**spoiler alert** This is the forth Kai Gracen book and just as good as all the others, better in that Kai and his lordling finally get together. Of c**spoiler alert** This is the forth Kai Gracen book and just as good as all the others, better in that Kai and his lordling finally get together. Of course, it's a lot of blood and death and suffering to get them into bed (these books go DARK) but I've been invested in this couple from the get go. I'm so glad they finally made it. Very grown up and civilized they were about it, too. Communication and everything. It ended with more hints about Kai's heritage, so it looks like there will be more int he series, but honestly this is a very satisfying final book. So if you've been waiting to pick it up, for fear of cliff hangers, you can rest assured that this works as a quartet and be very satisfied with the four books as they currently stand.
Recommended book and series if you like hard urban fantasy with lots of gore, a snarky tortured murder peanut main character, a pining elf, and broken angst all over your knives....more
I love many of Via's books but the Promises series is probubly my favorite. If you read my San Andreas books but you want even more nookie? Try these.I love many of Via's books but the Promises series is probubly my favorite. If you read my San Andreas books but you want even more nookie? Try these. Via writes high heat. But oh so sexy. ...more
I was given an advanced reader of this book and have been waiting to crow about it. I ADORED it. It’s basically 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with I was given an advanced reader of this book and have been waiting to crow about it. I ADORED it. It’s basically 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. It’s what I wanted Miss Peregrine's Home to be. It’s delightful and comforting and warm. HIGHLY recommended....more
Gail: Mad giggling. AB: *eyebrow up* G: Snicker snicker snicker. G: This book is so much funnier than I thought it would be. I'm so happy. Book: "summoninGail: Mad giggling. AB: *eyebrow up* G: Snicker snicker snicker. G: This book is so much funnier than I thought it would be. I'm so happy. Book: "summoning a toilet paper demon" G: Loses her tiny mind for 10 minutes.
So what book was I reading?
A VILLAIN FOR CHRISTMAS by Alice Winters. And what an unexpected gem of a book this is! Gay superheros for Christmas. I picked it up in a string of holiday reads and this one was the star (at the top of the tree, nash).
Look it's not really a holiday read, it's a HILARIOUS take on superheroes where a supervillain (who really doesn't want to be) falls in love with a superhero and has to keep his identity secret until his bumbling evil family, a hairless cat dressed in pajamas, bags of cheese, and various other things conspire against him.
I did not expect to laugh as much as a I did but honestly, it utterly ridiculous and extremely funny.
If you like my character Max in THE SUMAGE SOLUTION or took my rec and enjoyed THE LIGHTNING STRUCK HEART by TJ Klune, then this one is for you. Honestly, give it a try, you won't be sorry....more
This is one of my favorite romantic short stories OF ALL TIME. It is a perennial comfort read for me. It’s a sweet contemporary romance set in the UK This is one of my favorite romantic short stories OF ALL TIME. It is a perennial comfort read for me. It’s a sweet contemporary romance set in the UK about a granddad finding his second love later in life. It is truly charming and if you want a pick-me-up, Granddad's Cup of Tea will work even better than an actual cup of tea (and I don’t say that lightly). Although, honestly, why not have both? ...more
If you loved Tris in my book The 5th Gender, you will love Zephyr the dragon who accidentally on purpose becomes a man who falls in love with the knigIf you loved Tris in my book The 5th Gender, you will love Zephyr the dragon who accidentally on purpose becomes a man who falls in love with the knight sent to rescue him. A light and bubbly book, no weighty matters here, brief plot and not too much angst or tension. Very enjoyable. ...more
Lyn Gala’s sci-fi romance Earth Father’s Are Weird made me ridiculously happy. It’s so charming. Human military dude accidentally becomes surrogate foLyn Gala’s sci-fi romance Earth Father’s Are Weird made me ridiculously happy. It’s so charming. Human military dude accidentally becomes surrogate for tentacle alien children. All the feels. Found family, adorable squidies. Gah. So cute. I LOVE this author’s Claiming’s series, so I bought this one without bothering to read the blurb or sample. I REGRET NOTHING. ...more
If you love my San Andreas books you might try Nora Phoenix’s Irresistible Omegas series. Tons of sex, menage (and more), and mpreg so you have to likIf you love my San Andreas books you might try Nora Phoenix’s Irresistible Omegas series. Tons of sex, menage (and more), and mpreg so you have to like/tolerate those tropes.
