Sally Bend's Blog, page 20
July 29, 2024
Book Review: The Dominion and the Sugilite: Episode 6-7 by B.J. Frazier (erotica)
Episode 6 | Episode 7
Author: B.J. Frazier
Publication Date: June 28 & July 12, 2024
Genres: Erotica
Protagonist Gender: Various
The Dominion and the Sugilite is a serialized erotic science-fantasy soap opera by B.J. Frazier, one set on a female-ruled planet where the power exchange is the foundation of a fantasy-themed society fueled by the magic of gems known as sugilite. If you missed my review of the first 5 installments, you can catch up here.
There’s a lot going on here – it is, after all, a soap opera – and that makes it hard to talk about without getting into spoiler territory, so I’ll keep my notes to a thematic level.
One of the things Miss Frazier does with the series (and these chapters in particular) is play with expectations of gender and gender roles within a matriarchal femdom society. For instance, there’s a storyline involving Neelam & Dayra, two women who are breaking taboos by exploring a forbidden femdom/femsub relationship. Then there’s the epic catfight between two strong-willed Dominas that leads to a submissive male being asked to restrain them. Oh, and did I mention that one of the women has a daughter in a submissive rebellious phase?
For all the subversion of femdom roles and dynamics, however, men are not exactly elevated in the narrative to compensate. Obadiah is a distasteful, dirty old man, a preacher with (gasp!) a taste for young men, and Gaius is a horny centaur (with delightfully unique speech patterns) who delights in challenging the rules of the Dominion, going so far as to coerce a submissive male into penetrating a woman.
Whether you’re bingeing the series or devouring each new episode as it is released, this is episodic erotica that moves fast, shifts quickly between scenes, and always teases with a cliffhanger. I’ve got 2 more episodes waiting for me, so watch for those reviews soon!
Rating: 
My sincere thanks to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2024
Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!
Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Freebie Friday!
Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.
Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.
Enjoy!
July 24, 2024
Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The World Within by Dani Finn (romantasy)
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
My choice for this week is not just a lovely romantasy, but a lovely sapphic transfeminine romantasy. Squee!
The World Within
by Dani Finn
Romance, Fantasy
200 pages, ebook
September 14, 2024 by Dragonheart Press
Lila’s life is almost perfect.
She’s finally opened her luxury sex shop and wellness center in a rehabilitated ancient temple. The painted faces are lining up to buy the new alchemical vibrators and unwind in the spa and baths. And she gets to work with her two best friends every day.
So why is there an empty place in her chest?
Enter Avisse, the delivery woman, a single mom with a quick smile and eyes that flash from hard to soft in an instant. There’s a spark, and a kiss, and a promise of dinner next time Avisse is in town.
Until then, Lila’s got her hands full with the shop, not to mention the mystic portal she’s discovered in the temple basement. What lies beyond will turn their lives—and the World Within—inside out.
This steamy sapphic fantasy romance stars a transfeminine heroine and includes meditation magic, alchemical trans healthcare, and family lost & found.
The World Within is intended for an adult audience. Content warnings include explicit, consensual sex scenes, societal transphobia, and child peril.
It’s set in the Weirdwater universe and includes some characters from The Living Waters and Unpainted but is meant as a standalone.
July 23, 2024
Book Review: Dragons of Eternity by Weis & Hickman (fantasy)
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Publication Date: August 6, 2024 by Random House Worlds
Genres: Fantasy
Protagonist Gender: Various
Dragons of Eternity marks the end of an absolutely wonderful return to the world of Krynn, and an absolutely delightful reunion with the Heroes of the Lance. Nostalgia can be a finicky thing, with the magic of our youth often impossible to recapture, but Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman have absolutely nailed it. Reading this final chapter in Dragonlance Destinies, I was transported back to the floor outside my high school cafeteria where I lost myself in the original Dragonlance Chronicles.
If you’ve been following along with the trilogy, a combination of time travel and alternate realities has conspired to bring together Companions alive, dead, and not yet dead for a pivotal adventure. What began with Tasslehoff and grew to involve Raistlin and Sturm comes full circle here in more ways than one, taking us back to the fateful night that launched the original trilogy and opening up the story to the likes of Tanis, Flint, Laurana, Goldmoon, and more. The twist is that they’re converging from different timelines, which means there’s reuniting of friends on one side, urgent introductions to strangers on the other, and awkward explanations in between.
