A book set in Japan about two ethnically Japanese women, one of whom had been a member of a girl band in Japan (not at all the term they used in the bA book set in Japan about two ethnically Japanese women, one of whom had been a member of a girl band in Japan (not at all the term they used in the book) who leaves one entertainment industry for another (singer/dancer to voice actress). The other woman in this book, is a long time voice actress and the point of view of this book. She's ~28 and has been in the industry since she has been something like 8 (though 'only a professional' for ~4 or 8 years, and I have no idea what that means, though I assume it has something to do with having it be their full time career).
Right, so, solo point of view book, Suzune Senmiya begins the book by telling her work colleague how sad she is that her oshi had graduated. Did I mention that this is a book set in Japan starring Japanese people, written by, presumably, a Japanese author, originally in Japanese? Well, partially mentioned before. Point of diverting myself there is: it is neat to see a lesbian book set in Japan starring Japanese people, and it is neat to see a culture I do not know that well. Like that oshi thing. And 'graduated'. Here oshi is referring to Suzune's favorite member of a music group, Karin Shotsuki (the Goodreads description uses a different last name, Amazon uses Shotsuki, and I recall seeing Shotsuki in the book itself, but Kanezuki might have been used as well at some point, I don't recall). Hmm. I'm not wording that well. Suzune idolizes Karin; Suzune sees Karin as her oshi (at least that was the way it was worded in the book). Graduated? Um. No clue the backstory behind that word. I know how it is being used in this book, but not why that word. Right, so, Karin had been with a specific band for a while, most of the time the 'center' (lead singer) on most of their songs; but her contract came to an end and so Karin has 'graduated' from the band. What a long paragraph.
Right, so.
Suzune is sad because she no longer can follow Karin, though she still listens to her music. At the place she works as a voice actress (her agents? something like that), a group meeting of most of the 'staff' is held - a new member of the team is introduced. Karin Shotsuki. Whereupon Suzune almost dies from a heart-attack/orgasmic moment type event, but restrains herself long enough to not die. Or reveal her feelings.
Karin shares the same agent with Suzune, which leads that agent to get/ask Suzune to tutor/help/mentor Karin in her job change. Which means the book .... hmm. I was going to say 'follows the two as they get closer', but that would imply something more than what occurred. To a certain extent, that is what happened. But more it was like two co-workers who bumped into each other every once in a while over roughly a year as they both work in the voice actress industry.
Right, so. As noted: interesting to see a lesbian book set in Japan, starring Japanese women, written by a Japanese author (again, presumably, I do not know the author's backstory). Fun quick book. Liked it.
Great book. One small problem that popped up that I wish wasn't resolved the way it was resolved. But, eh.
(view spoiler)[The alien invaders, the 'pod Great book. One small problem that popped up that I wish wasn't resolved the way it was resolved. But, eh.
(view spoiler)[The alien invaders, the 'pod people' who murdered human children and took their place, had a compulsion to tell everyone around them that they were aliens and that an alien armada was on the way. Came up throughout the story: why this compulsion? The answer? Well, we are in spoiler zone but I pause for those to flee if wish to flee.
*pausepausepause*
Why the compulsion? Why the wandering around saying "we will invade you", to see if anyone says "no please. Don't invade us." Response? They don't get invaded. Um. Dude. Seriously? The aliens say it over and over and over again. There are hundreds of thousands of them. No one ever said "no please don't?" For fuck sake. That would have been my first response. Hell, I've had people say similar things and I've responded with "no please". Have I stopped invasions? Am I the hero of Earth without even realizing it? Probably not. But still. It is kind of a natural response to say "no please".
Hell, the whole James Bond thing is he doesn't like fucking people unless they say no first. If they want it? He finds them unappetising (well, the Connery version - there's one specific scene that comes to mind, a fellow spy, female, is rolling around Connery's bed, saying things like 'fuck me' and Connery is looking at her with disgust, meanwhile, the lesbian says 'no' and Connery forces her; the George Lazenby kept having women write their numbers on him and he'd shrug, wander over, and fuck them.
Right, sorry, the Bond thing is about how the book with it's 'if you said no, we wouldn't have invaded' revelation is basically bordering into 'you didn't say no, so you wanted it' territory. 'You didn't say no so we invaded.' (hide spoiler)]
I just read a book wherein the main character kept, seemingly every three paragraphs (or more) suddenly would utter lines from a poem. It's the 13th bI just read a book wherein the main character kept, seemingly every three paragraphs (or more) suddenly would utter lines from a poem. It's the 13th book in a series, and I expect the dude to do that, but . . .. It's one thing to keep muttering lines of poetry. It's quite another to actually be poetic. That 13th book I mention is not by this author, but I mention because of that 'spout poetry/be poetic' thingie - that 'poetic' book being this book here. The In an Absent Dream.
This is a series I wasn't sure about reading, and this is a book I bought then took a while to actually read. I have not, by any means, 'loved' every book in this series. So far the series has been 4-something, 3-something, 5-something stars then this book here. Which, if I could, I would give 6 stars to.
There was just something about the prose, the character(s), the story, that really drew me in. I planned to do certain things, but I just couldn't stop reading. There is a certain element of the main character in this story that really resonated with me. Probably 5% correlation between me (at any age) and Lundy, that main character so far not named. But still, resonated with me.
Right, so. Series book. 4th in that series. Need to have read books 1-3 before this one? No. As the book notes, this is a stand-alone book in that fantasy series. What's this specific book about? Eh, this is one of those times I do not wish to 'ruin it' by giving a brief glimpse into the book beyond '...', yeah, not even that. Oh, the age shelves, guess I should at least mention that - age shelves are for the main character as seen over time in this short novel (I don't have a age-008 shelf, or that one would be added as well; 6 as well).
8th book in this series, 8th book I've read by this author, 7th directly connected to Sophie Fournier (one of the books in the series follows one of t8th book in this series, 8th book I've read by this author, 7th directly connected to Sophie Fournier (one of the books in the series follows one of the other women who broke into a formerly all male hockey league).
Took me three years to read book 7 after it was published. This one was read by me only a couple weeks after it was published.
Right, so - this is a series that needs to be read in order, starting with book 1. As such, it is difficult to really say anything about this book that wouldn't be spoiler-y about the hockey plot-lines, romance plot-line, etc.
So, all I can really say is that I liked this specific book more than book 7, liked both books, liked all of the plot-lines, etc. etc.
Cute quick story about two people who meet by accident in a snowstorm in Scotland.
Cara, a tiny 5'8" (what, she was described as being weak-looking, frCute quick story about two people who meet by accident in a snowstorm in Scotland.
Cara, a tiny 5'8" (what, she was described as being weak-looking, fragile, not as strong as she actually turned out to be, etc. etc., so, tiny; she is shorter than the other woman, at least) woman rents a cabin in Scotland for a few weeks, I believe three, to transition from being based in America, to being based in London. She does event thingies. Bah. I meant, she took a "brief" (whimpers) vacation of three weeks between moving. The whimper is for, who the heck gets 3 weeks of vacation? mmphs.
Got distracted. So, Cara has a job that demands that she interacts with a bunch of people setting up events, getting security, getting people's websites to have more viewers, etc. etc. Despite this people focused job, Cara is super timid and wants to avoid confrontation.
She meets the other main character in this book, Steph, when Cara wanders back from a hike to find some odd things. Fire going. Lights on. Tall woman stretched out on the sofa. You know, odd things she hadn't left when she went on her hike.
Cara's there because she rented the place from Steph's sister. Steph's there because she needed some time by herself after a bad break up. She'd called her sister, but got the wrong information on whether or not the cabin was available.
Good story. Fun.
ETA: oh, right. So, it's Christmas time and a snow-storm has blanketed the area, Steph's van broke down, and Cara doesn't have a vehicle, so they are trapped together in the cabin. With one bed. And a super short sofa. So ...
As a side note, I believe I've forgotten how to do reviews.
A book by an author I liked to read, but hadn't for roughly 5 years. Until this book here.
I liked the two main characters. Teague & Baye. Teague is a A book by an author I liked to read, but hadn't for roughly 5 years. Until this book here.
