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Venery #2.5
Tales from Cushman Row
"Come here, you moron."
For fans of the Venery series, author Suanne Laqueur offers a compendium of love scenes—unpublished chapters, character sketches and assorted reflections about Javier Landes and Steffen Finch. A treat to skim through, skip around and linger over at leisure. Like caviar.
For people who like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they will like. Contains adults in adult situations using adult language and a f**k-ton of gratuitous boning. No socks required. Batteries sold separately.
For fans of the Venery series, author Suanne Laqueur offers a compendium of love scenes—unpublished chapters, character sketches and assorted reflections about Javier Landes and Steffen Finch. A treat to skim through, skip around and linger over at leisure. Like caviar.
For people who like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they will like. Contains adults in adult situations using adult language and a f**k-ton of gratuitous boning. No socks required. Batteries sold separately.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2017
8 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Suanne Laqueur
28 books1,586 followersA former professional dancer and teacher, Suanne Laqueur went from choreographing music to choreographing words, writing stories that appeal to the passions of all readers, crossing gender, age and genre. As a devoted mental health advocate, her novels focus on both romantic and familial relationships, as well as psychology, PTSD and generational trauma.
Laqueur’s novel An Exaltation of Larks was the grand prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Digest Book Awards and took first place in the 2019 North Street Book Prize. Her debut novel The Man I Love won a gold medal in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and was named Best Debut in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her follow-up novel, Give Me Your Answer True, was also a gold medal winner at the 2016 RFBA.
Laqueur graduated from Alfred University with a double major in dance and theater. She taught at the Carol Bierman School of Ballet Arts in Croton-on-Hudson for ten years. An avid reader, cook and gardener, she started her blog EatsReadsThinks in 2010.
Suanne lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children.
Laqueur’s novel An Exaltation of Larks was the grand prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Digest Book Awards and took first place in the 2019 North Street Book Prize. Her debut novel The Man I Love won a gold medal in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and was named Best Debut in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her follow-up novel, Give Me Your Answer True, was also a gold medal winner at the 2016 RFBA.
Laqueur graduated from Alfred University with a double major in dance and theater. She taught at the Carol Bierman School of Ballet Arts in Croton-on-Hudson for ten years. An avid reader, cook and gardener, she started her blog EatsReadsThinks in 2010.
Suanne lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
December 1, 2017
4.5
To be honest I really just want to c/p the Authors introduction here,because she's said it just perfectly..but I'll just go with some of her words,
These are scenes and scribbles either cut from the final draft of A Charm of Finches,or written with no intent of ever being in the final draft
She writes,
Could I write honest and believable gay sex?
The answer is most definitely yes.Her words are beautiful,totally believable and I'm in complete awe of her writing.
This is undeniably sexy,Jav and Stef go at it hot and heavy,....just the way I like my men to be, but it's about a lot more than that.It's quite simply love,and it's beautiful.
There are so many MM Authors who get by,by their reputation and there are far too many who get overlooked.This Author is one of the best....trust me.
Review copy provided by the Author
I saw him across an empty gallery. I thought he was hot. I hoped we’d hook up and get naked. Have a good time and be on our way. Now he’s my boyfriend.
To be honest I really just want to c/p the Authors introduction here,because she's said it just perfectly..but I'll just go with some of her words,
These are scenes and scribbles either cut from the final draft of A Charm of Finches,or written with no intent of ever being in the final draft
She writes,
Could I write honest and believable gay sex?
The answer is most definitely yes.Her words are beautiful,totally believable and I'm in complete awe of her writing.
This is undeniably sexy,Jav and Stef go at it hot and heavy,....just the way I like my men to be, but it's about a lot more than that.It's quite simply love,and it's beautiful.
There are so many MM Authors who get by,by their reputation and there are far too many who get overlooked.This Author is one of the best....trust me.
Review copy provided by the Author
March 12, 2019
NSFW, NSF-Kids and NSF-Neighbours
This is A collection of deleted scenes from A Charm of Finches.
It is
Hot!
Funny!
Sexy!
HAAAAWWT!
Panty wetting!
Jav yelped a laugh and bucked back, dragging Stef’s wrists under the waistband.
“Ow,” Stef cried. “Dude. Easy. Let go.”
“Sorry,” Jav said, still laughing as he came back down again. “That was just…”
“Too weird.”
“No, it…tickled.”
“Uh-huh.” Stef crossed his smarting wrists over Jav’s shoulders and bit on his ear. “Quite the knee-jerk reaction there, my friend.”
Jav chuckled weakly. “Yeah, I… Yeah.”
“Listen,” Stef said.
“Oh, God. I killed the mood.”
“Shut up.”
“You’re gonna be shrinky, aren’t you?”
“I’m going to talk about your asshole for ten seconds, okay?”
“Go ahead. What about my asshole? Talk slow.”
The sex scenes in this book are the best of the bestest. HOOOOOOT! HAWT! Phantom Orgasm people!! This book is mostly sex and i loveeeeed every freaking scene.
His mouth sucked and bit hard as Stef tugged and teased at him. Sliding a hand down the back of his briefs and stroking it up the crack of his ass. Easing the waistband down a bit on one side. Then the other. Stef bent his head and ran his tongue around Jav’s nipple, which rose up into a tight bead. He sucked hard and pulled Jav’s pants down all the way.
Kissing! Kissing!
All the while kissing and kissing and kissing.
I haven’t sucked face like this since I was a teenager.
Jav started laughing softly.
“What?” Stef said.
and More Kissing.. GAAAAHHH!
The Sex scenes were sensual, hard and everything in between.
“I want to make you come.”
“Fuck into me like this.”
“Come here, Stef. Come right now.”
“Jav, I can’t even…”
“Do what I tell you.” He drew Stef’s head back and covered his mouth with his own. “Come,” he said into Stef’s throat.
Stef moved on him, short little thrusts while his hand wrapped around Jav’s and jerked hard. Cock bubbling up hot and dripping through their hands. Ass clenching down even hotter, pulsing as Jav held still and came.
Gawd! Jesus Lawd. This book is hawt! and we STAN Jav and Stef.
This is A collection of deleted scenes from A Charm of Finches.
It is
Hot!
Funny!
Sexy!
HAAAAWWT!
Panty wetting!
Jav yelped a laugh and bucked back, dragging Stef’s wrists under the waistband.
“Ow,” Stef cried. “Dude. Easy. Let go.”
“Sorry,” Jav said, still laughing as he came back down again. “That was just…”
“Too weird.”
“No, it…tickled.”
“Uh-huh.” Stef crossed his smarting wrists over Jav’s shoulders and bit on his ear. “Quite the knee-jerk reaction there, my friend.”
Jav chuckled weakly. “Yeah, I… Yeah.”
“Listen,” Stef said.
“Oh, God. I killed the mood.”
“Shut up.”
“You’re gonna be shrinky, aren’t you?”
“I’m going to talk about your asshole for ten seconds, okay?”
“Go ahead. What about my asshole? Talk slow.”
The sex scenes in this book are the best of the bestest. HOOOOOOT! HAWT! Phantom Orgasm people!! This book is mostly sex and i loveeeeed every freaking scene.
His mouth sucked and bit hard as Stef tugged and teased at him. Sliding a hand down the back of his briefs and stroking it up the crack of his ass. Easing the waistband down a bit on one side. Then the other. Stef bent his head and ran his tongue around Jav’s nipple, which rose up into a tight bead. He sucked hard and pulled Jav’s pants down all the way.
