Title: Saving the World at the New Moon Motel Author: Roberta Lannes In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Aliens, Humour, Lust Dates read: 19th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: ROC Year: 1990 5th sentence, 74th page: He ain’t gonna come, Terri.
Terri just wants a little bit of revenge after her Old Man walked out on her. So she finds an alien in a little diner. It’s certainly an experience to last a lifetime.
The introduction to this short story highlights that this is one of the authors lighter pieces. However, since this whole collection has been a little twisted and not what I would consider light… I was a little unsure as to whether this would be true. It turns out that this is quite a light-hearted and fun story about alien sex. One that had me laughing throughout quite merrily.
I’m pretty good at imagining images for what I’m reading… I struggled to picture the penises (or is it peni?) in this story. There was just something a little unimaginable about this. It might just be my very (happily) narrow view of the world and people’s bodies. But, I think that the close alignment to a normal body, just with a few extra appendages is what mad it so difficult to imagine.
Unlike literally every single other short story in the Alien Sex collection, this one was fun, light and an easy read. It didn’t leave me feeling uncomfortable when I turned the final page. Rather, I was just smiling and feeling highly amused by the occurrences and characters in this story.
Title: The Difference Between Deceit and Delusion Author: Domino Finn Series: Black Magic Outlaw Companion In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy Dates read: 19th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Gallery Books Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: Bullets peppered the large surface but failed to penetrate.
What’s the difference between deceit and delusion? Will this villain be able to figure out the answer before it’s too late?
This entire story was just a complete, total and utter massacre. Which I loved. Because I’m a blood-thirsty little freak. But it’s probably not okay that I actually enjoyed this much death and killing. I grinned the whole way through this story. Completely unable to remove the grin from my face. But, it’s hooked me into this series. So obviously it was a story that was worth reading and a series that will make it to the top of my TBR list.
I loved that this story utilises people of African faith and mythology. It’s not one that I come across frequently, and I hope that this African flavor makes its way into the greater series when I finally get to add them to my shelves. Most of my stories generally include European mythologies, and I’m sure some of that will makes its way in, but the fact that there was discussion of Anansi and the such? It made the bloodthirsty grin even wider.
One of the reasons that I probably enjoyed the bloodthirstiness of this story so much – I’ve been in a pretty bad mood of late. Reading a story which is incredibly violent and dark is always a way to draw me in when I’m in such a state. Not the kind of short story that I’m likely to forget anytime soon.
Jo and David just want to spend a nice, leisurely afternoon at the beach. But a group of thugs, a near drowning and some not-so-pretty mermaids are about to mess with their plans.
The Weather Warden series is one of those that I thoroughly enjoy. Yet, I don’t tend to pick it up as quickly. Probably because the chapters are pretty much half the novel. Having said that, reading Blue Crush reminded me how much I love this series and how much I need to read the next one. There is just something about Jo’s spunk that draws me in. Even when it’s a short story about a day at the beach with her lover…
This short story reminds me of the reasons why I hate swimming in the ocean. There is just something about it that gives me the heebies. And considering this short story also has mermaids in the ocean who want to kidnap and kill unwilling swimmers… ugly mermaids. Although, it adds an extra layer to the mythos of the series. An extra paranormal race which could be potentially very interesting further along in the series.
This short story is a sweet, fun and not-so-easy read. It’s quick, but so much goes on in just a few pages. Probably one of the main reasons I love Caine’s work. So much is squeezed into such a few pages. Leaving you feeling in shock and completely disappointed that the story was over so quickly.
Title: The Duke & I Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 17th – 18th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Piatkus Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Of course,’ Lady Bridgerton said politely.
‘Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest soon follow…’ Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, 30 April 1813
After enduring two seasons in London, Daphne Bridgerton is no longer naïve enough to believe she will be able to marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection?
Her brother’s old school friend Simon Basset – the new Duke of Hastings – has no intention of ever marrying. However, newly returned to England, he finds himself the target of the many marriage-minded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands.
To deflect their attention, the handsome hell-raiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return, his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door. There’s just one problem, Daphne is in very real danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality…
This novel is beautiful, sweet and romantic. It’s kind of like a Jane Austen novel with far more humour, and a more approachable, modern language. Quite possibly my favourite read of the year to be fair. There is just something about it which is kind of brilliant, and a lot of fun. There is also a sense of naivety to the storyline which really isn’t present in a lot of the romances that I read.
Although this is a romance, I was fully expecting the marriage to occur at the end point of the story. After all, that’s normally the “happily ever after” moment for most of these stories. But, instead it actually takes place just after the halfway mark. Actually, the couples biggest challenge is their own personal issues and the moments they have to face up to throughout the marriage, rather than actually getting to the altar. I completely loved this because it highlighted the fact that there is a story after marriage. That you have to continue working on the relationship, even after you have made that commitment. Something that I think sometimes needs to be highlighted a little more.
