Review: American Love Songs

Title: American Love Songs
Author: Ashlyn Kane
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 31 December 2010
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 251 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Blurb:
Jake Brenner has too many wild oats to sow to fall in love—or so he claims. Besides, he's much too busy with his band, the Wayward Sons, to go looking for romance. His reticence has nothing to do with his embarrassing crush on Chris, the band's lead singer and Jake's erstwhile best friend. But that was before enigmatic wanderer Parker McAvoy signed on as the band's new lead guitarist.

He can only deny his attraction to sweet, dorky Parker for so long before the urge to do something about it becomes impossible to ignore. The trouble is, Parker knows all about Jake's philandering ways—and oh, yeah, he's not gay. Or so Jake thinks until a string of related events provides encouraging new insight. Can he convince Parker to overlook his colorful past and give him a chance? Or will this love song fade out before it even begins?

Review:

Main Characters:
Jake is an easygoing guy, the mediator of his band of friends--and his friends in the band. He's a college dropout who hasn't looked back since he made the decision to pursue a career in music, a bit of a player, and completely oblivious to certain aspects of himself. He's a great, fun character, and one I came to adore as the story progressed.

Parker is much quieter and far more reserved, suffering from occasionally-crippling shyness. He is a musical genius with a gift for songwriting to go with his talents with instruments, and keeps secrets about his past close to his chest. He's downright adorable in his insecurities, and it's easy to root for him, especially as his past begins to come out.

Chemistry:
For much of the story, Jake and Parker are friends with no real inkling that they could be anything more. Their friendship is frankly sweet; I love the scene where Parker is dragged into bed by a sick Jake to play bedwarmer. Once they begin to recognize their attraction and act on it, though, things definitely sizzle. It's a slow progression, but a very appealing one; I found myself holding my breath each time they kissed, wondering if it would be that time they'd be carried away by it.

Secondary Characters:
The supporting cast is fairly large, including their bandmates, support staff, families, and other incidentals, but most are so well drawn that they're easy to keep track of despite the quantity. Several are stellar--I particularly liked Allanna and Mickey.

Story:
The story follows not only the development of Jake and Parker's relationship, but also the rise of their band from local notoriety to international glory. It was generally well-paced and engaging, but I found it lagged a little by the time Jake and Parker really started heating up; I found my attention wandering more than once toward the end.

Writing:
The writing was lovely, with engaging dialogue and lively prose. The prose was interspersed with occasional blog posts, which was interesting, and also sported the occasional footnote, for commentary by the characters.

Although I enjoyed the writing, the premise did throw me a little. It was presented as a story told to the fans, into which the blog posts and footnotes fit, but some of the things included that made sense in a traditional format didn't make sense as it was presented; would Parker really be comfortable with an account of him coming in his jeans being presented to the fans when he has to go onstage sans glasses to help control his nerves? I just couldn't quite equate the two.

Overall:
Likable characters and a fun story made this a pleasure to read. Although the premise still throws me, if you can move beyond that you'll certainly find plenty to like. I only wish it were possible to see more of Jake and Parker's growth together.

Review: Indigo: The Cat's Meow

Title: Indigo: The Cat's Meow
Author: Lucius Parhelion
Publisher: Torquere Press
Publication Date: 27 December 2011
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 72 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Blurb:
Good jobs were hard to come by in 1930, even in booming Southern California, even in Hollywood. Fred Doyle was relieved when the chores his brother Charlie conned him into taking over, serving as handyman and cat sitter for their landlady's son, accidentally led to decent work with Carl Belasco, youngest and sharpest of the Production Heads at Metropolitan Pictures.

But now Fred and Carl are being drawn together by more than painting woodwork on weekends, trying to keep track of Mr. Flurry the cat, or even correcting errant movie directors. They're realizing that a more intimate and illegal taste they share is turning them toward each other. Too bad that onlookers, including the ever-conniving Charlie, may notice the growing attraction before Fred and Carl do.

Given this tangle, a quick trip to buy decorating supplies on romantic Catalina Island is likely not the wisest of ideas...

Review:

Main Characters:
Fred is a soon-to-be-CPA sleeping on his brother's couch. Seeking hourly work to avoid taking a job with the family construction company, he's pleasantly surprised to find regular work as Carl's personal assistant, something at which it quickly becomes apparent he excels. He's grounded and knows how to get done what needs to be done, but he's not above irreverence and doesn't take himself too seriously. His narration gives the story a decidedly light-hearted air and casts him as quite a likable guy.

Carl is a bit harder to get a read on, filtered through Fred's point of view. He's a powerful producer with a bad habit of keeping potential paramours--those of a lavender hue--close at hand in any way that fits. I rather liked him, though I can't pin down his character enough to determine why.

Chemistry:
So much of what is between Fred and Carl is in what is not said that it was hard to see their interest in each other at all until quite late in the story. Once it came out, it was a slow slide into acting upon that attraction, and much is still left in the spaces between; what sex there is in the end is tastefully implied, rather than splashed across the page. It's easy for me to see Fred and Carl together for the long haul, too, which never hurts.

Secondary Characters:
Although there is a decently-sized secondary cast, the one who steals the scenes is naturally Mr. Flurry. His frantic pawing under the bathroom door at bath time is downright adorable. Fred's brother, Charlie, is fun as well, especially when he rides to defend Fred's virtue, much to Fred's chagrin. Even the incidental characters are breathed with unique life that makes them a pleasant, integral part to Fred and Carl's world.

Story:
Much of the plot revolves around the work Fred and Carl are doing to Carl's mother's house while she is away. The development of their relationship, both personal and professional, falls into the cracks and comes out in relief, shown in its absence.

Writing:
The writing itself is an absolute delight, lyrical and dreamy. Things flow so beautifully from point A to point B that it's easy to get lost in it.

Overall:
You don't need to love historical romances to love this story, but it's an added bonus if you do. Excellent writing and impressively-drawn characters lend a timelessness that makes it easily accessible to anyone looking for a lovely, light romance.

