MOTEL. POOL. by Kim Fielding

4 Stars

Utterly depressing and inspiring, at the same time? It's a strange paradox. 

I found the beginning slow, it started where I didn't expect. It was actually an extended prologue lasting approximately 10% of the book and I felt confused because I kept thinking where's the story I thought. That and Hollywood machine stories that chew and spit out people as a LA local really don't appeal to me, at all. So, that was a depressing backstory.

The road trip aspect really appealed to me. I love the dissolution of barriers in the confined enclosure of an extended car ride. There's a opening up that occurs in hostage situations and the fact that participants often can't look at each other while seated encourages revelations that aren't always possible in a face to face conversation. 

The fact is, we all have our ghosts, ironically, including ghosts. 

While Jack is pondering his situation, Tag is running from his. Both characters have lived with dissatisfaction, but together they find something they never had, never thought they'd get. There's some twists and turns, and some tears. Not gonna lie. I cried. 

The end... well that was worth it. 

Overall, an emotionally fraught tale of finding acceptance. 

THE DEGAN INCIDENT by Rob Colton

3 Stars

Schmoopy gay porn.

Not often you see this particular melange of unvarnished sex and sugary sweet emotions. But, that's the tone of this soulmates' story. Devin is a small, orphaned human working the Space Port on Earth when he meets Bastian, a giant furry Degan. 

He sort of reminds me of this:


Or maybe a bipedal mashup with this:

Though, that could just be the name. Any which way, Degans are an ancient race of large ferocious furry bipeds with limited contact with humans. But for Devin and Bastian the pull is instantaneous, and there's a surprise that happens during their connection.

Suddenly, all the flowers and friskiness is tossed aside as the intrigue ensues. A thriller of galactic proportions begins and every thing from advance interrogation *cough* torture*cough* to spaceship battles occur. True love can't be denied. 

It's imperfect, but for a simple escapist read it works.

THORNS AND FANGS by Gillian St. Kevern

3.5 Stars

Magic and fangs, very dangerous. 

This was entertaining, but it starts off one way and takes a radical turn after 10%. The hot and heavy ménage erotica becomes a suspense with lethal consequences in the paranormal world that is New Camden, an urban, post-industrial, small-big city that seems to act as a beacon for the unusual. 

The jaunt through the dark side of night as Nate's frolic with a vampire colony has repercussions for everyone involved. This was more Nate's story of transformation than a romance, or rather the romance acted as a catalyst for Nate's change.

I liked it, but the pacing felt off, perhaps it was the sense of misdirection at the beginning. 

MANE AND TAIL by Sean Michael

3 Stars

I liked this, but it was essentially the same story as Pony Play written by the same author earlier, except there's a paranormal element added. The pony play and loving care of the groom for his colt is lovely, I personally feel that PONY PLAY was more successful emotionally. If you enjoy pony play, then this is a win for a loving expression and it's filled with the requisite SM loving and sweet talk or grunts. You just don't need to read both, because they're mirrors of each other.

CHAOS STATION by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

3.5 Stars

Making lemonade.

Post-war is never easy, but when you're struggling to figure out how to play the hand you're stuck with afterwards is a challenge. Felix and Zed: best friends, teammates, lovers--until they're torn apart. Suddenly, that drift is gone, and the truth of what's happened to both of them is standing starkly in front of them, waiting to be acknowledged.

This was pretty good for a science fiction romance. It's a hurt comfort and a bit of a thriller as the crew of the Chaos faces off against opponents while running their cargo. I liked the characters a lot. It is a romance, but the plot is a major component, so it's not all kisses and sighs. 3.5 rounded up because I like that it didn't whimp out at the end. I'm interested in seeing what's slated for the sequel.

PIRATE UTOPIA by Bruce Sterling

4 Stars

Historical farce or farcical history?

I'm a sucker for covers, especially ones that say "Pirate" or "Utopia" and have screaming propagandistic art. Put them altogether and I'm a goner. I can't help it. I'm weak. It actually took me a few moments to catch the flow of the story, the bumbling ridiculousness narration of it. And then, I was amused. 

This story is a clever and critical editorial of events. Yes, there is an assumption of knowledge of the period, but the addendums at the end explain this more thoroughly for those readers who might have been confused, so skip and read the explanation of the alternate timeline and situating Sterling's viewpoint on the Interwar period if one is baffled after the first ten pages. Additionally, there is an extensive interview, Q&A with Sterling regarding the book. 

The Interwar critique of the Italian state of Fiume and the slippery slide and friction between anarchism to communist idealism and its schism to fascism. It's funny and complicated and a knowledge of European geography, relevant political allegiances and the differences between the warring political ideologies of modernism make for a not so subtle farce. 



The artwork throughout is nicely done, and definitely adds flavor to the tale. 

