind of meh. None were out and out bad. I'd give the entire thing a rating of 3.5.

November 4 2016


Gingerbread Hearts edited by Judy Underwood


Gingerbread Hearts
edited by Judy Underwood
Pages: 108
Date: November 2012
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Series: None

Review
Rating: Overall: 4.025
Read: November 3 to 4 2016

Holiday Outing by Alison Grey
Coming Out, Family, Slice of Life, no romance

A woman of 25 has known for a while that she's a lesbian, has even had two girlfriends by this point, but has yet to come out to her family. Her sister talks her into doing so.

Certain amount of humor. Certain amount of . . . timing.

Rating: 3.5

November 3 2016

It’s in the Pudding by Emma Weimann
Family, Dentist, 'Romance'

A woman hasn't had a relationship in 2 years. She thinks she might want one now. It's Christmas time and it's traditional that the person who finds the almond in the almond pudding can make a wish and 'it will come true'. So, the woman wants that almond. There's this wish she's going to make (involving finding someone for herself). She finds the almond. And breaks her tooth on the almond. And so has to go to the dentist on Christmas day (or is it the day before? I forget now).

Rating: 4.12

November 3 2016

Devgo by Corinna Behrens
Dog, Scrooge, bisexual, no romance

Businesswoman tosses and turns in her bed Christmas Eve. Bells ring that it's midnight. Brightness fills room. Businesswoman blinks. Looks over, sees mini devil on her window sill. *reader thinks to self: ah yes, so this is a Scrooge story*

hehe. Woman barks questions at the tiny devil. Devil just blink at her lazily. Woman becomes annoyed by the non-response. heh.

Ah, the title of the story corresponds to the mini-devil's name (*reader in thought: new thought, not scrooge retelling*).

This is confusing. The woman is acting like it's just normal to have a tiny devil appear. And to yell at it. Then be confused when it doesn't make an appointment instead of just show up. Yes, confused is right word. Confusing.

Okay, so - Devgo works for both God and the Devil when they don't know where to send someone. Of everything I read so far, that's the most confusing part. No, not what you might think - the part where they wouldn't know where to send this specific person. Everything points towards a specific direction. Nothing seems to point the other way. So, what's the confusion for God and the devil? hmms. oooh! heh. Of course. Shesh, I should stop with rambling during stories. Of course, when I do that, my reviews end up being like two words long. Which is probably better, but still. Right, so here the 'confusion' is the part wherein neither God nor the Devil want this woman to be joining them. Ah. heh. Another theme I've heard before.

And . . . the reoccurring problem with this collection of stories continues. These stories are just way too short. They are just snippets for the most part. Not full short stories. Ah well.

Rating: 3.43

November 3 2016

A Magical Christmas by RJ Nolan
Family, kids, multiple parents, bisexual, dog, romance, Annoying ex(es)

A woman with kids learns that her ex-husband has, once again, bailed on taking the kids for a weekend. And so her plans with her lover have been ruined.

Story from the point of view of both Kris, and Erin (Erin being the 'a woman' above).

It's funny, in its way, but the fact that every story before this one in the collection had nothing even approaching 'erotica' makes the bits here annoying. This is the fourth story and now people are going to start fondling each other and stuff? mmphs. Yeah, I'm actually kind of annoyed. I know I already said that but . . . something.

heh. So, a departure from the earlier stories - a bit of eroticism (very very tiny bit, more visible due to the complete lack in the earlier stories than for any other reason), and a fuller story than the others. Less of 'just a snippet'.

Rating: 3.7

The Christmas Grump by Jae
Security guard - mall, kid

Hmm. Story starting out with a vague feeling of 'I've been here before' (story-wise).

And . . . yes, I've read this before. At least I think I have. Darn. This is at least the second time I've excitedly started in on a Jae story . . . only to realize that I'd already read it - last time it was, I think 'Morning After' which I had read when I read the book 'Depature from the Script' (if I have the titles right). Here the title of the story is the same. Just two different short story collections. This one and 'Love Beneath the Christmas Tree.' And looking at that collection - the next Jae story is also in that collection. So, it's as if there are no Jae stories in this collection - no new ones. I feel annoyed by that fact. I'd be even more annoyed if I hadn't gotten this collection here for free (just like I had gotten that 'Morning After' short story for free as well).