But it has one of the best, most touching allegories for a trans character I’ve ever read. Enar’s heart tugging denouement doesn’t happen until the 3rd or 4th book, but when it comes it made me so so so happy.
So recommended with reservations based on your own taste levels. ...more
This is a strong entry into this series, spinning the focus of the story off of Kai and his background, and onto his friends, their lives, In general:
This is a strong entry into this series, spinning the focus of the story off of Kai and his background, and onto his friends, their lives, their relationships, and general politics of the elf court. Don’t worry, there still manages to be a lot of fighting with monsters and fast paced adventure. Excitement is high, but there’s much less backstory.
Some concerns...
There is quite a bit of explaining what occurred in the prior book (at the beginning of this one). If you are reading all three in a row, you might find this annoying. If you’re like me, and you jumped right into this one having mostly forgotten what happened in the prior ones, then it’s actually quite helpful.
However, there are a couple other points in the book where the author leans on telling rather than showing regarding Kai’s character and how others perceive him. I happen to not mind this but it might annoy some readers.
Things I wish I knew...
This is the third book in the series, but it is not the last.
As we get very little on Kai’s history, family, or backstory, it is a sharp break in content from the previous book in the series. If you wanted some resolution to his complicated and violent relationship with his "birth" family, you will NOT get it in this book.
If you’ve been waiting all this time for Kai and Ryder to finally get down, you’re going to be disappointed too. There is a kiss, and what an amazing kiss it is, but it comes right near the end is the catalyst for more excitement a a tiny cliff hanger for the next book. Romantically what you DO get is a softening of Kai’s perception of and feelings towards Ryder. For lack of a better term, he "warms" up to him, which might allow for greater emotional intimacy in future installments (OH PLEASE).
More please?
I am really looking forward to the next in the series, but I am also getting a little impatient with the drawn out love story. If they don’t get together soon, I may lose faith. As some of you may know, I’m not a huge fan of a long running series, and I hope this one isn’t intended to be much longer than four or five books. ...more
Right, so Passion Blue by Victoria Strauss really reminded me of some of the more historically dense YAs that were optional additional reads in grade Right, so Passion Blue by Victoria Strauss really reminded me of some of the more historically dense YAs that were optional additional reads in grade school. You know, like The Tamarack Tree.
Since I was a total nerd, I always enjoyed these books (and read ALL of them, blowing the curve), but there is an element of old fashioned-ness to them. And by that I mean not just in the content but in the style of writing. In this, Strauss reminds me of Lois Lowry and other Newberry-winning types. There's a literary component to her work that I struggled with a little. Perhaps I carry baggage after suffering the slings and arrows of writing genre in an anti-genre world (particularly that with a romance or commercial bent). But this kind of book feels like, well, work to me.
I'm not slagging it off, I swear. I still carry great affection for something like Gathering Blue. But that doesn't mean it's a particularly fun read. Rewarding yes. Educational, certainly. But sometimes a bit exhausting. This was not a book I picked up and gobbled. It's a book I had to nibble at, a little each night.
I learned a whole lot about this place and time. I'm not particularly familiar with 15th-century Italian Renaissance, apart from some affection for movies like Dangerous Beauty. I found the details on painting and pigments interesting from a materials archaeology perspective, and convent stuff utterly fascinating.
"Nor had she known that nuns were allowed to drink wine. But then, she thought, almost everything in this house is something I thought nuns weren’t allowed. From the talk she had heard in the novice dormitory, she knew that choir nuns lived more comfortably than conversae—much more comfortably, in many cases—but she had never imagined such opulence."
I was particularly taken with the idea of the power of autonomy that becoming a nun granted aristocratic women of this time period.
"I am Christ’s bride, and no human man may command me!” For an instant, her bright face was fierce. “Nor do I need to fear dying in childbed, as my mother did. I am not one of those who sees Santa Marta as a prison.” She bit into one of the little cakes. “For me, it is the greatest freedom a woman can possess.”