Review: No Souvenirs

Title: No Souvenirs
Series: Florida Books
Author: K.A. Mitchell
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publication Date: 9 March 2010
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 158 pages

Rating: 3 out of 5

Blurb:
A vacation fling. No complications. No connections. And no regrets.

Trauma surgeon Jae Sun Kim has just lost the job he wanted more than anything else in his life. Looking for a way to hit the reset button, he takes a scuba vacation. He didn't plan on seasickness, or a dive master who is sex-on-the-beach personified.

Shane McCormack's tendency to drift away from complicated situations has landed him a job as a dive master in Belize, which isn't as glamorous as it sounds. But with the big three-oh looming, asking his parents to bail him out again isn't an option. The job isn't without its perks, though, and as soon as he figures a way to keep that hot but arrogant ass of a doctor from tossing his cookies over the side of the boat, he plans to flirt the control freak out of his brittle shell.

The close quarters on the ship generate more heat than either expects, but a vacation fling is all that's in the plans. An unexpected adventure leaves them changed in ways that make it impossible to go back to their old lives. The risks they'll both have to take could leave them with nothing but more scars, or the best souvenir of all.

Review:

Main Characters:
Kim is prickly and unapproachable, even his closest friends held at a distance. He lives to work--and also in fear that his parents will discover that he's gay. He's an unequivocal top with no real history of relationships and a near inability to express himself. He's also an arrogant asshole. Despite that (or, perhaps, because of that), I adore him. He's uncompromising when it comes to his beliefs, but also isn't above trying to change when he feels it necessary. His evolution throughout the story is interesting to witness, and I think he comes out as quite likable (if you tend toward the prickly sorts).

Shane is far more easy-going. After nine years in college and with difficulties finding a position in his field, he takes a position as Divemaster as a stopgap, not having any idea what exactly he's going to have dropped in his lap. He's got a family that knows he's gay and loves him, although he doesn't really seem to have any other close friends. (At least, I can't recall any being mentioned, even in passing.) I liked him well enough, but he seemed a little more generic than Kim to me.

Chemistry:
Kim and Shane are definitely an attractive couple, which is good as they have a lot of sex. I particularly enjoyed that Kim was the dominant one in the relationship despite the height trope, although I could have lived with a little bit of reversing. I could also have done with a little more conversation, as, aside from one or two revealing talks, they never really seemed to get to know each other all that well.

Secondary Characters:
The supporting cast was thin on the ground; the largest were Joey and Aaron (from Collision Course), and even they barely made an appearance. While it was interesting to see how Joey and Aaron were doing, it also seemed as though they were thrown in for the sake of the cameo, without having any real impact.

Story:
Although there's a lot of sex, there's also a welcome amount of plot to be found here, mostly centering on a mishap during Kim's tour. Things move along well through much of the book, although almost too smoothly; there's not really any confrontation (mishap aside) until quite late. It could easily have been expanded, I think, especially as it's already a fairly short book--over 100 pages shorter than the previous book in the series.

Writing:
The writing flowed nicely, competent if not particularly captivating. It was easy to sink into, with few noticeable errors.

Other Thoughts:
This is so a non-issue, but I had to blink that at one point a condom was flushed down the toilet. Would you believe that threw me out of the story more than anything else? Tsk.

Overall:
An interesting story made for a good vehicle for appealing characters. If not particularly memorable, it's still an enjoyable read that has a place on my shelf.

Review: Collision Course

Title: Collision Course
Series: Florida Books
Author: K.A. Mitchell
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publication Date: 9 December 2008
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 266 pages

Rating: 3 out of 5

Blurb:
Immovable object? Meet the irresistible force.

Paramedic Aaron Chase doesn't have anything against love. It just comes with a lot of responsibility, like when he had to raise his sister and brothers after their drug-addicted mom took off for good. Now that the last one is off to college, Aaron's anticipating enjoying life on his own terms. He certainly wasn't expecting Joey Miller to accidentally drop into his life.

Joey's sexy, funny and annoyingly optimistic, and his tendency to get into trouble keeps sending him Aaron's way. Even the fact that Joey works for the hated social work system isn't reason enough to keep him out of Aaron's bed.

Joey knows all about love. He's fallen in it ten times—he thinks. It's not that he can't tell the difference between sex and love. All that experience has to count for something, right? With Aaron it's different. Maybe because there's something to fight for.

This time Joey's fallen for good. He's not going to let number eleven get away.

Review:

Main Characters:
Joey is an affable man who makes his living as a social worker, trying to save kids from bad situations. He enjoys surfing and has a waterbed simply because it's the closest he can come to sleeping on the waves. He's had ten boyfriends, with most of whom he remains friendly. He puts up with a lot, but isn't afraid to put his foot down when he feels that he's being needlessly targeted. He's certainly likable, and easy to root for.

Aaron is a bit more of an enigma to me. A paramedic (not an EMT) who raised three younger siblings when his crackwhore mother split, he's an arrogant asshole with issues maintaining close relationships. He also has no love for the social work system--or those who work in it. He never really evolved past the arrogant asshole for me, ultimately less compelling than Joey.

Chemistry:
Joey and Aaron might not have the best conversational skills, but they certainly did heat the sheets. It's a truly good thing they worked so well together, because there is a lot of sex in this book. There's also a touch of mild kink, though not enough to make most people uncomfortable, I think. I do wish they'd talked a bit more without one or the other of them getting angry, but they still shared enough that I could believe in them as a couple, rather than just fuckbuddies. They're a confrontational couple, but still a believable one.

Secondary Characters:
The supporting cast was widely varied and mostly well-drawn. I wish that some had gotten more attention--it seemed to me that Darryl was often overwhelmed and his issues kind of petered out--but they nevertheless worked well within the confines of the story.

Two of the secondary characters (Noah and Cameron) were the main characters in the preceding book in the series. It probably helps to understand them better to have read the first book (I didn't), as I found them a bit annoying; backstory may have mitigated that.

