Look Of Love/Miradas De Amor: Miradas De Amor by Lynda Sandoval

Look Of Love/Miradas De Amor: Miradas De Amor by Lynda Sandoval

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is both the first and second time I've read this book here. Complicated, eh?

First time I've read a book with this title (Look of Love) and by this author (Lynda Sandoval), second time I've read the underlying story, though with a different title and author (Little White Lie by Lea Santos).

First off (I need to stop starting sentences with first), that funny looking title? Look of Love/Miradas De Amor? This is actually a split book - the first part is Miradas de Amor, second part is Look of Love. So, two books in one, eh? No, same book, just first time in Spanish (reminds me I need to get the translator's name added to the book record), second time in English.

Second off - there are very few ratings/reviews for the 'Look of Love' version of the book that came out in 1999 (11 years before 2010's 'Little White Lies' appearance). Which is sad - because the book really is a well written heterosexual romance. And the man? Currently there is kind of a 'clamor' for 'Alpha' or 'Beta' men. Gavino Mendez is neither. He's just a man, a nice man with a bad past (I do not actually recall if the female version of this character, Gia Mendez, has this 'bad past' aspect). He's neither an alpha asshole, nor a weak-ass whimpy 'beta-man'. I have no idea why I'm going down this specific path here. hehe.

Okay, so, as my memory recalls to me, this book here - the het and the FF versions, are basically the same book with gender differences (Gavino became Gia; that man in this book who tricked Esme onto the television show became a woman in 'Little White Lies'). By the way - it's shocking how long it took me to realize that when Gavino was talking to himself in his brain, and used 'Vino', he was using a nickname for himself. bah. heh.

Another thing I do not specifically recall - how much, if any, humor is in the FF version of the book. I mention because there was some rather funny moments in this book here. It's not a laugh riot or anything like that, just some funny moments here and there.

Right, enough of that. I liked both versions. This version ended up with a lower rating mostly, I believe, because I'd already read the other version of the book, so already knew everything that was going to happen so it wasn't 'fresh'. Though that male/female vs. female/female aspect certainly added a layer of freshness.

Rating: 4.50

January 27 2017


ETA: that 384 page number? Counts both the Spanish and English versions of the book. The book itself is closer to 163 pages in length. I didn't actually 'power-read' from page 96 to 384, no, just from 96 to 163.



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The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston

The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*I received this book from NetGalley, and Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group) in return for a fair review.*

- werejaguar

South of the furthest extent of Mayan civilization, rested another civilization, distinguishable from the Mayan, though incorporating certain influences from the Maya. The name for this multi-city culture? …. According to the book I read, the culture has been in the shadow of the Maya – so much so, that it doesn’t even have its own official name. At the present time what is known is that several ruins have been found in the La Mosquitia region of Honduras – some of which are quite large scale in size. None have been fully investigated by Archaeologists.

I read an ARC version of the book, so I’ll quote from a National Geographic article by the same author instead of from the book (since the wording might have changed in the final published version) – “In contrast to the nearby Maya, this vanished culture has been scarcely studied and it remains virtually unknown. Archaeologists don’t even have a name for it.” - Honduras Lost City by Douglas Preston, March 2 2015.

A man, Steve Elkins, spent a very long time dipping into and out of exploration. A cinematographer by trade, Elkins had long been interested in digging into ‘lost things’ – like the treasure that had been looted from Lima and the legendary 'White City' otherwise known as 'the City of the Monkey Gods' in Honduras.

Elkins had set everything up to enter Honduras, after much research among archaeological files, and myths, and legends, and folk-lore, and search for this ‘lost city’. This was late in the 1990s (1997?). But Honduras fell apart and Elkins lost his chance. At least, for a decade or two.

In 2012 Elkins finally was able to get in – and he was going to use a technology newish to Archaeology. Not new to science – heck they mapped the moon and Mars with it, just newish to Archaeology (not new, since they had used it to find Ubar lost in the sands of Arabia (see: Lost City of Ubar found; also, it should be noted that Elkins is not the first to use the tech in the Americas). That technology? Lidar (“LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth”). He had determined that there were four possible locations of interest he wanted to look at – one was removed from the list when rainforest deforestation was detected in the area. Using an old plane loaded with advanced technology from NASA, a map could be generated that – hopefully, could find the markings of man-made alterations.

- Illustration by Ron Kurnlawan in Douglas Preston New Yorker article from 2013.

- Business Insider – Ciudad Blanca Honduras Lidar images – 2013-5

The book describes, somewhat, Elkins earlier investigations in the 1990s, then three that occurred in the 2010s. The first in 2012 involved that plane I mentioned with the LIDAR thingie in it. The author of the book, Preston, was along for that one. And describes the process – including one wild ride with him on board (in a tiny space that wasn’t really big enough for him – he accidentally turned off the machine once with his knee).

Preston was also along when the team actually went into the valley that contained T1 (T1 being the designation given by Elkins for the first place he wanted looked at) in 2015. Rain. Mud. A valley hidden from man for hundreds of years – but extensively modified by man (as found when the city was examined). The description given by Preston of both expeditions he joined into the T1 valley was quite interesting.

The book also contains, eventually, a little history on the area – both pre and post arrival of Columbus and what had happened to the natives – who had many extensive sophisticated civilizations in the Americas prior to Columbus’ arrival. Preston included a chart that ‘tells the story’ of Hispaniola as an example (the island contains both the Dominican Republic and Haiti). There’s debate on the numbers pre-Columbus. Some say millions, some say 500,000. Whatever the number, at least 500,000 natives were on the island in 1492. Only 60,000 16 years later (1508). 18,000 10 years after that (1518). And 0 by 1542. Two reasons to note this little issue – there are many reasons why this rapid decrease in population occurred, the largest one being death by disease; and there is evidence that – even though the European invaders never even made it to the T1 city – no one had (supposedly) before Preston’s team in 2012 – that area itself was wiped out by disease (evidence of extensive trade network mentioned; also mentioned was what happened in the Americas when the Spanish arrived (relatively easy conquest – several near defeats that turned into victories when their native opponents died from disease; compared with the Spanish in the Philippines – where the Spanish never were able to ‘complete’ their conquest (Philippines natives had ‘suffered’ along with Europe, Asia, and Africa from the many diseases that wiped out the American natives – who hadn’t gone through that suffering before the arrival of the Europeans).

Also included in the book – a really long discussion on how he, the author, and other members of the team were infected from their time in the valley and the treatments that had to occur to not cure but beat back the disease.

One last point – the findings of the team Preston joined were revealed – or mentioned – in the previously linked National Geographic article on March 2 2015, lead almost immediately to controversy. A letter went out carrying many signatures attacking the article and the expeditions. Preston handles that section quite well. One of the points of contention involved how cameras were along for the ride, the word choices used (‘lost city’, etc.), and the lack of proper archaeological oversight. And that it ‘ignores decades of research and indigenous peoples knowledge’ (which is countered by Preston).

A quite interesting and intriguing book. It should be noted that while the National Geographic article includes pictures, the book does not. I read an advanced readers copy so I do not know if pictures or the like appear in the finished published version of the book.

- base camp

- ‘A stream winds through part of an unexplored valley in Mosquitia in eastern Honduras, a region long rumored to contain a legendary ‘White City,’ also called the City of the Monkey God’



January 26 2017




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Kitsune Tales: Two Short Stories by Emily Kay Singer

Kitsune Tales: Two Short Stories by Emily Kay Singer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was perfectly happy to read and love whatever story I found in this book. But . . . it is harder to do so when the main character, the female fox spirit, spent so much time rubbing up against men. Annoying, that.

so, 2 stories. Story 1 saw the kitsune forced to work a case by herself. That god of love guy could help her but thinks she needs to do it on her own. She's literally shaking in fear and panic at the idea. But eventually goes to work. To hunt down the magical cat that snuck over from that parallel magic world.

admittly an interesting story. My problem is that I didn't like any of the characters.

