Doggone Mess by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Doggone Mess
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #20
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

As with all of the other Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) books that I’ve read, I got into this right away. It was funny, it was quirky and it was light-hearted enough that I got to smile quite a bit. Yet, as I’m really starting to discover with Blain’s work, there was that serious undertone and message throughout which still left me thinking once I’d finished enjoying all of the fun. I also really like that this is very obviously building towards something – there is a conclusion to this series in the works, and Doggone Mess feels like some of the threads are now all coming together to build towards this.

The way in which Joyce is attacked and turned into a shifter is pretty sad and brutal, possibly one of the more brutal turnings / attacks of this series so far. Yet, I love how, instead of curling up into a ball and hiding from reality. Or feeling like a victim, she uses this brutality as the fuel to get out there and make the world a better place for everyone else. She is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, and I really loved reading about a character that takes the worst of circumstances and turning it towards, well, violence. But it was violence in a good way – against those predators that would continue to perpetuate the cycle of abuse for other women and innocents.

I’m always a pretty big fan of books in which the male part of the duo is the quieter of the two. Wayne most definitely fits this bill – and I adored him all that much more for how he continuously keeps trying to support and help Joyce. At first with moving her into a new home, and then when he realises the depth and breadth of her issues, he starts to move heaven and hell (kind of literally) to make her feel better / supported. Even their mating isn’t what I expected it to be – all because of the supportive nature of this fairly cute relationship.

There are a number of surprise cameos throughout this story – I particularly liked getting to see Emma the Swan again. Her willingness to stab people with her beak and just be a total menace to everyone made me smile. I love the idea of a swan shifter, and that they are not the kind, cartoonish swans, but the real assholes that true swans are. Plus, with all of the activity and action in this story, there are a number of loose threads that begin to get tied up, Emma just being one of them.

I seriously loved everything about this book. It was the typica fun, enjoyable R.J. Blain book that I’ve come to expect from her writing. And I seriously enjoyed that to tie everything up, the epilogue tells the tale of Joyce’s run at Fort Knox with her daughter. Aside from being a fun heist, it’s also a reminder that this world is one filled with change, and the biggest changes feel like they are just on the horizon.

<- Plaidypus101 Ways to Die ->

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Charming Daphne by Morgana Bevan

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Charming Daphne
Author: Morgana Bevan
Series: True Platinum #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Rockstar romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Charming Daphne was a wonderfully quick and easy novella to read. It’s a forced proximity / second chance romance that I really enjoyed. And I like how quick and easy it was to read on a night when I was feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed by the responsibilities of life. Plus, the fact that Daphne and Matt are stuck in an elevator and forced to deal with their issues was a great way to reveal secrets and reconnect a couple that were obviously meant to be together. It was a beautiful and cute way to spend an hour of my time.

Matt was a bit of a peripheral character in Chasing Alys, so it was nice to get to know him a little bit better. Especially as he is incredibly driven, and although he ultimately helps the couple, he is also a little rigid in the ways that he chooses to do this. So it’s nice to see some of what drives him, plus it’ll probably give more context to his character as we meet more members of the band that he manages throughout the series. Although I’d often be disappointed at the shortness of his story, I actually quite enjoyed that it was a novella length tale, and not a full length novel. Matt is a peripheral character to me, and this keeps him that way in my mind’s eye.

Past and present collide beautifully in Charming Daphne. Matt has to reveal why he kept secrets from Daphne and torpedoed her career. She has to learn to trust again. And then, to tidy up the entire adventure, the very figure that has caused so many issues in their past reappears in the most unexpected of ways. This was such a fun and tidy story, and it makes me want to pick up the True Platinum series again.

<- Chasing AlysWinning Nia ->

Image source: Bol

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bookshops & Bonedust
Author: Travis Baldree
Series: Legends & Lattes #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, High fantasy, Magic
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I’ve had Bookshops and Bonedust on my TBR for a little while, and I’ve honestly been putting it off because sometimes books just don’t live up to all the hype. This totally does though. I absolutely loved every minute of reading this book and just didn’t want to put it down. Bookshops and Bonedust was a fantastic story that completely, totally and utterly deserves all of the positive attention that it gets. It was fun and enjoyable. And left me with such a happy and content feeling. Plus, there was a gorgeous slip of humour throughout that left me smiling and giggling throughout.

All of the action in this story almost takes place as a vacation. I love that Viv is taking an unplanned (and unwanted) break from her life, and in doing so finds joy in other pursuits. It’s a reminder that our aimed for career can’t be everything, plus, it gives Viv a chance to find new friendships. Her friendship with the bookshop owner and baker are so naturally formed that they’re ridiculously close before you even realise it. Plus, there is the quaintness of small town life to contend with and enjoy.