Story:
Honestly, I can't remember if there was much of a plot, as probably 75% of the book (if not more) was sex. Most of what happened that wasn't sex seemed to be a setup for sex, though there were a few events that provided revelations before the sex, at least. There was some family and work drama, but nothing with lasting repercussions; that came from the more personal, relationship drama. As a vehicle for the relationship as it progresses from sex to something more connected, though, the story is perfectly adequate.

Writing:
The writing was solid and enjoyable, with both prose and dialogue flowing well. There were a few errors here and there, but nothing noteworthy and not frequent enough to be annoying. Although there was nothing wrong, though, there was also nothing magical; no particular turn of phrase particularly stuck out for me.

Other Thoughts:
Both Joey and Aaron had voices in this story, though thankfully not at the same time; their points of view are clearly delineated by section. It's just enough to give an insight into both men, though I still feel that Joey is the clearer of the two.

Overall:
Well-developed characters and pleasant writing make this a quick, easy read. Although it lacks a spark to make it truly stand out, there's still plenty to enjoy here, with more in the series to look forward to.

Review: Dutch Treat

Title: Dutch Treat
Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 14 July 2011
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 200 pages

Rating: 2 out of 5

Blurb:
When Michael accepts a company assignment overseas, he doesn't count on being dumped by his boyfriend on the way to the airport. The breakup is a bad omen--Michael's time in Europe would be one long misery of loneliness and corporate backbiting if it weren’t for his friendship with his coworker, Stephan.

When he finds out Stephan wants more than friendship, Michael is torn. Even if he chooses to risk his one bright relationship in Europe for a chance at love, when this project is over, isn't his only choice to say goodbye?

Review:

Characters:
Michael is an information systems project manager for Shoe Box, an international athletic shoe retailer, with his life in line: he likes his job (if not his direct supervisor) and he's got a hot boyfriend who's been throwing around the L-word. Things begin to fall apart when he has a stint in the European office all but forced upon him... which is when his character starts to fall apart, too. He's supposedly (self-proclaimedly) strong and forceful, but I never really see it. He actually tends to be a bit of a pushover, mostly just going with whatever anyone else decides, whether it's his professional or personal life.

Stephan works in the marketing department of the Shoe Box European office. I had a hard time getting a handle on him, honestly. Part of it is that the entire story is told from Michael's point of view (which is not a complaint), but part of it I think is that he really didn't have much of a personality. He tends to come off sometimes as almost naive and childish, and runs hot and cold in an unappealing manner; the contradictions within the same conversation make no sense to me. (For example, there's a scene in which Michael rescues a child from drowning (more on this later). Stephan is all over him, claiming he's a hero. As the conversation progresses, it comes out that Stephan wants an intimate relationship with Michael and, when Michael refuses, Stephan calls him a coward and fumes. When Michael capitulates with an offer to date, Stephan is all sunshine and roses again.)

Try though I might, I cannot find Michael and Stephan appealing as a couple. Their chemistry is just zero; I zoned through their first kiss and ended up skimming most of the sex scenes. Even the declarations of love struck me as rote, something to be said because it was expected, not actually felt. It didn't help that I didn't buy into their first meeting: newly-arrived Michael is eating in his hotel's restaurant when he just so happens to be approached by Stephan, who'd heard someone new was arriving and thought it must be Michael when he saw him at the restaurant. I just don't buy it--it's too much of a contrivance.

The supporting cast was mostly conveniences. They popped up in sometimes non-sensical ways in time to give Michael an epiphany, then disappeared. Jake and Roger spring immediately to mind. Although they'd been Michael's friends for years, there's not so much as a mention of them until half-way through the book--how hard would it have been to insert a short scene with them prior to Michael's departure for Europe?--when they invite Michael to a dinner at which they make Michael think about how he regards Stephan. There's a brief conversation much later in which they give Michael more to think about when it comes to a pivotal decision, but nothing between the two, and nothing after. I realize that the focus is (and should be) on Michael and Stephan, but the sudden appearances and disappearances were jarring.

Story:
This is a decidedly character-driven story, so, while things happen, the story exists primarily to bring the characters together. Some of the events that work to do so, however, struck me as a little ridiculous. As an example: the aforementioned drowning child.

As they reached the spot where the walkway split to head out to the pavilion, Michael watched the waves break against the shore. A small round object bobbed between two waves near shore, and Michael stopped, watching. The object appeared again, and Michael took off running, tearing off his jacket and pulling off his sweatshirt, shoes left in the sand behind him. Hitting the water, he raced toward what was now plainly a small head of dark hair.

Aside from the introduction being clumsy (if it wasn't clear that it was, in fact, a child, why was Michael in such a hurry to get into the water?), the transparency of the vehicle was a bit off-putting. It seemed shoehorned in to facilitate the transition from Michael resisting Stephan's advances to giving in and agreeing to date. Other events (such as the final determinant of whether Michael stayed or returned to the States) struck me as equally forced.

Crises also resolve themselves a little too quickly. For example, there's a kerfuffle which first crops up on page 109 and which could have easily affected the rest of the story, but it was completely resolved 12 pages later--and it would have been sooner, had those 12 pages not included some sex. A little more in the way of lasting repercussions wouldn't have been a bad thing.

Writing:
It seems as though the author lost track of some of the details here and there. Michael returns from his first trip back to the States the day before Independence Day, but the Fourth of July comes around 31 pages later. Michael claims he doesn't date friends, but repeatedly asserts that he and Devon were friends first. Michael also claims he was never in love, but later shares the tragic story of his first love (which was almost embarrassingly melodramatic).

Although I can see how others appreciate the author's writing, it's really not to my taste.

"I wish I could talk more, but I have an appointment. Let me know what you decide." Dennis hung up, and Michael stood, walking over and opening his door before going back to work. At lunchtime, he ate alone. Usually Michael ate with some of the guys or other managers, but today he wasn't up for it. He had too much to think about. What bothered him most was that he knew he was going to do it. He knew he‟d put his life on hold and do this project because they'd asked, but he absolutely didn't want to go. It wasn't in his psyche to turn them down. Michael had always done what the company needed and asked of him, and it really wasn't in him to say no. He knew it, and he thought Curtis and Mark knew it too.

