Joy (2017) C.S. Poe (A Lancaster Story) “It’s all the mountains,” said a booming voice ahead of me. I looked up quickly and found a huge guy grinning down at me. “S-sorry?” “You ain’t got no signal out here because of all the mountains. Folks got satellite for home Internet service.” “What happens if there’s […]
Child of a Rainless Year (2005) Jane Lindskold This is an odd story–the fantastic elements are initially subtle, and initially you aren’t even sure that what you are reading is a fantasy. It is, but not one of vampires and witches, but one of subtle powers, hidden from plain sight. “(A)nything that is liminal, that […]
Small Vices, Audio Book (1997) Robert B. Parker narrated by Burt Reynolds (Spenser) Since my name was anathema at Pemberton, I had to employ guile. I called the alumni office and said my name was Anathema and I was with the IRS. “We have an income tax refund for Ms. Glenda Baker, which has been […]
Blitz, Audio Book (2022) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk (The Rook Files) “Our physicists are terrifically excited by the implications, but then, they’re in a state of almost constant excitement here. We’ve had to schedule enforced naps for all the scientists on Kirrin Island to keep them from working until they keel over.” Responsible […]
Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut (2018) R. Cooper That was too much to ask of anyone. Jerry should have used his words. Not stupidly thought that doing something for Lincoln was the same as talking to him. “You brought your toolbox,” Lincoln informed him, as though Jerry didn’t know that, and then mumbled, “Coffee, he says,” […]
Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental. Though if you do know of a criminal plot involving werewolves that has taken place at any of these locales, that is a coincidence I would love to know about. “Seriously, I wasn’t that new. And he wasn’t […]
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “So, let me get this right, on a scale from one to ten you’re rating this place a natural disaster? Is that higher or lower than— what did you call the place across town?” Park tapped his chin theatrically. “Oh right, the first monstrosity you’d […]
Fugitive Telemetry (2021) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) The bag had lights but turning them on would just be stupid plus I didn’t really want to see what was happening. Targets Two and Four had been giving very convincing descriptions of their cargo route. Clearly they had taken some effort to get their stories straight. […]
Network Effect (2020) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) There is a protocol for meeting humans who are not clients but who are associated with clients, and that protocol will apply here. Before I can speak, Ratthi waves and says, “Hello, hello. Perihelion says you’ve disabled your governor module. I’m Ratthi, and this is Amena. Please […]
Exit Strategy (2018) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) In the shows, I saw humans comfort each other all the time at moments like this. I had never wanted that and I still didn’t. (Touching while rendering assistance, shielding humans from explosions, etc., is different.) But I was the only one here, so I braced myself […]
Rogue Protocol (2018) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) The core cutter had powered up and accessed my feed to deliver a canned warning and a handy set of directions. Why yes, I did want to disengage the safety protocols, thanks for asking. In another twenty seconds, they were all my new drone friends. I had […]
Artificial Condition (2018) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) Calm down, ART said, not helpfully. I closed the story by reflex, like that would make it not exist. After three seconds of shock, I made myself open it again. My human parts were experiencing a cold prickling that wasn’t comfortable. This place was creepy. I reminded […]
All Systems Red (2017) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) I was depressed this morning. I’d tried watching some new serials last night and even they couldn’t distract me; reality was too intrusive. Gurathin turned to me. “So you don’t have a governor module, but we could punish you by looking at you.” I looked at […]
Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) There are many ways to grieve— no one way less valid than the others “Being open isn’t easy for either of us. Shit, maybe not for anyone. But I work on it because, to me, you’re worth it. And you know what, Oliver? I’m worth […]
The Wolf at Bay (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “You’ve been standing here staring at that flower shop for fifteen minutes. So is it for her birthday or anniversary, or are you making up for a fight? Because I’ve been married for thirty-two years, and believe me, there are different bouquets for different occasions.” […]
The Mislaid Magician: or Ten Years After (2006) Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer (Cecelia and Kate) (Cecelia and Kate) Set in England in 1828 Thomas has convinced himself that he is being clever. He (he and Ripley, the coachman, to be exact) will drive to London and back, enjoying himself thoroughly the while. In […]
A Treacherous Curse, Audio Book (2018) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) Set in England in 1888 Stoker blushed furiously. “For the love of God, put that thing away.” “I cannot imagine why you are so bashful on the subject of the male genitalia of Homo sapiens when you are the only one […]
