Jay Hogan is a New Zealand author that I have enjoyed reading. Auckland Medical is a series about the men who work at the medical center. Each book has focused on a different couple. In Against the Grain, Miller is an avid wheelchair rugby player. The wheelchair version of rugby seems much more physical and dangerous they the regular kind. He is a new hire at the medical center as Clinical Governance Coordinator. He loves his job and has had very few negative reactions to his disability. He is gay but only out to his family. After a rugby accident, he runs into Sandy Williams in Emergency Room. It is not a meet-cute. It is literally running into each other. Sandy is the RN who works as the Pathology Assistant. He came out as a teen. He is very strong in his identity and does not let others bully him. The relationship between Miller and Sandy is written so well. Starting with antagonism, the pair moves slowly and cautiously to friends. As they move into more than friends, there are issues that both men must deal with, issues that can make or break them. I really enjoy how Jay Hogan's characters are not cookie cutter. No matter how far from cisgender a character is, Jay never treats them as less than. I suggest reading the entire series because every book is strong and well written. I rated it five stars and it is on my Best of 2020 list. I won a free copy in a Facebook contest. Writing a review was not required to win.
0 Comments
Man & Beast is the first book of The Savage Land series by Michael Jensen. I had listened to the second book, Man & Monster, on Audible. I found the first book in the series that I had missed, Man & Beast. The historical part of the book is very thorough. The descriptions of the people, what they wore, what they ate, and how they lived is phenomenal. The story focuses on John Chapman who is the worse candidate to survive a winter in the wilds of America. He finds Daniel McQuay, a man with a cabin and food, who agrees to take him in. There is a male/male romance involved but it is a romance without emotions, only physically. And then the author throws the biggest twist that I had not seen coming. It was excellent. The book is very good. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy historical fiction, thriller, mystery, and a touch of horror all stirred together.
I received a copy of the book when I joined Mr. Jensen's newsletter list. There was no expectation of a review for receiving the book. Anne Barwell and Elizabeth Noble. have written a four-book urban fantasy series titled The Sleepless City. The series takes place in Boggslake, Ohio (not NYC). Boggslake is a small town with big city paranormal problems. Vampire, werewolves, and demons oh my! I found it interesting that the authors wrote two books each yet there is wonderful continuity throughout the series.
The series is comprised of four books featuring three couples: Shades of Sepia by Anne Barwell Simon and Ben 4 stars Electric Candle by Elizabeth Noble Jonas and Blair 3 stars Family and Reflection by Anne Barwell Lucas and Declan 3 stars Shifting Chaos by Elizabeth Noble All three couples 4 stars Simon, Jonas, and Lucas are roommates sharing a house, Bogg’s Castle. It is not a castle per the European model. It is more like a mansion with delusions of grandeur. They have been roommates for about ten years. Two vampires, a werewolf, and a ghost are a good fit as roommates. In Shades of Sepia, we meet Simon. He was turned in the early part of the 20th century and retains much of the dress and manners of that period. He teaches history at the local college. Recently he and his roommates have been trying to solve a series of murders. Each murder involves two bodies. Only Simon and his roommates know that one only one of the bodies is human; the other is a vampire. The roommates are uniquely positioned to help try to solve the murders with Simon. Jonas is a police detective while Lucas is a pathologist. Ben is a young man on a year's visit to the Boggslake from New Zealand. His grandfather gave him his ancient camera plus a photo he took in Boggslake when he was a young man and asked him to take an updated picture. When Ben and Simon meet it is awkward and sweet. As they grow closer, the roommates also grow closer to solving the murders and suddenly they are too close. In Electric Candle we see Jonas working as a detective and happy that his friend/lover Declan has returned from Europe. Jonas and Declan plan to have a reunion and resume their on again/off again. That never comes to pass because a social awkward young man falls into the lake right in front of Jonas. As Jonas comes to accept Blair in his life and heart, another series of murders has begun. Before too long, Jonas has to work to save Blair or lose what he is starting