John is part of the surveyor town on Mars. But when the governing bodies continuously ask for more and more of their tithe, it might just be time to give up his pacifist ways and start a new way of life.
It took me a little bit to get really hooked into this short story. Mostly because there was something that I thought was really good on tv. But, in irony of ironies. I can’t remember what was on tv in that moment. But I can remember how much I actually enjoyed this short story. It just took me that first page or two to completely fall into the spell…
I love that the lead “cowboy” (space cowboy) in this story is constantly focusing on trying to be a pacifist. That it isn’t about violence, but just trying to live and let live. Of course, being a weird western, this didn’t quite work. But I did love that differentiation in character that you don’t always get. Particularly when his reflection on his family indicate that they are most definitely not the same in their proclivities.
This story was definitely one that focused on the idea of power and community. I love that, ultimately, the community joined together and won the day. Even if there was a little bit of violence, mostly it was about unification and everyone joining together in a fight for their own freedom and… well, community.
Miss Extreme Congeniality by Erin McCarthy CJ White knows there must be a catch when Wyatt Maddock – her despised FBI partner – offers to transfer out of Chicago and far, far away from her. There’s a catch all right, and it’s a big one: CJ has to spend one sexy night with the untamed playboy, wearing the outfit of his choice, the pig. Okay, so the guy’s hot. So his reputation in the bedroom is the stuff of legend. So CJ’s been in a dry spell for about, oh, three years. So maybe one night to be rid of him isn’t so unbearable. But once the sheets have cooled, CJ’s just starting to heat up, and moving away is the last thing on Wyatt’s mind…
It took me a little while to click as to the reasoning behind the name of this novella. Normally I am a bit quicker with understanding McCarthy’s naming puns and choices. But, I literally finished this novella, walked away and then realised the next day. It’s not Miss Extreme Congeniality because C.J. is just so damn nice (she’s kind and beautiful, but not that intensely so). It’s Miss Extreme Congeniality because of the extreme makeover she goes through (think Sandra Bullock). Not really sure why I have to state that in a review, it’s not really a huge deal. But, honestly, I had such a proud, lightbulb moment that I needed to share regardless.
Anyhow… as with all of McCarthy’s stories, this was just so dang cute! There’s something so sweet and light about her stories that always leaves me with a happy, content smile on my face. So much so that I picked up one of the few remaining books that I have on my collection that I haven’t read by her… I just needed that nice, cute, happiness that she always imparts.
C.J. and Wyatt make a really great couple. I love that they are still able to maintain their sense of selves and be who they want to be, whilst still making compromises to bring each other into their lives. It’s one of those great literary relationships – healthy. Probably, honestly, why I like McCarthy so much… her relationships might have barriers and have issues, but, ultimately they’re respectful and about finding compromise, not changing everything that you are. But I digress… I keep getting a little side-tracked in this review.
Other than everything else that I loved in this novella, I thought that the presence of C.J.’s autistic son was glorious. It highlighted the issues that not only single mothers have, but the parents of neurodiverse children when they are creating their lives. It was just so full of love and acceptance. My heart definitely grew a few sizes after reading this novella.
Title: I Can See the Ending Author: Will Kostakis In: Begin, End, Begin (Danielle Binks) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Romance, Young adult Dates read: 29th September 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: I sit back and smile.
He’s finishing his final day at work, and about to step into the adult world. But there’s this gorgeous girl that he just can’t stop thinking about…. And then a kiss lets him see the ending of their love and he asks himself… if you can see the ending, should there be a beginning?
I really loved the question that this short story posed – namely, if you can see the ending, do you even bother trying for a beginning?
That question, and the brilliant writing in this story made it incredibly difficult to look away from the pages and left me constantly pulling for the narrator of the story. After all, I don’t know if I’d have the guts to start a relationship when I know that it’s going to end in heartache. I’m not sure that I’m that brave or tough… it also highlights the risk that love is, no matter what the situation.
This was a great, cute and seriously fun short story. One that is all about first loves and the fact that sometimes happily ever after isn’t, well… quite happily ever after. But that doesn’t mean that all of the bits in between aren’t worth it! And it’s definitely a great idea to live in the moment as much as you possibly can…
Rick just wanted to make some extra cash. But then a ghost comes out of the floor and his day goes from bad to worse. But maybe he can be brave.
I absolutely loved the fact that this short story ultimately lead to Rick finding his confidence and sense of self. In a way, it was a bit of a Coming of Age story. Alright, he’s kind of already an adult. But sometimes adults do need that extra little shove to be well… adult-like.
I absolutely loved the backstory that was in this tale. I can’t wait to find out more – after all, a world in which Mistletoe is somehow a portal for evil, soul consuming ghosts… definitely sign me up for that one! It just intrigued me so much and pulled me right in from the very beginning.
