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Women Up to No Good by Pat Murphy

January 1, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WOMEN
Women Up to No Good by Pat Murphy
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (186 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What do women want? Well, if Pat Murphy is to be trusted (and we’re not saying she is), women are looking for trouble. And in this collection of powerful stories, they find it — at an archaeological dig in the Southwest, in the urban alleys, in California suburbs, in the old West, in ironic fantasy settings.

Some women are the damsels in distress in other people’s adventures, but the characters in these stories would much rather take on the risks and rewards of being their own heroes.

What does it mean to be a hero? There are as many answers to that question as there are characters in this anthology. While not all of the protagonists are necessarily good role models, they do lead fascinating lives and take charge of their own destinies. Being male, after all, is no longer a prerequisite for saving yourself or someone else from something terrible.

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In “Games of Deception” a princess is being forced to marry someone she doesn’t love in order to promote political stability in both of their kingdoms. The concept and execution of the plot in this piece is quite creative, but the princess makes such terrible choices as a result of her unhappiness that I had a hard time commiserating with her.

“One Odd Shoe” reads like a modern-day fairy tale. Mark is an unrepentant cad, but this changes one day when he meets a woman who can’t be tossed aside after he’s grown tired of her. The narrative was so detailed that I felt as if I was standing right there next to him as he meets his fate. Despite Mark’s many flaws, Ms. Murphy still made me feel sorry for his predicament as the plot progresses.

I really wanted to like “On the Dark Side of the Station Where the Train Never Stops.” The idea that the world is secretly run by the very people we mortals assume are the least powerful among us is thrilling. While Lucy, the main character, is fascinating, this tale would have worked better had the reader been given more time to understand her occupation as a Fireborn. I spent more time trying to figure out where her people come from and what they do than I did piecing together the plot as it meandered to its conclusion.

This issue popped up several times in this collection. Every single tale had a good premise, but in some cases the logical conclusions of certain plot points are never fully developed. It didn’t happen every time, but it came to my attention often enough that I think those short stories would have benefitted from another round of editing before they were published.

Most of the entries in this collection seem to be set in present day, but at times it was difficult to determine this for certain. Blurring these lines like this works well for the science fiction genre, though, and and I was not particularly bothered by the times in which I had to make an educated guess. There are also a handful of fantasy tales that take place hundreds of years ago. In those cases it was much more important that the author make that clear, and I’m glad she did so.

Women Up to No Good is the most imaginative anthology I’ve read in 2013. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves science fiction and fantasy that bends the rules and sometimes even breaks them.

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

Lady Tara by Leonora Blythe

December 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment

TARA
Lady Tara by Leonora Blythe
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (116 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
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The slender young highwayman who held up Lord Raven’s coach was shocked to discover he had made a terrible mistake. He turned and fled, but not before Lord Raven had put a bullet in his shoulder. It was then Raven’s turn to be shocked. For the wounded highwayman turned out to be a beautiful young woman, the kind of woman the rakish Raven had been seeking all his life–Lady Tara. It was some time before Lady Tara could tell Raven the truth about this frightening masquerade. But when she did, she plunged them both into a dangerous mission that was to change their lives….

The pace of Leonora Blythe’s romance “Lady Tara’ calls to mind some of my favorite historical novels of old. She takes the time to show us each character, from the one dashingly affecting a white cravat to the cloaked and vastly more menacing. Immediately, intrigue whirls around the two gentlemen – or gent and rogue, more correctly. In a twist, the two are setting about some underhanded night’s work… the results of which will shock them as much as us. All too often, spoilers parade around in reviews, and also too often… well figure this, but they ‘spoil’ things.

Blythe’s work is as delightful for its surprises as it is for its characters. This reader was intrigued at the outset of this work, and then utterly enthralled as true identities were revealed. Secondary characters, as well as some servants are also important and very well-developed in this relatively short novel. Historical touches (set in late nineteenth century Britain) seem accurate, and the backdrop is truly a tapestry of places, from the Leather Bottle Inn to the homes of the gentry. Its a straightforward – yet unpredictable – tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. Certainly wished it was longer!

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

Moon Shot: Murder and Mayhem on the Edge of Space by J. Alan Hartman

December 31, 2013 By 1 Comment

MOON
Moon Shot: Murder and Mayhem on the Edge of Space edited by J. Alan Hartman

Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (132 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Mystery and science fiction come together in a brand-new volume of short stories featuring original works from 14 of today’s best writers.

