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January Round Up

February 2, 2016 / Kaetrin

Monthly Mini Review

Liam Takes Manhattan by Thea Harrison – C+ The last in the latest trio of novellas about Dragos, Pia and Liam Cuelebre, this one is also the shortest one, coming in at about 50 pages. Also unlike the other two stories, this one felt somewhat incomplete to me. It was more in the nature of a prequel novella, presaging what the next chapter in Liam’s life is and acting as a bridge to (what I hope will be) full length books about Liam. I was involved in a discussion with the author on Twitter recently and she was canvassing interest levels for books featuring adventures in Liam’s life – the first of which would not involve any romance because he’s too young (I picture them as something like a paranormal Vorkosigan series FWIW). The novella sets up Liam branching out on his own. The significance of the Christmas present mentioned in the blurb is a bit misleading I thought. I was expecting a kind of “miracle at Christmas” vibe but it was far more subtle than that. Continue reading

Review at Dear Author

January 30, 2016 / Kaetrin

I’m over at Dear Author with a review of Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake. Some of the writing tics didn’t work for me but the dog was great.

Review at AudioGals

January 29, 2016 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of Sworn to Protect by Katie Reus, narrated by Sophie Eastlake. Another solid entry to a great romantic suspense series.

Pia Does Hollywood by Thea Harrison

January 28, 2016 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I’m a fan of the series. After finishing the first in this trilogy of novellas, Dragos Goes To Washington on audio, I bought the next two in digital format because impatient.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) After making a diplomatic pact with humankind and the other leaders of the Elder Races, Pia Cuelebre, mate to Dragos Cuelebre, Lord of the Wyr, reluctantly heads to Hollywood to spend a week with the Light Fae Queen, Tatiana, before the busy Masque season hits New York in December.

Dragos has never let the lack of an invitation stop him from doing anything he wanted. Unwilling to let his mate make the trip without him, he travels to southern California in secret to be with her.

But when an ancient enemy launches a shattering assault against the Light Fae, Dragos and Pia must intercede. The destruction threatens to spread and strike a mortal blow against all of the magically gifted, both human and Elder Race alike.

Working with the Light Fae to neutralize the danger, Dragos and Pia find their deepest vulnerabilities challenged and their most closely held secrets threatened with exposure.

Series spoilers follow: Be ye warned.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): The title, while cute, is a bit misleading. The action of the novella takes place in a little more than 24 hours and Pia doesn’t have time to do anything Hollywood while it takes place. (I trust she did some during the remainder of her visit however.)

Particularly because Pia is pregnant with their second child, Dragos is very reluctant to let Pia go to Hollywood without him. However, the point of her going is to demonstrate trust and foster good relations between demesnes and Dragos going too would defeat that purpose. So, he follows incognito and they plan to meet up whenever they can and remain in touch telepathically. That way he can be close at hand if something happens. The added bonus is that their recent mating frenzy hasn’t quite worn off and both of them have needs. A week is a long time in Mating Frenzy-Land. Continue reading

Review at AudioGals

January 19, 2016 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black, narrated by Lauren Fortgang. Unique mix of urban fantasy/faerie tale/horror/YA combine with excellent narration. Recommended.

Shock & Awe by Abigail Roux, narrated by Brock Thompson

January 18, 2016 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I was provided with a review copy via the publisher.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) After barely surviving a shootout in New Orleans, Sidewinder medic Kelly Abbott has to suffer through a month of recovery before he can return home to Colorado. He’s not surprised when fellow Sidewinder Nick O’Flaherty stays with him in New Orleans. Nor is he surprised when Nick travels home with him to help him get back on his feet—after all, years on the same Marine Force Recon team bonded the men in ways that only bleeding for a brother can. He’s very surprised, though, when Nick humors his moment of curiosity and kisses him.

Nick knows all of Kelly’s quirks and caprices, so the kiss was a low-risk move on his part . . . or so he thought. But what should’ve been a simple moment unleashes a flood of confusing emotions and urges that neither man is prepared to address.

Now, Kelly and Nick must figure out what they mean to each other—friends and brothers in arms, or something even deeper?—before the past can come back to ruin their tenuous future.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): When Dreamspinner Press first started publishing their m/m romances at Audible I got very excited. I bought a few and tried them and they are the only books I’ve ever returned because they were TERRIBLE. It made me reluctant to try m/m on audio since then but when I was approached by Riptide, I decided to try again. Riptide have a reputation for quality and I had the opportunity to speak to someone there early on in the piece about what was wrong with the DSP narrations and the kinds of things listeners were looking for in an audiobook. I don’t know how much, if any, influence my little contribution had but I was interested to see if Riptide could manage what DSP could not. The short answer (and admittedly based only on this very small sample) is: yes they can.
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