I liked the two main characters. Teague & Baye. Teague is a super smart woman, who became rich through her own abilities, and is a high functioning autistic woman. She takes the contracts she wants, and has a near-constant stream of people wanting to hire her to invent solutions to problems. She has a massive number of pet-friends. Talkative bird, monkey, cat, llama, sheep, donkey, dogs, pig, etc. Book opens with her at a funeral. Which I mention because it leads to the story-line behind everything. One of the few family members she can stand/can stand her meets up with her at the funeral. Makes some comment about the curse of the family - everyone seems to die of an aneurysm around age 41. Teague? Rapidly approaching age 41. She shrugs at her superstitious cursed family. I mean, she's adopted, so . .. Only, it turns out, she isn't, or, I should say, that doesn't make her not family (or, as in, her father was a member of the family).
Right, so, she now "knows" she doesn't have long to live. She has a bunch of pet-friends she wants to make sure end up in a good situation. So, she starts the process to find her friends a home. Or homes. Which lead her to wander down to some activity going on at her neighbors place. She spotted the person who gave her the donkey, and, so, hopefully . ..
That neighbor? That'd be Baye. Baye Cobb. Local animal rescue owner. Baye has a lot, and I mean a lot, of great ideas. But, she has very bad issues. She gets distracted easily. I believe it might have been mentioned in the book, or not, that one of the woman was described as super focused (Teague), while the other is super unfocussed (Baye).
Right, so, the two leads meet. Teague has a proposal. Before it can get out the two fight. Because their disabilities clash. But eventually the proposal gets out: Teague will pay Baye to find good homes for her animals. Money Baye needs because her place is failing bad.
Everything, all two things, I've read by this author have involved snow and a Christmas theme. Liked this one a lot more than that other, though, whicEverything, all two things, I've read by this author have involved snow and a Christmas theme. Liked this one a lot more than that other, though, which I gave a 3.25 rating. This one? Gave a 5+ rating.
Right, so, what was this one about?
A super put together business-y looking woman, Vic, is drinking in a bar. At an airport. Because her flight has been delayed for, like, 10 hours. It's Kansas City. She wants to get to Portland to ski. She's a bah-humbug type. Wants to get away from Christmas cheer. The 2222'th Christmas song plays as the other main character pops into the bar.
Leia is basically the opposite of Vic, in personality and otherwise. Leia loves Christmas, is bubbly, and is dressed poor (graduate student poor). Not sure of the backstory here, but Leia seems the type to spot someone looking grumpy and try to "change them" or something. At least, when she spotted Vic, she seemed to take it as some kind of challenge to wander over and brighten her day.
Turns out both are on the same flight, since Leia is also going to Portland, though to spend Christmas with her family. While the two talk, their flight is cancelled, at least for that night. It's two days until Christmas. Vic lives in Kansas City and is rich. She has no issue finding a place to stay. Leia? Recall I mentioned she was poor-looking? Well, she plans to spend the time until the plane takes off by sleeping at the airport. Except ....
Except Vic goes against her normal way of doing things, and invites Leia back to her place. No, not for that. Because she has a bed. A guest bedroom to be specific; she wasn't offering up her own specific personal bed.
Right, so, the story unfolds from there. The two learning about each other, visiting the Kansas City Christmas-y highlights, etc. etc.
Super fun story. Super short story. Something about it, though, made me push the rating to 5+.
Need to read a novel length book by this author some-day.
A different type of book from those I've read recently. A time-travel book. The 14th book I've read by this author, though it's been more than 13 yearA different type of book from those I've read recently. A time-travel book. The 14th book I've read by this author, though it's been more than 13 years since I last read a book by Stirling.
Right, so. A professor, ex-military dude, and a group of . what was it, 4? grad students arrives in Central Europe. Their plane was the last that got clearance to land (I think it was worded that way). And almost literally three seconds after they arrive at the lab they were invited to, they get repots that the world is in the process of destroying itself. Nuclear war. Global nuclear war. They aren't in a tiny town or village or something, but it isn't a city that 'should' be on anyone's list to nuke. But, suddenly, a flash of light and . . . the world starts to stutter. Blinking flash of lights.
Here the book would have been better if there had been, like, 8 students and 2 to 4 were off elsewhere, maybe in the restroom (they had just gotten off a long flight, then a long drive), maybe just walked slower than the others, but something where they are not all gathered around the professor. And there probably should have been one to five 'local' lab people be near-ish to the professor. At the very least, the one dude who guided them to that specific location should still have been nearby-ish.
What am I going on about? Well, you see, that lab they arrived at? The guy working there saw the writing on the wall, as the saying goes, and had gotten a ton of junk together, a literal ton it turned out. And got experts in various things, but all of them had knowledge of Latin and the Roman Empire. All of which is important because that specific area the prof and students had been lead to was a time machine. The dude who set everything up didn't intend to launch them back to the past right then and there, nor did he intend to be outside the zone of transportation. But, see, as I noted, a nuclear bomb was in the process of going of, so...
You know that emperor, the Roman Emperor, who was emperor at the beginning of the first Gladiator film? Marcus Aurelius? Well, he's the dude who is emperor when the Americans (yes, all of them, prof and 4 students, are Americans, though there was a mix of religions and races involved, I think two were Jewish, one was black, one was . . dang, now I can't recall if she was Korean or Thai, though think she was of Korean descent) arrive.
A series of highly unlikely events unfold wherein the time travelers, and their massive wad of money and gems and stuff, are found by a merchant. Who, because, eh, he's honest and stuff, helps them set themselves up. And so, the group, suffering from the pain of everyone and everything they know dead back in a dead world, try to do something to change the world, so that a world wouldn't end up exploding to death in the 21st century.
Quite solid interesting book. Certain elements of "need.to.suspend.disbelief" etc.
Two women have been, basically, circling each other for roughly 20 or 30 years (if I recall correctly, both are in their forties and meet when . . . yTwo women have been, basically, circling each other for roughly 20 or 30 years (if I recall correctly, both are in their forties and meet when . . . younger). One has always fancied the other, while the other has been wandering around various other people.
The two finally agree to be "something more" and, before they can get very far into the fun stuff . . ., I don't recall if the kid sister popped up or the "other thing" occurred. Eh, one or the other, I know the kid sister accidentally stopped them once. And I know the "other thing" occurred before stuff could advance.
That "other thing"? Well, the book has that particular title, so not sure why I was being odd. See, that "other thing" is that Ally, the main character, died. The fantasy book kind of died. Paranormal fantasy type of died? Eh, basically, her heart doesn't beat but her "death" has been temporarily stopped by a witch. The same witch that originally cursed her to die on the occurrence of a certain birthday.
A young man, a second son, releases a book that contains a list of woman with a fortune to their name. Widows and spinsters. Which leads to two men paA young man, a second son, releases a book that contains a list of woman with a fortune to their name. Widows and spinsters. Which leads to two men paying a call on one widow at the start of this book, that widow being one of the main characters.
Because of a diligent butler, that young woman comes into possession of a copy of that list of woman book. She becomes angry and confronts the author; then holds a gathering to inform some of the women in the book. Those women decide to take advantage of the situation, to turn the tables on the men. At least one of them are high enough up in society that they provide a certain cover, while at least one of them has been shunned by society based on action taken when they were 17. The women hold a ball and stuff. Invite men.
This is not part of my "must read new to me author" project. No, I've read something around 12 books by this author. Under two different names.
This isThis is not part of my "must read new to me author" project. No, I've read something around 12 books by this author. Under two different names.
This is a good solid two point of view book starring Jemma Johnson & Beth Fraser. Jemma is a media influencer visiting a theme park/resort in Scotland. And Beth Fraser runs the theme park/resort Jemma visits.
I rather enjoyed the book, but there was just some slight bit that kept me from rating it higher.
hmm. What to say, what to say. I liked both women, though one is a woman who spends her life putting on a "perfect" smiling persona, and another woman who . . . is very much not a people person - to the point that the local town decline to do anything for her (like, say, help (for pay) clean up her ruined garden after a storm).