to realize is the man he loves. Family and Reflection puts Lucas and his complicated family/pack relationship up front. Jonas is up to his neck in pack politics due to several unsolved werewolf deaths as well as almost all pregnant werewolves miscarrying their babies. Already estranged from his family due to his choice to live outside the pack and with two vampires, Jonas crosses one line too many when he falls in love with Declan, a vampire. Declan is targeted in what may be a plot to get him out of Jonas’s life. The final book in the series is Shifting Chaos. Boggslake is invaded by demons. Townspeople are having hallucinations. The situation is dangerous, especially for Jonas who has hidden secrets that could hurt everyone. As the group works to solve the cause, they may have to reexamine what truly was the cause of the last few murder sprees in the town. The Sleepless City is an enjoyable series. The things that go bump in the night are not quarantine in the dark. It is a fresh approach to world building. The characters and world are being carried into the next series, The Vampire Guard, written by Elizabeth Noble. If you enjoy paranormal male romances with a healthy dose of action or thriller, you will enjoy The Sleepless City series. His Hart's Command is the sixth book in the Nothing Special series. As with the other books, this one focuses on two main characters. Ivan Hart is the SWAT commander and Lt. Cash Godfrey's best friend. He is a large bear of a man who is strong and capable when dealing with his job. Lennox Freeman is the tech genius who helps God's team and is Tech's best friend. While Cash and Tech do not have huge roles in the book, they are very important to how Ivan and Lennox evolve. Ivan is my favorite main character of the series. He is loyal, protective, and most of all kind. Physically he is a large man and described as a bear. He is described in such a way that you just know he would be warm and comforting to cuddle with. Lennox is sweet and patient. As a couple, they balance each other. Aiden Snow is an incredible narrator. He brings the character fully formed to the listener's ear. I adored the uncertainty he gave Ivan's voice. He also did a great job with the complexity of Lennox's accent. A copy of the audiobook provided by Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Ex Meridan, the seventh book in the Nothing Special series, finds Atlanta's drug task force up to their neck in trouble. The biggest drug gang is leaving bodies on the streets and the DA's office refuses to prosecute any drug related cases. A man, who has been listed as dead for eight years, returns to Atlanta for a funeral. He brings his business partner. God's team discovers a new presence that is feared more than God. Ex is a man in conflict. Trained as one of the two most dangerous assassins in the world, Ex has maintained emotional connections that he should not. Meridian, the other most dangerous assassin, was freed from emotions long before his training by his brutal childhood. Both men bring different things to their partnership and create a kind of messed up balance. The meeting, and the steps leading to it, between Ex Meridan and God's team is all I wanted it to be and more. Aiden Snow's narration is wonderful. He consistently voices reoccurring characters through out all seven books. If wishes are granted and A. E. Via writes more books in the series, I hope Aiden Snow narrates them. A copy of the audiobook provided by Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. To Die For is the second book of the new Joker's Sin series by Davidson King. It is not necessary to read/listen to the first book in the series to enjoy To Die For but it will make the experience richer. The main character, Max, is the head bartender at the Joker's Sin nightclub. The other main character is Sparkles. Sparkles has been an intriguing character since he was first introduced in Davidson King's Haven Hart series. All we knew about Sparkles before this book was pink hair, great dancer, dispenser of great wisdom and killer dresser. All we knew about Max was bar staff kept quitting Joker's Sin because of ill advised flings with Max. To Die For does an excellent job of not only showing us the characters behind the names but also giving them dimension and weight. The story has all the excitement, suspense, and hot scenes readers expect from Davidson King. The narration by Phillip Alces and John Solo is good. The issue I had with the first book, My Whole World, with John Solo's voice being too soft happen less frequently and not enough to take me out of the story. I believe there are two more books coming in the series. To Die For Joker's Sin Series, Book 2 By: Davidson King Narrated by: Philip Alces, John Solo Series: Joker's Sin, Book 