Well, guess I'll have a reread or two then. I mean, it has been 2 years since I read that other collection.

So, since I didn't write anything for that other collection -

This story stars Rachel, a security guard at a mall at Christmas time. She's grumpy because of all the arrests she's been having to make. While she's running around attending to 'incidents' she keeps spotting a specific boy all by himself in a toy store in the exact same spot, day after day. Near lego toys. Starring at them. If this was a story in one of the other collections I read recently, I'd know instantly what was going on (that or if I hadn't read this before) - ghost! But no, this is a Christmas collection, not one of my Halloween collections.

mmphs. How annoying. Apparently I got something in both of my eyes at the same time. They are both wet and stuff. No idea how that could have happened.

Rating: 4.8

Kissing Ms. Santa Claus by Jae
Family, kid

Ah, now I know why both stories are in both collections (as opposed to just one) - the two stories are connected. Rachel and Lilian (who I didn't even mention - mother of that boy who was looking at legos - Tyler) reappear in this story here. A year after the earlier story. And Christmas again.

Rating: 4.6

Overall
Holiday Outing by Alison Grey - 3.5
It’s in the Pudding by Emma Weimann - 4.12
Devgo by Corinna Behrens - 3.43
A Magical Christmas by RJ Nolan - 3.7
The Christmas Grump by Jae - 4.8
Kissing Ms. Santa Claus by Jae - 4.6

Total overall rating: 4.025

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Yak by Lois Cloarec Hart


Yak
by Lois Cloarec Hart
Pages: 69
Date: August 30 2013
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Series: None

Review
Rating: 3.5
Read: November 3 2016

This is my first stand alone story by this author that I've read (as in sold separately not as in all others are part of series, no all others are stand alone's in that sense as well), though still a short story - just not stuffed inside a collection.

A woman, Leni, of roughly 23 goes to work at a dinner on the night shift. She's not the most intelligent woman on earth, but that’s okay, not everyone was born to be a genius. She also apparently looks like a stick (going by her own thoughts).

While at the dinner, she lunches with her coworkers – all but one who she wasn’t introduced to earlier when she was lead around. Another cook. Sitting by herself reading a big fat book. Apparently everyone there is afraid of her, though no one seems willing to let Leni in on the secret about Yak – about why everyone is afraid of her.

Quite a neat story. Solid. For those coming along behind me, those who haven’t read the story – there’s this epilogue section. I’d strongly encourage readers to immediately stop when the words ‘Aislin’s begun to take yoga classes recently.’ That’s early enough so that your eyes can afford to slip a sentence or two, but no more. And seriously, try to stop there. There isn’t really much beyond that, maybe a paragraph. But do not read that last paragraph. I did. Cost the story 0.25 stars.

Why? Well, I liked the people in the story – mostly Leni and Yak (Aislin). Last paragraph is mostly conjecture, but it wasn’t what I wanted to think about. So . . . don’t read that paragraph.

So, something as simple as one paragraph, one word, can cost 0.25 stars.

Rating: 3.50

November 3 2016

Wicked Things edited by Jae and Astrid Ohletz


Wicked Things
edited by Jae and Astrid Ohletz
Pages: 388
Date: October 23 2014
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Series: None

Review
Rating: Overall: 3.3357
Read: October 28 to November 3 2016

Another set of short stories from Ylva with a Halloween theme.

Spiritquest, LLC by Andi Marquette
Denver, Ghost (from 1920s), Ghost hunters

Ghost hunters investigate the Halstead House in Denver - sightings had been made of a young woman named Lily who had died in the 1920s at the age of 26. The Ghost hunters include Allie, Mike, Mandy, and Sky (a newcomer). The story is from the point of view of Allie. A joke is made that they should rename themselves 'Spiritqueer' since all of them are queer.

This is a very interesting story, quite detailed, quite thrilling/exciting. I wasn't sure if this was going to be a romance or an erotica or what, so I was kind of hunting in the beginning for who the potential pairing might be. If you, the reader of this review, wish to know beforehand - look behind the spoiler - think of it as either 'no one' or 'the ghost' - since there is a century long romance there..

I loved this story - I loved the atmosphere, the relatively gentle nature of everything - considering the the subject matter; the romance angle, everything. Which is somewhat surprising to me because of the author. See - I failed myself a long time ago. I had this rule that I was never going to allow 1 story to dictate whether or not I like or hate an author (or, more exactly, whether I try anything else by them). And I failed myself.

