Catch Me by Lorelie Brown

Catch Me by Lorelie Brown

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I've read two books by Brown before I read this one. I loved both of them. But have been very reluctant to try anything else by her for a rather simple reason - those two other books had something in common that the rest didn't have - those two books were FF romance books. The rest are/were MF romance books. Which is odd, in it's way, to be a deterant since I also read MF romance books. But still. Made me hesistant.

So, eventually, I finally broke down and tried one of them. The only one that interested me enough to try it. A western/historical novel. Set in the territory of Arizona, and the state of Texas. With a couple of minutes, so to speak, spent in New Mexico.

Because her father is deathly ill, is in an medical institution in Texas, and because 1) everything that could be turned into money has been turned into money - and hasn't been enough to pay the bills; 2) and because the local bank - which is owned and operated by her father's long time friend - turns down her request for help; a young woman of, if I recall correctly, 22 robs the local bank. And then zooms on over to Texas to turn the money over. To pay her father's bills.

Her father, who had been and still technically is, the sheriff of this small town is, naturally, not exactly pleased with her actions. But she had to do it. Because.

The mean old man who owns the bank, naturally, won't let her get away with this and so hires a bounty hunter. A very successful one. He's to hunt down, capture, and bring back this woman who has wronged him.

And so that man does. And he and the woman interact. And, for reasons that largely escape me, they engage in physical relations while she's a prisoner and being brought back to that small town.

The book had some interesting elements, and moments, but was rather too . . . melodramatic. And, sure did include much sexual relations in deed. A little too much. I was, frankly, bored during those moments, but don't assume they were poorly written (or written perfectly and with skill), for I mostly just skimmed those portions. Not really my kind of sex (less the MF nature of the thing, and more the kind presented as in - prisoner/captor + a bit of angry energy mixed in).

Well, I've now done it. Completed an MF book by that author who has given me two FF books that I've loved. I'm strongly inclined to now forgo the other MF books previously released and just take the FF (and potentially the MF) as they come down the pipeline.

That is all.

Rating: 2

December 14 2016



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Instameet by Camryn Eyde

Instameet by Camryn Eyde

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


My first story by this author.

Character, Chloe Bevan, opens the story wandering around Melbourne looking for 'the Instagram photo group she was looking for'. Spots a crowd. Wanders over. Checks out the lead woman of the group.

Chloe herself is from Brisbane. Which I make note of because, of all the Australian set stories I've read, the vast majority seem to be set in either some random small town in the outback or in Melbourne (like this story here). I'm not sure I've even read a story with someone from Brisbane before.

And . . . Chloe sure is taking a huge number of 'looks' of this lead woman. Evie. Sister of Jeanie - Chloe's roommate.

And so . . . the group gets some instructions (or the reader is told they were at some point) and breaks apart. Chloe wanders off with Evie - still constantly and openly eyeballing Evie. They head to a back alley and . . . look at wall art. Well, graffiti.

Okay - this is kind of confusing me. So Chloe is very much a non-touchy-feely type of person. So how'd she even allow herself to let the other person touch her hands, let alone hold it, then begin rubbing her thumb against her. Sure she apparently likes it but, you have to get to that point. My skin is crawling at the mere idea. Someone just grabbing hold and gripping your hand? And rubbing thumb against your skin? Yeah, my skin is crawling. eww.

'Evie smirked at her . . .' Save me from people who smirk (actually, save me from people using the word. Nails on chalkboard time. First touching, now smirking. I'm quite uncomfortable with this story).

'Evie smirked.' Evie, do you, I'm just asking really, have any facial expressions other than 'smirking'? 'Evie bit her lip and narrowed her eyes.' Ah, good, thanks.

Good grief Evie is touchy feely to the extreme. Extreme! I should stop attempting to read stories after midnight. I get goofy.

I do not really like Evie.

'Evie grabbed her arm . . .' 'Evie smirked' . . . ' 'Evie . . .' s an annoying character and I think I dislike her.

Wait, what? 'Chloe smiled and thought of the way the sun had enhanced the colours . . . [s]miling suddenly, Chloe fet a burst of happiness.' So Chloe's facial expression went from smiling to . . . smiling suddenly?

hehehe - um, there's like this massive wall of text now. For whatever reason there are no breaks. And I've been reading. There should be breaks. But instead this massive wall of text.

I'm . . I'm . . what? 'Chloe ... unable to withhold her smile . . . Chloe said, smiling as she squeezed Evie's hand in response' - 1) all of that is in same little few seconds, not lifted from here and there. I'm not even sure how to interpret all that smiling; 2) response to what?

And now I do not particularly like Chloe. So 2 for 2.

"Oh," Evie said as the only phone Chloe took came onscreen.

- I do not know what this means. Chloe stole a phone?

'Evie's smirk at Chloe didn't help.' - pfft. more smirking.

'The woman was smirking [Evie] at her in the reflection.' - I just made a loud noise of disgust. Surprised me, that did. The noise. The level of the noise. Brought on when I read the line above. And the smirking. I rather dislike the smug smirking Evie.

I . . . heh. Apparently Evie has 'liquid fire' pouring out of her panties. Liquid fire. hmms.

hehehehe - they are rolling around, mention of Evie's head bumping against a door, more rolling, Chloe bumping a swollen clit. Me giggling insanely as I accidentally read that wrong. I read it as rolling around, and Chloe accidentally rolling against a swollen clit which was about the same size as Evie's head. Goofy, I am.

