I Dream of Grizzly by Keira Blackwood & Eva Knight

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: I Dream of Grizzly
Author: Keira Blackwood & Eva Knight
Series: The Protectors: Quick Bites #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored the idea of a Dream Witch. It was a little bit unique and a whole lot of fun. Plus, the ways in which Valerie tests to see if she’s actually in a dream are good fun. I mean, she counts figures and runs through a whole bunch of steps before getting around to just pinching herself. That, and the idea of Dream witches opens up a whole new paranormal world for my enjoyment.

I figured fairly early on in this that the villain in this was going to be a bit creepy. And that he had some kind of ties to Valerie’s daily life. But, the reality was a little bit scarier and more uncomfortable than I’d anticipated. That, and he was a whole lot more involved in her past tragedies than I had anticipated.

Although Valerie isn’t totally in control now her powers, I love that she’s able to conjure her mate. I truly love the ides of fated mates who will do anything for each other. Mates that are able to fight against the confines of reality. Alright, fighting snakes in your dreams with a sexy man hunk might not be my total ideal situation, but I like the idea of someone by your side while fighting the horrible snake things.

Even though I’d guessed that the villain would be someone in Valerie’s life, I didn’t actually guess who the culprit would be. I was 100% expecting it to be the dorky partner. And even if I was a little disappointed it wasn’t him, I now want his story.

<- Midnight WishThe Ocean’s Roar ->

Image source: Amazon

Misadventure by Stephen Gallagher

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Misadventure
Author: Stephen Gallagher
In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2007

Thoughts

This was actually a surprisingly sweet short story, even if it was also horrible. I mean, it had this kind of nice quality about it that somehow softened the edges of the horror. I mean, it’s still slightly horrible, just less so than originally expected.

There are two parallel stories within this tale – both about children whose lives were put at risk because their friends just didn’t want to call for help. I hate that this is not a surprising bent in a horror – it just makes it all that much more depressing that for one of these stories, the outcome was not a positive one. This is probably where the greatest horror of the story comes from – that realistic aspect.

Alongside all of the different creepy parts of this story, I love how there are a lot of ghosts and their lingering. That they continuously linger all around us, trying to get their final bit of peace.

<- Riding BitchThe Forest ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Lemming Factor by Isobelle Carmody

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

Title: The Lemming Factor
Author: Isobelle Carmody
In: Green Monkey Dreams (Isobelle Carmody)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Family, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 1996

Thoughts

Something about this short story made it feel like everyone was just… charging towards their death. Which kind of makes sense, since its a story called The Lemming Factor. And even, with the uncertain ending to this, I still felt like the majority had literally been running towards their death.

The Lemming highlights how damaging it can be to only look out for yourself. And how the great importance of loyalty and family is what often carries us through. I love that one of those who was thought to be the ‘winners’ of the race, was more focused on their family.

I felt like there were so many meanings to this story. And many possible interpretations. But, even if you’re not trying to unravel the hidden meanings, the very simple act of running after the pied piper provided and entertaining read.

<- The BeastThe Monster Game ->

Image source: Allen & Unwin

The Last Priestess by Elizabeth Baxter

Book Review
Overview

Title: The Last Priestess
Author: Elizabeth Baxter
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I started off absolutely loving this story, but lost interest really quickly. The drama started off really well and pulled me in, but then I found that there was too much focus on highlighting the conflict of the two factions within this story. Personally, I would’ve preferred that the characters actually moved forwards with their journey and development. Not a book or author that I’ll be excited to read again.

Image source: Kobo

Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell

Book Review
Overview

Title: Knot My Type
Author: Evie Mitchell
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved that this was an Aussie author. And I absolutely love the premise of this story. I mean, I was seriously intrigued by accessibility in sex and knot play. Sadly, I got another halfway through this before I gave up. I just know a book isn’t for me when I’m not really excited to see what happens next. And that, sadly is where I found myself.

