Brilliantly written Japanese noir, rich with atmosphere, that will leave you with a lingering unease. The thief is a tragic hero, despite his unsavoryBrilliantly written Japanese noir, rich with atmosphere, that will leave you with a lingering unease. The thief is a tragic hero, despite his unsavory occupation.
Sly, clever tale about how a cat came to be at the center of two dysfunctional marriages.
I did not identify at all with any of the characters. HoweverSly, clever tale about how a cat came to be at the center of two dysfunctional marriages.
I did not identify at all with any of the characters. However, if you are an ailurophile, it's worth reading this slim volume just for its wonderful portrayal of intensely emotional relationship between humans and felines.
(The cover of this edition is a work of art, also.) ...more
This tale has the feeling of fiction. The characters will remind you of the stock figures in some classic Victorian mystery. Nevertheless, Death at thThis tale has the feeling of fiction. The characters will remind you of the stock figures in some classic Victorian mystery. Nevertheless, Death at the Priory is "true crime", based on a sensational unsolved murder case from 1876.
Through meticulous research, the author claims to have unraveled the truth about the horrible death of Charles Bravo. I am moderately convinced by his arguments, though I found his arrogance a bit annoying. His observations about the position of women in the period support his claims. At very least, this book will make you think a bit, about how much abuse it would take to drive one to murder....more
Not the best book I've read by Perez-Reverte, but even so, impressively literate and atmospheric.Not the best book I've read by Perez-Reverte, but even so, impressively literate and atmospheric....more
I honestly don't know how Janet Evanovich can continue to generate such hilariously entertaining (and in this case, rather sexy) stories. You'd think I honestly don't know how Janet Evanovich can continue to generate such hilariously entertaining (and in this case, rather sexy) stories. You'd think I'd get tired of the formula. But I'm laughing too hard.
This book starts with a marvelously succinct precis of the characters. Really impressive writing (though most people who aren't authors wouldn't notice)....more
Max Weiss is having a bad year. His mom has died, his girlfriend just dumped him, he’s lost his job because he looked too hard at some dodgy contractsMax Weiss is having a bad year. His mom has died, his girlfriend just dumped him, he’s lost his job because he looked too hard at some dodgy contracts, and he’s being kicked out of his snazzy condo by his gangster landlord. His life looks as bleak as his recession-battered Florida town. However, his luck changes dramatically when he rescues a gorgeous woman from the lascivious tentacles of a sea monster. Max thinks he’s dreaming—or maybe suffering from the after-effects of drowning his sorrows in beer—when the curvy brunette reveals that she’s actually a mermaid. She deposits the Kraken’s treasure on Max’s dock, solving his financial problems in one fell swoop. Her tail doesn’t prevent her from expressing her gratitude to her human hero in other ways as well. By the time Azzaria asks Max to help her find her sister Bekkaul, who has shed her tail to follow her human lover and lost all memory of the sea, Max is hooked. He’ll do whatever it takes to make his beloved mermaid happy, even risking his life in his search.
The Memory of Mermaids is a delightful romantic fantasy, full of wacky characters and local color. I’ve never visited the area where the book is set, but the author really brings it to life. I always appreciate a story that transports me to a distinctive locale. In the case of Mermaids, I could almost smell the tide, feel the ocean breezes, and taste the rum that Azzaria likes so much.
I loved Mr. Dryden’s creation myth which explains the mutual attraction between men and mermaids. Hey, his story is at least as plausible as Genesis! And like Azzaria, female readers will adore Max. He’s is the sort of insecure, self-effacing, but surprisingly competent hero who often features in this author’s work. He doesn’t take anything for granted—certainly not the willingness of the randy sea creature with whom he has become entwined—and he’s always respectful of the female of the species—any species!
This novella packs a lot of plot and a myriad of characters into 130 pages. I particularly enjoyed Miss Jean, the “dolphin whisperer”, a wise old woman who knows the truth about mermaids and convinces Max he’s not going crazy.
Compared to the other work I’ve read by this author, The Memory of Mermaids is light on erotic content. That’s fine, though. It fits the tone of the story. And if you read closely, you’ll find just a hint of nasty tentacle porn, which makes the tale juicier.
My only real complaint about The Memory of Mermaids is that it could have used more suspense. The moment Azzaria’s long lost sister appears on the page, it’s obvious who she is. A bit more mystery would have made this tale even more enjoyable than it already was.