2 Length: 6 hrs Release date: Nov 24, 2020 Language: English Tantor Audio provided a copy of To Die For in exchange for an honest review. I read A. E. Via's Nothing special series through Kindle Unlimited. I enjoyed the series. I rated the books between 3 and 5 stars. Tantor Audio released Nothing Special Books 1-5 narrated by Aiden Snow. I listened to all 5 audiobooks and rated the set 5 stars. The Nothing Special series involves narcotics officers in the Atlanta Police Department. Each book focuses on a different couple in what becomes the Narcotics Task Force. Although the books are listed as M/M romance they are rich with mystery and suspense. Book 1, Nothing Special, focuses on Detective Cashel 'Cash' Godfrey (God) and Detective Leonidis 'Leo' Day (Day). God and Day are total opposites other than using unorthodox (but legal) methods to get the major drug dealers off the Atlanta streets. It also deals with the aftermath of trauma. Book 2, Embracing His Syn, deals with same-sex domestic violence. Sergeant Corbin 'Syn' Sydney, the newest member of the task force, and Furious Barkley. The explanation of how Furious was named is one of the best name origin stories I have ever read. Book 3, Here Comes Trouble, involves Detectives Mark Ruxsberg and Chris Green. The story explores the cost of addiction, especially to addicts' families. Book 4, Don't Judge, Sniper Detective Austin Michaels feels responsible for a botched arrest. He joins with Judge Josephson, a bounty hunter, to recapture the drug dealer. The book shows the hours of preparation and research that go into capturing a criminal on the run. Book 5, Nothing Special V, has a great tagline: "A hothead that's uncontrollable and terrible with authority… but wasn’t that their team motto?" Medal holder Marine Edwin Steele is brought to the task force by his councilman uncle. God and Joy are less than thrilled to have a politician's relative on their task force. Steele's introduction to the task force and the force's IT specialist, Tech, set off a great story. The best example of why the audiobooks rate 5 stars is found in Book 1 Nothing Special, Chapter 19: "Day turned the corner and ran smack into a large, hulking, chest, startling the hell out of both him and his date. Mick grabbed his chest, 'Jesus!' 'No, God', the rough voice responded." Aiden Snow does such an extraordinary job bringing Lt. Cashel Godfrey (and the rest of the characters) to live that he truly does make the written word better. Copy of the audiobook provided by Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. A familiar villain in America"s past was Murder, Inc. The organization was made up of professional killers who were employed by The Commission, a group of mob bosses that ran all mob activity coast to coast. Michael Cannell tells the story through the lens of Abe Reles. Reles was the chief of Murder, Inc.. who was assassinated in November of 1941. The book will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys reading about organized crime. It is also a good of when the mob was at the zenith of its power. Netgalley provided the ebook in exchange for an honest review. A Brotherhood Betrayed by Michael Cannell Pub Date: 06 Oct 2020 My Whole World (Joker's Sin 1) is the start of a new series by Davidson King. Joker's Sin continues in Haven Hart after King's book Raven's Hart. The reader/listener does not have to the earlier series to enjoy Haven Hart although it will make the experience much richer. The main character is Atlas Durant. He owns the Joker's Sin nightclub which could be considered a character itself. The other main character is Toby St. Claire. Joker's Sin is a love story between two men from different lives, their ages, their financial status and their openness to finding a relationship. Philip Alces narrated the earlier series and I enjoyed his work in that. The only problem I had with John Solo's narration was the volume level. At times his voice was so quiet I had to raise the volume. I really loved the book. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, To Die For, being released on audio.
My Whole World Joker's Sin Series, Book 1 By: Davidson King Narrated by: Philip Alces, John Solo Series: Joker's Sin, Book 1 Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins Release date: 09-29-20 Language: English Tantor Audio provided a copy in exchange for an honest review. Ghostland is a fun (ok scary too) romp through one of the worst ideas ever for a theme park. At least the dinosaurs were mostly isolated on an island. In Ghostland, the ghosts are the attraction and it is located in a population center. At the end of the book is a "Know Your Ghosts" A Ghost Hunters Guide to Ghostland. I suggest bookmarking it so you can refer to it as you listen to the book.
