What do you think?
Rate this book
Half Moon Bay #1
Fish Stick Fridays
Deacon Reid was born bad to the bone with no intention of changing. A lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge suits him just fine—until his baby sister dies and he finds himself raising her little girl.
Staring down a family history of bad decisions and reaped consequences, Deacon cashes in everything he owns, purchases an auto shop in Half Moon Bay, and takes his niece, Zig, far away from the drug dens and murderous streets they grew up on. Zig deserves a better life than what he had, and Deacon is determined to give it to her.
Lang Harris is stunned when Zig, a little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu, blows into his bookstore, and then he’s left speechless when her uncle, Deacon Reid, walks in hot on her heels. Lang always played it safe, but Deacon tempts him to step over the line… just a little bit.
More than a little bit. And Lang is willing to be tempted.
Unfortunately, Zig isn’t the only bit of chaos dropped into Half Moon Bay. Violence and death strike, leaving Deacon scrambling to fight off a killer before he loses not only Zig but Lang too.
Staring down a family history of bad decisions and reaped consequences, Deacon cashes in everything he owns, purchases an auto shop in Half Moon Bay, and takes his niece, Zig, far away from the drug dens and murderous streets they grew up on. Zig deserves a better life than what he had, and Deacon is determined to give it to her.
Lang Harris is stunned when Zig, a little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu, blows into his bookstore, and then he’s left speechless when her uncle, Deacon Reid, walks in hot on her heels. Lang always played it safe, but Deacon tempts him to step over the line… just a little bit.
More than a little bit. And Lang is willing to be tempted.
Unfortunately, Zig isn’t the only bit of chaos dropped into Half Moon Bay. Violence and death strike, leaving Deacon scrambling to fight off a killer before he loses not only Zig but Lang too.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2015
138 people are currently reading
1087 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Ford
79 books1,890 followersRhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist and a multiple Gold and Silver Medalist by the Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards. She is published by Dreamspinner Press, DSP Publications and Rogue Firebird Press.
She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews
December 4, 2015
You should read the book just for Zig.
She is a little girl who her uncle is working on to stop swearing, she is NOT precocious, she is smart and worldly and heart-breakingly vulnerable and in need of love and craves her uncle's love at the same time she pretends he's a nuisance.
You should read the book just for Lang.
He is the rich guy next door who is quiet and beautiful who was hurt physically, emotionally, and who needs to be loved fiercely and completely. He's the one who will trust again and be rewarded for his courage and be able to gift his own incredible heart. There's no way not to ache for him.
Mostly, though, you should read the book for Deacon.
Deacon is a bad boy with a heart of tarnished gold. He's possessive and growly and the kind of guy who will wear a tutu on his motorcycle to pick up his niece for solidarity. He's all swaggering beautiful, sexy, alpha male but tender with his niece and romantic with Lang. There is no way not to fall head-over-heels in love with Deacon Reid. I dare you. Just the man's voice, whispering words of praise to Zig, comfort to Lang, will make you sigh.
And by the way, there's a scary mystery in here as well that needs to be unraveled just in case the romance and family-building isn't enough. You should read this now.
She is a little girl who her uncle is working on to stop swearing, she is NOT precocious, she is smart and worldly and heart-breakingly vulnerable and in need of love and craves her uncle's love at the same time she pretends he's a nuisance.
You should read the book just for Lang.
He is the rich guy next door who is quiet and beautiful who was hurt physically, emotionally, and who needs to be loved fiercely and completely. He's the one who will trust again and be rewarded for his courage and be able to gift his own incredible heart. There's no way not to ache for him.
Mostly, though, you should read the book for Deacon.
Deacon is a bad boy with a heart of tarnished gold. He's possessive and growly and the kind of guy who will wear a tutu on his motorcycle to pick up his niece for solidarity. He's all swaggering beautiful, sexy, alpha male but tender with his niece and romantic with Lang. There is no way not to fall head-over-heels in love with Deacon Reid. I dare you. Just the man's voice, whispering words of praise to Zig, comfort to Lang, will make you sigh.
And by the way, there's a scary mystery in here as well that needs to be unraveled just in case the romance and family-building isn't enough. You should read this now.
December 6, 2015
4.5 Stars!
This one was really good. I wasn't sure what to expect, I haven't read a lot of Rhys Ford's books.
This one seemed to have a little bit of everything. Some suspense, some humor, some steam.
For all of Deacon's hardness he was super sweet with Lang. It was a slow build to them getting together (took most of the first half of the book) but I didn't mind. Once they did get together...they were together. There wasn't a lot of steam the first half. But the second half made up for it.
The real show stealer was Zig though, Deacon's adopted niece. She was foul-mouthed and spunky and really kept things interesting.
Overall, a great start to this series and I can't wait to see whose book might be next. I wouldn't mind reading about West, Lang's twin brother! I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him!
Definitely recommend!
This one was really good. I wasn't sure what to expect, I haven't read a lot of Rhys Ford's books.
This one seemed to have a little bit of everything. Some suspense, some humor, some steam.
For all of Deacon's hardness he was super sweet with Lang. It was a slow build to them getting together (took most of the first half of the book) but I didn't mind. Once they did get together...they were together. There wasn't a lot of steam the first half. But the second half made up for it.
The real show stealer was Zig though, Deacon's adopted niece. She was foul-mouthed and spunky and really kept things interesting.
Overall, a great start to this series and I can't wait to see whose book might be next. I wouldn't mind reading about West, Lang's twin brother! I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him!
Definitely recommend!
December 5, 2015
You know, I’ve never read a Rhys Ford book I didn’t absolutely love. Of course, this is no exception. It comes as a surprise to absolutely no one that, even though this one is quite a bit different from her others, I adored everything about it.
Fish Stick Fridays is lighter than her normal fare. Yes, there’s still guns and violence but not to the extreme that you usually see when it comes to her stories.
Deacon is a bad boy. He’s been in trouble with the law on and off since childhood. He’s a fucked up mess. A fucked up mess who, for some reason, the state saw fit for custody of his sister’s little girl. He wants her to grow up better than he did, hell, better than she has so far, so he picks up his life and moves them both to Half Moon Bay where he’s bought a run down mechanic shop, hoping to make something of his existence. Hoping for normal. There, he meets Lang.
Lang owns the local bookstore just on the other end of the little shopping plaza where the auto shop is located. Though he also owns pretty much the whole town, he doesn’t flaunt it. You see, Lang has some secrets from his past that he’s trying so very hard to forget. He’s looking for his own bit of normal, whatever that is.
Deacon, a big, strong gorgeous motorcycle enthusiast.
Lang, a beautiful, demure, book nerd.
A love story about opposites attracting and overcoming the odds to be together.
Sounds great, right? Heh. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Because, you see, this story may have a romance in it and it may even be the main plot but that’s not what this book is really all about. No, this story is so much more than that. And that’s all due to Zig.
Zig. Zig Zig Zig. Man, I love that girl! A tiny little eight year old with more attitude than an episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Zig wears tutus with combat boots. She gets into fights and she cusses so much she could make a sailor blush. But the wonderful thing about her, and this is testament to the author’s writing ability, is that she isn’t precocious. Even through all of her bluster and grumpiness you could still see the young, scared child that still sleeps with a night light and just wants to make a friend. A very realistic portrayal of a girl who’s had an extremely hard life up until now and is just trying to figure out where she fits in with this crazy thing called Life.
I could wax poetic about Rhys’s writing ability. I could go on and on about how descriptive her words are and how she can make you feel like you’re not just reading the story but actually living it with the characters. I could tell you about how she makes you laugh and cry and shout out angrily when evil’s afoot. I could even squee and flail around about all the Labyrinth and The Princess Bride references she sneaks into the story. But why would I when you can just experience the awesomeness for yourself? Go read the book, people. It’s a great story.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2019
Harleys, tutus and explosions
A little girl with quite an attitude gives ex-bad boy Deacon Reid an epiphany moment about his criminal lifestyle...
Realizing something's got to give, he claims responsibility for his eight-year-old niece after the death of his little sister and burns his bridges behind himself by starting over in Half Moon Bay as the new owner of an old auto shop.
Getting his life back on the straight and narrow is not as easy as it sounds, though. Especially when his past catches up with him, Zig is being quite a handful,
and his sexy neighbor and bookstore owner, Lang Harris, who both Deacon and Zig have an immediate connection to and who proves to be the one who can make Deacon's new life complete, has his own ghosts of the past haunting him. Suddenly bullets are flying, things are exploding and nightmares are about to come true...
Whoa! There was a lot going on in this little book and even if it took me a bit to get into it, I enjoyed the ride. I absolutely adored Deacon and was amazed at how he handled everything, Lang grew on me after a short while and Zig... is definitely something else! LOL. This is a story where I didn't mind the insta-love because Deacon and Lang were great together.
Spencer Goss was a new to me narrator, but I will check out more of him, that's for sure. He did a great job with this audiobook in my opinion, although Zig's voice made me wince sometimes. Kid's voice are difficult, though, so overall he did good, I'll give him that. :) Right on to the next!
A little girl with quite an attitude gives ex-bad boy Deacon Reid an epiphany moment about his criminal lifestyle...
Realizing something's got to give, he claims responsibility for his eight-year-old niece after the death of his little sister and burns his bridges behind himself by starting over in Half Moon Bay as the new owner of an old auto shop.
