Title: The Last Thunder Song Author: John G. Neihardt In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 20th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Very few have recognized it as such; there was so little noise along with it.
An interesting mix of cowboys and Native Americans. Rituals and practices.
In this collection, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, this is the first of the short stories that has a very obviously Native American influence. Which was incredibly refreshing. It was nice to have a Western which didn’t feature cowboys and the such. Although, it still did… just not as overwhelmingly so. Overall, this was quite a nice, differently featured short story.
I was hoping that as I read through this collection, the genre of westerns would begin to grow on me… so far, it hasn’t happened. However, I think that this story made a good attempt. I did enjoy it, I just wasn’t totally enthralled by it.
As with many of the other short stories in this collection, this was a nice, simple and easy read. It was quick and pleasant. But not the kind of story that I plan on reading again and again.
Title: Vampire Dragon Author: Annette Blair Series: Works Like Magick #3 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Magic, Paranormal romance Dates read: 22nd – 24th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: That is how I learned ‘trick dick’.
In Salem, Massachusetts, the Works Like Magick employment agency matches clients in need with magical temps. This time it brings two heart mates together, but when neither is who they appear to be, true danger could be even closer than true love…
Darkwyn, a former Roman warrior turned dragon, has landed in the 21sst century – in stark-naked human form – needing the help of Works Like Magick to build a new life. His first job is as a bouncer in Drak’s Place, a club for local wannabe vampires. But that’s just a cover – his real assignment could kill him.
Bronte McBride is on the run from the mob with her twelve-year-old nephew, Zachary. They both know too much, and a place like Drak’s offers the kind of anonymous protection they’re seeking. Darkwyn has what it takes to protect – and serve – even when he begins to suspect that his vulnerable charge, a woman he recognizes as his heart mate, isn’t everything she claims to be. Then again, Darkwyn has his own secrets. And now, as the past catches up with both of them, nothing less than ultimate chaos will be the next thing these guarded new lovers are destined to share.
I didn’t love this as much as the first two books in Works Like Magick. I think because I was still hanging out for a story featuring Vivica. And I found this a bit of a sad conclusion to the ending of this trilogy – normally the final book rounds out the battles that are being faced. But this is still very open ended with more dragon brothers due to come in and Killian still on the run… it’s a great story, but everything just felt a little unfinished.
Although I didn’t necessarily love this story as much as the first two tales, I did absolutely adore Darkwyn. He is difficult, contrary and not the most stable of characters. I love that he’s a little ADD with his approach to learning about how to acclimate to the rest of the world. I also love that he begins his romantic relationship with Bronte within the first few chapters where the other couples took a little longer to get there…
The setting for Vampire Dragon, whilst not my favourite, was one of the more humorous settings. It was one which felt beautifully ironic and kitschy… I did spend a lot of the time trying to figure out if the vampires in this story were actually real or just people posers. Then the masks just made it more and more kitschy as time went on. Not a bad setting and backdrop – but definitely not one that I completely adored and wanted more of.
Whilst I had a few concerns about this story, mostly in that it didn’t quite make my expectations, I did also seriously enjoy it. Puck the parrot is just adorable and hilarious. Bronte and Zack are the perfect beginnings to a family when Darkwyn joins. And the moments of bliss and relationship that develop throughout the story are just fun. Mostly, I loved Darkwyn – he was scattered, jumpy, and yet single-minded right the way through. A good little ending to a trilogy, I just need to get over my obsession with Jayden and Vivica…
Title: Bedeviled Angel Author: Annette Blair Series: Works Like Magick #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Magic, Paranormal romance Dates read: 20th – 22nd May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: I’m glad you’re here.
At the Works Like Magick employment agency in Salem, Massachusetts, matching clients in need with magical temps is a piece of cake, especially when the temp happens to be heaven-sent…
When Queisha Saint-Denis agreed to be a surrogate mother for a jet-setting – but childless – couple, she never dreamed she’d see a return on her fit. Literally. But now she’s looking at two adorable orphans, who come with a lot of baggage: there’s a battle brewing over who “inherits” them and their huge fortune, plus an unwanted (and alarmingly attractive) guardian, whom she’s sure has been hired by the duelling family members to keep an eye on her more than the children.
Chance Godricson is keeping an eye on Queisha. In fact, he’s her guardian angel. Ever since he gave his life to save hers, Chance has felt an undeniable connection to Queisha. And now that he’s back on Earth, in her house, surrounded by two scene-stealing moppets and a woman he finds irresistible, Chance is about to discover that helping Queisha and still staying angelic is not going to be easy…
I had honestly expected the second book in this series to be about Jayden and Vivica. After all, he’s the second dragon brother to rock up in Naked Dragon. Instead, it is about a character that I didn’t even know was likely to show up. And I wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed. After all, Queisha and Chance turn out to be a lovely couple and you just can’t but fall for them. Over and over and over again.