The book has an amazing start. Two teen friends, Ben and Lillian, are playing a video game each from their own home. A haunted house, a real house, is being moved through the town in route to the new Ghostland theme park. As the shadow from the house falls on Lillian, then on Ben, both feel a sense of wrongness. They know the park is opening soon. Both Ben and Lilly are fans of horror; movies, games, books; doesn't matter how old or how new; they love it all. I think you know where this is going. While the destination is similar to other books involving really unintelligent theme parks full of bad ideas, the journey is action-packed, exciting, and horrifying. The author has done a masterful job of creating his universe, specifically the theme park. The front of the book contains a map of the park. It is hard to see depending on the device or format you are reading. Larger and more detailed maps can be found at www.ghostlandpark.com along with great content that adds to the reader's enjoyment of the book. Joe Hempel is a wonderful narrator. He is perfect for this type of book. I have listened to four horror books by another author that he narrated. His narration is the deciding point in choosing to read or listen to the book. I received a copy of Ghostland from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. A Light Amongst Shadows was a lovely read. It takes place in England during the late 1800s. There is no date that I remember but the time period feels right. I could be wrong. It follows James as he arrives at Whisperwood the boarding school he will attend. He is 17 years old and beginning his third year (junior). It is his first year attending a public school (private boarding school). Most boys start their freshmen year if not earlier. James settles into the school and a circle of friends. Several things stand apart concerning James and his friends. James is gay, which in that time period is a crime, and he hears and sees things that he shouldn't. Like ghosts. There is so much to this story. Rich historical fiction, delicious mystery, coming of age, and supernatural. Kale Williams does an excellent job narrating the story. He handles the voices well, adult or teen, alive or dead. His narration adds another layer to this wonderful story. I received a copy of A Light Among the Shadows from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Loose Ends is a series Rebekah Weatherspoon created to give her side characters their own novels. I have not read everything Weatherspoon has written so I have read the Loose Ends books as a stand-alone which they certainly are. The first book, Rafe, was one of my favorites from 2019. The audiobook added yummy goodness on top of the story by having the most wonderful narrators. Xeni is the second book in the series. It follows Xeni, a loving, generous woman who has tried very hard to live life on her own terms while dealing with her family's expectations. When her favorite aunt, the one none of the family except Xeni speaks with dies, Xeni travels to bury her and say goodbye. Her plan to grieve and go home is thrown into chaos by her aunt's will. Xeni is to receive a large portion of her aunt's estate but only if she marries the man who receives the other portion. A man who her aunt picked out for her. A man Xeni met for the first time at the funeral. I enjoyed Xeni's story. It kept my interest and had toe-curling moments. Antony Ferguson did a great job narrating. He handled the male and female voices well. He is definitely a narrator I will look for in the future. I received a copy of Xeni from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Review of Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts (Steampunk Proper Romance #4)by Nancy Campbell Allen2/19/2020 Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is book 4 in the Steampunk Proper Romance series. It is just as enjoyable as the first three books in the series. Books 2 through 4 involve characters who made appearances in the first book. Emmeline O’Shea and Oliver Reed are adversaries. The PSRC (Predatory Shifter Regulations Committee) is the purpose of Emmeline O'Shea's life. The PSRC reminds me of the British suffrage movement. Oliver Reed is a detective who is often sent to deal with the mobs at PSRC events. As threats against Emmeline grow more violent, Oliver is assigned to protect her. As with the other stories in the series, the characters are interesting and grow during the plot. The side characters are interesting enough to get their own book. I am looking forward to the next entry in the series. A Hero Born (Legends of the Condor Heroes #1) by Jin Yong, translated by Anna Holmwood, was available on Netgalley. I chose it because I wanted to try reading a Asian story written by an Asian author. It is the first book in a series that is described as epic. It is also historical fiction of a culture that is rich and vast. The story is large in every way. It is over 450 pages. The book begins with a Cast of Characters which list each major character's names and tells a little about them.
