I am inexperienced when it comes to reading male/male romance. My previous experiences have only been side stories in other books. So I'm a relativeI am inexperienced when it comes to reading male/male romance. My previous experiences have only been side stories in other books. So I'm a relative virgin.
Leveled, being my first story where the protagonists are gay and face a completely different set of challenges when it comes to dancing the romance tango, really opened my eyes to those differences and to the sweet similarities of a, dare I say, "traditional" romance.
Man, I will be burying myself with this review at some point today. I'll just stick my foot in my mouth now. You'd think I never met a gay person in my life - HA! My most favorites uncles in the entire world happily married (finally - yay!) I just trip over myself with terminology. Please, no haters.
Anyways, back to my review...
Besides all the head thumping I was doing ("Well, I never thought of that!"), I kept thinking to myself that this story is the perfect story for anyone interested in being gently introduced to male / male romance. I positively adored Jay Crownover's story of a guy trying to heal his body after a massive injury at work. Turns out the guy he goes to for help is in need of some healing of his own past hurts.
Dominic Voss is the police officer who desperately wants to get reinstated back on the force, if only his body would cooperate. His partner, Royal, has hooked him up with an appointment with one of the most sought after physical therapists in the Denver area, Orlando Frederick.
Told in dual POV, I was so entirely hooked on this story the first time these two met. I was taken in by how these two guys read each other and how it translated to the other person. Is there such a thing as a "gay-dar"? I do believe there is. And in this case, it's called "chemistry". Dom is immediately attracted to Orlando (aka "Lando") but Dom can't tell if Lando is gay or not because he's all business at their appointment. At least that's what Dom assumes. But it's more than that.
If you've read Crownover's Marked Men series, Lando probably sounds familiar to you. That's because Lando is from that series and he tragically lost his first love many years ago and hasn't quite recovered all the way. Dom's partner, Royal, is from the Marked Men series, as well. Even though Crownover said in her author's notes that she moved this novella up so it could be used as a way to connect the two series, I can't imagine this story told later or NOT being the introduction to her new series, Saints of Denver.
I've heard some readers say that they don't read novellas. I never understood that statement. In this case, you'll be missing out on an extremely well written male / male romance that is, down to it's very essence, one of the sweetest romance stories I've ever read.
Seriously, I said the word "Awww" with a big dopey grin on my face more often than I really should admit while reading this story. You're a classy lady, Ms. Crownover! Bravo...
I am inexperienced when it comes to reading male/male romance. My previous experiences have only been side stories in other books. So I'm a relative virgin.
Leveled, being my first story where the protagonists are gay and face a completely different set of challenges when it comes to dancing the romance tango, really opened my eyes to those differences and to the sweet similarities of a, dare I say, "traditional" romance.
Man, I will be burying myself with this review at some point today. I'll just stick my foot in my mouth now. You'd think I never met a gay person in my life - HA! My most favorites uncles in the entire world happily married (finally - yay!) I just trip over myself with terminology. Please, no haters.
Anyways, back to my review...
Besides all the head thumping I was doing ("Well, I never thought of that!"), I kept thinking to myself that this story is the perfect story for anyone interested in being gently introduced to male / male romance. I positively adored Jay Crownover's story of a guy trying to heal his body after a massive injury at work. Turns out the guy he goes to for help is in need of some healing of his own past hurts.
Dominic Voss is the police officer who desperately wants to get reinstated back on the force, if only his body would cooperate. His partner, Royal, has hooked him up with an appointment with one of the most sought after physical therapists in the Denver area, Orlando Frederick.
Told in dual POV, I was so entirely hooked on this story the first time these two met. I was taken in by how these two guys read each other and how it translated to the other person. Is there such a thing as a "gay-dar"? I do believe there is. And in this case, it's called "chemistry". Dom is immediately attracted to Orlando (aka "Lando") but Dom can't tell if Lando is gay or not because he's all business at their appointment. At least that's what Dom assumes. But it's more than that.
If you've read Crownover's Marked Men series, Lando probably sounds familiar to you. That's because Lando is from that series and he tragically lost his first love many years ago and hasn't quite recovered all the way. Dom's partner, Royal, is from the Marked Men series, as well. Even though Crownover said in her author's notes that she moved this novella up so it could be used as a way to connect the two series, I can't imagine this story told later or NOT being the introduction to her new series, Saints of Denver.