Whether it’s a murder on the International Space Station or a theft of a valuable piece of equipment from NASA, Moon Shot presents a stellar (and, in some cases, interstellar) lineup of stories that cross genres and are sure to entertain readers who appreciate a blend of suspense, thriller, mystery and sci-fi.

The stories onboard the space shuttle Moon Shot are written by Suzanne Berube Rorhus, Elizabeth Hosang, Jack Bates, Laird Long, Jeremy K. Tyler, E. Lynn Hooghiemstra, Toby Speed, Wenda Morrone, Suzanne Derham Cifarelli, Andrew MacRae, Jeff Howe, Percy Spurlark Parker, Mary McCarroll White and Lance Zarimba.

How would you plan the perfect murder? Is the risk of getting caught worth the reward?
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There aren’t many anthologies out there that attempt to blend science fiction with murder mysteries, yet this book is a solid example of just how much both genres can enrich one another. I never would have thought to mix them together, but the results speak for themselves.

By far the best entry in this collection is “Fedoras.” It’s set at a time in the future when computers solve the vast majority of the crimes that are committed, and humans are only called in for special cases. Although I never had trouble understanding what was happening, the plot is so complex that it easily could have been expanded into a novella. The characterization is especially rich, and I enjoyed figuring out Detective Stone’s background almost as much as I did attempting to solve the case alongside him.

One of the few missteps takes place in “A Murder Far From Home.” It follows the investigation of the brutal murder of a scientist who is working onboard an international space station. While the pacing was perfect, the investigator who tries to figure out what happened to her has an obvious bias against the deceased as a woman and fellow human being. His constant character assassination of someone who has just died made it difficult for me to take anything else he deduces seriously even though the mystery itself is quite intriguing.

The premise of “Downhill Slide” seems impossible at first. A man is murdered while living in almost total isolation on a work-related project. The sole suspect has an excellent reason to explain why they couldn’t possibly have killed him. What confused me about this tale was the gender of the investigator. Chris Ba has a wife and two children waiting at home, but I was never able to figure out if this character was supposed to be a man or a woman. At first this question didn’t matter so much, but by the end I really wished the answer to it was clearer because of how it affects how the reader interprets certain scenes.

“Crime of Passion” is another must-read. In it the death of a quiet, cheerful teacher living in a colony on Mars reveals some surprising secrets as Officers Jacobs and Smith untangle the mystery of a life cut short. The twist at the end is particularly clever. In retrospect I completely understand why it was written that way, but it was definitely not what I thought was going to happen. This is another entry that I wish was a novella instead of a short story. It answers all of the questions it raises, but I was so enthralled with the characters that I didn’t want to say goodbye to them.

While Moon Shot contains elements from both the science fiction and mystery genres, it leans more heavily on the latter as far as which tropes are relied up to advance the plot. Some of the mysteries are specific to conditions that can only be found in outer space or on other planets, but many others could have potentially taken place on Earth. There are good reasons why the authors in this collection chose less familiar settings, though, and their stories are richer for it.

Moon Shot: Murder and Mayhem on the Edge of Space is a fascinating collection of tales that I’d recommend to fans of mysteries and science fiction alike.

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

Winter Blogfest: Dena Garson

December 27, 2013 By 11 Comments

These are a few of my favorite things…

 Who can forget Julie Andrews and her version of that song? As I was growing up, we watched The Sound of Music every year around Christmas so it’s likely that song will remain with me forever.

As I wrapped presents, I found myself thinking about all of the things I love about this time of the year. Here are some of the things that made the top of the list.

1)      Holiday lights. I’ve never understood my attraction to them. I love them on my tree, around my office space, hanging from houses and lining driveways and yards. I even love it when tall buildings turn on/off certain lights to make a special design. More than once I’ve fallen asleep on the couch just watching the lights. Whatever your reason for celebrating, make sure you use lots of twinkle lights!

2)      Gifts. Not so much the getting – honestly – it’s the giving. I love finding out then fulfilling my kids’ greatest wishes. Santa is big in my house. Even when you’re too big to believe anymore. And for friends and family, there is often a hand-made something. I do a wide variety of crafts and I like the challenge of thinking of something special to make for those closest to me.