Having a paranormal fantasy story that features a bookshop was the absolute bomb. I love anything that features a bookshop and, well, books because I’m a Book Dragon. But, I also loved that you got to go along with Viv as she falls in love with reading and the written word. The fact that every recommendation helps her to discover another aspect of herself. Which is something that I tend to find in my own reading journey. Each book helps you to reveal a facet of your life that you might be thinking about at the time. And to figure out what your own personal morals and goals are.

I didn’t realise that Bookshops and Bonedust was actually written after Legends and Lattes, but I do like that I read it first. The epilogue gives more hints about what is going to happen in the first book in the story. Plus, there is the fact that Bookshops and Bonedust very obviously is what plants the seeds for a quieter life filled with love and joy in Viv’s mind. One that is going to pay dividends in the next book.

<- More Travis BaldreeLegends & Lattes ->

Image source: Amazon

Magic Bites ReRead by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Magic Bites ReRead
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I read Magic Bites and the whole Kate Daniels series, I love it just as much with each and every read through. I did decide to dive right in and start another read through because there’s a few more books at the end that I haven’t quite gotten to yet. It’s always nice to return to a well-loved story. Plus, it makes me ridiculously happy to return to something that has always bought me comfort. One of the things I love about rereading the Kate Daniels series is that, no matter what point I am at in life, I seem to find new nuances that leave me smiling and thinking long after I turned the final page.

Magic Bites takes place at the precipice of major change for Kate. As someone who has read the whole series, I love what it is all going to lead into. There are so many hints throughout Magic Bites of all of the changes Kate is about to face. But, to be fair, it takes a lot to notice them because there is so much action throughout that it takes a bit to even notice these hints. The death of her guardian drops Kate into a world that she’s been avoiding, and starts to bring her powerful nature and skills to light. Plus, she spends a whole lot of time running around with her sword lopping parts off of the evil-doers.

Curran is a hilarious and fairly typical alpha. I love that he is all about his people and eliminating the threat to those he cares for and loves. At times this is a bit of a problem in that he is high-handed and refuses to give any kind of leeway to the “others”. His drive to protect is both admirable and kind of annoying. But, I love that Kate is quickly able to establish herself as an intriguing threat. One that he doesn’t necessarily want anywhere near his People, but also wants to know more about. Because a cat’s curiosity and all that. The fact that he turns into a giant lion-man-beast who can rip the limbs of just about anything… it makes me love him all that much more.

Even though I already knew just who the upir (bad guy) was, it was still a fun journey to get there. And to pick up some of the breadcrumbs that Ilona Andrews masterfully laid down. The world building within this story is phenomenal and makes the whole story impossible to put down. Picking up the breadcrumbs as to who was the bad guy was really fun. As was finding out new nuances of the world that Kate lives in, the kind of dangers she faces and how this world nestles so perfectly alongside ours.

<- More Ilona AndrewsMagic Burns ReRead ->

Image source: Bol

Volatile by Carina Alyce

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Volatile
Author: Carina Alyce
Series: MetroGen After Hours #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Brandon and Jennifer have a great Meet Cute in Volatile. It is full of flirty, somewhat lustful banter. And it makes you think that they are immediately going to connect in a very intimate way. Until he arrests her for having bombs in her car. Which is the beginning of this story, and a beginning I completely adored and could get behind. Volatile then continued to keep building from there in a way that made it almost impossible to put down. I absolutely adored this adventure, and it has made me really keen to read the other Carina Alyce series, and also Burn Card, the next book in this MetroGen series.

I really enjoyed Jennifer as a character, she was the absolute sunshine in this sunshine – grump romance, but she was also the aggressor. I love that she spends the entirety of this story pushing Brandon outside of his comfort zone. Rather than just letting his excuses slide, he is constantly encouraging and pushing him into new territories. Not in an overbearing way, but in the format that she is helping him expand his horizons. The end of this story and the point of highest conflict is a great example of this. Jennifer is able to help Brandon reach his full potential, with a healthy push, one that really makes him stop and think.

Although Jennifer is the aggressor, Brandon is a great support for her. He does eventually become a little more aggressive with his own romantic / sexual intentions. But, I love that, professionally, Brandon has no issue with standing back and letting Jennifer lead the investigation. Rather than being all macho and moronic about it. He happily follows her lead, and also consistently reminds others that she is the lead. Particularly in a situation in which he could very easily take over (it’s his town and his people), he still supports Jennifer and hands the reigns over.

