I received a free copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Lyrical, poetic, and mythic tales of enchanting erotica
While I normally read more romance than erotica, any hesitations I had about reading this work were quickly whisked away. The writing swept me into a tantalizing range of settings, characters and lyrical text that winds from overly flowery poetry to simply pleasant prose, weaving mythical tales with explicit exploits.
The sizzling stories combine tasteful but searingly heated re-imaginings of characters and scenes from historic mythology and folk tales. I found it to be a much more thoughtful and enticing exploration of supernatural and paranormal themes than the typical, modern paranormal romantica stories, serving refreshing poetic tales with explicit heat as a collection of lyrical and enchanting erotic shorts.
Phoenix and Styx - 10 pages (mf)
This first tale included very flowery, sophisticated, complex and evocative prose which might be a bit "too rich" for some readers but wove words into an overly poetic, imaginatively descriptive prose which I found enchanting. It combines an extremely creative contemporary/mythical story with evocative prose that flows from the page, weaving its way through my emotions and intellect. Just a decent touch of sizzle in the sometimes heated, sometimes molten, and even ashen rhetoric.
Fortune's Song - 31 pages (mf)
This short erotic story is nicely heated, a well-written mix of ancient myth, contemporary paranormal, show more and explicitly intimate encounters. The fortune teller's voice had just a touch of mystery, and her enounter with the man of evil repute rang out with an unusual melody.
Candy and the Witch - 17 pages (mf)
The insight of an intelligent witch of the fairy tales accompanies her curiosity as she knowingly follows a potentially trapped trail. The character was endearing but the story too brief, with just enough heat to be enticing but certainly not entirely filling. A just slightly spiced morsel to whet one's appetite - or savor as a tangy treat. (Of course, the revelations about Hansel makes me want to seek the story of the Gingerbread man.)
Night Train: Story of a Passage - 26 pages (mfm)
A woman determined to be open and experience all life has to offer meets two strong, horned and horny men on the train. The hottest story so far, it takes the Between world of mystical, mythic creatures to doubly insert the train's travels into a woman's resolve to pursue the most interesting paths.
I Will Feed You Honey - 20 pages (mf)
Very sensual, inventive, and erotic prose. Incredible inspritation is in the cards, but transcendence has its price.
The Acorn Princess - 19 pages. (ff)
Perhaps a bit more focused on the steam than some of the other stories, a young lady is entranced by the forest nymph and seduced into enjoying the pleasures of a woman of the wood. Alice is unable to stay away from the forest, and the Sylph is unable to stay away from the enticing, intriguing woman.
Drinks and the Other Witch - 8 pages (mm)
Blow and drink. This was the sauciest and most direct of the tales, but the letter Hans writes to his sister Greta puts a wonderfully fairy tale, magical spin on a mostly lustful setting. I had been hoping for the story of Hansel and the Gingerbread man, but I was more than happy to read the story of the male witch and his Fae acquaintance even more, with a wonderfully nice touch of reciprocal male on male lust.
Nocturnal Conquests - 23 pages (mfm)
Two creatures of the night stalk, lure, and tease their prey to quench their thirst and slake their lust. Yet this time the intimate nibble is more than a fulfilling but fleeting meal, as even a vampire can fall to the mesmerizing lure.
A Raven by Day - 14 pages (mf)
A bittersweet end to the day, beginning with the crow cawing in the morn but yet with the hope that the wayward bird will someday return. show less
Lyrical, poetic, and mythic tales of enchanting erotica
While I normally read more romance than erotica, any hesitations I had about reading this work were quickly whisked away. The writing swept me into a tantalizing range of settings, characters and lyrical text that winds from overly flowery poetry to simply pleasant prose, weaving mythical tales with explicit exploits.
The sizzling stories combine tasteful but searingly heated re-imaginings of characters and scenes from historic mythology and folk tales. I found it to be a much more thoughtful and enticing exploration of supernatural and paranormal themes than the typical, modern paranormal romantica stories, serving refreshing poetic tales with explicit heat as a collection of lyrical and enchanting erotic shorts.
