Title: Anthropogenesis, Or: How to Make a Family Author: Laura van den Berg In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Mythology Dates read: 17th February 2021 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Penguin Books Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: They were struggling to find the right way to live.
The creation of a family and the world involves two individuals. But what happens when they are total opposites?
This was a quick and easy read. One that I enjoyed but wasn’t completely swept away by. It was just pleasurable. And kind of fun.
I love how this was pretty much a re-telling of a myth, but with a little bit more of a contemporary / modern language approach. It wasn’t one of those stories that completely swept me away, but it was one that I enjoyed.
This was a great beginning to the XO Orpheus collection. One that I enjoyed, and makes me want to sink deeper into the collection.
Title: Beard in Mind Author: Penny Reid Series: Winston Brothers #4 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance Dates read: 14th – 15th February 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: SmartyPants Romance Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: We’d barely spoken in weeks.
Beards, brothers, and birds! Oh my! 88 All is fair in love and auto maintenance.
Beau Winston is the nicest, most accommodating guy in the world. Usually. Handsome as the devil and twice as charismatic, Beau lives a charmed life as everyone’s favorite Winston Brother. But since his twin decided to leave town, and his other brother hired a stunning human-porcupine hybrid as a replacement mechanic for their auto shop, Beau Winston’s charmed life has gone to hell in a hand-basket.
Shelly Sullivan is not nice and is never accommodating. Ever. She mumbles to herself, but won’t respond when asked a question. She glares at everyone, especially babies. She wont’ shake hands with or touch another person, but has no problems cuddling with a dog. And her damn parrot speaks only in curse words.
Beau wants her gone. He wants her out of his auto shop, out of Tennessee, and out of his life.
The only problem is, learning why this porcupine wears her coat of spikes opens a Pandora’s box of complexity – exquisite, tempting, heartbreaking complexity – and Beau Winston soon discovers being II nice II and II accommodating II might mean losing what matters most.
Ever since meeting Beau in Truth or Beard – after all, he’s Duane’s other half. And considering he is about to lose Duane, I really wanted to see how the poor boy would cope. And you know what? He actually did a lot better than I had anticipated. And I enjoyed this story so much more than I thought I would. Particularly when the lady-love is Shelly, who we got to meet in Neanderthal Seeks Human.
One of my favourite things about Penny Reid’s books is that she takes characters that really aren’t considered mainstream. Characters that have different issues that you don’t normally see in romances and stories. In the case of Beard in Mind, it’s OCD. I know that many people joke about being “a bit OCD”, but there are very few people, if any who actually understand what this is really and truly like. I might not have this disorder myself, but I know what it’s like to have a psychological issue and battle constantly to overcome it.
I love that the saga of the Winston Brothers furthers throughout this story. Beau finds out yet more secrets that tie them to the Iron Wraiths, Duane continues to try and protect his brother. And just, in general, the whole family continues to try and pull together, tighter and tighter than before. It’s the kind of family that you kind of wish you had. Alright, not the insane father, but the siblings, the close knitedness and acceptance of them all? I have that with one sister, imagine if I had even more siblings!!!
I loved, loved, loved this story. I love how Beau finds out about Shelly’s issues and tries to work with her. It reminds us all that support is what is important, that ability to look at someone and just accept them for who and what they are. It’s a difficult thing to do. One that a lot of people struggle with, and I always love seeing this in a story. The fact that Beau chooses to support Shelly and accept that her OCD will always be there – not everyone is so lucky, and I love the feeling of hope that this story provides.
Title: Rebel Hard Author: Nalini Singh Series: Hard Play #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sport Dates read: 11th – 14th February 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Nalini Singh Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: No point trying to make a decision about the rest of our lives based on two short meetings.
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Hard Play series with a sweet, sexy romance featuring big, fat, OTT weddings, a meddling grandma, and a too-serious hero who needs to be unbuttoned.
Nayna Sharma agreed to an arranged marriage in the hope it would heal the fractures in her beloved family… only to realize too late that a traditional marriage is her personal nightmare. Panicked, she throws caution to the winds, puts on the tiniest dress she can find, and ends up in the arms of a tall, rough-edged hunk of a man who has abs of steel – and who she manages to mortally insult between one kiss and the next.