I was really intrigued to how the romance / sexuality of this story was going to play out. I’ve read two Carina Alyce novellas, and I know that she’s been involved in writing Grey’s Anatomy (because of her bio). But I wasn’t sure how that would translate into on-page intimacies. This was definitely well written. And there were some scenes that I most definitely would not be reading in a public space. It was not vanilla sex and it was the kind of writing that had me fanning myself a few times whilst reading it. Which just makes me want to dive into some more of Alyce’s works – there was great steam, and great character development, and a really gorgeous relationship at the centre of it all.

<- CycloneBurn Card ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams
Series: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Science fiction, Space
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1979

Thoughts

Wow can I understand the hype surrounding The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy now. There is something so witty and hilarious about this entire story, and from the very first sentence, I really didn’t want to put it down. Sometimes books that I find have a whole lot of hype surrounding them (I’m looking at you Wuthering Heights) are just kind of crappy or a seriously major let down. That is so many levels of not the case with The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It well deserves its reputation and now I’m just sad that I’ve only introduced it into my life in my thirties… teenage me would’ve completely run with this story and become suitably obsessed.

There is something beautifully poetic and lyrical about Adams’ turn of phrase throughout this. Honestly, without even thinking beyond the surface of the words, it was incredibly easy to get swept away. But then, you start to really think about the many different layers of meaning. There were some moments and sentences throughout that I read multiple times. Partly because they were well written and enjoyable to taste with my literary tongue. But also because every time I read the sentence, something new would come up for me.

Probably one of my favourite things about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the pure randomness of the entire story. It starts with the earth getting destroyed and a few drinks down at the pub. And then it meanders through to the Answer and there’s all sorts of shenanigans and nonsense along the way. Honestly, if I had to give a synopsis for the story and explain what actually happens in this book, it would be just as meandering and nonsensical as the story. Which is exactly how it should be. A wonderfully joyous and hilarious adventure that I will most definitely repeat again in the future.

All in all, what I took most as the theme and message of this novel was the absurdity of humanity. We are so damn self-involved and fixated on our own journeys that sometimes we forget that other species, people, things exist and have their own emotional lives too. And, as such, it’s possible that we are not actually the most intelligent animals on the planet, or indeed, in the universe. Our presumptiveness (whether as an individual or a species) could very well be our undoing. Something that we should probably be reminded of more often than not.

<- Young Zaphod Plays it SafeThe Restaurant at the End of the Universe ->

Image source: PanMacMillan

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Author: Sangu Mandanna
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

This is such a beautiful and sweet cozy fantasy, with just enough emotional angst to make it absolutely impossible to put down. I absolutely loved this story, and I’m glad that reading a Mandanna short story in Hungry Hearts led me to this wonderful story. Mika and her willingness to go against the grain were inspiring and I absolutely adored her. Plus, she is part of a cast of absolutely adorable found family. Everyone at Nowhere House worked their way incredibly quickly into my heart, making this one of my favourite reads so far for the year.

I found the background story of all witches being cursed to become orphans to be really tragic. Imagine being a witch, and knowing that if you gave birth to a child, you were going to die. And knowing that if you are a witch, it was your very birth that caused the death of your parents. It’s a pretty tragic and harsh way to start life. But, I did love how differently this tragedy ended up for Mika and the Nowhere House girls. For Mika, this resulted in an incredibly lonely and potentially bitter life. For the girls, it was a life filled with love and sisterhood that they otherwise wouldn’t have had. It was great how they all rally for the next generation, trying to create a better world filled with the love that Mika didn’t get in her own childhood.

I love a good story with a surprise twist at the end. I knew there was some kind of secret and twist coming… but I love that this took a left when I was expecting a right. It was so much fun and created a whole new set of obstacles for this amazing cast to overcome. Plus, it really made Mika dig deep and figure out what she actually wants from life. But, more importantly, the final twist / obstacle was what helped Mika to finally move on from her past and choose a new and promising future for herself. The fact that this is all rounded out with a little romance and sweetness to balance the intensity of the other emotions.

Reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches made me sit and really ask the question – how do you find your happiness. And when you find it? What will you do to keep it? I love that this was, ultimately, the journey that Mika was on. In amongst everything else, she spends the entirety of this story battling to figure out where her happiness lies and how to let go of the past. Something that I think we all need to sit back and do at different points throughout our lives. Then, there’s the argument between who is nice and kind, and that it’s more important to be kind than nice. Something that I need to carry forth with me sometimes when I can’t quite put my finger on why people rub me up the wrong way…

<- The Lost GirlMore Sangu Mandanna ->

Image source: Amazon

This Is Me by Ian Thorpe

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: This Is Me
Author: Ian Thorpe
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

Ian Thorpe was a massive figure of my early years and I remember all of the media attention that surrounded him. However, I was quite young, and although I remember that he retired because of the media. And that Thorpe was a phenomenal swimmer, I didn’t really know much more about his journey to being an elite athlete. As someone who is obsessed with her own sport, not only did I love the recognisable moments of his journey, but I also seriously enjoyed how his dedication showed in the pool. It was intriguing to read about an athlete at the top of his game, and the fine line between health and sickness that he walks whilst doing it.