Phoenix and Styx - 10 pages (mf)
This first tale included very flowery, sophisticated, complex and evocative prose which might be a bit "too rich" for some readers but wove words into an overly poetic, imaginatively descriptive prose which I found enchanting. It combines an extremely creative contemporary/mythical story with evocative prose that flows from the page, weaving its way through my emotions and intellect. Just a decent touch of sizzle in the sometimes heated, sometimes molten, and even ashen rhetoric.
Fortune's Song - 31 pages (mf)
This short erotic story is nicely heated, a well-written mix of ancient myth, contemporary paranormal, show more and explicitly intimate encounters. The fortune teller's voice had just a touch of mystery, and her enounter with the man of evil repute rang out with an unusual melody.
Candy and the Witch - 17 pages (mf)
The insight of an intelligent witch of the fairy tales accompanies her curiosity as she knowingly follows a potentially trapped trail. The character was endearing but the story too brief, with just enough heat to be enticing but certainly not entirely filling. A just slightly spiced morsel to whet one's appetite - or savor as a tangy treat. (Of course, the revelations about Hansel makes me want to seek the story of the Gingerbread man.)
Night Train: Story of a Passage - 26 pages (mfm)
A woman determined to be open and experience all life has to offer meets two strong, horned and horny men on the train. The hottest story so far, it takes the Between world of mystical, mythic creatures to doubly insert the train's travels into a woman's resolve to pursue the most interesting paths.
I Will Feed You Honey - 20 pages (mf)
Very sensual, inventive, and erotic prose. Incredible inspritation is in the cards, but transcendence has its price.
The Acorn Princess - 19 pages. (ff)
Perhaps a bit more focused on the steam than some of the other stories, a young lady is entranced by the forest nymph and seduced into enjoying the pleasures of a woman of the wood. Alice is unable to stay away from the forest, and the Sylph is unable to stay away from the enticing, intriguing woman.
Drinks and the Other Witch - 8 pages (mm)
Blow and drink. This was the sauciest and most direct of the tales, but the letter Hans writes to his sister Greta puts a wonderfully fairy tale, magical spin on a mostly lustful setting. I had been hoping for the story of Hansel and the Gingerbread man, but I was more than happy to read the story of the male witch and his Fae acquaintance even more, with a wonderfully nice touch of reciprocal male on male lust.
Nocturnal Conquests - 23 pages (mfm)
Two creatures of the night stalk, lure, and tease their prey to quench their thirst and slake their lust. Yet this time the intimate nibble is more than a fulfilling but fleeting meal, as even a vampire can fall to the mesmerizing lure.
A Raven by Day - 14 pages (mf)
A bittersweet end to the day, beginning with the crow cawing in the morn but yet with the hope that the wayward bird will someday return. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This very brief (31 pages) summary of King Philip II by Geoffrey Parker was published in the "history notebook" series (Cuadernos History 16) that supplemented the Historia 16 journal. It provides a short but excellent summary of the king for students by a leading scholar, who can get an overview without reading Parker's original, longer biography (Felipe II, 1978, 232 pages) or more recent, more comprehensive works in Spanish (Felipe II; la biografia definitiva, 2010) or English (Imprudent King: A New Life of Philip II).
This expansive (1383 pages) "definitive" biography of King Philip II covers the entire life of this central figure in early modern European history. Geoffrey Parker is perhaps the greatest scholar of King Philip II, and his original, short biography (234 pages, originally published in 1978) is a classic work on the king. This brand new volume draws upon Parker's lifetime of research, providing comprehensive coverage of a key period in Spanish and European history. Unfortunately, the "definitive" biography is only available in Spanish, but Parker also recently (2014) published a new, expanded (483 pages) English biography (Imprudent king : a new life of Philip II) for those who only read English.