This is a minor quibble, though. Overall, The Memory of Mermaids is an entertaining read with some original twists that will leave you smiling.
Merged review:
Max Weiss is having a bad year. His mom has died, his girlfriend just dumped him, he’s lost his job because he looked too hard at some dodgy contracts, and he’s being kicked out of his snazzy condo by his gangster landlord. His life looks as bleak as his recession-battered Florida town. However, his luck changes dramatically when he rescues a gorgeous woman from the lascivious tentacles of a sea monster. Max thinks he’s dreaming—or maybe suffering from the after-effects of drowning his sorrows in beer—when the curvy brunette reveals that she’s actually a mermaid. She deposits the Kraken’s treasure on Max’s dock, solving his financial problems in one fell swoop. Her tail doesn’t prevent her from expressing her gratitude to her human hero in other ways as well. By the time Azzaria asks Max to help her find her sister Bekkaul, who has shed her tail to follow her human lover and lost all memory of the sea, Max is hooked. He’ll do whatever it takes to make his beloved mermaid happy, even risking his life in his search.
The Memory of Mermaids is a delightful romantic fantasy, full of wacky characters and local color. I’ve never visited the area where the book is set, but the author really brings it to life. I always appreciate a story that transports me to a distinctive locale. In the case of Mermaids, I could almost smell the tide, feel the ocean breezes, and taste the rum that Azzaria likes so much.
I loved Mr. Dryden’s creation myth which explains the mutual attraction between men and mermaids. Hey, his story is at least as plausible as Genesis! And like Azzaria, female readers will adore Max. He’s is the sort of insecure, self-effacing, but surprisingly competent hero who often features in this author’s work. He doesn’t take anything for granted—certainly not the willingness of the randy sea creature with whom he has become entwined—and he’s always respectful of the female of the species—any species!
This novella packs a lot of plot and a myriad of characters into 130 pages. I particularly enjoyed Miss Jean, the “dolphin whisperer”, a wise old woman who knows the truth about mermaids and convinces Max he’s not going crazy.
Compared to the other work I’ve read by this author, The Memory of Mermaids is light on erotic content. That’s fine, though. It fits the tone of the story. And if you read closely, you’ll find just a hint of nasty tentacle porn, which makes the tale juicier.
My only real complaint about The Memory of Mermaids is that it could have used more suspense. The moment Azzaria’s long lost sister appears on the page, it’s obvious who she is. A bit more mystery would have made this tale even more enjoyable than it already was.
This is a minor quibble, though. Overall, The Memory of Mermaids is an entertaining read with some original twists that will leave you smiling....more
Wonderfully original ideas -- I love the concept of the Green, vegetation turned predatory -- but I found the plot close to incomprehensible. I believWonderfully original ideas -- I love the concept of the Green, vegetation turned predatory -- but I found the plot close to incomprehensible. I believe this is a problem with author's craft. She assumes the reader understands things that are not at all obvious. Aside from the obvious romance conclusion, the heroine and the hero falling in love, I honestly can't tell you what happened in this book....more
Adair Finch is a warlock. Through his bargains with gods, djinn and other magical creatures, he has acquired a variety of special powers, including thAdair Finch is a warlock. Through his bargains with gods, djinn and other magical creatures, he has acquired a variety of special powers, including the ability to rewind time and to unleash a lethal firestorm upon his enemies. In the past, Adrian worked as a private investigator, applying his capabilities to assist the police in solving crimes with a supernatural component.
That was when he cared. Now, burdened by the death of his brother Carter, Adair is barely alive. Mired in despair and guilt, he huddles in his filthy apartment, isolated and brooding, trying to shut out the world.
When the world comes knocking on his door in the person of twelve year old witch Bree Blackstone, however, he can’t suppress his impulse to help. Bree’s mother Vera, one of Adair’s former friends, has been killed, right in front of Bree’s eyes. Following her mother’s past instructions, she has come seeking the assistance of Adair or Carter Finch.
Adair doesn’t want to get involved, but his sense of responsibility overcomes his misery and inertia. With Bree in tow, he sets out to unravel the complicated circumstances that led to Vera’s murder. His main weapon is the fact that he, and anyone he marks with the special sigil of Chronos, can go back in time and replay events, possibly making different decisions or taking different actions, as many times as necessary.