3)      Really-bad-for-you food. I don’t like to cook, but I sure like sampling the goodies that everyone else makes. For some reason people spend a lot of time in the kitchen during the month of December. I don’t get the appeal, but I love the results! Cookies, candies, pies, and other things you don’t see during the rest of the year seem to magically appear around the office and on your doorstep. I say bring on the butter and the sugar!

4)      Snow. I hate to be cold, but I love snow. It’s hypnotic as comes down and it’s beautiful once it’s fallen. And in the still of the night, once the ground is covered by a blanket of snow, there’s a magical sound to be heard. If you’ve never done it, stand outside and listen to the sound of falling snow. There’s nothing like it.

5)      Days off of work. I’m a working author (as in, I still have a day-job) so days that I don’t have to go into the office but I still get paid for are fabulous! And getting to spend time with my boys because they are out of school at the same time, even better. If I don’t use the time to do some extra writing, I can use it to catch up on my reading. Ah… bliss!

There are lots of wonderful things about the holiday season. What are some of yours? Tell me in the comments and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a digital copy of my book, Risky Business, as well as a gift pack that includes a pair of snuggle socks (another of my favorite things), autographed bookmarks, a sticker and a key ring.

Risky Business blurb:

Because of the access of internet, these drugs can be purchased easily. see now levitra professional canada together with other generic medicines. Erectile Dysfunction is continue reading description order cheap levitra also called as impotence. So, assure the quality of the medicine before you Kamagra kaufen. click to find out order cialis online Treatment of ocular psoriasis and blepharitis requires a highly motivated on line levitra patient. dena garson riskybusiness_msr-BLUSHMia Sanford has been working with Jake Hudson for years. Despite their obvious attraction, neither has been willing to take the chance and act on their feelings. Even though, as they both discover, everyone in the company thinks they should have gotten together long ago.

When Mia becomes the target of an embarrassing betting pool at the annual office party, Jake alerts her to the danger. But Jake is the company playboy, and has never expressed an interest in Mia until now. Is he really looking out for her, or just trying to win the pool himself? Mia must decide if she can trust him not only with her reputation, but also her heart.

 

Ellora’s Cave – http://www.ellorascave.com/risky-business.html

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Risky-Business-ebook/dp/B00BD539NQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378061355&sr=1-1&keywords=dena+garson

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About Dena:

Dena Garson loves to read romance—the hotter the better. When one of her BFFs said “one of us should be writing this stuff”, she took up the challenge. If she isn’t writing, she’s designing jewelry but somehow she still manages to make it into the office on a regular basis.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | Amazon Author Page

 

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With: , ,

Winter Blogfest: Grace Marshall

December 23, 2013 By 1 Comment

Another One Rides the Bus

By K D Grace/Grace Marshall

 

I’d like to thank Long and Short Reviews for the wonderful Winter Blogfest! Thanks for inviting me! You all are fab!

Tis the season! Everything’s decorated with tinsel and draped in fairy lights. Christmas music blares a festive ear worm in every shop, and the streets are a hive of frenetic activity. But the days are short and nights are long. The weather is bleak and the natural world seems withered and dead. All that hurts, all that aches, all that’s raw stands out in stark contrast against the bright lights and frenzy. But sometimes there are moments that break through the tinsel and the music and the commercialism, moments that stand out as true magic in the space between the celebrations and the bleakness.

One such moment stands out for me even a year later, and I’d like to share it. I’d finished my errands in town and the downpour that had started about the time I left the house had me drenched to the skin. The wind was just strong enough to make my umbrella worthless, so I headed for the bus stop hoping for a warm and dry trip home. As is often the case when the weather’s bad, the busses were late and the one I usually take was broken down, or had possibly fallen off the edge of the earth. I decided to take a bus that has a similar rout, if a little circuitous, one I’d never taken before. This bus, Bus number 10, was filled by the overflow from the busses that were delayed or had just not come. The poor driver was a bearded man who looked slightly panicked. As it turns out, he had just finished his training and because there was a shortage of drivers, he found himself thrown in at the deep end, driving a route with which he was unfamiliar, one that took him through some of the most narrow, winding streets of town.

The first bit of the journey was through the main streets — easy enough, even for the newbie driver. But as he headed off into the bowels of the town on streets that were barely wide enough for a small car, something stunning happened. Someone up front said. ‘Just turn left here. There! You see the bus stop just up the road. See it?’

