The Destiny Equation by J.S. Frankel

September 25, 2024 By Leave a Comment


The Destiny Equation by J.S. Frankel
Publisher: Extasy Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Tempting fate. Is it fixed, or can you fight against it? Jordan Maduro and his girlfriend, Lydia Horiuchi, are about to find out!

Two universes, two lives… one shared fate. Jordan Maduro and Lydia Horiuchi come from two different Earths, but they share a destiny, one that could either mean their salvation—or their destruction.

Adventure is right around the corner.

The pacing was strong and exciting. This was one of those cases where I couldn’t find a good stopping spot when I needed to do something other than read for a while. No sooner did Jordan and Lydia get out of one sticky situation than they soon found themselves in another one thanks to fun plot twists and, in some cases, characters who didn’t do what I expected them to do in all sorts of creative ways. As much as I want to share specific scenes here, I don’t want to spoil anything for other readers given just how many surprises were packed into these pages and how closely entwined some of them are to each other. All I can say is to expect the unexpected, beware of moments that feel peaceful, and don’t assume that the way our world works is necessarily going to be repeated in other universes.

What held this back from a higher rating for me was the character development. There were details about Lydia and Jordan’s lives that were never fleshed out. For example, I wondered why both of them had spent so much of their childhoods in foster care without anyone adopting them. Normally, young, healthy children who can’t reunite with their birth families are adopted pretty quickly where I live, so it surprised me that these two had grown up in foster care. I would have also liked to learn more about their personalities and hobbies as I’d struggle to describe those things in much detail.

As usual, Mr. Frankel did an excellent job with his world building. I’ve been reviewing his books for about a decade now, and his ability to immerse his audience in worlds that have so many important differences from our own is one of the many reasons why I try to be the first reviewer to request his works whenever Long and Short Reviews receives them. I especially loved his descriptions of how one logs into the Internet or makes dinner in this particular world, but I really should leave the details of that for others to discover for themselves just like I did earlier. It was well worth the wait once it did show up in the plot.

The Destiny Equation was an engrossing read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Grimwell by Michael Belanger

September 2, 2024 By 1 Comment


Grimwell by Michael Belanger
Publisher: Woodhall Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the enchanting realm of Grimwell, where books wield an unexpected power to shape destinies. Meet Derek Winnebaker, a spirited barista with a penchant for literature and a taste for strong coffee. When Derek stumbles upon a novel detailing the whimsical adventures of a fantasy creature known as a grimkin, he finds himself irresistibly drawn into its fantastical world.

Using the book as his guide, Derek bravely navigates through life’s twists and turns, transforming from a downtrodden bystander into a courageous protagonist. From mustering the courage to ask out his crush to standing up to his tyrannical boss, Derek’s journey mirrors the epic saga unfolding within the pages of his newfound literary companion. Yet, just as Derek begins to master his narrative, the whims of fate take a dark turn reminiscent of Kafka’s surreal tales, challenging Derek’s agency in his own story.

In this captivating blend of comedy, romance, and twisted fairy tale, Grimwell prompts readers to ponder the profound influence of literature on our lives. Will Derek seize control of his destiny, or will he remain ensnared in the machinations of an unseen narrator? Prepare to be enthralled and enlightened as Grimwell invites you to reconsider the power of storytelling and the choices that shape our realities.

Feeling stuck in life is frustrating, but there are many ways through it.

Derek was a likeable and sympathetic protagonist. While it’s not at all necessary for me to share a lot in common with a main character in order to enjoy reading about them or agree they’re well written, I was delighted to see how much I could identify with his vivid imagination, his love of the fantasy genre, and the troubles he dealt with in real life that didn’t have easy solutions. He was an intelligent person who had made a few understandable mistakes, and I nodded along as he acknowledged where he had gone wrong in the past and what he wished he’d done differently. There is nothing like meeting a character who feels so familiar, and I hope other readers have the same warm and understanding reaction to this realistically flawed but also genuinely good individual.

While I will admit to finding the pacing a little slow in the beginning, this writing style was necessary in order to introduce Derek to the readers and set everything into motion for his grand adventure. I was so glad I remained patient for these sections as they richly rewarded me once I was about sixty pages into it and became a solid five-star read shortly after that. There were plenty of bright spots much earlier than that, of course, but this was the sort of tale that works best in my opinion for readers who are willing to let things simmer a little at first. This is not a criticism, only a heads up for anyone who needs it as there are plenty of wonders waiting to be discovered if one gives them time to appear.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that found creative ways to blend together common fantasy tropes with situations that often happen in the real world. For example, Derek’s manager at work was someone who was excellent at giving orders but rarely interested in rolling up his sleeves and helping his employees actually get anything accomplished when they hit a busy period. I’ll leave it up to other readers to discover how Derek was inspired to try to change this dynamic by how such things can play out in the fantasy genre when a boss is lazy or treats their workers unfairly, but I mentally cheered him on as he realized just how much better things should be for him and everyone else who works in the service industry. This was a clever example of how something can be deeply rooted in more than one genre in ways that enrich both or all of them.

