All posts by skyebjenner

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

November 19, 2020Book ReviewClassics, Ocean, Oceans, Word Cloud Classicsskyebjenner

Amazon.com: Moby-Dick (Word Cloud Classics) (9781626860575): Melville, Herman: Books

Title: Moby-Dick
Author: Herman Melville
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Oceans
Dates read: 5th – 22nd October 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1851
5th sentence, 74th page: When Bildad was a chief mate, to have his drab-coloured eye intently looking at you, made you feel completely nervous, till you could clutch something – a hammer or marlingspike, and go to work like mad, at something or other, never mind what.

“Call me Ishmael” is the iconic opening line of Herman Melville’s classic American novel, Moby-Dick. Ishmael is a seaman aboard the whaling vessel, Pequod, under the vengeful captain, Ahab. Maniacally seeking retribution from the great white sperm whale called Moby-Dick–the whale responsible for the captain’s missing leg–Ahab leads the crew on a quest to kill the infamous beast. A fictional work based on actual events, Moby-Dick is a classic that has been enjoyed for generations, and it’s now available as part of the Word Cloud Classic series, making it a stylish and affordable addition to any library.

I can totally see why this is such a well-known classic. It was a very enjoyable and intense story. And, even though I only gave it 3 stars, I would totally read it again. I felt like throughout this I was actually missing quite a bit… so I would actually quite enjoy re-reading this and picking up on all of the bits and pieces that I missed. Actually, I think that this is one of those stories, that no matter how many times you read it… you’ll always find something new to the story that you just didn’t notice before.

There was a heck of a lot of symbolism throughout this story. More than my puny little brain seemed to be able to comprehend if I’m being honest… although, most of the symbolism that I felt I was picking up on was very homosexual in nature… I’m not sure if that was just the mood I was in though. Or the simple fact that the Whale is a sperm whale (I mean, queue the jokes here).

This isn’t a feel good, comfortable story. At all. Which is probably why I did enjoy it and am likely to reread this. I’m not necessarily big on stories which are all sunshine and lollipops every time I open a book. And at the time of reading this, I was finding that there were a few too many happy, happy stories on my TBR. This was a really good break from that – I loved the discomfort that it left you with.

This may not be my favourite classic. But it was an enjoyable one. It was pleasant and fun, and I can’t wait to pick it up again in the future and learn more about all the parts of this story that I missed…

<- The Prince and Other Tales

Anne of Green Gables ->

Image source: Amazon

Almost Lost by Joan Johnston

November 19, 2020Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, More Than Words Volume Six, Romantic Suspenseskyebjenner

More Than Words, Volume 6 (Virgin River, #10.1) by Joan Johnston

Title: Almost Lost
Author: Joan Johnston
In: More Than Words: Volume 6 (Joan Johnston, Robyn Carr, Christina Skye, Rochelle Alers & Maureen Child)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 22nd October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harlequin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “That’s why I thought of you.”

New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston has created the moving story of a Dallas firefighter’s desperate search to find a daughter caught in the world of human trafficking for her tribute to Katherine Chon, cofounder of the Polaris Project.

This is the first novella in the More Than Words: Volume 6 collection. And boy is it a great way to start. This is intense and serious, but yet manages to still bring in the sweetness that contemporary romances have. A fantastic balance of the two when dealing with a very real and serious issue / danger.

Although this deals with sex trafficking and all of the horrors that go along with it. I must say, I absolutely adored Miranda. And the scene in which she throws her bra… that had me laughing quite a bit. She’s got so much gumption and sass. Which, of course, makes her the perfect teenage daughter to partner with a couple that can’t quite seem to figure out what exactly it is that they want.

This may be a novella that highlights the risks of sex trafficking and how easy it can be for people to fall victim to it. This is also a seriously cute and adorable novella. I loved Seth and Karen as a couple. Partner that with Miranda (who I think totally steals the spotlight) and you have a great novella that left me feeling hopeful and smiling.

<- More Than Words: Volume 6

Sheltering Hearts ->

Image source: Goodreads

Midnight Kiss by Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear & Victoria Dahl

November 18, 2020Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Jean Brashear, Midnight Kiss, Robyn Carr, Short Story Collections, Victoria Dahlskyebjenner

Title: Midnight Kiss
Author: Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear & Victoria Dahl
In: Midnight Kiss (Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear & Victoria Dahl)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 29th September – 20th October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harlequin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “Uh-oh,” she said.

THESE ARE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS WORTH KEEPING!