Getting his life back on the straight and narrow is not as easy as it sounds, though. Especially when his past catches up with him, Zig is being quite a handful,
and his sexy neighbor and bookstore owner, Lang Harris, who both Deacon and Zig have an immediate connection to and who proves to be the one who can make Deacon's new life complete, has his own ghosts of the past haunting him. Suddenly bullets are flying, things are exploding and nightmares are about to come true...
Whoa! There was a lot going on in this little book and even if it took me a bit to get into it, I enjoyed the ride. I absolutely adored Deacon and was amazed at how he handled everything, Lang grew on me after a short while and Zig... is definitely something else! LOL. This is a story where I didn't mind the insta-love because Deacon and Lang were great together.
Spencer Goss was a new to me narrator, but I will check out more of him, that's for sure. He did a great job with this audiobook in my opinion, although Zig's voice made me wince sometimes. Kid's voice are difficult, though, so overall he did good, I'll give him that. :) Right on to the next!
February 8, 2016
If the kid wasn't in this one, it might have been a bit of a bust. Bit too much insta love for me.
Away from home so not really doing full reviews.
Away from home so not really doing full reviews.
February 28, 2017
4.5 Dumbfounded Stars
Well that took me a bit by surprise. Now, I haven’t read all of Ford’s works but there’s a certain formula that’s totally signature for her and I admit, I do take her stories with a grain of salt. She’s definitely gonna give you insta-love. She’s gonna throw a lot of pretty words at you. She’s gonna give you some great smex, ranging from Sinner's over the top intensity to Mcginnis’s gritty realism.
However, I have to say that this might just be my favorite, because despite all of the above, this time around it was different. Oh no doubt there’s insta love and many a pretty word, but there was perhaps a more real, matter of fact, and plausible vibe that just worked for me. I know I’m not making much sense, but I do know for sure that I’ve never teared up so much in a Ford book. Ever. I’m talking multiple times people (which is no easy feat), and I definitely take that into consideration when rating a read. It’s like a right of passage - make me cry - half stars are awarded.
So again, I can’t quite pinpoint why this story had that extra something that just made it stand out (though the fantastic narration didn’t hurt one bit), because there isn’t anything here that’s new to the world of romance writing. You’ve got complete opposites Deacon and Lane who meet, and of course the attraction is immediate, followed pretty quickly by “I love you’s”. It’s predictably the very disparate differences that really make these two work. Rough and tumble Deacon, already made a softie by taking care of his niece, is going the straight and narrow and hardly knows what to do when he’s confronted by the affluent neighbor who owns the bookstore next door. Lane with his own awful past isn’t intimidated. For the first time, in a long time, he’s invigorated and feels safe with the imposing man. The smex is actually pretty tame compared to some of Ford’s other works, but is still intimate and sexy.
I’ll just have to give credit where due and say it’s obviously the writing that just really worked for me this time around. The dialogue was top notch, where the stuff that comes out of these guys’s mouths made me laugh and swoon and tenderized my tough old heart. Of note, there is a precious, snarky, but vulnerable kid in this fic that contributed to the above emoting, so if kids in your stories aren’t your thing, then this is probably not going to float your boat.
Overall, a great romance that I obviously enjoyed immensely. Whatever voodoo Ford put into this story, I’m keeping my fingers crossed the sequel delivers just as successfully.
Well that took me a bit by surprise. Now, I haven’t read all of Ford’s works but there’s a certain formula that’s totally signature for her and I admit, I do take her stories with a grain of salt. She’s definitely gonna give you insta-love. She’s gonna throw a lot of pretty words at you. She’s gonna give you some great smex, ranging from Sinner's over the top intensity to Mcginnis’s gritty realism.
However, I have to say that this might just be my favorite, because despite all of the above, this time around it was different. Oh no doubt there’s insta love and many a pretty word, but there was perhaps a more real, matter of fact, and plausible vibe that just worked for me. I know I’m not making much sense, but I do know for sure that I’ve never teared up so much in a Ford book. Ever. I’m talking multiple times people (which is no easy feat), and I definitely take that into consideration when rating a read. It’s like a right of passage - make me cry - half stars are awarded.
So again, I can’t quite pinpoint why this story had that extra something that just made it stand out (though the fantastic narration didn’t hurt one bit), because there isn’t anything here that’s new to the world of romance writing. You’ve got complete opposites Deacon and Lane who meet, and of course the attraction is immediate, followed pretty quickly by “I love you’s”. It’s predictably the very disparate differences that really make these two work. Rough and tumble Deacon, already made a softie by taking care of his niece, is going the straight and narrow and hardly knows what to do when he’s confronted by the affluent neighbor who owns the bookstore next door. Lane with his own awful past isn’t intimidated. For the first time, in a long time, he’s invigorated and feels safe with the imposing man. The smex is actually pretty tame compared to some of Ford’s other works, but is still intimate and sexy.
I’ll just have to give credit where due and say it’s obviously the writing that just really worked for me this time around. The dialogue was top notch, where the stuff that comes out of these guys’s mouths made me laugh and swoon and tenderized my tough old heart. Of note, there is a precious, snarky, but vulnerable kid in this fic that contributed to the above emoting, so if kids in your stories aren’t your thing, then this is probably not going to float your boat.
Overall, a great romance that I obviously enjoyed immensely. Whatever voodoo Ford put into this story, I’m keeping my fingers crossed the sequel delivers just as successfully.
October 30, 2017
Reread October 2017
I enjoyed this a little more this time around I think. My only complaint, same as last time, was again, the writing is "flowery". It just seemed a bit unnecessary to me. But overall, still a nice sweet read.
June 2016
I enjoyed this for the most part. I loved Deacon. He was so good to Lang and Zig. I loved how they were a couple almost the whole book with no relationship drama. And I loved their relationship and how they were together. Zig was one cussing smart cookie. She was adorable! I was glad she accepted Lang easily as well.
The outside drama was a little far fetched as was the villain and the climax but overall was okay. The writing is a little "flowery" for lack of a better word. Sometimes things were described in terms I just thought were a little weird but it still flowed. There were only two sex scenes not overly erotic but seemed to fit their relationship.
Overall, it was a nice read.
I enjoyed this a little more this time around I think. My only complaint, same as last time, was again, the writing is "flowery". It just seemed a bit unnecessary to me. But overall, still a nice sweet read.
June 2016
I enjoyed this for the most part. I loved Deacon. He was so good to Lang and Zig. I loved how they were a couple almost the whole book with no relationship drama. And I loved their relationship and how they were together. Zig was one cussing smart cookie. She was adorable! I was glad she accepted Lang easily as well.
The outside drama was a little far fetched as was the villain and the climax but overall was okay. The writing is a little "flowery" for lack of a better word. Sometimes things were described in terms I just thought were a little weird but it still flowed. There were only two sex scenes not overly erotic but seemed to fit their relationship.
Overall, it was a nice read.
December 13, 2018
Audio - 4.5 stars
Story - 3.5 stars round up for Zig
I loved Deacon. I loved Lang. I loved the tough, foul mouthed 8 year-old little girl, Zig. But I'm not sure I loved the story. On the one hand, there's a relationship developing. On the other hand, there's all this violence happening. The two weren't coming together to hold my attention as one story. The book is only 200 pages long, and it's as standalone. Too much was happening in the too short amount of pages.
Story - 3.5 stars round up for Zig
I loved Deacon. I loved Lang. I loved the tough, foul mouthed 8 year-old little girl, Zig. But I'm not sure I loved the story. On the one hand, there's a relationship developing. On the other hand, there's all this violence happening. The two weren't coming together to hold my attention as one story. The book is only 200 pages long, and it's as standalone. Too much was happening in the too short amount of pages.
November 4, 2016
THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE!
Deacon "Deke" Reid isn't a paragon of society. He's has a rough life, makes no apologies, and didn't really give a shit what anyone thought - until his little sister dies leaving her six year old daughter, Bobo "Zig" Ziegfried, behind.
In the process of doing this he sells most of his belongings—anything worth anything, leaving him with a battered truck, a Harley Road King and a matching sidecar - piles everything, including Zig, he had left so he could be the sole owner of Artie's Motors, a mechanic's shop in a California coast town called Half Moon Bay.
Lang Harris is a bookshop owner and property landlord in Half Moon Bay and has his own horror-filled past and problems to work through. One look at Zig and he's smitten, one look at Deke and he's a goner. Deke's equally gone over Lang and the two begin seeing each other.
This story starts off with a BANG! and barrels through to the ending with only a few pauses to let you catch your breath. It's exhilarating, invigorating, crazy, delightful, and exciting.
Side Note: Wondering how the book gets it's name? In the Reid/Ziegfried house every Friday is Fish Stick Fridays.
Some of my favorite moments are when the story calms down a bit in places and you get to see the relationship between Deke and Zig and Deke and Lang develop and grow. The love that Deke has for Zig is so transparent and lovely to witness. It's the highlight of the story for me. Though, as per usual with one of Rhys Ford stories, I wasn't disappointed with the humor and, like always, I enjoyed the references to other books and book characters.
Bottom line: I had a rollicking good time reading this and will be looking forward to more stories set in Half Moon Bay!
Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
Deacon "Deke" Reid isn't a paragon of society. He's has a rough life, makes no apologies, and didn't really give a shit what anyone thought - until his little sister dies leaving her six year old daughter, Bobo "Zig" Ziegfried, behind.
Determined to make a better life for Zig, Deke decides to do whatever it takes to get custody of Zig and raise her right. With a misdemeanor prison stint hanging over his head and an iffy career at building custom bikes, Child Protective Services and the Family Court definitely hadn’t bent over backward to give him the kid. It’d taken nearly eight months of wrangling, pleading, and rearranging his life back in Atlanta before someone finally decided to give Zig over.
In the process of doing this he sells most of his belongings—anything worth anything, leaving him with a battered truck, a Harley Road King and a matching sidecar - piles everything, including Zig, he had left so he could be the sole owner of Artie's Motors, a mechanic's shop in a California coast town called Half Moon Bay.
Lang Harris is a bookshop owner and property landlord in Half Moon Bay and has his own horror-filled past and problems to work through. One look at Zig and he's smitten, one look at Deke and he's a goner. Deke's equally gone over Lang and the two begin seeing each other.
You—I took one look at you, and I felt like someone’d punched me in the face. I wanted you.
This story starts off with a BANG! and barrels through to the ending with only a few pauses to let you catch your breath. It's exhilarating, invigorating, crazy, delightful, and exciting.
Side Note: Wondering how the book gets it's name? In the Reid/Ziegfried house every Friday is Fish Stick Fridays.
Some of my favorite moments are when the story calms down a bit in places and you get to see the relationship between Deke and Zig and Deke and Lang develop and grow. The love that Deke has for Zig is so transparent and lovely to witness. It's the highlight of the story for me. Though, as per usual with one of Rhys Ford stories, I wasn't disappointed with the humor and, like always, I enjoyed the references to other books and book characters.
Bottom line: I had a rollicking good time reading this and will be looking forward to more stories set in Half Moon Bay!
Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
June 30, 2016
I thought after reading the blurb this was going to be a for sure winner for me. But it wasn't. It wasn't a hit but not necessary a miss either. It just kind of fell somewhere between that. I usually love whatever I read by this author but this happens to be the second one I didn't necessarily love. Just goes to show, once again, you won't love everything a favorite author puts out.
I think what really had me struggling with the book was the characters. I didn't connect with either of the MC's and their romance seemed rushed and not entirely believable for me. I did like Zig. She was the most realistic character for me.
I think the style of the writing kind of threw me off as well. It felt too wordy. And what I mean by that is it didn't seem like there wasn't enough conversations going on between the MC's. Most of the talking was going on up inside their heads. The MC's seem to be around each other enough just didn't talk a lot to each other. Which annoys me.
So although it wasn't love, it was definitely like.
I think what really had me struggling with the book was the characters. I didn't connect with either of the MC's and their romance seemed rushed and not entirely believable for me. I did like Zig. She was the most realistic character for me.
I think the style of the writing kind of threw me off as well. It felt too wordy. And what I mean by that is it didn't seem like there wasn't enough conversations going on between the MC's. Most of the talking was going on up inside their heads. The MC's seem to be around each other enough just didn't talk a lot to each other. Which annoys me.
So although it wasn't love, it was definitely like.
September 20, 2016
Review written September 19, 2016
3 1/2 Stars - Enjoying goodfeel sweetness with the usual RF speedy action
A quite new (March 2016) standalone by the usually very good M/M romance writer Rhys Ford. I've read most of her books and series and was looking forward to this one with the intriguing title Fish Stick Friday's.
All in all a pretty good "read". You get what's to expect.
**********************************************
Half Moon Bay, somewhere in northern California, US ...
It all start when Deacon Reid, with a lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge, is arriving with his 8 years old motherless niece Zig (Bobo Ziegfried). These new (small town) Half Moon Bay citizens in plan are to get their living from the newly (unseen) purchased auto shop. Together will they create a nice (safe) future family life.
Next to the auto shop is a bookstore and the owner, « Lang Harris is stunned when Zig, a little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu blows into his bookstore, and then he’s left speechless when her uncle, Deacon Reid walks in, hot on her heels. Lang always played it safe but Deacon tempts him to step over the line… just a little bit. »
You really feel the Rhys Ford style here. We get her mix of hot sëxy gay-steam, insta love and as always these action filled parts with nasty baddies. Not overly much drama or angst, just nice (easy to love) characters. I like her way to put in family members and great to follow second characters as well. (This time an adorable tough little kid-girl in Zig.) — I got some lovely M/M love, a promising end and I'm all in all pleased.
Audiobook and narrator...
A WSfV for just $3 — 7 hours narrated well and in a touchy-feely romantic and hot way by a very professional Spencer Goss. He was new for me but I'm impressed. Will look for more well narrated stories by this husky male voice.— I truly enjoyed.
**********************************************
I LIKE - a über cute tough small girl in my romance too
3 1/2 Stars - Enjoying goodfeel sweetness with the usual RF speedy action
A quite new (March 2016) standalone by the usually very good M/M romance writer Rhys Ford. I've read most of her books and series and was looking forward to this one with the intriguing title Fish Stick Friday's.
All in all a pretty good "read". You get what's to expect.
**********************************************
Half Moon Bay, somewhere in northern California, US ...
It all start when Deacon Reid, with a lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge, is arriving with his 8 years old motherless niece Zig (Bobo Ziegfried). These new (small town) Half Moon Bay citizens in plan are to get their living from the newly (unseen) purchased auto shop. Together will they create a nice (safe) future family life.
Next to the auto shop is a bookstore and the owner, « Lang Harris is stunned when Zig, a little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu blows into his bookstore, and then he’s left speechless when her uncle, Deacon Reid walks in, hot on her heels. Lang always played it safe but Deacon tempts him to step over the line… just a little bit. »
You really feel the Rhys Ford style here. We get her mix of hot sëxy gay-steam, insta love and as always these action filled parts with nasty baddies. Not overly much drama or angst, just nice (easy to love) characters. I like her way to put in family members and great to follow second characters as well. (This time an adorable tough little kid-girl in Zig.) — I got some lovely M/M love, a promising end and I'm all in all pleased.
Audiobook and narrator...
A WSfV for just $3 — 7 hours narrated well and in a touchy-feely romantic and hot way by a very professional Spencer Goss. He was new for me but I'm impressed. Will look for more well narrated stories by this husky male voice.— I truly enjoyed.
**********************************************
I LIKE - a über cute tough small girl in my romance too
February 13, 2016
BR with Mish
3.5 stars
This book was borderline batshit. There were multiple storylines, a romance that took off running, a wild child, and a large cast of secondary characters.
In other words, this was exactly the kind of fast-paced book that I've come to expect, and enjoy, from Rhys Ford.
I absolutely loved Zig. Kids in MM books are a hit or miss for me. Most often I find that they're way too mature for their ages. The kids end up being very unbelievable. In 'Fish Stick Fridays', Zig was just a kid. A bratty, hell-raising kid with a mouth that could make a sailor blush, but still a kid. I thought the author was effective in portraying a child that had obviously gone through a rough time, but had still held on to her childhood.
Even better was seeing Deke's relationship with Zig. Deke doesn't have any natural paternal instincts, so his attempts at being a father were at times hilarious. But they were mostly just sweet. I would have really liked to have seen more of Zig and Deke's relationship from when they first met.
Lang took a bit getting used to. At first, I thought he was more a secondary character to Deke and Zig. But I warmed up to him once he and Deke began spending more time together. I could also completely understand where Lang was coming from. Hot guy on a bike who clearly screams 'danger'? I'd be a bit of a birdbrain too. I thought that the two were a great pair, helping each other overcome their demons.
However, I do think that the romance moved a bit too fast. It seemed like it was only days before Lang and Deke went for strangers to life-long lovers. I would have liked more relationship development before the two began thinking about forever. Though I'm not a fan of insta-love generally, so it's probably a matter of preference.
The action kept me very entertained. I've became used to Rhys Ford's love of throwing in as many bodies and explosions as she can get away with, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a good read. It's action-packed, has a sweet romance, and an underlying theme of love and family that worked well. 'Fish Stick Fridays' is a solid start to the Half Moon Bay series.
3.5 stars
This book was borderline batshit. There were multiple storylines, a romance that took off running, a wild child, and a large cast of secondary characters.
In other words, this was exactly the kind of fast-paced book that I've come to expect, and enjoy, from Rhys Ford.
I absolutely loved Zig. Kids in MM books are a hit or miss for me. Most often I find that they're way too mature for their ages. The kids end up being very unbelievable. In 'Fish Stick Fridays', Zig was just a kid. A bratty, hell-raising kid with a mouth that could make a sailor blush, but still a kid. I thought the author was effective in portraying a child that had obviously gone through a rough time, but had still held on to her childhood.
Even better was seeing Deke's relationship with Zig. Deke doesn't have any natural paternal instincts, so his attempts at being a father were at times hilarious. But they were mostly just sweet. I would have really liked to have seen more of Zig and Deke's relationship from when they first met.
Lang took a bit getting used to. At first, I thought he was more a secondary character to Deke and Zig. But I warmed up to him once he and Deke began spending more time together. I could also completely understand where Lang was coming from. Hot guy on a bike who clearly screams 'danger'? I'd be a bit of a birdbrain too. I thought that the two were a great pair, helping each other overcome their demons.