This reminded me of Arcangela Tarabotti, the nun upon whom I drew much inspiration for Alexia's heritage, and from whom her last name is taken....more
Another romance novella I really liked. This one reminded me heavily of those super romantic Regency romances I read back in the 90s. I liked the quirAnother romance novella I really liked. This one reminded me heavily of those super romantic Regency romances I read back in the 90s. I liked the quirkiness of the relationship dynamics: the age difference, the wicked aunt, the house party setting. I gobbled it up quickly and I enjoyed it from start to finish. ...more
Molly Moves Out by Susan Pearson is one of my favorite books of all time. It's what I would call 'young reader' level, and it struck the cord of my crMolly Moves Out by Susan Pearson is one of my favorite books of all time. It's what I would call 'young reader' level, and it struck the cord of my crazy independent streak, even when I was very very young....more
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood is also characterized by simple clean vocabulary but has some of the most miraculous and intricate drawinKing Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood is also characterized by simple clean vocabulary but has some of the most miraculous and intricate drawings I've ever seen, by Don Wood. I love the premise (of refusing to get out of a bath) and I can still stair for hours at the detail in those amazing full page illustrations. (It helps that the artist's model for the king, Harry Bidgood, was a family friend.)...more
I listened to Huge Laurie reading an abridged version of Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men and a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog).
Before you ask, Channing I listened to Huge Laurie reading an abridged version of Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men and a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog).
Before you ask, Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings came into being in my head long before I had even heard of Jerome K. Jerome. However, listening to the book yielded up the following passage that I enjoyed so much I had to immediately look it up on the interwebs.
The order of the procession was as follows:
Montmorency, carrying a stick. Two disreputable-looking curs, friends of Montmorency's. George, carrying coats and rugs, and smoking a short pipe. Harris, trying to walk with easy grace, while carrying a bulged-out Gladstone bag in one hand and a bottle of lime-juice in the other. Greengrocer's boy and baker's boy, with baskets. Boots from the hotel, carrying hamper. Confectioner's boy, with basket. Grocer's boy, with basket. Long-haired dog. Cheesemonger's boy, with basket. Odd man carrying a bag. Bosom companion of odd man, with his hands in his pockets, smoking a short clay. Fruiterer's boy, with basket. Myself, carrying three hats and a pair of boots, and trying to look as if I didn't know it. Six small boys, and four stray dogs.
When we got down to the landing-stage, the boatman said: "Let me see, sir; was yours a steam-launch or a house-boat?"
On our informing him it was a double-sculling skiff, he seemed surprised.
~ Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men and a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), 1889
The marvelous thing about the above excerpt, is the window it gives into country village life in the late 1800s. I was so charmed by it that I was derailed for hours investigating the different mongers and their produce. Look for a tiny ode to the cheesmonger's boy to show up in the last scene of the first Finishing School Book the First: Etiquette & Espionage....more
Gay contemporary romance, May December. English professor gets accidentally involved with a hot young mob hit man, hyjinks and happily ever afters ensGay contemporary romance, May December. English professor gets accidentally involved with a hot young mob hit man, hyjinks and happily ever afters ensue.
Mary Calmes is probably one of my favorite romance authors. Many of her books are comfort reads for me, and this is definitely one of them. Nate is a truly appealing main character and great central voice, incredibly likable. The drama is fun and fast-paced, there are lots of themes of found family which I always enjoy. The sex is hot yet also super romantic. So really, what's not to love? Oh also it tackles one of my personal favorite romance themes: May December where the younger man is the aggressor.
However, if you are expecting the traditional style and pace of a bog-standard romance novel, with Mary you're likely to be disappointed. Like many of her books, Acrobat (not about an acrobat) is conversational and gentle and rambling. This feels more realistic to me, and more like actual relationships. Everything still ends happily, and many of the standard romance archetypes are in place, it's just that the execution pattern is abnormal. I really like that. Her books often read more like windows into the life of the main character at the time when they meet their eventual forever love.
Thus we see Nate dating and even liking another man, even though we know that's not the man he ends up.
I enjoy Mary's characters so much, that I don't mind simply spending time with them, even if they are dating other people. Although, there is never any cheating and it will all come out fine in the end.
If you like'd this book in particular, I suggest trying Frog next....more
One of the first classic historical romances I remember really pulling at my heartstrings. This is a typical Regency love story: young and innocent beOne of the first classic historical romances I remember really pulling at my heartstrings. This is a typical Regency love story: young and innocent beauty reforms a troubled rake through the power of her love (and great sex). However, I still adore it and occasionally reread it, and I still tear up at the dénouement. Perhaps because it was one of my first?...more
Perhaps an oddball on my reading list, this creepy sexy story at first appears to be something like a cabin fever mystery (not my thing) but evolves iPerhaps an oddball on my reading list, this creepy sexy story at first appears to be something like a cabin fever mystery (not my thing) but evolves into a superlative sci-fi. It’s very hard to categorize. And to say more woudl be to spoil it completely. You can read it or listen to it, but I prefer to listen. I didn’t expect to cry at the end, but I did: happy gulping blubbers....more
A serious and emotionally crippling take on the Robin Hood myth. Despite the fact that the vast limestone caves below Nottingham yet again make no appA serious and emotionally crippling take on the Robin Hood myth. Despite the fact that the vast limestone caves below Nottingham yet again make no appearance (why are the Robin Hood myths so lax on this count?) this is my favorite retelling. And yes, I include the various TV series in this statement ~ even Richard Armitage.
