Title: The Double Blind Author: A.C. Wise In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Dieselpunk, LGBTQI Dates read: 25th January 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: He was asking for it.
All Rachel wants to do is get revenge on the men who attacked her sister. But, a chance encounter and the warnings of her lover might change the kind of vigilante she chooses to be.
This was a freaking fantastic short story. Especially since it featured the LGBTQI+ world, something that is intriguing me more and more and I’m loving that I’m slowly finding more stories featured in this world.
Although for me, this was mostly about the club and its inhabitants, how they find acceptance and survive in a world against them, there was also the factor of revenge. And how do we seek revenge? Why? And when you’re seeking revenge are you doing it for someone else, or just to assuage your own guilt? There were so many questions bought up in this short story. Ones that left me seriously contemplating the world and my own responses long after I closed the final page. As I said, it was quite intense.
This is just an amazing short story. One that I can’t stop thinking about and thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely a perfect example of the themes and questions posed by a good Dieselpunk tale. Ones that I will continue to contemplate as the time passes, and I look forward to rereading this in the future.
He’s stranded in a cit for the night, so he decides to go to a house of erotic fantasy. When he gets the extra special… well, it’s nothing like what he was expecting.
I really didn’t love the style of writing in this short story. But something about the tale really struck me. And lingered. For a long time afterwards. There was just something joyfully haunting and super weird about this tale that leaves it ingrained in my mind’s eye.
This is a super freaking weird, weird story. Which is why I didn’t actually mind it too much, once I got past the writing style. It was a little uncomfortable. But, considering I finished up 2019 by reading Alien Sex… it really wasn’t the uncomfortable. It also didn’t have that enlightening insight into the world that the Alien Sex stories tended to have. This was just a little bit lighter, and kind of good at making fun of people’s weird little bedroom perversions.
Sex is weird. I don’t think anyone can argue with that statement. The sex in this story, with prostitutes in some nameless Asian city… well, that just made it all that much weirder. Makes me glad that I’m sticking to my more vanilla sex…
“Some Like It Hot” – Lori Foster: Family practitioner Cary Rupert wants Nora Chilton so badly he can barely keep a hold of his stethoscope. Now he’s out to prove that when it comes to loving her forever, he’s the man for the job.
“One Wilde Weekend” – Janelle Denison: Alex Wilde is crazy about Dana Reed. Career-driven Dana wants him as a lover, not a husband…until Alex whisks her away for a weekend that will fulfil every forbidden desire.
“Blue Crush” – Erin McCarthy: Dr Sara Davis loses her bikini top to a powerful wave and finds herself in the arms of gorgeous lifeguard Kyle Vanderhoff…where a little mouth-to-mouth just might resuscitate her love life.
“My Thief” – MaryJanice Davidson: John Crusher is hauled into his hotel room only to come fact-to-face with a stunning redhead who orders him to strip. But when the room service is this superb, what’s a guy to do but show his appreciation.
“Hot and Bothered” – Kayla Perrin: Marrying Trey Arnold after a whirlwind romance was the dumbest thing Jenna Maxwell ever did. Divorce is the simple solution, but once she sees Trey’s sexy smile again, things get complicated…and very, very hot.
” Murphy’s Law” – Morgan Leigh: Kat Murphy is in love with her lawyer boss, Sam Parrish. Fearing his heart may never heal, she quits her job and heads for the beach. And when Sam follows, the sensual heat they generate is out of this world.
This is one of those great, easy, relaxed reads that is just perfect for an afternoon out in the sunlight. The title kind of hints at that. But after reading it, I can attest that it is most definitely a perfect read for the beach. A nice departure from the more intense reads I do tend to fill my shelves with.
Each and every one of these six novellas is incredibly easy to imagine reading at the beach. Sadly, I haven’t been to the beach in a year or two…. But it certainly helped me to imagine doing so. Not only were most of the stories set along the coast, but they also had that chilled, carefree feeling that I tend to associate a day down on the sand with. The fact that they were also contemporary romances with a great dose of humour… it was kind of fantastic.
I loved the fact that I recognised half the authors in this collection and found three new authors as well. I loved being able to revisit some of the styles of writing that I haven’t visited in a little while. And also find some new writing that I just wasn’t expecting. I loved each and everyone of these authors and their stories. Both standalones and parts of a series.
The cover of this collection mentions “bad boys”. There are none. Categorically so. There are no bad boys in this collection. There’s accountants and lawyers and sexy men with no clue how to treat the woman they love (until they get a kick up the ass). But no bad boys. Not that that’s a bad thing. Sometimes the bad boy trope is kind of overdone, and it was nice to have a different theme to pursue.
Title: To Marry a Scottish Laird Author: Lynsay Sands Series: Highland Brides #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Scottish romance Dates read: 24th January 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Avon Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: And then it was as if something snapped inside her, some string she had never known existed, and in snapping it released a wave of pleasure so strong she briefly shimmied and convulsed under it.
New York Times bestsellig author Lynsay Sands returns to the Highlands of Scotland in her hottest new historical romance yet!
Highlander Campbell Sinclair is no stranger to battle, so when he sees a lad attacked by bandits, he jumps into the fray. He didn’t count on being stabbed. Grateful to the boy for nursing him back to health, Cam offers to accompany Jo safely to his destination. But when he accidentally comes across the lad bathing in the river, Cam discovers that Jo is actually Joan… with the most sinful of curves.
Joan promised her mother that she would deliver a scroll to the clan MacKay. But traveling alone is dnagerous, even disguised as a boy. When a Scottish warrior lends his aid, she is more than relieved… until he surprises her with lingering kisses and caresses that prover her disguise hasn’t fooled him. As their passion ignites, will the secrets of the scroll force a wedding… and lead to a love she’s never known?
I wasn’t expecting 20 years to have passed between An English Bride in Scotland and To Marry a Scottish Laird. But it did work perfectly. Not only is this yet another brilliant, fun, easy to read romance (as shown by the fact that I read this in just one night), but I also got to revisit Annabel and Ross to see if they got their happily ever after. They did. It made me incredibly happy. To Marry a Scottish Laird had that same gorgeous sense of innocence and sweetness as the first one that made it completely impossible to put down. It also had a bit of a mystery going on that completely intrigued me.
A woman masquerading as a man seems to be a fairly typical plot line. Which, why wouldn’t it be? Many women, especially in history were subjected to some serious atrocities when their gender was discovered. What better way to keep themselves safe? The fact that the couple then falls in love when he discovers he gender is pretty predictable. Yet, I still love that fun predictability. Especially if its in a book that I’m going to sit up reading until 1am…
As with An English Bride in Scotland, this storyline is a great reminder of how important it is to actually communicate with your significant other. There were a few moments in this that could have been fixed if Campbell and Joan had just actually spoken to one another. Although, they did eventually find their way back to one another and find a way to make their relationship work. Even when someone was hell bent on destroying their new found happiness.
I did guess who the culprit was this time (unlike in An English Bride in Scotland). But what I enjoyed the most was the fact that it introduced Saidh (the heroine in the next novel) and just generally embraced women’s kinship. Yes, there is a lot of nastiness and bitterness with some of the women… but ultimately, even Kate’s daughter is forgiven for the past and entered into the loving fold. Definitely made my heart skip a beat.
In a dark jungle, a beautiful activist liberates animals from a secret laboratory—and stumbles across an unexpected prisoner. She releases the Carpathian from his bonds—only to unleash his voracious appetite on herself…
I’ve had the Carpathians series sitting on my shelves for quite a while… yet, I haven’t actually started reading it just yet. Mostly because I’m trying to finish off some other series first… but now that I’ve read my first novella in this universe… I’m incredibly keen to start this series too!!! It’s a typical, intense Feehan tale. One that is about possession, obsession and love. And all of those slightly darker emotions that seem to be built upon when dealing with romances.
I loved that this story featured two different supernatural groups which are on the verge of extinction. The ways in which the different men and women are trying to ensure their survival. Again, much, much darker than typically expected. Feehan most certainly likes to highlight some of our baser instincts and emotions. It made for a somewhat easy read, but still one that made me have to stop and pause, really think about what I was reading. Definitely not a feel good story, but most certainly an enjoyable one.
Sadly, this is one of those novellas that I would normally just read in one sitting. That’s one of the things I love about novellas… they’re a quick, easy read that can fill in the gaps. Sadly, I’ve been having some serious issues with concentrating lately, and it took me three days to get through. I’m sure when I get to Dark Prince, I’ll be able to get through it at a much quicker rate.
Title: The Count of Monte Cristo Author: Alexandre Dumas Series: Word Cloud Classics Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just) My Bookshelves:Classics Dates read: 3rd – 16th January 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Word Cloud Classics Year: 1844 5th sentence, 74th page: “Yes, Noirtier.”
“Alexandre Dumas’s novel of justice, retribution, and self-discovery – one of the most enduringly popular adventure tales ever written – appears here in a newly revised translation.” “This novel tells the story of Edmond Dantes, wrongfully imprisoned for life in the supposedly impregnable sea fortress the Chateau d’If. After a daring escape, and after unearthing a hidden treasure revealed to him by a fellow prisoner, he devotes the rest of his life to tracking down and punishing the enemies who wronged him.” “This newly edited version of the original nineteenth-century English translation speeds the narrative flow while retaining all the essential details of Dumas’s intricately plotted and thrilling masterpiece.” The classic nineteenth-century translation has been revised and updated by Peter Washington, with an introduction by novelist Umberto Eco.
Sent to prison on a false accusation in 1815, Edmond Dantes escapes many years later and finds a treasure which he uses to exact his revenge.
I seriously struggled with this classic. Normally I love the different ways in which language is used through time. Even when the version I have has been translated from another language… but there was just something about The Count of Monte Cristo that I just couldn’t get behind. I’m definitely going to give it another try in the future. Just at this point in my life… it was a big nope not into it for me.
I did give this a really good shot for the first 150 pages… and then from henceforth I just skimmed it. As I said, there was just something about it that didn’t capture my attention. It was just an incredibly slow journey…
I can understand why this is a classic though. It is full of great symbolism and storylines. Full of themes which are impossible to forget. I’m looking forward to rereading this again when I’m kind of old and slow… it’ll probably be more the type of story I want when I start to slow down too. Or at least, that’s the theory.
Kat Murphy is in love with her lawyer boss, Sam Parrish. Fearing his heart may never heal, she quits her job and heads for the beach. And when Sam follows, the sensual heat they generate is out of this world.
I was kind of expecting a tragedy or many things to go hilariously wrong in this story. After all, the name of it is Murphy’s Law. Yet, that’s not what I found. This was, undoubtedly kind of humorous and very cute. But mostly it was a story in which pretty much everything went right. After all, a woman quits her job and runs away to escape the man that she’s in love with. And in doing so, managed to find her happily ever after.
I’m absolutely fascinated to see what happens in the other two stories in this small series. I’m assuming that there’s another two stories since they discuss another two couples. I’ll actually be incredibly disappointed if this isn’t the case. The fact that all three couples are constituted by lawyers and their assistants is a little cliché, but it is kind of sweet. And wonderfully, enjoyably lustful in this novella.
I love that this novella is set against the backdrop of a beach retreat. It’s an incredibly fun and dreamy setting. I would love my own romantic interlude (with my partner) at a private little beach on a beautiful, sunny day. There is just something about such a setting which makes it a little more light-hearted and fun.
Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #2.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 16th January 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: She had sent his ball into the lake.
Fifteen years have passed, but the Bridgertons are as devious and diabolical as ever when it comes to life on the croquet field. Join Anthony, Kate, Simon, Daphne, Colin, Edwina, and (of course) the mallet of death, as Julia Quinn shows that happily ever after can still be a little bit wicked… and a whole lot of fun.
One of my favourite things about Kate and Anthony in The Viscount Who Loved Me was the fact that Kate and Anthony are constantly engaged in some kind of witty banter. This second epilogue highlights that aspect of their relationship. Through the game of Pall Mall. And the Mallet of Death. I love that they continue to play this game years after that first iconic game and continue their insane banter and competitiveness with each other.
Even after fifteen years together, I love the Kate and Anthony are competitive and aggressive. They’re so determined to win that they’ll cheat and scheme. Including fight each other over the right to collect the Mallet of Death.
Even though Kate and Anthony are incredibly competitive and spiteful within this story, they are still so very clearly in love. In fifteen years time, I would love to have this same fun and light spirit in my own marriage. One full of banter and witty arguments…
Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 14th – 15th January 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Avon Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: Kate gave her hand a squeeze.
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but no, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And, in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consumate rake, nobody does it better… – Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814
But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry – he’s also chosen a wife! The only abstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield – the most meddleseom woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate’s the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands – and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister – but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…
I’ve been trying not to go nuts and buy the rest of the Bridgerton series since I read The Duke and I. I even managed to last a far while before I succumbed. And then I read The Viscount Who Loved Me the moment that it arrived on my doorstep. There is just something so unbelievably sweet and unforgettable about this series that makes it impossible to put down. Something that means I really have to pace myself when picking up these books, because I tend to ignore everything else in my life.
The Viscount Who Loved Me definitely has a bit of a Pride and Prejudice vibe. And, considering that’s one of my favourite classics, I thought that this was brilliant. There was a much more modern spin and tone to the classic (even though it is set in much the same time). And there were even moments that I thought of a few other Jane Austen books whilst reading it. There was just something undeniably fun, light-hearted and brilliant about this. Something which felt totally new, but also wonderfully familiar. Kind of like a good comfort food late on a winter’s night…
I’m the older sister of a girl who is undeniably, stunningly beautiful. I’m no slouch, but when compared to her… so I kind of understand why Kate is a little withdrawn from the pursuit of men. Yet, she’s also fiercely independent and strong willed. Loyal to her sister and unwilling to just let people take advantage. Again, eerily familiar. Yet, her love interest and counterpart in this story, Anthony, is not in the slightest bit familiar (although, rather reminiscent of Mr. Darcy). He’s kind of a self-centred moron for much of the story. All because he’s decided to “face” his mortality. Men who think they know best are annoying at the best of times, the ones who feel are like this and then refuse to communicate…. Yeah, I got really frustrated for a good portion of this story. Yet, I still absolutely adored him.
Title: The Duke and I: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #1.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 15th January 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: Her heart thumped, then flipped, and any facility she might have possessed for synonym retrieval flew right out of her.
Fifteen years have passed, but the Bridgertons are still just as happy and devoted to one another. Join Daphne and Simon as they discover yet another surprise is heading their way.
I read The Duke and Ibecause I needed a Q author for a reading challenge. And I very quickly became absolutely obsessed and just demolished the whole story. So it was really, really nice to revisit Simon and Daphne in this second epilogue. They’re just such a wonderful, cute couple and I loved every short moment of revisiting their happily ever after moment.
I like that whilst the epilogue in the actual novel is a little more immediate, this story takes place twenty years after the events of the main novel. Mostly romances provide a story, and then you get to imagine most of the happily ever after. This short story just ensured that you got confirmation that all the hopeful, happily ever after thoughts you may or may not have were actually spot on.
Children is something that has begun to be discussed a fair bit in my household (I’m approaching thirty), so it was fun to read a story in which that conversation is still being had twenty years after the first children, and moments of happiness have been achieved. It was a little intense… but, considering Daphne is only forty (although old for the time period), it may even be a discussion that takes place in my own household…
Earth and Skye 