I've heard some readers say that they don't read novellas. I never understood that statement. In this case, you'll be missing out on an extremely well written male / male romance that is, down to it's very essence, one of the sweetest romance stories I've ever read.
Seriously, I said the word "Awww" with a big dopey grin on my face more often than I really should admit while reading this story. You're a classy lady, Ms. Crownover! Bravo...
I liked this "different" series from Ms. Jordan. It's not a typical romance and I liked the type of story and drama she wrote for these characters. InI liked this "different" series from Ms. Jordan. It's not a typical romance and I liked the type of story and drama she wrote for these characters. In fact, I really enjoyed this entire series :) This book redeemed Hale in my eyes. Must have been a good book, right? Yes, ma'am....more
4.5 stars I'm not a horror genre reader but I do love me some paranormal. Ancient myths and mysteries? LOVE THEM! But I usually only read them in urban4.5 stars I'm not a horror genre reader but I do love me some paranormal. Ancient myths and mysteries? LOVE THEM! But I usually only read them in urban fantasies.
So this realistic horror tale was a bit of a departure from my usual reads but I dove in head first with glee because it was Mira Grant and she can really do no wrong in my eyes. And pretty much any of my book buddy friends' eyes either. Whether she's writing under this pen name or under "Seanan Maguire", her talent for weaving words into amazing, emotion filled tales is off the charts.
The story follows the lives of those left behind to piece together the mystery of what happened to a "documentary" crew that went out to the Mariana Trench in search of mermaids and never came back. Their ship was found floating abandoned in the middle of sea with no clue of what happened to the crew besides a puzzling, rough video showing the "carnage". The entire incident was believed to be either a hoax or a horrible tragedy with no clear answers to what happened to the crew.
With the filming company's reputation on the line, families wanting closure in the saga, and non-believing scientists jumping at the chance for some "free" deep sea research time, a second ship is commissioned to investigate the "mermaids" out in the Mariana Trench.
Told in third person, we follow several characters. But the story focuses predominately on Victoria "Tory" Stewart, a marine biologist who studies the sound of the ocean, to put it in simplest terms. The story starts out focusing on her and from her, we meet more of the boat crew and scientists. I'm typically NOT fond of the third person POV but in this instance, Ms. Grant HAD to tell the story that way. It was the best, and frankly the most honest way, to get inside each of the character's heads.... which lead to more depth to the story.
Every single one of her characters, from the two guys who were ship's engineers all the way up to who I call my "super" couple, Theo & Jilli, were completely fleshed out and original in their personalities. The overall story is probably half a study in human nature, half in science, and half in the horrors of being trapped in the sea with killers you know nothing about. I stand by my math.
I only have one complaint and it's a tiny one. When the story was ramping up to the climax and I was expecting the action to start coming at me hard and fast, the characters were still pontificating on and on. I felt like it was getting in the way of the pacing. I already knew these characters like to inner monologue but enough is enough. Let's get this done! I like a tease but the "verboseness" was too much for me. I stand by my word choice.
I was thinking about whether I'd read the next book in the series. I'm still not sure. This one ended absolutely perfectly with no cliffhanger in sight. Yes, there are lose ends that are perfect for the next book but do I need to know? Some mysteries are nice leaving mysteries, ya know? Maybe? :)
I liked this unique story, even though I didn't read the first book in the story. I think the title is a bit misleading because this story is so much I liked this unique story, even though I didn't read the first book in the story. I think the title is a bit misleading because this story is so much more than just a Friends with Benefits story :) RTC......more
Gena Showalter is an author I have been reading for a very long time. I started with her Lords of the Underworld, fell in love with her extremely undGena Showalter is an author I have been reading for a very long time. I started with her Lords of the Underworld, fell in love with her extremely underrated Tales of Extraordinary Girl series, and I've even dabbled a bit in her Alien Huntress series. But I was never really into her contemporary romance. Yep, you guessed it.... until now!!
On a whim, I purchased the first book in her brand new The Original Heartbreakers series. And then I totally forgot about reading it. Oops...
