Mia Ryan delights: A lovely, free-spirited servant is dazzled by the romantic attentions of a charming earl… sparking a scandalous affair that could ruin them both.
This is a wonderfully sweet and innocent novella. The town rake falls for the quiet servant. There is nothing dark and twisty about this story. There is nothing horrible going on. Just a gradual falling in love between two people who would not necessarily otherwise have been bought together.
There are a number of somewhat insane moments throughout this novella, but I honestly think that one of my favourite things is the battle with the damn parrot. It is so completely obsessed, and adds a great sense of humour to a story that would otherwise just be a cute, sweet journey.
Ultimately, I love that this story is about two people falling in love. One woman finding her own way in the business world. And finding a way to break the bounds of convention – he might be of the ton, but he’ll still marry the woman he loves. Even if she does go into business and does things just a little differently…
Patrick has always enjoyed being footloose and uncaring about the responsibilities he should have. But a mysterious fae has sent him running back to Cainsville. And no matter how hard he fights, the future is going to have it’s own way.
When I first bought Omens, I didn’t realise that there was a fae aspect to the storyline. Or at least, not one that is very strong. I just loved past works by Kelley Armstrong, so figured that I would get some more of her books. And then I realised that there was a whole slew of short stories that take place before Omens. So I figured I had better read those too. And, honestly, it wasn’t until this short story that I understood how much of an impact the fae were going to have on this story.
I loved the introduction of Patrick in this story. He is everything that I imagine when I think of a puckish, trickster-like fae. He keeps a balance and makes sure that he repays all of his debts. He pursues his own interests and pleasure, regardless of what other people think or want to know about his life. And he DOES NOT want any responsibility – so the fact that he is embroiled in a pretty major prophecy, one that is filled with responsibility… it’s pretty damn good.
There was something that was surprisingly fun about this dark little origins story. And it is the very epitome of origins stories – the story of how a character I’m going to assume will be very important is bought into the world. And the horrible characters which will be a huge part of their lives…
Title: Silver and Gold Author: Ellen Steiber In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Poetry, Retellings Dates read: 20th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Prime Books Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: is it any wonder I went deeper and deeper into the green trees?
A beautiful poem that investigates the reasons why we tend to follow the wolf off of the trodden path.
I absolutely loved this poem adaptation to Little Red Riding Hood. It’s not generally one of my favourite fairy tales – so many plot holes, but this one kind of took those into account. It questioned how you wouldn’t know that the shape in the bed was the damn wolf. It questioned why you would follow a wolf into the woods.
But, mostly what I loved about this poem was the fact that it had a much more adult take on the fairy tale. It was about following things that you just know aren’t good for you. But you’ll follow that anyway, it’s how we learn after all.
This is a great, easy to follow poem. There are hidden layers throughout it. But there is also a great and obvious storyline at the forefront too.
Title: The Last Thunder Song Author: John G. Neihardt In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 20th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Very few have recognized it as such; there was so little noise along with it.
An interesting mix of cowboys and Native Americans. Rituals and practices.
In this collection, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, this is the first of the short stories that has a very obviously Native American influence. Which was incredibly refreshing. It was nice to have a Western which didn’t feature cowboys and the such. Although, it still did… just not as overwhelmingly so. Overall, this was quite a nice, differently featured short story.
I was hoping that as I read through this collection, the genre of westerns would begin to grow on me… so far, it hasn’t happened. However, I think that this story made a good attempt. I did enjoy it, I just wasn’t totally enthralled by it.
As with many of the other short stories in this collection, this was a nice, simple and easy read. It was quick and pleasant. But not the kind of story that I plan on reading again and again.
Title: Vampire Dragon Author: Annette Blair Series: Works Like Magick #3 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Magic, Paranormal romance Dates read: 22nd – 24th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: That is how I learned ‘trick dick’.
In Salem, Massachusetts, the Works Like Magick employment agency matches clients in need with magical temps. This time it brings two heart mates together, but when neither is who they appear to be, true danger could be even closer than true love…
Darkwyn, a former Roman warrior turned dragon, has landed in the 21sst century – in stark-naked human form – needing the help of Works Like Magick to build a new life. His first job is as a bouncer in Drak’s Place, a club for local wannabe vampires. But that’s just a cover – his real assignment could kill him.
Bronte McBride is on the run from the mob with her twelve-year-old nephew, Zachary. They both know too much, and a place like Drak’s offers the kind of anonymous protection they’re seeking. Darkwyn has what it takes to protect – and serve – even when he begins to suspect that his vulnerable charge, a woman he recognizes as his heart mate, isn’t everything she claims to be. Then again, Darkwyn has his own secrets. And now, as the past catches up with both of them, nothing less than ultimate chaos will be the next thing these guarded new lovers are destined to share.
I didn’t love this as much as the first two books in Works Like Magick. I think because I was still hanging out for a story featuring Vivica. And I found this a bit of a sad conclusion to the ending of this trilogy – normally the final book rounds out the battles that are being faced. But this is still very open ended with more dragon brothers due to come in and Killian still on the run… it’s a great story, but everything just felt a little unfinished.