However, I do think that the romance moved a bit too fast. It seemed like it was only days before Lang and Deke went for strangers to life-long lovers. I would have liked more relationship development before the two began thinking about forever. Though I'm not a fan of insta-love generally, so it's probably a matter of preference.
The action kept me very entertained. I've became used to Rhys Ford's love of throwing in as many bodies and explosions as she can get away with, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a good read. It's action-packed, has a sweet romance, and an underlying theme of love and family that worked well. 'Fish Stick Fridays' is a solid start to the Half Moon Bay series.
May 21, 2017
Oh. My. God. I loved, loved, loved Spencer Goss' narration!!! I mean, where did this guy come from?!
Spencer Goss knocks this out of the park! HOME RUN! Absolutely FANTASTIC narration! I cannot wait to hear more from him!
Seriously, I haven't been this excited to listen to a new narrator since Matthew Shaw and Ezekiel Robison...and I think everyone knows how much I fangirl those two!
It doesn't hurt that the story itself it thoroughly enjoyable. Click here for my review of the story.
This story starts off with a BANG! and barrels through to the ending with only a few pauses to let you catch your breath. It’s exhilarating, invigorating, crazy, delightful, and exciting.
Bottom line: I had a rollicking good time reading this and will be looking forward to more stories set in Half Moon Bay!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Audio copy of Fish Stick Fridays provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
July 11, 2016
5 Stars - Audiobook Review
This is the first book that I have read by author Rhys Ford and I will be back for more - This was a great book! It has if all - romance, mystery, action, a sexy man with a motorcycle, hot sex, a sassy little girl, and two kitty cats that rule the world. What more could you want? The MC's in this book are Deacon Reid, Lang Harris, and Deacon's niece Zig.
Deacon Reid was born bad to the bone with no intention of changing. A lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge suited him just fine—until his baby sister died and he found himself raising her little girl. Zig, she may be under ten years old but she is wise and jaded beyond her years. Deacon only hopes he can reverse some of the damage done to Zig by an unfair system and a bunch of bad situations. He hopes that by moving Zig away from the area he will be able to provide Zig with a healthy environment for the young girl to thrive.
Lang Harris takes one look at the little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu who is followed closely by a tall, muscular, hottie, wearing a leather jacket and jeans - who looks at the little spitfire of a girl as if she hung the moon, and he knows his life will never be the same. He knows his cats lives will never be the same when said spitfire spots his big orange cat lounging in a bookstore chair and quickly acts like the two are long lost friends. The thing is, Lang is okay with his life never being the same. If that means he gets to keep the hottie in his life - he will change everything. One thing is for sure, the town of Half Moon Bay is never going to forget when Deacon and Zig moved to town.
Deacon tries to warn Lang off, telling him they "are not a good idea" but Lang won't have it, he thinks Deacon is the best thing next to air and he wants him in his life. He wants Zig in his life too, even if she has taken over his cats!
When strange things start happening and chaos ensues Deacon does everything he can to keep Zig safe even though it seems someone is out to get them, but for what reason and who? Wait until you see just exactly what is going on in Half Moon Bay -
I really loved this story. I didn't read it, but rather enjoyed it via audiobook and Spencer Goss did an amazing job narrating. His voice was flawless and the and the details he added to the story made it a very enjoyable listen. I found myself laughing as I was driving and visualizing the story in my head. In addition, the story was one that just left you feeling good. Even with all the chaos and trouble these poor guys went through, it was a romance at heart and the author didn't forget that. I loved watching Lang rediscover himself and learn to love again and Deacon, he broke my heart with his history and watching him fall in love was heart-wrenching. I just wanted to jump into the story and give both of these men a huge hug.. thankfully, the author had them comforting each other quite nicely.
I highly recommend this story and this audiobook and I will be looking for more amazing stories from Rhys Ford.
5 Stars -
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
This is the first book that I have read by author Rhys Ford and I will be back for more - This was a great book! It has if all - romance, mystery, action, a sexy man with a motorcycle, hot sex, a sassy little girl, and two kitty cats that rule the world. What more could you want? The MC's in this book are Deacon Reid, Lang Harris, and Deacon's niece Zig.
Deacon Reid was born bad to the bone with no intention of changing. A lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge suited him just fine—until his baby sister died and he found himself raising her little girl. Zig, she may be under ten years old but she is wise and jaded beyond her years. Deacon only hopes he can reverse some of the damage done to Zig by an unfair system and a bunch of bad situations. He hopes that by moving Zig away from the area he will be able to provide Zig with a healthy environment for the young girl to thrive.
Lang Harris takes one look at the little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu who is followed closely by a tall, muscular, hottie, wearing a leather jacket and jeans - who looks at the little spitfire of a girl as if she hung the moon, and he knows his life will never be the same. He knows his cats lives will never be the same when said spitfire spots his big orange cat lounging in a bookstore chair and quickly acts like the two are long lost friends. The thing is, Lang is okay with his life never being the same. If that means he gets to keep the hottie in his life - he will change everything. One thing is for sure, the town of Half Moon Bay is never going to forget when Deacon and Zig moved to town.
Deacon tries to warn Lang off, telling him they "are not a good idea" but Lang won't have it, he thinks Deacon is the best thing next to air and he wants him in his life. He wants Zig in his life too, even if she has taken over his cats!
When strange things start happening and chaos ensues Deacon does everything he can to keep Zig safe even though it seems someone is out to get them, but for what reason and who? Wait until you see just exactly what is going on in Half Moon Bay -
I really loved this story. I didn't read it, but rather enjoyed it via audiobook and Spencer Goss did an amazing job narrating. His voice was flawless and the and the details he added to the story made it a very enjoyable listen. I found myself laughing as I was driving and visualizing the story in my head. In addition, the story was one that just left you feeling good. Even with all the chaos and trouble these poor guys went through, it was a romance at heart and the author didn't forget that. I loved watching Lang rediscover himself and learn to love again and Deacon, he broke my heart with his history and watching him fall in love was heart-wrenching. I just wanted to jump into the story and give both of these men a huge hug.. thankfully, the author had them comforting each other quite nicely.
I highly recommend this story and this audiobook and I will be looking for more amazing stories from Rhys Ford.
5 Stars -
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
January 30, 2017
This was sweet ! I really liked Deacons character and loved his adoration and strength with his niece Zig - who was glorious in her witty way. Lang grew on me and I was glad they formed a happy trio. I focused on the growing romance because there was a bit too much going on that almost did my head in - CPS, firebombs, shootings, stalkers ... maybe issues with one may have been enough ! Anyway I enjoyed this regardless of the dramas
November 29, 2015
*sigh* The magic of the wonderful Rhys Ford is still very much alive. Fish Stick Fridays is another one of her unique, heartfelt romances that feel very much like warm blankets in cold, winter nights. As always, Rhys gave everything she had in her latest book and she somehow breathed life into several amazing characters as well as their small community.
Emotionally, Fish Stick Fridays is a challenge and a trial that ends up paying off. None of Rhys’s characters ever have it easy, and Deacon and his eight-year-old niece Zig had it tougher than most. Both have gone through the system and both have been damaged by it, only unlike Zig, Deacon didn’t have anyone to save him from the worst of it. The two are an odd pair: a tough motorcycle dude with a criminal past, and a tiny wild-haired girl wearing a pink tutu and combat boots. They stand out just about anywhere, but they fit together really well and they seem to just instinctively know how to help each other.
When they move to Half Moon Bay, they might just be too much for the small town to handle, but they are quickly embraced by other colorful inhabitants, each of them with a past of their own. While they don’t fit in with most people, Deacon and Zig fit in really well with two gay mechanics, a crazy beautician, and most of all a rich, highly educated bookstore owner named Lang Harris.
For all his polished upbringing, Lang Harris isn’t without demons of his own. His life has been on standby of sorts for years, and with good reason. He knows he shouldn’t get involved with someone as alluring as Deke, especially someone with a vulnerable eight-year-old, but he just can’t help it, not when he’s finally feeling alive after all that time.
The mystery part is as compelling as usual. Rhys doesn’t pull back punches, it just isn’t her style, which leaves the reader genuinely afraid for everyone, including the main characters. Everyone seems to be fair game in Rhys’ books, it’s just one of the many things I appreciate about her, and the danger surrounding Deacon and Lang is almost palpable.
I’m hoping for many more books set in Half Moon Bay. I don’t think that I could ever grow tired of this small community. What’s more, I trust Rhys Ford to follow her characters wherever they might take her, no matter how far, dark or dangerous their path might be.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
Emotionally, Fish Stick Fridays is a challenge and a trial that ends up paying off. None of Rhys’s characters ever have it easy, and Deacon and his eight-year-old niece Zig had it tougher than most. Both have gone through the system and both have been damaged by it, only unlike Zig, Deacon didn’t have anyone to save him from the worst of it. The two are an odd pair: a tough motorcycle dude with a criminal past, and a tiny wild-haired girl wearing a pink tutu and combat boots. They stand out just about anywhere, but they fit together really well and they seem to just instinctively know how to help each other.
When they move to Half Moon Bay, they might just be too much for the small town to handle, but they are quickly embraced by other colorful inhabitants, each of them with a past of their own. While they don’t fit in with most people, Deacon and Zig fit in really well with two gay mechanics, a crazy beautician, and most of all a rich, highly educated bookstore owner named Lang Harris.