Though there's nothing technically wrong with the above, for me it's too much telling, too much information dumping. The reader is told more than s/he is shown, which makes it difficult to invest in the characters or the story.

I also found some of the dialogue to be rather unrealistic. Does anyone actually talk like this?

[...] "You must talk, Stephan. I don't know what Heinrich told you, but you have to talk to me. I want to hear your voice, your sounds, I want you to tell me what you like and what you don't. I want to hear you as well as see, taste, and feel you."

"But...," Stephan stuttered.

"You must always ask for what you want. I'll decide when and if you get it, but you must never be afraid to ask, and you must always say if you do not like anything." Michael touched Stephan‟s chin. "Always. I don't play games and I don't fool around. If we do this, it's an expression of our feelings for one another."

Other Thoughts:
There's a lot of mind reading in this book. The first time it struck me was when Michael had a conversation with his seatmate during his flight to Europe. Though he made no prior comment about being gay and the single word he said was Devon, Ruthie (the seatmate) instantly knows that Devon (a unisex name, last I'd checked) is a man and that he and Michael used to be involved. Later, Michael has a conversation with Devon in which Devon states that he was wrong to end things the way he did, which Michael immediately assumes means that Devon wants to get back together. There are other directions comments could have led, but the respondents always automatically know exactly what the speaker means. It's just a little unbelievable.

Overall:
It's not a bad story, but it's so out of line with my tastes that I just can't come to like it. Fans of the author will find a lot here, I'm sure, but this story has demonstrated that I am unfortunately not one of them.

Review: White Flag

Title: White Flag
Author: Thom Lane
Publisher: Loose Id
Publication Date: July 2009
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 68 pages

Rating: 5 out of 5

Blurb:
Charlie is a nomad, a travel writer who will never settle down. Easy come, easy go: all his boyfriends have been flings or one-night stands. "Love them and leave them" is his motto, the rule he lives by. Until he meets Matthieu one day, by the side of a French canal. After a long hot night together, Charlie realises that this is at last the man he wants to keep, the perfect companion for his wanderlust life.

Matt is a beauty, a treasure, a joy—a man who knows just where he belongs, and means to stay there. His family has made wine here for generations; this valley is his home, and not even his passion for Charlie can shift him.

There can be no doubt of their love, but their own natures contrive to pull them apart—unless one surrenders. But will rolling stone or rooted tree raise the white flag?

Review:

Characters:
Charlie is a travel writer on assignment in France to write an article on canal boating. He's a nomad with a London flat he could just as well do without, who enjoys traveling the world far too much to settle. He knows what he wants but also does a good job of pushing it out of his lap when what he wants falls into it. He's adaptable and respectful, willing to please others but also capable of playful irreverence. In short: he's rather a charming rake.

Matthieu is what Charlie is not: he found where he belongs and is not ready to give it up. He has purpose in working for his uncle's winery and being surrounded by family, and is absolutely baffled by Charlie's wanderlust. He's less hesitant to pursue what he wants and is prepared to cling to it once he's gotten it, not wanting to let anything go without at least trying to make it work. He's as charming as Charlie, in his own way, and certainly very easy to like.

The relationship between Charlie and Matthieu is adorably awkward, sweetly comfortable, and satisfyingly steamy by turns. Their initial tap dancing was downright cute, and the result of it was definitely hot. The scene at the pool and the ease they display with each other never fails to make me smile.

The supporting cast was universally appealing, with my high point being Grandmére. They beautifully served to further define Matthieu, as well as to build the world in which he lived.

Story:
The story is carried by the characters, rather than driven by events. Because of this, not a whole lot happens--and not-a-whole-lot happens very well. Much of the story involves the building of relationships, not only between Charlie and Matthieu, but also between Charlie and Matthieu's family.

Writing:
I found the manner in which the story was told to be delightful. Written in the first person from Charlie's point of view, the story flows as easily as though it was a conversation between him and the reader. Things that would normally drive me nuts (like sentence fragments) just worked here.

And, really, things like this just make happy:

At least, I told stories I'd picked up in my travels, and he talked about life in the valley here. We hardly actually mentioned ourselves at all. They were stories about chance-met strangers and close neighbours, always other people, other lives; but they served well enough for self-portraits. This is how I live, who I live among; the only person missing from this narrative is myself. See that gap I left, the absence in the story? That's where I fit, exactly. Like portraits drawn in silhouette and shadow. We gave ourselves away with every word.

This style carries through even the sex scenes, which are mildly graphic and very nicely done. The use of the euphemism greedy little tyrant also makes me smile.

Overall:
If I had to pick only a handful of books to take with me to a desert island, this would be one of them. Although it's fairly short, it is a definite argument for quality over quantity--and the length makes it perfect for a quick comfort read.

Review: Change of Heart

Title: Change of Heart
Series: Change of Heart
Author: Mary Calmes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 8 November 2009
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 260 pages

Rating: 2 out of 5

Review: Jin is a rarity among rarities: a male reah, the intended mate to a semel, the leader of a werepanther tribe. Driven out of his tribe as an abomination, he and his lifetime friend, Crane, set out across the country, never settling anywhere for long. That all changes when three tribes discover what he is--and decide that they each must have him. Will the threat of an end to Jin's independence send him running again, or will he find the one thing that could make him stop?

Jin tends to run hot and cold in ways that don't really make sense to me. One moment, he's swearing that he wants nothing to do with a mate, the next he's begging for Logan to use him like a nickel whore. It's almost like he's brainwashed in parts, and the explanation of his reactions to Logan as being normal for a semel and reah just doesn't jive for me, particularly given his desperate struggle for independence.

Logan never really struck me as anything beyond a chest-beating übermale. I couldn't see him as a great leader under Jin's influence (or, rather, with Jin's overly-distracting presence) and his possessiveness/obsessiveness over Jin was ridiculously overblown; the explanation that was offered again just didn't sit right. He never really evolved past a testosterone-laden jerk to me.