The driver thanked the passenger and made the first stop. Then the street got really narrow! I could almost feel everyone tensing as the poor driver maneuvered the hulking bus, windows half-steamed from the weather, between tight rows of cars on either side of the street. I closed my eyes and held my breath. I’m I wasn’t alone in this response. But the driver was well-trained and brought us through the obstacle course unscathed. There was a collective sigh of relief and murmurs of ‘well done’ to the driver. Then an elderly woman with a walking stick took up the role of satnav directing the driver to the next stop.

By this time, I had no idea where we were. The driver and I were both totally dependent on the collective navigation skills of the other passengers, who were now in open conversation. When one got off the bus, another would take over, guiding the driver to make a right at the next intersection, go straight to the top of the hill, then take a left to the next stop. They encouraged him onward, telling him he was doing just fine, joking and laughing about our adventure. I’d experienced a bright spot in a dark day. It had been a time when we could all have been grumpy and short. But instead everyone worked together and we all got home. When I got off the bus back into the still-pouring rain, I felt a lot more cheerful and somehow I didn’t notice the gloom quite so much.

I wish you all many, many bright spots this holiday season and into the New Year, and I’m happy to offer what I hope will be one of those bright spots. Please leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of my erotic romance novel, Identity Crisis

Blurb The Exhibition:

TE new coverSuccessful NYC gallery owner, Stacie Emerson, is ex-fiancée to one Thorne brother and ex-wife to the other. Though the three have made peace, Ellison Thorne’s friend, wildlife photographer, Harris Walker, still doesn’t like her. When Stacie convinces Harris to exhibit his work for the opening of her new gallery she never intended to include him in her other more hazardous plans. But when those plans draw the attention of dangerous business tycoon, Terrance Jamison, Harris comes to her aid. In the shadow of a threat only Stacie understands, can she dare let Harris into her life and make room for love?

 

Buy Links The Exhibition:

eBook:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
iBooks

Print:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Barnes & Noble
Powell’s
The Book Depository
Waterstones

About K D Grace/Grace Marshall

K D Grace believes Freud was right. In the end, it really IS all about sex, well sex and love. And nobody’s happier about that than she is, otherwise, what would she write about?

When she’s not writing, K D is veg gardening. When she’s not gardening, she’s walking. She walks her stories, and she’s serious about it. She and her husband have walked Coast to Coast across England, along with several other long-distance routes. For her, inspiration is directly proportionate to how quickly she wears out a pair of walking boots. She enjoys martial arts, reading, watching the birds and anything that gets her outdoors.

K D has erotica published with SourceBooks, Xcite Books, Harper Collins Mischief Books, Mammoth, Cleis Press, Black Lace, Erotic Review, Ravenous Romance, Sweetmeats Press and others.

K D’s critically acclaimed erotic romance novels include, The Initiation of Ms Holly, The Pet Shop. Her paranormal erotic novel, Body Temperature and Rising, the first book of her Lakeland Heatwave trilogy, was listed as honorable mention on Violet Blue’s Top 12 Sex Books for 2011. Books two and three, Riding the Ether, and Elemental Fire, are now also available. She was nominated for ETO’s Best Erotic Author 2013.

K D Grace also writes hot romance as Grace Marshall. An Executive Decision, Identity Crisis, The Exhibition are all available.

Find K D Here:                                                                  

Websites: http://kdgrace.co.uk/

http://gracemarshallromance.co.uk/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KDGraceAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KD_Grace

             http://twitter.com/GM_Romance

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Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With: , ,

Rumors Among the Heather by Amanda Balfour

December 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HEATHER
Rumors Among the Heather by Amanda Balfour
Publisher: Vinspire
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (250 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Can love survive lies and secrecy?

Juliana Hastings is heart broken by her father’s death, which has left her destitute. To make matters worse she is jilted by her fiancé. She takes a position as a governess to Matthew MacDonald’s nephew in Scotland. Love is the last thing on her mind, but her heart has other plans.And Matthew doesn’t make things easier with his growing attraction to her.

Baker made stops in the state’s largest urban centers, Boston and Worcester, as well as Wakefield and his hometown of sildenafil generic from canada Birmingham, Alabama, where he became a successful insurance and tire company executive. Majority of men and women are searching for wholesale viagra india‘s that can help them to enhance their sex drive. This is the only reason why an ED suffering man fails to get sexual viagra professional uk confidence when it comes making love to the partner. You will get free levitra enjoy youthful energy to enjoy intimate moments with your female. Matthew’s actions have made him a fugitive once the Jacobite Rebellion ends. He turns to the only one he knows he can trust for help—Juliana. But when he is captured, he thinks she has betrayed him. Once free, he’s determined to find the woman he loves and make her suffer for her actions.