Abandoned as a child, then adopted into a loving family, Raj Sen believes in tradition, in continuity. Some might call him stiff and old-fashioned, but he knows what he wants – and it’s a life defined by rules… yet he can’t stop thinking about he infuriating and sexy woman who kissed him in the moonlight then disappeared. When his parents spring an introduction on him, the last woman he expects is her. Beautiful. Maddening. A rule breaker in the making.
He’s all wrong for her. She’s all wrong for him. And love is about to make rebels of them both.
I’ve been hanging to read Nayna and Raj’s story since they first made their appearance in Cherish Hard. They are such a fun and intriguing couple. Partner their wonderful meet-cute with the restrictions and cultural clashes that they both feel. It was most definitely a beautiful, wonderful and intriguing story. Alright, I knew that they’d end up together… but the journey to get there was seriously intense.
My favourite thing about this contemporary romance is that it deals with a culture I know nothing about. Singh’s ability to look at how these two cultures work side by side was brilliant and impossible to put down. I loved how she was able to make you think of New Zealand and how people from other cultures fit into this wonderful world. There was something wonderful about having a different culture fit into a genre that I am currently completely obsessed with.
I can’t imagine being in a situation where all I want is to please my family. To find a way to make them happy, even if it is at my own expense. And the fact that Nayna sacrifices so much for her family is just beautiful. And seriously tragic. Particularly when you realise that the older sister who has kind of put her in this situation suffers pretty much no consequences for her actions. Raj is the perfect person to partner with such a tragic story – he acknowledges and sees what she is going through and decides to try and protect her, no matter what others are then going to think of him.
This is a beautiful romance. Yet, aside from the cultural issues and the different challenges Nayna and Raj face, it is the flirting that I love the most. Those awkward, funny moments, the moments where Raj is sending topless photos. The moments when work mates are giving each other a good ribbing. The multiple parts of the story that have you grinning in appreciation and leave you with a gigantic smile on your face.
I absolutely adored this story, like I do all Nalini Singh books. And now I need to dig through my TBR and start Love Hard.
Title: The Other Miss Bridgerton Author: Julia Quinn Series: Rokesbys #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 27th January – 11th February 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Avon Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: Brown or Green would have been acceptable – Andrew had known both of them long enough to know that they’d not imperil her safety – but he doubted either one of them wanted anything to do with her.
She was in the wrong place…
Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed…
He found her at the wrong time…
Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he’s stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real—and his duty to the Crown means he’s stuck with her.
Can two wrongs make the most perfect right?
When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal—though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew’s secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart…?
It took me a little bit to get into this story. Not because of anything intense, but Quinn’s stories are that simple and pleasant that they don’t always throw me in the deep end of the story. They’re just so pleasant and fun. Plus, you know that the couple is going to come together in the end. In this case, Poppy is so much like her cousin Billie that you felt like you knew her from the very beginning.
Although this was a fairly consistent and typical Quinn story, it does take a completely different spin – there’s pirates. I mean, they’re kind of sanctified pirates. But they’re still pirates. And the whole story takes place on a ship. With a kidnapping and other sorts of drama. It may have taken me a little to get past that first chapter or so, but once I realised that the pirates were taking front and centre… I was a very, very happy girl.
From the title I knew that there would be another Bridgerton girl making an appearance in this story. The awkwardness of the whole situation just left me smiling and giggling again and again throughout this story. After all, regardless of which series you read… the Bridgertons are a force to be reckoned with. I love that Andrew is almost fearful of the response that the Bridgertons will have when they find out that he kidnapped one of them. After all, if I had a family of that size and loyalty after me… I’d feel pretty damn intimidated and concerned too.
There is no better cure for a bad day than a good Julia Quinn book. I love that even though this story / series isn’t about the Bridgertons (my favourite regency romance family ever), it still features them. You can see where the next generation gets their spunk from. And the Rokesbys? Well, they’re amazing too. I can’t wait to read the last book in this series and fall head over heels for this family yet again.
Title: Eenie, Meenie, Ipsateenie Author: Pat Cadigan In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Ghosts, Horror Dates read: 11th February 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: This was the fourth apartment they’d had since coming to the Midwest, but they’d all been the same.