Kissing! Kissing!
All the while kissing and kissing and kissing.
I haven’t sucked face like this since I was a teenager.
Jav started laughing softly.
“What?” Stef said.
and More Kissing.. GAAAAHHH!
The Sex scenes were sensual, hard and everything in between.
“I want to make you come.”
“Fuck into me like this.”
“Come here, Stef. Come right now.”
“Jav, I can’t even…”
“Do what I tell you.” He drew Stef’s head back and covered his mouth with his own. “Come,” he said into Stef’s throat.
Stef moved on him, short little thrusts while his hand wrapped around Jav’s and jerked hard. Cock bubbling up hot and dripping through their hands. Ass clenching down even hotter, pulsing as Jav held still and came.
Gawd! Jesus Lawd. This book is hawt! and we STAN Jav and Stef.
December 12, 2017
Happy release day, Suanne! I love you so, so much. :)
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Cushman-...
Jav & Stef, I love you guys too. <3
Ps. Teaser was taken from author's FB page. <3
---------------------------------
Suanne, thank you so much for this fuckfest. I'm quite satisfied. 😄😄😄
Full review to come later because first I need to take a long shower. Damn, this was so hot. :D
Stef leaned and looked up at his lover. A hundred sparkling colors in his eyes. Smile glistening with lust. “I’m getting the feeling you like me.”
Jav’s hand slid along Stef’s jaw, then he kissed him.
“I love you like hell, Finch.” ❤❤❤
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
----------------------
OMG this just made my day. Suanne, I love you soooooo much. Thank you for this... 💗
Pps. Jan, my dear friend. Thank you very much for sharing this news with me. You're so sweet. 😚😚
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Cushman-...
Jav & Stef, I love you guys too. <3
Ps. Teaser was taken from author's FB page. <3
---------------------------------
Suanne, thank you so much for this fuckfest. I'm quite satisfied. 😄😄😄
Full review to come later because first I need to take a long shower. Damn, this was so hot. :D
Stef leaned and looked up at his lover. A hundred sparkling colors in his eyes. Smile glistening with lust. “I’m getting the feeling you like me.”
Jav’s hand slid along Stef’s jaw, then he kissed him.
“I love you like hell, Finch.” ❤❤❤
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
----------------------
OMG this just made my day. Suanne, I love you soooooo much. Thank you for this... 💗
Pps. Jan, my dear friend. Thank you very much for sharing this news with me. You're so sweet. 😚😚
March 5, 2026
4,5 ⭐ not sure I could’ve chosen better for a slump (hopefully the end of it!) - not a reread, but still a visit to beloved characters. No notes, just bliss.
So this is actually a part of the Venery series (An Exaltation of Larks and A Charm of Finches specifically), a collection of scenes that didn’t make the final cut, personal notes, even what-if scenarios and some characters’ evolution. There is no chronological order to them - some happen during Finches, some after, some are just ideas that would actually never happen. And my main question is, why don’t more authors do this?? It’s such a brilliant and precious idea to publish something like this! It’s basically like finding the author’s AO3 account full of AUs of their own work 👀
To be fair, at least half of it is “a fuck-ton of gratuitous boning” as Suanne Laqueur put it in the premise. Lots of sex and Javier’s sexual exploration when it comes to his own desires, conversations about sex and what it means to him and Stef and how it enriches their relationship. While some scenes were hot or mushy or even a bit cringe in a wholesome way, I just appreciated seeing Javi finally get what he deserves, with Stef. Despite being in his forties, Javier has never been in a serious relationship before, and never slept with a man. Stef is the first for him in all the things that matter, and it gets to me every time I think about them 😩
I can consume only a limited amount of sex scenes before I inevitably get bored (even with beloved characters, yes), which is the only reason I rounded down. Suanne was right - these snippets are best sampled gradually, not gobbled up like a favorite snack.
My favorites were the non-sexual ones - especially Ari and Stef bonding had me cooing. And who Ari almost ended up being? The creation of Geno? And finally, Ari and Geno actually becoming friends?? I need more of these AUs!
Mostly, I’m so thankful the author allowed us to peek inside her head, to watch a bit of the process of creating the characters, and how much they actually evolved into their final versions that appeared in the series ❤️
Stef found getting Jav to trust him meant more than getting him naked. It wasn’t so much how they moved in the throes as it was Jav lying still afterward. He stayed the night, or Stef stayed with him. Jav fell asleep asking questions, Stef nodded off mid-answer. They woke up, another day unfolded and the weight of Jav’s trust settled a little more into Stef’s hands.
He didn’t know trust had this kind of mass. Jav’s was a treasure unearthed. Weathered and golden, warm and heavy in Stef’s palms. His fingers closed around it almost reverently, not sure when guiding Jav through this new sexual terrain had gone from an adventurous turn-on to a privilege.
So this is actually a part of the Venery series (An Exaltation of Larks and A Charm of Finches specifically), a collection of scenes that didn’t make the final cut, personal notes, even what-if scenarios and some characters’ evolution. There is no chronological order to them - some happen during Finches, some after, some are just ideas that would actually never happen. And my main question is, why don’t more authors do this?? It’s such a brilliant and precious idea to publish something like this! It’s basically like finding the author’s AO3 account full of AUs of their own work 👀
To be fair, at least half of it is “a fuck-ton of gratuitous boning” as Suanne Laqueur put it in the premise. Lots of sex and Javier’s sexual exploration when it comes to his own desires, conversations about sex and what it means to him and Stef and how it enriches their relationship. While some scenes were hot or mushy or even a bit cringe in a wholesome way, I just appreciated seeing Javi finally get what he deserves, with Stef. Despite being in his forties, Javier has never been in a serious relationship before, and never slept with a man. Stef is the first for him in all the things that matter, and it gets to me every time I think about them 😩
I can consume only a limited amount of sex scenes before I inevitably get bored (even with beloved characters, yes), which is the only reason I rounded down. Suanne was right - these snippets are best sampled gradually, not gobbled up like a favorite snack.
My favorites were the non-sexual ones - especially Ari and Stef bonding had me cooing. And who Ari almost ended up being? The creation of Geno? And finally, Ari and Geno actually becoming friends?? I need more of these AUs!
Mostly, I’m so thankful the author allowed us to peek inside her head, to watch a bit of the process of creating the characters, and how much they actually evolved into their final versions that appeared in the series ❤️
Stef found getting Jav to trust him meant more than getting him naked. It wasn’t so much how they moved in the throes as it was Jav lying still afterward. He stayed the night, or Stef stayed with him. Jav fell asleep asking questions, Stef nodded off mid-answer. They woke up, another day unfolded and the weight of Jav’s trust settled a little more into Stef’s hands.
He didn’t know trust had this kind of mass. Jav’s was a treasure unearthed. Weathered and golden, warm and heavy in Stef’s palms. His fingers closed around it almost reverently, not sure when guiding Jav through this new sexual terrain had gone from an adventurous turn-on to a privilege.
March 11, 2018
3.5 "I’ve-Met-Someone" Stars
I liked the two previous books in this series more than this one! But it was just me not the book! Every chapter in this book was like a short story that happened between the first book and the second one or after the second one or during the first one but the thing is they weren’t in order! And that was what bothered me! I know they were unpublished chapters but still… And I should say the writing was really good and as Jav and Stef had a good time with each other I enjoyed their story too.
Told in multiple POV, 3rd and 1st (the author’s POV) person. It’s the Venery’s novella and it should be read in order. I love this series and I'm looking forward to reading it's next installment. All in all, it was an enjoyable read for me and I hope you like it as well!