Time-Marked Warlock creates a fascinating world in which magical and non-magical beings co-exist, albeit uneasily. Witches are born with power, the nature of which depends on their phase of the moon. Warlocks acquire power by making pacts with spirits, demons, gods or other supernatural entities, binding those entities to one of their five cores: the crown, the eyes, the heart, the soul and the loins. The bound magic takes its toll; power providers make their own demands in return.
Adair’s an appealing character, the classic disillusioned and cynical private investigator with a heart of gold. Imagine Philip Marlowe with magical abilities. But it’s Bree who steals the show. Strong, sassy, determined and opinionated, she browbeats Adair into performing good deeds that have little to do with the murder case. As she learns more about the nature of being a warlock, she decides to become one herself, making a pact with the mischief spirit Kullthantarrick the Sneak.
Kull is a fabulous fictional creation. Although she can shift her shape at will (she’s partial to appearing as a fox, a cat or a pigeon), she has no physical body. Smart and sarcastic, Kull has the best lines in the book by far. Though overall this isn’t a humorous novel, her commentary frequently had me laughing out loud.
Kull longs to inhabit a human form, even though she knows this will erase her immortality. She and Bree bond, beyond their magical pact. Again and again, Adair finds himself almost helpless in confronting their joint wills.
I found the murder plot a bit confusing and overly complicated, but I suppose that the story required this. Adair resets time again and again, returning to the moment when Bree banged on his door. In each cycle he delves more deeply into the circumstances responsible for Vera’s death and comes closer to identifying the perpetrators.
By the time he puts the whole story together, he’s exhausted and to be honest, so was I. The interactions between Bree and Adair, which gradually result in the healing of his damaged soul, were far more interesting to me than the battles of supernatural factions.
All in all, I enjoyed Time-Marked Warlock. It’s original and engaging, with a distinctively different view of the supernatural and quirky, sympathetic characters. If you like urban fantasy, give it a try.
Rodney has lived in Manhattan for decades, but he has never visited the Metropolitan Museum. He’s never browsed in one of the city’s famed bookstores,Rodney has lived in Manhattan for decades, but he has never visited the Metropolitan Museum. He’s never browsed in one of the city’s famed bookstores, or enjoyed an espresso in a Greenwich Village café, or strolled through Central Park on a spring afternoon. He exists on the fringes of society, observing people and events, collecting odds and ends that attract him, making sardonic comments that no one hears.
Although Rodney yearns for a richer life, he accepts his limits. After all, there’s not much he can do about them. Rodney is a gargoyle, destined to spend each day on his base atop a nineteen twenties building as a hunk of inanimate stone. The setting sun sets him free to swoop between the skyscrapers on powerful wings and grab whatever scraps he can salvage of the city’s complexity and beauty. At dawn he hurries back to his perch, before he turns to dust.
Then one night a beautiful, sad young man climbs to the rooftop that is Rodney’s domain. Unlike other humans, David can hear Rodney’s voice. The two strike up an odd friendship, bonding in their mutual love of books and their frustration with the greed that is destroying New York’s past. Rodney hides in the shadows, afraid that a glimpse of his hulking body, leathery wings and vicious claws will drive his companion away. When David’s life is threatened, however, Rodney has no choice but to reveal his true nature.
I enjoyed this novella, the first gargoyle paranormal erotic romance I’ve encountered. If there are conventions to this sub-genre, I’m not aware of them. Hence I didn’t know what to expect (though of course I knew Rodney and David would eventually become lovers). The ending (which I’ll keep under my hat!) took me by surprise, an experience that I welcome.
Ms. Madison successfully brings Rodney to life (no pun intended), showing the reader his pain and his resignation. He’s such a sweet guy, you can’t help but love him. David is less fully fleshed out, but that is perhaps to be expected in a relatively short tale (65 pages) told from a single point of view.
Although the book does include a bit of explicit sex, it’s pretty mild compared to many of the MM books I read—not to mention the ones I write! There’s no coyness, however. I particularly liked the way the author describes Rodney’s physical reactions and the damage they do to David’s apartment. After all, human dwellings weren’t designed for seven foot tall creatures with wings!
A bit more local color would have enriched the texture of the story. I don’t think Ms. Madison is all that familiar with New York City. Aside from a mention of the Metropolitan Museum, there’s nothing specific to Manhattan in the tale, and that, in my opinion, weakens the book’s effect. New York is one of the few places in the US where it would be plausible to find a gargoyle, but to be honest, Raincheck could have been set anywhere.