Alternate timelines/realities are one of my favorite tropes in fiction, while prequels are probably my least favorite, so I had mixed feelings going into this series, but Weis & Hickman have done a masterful job. Somehow they’ve managed to navigate things so that the story explores some fascinating what-if scenarios as they work to restore what should happen, but chaos allows for the kind of genuine tension you don’t often find in a prequel.
Kitiara and Flint are two notable beneficiaries of the Graygem’s chaos (for very different reasons), but it’s Raistlin who gets the biggest opportunity to alter his story (which I loved), and Tasslehoff who is presented with the biggest moral dilemma in restoring history (which tugged so hard at my heartstrings). This is a reunion with old friends, a chance to explore old stories in a new light, but it’s also a significant addition to the Dragonlance canon, both in terms of story and characters. Speaking of characters, I was not a fan of Destina in the first two books, often resenting how she was forced into a familiar story, but she comes into her own here and ultimately won me over.
A success in terms of nostalgia and storytelling, a triumph of recapturing familiar magic while creating something new, Dragons of Eternity is the kind of epic fantasy that just makes your soul sing.
Rating:
My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2024
Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!
Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Freebie Friday!
Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.
Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.
Enjoy!
July 17, 2024
Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Queen: A Novel by Nick Cutter (horror)
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
My choice for this week is the latest from the author of The Troop, The Deep, and Little Heaven – all of which I loved!
The Queen: A Novelby Nick Cutter
Epic Fantasy
384 pages, Hardcover
October 29, 2024 by Gallery Books
The national bestselling author of #HorrorBookTok sensation The Troop returns with a heart-pounding novel of terror about a young woman searching for her missing friend and uncovering a shocking truth.
On a sunny morning in June, Margaret Carpenter wakes up to find a new iPhone on her doorstep. She switches it on to find a text from her best friend, Charity Atwater. The problem is, Charity’s been missing for over a month. Most people in town—even the police—think she’s dead.
Margaret and Charity have been lifelong friends. They share everything, know the most intimate details about one another…but Charity carries a secret that even she is unaware of. A secret engraved into her DNA helix. For Charity is also known Subject Six, the crown jewel of Project Athena—a clandestine and unorthodox gene manipulation experiment, the brainchild of tech titan Rudyard Crate. And when Charity’s gene sequencing actualizes during a traumatic event at a high school party, it sets in motion a chain of events that will end in tragedy, bloodshed, and death.
And now Charity wants Margaret to know her story—the real story. In a narrative that takes place over one feverish day, Margaret follows a series of increasingly dreadful breadcrumbs as she forges deeper into the mystery of her best friend—a person she never truly knew at all…
Curious about what you’ve been missing? Read my previous reviews of Nick’s work HERE.
July 15, 2024
Book Review: The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston (fantasy)
Author: Cameron Johnston
Publication Date: August 13, 2024 by Angry Robot
Genres: Fantasy
Protagonist Gender: Female
“I’m getting too old for this shit.”
“This is my boomstick!”
“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
“Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!”
If you immediately recognize all four of those catchphrases, (a) you’re my kind of people, and (b) you’re the perfect audience for The Last Shield.
This is heroic fantasy for readers who aren’t afraid to get down and dirty, to be dragged through the mud, and to scrape and curse for every inch of progress. Cameron Johnston has crafted a tale that grabs you by the throat in the opening chapter and never lets go. It’s intense and brutal in a way that only grimdark usually is, but there’s an inescapable feeling of stubborn hope to it that’s gleefully infectious. You just know that, no matter how much it hurts, Briar is going to kill every traitorous son-of-a-bitch, even if it means dragging herself through hell to do it.
I picked this up because of the “gender-flipped Die Hard set in a mysterious castle” tagline, and there’s really no better way to put it. Swap out Bruce Willis for Linda Hamilton, change the setting from a downtown skyscraper to a medieval castle, and recast Helena Bonham Carter doing her best Angelina Jolie impression in Alan Rickman’s role, and you’ve got an idea of what to expect. There are tall towers, narrow staircases, secret passages, and an entire wing of the castle ready to fall down at the slightest misstep. Feeling old and tired, hobbled by a badly damaged leg, and left without even a sword, Briar has to outwit, outmaneuver, and outfight a small army of brigands, traitorous Shields from her own ranks, a deadly foe with a taste for poison, and a slightly mad sorceress.