Story 2 sees kitsune on vacation (by the way, kitsune's name is Yuri). First day at that. She's on the beach in barely there swimsuit. Loving the looks she is getting. From men. Suddenly her phone rings. The phone that is off. She answers. It's that god of love guy warning that there is a siren in the area. - A warning not a call to work/action.

Displaying an opposite personality than in the previous story - where she was literally shaking in fear - here she, despite being told to stay clear, dives into action.

The mini gecko dragon was neat. Siren less so. Kitsuns still an annoying character. And there a still stronf vibes of heterosexual tension - despite both siren and fox being female.

One of the reasons kitsune dives in is because sirens feed on me & parallel world magic. And kitsune is female & has earth magic.

kitsune tracks down siren. Who 1) is molesting a woman and 2) easily beats up fox.

A mini dragon now enters the picture and helps kitsune.

too bad there isn't a third story. Because book was going certain direction 1st story - news kitsune has humped male god of lovw. 2) story has female/female action that mostly doesn't involve kitsune though there was a 'kissed a girl & like it' moment. 3rd story would probably have had kitsune on side of women love.

January 26 2017.



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Nightshade by Brooke Radley

Nightshade by Brooke Radley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the first book that I have read by this author.

This is a very solid book. With . . . well . . . a certain amount of ‘problems’ I had to overlook to enjoy the book. Which I mostly did.

Eleanor Reed, and some random dude (Ben), are sent undercover into the largest criminal gang in the city. There is a very major drug problem impacting the city, and the city council want to end it and have information that the Nightshade Brotherhood is responsible. This information comes from a spy who has been implanted into this thief gang and will act as the new spies’ access-point to the gang.

Ben and Eleanor are tasked with the mission of being inserted into the brotherhood via Toby – long time spy imbedded in the brotherhood. They have a week to complete their mission. (three problems right off the bat – 1) a week? seriously? 2) as will be mentioned below, Ben and Eleanor are super inexperienced, and have no training for this mission; 3) why the fuck isn’t Toby getting this information? (long time spy, experienced, and, apparently, despite being a long time spy . . . has ‘other means’ to communicate with the council which doesn’t make use of the ‘report directly to the council’ which is the excuse for having inexperience untrained spies).

We now come to one of those problems that I have, and overlooked, while enjoying the book. Both Ben and Eleanor are brand-new in their professions. Eleanor just graduated from the Darten Academy – the magic school; while Ben just graduated from . . . whatever they have set up for solider types. Neither has training as spies. Neither has experience. And the reason for having these two inserted as spies is kind of stupid (these two instead of, you know, actual spies, or, at the very least, people trained to be spies even if they lack experience). That reason? Spies report to the council, it is assumed that the council is watched, therefore the ability to use a spy decreases with use (which is . . . dim on many levels – they believe this so . . . don’t have them report directly to the council chambers? I mean, the whole reason Eleanor is going along on this spy mission is because she has the ability to send messages via water to the council so . . . . spies don’t need to report directly to the council (and even if they did, do it elsewhere, eh?). So . . . they, instead of experienced spies, use newly graduated people. Except . . . one is from the mage academy. This is housed in a building literally right next door to the castle/council chamber. And the academy, while being supposedly open to any and everyone with even a token amount of magic, is quite small. It wouldn’t be that hard to learn who the students are; or, just learn who the graduates are. So the council is getting around using ‘known’ spies (aka, experienced trained spies) by way of using . . . . people who should be known to their ‘enemies’ (and, seriously, if you, the reader of my review, is shaking their heads at me – Eleanor Reed, in addition to being newly graduated from a well known mage school located adjacent to the castle, is also . . . . the niece of the most famous mage around who also sits on the city council (okay, replace ‘city’ with King. It’s the King’s council). Which the reader is reminded of constantly – what with how often Eleanor ducked and tried to hide while wandering around – ‘she’s a Reed!’; also reminded of constantly? How no one actually trusts her and are constantly trying to ‘protect’ her – and by that I’m referring to her employers and co-workers (Ben/Toby) not the Brotherhood specifically.

And Ben? Trained militia dude. Untrained at thief stuff. And quite incompetent at thief stuff, as it turns out. He probably sticks out like a sore thumb. An obvious ‘cop’ (or obvious soldier). But . . . whatever.

Right, so. I must have hated this book, eh? Why no. While I didn’t love the book, I did really enjoy it – sink into the atmosphere of what unfolded. Follow along as the spies dug themselves into the Brotherhood. Watch a budding romance unfold. Fun. Deeper than I expected. Much better written than expected.

Did spot a few things in reviews before I read the book that indicated that there was ‘issues’ with the ending. I liked the ending, though I did get that warning so . . . not sure how I’d have reacted/thought of the ending without that ‘warning’.

Rating: 4.52

January 24 2017




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Absolute Power: Tales of Queer Villainy! edited by Erica Friedman

Absolute Power: Tales of Queer Villainy! by Erica Friedman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


13 tales of Supervillians, LGBT Supervillians.

Final Grades - Erica Friedman
school, 'twists'

Unfortunately there is a fatal flaw in the story - one the author & main character know but still - the fatal flaw is this - the story is about a school for supervillains. That is both the core concept & fatal flaw. Because only 1 student has ever graduated (and this is known). And killing each other or being arrested are among the risks. Sooo what evil supergenius would allow themselves to attend?

I understand why the supervillain had the school. I don't understand why anyone would attend that school.

Rating: 3.00

January 21 2017

Date Night - Tristan J. Tarwater

A supervillain goes on a date during some unexpected time off. While on the date explosions start going off nearby - close enough to explode the restaurant glass in the restaurant she is in. Date over.

It's her stupid bumbling idiot side kick.

Interesting enough story. There were certain twists and turns, but they were obvious twists (maybe because I've seen it more than once before). Would be interested in more about the people in the story though.

Rating: 3.65

January 21 2017

Eden's Revenge - Missouri Vaun
Hacker/Geek-girl/terrorist, Police Detective

A young woman's sister died because of the actions of a specific man. Eden, the life woman (Jordan's the name of the dead woman, and Grey is the name of the Police Detective investigating Eden), has targeted the man who is responsible for Jordan's death with destruction.

It is highly likely I vastly overrated this story. I have my reasons.

No matter - well written story. Kept my interest.

Rating: 4.97

January 20 2017

Gentleman Jack - Barbara Ann Wright
Old West, Criminal, mind control, pinkerton, Arizona, bank robber

The story opens mid-stream, there's no explanation for how or why this person has the power that they do, nor what all they have done. Opens mid-bank robbery. Gentleman Jack, using the power of their own scent to control people (a scent of raw sex; most are turned into obedient lustful people), robs a bank then leaves.

Next town - uses their power to seduce a woman . . . for about a week. Plans to rob another bank but sees someone putting up a poster . . . with Gentleman Jack's face on it. Odd, that. Since the people impacted by the 'power' are left in a fuzzy state without much recall of what happened. But there's the face, under the name of Gentleman Jack (which is where the name came from - the Pinkerton lady used the name on the poster, not that Jack used that name - though has/had been known to use 'Jack'). Why Gentleman Jack? 1) as mentioned, has been known to use 'Jack'; 2) dresses very nicely in a suit and all gentleman like.

The reader knows already, though, that Gentleman Jack is a woman who dresses like a man.

The Pinkerton Lady and Jack flirt around each other and . . . . but I don't want to reveal the whole story here.

Quite interesting story.

Rating: 3.89

January 19 2017

Fallen - Audrey Chase
Amnesia, Fast healing

Jumbled story, though that works here as the POV character is insane.

rating: 4.22

January 22 2017

The Devil Inside - J.D. Glass
Hell, Reporter, Morningstar, Demons

Hell is visited by a reporter who interviews the devil. While there a coup attempt is undertaken.

Interesting story.

Rating: 4.44

January 20 2017

Glitter Bomb - Emily Kay Singer
Rainbow-Gun

Weird story. Villan with Rainbow love gun. Turns people gay. And very horny.