I liked the two previous books in this series more than this one! But it was just me not the book! Every chapter in this book was like a short story that happened between the first book and the second one or after the second one or during the first one but the thing is they weren’t in order! And that was what bothered me! I know they were unpublished chapters but still… And I should say the writing was really good and as Jav and Stef had a good time with each other I enjoyed their story too.
Told in multiple POV, 3rd and 1st (the author’s POV) person. It’s the Venery’s novella and it should be read in order. I love this series and I'm looking forward to reading it's next installment. All in all, it was an enjoyable read for me and I hope you like it as well!
January 9, 2018
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance
Type: Companion novel of Venery series
POV: Third Person
Rating:
Tales from Cushman Row is a collection of unpublished scenes and characters development/evolution of Javier Landes and Steffen Finch - characters from A Charm of Finches. The collection also includes author's note on how the characters and story evolved from her original ideas.
Here you can find plenty of sexy scenes that I felt was missing in the original book, so I'm happy with that lol! There were also some funny scene (my fave is the one with Soleil) and some sad scenes to balance it all.
Books in the series:
🐦 😍 🐦. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🐦 😍 🐦
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Companion novel of Venery series
POV: Third Person
Rating:
Tales from Cushman Row is a collection of unpublished scenes and characters development/evolution of Javier Landes and Steffen Finch - characters from A Charm of Finches. The collection also includes author's note on how the characters and story evolved from her original ideas.
Jav yanked himself free from Stef’s grip, planted palms and his knees in the mattress and rocked back onto Stef, fucking him. His fingers closed around Stef’s wrist and guided that hand to his cock.
Here you can find plenty of sexy scenes that I felt was missing in the original book, so I'm happy with that lol! There were also some funny scene (my fave is the one with Soleil) and some sad scenes to balance it all.
Books in the series:
🐦 😍 🐦. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🐦 😍 🐦
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Read
November 11, 2017“Check it out.” Stef’s expression was full of the devil as he elbowed Jav’s side.
Jav looked over, annoyed that the liquor store was out of Appleton Estate and he had to pick another kind of rum. He took off his glasses and squinted at the shelf where Stef was pointing to a bag’s label.
“Man, I would’ve loved being in that advertising meeting,” Stef said, grinning.
“Jesus,” Jav said. “Were they even trying to be subliminal?”
“Hidden in plain sight.”
As Jav went back to inspecting rum labels, a small elephant tugged on his sleeve.
Shut up, he thought.
Dumbo pouted. But we wants to know.
“Now see,” Stef said, picking up another bag. “This is poor advertising.” He turned it toward Jav. The label read Chocolate Rimming Sugar. “Two words you definitely don’t want next to each other. Probably doesn’t sell very well.”
The elephant was beating Jav with its trunk now. We wants to know!
“You ever?” Jav said, circling his hand vaguely at the shelves.
“Sure.”
“Rimmer or rimmee?”
“Both.”
“Which do you like better?”
Stef put the bag back on the shelf. “Both.”
Jav blinked. Trying, unsuccessfully, to get the picture in his mind. All the while knowing he’d left the words “I’ll never” in the dust months ago.
“Well, I don’t doubt we’ll be having those drinks someday,” he said.
“You save it for date four hundred and seventy-two.” Stef smiled and moved a few aisles over toward the bourbons.
Jav’s eyes followed, full of confused affection. He knew beer would always be Stef’s best friend. He liked IPAs in summer but when autumn rolled around, he started drinking heavier, darker brews. Porters and stouts. In real cold weather, he liked a lowball of bourbon. He especially favored a brand called High West Yippee Ki-Yay. Probably because the label had a picture of a cowboy riding a bucking bronco. Stef favored anything with a picture of a horse on it.
Jav knew things like this now.
He grudgingly took a bottle of Pusser’s rum and made his way to the line at the register. From his pocket, his phone pinged an incoming text. He fished it out. It was Stef.
FYI, more nerve endings in your anus than any other part of your body.
Laughter snorted through Jav’s nose as a fiery heat swept across his face. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered, pulled in all direction by happiness, squeamishness, arousal and trepidation. Sloshing together in his stomach and groin in a passionate but lethal cocktail. Rimmed with sugar.
He had an erection now.
What the fuck is happening to me?
Jav looked over, annoyed that the liquor store was out of Appleton Estate and he had to pick another kind of rum. He took off his glasses and squinted at the shelf where Stef was pointing to a bag’s label.
“Man, I would’ve loved being in that advertising meeting,” Stef said, grinning.
“Jesus,” Jav said. “Were they even trying to be subliminal?”
“Hidden in plain sight.”
As Jav went back to inspecting rum labels, a small elephant tugged on his sleeve.
Shut up, he thought.
Dumbo pouted. But we wants to know.
“Now see,” Stef said, picking up another bag. “This is poor advertising.” He turned it toward Jav. The label read Chocolate Rimming Sugar. “Two words you definitely don’t want next to each other. Probably doesn’t sell very well.”
The elephant was beating Jav with its trunk now. We wants to know!
“You ever?” Jav said, circling his hand vaguely at the shelves.
“Sure.”
“Rimmer or rimmee?”
“Both.”
“Which do you like better?”
Stef put the bag back on the shelf. “Both.”
Jav blinked. Trying, unsuccessfully, to get the picture in his mind. All the while knowing he’d left the words “I’ll never” in the dust months ago.
“Well, I don’t doubt we’ll be having those drinks someday,” he said.
“You save it for date four hundred and seventy-two.” Stef smiled and moved a few aisles over toward the bourbons.
Jav’s eyes followed, full of confused affection. He knew beer would always be Stef’s best friend. He liked IPAs in summer but when autumn rolled around, he started drinking heavier, darker brews. Porters and stouts. In real cold weather, he liked a lowball of bourbon. He especially favored a brand called High West Yippee Ki-Yay. Probably because the label had a picture of a cowboy riding a bucking bronco. Stef favored anything with a picture of a horse on it.
Jav knew things like this now.
He grudgingly took a bottle of Pusser’s rum and made his way to the line at the register. From his pocket, his phone pinged an incoming text. He fished it out. It was Stef.
FYI, more nerve endings in your anus than any other part of your body.
Laughter snorted through Jav’s nose as a fiery heat swept across his face. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered, pulled in all direction by happiness, squeamishness, arousal and trepidation. Sloshing together in his stomach and groin in a passionate but lethal cocktail. Rimmed with sugar.
He had an erection now.
What the fuck is happening to me?
December 7, 2017
4 “Thank You” Stars”
This was an interesting read for me. Seeing how an author gets from A to Z was quite fascinating. Seeing how an idea starts and with writing that idea, the idea can morph into another avenue.
The author graciously lets the reader into her train of thought in writing A Charm of Finches. Scenes that didn’t make the final edit were kept safe by the author. Each scene, not in a chronological order, give the readers of A Charm of Finches, a better insight to the characters.
I really enjoyed getting more of Jav and Stef, Ari and the Larks. A lot of the scenes are sexual and the author doesn’t hide that. But I will say that the sex, while very hot and steamy, was written beautifully. The sex was infused with love that Jav and Stef felt towards one another. I enjoyed reading their intimate moments but without a story it was just a little too much for me. I was warned before reading about all the sex so it’s all on me.
