I really liked this book. It was sweet and well-paced, and I absolutely love the focus on a sex worker heroine in a historical setting. Rather than roI really liked this book. It was sweet and well-paced, and I absolutely love the focus on a sex worker heroine in a historical setting. Rather than romanticizing the profession or glossing over some of the worse parts, the book had a balanced portrayal that struck just the right note for me.
I've read several other books by the author, and although I enjoyed those, I can see a definite progression in the writing. I've always liked her ideas and unique approach to whatever world she's created, and this one is better than the previous. Cowbird Creek jumps off the page--and no need to read the first of the series. As you would expect from your romance, this one stands alone. But if you like this one, I also recommend the first!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm not a historical romance reader, but given how much I like the author's other books, I had to read this one. This book, as with all of the author'I'm not a historical romance reader, but given how much I like the author's other books, I had to read this one. This book, as with all of the author's, is impeccably written -- detailed and precise. The historical setting comes alive, and the characters are realistic and likeable.
I did feel like the beginning was a bit slow to get started on the plot, but I was fascinated by the world being painted. By the end of the book, I was in love with both Joshua and Claire, and although I wish them luck in their new life together, I'm sad that I don't get to know what it is!
Please note that there are some disturbing scenes after the halfway mark describing an amputation and subsequent PTSD reactions on behalf of the characters. I will say, however, that these were handled with integrity, care, and respect.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
The moment Rhonda Parrish announces another anthology--especially Magical Menageries installments--I get grabby hands. She always cultivates an amazinThe moment Rhonda Parrish announces another anthology--especially Magical Menageries installments--I get grabby hands. She always cultivates an amazing selection, and this group of maligned and misunderstood sirens is my favorite of all her books so far, displacing FAE (which I will continue to heartily recommend).
Sirens of all sorts splash and flap between these pages. Good, bad, intelligent, empty-headed, they're all in here. L. S. Johnson smashes it out of the park again with her story, "We Are Sirens," about a hive mind of sirens who are slowly gaining their independence. Michael Leonberger writes from the perspective of a human seduced, "Is This Seat Taken," is disturbing because of its likeable but flawed protagonist. Adam L. Bealby tells the tale of a couple of country bumpkins who fish up something they can't quite handle, in "The Fisherman's Catch," which is grotesque (in a good way) with amazing voice.
Get this anthology. Do it now. You won't regret it....more
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has good information, but none of it was new (to me, anyway). It'Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has good information, but none of it was new (to me, anyway). It's an easy, quick read, and if you've never done any marketing research for how to sell your book, this is a good start. I have to say I was hoping for something more--maybe I'm being a bit lazy here in wishing for an itemized list of steps or more in-depth tricks on how to get setup on some of the resources--but it felt more like a "here's a bunch of things you can do to try to see if they work." I skimmed some of it; for example, the importance of hiring good editors and having a professional create your cover, since that's table stakes, in my opinion, and should go without mentioning.
Still, I would say it's all good advice, and the author provides links to her webpage where she provides different tools to help organize your marketing. That alone is worthwhile, although going to her website will net you those for free....more
Note: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rematch is the second installment of the Chinese Zodiac series. The novella Note: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rematch is the second installment of the Chinese Zodiac series. The novella itself stands alone, although the heroine and her man from the first book make a delightful cameo toward the end.
Just as in the first, the story is intriguing, the chemistry sizzling, and the mythos fascinating. If you've read any of my other reviews, you know that I have high standards for my romance. This book (and the other!) isn't just a romance. The world-building is great, and the more I read, the more intrigued I am by the Plague God, the Red Death, and how our matched up protagonists are going to kick some ass at the end. But don't worry--if you're a romance fan, Wen and Li's relationship is believable and, well, hot.
This little gem is a good introduction to Rachael's work. You can read it first--and then you'll definitely want to dive into the next one....more
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a historical mystery set in the wilds of northern Quebec in the 196Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a historical mystery set in the wilds of northern Quebec in the 1960's, usually not the genre of book that I read. However, I was glad that I did because it was beautiful and well-written.
The story is told from two perspectives, an Innuit young woman who is struggling to understand her identity against her people's history while the incursion of white people threatens to undermine their way of life, and a white RCMP officer who is forever an outsider yet who must solve a series of murders. The story is character- and setting-driven, with language evoking the place and time in a visceral, emotive way. The struggles of both are heart-wrenching, as they figure out who and what they are in these two very different worlds that are colliding.
