Distress Call by Connie Willis

Book Review, ,
Overview
Hauntings: Datlow, Ellen: 9781616960889: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Distress Call
Author: Connie Willis
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Admittedly, I found this a little bit hard to follow exactly what was going on. But I actually think that that lent to the air of horror in this story. I mean, when it is hard to pinpoint something, you tend to feel more uncomfortable about it. That whole fear of the unknown thing. And in the case of this short story, it definitely left me feeling a whole lot more “haunted” when I turned that final page.

Maybe another reason why I found this story so unexplainably emotionally poignant was the fact that it was all about a mother wanting to protect her child. I mean, even after death, she is driven to protect her baby and make sure that she is safe. I completely understand that drive, and anytime you can relate to the characters, there’s going to be a much stronger emotional connection.

The part that made this kind of hard to follow was the constant talk of the titanic. It definitely leant to the feeling of fatality and haunting in this. But I spent half the story wondering if they were titanic ghosts haunting, or just that there were some lovely parallels. And honestly, I’m still not 100%. But I enjoyed it anyway. It’s kind of fun to fill in those gaps and confusions on your own…

<- The Pennine Tower RestaurantThe Horn ->

Image source: Amazon

Cristal Y Ceniza by Anna-Marie McLemore

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Cristal Y Ceniza
Author: Anna-Marie McLemore
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This was a wonderfully unique spin on the Cinderella fairy tale. One that wasn’t dark and twisted. Rather, one that was about a young girl who was trying to find a way to save her family. And in doing so manages to capture the attention of the prince. And the king and queen. And just generally a whole heap of people. It also had a number of wonderful LGBTQI+ spins throughout that helped it become even more beautiful and inclusive.

The “Cinderella” in this story is travelling to the ball not to win over the prince, or to find a better fate for herself. But, to save her mothers from being separated – they live in a country that separates those who are in same-sex relationships and forces them to remarry into hetero-couples (feels a little too hauntingly familiar in this day and age). The fact that there is magic to be had to send her there and it is the very family she is trying to save who also act as the fairy godmothers makes it all that much better.

Then there is the fact that the prince is actually trans. The immediate understanding in his activities when the “Cinderella” states her case is really sweet and made my heart melt a little bit. There was the obvious moment of attraction and lust between the two, but it was the support that I found to be truly romantic. Maybe that’s because lust and attraction can be fleeting – but supporting one another? That’s forever.

Lastly, I loved the courage that is shown throughout this. When offered a sure thing to save just her family, the girl decides to go with the uncertainty to try and help everyone. It’s such a nice moment and a reminder that although not everyone will always do the right thing, there are plenty of people who are willing to try. A great short story of romance, love and the need to fight for what is right in the world.

<- The Scarlet WomanLiberia ->

Image source: Goodreads

Reading Update – Mid June 2023

List, ,

There always seems to be a bit of a gap and randomness in my reading updates these days. Although I do TRY and make it so that there is no gap. This is mostly because I have an insane toddler on the run. And now I have another bun in the oven, so this may become even MORE sporadic as time passes. But it’s still a nice thing to do and update. So here is the latest tales that I have dived right into. I hope you enjoy my thoughts.

Series

Short story collections

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Novellas

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Guilty Pleasures
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1993

Thoughts

As keen as I’ve been to actually get into this series (I love some of the older urban fantasy / vampire books), it took me 1) forever to actually pick this up and 2) a little while to actually get into this storyline. I love that Anita’s background (both socially and genetically) is quite a mystery from the very beginning, and it makes you ask a whole lot of questions from the very first page. But, it did take quite a bit to get into the actual action. I appreciated all of the work that Hamilton went to to actually set up the whole background story and this world. But it was also somewhat slow going to get there. Having said that, as soon as I FINALLY started to get into the action, this became a very hard book to put down.

As much as I might lament how long it took to get into the action of this story, I did seriously love how this is the beginning to a series. From the very first page you can feel all the things that Hamilton is trying to set up in her storyline. That there is going to be reveal after reveal throughout the series. There are just so many secrets, not just in some of Anita’s partial immunity, but also what kind of connection she now has to some of the master vampires in the city, the politics that she’s facing going forwards, and whether we’re going to see the rat king again. I also loved that although it’s obvious that Anita has some extra-ness to a normal human, she’s also so completely human. In fact, throughout most the story she tends to lament how human she is and what danger she is placing herself in. The battle is won by intelligence and trickery, not brute force, the only way to win against a bigger and scarier opponent.

