with a review of Unbound by Cara McKenna, narrated by Lucy Rivers. Lots of things worked against me for this listen – including what I like to call “Lord of Scoundrels Syndrome”.
Page 198 of 274
with a review of Tempting the Player by J. Lynn (aka Jennifer L. Armentrout), narrated by Kaleo Griffith. It was a mostly inoffensive, fun, contemporary – if nothing earth-shattering and Kaleo Griffiths’ narration is, as always, a bonus.
with a review of Eagle’s Heart by Alyssa Cole. While I liked the ethnic diversity of the book, for the most part this one didn’t work for me.
Why I read it: I picked this one up for 99c after it was featured in the Dear Author Daily Deals post in November last year.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Some things should stay buried.
Repressed scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne has two skills: reading dead languages and hiding in his office at the Ladysmith Museum. After the tragic death of the friend he secretly loved, he’s ruthlessly suppressed any desire for another man.
So when handsome ex-Pinkerton Griffin Flaherty approaches him to translate a mysterious book, Whyborne wants to finish the job and get rid of the detective as quickly as possible. Griffin left the Pinkertons following the death of his partner, hoping to start a new life. But the powerful cult which murdered Glenn has taken root in Widdershins, and only the spells in the book can stop them. Spells the intellectual Whyborne doesn’t believe are real.
As the investigation draws the two men closer, Griffin’s rakish charm threatens to shatter Whyborne’s iron control. When the cult resurrects an evil sorcerer who commands terrifying monsters, can Whyborne overcome his fear and learn to trust? Will Griffin let go of his past and risk falling in love? Or will Griffin’s secrets cost Whyborne both his heart and his life?
What worked for me (and what didn’t): A friend asked me to buddy read this book with her so, as is often the case, I started without reading the blurb or knowing much about the book other than that it was an historical m/m romance. So, the appearance of dark magic and rituals to bring people back from the dead came as a bit of a shock. In some ways, the book is in the same vein as The Magpie Lord. It isn’t the same book. The Magpie Lord is darkly amusing and Widdershins has a totally different aspect. It’s set in America – around 1890-something. Whyborne is a philologist (language specialist) for the Ladysmith museum in Widdershins, New England. He’s shy and socially awkward. One of the museum trustees, Mr. Rice, has commissioned Griffin Flaherty, a private detective, to look into the murder of his son. A strange book was posted to Mr. Rice by his son shortly before the murder and there seems likely to be a link. Griffin asked Whyborne to translate the book and they gradually become friends (and then lovers) and work together to solve the mystery.
Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The past will always find you.
Jos Archer was the girl with the perfect life; until the night it all came crashing down around her. Now, nine months later, she still hasn’t begun to pick up the pieces. Even transferring to a new college and living under the watchful eye of her older sister, Renee, isn’t enough to help her feel normal again.
And then she meets Dusty Sharp. For reasons Jos can’t begin to fathom, the newly reformed campus bad boy seems determined to draw her out of her shell. And if she’s not careful, his knowing green eyes and wicked smile will make her feel things she’s no longer sure she deserves.
But even as Dusty coaxes Jos to open up about the past, he’s hiding secrets of his own. Secrets about the night her old life fell apart. When the truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together;or tear them apart for good?
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoy this author’s style very much – even when the plot was frustrating me, the story was always easy to read. Props to Harlequin for showing an interracial couple on the cover too.
The reader knows, from the blurb and in any event, it is apparent very very early in the story that “something” happened nine months earlier (dont’ worry, it’s not baby related) and this changed Jos’s life. I felt the reveal of the “something” was drawn out too long and when it was finally revealed, it felt anti-climactic to me. I admit I had some difficulty in understanding why Jos felt so responsible. Perhaps I am just a hardass.
with a review of Slow Burn by Sam B. Morgan. I have a weakness for cops in m/m romance.
NetGalley Reviewer
Currently Reading
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
