Quick Thoughts About A Few Books + A Fanzine Rec
Lately I haven't had the time to sit down and write a proper review so I thought I'd post a few quick thoughts on the books I haven't had the chance to review as well as link to my book list on my listography page. But anyway...onward!
Wes and Toren by J.M. Colail
-- After some initial wavering on my part, I really grew to like this book. It wasn't perfect - I would have liked just a tad more build up between Wes and Toren before they fell into a relationship and never found myself 100% invested in the story - but the writing was clean, simple, and straightforward and the author did a great job giving us the whole story in one go. All in all, I wouldn't mind reading another novel by this author.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
-- I've mixed feelings about this novel. On the one hand, it's really quite charming and I loved reading about the Queen learning the joys and pitfalls of being a great reader. On the other hand, I found myself feeling melancholy after finishing it and I can't fully explain why.
SWAT Team One and the Social Worker (#1) ; SWAT Team Two and Miss Robin Hood (#2); Task Force Three and the Irish Jewel (#3) by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
-- I've come to develop pretty low standards when it comes to siren publishing so it's really no surprise that I tend to gobble their imprints up like a piece of really decadent and therefore bad for me chocolate cake. They're just...terrible and wonderful things. But, anyhow, if I'm being serious for a moment and disregarding the crazy that is inherent to all siren imprints (especially the lovextreme one), I have to say that all of these books suffered from the same problem: they started off interesting and then went downhill. Quickly.
Every single heroine - and I use this term loosely - went from interesting characters to absolute messes. For example, I really enjoyed Melissa's character in the second installment - she works at a strip club as a bartender (and occasional dancer) in order to support her sickly aunt, nieces and nephews; she also steals money from a drug pusher because, well, she's desperate - but all of this is just pushed aside so she can get her freak on with her "mates". I mean, okay, I know this is erotica but dammit, I wanted something better than "they 'healed' her with their dicks", but what can you expect from a lovextreme imprint?
Also? No author, no matter if they're an erotica writer or not, should ever write an orgasm as "sloshing" or "gushing" so loud that everyone in the vicinity can hear it. Ever.
Angel Bound (#1); Angelic Ties (#2);Angel Kin (#3) by Jana Downs
--Much like the above set of books, these aren't meant to be anything more than guilty pleasures of mine so I didn't have high expectations going in. Imagine my surprise when I actually ended up enjoying the plot, even if it was bogged down by the completely expected porn. I'll definitely look into getting the next one, even if they're overpriced.
Night Shift (Jill Kismet #1) by Lilith Saintcrow
--The only thing that kept me from 100% loving this book was the romance and I say that as a romance junkie. Don't get me wrong, the romance is well done but I disliked that they put it in the first book. I would have loved if they'd have left it a bit ambiguous going into the second book (which I haven't read yet) or even pushed it even further back. Jill's character is just too - fragile? broken? - for me to think that the romance will last but, whether or not that's the case, I'm already looking forward to the next book.
Dante Valentine: Working For The Devil (#1) by Lilith Saintcrow
--I loved this book. Plain and simple. I can't wait for the next one.
None But You (Frederick Wentworth, Captain; Book 1) by Susan Kaye
--Since I've already written up a partial review for this I'll just say: this wasn't all I hoped it would be and I was confused at just how many books were a part of this series - 2? 3? I don't think the author knows, either.
Anne Elliot, A New Beginning by Mary Lydon Simonsen
-- This might be toted as a Persuasion spin-off or re-write (or whatever you want to call it) but my advice to anyone planning to read it is to pretend that it's either a) a full blow, bells and whistles parody, or b) something completely different. Because it is. Completely different. So much so that other than the names, it's hard to see how this is in any way tied to Persuasion, which is kind-of a shame because there's not enough Persuasion inspired novels out there. All in all, though, it was okay, even entertaining at times, but I still wish I hadn't spent the money on it.
On a different note and for those of you who enjoy fanzines as much as I do, a recommendation: The Adventure of the Blue Police Call Box by MJ, a BBC Sherlock/Doctor Who crossover. Slash.