The stakes? Oh, just the life of the Lord Regent, the future of the kingdom, and (should the villains get their hands on the vault of mystical weapons) the fate of the world.
Action-packed and populated by characters you’ll love to cheer for (and against), this is cinematic fantasy that demands a comfortable chair, a dark room, and plenty of popcorn. Briar is an amazing character, a woman you can’t help but admire, and the villains are well-developed as well, with personalities that make them immediately memorable. Yes, there’s violence galore, surprising brutality on both sides, and some shocking bits of magical mayhem, but there’s also hope, (dark) humor, humanity, and even a welcome twist on the romance at the heart of Die Hard. It’s a story that seems to hit a climax with every chapter, but there are always more villains to kill, more stairs to climb, more skeletons to face, and less time to do it.
I liked, but didn’t love, The Maleficent Seven, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of Cameron Johnston here. I really wanted more of what I’ve coined maturesmirk fantasy a la Kings of the Wyld or The Blacktongue Thief, and I’m pleased to say The Last Shield delivered. This is the most fun I’ve had between the pages of a book all year.
Rating:
My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2024
Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!
Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Freebie Friday!
Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.
Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.
Enjoy!
July 11, 2024
Book Tour: Song of Howls by M.D. Grimm.
M.D. Grimm has a new FF fantasy romance out, Sisters of Song book 2: Song of Howls. And there’s a giveaway!
As Alaiya reclaims her life, she never intended to capture the heart of a she-wolf.
Alaiya was trained by her parents to be the perfect wife. Due to her beauty, they knew they could entice a wealthy man to wed her and raise their status. She was a trophy, a prize, brought out to entertain like an obedient dog. Their efforts were rewarded when Lord Salazem claimed her to become his next wife, intent on adding her to his harem. But when two mighty dragons and her sister save her, Alaiya is given a new chance at life.
Determined to stand on her own and discover who she truly is, Alaiya has little interest in relationships. Even when she meets the silver-haired Talla, Alaiya pushes down her desire, unwilling to be caged again.
Talla is the alpha of her large wolf pack in the Firestar Mountains and knows Alaiya is her mate. She is entranced by Alaiya’s strength, courage, and loyalty, and is determined to prove herself as a worthy mate. But first she must overcome Alaiya’s barriers, which might prove to be her greatest challenge.
As Alaiya and her sister adjust to their new lives, they must secure their home from those who would take it from them. Including their parents. As Alaiya struggles to stand on her own, she learns that true strength lies in letting others stand beside her.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Venya and Alaiya are sisters born to greedy and selfish parents. One is neglected and the other exploited. Despite this–or because of it–they cling to each other, best friends as well as family. They find freedom in the mountain range beyond their city of birth… as well as unexpected chances at love with extraordinary beings.
Forging a new future is never easy, but with their unbreakable bond, and lovers and allies at their side, the impossible just might be attainable.
Giveaway
M.D. is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47312/?
Excerpt
For a moment, Alaiya forgot her own troubles and lived in the moment. She’d seen many such beautiful places in the Firestar Mountains but this one beat them all.
Wolves watched them descend, and Alaiya tried not to cower under their piercing stares. The valley was filled with adults, adolescents, and pups. No one approached them, and she had a feeling something significant was happening. Though she couldn’t determine what it was.
The mask she’d learned to wear as a child, that of societal pleasantries, slipped on as they stepped off the trail. Alaiya slid off Talla’s back and inclined her head to those nearby.
“Good evening. I am Alaiya. Thank you for watching over my sister, and for welcoming us into your home. We are in your debt.”
A few of the pups ran up as several adults approached. Tails were tucked, heads were down. Talla stayed beside her, watching them but also glancing at her. If Alaiya allowed herself to indulge in fantasy, she would have sworn she saw pride in Talla’s bright gaze.
