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Review: Bloodline (Star Wars) by Claudia Gray
This book is an exciting political thriller that just happens to take place in the Star Wars universe starring both new and familiar faces. It includes plenty of intrigue, instances of excitement, and brief moments of lovely characterization. And while it features half a dozen point of view characters, the chief of those is Senator…
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Review: Ancillary Mercy (Imperial Radch #3) by Ann Leckie
It had been a long time since I read the first two books in this trilogy, so I’d forgotten a lot of the minor details. This story picks up pretty immediately where the previous left off, but I was able to slip right back into the action with only a few minor hiccups. This remains…
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Review: Nasty: Fetish Fights Back edited by Anna Yeatts & Chris Phillips
Disclaimer: I am acquaintances with the editors and friends or acquaintances with many of the authors; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. Favorite Stories “Aural Sex” by Jaye Wells: The unexpected love story between two intriguing characters amidst this collection of kink and fetish. Almost doesn’t fit, but so well written that I…
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Review: The Chef's Cutie (River Hill #5) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with the authors; I received an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review. This was a satisfying conclusion to the series of love stories in the town of River Hill! Max certainly waited long enough for his happily ever after as he fed all of the couples springing up around…
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Review: The Enterprise War (Star Trek: Discovery) by John Jackson Miller
Where was the Enterprise during season 1 of Discovery? There was a war on, after all! This book does a great job answering that question. Miller brings the Enterprise crew alive, from the senior command staff to those usually relegated to the lower decks. He does an especially good job with Anson Mount’s Captain Pike…
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Review: Resort to Love (Paradise Key #3) by Priscilla Oliveras
Disclaimer: I am acquaintances with the author; however, I purchased the hardcopy of this book for full price. It was so easy to fall into Sofia’s life and connect with her story. Oliveras has an obvious talent for crafting a well-rounded character that is more than just her love life. I supported Sofia’s long-term goals…
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Review: Q & A (Star Trek: The Next Generation) by Keith R. A. DeCandido
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this paperback at full price. This twentieth-anniversary celebration of Star Trek: The Next Generation novel is a fitting tribute to the lasting mark Q has left on the franchise. And I can’t think of a better writer to infuse Q’s ridiculousness into text form. This…
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Review: Silver Shark (Kinsmen #2) by Ilona Andrews
I enjoyed this Kinsmen tale much more than the first. While this book is a romance, it certainly doesn’t start out feeling that way. I’d even argue that this is a solid science-fiction story that just happens to include romantic elements as part of the plot. The world-building regarding Claire’s home planet and how psychers…
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Review: Midnight Riot (Rivers of London #1) by Ben Aaronovitch
I devoured this book so quickly, because it had me so absorbed, that I only took one note on my phone about it. “Great example of environment as character.” London itself comes alive in this combination urban fantasy and police procedural that the city is as much a character as Peter, his mentor Nightingale, or…
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Review: Consequence (Dark Tyrant #2) by C.R. Langille
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased a hardcopy version of this book for full price. This book picks up immediately after the events of Canyon Shadows, but is easily read as a stand-alone. It immediately grabbed me and sucked me in, with events that are all present-day and much narrower in…
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Review: Honor Reclaimed (HORNET #2) by Tonya Burrows
Disclaimer: I am acquaintances with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. With so many characters introduced in the first HORNET book, I was a bit bummed to realize that the hero of the second installment of this fun series was a brand-new teammate. However, Seth is a compelling character for multiple…
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Review: Altered States of the Union edited by Glenn Hauman
Disclaimer: I am friends with some of the authors in this anthology; however, I purchased the hardcopy version of this book for full price. This was a fun collection of different story-telling styles that explored how events might have been altered in the history of the United States of America. Most of the stories were…
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Review: Sapphire (Jewels Cafe #2) by Eva Delaney
I think this series is definitely less on the serious side and more on the absurdly ridiculous spectrum of the fantasy genre. Once again, this “reverse harem” actually means over-the-top and unbelievable wish fulfillment rather than real relationships. I honestly would have enjoyed this more without the sex, if it was just about Sapphire the…
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Cleveland ConCoction 2020 Cancelled
Based on guidance I received from my employer last week, I had already (with great sadness) withdrawn from attending this year’s Cleveland ConCoction. Later that same day, the announcement came out that the convention was being cancelled. I know this is a stressful and scary time for everyone, for a variety of reasons. I’m lucky…
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Review: Amber (Jewels Cafe #1) by Mia Harlan
I checked out this series because I saw it recommended in another author’s mailing list. I’ve previously enjoyed other reverse harem series, so why not? It turns out I enjoy the conflict and drama that can accompany polyamorous relationships rather than the wish-fulfillment/escapism of one girl with a handful of dudes swooning over her. Amber…
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Review: Seasons (Tales of Valdemar #13) edited by Mercedes Lackey
Seasonal celebrations were the theme of this collection of tales set in the fantasy world of Valdemar, which acted less as glue holding the collection together and more as an awkward way to pretend all of these stories belonged together. Especially in the cases of the “continuing” stories that feature characters from previous collections. I…
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Review: A Delicate Deception (Regency Impostors #3) by Cat Sebastian
As an author who experiences chronic anxiety, I identified perhaps too well with the character of Amelia in this Regency romance story. In her place, I’d happily retreat to the countryside and abandon all my triggers, but I also sympathized with her desire to stay part of her loved ones’ lives. It’s a difficult balance…
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Review: Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (Immortals After Dark #4) by Kresley Cole
I keep really enjoying these books and then knocking a star off my rating because the heroes REALLY need to learn about consent and boundaries. Coming to this paranormal romance series as a “modern” romance reader definitely makes certain scenes more cringe-worthy than sexy, but Cole continues to suck me in with her world-building and…
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Review: SEAL of Honor (HORNET #1) by Tonya Burrows
Disclaimer: I am acquaintances with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. As a military spouse, I never really saw the appeal of romance fiction featuring a military (or former military) hero. I know too much about the realities of military life to have any desire to romanticize it, but I’ve known…
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Review: Navigating the Stars (Sentinels of the Galaxy #1) by Maria V. Snyder
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. The premise of this book is an interesting conceit that reminds the reader that once Earth reaches the stars, it will be all of Earth that goes. This book still felt very “Western” despite the characters of mixed heritage, but…