For you see, I had read something by Andi Marquette before. A book that was, in general, liked by readers (4.01 overall rating), and strongly liked by friends (4.05 overall rating). While I myself had seen it as kind of meh, and was something I was only able to give, tentatively, a 3 rating to. So I never again attempted a story by Marquette. I'd see things that might interest me, notice the author, and cringe away. It's actually the combo of me giving a 3 rating, and the part where I was in the minority for that rating. But there was this story here in this collection, see, so . . . I read it. And loved it. This is why I have this rule to not base decisions (good or bad) on one work.

Rating: 5.0

October 29 2016

A Certain Moon by Elaine Burnes
Writer, Artist (Illustrator), Writing convention/conference; small town; shifters

Two women meet at a writing conference. One is a writer, the other is an illustrator. Oddly, they learn that both live in the same small town. They become friends, and then after a long while, become more. One night - the night told in this story, one invites the other back to her place. It's Halloween, so each ring of the bell causes everyone in the cottage (the dog, cat and hamster, and the woman) to spring forward.

Well, this didn't go the direction I excepted. And I felt as if the story ended one paragraph too soon. We, the reader (and the people in the story) learn of one of their secrets but the other remained hidden. And since I got/guess their secret wrong, I can't just assume my guess for the other one if correct, so . . . annoying.

And no, I'm not going to put my wrong guess, my undiscovered guess, nor the correct 'solution' to this paranormal short story, for that is something to be revealed slowly over the course of the story, not to be told in a review. Well, the solution, not my guess. Though I'm sure some might come to similar conclusions.

Rating: 3.8

November 2 2016

Walking After Midnight by Lois Cloarec Hart
Halloween party, Vampire

A wallflower type woman around 28 (I believe) named Gem St. Claire is talked into going to a holiday party. She wants nothing to do with it but can't get out of it. It's like the day before so she has to make do with whatever she can make herself so she ends up in a tux an cape and pretends to be a vampire.

Part of the 'talking into going' is the part where Kate, someone Gem has lusted after since high school, will be there. And is, apparently, single. The friend of Gem's tells her that she needs to ask her out already (with positive or negative results to the asking out) or move on from her lust for Kate. She's basically put her life on hold because of these feelings. At least her romantic life.

Things go about as expected (don't ask what I mean, that would be spoiler-y, there's like a ton of directions 'expected' could have gone) and Gem finds herself wandering a graveyard on the way home - darting from the party early. Runs into a woman in that graveyard. A woman dressed somewhat similarly to Gem (tux, cumberbund, cape). A woman named Cleo.

Some advice given. The night continues. A reunion of sorts occur. More time passes. Another Halloween roles around. Life, such as it is, continues.

I'm being purposely vague. Lovely story.

Rating: 5.0

November 2 2016

Moon Dance by Bridget Essex
Camping, Werewolf, Shifter

Essex sure is obsessed with wolves.

So, a couple are perfect for each other - they've been together for awhile. One night, around Halloween, one of the pair darts off on a run through the woods (they had been camping). When she finally gets back, she's flustered, and immediately backs up. Forces a return trip home, packs up there was well, severs all contacts, and disappears.

It's a year later, and the other member of that coupling (former coupling), is at that same park again. For more camping (by the way - I'm fairly certain the word 'camping' was used several times - yet the campers apparently 'camp' inside of cabins. Confusing).

The woman, naturally, is sad. Stuff happens (including graphic sex - between two women). The end.

Not the best wolf story I've read by Essex.

Rating: 3.6

October 28 2016

The Road Home by May Dawney
Halloween, bar, student, small town, bad weather, ghost story, age-20s

Have you ever seen that Steven Spielberg directed 'Duel' tv film (well it was intended for tv, I think, might have gotten a theater release)? This story is nothing like that (I should do this with all my reviews (you know the 'Hobbit'? this is nothing like that - hehe). At least in the sense that the weather was down right nice in that film. And the 'events' that unfolded were much longer than the events that unfolded here. In the sense of two cars chasing each other in a life and death like struggle? Yeah, similar. Though it's pouring rain in this story, and not everyone involved in the struggle might realize . . . things.

Depending on whether or not someone has to be 21 to serve alcohol, this story involves two young women around the age of 20 or 21 who end up near each other in an unexpected way. Which leads to a pulse-pounding encounter. Actually, more than one encounter.

