Review: Skythane

Skythane by J. Scott Coatsworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It took me the first chapter to sink into the world created here. Different world, with a different language, different inhabitants living in this world, etc. But by chapter two, I was completely immersed. There is intrigue, danger, a little mystery along the way as the characters of Jameson, Xander and Quince, Morgan tagging along, journey to another dimension.

Jameson is sent to the half planet of Oberon on a mission. He’s just a simple psych, wanting to get his mission done and to get home to his life and fiancée. He doesn’t know he’s not what or who he thinks. Or that he’s a part of a plan to save both halves the planet. He’s completely undone when the person who picks him up doesn’t take him where he thought he was supposed to go. Instead, he’s now an unwilling kidnapping victim. And he’s on the run from the very people he thought he was supposed to meet. And those people keep shooting at him.

Xander lost his parents, when they were gunned down in the street. The same man that killed his parents takes Xander in, abusing him till he’s rescued. This has made Xander a streetwise, wary man, who takes jobs on the side. Sent by his friend, Quince, to pick up an off-worlder, he takes an instant dislike to Jameson. And that feeling seems to be mutual, except the longer they’re together, the harder it is to keep that dislike going. The longer they spend together, the more the relationship develops.

Quince seems to have the answers that both Jameson and Xander’s questions need answering. She also seems to have a great number of secrets she’s holding close. Neither Jameson or Xander can help but wonder what those secrets are, since they all seem to involve them.

The world created by the author is amazing, with beautiful descriptions, that made it easy to visualize. For me, this was a beautiful blending of sci-fi and fantasy. The characters are complex, with their different personalities, they are believable and real. The story-line and plot, keep you turning the pages. I can’t wait for the next part of this story.


View all my reviews

Review: Wild Untouched

Wild Untouched by Tami Veldura
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lovely, sweet, short story with what feels like a slow burn for finding love, but with a fast attraction from the first.

Madden is out hiking, getting back to nature and settling himself. After two tours in the desert, he needs to center himself again. There’s nobody around except for himself and the animals that live in the forest. Or that’s what he thinks. But his solitude is interrupted by the blast from an emergency whistle. Following the sound, he finds Gage at the bottom of a bank, injured.

As they make their way to a forest ranger cabin, the attraction flares between them. They let it build and act upon it once they reach the cabin. That they keep it going and building into a relationship after the rescue, is what makes this a feel-good story. (But as always, a longer story would have been nice)


View all my reviews

Review: Pain Play

Pain Play by Morticia Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story will not be everyone's cup of tea. There were parts of it that I wasn't completely comfortable with. That said, those parts did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the story itself. What I truly loved were the characters, Phil and Terry, and their interactions with each other. Terry, with his snarky comebacks and his nervous introspection. And Phil, with his need to balance his wants and needs against what he feels Terry wants and needs. As with all the author's stories, this is a complex story looking at the relationship between Terry and Phil, as they further explore their 24/7 commitment to each other and their lifestyle. They still have their ups and downs as they grow into their roles. Both characters are shown with strengths and weaknesses, making them have a real person feel. It is a story well worth the read.

This is not a standalone story, you must read the previous books to understand the dynamics at work here. The series is well worth the read.


View all my reviews

Review: Dead Man's Tale

Dead Man's Tale by Riza Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fun and quirky little story of humans, ghosts, fae and other things that go bump in the night. There’s a whole lot of a great story in a very little book. This book is so well written, with great characters and a ‘pull you through the pages’ plot line.

Detective Drew Holden has the best solve rate in his prescient. Nobody knows he has a little supernatural help, in the form of a ghost. But now his solve rate is so good, his higher ups don’t believe he isn’t involved in the crimes himself. They want him under investigation by the Supernatural Liaison team. Detective Sean Farley heads the team sent to help solve the murder case Drew is working on, as well as investigate Drew. There is instant chemistry between Sean and Drew, and things get hot between them. But there are more murders and misunderstandings that come after their night together.

Loved both Drew and Sean as main characters. Absolutely love Calleigh and her interactions with Drew. Loved this book, but as with most short stories, would have loved a longer story here.


View all my reviews

Review: Bodyguards and Babies Box Set: Mpreg Romance Box Set

Bodyguards and Babies Box Set: Mpreg Romance Box Set by S.C. Wynne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the world this author created. The three books in this set are set in a non-shifting world of Alphas and Omegas. There is a better balance here between the alphas and the omegas. Unlike most of these kinds of books, the omegas here aren’t weak, wimpy men. They aren’t different from other omegas, except for the fact that as solar eclipse omegas. Which means they can have babies. I loved how the author interwove the lives of the characters through each book. All three books have great, well developed characters. Wyatt’s mom, Riley’s manager, Tom and Seth’s daughter, Emily, as secondary characters, they add that extra bit to the stories. The plots are well written, the story-lines pulls you through the pages.