I have a lot of urban fantasy / vampire books on my shelves that I truly love reading. However, most of them are most definitely a lot less adult in feeling than this one. There is talk about sex clubs, orgies and fetishes. All things that are not as blatantly addressed in many of my other books. Which, of course is part of what I loved about this. I mean, a lot of people sexualise vampirism today, so why not include that in a story which actually features these beasties? I love how it is such an uncomfortable relationship in this book – the woman who hunts the vampires and the people who fetishise them. There’s a wish to not totally ignore each other and be a total dick, but also serious discomfort which left me feeling a bit uncomfortable on reading some of these scenes too.

Although this was a slow start and it took me a while to fall in love, once I did, I dived right in. I can’t wait to read The Laughing Corpse and hopefully have a few of my lingering questions about Anita answered. Although, I’m sure that there will then be a whole slew of new questions to ask…

<- More Laurell K. HamiltonThe Laughing Corpse ->

Image source: Amazon

Play Smart by Aly Stiles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Play Smart
Author: Aly Stiles, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Work For It #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I love how Play Smart manages to build not only on Street Smart and touches on the rest of the Work For It series, but it also builds further upon the Elements of Chemistry series. There were so many easter eggs in this story that I noticed and absolutely loved. I can’t imagine how many more there will be when I do a reread. It’s always fun when you read series that are interconnected and notice all of those little nods to other stories. But when it’s the SmartyPants Universe and all of these nods are to other peoples’ works… priceless.

But to the actual book (I could go on forever about how amazing the whole SmartyPants Universe is). Play Smart is wonderful. It follows Marcus’ (from Street Smart) roommate as he too tries to enter the corporate world. I’m looking forward to another tale about the third roommate, but again, I digress. I love that Nash is kind of ridiculously sexy. Intelligent, moody, musician who is forced into the corporate world because… money. Although, as with all of the wonderfully flawed characters that I love, there are many moments when he kind of needs to get over himself and act like an adult.

Contrastingly, Paige is actually a little bit stuck up. She is pretty quick to judge, which makes the conflict between her and Nash from the beginning kind of priceless. But, I love that she is willing to try and see things from another point of view. In fact, as she realises how wrong her initial impressions were, she is able to correct her thinking. And eventually save the day. I can’t wait to see how this benefits Martin and has major impacts in the future.

Chad is a character that you love to hate from Street Smart, as is Reedwether. I loved their bumbling reintroduction in this tale. I mean, there isn’t a moment that they’re in that didn’t have me giggling and smiling. I mean, honestly, it concerns me that they actually reminded me of people who are that truly clueless in real life. Stiles has created these characters that are kind of scary in the fact that they hold power and are morons, but are also just wonderfully hilarious. They act as a great counterpoint to the intensity of Nash and Paige’s developing relationship and all of the espionage that is occurring to drive the rest of the storyline. Honestly, this whole story was just brilliant and wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyable and one of my favourite reads this year.

<- Smart MouthLook Smart ->

Image source: BookBub

Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Dewey Belong Together
Author: Ann Whynot, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Library #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was an incredibly and wonderfully different spin on the enemies-to-lovers trope. For starters, the enemies have only ever met online and never in person. For another thing, only one of the couple believes that they are enemies – Maxine is sure that “Wrath” is her mortal enemy. But it’s definitely a one-sided feeling of antagonism. Mostly though, I love that this story is one that features two people who have spent ten years getting to know one another and being a part of each others’ lives, only to find that in person they are vastly different to what they expected. Definitely a romance for the modern day.

Not only was this a fun and unique romance, but I also love how Whynot addresses the sexism in the gaming community (one of many). I mean, just because she’s good, everyone assumes that Max is a man, and when she does actually correct those misconceptions and assumptions, there are a lot of people who are actually mad. Because she doesn’t have a penis. I mean, seriously? What is with everyone’s obsession with genitalia? Whynot makes some wonderful commentaries on just how people try and negotiate this space and how ridiculous it is.

On the topic of gender and sexuality and all of that nonsense, I love that Jonathan actually goes through his own journey of discovery before even meeting Max. I mean, someone who grew up in a small-town acknowledging that they have feelings for another (they think) man, and just… dealing with it. Is phenomenal. In fact, there is a great discussion in this about being pansexual, and also the pointlessness of actually labelling your sexuality. You like who you like.

Lastly, Whynot does a great job of talking about bipolar disorder. There is such a negative stigma attached to any mental health, and she is able to address it in a way that is realistic and accepting. A reminder that, honestly, we all have our own battles to fight, and bipolar is no different in that sense. But also the challenges of living with a condition that is chronic forever, you might be able to treat it and deal with it, but it is always there.