Guo Jing and Yang Kang were sworn brothers at their birth. Their fathers were heroes who were killed defending their country. Their mothers fled the area. The two boys ended up being raised by the two different powers. A Taoist priest searches for boys, to bring them together again as brothers and as fighting companions. The book reminded me of the great film The Seven Samurai. It was difficult for me to keep the locations, names, and allegiances straight. I had the same problem with Russian Literature in college. I think I need to listen to the audiobook. After that, I will have a better understanding of the book. I received a copy of the ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I received a copy of The Companion by Kim Taylor Blakemore courtesy of Netgalley. I rated it four stars because Goodreads does not allow half stars. Otherwise I would have rated it 3 1/2 stars.. It is a very well written historical fiction novel. The novel is set in the mid-19th century. The main character, who is charged in a double murder, is Lucy Blunt. Lucy tells her story and it is left to the reader to decide her guilt or innocence. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, unreliable narrators, and mystery will enjoy The Companion. Maren and Kaia live in the mountainous outer reaches of the Zefed. When the emperor's Seers come to their village, Maren and Kaia are forcibly parted. In order to get Kaia back, Maren must start a journey that helps reestablish the bond between the humans who first settled the mountains and the dragons that lived there. There are prophecies, dragons, soldiers, hidden identity, and a lot of action. I believe it will have a sequel. The book releases at the end of July. I will be pre-ordering the Kindle and Audible versions. I received an advance review copy through Netgalleys. Life is often more fascinating than fiction. An excellent example is to compare any spy movie set in Moscow with The Moscow Rules by Antonio J. Mendez and Jonna Mendez. The complexity of living and working in a constant state of danger was incredible. Although the Mendezes were not assigned to Moscow, they were directly involved in designing the tools that allowed Americans to work without the KBG observing them.
Each chapter begins with one of the rules, although there are many that are not used in the book. The Introduction starts with this rule, "Don't harass the opposition." An American was attacked by an FSB (KBG's newest form) member who tried to stop him by physically assaulting him. The author ties the aggression of the Russians in 2016 to the Soviets in 1986. There were two aspects of this book that stayed with me. One was the way the authors show how it is really a team and not one person interacting with the opposition. Everyone is essential to have success. The other aspect was that the Russian FSB is using the Soviet playbook updated with today's technology. I highly recommend The Moscow Rules to anyone who is interested in international relations, the US/Russian relationship, and/or the cold war. I received a copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I recently read The Death Chute by Ambrose Stolliker courtesy of Netgalley. It was a quick read, less than two hundred pages. The main character, Jake, develops and produces reality television shows in Hollywood. He is home in Vermont to settle his mother in a nursing home. Sophia has dementia. The nursing home he selects is a building that was a TB sanitarium. What develops is a collision between the old and the new with a mystery at the heart of it. The book touches on a racial theme (quality of care dependent on race) and letting self-interest stop to ensure other's survival.
The book could have been much better. I think if the author had removed the racial theme and just concentrated on the old sanitarium, there was more than enough horror to be had. As I said it was a quick read but not a satisfying one. None of the characters were fleshed out enough to feel real. The location too could have had better descriptions of its grounds and rooms. The book was a missed opportunity in many ways. #TheDeathChute2019 #NetGalley The Trial of Lizzie Borden written by Cara Robertson and narrated by Amanda Carlin. It is a fantastic book. It is a nonfiction book covering the trial of Lizzie Borden for the murder of her father and stepmother. What sets this book apart from all others is the content. It does not contain any current historian's interpretation of events. It is a detailed account of all the events told through the words of those who were there. Newspapers contain reports that keep the public enthralled. The Borden Murder trial was a huge newspaper seller. Everything, from neighbor's statements to the police to a discussion of what Lizzie was wearing, filled the front pages of newspapers from Boston to New York and beyond. It was fascinating to see how the events and people were viewed. Anyone interested in Lizzie Borden's story will find this audiobook enlightening. Amanda Carlin is a very good narrator. She handles the 19th-century language without problems and speaks very clearly. I will listen to The Rial of Lizzie Borden again and soon. It contains so many interesting points. I received a copy of the audiobook from Simon and Schuster Audio in exchange for an honest review.