TAKE A RISK

At the inaugural New Year’s Eve party at Jack’s Bar, two lonely revelers decide the best balm for their broken hearts might just be each other.

FIND THE PERFECT WORK-LIFE BALANCE

When a flinty lawyer with a bad-boy addiction meets the quintessential nice guy, sparks fly that consume their expectations of life and love.

GET THOSE FINANCES IN ORDER

Working over the holidays on a messy bank takeover is made worse for two federal specialists by an ill-advised kiss that will never happen again … right?

This is a fun anthology that centres around the “magic” of New Years Eve. It’s cute, filled with all the romance a girl could want and just generally enjoyable. Plus, I was able to find two new authors to add to my wish list… which is always a bonus when reading a fun anthology.

I must admit. I really don’t get the whole New Year’s Eve hype. There is just something seriously “meh” about the whole thing. And to be honest, completely ridiculous. I mean one night isn’t going to change squat. But, I still loved how this collection used those kind of weird themes to create this story. I may not really get the hype… but I do love the stories.

Each and everyone of these stories finished with a New Year’s Kiss. They were just so optimistic and full of hope. Just what a girl wants in a good contemporary romance anthology.

<- Midnight Assignment

Midnight Confessions ->

Image source: Robyn Carr

Bad Boys Online by Erin McCarthy

November 18, 2020Book ReviewBad Boys Online, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Erin McCarthy, Short Story Collectionsskyebjenner

Title: Bad Boys Online
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Bad Boys Online
In: Bad Boys Online (Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 8th – 20th October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Ohmigod, ohmigod.”

Once upon a time, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster ran a contest on her Web site (www.lorifoster.com) to find the hottest unpublished romance authors just waiting for that glass slipper. Now, it’s your turn to get lucky and have a ball with one of the freshest, sexiest new voices in erotic romance…

Hard Drive
Mack Stone can’t believe he’s just walked in on the delicious Kindrea Hill having an online affair in her office. Being discovered in flagrante computer delicto doesn’t seem to bother Kindra. In fact, she claims to prefer the impersonal touch to the complication of a relationship. That’s enough to make Mack issue a challenge of his own: He wants Kindra to grant him twelve nonstop hours to turn every erotic e-mail into a hot reality and prove that in love and pleasure, there’s not substitute for the real thing…

User Friendly
Computer guru Evan Barrett can solve any tech problem, but the sight of Halley Connors’ lovely head pasted onto some woman’s nude body – courtesy of a hacker determined to derail her catering website – just has him in a cold sweat. Imagining his secret crush in the buff is the kind of fantasy that drives him wild every time Halley’s near. Now, as they work overtime to save the business, Evan realizes that not every fire needs putting out so quickly… and some require very little stoking to catch…

Press Any Key
To Jared Kinkaid, the only way to keep his mind – and his hands – off his luscious co-worker Candy Appleton is to insult or ignore her at every turn. But his efforts at lust control have his boss convinced that the partners need a little help via online couples counselling. When they’re mistakenly signed up for sensual couples counelling instead, Jared and Candy’s shock turns to pleasure as they each deliver some hands-on therapy of their own…

Take a little time to reboot, ’cause these sly guys give a whole new meaning to o-site tech support…

This contemporary romance collection seriously threw me back to the internet when I was a little pre-teen. Don’t get me wrong, I never used it for these activities… but there was still some very fun nostalgia associated with the technology that was being used.

There are three different novellas in this collection, and each and everyone has a slightly different way in which cyber relationships / seduction can occur. I love how these little romances carried the same online theme… but had completely different relationships, seductions and moments throughout.

This variety and series of stories was absolutely brilliant. I really, really enjoyed this and ended up digging through my shelves for any Erin McCarthy stories that I could find, just to continue getting my happy fix.

<- User Friendly

Hard Drive ->

Image source: Goodreads

Dracula by Bram Stoker

November 17, 2020Book ReviewBram Stoker, Classics, Dracula and Other Horror Classics, Horror, Word Cloud Classicsskyebjenner

Dracula, Word Cloud Classics by Bram Stoker | 9781607105510 | Booktopia

Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
Series: Word Cloud Classics
In: Dracula and Other Horror Classics (Bram Stoker)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Horror
Dates read: 14th September – 20th October 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1897
5th sentence, 74th page: I trust her feeling ill may not be from that unlucky prick of the safety-pin.