Dramatic settings completely overshadowed by even more dramatic people characterize this gripping historical romance slash action novel. Baron Bonnliegh, Matthew, marches through the city streets and laughs easily into the face of danger. He’s more than equal to any threat, or so it seems.

Our heroine is no shrinking violet either. Juliana proves her courage just in setting off into a whole new life, when her own life drastically changes, rather beyond her control. She sets off to make the most of her one opportunity – and predictably, bumps straight into this incredibly confident Baron. There is a moment there that we see coming. ‘Ah ha – another predictable tale,’ we wonder..for barely the space of a sentence, for few things go as we might foresee.

Like so many a governess, Julianna becomes admirably fond of her charge, wicked Scottish Island home notwithstanding. Her attraction to Matthew is also undeniable – yet his own circumstances might suddenly be a little ‘beyond his control.’ Even more surprising is who he chooses to blame. Warnings come to him – veiled perhaps (like, ‘Your luck is bound to change!’ while gambling) but he never worries.

Matthew is a man of action as well as conviction. He might be a tiny a bit lacking in sympathy (we readers won’t feel frustrated with his leap to a certain conclusion only once…) but he is a towering figure and you will lose your heart to him immediately. Julianna is equally likable, just for her attitude.

I originally assigned this brilliant and fast paced read a 5. Great, gripping, fast… and I forget to write the review. 2 weeks later I find I still have recall of the story – of the characters especially – and don’t mind picking it up for a second look at all! That rates somewhere higher than a 5, I am sure – Do put this on your reading list.

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

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks

December 16, 2013 By 1 Comment

VAMPIRE
The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (266 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

He’s Out of Control

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he’s ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo.

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There’s even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal’s gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored?

Shivers, action, romance, re-romance and third chances are in store for readers in this roller coaster of a tale from Ms. Sparks. What is a re-romance? It’s the only way I can describe the amazing story of Dougal and Leah. By the time I reached the happy ever after, I was a believer in love, destiny and that true love conquers a lot of things, even the thwarting of free will. This is a novel hard to put down just because so many interesting things kept popping up in each chapter.

My favorite thing about reading a story written by Ms. Sparks is the funny jokes and hilarious scenes that she puts her hapless heroes and heroines in. I had the hardest belly laugh at the scene with Dougal and the blow up doll. The descriptions the author used had me in stitches. On the tender side were the scenes where the dialogue was very reminiscent of The Princess Bride. Remember ‘As you wish’? It was romantic in the movie but how Ms. Sparks wove it into The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo was simply sublime.
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The saddest part was Dougal’s music. Music has power in this story and the author used it quite effectively. It lifts, it saves and it heals. I was truly affected by those scenes.

Leah is a fine heroine. She’s smart and her initial introduction to the world where vampires are real was funny and understandable. Her hysterical hysteria was fun to read although I acknowledge I’d probably react the same way as her. I would also more than likely mirror her reaction to Dougal. How could any red blooded woman not? He wears a kilt and makes no excuses for how he wears it. If you get my drift. I also enjoyed her encounter with Bunny and finding out about Josephine.

Another fascinating aspect of this particular story is the author’s exploration of demons and angels. I am not a fan of the demon fad so I’m thrilled that Ms. Sparks kept demons as they should be – as the ultimate villains. And I liked that she didn’t make this story dark. It’s more like pre-dawn – dark but not. Master Han and Darafer are perfect bad guys, totally unredeemable and commendable foes. But just when a reader thinks that the good guys are going to get their heads handed to them because Darafer seems unstoppable, the author pulled some lightness out of her hat and had a great battle take place. Not everyone makes it but I understood why they couldn’t. Still, I was sad.

I enjoyed Dougal’s teasing of Leah. It was so cute because he never let her get away with hiding. The part when she wanted to make sure he had a heartbeat inspired the scenes and dialogue afterwards and they had me snickering.