Grimwell made me yearn for a sequel.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Found by Chance by Gareth Chris

August 30, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Found by Chance by Gareth Chris
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ,
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Chance has an unexpected attraction to his neighbors—a gay couple—and this unconventional relationship could end Chance’s career and family relationships.

Chance Findley is a successful marketing executive until his career is jeopardized by a disastrous presentation to a Chamber of Commerce member.

During a mandated recuperative break, Chance’s suppressed same-sex attraction reawakens when he bonds with his new neighbor, Arlo, despite Arlo having a physician partner named Charlie and a surprising job as a cam performer. Chance secretly subscribes to Arlo’s fan page. Guilty about his invasion of Arlo’s privacy, Chance avoids his neighbor until an acute medical problem brings Arlo and his doctor boyfriend—the same Chamber of Commerce member who hated Chance’s presentation—to his doorstep. An attraction grows between the three men.

But when Charlie’s attempt to mend Chance’s relationship with his boss backfires due to a potential conflict of interest, and Chance’s parents learn of his relationship with Arlo and Charlie, Chance finds himself out of a job, at odds with his family and struggling with Arlo and Charlie. Will the three of them be able to find a happily-ever-after, despite everything that stands in their way?

Forced to take leave from a job he loves, Chance is lost. And then he meets his neighbor, Arlo, who rolls into his life like a breath of fresh air and tidal wave of joy. But when Chance starts to feel attraction towards Arlo, he begins to question everything he knows about himself and his life. What if the two men next door are the answer to everything he needs?

Arlo is a whirlwind to say the least. He blows into and right back out of Chance’s life several times during the week Chance is moving in. He’s bright, he’s cheerful, and he’s positive no matter how bad the situation seems. While I appreciated such a light hearted character, he did push the limits of my patience at times. However, he was probably my favorite of the three simply because he refused to let life get him down.

Charlie, on the other hand, is very grounded and steady. Considering he’s a doctor, this is to be expected. He’s serious, but doesn’t take himself too seriously either. Truthfully, I can see how he and Arlo wound up together, they create a great balance for each other. One holding the other to reality while the other gives a reminder that things don’t have to always be so serious.

I wasn’t sure how or where Chance would fit into their already functional relationship. Eventually, I figured that Chance’s personality fell smack in the middle between Charlie and Arlo, allowing him to have his crazy moments as well as his more serious ones. I was impressed with how he handled his emerging same-sex attraction to Arlo and Charlie, and how he embraced it rather than fighting it.

Found by Chance is an engaging and uplifting story of finding your way, learning about yourself, and taking on the haters in the world. When you have someone who loves you, and always has your back, you can do and overcome anything, from bigots in the street to hateful family members. You might lose someone in the process, but you’re bound to find someone even more special along the way.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

*Viscount in Love by Eloisa James

August 27, 2024 By Leave a Comment


*Viscount in Love by Eloisa James
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager/ Avon
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

He wants a nanny, not a bride…

Suddenly guardian to twins, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is luckily betrothed to a suitable lady—until she elopes. With no time to woo, Dominic decides to marry his fiancée’s unconventional sister. Torie isn’t perfect, but their kisses are so passionate that society thinks he’s actually chosen her.

She wants to marry for love…

Torie has never been able to make sense of words on a page, so she has turned her talents to art. She longs for a man who values her as she is… but marries for the sake of the twins. She doubts Dominic is capable of love, let alone respect, but as their heated debates turn into something more, Torie begins to imagine a life as a wife, not a nanny.

But when the arrogant viscount finds that his viscountess has stolen his heart, he’ll have to give all he has to win her love.

Viscount in Love is an enchanting historical romance. The characters are endearing and the story kept me entertained and quickly turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

I loved Dom and Tori together. They have explosive chemistry and I enjoyed all of their encounters. Individually they each have insecurities but together they help each other to become confident and happy.