Quite thrilling. Exciting. Good story.

Rating: 4.95

November 2 2016

Hit and Run by Q. Kelly
Age-40s, single mother, kid, two straight women, Mental illness

Abused woman wants to thank the hero/heroine who saved her from abusive husband. Five years ago. She thinks about this constantly. Figures it'll never happen now. It has been 5 years after all. Though she knows she'd recognize them if they bumped into each other. Because they are bonded. Or something. That's Maxie's point of view.

There's also a Penny's point of view as well. Penny, it would appear, was in a plane crash when she was 7. 150 people on board, including her parents. Number of survivors? One. And Penny isn't a ghost. Apparently this is still on her mind, constantly, many years later - I assume since that's what the focus is on when we turn to Penny's POV. Penny did not survive unscratched - no, bone fractures, shattered, etc. Penny has a six year old son. And is 40. She had a fling with a man. So - both of the main characters are straight? hmms.

Penny is very sad that she killed that man. Five years ago.

This is a super depressing story. I want out. Please help free me from this story. This story has the level of story detail and telling that I'd expect if Detective Sergeant Joe Friday were telling me this story. Just the facts, Joe. Just the facts. I'm soo bored. Pleeease help me! I'm trapped in a story! Noooooo.... soooooo bored.

Ah - that made me sit up - 'I got to know the back roads of Northern Virginia pretty well.' - I used to drive the back roads of Northern Virginia. Hilly, curvy, random dips, random rises, thin roads. Deep ravines. I know those roads (or I knew them - most of that is gone now, smoothed out, replaced by those 'super expressways'; but they used to be that way).

Okay, seriously? Really? Late at night (one, what is she doing driving around late at night? No explanation?), barely awake, swerving around, thunk, stop on the side of the road (and I know the sides of those roads - there were no sides - just deep drops, so really, she stopped in the road). She gets out. She looks around. Nothing. She gets in car. Leaves. And she feels super guilty about this . . . why? mmph.

Soo bored.

Heh. Both of these straight women seem overly lusty towards the dead man's sister. heh.

That was the most disgusting thing I've ever witnessed in a story. Just disgusting. EWWWW!!! - So, Maxie and Alice eat a meal together at a restaurant. Alice being that dead man's sister. Maxi's fork is messed up. She waves it at a waiter. Gets a clean fork. Alice reaches over, steals the fork, and drops it on the floor. Then pulls her own fork out from her food, licks it, then hands it to Maxi 'use this' (presumably Alice will now eat her spaghetti with her fingers). How incredibly gross. SOOO GROSS!!!! Also, eww - Maxie is turned on by this act. Eww.

Good god this is a disgustingly gross story. Maxie kept the fork. And now she's describing how she is in a hotel with Alice, not the disgusting part, no that would be the part wherein she's taking the time to describe the fact that she's in the bathroom. On the toilet. Trying to force a drop of urine out. Um, why the fuck am I being told this? WHYYYYYY!!!!! (I appear to have become brain damaged at some point, obviously, what with all the caps and screaming).

Rating: negative a trillion stars

November 2 2016

A Lesson in Magic by Cori Kane
Witch, Halloween Party, Lesbian attracted to man

The tags above are basically enough.

Rating: 2.7

November 2 2016

Strega by R.G. Emanuelle
Witch

A woman runs away from her husband. Who she never wanted. Who had 'taken everything' from her family, then dragged her off as well. She runs across 'devil worshippers' and is very frightened.

I'm confused by the comments on witches in the last story and in this one. Last story had the man in it make some comment like 'oh, how politically correct' (not that term, but similar - conveying that the woman who made a vaguely 'oh, witch, that's okay' comment was just being . . . PC.

And then in this one where the woman is deathly afraid of the witch. I just don't get it. Seriously, I don't. What's up with that? I think I've read way too many things, contemporary and fantasy, for me to a) immediately scream in horror if someone uses the 'w' word; b) understand the concept of someone - today, in modern times, being all 'eww, witch'. *shrugs* I've been corrupted, obviously.

Rating: 2

November 2 2016

Object Permanence by Steph Gottschalk
Ghost story

A sad story. From the POV of a ghost. Watching the world as it moves, as time passes. Sad.

