Title: For I Have Sinned Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #1.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Dates read: 25th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Absolutely perfect.
Darynda Jones revisits the sexy, suspenseful world of supernatural shenanigans she created in her Grave series with For I Have Sinned. In this Charley Davidson story, Charley helps a woman find out how she died and gives her the closure she needs to pass through to the other side.
This is my second ever Charley Davidson story. And I had no idea what to expect from it. What I loved about this though was the fact that although it’s about Charley, it’s not written from her point of view. Rather, it’s written from the point of view of one of her “clients” – a dead woman.
Throughout this short story there is the constant question of what did the departed do? There are so many different moments of mystery. And it’s only a very short story. And, even if you kind of wonder if she’s done the wrong thing… there is this beautiful sense of mystery that surprised me. But also one that I seriously wanted.
Reyes still, of course, makes a dark and intriguing appearance. Which, of course makes me just want to read the next book in this series all that much more. There is a great, big mystery going on and I want to know what it is!!!
Title: First Grave on the Right Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Dates read: 23rd – 25th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: After a meaningful stare-down, I pointed to the exit.
With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual. Or a diagram of some kind. A flowchart would have been nice.
Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light”. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life… and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can’t she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?
I had a challenge that said I had to read a book by Darynda Jones. I knew nothing more of the woman, but I was intrigued. And now, admittedly. I’m kind of a little obsessed. This was an amazingly fun book to read and I’m seriously disappointed that I now have to wait for the post to catch up and the next book to arrive at my doorstep… so very, very disappointed.
I’ve got a few stories on my shelves that feature women / witches who can see ghosts. I may even have one (that I haven’t really read yet) that features the woman as the grim reaper. But none like this. The grim reaper in this is sassy, unique and completely unique. She’s also a little unhinged. Which is probably why I loved her so much. After all, I’m slightly unhinged, and I don’t converse with ghosts on a regular basis.
Although I love the ghosts in this story, the grim reaper aspect to it, what I really love is that Charley is constantly trying to help. That no matter what is going on, she’s fighting to help others and make a better life for anyone who needs it. The fact that she does this in a myriad of ways that generally end up with her being beaten and bruised (sometimes because of others, often because she’s just not all that lucky) worked really well for me. Every time I get in the shower I tend to have a fresh bruise, so it was nice to read about someone who is WAY more accident prone than I am.
The intricate webs of this storyline made me incredibly happy. Mostly because instead of one main storyline, there were several. All of which drew me in and had me wondering in a somewhat perplexed manner just what was going to happen next. Normally I would have the potential of guessing the answer… but with so much going on, I found it almost impossible to figure out. Which is, honestly, something that I thoroughly enjoy. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next novel!
Title: The Eye of the Storm Author: Kelley Eskridge 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:Romance Dates read: 23rd April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: They were silent, watching me.
Born different and unable to fit in. But that taught them to fight. To find a way to fit in and create a whole new life for themselves.
This was an incredibly interesting take on sexuality and what exactly a sexual experience is. Sexuality is completely fascinating, and something that I am constantly intrigued by. The fact that there is a story that explores different forms of sexuality, attraction and also mixes in fighting and a monarchy… well, I was completely, totally and utterly drawn in. Happily wrapped up in this amazing story.
The fighting style throughout this story seriously made me think about Bruce Lee. That whole, twirl like a storm idea was so damn reminiscent of the flow like water analogy that I’m sure is associated with him. I loved this discussion about different ways to fight people – and how to use what you have to your advantage. It was so completely, wonderfully intriguing and, if I was ever to find a way to fight… it would be the way that I would have to do so. After all, I’m not exactly big and strong…
This is a lustful, powerful and enjoyably intense story. It’s not one that I’m likely to forget anytime soon. There is just something so expansive and imaginative about the story. One that I really enjoyed and would love to read again and again and again.
A dazzling and delightful tale by Mia Ryan has a young woman cast out of her home by an insufferable yet charming marquis—who intends to take possession not only of the house… but its former occupant as well!
I really couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next in the The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown collection. After all, even though these are independent novellas, there is still this great sense of continuity throughout the storyline. One that I love figuring out, even as I fall in love more and more with the characters in each individual tale.
At first I just couldn’t understand how the lead male had kicked the woman out of her home, and then, years later, decided that he wanted to marry her. I like rakish, fun and daring rogues. But I really don’t like selfish, pig-headed horrible men. It turns out that he wasn’t really either of these. Just a sweet, slightly injured gentleman. And the fact that he partnered up with a woman who is constantly fighting the urge to say things that are seriously inappropriate… I kind of fell completely in love with both of them.