Croatian pirate refusing change for British pound in Kingdom of Yugoslavia dinars. The racket of internal stamps trading in lieu of "money". The laundry list of languages spoken and who is willing to speak which ones and why. The demise of Italian industry greatness brought on by Armistice. 

He was a teenage boy from Turin, so race-cars and airplanes interested him much more than philosophical aspirations.

In case one isn't familiar, this is the rooftop racetrack for Fiat in Turin. So, after all the Nietzsche worship because he spent time studying in Turin and considering him a son of Turin, I found this more than a little amusing. 

Really. It's funny:

Tarzan was the American version of the Nietzschean Overman. He was a Superman anarchist, but since he lived in a jungle, he did not have to smash the State.

His immediate superior in piracy was the Ace of Hearts.

The subversion of the premise of piracy is freaking hysterical. As is all the political ideals that are subverted throughout the book. Sad, but funny. 

The grenade failed to detonate. It was a factory second.

It's a time capsule. It is bald-faced, so any readers who go into this expecting political correctness instead of the scathing representations in a myriad of manifestations is going to be offended. All the little mentions that typify the era are present from boys adventure stories (propaganda masquerading as entertainment), League of Nations, lingering occultism, and the idealist belief of a better future. The funny thing is, reading this I became even more aware how relevant Chaos Theory is to human societies. It constantly has to be cultivated and rebuilt because it is degrading into violence and separation. And, the shelf life for heroes is very short. 

So laugh. If you don't, it's just sad how much what seems to be a farce is actually reality. Don't worry, "It's All Been Done Before" (Barenaked Ladies) 

Fellow cynical idealists, this is a story for YOU.

ELEMENTAL LOVE by L.M. Somerton

3 Stars

A mage comes into his powers and all the responsibility and sacrifice that comes with it, along with a a grudge match that's been waiting. The sacrifice is given by a willing supplicant, the warlock's submissive. It was sugar kink, a bit awkward in places, but since they both were figuring it out as they went along it worked for the most part. I only wanted to hit Evrain over the head twice.

LIME GELATIN AND OTHER MONSTERS by Angel Martinez

4 Stars

The Precinct of Misfit Cops.

If B grade monster movies are your thing, then this will be entertaining. The tone was amusing as the title alludes; no one takes themselves too seriously, and neither should the reader. Vikash is Kyle's newly assigned partner in the odd Philadelphia precinct comprised entirely of officers with unusual powers. 

I'm a huge fan of monster movies; the odder the better--The Monster that Challenged the World is an awesome one about a prehistoric mollusk rampaging through the Imperial Valley in California. So, having a misfit police unit is a win because they managed to make the officers questionable powers work together. 

Then there's all the references to things I love that made this better and what's pushing the rating up from 3.5 stars to 4 because it's more entertaining than 3 stars. Besides the geeking out about monster movies, there's LOTR and FIRE LIZARDS!!!



Seriously... Kash's tattoo is sexy. I'd do a guy with this tattoo just because he had it, if I weren't married.

Anyway... the story. There's solid Philly references, from cheesesteaks (Jim's, yeah, suck it--I went outside the Gino/Pat binary) to Boat House Row to the Surekill (Schuylkill). So, the sense of place is fairly developed to give it enough flavor. The characters are a hoot and the interplay between the individuals and the partner pairings is good. The mystery itself is basically finding the perp for some gruesome attacks. It was not complicated, but it was well thought out and executed nicely in small increments interleaving the developing personal and professional relationship between Kyle and Kash. I'm definitely interested in reading the next in the series. 

Overall, quirky, paranormal, cop procedural.

ORION'S CIRCLE by Victoria Sue

3 Stars

This was surprisingly violent with a great deal of torture for one of the main characters, some stupid decisions and pouting, but overall, a steamy menage a quatre. The backstory and the set were an interesting mix of contemporary and mythology as these destined mates come together.

HUNTED by Claire Thompson

1 Star

Yeah... what do I say. This book is rapey, non-con, fantasy abduction. The content wasn't the problem for me, I have a diverse reading habit, it was the idiotic characterization of the female in the story which besides being TSTL just never managed to engender any empathy since she seemed incapable of thinking on her feet. Add in the unrealistic ending, she managed to come out of it being lauded as brave and sexy with an HEA, and I'm numb.

The D/s and S&M elements were presented in the most uninvolved way that relayed little eroticism for a reader looking for a taboo read. Plus, it had the crudest brain-washing techniques which anyone halfway put together would not have been influenced by. 

(\_/)
(O.o) - Another challenge read fail. I think I need to stop doing challenges.

COTILLION by Georgette Heyer

5 Stars

This was me finishing my first Heyer novel. Yeah, yeah, yeah... where have I been. 