The relationship between Jin and Logan was far more violent than I usually prefer, and far more than was necessary, to my mind. The amount of biting and clawing and bleeding during their sexual encounters was downright off-putting, especially with the emphasis on how orgasmic the violence was. Maybe my skin's just too thin, but I had to walk away more than once. Even the sex scenes I think were intended to be sweet involved violent behavior; there was no escaping it.

The supporting cast was okay, with high points and low points. A few of them struck me as brainwashed also; Logan's father springs immediately to mind. The 180 in his behavior with a throwaway explanation made me wonder how he'd ever been semel, also; it just wasn't consistent in what you'd expect from someone in his position. Other characters were built up before disappearing entirely, which got annoying--why should I continue to care about a character that the author doesn't?

The story itself was so tangled in the characters that I found I couldn't escape my dislike for them long enough to enjoy it. The world-building was interesting, as was the physical development of the werepanthers, so I feel like it's a failure on my part that I couldn't immerse myself in that, at least, despite the characters. The writing itself was good, also, with only a few errors I caught. My main complaint there is inconsistent italicizing; sometimes the society-specific words were italicized, sometimes they weren't.

That being said--there was a bit too much repetition when it came to defining terms. If I didn't know what reah meant by the end of the first chapter, defining it again and again throughout the rest of the book wasn't going to help me. On the other hand, some terms weren't ever adequately defined; I'm still not entirely certain what role a sylvan plays, for example. The inconsistency was a bit annoying by the end, honestly, and the repetition distracted me more than once.

In the end, this was just not the book for me. Part of it may be my lack of familiarity with shifter stories--it's never been a particular interest for me--so someone who particularly enjoys them may get more out of this, For me, it set a tone for the genre that I didn't enjoy much at all, and which makes me leery of trying similar books. I may have liked this more had I known what to expect going into it, but, as it stands, I think I'll be taking a break from the genre for a while.

Review: Dance in the Dark

Title: Dance in the Dark
Author: Megan Derr
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Publication Date: 27 July 2011
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 226 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review: Johnnie is a normal--one without magical abilities or nature--who was taken in by the Dracula Desrosiers after the brutal death of his parents. A member of a vampire family yet not a vampire, he orbits the society without truly belonging, solving mysteries to pass the time. His life is further complicated by a secretive father, a cold older brother, a sarcastic bodyguard, and a mysterious lover whose face he has never seen. As the mysteries stack up and the secrets start to come out, will Johnnie be able to overcome them and be true to himself?

Johnnie is an interesting character--and I use the word interesting as I'm not quite certain I like him. He's stiff and formal, sometimes quick to jump into decisions that might otherwise bear further thought, but willing to listen to those in need of aid. He stands up for what he believes in, but is also willing to acknowledge his limitations. So why am I not certain I like him? I can't pin it down, but I could never quite get past the formality, or the vague sense of superiority; his shooting pool and silently ordering shots of vodka at the Bremen springs to mind as something that makes my lip curl. I don't dislike him, but he never became a character I was fond of.

I feel that exposing his love interest is a bit of a spoiler, so, vaguely: Johnnie has a few potential loves, including the brother he's been in love with since his childhood and the man he knows only as Eros who comes to him in the dark. Who he ultimately ends up with is fairly apparent to anyone familiar with the author's works, but it's still such a pleasant trip to get to that point that it's not a detriment. The way Johnnie plays off of his love interest is fun, both in and out of bed.

The supporting cast is varied, with a decent portion of them carrying over from Dance with the Devil. Those original to (or at least more developed in) this story are mostly appealing--I enjoyed Ontoniel, in particular, as he evolved from the stern father caricature into something so much more. I wish the patrons of the Bremen had been developed a bit more, given the importance of the bar to Johnnie, and that the villain at the end had been explored in a bit more depth, but overall the characters were appealing and made for an enjoyable read.

The story itself is broken down into chapters by case. In the beginning, they're pretty clearly delineated, but the cases started to bleed together by the end, to the point that chapter breaks sometimes struck me as unnecessary. A couple of the endings shared my complaint from Dance with the Devil, in that the ending was "Go away, and never come back," and the sixth case never really seemed to have a resolution. We know who did it, but the why wasn't adequately explained. Overall, though, there was a good flow that made it easy to keep reading.

One thing that stuck out is that there is perhaps a bit much description of clothes. Not only do we know exactly what Johnnie is wearing at all times, down to colors, patterns, and jewelry, but we're also treated to the clothing of other characters, both main and secondary. I understand that Johnnie's a bit of a clotheshorse and that the story is presented from his point of view, but, really, it still struck me as a bit excessive.

There is also a bit of contradiction between events as presented in this story and those in Dance with the Devil. Specifically, the case referred to in one of the final chapters of this story was resolved differently in the final version of Dance with the Devil; it matches the original version, but not the formally-published rewrite. It's not a huge thing, but it threw me for a second.

The writing itself was enjoyable, conveying well both formal and casual situations, although sometimes they crossed in ways that made me reread a little bit before shrugging. There were a few grammatical errors here and there, but nothing too terrible.

Reading Dance with the Devil first certainly helps in grasping and adding layers to the world, but it's not necessary. Interesting characters and cases keep everything moving along nicely even without the history, making it rather an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

Review: Bonds of Earth

Title: Bonds of Earth
Author: G.N. Chevalier
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 9 January 2012
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 240 pages

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review: Michael is home from the Great War and working as a rubber in a Manhattan bathhouse when his uncle strongarms him into accepting a position as a gardener at the country estate of a Society maven. With the only option being his sister finding out that he is an invert, he sets off to find his new life. At the estate, he meets John Seward, a broken, bitter man who never recovered from his own war. They butt heads from the start, each too bound by his own scars to even begin to consider--much less heal--the other's. When things begin to change, it's a revelation for them both, but will they be able to move beyond their pasts to find a common future?