Although I didn’t necessarily love this story as much as the first two tales, I did absolutely adore Darkwyn. He is difficult, contrary and not the most stable of characters. I love that he’s a little ADD with his approach to learning about how to acclimate to the rest of the world. I also love that he begins his romantic relationship with Bronte within the first few chapters where the other couples took a little longer to get there…
The setting for Vampire Dragon, whilst not my favourite, was one of the more humorous settings. It was one which felt beautifully ironic and kitschy… I did spend a lot of the time trying to figure out if the vampires in this story were actually real or just people posers. Then the masks just made it more and more kitschy as time went on. Not a bad setting and backdrop – but definitely not one that I completely adored and wanted more of.
Whilst I had a few concerns about this story, mostly in that it didn’t quite make my expectations, I did also seriously enjoy it. Puck the parrot is just adorable and hilarious. Bronte and Zack are the perfect beginnings to a family when Darkwyn joins. And the moments of bliss and relationship that develop throughout the story are just fun. Mostly, I loved Darkwyn – he was scattered, jumpy, and yet single-minded right the way through. A good little ending to a trilogy, I just need to get over my obsession with Jayden and Vivica…
Title: Bedeviled Angel Author: Annette Blair Series: Works Like Magick #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Magic, Paranormal romance Dates read: 20th – 22nd May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: I’m glad you’re here.
At the Works Like Magick employment agency in Salem, Massachusetts, matching clients in need with magical temps is a piece of cake, especially when the temp happens to be heaven-sent…
When Queisha Saint-Denis agreed to be a surrogate mother for a jet-setting – but childless – couple, she never dreamed she’d see a return on her fit. Literally. But now she’s looking at two adorable orphans, who come with a lot of baggage: there’s a battle brewing over who “inherits” them and their huge fortune, plus an unwanted (and alarmingly attractive) guardian, whom she’s sure has been hired by the duelling family members to keep an eye on her more than the children.
Chance Godricson is keeping an eye on Queisha. In fact, he’s her guardian angel. Ever since he gave his life to save hers, Chance has felt an undeniable connection to Queisha. And now that he’s back on Earth, in her house, surrounded by two scene-stealing moppets and a woman he finds irresistible, Chance is about to discover that helping Queisha and still staying angelic is not going to be easy…
I had honestly expected the second book in this series to be about Jayden and Vivica. After all, he’s the second dragon brother to rock up in Naked Dragon. Instead, it is about a character that I didn’t even know was likely to show up. And I wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed. After all, Queisha and Chance turn out to be a lovely couple and you just can’t but fall for them. Over and over and over again.
There is nothing like a flawed heroine to make you fall in love. And, normally, these flaws seem to come in the shape of some tragic past that makes the characters prickly and somewhat difficult. Untrusting. Something like that. Queisha has had a tragic past, and there’s a fair bit of mystery that gets unravelled throughout this story. But what I really loved is that her flaw is so unlike that of any other character so far – she’s an agoraphobe. Dealing with a mental illness amongst the rest of the storyline was a brilliant way to create a new character. I feel like I need more stories with mental health being the flaw, rather than trust or some form of more aggressive response.
Amongst a fallen angel and an agoraphobe with some skeletons in the closet, Blairmanaged to throw in two gorgeous little girls. The fact that one carries the same name as me of course just made them all the more loveable. Amongst some more serious, seductive moments throughout this story, there are these gorgeous sparks of humour and fun that the twins bring to life. It also makes a fun, ready-made family story that doesn’t have all the messiness of pregnancy, hormones and new borns…
Bedeviled Angelis a sweet and easy read. It’s one that has this constant threat of destruction to the happiness of everyone hanging over their heads. A threat implicit in the removal of the twins to a new guardian, the loss of Chance when he gets his wings back… everything in this story, every happiness is under threat. Which, of course just makes you rip through it all the quicker. Just so you can be sure that there is actually a happily ever after at the end…
Title: Naked Dragon Author: Annette Blair Series: Works Like Magick #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Magic, Paranormal romance Dates read: 19th – 20th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: “American food is new to me.”
As owner of the Works Like Magick Employment Agency in Salem, Massachusetts, Vivica Quinlan has a gift for perfectly matching clients with magical temps that works like a charm every time…
McKenna Greylock contacts Vivica in desperate need of a jack-of-all-trades handyman to help repair her Victorian bed-and-breakfast. She has a shoestring budget and ninety days to meet the building inspector’s approval – or the house will be repossessed and purchased by a duplicitous developer.