If the premise appeals to you, pick it up! Pick it up right away!...more
This is the third release from author Mina Vaughn, and I was excited to get my hands on it because I adored her first release How To Discipline Your VThis is the third release from author Mina Vaughn, and I was excited to get my hands on it because I adored her first release How To Discipline Your Vampire. Her second, How To Reprimand Your Rock Star I liked but--after some contemplation--I realized I didn't connect with. Sporty Thea was fun and sassy, but I'm about as far from physical as one can be without actually becoming a piece of furniture. Her struggles with being a star basketball player didn't resonate with me.
This book, however, was easy to connect with. Even though main character Veronika is a pinup model, she's accessible. Her insecurities about her looks aren't overblown but feel realistic and understandable. I also appreciate the lighter side of BDSM in this book. This was about two people who don't know the first thing about the lifestyle but made a foray into it anyway. They took it and made it their own, doing what felt good when it felt good without any worries about who was being the Domme and who was being the sub.
Solid, fun, and light. Even better is that you don't have to have read the other two to read this one, since it's a whole new set of characters....more
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shadow of the Wraith is a fun science fiction, although it's not breaking aNote: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shadow of the Wraith is a fun science fiction, although it's not breaking any new ground with its technologies or ideas. It relies on the standard sci-fi principles taken from pop culture, with winks to some of the favorites such as Star Trek or Firefly (RIP).
The closest comparison I can make it to the video game trilogy Mass Effect. (Note to self: Stop procrastinating and just finish the third one. You know you're going to hate the ending, just like everyone else. Just do it.) The beginning of the book sets our intrepid hero in search of his team after being given a seemingly impossible task. And every team member has something to contribute as the book goes on to lead to a successful mission.
I did feel like some of the grammar was sloppy, which contributed to the three stars, rather than the four stars I gave the author's other book I reviewed, Acts of Violence. Maybe I'm being nitpicky, too, but I have been craving unique sci-fi. The references were fun, but I would have preferred something that stood on its own merits.
If you like science fiction, I would recommend checking it out. Mr. Harrison has published several works, so if you like his style, you'll have more to consume.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trancing the Tiger is an imaginative sexy romance by debut author Rachael SNote: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trancing the Tiger is an imaginative sexy romance by debut author Rachael Slate, who is best known for her fun blog posts on Chickswagger.com. Don't be fooled by "debut," though--this gal knows romance in and out.
Lucy Yeoh is coping with the loss of her mother and father as the Red Death sweeps across the world. Her uncle, a powerful businessman in China, has taken her in, but not out of the goodness of his heart. She's host to an ancient Chinese Zodiac spirit--the Rabbit--and he wants to use her power for evil, not good. Only twelve of these spirits exist, yet they've splintered into two factions, and Lucy must choose between them. Sheng, with his confidence and impatience, hosts the Tiger spirit, and Lucy finds him irresistible (because, I mean, who wouldn't?).
The world, with its spirits, lore, and impending destruction, is a huge part of this book, and I loved it. Many Paranormal Romance books are reinventing the same mythical creatures, but Ms. Slate has reached outside of the Western world's typical supernatural beings to create something unique. The mythos and setting are well-researched and believable, and I loved the freshness.
If you're a romance fan, you just can't miss this. As a bonus, if you're reading this in the release week (Feb. 17th, 2015), it's on sale for only $0.99!
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Please note that this contains spoilers of the firMy Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Please note that this contains spoilers of the first book, Running Home. See my review here.
Before I get into the review, I want to say I really like Julie's work. For the sake of disclosure, she asked me to read the book, which I thought was classy of her, since I only gave Running Home 3 stars. (Then again, as an author, I do like 3 star reviews, since, as a reader, I find that they're more realistic than the 5 star ones. Not that I'm saying I'm right or anything. I'm just saying that... Never mind. I'm digressing.)
Anyway, I like her ideas, I find her tweets and blog posts entertaining, informative, and touching, and I really wanted to love this book. But once again, I liked it, but I didn't love it.
In preparation for reading this sequel, I re-read the first and found I feel the same way about it again as I did the first time. My biggest issue with both books is how long it took for anything to happen. My writer's curse is that I'm constantly analyzing what I'm reading. If I'm having trouble getting into a story, I look for the reason. If I'm getting swept away, I look for the reason. I'm a student of the world, what can I say?