Overall, I did enjoy reading the author’s notes about how and why certain plot lines became what they did and then reading the scenes as she wrote them. Beautiful writing, beautiful motivation, beautiful scenes .......Tales From Cushman Row was a beautiful extra to a beautiful story. Thank you Suanne Laqueur for allowing us fans into your writing process and extras. ❤️❤️❤️😍
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
This was an interesting read for me. Seeing how an author gets from A to Z was quite fascinating. Seeing how an idea starts and with writing that idea, the idea can morph into another avenue.
The author graciously lets the reader into her train of thought in writing A Charm of Finches. Scenes that didn’t make the final edit were kept safe by the author. Each scene, not in a chronological order, give the readers of A Charm of Finches, a better insight to the characters.
I really enjoyed getting more of Jav and Stef, Ari and the Larks. A lot of the scenes are sexual and the author doesn’t hide that. But I will say that the sex, while very hot and steamy, was written beautifully. The sex was infused with love that Jav and Stef felt towards one another. I enjoyed reading their intimate moments but without a story it was just a little too much for me. I was warned before reading about all the sex so it’s all on me.
Overall, I did enjoy reading the author’s notes about how and why certain plot lines became what they did and then reading the scenes as she wrote them. Beautiful writing, beautiful motivation, beautiful scenes .......Tales From Cushman Row was a beautiful extra to a beautiful story. Thank you Suanne Laqueur for allowing us fans into your writing process and extras. ❤️❤️❤️😍
*advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
January 10, 2018
Tales from Cushman Row is a compendium of deleted scenes and the author’s notes focusing on the character development of Javier Landes and the relationship he shares with Steffan Finch. Organized by chapter themes, each scene offers further dimension into these characters by exposing vulnerabilities, revealing humor and ultimately a sense of harmony. With the inclusion of chapters dedicated to the progression of Jav and Stef’s sexual encounters, it certainly satisfied the need to have something extra after finishing A Charm of Finches.
“Feel good?” Jav whispered. “God, I never had it so good.” Propped over Stef, Jav’s eyes seemed to harden. “You ever gonna let anyone else fuck you like this?” “No way. Never.”
Overall, getting insight into the author’s writing process was like watching cogs click into place, and these extras enriched my overall reading experience. For those who enjoyed the Venery duet, this book will answer some questions you may have and sate any residual cravings toward Jav. I highly recommend as supplemental reading.
“Listen to learn. Learn to tell. Tell to teach.”
Venery:
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
November 29, 2017
Tales From Cushman Row is like coming home. These characters have been with me in my mind and heart since I finished A Charm Of Finches in October.
Tales From Cushman Row are scenes that didn’t made it into A Charm Of Finches or was written with no intent of ever being in the book. Let me tell you all that I’m so grateful that Laqueur decided to publish this cause I can’t get enough of Jav and Stef or Ari, Roger and Geno for that matter. My heart and soul was literally singing while reading TFCR.
Laqueur is a sorceress with words. I’m spellbound. Completely! There’s nothing like it and I love it. I read the first page and I’m captured. Immediately. Her prose evoke so much emotion that I can feel it deep in my bones. For example a simple act like Jav resting his chin on Stef’s shoulder or when Jav is watching Ari sketching Stef. It might seem like nothing but the way Laqueur depicts it shows what a skilled author she is. She moves me with her words. Her narrative is meticulously and effortlessly executed. I’m filled with so much love for these characters. Laqueur knows them so well and I think that’s why Jav and Stef’s conversations and actions feel so natural and real. I laugh and connect with them cause they come off as real people. For example when Jav goes to the health clinic to get tested. I felt the awkwardness from that whole scene and again it’s funny as hell. Also Jav’s relationship with Ari. I teared up cause I felt the love they’re both feeling. They have someone. A family. Basically these characters resonated with me. Deep within me.
Yes, there’s a lot of sex and the reader is warned beforehand but TFCR is so much more than sex. This is about people connecting. Trusting each other, discovering themselves and one another. It’s honest, real and made me laugh. There are so many memorable scenes/moments in TFCR. These scenes don’t just revolve around Jav and Stef. There’s also Stav, Roger, Ari and Geno. Just read Tales From Cushman Row from beginning to end and revel in the brilliance that is Suanne Laqueur.
5 BadAssDirtyPinzónStars
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the author
Tales From Cushman Row are scenes that didn’t made it into A Charm Of Finches or was written with no intent of ever being in the book. Let me tell you all that I’m so grateful that Laqueur decided to publish this cause I can’t get enough of Jav and Stef or Ari, Roger and Geno for that matter. My heart and soul was literally singing while reading TFCR.
Laqueur is a sorceress with words. I’m spellbound. Completely! There’s nothing like it and I love it. I read the first page and I’m captured. Immediately. Her prose evoke so much emotion that I can feel it deep in my bones. For example a simple act like Jav resting his chin on Stef’s shoulder or when Jav is watching Ari sketching Stef. It might seem like nothing but the way Laqueur depicts it shows what a skilled author she is. She moves me with her words. Her narrative is meticulously and effortlessly executed. I’m filled with so much love for these characters. Laqueur knows them so well and I think that’s why Jav and Stef’s conversations and actions feel so natural and real. I laugh and connect with them cause they come off as real people. For example when Jav goes to the health clinic to get tested. I felt the awkwardness from that whole scene and again it’s funny as hell. Also Jav’s relationship with Ari. I teared up cause I felt the love they’re both feeling. They have someone. A family. Basically these characters resonated with me. Deep within me.
Yes, there’s a lot of sex and the reader is warned beforehand but TFCR is so much more than sex. This is about people connecting. Trusting each other, discovering themselves and one another. It’s honest, real and made me laugh. There are so many memorable scenes/moments in TFCR. These scenes don’t just revolve around Jav and Stef. There’s also Stav, Roger, Ari and Geno. Just read Tales From Cushman Row from beginning to end and revel in the brilliance that is Suanne Laqueur.
5 BadAssDirtyPinzónStars
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the author
July 21, 2023
✰ 4.25 stars ✰
“This cannot be real. This cannot be happening.
As usual, the universe shrugged back at him with a smile. Yet here we are.”
In Tales from Cushman Row Suanne Laqueur gives us more than the unscripted, unpublished random extras into Jav and Steff's story and then some. It is a candid and fervent reverence of sexual intimacy and brave and honest explorations of desires and wants between two men - who are learning and knowing what it means to be so in love with someone for the first time. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a man to see me as much as I want you to,” he said. “You look at me and… I’m me. And that’s fucking beautiful.”
It is in the small glimpses of finding the courage to voice what they want - it is in the dawning of realization that this is what they can have - it is the sentimental rush that this is theirs to own and cherish - for the rest of time. It is more than just meeting someone - it is having someone to know inside out completely. 🥹🥹 Jav, who never knew it could be like this, and Steff, who never thought it could feel like this. Ms.Laqueur's prose is so achingly vivid and raw that it swells like a surge of water and an orchestral tidal wave that overwhelms you that you can feel their desire of longing and disbelief that this love is real and here to stay. 🥺🥺
“I’ve never felt like this,” Jav said. “Never in my life. This is more feeling than I ever had in my life.”
“Me too.” Stef held Jav’s head, smoothing a thumb over that full bottom lip. “My heart’s pounding.”
“You know you have more of me than anyone else ever has.”
“I know. I’ll be really careful with it.”
“Promise?”
Stef held his lips against Jav’s, breathing. “It’s safe with me.”
“Finch.” Jav’s hands came up to hold his head. “I swear to God, I’m in love with you.”
The whole room contracted like a fist, then released.
“I’m in love with you, too,” Stef whispered.”