There is nothing like a flawed heroine to make you fall in love. And, normally, these flaws seem to come in the shape of some tragic past that makes the characters prickly and somewhat difficult. Untrusting. Something like that. Queisha has had a tragic past, and there’s a fair bit of mystery that gets unravelled throughout this story. But what I really loved is that her flaw is so unlike that of any other character so far – she’s an agoraphobe. Dealing with a mental illness amongst the rest of the storyline was a brilliant way to create a new character. I feel like I need more stories with mental health being the flaw, rather than trust or some form of more aggressive response.
Amongst a fallen angel and an agoraphobe with some skeletons in the closet, Blairmanaged to throw in two gorgeous little girls. The fact that one carries the same name as me of course just made them all the more loveable. Amongst some more serious, seductive moments throughout this story, there are these gorgeous sparks of humour and fun that the twins bring to life. It also makes a fun, ready-made family story that doesn’t have all the messiness of pregnancy, hormones and new borns…
Bedeviled Angelis a sweet and easy read. It’s one that has this constant threat of destruction to the happiness of everyone hanging over their heads. A threat implicit in the removal of the twins to a new guardian, the loss of Chance when he gets his wings back… everything in this story, every happiness is under threat. Which, of course just makes you rip through it all the quicker. Just so you can be sure that there is actually a happily ever after at the end…
Title: Naked Dragon Author: Annette Blair Series: Works Like Magick #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Magic, Paranormal romance Dates read: 19th – 20th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: “American food is new to me.”
As owner of the Works Like Magick Employment Agency in Salem, Massachusetts, Vivica Quinlan has a gift for perfectly matching clients with magical temps that works like a charm every time…
McKenna Greylock contacts Vivica in desperate need of a jack-of-all-trades handyman to help repair her Victorian bed-and-breakfast. She has a shoestring budget and ninety days to meet the building inspector’s approval – or the house will be repossessed and purchased by a duplicitous developer.
To McKenna’s surprise, Vivica sends the gorgeous Bastian Dragonelli, who not only possesses the speed, strength, and agility to get the job done, but also sets her soul abalze with a fiery passion she’s never experienced before. And if McKenna can accept Bastian’s true nature – as a dragon warrior – she’ll find her life heating up in more ways than one…
There is something so simple and easy about Blair’swriting that hooks me every damn time. It’s not quite a guilty pleasure, because you just feel so at peace when you’re reading her works. But it’s also not exactly the kind of book that I rave about. After all, the very simplicity and joy that her writing brings isn’t the kind of earth-shattering, life altering storyline that my loved ones really care about. That, and the fact that the overarching synopsis of this story – dragon falls to earth, works as a handyman at a future B&B, falls for the owner, they battle an evil developer… it’s not the kind of synopsis that is going to make people say “tell me more”.
I really like that Blair tends to feature women who aren’t necessarily what you would consider typical – whatever their deal. In the case of MacKenna, she is curvy, a bit of a farm girl and definitely of the nurturing type. In fact, you can tell in every action that she yearns to nurture and love others. Even if others haven’t returned that favour. Blair is able to deal with and highlight issues that we all have about our own feelings of worth and self-image in a way that makes you reflect on your own issues and perceptions of self. Yet, it is done in such a gorgeously gentle way that left me with a huge smile on my face.
No matter how many books I read, I will always love stories that feature a dragon. Although this is a dragon stuck in man form, he still has a small dragon that flies around and assists him in his adventures. I love the cuteness of Jock, especially since he seems to just backup whatever it is that Bastian wants done. I would love to have a handy little dragon assisting me in all of my many endeavours. That, and an annoying little fairy that likes to nest in hair… the optimum sidekicks in this gorgeous little romance.
I absolutely adored this novel. And the moment that I finished it, I picked up Bedeviled Angel. In fact, as I’m writing this review (24 hours after finishing Naked Dragon), I am already halfway through the next novel. Blair’s work may be somewhat simple and calm, but it is also a great read. One that you can pick up and put down whenever you want that great feeling, a pick me up, or just something to occupy yourself when your going for a nice, long walk…
Prepare to be seduced by powerful magic — the sorcery of lust, need, and sensuality. Multiple award-winners Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have gathered together twenty-two tales of unearthly temptations wickedly concocted by some of today’s most potent literary conjurers — including Neil Gaiman, Jan Yolen, Michael Swanwick, and Joyce Carol Oates. Here are stories of incubi and succubi, of forbidden fruits harvested in erotic gardens, of pleasures that persist beyond death. So heed the sirens’ song. Lie back, relax, and submit to the darkest delights you have ever experienced.