The hottest parts are when Leah succumbs to Dougal’s ‘oots’ and Scottish charm. He’s romantic in his words and deeds and was a wonderful hero. Okay, so he beats himself up a bunch, mentally chastising and flagellating himself over a past failure and that sort of got old after a while. But I understood its use as a plot conflict and motivation so I could forgive its presence. There is so much to like and enjoy about the hero so I didn’t let it bother me, much. Thank goodness Dougal is so sexy.

Did I sniff and tear up at all during the story? You bet I did. Right after Briathos gave a reluctant hug I just blubbered with happy tears and sniffles. What happened and how the Ms. Sparks chose to write it, the words she used to describe how it affected the heroine, really touched my heart. It was very special.

Secondary characters provided a riot of a good time. I had incredible fun reading the byplay between all the personalities and when the author introduced a new female character that scared one of the supposed big bad supernatural guys, I had a grin from ear to ear. What I didn’t expect was a potential side romance to come out of meeting this new character. It was cute and endearing.

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo is a busy, exciting and very romantic book that was impossible to put down. There were so many fascinating and interesting things that happened in every single chapter that I was compelled to keep reading. I really liked the dynamics between Leah and Dougal and I find it especially pleasurable when characters I’ve met in previous books come out and play too. This is a standalone read for sure but having read most if not all of the previous books in the series, I find my reading experience is fuller and richer for having done so. Fans are going to find a lot to enjoy in this latest adventure and new readers might just find a new author to love. I know I do.

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

A Very Special Christmas Present by Susanne Marie Knight

December 13, 2013 By 1 Comment

SPECIAL
A Very Special Christmas Present by Susanne Marie Knight
Publisher: Uncial Press
Genre: Historical, Holiday
Length: Short Story (17 pgs)
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Her only brother killed in the Napoleonic Wars, romance is the furthest thing from grieving Deidre’s mind. However her young “niece”–Cupid’s curly-haired accomplice–is determined to give Auntie Dee the best Christmas present ever.

Despite the fact that Kamagra comes in different measurements, yet for the most part it is recommended in 100mg structure to ED patients. generic tadalafil 20mg This is further enhanced by a 5x get cialis without prescriptions to 25x magnification range along with an extensive field of view, thanks to an efficient optical prescription (of 17.96 feet at 5x). During this medication any type of generic viagra online heavy or cholesterol food should not be taken. According to research conducted by Pfizer, buy levitra online link worked successfully 66% of the times. Deirdre Livingston accepts and invitation for the holidays with her once-time best friend Emma – who is now sadly both married and quite respectable. Stuffily respectable, in fact. She’d like to see Deidre married (for stability, of course) while Deidre sees that only as a loss of freedom.

Still, she’s there and goes along, very respectably to the very predictable ball (Emma has invited single gents of course). Predictably, a nobleman arrives: and from there, things are not predictable at all!

It starts with impish young Matilda’s efforts to liven things up. She hits on an unsuspecting guest first and things liven up from there.

Fans of the stories set in early nineteenth century England will find this a comfortably familiar world. The setting is completely perfect, from the wonderful home and dedication to needlework, to the holiday plans, and even the focus on marriage. You will enjoy Knight’s clever twist with descriptions – her snow-capped fir trees “huddle” from the cold, and main character Deidre expresses frustration by ‘savagely’ embroidering. Throughout, the phrasing is subtle but delightful. Its hard to say more without spoiling this one.

Full of Christmas charm, Susanne Marie Knight’s A Very Special Christmas Present, would make a very nice present for some lucky romance fan on your shopping list. I must admit my one wish is that it were longer! I will certainly re-read.

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

Short Stories for the Hopeful and the Weary by Scott Roloff

December 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

WEARY
Short Stories for the Hopeful and the Weary by Scott Roloff
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Four short stories, each with a twist that will puzzle and perplex.

Nicoli’s Birthday – A young couple travel to Moscow to adopt a child on the eve of war.

A Lifetime Until Dawn – A soldier endures another sleepless night pondering the war atrocities that he committed, or did he?

Saturday’s Crossroad – A husband contemplates life without his wife.

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Everyone makes assumptions about the world around them. It’s part of being human. What happens, though, when first impressions bump into information that seems to contradict the assumptions that originally created them?

Get ready to think logically and take a second look at everything you thought you knew. This collection works best for readers who like to be challenged by the stories they meet. This is the kind of novel that should be savoured, not skimmed through, but anyone willing to take on puzzles that don’t immediately provide all of the clues necessary in order to solve them will find a lot to love in Short Stories for the Hopeful and the Weary.