Into the mix is a co-park operator who really is something of a people person, but is flighty and not very good at . . . life. The c0-park operator is Beth's twin brother (his wife died, and stuff, so he's . . . sad? - he has a smiley persona, which is why I put a ? after sad). Two youngsters also factor into the story, they being sad brother's children. I do not, specifically recall any other side character. hmms.
Well, I enjoyed the book. Was fun. Off to the next thing in my life.
(wow, I'm quite off today. I've completely overlooked the part where there is a major age gap story-line; a hidden depressed nature behind one of the characters; and a . . . bit of hypertension for the other character; a bit about "I've been born with a silver spoon, I can't legitimately complain about anything in my life".
Rating: 4.24
June 28 2021
Merged review:
This is not part of my "must read new to me author" project. No, I've read something around 12 books by this author. Under two different names.
This is a good solid two point of view book starring Jemma Johnson & Beth Fraser. Jemma is a media influencer visiting a theme park/resort in Scotland. And Beth Fraser runs the theme park/resort Jemma visits.
I rather enjoyed the book, but there was just some slight bit that kept me from rating it higher.
hmm. What to say, what to say. I liked both women, though one is a woman who spends her life putting on a "perfect" smiling persona, and another woman who . . . is very much not a people person - to the point that the local town decline to do anything for her (like, say, help (for pay) clean up her ruined garden after a storm).
Into the mix is a co-park operator who really is something of a people person, but is flighty and not very good at . . . life. The c0-park operator is Beth's twin brother (his wife died, and stuff, so he's . . . sad? - he has a smiley persona, which is why I put a ? after sad). Two youngsters also factor into the story, they being sad brother's children. I do not, specifically recall any other side character. hmms.
Well, I enjoyed the book. Was fun. Off to the next thing in my life.
(wow, I'm quite off today. I've completely overlooked the part where there is a major age gap story-line; a hidden depressed nature behind one of the characters; and a . . . bit of hypertension for the other character; a bit about "I've been born with a silver spoon, I can't legitimately complain about anything in my life".
*I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.*
‘And that’s enough for me to keep playing superhero.’ – Lacey, *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.*
‘And that’s enough for me to keep playing superhero.’ – Lacey, near end of story.
There’s several ways I can ‘read’ and ‘take’ the story. And yes, that has an impact on rating and enjoyment of the story. I chose to take the story, read it in a certain way that ended up causing the story to be an enjoyable enough read. Though I might not have liked it as well if I’d gone a different direction.
I chose to go the direction that pulls in that quote above that started me off. The ‘playing superhero’. Because this story sure did seem to be filled with amateurs, people who didn’t really seem to know what they were doing, and were largely lucky to a) find someone to fight; b) ‘win’.
Why do I say that? Amateur superheroes? Well, a lot of time and effort apparently went into recruiting a new superhero to the group – that’s good, professional. But . . . then it was all – okay, you are in, make sure to come to the meetings, here are some phone numbers, be on call. And . . . that’s that. No attempt at any kind of training. No words on what to do on a day to day basis. No words on fighting techniques. Nothing. Heck, you could have everyone be from a military or police background and there still would have been some ‘okay, I was trained to do x in a situation like y, how were you trained?’ Here, no one seems to have any kind of background training. Nor do they appear to have taken any time to even think about how they might ‘mesh’ together (‘I have fire power. As in, fire comes out of me. ‘ ‘I have the ability to run really really fast.’ ‘I’m largely unable to be hurt – largely, not sure about bullets. Oh, and I might be strong-ish’.) Nope just – you are in now. Nothing was even said about what kind of costume might be best; Elena had to ask about that.
And the action that takes place in this book? Reflects that amateur hour approach to things. Like, they just kind of noticed/made mention of someone threatening the city without doing much about it. Elena, on her own, tracked down some information. Then she got some of her new teammates to help but – even there its amateur hour. Using your own personal vehicle? Um . . . a big thing was made about hiding your personal identities but . . .. *shrugs* And, what’s up with ‘everyone’ heading to that first crisis event (after Elena joined) but only Elena and Lacy actually going into action while everyone else just kind of sat around in their cars (everyone available, some couldn't make it . . . for . . no explained reason - I mean, Elena came and she was dead asleep and had to come in her work-out clothing because she doesn't have a costume, what were the others excuses?)? No clue what anyone else on the team brings to the group, maybe they are just pretending to be superheroes – only Lacy and Elena have shown their ‘abilities’ (super speed; ability to shoot fire out of fingers). Maybe the others stayed in the cars because they lied about having any kind of abilities (I know Guardian said they had something like invulnerable skin (or similar) but they never did get involved in any of the fights so . . . lying? Just . . . too busy to get involved in the fights? Fell asleep and forgot? Amateur hour.
Can’t really blame Elena, really, for the amateurish stuff she did. Using her personal car. Basically hugging her new girlfriend out late at night in plain sight of parked cars that she has under surveillance, instead of doing the more professional thing of having separation (so one ‘blast’ of whatever, bullets, magical power, fists, doesn’t take out both superheroes), and remaining in contact by the phones they did have (there are such things as hand free devices). As said, can’t blame her because no one taught her anything. And yes, this is also why I went this direction in my read – I think the author intended the story to be read this way – it is titled ‘Trial by Fire’ – she’s just tossed out there, unguided, untrained, trial by fire indeed.
Right, so, I wrote like three pages of notes while reading this short story. Let me see if I’ve covered everything in those notes. Oh, right. There’s a weirdly sibling like vibe coming off Elena and Lacey that I know isn’t intended, since they interact in sexual relations – and can’t keep their hands off each other (especially when they should, like when they are standing around watching a bad guy late at night). Made the sex scenes oddly disturbing. Mmphs. Bad vibe. Luckily the sex in the second scene quickly turned in a direction I want nothing to do with so I just leapt over it (eww, butt sex). First one was oddly interesting and arousing, though, so eww for a different reason. Hehe. Oh right. Heh. I lead into the ‘amateur hour’ in my notes by noting that safe sex practiced, but they didn’t seem to practice safe . . . um . . . superheroing (see training and stuff like that). Bah. I kind of ranted for three pages about the amateur hour stuff in my notes so I don’t have anything else from there to add.
Okay then. So, this story is about Elena, and from her point of view. She’s a paralegal living and working in Los Angeles California. She’s a Latina, a white Latina, as she puts it (parents from Chile), and has a superpower – the ability to have mild to strong resistance to heat and fire, while also being able to generate fire from her hands. She didn’t really want to actually use her powers until she got bored and decided to join a local superhero group. The story opens with them interviewing her.
Fairly quickly she’s a member, doesn’t have a suit yet, but does have some phone numbers. Despite lacking training or a costume to wear, she’s put on call immediately. And, almost immediately, she’s out in the thick of things. Battling a villain who calls himself Consequence.
Meanwhile, on the personal front, Elena picks up a new girlfriend named Lacy. Who happens to already be a member of the same superhero group Elena has joined (this kind of makes it seem like they meet first at a supermarket or something – no, Elena meets Lacy through the group). Luckily for my own sensibilities, they don’t go immediately from meeting to love, but they do seem to get to ‘can’t stop touching you’ rather quickly.
A good interesting story. I’d like to read more in this universe. And yes, I realize that I kind of said a bunch of stuff that could be seen as negative – I saw it as positives – as these are real people attempting to ‘do stuff’ with powers in the real world instead of something like personifications of goodness . . . or something like that.
ETA: Of note: If it's important to someone - Lacy, it is quickly learned, is transgender (MtF), and hasn't fully transitioned yet (and might never have 'bottom surgery' (did have whatever it is that is done to have breasts; still has a penis. Which she calls her lady cock . . . or clit)).
Rating: 3.77
May 17 2017
Merged review:
*I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.*
‘And that’s enough for me to keep playing superhero.’ – Lacey, near end of story.
There’s several ways I can ‘read’ and ‘take’ the story. And yes, that has an impact on rating and enjoyment of the story. I chose to take the story, read it in a certain way that ended up causing the story to be an enjoyable enough read. Though I might not have liked it as well if I’d gone a different direction.
I chose to go the direction that pulls in that quote above that started me off. The ‘playing superhero’. Because this story sure did seem to be filled with amateurs, people who didn’t really seem to know what they were doing, and were largely lucky to a) find someone to fight; b) ‘win’.