For all his polished upbringing, Lang Harris isn’t without demons of his own. His life has been on standby of sorts for years, and with good reason. He knows he shouldn’t get involved with someone as alluring as Deke, especially someone with a vulnerable eight-year-old, but he just can’t help it, not when he’s finally feeling alive after all that time.
The mystery part is as compelling as usual. Rhys doesn’t pull back punches, it just isn’t her style, which leaves the reader genuinely afraid for everyone, including the main characters. Everyone seems to be fair game in Rhys’ books, it’s just one of the many things I appreciate about her, and the danger surrounding Deacon and Lang is almost palpable.
I’m hoping for many more books set in Half Moon Bay. I don’t think that I could ever grow tired of this small community. What’s more, I trust Rhys Ford to follow her characters wherever they might take her, no matter how far, dark or dangerous their path might be.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
December 8, 2015
This book has all the good writing that Rhys Ford brings to a book, however, the insta-love was just too much for me. Especially considering their disparate backgrounds. Lust, Yes! but love that quick with a damaged kid in the mix? I just couldn't buy it from either one of them.
Additionally, the glossed over parts of the book, like the first motel fire and the over the top shoot out at the second motel along with the implausible murder in the middle just made a mess of the book. (Q: Why did the murderer want to kill Lang, again? A: No good, plausible reason actually)
Also, you can't get me to believe Deacon would choose another crappy, cheap motel over something a little bit more secure with Zig to protect. His ego wouldn't have been that important and so it was way out of character. Especially after the near death experience at the first motel fire and having Lang around with deeper pockets that should have insisted on something nicer and more secure.
Sometimes (way to often these days actually) I wonder if authors get their books beta read by their fan club and if their Editors are too scared to tell them the book needs more work and if their publishers are too greedy to care.
Additionally, the glossed over parts of the book, like the first motel fire and the over the top shoot out at the second motel along with the implausible murder in the middle just made a mess of the book. (Q: Why did the murderer want to kill Lang, again? A: No good, plausible reason actually)
Also, you can't get me to believe Deacon would choose another crappy, cheap motel over something a little bit more secure with Zig to protect. His ego wouldn't have been that important and so it was way out of character. Especially after the near death experience at the first motel fire and having Lang around with deeper pockets that should have insisted on something nicer and more secure.
Sometimes (way to often these days actually) I wonder if authors get their books beta read by their fan club and if their Editors are too scared to tell them the book needs more work and if their publishers are too greedy to care.
March 4, 2016
Deacon’s sister is dead, leaving her daughter “Zig” behind. Deacon made all he could to have the full custody of his troubled niece, even moving to build a better environment for Zig. In the new town they have adopted, he meets a bookshop owner, Lang, a very wealthy man, but also very quiet and lonesome since he’s been brutally attacked by his ex-boyfriend. All three of them slowly build a family while dealing with a murderer lurking around.
The reviews are good, but it didn’t do it for me. I struggled a lot with the writing, having to constantly reread paragraphs to understand what was going on or who was talking, which doesn’t make a nice reading experience. And I found the relationship between Deacon and Lang too clinical. All in all, this book isn’t for me.
The reviews are good, but it didn’t do it for me. I struggled a lot with the writing, having to constantly reread paragraphs to understand what was going on or who was talking, which doesn’t make a nice reading experience. And I found the relationship between Deacon and Lang too clinical. All in all, this book isn’t for me.
May 1, 2018
Is it bad to feel relief when finishing a book? Relief that you’re done reading it, that is. This how I feel now. I’m thanking the gods above that I persevered through this overwritten, overblown insta-love romance.
I’ve been wanting to pick this up for a long time, but Ford’s writing style seems to clash with me and I kept putting it off. I’m thinking that I should have just stayed away, trusted myself to know what I like.
It wasn’t bad, but it had me rolling my eyes. Now my eyes are tired of the extra workout.
I’ve been wanting to pick this up for a long time, but Ford’s writing style seems to clash with me and I kept putting it off. I’m thinking that I should have just stayed away, trusted myself to know what I like.
It wasn’t bad, but it had me rolling my eyes. Now my eyes are tired of the extra workout.
March 2, 2017
In the interest of a totally honest review I need to say that when it comes to Rhys Ford, I'm totally biased. I love her writing it speaks to me and I fall into her stories effortlessly. 'Fish Stick Fridays' was no exception.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this story. Deke and Lang worked as individuals and as a couple. Seriously how could I not like a hot mechanic who rides a motorcycle and likes to read. Add to this a niece who he's raising because his sister has passed away and while he couldn't save her. He'll be damed if he's going to fail his niece. Throw in a boyfriend who owns a books store and stick a fork in me because I'm done like dinner.
I'd start telling you all the other things I liked about this book but then I'd just be telling you the whole story because I loved it from start to finish. I became invested in Deacon and Lang's relationship before they even actually met. While I'm not a huge fan of insta-love or love at first sight if that's what you prefer to call it, I honestly couldn't wait for these two to meet.
Plus there's Zig. She was getting her education from the school of hard knocks before Deacon came along. So needless to say she's not your typical 8 year old. She's a bit sassy and definitely got a case of potty mouth and yet at the same time she's lost and frightened and smart enough to know that Deacon's the best thing to happen to her and she's not letting go of him. The relationship between these two is heart-melting.
I could probably go on and on about this book but I'm not going to. I'm just going to stop here and wrap it up by saying "It's Rhys Ford, it's awesome and I can't wait for the next...oh, never mind, I've already got book 2 and listened to the audiobook...but that's my next review. So, I'll just say I loved it and I can't wait for book 3...please tell me there's a book 3...I need more!!!!"
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this story. Deke and Lang worked as individuals and as a couple. Seriously how could I not like a hot mechanic who rides a motorcycle and likes to read. Add to this a niece who he's raising because his sister has passed away and while he couldn't save her. He'll be damed if he's going to fail his niece. Throw in a boyfriend who owns a books store and stick a fork in me because I'm done like dinner.
I'd start telling you all the other things I liked about this book but then I'd just be telling you the whole story because I loved it from start to finish. I became invested in Deacon and Lang's relationship before they even actually met. While I'm not a huge fan of insta-love or love at first sight if that's what you prefer to call it, I honestly couldn't wait for these two to meet.
Plus there's Zig. She was getting her education from the school of hard knocks before Deacon came along. So needless to say she's not your typical 8 year old. She's a bit sassy and definitely got a case of potty mouth and yet at the same time she's lost and frightened and smart enough to know that Deacon's the best thing to happen to her and she's not letting go of him. The relationship between these two is heart-melting.
I could probably go on and on about this book but I'm not going to. I'm just going to stop here and wrap it up by saying "It's Rhys Ford, it's awesome and I can't wait for the next...oh, never mind, I've already got book 2 and listened to the audiobook...but that's my next review. So, I'll just say I loved it and I can't wait for book 3...please tell me there's a book 3...I need more!!!!"
November 17, 2024
He’d had many kisses from Deacon, in the best and worst of times, but the moment Lang felt Deacon’s lips touch his, he knew he’d found a bit of home.
I don’t know how I’ve not read more Rhys Ford books before. I don’t know why. Insta-love is generally a no-go for me, but I made an exception here. Rhys Ford made me make the exception. Yes, this was fairly insta-lovey, in the sense that Deacon and Lang felt a lot and they felt it quickly. But it was exceptionally written, and I’m willing to overlook A LOT for well-written books. There wasn’t much to overlook, though. Instead, there was much to enjoy.
This was amusing. Deacon’s interactions with his sassy niece, Zig, were both humorous and heartwrenching. Yes, Zig is a kid, and she is central to the story, and you know what? Even if you don’t like kids in romance novels, you won’t skim her scenes or grow bored or annoyed. You will, in all likelihood, find them a joy. She is a spunky and funky delight!
This was tender yet passionate. Lang and Deacon were opposites who attracted. They grounded each other, they challenged each other, they comforted each other, they fought for each other. And while I felt that the relationship unfolded a bit too swiftly, it was solid.
This was suspenseful, less a ‘whodunit mystery’ (although that occurs) and more a ‘we know the bad guys and we know they’re coming for us’ thrill. But it still kept me on the edge of my seat.
On to book two!
I don’t know how I’ve not read more Rhys Ford books before. I don’t know why. Insta-love is generally a no-go for me, but I made an exception here. Rhys Ford made me make the exception. Yes, this was fairly insta-lovey, in the sense that Deacon and Lang felt a lot and they felt it quickly. But it was exceptionally written, and I’m willing to overlook A LOT for well-written books. There wasn’t much to overlook, though. Instead, there was much to enjoy.
This was amusing. Deacon’s interactions with his sassy niece, Zig, were both humorous and heartwrenching. Yes, Zig is a kid, and she is central to the story, and you know what? Even if you don’t like kids in romance novels, you won’t skim her scenes or grow bored or annoyed. You will, in all likelihood, find them a joy. She is a spunky and funky delight!
This was tender yet passionate. Lang and Deacon were opposites who attracted. They grounded each other, they challenged each other, they comforted each other, they fought for each other. And while I felt that the relationship unfolded a bit too swiftly, it was solid.
This was suspenseful, less a ‘whodunit mystery’ (although that occurs) and more a ‘we know the bad guys and we know they’re coming for us’ thrill. But it still kept me on the edge of my seat.