Of course she stroked the puppies and offered the adults her hands to sniff. Feeling welcomed and trying not to be overwhelmed, Alaiya resisted reliving the recent dangers again. This was an extraordinary moment that shouldn’t be tarnished by the past. If spending her entire life under the thumb of her parents had taught her anything, it was to savor the good and beautiful for as long as possible.
When Alaiya’s stomach grumbled, Talla nudged the others away and jerked her head, wanting her to follow. Clearly, she was the alpha. Or one of the alphas. Didn’t wolf packs usually have a male and a female leader?
Alaiya tried to decipher if any of the others gave off the alpha vibe but she didn’t sense anything. Talla took her to a pile of fruit that appeared to have been recently picked and washed. There were apples, oranges, and grapes. When she hesitated, Talla nudged her forward lightly. She took a grape, and Talla’s mouth dropped open in a lupine grin.
Alaiya couldn’t resist smiling a little. “Thank you.”
Talla huffed and trotted off. Alaiya sat next to the fruit and munched. She curled into herself, feeling a bit chilled. Her clothes had seen better days, they were dirty and torn. She mourned the state of them. They were ones she’d found in the palace, and she liked the style. She was grateful for the variety of clothing for ladies in the palace, and since she was handy with needle and thread, it was a simple thing to make modifications as needed to fit her, and her sister’s, shapes better. Her parents had insisted she be adept at all manner of womanly tasks and pursuits, including how to sew her own clothing. She’d needed to be a prize catch after all.
She scowled at the memories.
The adult wolves left her alone, though a few pups crept closer, curious. She coaxed them nearer and ended up with four pups draped over her lap and cuddled at her sides. Their fluffy, warm bodies and playful squeaks calmed her. But despite her best efforts, recent events wouldn’t let her settle.
“What disturbs you?”
She jerked and looked up. Talla stood there, naked, hair like silver silk draped over her. Alaiya quickly turned away and cleared her throat. She flushed hot when Talla sat beside her. Though she didn’t touch her or draw closer, Alaiya felt her gaze like a touch. It itched. It burned.
“I… I’ve been through a lot.”
“I gathered that from what Venya said. Do you wish to speak about it?”
“No.”
Talla nodded and when one of the pups nuzzled her hand, she plucked him up and rubbed her face against his. Alaiya softened at the adoration.
“Is he yours?”
Talla smiled. “No. All my pups are grown with pups of their own. I have no desire for more.”
Alaiya frowned. “How old…? Never mind.”
Rude. Very rude question. All those weeks away from society had made her social skills rusty. She used to be far better at small talk and charming all she met.
Talla chuckled. The sound danced pleasantly along Alaiya’s skin. Damn.
“We age differently than humans. Though I can still have children, I have chosen to stop. Let the younger, stronger of my pack produce the next generations. This way, I get to enjoy the pups with little burden.”
So saying, she rubbed the pup’s tummy, and he wiggled with delight.
Alaiya grinned.
“Make sure to drink the water from the falls. It will cleanse you and heal you of any injuries or discomforts.”
“How?”
“This place was blessed by the gods long ago. A hint of their divinity remains.”
Their gazes met and held. Alaiya was struck with the directness of Talla’s stare. She exuded calm and confidence, a steadfastness that encouraged trust and dependency.
And that was a problem. Alaiya needed to stand on her own. She’d obeyed her parents for most of her life. Then she’d depended on Venya to rescue her. But now she had the freedom to be whoever she wanted to be. And she had no clue who that was. So she needed to find out and having a liaison with anyone—even this sexy she-wolf—was not part of the plan.
“That’s amazing. I wouldn’t have believed that a month ago. But after meeting the dragons and… This is a good place to live.”
“Yes. These mountains are sacred and must be protected.”
Alaiya sighed. “And our presence brings danger. If my parents hadn’t sold me to that no good—”
“‘Sold’?” Talla’s voice turned low and menacing.
Author Bio
M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!).
After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.
Author Website: https://www.mdgrimmwrites.com
Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/mdgrimmwrites
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdgrimmwrites
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4574220.M_D_Grimm
Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/
Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/
Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.D.-Grimm/e/B00I0KZMY6/
July 5, 2024
Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!
Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Freebie Friday!
Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.
Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.
Enjoy!