Michael is an angry, conflicted man with a hard past. Driving ambulance at the front before finding a position at a convalescent hospital in England, he saw his share of war horrors, which have left an indelible mark on him. He's devoted toward his sister and her children, but the rest of his family garners only scorn at best, rage at worst. He has little patience with what he feels to be the failings of others and tends to push for what he believes is right, damn the consequences. This isn't to say that he's nothing but rough and tumble--he has a well-hidden sympathetic side, especially for those abused by others.

John (Seward for most of the story) is physically broken, having suffered multiple broken bones and injuries that, coupled with his stubborn resistance of treatment, left him weak and infirm after he returned from the war. He's almost Byronic, actually. His only ties to the world are the estate's caretaker, the caretaker's family, and the aunt who holds the estate, and he fights tooth and nail to keep it that way. He has a past of discarded paintings in the attic and a complete disregard for medical professionals.

The build of the relationship between Michael and John is best described as 'slow'. Note that this is not a bad thing! It's quite some time before they even meet, even longer before they have regular contact. Even once they're in regular contact, they're mutually antagonistic and confrontational. Things change gradually, so gradually that it's difficult to pin down just when they change; it's such a natural progression that one state of being blends seamlessly into the next. I particularly enjoyed that we got to see their relationship fully evolve, past consummation and into the future.

The supporting cast is very well done, with distinct personalities and characters both appealing and maddening. The estate's caretaker and his family are particularly lovely, while Michael's family hit the other end of the spectrum for me; the betrayal he faces made me want to hug him (a bonus in my book as not many characters engage me enough to be that invested in their well-being). Their relationships evolve just as Michael and John's does, so that they're different people at the end of the story as well.

The story itself is something that I initially blew off--I keep telling myself that I don't have much interest in pieces set in that particular period, before I remember that I'm a moron. The setting is well-realized without being intrusive, evocative of the times. The progression of the story is well-paced, told entirely from Michael's point-of-view so that everything is shaded by his experiences. The writing is a joy to read, with lovely turns of phrase and lively dialogue that kept me thoroughly sucked in, and few typographical errors. I thought it ended 30 pages before it did, with the pattern of the genre, but the story beyond where I expected it to end added a great layer to the characters and story that made it sad when it actually did end.

You don't have to be interested in historical pieces to enjoy this story, though it is a bonus. Intriguing characters carry this touching story effortlessly, making it far too easy to spend an afternoon with it. Bring some tissues, and be ready to lose yourself until you're done.

Review: One Wild Wish

Title: One Wild Wish
Series: One Wish
Author: Devon Rhodes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 1 June 2010
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 72 pages

Rating: 3 out of 5

Review: The gig Rory's band, One Wish, scores at a remote mountain retreat sounds too good to be true, even with the weird conditions in the contract--like the one stating that everyone must be in a committed relationship. Faking it with his bandmate and longtime friend-with-benefits Benny, Rory isn't quite prepared for Jared, but neither is Jared for Rory. The heat between them threatens to overcome the act with Benny, especially when Rory's ex arrives on the scene and Jared's nephew goes missing. Will they be able to wrest some semblance of control or will they let their base instincts take over?

Rory is the frontman for the band One Wish, along with his friend Benny. He's attractive and charismatic, enough to take the band far. He's also dealing with the fallout of the bad end of his relationship with his ex, Richard. He's never very well developed, unfortunately, but he's likable enough that that doesn't really matter too much.

Jared is an alpha shapeshifter, watching over other alphas as they come of age, the celebration of which brings One Wish to his home. He's controlled and protective of his nephew Curtis, one of the celebrants, but not immune to puppy eyes and cajoling. He's also a bit underdeveloped, but still an appealing character.

As a couple, Rory and Jared an interesting complement. The tension between them is lovely, conflicting with the fiction of Rory's relationship with Benny, which gives Jared plenty of opportunities for jealous posturing. It's a slow burn that is unfortunately a bit rushed in the end; certain aspects that develop following the consummation of their relationship are accepted a little too quickly to be believable. Still, they're an attractive couple that fits well together.

The supporting cast has its strengths and weaknesses. Benny and Curtis are appealing enough (and have their own sequel) but the other members of One Wish annoyed me a little in their brief appearances. Richard was a cardboard villain who could have used a little more development, though he served his purpose well enough.

The story itself needed to be longer, I think. Although the pieces fit well together, certain portions--particularly the ending--were very rushed and a bit of a letdown because of that. It was still a pleasant story, just abrupt. It featured both Rory and Jared's points of view, but the breaks were well broken by chapter or section, without random head-hopping. The writing itself was also enjoyable, with solid editing.

Although both story and characters could have used a bit of expansion, this was still a pleasant diversion. I certainly look forward to picking up the sequel and revisiting this world.

Review: Fire Play

Title: Fire Play
Author: Dany Sirene
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 3 January 2012
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 190 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review: Lau is a demiurge, cast into the human world as punishment for his casual disregard for human life. Jesse is a college student who has come out of his shell since leaving his oppressive home. He's supposed to be a plaything for Lau, something to break and watch squirm, but things don't quite go according to plan. Will love be enough to overcome all the hurdles that stand before them, or will it be too little, too late?

Lau is a conflicted character, arrogant and uncaring. Aware of his history as a demiurge but unable to access his powers, he regards humans as inferior despite now being one of them, entertainment and nothing more. He grows interestingly as a character once he meets Jesse, showing a vulnerable side that's really quite touching, redeeming him from his previous sociopathic behavior. His protective urges in particular made him quite an appealing character, showing a level of development that definitely fit.

Jesse is much more straightforward, but still layered interestingly. He's playing goth since moving to Montreal for college, dying his hair black and piercing his lip--and finally acting on the attraction to men he hid throughout high school. When presented from outside points of view, he actually comes across as confused and a little pathetic, playing with things he really doesn't understand. Despite that, he's charming in his forthrightness, sticking to his guns and by Lau even as their world begins to fall apart.