This is a relatively minor criticism, from a reader who perhaps cares more than most about setting. Overall, Raincheck is a quick, satisfying, romantic read with a distinctly different premise and an appealing hero.
Merged review:
Rodney has lived in Manhattan for decades, but he has never visited the Metropolitan Museum. He’s never browsed in one of the city’s famed bookstores, or enjoyed an espresso in a Greenwich Village café, or strolled through Central Park on a spring afternoon. He exists on the fringes of society, observing people and events, collecting odds and ends that attract him, making sardonic comments that no one hears.
Although Rodney yearns for a richer life, he accepts his limits. After all, there’s not much he can do about them. Rodney is a gargoyle, destined to spend each day on his base atop a nineteen twenties building as a hunk of inanimate stone. The setting sun sets him free to swoop between the skyscrapers on powerful wings and grab whatever scraps he can salvage of the city’s complexity and beauty. At dawn he hurries back to his perch, before he turns to dust.
Then one night a beautiful, sad young man climbs to the rooftop that is Rodney’s domain. Unlike other humans, David can hear Rodney’s voice. The two strike up an odd friendship, bonding in their mutual love of books and their frustration with the greed that is destroying New York’s past. Rodney hides in the shadows, afraid that a glimpse of his hulking body, leathery wings and vicious claws will drive his companion away. When David’s life is threatened, however, Rodney has no choice but to reveal his true nature.
I enjoyed this novella, the first gargoyle paranormal erotic romance I’ve encountered. If there are conventions to this sub-genre, I’m not aware of them. Hence I didn’t know what to expect (though of course I knew Rodney and David would eventually become lovers). The ending (which I’ll keep under my hat!) took me by surprise, an experience that I welcome.
Ms. Madison successfully brings Rodney to life (no pun intended), showing the reader his pain and his resignation. He’s such a sweet guy, you can’t help but love him. David is less fully fleshed out, but that is perhaps to be expected in a relatively short tale (65 pages) told from a single point of view.
Although the book does include a bit of explicit sex, it’s pretty mild compared to many of the MM books I read—not to mention the ones I write! There’s no coyness, however. I particularly liked the way the author describes Rodney’s physical reactions and the damage they do to David’s apartment. After all, human dwellings weren’t designed for seven foot tall creatures with wings!
A bit more local color would have enriched the texture of the story. I don’t think Ms. Madison is all that familiar with New York City. Aside from a mention of the Metropolitan Museum, there’s nothing specific to Manhattan in the tale, and that, in my opinion, weakens the book’s effect. New York is one of the few places in the US where it would be plausible to find a gargoyle, but to be honest, Raincheck could have been set anywhere.
This is a relatively minor criticism, from a reader who perhaps cares more than most about setting. Overall, Raincheck is a quick, satisfying, romantic read with a distinctly different premise and an appealing hero....more
Curse of the Pogo Stick is another wonderful, witty and wise visit to post-Vietnam-war Laos. Dr. Siri, former resistance fighter, current national corCurse of the Pogo Stick is another wonderful, witty and wise visit to post-Vietnam-war Laos. Dr. Siri, former resistance fighter, current national coroner and unwitting host to the spirit of an ancient Hmong shaman, is kidnapped by a Hmong family in a remote village who need him to perform an exorcism. Meanwhile, Siri and his colleagues at the Vientiane morgue, including savvy nurse Dtui, dedicated helper Geng and Siri's fiancee Madame Deng, are targeted for elimination by a brilliant, devious enemy.
I've read four other books in this series. In terms of plot coherence, I think this one might be the best so far. The secondary characters shine. The treatment of the Hmong, who probably suffered more than anyone in the Vietnam war, is respectful and sympathetic. The pogo stick is a bit of an afterthought... but it IS a great title, you have to admit.
Emery Matawapit and Darryl Keejik grew up together on the reservation, roaming the woods, hunting and fishing, sharing bonds of friendship and later, Emery Matawapit and Darryl Keejik grew up together on the reservation, roaming the woods, hunting and fishing, sharing bonds of friendship and later, physical passion. As they approach adulthood, though, their destinies tear them apart. The half-white son of a Catholic deacon, Emery feels called to the church, even though its doctrine tells him his desire for Darryl is a sin. After ten years of study and preparation, he’s now on the brink of taking his final vows as a priest. Before he does, however, he needs to reconcile with Darryl, to try to banish the bitterness that has grown up between them.