I found it easy to like Dom. He is an alpha male with a blustery temper but he hides his tender heart because he thinks it makes him look weak. Tori helps Dom open his heart and find happiness for the first time. I admired Dom because when he discovers he must care for his sister’s children, he takes his role very seriously. Dom immediately took the children into his home and was willing to give them whatever they needed to thrive. I found myself rooting for the two motherless children in the story and hoping everything would turn out well for them.

Tori has learned to live with all the derogatory comments directed at her from her family, friends and acquaintances. People can be cruel and Tori has learned to live with their remarks. She doesn’t know her worth but Dom is always there for her showing his support and leering at anybody who has anything negative to say about Tori.

This is a captivating romantic story and I loved being in the world that Eloisa James has created. The plot is interesting, the characters are engaging and I never wanted this story to end.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Reincarnation of Marie by Jim Woodman

August 21, 2024 By Leave a Comment


The Reincarnation of Marie by Jim Woodman
Publisher: Legacy Launch Pad
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Facing enlistment in the Algerian War in 1950s Paris, French Army officer Yann Roussel had a heart heavy for the future. Seeking solace, he found The Journal of Marie Bashkirtseff, the diary of a late French-Russian artist who’d lived in Paris in the late 1800s.

The first woman’s diary to ever be posthumously published (to bestselling success), its sensual details of a bohemian life cut short fascinated Roussel. But soon, fascination gave way to near madness when he found himself in love with the spirit of a dead woman.

The Reincarnation of Marie, an epistolary, historical romance by Jim Woodman, tells the story of how Roussel’s obsession led to a doomed love affair with Marya, a haunted young art student with uncanny similarities to Bashkirtseff. Convinced he’d discovered Bashkirtseff’s spirit reincarnated, Roussel found the impossible love he’d been looking for—just on the eve of his leaving for war.

Love is eternal.

Some of the most interesting scenes for this reader were the ones that explored Yann’s obsession with the past and his overwhelming desire to have been born decades before his actual birth. I liked reading about the time he spent wandering around graveyards and visiting the tomb of Marie as he learned more about her life and tried to figure out what her connection to Marya might be. There were melancholic and romantic aspects to his personality that worked nicely for this tale.

I struggled with the plot holes in this novella, especially since the characters didn’t notice or comment on them. It was most distracting when comparing the differences between social norms and medical care in the 1880s versus the 1950s. Seventy years is a long time, and there were several differences between those eras that I wish had been acknowledged as they should have made substantial changes to how the characters’ lives played out in the 1950s. This would have earned a much higher rating from me if those sections had been given more attention.

The romance was sweet and strong. I enjoyed seeing how Yann and Marya reacted to each other when they first met and how they figured out that the connection between the two of them was much stronger than it should have been for virtual strangers. This is a good example of how the love at first sight trope can play out, and it made me curious to see what else Mr. Woodman may have written.

The Reincarnation of Marie was heartwarming.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Witch of the Breton Woods by Jennifer Ivy Walker

August 12, 2024 By 7 Comments


The Witch of the Breton Woods by Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Traumatized by horrors witnessed during the Nazi invasion of France, a young woman retreats to the dense Breton woods where she becomes a member of the clandestine French Resistance. When she finds a critically injured American paratrooper whose plane was shot down, she shelters the wounded soldier in her secluded cottage, determined to heal him despite the enormous risk. Ostracized by villagers who have labeled her a witch, she is betrayed by an informant who reports to the Butcher-the monstrous leader of the local paramilitary organization that collaborates with the Germans. As the enemy closes in, she must elude the Gestapo while helping the Resistance reunite the American with his regiment and join the Allied Forces in the Battle of Brittany. Can true love triumph against all odds under the oppressive Third Reich?

Survival in occupied France is a struggle, but Yvette has no choice. Her home and her family are destroyed, and she lives with constant fear. The little village of Le Vivier-Sur-Mer houses not just French Resistant fighters, but also Nazi collaborators. She lives by bartering, fishing and taking enormous care. So, discovering a foreign solder is not welcome, and not safe. Even so, Yvette hurries to find him help. Finding this soldier adds to her (and her friends’) danger. Beau’s injuries, as well as his predicament, require ongoing help and Yvette steps up.

From the first moments of their meeting, Yvette is shown as caring and unselfish. The author uses everyday activities to show the dedication of her character. Yvette’s efforts to find food and plan special menus for Beau exhibit not only her generosity, but something more. The food (in such short supply!) becomes a link between them, showing both her caring and his appreciation. It cleverly parallels their relationship.

The reader is distantly aware of the happenings of the war, of atrocities committed, of concerns about what might be next: but in every moment, it is Beau and Yvette and their relationship that is important.