I figured out what was actually happening in “Nicoli’s Birthday” almost instantly, but if I was going to rate the entire book on this one tale it would still earn a solid 3.5 stars. The premise is intriguing and Nicoli’s personality was so vividly written that at times I almost felt as though he was standing in front of me.

By far my favorite entry is “A Lifetime Until Dawn.” Memories can hold an incredibly powerful hold on our minds, and the narrator’s flashback to the most pivotal moment in his life was extremely well written. While I learned everything about his journey that I needed to know, I would have loved to see “A Lifetime Until Dawn” expanded into a novella. This is the kind of protagonist whose inner life is so nuanced that one day wading around his thoughts could provide fodder for a trilogy.

To be honest, I had to read “Saturday’s Crossroad” a second time before I truly understood what was going on. Rick’s understanding of his life does not always correspond to what is truly going on, and it is in this gap that Mr. Roloff’s writing truly shines. Even though I had serious ethical issues with the choices he makes, Rick ends up being the most memorable character of them all. He is far from a perfect person, but I ended up deeply sympathizing with his plight even though he isn’t someone I’d necessarily befriend in real life.

“God and the Devil” deserves to be read at least twice as well. Once again I wished it could have been expanded into a novella or full-length novel, but I truly enjoyed diving into this improbable interview with the most feared spirit in Christendom. I was especially interested in this tale as someone who has studied some of the apocryphal books that were once considered for inclusion in the Bible. In no way is Mr. Roloff sacrilegious in this text, but it was interesting to note the similarities between “God and the Devil” and the stories people circulate about any religion that may or may not actually be believed by the followers of that faith.

I did have some trouble determining if this collection was supposed to be set in contemporary or historical times. My best guess is that they all took place within the last 20 years, but due to the lack of references to technology or current events I’m not 100% sure that this is what the author actually intended his audience to assume. The lack of clarity on this issue had little impact on how much I enjoyed Mr. Roloff’s, work, though.

Short Stories for the Hopeful and the Weary is my first introduction to Mr. Roloff’s work, and if it is any indication of his writing style I hope to hear more from him again very soon. This is a great choice for readers who relish mysteries that don’t give up their secrets easily, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the mood to be temporarily stumped.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Rebirth: Scrolls of Eternity Book One by J. Morgan

November 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BIRTH
Rebirth: Scrolls of Eternity Book One by J. Morgan
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA
Length: Short Story (80 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Patrick Hughes’ idea of field trips didn’t include armed robbers and Egyptian gods, but that’s just what he got. Accidently assuming the mantle of Horus, the Egyptian God of War, he is about to take Superhero 101 for extra credit. With the help of his substitute history teacher, who just so happens to be Anubis God of the Dead, Patrick takes a crash course in what it takes to be a hero. Too bad time is running out. Sutekh the God of Chaos has his eye on taking over the world. Unless he gets the hang of being a superhero and quick, getting an F will be the least of Patrick’s worries. Will Patrick’s first test at being a superhero be his last, or will he become the hero he was born to be?

Anubis and Horus are sure that Patrick can be a hero. Unfortunately, Patrick doesn’t share their confidence.

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Unfortunately, Patrick’s life becomes much more complicated when he’s chosen to be a superhero. His childhood is brought to an abrupt end as he finds himself facing Sutekh, who has had years to formulate his plan to take over the world. Patrick only has days to learn how to use his new powers. The physical and mental exhaustion from training with Anubis as well as the strain of keeping secrets from his family give a realistic feel to the fantastic events of the tale. Consequently, I was able to fully immerse myself in this thoroughly enjoyable story.

I do wish some of the other characters had been a bit more developed. Patrick’s life is full of eccentric friends and family that have a lot of potential, especially his best friend Galen. I have a feeling Mr. Morgan has only scratched the surface where that particular character is concerned. I hope to learn more about Galen and the other secondary characters in the future.

Rebirth has a very satisfying conclusion, but Mr. Morgan leaves the door open for other adventures. I enjoyed reading about Patrick and his first exploit so much that I’m already wondering what Patrick will face next. Will his next challenge be other Egyptian gods, creatures from other mythologies, or something else entirely?

Reading Rebirth was a pleasure. It is a fun, fast paced tale sure to delight readers who enjoy superheroes and the classic struggle of good versus evil. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in this exciting series.

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