Why do I say that? Amateur superheroes? Well, a lot of time and effort apparently went into recruiting a new superhero to the group – that’s good, professional. But . . . then it was all – okay, you are in, make sure to come to the meetings, here are some phone numbers, be on call. And . . . that’s that. No attempt at any kind of training. No words on what to do on a day to day basis. No words on fighting techniques. Nothing. Heck, you could have everyone be from a military or police background and there still would have been some ‘okay, I was trained to do x in a situation like y, how were you trained?’ Here, no one seems to have any kind of background training. Nor do they appear to have taken any time to even think about how they might ‘mesh’ together (‘I have fire power. As in, fire comes out of me. ‘ ‘I have the ability to run really really fast.’ ‘I’m largely unable to be hurt – largely, not sure about bullets. Oh, and I might be strong-ish’.) Nope just – you are in now. Nothing was even said about what kind of costume might be best; Elena had to ask about that.
And the action that takes place in this book? Reflects that amateur hour approach to things. Like, they just kind of noticed/made mention of someone threatening the city without doing much about it. Elena, on her own, tracked down some information. Then she got some of her new teammates to help but – even there its amateur hour. Using your own personal vehicle? Um . . . a big thing was made about hiding your personal identities but . . .. *shrugs* And, what’s up with ‘everyone’ heading to that first crisis event (after Elena joined) but only Elena and Lacy actually going into action while everyone else just kind of sat around in their cars (everyone available, some couldn't make it . . . for . . no explained reason - I mean, Elena came and she was dead asleep and had to come in her work-out clothing because she doesn't have a costume, what were the others excuses?)? No clue what anyone else on the team brings to the group, maybe they are just pretending to be superheroes – only Lacy and Elena have shown their ‘abilities’ (super speed; ability to shoot fire out of fingers). Maybe the others stayed in the cars because they lied about having any kind of abilities (I know Guardian said they had something like invulnerable skin (or similar) but they never did get involved in any of the fights so . . . lying? Just . . . too busy to get involved in the fights? Fell asleep and forgot? Amateur hour.
Can’t really blame Elena, really, for the amateurish stuff she did. Using her personal car. Basically hugging her new girlfriend out late at night in plain sight of parked cars that she has under surveillance, instead of doing the more professional thing of having separation (so one ‘blast’ of whatever, bullets, magical power, fists, doesn’t take out both superheroes), and remaining in contact by the phones they did have (there are such things as hand free devices). As said, can’t blame her because no one taught her anything. And yes, this is also why I went this direction in my read – I think the author intended the story to be read this way – it is titled ‘Trial by Fire’ – she’s just tossed out there, unguided, untrained, trial by fire indeed.
Right, so, I wrote like three pages of notes while reading this short story. Let me see if I’ve covered everything in those notes. Oh, right. There’s a weirdly sibling like vibe coming off Elena and Lacey that I know isn’t intended, since they interact in sexual relations – and can’t keep their hands off each other (especially when they should, like when they are standing around watching a bad guy late at night). Made the sex scenes oddly disturbing. Mmphs. Bad vibe. Luckily the sex in the second scene quickly turned in a direction I want nothing to do with so I just leapt over it (eww, butt sex). First one was oddly interesting and arousing, though, so eww for a different reason. Hehe. Oh right. Heh. I lead into the ‘amateur hour’ in my notes by noting that safe sex practiced, but they didn’t seem to practice safe . . . um . . . superheroing (see training and stuff like that). Bah. I kind of ranted for three pages about the amateur hour stuff in my notes so I don’t have anything else from there to add.
Okay then. So, this story is about Elena, and from her point of view. She’s a paralegal living and working in Los Angeles California. She’s a Latina, a white Latina, as she puts it (parents from Chile), and has a superpower – the ability to have mild to strong resistance to heat and fire, while also being able to generate fire from her hands. She didn’t really want to actually use her powers until she got bored and decided to join a local superhero group. The story opens with them interviewing her.
Fairly quickly she’s a member, doesn’t have a suit yet, but does have some phone numbers. Despite lacking training or a costume to wear, she’s put on call immediately. And, almost immediately, she’s out in the thick of things. Battling a villain who calls himself Consequence.
Meanwhile, on the personal front, Elena picks up a new girlfriend named Lacy. Who happens to already be a member of the same superhero group Elena has joined (this kind of makes it seem like they meet first at a supermarket or something – no, Elena meets Lacy through the group). Luckily for my own sensibilities, they don’t go immediately from meeting to love, but they do seem to get to ‘can’t stop touching you’ rather quickly.
A good interesting story. I’d like to read more in this universe. And yes, I realize that I kind of said a bunch of stuff that could be seen as negative – I saw it as positives – as these are real people attempting to ‘do stuff’ with powers in the real world instead of something like personifications of goodness . . . or something like that.
ETA: Of note: If it's important to someone - Lacy, it is quickly learned, is transgender (MtF), and hasn't fully transitioned yet (and might never have 'bottom surgery' (did have whatever it is that is done to have breasts; still has a penis. Which she calls her lady cock . . . or clit)).
bah . . . trying to do stuff on Goodreads kind of makes my blood boil (takes forever for any page to load regardless of computer I am on (gamer computbah . . . trying to do stuff on Goodreads kind of makes my blood boil (takes forever for any page to load regardless of computer I am on (gamer computer/iMac), age of computer (new/old), or internet connection. Always seems to take at least three minutes and having to go through a page that says "sorry, it took too long, so here is a picture of a woman in a chair instead")). Have to step away or cause that to leak over book reviews.
Right, so. This is the sixth book I've read by this author, and all of the previous books got at least a 4 star rating (at least 4 stars on here, probably some quarter stars, or half stars, or whatever, in addition). This one, eh.
I could not get into the characters. Didn't help that the story included a couple who seemed to have this massive backstory that read as if there was some book I was supposed to read before this one (turns out there is in fact some other book I should have read before this one, crap).
Right, so. Two actresses get the lead parts on a movie. Based on a book. And the writer is very much involved in creating the film, along with her partner (they have this company they founded, and stuff; also they are the couple, I assume, who were in that prior book (I'd double check, but as I noted, everything takes at least three minutes to load on GoodReads)). Both actresses have done stuff before, and have lots of fans. Good and bad fans. Fans who cross lines and destroy real life relationships. The two actresses are the lead POV's in the book, and the people who couple up in this book (and also the two people I had trouble "getting into").
I knew I'd have trouble with this book when it opened with a prologue involving two lovers who get separated by a time travel device and I suddenly realized I'd jumped into this book without checking to see what it was going to be about. I "got over" that "trouble" easily enough. That was a scene from an audition, not the actual ... um . . . story followed. Then I had the second hint I'd have trouble with the book when the POV shifted to this random other person (I forget now which person had the POV, but two fans in the book also have POV's in the book) and they are acting bat-shit insane and obsessive about one of the lead characters in this book (well, one of them was acting that way).
Right, so, the reader follows a group of people making a film, while in a different plot line two other people live their lives as fans, one more obsessed than the other. Dangerously so.
As noted: I couldn't get into the main characters, and I'll add I couldn't really get into any of the plot-lines (movie making plot-line; romance plot-line; obsessive fans plot-line). Didn't help that I sometimes got the writer, her lover, and their friend confused in my mind. Merging them together and stuff. That was more on me as I do not think they were that mixed up in the book. Maybe I wasn't reading closely enough?
Um . . . what else to write . . . um . . ..
Rating: 3.14
May 19, 2021
Merged review:
bah . . . trying to do stuff on Goodreads kind of makes my blood boil (takes forever for any page to load regardless of computer I am on (gamer computer/iMac), age of computer (new/old), or internet connection. Always seems to take at least three minutes and having to go through a page that says "sorry, it took too long, so here is a picture of a woman in a chair instead")). Have to step away or cause that to leak over book reviews.
Right, so. This is the sixth book I've read by this author, and all of the previous books got at least a 4 star rating (at least 4 stars on here, probably some quarter stars, or half stars, or whatever, in addition). This one, eh.