Rating: 3.77

January 22 2017

For Want of a Heart - A. Merc Rustad
Science-Fantasy

A woman with a gambling addition finds her self sinking deeper and deeper into debt and . . . stupidity. A very annoying story.

Rating: 1.5

January 22 2017

Absolution - Claire Monserrat Jackson
Ghosts, Zombies, Post-Apocalyptic

Another story that befuddles my mind. A woman with certain abilities takes a job to go help some homophobic Amish people with their possessed women problem.

Rating: 3.00

January 22 2017

So Many Things Seem Filled with the Intent - Jude McLaughlin

Damn, this one made me teary eyed for some reason. Main character, Naiad, and GF Sophie visit a mad scientist friend of Sophie'ss. Visit her lab I mean. Meet various creatures like cute kittens and a mermaid.

Rating: 5.00

January 22 2017

The Prado by Chance - Leia Weathington
Police, Crime, Madrid, Spain, future.

World run by superheros. A female cop takes an off duty case to guard a vault.

Rating: 4.43

January 22 2017

Jaguar Light - Susan Smith
Magic, Fantasy, Portland, Superheroes/villains, Cat-burglars, werecats, Native, PoC

While impulsively robbing a museum, Jaguar is interupted by Bloodmoon. No, neither is a superhero. Bloodmoon is the NWVA secretary (North West Villains Alliance (I might have both the letters and title wrong)). She is also a magic user who had been looking for The Source for a while. Apparently she's found it. And she's going to use it to kill all power users who got their power through some means other than magic (meaning that Bloodmoon, and for that matter Jaguar, will retain their powers, but people like Lady . . . um . . Light . . . Lady Light? Whatever the name of the solar powered Portland hero goes by (I know one of the heroes is named Rain Man because a joke is made about that)). Bloodmoon lets Jaguar know about this because Jaguar was nice to her. Like a cat sometimes is - towards vaguely unremarkable humans.

Jaguar, while not informing Bloodmoon of her opinion on the matter, is vaguely horrified. She is easily distracted - she needs the Portland hero.

And so the story unfolds - a cat against a witch, with the appearance of a solar powered superhero.

Neat story.

Rating: 4.67

January 20 2017

Chrome Crash - Mari Kurisato
Native, Abuse

A somewhat split story that follows several streams and comes together and apart somewhat randomly. One stream follows a young woman who apparently has come into a power that causes humans to burst. Another stream follows a 'super strong' man type and his quest for . . . whatever his quest was. Main stream, though, follows a native woman who has a long history of crap happening to her - having a drone blow up a village she is at, getting attacked and blamed for things, etc.

Quite interesting, disturbing story.

Rating: 3.88

January 22 2017


RATINGS
Final Grades - Erica Friedman - 3.00
Date Night - Tristan J. Tarwater - 3.67
Eden's Revenge - Missouri Vaun - 4.97
Gentleman Jack - Barbara Ann Wright - 3.89
Fallen - Audrey Chase - 4.22
The Devil Inside - J.D. Glass - 4.44
Glitter Bomb - Emily Kay Singer - 3.77
For Want of a Heart - A. Merc Rustad - 1.50
Absolution - Claire Monserrat Jackson - 3.00
So Many Things Seem Filled with the Intent - Jude McLaughlin - 5.00
The Prado by Chance - Leia Weathington - 4.43
Jaguar Light - Susan Smith - 4.67
Chrome Crash - Mari Kurisato - 3.88

Overall: 3.88



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Favorite FF Short Stories found in short story collections

1. Forever Yours, Eileen Rebekah Weatherspoon

A short story found within the book 'Best Lesbian Romance of the Year: Volume 1' edited by Radclyffe

tags: The South, Brooklyn, 1950s & today, People of Color (black)

I do not know if I can write a review for this one. Quite emotional still, I am.

Two young girls grow up near each other in 'The South' back in the 1950s. Both are black. Someone, a relative perhaps, mentions that it would take God himself to separate the two (as a side note, 'God' is used 25 times in this book (book not story) - 'our mamas would joke that it would take the hand of god to pull us little devils apart. The hand of god or my daddy's determination.'). The daddy in question were seeing how things were looking, Jim Crow, 'The South', the 1950s, so he moved his family north - to Brooklyn.

Two youngsters who were destined to grow up together, to be inseparable . . . separated by a father afraid, then by circumstances. Separated for 50 years, baring very brief moments. Very brief. They wrote letters, though, throughout that time. They documented their separate marriages, their families, the news of what was going on, and eventually their realization of who they actually loved in life.

And the story itself starts in a dinner. I believe in New York, though might be Brooklyn. It only took 50 years, but the two are near again - near and able to actually, maybe, probably move on with a life that involves both of them together, near, no longer separated, back to being inseparable.

And I'm sure I do not need to mention, since this is a book of lesbian short stories, but yes, both realized that they were lesbians. And who it was that was in their hearts.

Rating: 5.75*

* I believe the only reason this is .25 off my highest rating is because it's a short story inside a short story collection, and I've only read it once. Otherwise . . ..

November 1 2016

2. Learning to Ride by Fletcher DeLancy

A short story found within the collection titled 'Spread the Love' edited by Astrid Ohletz?

Tags:

I’m not really sure what I was expecting when I opened the book, I just know that I was in something of a bind – I needed to read something (that’s me, must always be reading), but the book I’d picked up to read was annoying me. So, a quick look through my Kindle lead to this book – and this first story in the book.

I was hooked immediately – a woman on a bicycle going for a ride. A woman who hadn’t ridden in a great while and was . . . larger than the common bike rider. Hooked me – it did.

I’m not sure how others might view the story. The cover emphasizes ‘Seven Romantic and Erotic Lesbian Stories’ – which is actually why I haven’t even opened the book since I got it in January. I have to be in a ‘mood’ to purposefully go out of my way to read something labeled ‘erotic’, not ‘romance’, but out and out ‘erotic’. This brings us back to my first sentence in this paragraph. I’m not sure how others might view this story, because it is: (1) quite simple, really, in nature; (2) doesn’t have angst/drama/tension/conflict (beyond ‘can I go another mile/can I climb the hill’) except for the first encounter between the two women in the story, when one almost accidentally killed the other (‘On the left does not mean that you go to your left, but that I’m coming from the left’); (3) this story is by no means erotic, graphic, or otherwise have with sex in it. Those who need conflict/angst would probably be annoyed by the romance. Those who saw ‘erotic’ on the cover of the book, would be annoyed by the lack of erotic . . . action in the story.

Me? I loved the story. I actually found myself tear-y eyed while on the train. Long after I’d completed the story. I know, I probably should see someone about that. Heh. Unlike the last time I mentioned teary eyed (or something along those lines), this time it was happiness, joy, positive stuff that caused the mist.

I mentioned that the story was simple – well, it’s basically just a story of a series of bike rides. And a woman that encounters another on these rides. The first time a blur speed past Dana – the blur said something, but Dana couldn’t catch it. She assumed it was something derogatory. The second encounter with the woman almost involved injuries – blur ‘on your left!’ squealing. Dana didn’t realize ‘on your left’ meant someone was coming on your left. She thought that meant the rider wanted Dana to move to her left.

And the story proceeds from there. Brief encounters while on the bike trail. Though the brief encounters build up. Somewhere along the line names are exchanged. Sexual orientations are hinted at. Common interests are mentioned. More encounters on the bike trail.

This story kind of caught me unaware. Sure, I was hooked from the beginning, but I didn’t expect to love it.

Rating: 5.5
Date read: April 27 2016

3. Spiritquest, LLC by Andi Marquette

A short story found in the collection 'Wicked Things' edited by Jae and Astrid Ohletz

tags: 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

3. Walking After Midnight by Lois Cloarec Hart

A short story found in the collection 'Wicked Things' edited by Jae and Astrid Ohletz

tags: 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

3. Batteries not Included by L.T. Smith

A short story found within the collection 'When the Clock Strikes Thirteen' edited by Astrid Ohletz.

tags:

This is one of those stories that needs to be read/felt/experienced by the reader - anything/most things I could write/explain would just be in the way.