I did not care for the presentation of the bad-guy’s point of view; I did not care to read his thoughts or motivations. I have to admit I have a personal dislike of stepping away from the main characters in any work, so it is possibly not quite a fair complaint here. However, this is my only complaint.

Overall, this is a wonderful, captivating novel, and I highly recommend it.

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Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Movie Review: Savoring Paris

August 6, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Savoring Paris by
Writers: Joie Botkin and Victoria Brownlee
Director Clare Niederpruem
Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz and Stanley Weber
Publisher: Hallmark Channel
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars (8 stars on IMDB)
Reviewed by Dicentra

Disillusioned with her life, Ella embarks on a soul-searching journey to Paris where she navigates love, self-discovery and cheese amidst the enchanting backdrop of The City of Love.

Hallmark Channel’s Savoring Paris, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Stanley Weber, is a nice turn away from their previously formulaic movies while still honoring the happily ever after endings the channel is known for. Ella (Bethany Joy Lenz) is disillusioned with her life in the United States and makes the choice to return to Paris in an attempt to recapture the magic from her previous trip (and taste the cheeses she’s never forgotten since). However, she’ll find much more in her interactions with her new friends, her carefree adventures and a “grumpy cheese-monger” named Serge (Stanley Weber).

In the past, with their stereotypical Christmas movies, storylines were very predictable whenever I watched a Hallmark movie. As a result, they came across as less authentic and not like something that could actually happen. I really enjoyed Ella’s journey in this movie, and how the actress delivered her performance in a way that came across as very genuine, funny, and engaging. Her friendships were very relatable, and I appreciated how her mother was overbearing yet gradually backed down on her own (without having to be talked to, like some of the royal parents in other movies).

My only complaint was that the movie was not actually fully filmed in Paris. As part of a set of movies marketed as “Passport to Love”, that was a bit disappointing for me but didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the movie too much. Nevertheless, I think the filmmakers did an excellent job bringing the charm and personality of the city (and its people) to life. The highlight of that was the contrast in the American and French lifestyles – French people work to live and get to enjoy much more of their life. On the other hand, many Americans live to work and forget to take time to savor the moment and enjoy life along the way. Ella did her best to get away from that mindset in this movie, and it was a very fulfilling journey to see.

Overall, this was a very entertaining movie. I’m excited to see the new creative direction Hallmark seems to be going in, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of their new movies as they release. Check out this movie if you like international romances complete with self-discovery and the grumpy x sunshine trope.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Movie Review, Television Show Tagged With: , , , , ,

Seven Times Unto Eternity by J.S. Frankel

July 12, 2024 By 2 Comments


Seven Times Unto Eternity by J.S. Frankel
Publisher: Extasy Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Being reincarnated over and over is one thing. Becoming the opposite sex is another. But saving the world is an entirely different story—and it’s also a lot stranger.

You get only one go-around in life, or so the experts say. Paige DeMaster, almost nineteen years of age, formerly Callisto Merriwether, formerly five other lives, has seven chances to right a major wrong. She has seven chances to save the world as well as save herself—and now she’s down to her last chance.

Saving the world is much more difficult than it looks!

I enjoyed the casual and friendly dialogue in this book. It sounded just like the sort of conversations one might accidentally overhear in public places or share with friends and family. This also made it easy to get to know the characters and figure out what their personalities were like as the way they spoke always felt natural to me. It’s certainly not easy to write these things out in such a realistic manner, so I must tip my cap to Mr. Frankel for pulling it off!

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored Paige’s romantic relationship. They fit in so seamlessly to everything else that was going on in the storyline and showed me aspects of her personality that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise taken note of. I thought she and her partner were a lovely match and hoped for a happy ending for them as soon as they became an item.

The world building was strong and consistent from beginning to end. I especially liked the flashbacks to Paige’s previous lives that showed what she learned from them and how she adjusted every time she woke up again in a new era. Of course it would be disorienting at first to speak a new language, worship different gods, and eventually even figure out how the Internet works! Seeing how the main character interacted with the various people she met from one lifetime to the next as she tried again and again to save the world made me yearn for more.

Seven Times Unto Eternity was lovely.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Breathe For Me by Donna B. Comeaux

July 8, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Breathe For Me by Donna B. Comeaux
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Chamomile

Robert Aaron Jaeger no longer has the emotional fight to outlast his grief. Less than a month ago, his wife and four-year-old daughter were in a terrible accident on the downtown streets of Seattle. The four-year-old came away with scratches. His wife, Christina, succumbed to her injuries. Under the disguise of rafting through Glenwood Canyon, Robert sets out to kill himself, but his plan is thwarted when he stumbles upon a woman standing in freezing water aiming to do the same thing.