The Grand Tour: Or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia (2004) Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer (Cecelia and Kate) Set in Europe in 1817. The weakness of this story is that I don’t believe the Cecy’s narrative as being “written testimony”. There was just too much personal stuff that seemed unlikely to have been put into […]
A Matter of Magic (1988) Patricia C. Wrede (Mairelon the Magician) “(B)hey’re mixing magic at random, from the sound of it. Half of it’s Welsh, half of it’s Scottish, and half of it’s cribbed from someone’s classical education, with a few things that are entirely out of someone’s imagination thrown in for good measure. They’ll […]
Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (1988) Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer (Cecelia and Kate) Set in England in 1817 (Horace Walpole is by no means Aunt Charlotte’s favorite author, but the opportunity to hire the genuine Mayfair town house he genuinely died in for the Season has given her a new […]
The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020) TJ Klune “It’s just that…” She stood from her desk, arms still folded. “Don’t you wonder?” “Never,” Linus said promptly. Then, “About what?” “All children, no matter their … disposition or what they’re capable of, must be protected regardless of the cost.” Jowls coughed wetly. “Do you really […]
A Perilous Undertaking, Audio Book (2017) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) Set in England in 1887 We’re continuing to listen to this series in the car, and Michael continues to enjoy it. We meet Lady Wellingtonia. “In my day, chairs were not for comfort. They were to keep your bottom from touching […]
Blank Spaces (2016) Cass Lennox (Toronto Connections) Flirting? Good God. Calorie-conscious and delusional. Vaughn knew how to pick them. He set the spoon down. “I’m not flirting with you.” “Really.” Jonah’s voice dripped with disbelief. “You don’t call putting food in my mouth flirting?” “No, actually. I share food with my eating companions regularly.” Vaughn […]
The Missing Page (2022) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers) Set in England in 1948 James is called to Cornwall for the reading of the will of an uncle he hasn’t seen for decades. When Leo returns from his latest mission, he doesn’t like this discovery at all. The more Leo thought about it, the less […]
Family Man (2013) Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton Vince is struggling with the fact that he still isn’t properly settled down. It was finding out kids born the year he graduated high school were now legal to drink. And he’s beginning to wonder if maybe it’s because he’s queer. Trey works two jobs while going […]
The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (2019) K.J. Charles (Lilywhite Boys) Set in London in 1893 Another ace-ace romance! Set prior to the first Lilywhite Boys story, here we have Stan, Jerry and Templeton’s fence meeting his love, and arranging for her to be rescued from a wannabe crimelord. I’d forgotten for some reason why I enjoyed the […]
Three Stupid Weddings (2018) Ann Gallagher Ace-ace romance! I met my reflection’s eyes and sighed. All the “you need to gain weight” crowd had backed off. The “oh my God, you’ve lost so much weight and you look fabulous” bunch had too. Maybe that meant I’d landed somewhere in the middle and could stop obsessing […]
Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage (2016) C.S. Poe Utterly ridiculous. I was attending a singles’ convention for special people like me to find their forever penguin partner. But after I paid the attendance fee, got a hotel room, and booked my flight, I found out it was specifically for guys and gals. Utterly silly. […]
The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Werewolves, but not quite how most popular culture described them. The Trust had explained werewolves had always existed, living amongst humans, but due to persecution had slipped quite intentionally into hiding and mythology. I really like her take on werewolves, and the world building […]
Play It Again (2019) Aidan Wayne Dovid followed along with his cane. But he kept bumping into chairs. The tables were very close together, and it was hard to navigate with a cane. And a wheelchair certainly would have an even harder time. Bernice was walking pretty fast too. Dovid found himself trying to hurry […]
Hither, Page (2019) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers) Set in England in 1946. Mrs Hoggett is dead, and although her death was certainly suspicious, there is nothing directory pointing to murder. None of the witnesses could suggest a possible motive, nor did any of them think Mrs. Hoggett had enemies. Leo had actually laughed out […]
Taken, Audio Edition (2014) Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson (Alex Verus) I have clear evidence I read this book (and the two before it) but have almost no memory of reading it. One of the interesting things about this story was the way Alex was able to manipulate the mind mage who trying to […]
The Lawrence Browne Affair (2017) Cat Sebastian (The Turner Series) Set in England in 1816. Apparently I’m just picking books I want to read and ignoring the rest of any series they might be in. Georgie had taken matters into his own hands, and now Georgie was persona non grata in London, and probably everywhere […]