I could not get into the characters. Didn't help that the story included a couple who seemed to have this massive backstory that read as if there was some book I was supposed to read before this one (turns out there is in fact some other book I should have read before this one, crap).
Right, so. Two actresses get the lead parts on a movie. Based on a book. And the writer is very much involved in creating the film, along with her partner (they have this company they founded, and stuff; also they are the couple, I assume, who were in that prior book (I'd double check, but as I noted, everything takes at least three minutes to load on GoodReads)). Both actresses have done stuff before, and have lots of fans. Good and bad fans. Fans who cross lines and destroy real life relationships. The two actresses are the lead POV's in the book, and the people who couple up in this book (and also the two people I had trouble "getting into").
I knew I'd have trouble with this book when it opened with a prologue involving two lovers who get separated by a time travel device and I suddenly realized I'd jumped into this book without checking to see what it was going to be about. I "got over" that "trouble" easily enough. That was a scene from an audition, not the actual ... um . . . story followed. Then I had the second hint I'd have trouble with the book when the POV shifted to this random other person (I forget now which person had the POV, but two fans in the book also have POV's in the book) and they are acting bat-shit insane and obsessive about one of the lead characters in this book (well, one of them was acting that way).
Right, so, the reader follows a group of people making a film, while in a different plot line two other people live their lives as fans, one more obsessed than the other. Dangerously so.
As noted: I couldn't get into the main characters, and I'll add I couldn't really get into any of the plot-lines (movie making plot-line; romance plot-line; obsessive fans plot-line). Didn't help that I sometimes got the writer, her lover, and their friend confused in my mind. Merging them together and stuff. That was more on me as I do not think they were that mixed up in the book. Maybe I wasn't reading closely enough?
For whatever reason, Ali Vali has been an author I’ve always enjoyed, but not one that I’ve gone out of my way to buy (at least the back catalog). I’vFor whatever reason, Ali Vali has been an author I’ve always enjoyed, but not one that I’ve gone out of my way to buy (at least the back catalog). I’ve read 10 books by them (including this one) and one short story. Except for one book I rated 3 stars, and one I DNF’d (heh, I’d thought I’d stopped that one because of the formatting, but looking at it again just now, I see I stopped that one because the melodramatic babbling got on my last nerve and I stopped reading at 34.24%), I’ve mostly rated everything between 4 and 5 stars. This book here is not an exception – another solid four star book.
Two point of view book. Brinley Myers is a single mother who has taken a new job in a new city at the Moroccan Casino as an accountant. She got her kid out of her one time with a man, I think, at least, it was worded that way. And the kid does play a largish role in the book, but more as a ‘she has a kid’ than as an individual character. Unfortunately for her, her very first day at her new job put her on the path to death, or at least into the path of a contract killer. Her immediate boss has pulled her and her co-worker, another single-mother, into doing an internal audit. Unluckily for her, the audit is of the ‘real’ books. The owner of the casino wanted to do an audit for reasons explained in the book. He intended Dean, Brinley’s boss, to do the audit, though, not others. So, obviously, they need to die – the two women doing the audit on the real financial statements/numbers.
Which leads to the other main character and how the two characters meet. Though that character, Reed Gable, had already been in the book doing stuff. Stuff like killing people. She’s one of those elite killers, even though 1) she is an independent contractor type (not a member of any specific crime ‘family’; 2) her main job is being a thief not assassin. One thing leads to another and . . . oops, the one without much problems killing, just couldn’t get themselves to kill a kid and his mother. And so the book unfolds from there – attempting to figure out how to ‘fix’ the situation, and stuff. Meanwhile, the two women grow close, though one believes the other should ‘stay away’ for their own good, since they, Reed, are ‘damaged’.
Good solid book. Quite interesting and well-written. For those who care about such things: yes, Cain Casey was mentioned in the book, but more in passing. Several people from that series, though, do play important roles in this book. Specifically Mano, his sister (and her partner Dallas), and the rest of their crime family – who are partners with Cain Casey’s crime family. Mano runs a casino in Los Vegas, and Dallas and sister pay a visit (the sister is more important to the Casey series, but I’m drawing a blank on her name – it’s something like Remi? Remi Jatibon?). You do not need to read the Casey series, the side short story, nor the side series before reading this book here. Though you might get more out of this book if you do read them first. Not needed to understand this book, though.
Rating: 4.35
November 8 2019
Merged review:
For whatever reason, Ali Vali has been an author I’ve always enjoyed, but not one that I’ve gone out of my way to buy (at least the back catalog). I’ve read 10 books by them (including this one) and one short story. Except for one book I rated 3 stars, and one I DNF’d (heh, I’d thought I’d stopped that one because of the formatting, but looking at it again just now, I see I stopped that one because the melodramatic babbling got on my last nerve and I stopped reading at 34.24%), I’ve mostly rated everything between 4 and 5 stars. This book here is not an exception – another solid four star book.
Two point of view book. Brinley Myers is a single mother who has taken a new job in a new city at the Moroccan Casino as an accountant. She got her kid out of her one time with a man, I think, at least, it was worded that way. And the kid does play a largish role in the book, but more as a ‘she has a kid’ than as an individual character. Unfortunately for her, her very first day at her new job put her on the path to death, or at least into the path of a contract killer. Her immediate boss has pulled her and her co-worker, another single-mother, into doing an internal audit. Unluckily for her, the audit is of the ‘real’ books. The owner of the casino wanted to do an audit for reasons explained in the book. He intended Dean, Brinley’s boss, to do the audit, though, not others. So, obviously, they need to die – the two women doing the audit on the real financial statements/numbers.
Which leads to the other main character and how the two characters meet. Though that character, Reed Gable, had already been in the book doing stuff. Stuff like killing people. She’s one of those elite killers, even though 1) she is an independent contractor type (not a member of any specific crime ‘family’; 2) her main job is being a thief not assassin. One thing leads to another and . . . oops, the one without much problems killing, just couldn’t get themselves to kill a kid and his mother. And so the book unfolds from there – attempting to figure out how to ‘fix’ the situation, and stuff. Meanwhile, the two women grow close, though one believes the other should ‘stay away’ for their own good, since they, Reed, are ‘damaged’.
Good solid book. Quite interesting and well-written. For those who care about such things: yes, Cain Casey was mentioned in the book, but more in passing. Several people from that series, though, do play important roles in this book. Specifically Mano, his sister (and her partner Dallas), and the rest of their crime family – who are partners with Cain Casey’s crime family. Mano runs a casino in Los Vegas, and Dallas and sister pay a visit (the sister is more important to the Casey series, but I’m drawing a blank on her name – it’s something like Remi? Remi Jatibon?). You do not need to read the Casey series, the side short story, nor the side series before reading this book here. Though you might get more out of this book if you do read them first. Not needed to understand this book, though.
I received an ARC of this book from Less Than Three Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well this is a somewhat strange position I fiI received an ARC of this book from Less Than Three Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well this is a somewhat strange position I find myself in. In 2016 I read and loved a book by this author. In 2018 I reread that book and loved it again. I’ve now read two more works – both of which I read today. Didn’t love the short story, but it was a good enough way to pass the time. This brings us to this novel here – which I somewhat unexpectedly find that I also loved.
Unexpectedly? Well . . . there’s like 80 (no, there’s just 4) point of view main characters in this book. All of them young adult college students. It is somewhat harder for me to love a multiple cast point of view book. Not impossible, just harder. Plus – I had been eyeballing this book for a while now, and kept not getting it because of the sample – Caleb, the star of the beginning chapter, seems a pain to be around – a super hyper super-selfish extrovert type who has great trouble sitting still for longer than three minutes, and brings unrelated books to tutor sessions in case he gets bored. He seemed . . . annoying when I first glimpsed him in the sample. Then he made me laugh a few times in that sample, so I got the book.
So that’s Caleb – super hyper short slim dude who is an extreme extrovert, wants to be friends with everyone, and is quite pushy in getting people to do his thing – oh and he can be quite . . . dramatic. He is also 18 and a college freshman and the roommate of another main point of view character, Andrew.
Andrew, also a freshman, is also probably 18, though the one and only time his age was given, it was 15 – but that was also an unexpected flashback.