On to book two!
March 29, 2018
Yeah, this story wasn't the best. The narration was the best part of it. I think had I read this I would have not finished it quickly. I just don't understand how Lang could be so open to a relationship with a stranger after what Daniel did to him.
I loved Zig, she was so cute. I thought her love and bond with D was the best part of the story. And the cats. I love cats. But as far as the big bad guy and all that happened with that? Not so much.
The narration was good like I said. This is my first listen to him and I will be sure to catch him again if I can. Thoroughly enjoyed his voice for D and Zig. ;) Langs voice was ok, but at times it seemed weird.
I can't really recommend this story as it was just to Insta love and too improbable.
Book cover twin: Salvation
Fish Stick Fridays
😊
I loved Zig, she was so cute. I thought her love and bond with D was the best part of the story. And the cats. I love cats. But as far as the big bad guy and all that happened with that? Not so much.
The narration was good like I said. This is my first listen to him and I will be sure to catch him again if I can. Thoroughly enjoyed his voice for D and Zig. ;) Langs voice was ok, but at times it seemed weird.
I can't really recommend this story as it was just to Insta love and too improbable.
Book cover twin: Salvation
Fish Stick Fridays
😊
April 3, 2017
Really enjoyed this slow burn..opposities attract..story.
It does take some time for them to come together...but it's worth the wait. The sexual tension was delicious.
I really liked the kid...I almost peed my pants laughing, damn she has a mouth on her :))
I also enjoyed the action part in this one. It has a bit of everyting...suspence, action, sexual tension, humor and some nice steam ;)
4 stars from me
It does take some time for them to come together...but it's worth the wait. The sexual tension was delicious.
I really liked the kid...I almost peed my pants laughing, damn she has a mouth on her :))
I also enjoyed the action part in this one. It has a bit of everyting...suspence, action, sexual tension, humor and some nice steam ;)
4 stars from me
June 23, 2017
Okay babe, let's do this. Let's discuss that 2 stars babe. You ready babe?
I'm going to start with the two things I liked. Zig and the Labyrinth references. To be honest I'm pretty sure that Zig was the only reason I finished this.
Now I know the formula here and I've read lots by this author and I knew what to expect. I really enjoyed the 'Sinners' series even with all it's stereotypical bullshit about the Irish. One of the reasons for that is that I'm a big fan of sappy and an even bigger fan of INSTA but this was not insta. This was...
One second they were giving each other the eye in Lang's bookstore, the next they were making out, then there was a shootout followed by a little make out session on the hospital floor and then they were going at each other hot and heavy and declaring their love for each other. This all happened in what I'm assuming was about a 3 week period but I can't be sure as the timelines went a bit doolally on a few occasions. But the first kiss and the I love you happened on the same day so seriously this is not insta!
Plus and also...
Deacon's belly trail tickled Lang's stomach, a sharp contrast to the smooth, silken rib of Deacon's tongue on his collarbone.
"You... God," Lang gasped, feeling Deacon's girth stretching him. If anything, Deacon slipped in farther.
So I'm no expert and I'm honestly not being pedantic (well maybe a little) but is there not a fairly important piece of Lang's anatomy that should be maybe causing Deacon's 'belly trail' difficulty in tickling Lang's stomach?
And then there was the 'babe'!!!
Jesus!!!
Now I enjoy a good endearment and 'babe' is one that I really don't mind reading but jesus fucking christ this was non bloody stop and Deacon only knew him a minute and a half before he started with it.
I'm not going to mention the plot because to be honest I didn't hold out much hope to begin with. I went in looking for fluff and ridiculousness, and well I think I have found my limit for fluff and ridiculousness.
I'm going to start with the two things I liked. Zig and the Labyrinth references. To be honest I'm pretty sure that Zig was the only reason I finished this.
Now I know the formula here and I've read lots by this author and I knew what to expect. I really enjoyed the 'Sinners' series even with all it's stereotypical bullshit about the Irish. One of the reasons for that is that I'm a big fan of sappy and an even bigger fan of INSTA but this was not insta. This was...
One second they were giving each other the eye in Lang's bookstore, the next they were making out, then there was a shootout followed by a little make out session on the hospital floor and then they were going at each other hot and heavy and declaring their love for each other. This all happened in what I'm assuming was about a 3 week period but I can't be sure as the timelines went a bit doolally on a few occasions. But the first kiss and the I love you happened on the same day so seriously this is not insta!
Plus and also...
Deacon's belly trail tickled Lang's stomach, a sharp contrast to the smooth, silken rib of Deacon's tongue on his collarbone.
"You... God," Lang gasped, feeling Deacon's girth stretching him. If anything, Deacon slipped in farther.
So I'm no expert and I'm honestly not being pedantic (well maybe a little) but is there not a fairly important piece of Lang's anatomy that should be maybe causing Deacon's 'belly trail' difficulty in tickling Lang's stomach?
And then there was the 'babe'!!!
Jesus!!!
Now I enjoy a good endearment and 'babe' is one that I really don't mind reading but jesus fucking christ this was non bloody stop and Deacon only knew him a minute and a half before he started with it.
I'm not going to mention the plot because to be honest I didn't hold out much hope to begin with. I went in looking for fluff and ridiculousness, and well I think I have found my limit for fluff and ridiculousness.
December 3, 2015
Review @ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords
I wonder if Rhys Ford has a magic chair that she sits in at home to churn out these 5 star books and characters. I mean I expected nothing less, but a couple of months ago when she announced that she had a new series starting I was elated. I mean c'mon every knows how I feel about Cole & Jae; they are my heart. She announced a new series, and a freaking kid was a main character. I was down for. I love children in my stories. They add an extra layer of vulnerability to characters.
This book was everything and more that I could ever ask for. I am swooning for Deke! He's amazing. He hasn't had an easy life, and anybody's that went through what he did would understand if he decided to be selfish and only look out for himself. His lack of parents, the fast life he grew up in couldn't prepare him for caring for his 8 year old niece Bobo Zigfried! She's a tornado wrapped in a hurricane. Full of life, love, adoration and kind of a cynic to be so young. Right from the beginning its action packed! I love the dynamics between Deke & Zig they are the coolest people that I like I've read from Rhys to date.
Lang is a freaking sweetheart in his own way! I think Rhys did a good job with combining the two mc's past histories together. This wasn't her usual buildup of love between two guys. Dare to say it, but I totally got the insta-love feeling without the cheesiness that goes with it. I kinda see them as a love as first sight kind of thing. I mean the descriptions about one another was so endearing, and sweet. This is definitely a favorite of mine, and I cannot wait until the next in the series. This is the perfect family that Rhys through together!
I wonder if Rhys Ford has a magic chair that she sits in at home to churn out these 5 star books and characters. I mean I expected nothing less, but a couple of months ago when she announced that she had a new series starting I was elated. I mean c'mon every knows how I feel about Cole & Jae; they are my heart. She announced a new series, and a freaking kid was a main character. I was down for. I love children in my stories. They add an extra layer of vulnerability to characters.
This book was everything and more that I could ever ask for. I am swooning for Deke! He's amazing. He hasn't had an easy life, and anybody's that went through what he did would understand if he decided to be selfish and only look out for himself. His lack of parents, the fast life he grew up in couldn't prepare him for caring for his 8 year old niece Bobo Zigfried! She's a tornado wrapped in a hurricane. Full of life, love, adoration and kind of a cynic to be so young. Right from the beginning its action packed! I love the dynamics between Deke & Zig they are the coolest people that I like I've read from Rhys to date.
Lang is a freaking sweetheart in his own way! I think Rhys did a good job with combining the two mc's past histories together. This wasn't her usual buildup of love between two guys. Dare to say it, but I totally got the insta-love feeling without the cheesiness that goes with it. I kinda see them as a love as first sight kind of thing. I mean the descriptions about one another was so endearing, and sweet. This is definitely a favorite of mine, and I cannot wait until the next in the series. This is the perfect family that Rhys through together!
September 23, 2018
Grrr!! Spencer Goss' interpretation makes for one sexy as hell Deacon Reid!! A deep growly voice, and combined with the image in my head based on the description of Deacon in the story?? Yum!! He is a fantabulous narrator, and my absolute favourite....unfortunately, he doesn't have the time to narrate very often 🙁. 5 stars for the narration from me.
Yes, it's a Rhys Ford whodunit, so there were shootings, a couple of fire-bombing incidents and more than one red herring to throw you off the scent so to speak, but most of all I adored the relationship between Uncle Deke and his 'baby girl' orphaned niece Zig (yep, an 8 year old whose swearing would make a sailor blush). I quickly warmed to Lang (who'd definitely had problems of his own, poor soul), and yes, he and Deacon are complete polar opposites but they made such a loving couple, and most of all they made Zig feel safe, wanted and loved. Would like to see more of Eli and Abe (maybe book 2??) and of course, West (Lang's brother) who needs to break away from that arse of a father, and start getting a life.
More Spencer Goss...please!!
May 4, 2016
Deacon Reid doesn’t have a clue what to do with Zig, his niece. Neither of them had nice childhoods, but even he has to admit finding the body of her mother and then spending the next year and a half in the foster system is bound to leave a few scars. Scars he only has hope to help heal. For now, though, he’d settle for a safe place to live, work to keep food in their stomachs, and maybe cutting Zig’s cursing down by at least half. Ok, a quarter. By anything really.