Image source: Amazon

Just a California Girl by Naomi Springthrop

Book Review
Overview

Title: Just a California Girl
Author: Naomi Springthorp
Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

The cover of this novel did kind of put me on the back foot, but I figured I’d still give it a go. Sadly, I just didn’t like the main character from the very beginning. She was just a little bit too dramatic. And honestly, there was a major cringe factor from the very beginning. Who in the heck pretends to be British? Find their true love and then has to deal with the pretence?

I got three chapters into this before giving up. It might be the right type of book for other people, but for me, it was a bit meh. Partly for the falsity of the whole British accent thing. Partly because I’m honestly just not all that into reading about party girls.

Image source: Amazon

House Lost at Sea by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The House Lost at Sea
Author: R.J. Blain
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Pirates, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I wanted to love this novel a whole lot more than I did. I mean, I’ve loved absolutely everything about Blain’s books so far. But there was just something about this one that hit differently. Instead of diving for my ereader to continue with the story like I usually do, I was just… meh about it. I read Blain for the violence, fluff and humour, and although this had it all, I think my biggest issue was that there was a lot of build up, but not much action.

Probably the most repetitive aspect of the beginning of this was Ricardo. I mean, it made sense that Catalina was focused on him. There was a whole, enjoyable backstory there. But then it just kind of kept on going. I mean, I got that there was this fixation – but I wanted more of her past, not just the same focus. It made it a little boring to continue to read.

I absolutely adored the idea and execution of a pirate / shark shifter. Particularly since I’ve read a few books recently about the Golden Age of Pirates. I love all of the research that obviously went into this story. It’s obvious that Blain made a lot of effort to craft this story, and I really enjoyed that fact.

This was a good, fun story. But not one that I felt super excited about. Luckily I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the Blain books on my TBR!

<- More R.J. BlainMore pirates ->

Image source: Kobo

Gimme Some Sugar by Jay Coles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Gimme Some Sugar
Author: Jay Coles
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that this short story is all about soul food made from the soul. It’s also about family and love. And the ways in which food reminds us of who we are. Leo’s love for his family and the catharsis of cooking his love for them is beautiful and drew me in from the very beginning.

Even though this story focuses on a cooking competition, I wasn’t’ convinced that Leo would actually win in the end. It was fun spending the whole time trying to figure out if Leo’s food would actually win the day, or if he would just find a way to be closer to his mother and grandma.

Although this was a fairly simple and enjoyable story, I also enjoyed the fact that there was a little commentary about the cost of life and medical care in the US. It hit a little close to home as I currently have a parent fighting cancer, but, unlike in the US, I live in a country that makes it a lot more affordable to live.

The Hungry Heart Row cooking competition, quite honestly, just sounds delicious. And it definitely made me salivate while I read this.

<- The Slender OneThe Missing Ingredient ->

Image source: Goodreads

Gift of Air by C.L. Carhart

Book Review
Overview

Title: Gift of Air
Author: C.L. Carhart
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This historical fiction based in one of the world wars was not a bad read, but not one that I was in love with. I think I just kept getting stuck on the idea of a woman giving her heart and everything to a man, but he didn’t actually have to give anything in return. Definitely not my idea of a romance or a happily ever after.

Image source: Goodreads

Forbidden Fruit by Roshani Chokshi

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Forbidden Fruit
Author: Roshani Chokshi
In: A Thousand Beginnings and Endings (Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Asia, Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I don’t know the original fairy tale that this is based on, but I definitely loved this retelling. It was everything I love in a good fairy tale – it’s cute and kind of sweet. But with a tragic backstory that made me kind of sad. I definitely plan on adding more of the writing of Chokshi to my TBR now.

This short story had such a sad ending, one that shows just how much miscommunications can hurt. My heart broke a little at the ending. Particularly since it brewed resentment and hurt. But, it had that bittersweet feeling of love and beauty.

I honestly thought that the man would betray the mountain. But, it was actually pride and greed from others that destroyed their happiness. A reminder that sometimes the gods shouldn’t come near humans. And that sometimes fairy tales don’t have a happily ever after.

<- A Thousand Beginnings and EndingsOlivia’s Table ->

Image source: Amazon