Alright, I did fall in love with Linney a little bit more. Which isn’t really anything new… I tend to love the female protagonists more so than the males, regardless of the story… after all, I too am a woman. But, Linney was particularly special. I tend to sometimes come out with some very random, awkward comments. And I tend to constantly have little pep talks with myself about NOT saying every single thought that comes to mind… much like Linney.
What I think I loved most about this novella is that it’s about two misfits. They’re not what people would consider the elite and part of the respectable. They’re just a little too different. Which, of course is what makes me love them so damn much. I always adore the misfits.
Title: Sm(B)itten Author: Delilah Devlin Series: Night Fall #1 Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Vampires Dates read: 24th March – 22nd April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Publisher: Delilah Devlin Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘”Huh?”
Emmy Harris knows she’s not perfect. She has a little extra padding and isn’t the brightest bulb, but you’d think she was a sexy rock star the way everyone at a certain night club treats her from the moment she walks through the door. In fact, the two sexiest men there can’t seem to keep their hands off her, until one of them sweeps her away to his private domain. A girl like her isn’t going to waste a chance like that! So he’s a little rough and likes to take a nibble or two while he pleasures her. For a girl who didn’t know she’d never experienced a full-blown orgasm before, Dylan’s eccentricities are delicious!
Dylan O’Hara only wants a night of passion to slake his lusts, but finds Emmy is a full-bodied, red-blooded siren whose innocence and humor draw this Master vampire like a moth to a red-hot flame. When Emmy attracts the attention of a serial-killing vampire, Dylan vows to protect her, but he fears he’ll lose Emmy once she discovers he’s not human.
I have some very mixed feelings about this story. Whilst reading it, I kind of couldn’t put it down. But I also felt weirdly uncomfortable reading it. I’m not entirely certain why. But there was definitely discomfort. It may have a lot to do with the fact that this was an eBook though. I just can’t seem to get into eBooks as much as physical books…
The storyline in this book is fairly so so. Its not one of those impossible to put down, impossible to forget stories. Not fast-paced or full of action. But it is full of lust. It is a wonderful story, completely filled with the joys of lust and I certainly enjoyed it. The graphic nature of the writing made the lust and the passion just jump off of the pages. Certainly not a story that you want to read in front of your family and friends… it’s a little too private for that.
One of my favourite things about this book is that Emmy is curvy. She doesn’t look anything like a model, and, in fact, finds it quite hard to believe that she could even be beautiful. She is, of course, frequently described as sexy and beautiful by her paramour and others, but I like that she’s not considered to be modelesque. Definitely a great take on a romance lead.
Trying to write this review is kind of difficult. It was a really fun read, and I have already bought the next book in the series, and have it sitting on my kobo ready to go. But it wasn’t one of my all-time favourite books. It was an easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and would probably read again. But mostly because the ease of it means that it’s quite easy to forget what happened, so it would be like reading it all over again.
Title: Journeybread Recipe Author: Lawrence Schimel In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Horror Dates read: 20th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Prime Books Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: Cover, and, warm and moist, let the bloated belly rise nine months.
A quaint, disturbing little recipe.
Not quite a poem, and not quite prose. This is a really disturbing two pages of reading. But, you know… disturbing in the best of ways.
I love that this is the recipe for making a Gingerbread Man. After all, there are so many different stories about the man (boy, child) himself, but so very few that feature the making of him. Or the motives behind his making… that one I’m still trying to figure out.
Although this is just two pages. It is really, seriously disturbing. It is a unique take on the very well-known fairytale. One that left me with a seriously uncomfortable and unsettled feeling at the end of it. Just brilliant.
Title: The Caballero’s Way Author: O. Henry In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 20th April 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Go in and rest, and let me water your horse and stake him with the long rope.
Travelling along the Caballeros’ Way can be dangerous. Especially when even the woman you love betrays you.
I’m not really all that great on Western lore. But one thing that I do recognise / know is this name of the Kid. I’m not really sure if this refers to one individual, multiple, or what… but it was certainly nice to have a figure that I associate with Westerns appearing in the pages of this short story. I may not have quite known what this story was about, mostly because I kept fazing out throughout it, but I certainly appreciated the appearance of a well-known characterisation.