That happens a lot in this book, by the way, flashbacks. Also – merged . . . um sessions. There were times when a character, in the present, would be doing something and have thoughts of the past – detailed thoughts. There were also times when a flashback would occur – and then there would be italicized text – thoughts from the present. That was . . . different.
But I was on Andrew and got distracted. Andrew, when he first appeared, was dressed all depressing like and .. . well, I forget the exact words Caleb used. Emo? Goth punk? Something in that range. Andrew’s life is art, and that’s why he’s at college – to get an art degree and do art. He is also, unlike Caleb, gay. And a little bit (or more) lusting after Caleb, who reminds him, personality wise, of his great lust-person of high school years (Daniel, the name was Daniel, right?). Andrew kind of became the fifth well in this book, even though there were only four points of view. But, eh, whatever.
As I mentioned, Caleb is quite pushy and gets his way a lot. I mention this because, the first day Caleb and Andrew move in on campus – Caleb drags Andrew to a club mixer thingie. Which I mention less to mention Caleb being pushy, but so I could mention that that is where the two meet Jun. Sitting at one of the club tables (Astronomy).
Jun, unlike freshman Caleb and Andrew, is a junior – studying for a bio-chem degree (degrees?, I forget if that was described as ‘bio chem pre med degree’, or bio chem degree and pre med degree or . . something). Jun is the third point of view character in the book. He is very studious to the point he rarely does anything else. When he was 7 his family moved from Japan to the USA, which I mention because the transition was such that he lost the ability to make friends, or something like that, and so went a different direction – taking on a persona of hiding, and being studious and not pursing friendships and social interactions.
Jun is roommates with the final point of view character, Piper. Who pulls in Lizzy, though Lizzy, oddly, doesn’t get a point of view in this book. Lizzy and Pipper are seniors and girlfriends. Jun was a last minute addition to their apartment, as they figured that having another person in the application would increase their chances of getting the apartment. Piper is into Computer Science, while Lizzy is into dance. Piper’s the one who pulls in the family (though Caleb’s mother is mentioned and very briefly seen in the opening chapter) – for the mother, Piper’s that is, keeps opening stating things like how Piper’s going through a phase and stuff, by dating women (though . . . eh, let’s not give everything away).
There’s a slight disconnect between me and the characters involved. Possibly due to there being so many to follow, possibly for other reasons. That doesn’t mean I didn’t feel them at times – like, again unexpectedly, there were moments when Piper and Lizzy’s story-line made me vaguely teary eyed.
Right.
So, young adult book. Many characters. Three men, two women. Mix of LGBT characters. Multiple LGBT couples in the same book. Mix of MM and FF in same book. Lastly: the only thing graphic was kissing.
Enjoyable book.
Rating: 4.78
June 25 2018
Merged review:
I received an ARC of this book from Less Than Three Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well this is a somewhat strange position I find myself in. In 2016 I read and loved a book by this author. In 2018 I reread that book and loved it again. I’ve now read two more works – both of which I read today. Didn’t love the short story, but it was a good enough way to pass the time. This brings us to this novel here – which I somewhat unexpectedly find that I also loved.
Unexpectedly? Well . . . there’s like 80 (no, there’s just 4) point of view main characters in this book. All of them young adult college students. It is somewhat harder for me to love a multiple cast point of view book. Not impossible, just harder. Plus – I had been eyeballing this book for a while now, and kept not getting it because of the sample – Caleb, the star of the beginning chapter, seems a pain to be around – a super hyper super-selfish extrovert type who has great trouble sitting still for longer than three minutes, and brings unrelated books to tutor sessions in case he gets bored. He seemed . . . annoying when I first glimpsed him in the sample. Then he made me laugh a few times in that sample, so I got the book.
So that’s Caleb – super hyper short slim dude who is an extreme extrovert, wants to be friends with everyone, and is quite pushy in getting people to do his thing – oh and he can be quite . . . dramatic. He is also 18 and a college freshman and the roommate of another main point of view character, Andrew.
Andrew, also a freshman, is also probably 18, though the one and only time his age was given, it was 15 – but that was also an unexpected flashback.
That happens a lot in this book, by the way, flashbacks. Also – merged . . . um sessions. There were times when a character, in the present, would be doing something and have thoughts of the past – detailed thoughts. There were also times when a flashback would occur – and then there would be italicized text – thoughts from the present. That was . . . different.
But I was on Andrew and got distracted. Andrew, when he first appeared, was dressed all depressing like and .. . well, I forget the exact words Caleb used. Emo? Goth punk? Something in that range. Andrew’s life is art, and that’s why he’s at college – to get an art degree and do art. He is also, unlike Caleb, gay. And a little bit (or more) lusting after Caleb, who reminds him, personality wise, of his great lust-person of high school years (Daniel, the name was Daniel, right?). Andrew kind of became the fifth well in this book, even though there were only four points of view. But, eh, whatever.
As I mentioned, Caleb is quite pushy and gets his way a lot. I mention this because, the first day Caleb and Andrew move in on campus – Caleb drags Andrew to a club mixer thingie. Which I mention less to mention Caleb being pushy, but so I could mention that that is where the two meet Jun. Sitting at one of the club tables (Astronomy).
Jun, unlike freshman Caleb and Andrew, is a junior – studying for a bio-chem degree (degrees?, I forget if that was described as ‘bio chem pre med degree’, or bio chem degree and pre med degree or . . something). Jun is the third point of view character in the book. He is very studious to the point he rarely does anything else. When he was 7 his family moved from Japan to the USA, which I mention because the transition was such that he lost the ability to make friends, or something like that, and so went a different direction – taking on a persona of hiding, and being studious and not pursing friendships and social interactions.
Jun is roommates with the final point of view character, Piper. Who pulls in Lizzy, though Lizzy, oddly, doesn’t get a point of view in this book. Lizzy and Pipper are seniors and girlfriends. Jun was a last minute addition to their apartment, as they figured that having another person in the application would increase their chances of getting the apartment. Piper is into Computer Science, while Lizzy is into dance. Piper’s the one who pulls in the family (though Caleb’s mother is mentioned and very briefly seen in the opening chapter) – for the mother, Piper’s that is, keeps opening stating things like how Piper’s going through a phase and stuff, by dating women (though . . . eh, let’s not give everything away).
There’s a slight disconnect between me and the characters involved. Possibly due to there being so many to follow, possibly for other reasons. That doesn’t mean I didn’t feel them at times – like, again unexpectedly, there were moments when Piper and Lizzy’s story-line made me vaguely teary eyed.
Right.
So, young adult book. Many characters. Three men, two women. Mix of LGBT characters. Multiple LGBT couples in the same book. Mix of MM and FF in same book. Lastly: the only thing graphic was kissing.
I've read two books by Brown before I read this one. I loved both of them. But have been very reluctant to try anything else by her for a rather simplI've read two books by Brown before I read this one. I loved both of them. But have been very reluctant to try anything else by her for a rather simple reason - those two other books had something in common that the rest didn't have - those two books were FF romance books. The rest are/were MF romance books. Which is odd, in it's way, to be a deterrent since I also read MF romance books. But still. Made me hesitant.
So, eventually, I finally broke down and tried one of them. The only one that interested me enough to try it. A western/historical novel. Set in the territory of Arizona, and the state of Texas. With a couple of minutes, so to speak, spent in New Mexico.
Because her father is deathly ill, is in an medical institution in Texas, and because 1) everything that could be turned into money has been turned into money - and hasn't been enough to pay the bills; 2) and because the local bank - which is owned and operated by her father's long time friend - turns down her request for help; a young woman of, if I recall correctly, 22 robs the local bank. And then zooms on over to Texas to turn the money over. To pay her father's bills.
Her father, who had been and still technically is, the sheriff of this small town is, naturally, not exactly pleased with her actions. But she had to do it. Because.
The mean old man who owns the bank, naturally, won't let her get away with this and so hires a bounty hunter. A very successful one. He's to hunt down, capture, and bring back this woman who has wronged him.
And so that man does. And he and the woman interact. And, for reasons that largely escape me, they engage in physical relations while she's a prisoner and being brought back to that small town.