All I can really say is that there's this house with more than 1 floor, a woman in it working late at night, noises heard, and a building tension. Building . . . building . . . building . . .

Rating: 5.0

October 24 2016

6. Some Nudity Required by Axa Lee

A short story found within the book 'Best Lesbian Romance of the Year: Volume 1' edited by Radclyffe

tags: Student, Teacher, model, artist, nude model, geek girl

A bookish English major, a senior, is secretly dating a TA (not sure if they were ever in a teacher-student situation in a class (ah, see, went back to make sure of names, saw 'best students in class had a right to meet with her TA outside of hours, right?' - the power imbalance* is somewhat on display in this story - one of the reasons I dislike teacher-student relationships (like I dislike boss-employee as well), though part of this 'imbalance' might just be personalities involved and not teacher-student; TA - teacher's assistant). The TA, Erika, is kind of bossy, dismissive, desirous of her girlfriend to not look 'like a lesbian'; and desirous of not being out and open about their relationship.

The bookish English major self-describes herself as being geeky, an follower of rules, standards, and stuff. Not at all the kind to answer an advertisement for a model with a line like 'some nudity required'. But then, maybe she is that type to answer an ad (this isn't a mystery about whether or not she' contact Audra - since the story opens with her already in the middle of doing so; advertisement - 'Female Model, any body type, thesis project, some nudity required. Paying. Contact Audra').

I'm not actually sure that the 'bookish English major' actually has a name used at any point in this story. Beyond 'I'.

Right, so. Fun enjoyable exciting story that I'd probably react differently to depending on situation (like if I'd been on the train commuting when I read this, or just outdoors in general).

artist/photographer - Audra
TA - Erika

* many things could be said about a teacher-student power imbalance. The teacher has certain power over their student that might not be there otherwise. Power to 'ruin' the student's life - or at the very least control it so they didn't ruin it (via bad grades and the like; recommendations; whispers to other teachers). All of which 'would take down' only the student. The student has power as well, but implementing it would 'take both of them down' - by coming forward about the unethical (potentially illegal) situation (they could lie about the nature of the relationship, of course, talking about force/harassment/rape - but they could do that kind of thing, lying, without actually being in any kind of relationship).

Rating: 4.999999999999

November 4 2016

7. Kindred Spirits by Lea Daley

A short story in the book 'Finding Ms. Write' edited by Jae and Jove Belle.

Tags: Grief, partner died, age-older-grey-hair

A story about two women whose partner's died (separately and by different means). One, whose partner passed away a while ago, attempts to help the other whose partner died six months ago.

A year or more passes.

A really nice, lovely story.

Rating: 4.98

January 13 2017

8. Eden's Revenge by Missouri Vaun

A short story found within the short story collection 'Absolute Power: Tales of Queer Villainy!' edited by Erica Friedman.

tags: Hacker/Geek-girl/terrorist, Police Detective

A young woman's sister died because of the actions of a specific man. Eden, the live woman (Jordan's the name of the dead woman, and Grey is the name of the Police Detective investigating Eden), has targeted the man who is responsible for Jordan's death with destruction.

It is highly likely I vastly overrated this story. I have my reasons.

No matter - well written story. Kept my interest.

Rating: 4.97

January 20 2017

9. The Road Home by May Dawney

A short story found in the collection 'Wicked Things' edited by Jae and Astrid Ohletz.

tags: 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

9. Healing Hand by Lynn Mixon

A short story found within the collection 'Women with Handcuffs' edited by Sacchi Green.

tags: Witness Protection, US Marshal

The story is from the point of view of a woman who was a professional gambler, and has now been in witness protection for the last 5 years. The story kicks off with that woman hearing a car, grabbing a shotgun, and looking outside. Spotting a slick SUV - out of place in the mountains of her home. A US Marshal steps out - one that the woman knows.

That US Marshal mentions that the evil dude who is the reason for the woman to be in protective custody had escaped.

The story then proceeds to have the protector and protectee engage in a display of erotic play. Though in a much better and more satisfying way that my little comment might make it seem.

rating: 4.95

October 21 2016

11. Hollis by Jove Belle

A short story found within the collection 'Women with Handcuffs' edited by Sacchi Green.

A woman who is both a police detective and someone who sees themselves as being on the verge of middle age, is at a training . . . um . . thingie. Story opens while she's running for seven miles under the supervision of a FBI agent.

Apparently this police detective has a certain level of submissiveness, though only to those who she sees as being . . . um . . . strong enough. Which works out here, since she sees the FBI agent as strong enough, and that agent is quite happy with the concept of dominating another.

They have a moment in the agent's office.

Quite exciting, in its brief way.

Rating: 4.89

12. Lavish are the Undead by B.A. Huntley

A short story found within the collection 'Less than Dead' edited by Samantha M. Derr.

tags: FF, Doll-monsters (zombie-like), wheel-chair

A self-described gym rat is on a treadmill listening to her girlfriend, a DJ, on the radio until she starts to play an hour long David Bowie album. Switches to a book. Switches back to the radio. Runs. Lights flicker. Mick, the gym rat, powers down the treadmill - worried she'd end up planted in a wall if she didn't and the power cut out suddenly. Screams erupt (okay, I don't recall if there are screams, let's try that again). People start fleeing from the area near the windows. Mick looks over. Sees . . . things. She in turn flees.

Gets outside. Sees . . . doll people? Well, human shaped creatures bouncing around looking like porcelain versions of humans. They are breaking everything reflective - windows, glass, mirrors. They charge towards Mick. Mick leaps into her car and flees.

Somewhere along the way she spots a woman being attacked, an older woman. She saves her. Takes her back to the older woman's place. As they clean themselves up, they listen to the radio. Apparently some kind of 'bone-disease' is sweeping the area. People are told to stay indoors and board up their windows. Mick gets Sally (the older woman) to change the station so she can check on her girlfriend. Girlfriend still alive but . . . sits inside a giant tower of glass - 100 floors up. In a wheelchair. Mick must save her.

Quite thrilling short story. Fun, exciting. I'd rate it . . . hmms . . . 4.85.

12. Bow and Arrow by Carsen Taite

A short story found within the collection 'Girls with Guns' edited by ?

Tags: Bounty Hunter

The first story in the book, despite the line up of the authors on the cover, is Bow and Arrow by Carsen Taite. As noted, this is my first story by this author. So I do not know if Luca Bennett, Jessica Chance, or, for that matter, if Teresa Perez or Cris Perez-Soria have appeared in anything by Taite before now (ETA: there is a three book Luca Bennett series that Chance appears in. Going by the book descriptions, this story here might be considered 3.5 (not rating, but series order number; three books then this short story). I know books like this have a tendency to have one of three types of stories – (1) a story involving a character from a series (either as a cameo or as the lead character in the story); (2) a completely new set of characters; or (3) stories by different authors that are, in some way, linked together by character, story, events, or some other issue. I do not know, yet, which category these stories in the book fall under.

Bow and Arrow follows Luca Bennett, ex-cop, and current bounty hunter. The story starts with her returning to work after having been shot. At work she's a bounty hunter, so it's a good thing that she's on the hunt for a fugitive (since that's what they pay her to do). She’d rather be at home wiggling around with her love, Jessica Chance, but her boss would be annoyed if she didn’t actually return to work at some point. So there she is, in her car, watching a place she believes a suspect is located. She has her dog Cash with her.

Relatively easily . . . well, I’ll go ahead and note this issue. She momentarily captures the fugitive but he has information on another fugitive, someone by the name of Teresa Perez. Another ex-cop, and someone who had previous run-ins with Chance and Bennett (a kidnapping of Chance was mentioned, the part where Bennett had been shot might be related, but not sure – the events that occur in this story kind of lead me to believe I might be following up on a previous story). Perez is someone both Chance and Bennett really want. So Bennett is going to go after her.