Aside from these lovely additions into their story, I also appreciated the little details we got into the backstory of certain characters - how she would have liked somethings to have been addressed, how some characters were scraped or rewritten or the inevitable outcomes for certain plots that never came into fruition. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 It was a very small peek into SLQR's style of writing and it really did help bring their story to a much deeper sense of feeling. 🫶🏻 🫶🏻
“Can’t be too much,” Stef said, “because it’s never enough. Come on now. Show me. I love when you’re raw. I love when you’re sweet. I love when you talk dirty and I love when you cry. I love all of it.”
...
“I want for nothing right now. Don’t let it end. I waited so long. Now just let the rest of my life be this.”
“This cannot be real. This cannot be happening.
As usual, the universe shrugged back at him with a smile. Yet here we are.”
In Tales from Cushman Row Suanne Laqueur gives us more than the unscripted, unpublished random extras into Jav and Steff's story and then some. It is a candid and fervent reverence of sexual intimacy and brave and honest explorations of desires and wants between two men - who are learning and knowing what it means to be so in love with someone for the first time. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a man to see me as much as I want you to,” he said. “You look at me and… I’m me. And that’s fucking beautiful.”
It is in the small glimpses of finding the courage to voice what they want - it is in the dawning of realization that this is what they can have - it is the sentimental rush that this is theirs to own and cherish - for the rest of time. It is more than just meeting someone - it is having someone to know inside out completely. 🥹🥹 Jav, who never knew it could be like this, and Steff, who never thought it could feel like this. Ms.Laqueur's prose is so achingly vivid and raw that it swells like a surge of water and an orchestral tidal wave that overwhelms you that you can feel their desire of longing and disbelief that this love is real and here to stay. 🥺🥺
“I’ve never felt like this,” Jav said. “Never in my life. This is more feeling than I ever had in my life.”
“Me too.” Stef held Jav’s head, smoothing a thumb over that full bottom lip. “My heart’s pounding.”
“You know you have more of me than anyone else ever has.”
“I know. I’ll be really careful with it.”
“Promise?”
Stef held his lips against Jav’s, breathing. “It’s safe with me.”
“Finch.” Jav’s hands came up to hold his head. “I swear to God, I’m in love with you.”
The whole room contracted like a fist, then released.
“I’m in love with you, too,” Stef whispered.”
Aside from these lovely additions into their story, I also appreciated the little details we got into the backstory of certain characters - how she would have liked somethings to have been addressed, how some characters were scraped or rewritten or the inevitable outcomes for certain plots that never came into fruition. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 It was a very small peek into SLQR's style of writing and it really did help bring their story to a much deeper sense of feeling. 🫶🏻 🫶🏻
“Can’t be too much,” Stef said, “because it’s never enough. Come on now. Show me. I love when you’re raw. I love when you’re sweet. I love when you talk dirty and I love when you cry. I love all of it.”
...
“I want for nothing right now. Don’t let it end. I waited so long. Now just let the rest of my life be this.”
December 21, 2017
T’is true, there is a lot of gratuitous boning, but it’s actually as emotionally charged as it is hot. The depth and authenticity of what it means to be a human being is captured in all of her books, and if a reader wants a taste of what she is capable of, this is a good place to start. However reading the book from whence it came—A Charm of Finches— is an experience you don’t want to pass up either.
December 31, 2017
I have been soooooo busy wrapping things up with my book I haven't had the chance to come on here and yell at Suanne about this one. OMG that last chapter. Are you trying to kill me? I finished this at 5am Friday morning and sobbed for thirty minutes before going back to sleep. And I don't even know why. The end is happy. Beautiful, actually. Ugh. I think it's because I'm going to miss the hell out of these guys. This isn't a novel, it's a collections of scenes. But it didn't feel that way to me. I felt like I was reading an extended version of Finches. It flowed, each chapter giving me more and more. I wasn't gutted at the end of Finches because I had an inkling something like this or maybe a book 3 was coming, but now, I'm like WTF? I need more. 😭😭😭
He took one of his rings off and placed it on top. "No price," he whispered. 😍😍😍
Stef and Jav are my favorite couple of 2017. Finches put them there, and Cushman confirmed it.
He took one of his rings off and placed it on top. "No price," he whispered. 😍😍😍
Stef and Jav are my favorite couple of 2017. Finches put them there, and Cushman confirmed it.
November 9, 2018
*4,5 stars*
If you love Jav, you'll love this.
If you love Jav and Stef, you'll love this even more.
If you have read books 1 and 2 in the Venery series, this is a must, you'll not regret it.
The introduction was downright funny and got me really curious and boy oh boy...
All these little scenes between Jav and Stef, baring the depth of their connection with every move and word. And the sex, not just crazy hot, but utterly beautiful and full of meaning.
I may have melted into my seat with every little exchange.
Beautiful, gorgeous, heart warming, funny, swoon-worthy, understanding, respectful ... it all fits, but no word adequately describes how awesome Jav and Stef are together. Just ... wow.
I also loved the little peek behind the scenes of the creative process that went into putting book 2 together. And the bonus information we found out about so many other characters!
Excellent addition to the series!
Thank you Jan for the 'medicine'. It was spot on!
If you love Jav, you'll love this.
If you love Jav and Stef, you'll love this even more.
If you have read books 1 and 2 in the Venery series, this is a must, you'll not regret it.
The introduction was downright funny and got me really curious and boy oh boy...
All these little scenes between Jav and Stef, baring the depth of their connection with every move and word. And the sex, not just crazy hot, but utterly beautiful and full of meaning.
I may have melted into my seat with every little exchange.
Beautiful, gorgeous, heart warming, funny, swoon-worthy, understanding, respectful ... it all fits, but no word adequately describes how awesome Jav and Stef are together. Just ... wow.
I also loved the little peek behind the scenes of the creative process that went into putting book 2 together. And the bonus information we found out about so many other characters!
Excellent addition to the series!
Thank you Jan for the 'medicine'. It was spot on!
December 8, 2017
Wow!!! I loved it!
In the synopsis you find this, “For fans of the Venery series, author Suanne Laqueur offers a compendium of love scenes—unpublished chapters, character sketches and assorted reflections about Javier Landes and Steffen Finch. A treat to skim through, skip around and linger over at leisure. Like caviar.” I tried to make it a leisurely read but geez, putting this book down was close to impossible!!
This little gem was…..
SEXY
BEAUTIFUL
SEXY
FUN
SEXY
INTIMATE
SEXY
AND AT TIMES EMOTIONAL
Tales from Cushman Row is a must read. Suanne’s writing is fabulous and the beauty from the other two Venery books continues here.
Jav and Stef are simply yummy and there is so much in this tale to love. ❤
**advanced copy provided by the author** Thank you so much!
In the synopsis you find this, “For fans of the Venery series, author Suanne Laqueur offers a compendium of love scenes—unpublished chapters, character sketches and assorted reflections about Javier Landes and Steffen Finch. A treat to skim through, skip around and linger over at leisure. Like caviar.” I tried to make it a leisurely read but geez, putting this book down was close to impossible!!
This little gem was…..
SEXY
BEAUTIFUL
SEXY
FUN
SEXY
INTIMATE
SEXY
AND AT TIMES EMOTIONAL
Tales from Cushman Row is a must read. Suanne’s writing is fabulous and the beauty from the other two Venery books continues here.