The dynamic between Lau and Jesse starts as wildly unbalanced, but quickly equalizes as Lau comes to understand certain things about himself. Things between them are about do much more than just the sex, though sex is definitely a frequent part of their interaction. It's quite interesting to see the evolution of their relationship, as they learn about themselves and each other.

The supporting cast is fairly small and sometimes fleeting; Holly and Rui are the largest secondary players, though others do make brief appearances. Holly is a character I'm torn about, as her later behavior doesn't make sense to me, even with Rui's influence. Rui, on the other hand, is easy to hate, even when the revelation of the past he shares with Lau adds another layer to his quest for vengeance.

The story itself is mostly strong, if rather bleak. The ending was a bit of a letdown for me, though, with Lau's final revelation not quite jiving with previous statements by other characters. It was a sweet ending, it just seemed a little rushed and pat. I could have done without the epilogue as well, but it did tie Holly's thread up fairly well. The writing was well-done with few errors, which made it easy to get sucked in to the world.

Overall, this is not a happy story, darker than I usually prefer, but it worked. Complex characters in particular made this an interesting read, if not a light one, and the growth they demonstrated kept everything moving along at a good clip. In the end, I'm glad I took a chance on it and would recommend it to anyone looking for something that puts you through the wringer before delivering that happily ever after.

Review: Timing

Title: Timing
Series: Timing
Author: Mary Calmes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 1 March 2010
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 223 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review: Stefan has never gotten on with his friend Charlotte's brother, Rand--a feeling that is quite mutual. When it turns out that Charlotte wasn't entirely truthful about Rand not showing up at her wedding, Stefan is put out, to say the least, and even more discomfited when Rand suggests a ceasefire. When barbs are replaced by sexual tension, how is Stefan supposed to resist the gorgeous man who is suddenly much more than Stefan had ever thought? And how is he supposed to figure it out when someone is trying to kill him?

Everyone--and I do mean everyone--loves Stefan. He's beautiful and forthright, able to put people at ease without even trying, a master at putting out fires, and able to hold his own in a bar fight. He's also commitment-phobic; he likes to be able to leave people, not vice versa. He comes across as someone who (despite said commitment phobia) should be too perfect, like a literary Ken doll, but that's masterfully skirted, leaving him quite an appealing, likable character.

Rand starts out as a dick, from his introduction to Stefan until well into the story. Even once they've declared a ceasefire, he comes across as the same dick, nearly up until the moment that he makes his move on Stefan. He's brusque and possessive, a bit controlling (or, perhaps, more than a bit), and utterly uncaring of what other people think of him. He actually stays a bit of a dick throughout the story, but it's tempered by his obvious affection for Stefan to make him far more approachable than how he began.

I'm conflicted about Stefan and Rand as a couple, I really am. On one hand, they're admittedly very hot together--Rand's take-charge nature is certainly appealing in bed. On the other hand, they seem very unbalanced to me--Rand's take-charge nature is less appealing in every other situation. What goes a long way toward making up for the latter, though, is Rand's refusal to care what other people think about them, when even Stefan is thinking they'd be better off either apart or keeping secrets.

The supporting cast is almost too large, mostly comprised of Charlotte and Rand's family, but also including Stefan's co-workers and business contacts, and Charlotte's soon-to-be-in-laws. They're for the most part interesting, though the prevalence of male members of it hitting on Stefan made some of them a little silly. Charlotte in particular has her own fascinating backstory, the revelation of which adds a layer to Stefan's character as well.

The story is a confluence of Charlotte's wedding, Stefan and Rand's romance, and a mystery involving attempts on Stefan's life. All are interesting in their own right, but they overlap well also, none overwhelming the others. I could've done with a little more of the latter two, as the kerfuffle over the wedding got draining after a while, but that's totally a personal preference. The writing itself was tight and pleasant, with solid editing.

Appealing characters and an interesting romance make this an easy read, with a good plot to keep things moving. Although I could've done with less in the way of wedding preparation, it was overall quite a pleasant read, and I look forward to picking up the sequel.

Review: Dance with the Devil

Title: Dance with the Devil
Author: Megan Derr
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Publication Date: 13 July 2011
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 126 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review: Chris is a half-ghost detective who takes on the paranormal cases no one else will. Between a demon lord lover, an imp partner, and everything else the world can throw at him, life is definitely never boring.

Dance with the Devil is actually a collection of ten short stories, a case at a shot, strung together out of chronological order. Although they don't fit a standard timeline, they're linked together in a logical progression, so it's not difficult to follow.

It's difficult to break down a character hierarchy. Although Chris is the main character and he and Sable comprise the main couple, there are also cases that focus on Doug (Chris's partner) and Phil (the agency's not!secretary), in which Chris plays a minor role. Doug has his own romance, too, as do two minor characters in the final case.

Chris is an interesting character, prickly and independent, but not above using his station to get results. He edges towards it but never quite reaches the point of being too prickly, which is lovely; he's a good balance of snark and gooey nougat center. He stands up for those he feels need it, whether they're friends or not, and has no patience for someone acting in the wrong.

Sable is smirking and superior, but charming about it. He knows what he wants and goes for it, and, though he doesn't really take 'no' for an answer, he never quite pushes the boundaries into something distasteful. He's quite clear about what he's passionate about.

Chris and Sable together push a lot of my happy buttons. They've got the good-natured snarking between them, they've got the hate-you-love-you vibe in their initial interactions (made even better with kissing), they've got the tender regard in their later interactions. There's a little bit of doubt in their relationship in the early stages, but it's never enough to drag--just enough to make the resolution sweet.

The cast outside of Chris and Sable is fun and fairly broad. Although some characters are case-specific, many carry over from case to case, even if it's only a mention, so there's a good sense of community. The personalities are varied enough to be memorable, though I do still mix up most of the Draculas and can't even begin to keep the few mentioned wolf packs straight. In the vein of Draculas and wolves, I did enjoy the way the different races were developed as a whole, rather than individually, with just enough similarities to stereotypes for recognition and just enough differences to make them appealing.