McKinley’s characters are wonderful (Little John’s romantic thread is the bestest). Her final tree-borne battle scene is genius and brutally sad.
It’s been well over a decade since I read this book, partly because of its darkness, but I’m thinking of sticking this under-appreciated gem on the reread list for my book group....more
Being told from the get go that this is the story of “Ia and her Damned” it’s pretty clear that this sweeping epic space opera will be the tale of a mBeing told from the get go that this is the story of “Ia and her Damned” it’s pretty clear that this sweeping epic space opera will be the tale of a martyr. There are so many things that trouble me about these books if I stop to actually think about them: Ia’s Mary Sue qualities, the religiously cult-ish nature of her followers (yet they are the good guys), a person who actually knows all probabilities, the abrupt literary switches between intimacy of character and huge sweeping concepts, and the feeling in the final two books that this is all set up for a different series… and yet. And yet… they are UTTERLY ADDICTING. I struggle to explain why I enjoyed this series so much. Why I sat on the couch for hours sobbing through the final book (30 tissues, I counted, my cat was very worried about me). In the end, I gave up and just accepted my fate (much as Ia accepted hers) and simply read. Some additions cannot be explained....more
I went to see the movie first, which was frankly a bit of a disappointment and I had some real issues with parts of it (see this blog post https://gaiI went to see the movie first, which was frankly a bit of a disappointment and I had some real issues with parts of it (see this blog post https://gailcarriger.com/2018/04/30/t... ).
So it took me a while but I finally picked up and read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Which I very much enjoyed. All of my concerns and reservations and issues with the movie do not exist in the book, so HOORAY!
I will still die on the alter of Geography Club or Boy Meets Boy, as I like both of those slightly better, if gay high school fist love coming out stories are what you are after. But this is still a good book. Very enjoyable.
If you like the movie I think you will probably LIKE THE BOOK MORE. So go read it, m'kay? ...more
This is a charming twisted retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and a real tear-jerker. It's as if Lane took Robin McKinley's Beauty and combined it witThis is a charming twisted retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and a real tear-jerker. It's as if Lane took Robin McKinley's Beauty and combined it with The Song of Achilles. There's an element of the Hunchback of Notre Dame thrown in there for good measure.
If you're a fan of alternate fairy stories, true love at all costs, and the ultimate melodrama of self-sacrifice than this book is for you. Definitely destined to became a favorite of mine....more
This particular novella was a mix of Sherlock Holmes (only way better written than Doyle and with female main characters), McCaffery's The Ship Who...This particular novella was a mix of Sherlock Holmes (only way better written than Doyle and with female main characters), McCaffery's The Ship Who... series, and Feist & Wurts Daughter of the Empire series.
Bodard is a master of artfully invested world building. She turns this story into a lyrical journey into space, as if the words themselves are overlaid with the serenity of a tea ceremony. Reading it felt restful and ritualized.
What is that st6ory? Well, a Brewer of Serenity (who also happens to be a troop transport shipmind with PTSD) is asked to mix up a very special tea for a space traveler. These teas allow human minds to withstand FTL transport. Only this customer has a tinkered mind and, perhaps, too many ulterior motives. She ends up transporting the traveler herself, and becomes enmeshed in a tangled galactic mystery....more
I adored this book. It was sweet and charming. It's set in a fun urban fantasy world, although I would definitely call it gay paranormal romance. It'sI adored this book. It was sweet and charming. It's set in a fun urban fantasy world, although I would definitely call it gay paranormal romance. It's nice to see solid worldbuilding in a PNR.
It has some tropes I love (May/December romance, hidden identity) and some I tend to avoid (rockstar). I'm not sure why I still gave this a try but I am really glad I did. One of those where I spent the second half of the book grinning like an idiot....more
I just find this story very comforting. I keep rereading it because it makes me so happy. It's set in Perth and it's basically a coming out story. It'I just find this story very comforting. I keep rereading it because it makes me so happy. It's set in Perth and it's basically a coming out story. It's a train-set meet cute. Jay is delicious, flamboyant, and dramatic (if you like Lord Akeldama you'll love Jay) and Liam is such a sweetheart. Just a big warm hug of a book. ...more
One of the things I like most about Brother's Ruin is the way Em layers in her tension points. As we open the book we see two characters standing stilOne of the things I like most about Brother's Ruin is the way Em layers in her tension points. As we open the book we see two characters standing still in a sea of humanity. Then we learn the first tension point: our heroine,Charlotte, is an artist trying to make it in a man's world. Then we get the second: the magi stealing children. Then we learn her beloved brother is ill. And then after we return to the comparative safety of home, the punch of a father's mounting debt.