To McKenna’s surprise, Vivica sends the gorgeous Bastian Dragonelli, who not only possesses the speed, strength, and agility to get the job done, but also sets her soul abalze with a fiery passion she’s never experienced before. And if McKenna can accept Bastian’s true nature – as a dragon warrior – she’ll find her life heating up in more ways than one…
There is something so simple and easy about Blair’swriting that hooks me every damn time. It’s not quite a guilty pleasure, because you just feel so at peace when you’re reading her works. But it’s also not exactly the kind of book that I rave about. After all, the very simplicity and joy that her writing brings isn’t the kind of earth-shattering, life altering storyline that my loved ones really care about. That, and the fact that the overarching synopsis of this story – dragon falls to earth, works as a handyman at a future B&B, falls for the owner, they battle an evil developer… it’s not the kind of synopsis that is going to make people say “tell me more”.
I really like that Blair tends to feature women who aren’t necessarily what you would consider typical – whatever their deal. In the case of MacKenna, she is curvy, a bit of a farm girl and definitely of the nurturing type. In fact, you can tell in every action that she yearns to nurture and love others. Even if others haven’t returned that favour. Blair is able to deal with and highlight issues that we all have about our own feelings of worth and self-image in a way that makes you reflect on your own issues and perceptions of self. Yet, it is done in such a gorgeously gentle way that left me with a huge smile on my face.
No matter how many books I read, I will always love stories that feature a dragon. Although this is a dragon stuck in man form, he still has a small dragon that flies around and assists him in his adventures. I love the cuteness of Jock, especially since he seems to just backup whatever it is that Bastian wants done. I would love to have a handy little dragon assisting me in all of my many endeavours. That, and an annoying little fairy that likes to nest in hair… the optimum sidekicks in this gorgeous little romance.
I absolutely adored this novel. And the moment that I finished it, I picked up Bedeviled Angel. In fact, as I’m writing this review (24 hours after finishing Naked Dragon), I am already halfway through the next novel. Blair’s work may be somewhat simple and calm, but it is also a great read. One that you can pick up and put down whenever you want that great feeling, a pick me up, or just something to occupy yourself when your going for a nice, long walk…
Prepare to be seduced by powerful magic — the sorcery of lust, need, and sensuality. Multiple award-winners Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have gathered together twenty-two tales of unearthly temptations wickedly concocted by some of today’s most potent literary conjurers — including Neil Gaiman, Jan Yolen, Michael Swanwick, and Joyce Carol Oates. Here are stories of incubi and succubi, of forbidden fruits harvested in erotic gardens, of pleasures that persist beyond death. So heed the sirens’ song. Lie back, relax, and submit to the darkest delights you have ever experienced.
This collection isn’t quite toe curling, it isn’t quite horrific, but a nice mix between the two. It makes you think about the weirdness of sexuality. And the uniqueness of those things that go bump in the night. And thrive upon our sexual, deepest, darkest desires. I was honestly expecting this to be a little more of an uncomfortable read. However, mostly, I just found it intriguing.
This is a great collection of some very familiar authors, and some very new authors. It was a good way to depart from the realities of the world and be entertained by the imaginations of some very creative people. It wasn’t necessarily my favourite collection ever, the thread tying each of these tales together wasn’t as distinct as other collections. But it was a seriously enjoyable journey regardless.
This is definitely a collection that I’ll pick up again at some point in the future. It’s fun, light and easy. Also, there are a number of authors that I still need to hunt out books for… I enjoyed each and everyone of these stories.
Title: All Gold Canyon Author: Jack London In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 19th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: The man scratched his head perplexedly and looked a few feet up the hill at the manzanita bush that marked approximately the apex of the “V”.
Welcome to All Gold Canyon, the place where dreams can come true… and things get steadily more and more dangerous.
I’ve heard of the name Jack London many times when discussing classic American literature. I’ve never had the pleasure of actually reading any of his work though. So this was a great little hint as to the style and depth of his writing. Still not necessarily keen on Westerns, but most definitely enjoyed the style of his writing.
I’m truly intrigued to try and read more of London’s work after this short story. It was not necessarily filled with content that I find near and dear to me. But it was definitely a better style of writing than I’ve found so far. I really loved the pacing and form.
I would probably read this short story again. There was so much that I felt like I missed, and I would be intrigued to see how a reread would illuminate the story to myself and my crazy literary mind.
Title: Miss Ill-Kept Runt Author: Glen Hirshberg In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Family, Horror Dates read: 19th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Toward the red and beating thing.
Chloe doesn’t understand why all of her family has changed. Maybe it IS just the move… or is it something far, far darker?
This was seriously dark and twisty. At first, I kind of thought that Chloe was being stolen by body snatchers. And, since the whole story is written in her very innocent voice, that was even more tragic than it would normally be. Mostly though, it is the idea of a young girl who is supposed to be surrounded by a loving family… not being surrounded by love. And then you find the twist.
You get this idea throughout that the older brother was somehow close to dying when they were young or a baby. That his very nickname of Miracle has a whole slew of meanings. Not necessarily happy, positive meanings either. The idea of any child being referred to as a miracle kind of makes me a little squirly inside.
This is one of those stories that once you turn that final page you just want to grab your loved ones close. There is such an open ended, chilling ending to this that is just downright uncomfortable. Which of course is why it takes centre stage in this collection.
Earth and Skye 