Karma♥Bites’s Mercurial Reads

Genre:  CR

Length:  226 (Kindle pgs)

Heat Level/Content:  steamy/sensual

Publication Date:  Apr 9, 2012 (orig = Apr 1, 2001)

Publisher:  Beyond the Page Publishing

Series Info:  N/A

BLURB:

* Review copy provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley.

This story is dedicated, with much affection, to all romance authors, especially those whose editors have admonished them to “write the book of your heart.”

 

(With the caveat “so long as it has a cowboy hero, an amnesiac bride, and a marriage of convenience. Oh, and a secret baby wouldn’t hurt.”)

The dedication says it all. The plot seems to use everything but the proverbial kitchen sink (or would that be secret baby? *grins*) and yet somehow, Cowboy in My Pocket rises above the deliberate, tongue-in-cheek clichés to become a fun, sweet, city-meets-country romance. I don't know if Ms. Douglas ever visited a dude ranch for research, but for this city gal, she brought a slice of Colorado ranch to life. :)

Very enjoyable CR from an author mostly known for her rather 'racy' PNR (so TBT, I was a tad *cough* disappointed that this story was more 'sensual'). Enough so that I hunted down a copy of the 2011 anthology, The Promise of Love, so to read the quasi-sequel, “Dime Store Cowboy”.

Full review to be posted shortly.

Genre:  ER-PNR

Length:  @ 127pgs (ebook)

Heat Level/Content:  erotica-lite (m/f; a dash ’o kink)

Publication Date:  April 23, 2013 (orig = Oct 2009)

Publisher:  Loose Id (orig = Changeling Press)

Series Info:  Truckee Wolves #1

BLURB:

* Review copy provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley.

It's rare that I give 4 stars to a novella, especially when it's PNR. But there was so much that I enjoyed about this revised edition of Toxic, starting w/ the luscious hero (or rather, his wolf) who is so infatuated w/ the chocolatey smell of his mate that he forgets that chocolate is a major no-no for canines. Loved the MCs, loved the various secondary characters (especially Briony's mum!), and definitely loved the romance and the HOT! sexy times.

Even tho it's almost to be expected for a novella, lost a star due to less than substantial world-building, as well as sketchy references to common trope of secret military experiments. (TBT, for me, any references to genetic experiments, super-soldiers, traumatised females and such immediately invite comparisons to Lora Leigh's Breeds series.) Also, I found it distracting to have POVs beyond the MCs in a novella-length story; multiple POVs work better for me in a full-length novel with a more substantial plot.

Given the number of interesting characters introduced in Toxic, there's such potential for more stories in this series! If so, hopefully there will be more backstory re: Abraxas, the shadowy organisation involved in the illicit experiments, and how the various pack members came together. Frankly, I'm hoping that Ms. McBride will be inspired to focus on Sage. Or even Dionne. *grins* Oh, and what's the story w/ Kurt and Ethan?!

Whilst I wait, guess that I'll re-read the shorts in the 2 Doms of Dark Haven anthologies so to finally put everything in proper chrono order.  FYI, “Educating Evangeline” (published in Doms of Dark Haven) is first, then Toxic, and then “Hunting Holly” (published in Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night).

NB: Review of 2013 revised edition. This got lost in calibre due to being merged with the original 2009 story put out by Changeling Press. B/c of when I read the original version years ago, I didn't remember enough to notice what was different this time around.

Am I the only one who gets Kindle back-ups for owned PBs whenever something is too good a deal to pass up?  I can't be so here's a great one. And lendable, too! :D

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QHATZ6/

ETA: If PNR isn't your thing, then how about Samantha Towle's Storm series? Both #1 and 2 dropped to 99¢ each.

The Mighty Storm | Wethering the Storm

This is normally $12.99.  (*gulp* IKR?)  I almost keeled over & kicked myself for missing it @ NetGalley last Fall.

Erotic (and I mean *erotic*) HR which, from brief skim of reviews, includes m/f, m/m, and m/m/f.  Apparently, there's a love triangle but it seems unconventional so I'm all curious. :)

If you're already familiar with Kate Pearce (especially her House of Pleasures series), then you'll be fine.  If not, then proceed with caution. *grins*

www.amazon.com/Sinners-Club-ebook/dp/B00DV1ITB2/

Pulling down the linen sleeve and the coat, Andrew grinned. “It’s my promise to her. I let her burn it into me. Hurt like hell but it was worth it.”

“You let her burn the word PENIS into your arm?”

Those eyes widened. “Penis? No, no. Mentula is an endearment. I asked.”