Just a quick note – I do not know why I keep calling her Bennett, I believe she gets called Luca a lot more often, but I got kind of trapped there in which names to use.

Okay then, the story will be about a former cop, current bounty hunter who will be investigating a fugitive cop (though she herself had not specifically been assigned to find said ex-cop). Except . . . complications ensue. Luca has jury-duty. Heh. Kind of neat in its way. Must investigate! Have leads! Must . . . wait? What? Well crap. *sitting impatiently in a jury waiting room . . . waiting for the obvious dismissal . . . waiting. Name called. Waiting for the questions from the lawyers. She’s an ex-cop who lives with a cop, and hunts fugitives, obviously she’s going to be bumped . . . except she isn’t bumped*.

It’s neat to see a case from the jury-perspective, especially through someone who knows investigations and the like. So the story turns to Luca investigating the missing/fugitive cop and attending trial. As a jury-member.

I mentioned another name above. Way way above. That of Cris Perez-Soria. But hadn’t mentioned her yet. She’s a fellow jury-member and really talkative. Really enjoys the chance to be a jury-member. And stuff. She had too many lines, so to speak, for me not to include her name above in the list of people who might have previously appeared in a Taite book.

I rather liked Luca Bennett. And the story was quite neat. I didn’t particularly like Cris, but she’s not the lead so whatever. A few more things before I give a rating: (1) Romance – Jess and Luca are already a couple when this story opens. They appear lovey-dovey, though there are a few complications. (2) Sex – possible I missed it, but there wasn’t any. (3) Mystery/Trial – both were about what I’d expect for a short work and I have no complaints there. (4) Short work - I was at 28% of the file when the story ended. The book is listed as being 240 pages. So that’s 67.2 pages for this part of the book.

This specific short story I’d give a rating of 4.85 out of 5 stars. I’m quite interested in looking into other stories by Carsen Taite, though I have ‘experiences’ with tackling people who write both short and long work. Boiled down – I grew up reading short story collections (best of [insert year]; Treasury of the best [insert genre]) and short story magazines. I found out several things. Short stories are something in and of themselves (and not just fragments of a larger story; though serial stories exist as well). There are good ones, great ones, and crap ones. And the skill to write an outstanding short story does not always translate to the ability to write a great book (and the opposite also applies). There are some authors who I hated when I tried them in short story form (Jack McDevitt), but loved in long form (McDevitt – tried a long form by accident). And some I love in short form, but never really loved anything they wrote long form (many names could go here, I’ll just use Lawrence Block as an example). So, my near 5 star rating for this short story does not mean I’ll instantly love anything and everything by Taite.

Rating: 4.85

14. The Christmas Grump by Jae

A short story found in the collection titled 'Gingerbread Hearts' edited by Judy Underwood.

tags: 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

15. On an Ocean of Skin by Laila Blake

A short story found within the collection 'Sweat' edited by ? (I can never figure out the editor for Ladylit books.

tags: chubby

Okay, story opens with a woman in a yoga studio. She may or may not be fat. And feels self-doubt and guilt for 'subjecting beautiful people to her presence.' She's there because she got 'something' related to the studio on her birthday. A voucher - 'Yoga for woman in larger bodies' (so she actually does inhabit a larger body, and it's not just her self-image making her feel fat).

hehehe. What a gift to get from your mother. I can just imagine the scene (well a scene, I don't know the relationship involved) - daughter - 'ooh, a card *opens, stares, sees 'Yoga for woman in larger bodies' thinks to self *my mother thinks I'm fat, thanks mom*

Interesting. Large bodied depressed woman, goes to yoga studio, meets - happy round woman as instructor.

Hmms. This be a really nice story. Quite . . . nice. A couple of word choices here and there jarred and pulled me from the story, unfortunately, otherwise I might call this one something close to 5 stars. As it is . . . . I'll call it 4.79 stars. *nods*

August 19 2016

16. Hammersmith by Michelle Grubb

A short story found within the short story collect 'Girls with Guns' edited by ?

Tags: Undercover, Police, London, Terrorism

As I mentioned, I’ve read none of these authors before, including Grubb. Hammersmith involves a woman named Belinda Riley. She works for an anti-terrorism unit in London England, specifically the unit that monitors the underground (as in the mass-transit trains that run underground; USA – mass transit trains running underground get called subways, not sure ‘underground’ gets used for anything in the USA (except, say, underground railroad (which, to confuse things, wasn't actually a railroad)); UK – mass transit trains running underground get called ‘underground’ (or ‘tube’), ‘subway’ is an underground passage for pedestrians to use. At least these were the definitions in use when I was in London in the ‘90s).

Riley is relatively new in the unit, though she’s been in the police for a while now. She’s 30, but can pass for 21. This is important, not specifically being able to pass as 21, but being able to ‘blend in’, to not look like an obvious cop. Because that’s what she does for half her day, ride around (or stand around on platforms) underground. Other half of the day is spent in training. Oh, and for those who recall the title of this book – ‘Girls with Guns’ and know UK police tend to not be armed, they have special units that are armed, well – as luck would have it, anti-terrorism is one of the units that are armed.

The story consists of Riley riding around on the train, and, separately, unwinding with her current new-ish girlfriend Esther (who is, apparently, around 36). Quite an interesting story, though for a moment there I was recalling how the first story didn’t have sex. And how lesbian romance/fiction tends to at least hint at it. And, for a moment or two, I was thinking that this story here, Hammersmith, was the sex part. Because Riley and Esther spend a rather good amount of time humping. But no, there is also police work as well.

By the way, I’m writing these notes before I’ve finished the story. Not sure how far along I am, though I could be close to the end (I was at the 40% mark when I wrote this sentence, and the story ends at the 63% mark). And I kind of got a feeling about how things are going to unfold. Though they haven’t exactly unfolded yet. As of now, Riley is on alert for a ‘cleaner’ (suicide bomber). And is following orders to get off trains, get on trains, etc.

Note: I read most of this story . . . um, I don’t know how long this story is. Okay, I read the start of this story while on the train. While Riley was on the train. Checking people out. Seeing if they might be a suicide bomber. Hearing something that heightens her alertness . . etc. Quite a way to heighten my own tension and the suspense of the story – to read that while actually being on the train. Conversely, I read the sex part on the train as well. Not exactly where I wish to read about someone being bent over, their pants lowered, and their knickers lowered, and stuff occurs.

More to come . . . now.

Baring the note about sex, I last left things with me hovering in the middle of the story with a strong sense of how things were going to unfold. I was both wrong and right. I can’t really say what I mean without giving too much away.

I feel like a giant hand picked me up, put me into a blender, then a giant finger hovered over a button for a while. Then pressed the button. That’s the way this story made me feel. Like I’d been blended. Or, well, like I’d been put through a blender.

I rather liked Riley. I’m not certain how I feel about anyone else in the story, including Esther, but Riley I liked. It was a rather neat story – the action and adventure, the twists and turns, the danger. Quite exciting. Can’t say anything about the sex, though. There were two sex scenes – one occurred while I was on a crowded train, and the other occurred while I was out in public eating lunch. So I mostly skimmed those parts to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but didn’t get too involved with the graphic sexual stuff. So I can’t say anything about the quality of that specific issue. I know people were dying to know what I thought of the sex. Hehe.

A good story. I’ll look for more by Michelle Grubb. If the story had unfolded the way I thought it might be unfolding I probably would have given the story something around 4 something out of 5 stars. Because it unfolded the way it did unfold, I’d give it closer to 4.75 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 4.75

17. Touch of the Traakyn by Sandra Barret

A short story found within the collection 'Spread the Love' edited by Astrid Ohletz?