I really have no idea what occured in that love scene. Body parts were flying around everywhere. Smooth muscles, and mouths, and necks, and fingers, a back, and some arms, and a pelvis.

Oh for . . . in the middle of mentioning lots and lots of body parts . . . don't include this line 'Evie asked, making Chloe cock her head with curiosity ...'. Now Chloe has a cock. Because. That's where my brain went. When, you know, the word 'cock' gets used in the middle of a sex scene.

Good god this is a really awkward conversation during/after/wherever they are in the act of sex. Also, Evie's apparently, we now learn, not a lesbian.

Very long sex scene. Awkward sex.

And why does every sex scene (okay, not really but still) have 'so beautiful' repeated every three seconds during the act? mmphs. (part of that 'not really' is the part wherein it only occurred a few times here).

Oh good grief. More smirking by Evie. AAAAAAAAAARGH.

Awkward uncomfortable story.

Rating: 2

December 14 2016



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Welcome to Your Afterlife by Stephanie Rabig

Welcome to Your Afterlife by Stephanie Rabig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Three reasons why I decided to do a reread of this short story: 1) I loved it the first time I read it but my reaction appears to be mostly unique among the readers of the story (who were at best ‘meh’ and at worst giving it half stars (as in only a half star) in rating; 2) I just read another short story which reminded me very much of this story and wanted to refresh this story in my mind (that would be Aidan Wayne’s ‘Making Love’; 3) it’s a short story of only 39 pages, it’s not like this would take me ages to read.

Hmm. Story opens with ‘It was hard to foretell death when everyone around whom you spent time was already dead.’ Oddly put, that. Past that first line, though, and I feel like I’ve come back to a restful comfortable place. The world of Renata – in an office, processing dead people.

Hey, I’d actually forgotten that Abigail was described as having tattoos and short hair with green tips. An oddball, to be sure. I like oddballs.

It is a rather short story, I realize. Maybe that’s what’s the hold up with others liking/not liking? No matter, I’ve read again – again loved the characters, place, and story. Again give 5 stars.

December 13 2016




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The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes

The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I was reluctant to read this one, and now I forget why I did. But I had read and enjoyed books by Hayes before - all but the most recent book in that NPC series were read and enjoyed.

This book was a series of short connected stories.

Really really boring man, who works as an accountant, was 'turned' into a vampire at some point prior to the start of this book. He is as boring now as he was before, and he didn't suddenly gain 'super-cool' . . . coolness. He's slimmer and doesn't need glasses any longer (though still wears them), but he has the same personality he had before he was turned.

First story involves Bob going to his high school reunion. Being bored. Being boring. Then watching as werewolves attack.

Second story involves . . . well, it's been too long to make sure I get these all correct. Let's just say that at some point there was a story where his new hot girlfriend drags him to a 'live role-play' thingie while on the way to the movies. A real life wizard like guy, and a zombie were meet.

Another story involved Bob and the gang (every story seems to increase the number of people in 'Bob's gang', from 'Bob', to 'Bob + girlfriend (highly qualified superagent type)', to 'Bob + girlfriend + zombie', to 'Bob etc + gay weresteed', to etc.). Right sorry. Another story involved Bob and the gang heading off to Las Vegas for . . I think Thanksgiving was mentioned. Though they are really there because the girlfriend's friend is in deep deep trouble and she's going to try to help.

Then the vampire who turned Bob returns to 'unleash' Bob. Whereupon it turns out that some of the 'humans' in the group might not actually be humans.

Was not a horrible book. Just . . . kinda boring.

December 18 2016



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Snowflakes by Suzie Carr

Snowflakes by Suzie Carr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Thoughts as I read -
Confusing story. Can't figure out which person has point of view - which is compounded by the fact I've no clue who anyone might be. Maybe it's a dog's thoughts? Can dogs be lesbians? Okay, probably not the dog's thoughts. Or . . maybe?

Odd family. Spending the night before Valentine's day (is Valentine's day Eve a thing?; I'd mention All Hallow's Eve here, but I'm already taking too long). Right, sorry, so on Valentine's Eve, a family gathered together to play trival pursuit. And drink shots of whiskey. Your answer is that little Timmy? Wrong! Drink your shot! (or 'right, drink your shot'). What an odd family.

'eyeing me with the energy of ten trains' line in story. About a dog. 1) That is either one powerful stare, or one weak one - notice it is the eye that has the energy of ten trains, not the wagging tail; 2) when I think of ten trains all together, I think of a train yard. And therefore picture them all sitting there. Silent. Unmoving. Powerless. Hence my 'or weak one' above.

Well, eventually I got the idea. Two people meet at a dog part, by accident. With their dogs. There's snow on the ground. And one tosses a ball around.

Ah darn. See, here I am bouncing along picking things here and there to pounce on, like a cat pouncing on string, and the story had to go and actually get me interested. With two people meeting for the first time. And both seem interesting. mmphs. Alice and Desiree.

You know, I got rather deep into this story, then it went and reminded me that it was a short story by abruptly ending. Ah well.

My second story I've read by this author. Even hough I had rather liked that first I'd read, I had held off trying another. Something about them didn't pull me in. But, in I went again.

I'd give this one a rating of 4. Longer and less . . . telling, drifting aimlessly, etc. and I'd probably rate it higher.

December 13 2016





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