Jav and Stef are simply yummy and there is so much in this tale to love. ❤
**advanced copy provided by the author** Thank you so much!
December 12, 2017
5++++ Jav & Stef Stars*****
If you are a fan of A Charm Of Finches this book will be like an early Christmas present to you. Is wonderful and sexy, sort of montage of Javier and Stef’s romance.
As a die hard fan of Suanne Laqueur whenever I read one of her books, I’m always wondering what’s it like inside her brain. Only because I admire her brilliant creativity, and her ability to create such beautiful and compassionate stories. This me makes curious as to what is it like, inside her brain. Reading this book felt a little bit like if she’s giving us, her readers permission inside her head, if only for a little while, and it was sublime. The way this book is written, you get an inside look into Suanne’s feelings and also her creative process.
Once again we get the pleasure of experiencing the connection between these two men who finally found with each other exactly what they’ve been searching for their whole lives, a safe place to love, and freely.
This book is full of passion, it is a sexier angle into the relationship between Stef and Jav. These two men are crazy about each other and it was incredibly sensual to witness how they could hardly keep their hands of each other, but also how much patience and vulnerability they had to produce for the sake of their love.
I can see myself reading this book over and over, because I feel like each story has hidden gems, lessons and feelings that will continue to give and give, and feel new with every read. I absolutely adored this novel, to me it is a celebration of love and passion between characters that have permanent residence inside my heart. Simply brilliant!!!!
If you are a fan of A Charm Of Finches this book will be like an early Christmas present to you. Is wonderful and sexy, sort of montage of Javier and Stef’s romance.
As a die hard fan of Suanne Laqueur whenever I read one of her books, I’m always wondering what’s it like inside her brain. Only because I admire her brilliant creativity, and her ability to create such beautiful and compassionate stories. This me makes curious as to what is it like, inside her brain. Reading this book felt a little bit like if she’s giving us, her readers permission inside her head, if only for a little while, and it was sublime. The way this book is written, you get an inside look into Suanne’s feelings and also her creative process.
Once again we get the pleasure of experiencing the connection between these two men who finally found with each other exactly what they’ve been searching for their whole lives, a safe place to love, and freely.
This book is full of passion, it is a sexier angle into the relationship between Stef and Jav. These two men are crazy about each other and it was incredibly sensual to witness how they could hardly keep their hands of each other, but also how much patience and vulnerability they had to produce for the sake of their love.
I can see myself reading this book over and over, because I feel like each story has hidden gems, lessons and feelings that will continue to give and give, and feel new with every read. I absolutely adored this novel, to me it is a celebration of love and passion between characters that have permanent residence inside my heart. Simply brilliant!!!!
March 12, 2019
When you’re reading something hot, and I mean really hot… do you ever wonder how the author manages to get ANYTHING done in her day, when she’s capable of conjuring these things between her ears? Yeah.
But fortunately Suanne Laqueur does, because her books are among my favorites of this (or any) year. This assembly of delectable treats was like finding a $20 bill in my jeans. I might never find another pair of perfect jeans exactly like Jav, but Tales from Cushman Row is the gift that keeps on giving.
I know. It’s not my best analogy. But that’s what hotness does to my brain.
We’re also given some really fun behind-the-scenes glimpses into how the Venery stories and characters developed. I love to get peeks at an author’s stream of consciousness like this. This book shouldn’t be considered a standalone and it isn’t designed to be, but after you’ve experienced Larks and Finches, it’s a gloriously delicious bonus.
My problem with most smutty reads is that I can't lose myself in them if I don’t feel the characters. It's a curse. And if the characters are well-developed... well, then, it’s probably not an erotic short, but a full novel. That’s why a collection like this is ideal — I already know these guys, and it’s like coming home.
As long as home is somewhere that is really, really hot.
But fortunately Suanne Laqueur does, because her books are among my favorites of this (or any) year. This assembly of delectable treats was like finding a $20 bill in my jeans. I might never find another pair of perfect jeans exactly like Jav, but Tales from Cushman Row is the gift that keeps on giving.
I know. It’s not my best analogy. But that’s what hotness does to my brain.
We’re also given some really fun behind-the-scenes glimpses into how the Venery stories and characters developed. I love to get peeks at an author’s stream of consciousness like this. This book shouldn’t be considered a standalone and it isn’t designed to be, but after you’ve experienced Larks and Finches, it’s a gloriously delicious bonus.
My problem with most smutty reads is that I can't lose myself in them if I don’t feel the characters. It's a curse. And if the characters are well-developed... well, then, it’s probably not an erotic short, but a full novel. That’s why a collection like this is ideal — I already know these guys, and it’s like coming home.
As long as home is somewhere that is really, really hot.
Read
December 18, 2017I MET SOMEONE
This was such a great ride!
I am happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I have read about really special characters since I started this series and sad because it's over now.
This book felt special for a million reasons, some of them I mentioned on my previous reviews. This last installment also hits close to home because
Geno makes a couple appearances and
Also, it was great to read the author's comments and how the characters were developed from the beginning, how they changed and how they became who they were at a later stage.
Jan, I can't thank you enough for kicking my arse to read this series!
December 26, 2017
Thank you Suanne for sharing these little morsels of your development process.
It was pure joy and I savored slowly, one tale at a time.
It was pure joy and I savored slowly, one tale at a time.
December 11, 2017
In order to establish Stef and Jav’s relationship dynamics, Laqueur wrote many (gratuitous boning and random humorous) scenes that didn’t make it into their book, A Charm of Finches (which was a 5* read- my review). This collection reads like a diary or bonus feature reel that allows you to revisit and spend additional time with characters that you love. And if you’ve ever read and loved characters before (of course you have), then you know that you’ll greedily take any glimpses into their “daily lives” that you can get.
So, fair warning. There is no story arc here. This is not a typical Laqueur read, though of course it includes the emotional intelligence, raw sensuality, and amusing banter that her readers have come to expect. Take my advice and read An Exaltation of Larks (my 5 star review), followed by A Charm of Finches, followed by this book, which I view as the lighter, necessary humor/fuck therapy follow-up to the heavier “therapy fiction” of the aforementioned Venery masterpieces. After the richness of the first two books, you certainly deserve some dessert. Indulge in this collection, and you won’t be sorry.
(Leans in to wipe a bit of chocolate mousse from the corner of your mouth) That’s the spirit! ;-)
So, fair warning. There is no story arc here. This is not a typical Laqueur read, though of course it includes the emotional intelligence, raw sensuality, and amusing banter that her readers have come to expect. Take my advice and read An Exaltation of Larks (my 5 star review), followed by A Charm of Finches, followed by this book, which I view as the lighter, necessary humor/fuck therapy follow-up to the heavier “therapy fiction” of the aforementioned Venery masterpieces. After the richness of the first two books, you certainly deserve some dessert. Indulge in this collection, and you won’t be sorry.
(Leans in to wipe a bit of chocolate mousse from the corner of your mouth) That’s the spirit! ;-)
Read
December 13, 2017
“I’m getting the feeling you like me.”
Jav’s hand slid along Stef’s jaw, then he kissed him. “I love you like hell, Finch.”
Last year, after finishing An Exaltation of Larks, we were pondering one or two scenes, unable to get them out of our head. We found ourselves wanting to reach inside Suanne Laqueur’s head and heart in an effort to uncover how she arrived at certain junctures in her story, how it became what it was. This doesn’t happen very often, but in this case, the want became a need, and so we reached out to discuss Larks with her.
“I need you to know you’re everything to me,” Jav said. “This. Right here. Means everything to me.”
