Privacy Glass by Missouri Vaun

Privacy Glass by Missouri Vaun

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I didn't mean to leave this review box empty, I just couldn't think of anything to put here.

The series comes to a relatively satisfying conclusion. These seem to be less of what I would think of as 'full short stories' and more . . . well, more than snippets/scenes. If there is a term that means something in between, I am not aware of it.

On the way to attempting to create 'something' with a specific woman who Nash meets when her friend, Nash's friend I mean, ends up in the emergency room (actually, if I recall correctly, they meet first at a car crash, then later at the emergency room. Been months - this slow reading makes me forgetful, I'm used to reading things in days (at most) not this 'tiny pieces at a time over 4 months' approach). I've forgotten now what the exact nature of the 'issue' is, but that nurse put the brakes on a romantic relationship but was willing to have a friendship. Nash accepts that though wishes to change her mind. Over the course of four short stories. Meanwhile, while attempting to change the nurse's mind (none of the descriptions have that woman's name and I can't recall it now . . . hah - I was thinking 'Anna' and looked through my reviews - Anna is right), Nash 'fell into' several encounters with other women. Don't worry - Nash isn't 'cheating' on Anna - they aren't in a relationship. She meets baristas, neighbors, strippers, . . . um . . others in prior stories.

So, which random other woman does Nash end up 'wasting time' with while 'waiting' for Anna? Why, that would be Anna. Who has finally gotten around to allowing the concept that Nash might be allowed to date her. And so this story involves Nash taking Anna on a date to a friend's wedding (somewhat odd place for a date, but whatever). An ex (though not sure they actually were more than fuck-buddies) is there at the wedding and corners Nash in the bathroom. You can see how Nash kept 'falling' into threesomes and the like - Nash seems to have very little willpower - (view spoiler)[that woman, despite Nash being there on a date with another woman, and not wishing to 'do' anything with the woman who cornered her, has no power to stop the woman from unzipping Nash's pants and get inches from . . . stuff. Nash is saved, though. So . . .. (hide spoiler)]

I've read both a novel based on a comic series, and the first volume of that comic series - that remind me of this short story series. Not in story-line, but in tone. In a way. Well . . . kind of. In that the star of that comic series kept finding themselves in and out of relationships, sometimes with the same woman, sometimes with some other random woman, sometimes with a woman she 'accidentally' bought (mail order bride, and she didn't accidentally buy, her account was hacked, but still, the woman did turn up), while at the same time one or another woman remained that comic series' star's main desire. Like here. Wherein Nash kept bouncing around women while really desiring another. Okay - that's a random thought I had while reading this series. That I was reading a version of Jane's life (Jane being the woman from the comic series, Jane's World), though Nash seemed more polished than Jane.

I'm probably noticing a pattern that really isn't there. Probably knowing that both works were/are by the same author.

Right, this is what happens when I can't think of what to say. I babble.

This short story includes a scene at a wedding, includes several people from prior stories (including Nash's friend, who I think is named Webb; and 'green dress'; and Anna). Strangely, most of the story takes place outside of Orlando. Partially in Savannah Georgia (nice description of the place, brief, in the story), briefly in St. Augustine (I think) - though no description of the place is included (more of a 'stopped there for lunch' type of deal). And some brief portions in Orlando. I say ‘strangely’ since it had been mentioned that the series was stated, from the beginning, to be deeply connected to Orlando and that community. Interesting enough snippet.

Bah. This review. Mmphs. The point I was going to make never got made. Though fragments of it are littered about above. It was interesting to see Anna and Nash’s journey, though I’m half-‘n’-half on whether this would have been better as is (short stories) or as a novel. On the one hand, some of the ‘connective’ tissue missing would have to be put in for a coherent novel – and months wouldn’t have gone by while the story unfolded; while on the other hand, the numerous ‘side journey’s along the way fit more the short story format than a novel – at least, I’d have been annoyed to spend so much time bouncing around if I was reading a straight forward novel.

Rating: something around 3.50

February 7 2017




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Next Time by Robin Alexander

Next Time by Robin Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of the funniest books I've read in a while. I couldn't stop laughing. And I rather liked the relationships on display - between the main characters, the friends & sister.

If I didn't have that 'needs to be a reread' rule for my top star shelf, I'd seriously consider this book for that shelf.

Granted, this was a really fluffy book and I know some need more drama and angst (there was some, but outside forces)



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The Summer of Our Discontent by Robin Alexander

The Summer of Our Discontent by Robin Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Starting in roughly 1983, when both were pre-teens, and for roughly another 30 years, Faith ‘Chub’ Leblanc and Rachel Chauvin have been each other’s archrival/villain/enemy. Both were stubborn. Both were the kind of girl who’d much prefer getting dirty, and wandering the outdoors than being cooped up inside; both were quite similar, and ended up bumping into each other a lot. And both wanted to do what the other wanted to do – at the same time, and both were too stubborn to allow the other to go first. So, rivals. For 30 years. But for a moment here or there when college occurred. And, it should also be pointed out, Faith lost that ‘Chub’ nickname, given because she was, as might be expected, chubby – at least until about her senior year of high school.

Well, it’s some time in ‘contemporary time’. Dates were given for some childhood scenes, but I didn’t notice a date given for ‘present time’. Let’s call it something like 2013. Small town Louisiana, 2013.

Rachel has a kid of her own now and that leads directly into being thrust into a somewhat uncomfortable position. For right next door lives Faith, and while Faith herself doesn’t have any kids of her own, her sister Patty has recently moved in and has one – right around the same age as Kaycee (Rachel’s daughter). Sophie (Patty’s daughter) and Kaycee quickly become very friendly –f or they are quite similar in their desires of what they want to do – they are like miniature versions of Faith and Rachel – but without the stubborn streak that kept those two from becoming friends.