Darryl blames Emery for deserting the ways of the Objibway Elders and following the white man’s god. Underneath his anger lurks the pain and hurt of having been left behind by the one man he has ever loved. Over their years of separation, Darryl has acquired influence as a member of the tribal council, working to restore the native traditions ravaged by generations of government abuse, neglect and injustice. Now he’s tempted to use that influence to punish Emery and his father for what he sees as their betrayal of the tribe.
The reunion of the two men is anything but peaceful. However, despite their mutual animosity and confusion, their different spiritual beliefs and life trajectories, they’re still irresistibly drawn to one another. It will take courage, compromise and a willingness to listen to their respective inner voices to heal their rifts. Each one must learn that love means letting go and allowing the beloved to choose his own path.
I adored Blessed. The characters are vivid, believably flawed and sympathetic—even the apparently bigoted and dictatorial Deacon Matawit. The love between Darryl and Emery burns bright and true, finally enabling them to break through the barriers that keep them apart. Meanwhile the setting and background taught me a lot about the harsh realities that face First Nation people in Canada.
One of my biggest complaints about the romance genre is that the conflicts that drive the story are often trivial, not serious obstacles to a successful relationship. In Blessed, truly fundamental differences threaten to keep Emery and Darryl apart. Emery believes that Christ is guiding him. His vocation for the priesthood, his call to pastoral service, is something he feels deep in his soul. How can he abandon this, putting his personal happiness before the well-being of his future flock?
Meanwhile, Darryl is caught in the political crossfire between the Christians and the Traditionalists. He’s been taught not to trust the white man’s religion. Yet this religion governs the life of the man he loves. He wants to be a wise leader, which means opening his mind to the fact that there’s more than one path to truth.
I should mention that as an erotic romance, this book has some wonderfully steamy love scenes that any MM aficionado will enjoy. As the blurb says, this is an erotic book about a spiritual journey. Since I have always believed that the erotic and the spiritual are closely entwined, I applaud this aspect of the tale.
Overall, Blessed is a great read. If you like realistic MM romance with serious issues at stake, I highly recommend it.
In our required American history class, junior year in high school, we learned about the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the rIn our required American history class, junior year in high school, we learned about the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the revered "founding fathers" who worked together to forge the United States on the principles of liberty, democratic representation and equal rights.
Much of that turns out to have been simplistic fantasy.
The Quartet chronicles the messy truth about the situation in the newly liberated colonies after the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the war with Britain. In fact the confederation of states was dysfunctional, riven by conflict over everything from trade to slavery, and burdened by crushing debt. Local concerns completely overwhelmed any sense of unity, common purpose or common destiny. Having won their independence from Britain through blood and sacrifice, the weak confederation was on the verge of disintegrating.
In lively, lucid prose, Joseph Ellis focuses on the efforts of four men - George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison - to mold the fractious collection of states and territories into some sort of entity that could survive and prosper. The Quartet is the story of the torturous political process involved in convincing the states to join in a Constitutional Convention, to hammer out the principles and the wording of a Constitution, and then to get it ratified. Most people don't realize - certainly I did not - how close these efforts came to failure.
The four men of Ellis' quartet had different skills, goals, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. They were not primarily intellectuals or idealists. Still, at some level, all had a vision of what the so-called United States could be, if the states could be persuaded to make common cause, to compromise when necessary and most of all to view themselves as part of a larger union.
Unlike many history books, this one is a page-turner. Ellis does a wonderful job bringing the different actors to life and showing how each one contributed to framing a Constitution which has managed to endure for more than two hundred years. Clear, compelling and engaging, The Quartet walks the reader through a period I'd never even thought about previously. The U.S. was not founded by supermen but by flawed, talented pragmatists dedicated to the proposition that the gains from first Revolutionary War should not be allowed to slip away.
With Bleeding Kansas, Sara Paretsky proves she's more than just a writer of genre fiction. I've enjoyed her V.I. Warshawski mysteries for their broodiWith Bleeding Kansas, Sara Paretsky proves she's more than just a writer of genre fiction. I've enjoyed her V.I. Warshawski mysteries for their brooding atmosphere, multi-layered characterization and moral ambiguity. All those attributes are on display in this main stream novel about three historically intertwined families in America's heartland. The Civil War and the violent struggles between the slave states and free states might be in the past, but the scars persist, and the same mistakes get made again and again.
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