This academic study delves into the archaeology of three separate ares of Viking settlement, the northern British Isles, Iceland, and Greenland/Vinland. Drawing upon the physical and cultural evidence, the author draws out sociological and anthropological critiques of the viking civilization, relying and careful interpretation of the sometimes scant but also sometimes well-preserved evidence.
The work is dry and scientific, of most interest to anthropologists who need to judiciously study and interpret small societies which can leave anywhere from relatively small "footprints" to be uncovered to mountains of historical artifacts and cultural impacts. Those of us who simply have a deep interest in these medieval peoples and their legacy can find this tome to be quite rewarding as well.
The work is dry and scientific, of most interest to anthropologists who need to judiciously study and interpret small societies which can leave anywhere from relatively small "footprints" to be uncovered to mountains of historical artifacts and cultural impacts. Those of us who simply have a deep interest in these medieval peoples and their legacy can find this tome to be quite rewarding as well.
A very nice selection of important writings by Lincoln that demonstrate some of his major political ideas and political philosophies. A nice, portable edition that provides quick and easy access to primary source material on an extremely consequential historical figure.
4.5 stars
Perhaps not quite as compelling to me as the first two, still I found this to overall be a very satisfying resolution to the story of the heroic princes, their relationship, and their political and personal situation. In total, the series was a dramatic and gripping and wholly immersing story of two princes in dangerous situations, one exiled and forced to be the slave of the other, all wrapped into a deeply felt love/hate relationship and engrossingly royal political and military drama.
Perhaps not quite as compelling to me as the first two, still I found this to overall be a very satisfying resolution to the story of the heroic princes, their relationship, and their political and personal situation. In total, the series was a dramatic and gripping and wholly immersing story of two princes in dangerous situations, one exiled and forced to be the slave of the other, all wrapped into a deeply felt love/hate relationship and engrossingly royal political and military drama.
I greatly enjoy this author's writing, and the first book in this series is one of my favorites. In some ways, I identify with this second story in the series even more, as the college setting is a just slightly fictionalized version of my alma mater. Reading about the college music scene was like returning to my youth.
As much as I enjoyed a male/male romance set in such a positive, familiar setting, the relationship, characters and plot were very enticing but not quite as enchanting as the first book. For example, I found the summer hook-up followed by the pursuit to the same college to be nicely different but also a bit of a constructed feel. Overall, as much as I enjoyed this, it's not quite the five star entry for me as the first book is. Still, fans of the author, or of sometimes awkward, often strewn with difficulties, but always heart-felt college romance should be nicely entertained.
As much as I enjoyed a male/male romance set in such a positive, familiar setting, the relationship, characters and plot were very enticing but not quite as enchanting as the first book. For example, I found the summer hook-up followed by the pursuit to the same college to be nicely different but also a bit of a constructed feel. Overall, as much as I enjoyed this, it's not quite the five star entry for me as the first book is. Still, fans of the author, or of sometimes awkward, often strewn with difficulties, but always heart-felt college romance should be nicely entertained.
This book was given to me by a pagan/Wiccan witch whom I was dating at the time. I loved it as a different way of looking at literature, history, religion, sex, and especially the contrasting views and roles of women in stories that had always been told from a very male dominated point of view. After years of reading religion and philosophy, serious history, and plenty of fantasy and magical fluff, it was wonderful to lose myself in a fantastic but sometimes realistic world that gave some kind of coherent voice to groups that are usually maligned or used ornamentally (pagans, women, anti-heroes).
Just reading a story from the alternate point of view of a strong, political, pagan woman who is usually the villain was a nice departure from years of studying history (and literature) written so incredibly heavily from the dominant (upper class, male, Christian, victorious side) perspective.
Just reading a story from the alternate point of view of a strong, political, pagan woman who is usually the villain was a nice departure from years of studying history (and literature) written so incredibly heavily from the dominant (upper class, male, Christian, victorious side) perspective.