Milo didn’t want to be IT. And now he’s haunted by the fact that he’ll forever be “IT”.
This was a bit of a meandering story. And one that you tend to fill the gaps in on… it just makes you feel all that much more uncomfortable when you don’t quite know if you have the complete picture. Which I’m convinced is what Cadigan was going for.
There is something extra haunting about a childhood killing. A childhood ghost. I think that it’s something about that loss of potential. Plus the fact that IT is capitalized throughout this whole story made me think of the Stephen King story IT which involves a creepy clown literally feasting about children’s potential… all in all not something that is overly comfortable. And most certainly helps to file this short story safely in my horror shelf.
I finished this short story and honestly felt goosebumps. It was most definitely not a comfortable tale to read. And I kind of want to read it again and again. It may not have been comfortable… but it was intriguing. And there were so many subtleties throughout that I’m sure I totally missed. But I’m pretty sure Milo turned into a killer of children…
Title: Luscious Author: Lori Foster In: Bad Boys of Summer (Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & Amy Garvey) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Dates read: 8th – 10th February 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novella Publisher: Brava Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: A man stood in front of her sister’s door, checking a notepad and the address of the apartment.
Bethany Churchill just quit her lousy job, dumped her lousy boyfriend and moved into a new apartment. She’s not looking for love, but her hot new landlord is determined to change her mind. SWAT officer Lucius Ryder – known to the women in the building as “Luscious”, much to his chagrin – is one sexy lawman, and before long Bethany is tempted to find out if he’s really as delicious as his nickname…
The play on words in this story is kind of fun – Lucius, Luscious. I mean, it’s the kind of silly, slightly nonsensical, but seriously fun thing that I would do myself. Particularly if the man was as dreamy as the lead man in this story. I mean… who wouldn’t want a SWAT cop beating down their door to make delicious, wonderful love to them?
I can’t imagine being a twin. I was always really nervous just introducing people to my incredibly beautiful younger sister, but being an identical twin and having the same hang ups? That’s just… horrifying. I love that Foster was able to deal with this really intense feeling of inadequacy that I think we all feel in a way that was open, honest and completely approachable. I may not be a twin, but there are definitely women in my life that I was worried about introducing my partner to – just in case he liked them better…
Admittedly, the idea of a pet psychic seems a little… odd. But, Marci is also a lovely character, so the oddness decreases. The fact that she’s not even the lead lady in this just makes me hope that there is another story in which Marci finds her happily ever after. Lucius and Bethany are such an amazing couple, and I love that Marci is still included in their relationship. After all, when you have a sister, the guy you bring home doesn’t just have to form a relationship with you… they have to form it with the people you love too.
Title: Things to Know about Being Dead Author: Genevieve Valentine In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Vampires Dates read: 7th February 2021 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Harper Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: I tried to speak, but my throat was too dry; I lay quietly as she smoothed her fingers over my shoulders, my neck, the backs of my arms.
It’s not so fun being dead. But there are certain things that you should know…
There is something about Genevieve Valentine’sshort stories that always make me smile. And this was no exception. Starting with a death, and then including anecdotes, lists and all sorts of other fun nonsense. I just smiled all the way throughout this short story. The fact that it is the opening story in a collection of vampire stories… well, that made it all that much better!
In all of the vampire books and stories that I’ve read, there hasn’t been much of a humorous aside in what it means to get used to being dead. A few have touched upon the adjustments that the characters have to make. And they’ve even sometimes touched upon the negatives, but mostly, it’s a “look at all the things I’ve gained” approach. This didn’t really do it. It didn’t place becoming dead as a negative endeavour either, just one with a steep learning curve.
There seem to be a lot of teenage vampire stories in the literature. It’s a bit of a trope that sometimes irritates me. But, the way that Valentine deals with this in her story was… not irritating. It was funny and light. And almost felt like it was pulling fun at the trope that can be a little bit overdone…
Title: Megan’s Mark Author: Lora Leigh Series: Breeds #6 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense Dates read: 28th January – 7th February 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: That was what she feared.