This was kind of a tragic little story. At first, I thought that the Kid was going to retire and live happily ever after with his woman. Particularly when it states that that’s exactly what he wants. But, alas, that was most certainly not meant to be. Instead, there is a sad ending filled with misunderstandings and manipulations. It worked well within the Western tale, but it was not the happy ending I kind of wanted.
So far in my reading of Westerns, I’m enjoying the simplicity of the stories. They’re nothing that I feel the need to rave about, but they’re a pleasant way to spend a few moments of time, just escaping the realities of day to day stressors.
Karen Hawkins captivates with an enduring story of a handsome rogue whose lifelong friendship—and his heart—are tested when the lovely lady in question sets her cap for someone else.
One of my favourite romance tropes is the one of friends to lovers. After all, it’s a relationship that is being built on an incredibly strong base. So finding one that is both a regency romance, a tale of individuality and close friends turning to lovers… it definitely put me in my happy place.
Although I have had a pretty major love of / fascination with regency romances recently, one thing I don’t love is the reminder of how women had very little autonomy over their own lives in this day and age. Not a great, happy feeling for me. But what I loved about this, is that it took a few liberties… but created a story in which the woman actually did have most of her autonomy and independence. She was completely herself and found a way to do so with all the flamboyancy that she could want.
Royce and Liza make a great couple. In the end when Royce kind of gets over all of his crap. At first, his attitude and selfishness towards Liza’s wanting a family is kind of irritating. But after he moves on from that… its actually really nice. Particularly since they’re both highly flawed characters (so far, the most flawed in this collection), but they love each other for exactly who they are. It’s just gorgeous.
In a time when everything is going completely, totally and utterly bat shit insane. It was really nice to read a novella that was all about loving people for who they are. For being with those that just accept you and want to be around you. It’s just a nice little departure from reality. One which I really appreciated.
Title: In Case of Emergency, Break Glass Author: Erin Gough In: Kindred (Michael Earp) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, LGBTQI Dates read: 20th April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Walker Books Year: 2019 5th sentence, 74th page: She gazes at Reg, and Reg gazes back, and the force of her gaze makes Amy’s chest heave.
Amy can’t figure out why she just doesn’t feel… anything when she kisses her boyfriend. And then a fateful meeting on the job changes everything.
This was a nice, easy little read. One about discovering just what it is that makes you tick. Without being completely swept away in other, political, slightly more intense agendas. I love that it begins with Amy not quite understanding why Sam doesn’t make her excited by his kisses. And then ends with her finally finding someone who does. There is no real epiphany moment of being an LGBTQI+ person, but just a moment of, wow. So that’s what it should be like.
The combination of a young girl discovering her sexuality with the rebellious nature of Reg (the love interest) is kind of fun. There is great imagery of birds soaring free, doing what’s right even if it costs you your job… so many courageous moments that work so beautifully in this coming of age story. It’s not just about finding out who you are, it’s also about finding what you stand for. Which started to take centre stage a little for me.
I absolutely adored this short story. And I can’t wait to read more in this collection. I am also intrigued as to the amazing stories I’m sure Gough has the ability to construct… so I’ll probably try and hunt them out too.
Title: How the Marquis Got His Coat Back Author: Neil Gaiman Series: London Below, the World of Neverwhere #1.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Science fiction, Urban fantasy Dates read: 20th April 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: headline Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: What’s it say?
A Neverwhere short story from one of the brightest, most brilliant writers of our generation – the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning The Ocean At the End of the Lane.
The coat. It was elegant. It was beautiful. It was so close that he could have reached out and touched it.
And it was unquestionably his.
After reading Neverwhere, I felt completely, intensely, happily complete. It is just one of those stories that you turn the final page and just go… wow. And then break out into a HUGE smile. What I didn’t really think about though was that the Marquis had lost his coat. And, well, really anything much about the Marquis because he wasn’t my most or least favourite character. And then I found this short story at the back of my novel…
One of the most potent things that this short story did for me was to actually make me like the Marquis so much more. He wasn’t one dimensional or anything in Neverwhere, but I didn’t feel any tight emotional connection to him. Not a positive one. And not a negative one. But, showing a little of how he became the Marquis and why made me feel a lot more bonded to him than I had anticipated. It was certainly a pleasant and surprising outcome of such a short story.
The other aspect of this story that I really loved because of the illumination it provided was the Shepherds of Shepherds Bush (I THINK I got that right). It’s mentioned in Neverwhere that you don’t want to meet the Shepherds. And now I completely understand why. Although, I still found it an incredibly fun adventure actually getting to meet them anyway!!!