I couldn’t put this book down. It did take me two days, because I started it late at night and figured that I needed to actually sleep… but the next day, I decided to shun all people and only pursue the barest of responsibilities… I really, really had to see what happened. It’s been a little while since I was this happily engrossed in a story and I was just so damn grateful. My biggest frustration is the fact that I blew my budget over Christmas, so now have to save up before I’m able to buy more books in this series. But they’re at the top of the list!
As to the characters… Simon is incredibly stupid and angry at moments. But we still love him. There is a number of great redeeming characteristics about him, so it’s possible to forgive his stupid moments. Daphne is frustratingly naïve in many moments. But I think that it’s very true to the time, or our ideas of the time. I also love that although she’s a regency-era woman, she also has a modern rebellious streak… there’s a number of moments throughout where she actually punches the moronic men in her life. And haven’t we all felt the same desire at some point?
Title: The Colliers’ Venus (1893) Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fantasy, Urban fantasy Dates read: 18th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: “How very inspirational.”
There is something waking in the mines. But only he knows how to deal with it.
I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that mines are kind of terrifying places. The passage of time is also terrifying, but in a more abstract way. So a story that somehow combines these two things? It actually worked out incredibly well as a scary short story. Nothing terrifying, not like the Stephen King books I’ve been reading lately… but still not a comfortable story.
There’s something about Kiernan’sshort stories that are just a little darker and more twisted than the others in my collections. Or at least, in the collections that she’s been in. It’s nothing obvious and poignant, but, as soon as I finish one of her short stories I just feel… uncomfortable. And kind of just sit there feeling a bit “huh” over what I just read. Which is kind of amazing. But also means that I have to be in the right mood to enjoy her stuff.
I loved how this story was created out of a vague, dreamy state. Nothing felt concrete and real in the storyline and as I turned the last page I just kind of sat there staring at the wall. Trying to figure out all the intricacies of the storyline. I’m still not quite sure that I’ve got it… but that’s why I love to reread stories!
Fall in love with the unpredictable and irresistible dukes (and one dog named Duke) of Four Dukes and a Devil. Join New York Times bestselling authors Cathy Maxwell, Jeaniene Frost, and Tracy Anne Warren, along with USA Today bestselling author Elaine Fox and RITA Award winner Sophia Nash, for tales of noble danger and devilish desire.
Delicate young ladies must be protected from him.
First he steals her clothes, then he steals her heart.
Most would be terrified of this powerful vampire—but not him.
He’s “the catch of the century”. . . but she’s the only one he can’t have.
A young miss demands a kiss. But he won’t rest once she’s touched her lips to his.
With four dukes and one devil, there’s no limit on love.
I’ve had this collection on my shelf for a little while. And wow! Why did it take me this long? I completely loved all five novellas. They managed to run the gambit of romance genres and all featured good, strong women who you were completely gunning for the entire time. Five different couples, five different authors, five different settings, one really good adventure. This is the first collection in a long time that I have wanted to read cover to cover instead of taking a break in between like I usually do…
One of the things I loved about this collection is that although all five stories are romances of a sort, they’re from completely different genres. To start with there is a historical romance, then a contemporary one, then a romantic journey that features vampires and a demon. And finally, two regency romances to tie it all out. An intriguing mix, one that I would never have thought would work so well. But wow. It was impossible to put down and impossible to forget.
I now have many stories to put on my wish list… some are to expand on the series which this collection introduced me to, some just because I need to read more by some of these authors. Regardless, I have one more Night Huntress tale that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and four new authors to obsess over.
Title: Scales Author: Lewis Shiner In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Lust, Science fiction Dates read: 17th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: ROC Year: 1990 5th sentence, 74th page: I woke up to Richard moaning.
When a woman finds out that her husband is having an affair, she takes their young daughter and leaves. But what if the woman who has her hooks in him is more than she seems? Who will she save?
This story started out simple enough. Woman thinks husband is drifting from her. Starts to believe that he’s having an affair. Then it starts to get weird, dark and twisted. And their daughter is pulled into the crazy. It very quickly becomes quite an uncomfortable story and anything but normal.
There seems to be a trend in the literature and common belief that it is men that are unfaithful. I’m not entirely sure, because I know people of both genders who have done the dirty. But it does highlight the questions “why are men unfaithful?” and “why do marriages end?”. It does this in a pretty intense way, but at least it asks the questions and makes you stop and think.
Compared to the other stories in the Alien Sex collection, this one is way less twisted and dark. It could almost pass for normal if there wasn’t one little bit of “otherworldly” presence. For this reason I probably enjoyed it a little bit more than some of the other stories in this collection. Because I didn’t finish it and immediately feel insanely uncomfortable.
Title: The Skinny Girl Author: Lucius Shepard In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Death, Urban fantasy Dates read: 17th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: No, it’s rather that he has yet to reach the point where life tips over into death, where the need for what she offers (be it surcease or something more graspable) outweighs everything else.