For the sake of her daughter, and for the sake of her niece, both Rachel and Faith attempt to tone down their rivalry . . and fail miserably. 30 years of pranks, stunts, name calling, and other antics is a long time to fall into a habit – one that won’t break easily.

Then the ‘worst of all worlds’ occurs, from both their perspectives – both end up being the adult chaperone’s on a 2 week summer camp trip – neither knowing the other was going until both showed up at the bus. Neither can now back out – they are there for the kids, Sophie and Kaycee to be specific.

After being literally caught rolling around the dirt fighting each other, the camp head informs Faith and Rachel that she’s going to make them leave if they don’t call a temporary truce. Neither wants to disappoint their blood relatives, so they attempt to restrain themselves.

Weeks pass, two to be exact. Stuff occurs, like swimming, and tackling massively huge snakes and weird scary camp visitors. And with the truce on, certain feelings leak out. And smother both of them.

A rather fun and exciting book. Hmm, exciting might not be the right word there. Well, humorous. Interesting. Fun. Enjoyable.

Rating: 4.90

February 2 2017




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Once Bitten by Kate Owen

Once Bitten
by Kate Owen
Pages: ?
Publish Date: February 8 2017
Publisher: Less than Three
Series: None

Review
Rating: 4.98
Read: January 26 to February 1 2017

*I received this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in return for a fair review.*

The book had an interesting beginning, quite readable, quite fun then things turned on me. At one point I was vaguely on edge of wondering if this one would end up being a book I'd like to DNF (put on my did not finish shelf for lack of being able to finish the book). That's the reason the book took somewhat longer than normal for me to read - I paused it grumbling.

Then I resumed reading after days of ignoring it and . . . well - I'd say that this book is somewhere within range of being one of the best werewolf books I've read. So, that happened.

The book stars Izzy Konning, lawyer - Federal Prosecutor, and Dr. Emma Douglas, medical doctor. They both have their point of views presented in this book, and are in a committed relationship with each other (to a certain extent). Though one has a secret that accidentally gets revealed at the start of the book.

You see, during a moment of sexual frenzy, it appears that Emma accidentally bit Izzy. Oh, you know, it happens. Izzy kind of laughed about it the next morning when Emma was all sad about the matter. Then Emma showed what was going on. By, you know, turning into a wolf. Strong, sane, mentally well-balanced - upon learning that she has accidentally been turned into a werewolf, freaked out and ran screaming out onto the Dallas streets (well, not literally screaming, more like she went for an unplanned, unorganized jog).

Naturally Izzy immediately ran into two fine young men who looked like 'hoodlums'. They got into an altercation. And things went differently than you might expect (no, not in the 'Izzy turned into a wolf and ate them' way). The two men forced her into a car and abducted her - because they knew she was a wolf - they could smell her - and she was in their territory without permission. But then, that is where she lived (Emma, who belonged to a different 'gang', or pack, had permission).

Strangely, Izzy ends up face to face with one of her targets as a federal prosecutor. A really evil man who was involved in such nice things as human trafficing and the like.

Turns out Julio is also a wolf - the head wolf, for that matter, for one of the two packs in Dallas. He plans to take advantage until he realizes that, by smell, Izzy was deeply connected to the daughter of the head of the other wolf pack in Dallas - and he is going to use this leverage - having the daughter's mate - to his advantage.

Meanwhile, he'll make some money off Izzy by including her in his 'wolf fight club'.

Things proceed from here, both in a manner expected, and in certain ways, unexpected.

As I noted above, this is one of those books that, unexpectedly, turned out better - much better - than I initially thought it would be. Exciting, thrilling, action packed. Wolves, vampires, witches, fae, demons, all represented in the book.

Despite the above, there were a few issues I had here and there - like a few 'scares' that the book was heading in particular directions I didn't want to go (but then didn't, so not an issue). But there were real serious 'problems' I ran across that almost kept me from enjoying the book (and one almost caused me to not finish the book). That one? - The part wherein the dominant wolves 'obviously' are male because . . . . um . . . no clue (females are submissives or omegas). That was a somewhat rage moment for me to move past. Glad I moved past it. By the way, it turns out Izzy is quite dominat so . . . naturally that means her wolf has massive balls . . . and penis (she's a 'morph' - female human, male wolf).

Right, so, I enjoyed the book.

Rating: 4.97

NOTE: the book will be available for purchase February 8th.

February 1 2017

Tilt-A-Whirl by Eva Indigo

Tilt-A-Whirl by Eva Indigo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was/is a hard book to stop reading (I do not mean that it is an easy read, I mean I found it difficult to stop reading). Only reason I didn't end up reading this in one gulp was tiny little minor things, like needing to go to work.

Like I noted in my review for the other book I read by this author (Laughing Down the Moon), this book was more of a slice of life 'dealing with things' than anything else (like, say, a romance). Though the main character did have a love interest to spend time with - and there were some borderline graphic sections - but the book is less about them than about Cassie's 'stuff to deal with plus some running scenes'.

Cassie is a professor at a university, has a long term girlfriend, a horrible mother, a less than great but not horrible father, an elderly cat (or an older cat), and the 'mother substitute' in the form of the nanny from Mexico. Oh, and - the mother sub is very ill, and Cassie may or may not be going insane - what with the very vivid visions she is having (starring, she thinks, herself in the future).

Not a book everyone would like, and didn't have the humor ' Laughing Down the Moon' had - though it did have emotions and stuff. Still, I liked the book.

Rating: 3.83

February 1 2017



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