Book one: My Omega’s Baby

As the saying goes, love is the other side of the coin with hate. And at the start of this story, these guys love to hate. They snark and snipe and otherwise hate each other. Especially when Blade is assigned to guard Wyatt when he is threatened. Being around each other 24/7 leads to things and feelings neither one has had before regarding the other.

I love the sense of confusion both Wyatt and Blade felt while trying to figure out their attractions to each other. Do they keep fighting it or do they give in and maybe take a chance with each other? And after they give into one night of lust, there’s a baby to be concerned about. Can they be a family? It was a fun thing to watch as they worked their way to a real relationship.

Book 2: Rockstar Baby

When we last saw Riley, a rockstar on the cusp, he was in the closet and drunk while thanking Blade in book one. When Blade and Wyatt come to one of his concerts, they drag Colin along. When Riley needs a new bodyguard, Colin gets the job. They share a night of passion, but Colin won’t be anyone’s secret. But Riley won’t give up on the chance to have Colin, he wants him for more than just one night, even if it means coming out of the closet. When they give into a second night of need, Colin must come clean about being a solar eclipse omega, and a pregnant one as well. Colin comes to realize that maybe Riley really is a gentle and kind alpha, the kind that he needs.

Book three: Manny’s Surprise Baby

When Colin and Riley go to the compound to have their baby, Riley protects an omega named Pierce from a bully alpha. Bullying and abusing alphas are all Pierce has ever known. Trusting an alpha isn’t easy. When he moves back to LA, he’s staying with Colin, who helps him get a job as a manny with Seth, one of Colin’s co-workers. Seth has just become a dad to an 8-year-old daughter he never knew about. Seth doesn’t understand the pull to Pierce. He’s never been into guys. But Pierce, even with his prickly nature, calls to every protective urge Seth has ever had. So, he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep Pierce around. Besides, Emily would be devastated if Pierce left. The longer Seth and Pierce are around each other, the less they can keep their hands off each other. And under a full moon’s pull, they give in and their night of passion results in Pierce’s pregnancy. In the end, they both get what they need, a family and love.


View all my reviews

Review: Uncorked: A New Year's Eve Novella

Uncorked: A New Year's Eve Novella by J.R. Barten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lighter hearted visit with Dev and Garrett from Unf;nshed. The guys have been together about a year now. They have gone through lots of ups and downs. They have worked at compromise and being what the other needs, even if that means space from the other. And both are still committed to each other, still willing to do what it takes to be with each other. They both want a forever, but each is waiting for the other to say it first.

Christmas is a very stressful time for Dev, it reminds him that his Grandma is with him any longer. Add the stress from his job and he might be teetering on the edge. He’s going to need Garrett by his side, especially after his mom invites them to dinner on Christmas Eve. To say it didn’t go well is an understatement. But it does help Garrett see that he wants to commit to Dev in a permanent way. He devises a plan with help from Kim to do just that.

After this book, I will never look at pancakes and permanent markers the same way ever again. The gang from the first story show up in this one and are as much fun here as they were there. This was a wonderful follow-up story, I loved it.


View all my reviews

Review: Unf;nished

Unf;nished by J.R. Barten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emotional, angsty, intense and wonderful. The chemistry between Garrett and Dev comes off the pages. And yet, this story is about introspection, dealing with past mistakes and the need for honest communication between partners. Warning, there may be a trigger for a past suicide attempt mentioned.

Garrett is introverted and working to get past his ex, who because of his bipolar disorder is in jail. He decides on a semicolon tattoo for its meaning and so that he can always remember his past. He hasn’t been with anyone since his ex and he’s okay with being alone.

Dev is outgoing and fun loving. He’s at the same tattoo shop for a semicolon tattoo also. But his is for the struggle he’s gone through with his illness and coming out on the other side. He sees Garrett and wants to get to know the cute nerd sitting in his friend’s tattoo chair.

Their relationship has many ups and downs along the way. But it makes this a beautiful story as you watch them grow individually, then together, then apart, then back together again.

This story worked on so many levels. The writing is phenomenal, the author masterfully walked that fine line while telling the story of a character with mental health issues. It never overpowers the story or the characters. It is just a part of who the character is. And I love how real the characters seem when dealing with it. The lack of knowledge about it and learning more, the fear of relapses. Or not understanding what it truly means, that it doesn’t define who someone is, it is just a part of them. Or how Garrett not dealing with it lead to Pierre being his ex.

There is so much more I’d like to say about this book, and how good it is, but for once, the right words aren’t coming to me. Read it, it is that worth it.


View all my reviews