Derek snorted. “It is not an endearment but an insult. Have you ever read the texts of Priapeia?”

. . .

Derek dragged in a breath. He’d never met a birch mistress, but he’d heard more than enough about the strength of their arms to make his cock shrivel and invert. He had to get his brother out of this. Any woman burning the word PENIS on a man’s arm meant she would most likely slice it off next.

I had both the pleasure (read: laughs & giggles) and the pain of a brother who used to be like Andrew―sans flesh burning, thank goddess!―when it came to the female sex. Can anyone else relate? C’mon, I can’t be the only one. *grins*

"Customer reviews on Amazon do not have the imprimatur of authority some folks might wish. They are nothing more than the opinions of readers who think enough about the reading experience to leave some feedback for other readers. To the extent that they are written with the intent of misleading customers, that is fraudulent. That’s not what the people I call “friends” do. It’s not what I do."

 

(Pete Morin, 21 June 2012)

* Original blog post edited to remove itals & put into blockquote.

... and I think that I need some of the more experienced GR users to help me figure it out.  Y’all up for the challenge?  OK...

Per GR’s last run of top reviewers, I apparently wrote 186 reviews in one week.

*jaw drops*

Thus, I’m currently sitting pretty as #3 top reviewer at GR.

Woo-hoo!!  *breaks out rusty club moves*

But wait...

When the FECK did I write these 186 reviews?!!

More importantly, if I’m the current #3 top reviewer, then...

why have some of my reviews―which either occupied the top or near-top position on the applicable book pages―suddenly *dropped* in position or disappeared from the first page altogether?

W...T...F...?  Shouldn’t my mind-blowing #3 status cause my reviews to *rise* in the Community Review listing?  Or at the very least, stay in the same position??

Ignorant as I am, the only thing I can come up w/ is that GR is fiddling behind the scenes w/ some members’ reviews and ‘tweaking’ (read: loading the die) w/ its algorithm.  Anyone have a better explanation?  ’Cause I'm completely baffled by what my friend pointed out to me.

etc:  for clarity; to correct earlier mistake (186 reviews, not 187)

Since the amazon shenanigans happened at GR, I was convinced that they had a list of members to ignore.  That list is real.  I emailed GR a few times over the last couple of months and they have my email address blocked!  I know their email address hasn't changed since it's posted in nearly every feedback thread.  But the problem is how in the hell are we supposed to email you with questions if you block us?  We can't use the feedback forum for anything relevant without the threads being closed, and we can't email support unless we're on their good list.  Bunch of bullshit if you ask me.  

Has anyone else been able to contact support? 

ETA: Reblogged from Misanthropic Reader

(Why does the auto-reblog info appear at top of page whilst viewing from blog feed but at end of post in regular view??? And why can't I add a title/header if there isn't one? Could've sworn that I could last fall... :/ )

How sad :(

HOUSTON -- A former Houstonian who was in one of the most iconic photos of WWII has died.

You've certainly seen the photo of Glenn Edward McDuffie. He's the sailor grabbing and kissing a nurse in the middle of Times Square after finding out WWII was over. The photo was shot August 14, 1945

.

We learned today of McDuffie's passing today at the age of 86. He died on March 9. He was positively identified as the sailor in that photo back in 2007 after many men claimed it was them.

McDuffie, a native of Kannapolis, North Carolina, moved to Houston in 1960 and lived here until 2009, when he moved to the Dallas area to spend his last years near his daughter.

McDuffie was preceeded in death by children Elene McDuffie and Mike McDuffie. He's survived by daughter Glenda Bell and Grand children Christopher Bell, 25, and Jordan Bell, 23.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=9465946&pid=9464086

Apologies in advance if some of these are no longer valid by the time you see this.  Meant to post much earlier but ended up falling asleep after reading to my monkey. :)

These are a mixed bag, some which are new and others which were still free when I checked.  Hope something catches your interest!