Now, some authors can get a bit prickly if you question the direction of their story, yet others will openly and passionately discuss the direction their characters took. Thankfully, Suanne Laqueur fell into the latter, and was more than happy to discuss Larks with us, in the same exuberant, passionate and pragmatic way she delivered her story. She was honest, forthcoming and so very gracious, sharing her notes, thoughts and insights into how her story took certain directions. It was fascinating and exciting to be afforded a window into the soul of the author and the characters themselves.
‘Jav was never more aware of the role loneliness played in his life than when he slept with Stef. Literally slept. ‘
In Tales from Cushman Row, Suanne Laqueur offers readers an insight into A Charm of Finches, one of our absolute top reads for 2017. If you haven’t read either An Exaltation of Larks, they are an ABSOLUTE MUST! This authors prose is beyond reproach, making you question everything that came before and after. Suanne Laqueur is the consummate storyteller. Her writing talent will leave you breathless. There should be a tag on her books which reads “One does not read a Suanne Laqueur story, one LIVES it” because you truly do live every moment with the characters.
Onto Tales From Cushman Row. This is a companion book for those who would love just a little more. A ‘behind the scenes‘ look at certain scenes together with a chance to see what could have been, why a scene unfolded as it did, and why the author took a different direction to how the story initially began and how the characters developed form foundations to completion.
“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a man to see me as much as I want you to,” he said.
“You look at me and …I’m me. And that’s fucking beautiful.”
Not only that, but we got to experience a lot of extra hot steamy sex between hot Jav and sexy Stef courtesy of some added scenes, not included Finches! These were scenes that were cut from the final draft of A Charm of Finches and boy oh boy are they hot! Suanne Laqueur questioned if she could write an MM sex scene, that doubt was unfounded because she absolutely nailed (no pun intended) the sensitivity, intensity, believability and honesty of the intimate moments between Stef and Jav.
This book is for fans who felt they needed a little more Jav and Stef. If you love to further explore a story and get inside an author’s head, you will enjoy this companion book. We can just picture Suanne sitting at her computer with the devil on one shoulder, the angel on the next, each vying to for a space in the reader’s heart. Breaking it one minute, healing it the next, and….. we wouldn’t want it any other way!
“I met someone……”
TALES FROM CUSHMAN ROW is available below
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August 24, 2018
This was great. Loved to read those sexy scenes with Jav & Stef. They deserved their HEA.
I didn't care much about reading Jav, Ari and Geno's other storyline. I am quite pleased how this series turned out. It was interesting though seeing the author doing her "THING".
"Stef."
"Mm."
"Nothing."
"Whasrong?"
"Sometimes I need to check."
"I know."
"I'm an idiot. Go back to sleep."
"You're scared and playing the idiot card. I'm right here. And you can wake me up to check anytime you want."
December 9, 2017
Death by highlighting. That's a real thing when it comes to Suanne Laqueur's books. I start reading and then I start saving words, sentences, sections, entire chapters...only to finish and realize I've highlighted almost the entire book. It's lovely and all but it also makes it extremely difficult to pick a favorite quote. In the end, this one stood out a little bit more than all the others:
All my life, he thought, the sky slipping through his fingers. Where have I been all my life?
“Finch,” he cried, his voice cracking open.
Where were you? How did I not know? How did I live so long not knowing where you were?
“Finch…”
This is Jav in the middle of one hot, sexy scene. It's also packed with so much emotion that I wanted to shake my Kindle to see if anything would fall out. And that pretty much sums it up: yes, this is one steamy read and no, that's not all. It's also smart, honest, laugh out loud funny and so real, most of the time it feels like you're sitting right there, smack dab in the middle of everything. It's - what was the word? - oh yes, Laqueurish. It's distinctly Laqueurish.. And I love it.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2018
For readers of the Venery series only as it’s a collection of deleted scenes from A Charm of Finches (won't make any sense if not read before), with a few notes from the author.
These scenes are about the relationship between Jav & Stef, especially their sexual journey, and honestly, I would have loved some of these scenes not being cut.
Thanks for the author being honest about the fact that is a collection and not a book. The format was not to my liking, but I overlooked that because I was warned and for the quality of writing which, I can’t stress out more, is impressive.
These scenes are about the relationship between Jav & Stef, especially their sexual journey, and honestly, I would have loved some of these scenes not being cut.
Thanks for the author being honest about the fact that is a collection and not a book. The format was not to my liking, but I overlooked that because I was warned and for the quality of writing which, I can’t stress out more, is impressive.
July 15, 2024
This was just perfect—exactly what I needed to get some balance and begin my healing process.
I think I was eloquent once and could really put into words what the book meant to me and how I felt. Suanne took that from me... I'm wordless.
I love every single character and will always, and I know that now, cry every time Geronimo is mentioned.
Stef and Jav are more than just couple goals; they're everything; true partners because words matter♥️
I think I was eloquent once and could really put into words what the book meant to me and how I felt. Suanne took that from me... I'm wordless.
I love every single character and will always, and I know that now, cry every time Geronimo is mentioned.
Stef and Jav are more than just couple goals; they're everything; true partners because words matter♥️
October 13, 2024
Intimate & sexy as hell outtakes from the Venery series that you definitely shouldn't miss!
Jav took Stef’s hand, licked the palm and slipped it between their bodies. “Jerk yourself off,” he said. “Come with me.”
He leaned hard. One hand on Stef’s shoulder, the other pinning Stef’s wrist, he fucked Stef clear through the bed down into the earth, while Stef stroked himself off and over, straight up into the sky.
Jav took Stef’s hand, licked the palm and slipped it between their bodies. “Jerk yourself off,” he said. “Come with me.”
He leaned hard. One hand on Stef’s shoulder, the other pinning Stef’s wrist, he fucked Stef clear through the bed down into the earth, while Stef stroked himself off and over, straight up into the sky.
January 10, 2018
This... this is why I love Suanne so much!
That woman could write the phone booth and I would find it life altering. That’s how much I love the gal’s writing!
It’s about MY Jav. Yes he is MINE ladies! I called dibs since An Exaltation of Larks * insert menacing growl here*. Read what I wrote about this man: “Jav really broke my heart. I just wanted to embrace him and soothe his soul. He had so much hope just to be squashed in the bud. How many slaps and hard knocks can a man endure before losing himself and crumbling under life’s unfairness? He was my favorite. »
I wanted Jav to be happy. To be loved like he deserved. To have sex because he wanted to not because he had to.
Know that the dang book IS HOT. It is a f@ckfest like Suanne said. More important: it was a carefest. That’s the magic ingredient for sex scenes to work with me (is it hot in there?): the care, the love, the reverence. Even if you control the other, even if you give him the best performance in bed if I don’t feel the love, the emotions it just won’t do it for me.
Suanne said “I wanted to get Jav laid. Spectacularly laid. He deserved it. It was time to let him figure out who he was, emotionally and sexually.”
And that’s what we got!
I think Finch was the perfect match for Jav.
My favorite sex scene in the book is “The Role Loneliness Played”. In that scene Finch takes control or rather Jav lets him take control. Not because he wants to dominate Jav but because he wants to care for Jav. Jav never had someone taking care of him. If he was sick het took care of himself. He did not really have someone to “bring him soup and sympathy.” That’s what touched me about Jav in the first book. He was lonely. Rejected. Abandoned so many times. I just had teary eyes. In that scene Finch shows him that he has someone by his side. Someone who cares what happens to Jav. Someone who can take the lead and unburden Jav. Someone he can trust.
It was pure abandon and bliss. It was “so f@cking hot. And it felt so f@cking good”.