Bee Cave Magic (2020) Kelly Fox This is a fun story in the same way CS Poe‘s Marriage, Love and a Baby Carriage. It’s silly and outrageous, with all the ridiculous shifter tropes, but it adds in it’s own fun twists. Mrs. Hornblower, a pelican shifter transplant from Corpus. I love fantasy stories that give […]
Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne He turned on the light in his car and squinted. Those were letters, all right. Probably there was even a sentence. Caleb had written something on the receipt. Huh. Curious, Jaxon bent over the words, trying to sound them out. Caleb’s handwriting wasn’t messy or anything, but Jaxon had […]
Team Phison (2017) Chace Verity It’s necessary to be good at hiding the truth when you work in sales and customer service. Operation: Win Tyson Over hasn’t been going well. Mostly because I haven’t actually done anything. Rating: 7/10
It Takes Two to Tumble (2017) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) Set in England in 1817 “You have no right—” “No, I don’t. I don’t care, though. I’m not leaving your children alone with a virtual stranger who doesn’t seem kindly disposed to them.” Phillip sucked in a breath. “I have no intention of harming […]
And Everything Nice (2016) Ada Maria Soto Angelo is a coder who has terrible luck with getting a date unless baked goods are involved. So when the company hires a new tech writer, Angelo tries to discover the way to Simon’s heart through his stomach. I love the tech related bits of the story that […]
Not So Cookie Cutter (2019) Aidan Wayne He clasped his hands behind his back, at-ease stance so he wouldn’t cross his arms. He’d been told enough times that it made him look like a thug, so he tried to avoid doing it. He tended to hyper focus when it came to certain subjects, and to […]
Making Love (2017) Aidan Wayne Aphrodite Agency was open to all magic and fae creatures, but it wasn’t as though humans could walk through their doors to request a match. And they deserved love just as much as anyone else. Carla loved to work with humans, knowing that she would help them find matches even […]
Cursed, Audio Edition (2014) Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson (Alex Verus) Alex is teaching Luna as if she were his apprentice, except that Alex’s magic is fairly uncommon and Luna’s curse seems to be unique. Looking through the futures I saw my possible actions, and their consequences. I saw myself stepping on the loose […]
Candy Hearts (2020) Erin McLellan (So Over the Holidays) Because I wanted all the positivity and self-acceptance of this story. Benji was over it. Over the dating scene. Over unsatisfying sex. Over the romantic-industrial complex called Valentine’s Day. Well, actually, he wasn’t over it at all, but he was trying to be. He was trying […]
Vincent’s Thanksgiving Date (2014) R. Cooper Just wanted a comforting romance. He didn’t understand why other people found silence so uncomfortable when it had never bothered him. But every time he was quiet for too long he could see people start to wonder what was wrong with him. Then he’d get cold and his palms […]
Gumption & Gumshoes (2013) Alex Kidwell Chinchilla shifter. I wanted to shift. I didn’t often, because seriously, what would be the point? None of us did. Personally, I was just really hooked on the opposable thumbs thing that I had as a human. But right then, I wanted to be smaller. I feel like I […]
Agents of Winter (2022) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency) Martin’s dietitian would be glad as well. Evidently, his comment at his last appointment of ‘I currently weigh more than I did prior to the incident’ did not paint a good picture of Martin’s long-term health management skills. Martin was sent home with an entirely new […]
An Unnatural Vice (2017) K.J. Charles (Sins of the Cities) Justin stayed upstairs until he heard the door shut. Some people would call it flagrant physical cowardice to leave a twelve-year-old girl to deal with a large enraged man, and those people would be absolutely right, but Justin would have bet the house that Nathaniel […]
An Unseen Attraction (2017) K.J. Charles (Sins of the Cities) Look me in the eyes, boy! had been a constant refrain at school, but they said the eyes were the windows to the soul, and Clem didn’t feel comfortable peering into people’s windows. Rowley had thought at first the beast had no name; it had […]
Execution in E (2020) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) “If you don’t want me to see your fingers crossed behind your back,” she pointed to his semi-transparent hand visible through his semi-transparent torso, “you should dial up your density.” Ty reminded her of the husband in one of those twisted domestic suspense novels with “Girl” in […]
Fatality in F (2019) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) I don’t recognize all the varieties. I know tulip.” She pointed at the familiar red cup-shaped blossom and then at a frilly red bloom. “That’s chrysanthemum. And these,” she lowered her head to inhale the subtle sweetness of several perfect, red, urn-shaped buds, “Roses, of course. What’s […]
Killing in C Sharp (2018) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) Ghost Hunting Adventures reigned notorious for both its physicality and the amount of profanity that had to be bleeped out. “Some versions say Maja was the choice from the jump. Long and short of it, the baroness tricked Maja into going to the construction site where […]