The book had some interesting elements, and moments, but was rather too . . . melodramatic. And, sure did include much sexual relations in deed. A little too much. I was, frankly, bored during those moments, but don't assume they were poorly written (or written perfectly and with skill), for I mostly just skimmed those portions. Not really my kind of sex (less the MF nature of the thing, and more the kind presented as in - prisoner/captor + a bit of angry energy mixed in).
Well, I've now done it. Completed an MF book by that author who has given me two FF books that I've loved. I'm strongly inclined to now forgo the other MF books previously released and just take the FF (and potentially the MF) as they come down the pipeline.
That is all.
Rating: 2
December 14 2016
Merged review:
I've read two books by Brown before I read this one. I loved both of them. But have been very reluctant to try anything else by her for a rather simple reason - those two other books had something in common that the rest didn't have - those two books were FF romance books. The rest are/were MF romance books. Which is odd, in it's way, to be a deterrent since I also read MF romance books. But still. Made me hesitant.
So, eventually, I finally broke down and tried one of them. The only one that interested me enough to try it. A western/historical novel. Set in the territory of Arizona, and the state of Texas. With a couple of minutes, so to speak, spent in New Mexico.
Because her father is deathly ill, is in an medical institution in Texas, and because 1) everything that could be turned into money has been turned into money - and hasn't been enough to pay the bills; 2) and because the local bank - which is owned and operated by her father's long time friend - turns down her request for help; a young woman of, if I recall correctly, 22 robs the local bank. And then zooms on over to Texas to turn the money over. To pay her father's bills.
Her father, who had been and still technically is, the sheriff of this small town is, naturally, not exactly pleased with her actions. But she had to do it. Because.
The mean old man who owns the bank, naturally, won't let her get away with this and so hires a bounty hunter. A very successful one. He's to hunt down, capture, and bring back this woman who has wronged him.
And so that man does. And he and the woman interact. And, for reasons that largely escape me, they engage in physical relations while she's a prisoner and being brought back to that small town.
The book had some interesting elements, and moments, but was rather too . . . melodramatic. And, sure did include much sexual relations in deed. A little too much. I was, frankly, bored during those moments, but don't assume they were poorly written (or written perfectly and with skill), for I mostly just skimmed those portions. Not really my kind of sex (less the MF nature of the thing, and more the kind presented as in - prisoner/captor + a bit of angry energy mixed in).
Well, I've now done it. Completed an MF book by that author who has given me two FF books that I've loved. I'm strongly inclined to now forgo the other MF books previously released and just take the FF (and potentially the MF) as they come down the pipeline.
Other than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in gOther than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in getting myself to start a book by them. Eh, no idea what that’s about.
This specific book here involves an American with a deep connection to Ireland who has, after careful planning and preparation, set up a trip to Ireland. Specifically to the same place her grandparents are from (and the same place where ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed). Also a real life location – Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.
A thirty-something librarian (her specific age was given, it slips my mind), Nora McNeill has spent most of her life, except for a more independent early period, living under the constraints of bowing to the will of more domineering individuals – including her sister, and later her . . . something like a girlfriend Amy. So this trip to Ireland is both something of a break from her lifelong personality, and a chance to reinvent herself (or, at least, ‘grow a spine’).
The book is more about Nora and her interactions with her family’s Irish past, but does have a deep romantic storyline through the other POV character Briana Devlin (actually, there are more than two POV’s presented). There’s a neat story of the two growing close and becoming friends and stuff, but their story is overshadowed by another – one that’s in the book description and involves a ghost.
Yeah, see, this isn’t a straight forward lesbian romance set in Ireland. There’s also a bit of supernatural stuff going on. Ghosts and witches, and all that.
Both elements are handled well – the lesbian romance, and the more fantastical stuff. I suppose the thing I was slightly less than happy with were those parts that were not in either main character’s POV – those parts set in . . . hmm, mid-1800s when a certain family was living and working during the great potato famine in Ireland. There’s a reason why their story was told, an important reason, but I did find it distracting at times.
Right, so, great book.
Rating: 4.78
March 30 2019
Merged review:
Other than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in getting myself to start a book by them. Eh, no idea what that’s about.
This specific book here involves an American with a deep connection to Ireland who has, after careful planning and preparation, set up a trip to Ireland. Specifically to the same place her grandparents are from (and the same place where ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed). Also a real life location – Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.
A thirty-something librarian (her specific age was given, it slips my mind), Nora McNeill has spent most of her life, except for a more independent early period, living under the constraints of bowing to the will of more domineering individuals – including her sister, and later her . . . something like a girlfriend Amy. So this trip to Ireland is both something of a break from her lifelong personality, and a chance to reinvent herself (or, at least, ‘grow a spine’).
The book is more about Nora and her interactions with her family’s Irish past, but does have a deep romantic storyline through the other POV character Briana Devlin (actually, there are more than two POV’s presented). There’s a neat story of the two growing close and becoming friends and stuff, but their story is overshadowed by another – one that’s in the book description and involves a ghost.
Yeah, see, this isn’t a straight forward lesbian romance set in Ireland. There’s also a bit of supernatural stuff going on. Ghosts and witches, and all that.
Both elements are handled well – the lesbian romance, and the more fantastical stuff. I suppose the thing I was slightly less than happy with were those parts that were not in either main character’s POV – those parts set in . . . hmm, mid-1800s when a certain family was living and working during the great potato famine in Ireland. There’s a reason why their story was told, an important reason, but I did find it distracting at times.
This is one of those stories I probably needed to read in exactly the right moment. Luckily, for me, that occurred. I'dMarathon Woman by Cheyenne Blue
This is one of those stories I probably needed to read in exactly the right moment. Luckily, for me, that occurred. I'd probably rate this around 3.75 to 3.85 stars. Which could very well be overrating.
The story is very brief - about a very skinny (athletically skinny) dark skinned marathon runner - the kind of skinny that causes a woman to have almost zero fat, the kind of skinny that causes a woman to have almost nothing but nipples on their chest; and the actual point of view of the story - a woman who describes herself as the opposite of her lover. She's quite pale, fat, and not exactly athletically minded (and she has really large breasts, you know, because that's important).
The fat one (I do not remember their names) is very self-conscious about their looks and wonders why the athlete sticks with her. This story gives a good brief look into why an ultra-competitive woman might prefer to be with a woman who is not the least bit athletic, but is supportive, understanding, and, in the only eyes that matter (her own, and - depending on 'things', those of the larger woman) sees their lover as quite attractive. And feels lucky to have such a woman instead of another athlete-ultra competitive type, like another couple have - two ultra-competitive runners.
As I said, brief story.
August 18 2016
Making An Impression by Lucy Felthouse Story opens with a woman, Joely, sitting next to a pool with an ereader. Another woman enters. Joely gazes upon this new woman, who is apparently super hot, through her sunglasses. Other woman sits on opposite of pool.
'Joely really wanted to know what the brunette smelled like.' - hmms. Okay?
heh. The women keep getting referred to by their hair color. The blonde. The brunette. mmphs. heh.
Now I know why Joely decided to do a stunt to get attention instead of strike up a conversation. Neither has any ability to talk smoothly.
Don't particularly like Mia. Nothing really wrong with Joely other than being clueless and an inadequate conversationalist.
And . . . wait, the story is over? A woman sits by a pool, spots another, makes some effort to show herself of, the other notices, they get drinks, they go up to that other woman's room. Get busy. Story over. Well. Kind for boring. Which part was the 'sweat' supposed to come into the scene? Sitting in the hot sun? That's kind of sweaty. They took the elevator instead of the stairs, so no sweat there. The sex? It was over too quickly for either to sweat. So I guess the sweat is from the sun in this story.
Overall - 1.5 rating. Or maybe 2. 1.75?
August 19 2016
On an Ocean of Skin by Laila Blake
Okay, story opens with a woman in a yoga studio. She may or may not be fat. And feels self-doubt and guilt for 'subjecting beautiful people to her presence.' She's there because she got 'something' related to the studio on her birthday. A voucher - 'Yoga for woman in larger bodies' (so she actually does inhabit a larger body, and it's not just her self-image making her feel fat).
hehehe. What a gift to get from your mother. I can just imagine the scene (well a scene, I don't know the relationship involved) - daughter - 'ooh, a card *opens, stares, sees 'Yoga for woman in larger bodies' thinks to self *my mother thinks I'm fat, thanks mom*
Interesting. Large bodied depressed woman, goes to yoga studio, meets - happy round woman as instructor.
