Books Released in 2015-- TOP TWENTY

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles Favorite Historical

Double Up by Vanessa North

The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr

Desert World Immigrant by Lyn Gala Favorite Science Fiction

Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan

Blood & Dirt by Lloyd A. Meeker  Favorite Mystery

Vespertine by Leta Blake

Axel's Pup by Kim Dare

Complementary Colors by Adrienne Wilder

Life Under New Management by Jane Davitt

Rules to Live By assorted authors, Favorite Anthology

Fallout by Lisa Henry and M. Caspian Favorite Post Apocalyptic

Boy by Sean Michael

In the Absence of Light by Adrienne Wilder Favorite Contemporary

Clockwork Pirate by Lyn Gala

Copper Horse: Pride by KA Merikan Favorite AU

Barren by Anna Hedley Favorite Fantasy

True Brit by Con Riley

Willow Man by John Inman Favorite Horror

Nyx's Pixie by KM Mahoney

Bane by Amelia C. Gormley

CCC


You say you want a revolution...

Well, this is a more main stream post-apocalyptic story thanStrain was. It dialed back the intensity and "questionable" aspects of Darian and Rhy's relationship. I hate to say it, but the rawness is gone and white picket fences are looming. 

I haven't read Juggernaut and I'm wondering if that might have helped a little bit with some of the characters met in the Clean Zone. And yes, that name is suppose to sound as offensive as it is. 

While the controversial sexual aspects, dub con/ rape, have been eliminated and overall it is toned down, there are some notable exceptions: masochism, public activity, and bloodplay. Flashpoint words have been added to provide the edge and sometimes they are just launched and then not followed up on. 

"And traditionally, when white people decide that they’re afraid of brown people, it doesn’t go well for the brown people.”

Now I don't have a problem with opening issues for discussion, but just lobbing fire grenades like that and then letting them fizzle out is provocative for no reason. 

The plot of this story revolves around Rhys, and his offer to assist efforts to the counteract the Bane strain by undergoing testing. The Jugs have legitimate reasons for not trusting the powers that be and walking in with Rhys has everyone a bit cagey. Then, a surprising coincidence sets them on high alert.

We meet a new couple: Nico and Zach. There relationship is longstanding, but the issues surrounding Bane have kept them separated more than together. Again, the greatest weakness of the story are the villains. Villains more caricature than character as with Littlewood, and McClosky is a burnt husk of a person.

There's a interesting discussion of Rhy's masochism and the extremeness of it demonstrated via bloodplay. I liked this exploration a lot. The characters do more introspection. 

"That maybe one day the Alpha strain would just . . . take hold. Then I’d really be one of you. I wouldn’t just be your ‘pet civvie.’”

Also again, there's the grand decision which is convoluted and the solution simple, which they ignored in the first place to set up grand conflicts, so that didn't work for me. Essentially the characters make some decisions which are illogical, and it's not due to emotion overriding judgment. Either I'm missing something or there are issues with the characters' reactions to the virus and possible infection. The epidemiology is confusing,

In contrast to that there is a bizarre impotence regarding medical treatment, a fatalism espoused as we watch Nico and revisit Rhy's experience with exposure. In some ways telling one not to worry, what will be will be, and expounding that it is out of one's hands--you can't do anything. Disturbing undercurrent. Nonetheless, it was entertaining and a nice wrap up for the Delta Company.

Overall, a testosterone fun-filled dystopia.

Favorite passage: 

“You ever come to me and say you want my marks on you because it’s what you want, I’ll give you anything you ask for. But not if it’s to make a point to anyone else. We ever do that, it’s gonna mean something just between you and me.”

The Neighbor by Bernadette Chapman

CC

Absurd.

So, it took me a while to warm up to the ridiculousness of Anders and Finch's interactions. Frankly, Finch spent a good third of the book insulting Anders, which annoyed me--I would have punched him--and then was all moony the last bit. Once, I let that go and just rolled with the sniping, tug-o-war relationship it got better, but it never really seemed to come full circle for me. At one point, it seemed like their characters shifted and while I wanted a happy ending for Anders, Finch's meddlesome, interjecting personality wasn't endearing. 

Humor is very personal, so this might work better for others, but it kinda slid past me. 

Dragonborn by Maeghan Friday

CCC

A classic fairytale.

If I had realized that going in, I would have been less perplexed at times. 

Cursed. Two beings sharing one form. Cecily and Ben trade places everyday with one in control of the physical body, but both always cognizant. Heir to the kingdom, the anomaly is abhorrent to their parents who refuse to acknowledge Cecily's existence. 