As much as I loved this biography, one thing that really stuck out to me was how frequently Thorpe denied his sexuality. This book was published a few years before he officially came out. And of all the things he discussed, he denied his sexuality at least three times. Having been pressured and discussed from such a young age in the media, you can see how this had such a big impact on him and his understanding of himself. I can completely understand just why he would have this approach, and it made me all that much frustrated with the pressures that media can put on people just for a “good story”.

Even though I remember a lot of Thorpe’s accomplishments, I didn’t really register that he tried to go to the London Olympics. It was great that he wrote this in a diary format, focusing on the lead up to these Olympics, and the gruelling training regime he followed. It made for an interesting format – each chapter was a dated diary entry in the lead up to, and then the aftermath of his trials for the London Olympics. But then, the second half was a flashback to another moment within his life. Although not in chronological order, I loved going on these side journeys, to moments that I recognised. Plus, he effortlessly puts forth his charity and the many different ways that he is constantly improving the lives of others.

Everything about this biography was fascinating. I loved the insight into a really prominent figure in my childhood. But, it was also incredibly fun to get some realistic insights into how an elite athlete trains. The dedication and passion that is going to drive that kind of commitment is something I can never truly understand. But it made for a great insight into someone else’s life and a completely different way of living.

<- WillThe Mapmaker’s Wife ->

Image source: Booktopia

A Madness in Spring by Kate Noble

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: A Madness in Spring
Author: Kate Noble
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2016

Thoughts

A Madness in Spring was a very quick, fun and light read to fill one of the reading challenge prompts for this year. It’s been sitting in my Kobo for a little while, but I’ve not really been diving into the historical romances all that much as of late. And, after reading this, I’m kind of wondering why – I enjoyed the somewhat innocent joy of this. Honestly, it reminded me why authors like Jane Austen and Julia Quinn are favourites of mine – there is a different kind of passion and loyalty inspired by this genre. One that reminds me of the core of what romance truly is for me – showing your person that you love them, in whatever way that may be.

Belinda and Adam’s journey to one another was kind of predictable, but I also had a lot of fun with it. They start out as the whole enemies to lovers trope, but then quickly realise that they’ve always had feelings for one another. The fact that it took a little bit of meddling to get them there made it a lot more entertaining. Plus, their knowledge of one another make them quickly fall into a fantastic relationship all that much more quickly – they already have the foundations, even if it was built by niggling each other and pushing each others’ buttons.

I love that ultimately, it’s the meddling of the well intentioned friends and new acquaintances which leads to Belinda and Adam realising that they have feelings for each other, and acting on them. And then, when they face their first hurdle and you question whether or not they’ll get a happily ever after, more meddling comes aboard to help out. I know life doesn’t work like the books, but sometimes I wish that there was meddling in some of my life to help me fix that which I’m not sure how to fix.

Although this was a historical romance, it didn’t quite have the closed door feel that I’m used to. There was a little bit more on page steam than I would anticipate from the genre. Which kind of made me enjoy it all that much more, it was so brilliantly done that I honestly didn’t want to put this down! What a wonderful story that was filled with such hope and joy, and of course, that love of a romantic happily ever after to tie it all off.

<- The Dress of the SeasonMiss Goodhue Lives for a Night ->

Image source: Amazon

Long Live the Giant by Isobelle Carmody

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for green monkey dreams isobelle carmody book cover

Title: Long Live the Giant
Author: Isobelle Carmody
In: Green Monkey Dreams (Isobelle Carmody)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Death, Science fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 1996

Thoughts

I love that this is a short story about death and truth, a great twist on creationist myths. The how and why of our creation. It starts with someone who is elderly and has a whole heap of stories to tell. Then continues to their past and the decisions that led her here. At least, I think the narrator was female. That wasn’t really the stand out point of the character – their gender, it was all of the reflections on a life well lived and the many stories that led to this point.

There is always that idea that the bright points of life are made all that much brighter because of the darkness. I loved that this short story took that theme and ran with it. That it was about creators who created humanity and made them mortal. That this wasn’t quite the tragedy and disservice that it’s purported to be. It’s a reminder that even though we die and there are so many sucky parts to life, it makes the life that we do live all that much sweeter.

Having recently lost someone very close to me, and then reading this short story. It made me think a lot about life, death and the lives that we live. A bit of reflection and self-examination that I found intriguing.

<- The PhoenixThe Pumpkin Eater ->

Image source: Allen & Unwin