Pre-Halloween outfit

but is it enough sugar?

Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan

 

This one was just a miss for me. I really didn't see the romance as anything more than a crush or puppy love. Also the relationship felt rushed which is really weird to say because in the first book I think Frankie and Marcus had maybe three days to fuck, fight, and fall in love.

Maybe it's the age gap which isn't my thing, or how much of a door mat Paul is in this. Make that a childish door mat...his expression of displeasure in his family in the end didn't endear me to his case by any means. Though I did have to say what he did after did get me all misty eyed.

So I guess this goes under my different strokes for different folks category. If age gap angst is your thing, awesome, this might be the book for you.


I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review! 

- E

Alexey Dyed in Red by A.M. Valenza

I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. I thought the fantasy world was interesting, and well developed, and I really liked the setting. The magic was different, and I liked the concept of the Warlock. Dark, and more than a little creepy. Way more than a little. The characters were interesting, and well developed. I liked the way they interacted together, and how it was about more than just love, but about friendship, guilt, family, and responsibility. The plot was nicely convoluted, and the twist was really well done. I liked that it was well supported by the story that came before it, not something that felt like it came out of thin air, but the foreshadowing wasn't so heavy that I had all the answers before I was given them. The ending was well done, and it fit the story, and the characters. I don't want to say too much because I'm afraid I'd give something away, so I'll just leave it at this. I can't wait for more.



mle

Moon Dogs by Erica Kealey

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In some ways this books feels like chapters of a larger work, and in a perfect world it would have been, but that's not to say it doesn't work as a short story. I felt like I was given enough information in the story to appreciate Grant and Cary's relationship, and how they got to the point where they are now. I felt like the events of the story were firmly grounded in the character's history, and personality, and it left me understanding what was happening, and why. Some of the werewolf stuff was a little silly, but not necessarily in a bad way. More like the author was having a bit of fun with some of the tropes, and ideas. I would really like to know more about these characters, and what happens next. Although it was short it felt like a complete episode of a larger story, and, in the end, it worked for me.

mle

Could be a crowd by C.J. Munoz

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly liked this book more than I expected to. I really liked Nicholas, and I could relate to his fears and anxieties. I liked that he could be more than a bit of an ass, and his sense of humor really worked for me. I found the reasons why he and Pierce never connected to be honest, and believable. I think Lynn was the biggest surprise, and I loved that he was so much more than he first appeared to me. I liked the balance between the three of them, and how much each of them brought to and got from the relationship. I liked their banter, and the sex was smoking hot. An excellent balance of sweet, fun, and sexy. I look forward to reading more from this author.

PS - Robots are creepy. Super creepy!

mle

Desert World Allegiances by Lyn Gala

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this story quite a bit. The characters were well developed, and interesting. I liked that people, for the most part, weren't simply black and white in their morality. I think the relationship between Shan and his brother was a highlight for me. Their relationship is strained, and complicated, but for very honest and very real reasons. I liked Temar, and his struggles. I appreciated that he was deeply hurt, but he never came off as weak or helpless. I think that I need a bit more to believe in their bond though. It seemed a bit quick, and some of Shan's feelings, especially in the beginning, felt a bit more like obsession than love to me. I did appreciate that Temar was able to advocate for his needs, and he never let Shan take control or do things "for his own good."

The plot was well developed, and, while it was a bit slow in the beginning, once events started unfolding things moved at a good pace. I liked the way slavery worked in this society, and I can see for people living so close to the edge, where it would seem like a better option than attempting to incinerate people, or leaving them with debts that they will never be able to pay. I'm not saying their right just that it's a complicated situation, and the author did a good job articulating that.

The ending was well done, and it fit the feeling of the story. I think the villain of the story was well done, and I liked that they had motivation beyond simply being evil. I can see where people could have been drawn into the plot, and the plans made sense in the context of the characters and the setting. A solid start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to reading more.


art credit: a cave on a desert planet by hoevelkamp

mle

Treats

Cupcakes are always the right size.

Balancing Act by Angie Barry

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


I really enjoyed this short story. The author did a wonderful job giving me a feel for the relationship between Narcissus and Adonis in a very short space of time, and without any info dumping or awkward exposition. I really felt for Adonis, and could relate to his complicated feelings for Narcissus. I appreciated that Narcissus was just as conflicted, deep down, and that he wasn't as simple as he first appeared to be. I think seeing things from both characters perspectives let me understand both of them, and how they came to this point. In the end I think it was Ganymede that was my favorite, and that's all I'm going to say about that. The resolution was well done, and I liked how things worked out between the three men. It was fitting, and it made me smile. I loved the modern feeling to the mythological characters. I loved that, even thought there were times that this story could have been overtaken by angst, it never was. The characters had fears, doubts, angers, but, in the end, it was a bright, and hopeful story. Not an explicit story, but I don't think it would have worked in this story. Overall a fun, short read.

mle

Art Quilts of the Midwest by Linzee Kull McCray

I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I saw this book on my NetGalley Dashboard, and I was instantly drawn in by the cover. Something about the colors, and the texture, and the balance really appealed to me. I was also drawn in by the subject; my mother has been quilting my entire life, and it's always appealed to me. I've even made a few small projects of my own. It was interesting to see the different approaches, and interpretations of quilts in thi I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I saw this book on my NetGalley Dashboard, and I was instantly drawn in by the cover. Something about the colors, and the texture, and the balance really appealed to me. I was also drawn in by the subject; my mother has been quilting my entire life, and it's always appealed to me. I've even made a few small projects of my own. It was interesting to see the different approaches, and interpretations of quilts in this book, and even when they didn't appeal to me visually I was interested in the artist. It was nice to have, instead of artist biographies, the artist talk about their process, their inspirations, and their themes and ideas. It added a richness and a depth to the book, and let me better appreciate their work. It would have been nice to have more than just one man, but overall it felt like a diverse group, and I liked the diversity of quilts. There were touches of snobbery, and elitism in some of the artists, but I'm glad that didn't feel overwhelming, and not everyone was wrapped up in the idea of artist versus quilter. I liked how the variety in the theme of the book as well, and how a sense of place carried through, but was different for each artist. It's not a place I've ever been, but it was interesting seeing how these artists reflected on, identified with, and reacted to their surroundings. Overall an interesting book, and one I'm glad that I took the time to read. mle