Ratirzans are scandalized by anything other than heteronormative pair bondings and attempted to destroy a sacred text to ensure them. Unsurprisingly, there is a great deal of discussion via various characters about transgender, gender fluidity, and gender neutral terms. There is also just a general exploration of the spectrum of sexuality including asexual.

For all of Ratirzan's laws against anything but a single man and woman pair bond there seems to be a great deal of shenanigans around the castle and the during the ball that gets overlooked. 

The whole story is written with a bit of innocence, as if for younger readers. Yes, the fairytale theme dragons and magic influences that, but it skews younger in the conflicts, interactions, language, and the characters' maturity levels, as well. Additionally, all affections beyond kissing are behind closed doors.

The POC protagonists were refreshing, and conceptually I really like the fairytale idea, but this felt like it was written for someone in their early teens. At one point, I was doing rock, scissors, paper, lizard, Spock while reading about the various magics. And the polyamorous relationships looked like a Twister board 6 spins in with the characters aligned and tangled at the same time. So, this wasn't a perfect fit for me, but it was a good story for what it was.  

Is it realistic? No. Is it sweet and highly simplistic resolution to severe problems with little real conflict and no repercussions for the characters' actions? Yes. But, it's a fairytale after all, and Happily Ever Afters are de rigueur--after you vanquish the dragon.

Overall, a YA fantasy story highlighting polyamory among diverse representations of people and sexualities.

Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan

CCCC

Dreams do come true.

Even if you think it will never happen, even if you've given up all hope, even if you don't think you deserve it.

It can still happen. 
Let's play in the snow.

Paul, diehard romantic, waiting for his Prince Charming. Oddly enough, he's got one hitting him up on Grindr. But, can you really trust a handle? All of his friends in Logan managed to pair bond and Paul is both happy and sad. If only...

When a rash of unexpected gifts/pranks, really could be either has got him riled up and he catches the culprit red-handed--it's little Kyle Parks, really? Well, maybe not so little with all that he's been up to, but still. 

Kyle, sweet and dependable, hiding behind a facade of affectation. Naturally a nurturer and preternaturally young looking he's been fighting a losing battle for anyone in Logan to see him as an adult. A grown man, including Paul Hansen. 

What follows is the dance back and forth as preconceptions are realigned, desires acknowledged, and dragons slain. There's a refreshing flip in relationship expectations for Kyle and Paul, and the heart and want is quite palpable. Throw in sweet little D/s kisses and they melt together.

Overall, a romantic holiday love story.

Favorite quote: 

It was, despite his efforts to skirt this revelation, an unveiling of his heart.

ETA: While characters from other books in the series make appearances, background of those stories is not necessary for this one. It can be read as a standalone.

The Salisbury Key by Harper Fox

CCCC

Can true love strike twice?

With Fox's writing one expects lyricism and evocative language that tempts and beguiles the reader deep into the story. Often, there is an element of melancholy, a sense of romanticism as the characters commune with nature. Here, that is all evident, but there is also a long dark of suffering. 

Death and sorting through the chaos of its aftermath. Brutal, stolen, and betrayed, happening when you least it expect it. Daniel is faced with all of that, and he inelegantly stumbles, clutching at life and ghosts, trying to keep going as events unfold around him. 

The depth and intense focus on Daniel's grieving process was extraordinarily consuming, and made this a difficult read. The mystery component of the story was good, strong. It tied in well with the story and made it come full circle. I really liked this, but it was so emotionally draining that I didn't love it. 

Favorite quote:

There was nothing in this pounding hell of release that would let me endure being touched.

After the Horses by Jeffrey Round

CCCC

It's always more complicated when friends ask for favors.

Everyone is happy with their hand out, but when one of Toronto's entrepreneurs and larger than life gay personas is murdered, he's suddenly persona non grata. After all, he didn't earn money the pretty way. Dan Sharpe, PI is called in by a business associate to solve the case that has numerous tangles.

There's questionable dealings, hangers-on, and people who just hate Yuri for who he was and what he represented. All of this accounts for a colorful ensemble of characters brought together as Dan hunts down Yuri's killer. And some people are not happy.

We get another chapter in Dan's life as the mystery is being solved. Ups and downs, but he's moving forward. But, there is this weight, metaphorical chains the Dan drags around with him. As if all that he's learned and seen over the years, he carries like a penance: an underlying brooding, an atmosphere of cynicism that crushes down, his own albatross. In many ways it bleeds in from his work: an unrelenting sadness, filled with the lost and struggling looking to survive. Alone even in a crowd.