4.5 stars
I put off reading this story, as the description intimated it might be rather dark. I have studied Vichy France and suspected this might not be a pleasant tale. While it certainly was not a light, sweet romantic story, and it might be a bit too dark for some romance readers, it was absolutely perfect for me. In part, I think I related to it because it seems to me to present a good, realistic flavor of how difficult it was to be a gay man before the sexual and cultural revolution of the last forty years.
The writing gripped me from the beginning, with initial scene of a resistance fighter (and wolf shifter) on the run from German-aligned French "soldiers" (Milice militia-like policemen, I assume). The author's slight tweaks on typical shifter paradigms, including significant but not complete healing from injuries, also signified this would not be a typical shifter tale. The strength of the work, however, had little to do with the paranormal aspects, but the struggles of two injured men trying to survive in an extremely hostile world, and both doing at least a bit of their part towards a better future.
The romantic connection might be considered rather flat compared to many entries in this genre, but to me the whole story was a slow, steady, and very palpable building of an intimate connection, even if it was deeply internalized and not apparent to others (or even themselves). Actually, this slow, internal build seemed to ring very true for those who had to live in show more environments that require an extremely closeted life.
(additional comments and full review on blog) show less
I put off reading this story, as the description intimated it might be rather dark. I have studied Vichy France and suspected this might not be a pleasant tale. While it certainly was not a light, sweet romantic story, and it might be a bit too dark for some romance readers, it was absolutely perfect for me. In part, I think I related to it because it seems to me to present a good, realistic flavor of how difficult it was to be a gay man before the sexual and cultural revolution of the last forty years.
The writing gripped me from the beginning, with initial scene of a resistance fighter (and wolf shifter) on the run from German-aligned French "soldiers" (Milice militia-like policemen, I assume). The author's slight tweaks on typical shifter paradigms, including significant but not complete healing from injuries, also signified this would not be a typical shifter tale. The strength of the work, however, had little to do with the paranormal aspects, but the struggles of two injured men trying to survive in an extremely hostile world, and both doing at least a bit of their part towards a better future.
The romantic connection might be considered rather flat compared to many entries in this genre, but to me the whole story was a slow, steady, and very palpable building of an intimate connection, even if it was deeply internalized and not apparent to others (or even themselves). Actually, this slow, internal build seemed to ring very true for those who had to live in show more environments that require an extremely closeted life.
(additional comments and full review on blog) show less
T.J. Klune is one of my favorite authors, and he delivers a stunning paranormal, wolf-shifter “romance” that draws characters, supernatural elements, and relationship angst vividly on the page. While Klune normally writes extraordinarily humorous and snarky contemporary gay romance, he brings similar but serious rattling, prattling, rapid-fire character thoughts and attitudes to this rather angst-filled and dramatic coming-of-age romance. The paranormal elements were compelling and the setting interesting, and eventhough many of the themes could apply to less magical environments, there is quite a novel development that brings a fresh and sometimes dramatic theme and challenge concerning a human protagonist not found in other paranormal stories.
Ox’s struggle with his sometimes dim view of himself is challenged dramatically by the events, thrusting him into positions and decisions that force him to choose just what kind of person, partner, friend, lover, and family member he wants to be. The tapestry surrounding the protagonist’s struggle is deep and rich for fans of paranormal and extended family settings, intriguingly framing personal growth and coming of age themes with supernatural and relationship struggles.
My one critique would be the couples’ relationship was a bit more angst-filled and the protagonist’s anger a bit over-the-top from my perspective, but it did make for a rather atypical and fresh approach to potential shifter mates.
Ox’s struggle with his sometimes dim view of himself is challenged dramatically by the events, thrusting him into positions and decisions that force him to choose just what kind of person, partner, friend, lover, and family member he wants to be. The tapestry surrounding the protagonist’s struggle is deep and rich for fans of paranormal and extended family settings, intriguingly framing personal growth and coming of age themes with supernatural and relationship struggles.
My one critique would be the couples’ relationship was a bit more angst-filled and the protagonist’s anger a bit over-the-top from my perspective, but it did make for a rather atypical and fresh approach to potential shifter mates.