Hmms. This be a really nice story. Quite . . . nice. A couple of word choices here and there jarred and pulled me from the story, unfortunately, otherwise I might call this one something close to 5 stars. As it is . . . . I'll call it 4.79 stars. *nods*
August 19 2016
Derby Girls by Erzabet Bishop
A roller derby story. Star of this one has been side-lined for months (6) due to a broken leg and busted collar bone that cost her team . . . um something, 'the win' (for a game? for the championship, what?) and cost her her girlfriend.
She didn't mind, the 'cost her her girlfriend' part, as she, the star of the story, had her eye on Roxie. And she wasn't going to do anything until she got rid of the girlfriend. Plus six months. heh.
Interesting story. I liked it. Hmms. 4.4 rating.
Match Point by Harper Bliss
Okay, this one will involve tennis apparently. Let us see what we get . . .
A woman has formerly been the champion at a club. Until a new woman appeared. Who distracted her greatly. The star of the story, whose name I do not recall, has discovered why she kept ending up breaking off engagements. It would appear that she's actually into women. Specifically one named Ruby - that new woman to the club.
They play tennis then they play with each other.
Hmms. Interesting enough. The sex was a little wordy. hmms. 4.2? Something like that.
Overall Okay then.
Marathon Woman by Cheyenne Blue - 3.8 Making An Impression by Lucy Felthouse - 1.75 On an Ocean of Skin by Laila Blake - 4.79 Derby Girls by Erzabet Bishop - 4.4 Match Point by Harper Bliss - 4.2
Overall rating of 3.788
August 19 2016
Merged review:
Marathon Woman by Cheyenne Blue
This is one of those stories I probably needed to read in exactly the right moment. Luckily, for me, that occurred. I'd probably rate this around 3.75 to 3.85 stars. Which could very well be overrating.
The story is very brief - about a very skinny (athletically skinny) dark skinned marathon runner - the kind of skinny that causes a woman to have almost zero fat, the kind of skinny that causes a woman to have almost nothing but nipples on their chest; and the actual point of view of the story - a woman who describes herself as the opposite of her lover. She's quite pale, fat, and not exactly athletically minded (and she has really large breasts, you know, because that's important).
The fat one (I do not remember their names) is very self-conscious about their looks and wonders why the athlete sticks with her. This story gives a good brief look into why an ultra-competitive woman might prefer to be with a woman who is not the least bit athletic, but is supportive, understanding, and, in the only eyes that matter (her own, and - depending on 'things', those of the larger woman) sees their lover as quite attractive. And feels lucky to have such a woman instead of another athlete-ultra competitive type, like another couple have - two ultra-competitive runners.
As I said, brief story.
August 18 2016
Making An Impression by Lucy Felthouse Story opens with a woman, Joely, sitting next to a pool with an ereader. Another woman enters. Joely gazes upon this new woman, who is apparently super hot, through her sunglasses. Other woman sits on opposite of pool.
'Joely really wanted to know what the brunette smelled like.' - hmms. Okay?
heh. The women keep getting referred to by their hair color. The blonde. The brunette. mmphs. heh.
Now I know why Joely decided to do a stunt to get attention instead of strike up a conversation. Neither has any ability to talk smoothly.
Don't particularly like Mia. Nothing really wrong with Joely other than being clueless and an inadequate conversationalist.
And . . . wait, the story is over? A woman sits by a pool, spots another, makes some effort to show herself of, the other notices, they get drinks, they go up to that other woman's room. Get busy. Story over. Well. Kind for boring. Which part was the 'sweat' supposed to come into the scene? Sitting in the hot sun? That's kind of sweaty. They took the elevator instead of the stairs, so no sweat there. The sex? It was over too quickly for either to sweat. So I guess the sweat is from the sun in this story.
Overall - 1.5 rating. Or maybe 2. 1.75?
August 19 2016
On an Ocean of Skin by Laila Blake
Okay, story opens with a woman in a yoga studio. She may or may not be fat. And feels self-doubt and guilt for 'subjecting beautiful people to her presence.' She's there because she got 'something' related to the studio on her birthday. A voucher - 'Yoga for woman in larger bodies' (so she actually does inhabit a larger body, and it's not just her self-image making her feel fat).
hehehe. What a gift to get from your mother. I can just imagine the scene (well a scene, I don't know the relationship involved) - daughter - 'ooh, a card *opens, stares, sees 'Yoga for woman in larger bodies' thinks to self *my mother thinks I'm fat, thanks mom*
Interesting. Large bodied depressed woman, goes to yoga studio, meets - happy round woman as instructor.
Hmms. This be a really nice story. Quite . . . nice. A couple of word choices here and there jarred and pulled me from the story, unfortunately, otherwise I might call this one something close to 5 stars. As it is . . . . I'll call it 4.79 stars. *nods*
August 19 2016
Derby Girls by Erzabet Bishop
A roller derby story. Star of this one has been side-lined for months (6) due to a broken leg and busted collar bone that cost her team . . . um something, 'the win' (for a game? for the championship, what?) and cost her her girlfriend.
She didn't mind, the 'cost her her girlfriend' part, as she, the star of the story, had her eye on Roxie. And she wasn't going to do anything until she got rid of the girlfriend. Plus six months. heh.
Interesting story. I liked it. Hmms. 4.4 rating.
Match Point by Harper Bliss
Okay, this one will involve tennis apparently. Let us see what we get . . .
A woman has formerly been the champion at a club. Until a new woman appeared. Who distracted her greatly. The star of the story, whose name I do not recall, has discovered why she kept ending up breaking off engagements. It would appear that she's actually into women. Specifically one named Ruby - that new woman to the club.
They play tennis then they play with each other.
Hmms. Interesting enough. The sex was a little wordy. hmms. 4.2? Something like that.
Overall Okay then.
Marathon Woman by Cheyenne Blue - 3.8 Making An Impression by Lucy Felthouse - 1.75 On an Ocean of Skin by Laila Blake - 4.79 Derby Girls by Erzabet Bishop - 4.4 Match Point by Harper Bliss - 4.2
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short story of roughly 44 pages in lengthI received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short story of roughly 44 pages in length that involves a dragon, a knight, a witch, and evil. An abusive evil bastard. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The story, even after it opened the way I expected (a witch being left out for a dragon to find), was not really at all what I thought it would be. Though why I thought it'd be any particular story, I'm not sure.
Other than what I've already stated, that the story involves a dragon, witch, knight, evil bastard, I can't really say anything more. For, you see, there are several twists to the story. Most of which keep me from elaborating on the content.
So: Well written story that was, to a certain extent, a lot more 'horrible and abusive' than I expected, but still an entertaining story (yeah, I know, horrible and abusive is not entertaining).
I'll have to keep an eye on what else this author puts out - it's not every day you read a competently written short story, turn to the afterward (wait, I think it was the 'about the author' section) and see something about how the author still lives with her parents - as she has not yet even entered high school (I might be mis-remembering how exactly that was worded).
Rating: 3.66
August 21 2017
Merged review:
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short story of roughly 44 pages in length that involves a dragon, a knight, a witch, and evil. An abusive evil bastard. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The story, even after it opened the way I expected (a witch being left out for a dragon to find), was not really at all what I thought it would be. Though why I thought it'd be any particular story, I'm not sure.
Other than what I've already stated, that the story involves a dragon, witch, knight, evil bastard, I can't really say anything more. For, you see, there are several twists to the story. Most of which keep me from elaborating on the content.
So: Well written story that was, to a certain extent, a lot more 'horrible and abusive' than I expected, but still an entertaining story (yeah, I know, horrible and abusive is not entertaining).
I'll have to keep an eye on what else this author puts out - it's not every day you read a competently written short story, turn to the afterward (wait, I think it was the 'about the author' section) and see something about how the author still lives with her parents - as she has not yet even entered high school (I might be mis-remembering how exactly that was worded).
Lexxi Kitty
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