Fast forward to a couple of months ago when I saw book number four available for review and me in need of a good romance to soothe my soul. Desperate times call for your favorite authors, right?
And boy did I get a fantastic story that took me on the ride of my life. I wasn't quite prepared for all the goodness this book had for me:
- A heroine like Dorothea, who was been bullied back in high school and has gone through tragedy later in life but manages to get back on her feet and face the day with a smile and a positive attitude. I immediately wanted her for my BFF. I know a lot of reviewers say that about characters but hand to God, I really felt connected to Dorothea. That's how well Ms. Showalter wrote the character.
- Daniel is war veteran recovering from PTSD back in his hometown because he wants to keep an eye on his dad and his dad's failing health ∗swoon∗. His method of dealing with PTSD when we first meet him might be a little "hinky" but he soon becomes a man worthy of Dorothea. If only he'd get it through his thick skull...
- I LOVE a heroine who is NOT skin and bones, who has curves, and who is appreciated above all others for those curves. 'Nuff said.
- WEATHER!!! Ever see the movie "Twister"? Best movie ever! Flying cows, Bill Paxton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cary Elwes! What more could you want?? Oh, right... book review... Dorothea is just as enamored with weather as I am. Weather and storms play a pretty big part in the story ;)
- Wall-to-wall story! There is a lot of "meat" to this story. This isn't the typical romance and I really wasn't sure how some of the typical tropes/romantic clues were going to play out. Ex-husband cheats on Dorothea but I didn't see how that story line was going to play out. So fun... in a twisted sort of way if you like torture (insert evil cackle here).
And despite the fact that I read this book, number four, BEFORE going back and reading books number one and two, I didn't mind getting information on the previous couples. If anything, it made me want to go back and immediately start reading the first book, The Closer You Come, that I had already purchased... AND immediately purchase after that book two, The Hotter You Burn. But it's interesting to note that this book, book four, seems to start on another group of three best guy friends who get together with three best girl friends. It's almost like another story arc has begun. So, IMHO, you CAN start here and be perfectly fine.
This story really was pure happiness for me and reminded me how much I adore Ms. Showalter's romances!
3.5 stars I am hopelessly devoted to the hysterically written banter of Jill Shalvis. I eat up the Heartbreaker Bay series in hours every time I start3.5 stars I am hopelessly devoted to the hysterically written banter of Jill Shalvis. I eat up the Heartbreaker Bay series in hours every time I start a book! The San Francisco setting, the close friends, the unlikely pairings, it all sings to me!
So, unfortunately, I couldn't help but have HUGE expectations for Spence's book. It couldn't be helped.
Spence is my dream guy. He's been in the background of all the previous books, just kind of quietly being everyone's best friend. When in secret, he's this mega multi-millionaire who engineers and invents. He gets so engrossed in his work that sometimes, when focusing on a solution to a problem, he forgets the world around him. Unfortunately, the world around him has gone by him and left him behind, including past girlfriends. Poor Spence.
Enter Colbie. Escaping from New York City for a short "vacation", she falls victim to the fabled "wish-granting" fountain outside Spence's building. Spence feels bad about Colbie's injury and offers to put her up in one of the apartments in his building. Turns out, there is something that can distract Spence after all!
Don't get me wrong, I liked this story. Colbie was cute and she had her secrets that gave the plot a bit of drama. But Spence's character disappointed me. I totally got the nerd distracted by creativity thing. But letting friends walk all over you? Not so much. Elle. Yup... what the heck?!?! I liked her story with Archer but what the heck happened to her in this book? Step off, girl! Okay, rant over... I'll say no more.
It's just, overall, compared to the other books in the series, Chasing Christmas Eve doesn't rank with the others on drama/tension, conflict, and chemistry. BUT this is me, the reader who was expecting BIG things for Spence, my hot, geeky, rich crush. So please take my opinion with large grain of salt (where did that phrase ever come from?).
I am NOT giving up on this series from Ms. Shalvis. NO way, no how. Her writing is fantastic, her humor is top shelf witty, and I can't wait to pick and up start reading About That Kiss because it's between two characters we already know. Yeah, I like those kind of stories.
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