Half Moon Bay was supposed to be the answer to at least two of those problems. That, along with a garage to run and a home to sleep in, it also boasts one Lang Harris-–a rich, cute, bookstore clerk so out of his league it might as well be cricket–-is only a bonus.
But like most things in his life, nothing is ever that simple. Now he has to deal with gun-toating, arsonist, psychopaths; inquisitive coppers; and falling in love in the most dangerous way possible.
I saw this book coming out and I was thrilled. Haven’t read a book by Rhys Ford yet that hasn’t been great. And this seemed a bit different from her usual mystery mayhem so I was intrigued.
To be honest I was kinda expecting a pretty low-key book (yes, yes, go ahead and mock me) from what I read of the blurb (I’m going with B for intention, D for reading comprehension, on that one). Guess I totally forgot that if it doesn’t explode, shoot, or burn to ash…then it sure isn’t Rhys Ford. Probably one of the reasons she is my go-to author for action and chaos. But under the blood and the death-defying acts was a very real story that pulled me under from nearly the first chapter.
I adored Deacon and Zig. I loved how they only had each other, before Lang, and they were willing to do anything to hold each other together. Deacon might be Zig’s uncle, but he does some real A+ parenting in this book. Sure he had to choose his battles when it comes to certain things, but he loves Zig. You can tell he’d do anything to protect her. Fish Stick Fridays might be about the romance of Lang and Deacon, but it is also, in large, about the love of Deacon and Zig. And when you add in Lang to that, it only gets better.
Sometimes the families you make are better. Sometimes the puzzle pieces you end up super-glueing together make a much more interesting picture than the one predestined by some boring box.
There is just so much to love about this book. When *mumblemumble* got [REDACTED] I nearly had a fit. And I’d only known them for like an hour! And when we found out that *loud jackhammering* was the one who was behind the thingamajig, I was bloody well shocked. It was AWESOME. I lost count of how many times I was convinced I KNEW who was behind it all. I was both right and wrong, at various times. I adore when that happens. Makes me never want to stop reading.
I was so freaking happy to see that Rhys Ford was a bit kinder to her automobiles in this book, than she was in the last book of her’s I read. Not so much to the windows (one has to wonder if in a previous life she had died by walking thru a window or something. Her rage at glass seems endless), but the bike seems to have come thru just fine. Was half expecting Rhys to write in the bad guy stealing the thing and driving it off a cliff as one last attempt at revenge or something.
If you love Rhys Ford you are going to love this. If you love action you are going to love this. If you think a kick-ass biker wearing tutus in solidarity with their kick-ass niece is awesome, you will really like this. Mostly, if you just like really great books then this is the story for you.
(I’m kinda relieved I don’t have to pay any quarters to the swear-jar for my cussing in this…cause I be broke and swearing is fun!)
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Half Moon Bay was supposed to be the answer to at least two of those problems. That, along with a garage to run and a home to sleep in, it also boasts one Lang Harris-–a rich, cute, bookstore clerk so out of his league it might as well be cricket–-is only a bonus.
But like most things in his life, nothing is ever that simple. Now he has to deal with gun-toating, arsonist, psychopaths; inquisitive coppers; and falling in love in the most dangerous way possible.
I saw this book coming out and I was thrilled. Haven’t read a book by Rhys Ford yet that hasn’t been great. And this seemed a bit different from her usual mystery mayhem so I was intrigued.
To be honest I was kinda expecting a pretty low-key book (yes, yes, go ahead and mock me) from what I read of the blurb (I’m going with B for intention, D for reading comprehension, on that one). Guess I totally forgot that if it doesn’t explode, shoot, or burn to ash…then it sure isn’t Rhys Ford. Probably one of the reasons she is my go-to author for action and chaos. But under the blood and the death-defying acts was a very real story that pulled me under from nearly the first chapter.
I adored Deacon and Zig. I loved how they only had each other, before Lang, and they were willing to do anything to hold each other together. Deacon might be Zig’s uncle, but he does some real A+ parenting in this book. Sure he had to choose his battles when it comes to certain things, but he loves Zig. You can tell he’d do anything to protect her. Fish Stick Fridays might be about the romance of Lang and Deacon, but it is also, in large, about the love of Deacon and Zig. And when you add in Lang to that, it only gets better.
Sometimes the families you make are better. Sometimes the puzzle pieces you end up super-glueing together make a much more interesting picture than the one predestined by some boring box.
There is just so much to love about this book. When *mumblemumble* got [REDACTED] I nearly had a fit. And I’d only known them for like an hour! And when we found out that *loud jackhammering* was the one who was behind the thingamajig, I was bloody well shocked. It was AWESOME. I lost count of how many times I was convinced I KNEW who was behind it all. I was both right and wrong, at various times. I adore when that happens. Makes me never want to stop reading.
I was so freaking happy to see that Rhys Ford was a bit kinder to her automobiles in this book, than she was in the last book of her’s I read. Not so much to the windows (one has to wonder if in a previous life she had died by walking thru a window or something. Her rage at glass seems endless), but the bike seems to have come thru just fine. Was half expecting Rhys to write in the bad guy stealing the thing and driving it off a cliff as one last attempt at revenge or something.
If you love Rhys Ford you are going to love this. If you love action you are going to love this. If you think a kick-ass biker wearing tutus in solidarity with their kick-ass niece is awesome, you will really like this. Mostly, if you just like really great books then this is the story for you.
(I’m kinda relieved I don’t have to pay any quarters to the swear-jar for my cussing in this…cause I be broke and swearing is fun!)
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
November 8, 2016
Overall book rating: 4
Audio Book: Spencer Goss - 4
Book Cover: 4.5
Rhys Ford....what can I say? - In my humble opinion has a way with words. I can’t really lay it all out there for you, it’s something you kind of have to experience yourself to fully appreciate.
Does she write flawless perfection? Does every aspect of the plot and the characters effortlessly merge into one great mind blowing art work? No. It’s not perfect and there are little things that don’t reach the 100% mark. But what she does, she does GOOD.
Fish Stick Friday’s was unfortunate not one of my all-time favourite Rhys Ford books. ( I blame this on the Irish-Morgan-Clan of Sinners Gin) But it was still good and really entertaining at times.
I LOVED the characters in this one. As I usually do in all her books. They are real and witty and hella-funny!
Zig was something else and right from the get go she had me in fits of laughter and shock about her dirty little mouth and the way she sees things. I adored the tutu’s and the boots thing, it gave her her own unique little something that just made you pay attention to her even more.
Deke was great – not what I expected after reading the blurb though, but I wasn’t really disappointed. There really was nothing “Bad ass” about him in the wrong sense of the word. He was a little jaded but I think his background would have merited him being a much bigger bad boy. He is actually a caring and responsible guy who tries his best to give Zig a better life the best way he knows. He is vulnerable and I loved that he showed that to Lang, even though it scared him out of his mind. Strong character that rolls with the punches and doesn’t go bouncing off the walls for the smallest little hiccup.
Lang is just adorable. What is there not to like about a “shy” book loving recluse? I think he just did really great with all the sh** that happened to him in his short life. I love how despite of all of this baggage he decides to go for what he sees in Deacon. He doesn’t know this guy but he goes with his gut feeling and he opens himself up to a whole new world of possible hurt. Lang is such a strong character! I loved this about him. How even though he really had the right to curl up in a ball and hide, he didn’t do that at all. He just lived his life. He got scared, yes. He’s human for heaven sake. But it never overwhelmed him and it didn’t make him run. It made him fight.
What I think could have been done a little better is the whole “action” thing. The book hadn’t even started yet when we had the first fire and flame session. And I’m NOT an expert or great lover of crime novels but the whole thing really didn’t make that much sense to me. Well it kinda did, but kinda felt a little...unrealistic at the same time?
I devoured the Sinners Gin series and I have a great appreciation for this special something Rhys Ford has. It makes the characters grab at you and it makes me pick up one after another of her books. Even if there are little things I don’t go raving about.
Spencer Goss did ‘n great job with the audio. I loved his Zig! LOL
Audio Book: Spencer Goss - 4
Book Cover: 4.5
Rhys Ford....what can I say? - In my humble opinion has a way with words. I can’t really lay it all out there for you, it’s something you kind of have to experience yourself to fully appreciate.
Does she write flawless perfection? Does every aspect of the plot and the characters effortlessly merge into one great mind blowing art work? No. It’s not perfect and there are little things that don’t reach the 100% mark. But what she does, she does GOOD.
Fish Stick Friday’s was unfortunate not one of my all-time favourite Rhys Ford books. ( I blame this on the Irish-Morgan-Clan of Sinners Gin) But it was still good and really entertaining at times.
I LOVED the characters in this one. As I usually do in all her books. They are real and witty and hella-funny!
Zig was something else and right from the get go she had me in fits of laughter and shock about her dirty little mouth and the way she sees things. I adored the tutu’s and the boots thing, it gave her her own unique little something that just made you pay attention to her even more.