Irish author Bram Stoker introduced the character of Count Dracula and provided the basis of modern vampire fiction in his 1897 novel entitled Dracula. Written as a series of letters, newspaper clippings, diary entries, and ships’ logs, the story begins with lawyer Jonathan Harker journeying to meet Dracula at his remote castle to complete a real estate transaction. Harker soon discovers that he is being held prisoner, and that Dracula has a rather disquieting nocturnal life. Touching on themes such as Victorian culture, immigration, and colonialism, among others, this timeless classic is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats! Now available as part of the Word Cloud Classics series, Dracula is a must-have addition to the libraries of all classic literature lovers.

I absolutely loved this novel. I remember picking it up last year, reading the first page and then, honestly, just getting distracted. So I wasn’t all that optimistic when I decided to try again this year… and boy was I wrong. And surprised. It was a wonderful journey into the realm of Stoker and I can FINALLY say that I have finished Dracula.

This classic is so well written and done in a form that I really wasn’t expecting. I’ve read a few recent books in this style of memos and letters cobbled together. But this is most definitely the oldest one. And, as such, it was somehow all that much more unique and… well… awesome. I loved this. I can’t stop thinking about it. And, if you get past the first three chapters, you will feel the same. I can almost guarantee it!

Honestly, there aren’t really words for how much WOW this story made me feel… it was just an amazing adventure. Kind of dark, really intense and… well, I can see where the vampire myths started and what makes this such a popular classic.

Mina and Lucy were really good female leads (and victims). They were a little bit soft and not necessarily the strongest of characters. But I do like how they, one and all, inspire love in the other characters. And it wasn’t really a sexual love (alright, in the case of Lucy it often was). But it was that love for one another that I think all of humanity needs. Or at least, that’s how I was understanding it.

This story was filled with darkness, tragedy, and a whole heap of love. I like that it was mostly happy endings and just all in all, a great, impossible to put down story. I can’t wait to read more Bram Stoker stories!

<- Treasure Island

The Art of War ->

Image source: Booktopia

Coyote, Spider, Bat by Steven Saus

November 17, 2020Book ReviewGods, Mythology, Steven Saus, Vampires, Weird Western, Westward Weirdskyebjenner

Image result for westward weird book cover

Title: Coyote, Spider, Bat
Author: Steven Saus
In: Westward Weird (Martin H. Greenberg & Kerrie Hughes)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Gods, Mythology, Vampires, Weird western
Dates read: 20th October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Daw Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: That’s what got these men all ready to jump into the arms of your girls.

Coyote returns home to find her husband killed. Spider leaves home to save his lover. Then they confront Bat.

I really enjoyed the mix of mythologies in this short story. There is a nice balance between Native American and European mythology, whilst also showing the process of settling and colonisation in early America. It’s a really intriguing and well balanced story and one that I would read many more times.

I seriously love the fact that the Gods in this story are stronger than the vampires. But, there is still that horrible sense of colonisation and the beginning of the end. Or at least, a point of change after the grand battle in this short story. It’s a great way to deal with multiple themes. And I think that if I reread this, possibly with a little more knowledge of American history (of which I have none), I’d probably pick up on other great ideas and themes.

Not only is this a great short story. It’s also a great revenge story. One that I look forward to reading again and again in the future.

<- Surveyor of Mars

Maybe Another Time ->

Image source: Amazon

Dead Flowers by a Roadside by Kelley Armstrong

November 16, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Kelley Armstrong, Paranormal Fantasy, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Image result for the mammoth book of ghost stories by women book cover

Title: Dead Flowers by a Roadside
Author: Kelley Armstrong
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 20th October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Can I help you?”

One small mistake can cost you everything…

This was actually a really sad short story. I was a little surprised at how much it plucked at the heart strings to be honest. Although, I really shouldn’t have been. Armstrong generally seems to have a slightly darker side to her stories than what I expect…

Although this is a bit sad and most definitely tragic, it is also a story that features love. That forever kind of love where you just can’t imagine taking another breath without the other person. It may have tragic consequences in this case, but I still found it beautiful and impossible to look away from. The perfect ghost story.

After finishing this short story, I kind of just… sat. And stared. And thought. It was a wonderful ghost story. Most definitely haunting, and not one I’m likely to forget anytime soon.

<- Collect Call

The Shadow in the Corner ->

Image source: Goodreads

In a Heartbeat by Alice Pung

November 16, 2020Book ReviewAlice Pung, Australian Authors, Begin End Begin, Contemporary, Young Adultskyebjenner

Image result for begin, end, begin book cover

Title: In a Heartbeat
Author: Alice Pung
In: Begin, End, Begin (Danielle Binks)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, Young adult
Dates read: 20th October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I’m going to vom,’ I croaked to Nancy, and she dashed me to the bathroom, and for the first time in this pregnancy, I had a big, long vomit and cry.