With both books, I feel as though imparting back story replaced major plot points, which makes it feel like a whole lot of nothing is happening for a long time. In the first book, almost 75% of the book (thank you, Kobo app) is Ellie and Nicholas falling in love. She discovers he's a vampire, admires his physique, finds out that he can create a bubble in the snow, learns about how he and Roman know Lynch. A few things happen, but again, if I'm analyzing this, I'd say the inciting incident is when Jennevieve shows up. And she doesn't show up until the last quarter of the book. Which is a problem since inciting incidents are supposed to happen at 20%. So for most of the book, it's descriptions of how delicious Nicholas smells and them chilling at his house and having a nice Christmas. In my completely and utterly humble opinion (hahaha), that's not plot.
I'm not a big paranormal (or any) romance fan. I do enjoy one from time to time, but the long-winded descriptions of the hot love interest are usually just too much for me. When it comes to Nicholas, I love how he's described to make Eliza comfortable and draw her to him. That's the majority of the book, which is interesting when held up against my previous comment about lack of plot.
The strong character description also extends into the second book, when we're introduced to Irish Kieran. This is probably the strongest part of the writing--two book boyfriends for fans of PR to fight over. But, well, steamy love interests don't replace plot, and even though it's romance, things need to happen while people fall in love.
The second book starts on a melancholy note, with Ellie mourning Kat while she and Nicholas travel to Japan. Totally legit, but again, it starts to drag. Things really start to happen when Ellie becomes a vampire. Until then, she's meeting the new cast of characters, chilling on a mountaintop, and denying her anger to Nicholas. Which, unfortunately, goes on for half the book while nothing much happens. I mean, things happen, but they're not big enough, or, at least, they're drowned out by the "hanging out in someone's room" scenes. Once Ellie becomes a vampire, things get real. She's got awesome powers coupled with anger management issues, which makes for a jaw-dropping second half.
I love the concept of vampires as presented in both these books. I love how Ellie's character is developed in the second one, as she becomes who she's meant to be. My favorite part is the brutally awful hostage situation where she's exploited for her new awesome powers, which (in my completely and utterly humble opinion) should have been a major focal point of the book but only lasts for a short period of time. It could have been deeper, more revealing, more sickening, more "I know I shouldn't look, but I can't stop staring at this car crash"... Kind of like when Ellie takes her first victim. Now that was an epic chapter.
If these books wound back story throughout plot, I would definitely love them. I crave books where the story takes you by the throat and strangles you as it races onward. I hope that the third book explodes on the page like I know it has the potential to do.
P.S. I'm still disappointed in the editors at Books of the Dead Press. "One in the same?" Missed words? Incorrectly placed commas? C'mon, guys. I'm also not impressed with the composition of this cover. It looks amateur to me. Good idea, good picture, but it needs to be composed better....more
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Creepy. Imaginative. Vivid.
When I received the author's request to review TNote: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Creepy. Imaginative. Vivid.
When I received the author's request to review The Soul Mincer and Other Stories, I devoured the first story and couldn't wait to continue the book. This is unusual for me: Usually I skim through the first chapter before deciding to put it on my to-be-read-in-the-future list. I've never been gripped so much by the initial offering that I wanted to keep reading immediately.
The stories evoke H.P. Lovecraft or Poe, and although that sounds cliche, it's still true. I can't help myself in that I love both of them and can't get enough of their works or the works they inspire. The voice is creepy and haunting and dark.
I wasn't a big fan of the several poems included, but I've only ever tolerated poetry in all its forms. Half of the time, I wonder what's wrong with me that I don't understand poetry, and the other half of the time, I wonder what's wrong with people who enjoy it enough to read or write it. Perhaps someone else would like it, if it's your thing.
A couple of the stories left me thinking, "What is the point of this?" I feel that way about short stories more often than books, so I think it's a normal reaction. And the answer, usually, is that there is no point. It just is. But that's what kept me from loving this collection. Some of the stories resonated and some of them didn't.
I was looking for some good horror to read before Halloween, and this definitely fit the bill. If you're looking for something creepy and unique, take a gander at this collection.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't get into the story. I started skimming at 25% aStopped reading at 47%.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't get into the story. I started skimming at 25% and couldn't get past the first half. Although things happened, it felt like nothing was happening. I couldn't keep track of the characters and too many descriptions of inanimate things weighed the plot down. That is, temples and buildings replace what's actually in the locales, but I'm not familiar with them, so I have no frame of reference. Every time a new character is introduced, a perfunctory description of what he or she looks like interrupts the action. The disagreements / discussions between religious people and atheists seem a caricature of the real world.
Unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to care about the story; however, I will note that thrillers are not one of my favorite genres....more
Stalking the Demon is a solid sequel to the debut Confronting the Demon. Both books are on the shorter side, two novellas with complete story arcs, anStalking the Demon is a solid sequel to the debut Confronting the Demon. Both books are on the shorter side, two novellas with complete story arcs, and both have intriguing plots and thoroughly fleshed-out worlds.
One of the only complaints I had about the first book was that I wanted to know even more about the world that the characters live in. Specifically, I wanted to know about the magic system and the political landscape in Alloran's world, and this book delivers both, along with a big dose of nail-biting tension on several fronts.
Alloran is faced with the difficult task of healing his lover, Gisayne, from the dark spell that connects her to the evil Ladanyon, now in one of the hell realms. But Alloran is opposed by a powerful man on the ruling council of wizards, who wants nothing more than to see him to be stripped of his magical ability. As Alloran secretly researches the spell--against the council's wishes--he discovers that reality itself is collapsing. To save Gisayne, he must leave the council chambers and chase Ladanyon into hell.
I really liked the first book, and this sequel is a great follow-up. The descent into the hell realm is exciting, better even than the climax of the first book, when hell makes an appearance in Alloran's world. I love the tentacled first-realm demons, very kraken meets Lovecraftian Old Ones. My only complaint was that I would have wanted to see the political intrigue portion shortened and the action lengthened. The demons are the best part, and, after all, they are in the titles--I want more of them.
If you like fantasy, I would recommend picking up both these books. Ms. Ballintyne's writing is only getting stronger, and I look forward to her future works.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shadowcursed is a well thought-out fantasy novella that features distinctivNote: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shadowcursed is a well thought-out fantasy novella that features distinctive characters and world. It gives the impression that this is a part of a larger body of work--with three-dimensional supporting cast and a land that seems to extend beyond the pages.
Bolen, the main character, is caught in a web of deceit that centers around a carving that everyone seems to want. Bouncing between his fence, a demon, and a guy controlled by said demon, he must also come to terms with his aging physique.
Seeing him grow as a person, to accept who he is and find strength within his limitations, was the most engaging part of the story for me. I'm weary of fantasy stories where the main character is a strapping young teenager or early twenty-year-old who is "the chosen one." This is something different, with a new sort of struggle.
If you like fantasy and real characters, I would recommend Shadowcursed, and I look forward to Mr. Fleisher's future works.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lexus Sam is a well-written novel that compelled mMy Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lexus Sam is a well-written novel that compelled me to keep reading. I usually like but don't love thrillers, but this drew me in and kept me guessing to the very end. Actually, it kept me guessing beyond, since the ending was one that made me reconsider the entire context of the novel.
The main character, Lexus Sam, struggles with his identity and memory. The story is written so as to not give a clear indication of whether what he "knows" is true or not. I flip-flopped several times between thinking he was delusional and thinking he was right about the memories that broke through his amnesia. This was the aspect of the novel that I liked the best. Although amnesia stories have been done before, this broke some ground I haven't encountered before.
Without giving away the ending, I want to say that the subtle way it finished surprised me. Although it had elements of speculative fiction, I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as anything except contemporary. The fantastical elements had just enough ring of reality to them.
If you're looking for an interesting thriller that keeps you wondering until the end, I would definitely recommend Lexus Sam. Don't let the small number of reviews on Goodreads and Amazon deter you (since it almost did me). This is a well-edited, well-paced, generally well-written novel.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the second volume in the Transcendent Tales series, the first Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the second volume in the Transcendent Tales series, the first of which I reviewed several months ago. This volume's stories are as varied as the first book, taking the reader from the shores of doomed Atlantis to the vast reaches of space once again. As with the first, two of the seven stories are unfinished in this volume.
Mr. Train's concepts are imaginative and his world-building thorough. He describes both ancient and future races with precision and detail, providing the reader with vivid cultural, physical, and emotional characteristics. My favorite story, "War Chief," describes an alien race in fascinating detail, after our protagonist crash lands on their planet. As with Ender's Saga and Xenogensis/Lilith's Brood, the race is intriguingly foreign.
However, I struggled with a couple of things: First, the world-building is so thorough that it takes up the beginning of most stories in an information dump that serves more to underline prowess at world creation than to illuminate the stories. This is not always the case, but I did find myself skimming parts and wishing for something to finally happen.
