with a review of The Expert’s Guide to Driving a Man Wild by Jessica Clare. I had a ball reading this one. The heroine is outrageous and fun.
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A Small Miracle Happened by Mari Donne – B- This is a short sweet and sometimes sexy novella set mainly over the 8 nights of Hanukkah 2013. Dan is a Jewish man (although he doesn’t keep kosher, it is nevertheless part of his heritage) in a new town over Hanukkah. His neighbour Chris (short for Christian – guess what religion he is?) comes over when a package from Dan’s grandmother containing a menorah and other Hanukkah goodies is delivered to Chris’ place by mistake. They strike up a friendship and more, as they spend the eight nights of Hanukkah together. Chris doesn’t know anything about Judaism really and he is curious and interested in Dan generally so he asks a lot of questions which Dan is only too happy to answer. As a non-Jew I found the information about Hanukkah very interesting but I wondered whether Jewish people would have the same fascination as I did. I did appreciate the safe sex message in the story but unfortunately, sometimes it all felt a little clinical and other times it was rushed. Perhaps that’s more about the short word count though. I did like the story and there were parts of it which were very moving and there was some lovely poetry quoted in the text too.
“‘The kingdom where nobody dies.’ We all need to hide there sometimes, don’t we, even when we know it’s an illusion? Otherwise life is just too hard.”
This line in particular, made me think about why I read romance. (Even though characters do die in romance, for the most part you can at least guarantee the main characters make it).
I could easily have read a longer story with this couple and I loved Dan’s family in particular, who embraced Chris early and brought him to to their loving embrace. It’s a Loose ID title so for the 70 or so pages, the price is a bit steep at $3.99 but I picked it up at the recent ARe sale and got a 50% rebate back which made it more palatable. A satisfying evening’s read, A Small Miracle Happened hit the spot for me.
BUY IT: AMAZON
The Family We’re Born With by Kaje Harper – C+ This is a free Christmas short which appears to be the first in a series. Devin and Jesse have been together for five years and Jesse thought Devin had been accepted by his family. So he is very hurt and angry when his mother asks him not to bring Devin on Christmas Eve because that is when she will meet for the first time, her eldest son, Sam; the child who was adopted out when she was just sixteen. Sam is a former Marine and Jesse’s mother doesn’t want to freak him out with the gay the first time they meet. The story is quite short and it doesn’t just focus on Jesse and Devin – but also on Sam and his runaway brother. I felt it had a bit too much going on to be entirely successful for me but it did succeed in whetting my appetite for more from this world. I like the way that Ms. Harper writes complicated families and hey, it’s free.
DOWNLOAD IT: SMASHWORDS
I signed up for the AWWC 2013 challenge last year – I pledged to read and review at least 10 books by Australian Women Writers. I was pleased that it wasn’t even a particular effort – that is, I found there were books by Australian women writers that I wanted to read and I didn’t have to “force” myself to read something to meet my challenge commitments. Part of the reason I signed up was because I wasn’t sure how many books by Australians I was reading and I was curious to find out if it would be an effort or more of an organic thing. I was prepared for effort, but glad that it was more organic. There are amazing Australian women (romance) writers and I was happy to participate to highlight some of them and also to give a bit of a bump to genre romance within the challenge itself.
A full list of my challenge books and links to the reviews is after the jump.
I’m reviewing Fall Guy by Liz Reinhardt, narrated by Alexandria Wilde and Sean Crisden. I liked Crisden’s narration here (unlike in my other recent listen, Dark Challenge) but the story wasn’t my favourite.
with a review of Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan, narrated by Sean Crisden. The early books have recently been re-recorded with new narrators. I’m not sure that helped; the book seems dated to me and the narration wasn’t my favourite.
Why I read it: Some of my Goodreads friends were raving about this one so I bought it.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Professionally, Dr. Alec Johnson has almost reached his goals. As this year’s recipient of a humanitarian award with his ex, Dr. Tyler Hall, Alec’s work with the homeless is about to be recognized. Unfortunately, his personal life sucks because now he has to attend several events alongside Tyler—with his ex’s new boyfriend in tow. In an attempt to lift his mood and break out of his rut, Alec purchases a motorcycle he has no idea how to start.
Dylan Booth doesn’t have time for Dr. Clueless and his fickle 1964 Harley, but the cocky mechanic can’t say no to the request for help. Having spent his teen years on the streets, and losing his best friend to HIV, Dylan decides teaching the do-gooder how to ride is the least he can do. But watching Alec flounder in his ex’s company throws Dylan into protector mode, and the confirmed hetero introduces himself as Alec’s new boyfriend.
The ex suspects Dylan is lying.
Alec claims Dylan’s plan is insane.
And Dylan’s not sure he can fake being gay.
But he’s a master bullshitter, and the phony PDA soon turns ultra-hot. Alec can’t afford to get attached, and Dylan’s learned everyone eventually leaves. Unfortunately, playing the backup boyfriend is starting to feel way too real…
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I’m not sure I can join in with the raving about how wonderful this book is. I did like it and found it, overall, solidly entertaining. But the numerous editing issues bothered me and I would have liked more exposition of Dylan’s journey of self-discovery, particularly later in the book.
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