I loved this SmartyPants Romance book, not just because I thought that it was a fantastic modern day romance, but also because I love how Whynot deals with some pretty serious issues. She deals with bipolar, mental health, abuse, sexism, and so many different things. But in a way that maintains the seriousness of the issues, whilst also giving you a light and happily ever after kind of read.

<- Love in DeedHotshot and Hospitality ->

Image source: Amazon

Love in Deed by L.B. Dunbar

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Love in Deed
Author: L.B. Dunbar, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Library #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Bev and Jedd, with their future romance and it’s place in the SmartyPants Romance world was touched upon in Love in Due Time. So I’ve kind of been intrigued to see how it would unfold. Having said that, Bev wasn’t exactly the kind of heroine that I was chomping at the bit to read about. But then you finally get to their story. And you know what? Whilst I didn’t still fall completely in love with Bev, her story is heartbreaking and you can begin to understand just why she acts the way she does. Although this story doesn’t necessarily feature my favourite characters, it actually is some of my favourite growth of characters.

Bev’s bitterness, whilst limiting and kind of horrible, is also amazing. I knew that it would be a bit more difficult to read (there’s a bit of a note in the front from the author, and things are hinted at it Love in Due Time). I really wasn’t expecting the depth of abuse and nastiness though. But, again, it was actually Bev’s growth that I loved the most. She finally begins to come to terms with her past decisions and actions and takes back her own life. The nasty and bitter cycles that she’s fallen into pretty much just fall away and she finds her inner strength again. It was also fun contrasting the current Bev to the Bev that Jedd remembers – how that backbone and steel spine have always been there and it just takes a bit of a push for her to find it.

For me, this story was mostly about Bev and her growth, the fact that she falls in love on the wayside is just a nice bonus. And I really loved the fact that Jedd’s presence is the catalyst for her change, not the cause. As much as I’m a big believer in love, I don’t enjoy the idea that it takes love to actually fix us. That’s a personal journey and a personal decision, but love can be a great catalyst. Jedd’s constant pushing is a great catalyst and it made me appreciate all of the character dynamics in this even more. It was most definitely beautiful.

I don’t read many contemporary romances (or, for that matter, many books) that have differently abled leads. I love that this is a romance that feature two differently abled individuals. Ones who have to overcome the change in their circumstances to move forward with their lives. And, at the beginning you have someone who is still dwelling on the past which has led to her restrictions, and one man who has just embraced it and decided to move forward and embrace life. Sure, there’s been a process for both of them, but I love how people’s first impressions of them are not glossed over and ignored. Rather, it is acknowledging that people will jump to conclusions and that’s on them, not the person they are judging.

This is a fantastic romance that has a whole lot of character growth. Dunbar brilliantly works with her characters in this story to give a textured tale that I look forward to reading again and again. On every rereading, I feel that I will appreciate the phenomenal characterisation on a whole other level. Something that wonderful authors are able to do.

<- Carpentry and CocktailsDewey Belong Together ->

Image source: Amazon

No Whisk No Reward by Ellie Kay

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: No Whisk No Reward
Author: Ellie Kay, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Donner Bakery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I thought that Joel and Sophie were a really lovely couple, although there is definitely the instant attraction moment for them, there is also a nice, slow build of their relationship. It’s the way that they slowly get to know one another that I truly enjoyed and found kind of adorable. I mean, the attraction and yumminess in their relationship is brilliant, but I love how they get to know one another slowly.

Although the relationship is built on Joel and Sophie slowly getting to know one another, there Meet Cute is incredibly, well, cute. Not only is it because Sophie has an accident (and is also the reason that she ends up stuck in Green Valley for a little while), but it’s also Sophie’s reactions to their first meeting. I mean, who wouldn’t worry that the tall, handsome stranger walking towards you on an abandoned road isn’t a serial killer? It would definitely be one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind.

In fact, all of Sophie’s inner dialogue throughout this had me smiling and laughing out loud. It sounded a little bit too close to my own at times, the rambling, the disjointed-ness and the sheer humour of her inner cynic. Plus, interwoven throughout all of this was the many different bits of yummy food. Food that made me constantly want to go and bake while reading this – I didn’t, because I also didn’t want to put my book down.

I used to watch some of those competition cooking shows – not many, but a few. And I never really thought about what happened to those who flamed out. I mean, they’ve done it on national tv, so surely there’s going to be ramifications. But I never really thought all that much about it. No Whisk No Reward actually made me consider what, not only the social and job-related ramifications can be, but also just how that impacts the psychological health and wellbeing of the individual too. It was a really nice moment towards the end when Sophie finds a way to move beyond this.