Tags: Science Fiction, erotica

Well, I figured out why the one author who lists Erotica among their genres on their GoodReads profile didn't have erotica in their story (referring here to Bishop not Barrett) - I wasn't on the train. I've mentioned before that I have this odd track record wherein I'll read a book and nothing of a sexual nature will occur, I'll get onto the train and . . . unleash the sex! Shesh.

I mention this because I finally found the erotica in this book. After I got on the train. Started with this story here and continued through the last stories in the book.

This story here is the Science Fiction story of the lot. Stars as its main character a human female who had been in the military before becoming injured. I guess she's technically still in it - the book opens with her in the hospital being examined. Though she knows she's going into forced retirement shortly.

She's lost her foot, right arm, and part of her upper torso. Replaced with synthetic parts. Her girlfriend of the time couldn't stand the concept of seeing her with gold parts (the synthetics) and dumped her. Every human she runs across also reacts badly when they see her. So she hides away as much as possible.

Until one night she's in the hot tub and a voice strikes her ears. She's so used to people talking around her and ignoring her that she doesn't at first realize that she's the person being addressed. She looks up and kind of drools. A gorgeous woman is standing there barely clothed. The woman repeats herself - asking if she can join her in the hot tub. By the way, she has blue skin - the new woman.

One thing leads to another and the two become friendly towards each other. And as would be expected from my opening remarks leading into this story - there is graphic erotic depictions of 'stuff' that occurs.

Odd, for me, I rather enjoyed the story. And the graphic depictions of 'stuff'.

Rating: 4.72
Date Read: April 27 2016

18. Red Hot Neighbor by T.M. Croke

A short story found within the collection 'Spread the Love' edited by Astrid Ohletz?

Tags: erotica

Two women move in to the same house. The lead character is quite taken with the other woman, and keeps having to stop and watch her walk around. Then there's a flash back to when the two women first meet.

I liked the story. Well written. Though it's mostly an erotic story with graphic sex.

Rating: 4.67
Date Read: April 27 2016

18. Jaguar Light by Susan Smith

A short story found within the collection 'Absolute Power' edited by Erica Friedman.

tags: Magic, Fantasy, Portland, Superheroes/villains, Cat-burglars, werecats, Native, PoC

While impulsively robbing a museum, Jaguar is interupted by Bloodmoon. No, neither is a superhero. Bloodmoon is the NWVA secretary (North West Villains Alliance (I might have both the letters and title wrong)). She is also a magic user who had been looking for The Source for a while. Apparently she's found it. And she's going to use it to kill all power users who got their power through some means other than magic (meaning that Bloodmoon, and for that matter Jaguar, will retain their powers, but people like Lady . . . um . . Light . . . Lady Light? Whatever the name of the solar powered Portland hero goes by (I know one of the heroes is named Rain Man because a joke is made about that)). Bloodmoon lets Jaguar know about this because Jaguar was nice to her. Like a cat sometimes is - towards vaguely unremarkable humans.

Jaguar, while not informing Bloodmoon of her opinion on the matter, is vaguely horrified. She is easily distracted - she needs the Portland hero.

And so the story unfolds - a cat against a witch, with the appearance of a solar powered superhero.

Neat story.

Rating: 4.67

January 20 2017

20. Midnight Messages by Lois Cloarec Hart

A short story found within the collection 'When the Clock strikes Thirteen' edited by Astrid Ohletz.

tags:

This is one of those stories wherein it is hard to mention what exactly the paranormal nature of the story might be. The other two stories I've read so far are fairly straight forward in that regard. The vampire and werewolf nature of those stories was known more or less immediately and neither was exactly a twist. Here? I can't mention it - it is in fact a twist. There are some things I can mention though.

It is unfortunate that I do not know the age of the main character for one specific reason - I have a strong suspicion that she falls into an age range I do not normally get to read. I suspect that she is somewhere between the ages of 40 and 70, and likely somewhere around 55 or so - at a guess based on certain factors. She could be older, she could be younger, but not a lot younger.

That main character, Luce Sheppard, has had a long 'think' recently based on her circumstances. And she has come to a specific conclusion. Having reached said conclusion, she is able to have a relatively peaceful sleep that night - that is until she's startled awake by some noise around 4:44 am. At first she thinks it's her inconsiderate neighbor who is known for having parties nonstop at all hours, but then she realizes that the sound she hears is crying. So she springs into action.

Luce finds a young woman of about 16 years of age outside - soaking wet (it had been raining. She offers that woman, Keira, a temporary abode of safety. They have a long talk - much discussed, a good serious talk. Luce likes Keira, and her dog Ferron likes Keira as well. After offering Keira the use of some sweats and the guest room, Luce heads off to sleep. When she awakens, Keira - after having left a note - is gone.

And now I can't mention anything else (though I've probably already said to much, though there is a ton of good stuff I haven't mentioned), though the story doesn't end here.

I'd give this story a rating of 4.66

October 23 2016

20. A Witch in Arkham by Cora Walker

A short story found within the collection 'Less than Dead' edited by Samantha M. Derr.

tags: FF, witches, zombies, bisexuals, lesbians, Old Ones

Strange one - this. Alternate earth. One with Innsmouth and other such places. Well, action takes place in Arkham. Witch girl is in cemetery on a job - she's going to raise a really dead person to ask them a question about a century long inheritance dispute. Gets distracted when a ghost wandered into her line of sight. Her ex-boyfriend Marcus - dead three years now (and no, not the same Marcus as prior Marcus, and one of the reasons I'm not certain both were actually named Marcus). He has warnings. Involving a 'Michael', 'Phoebe' and 'Templars'.

Then witch girl spots a Templar and bolts (the magic users and the Templars/Vatican are not exactly best friends).

Quite an interesting entertaining story - once I got deeper into it. I'd rate this one something around 4.66.

October 8 2016

Playing Passion's Game by Lesley Davis

Playing Passion's Game by Lesley Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really need a better shelf than ‘farmer-gardener’, pfft. Right sorry.

Book involves a super tall woman who looks like a force of nature, super powerful, the ultimate of ultimate butches who . . . doesn’t really see herself that way and who has trouble with the concept of relationships based entirely on her kid-years. She’s a gamer – a professional game playing person who plays in tournaments, on a team, sponsored by her employer – a gaming store in a mall (most of her time is spent working there; or gaming back at her place; occasionally tournaments). This ultra-butch woman is Trent Williams. Gentle-giant type. Geeky. Small breasts (what, it came up in the book). Somewhere in her 30s.

Book also involves Juliet Sullivan – on the fast track at her bank but . . . the economy is crap, and companies are failing left and right. Her bank might even fail shortly. Also, more importantly, she’s bloody tired of all the inter-office political crap that goes with being a banker and she is seriously thinking of joining her roommate working as a landscaper. Juliet is something like 27 and is girly and has large breasts (what, again, it came up in the book - okay, technically they are described as 'ample' that spill out when 'released' and are 'more beautiful' than Trent ever imagined breasts could be).

"Fuck," Trent mumbled when Juliet's ample breasts were released. "They're more beautiful than I even imagined."

Juliet threw the scrap of clothing on top of her shirt. She leaned closer into Trent. "You've been imagining my breasts, have you?"

"Every damn minute I could get," Trent said, reaching up to hold them in her palms and . . .

play with them and stuff, what, it gets graphic and stuff. (61% into the book)

Juliet and Trent both have their point of views expressed in the book. There are other well-defined side characters, though, of importance. Like that roommate (I wish to go with ‘Michelle’? Am I right? Crap, this is what happens when you take 4 days before you put your thoughts down - it's Monica) who is straight and working on being a landscaper, and Chuck Norris (not his actual name, see ‘my brain is stupid and retains nothing and I took too long to write a review’ above; his actual name is probably something like . . . um . . Mitch . . or Buck . . or . . . Nacho . . really, I have no idea - it's Elton, big bearded viking type). Elton is also a really tall person, though he’s a man. One who likes wearing heavy make-up. No, not for that reason, but because he’s a gamer. And he thinks it’s important for him to wear make-up that looks like a skull. On his face. (he and Trent, and the rest of the people who work at their store, are called something like ‘the Baydale Reapers’ or something like that). Juliet’s 10 year old sister is massively important also – what with that’s how Juliet and Trent meet, then there’s a birthday party, and stuff. Somewhat of lesser importance, but still there, are Elton’s relatives, and the other people who work on the team and at the store. Another layer of character is that which has had a major impact on someone of importance, but does not actually appear in the book – except in flashbacks – like that massive religious dick that is Trent’s father.