Rating: 4.25

November 2 2016

Taylor-Made by Catherine Lane
Magic, Vanity, Hollywood, Paralegal, Changing Fortunes

Incredibly vain story.

Paralegal with 'body issues' spots a jacket. Steals it. Wears it. Is magical jacket. She becomes thin and beautiful. Adds a trophy girlfriend (well, she's powerful in her own right, but I never got the sense the main character cared about her beyond her looks). Everyone of any importance is gorgeous (or male).

Not sure I particularly like the message here.

Especially since 'everybody' knows that true power - true 'showing' of power is to have people respect and be charmed by you, to want to be near you and rub against you, to believe you hold great wisdom and power . . . while looking like a toad. Or something like that.

Rating: 2.75

November 2 2016

Ghost Lights by Erzbet Bishop
Ghost stkry, River of Moistness

Another 'dragged to a ghost tour story because friend wanted specific at on the tour' story. Another 'person leaves tour, goes down tbe moistness river' story. Less interesting/satisfying than the other story like this. The other was a romance. This is just fucking.

Rating: 3.3

November 3 2016

A Winter Story by S.M. Harding
Ghost/grief story.

half Scottish/ half Ute. Woman went to NY. Found art success and a woman. Lost woman to drugs and art success. Then that other woman died. MC goes back to New Mexico. Tries to contact her dead lover.

interacts with a raven.

Gets super depressing story shoved into her on too of her own.

Interacts with a raven.

Contemplates killing herself.

Rating: 3.3

November 3 2016

That Day by Orhea the Dreamer
Werewolves, Texas

Old fashioned version of werewolves. Hmm, that's misleading. A story set in Texas that uses the older version of werewolves. The kind that morphs into a beast - half human, half monster. As opposed to the more modern version of werewolves that involves humans transforming into full blown wolves - or at least creatures that walk on all fours, are furry, and look like extra large wolves.

Interesting to see this other version of werewolves. Story was kind of irritatingly told though - in a 'my name is, or was . . .' way. Entire story is a flash back story. And written that way.

And I rather disliked the dynamic between the two women in the story. The one who uses and abuses the other, and forces a collar onto her. And the other, the main character, who loves her abuser. mmphs.

Rating: 2.75

November 3 2016

Fresh Blood by Eve Francis
Chicago, Police, nurse, Vampire, Suspense, Crime

hmm. Okay. So a police officer is out on night shift, with her partner. They are staking out a store that may or may not be robbed. Then two people roar up on motorcycles, shots are fired, people are injured, killed. Sucked on.

Oh, did I not mention that yet? The female officer is a vampire. And while she had made a promise to her girlfriend, Violet, fresh blood is fresh blood. And so. hmms.

This is interesting in a way. Really shows that vampires (at least in this story universe) aren't just people wearing plastic fangs but basically human. No, separate from humans. Different. Like someone who likes x, makes a promise to not consume x, but can't stop themselves from doing so because x (let's make x = 'beef') isn't really anything that they internally have an issue with consuming. But their human partner does (here change human to vegetarian). And so - the conflict that arises because the meat eater (vampire) consumed meat (fresh blood).

Interspecies relationship between Violet the human and Allie a vampire.

And then the vampire and human mated. And because I'd had all these reminders that these are in fact different creatures, different species . . . it was like reading about a monkey humping a human. And so . . . ewww. Thanks for making vampires and humans seem so different and then have them hump. This is . . . disturbing. Not hot. Not hot at all. At all. I might be ill.

Rating: 3.3*
*I'm sure I'd have rated this higher if this didn't end up reading like bestiality. And I became ill.

November 1 2016

Overall
Spiritquest, LLC by Andi Marquette - 5.0
A Certain Moon by Elaine Burnes - 3.8
Walking After Midnight by Lois Cloarec Hart - 5.0
Moon Dance by Bridget Essex - 3.6
The Road Home by May Dawney - 4.95
Hit and Run by Q. Kelly - negative a trillion stars
A Lesson in Magic by Cori Kane - 2.7
Strega by R.G. Emanuelle - 2
Object Permanence by Steph Gottschalk - 4.25
Taylor-Made by Catherine Lane - 2.75
Ghost Lights by Erzbet Bishop - 3.3
A Winter Story by S.M. Harding - 3.3
That Day by Orhea the Dreamer - 2.75
Fresh Blood by Eve Francis - 3.3

Overall Rating: 3.3357