Although Sophie and Joel’s romance is a Green Valley story, I love that it wasn’t about a couple that was ever going to stay. Rather, it was a moment in time for them that they’ll always remember, but they decide to move on to the next steps in life. A lot of familiar, wonderful faces to while away the time, but also a nice reminder that sometimes small town romances aren’t about stagnating in a small town.

<- More SmartyPants RomanceDough You Love Me? ->

Image source: Amazon

Last Guard by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Last Guard
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

The role of Anchors in the Psy-Net are briefly touched upon in Bonds of Justice, but then that was kind of it. It may be MUCH later in the series, it was nice to find out a whole lot more about this designation. Every time I pick up a new book by Singh set in this world, a whole new layer of discovery is opened to me. And I am loving every minute of it. The nuances of the Anchor designation was kind of unexpected, and most definitely fun. I found the description of their experiences on the mental plane to be oddly beautiful, probably one of the easiest moments in the series thus far for me to picture in my mind’s eye.

Aside from the expansion on the Anchors, I also loved how the Mercant clan is being expanded upon. Particularly because Canto is absolutely awesome. He is one of the few Psy to have a physical disability (actually one of the few in the whole series), but he is also whip-smart and driven. The background of how he was bought into the family fold and what he went through as a child was even better. Especially when you realise that the person who wreaks revenge on those who wronged him is not who you expected. So many more characters and layers to get to know there.

The Raos contrastingly were not a family that I necessarily loved getting to know – or loved to hate getting to know them. I mean, they have been a peripheral power player throughout the series. But getting to know the psychopaths? It was kind of scary, but also amazing. I kind of wondered if the Architect came from this stock earlier in this Psy-Changeling Trinity, but now that it’s clear she doesn’t… I’ll have to continue guessing and trying to figure out just who they are. I feel sure we’ve already heard mention of them or met them… Maybe it’s Tatiana? Though surely Kaleb would have an inkling of that… but I digress. Back to the awesomeness of Last Guard.

I love that for all of the drama and battles that Payal has to face, ultimately her loyalty and care is actually rewarded at the end of this story. She overcomes a heck of a lot throughout this story. But the fact that at the final hour of fear, her kindness and wonderful behaviour are what helps her to survive. That, and the fact that Canto and Payal are now this incredibly scary power couple, everything had a nice karmic ending. At  least for some of the characters, for others, well, it’s clear that the story is just beginning.

It was intriguing to see how the PsyNet is continuing to unravel and the many ways that their livelihoods are being threatened. This is definitely a very psy-heavy book and series at the moment, but man do I love it. And now I can’t wait to pull out Storm Echo and disappear down this happy little rabbit hole all over again.

<- Alpha NightStorm Echo ->

Image source: Amazon

Alpha Night by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Alpha Night
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

For all of the different types of romance throughout the Psy-Changeling books, this is the first love / mated at first sight story. And I absolutely loved it. Ethan and Selenka are a wonderful couple. They’re just so damn cute and fantastic together. And I love how it’s a story of understanding that they’re meant for each other, but they also need to learn how to get to know one another.

Yet, like all of the books in this big, wonderful, epic series, this novel isn’t just about the romance. The death of a packmate and the threat of Blaise all make this a heart thumping, can’t put down kind of read. You kind of guess whereon of the threats to the wolf pack comes from. But you also need that confirmation, Singh can throw in some curveballs.

Another wonderful curve all thrown into Alpha Night is the unravelling of Ethan’s powers. You understand that he (most probably) won’t die, but that threat seriously messes with you. The moment you find out more about his power all of those hints that Singh has thrown in start to make total sense. I look forward to my reread and all of the hints and moments being even more obvious and findable.

The brutalities of changeling law, Arrow training and the particular brutalities of Ethan’s past all combine beautifully in this novel. I love how both changeling and arrow law dovetail nicely together. Which, obviously makes Ethan (like Sienna) the perfect mate for a wolf alpha. The fact that Memory and Alexei also have their own significant moments in this further connects this world happily.

The overarching villain of this series is most definitely the Architect. I love all of the hints and clues that are peppered throughout this novel. I spent a lot of time trying to put together some of these clues and figure out just who she (I’m of the belief that it’s a she) is…. must keep reading to see how this all unfolds!!!

<- Wolf RainLast Guard ->

Image source: Amazon