In the first book of her erotic new series, Lora Leigh invites you to an intriguing world where genetically altered Breeds and the humans who created them commingle – and sometimes cross the boundaries of desire…
Cursed with the extraordinary power to feel other peoples’ emotions, Megan Fields has tucked herself away in a remote corner of New Mexico, working as a small-town sheriff’s deputy. She finds solace in the silence and heat of the desert. But when breeds begin dying on her watch, Megan realizes that the secrets from her past can’t stay buried forever. Someone is out for blood – her blood.
An arrogant Feline Breed, Braden Arness broods with feral intensity. His mission to solve the mysterious murders brings him to Megan, a woman who accosts his senses like no other. Only with him can she let down her guard – and surrender to the insatiable hunger that wracks her body. But as they team up to hunt the elusive killers, Braden and Megan find themselves becoming the prey…
I’m not sure if it was because this book has a different cover, size and shape to the first five books in this series, or if it was actually written first as the blurb implies. But there was something drastically different about Megan’s Mark that wasn’t obvious in the other books. In a good way though, I can guarantee that. I seriously, thoroughly and delightfully enjoyed this story. and I know that I have the next book in the series buried somewhere in my ridiculous TBR pile, now I just have to dig it out…
Of all of the women so far in the Breeds novels, Megan is most definitely the most kick ass of all the women. She even punches her mate at one point because he crosses a line that she drew! I love that she’s got enough fire and gumption to do that. Alright, none of the women in this series have exactly been push overs… but Megan is just so, so much tougher. Tough enough that she’s able to join the patrols and be an Enforcer in her own right.
Megan is the first Empath in this series. It is starting to open the door for people with other talents and powers within the Breeds world. It draws in the intrigue far stronger than I would have expected. Actually, I kind of would have liked a little more about the Empathic abilities in this story. although, the lust and the connection between the characters most definitely made up for the fact that this power wasn’t heavily discussed.
Megan’s Mark is yet another wonderful tale by the intriguing Lora Leigh. It swept me away from the very beginning and left me in a world that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. It was brilliant and fun. And I can’t wait to read yet more of these tales!
During Brianna’s trip to the Ural Mountains of Russia, a life-threatening accident places her at the mercy of a strange, reclusive man. A man whose secrets and unquenchable hunger will change her life forever…
In the huge list of werewolf romances, or even werewolf stories, that I’ve read, this certainly didn’t measure high up the top. It wasn’t awful or bad in any way, I just didn’t rate it incredibly highly. I enjoyed it though. And I would add a few more Sherri L. King books to my shelves. I just won’t be putting them at the top of my wish list.
I think that the thing that put me off the most about this story is the whole feeling each other up while the girl was barely conscious. I mean, that is not a sexy moment. I found it seriously, ridiculously creepy. And disturbed. And just generally not okay. I’m definitely uncomfortable with that entire part of the plot line. And, if it was removed I probably would have loved this story so much more. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of my erotica style stories feature a bit of a DomSub spin, and things that I personally wouldn’t be interested in… but this was just… ick.
Moonlustis a fun and good beginning for a series, and a nice novella. Most definitely not my favourite one, but it’s still fun. And I’m keen to see what else King is able to do with her writing skills and world creation.
Sometimes love is everything you could ever want. Sometimes it’s just a real kick in the teeth.
I really liked the world building in this story. It featured twins that weren’t really twins, a demon, and a long-lost love. There is nothing I love better than a story that has this much power and just plain, downright awesomeness. It drew me in from the beginning and even a few days after reading it and sitting down to (finally) write this review…. I’m still enjoying the storyline.
Relationships are built upon memories. I love that this story is all about those memories. Those key moments that we all have and that each of us remember differently. I love that sin an attempt to reconnect with a lost love, it’s a memory that is shared. The fact that this memory box sends a demon twin into a hell dimension and all sorts of horribleness… well, it just wouldn’t be a good story without such a spanner in the works.
This was an incredibly quick and easy story to read. It swept me away and took me on a fun little adventure. One that I completely wasn’t expecting but enjoyed regardless. I love the idea of demon twins and having to protect demons. Hell dimensions and loves lost or regained. It was just… fun and a great set up in a relatively few number of pages.
Earth and Skye 