Second, the edits devolved in this book. I mentioned in the review of the first that it could have used another pass to correct grammatical errors; upon re-reading the beginning of The Treaty of Nine, I found that to be a fair assessment. The second book, however, seems not to have seen an editor. Multiple errors, ranging from comma splices to incorrect homonyms to sentence fragments, riddled every page.
I enjoyed the overall concept of the stories and I loved the science fiction landscape that Transcendent Tales, Volume II painted in my mind. However, I need a clean, well-edited book, and I found this one lacking. If you enjoy science fiction and aren't the stickler that I am, I would suggest picking up a copy--both of Volume I and of Volume II.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Even though I've reviewed several short story collMy Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Even though I've reviewed several short story collections, I'm usually on the fence about reading them. I prefer novels because I like to get invested in the characters and story. Especially when it comes to multiple authors, you never know what you're going to get from one page to the next.
However, I'm happy to report that Quantum Zoo is awesome. If you asked me to pick a favorite story, I wouldn't be able to, and I might not even be able to rank my top 5. I was only disinterested in one story, the final one, and that was because I couldn't figure out what was going on. Maybe I missed something; maybe the story was too esoteric for my taste.
The stories themselves are varied, from humans in an alien zoo to a pet tyrannosaurus to an arrogant, long-forgotten goddess who embodies different animals and people throughout time. I was impressed with the unique takes on the zoo theme. In one story, mammoth and sinister beasts were found floating at the outer edges of the solar system and, like Lovecraft's Old Ones, had sinister plans for the human race. (I lied; I would pick that one as my favorite. I love Lovecraft.)
Impeccably edited and with a great variety of stories, Quantum Zoo is a collection that I would recommend to lovers of speculative fiction. You just might find a new author--or twelve--that you'll just have to read more of.
Note: I received a free copy of PsyBot in exchange for an honest review.
PsyBot is an interesting but strange read that I couldn't figure out until theNote: I received a free copy of PsyBot in exchange for an honest review.
PsyBot is an interesting but strange read that I couldn't figure out until the very end. Despite the straight-forward summary that piqued my interest, I wasn't sure what was truly happening and what was only in the main character's head.
This calls to mind one of my favorite books, Slaughterhouse Five, with its surrealistic imagery and jumps between time and place. I found myself questioning Norton's sanity--which was compounded by his absolute dedication to his belief that this was a computer virus infiltrating his mind. Even his friends and lovers drifted away from him as he explained to them what was happening. He was fearful of their disbelief but more committed once they showed doubt.
As with Mr. Gray's Strange Love / Romance Not For Sale, the characters in PsyBot are distinctive and interesting. Creating living, breathing people seems to be his forte. Despite my questioning of Norton's sanity, he was never too far gone that I didn't like him or his observations. Despite being a ladies' man (OK, I really hate that term, but if the shoe fits ...), his endearing self-deprecation never made me dislike him as a person. And it's not just the main character, but every one character populating the book was his or her own person.
If you enjoy bizarre books that you can't quite pin down and fascinating three-dimensional characters, I recommend PsyBot. I look forward to meeting Mr. Gray's future characters and seeing what mischief they get themselves into.
Note: I received a free copy of Strange Love in exchange for an honest review.
Strange Love / Romance Not For Sale is a collection of short stories witNote: I received a free copy of Strange Love in exchange for an honest review.
Strange Love / Romance Not For Sale is a collection of short stories with a component of romantic love--or sometimes the absence of it--and every one has a melancholy tone.
The stories are from varied genres, primarily fantasy, urban fantasy, and contemporary. Each has a unique perspective and setting. None of the stories seemed to repeat their messages, but all had a message, which, in my book, is the mark of a good short story.
I tend to gravitate toward character-driven tales, so I liked this collection, although two or three the stories were almost too character-driven. Every one was designed to make the reader think, but sometimes I couldn't make head or tails of what the author was saying.
However, the majority were interesting reads with sometimes unpredictable plots. Because of the underlying somber tone of all of the stories, I never expected a happy ending. However, I still rooted for the fully fleshed-out characters, becoming immersed in their strange lives. Mr. Gray has a way with creating real people, and if I didn't know any better, I would expect that they were still living and breathing and carrying on their sad lives long after I closed the book.
If you like short story collections that make you think, cry, and feel as though the inhabitants are real, I'd recommend Strange Love / Romance Not For Sale. The author has published several novels, as well, so if you love character-driven stories as much as I do, I recommend picking up some of the other works, as well.