I was gifted the above 'zine as an early birthday present and I loved it. It read like a Doctor Who episode and was just a lot of fun from beginning to end. In fact, I'll likely sit down with a cup of tea and read it again this weekend. Though that might be a bad thing...I really want to buy more 'zines. >.<
Wes and Toren by J.M. Colail
-- After some initial wavering on my part, I really grew to like this book. It wasn't perfect - I would have liked just a tad more build up between Wes and Toren before they fell into a relationship and never found myself 100% invested in the story - but the writing was clean, simple, and straightforward and the author did a great job giving us the whole story in one go. All in all, I wouldn't mind reading another novel by this author.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
-- I've mixed feelings about this novel. On the one hand, it's really quite charming and I loved reading about the Queen learning the joys and pitfalls of being a great reader. On the other hand, I found myself feeling melancholy after finishing it and I can't fully explain why.
SWAT Team One and the Social Worker (#1) ; SWAT Team Two and Miss Robin Hood (#2); Task Force Three and the Irish Jewel (#3) by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
-- I've come to develop pretty low standards when it comes to siren publishing so it's really no surprise that I tend to gobble their imprints up like a piece of really decadent and therefore bad for me chocolate cake. They're just...terrible and wonderful things. But, anyhow, if I'm being serious for a moment and disregarding the crazy that is inherent to all siren imprints (especially the lovextreme one), I have to say that all of these books suffered from the same problem: they started off interesting and then went downhill. Quickly.
Every single heroine - and I use this term loosely - went from interesting characters to absolute messes. For example, I really enjoyed Melissa's character in the second installment - she works at a strip club as a bartender (and occasional dancer) in order to support her sickly aunt, nieces and nephews; she also steals money from a drug pusher because, well, she's desperate - but all of this is just pushed aside so she can get her freak on with her "mates". I mean, okay, I know this is erotica but dammit, I wanted something better than "they 'healed' her with their dicks", but what can you expect from a lovextreme imprint?
Also? No author, no matter if they're an erotica writer or not, should ever write an orgasm as "sloshing" or "gushing" so loud that everyone in the vicinity can hear it. Ever.
Angel Bound (#1); Angelic Ties (#2);Angel Kin (#3) by Jana Downs
--Much like the above set of books, these aren't meant to be anything more than guilty pleasures of mine so I didn't have high expectations going in. Imagine my surprise when I actually ended up enjoying the plot, even if it was bogged down by the completely expected porn. I'll definitely look into getting the next one, even if they're overpriced.
Night Shift (Jill Kismet #1) by Lilith Saintcrow
--The only thing that kept me from 100% loving this book was the romance and I say that as a romance junkie. Don't get me wrong, the romance is well done but I disliked that they put it in the first book. I would have loved if they'd have left it a bit ambiguous going into the second book (which I haven't read yet) or even pushed it even further back. Jill's character is just too - fragile? broken? - for me to think that the romance will last but, whether or not that's the case, I'm already looking forward to the next book.
Dante Valentine: Working For The Devil (#1) by Lilith Saintcrow
--I loved this book. Plain and simple. I can't wait for the next one.
None But You (Frederick Wentworth, Captain; Book 1) by Susan Kaye
--Since I've already written up a partial review for this I'll just say: this wasn't all I hoped it would be and I was confused at just how many books were a part of this series - 2? 3? I don't think the author knows, either.
Anne Elliot, A New Beginning by Mary Lydon Simonsen
-- This might be toted as a Persuasion spin-off or re-write (or whatever you want to call it) but my advice to anyone planning to read it is to pretend that it's either a) a full blow, bells and whistles parody, or b) something completely different. Because it is. Completely different. So much so that other than the names, it's hard to see how this is in any way tied to Persuasion, which is kind-of a shame because there's not enough Persuasion inspired novels out there. All in all, though, it was okay, even entertaining at times, but I still wish I hadn't spent the money on it.
On a different note and for those of you who enjoy fanzines as much as I do, a recommendation: The Adventure of the Blue Police Call Box by MJ, a BBC Sherlock/Doctor Who crossover. Slash.
I was gifted the above 'zine as an early birthday present and I loved it. It read like a Doctor Who episode and was just a lot of fun from beginning to end. In fact, I'll likely sit down with a cup of tea and read it again this weekend. Though that might be a bad thing...I really want to buy more 'zines. >.<