This collection isn’t quite toe curling, it isn’t quite horrific, but a nice mix between the two. It makes you think about the weirdness of sexuality. And the uniqueness of those things that go bump in the night. And thrive upon our sexual, deepest, darkest desires. I was honestly expecting this to be a little more of an uncomfortable read. However, mostly, I just found it intriguing.
This is a great collection of some very familiar authors, and some very new authors. It was a good way to depart from the realities of the world and be entertained by the imaginations of some very creative people. It wasn’t necessarily my favourite collection ever, the thread tying each of these tales together wasn’t as distinct as other collections. But it was a seriously enjoyable journey regardless.
This is definitely a collection that I’ll pick up again at some point in the future. It’s fun, light and easy. Also, there are a number of authors that I still need to hunt out books for… I enjoyed each and everyone of these stories.
Title: All Gold Canyon Author: Jack London In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 19th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: The man scratched his head perplexedly and looked a few feet up the hill at the manzanita bush that marked approximately the apex of the “V”.
Welcome to All Gold Canyon, the place where dreams can come true… and things get steadily more and more dangerous.
I’ve heard of the name Jack London many times when discussing classic American literature. I’ve never had the pleasure of actually reading any of his work though. So this was a great little hint as to the style and depth of his writing. Still not necessarily keen on Westerns, but most definitely enjoyed the style of his writing.
I’m truly intrigued to try and read more of London’s work after this short story. It was not necessarily filled with content that I find near and dear to me. But it was definitely a better style of writing than I’ve found so far. I really loved the pacing and form.
I would probably read this short story again. There was so much that I felt like I missed, and I would be intrigued to see how a reread would illuminate the story to myself and my crazy literary mind.
Title: Miss Ill-Kept Runt Author: Glen Hirshberg In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Family, Horror Dates read: 19th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Toward the red and beating thing.
Chloe doesn’t understand why all of her family has changed. Maybe it IS just the move… or is it something far, far darker?
This was seriously dark and twisty. At first, I kind of thought that Chloe was being stolen by body snatchers. And, since the whole story is written in her very innocent voice, that was even more tragic than it would normally be. Mostly though, it is the idea of a young girl who is supposed to be surrounded by a loving family… not being surrounded by love. And then you find the twist.
You get this idea throughout that the older brother was somehow close to dying when they were young or a baby. That his very nickname of Miracle has a whole slew of meanings. Not necessarily happy, positive meanings either. The idea of any child being referred to as a miracle kind of makes me a little squirly inside.
This is one of those stories that once you turn that final page you just want to grab your loved ones close. There is such an open ended, chilling ending to this that is just downright uncomfortable. Which of course is why it takes centre stage in this collection.
Title: Truly, Madly… Deadly Author: Delilah Devlin Series: Night Fall #2 Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Vampires Dates read: 2nd – 19th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Publisher: Delilah Devlin Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘She was sore, and she wouldn’t be at all surprised if her tender inner flesh was slightly torn.
Just this once…
On the trail of a serial killer, vampire Quentin Albermarle is mistaken for the killer by a police special task force. Once the smoke clears, Quentin finds himself in a delicious position–atop one of the unit’s crack officers, Darcy Henry. In need of Quentin’s access to the vampire sub-culture, the task force leadership invites Quentin to join the crime unit as a special advisor, much to the chagrin of the men in the unit, and especially, of Darcy.
Caught between opposing forces, vampire and hunter…
A no-nonsense cop with no time for romance, Darcy suddenly finds herself embroiled in a steamy love triangle between her mortal partner, Joe, and the handsome vampire. Going from abstinence to wantonness, she is unable to resist the two men’s relentless seduction or her own sensual curiosity about a vampire’s special “kiss”.
A hunger like no other…
When the real killer threatens the life of someone close to her, Darcy makes a choice that forever binds the three of them together.
I really don’t know what it is about these books. They both make me seriously uncomfortable and seriously addicted. They’re the kind of seriously guilty pleasure that I pull out when I’m home alone, curled up with a cup of coffee and absolutely no one around to ask me what I’m reading about. Because I’m not good at lying… and saying m/f/m or anal sex is just not the conversation I want to have with people.
At the very beginning, I did really enjoy Darcy’s quandary – after a man drought, she had her pick of two amazing male specimens. A gorgeous, sexually charged vampire, or her gorgeous, loyal partner. It quickly gets really intense and confusing though. Darcy is constantly pulled between the two moronic males and, honestly, I almost put this book down so many times because of their stupid, alpha bullshit. Yet, every time I was pushed to the limit, something happened so that I felt like the story was redeemed.
One of the things about this book that I found the most uncomfortable was Quentin’s domineering nature. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore a tough man in the main role… but this took it to a whole other, darker place. One that made me feel seriously uncomfortable. And, honestly, made some of the aspects of the story feel a little rapey. Yet, there was always that moment that somehow managed to make it less… well, like assault. I really don’t know how Devlin is able to walk that seriously fine line and make me feel… not totally okay with this story, but a lot less uncomfortable. And I’ve already bought the next ebook for the next time I’m feeling lonely late at night… so she walks that line quite nicely.
It’s kind of hard to write a review for this. I enjoyed it, and will be reading the next book in this series. But I finally, truly understand the meaning of “guilty pleasure”. I mean, this is the absolute epitome of guilty pleasure… it is not the kind of book that I will be able to recommend to my family and friends. I’m just not sure that they would understand the pleasure aspect of reading this erotic novel…
Title: Taking Loup Author: Bruce Glassco In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Gender, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves Dates read: 19th May 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: Sometimes there are bandages on his face, and he claims that he cut himself shaving or fell through a window.
A total gender reversal is occurring in this great short story where women are suddenly the dangers, and men feel scared when they’re alone in the dark…
To be honest, it can be kind of terrifying sometimes to be a woman in the world today. I can only imagine what it would be like for women in the past, for those in a developing country… what I loved about this short story was that it totally flipped all of the expectations of what a women experiences on its head. A total and utter gender reversal.
Gender reversal stories are always something that enjoy and feel pulled in by. After all, they make you re-examine some of the things that you just take for granted. This didn’t do that so much for me, because I’m already aware of how scary that it can be for women… but there have been others which do make me seriously re-examine even the way I think about gender.
I thought that it was somewhat brilliant to use werewolves and the Loup virus to explain the feelings and experiences of women on a daily basis. The use of violence, fear and confusion when the man is talking about his past and future… the iconic moment at the end when he just can’t fall asleep… yeah, it works incredibly well…
Title: Trick of the Light Author: Rob Thurman Series: Trickster #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Mythology, Tricksters, Urban fantasy Dates read: 16th – 18th May 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Roc Fantasy Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: It was new.
An underground chamber is exposed in a seedy, dilapidated house. In the dark cellar, a ritualistic display is revealed: a human skull rests on a cauldron, surrounded by slain chickens and bizarre figurines.
Called to the scene is forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. She determines that the skull is that of a young, black female. But how and when did she die? Just as Tempe is closing in on answers, another body is discovered: a headless corpse carved with Satanic symbols.
As local vigilantes begin a witch-hunt, Tempe struggles to contain her emotions. But the eventual truth proves more shocking than even she could have imagined.
This has been sitting on my shelf for ages, waiting to be read. Now I’m seriously not sure as to why it took me this damn long to read I love trickster stories. I love tales where all is not as it seems… and this novel managed to combine both of those loves in one gorgeous, neat, little package. One that left me feeling very happy and seriously irritated that I have no other Rob Thurman books on my shelves…
I had already read Snakeskin, a short story about Trixa before I picked up this novel. Which, in hindsight, was a little bit annoying. Because although I think I may have guessed at the twist reveal at the end… I didn’t actually get to guess. The reality of Trixa’s world was already stated very clearly in Snakeskin and made those final moments a little less exciting. Although, there was still a great reveal that I hadn’t quite expected…. Which made me quite happy.
I knew that I was going to love Trixa in this story because of the short story I’d read in the past. What I wasn’t sure of was the supporting cast and storyline that drove along the battles that were faced. Zeke and Griffin are just amazing – I did like Zeke a whole lot more, but I seriously love the tragically flawed characters anyway. Leo is also amazing, but since Zeke and Griffin are in this a whole lot more, it’s their journey and confusion that I appreciate so much. Especially as their past comes out more and more as the tale unfolds.
Trick of the Light is amazing, it is one of the few trickster stories that I’ve read which truly encompasses the idea of a trickster. A being that isn’t good or bad. Isn’t malicious or benevolent. But, rather something in between. A character that is entirely about balance. That has no sides but their own. And that you really just can’t help but love, although, maybe, hope that you don’t quite meet one…