Lilly Radford has been riddled with guilt since the day her baby died and there’s not been a day she hasn’t beat herself up about it. She finally snaps, takes her rent money, and uses it to keep her tank filled until the money runs out. With her car running on fumes, she’s forced to exit off I-70 in Glenwood Springs at the Grizzly Creek Rest Stop where she gives up and falls in the river.

After Robert rescues Lilly and later steps off the plane in Seattle, Zachary Butler lurks close to his heels, determined to kill Robert for getting him fired. Zachary is much more than a typical killer on the loose. His disorder causes him to converse with the good side of himself to collaborate on a scheme for revenge. To complicate his chaotic existence, his wife, Ethel, threatens to derail his plan.

As danger looms and a loved one becomes a victim, Robert and Lilly let down their guard and wrestle with their physical attraction to each other. Determined to right past wrongs, their self-centered past haunts them, but if they aren’t careful, they could miss the beauty lying just below the surface of their pain … if the killer has his way.

Anger. Madness. Darkness. Murder. Obsession. Ambition. How will it all end?

Donna Comeaux takes readers on a thrilling ride with this fun read! From the opening pages I knew that this one was different, and the more I read, the more I found myself drawn into the story and the character’s lives! So good!

From the start it’s clear we are about to enter into an interesting mystery read, and it’s that, but it also turned out to be one of the best romantic suspense reads I’ve found in a while! Donna B. Comeaux has such a gift for writing, and I loved getting to enjoy that in this exciting story. Lilly and Robert are so real and raw, and I found their story to be just as delightful as I’d hoped!

This twisty story is sure to please, and offers a good balance of mystery, romance, suspenseful dangers, and unexpected surprises! And that ending! You won’t be able to put this one down! Mary Elizabeth was precious, and as with many of the characters in this one I enjoyed getting to see her character being revealed as I read and seeing her interact with the other characters was a real treat! I also really enjoyed Sarah and was surprised at how much I enjoyed another character (who will remain nameless) and their relationship with Lilly! That was a wonderful surprise, and I did not see it coming, but so wholesome!

This whole story was a delight to read, but does deal with some tougher topics, so might not be for everyone. Death, some violence, and mental illness are a few of the issues addressed in the story, all of which are handled gracefully, but are still heavy topics that need to be cautioned about in case it might not be a good fit for some readers. If it’s a story you think you’d enjoy though, I do recommend this one!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Waiting For Spring by Sonya Rhen

July 4, 2024 By 2 Comments


Waiting For Spring by Sonya Rhen
Jelly Beans and Spring Things Series
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Returning to belly dance at the annual Kirkland Crocus Parade with the Habibi Nile Dancers, Shayna vows to forget her breakup after last year’s parade and guard her fragile heart. However, her best friend is just as determined to find her a new love interest. Shayna would rather not think about matters of the heart and just concentrate on entertaining the spectators by dancing with her dignity intact. Which is harder than she thought. As the parade participants march on through Kirkland’s quaint downtown streets, the Easter Bunny, her fearless leader, her best friend, an eye-catching drummer, and a jelly-bean-tossing clown, might give Shayna a reason to open her heart…after all, spring is in the air!

Love is everywhere.

There are so many little details that go into organizing even one section of a parade, much less the whole event. I was not expecting the narrator to discuss such matters, but I’m glad she did. It taught me some new vocabulary words and gave me a sneak peek into something I’ve never done. This was also a nice way to get to know the main character better, from her occasional absent-mindedness while preparing for this big day to the exuberant joy she felt while dancing in the Kirkland Crocus Parade.

The chemistry between Shayla and her possible match made my heart flutter. Obviously, parades aren’t exactly the ideal setting for small talk, but there are plenty of nonverbal ways to communicate one’s intentions instead. I enjoyed seeing how many of them the author used in order to build tension and make this reader curious to find out what would happen next.

What a nice ending this short story had! It wrapped up the most important storyline but also left plenty of space for interpretation or even for a possible sequel if Ms. Rhen decides to write one. I must admit that I wondered how she was possibly going to resolve everything when I first began reading. Some of Shayla’s problems felt a little too big for a piece of this size, so it was wonderful to be proven wrong about that.

Waiting For Spring felt like a hug from a new friend. It was so warm and delightful.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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