The story, as mentioned earlier, is a string of case histories. They hop around the timeline but follow prompts within each preceding chapter (and are helpfully numbered). Most cases are a single 'chapter', though there are a couple that stretch across two, and others that are intrinsically linked by a particular plot element. (For example, Doug's romance covers two cases, but each case is self-contained.) They're well-paced and engaging, though there could be a little less 'go away and never let me see you again' in the endings. Typos and grammatical errors were here and there, but nowhere near prevalent enough to be annoying.

These stories have definitely come a long way since the series started on the author's website. With entertaining characters and nicely bite-sized cases, they're a fun take on paranormal romances, with an interesting enough world that picking up the sequels will be a pleasure.

Review: Snow Angel

Title: Snow Angel
Author: Sharon Maria Bidwell
Publisher: Loose Id
Publication Date: 19 December 2006
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 136 pages

Rating: 1 out of 5

Review: It was a simple case of mistaken identity when Dean, newly returned home after college, kisses Jay, a childhood friend and brother of Dean's intended target. What neither realizes is just what an impact such a small mistake can have on their lives.

Dean is, for me, thoroughly unlikable, just absolutely appalling. He has notes of crazy stalker/rapist to go with his complexes, and spends a lot of time focusing on how nothing is really his fault. He's big and good-looking--I get that--but his personality leaves a lot to be desired, even when he's not vaguely creeping me out. He never really seems to grow; things just align themselves to him, rather than him making any real changes.

Jay is rather spineless and hard to root for--something about someone who uses the phrase 'use me' makes me think that someone is going to need a large savings for therapy bills. He bends over even when he should be asking for help, but shoves help away when he does get it. He's aggravating most of the time, honestly, in his sheer milquetoast-ness.

As a couple, Dean and Jay push all the wrong buttons for me. That crazy stalker/rapist thing? Never quite goes away, and dubious consent is not exactly my thing. (Seriously: you let yourself into the home of a friend with whom your last interaction was an argument, find him masturbating, and invite yourself to join in before he knows any better, and that's not even slightly inappropriate?) I could never get past that vibe enough to even begin to grasp any other facet of their relationship well enough to compensate.

The supporting cast is small and bitchy--April (Jay's sister) is a seething pit of bitchiness for most of the story in a way that makes her seem less concerned older sister and more psycho hosebeast. I started skimming her scenes as the story went on because 'fuck off and die' can really be conveyed only so many ways.

The story itself was terribly disjointed, mostly feeding back into itself in the stalker/rapist craziness through a string of sex scenes. Actual plot happened here and there, but didn't help much; the climactic confrontation over Jay's car came out of nowhere and was handled clumsily, with an off-the-cuff disdain that would alarm me were we dealing with real people. (Two words: tetanus shot.)

The writing style is also not to my taste. Most of the time, I get what the author's trying to do, but it falters stylistically before it's pulled off. As an example, this is pulled from a scene towards the end:

Seeking, asking with caresses, Jay's fingers worked at buttons. He tugged the zip down. The prison gaped. The prisoner sought early release. Jay took the naked captive and soothed the punishment with kisses.

This is part of one paragraph. The entire scene went along in this vein. (If you don't see a problem there, more power to you. Like I said, not my taste.) Frequent editing errors didn't help.

I usually know I'm in trouble when I start counting pages; nothing says non-immersive experience like the compulsive need to see how much there is left before it's done. If you don't mind dub-con, maybe you'll find more here than I did, but I don't think I'll be looking again.

Review: Blue Notes

Title: Blue Notes
Author: Shira Anthony
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: 30 December 2011
Reviewed Format: ebook
Length: 227 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review: Jason just needs a break from it all after coming home one night to find his fiancée in bed with another man. Paris in winter isn't most people's idea of a break, but there's nowhere else Jason would rather go. Visiting a club one night, he's pleasantly surprised by the modern jazz played there--and the jazz trio's violin player, Jules. A chance meeting becomes a whirlwind romance, until Jason can't imagine leaving Jules behind when he returns to the States. They both have ghosts, though, and their own troubled pasts. Will they be able to move beyond what they were and become all that they can be?

Jason is too good to be true--a gifted lawyer who by his own admission makes more money than he can spend, a talented pianist with perfect pitch, and a faithful friend, brother, and lover. He's open-minded, intelligent, attractive to a fault, dedicated and willing to do anything to help someone he cares for. He does have some demons, but those are such that his daily life can easily go on without their being an issue; it's not until he's met Jules that they start coming out again. His perfection isn't necessarily a detriment, just requiring a bit more suspension of disbelief.

Jules is far more immediately conflicted. He has a family nightmare to deal with, irregular gigs to earn money, and a decided lack of housing options. Despite that, he's charmingly optimistic and grateful for what he does have. He's sweet and supportive when Jason needs him to be, as well. Still shaded a bit unbelievable, but appealing nonetheless.

Jason and Jules are adorable together. Although he'd never been attracted to a man before, Jason is quick to fall in lust with Jules, with love not far behind. The sex is just infrequent and varied enough to stay hot without becoming overwhelming, interesting throughout. They also balance each other well, despite Jason's tendency to take over.

The supporting cast is fun, the high point being Jason's sister, Rosie. I would've liked to have gotten to know Henri and David better, but that would've been a bonus, not a requirement.

The story is mostly told from Jason's point-of-view and moves along well. My main complaint is the occasional third-person omniscient point-of-view; it's not constant, just cropping up here and there, which almost makes it more confusing. The writing is otherwise tight and lovely, though, and makes it easy to be sucked in.

Okay, one other quibble: the quasi-epilogue didn't make much sense to me. Although the ending is apparent much earlier in the story, the logistics of it when it actually happened just weren't there for me. Just a little bit more expansion on it wouldn't have been a bad thing.

Although the head-hopping did throw me periodically, the appealing characters and well-paced plot kept me engaged. I enjoyed my time spent with Jason and Jules, and look forward to revisiting their world.