I found this book to be a brilliant read, sappy and cute at its core with a smattering of sharper edges woven into the story. Clearly this is my kind of story: well-written; a familiar (to me) setting explored accurately and realistically; real world cynicism vs. romantic idealism; and two opposite characters whom I really like and to whom I very much relate.
Heidi Cullinan was already one of my favorite authors for her Minnesota Christmas series, and this work shifts her sympathetic and endearing portrayal of gay relationships and love to a college campus setting. As much as I enjoyed the previous series, the antics of two maturing college kids, including a wealthy but alienated player and a small-town romantic, was a wonderful romp through college romance.
It’s hard for me to be objective, as the writer’s work on Minnesota small-towns and Midwestern college campuses rings extraordinarily true for me, as those locales are central to my own personal background. However, the sometimes awkward but often sweet chemistry between the protagonists is even more entertaining and captivating for me. So count me as a fan boy and you can take my review as one enamored with the author’s setting, characters, and writing, but it’s clearly one of my personal favorites.
full review
Heidi Cullinan was already one of my favorite authors for her Minnesota Christmas series, and this work shifts her sympathetic and endearing portrayal of gay relationships and love to a college campus setting. As much as I enjoyed the previous series, the antics of two maturing college kids, including a wealthy but alienated player and a small-town romantic, was a wonderful romp through college romance.
It’s hard for me to be objective, as the writer’s work on Minnesota small-towns and Midwestern college campuses rings extraordinarily true for me, as those locales are central to my own personal background. However, the sometimes awkward but often sweet chemistry between the protagonists is even more entertaining and captivating for me. So count me as a fan boy and you can take my review as one enamored with the author’s setting, characters, and writing, but it’s clearly one of my personal favorites.
full review
I can't be anywhere near objective when it comes to Ondry and Liam as they are one of my absolute favorite couples. There was less action in this book (although a bit more between the sheets) than in the first two. For those of us interested in Ondry's status, Liam's past traumas, the machinations of the Grandmothers, and just more of Ondry and Liam's special relationship, this fills that yearning for a Chilta and his Palteia.
Another sweet short in the Bluewater Bay series, it was an enjoyable read but it did not draw me in very deeply. The characters' backstories were extremely intriguing ideas that did not translate into prose that really gripped me. I really wasn't deeply invested in the conflict, yearning and hope in the heroes' relationship. Still, it's Bluwater Bay which all so far have been lovely little jaunts into short but sweetly heated gay romance.
The beginning was brilliant, highlighting two protagonists who were very compelling. The radical Duke was intriguing enough, but the extraordinarily clever heroine even more so. They both had interesting backgrounds and baggage, especially Minnie's secret which was dark enough that she needed to stay as unobtrusive, unobserved, and as unknown as possible. The chemistry towards the beginning was nicely intelligent and tantalizing, while the second half seemed less extraordinary but fine and pleasantly typical romance fare.
3.5 stars rounded up for just how attractively clever I found the "plain" heroine to be
3.5 stars rounded up for just how attractively clever I found the "plain" heroine to be
Fun and sweet little Christmas romance. I'm not always a huge fan of friends-to-lovers or gay-for-you, but this one works nicely. (And it's not really gay-for-you, but although it had a little of that feel, it's really warm and sweet and doesn't feel false to me.). A definite re-read for the holiday.
Him by Sarina Bowen
If it weren't for the great reviews I would have never read this story. There were so many things about this book that are not quite my cup of tea or my preferred types - jocks, adolescent-ish mischief makers, frat-boy like behavior, tatts, piercings, Gay for You, and hockey (my least favorite professional sport). I don't mind any of those characteristics when part of a well written and/or nicely heated story, but with so many aspects that weren't quite in my preferred wheelhouse, I normally would figured it wasn't the story for me and would have passed, but....