She has two heartbeats, and a life that is about to change drastically. But it’s alright, because she has a plan.

I really liked this short story. It took all of about thirty seconds to realise that the narrator was talking to their unborn baby, which was good otherwise this would have made zero sense. Not only is it a great way to show the future mother’s love for her child, but it’s also a good way to sshow the change in thought processes that the future mother is going through.

This short story is all about that moment where you say goodbye to childhood and hello to reality / adulthood. It’s admittedly kind of intense since it does deal with teenage pregnancy. But I thought it was also ridiculously, wonderfully realistic. Particularly when you mix in the fact that this story is also about Asian immigrants and the cultural practices they carry with them. Or at least, that’s why I got out of this.

I had such a great time reading this story, and I could actually hear the narrator’s voice in my head. Her voice was laced with attitude, sarcasm, love and a little fear. It left me smiling and happy when I finished it and wondering if I should find myself some more Alice Pung stories to fill my shelves…

<- I Can See the Ending

First Casualty ->

Image source: Harper Collins Australia

User Friendly by Erin McCarthy

November 15, 2020Book ReviewBad Boys Online, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Erin McCarthyskyebjenner

Title: User Friendly
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Bad Boys Online #3
In: Bad Boys Online (Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 20th October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: She couldn’t imagine him not being in her life.

One of my favourite tropes in contemporary romances (or indeed any romances) is the friends to lovers trope. After all, I think that knowing someone on that level and then wanting them on a more intimate level is absolutely beautiful. Particularly when it’s a friendship that is a no-holds barred kind of friendship. Brilliant, honest and completely see-through. So of course, since this was one of those stories… I fell head over heels.

I may have had to wipe off a little drool while reading this novella. There is just something completely drool-worthy about Evan that none of the other men in this collection quite had… he is just so damn yummy. Apparently I really like the toned computer geeks in my literary romances / erotic moments…

Although all of the romance, passion and lust in this story was brilliant. I actually think that my favourite moment in this story was when Halley fires Horace. I love that he is somehow surprised at being surprised. Even after he admits his own stupidity. It was such a light and humorous moment. One that had me having a good giggle.

This was the perfect novella to finish up this collection with. And reading it while curled up under a blanket with a hot chocolate… yup. That was a serious happy place moment.

<- Press Any Key

Bad Boys Online ->

Image source: Goodreads

Midnight Assignment by Victoria Dahl

November 15, 2020Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Midnight Kiss, Victoria Dahlskyebjenner

Title: Midnight Assignment
Author: Victoria Dahl
In: Midnight Kiss (Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear & Victoria Dahl)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 20th October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harlequin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: You’re kidding me, right?

GET THOSE FINANCES IN ORDER

Working over the holidays on a messy bank takeover is made worse for two federal specialists by an ill-advised kiss that will never happen again … right?

This was a wonderfully fun novella about missed chances, assumptions, and, ultimately, second chances. I fell into it from the very beginning and just seriously enjoyed every single moment of it. It was incredibly difficult to put down and away. Which is exactly what I want in a novella – I normally have enough time to read them in one sitting, unlike novels sometimes.

Elise and her issues were something that I really enjoyed. Which, having written that sentence just sounds downright weird. But, ultimately, the problems and hurdles that she are ones that I find a little bit familiar (although not the same). I also love how she tries to be strong and independent (and is) and maintains her sense of self all throughout this novella.

Noah was just an adorable male lead. I love how he was actually, and genuinely trying to do the “right thing” which is ultimately what causes the troubles again and again. These are the kind of hurdles that I like – trying to be a good person (genuinely trying, not being a dick and pretending to try…), and ultimately finding out that maybe sometimes you should just lay it all out there.

There is one word that sums up this novella: Yum.

<- Midnight Surrender

Midnight Kiss ->

Image source: Robyn Carr

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

All posts by skyebjenner

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Almost Lost by Joan Johnston

Midnight Kiss by Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear & Victoria Dahl

Bad Boys Online by Erin McCarthy

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Coyote, Spider, Bat by Steven Saus

Dead Flowers by a Roadside by Kelley Armstrong

In a Heartbeat by Alice Pung

User Friendly by Erin McCarthy

Midnight Assignment by Victoria Dahl