The interactions between the various people were fun. The romance was also nice. There was even some interesting sex that occurred. I was going to immediately read the next book in the series until I realized that it seems to have nothing much in connection to the first book (on the surface; well there’s crippling nightmares mentioned in the second books description – that’s a common theme, then there’s Tweedy Contractors; which plays a part in the first book – indirectly . . . eventually). Neither of the characters appears to be gamers, though. Or geeky. So . . . that’s a let-down. Got distracted.

Hmm. What else to say about this book . . . hmms. Not as much as the first book I read by this author (‘Truth behind the mask’), but there’s only a half star difference in ratings (which means both ended up as ‘4 stars’ as far as GoodReads knows).

I need to stop taking so long to write reviews.

Rating: 4.00

January 27 2017




View all my reviews

As La Vista Turns by Kris Ripper

As La Vista Turns by Kris Ripper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*I received this book from NetGalley and Riptide Publishing in return for a fair review.*

This book stars Suzanne ‘Zane’ Jaffe who is thirty-five, works in real estate, is a lesbian, and – throughout the course of this series – more exactly for the past 12/13 months, she has been attempting to become pregnant through artificial means. While that has been going on, around month 3 or 5, Zane started ‘dating’ another woman named Dred (Mildred) who has a kid of her own (baby James). Pretend dating – to get her friends, mostly Jaq, to stop talking about Zane hooking up with someone. Or, at least it was supposed to be pretend dating.

And so – that’s what this book is about. Zane, who has appeared in the previous five books as a side character, is now front and center and having a point of view of her own (the only point of view in the book). Trying to get pregnant. While that other plot line that has bounced along in the series, that serial killer guy . . . (view spoiler)[don’t click on the spoiler unless you’ve read books 1-4 (view spoiler)[was concluded in the last book, but people are still freaking out, so Zane is planning on/thinking about/is arranging for a ‘wake’ because Club Fred’s is filled with depressed people (hide spoiler)]. (hide spoiler)]. So plot lines – Zane 1) is trying to get pregnant; 2) is planning a party at Club Fred’s; 3) is pretend dating Dred; 4) is working through the concept of trying to become pregnant for the past year; 5) is working through the concept that maybe she doesn’t want to just be ‘pretending’ with Dred.

Meanwhile . . . I haven’t actually said much that wasn’t in the book description.

Everyone that has appeared in the series, at least the main characters, show up in this end-book. Emerson and Obie from book one play prominent roles – they kind of have to since they live in the same house that Dred lives in (with Baby James) – there’s a story there, apparently ‘Aunt Florence’ mostly raised Obie and Dred (so those two grew up together). Jaq and Hannah from book two – more Jaq, also play important roles, since Jaq, Zane, and Carlos (who doesn’t get a book of his own) ‘grew up together’ (not exactly sure what that means fully, though I know they went to school together, though Carlos is somewhere around being at least three months older than the other two – as a ‘hint’ – Carlos is the one who self proclaims himself to be a ‘dwarf’). Ed and Alisha, from book 3, have less of an ‘in’ into this story group, but are known by Zane and so appear here in the book. I’m not sure what Zane’s connection, exactly, is with Keith/Cam/and Josh (those three being the mains of book 4), but they play a large role in this book since Zane keeps bouncing over to their community center for ‘reasons’ – some of which correspond to Zane’s need to throw a party.

Before I go too far - it should be noted: This book really is one that is better read after the other books in the series. There’s a ton of information to already know – some of which is revealed/rementioned in the book, but . . . to a lesser extent than might have occurred if the other books in the series hadn’t existed. Just a warning. Mind you, I did only complete books two and three, and still came to the conclusion that I did regarding book five (this book here) – a conclusion to be mentioned later.

Of less importance, and more of just something I noted along the way - I've known about this book, and its cover, from the beginning - since I started reading the first word in this series (or, at the very least, around the same time I read book two – The Butch and the Beautiful). So I've pictured Zane as the woman on the cover of this book whenever she popped up in the series. Well, it appears that - yes she has purple hair; she also has some portion of her head 'shaved' - unless I misread 'my half-shaved purple' - unlike the woman on the cover of the book.

Right, so, the story itself – I was bouncing along nicely with the story, watching it unfold – Zane’s all angsty about getting pregnant, and feeling like maybe she shouldn’t have suggested that ‘pretend’ dating idea to Dred, because now she wants to actually date her; while also throwing together plans to hold a party – maybe at Club Freds. You know, the plot was unfolding. Then the main character started doing a few stupid things – things that she knew were stupid, took the time to think about them, and then did them anyway. And . . . it annoyed me. That was around 62% into the book. You know what happened after that? The unexpected. I spent a good portion of the last 38% of the book giggling and outright laughing and or being happy with the book (there's a hilarious scene wherein Zane is 'impregnating' herself, while Dred watches. . . and 'helps'; I knew that scene was going to occur because there were 'mentions' before it happened - frankly I kind of expected to be grossed out, instead I found it hilarious). Odd, that. *shrugs*

But what I’ve already noted is what the book is about – an end book the series, ‘stuff’ has occurred, the ‘camera’ has focused on certain characters in this La Vista place in California – zeroing in on a few queers here and there – starting with the gay guy with MS (specifically mentioning Emerson, since this is a one camera ‘comedy’ type situation, as in one point of view – more later), then the ‘stereotypical’ Butch-Femme match-up of book 2 (of which, the couple joked in this book here, book 5, that they’d be the ones to talk to the old guard queers, because of their Butch-Femme situation), then both a transgender story and a twist on the idea of what it means to be queer – with the third book focusing on a MF couple (one of whom is transgender (and ‘ethnic’), other one thought of themselves as being a lesbian before joining up with this man). Fourth book pulled in a ‘poly’ gay relationship.

So, what did book five pull in? At the outset it pulled in a woman who was willing to pretend to date another woman to ‘hold off’ on pressure from friends to ‘find someone’ to ‘help’ with this pregnancy hunt (more help hold hand, and the like, not help as in impregnate). Said woman, Zane, never planned to end up in an actual real relationship – it’s not in her plans, not on her list. No, she wants to get pregnant. And have a family that way. She’s not aromantic, or asexual though, no she’s a lesbian with a strong need to have a certain freedom that comes from being able to come home to your place, and bounce around naked – because no one else is there. Her ‘pretend’ girlfriend is a self-described pansexual woman, who has a kid of her own, and is and/or gives the impression of being chubby. That being Dred, who is also, as noted somewhere above, connected to an older woman named Aunt Florance who raised her and Obie (the story behind that might have been mentioned at some point, but if so, I missed it). Dred, or Mildred, is the individual who allows me to put the book on my ‘person of color’ shelf, being as she’s half-white/half-black.

Dred’s actual occupation is not one that I was able to pin down. As far as I could figure out, Dred has varying income – as in one month she might pull in 200 dollars, another month could see 500 or more; and somehow or another that income comes from photographing people getting married. I believe she’s a photographer who owns her own company. I could be wrong about that. It’s not easy to tell completely, since everything about her comes through Zane’s eyes since Dred doesn’t have a point of view of her own.

One interesting aspect of bouncing around among a group of people who know of each other – some closely, some more of a passing acquaintance, is the neat part of watching the POV pull in some side characters – and see them slightly differently than others have in the past (like Donald that old Asian dude who is a legend; or Fredi; or any of the main characters seen through someone else’s eyes).