The actual mystery and misdirection employed is quite good. Entertaining and causing more questions than answers until the end, which is a great big swoop and reveal. So, big thumbs up there. 

Overall, a pensive read with a dose of fatalism. 

Favorite quote:

First impressions were better edited with time.

Acquainted with the Night by Tymber Dalton

CC

Saved it for so long, building up my expectations that I think the book wasn't as much as I'd hoped.

I was sold on the sci-fi component. Really, just wave intergalactic war and the fate of captives in front of me and I bite. But, the sci-fi elements faded really fast as the captives adjust to life on the Algonquan home world, which is terribly similar to Earth: grass, swimming pools, and even the furniture. The world building was a bit disappointing.

There's a couple distinct aspects to the story, some that I enjoy much more than others. The breeding portion, well that is technically more like incubating than breeding unless you're comparing them to Pokemon where you collect and hatch eggs. And while it was entertaining the first few times, the unrelenting orgasms and constant sexual hunger/humping/fucking got boring. Yep, hook him up to the milker... again.

Then there's the violence and justice Algonquan style. Which I guess is suppose to make you feel better, revenge for Master's incompetence soothes the wronged parties. Then, there's some bizarre rhetoric that gets spewed out a few times against Terrans, the pets' species and how there's no way that being POWs has led to Stockholm Syndrome. I really tried to skip these paragraphs because it fell apart so dramatically, but I understand the underlying message of the validity of 24/7 relationships attempting to be made.

Then there's the ending, which in a lot of ways just drags out the natural course of life. It was heavy-handed emotional manipulation which actually didn't make me cry because it was so clumsy. This theme was handled much more adroitly in Dalton's [book:The Reluctant Dom|8127475].

Overall, meh. Sometime less is better.

Side-eye quote: <b><blockquote>It’s not Stockholm Syndrome because I’m happy here.</blockquote></b>

Desert World Allegiances by Lyn Gala

CCC

3.5 Stars

Temar made the classic mistake a younger sibling can make, to follow.

The council's judgement sets Cyla and Temar in their new lives, ten years of enslavement for destruction of property and squandering a precious resource.

Conspiracy and theft. Enslavement and abuse. 

"If Young was stealing water, and Temar agreed with his sister on that one, then the man deserved slavery, but Cyla’s joy at the thought made him a little uneasy."

A system that has a correctional system of enslavement/indentured servitude, a history of recent abuse within the system, and fails to follow up on those sentenced regularly--that's a problem. 

“I’m bothered by the things I see around us.”
“Oh, wait until you’re my age,” Div promised. “You’ll be absolutely terrified by them. I think God measures our lifespan in how much change we can take before our heads explode.”

Investigation. Subterfuge.

The plot picks up pace as Shan and Temar run from danger and try and track down what is happening. There's evading bad guys and enduring the harsh environment, neither of which is an easy thing. There are parts of the story that remind me of both Dune and McCaffrey's Pern series, but without the fantasy elements.

Ends not in a cliffhanger, but certainly with unresolved issues to be answered in subsequent stories. Shan and Temar's tentative circling is adequately concluded with hopes for much more. I'm certainly interested in reading more of the series. 

Favorite quote: 

“You’re so busy trying not to do something wrong that you didn’t do anything right."

Boot Camp Week by Jack Brighton

CCC

A romp at Boot Camp.

The candidates are going through the selection process for training to be put up for auction. A week of challenges for all as the ranks get whittled down. Rick is an American porn star looking for a fresh start. The Masters are looking for something unscripted. 

Pretty much inside Rick's head as he tries to game the process and keeps falling short. Emotional, but all the porny stuffing fun you'd expect from a Brighton read. Entertaining with a touch of care.

Without a Net by Lyn Gala

C

Not what I was expecting, and more than a little disappointed.

A huge problem with the story is that the circumstances of it being the future or AU is not clearly delineated when you start. All of a sudden, getting quips about Mars' colonies 70% through the story is disconcerting. All the technology is contemporary and there are no obvious identifiers that this is anything but a contemporary novel.

The gender politics speak is way too much, over-the-top and off-putting, an inelegant crash course in gender neutral terms. The beginning with all the cisgender calling out leads one to think that there is a transgender or gender fluid character in full play--nope. So, the rhetoric comes off sounding like an afterschool special.