I love that although most stories I read with ghosts in them portray ghosts as kind of misunderstood, and / or just kind of sad… this one didn’t. The ghosts are dangerous, kind of evil and most definitely scary. It was a great change from the whiney, will-o-the-wisp style ghosts I’ve been reading about a lot lately. Always good fun when a spectral phantom can somehow annihilate you and destroy everything you are…
Cat and Bones’s romantic vacation is interrupted when they’re enlisted to guard a spoiled heiress with both human and undead hitmen on her tail. Things quickly go from bad to worse when details of their assignment make their way through the supernatural grapevine, and what started as a simple bodyguard job ends up being a fight for survival that neither Cat nor Bones saw coming. This story takes place after the events of Destined For An Early Grave and before the events of This Side Of The Grave.
I loved this short story. Didn’t exactly love that it takes place after the next novel I want to read in this series… it kind of gave a few big spoilers as to what happens. But, as always, hopefully by the time I actually get to reading that novel I won’t remember all of the minutiae and can still be surprised. Although, let’s admit it – I’ll be surprised regardless because Frost always manages to pack a lot of storyline and information into one story. Which, I, of course, love.
I absolutely adore Bones and Cat as a couple. They are sexual, intense and more than a little violent. All things that I apparently love in my fictional couples. We won’t delve too much into my brain to discover why I love the fact that Cat cuts ghouls heads off and blows up cars and such… it’s quite cute that this is their vacation and there is untold drama occurring.
One of the parts of this story that was a bit of a give-away, but still enjoyable was the way in which Bones taught Justina to defend herself. It was cute, a little awkward and involved lots of stabbing. It definitely hinted at this great idea that there was going to be some healing of old wounds and fractures in Cat’s relationship with her mother throughout the series… YAY!
At the inaugural New Year’s Eve party at Jack’s Bar, two lonely revellers decide the best balm for their broken hearts might just be each other.
Well, that rounds out the romances of the three Foley siblings beautifully. I was a bit surprised when Drew made an appearance, but after the first page, I fell for him just like I did Erin and Marcie. I also loved the fact that Marcie’s story was a bit of a Christmas one, and Drew’s was a New Years Eve one. It just felt kind of celebratory and full circle.
New Years Eve isn’t really a time of year where I get super, crazy excited. But I did like that this took the idea of new beginnings and created something a little… extra about it. It’s probably the only thing that I truly do on New Years Eve these days – try and finish all of my currently reading books so that I get to start afresh with a new literary slate. It’s probably completely insane, but I do like that both Drew and Sunny manage to find a new beginning in this story. Kind of like my fresh TBR every year… (alright, books and relationships, a little different, but I don’t care).
Nate and Annie and many of the other originals as I call them also make an appearance in this story. In fact, one of my favourite parts of this story is the way in which Annie is able to manipulate Sunny into giving Drew a chance, and to honestly, stop being such a chicken shit. After all, we all need to take a risk every now and again. Or at least, that’s the way I see it…
Title: Alvin and the Apple Tree Author: Orson Scott Card In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fantasy, Weird western Dates read: 29th September 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Titan Books Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: They got back to town well before dark.
Alvin is a travelling man, and he believes in God. But when he runs into John Appleseed and the village he tried to help… well, things get a little topsy turvy.
Like some of the westerns that I’ve read lately – this one plays with ideas of Christianity and what it truly means to be a “good” Christian. Although, I loved how this story took that topic better than some of the other topics. It also pulled in ideas of Adam and Eve, the apple, the Tree of Life, connection to nature… it was a great amalgamation of topics that completely hooked me from pretty much the very beginning.
I’m not entirely sure how this fits into the western genre – which is why I didn’t put it on the westerns shelf, just under weird westerns. It didn’t quite feel western to me, I’m not sure why. Although there was a nice hint of the cowboy and Indian theme which tends to weasel its way into this genre… so maybe I just jumped to conclusions too quickly since the setting felt a lot more modern than many of the other short stories in this collection thus far…
I’m really glad that I enjoyed this short story so much. I just bought a trilogy written by Orson Scott Card, and it would have been damn awkward if I didn’t actually like the first thing I’d read by him. In fact, after finishing this great short story, I can’t wait to pick up the series that I’ve bought. This tale just had such a great sitting around the campfire, having a yarn kind of feeling to it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Title: Veiled Enchantments Author: Deborah Blake Series: Veiled Magic #3 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Witches Dates read: 23rd September 2020 Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Publisher: Deborah Blake Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: These days the Ulf are partially a matter of status, but there is also a political component.
In this exciting novel in the Veiled Magic series, Witch and police officer Donata Santori travels to Maine to help solve a deadly mystery, where her magical abilities are tested like never before.