Kitty is the duckling ready to assume her swan plumage, and does she ever in this escape from Cranky Manor where her guardian has kept her in the severest of conditions. Needless to say, as soon as the opportunity presents itself, Kitty is on the first coach out of there. 

And thus begins the shenanigans. 

The entire story is amusing and set at a breakneck pace. Imagine if you will, Austen pairing up with Gilbert and Sullivan to do a revamped version of Midsummer's Night Dream. It's the Ton, it's topsy-turvy, and there's love swaps all around until things finally settle into a most satisfactory conclusion. 

Without a doubt Freddy was my favorite character. From the onset he was charming, loyal, and conscientious enough keeping his eye on things, but not a wet blanket. Underestimated and stalwart, he stole my heart away one little action at a time. 

Plus, a line like this can never go wrong: 

He found the strings, tugged ruthlessly at them, and cast the offending bonnet aside. ‘That’s better! Been wanting to kiss you for weeks!’

Overall, it's a classic for a reason, nonpareil.

SANCTUARY by DiscontentedWinter

4 Stars

Imagine if it offered him a life of excruciating pain, of heartbreak, of depression, of anxiety, of panic attacks, of fear. But imagine it said he could ...

Stiles’s answer is yes.

Every fucking time, yes.

Pain is a constant companion, but nothing's worse than the guilt that envelopes their lives. The unrelenting specter of the past that replays unforgivable events, over and over and over. There's no end, just an endless loop.

Change.

New places and people mean new chances. Good and bad. No place is untouched by evil and ill will, even the idyllic Beacon Hills. Everything's a give and take, as the Sheriff knows well.

And Stiles.

And the Hales.



Acceptance and forgiveness go hand in hand, or hand in paw. As Stiles navigates his limitations and previously unimagined dreams, he finds peace and love. For something as dark as this was, the humor and generosity of spirit displayed alleviated it. Peter and Stiles are per character, snarky and hysterical with Peter's skulking particularly amusing. But, I have to give kudos to Cora, for she has some great lines that lack that dark undertone. And this is a lovely reimagining of Derek, still damaged, but unbroken.



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PLAY ME, I'M YOURS by Madison Parker

3 Stars

Self acceptance and valuing oneself--It's important!

This is the cute version of high school with it's rampant apathetic to viciously hostile treatment of "other". Lucas Tate is a smart guy and brilliant pianist. There's two strikes against him. Oh yeah, and he's beautiful. Not like catalogue beautiful, but beautiful... bordering on ethereal or effeminate. 

Of course, this attracts attention. Usually, when some idiot's deciding to be an epic ass for performance points. Ahhh... the inane cruelty of adolescence. 

Anyway, this runs the young adult gamut of decisions about voice, body ownership, bullying, friendship, misconceptions, and assumptions. Lucas is a nice guy, and honestly deserves better than he gets. Watching him struggle and negotiate high school and his family while seeking emotional connection with others is both cringe-worthy and uplifting. 

I enjoyed this story. I didn't love it like Sock it to Me, Santa!which is amazing, but it's a lovely story of staying true to oneself, regardless. 

Random acts of kindness--they might be the one thing that makes someone's day, week, month or year. Try them.

HUNTING SEASON: A LOVE STORY by Blake Crouch and Selena Kitt

3 Stars

Here's a little story about Ray and Ariana, two American kids done...

“I was eighteen, Ray,” she said softly. “I was a kid.”

“So was I.”

Well, boy is this something. Lordy. I laughed really hard. Nothing turns out like anyone expects, including the reader. Entertaining short story.

TITAN IN CHAINS by Zoe Perdita

3 Stars

College superheroes, a corrupt city, and sworn enemies battle it out in the streets and on the rooftops. 

Uncomplicated with the technology versus mutant tension along with family grudges for two freshman roommates. There's some sexual awakening, a bit of frisky kinky times, and comic book violence. Stir in the corruption and ambiance of Gotham for some environmental flavor and an unidentified opponent. Welcome to Darkvale. 

It's the beginning of a series so the overall conflict is unresolved though the protagonists work through their primary conflict. There are still a few mystery to unravel though at least one of them isn't too hard to figure out. Mindless fun, but not running off to read book #2.

DOM OF LAS VEGAS by Tricia Owens

1 Star

Even free, my time was worth more than reading this book.

Superficial characterization, plays BDSM buzzword bingo, uninspiring sex scenes, and professional incompetence all pushed this to a two star rating. Unfortunately, the ending and some ridiculous quotes pushed this to one star.

"What happened [...] can't be reversed. I've pulled all the strings at my disposal. But I want you to know that once you are with me, nothing similar will ever befall you. I will protect you with every resource available to me, which is considerable."

Seeing as the glitterkink "Dom" is 100% responsible for the sub's plight, this was the last straw of my patience.