Overall I enjoyed the book – it wasn’t as angsty as I thought it might end up being, though there were moments wherein I thought it might end up being. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a bunch of angst involved – about pregnancy, relationships, etc. Just . . . not an overwhelming amount.

I liked both main characters, and the individuals who they bumped into, though a reader really gets to know Zane more than anyone else. One of those unfortunate aspects of a one person point of view. Still, I got to know Dred and Zane well enough to like them together.

Last note: This book will be published February 27 2017.

Rating: 4.97

January 19 2017




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Finding Ms. Write edited by Jae and Jove Belle

Finding Ms. Write by Jae

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Consignment
by Elaine Burnes
New England, Bookstore, writer, bookstore owner

A bookstore owner and a writer hook up. Certain angst develops when the bookstore owner realizes what a writer can do if you piss them off (though different writer than one dating). Makes her afraid.

Okay story.

Rating: 3.7

November 5 2016


Cherry Park Pulp
by Jove Belle
New York (I think), 1950, writer

It's 1950 (I think, based on a line that it's been five years since the war ended) and a housewife has a book club. Her husband is cheating on her with one of her a) neighbors; b) friends, but the housewife doesn't really care because she's actually a lesbian. Oh, and secretly she's a successful lesbian writer (as in she's released lesbian pulp under a pen name).

Barb's book club has a shocking suggestion - the books lately have been boring, let's read lesbian pulp. Barb's somewhat panic-y that somehow they'll learn that she's a published author of lesbian books and somewhat distracted by Muriel - one of her friend's nieces who is 'obviously' a) a lesbian and b) flirting with her.

Several book club meetings go by. They've read several lesbian books. Muriel's flirtations increase with each meeting until . . . fumbling occurs. More stuff happens. The, abrupt, end.

Interesting story but it was kind of abrupt.

Rating: 3.45

December 28 2016


Books, Renovations, and a Vespa
by Melissa Grace
An editor attempts to do edits while renovations are going on at her house (where she also happens to work). One of the people who wander over to work on the place is a woman named Jo. Jo and Virginia Wolf (the editor) flirt and do flirting like stuff.

(view spoiler)[Or is it a writer writing about an editor and a female contractor? Yes, yes it is. (hide spoiler)]

Rating: 2

December 31 2016


Kindred Spirits
by Lea Daley
Grief, partner died, age-older-grey-hair

A story about two women whose partner's died (separately and by different means). One, whose partner passed away a while ago, attempts to help the other whose partner died six months ago.

A year or more passes.

A really nice, lovely story.

Rating: 4.98

January 13 2017


Between the Lines
by A.L. Brooks
London, Publishing Company

Creepy stalkerish vibe. Made me physically ill.

A woman works in a publishing company in London. She gets warned when she starts working there about a real ‘player’. That player openly, shortly thereafter, asks the main woman out. She – the main woman is horrified and shuns her. Attempts to date another woman though there is no spark.

Begins receiving notes – like inside her locked locker, in her purse, etc. That’s the creepy stalkerish vibe part. That’s just . . . wrong. Icky. Horrifying. Gross.

Rating: 0.005

January 14 2017


Romance on a Side Note
by Chris Zett
Book finder; mystery; family

Short, sweet. About an elderly lady looking for her long lost pen pal & the woman helping her look (from the POV of the helper) - hmms.

A woman works as a book finder – wandering book sales and the like, looking for specific books people want found. While at a library sale she gets knocked down by a woman screaming ‘mine!’ Did she really get involved in a fight at a library book sale? Or . . did she not? Turns out the woman who knocked her down is using a walker and claims she isn’t used to it – blames it on the accident.

And, it turns out, that woman was looking for a specific book. One she and another person wrote notes to each other in. When both, well at least one, was a kid – her family moved suddenly so she wasn’t able to let the other know. It’s been a really long time now, but she’d like the book again and heard of the sale.

The book finder, without being asked to do it, and on her own, begins a search. Along the way she bumps into a friendly librarian who she gets help from. And a little bit of flirting as well.

Neat story.

Rating: 3.9

January 15 2017



Wrote Trip
by Cori Kane
Age: 20s; Age: 30s; roadtrip; slice of life; age difference, Author/writer

Nice snippet, liked the characters. Ended abruptly. Not an actual full story.

Ooh – I was going to go with ‘no idea what this one is about, can’t recall it now’ but I believe this one is the hitchhiker one – woman in her thirties driving along – she has one last book in a trilogy to write but she just can’t get into it, so she needs a trip, a vacation from it all. Along the way she spots a woman on the side of the road and impulsively stops to pick her up – she has found that driving by herself on a roadtrip to be super boring.

Neat enough snippet – the two, the 20 year old hitchhiker, and the 30 year old author, have a nice little conversation. With flirting.

Rating: 4.12

January 15 2017


Orphans' Christmas
by Kathy Brodland
Age: 50s; Age: 60s; Holiday; Christmas

Nice story about retired people having a Christmas meal together.

Now this one I remember – I just don’t know what all else to write – one couple holds a Christmas meal for ‘orphans’ – people who are ‘celebrating’ Christmas by themselves. Including the main character. This is an older group of people – grey hair, the weight of years (and fat), the busted leg, the wheelchairs, etc.

Rating: 3.77

January 15 2017


Vegan Delights
by Hazel Yeats

Neighbors flirt with each other, write each other erotic stories involving themselves.

And that’s basically all I remember. And I only remember that because I’m reading it in front of my eyeballs. I really have no recollection of this story. And my helpful little snippet isn’t telling me anything – isn’t getting me any recall of the story. Mmphs.

Rating: 3.22

January 15 2017

Cruise
by Jacelle Scott
Cruise, Age . . . grey hair

Two women go on a cruise – share the same room. But they didn’t know each other beforehand – they just got ‘shared accommodation’ rooms on the cruise to nowhere cruise-ship.

My snippet I wrote in my status updates isn’t really fair – ‘well that one was kind of creepy’. I meant that in how I kind of didn’t like either character, and how condescending one was and . . well, stuff.

Rating: 3.15

January 18 2017


Sex Sells
by Jae
Writer, Editor
A woman is in public talking on the phone – specifically with her editor. She’s thinking of how to kill someone (then saying so loudly – again in public). Editor mentions something about how those books that include romance tend to sell a lot more copies than books like what the author currently writes (mysteries). They discuss this. Then fumbling over what a ‘date’ means.

Neat story. I want more stories involving these two characters. I like them. Sadly this is more of a snippet than anything else. It’s not even really a full short story. More of a snippet.

Rating: 4.15

January 18 2017


Faux Pas
by Anastasia Vitsky
Humor, BDSM, Writer
A wife of a writer tries to distract her wife by wearing new underwear (one of which says ‘spank me’ on them), then asking her BDSM author wife to spank her. The wife is distracted, confused, and not realizing what’s going on (not that she isn’t turned on by her wife, she just isn’t getting the message).

Leads to much fumbling around and humor. I read something recently that mentioned how the reviewer liked how the people in the sexual acts seemed ‘real’ in what they were reading (a cracking knee as a person stands, etc.), well here we have something similar. ‘Realness’. I might have given a slightly higher rating if there wasn’t ‘surprise’ BDSM sprung on people.

Rating: 4.20

January 18 2017

Overall

Consignment
by Elaine Burnes - 3.7

Cherry Park Pulp
by Jove Belle - 3.45

Books, Renovations, and a Vespa
by Melissa Grace - 2

Kindred Spirits
by Lea Daley - 4.98

Between the Lines
by A.L. Brooks - 0.005

Romance on a Side Note
by Chris Zett - 3.9

Wrote Trip
by Cori Kane - 4.12

Orphans' Christmas
by Kathy Brodland - 3.77

Vegan Delights
by Hazel Yeats - 3.22

Cruise
by Jacelle Scott – 3.15

Sex Sells
by Jae – 4.15

Faux Pas
by Anastasia Vitsky – 4.20
Overall rating: 3.38708




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