BB Still reeling from her unwitting involvement in murder and subsequent break up with a half-Dragon art forger, Witch-cop Donata Santori is grateful for the distraction when her ex-lover requests her help. Not only are Magnus’s beloved dead suddenly haunting the Ulfhednar shapechangers in his tiny rural hometown in Maine, their patron god Odin has turned his back on them, and the members of their once tight-knit enclave are at each other’s throats. Literally. BB
Magnus is relying on Donata’s experience in dealing with the gods, along with her magical ability to summon the dead, to help him unravel this mystery in time to save his clan. Donata only hopes to survive the ordeal so she can return home to the city and her quiet job at the precinct.
But first, she must discover who or what is behind the terrible attacks on the Ulfhednar. And the clock is ticking, in more ways than one…
I didn’t really love the second book in the Veiled Magic series. I just didn’t feel as connected to peter as Magnus, and found him to be a bit of a pain in the butt. It didn’t help that I wasn’t in the mood to read an ebook. But Veiled Enchantments completely redeemed this series for me. It was a fantastic ending to the trilogy and just thoroughly enjoyable. I love how it ends with this feeling of things working out, but still the potential for a lot of mayhem and nonsense in the future…
This novel redeemed the series so much for me that I actually read it entirely in one sitting. I thought that I’d open my kobo and just read a few chapters before bed. And then… a bad habit I should really stop. But how can you when the story is just this good?
I thought that Donata and Magnus were just fantastic as a couple in this story. And I loved getting to know more about his family and way of life. Not quite what I had expected from his appearances in past books… but most definitely what I needed. I love when a character surprises you like that and just takes the story to a whole other level that you weren’t expecting.
This is definitely a story that I would read again – and a series that I would also pick up again now that I know I enjoy the ending of it all…
Title: The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky Author:Mackenzi Lee Series: Montague Siblings #1.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical fiction, LGBTQI, Romance, Young adult Dates read: 25th September 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novella Publisher: Mackenzi Lee Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: “Why?” I bite down gently on his lobe.
In this funny and frothy novella that picks up where the New York Times bestselling The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue leaves off, freshly minted couple Monty and Percy fumble through their first time together.
Monty’s epic grand tour may be over, but now that he and Percy are finally a couple, he realizes there is something more nerve-wracking than being chased across Europe: getting together with the person you love.
Will the romantic allure of Santorini make his first time with Percy magical, or will all the anticipation and build-up completely spoil the mood?
This was such a fun, funny and cute way to round out the novel The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. It had me laughing out loud, repeatedly. Away from the adventure and drama of the novel, this is just a great little novella that makes you think about your first time…
The first time with anyone can be supremely awkward. But the adventures that Percy and Henry find themselves on in this… well, they just take the cake. My first time was certainly not this awkward! Thank goodness!
This is a great, light addition to this series. And it’s got me salivating for The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy. I certainly hope that we get to see Scipio in the next few books! He is just such a kind pirate-man and I want more of him!
Title: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue Author: Mackenzi Lee Series: Montague Siblings #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical fiction, LGBTQI, Romance, Young adult Dates read: 19th – 22nd September 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: Instead he says to me, very calmly, “How dare you speak to him like that.”
Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions – not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
Still, it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
I absolutely loved this novel just as much as I had expected. There is something fun, intriguing and seriously intense about this journey that makes it impossible to put down. And, even more importantly, seriously difficult to forget after you’ve turned that final page. This is definitely going to the top of my reread list and I think it’ll be one that I pick up again and again over the years.
Henry is a fantastic lead for a story which has a title such as The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. He’s seriously damaged, a little bit neurotic, and honestly, just so damn cute. The fact that his cuteness is offset by some seriously stupid decisions… it works well. Then, partnering him with his best friend Percy (who is nothing like what you would expect) and his incredibly strong sister Felicity. Well, the characters alone are a recipe for a great story. Luckily though, there is a great adventure in here too.
Not only is this a fantastic historical fiction story (I’m not sure how realistic it is, but it is certainly fun), it is also a great social commentary. I knew that it dealt with LGBTQI+ issues in the form of Henry being in love with his male best friend. But what I didn’t expect was that it also dealt with issues of race (again Percy’s character), illness and sexism. Even the moment in which Felicity questions Henry’s sexuality and morality is so well written. Instead of this being accepted like some of the historical fiction books I’ve read, there is a constant issue with the sexuality and race of some of the lead characters. And, let’s face it, they’re still issues that are painful and not quite dealt with in today’s society.
Even though I loved the character of Henry, his backstory did actually break my heart a little. How could it not when there are just so many horrid moments throughout? I’m glad that he was able to find his own happily ever after. And, although the story doesn’t end with him completely finding his own bliss and getting over his vices… there is certainly some great movement towards it. Which left me feeling seriously optimistic after I turned the final page of this book.
Now, I just can’t wait to sink my literary teeth into Felicity and the Goblins’ stories… surely this series is just going to continue getting better from here on out?