The characters, the plot, the relationship tension and heat, and the story twists and turns were all so well written I was nicely connected to the nicely smart-ass and hot characters, and overall very entertained and pretty blown away. Some rather decent sizzle and a happy ending (that included a surprising touch or two) nicely rounded out two compelling but generally light-hearted and really fun hockey studs.
The characters, the plot, the relationship tension and heat, and the story twists and turns were all so well written I was nicely connected to the nicely smart-ass and hot characters, and overall very entertained and pretty blown away. Some rather decent sizzle and a happy ending (that included a surprising touch or two) nicely rounded out two compelling but generally light-hearted and really fun hockey studs.
I found this to be an interesting gay romance short novel which highlights a bit of a generational and/or situational divide in the LGBT experience. I am of an age where it was not professionally safe for many of my friends to come out. (I was lucky enough to be in one of the most accepting professional environments.) It was nice to see a plot involving both those who still face major professional and personal difficulties because of their orientation and the increasingly common acceptance from colleagues and family (especially compared to when I was younger). For a brief story, this was a decent little exploration (albeit necessarily oversimplified) of some of the issues I saw many of my friends face. It was also gratifying to see that contrasted with a younger, "at ease with being out" celebrity, as he got a glimpse of the issues formerly omnipresent in society (losing one's entire career and/or family by coming out), and still faced by entirely too many (probably including limiting roles available in Hollywood).
4.5 stars
A story with deadly knights wielding swords, sizzling heat between men, intrigue, sacrifing for love, a sturdy stud and a sweetly ripped beautiful man, and even a damsel in distress. A short, sweet medieval romance with some nice knightly touches.
A story with deadly knights wielding swords, sizzling heat between men, intrigue, sacrifing for love, a sturdy stud and a sweetly ripped beautiful man, and even a damsel in distress. A short, sweet medieval romance with some nice knightly touches.
This is only the second novel I've read with a transgendered character, and I really enjoyed becoming invested in the heroine's story. It leaves me wanting more literature representing the fascinating (and too often struggling, if my friends' experiences are any indication) stories of our community who are too often overlooked or facing struggles few of us realize or immediately understand.
The writing, plot and characters were basic and not overly enticing, and there werew a handful of minor errors (e.g., societies vs. society's) an editor should have caught. But I absolutely loved reading a novel centered both on the struggles of a young pre-operative woman grappling with so many issues with an interesting (if at times over the top) plot. For those of us looking for some exploration of the wide variety of "T-related" stories from the LGBT spectrum, novels like this are a nice addition to the literature.
The writing, plot and characters were basic and not overly enticing, and there werew a handful of minor errors (e.g., societies vs. society's) an editor should have caught. But I absolutely loved reading a novel centered both on the struggles of a young pre-operative woman grappling with so many issues with an interesting (if at times over the top) plot. For those of us looking for some exploration of the wide variety of "T-related" stories from the LGBT spectrum, novels like this are a nice addition to the literature.
A sometimes intense and heart wrenching romance about two men growing up together, supporting each other, and falling in love, only to be torn apart by war, homophobia and natural disaster. The heroes are extremely tough and admirable but also deeply flawed in their own ways. A little over the top and disaster-heavy at times, it's a great read for those who like strong, imperfect, regular guy heroes to be thrown curve after curve to overcome.
A well-written novel centered on the passion of two potential mates struggling to protect each other in the face of lustful, abusive pack alphas. The story, characters, and elements of the paranormal setting were somewhat unique and definitely interesting. A significant portion of the book was dedicated to the potential and eventually realized sizzle between the pair. Sometimes it seemed the story was just a device to surround the heated scenes with an interesting structure, and often the plot and characters seemed to simply be interspersed to lightly connect to the next heated encounter. This work should especially appeal to those readers who like a lot of heat, punctuated surrounded with a somewhat interesting story.
A nice, semi-sweet but also a bit surprising story of a young werewolf woman torn between love of a human and duty to her pack. Not quite your typical romance, I really enjoyed this coming of age story that had a decent (but not over-the-top) amount of angst, and an enjoyable ending (without being utterly predictable).