Then there are continuity issues and startling coincidences. Characters are presented ambiguously so that one is constantly questioning everyone but Ollie, the main character and our pov. Problem: I never connected with Ollie.

The whole BDSM control versus shade clubs, definitely highlighting the divide among practioners and coming down on a side. In my opinion, it comes down trying to be more inclusive if emphasizing personal responsibility, but also implies that shade players have been either "broken" or "rewired" and that is why it works for them. 

Not thrilled with the easy target of corrupt police departments in today's atmosphere--I really don't believe we need fictional shit stirring that pot. There's enough real life problems.

Really not thrilled that a police officer refused to file charges against a person who kidnapped, tortured, and raped them. I don't care if you understand their motivations--it's the FUCKING LAW for a reason. You don't make arrests because you feel like and likewise, you don't not press charges because you understand. Trial decides guilt and an sworn officer should not be making that choice let alone being hired by the FBI. OH HELL NO. THERE'S A PROCESS. Ollie is unwilling to follow due process.This Disney ending is bullshit. 

At some point, I wanted to kill everyone in this book, more than once. And the fact that one character--Milan--was held up as acceptable is NOT ACCEPTABLE. There's morally gray and there's predatory, the line is pretty clear here and author tries to smudge it. So, I have a huge ethical issue with this character being presented as anything but unacceptable in a book that is making hay about ethics.

Frankly, it derided police, then pointed out how one FBI agent was so by the book he was wrong?, and then this not-going-to-happen ending. This plays the suspense card, but the holes, impersonalization, and mixed messages really takes away from the story. I'm torn between one and two stars, and may change my rating later. After my last Gala story which I rated five stars, this was a let down. 

Overall, a muddle of salacious taboo BDSM practices and gender politics.

Axel's Pup by Kim Dare

CCCC

A bit long-winded, but how can you loose with a full length Dare novel--you can't.

Interesting social commentary as well as finding your place, finding balance, and finding the truth of you and not what others say of you--family or foe. All the possessive Dom goodness and deserving sub that you could want. Seriously, a few instances of repetition that I suppose meant to highlight how easy miscommunication is which was a bit aggravating, but made the finally epiphanies all the sweeter. 

Overall, a story of trust and care.

Converge by Chris Owen

C

DNF 55% 
Boring.

All the bits that you don't want to read, over and over again. Like riding in an elevator, walking down a sidewalk, driving in and out of garages--all the minutiae of daily life. This is a multiverse story, but all you get is administrivia and daily life. All the fun has been completely sucked out of the scifi. The only exciting part is the voyeur sex one MC has with another character while the second MC watches unbeknownst. 

Plus, looks like it ends in a cliffhanger from other reviews and the giant warning I saw when I skipped pages to see how much longer it was. Not committing more time.

Body Option by Tayla Andor

CCCC


Existence in multiple forms.

So, this pegged my desire for action and technology in science fiction, which made me a happy girl. Loved the premise of Argent's being in this one, his choices and his acumen. Loved the subtly woven interracial storyline, frankly, in the future the present boundaries regarding this seem ridiculous, so I enjoyed Grant's persona. A little bit of stereotyping with the blond elfin and the muscled black, but their personalities and interactions were wonderfully equal and the banter humorous. 

I love the exploration of the concept of humanity, form, and the interconnection between Grant and Argent. What takes it from a 5 down to 4? The story had more legs than it ran--too short. The abbreviated reconciliation and reveling in their like forms after the developing story of two inseparable friends and partners left me feeling a bit cheated. After years of being perfect together in others ways, I wanted to see that materialize physically to a greater extent. 

Overall, fast-paced short story that has heart.

Favorite quote:

"I've lived through peripherals since meat and bones failed me at eight. No sense downgrading now."

Daron's Guitar Chronicles: Volume One by Cecilia Tan

CCCC

Zeitgeist.

The sense of the eighties is tangible, from the smokey IHOP to the spandex wearing cover bands. The story is first person and is told exclusively from Daron's point of view. He keeps you close with the confidential tone while you travel with him.

This is a journey, and it is evocative and well paced. He doesn't rocket to stardom. This is the long haul of crappy gigs, subbing for band members, and eating when you can. Scrapping together and getting by. 

Argh! The story ends twenty pages before the final count. I thought I had so much story left. Cliffhanger! This is a definite read the series book, not freestanding. But, DAMN! It was really good. I'm totally invested in following Daron on his quest for self-discovery and acceptance. 

Favorite quote:

If charisma was a magic spell, Ziggy was casting it far and wide.