When a photographer of the dead meets the skinny girl, he must finally face up to his obsession with death. But is she the real thing, or just a mimic? Only time will tell
I have a bit of a fascination with death and the macabre. However, I wouldn’t call it an obsession. I don’t hunt it out and I only truly appreciate it when the information is… well, there. But there are some people who have this obsession, and then there’s the character in this short story who just goes beyond what I would call an obsession to a whole new, fascinating realm. Also slightly disturbed, but the writing is so good that I choose to find it fascinating.
There is a bit of a Latin American theme threaded through this story. Specifically with the use of The Skinny Girl – I can’t remember what the other name for this death deity is. It was a nice departure from the normal mythos which I came across in my reading. Mostly they tend to briefly mention Latin America and then gloss over to the next cultural interest. It was nice to stay a little more (but not completely) immersed in one.
Although this story is about death, one’s obsession with it and their ultimate surrendering to the long night, I actually found this kind of poetic and sweet. Maybe because that’s a bit of my view of death anyway, it’s not necessarily a dark and horrible thing. Having said that, as romantic as I found this (in an abstract way), it is still a kind of dark story. One that I look forwards to reading again.
Title: Red as Blood Collection Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings, Short story collections Dates read: 23rd October – 17th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: There were carvings in the sides of the tower, the magic symbols from the chamber as it had been, the zodiac, the Crown, the Sword, the Chalice – she knew such seals must hold the spire safely.
Here are ten devilishly twisted fairy tales as the Brothers Grimm never dared to tell them. With her brilliantly macabre pen, Tanith Lee retells some familiar tales, and concocts some new and unusual ones, as she asks us to consider the possibility that things may not work as our fairy tales have them… In the title story, Lee shows us a perfectly good stepmother, whose Princess stepdaughter reeks of evil. Then there is Ashella, the Cinderella-like girl who, “When the Clock Strikes”, intends to give her Prince Charming a deadly surprise. In “Wolfland”, Lisel takes a trip through the woods to visit her grandmother – who bears little resemblance to the loving old woman we expect. And in “Thorns” you’ll find the haunting answer to the question, “What if awakening the Sleeping Beauty turns out to be the mistake of a lifetime – of several lifetimes, in fact?”
Populated with demons and devils, vengeful gods and not-so-innocent young girls, the ten tales of Red as Blood weave a tapestry of chilling visions, spun by the incomparably fiendish imagination of Tanith Lee!
This is the second feminist collection of fairy tales I’ve ever read. And I don’t know if I like this or Angela Carter’s version better. What I do know is that I love both of them and I will read them again and again. They’re fun, kind of brilliant and super dark. Much more likely in our lives than the pretty Disney-versions that I grew up with.
There wasn’t one story in this collection that I didn’t absolutely adore. Normally I’ll find one or two that just aren’t as good… but that most certainly wasn’t the case. This was brilliant! Honestly, as I turned the last page, I could have quite happily turned around and just started this all over again. I didn’t, because I have a whole stack of other books I want to read by the end of the year… but I don’t often have that desire in the first place.
Now I need to find some more Tanith Leebooks. I have one other sitting in my shelf, but I want so much more now! There is no way that I won’t love it after this. Especially when you’re looking at a story which has a beautiful wordplay on the Brothers Grimm… equally dark versions, but with a focus on the women and the battles that they face.
Title: Reel Life Author: Steven Savile Series: Glass Town #1.5 In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fantasy, Science fiction, Thriller Dates read: 17th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Gallery Books Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: Taking him out of this place was the easiest way he knew how to hurt Eleanor.
His jealousy caused him to steal the girl of his brother’s dreams and keep her trapped in limbo with him. Now he wants out in the real world. But his reality might just stop him from finally getting everything he wants. After all, this is reel life.
There’s something about tales of obsessive love that really pull me in. I never like the people / characters who have this tendency. I always find it annoying and want to smack the moron who is being so intense… but I also always love them. Not sure why. Don’t want to know what that says about me. And this was one such story. I hated the lead character (he’s a villain, I think that you should hate him). I felt sorry for his victims. I couldn’t put this story down.
I think that jealousy is one of the worst emotions. It seems to be the driver for some of the worst acts committed. Which, of course meant that every bad act that the villain in this committed had it’s roots in this disgusting emotion. I know that the colour green on me is often when I do and say the worst things… apparently that is also the case in this story. But getting your revenge for this and what you wished for? Luckily, as Seth found out… that revenge often isn’t the best thing in the world. 😊
I think that one of the things I loved most about this short story is the playing around with time. It’s often been discussed in my anthropology classes and studies that time is a human construct. It’s our understanding of it that shapes time. Of course there is still a passage of time… but yeah, it’s super philosophical and I freaking love that discussion. Threads of it make their way through this story. Which might be why I just couldn’t make myself put it down and / or stop thinking about it.
Earth and Skye 