Now we know Charlotte is weighed down by many burdens: disenfranchisement, secrecy, fear, grief, and financial hardship. These are all identifiable things to most readers, we have all suffered fear and sickness, financial insecurity and societal dismissal as a result of age, sex, gender, personal preferences, or race. (Well, most SF/F readers have.) This makes Charlotte very sympathetic as a character and us, as readers, very invested in seeing her climb her way out of this depressive cess-pit in which she finds herself.
All that in the first 20% of the novella!
As the final straw we see Charlotte's attempt at her own salvation, an inappropriate but fiscally logical marriage. The modern eye sees this as a flawed choice from the get go, because we (as readers) are trained to prefer our heroine to solve her own problems through strength of ability, not marriage. So we hope this match fails.
At this juncture when the magi appear, Charlotte is then driven into her adventure (heeds the call, if you would).
I'm not going to review further because to do so would give things away, and this is, not really much of a review. Ah well, more me admiring a most excellent set up and highly skilled author. It happens, sometimes I'm more author than reader. I do hope that you, as readers, also enjoyed this book....more
For those who know my taste you will know this has many things I like. Adorable snarky gay boy main character. Lots of awesome magic. Really fun fantaFor those who know my taste you will know this has many things I like. Adorable snarky gay boy main character. Lots of awesome magic. Really fun fantasy setting. But honestly... It's hilarious. No seriously, I was reading it last night and actually crying with laughter. I haven't laughed this hard since Ridiculous!. Possibly not even then. The Lightning-Struck Heart is really that funny....more
That craptastic cover just makes me so angry because what's inside is leagues superior. (Why must this be?)
This is a collection of Fielding's fantasy That craptastic cover just makes me so angry because what's inside is leagues superior. (Why must this be?)
This is a collection of Fielding's fantasy m/m shorts, which I like and think are her strongest works. Fielding writes classic stunning visionary fantasy extremely well. I could see her on the honor roll of the greats of the field, except she also includes gay sex. Her characters are almost always resilient, but broken. That's why I advise starting with this collection, get an idea of her writing style and themes and see if you want more. She's got a good range. Also, some of her solo ebook offerings are already included here, so if you start with this collection, you won't double up.
The Thirds series features genetically altered shifter humans (mostly cats) and their various romances and partners in Charlie Cochet's Thirds series:
The Thirds series features genetically altered shifter humans (mostly cats) and their various romances and partners in an elite military task force. If you like my character Max from The Sumage Solution, you'll love Dex who bring ridiculous snark to a whole new level. You should read these in order, so start with Hell & High Water. These books can get pretty rough and violent, and also very erotic, so trigger warnings all round....more
Please please please just ignore the horrible cover art. All of R. Cooper's Being(s) in Love books are so sweet and poignant, with prevailing themes oPlease please please just ignore the horrible cover art. All of R. Cooper's Being(s) in Love books are so sweet and poignant, with prevailing themes of loneliness and cultural (usually human-to-fae) misunderstandings. Gentle HEAs, understated but lovely sex scenes. You do not have to read this series in order at all, just pick and choose whichever blurb interests you. You'll probably end up reading them all anyway. That's what happened to me. I started with (and loved) Treasure for Treasure, and I am so NOT a dragon shifter person, but I still really enjoyed it....more
Please please please just ignore the horrible cover art. All of rR Cooper Being(s) in Love books are so sweet and poignant, with prevailing themes of Please please please just ignore the horrible cover art. All of rR Cooper Being(s) in Love books are so sweet and poignant, with prevailing themes of loneliness and cultural (usually human-to-fae) misunderstandings. Gentle HEAs, understated but lovely sex scenes. You do not have to read this series in order at all, just pick and choose whichever blurb interests you. You'll probably end up reading them all anyway. That's what happened to me. I started with (and loved) Treasure for Treasure, and I am so NOT a dragon shifter person. But A Beginner's Guide to Wooing Your Mate is my favorite for rereading....more
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