The Other Boleyn Girl, written Philippa Gregory and narrated by Vanessa Kirby, is a wonderful audio version of the popular book about Elizabeth and Anne Boleyn. The narration is wonderful. Ms. Kirby does an excellent job with voices and emotion. The story is captivating and heart rendering. It focuses on Elizabeth Boleyn, Anne's sister. Elizabeth's mother (another Elizabeth) is part of the Howard family. The Howard's are led by the Duke of Norfolk who considers women as pawns to further the family's fortunes. The main plot of the book is the Duke's plan to get a Howard to capture the King's interest and bestow gifts on the family. But the king is Henry VIII and he is not a tame king. The book explores the tragic aspects of Elizabeth's life and her relationship with her sister Anne. A note about historical accuracy: you will find very little here but that does not make the story any less enjoyable. I received a copy of the audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio in exchange for an honest review. I won a paperback copy of The Familiars ARC through a Goodreads contest. It took me a while to get to it. When I began it, I was drawn in very quickly. I enjoyed the book so much I purchased the Audible audiobook also. The book takes place in the early years of the 17th century in an England full of change. After decades of Elizabeth Tudor, that dynasty has come to an end and the new dynasty, the Stuarts, is led by a very different kind of King. Witch hunts are raging through England under King James I's direction. As usual, women are the target. Any woman who does not fit the societal norms or works as a healer or midwife is likely to fall under suspicion. Fleetwood Shuttleworth is pregnant and afraid she will lose this baby as she did the previous three. Her husband Richard needs an heir. When Fleetwood meets a young lady in the forest who says she can help her to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery, Fleetwood brings her home with her. The book does a good job of looking at the motivations of the men who hunt the witches. The book and the audiobook are very good. Audiobook Review When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman, Anne Flosnik (Narrator)4/22/2019 When Christ and His Saints Slept is one of the best historical fictions. It tells a story based on history but adds the author's thoughts on the characters' motivation. This takes place during what the contemporaries called The Anarchy. Henry the first's only son, ,William Adelin, died in 1120 during an attempted channel crossing, leaving only his daughter Maud as heir. To ensure the succession, Henry made all his nobles swear to accept Maud as their ruler. Then he married her, against her will, to Geoffrey of Anjou to protect the southern end of his realms. Maud was not in England when Henry died but her cousin, Stephen of Blois, was. So begins a civil war that spans about 8 years and eventually hits every corner of the Kingdom.
When Christ and His Saints Slept takes a neutral position on both claimants to the throne and their supporters. Both are shown to have weaknesses that lost them support. Penman also gives the reader/listener a wide range of other characters both historical and fictional. The audiobook is over 36 hrs long. Anne Flosnik is a good narrator. The production values are good. Most Americans think of England as having had only one Civil War in the mid-1600s. The Anarchy was the first civil war and the beginning of the Plantagenet dynasty. I received a copy of When Christ and His Saints Slept courtesy of Tantor Media in exchange for an honest review. Deadwood A Novel by Peter Dexter and narrated by J. Rodney Turner was a very interesting audiobook. Let me start by saying J. Rodney Turner has an incredible voice and I would listen to him narrate the phone book. He did a great job of creating distinctive voices for the main characters.
Deadwood is historical fiction. Not being a historian, I cannot speak to how accurate it is. If you are looking for the characters of HBO's Deadwood series, they are here but not the same as in the series. Each, the HBO series and the novel by Peter Dexter, interpret the characters in different manners. The story still involves Deadwood being a very dangerous and evolving town. The main characters are well defined. The character that the book follows is Charlie Utter beyond the death of his friend, Wild Bill Hickok. The author does a great job setting the scenes so that the reader/listener can picture them. Warning - the language of the book has profanities. It also has several offensive identifications toward individuals or groups. Both the profanities and the offensive terms are part of the language usage of the time. A copy of Deadwood was provided by Tantor Media in exchange for an honest review. I won a Kindle copy of A Boy and His dog at the End of the World through a Goodreads contest. I enjoyed reading it. It will be published in late April. The book takes place after an event has overtaken the earth. It is called The Gelding. It is exactly what it sounds like, a plague of sterility. No one knows how it started. It affects animals besides man. Griz is a young man who lives with his parents, a brother, a sister, and his two dogs on a small island off the west coast of Scotland. Since the book isn't published yet and I do not want to inadvertently share any spoilers, let me say if you like post-apocalyptic stories, you will enjoy this one. Anyone who enjoys a good story will enjoy A Boy and His Dog at the end of the World. I really enjoyed One Way, the first book is S. J. Morden's Frank Kitteridge series. I purchased No Way, book #2, the day it came out. I just finished it. So much action and surprising twists. Just excellent. It is very hard to comment on this book at all without giving away the major points of the first book. S. J. Morden and William Hope created another "cannot stop listening" audiobook that I truly enjoyed. |
Categories
All
Archives
August 2023
|