Deke was great – not what I expected after reading the blurb though, but I wasn’t really disappointed. There really was nothing “Bad ass” about him in the wrong sense of the word. He was a little jaded but I think his background would have merited him being a much bigger bad boy. He is actually a caring and responsible guy who tries his best to give Zig a better life the best way he knows. He is vulnerable and I loved that he showed that to Lang, even though it scared him out of his mind. Strong character that rolls with the punches and doesn’t go bouncing off the walls for the smallest little hiccup.
Lang is just adorable. What is there not to like about a “shy” book loving recluse? I think he just did really great with all the sh** that happened to him in his short life. I love how despite of all of this baggage he decides to go for what he sees in Deacon. He doesn’t know this guy but he goes with his gut feeling and he opens himself up to a whole new world of possible hurt. Lang is such a strong character! I loved this about him. How even though he really had the right to curl up in a ball and hide, he didn’t do that at all. He just lived his life. He got scared, yes. He’s human for heaven sake. But it never overwhelmed him and it didn’t make him run. It made him fight.
What I think could have been done a little better is the whole “action” thing. The book hadn’t even started yet when we had the first fire and flame session. And I’m NOT an expert or great lover of crime novels but the whole thing really didn’t make that much sense to me. Well it kinda did, but kinda felt a little...unrealistic at the same time?
I devoured the Sinners Gin series and I have a great appreciation for this special something Rhys Ford has. It makes the characters grab at you and it makes me pick up one after another of her books. Even if there are little things I don’t go raving about.
Spencer Goss did ‘n great job with the audio. I loved his Zig! LOL
December 22, 2015
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Deacon Reid arrives in Half Moon Bay hauling all his worldly belongings and his niece, Zig, an eight-year-old spitfire who uses up all her allowance putting quarters in a jar for the curse words she uses. Deacon has purchased an auto repair shop, and it’s here he plans to put down roots and raise his sister’s child, an orphan since her mom was killed almost two years before. It took Deacon that long to get custody of the girl through the California court system. Thankfully his record has been clean since a stint he did for buying stolen auto parts when he was younger. But he’s hard-pressed to figure out how to be adult enough to raise a child, especially a child who curses like a Stormtrooper.
Lang Harris is the owner of the bookshop across the road and the rest of the strip mall Deacon’s new business is located in. When the little spitfire dressed in combat boots, camo pants and a tutu bounces into his shop and claims his cat as her friend, his heart is warmed, but when he looks up into the eyes of her uncle Deacon, it’s set on fire, and he loses it then and there.
Lang’s been recuperating emotionally and physically since his last relationship broke up in a spectacular way—his boyfriend, Daniel, tried to kill him and nearly succeeded, so Lang’s been hiding from any attempts to get close to people since then. But Zig and her sexy uncle seem to be just what he needs to learn to live again.
Unfortunately, as the story blurb says, more chaos than Zig comes to Half Moon Bay. First, there’s a drive-by shooting outside of Deke’s shop, injuring one of his mechanics and grazing both Zig and Deke. Then a body is discovered after an arson fire rips through the strip mall where Deke’s shop is located. It’s becoming more evident that Deke is the target, but the question is why? Could it be Daniel, whom Lang has just discovered has been released from prison, or could it be someone from Deke’s past? After a body is found in the rubble from the fire, it’s time to take evasive action.
Rhys Ford has the most beautifully descriptive prose I’ve ever read. I always feel as if I’m on the scene, so much so, that I swear I could smell the smoke of the fire in this one. Her characters are three-dimensional “real” people, the situations extreme but reality-based, and secondary characters are engaging and endearing. I would surely love to meet Zig! And I wouldn’t mind spending some time with Lang and Deke as well, that’s for sure. The resolution to the mystery was not what I had expected, and that’s good. I don’t like an easily solvable mystery. And the happy ending? It’s there and it’s perfect.
Where do the fish sticks fit in? Well, after a hard week of work and school, Deke and Zig treat themselves to their favorite meal—fish sticks—though Lang might have something to say about fish disguising itself in that way!
I highly recommend this MM romance to all lovers of contemporary stories with damaged heroes, stories of men with children, hurt-comfort, and, of course, mystery thrillers.
Deacon Reid arrives in Half Moon Bay hauling all his worldly belongings and his niece, Zig, an eight-year-old spitfire who uses up all her allowance putting quarters in a jar for the curse words she uses. Deacon has purchased an auto repair shop, and it’s here he plans to put down roots and raise his sister’s child, an orphan since her mom was killed almost two years before. It took Deacon that long to get custody of the girl through the California court system. Thankfully his record has been clean since a stint he did for buying stolen auto parts when he was younger. But he’s hard-pressed to figure out how to be adult enough to raise a child, especially a child who curses like a Stormtrooper.
Lang Harris is the owner of the bookshop across the road and the rest of the strip mall Deacon’s new business is located in. When the little spitfire dressed in combat boots, camo pants and a tutu bounces into his shop and claims his cat as her friend, his heart is warmed, but when he looks up into the eyes of her uncle Deacon, it’s set on fire, and he loses it then and there.
Lang’s been recuperating emotionally and physically since his last relationship broke up in a spectacular way—his boyfriend, Daniel, tried to kill him and nearly succeeded, so Lang’s been hiding from any attempts to get close to people since then. But Zig and her sexy uncle seem to be just what he needs to learn to live again.
Unfortunately, as the story blurb says, more chaos than Zig comes to Half Moon Bay. First, there’s a drive-by shooting outside of Deke’s shop, injuring one of his mechanics and grazing both Zig and Deke. Then a body is discovered after an arson fire rips through the strip mall where Deke’s shop is located. It’s becoming more evident that Deke is the target, but the question is why? Could it be Daniel, whom Lang has just discovered has been released from prison, or could it be someone from Deke’s past? After a body is found in the rubble from the fire, it’s time to take evasive action.
Rhys Ford has the most beautifully descriptive prose I’ve ever read. I always feel as if I’m on the scene, so much so, that I swear I could smell the smoke of the fire in this one. Her characters are three-dimensional “real” people, the situations extreme but reality-based, and secondary characters are engaging and endearing. I would surely love to meet Zig! And I wouldn’t mind spending some time with Lang and Deke as well, that’s for sure. The resolution to the mystery was not what I had expected, and that’s good. I don’t like an easily solvable mystery. And the happy ending? It’s there and it’s perfect.
Where do the fish sticks fit in? Well, after a hard week of work and school, Deke and Zig treat themselves to their favorite meal—fish sticks—though Lang might have something to say about fish disguising itself in that way!
I highly recommend this MM romance to all lovers of contemporary stories with damaged heroes, stories of men with children, hurt-comfort, and, of course, mystery thrillers.
February 3, 2019
I floundered on my first read of this. Deacon is set-up as a real hard-knocks bad-guy but in reality is this ultra-sweet, doing his best and reading books kinda guy. And there's this AMAZING scene of something he does for his niece and we're told about it - I wanted to see it so bad, hell I wanted to be there! Still love it though.
On second attempt the book worked. (though reading was paused for Dirty Heart, well because!!) There's a roller-coaster of action sequences with fire, explosions, bullets, bodies. To hell with reality - this is fun, I'd watch it as a film. To be honest I'm not entirely sure who was behind everything and why, and I don't care. The characters are endearing, even foul-mouthed prickly Zig. I want to live near Lang's bookshop if I can't own it and live there - comfy chairs complete with cat, hot cocoa, roaring fire and books. Sounds like heaven to me, with optional hot mechanic neighbour.
One thing that did throw me was the nicknames, it took me the longest time to work out where they were from, despite having watched the damn film recently. Also the cat names, still no clue of the source. I guess it suits to have a bookshop owner use literary references but it made me feel a little excluded not recognising them, it's mainly this that stole a star.
Some of the descriptions at the beginning of Deacon and darkness made me think of Ink and Shadows did made me wonder if she was writing them the same time. Great imagery but maybe a bit much for who the character turned out to be. But, some other lines really appealed:
I may have asked hubby how his Simmer was doing, to my amusement and his confusion - but he's used to me ;) and I dunno maybe it's a little purple but for some reason I really like it.
A new Ford series to follow, I'm happy, hoping Lang's brother is the star of the next book.
On second attempt the book worked. (though reading was paused for Dirty Heart, well because!!) There's a roller-coaster of action sequences with fire, explosions, bullets, bodies. To hell with reality - this is fun, I'd watch it as a film. To be honest I'm not entirely sure who was behind everything and why, and I don't care. The characters are endearing, even foul-mouthed prickly Zig. I want to live near Lang's bookshop if I can't own it and live there - comfy chairs complete with cat, hot cocoa, roaring fire and books. Sounds like heaven to me, with optional hot mechanic neighbour.
One thing that did throw me was the nicknames, it took me the longest time to work out where they were from, despite having watched the damn film recently. Also the cat names, still no clue of the source. I guess it suits to have a bookshop owner use literary references but it made me feel a little excluded not recognising them, it's mainly this that stole a star.
Some of the descriptions at the beginning of Deacon and darkness made me think of Ink and Shadows did made me wonder if she was writing them the same time. Great imagery but maybe a bit much for who the character turned out to be. But, some other lines really appealed:
a steep of tea-stained shadows
and
The coaxing of Deacon's simmer seemed easy..
I may have asked hubby how his Simmer was doing, to my amusement and his confusion - but he's used to me ;) and I dunno maybe it's a little purple but for some reason I really like it.
A new Ford series to follow, I'm happy, hoping Lang's brother is the star of the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews