All posts by skyebjenner

Catch by the Lightning by Madeline Baker

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of time travel romance book cover

Title: Catch the Lightning
Author: Madeline Baker
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Time travel
Dates read: 28th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m about a quart low.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

On the eve of her suicide, a strange horse arrives to sweep her away. To another time and another place. Will she find her reason to live here?

Thoughts

I think most women have wanted to find themselves a hot, Indian cowboy to have a bit of a roll in the hay. The woman in this short story got one. And I’m so incredibly glad. This was fun, easy and I love that it took a pretty typical fantasy (or at least, what I view as a fairly typical frontier fantasy) and made it her own. With time travelling, because what’s a romance without a little bit of time travelling?

I’ve been reading a few time travelling stories this year. Particularly short stories in The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance collection. But I’ve never read one that features a time travelling horse. It’s weird and quite different. But definitely something that I’ve decided I need more of. It also reminded me of the Dreamworks movie Spirit, which bought up all kinds of happy, childhood nostalgia.

This touches on issues of suicide. And that point you reach where you’re not sad. You’re just not there anymore. There is no purpose. I get this feeling more than I would like. So this touched quite close to the belt. But I actually loved that fact. Because instead of being dark and dour, she’s abducted by a time travelling horse and finds the love of her life. A slightly off-kilter happily-ever-after for all of us.

 <- The Walled Garden ReviewSteam Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Beauty Dates the Beast by Jessica Sims

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover beauty dates the beast

Title: Beauty Dates the Beast
Author: Jessica Sims
Series: Midnight Liasons #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 21st – 27th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: PocketBooks
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: I lay there, awake and breathing hard for long minutes.

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Synopsis

WANTED

Single human female to join charming, wealthy, single male were-cougar for a night of romantic fun – and maybe more.

Me: The tall, sensuous, open-minded leader of my clan.

You: A deliciously curvy virgin who’s intimately familiar with what goes bump in the night. Must not be afraid of a little tail. Prefer a woman who’s open to exploring her animal nature. Interest in nighttime walks through the woods a plus.

My turn-ons include protecting you from the worst the supernatural world has to offer.

Ready for an adventure? Give me a call.

Vampires and doppelgangers need not apply.

Thoughts

I bought this because I enjoyed the novellas Vixen and Speed Mating, but I was a little nervous to read it. These stories were quite intensely erotic, and I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it. I love a good erotic, lustful novel. But there are certain ones that are a little too graphic for me. And, whilst the novellas weren’t that way – I thought a full-length novel along the same vein could be. Happily, this was a lot more storyline and character based than the novellas. It was an incredibly quick, easy and fun read.

Actually, I was kind of surprised about how hooked I got into this story. I read the first chapter and put it down. But then, I read the rest of it just before bed. I even read the first two chapters of the next novel. Which I never do. I hate reading the excerpts because then I want the next book, and can’t quite get it yet. This time though… I HAD to know what was going to happen next. Who it would be about… I just had to know. I’m hooked now.

I’ve read a lot of shapeshifter books, and in particular, a lot of shapeshifter paranormal romances. They’re a subgenre I just love. I’m constantly adding them to my shelves. However, this is the first shapeshifter novel that features a Wendigo. A very surprising creature to include, but somehow, it worked and made everything all that much more exciting.

There was one thing that bothered me about this story – what is the damn obsession with virgins? I mean, honestly. It’s a stupid construct, and practice. Like epically, frustratingly and ridiculously stupid. Whilst Bath isn’t too painful with that virginity thing and it was more about people getting close than any sense of “purity”… it was still a thing! There is just something I find really frustrating with our obsession with this topic. Alright, rant over.

As much as I loved this book – one of the things I love the most is the idea of a supernatural dating service. I’ve never been a part of online dating, or really used any dating service (I met my SO when I was 17). But I think that this is a great idea. And the way it looks like it will be shaped as the series continues… I’m completely obsessed.

 <- Alpha Ever After ReviewDesperately Seeking Shapeshifter Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Naked City edited by Ellen Datlow

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Naked City
Author: Ellen Datlow, Jim Butcher, Delia Sherman, Richard Bowes, Ellen Kushner, Christopher Fowler, Patricia Briggs, Pat Cadigan, Peter S. Beagle, Naomi Novik, Matthew Kressel, Kit Reed, Lavie Tidhar, Nathan Ballingrud, Melissa Marr, John Crowley, Holly Black, Jeffrey Ford, Lucius Shepard, Caitlin R. Kiernan & Elizabeth Bear
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 28th June – 26th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Out in Brooklyn in a couple of spots you can walk down a street and almost think it’s a hundred and twenty-five years ago.

Synopsis

In this thrilling collection of original stories, some of today’s hottest paranormal authors delight, thrill, and captivate readers with otherworldly tales of magic and mischief. In Jim Butcher’s “Curses”, Harry Dresden investigates how to lift a curse laid by the Fair Folk on the Chicago Cubs. In Patricia Briggs’s “Fairy Gifts”, a vampire is called home by magic to save the Fae who freed him from a dark curse. In Melissa Marr’s “Guns for the Dead”, the newly dead Frankie Lee seeks a job in the afterlife on the wrong side of the law. In Holly Black’s “Noble Rot”, a dying rock star discovers that the young woman who brings him food every day has some strange appetites of her own.

Featuring original stories from twenty authors, this dark, captivating, fabulous, and fantastical collection is not to be missed!

Thoughts

This is a seriously diverse collection of urban fantasy short stories. Not to mention fun and engaging. Probably moving right to the top of my list if I’m being honest. Normally my purview of urban fantasy is kind of small. But the breadth and width of these stories and the style in which they’re written… just wow.

I loved the fact that most of these short stories were standalones. I used to really enjoy finding new series through short stories and novellas. But, I have so many now that sometimes just reading a standalone without having to hunt out more of that world (I’m obsessive, I do this EVERY time) was kind of nice. I got a great taste of the imaginations and storytelling talents of a variety of authors, without actually feeling the need to buy more, more, more. Honestly, there is nothing worse than finding myself a new series to obsess over and then realising that I have a whole slew of new books to buy…

Although this is an urban fantasy collection, it does have a darker twist to it than usual. Every single one of these stories is a little bit dark, a lot bit fun and most don’t have a happy ending. Which, I tend to love, because I get a bit over all the happily ever afters… but it’s definitely something to keep in mind as you rip through the stories.

<- CorpsemouthCurses ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Ripper is You by Alvaro Zinos-Amaro

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: The Ripper is You
Author: Alvaro Zinos-Amaro
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Mental health
Dates read: 26th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Polly appears at 2.22 a.m., right on schedule, and clearly the worse for wear.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Each victim is a unique experience. And a unique show of his psychosis.

Thoughts

I’m really not sure of this short story. I loved the premise, but actually reading it… I just couldn’t get involved in the storyline. Having said that, something about the writing actually makes you feel like you’re in the story. Somehow immersed into the reality. Which is completely the point. And it’s got something to do with the weird cadence in which the story is actually written. It’s a very different pacing, as I said though… it’s a pacing that didn’t quite draw me in as much as I would have liked.

This is incredibly dark and intense. And it focuses in tightly on the murders in a way that I haven’t experienced before. Yet, the part about this pinpoint lighting that I enjoyed the most was the beginning of each section. There is a brief psychological analysis of what each of these murders represents at the beginning. One that makes you view what was done to each body in a different light. Or at least, that’s how it felt for me.

There’s a twist at the end of this short story. One that I’m not really convinced I was able to totally understand. I think I probably need to read this tale when I’m a little bit alert. But I love twists, so I appreciated it’s presence. Even if I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on…

 <- Madame X ReviewTrespass Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Lena’s Decision by Bec McMaster

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Lena’s Decision
Author: Bec McMaster
Series: London Steampunk #1.1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Steampunk romance, Vampires
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bec McMaster
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Lena’s lips stiffened.

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Synopsis

Lena’s discovered a family secret. But now she has a huge decision to make. How will it affect her future?

Thoughts

This is a great short story filler between the activities of Kiss of Steel and Heart of Iron. Or at least, that’s what it feels like to me. A sort of prologue before you get into the next novel. Which I plan on doing soon… very, very excited. I just need to actually get Heart of Iron to put on my shelves. Luckily I have Tarnished Knight in the meantime.

This short story provides some great foreshadowing to the greater series. It hints at the problems to come. Although, there’s not a great storyline throughout. Lena finally discovers the family secret, finally makes a move on Will and then has to actually deal with the consequences of her actions.

Will is also kind of stupid. Which seems to be the trend with men in many of the romances that I read. He’s a moron who is trying to protect a wilting flower. And I’m looking forward to him discovering the fact that Lena isn’t some precious gem, and getting a well deserved kick up the butt.

 <- Kiss of Steel ReviewTarnished Knight Review ->

Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover kiss of steel

Title: Kiss of Steel
Author: Bec McMaster
Series: London Steampunk #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Steampunk romance, Vampires
Dates read: 22nd – 26th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Honoria stared at him through passion-glazed eyes.

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Synopsis

WHEN NOWHERE IS SAFE
Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it’s the last safe haven. But at what price?

Blade is known as the master of the rookeries – no one dares cross him. It’s been said he faced down the Echelon’s army single-handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood-craving he’s been quicker, stronger, almost immortal.

When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She’s so…innocent. He doesn’t see her backbone of steel – or that she could be the very salvation he’s been seeking.

Thoughts

I got about halfway through this book over a year ago. But it was in eBook format, which I always struggle with, so I decided to buy the physical copy and enjoy it that way. Then it sat on my shelf for an untold length of time (actually, it was about a year, but I digress). And after just ripping through this, I’m wondering why I left it just sitting there for so damn long! This is a great steampunk romance that draws you straight in and is a really easy read. The thing that I got most excited about with this though… the author is an Aussie. So now I know that I have to buy the entire series. Because Aussie.

I have a lot of vampire books. And I have a lot of steampunk books. I have never read a story which combines the two. And then adds in romance. Which was really amazing. I loved the idea of both steampunk and vampires. Romance and a little bit of clockwork. Alright, this isn’t as intensely steampunk as some of the other books on that shelf. But it still has that fantastic flavour. And although this is a romance, it’s not as intensely romantic and lustful as many of the other books in that section of my shelves. A great balance all round.

There is a lot of backstory and tragedy to the characters in this. Even, the secondaries have a heap of backstory. Whilst the secondaries don’t really have theirs shared, the slow unravelling of Blade and Honoria’s secrets and hurts was enthralling. There was just enough of a hint that something else was going on that I found it impossible to put down. Plus, their constant dance of almost getting together made me want to know WHEN.

The leads in this story aren’t perfect, they’re wonderfully flawed. And I always love a great, flawed hero. Honoria, although tough needs to get out of her own headspace and realise that while she’s smart, she’s also kind of blinded and dumb about things. Something that I have in common with her… and Blade, he’s kind of beautiful, but also unwilling to bend and change to suit another person’s needs. Which kind of makes them a perfect couple – both irritatingly stubborn, but intrinsically caring.

 <- Blade’s Escape ReviewLena’s Decision Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Wager by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: The Wager
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Camelot, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 26th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: In his day that Sir had meant that he was a man with standing.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Sir Thomas Mallory thought that it was all a dream. So there was a drunken night in a bar. Then there was a book. And then he remembered that it wasn’t actually a dream…

Thoughts

Here I’m speaking from personal experience: sometimes you should just keep your damn mouth shut. And the narrator of this short story is definitely in agreement with me. He should have kept his mouth shut, and then maybe he wouldn’t be in purgatory. Definitely enjoyed this story. But it’s in a collection of romances… and I don’t feel like this is a romance at all. Sure, there’s a little lust, but it’s not exactly about a romance between two individuals.

I love that this story uses the stories of Camelot, Arthur and Avalon. That the narrator is Sir Thomas Mallory. The senses of history and truth interwoven with paranormality and supernatural fantasy worked really well. These are the kinds of stories that I love – the ones that use fact and fiction to create a fantastic new reality that you just can’t help but dive into.

I’m kind of annoyed that this isn’t part of a bigger series. I would love one in which the stories of Camelot are true, but with a supernatural twist. Weirdly enough, I did just receive The Guinevere Deception in a book box… so this might be what I have to pick up next to get my fix.

 <- Blue Crush ReviewIn Sheep’s Clothing Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

King Pole, Gallows Pole, Bottle Tree by Elizabeth Bear

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: King Pole, Gallows Pole, Bottle Tree
Author: Elizabeth Bear
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Circus, Ghosts, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 26th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Following the line of his motion, I realized suddenly that there was an awful lot of ink on my arm.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

He followed the ghost to the Bottle Tree. Then he started to lose his memory. How will they get it back?

Thoughts

I think that one of my greatest fears about growing old is the idea of forgetting everything that I know. There is a history of dementia in my family, so it’s a particularly scary thought for me. Which kind of made this story quite intense and almost terrifying. After all, it’s about forgetting parts of yourself that you don’t even know your forgetting. Sounds a little too familiar if you ask me.

I loved that this story’s lead was actually a city. In a weird, metaphysical way. Or a deity of the city, that’s a huge conversation for another day. But the idea was still brilliant. It made me wonder what beings would be created by my cities and towns. What they would forget with the passage of time. And how their personalities would change.

Probably the thing that I loved most about this story though was the interconnection between the circus, death and ghosts. It’s a surprising mix and not one that I would have thought of for myself. Yet, it was so blatantly obvious with a backdrop of LA once you read it. Such a great adventure!

 <- The Colliers’ Venus (1893) ReviewNightmare Carnival Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Walled Garden by Michele Lang

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of time travel romance book cover

Title: The Walled Garden
Author: Michele Lang
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae
Dates read: 20th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: You already know me from class and by my sign.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

An attack has left her lost, confused and scared. But, a chance encounter with a polite young man might help to lead her on the way to recovery. Or a whole new world.

Thoughts

This short story was in a collection of time travel romances… yet, I spent the entire time trying to figure out where the time travelling actually was. There were bits and pieces of time travelling. But I wouldn’t put it on a shelf with that theme. This felt more about venturing into the underground worlds of the fae and the Otherworld.

I love that this story is all about recovering and finding your own way forwards after tragedy. Bouncing back is important, and we all do it in our ways. I wouldn’t necessarily want to go about it by venturing through a strange underground garden… but it was still a great way to find out how to recover and find your new reality.

There is a super surreal feeling to this entire story. Even trying to articulate what happened and why I enjoyed this is difficult. It’s like when you dream that you’re walking through a mist, and everything you experience is completely real. But it’s also entirely emotional. That’s the way that this story feels as you journey through the pages to the end.

 <- Time Trails ReviewCatch the Lightning Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Madame X by Nicky Peacock

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: Madame X
Author: Nicky Peacock
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Dates read: 19th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: A sweet second of elation shuddered through the doctor’s body, then he realized the horror of what had just happened.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

The doctor has been called to see a patient. What he finds in the depths of a whorehouse is nothing like what he expected. It will become his worst nightmare. Maybe the Ripper isn’t so bad after all…

Thoughts

I’m getting towards the end of The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories. And surprisingly, I hadn’t actually read any stories which featured Jack as a hero. Or made an attempt at justifying his actions beyond exploring the idea of him being clinically insane. It was really fun to read a story which does this. Fun, interesting and a great new way to look at the reality.

I read a lot of books and stories which feature sex in some way, shape or form. This is the first one that made me feel so incredibly squirly. There was just something about the descriptiveness of some of the acts. And since it involved an insane, rabid prostitute… they weren’t comfortable descriptions. Or sexy in any way, shape or form.

Although I liked the angle that this story took, I didn’t really enjoy it. There was a little too much rutting throughout the story to make it one that I would feel comfortable with. There was nothing about the passions of sex in this. It was just… so wrong in so many ways.

 <- Autumn of Terror ReviewThe Ripper is You Review ->
Image source: Amazon