Last parting words: Suanne nearly popped my MM cherry. I had only read Wolfsong before reading A Charm of Finches and Tales from Cushman Row. I did not know if I would “get it “ or like it as I lack some essential body part to relate. Now I know what I suspected before: you don’t fall in love with a gender but with a person. Even if I salivate on gorgeous male bodies and not on women’s bodies (buy me the firefighters calendar already 😉).
That woman could write the phone booth and I would find it life altering. That’s how much I love the gal’s writing!
It’s about MY Jav. Yes he is MINE ladies! I called dibs since An Exaltation of Larks * insert menacing growl here*. Read what I wrote about this man: “Jav really broke my heart. I just wanted to embrace him and soothe his soul. He had so much hope just to be squashed in the bud. How many slaps and hard knocks can a man endure before losing himself and crumbling under life’s unfairness? He was my favorite. »
I wanted Jav to be happy. To be loved like he deserved. To have sex because he wanted to not because he had to.
Know that the dang book IS HOT. It is a f@ckfest like Suanne said. More important: it was a carefest. That’s the magic ingredient for sex scenes to work with me (is it hot in there?): the care, the love, the reverence. Even if you control the other, even if you give him the best performance in bed if I don’t feel the love, the emotions it just won’t do it for me.
Suanne said “I wanted to get Jav laid. Spectacularly laid. He deserved it. It was time to let him figure out who he was, emotionally and sexually.”
And that’s what we got!
I think Finch was the perfect match for Jav.
My favorite sex scene in the book is “The Role Loneliness Played”. In that scene Finch takes control or rather Jav lets him take control. Not because he wants to dominate Jav but because he wants to care for Jav. Jav never had someone taking care of him. If he was sick het took care of himself. He did not really have someone to “bring him soup and sympathy.” That’s what touched me about Jav in the first book. He was lonely. Rejected. Abandoned so many times. I just had teary eyes. In that scene Finch shows him that he has someone by his side. Someone who cares what happens to Jav. Someone who can take the lead and unburden Jav. Someone he can trust.
It was pure abandon and bliss. It was “so f@cking hot. And it felt so f@cking good”.
Last parting words: Suanne nearly popped my MM cherry. I had only read Wolfsong before reading A Charm of Finches and Tales from Cushman Row. I did not know if I would “get it “ or like it as I lack some essential body part to relate. Now I know what I suspected before: you don’t fall in love with a gender but with a person. Even if I salivate on gorgeous male bodies and not on women’s bodies (buy me the firefighters calendar already 😉).
January 15, 2018
4.5 Hot HEA Loved this one - after book 2 this was perfect, some fun, sexy special moments
April 1, 2018
I loved the small looks at everyone and the things that might have been, and enjoyed seeing how things evolved from one idea to another. But let's be honest. The main reason I read this was for more Stef and Jav hotness, and holy wow, did I get that. *shivers* There will never be enough of that, ever.
December 11, 2017
If there was ever a quote to sum up the TALES FROM CUSHMAN ROW experience, I think it would be this one :
"Oh, God, I killed the mood."
"Shut up."
"You're gonna be shrinky, aren't you?"
"I'm going to talk about your asshole for ten seconds, okay?"
Funny, hot, real. That's what Laqueur's writing is. And that's what you'll get in this compilation of outtakes, extras, sexy times compounded (this word made me snort for dirty reasons. sound it out. yes, I am a child) by sexy times, and alternate-universe plot directions of what might have been.
I was five when you were born. How did I even live for five years without you existing somewhere in the world?
As tempting as it sounds, this isn't really a read you want to devour all in one go. Despite the fact that the majority of this selection of unused or reworked material does seem to flow in chronological order (unless I was just imagining that) and will make it easy to go from one into the next, I would recommend that you try to find moments where you can walk away. I managed to delay my binge-y speed reading gratification almost two weeks (shoutout to my buddy!) and it was so worth it. It was perfect, really. Not only because a lot of it features moments that steam up the kindle screen, your glasses, and the surrounding windows, but because the intensity of the emotion, the connection, can get overwhelming -- in the best possible way.
"Never felt this way about anyone. Never felt this way about me."
But while the focus is obviously on Javi and Stef, we get some truly delightful additional moments with other characters from both previous books. Infact there's one relationship that didn't make it into the final cut that Laqueur was kind (cruel) enough to include and it almost broke me. What was also interesting were the glimpses of writerly evolution in the form of character direction, notes and plots. Some made me sit up and go Jav was almost a what? or I can't even imagine his name being that! It was super weird but also pretty cool to see what was discarded for good and what got used later and how it differed from the first original idea.
Their agreement is absolute in its wordlessness. Jav trusted Stef would be himself. Stef trusted Jav wouldn't try to be something he wasn't.
There is so much to Laqueur's world of Venery and it seems like things are only getting started (sure, I know, easy for me to say, these books are epicccc). Whether she expands on it or not, who can say at this point. I'm not even sure she knows yet. And honestly, I'm so happy where things were left in A CHARM OF FINCHES that I'd be perfectly content if that's where things ended and she chose to move on. But I'd be equally as rabid for the first tease of something new. We wants it.
4.5 "I like partner. it has a two-ness sound to it. it captures the together thing. me and him. going along. friends first and foremost" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
"Oh, God, I killed the mood."
"Shut up."
"You're gonna be shrinky, aren't you?"
"I'm going to talk about your asshole for ten seconds, okay?"
Funny, hot, real. That's what Laqueur's writing is. And that's what you'll get in this compilation of outtakes, extras, sexy times compounded (this word made me snort for dirty reasons. sound it out. yes, I am a child) by sexy times, and alternate-universe plot directions of what might have been.
I was five when you were born. How did I even live for five years without you existing somewhere in the world?
As tempting as it sounds, this isn't really a read you want to devour all in one go. Despite the fact that the majority of this selection of unused or reworked material does seem to flow in chronological order (unless I was just imagining that) and will make it easy to go from one into the next, I would recommend that you try to find moments where you can walk away. I managed to delay my binge-y speed reading gratification almost two weeks (shoutout to my buddy!) and it was so worth it. It was perfect, really. Not only because a lot of it features moments that steam up the kindle screen, your glasses, and the surrounding windows, but because the intensity of the emotion, the connection, can get overwhelming -- in the best possible way.
"Never felt this way about anyone. Never felt this way about me."
But while the focus is obviously on Javi and Stef, we get some truly delightful additional moments with other characters from both previous books. Infact there's one relationship that didn't make it into the final cut that Laqueur was kind (cruel) enough to include and it almost broke me. What was also interesting were the glimpses of writerly evolution in the form of character direction, notes and plots. Some made me sit up and go Jav was almost a what? or I can't even imagine his name being that! It was super weird but also pretty cool to see what was discarded for good and what got used later and how it differed from the first original idea.
Their agreement is absolute in its wordlessness. Jav trusted Stef would be himself. Stef trusted Jav wouldn't try to be something he wasn't.
There is so much to Laqueur's world of Venery and it seems like things are only getting started (sure, I know, easy for me to say, these books are epicccc). Whether she expands on it or not, who can say at this point. I'm not even sure she knows yet. And honestly, I'm so happy where things were left in A CHARM OF FINCHES that I'd be perfectly content if that's where things ended and she chose to move on. But I'd be equally as rabid for the first tease of something new. We wants it.
4.5 "I like partner. it has a two-ness sound to it. it captures the together thing. me and him. going along. friends first and foremost" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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