Contemporary Romance

Zoe York - What Once Was Perfect (Wardham Book #1) (second chance theme)

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DE33TGC/

Abigail Barnette - The Boss @ www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENTIAJM/

Georgia Cates - Beauty from Pain (#1 in trilogy) @ www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8A9I90/

Kristen Proby  - Come Away With Me @ www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3XVP4E/

Tawny Weber - A SEAL's Surrender @ www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9V245O/

Hennessee Andrews - Macon's Story (Siren Classic ManLove) @ www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMIU89U/

Sexy Just Walked Into Town: A Brit Babes Anthology @ www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IDAHK16/

Historical / Romance

Jade Lee - The Groom's Gamble (ER-HR novella) ** maybe elsewhere, but not ARe **

Amazon @ www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXCWEIK/

B&N @ www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-grooms-gamble-jade-lee/1117910028?ean=9781402283857

Mary Hart Perry - Seducing the Princess (loose HF/HR bio-fic)

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ICYSD8W/

Jayne Fresine - Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne

www.amazon.com/dp/B009NLQQKK/

Heidi Belleau & Violetta Vane - Mark of the Gladiator (Ancient; m/m)

www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADAWXMA/

Fantasy

Brian Rathbone - Wayward Spirits (Godsland prelude to The Dawning of Power)

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6JFSOC/

PNR / UF

Crista McHugh - A Soul for Trouble @ www.amazon.com/dp/B007QYEPYK/

M. Terry Green - Shaman, Healer, Heretic (Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman) @ www.amazon.com/dp/B004KAAUUG/

Stephanie Rowe - No Knight Needed @ www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB05RRU/

SPECIALS/PRICE DROPS

Love's First Bite Boxed Set (6 PNR; vamps) currently 99¢ (not lendable)

www.amazon.com/dp/B00IEKATFY/

Jolynn Raymond - Taken (dark HR-PNR; vamps) currently 99¢

www.amazon.com/dp/B00BKRMFGO/

Nina Croft - Break Out (Sci-Fi PNR) currently 99¢

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GVQXW3O/

Samanthe Beck - Private Practice (CR-spicy(?) novella) currently 99¢

www.amazon.com/dp/B00C74WXBG/

Laurelin Paige - Fixed Trilogy (CR box set) currently 99¢

www.amazon.com/dp/B00IX9UTLU/

Brandon Sadderson - The Way of Kings $2.99 @ www.amazon.com/dp/B003P2WO5E/

Solomon Northup - Twelve Years a Slave 99¢ @ www.amazon.com/dp/B00FDS85EM/

NB:  Review originally posted on Amazon and GR @ 25-Jul-2013.  Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.

Genre:  CR-BDSM

Length:  novel (308 Kindle pgs/estimated)

Heat Level/Content:  Erotica (BDSM; anal; e/v)

Publication Date: 

Publisher:  Ellora's Cave

Series Info:  Surrender #3

BLURB:

* Review copy provided by the author via the BDSM group’s

Sweet BDSM romance (but some quibbles...)

★★½ (rounded up to account for my personal quirks)

THE SHORT: Sweet, well-written BDSM romance about two people coming to terms with their deepest pains and fears. Recommended for those who enjoy a TLC Dom and/or are just getting into this genre.

THE LONG: By all measures, Required Surrender by NTM author Riley Murphy should’ve been a DNF. And at one point, I nearly did stop reading. However, I continued on because Ms. Murphy is a solid writer who managed to weave a coherent romance story with some smokin’ and varied BDSM scenes. So here’s an explanation of my final rating/review:

3-4 ★s for the BDSM scenes (considered separately from the story)
2-3 ★s for the story/writing
1-2 ★s for the BDSM concepts

My starting points and a few reasons why I came close to DNF’ing this book:

1. Erroneously thought that I had read an earlier work by Ms. Murphy so didn’t expect such a TLC story. I generally prefer my BDSM reads to be more on the harder side but this, in and of itself, is not a deal breaker.
2. I tend to shy away from storylines which involve use of BDSM for emotional/psychological therapy.
3. I draw a distinction between D/s and M/s relationships so the unexpected switch mid-story with little foundation didn’t work for me.
4. I have a hard line when it comes to the safeword and hard limits, and misuse and/or violations of either usually are deal breakers for me.

Added to the above is the fact that I didn’t find Ted too likeable. My perception of him ranged from “TLC Dom” (not really my preference) to “poseur Master” to simply “coward”. I also had a hard time suspending disbelief re: parts of his backstory, given the stated age frame.

As for Jo, I couldn’t relate to her unsupported transition from wanting BDSM exposure therapy (so to deal with past trauma) to being a sub (especially when early in the book, “Jo wasn’t even sure she was a sub”) to being a slave. Furthermore, she was sexually inexperienced but ready to engage in fairly advanced BDSM play. I could swallow this somewhat as “mind over matter” but had a harder time with her going from a bratty sub (which, to me, generally = “immature”—again, not my preference in BDSM reads) to almost needy/desperate because she was in love. IMO, her desire to be Ted's sub—and then later, his slave—seemed to stem more from a willingness to do whatever it took to have him, as opposed to an “awakening” re: her submissive nature and the realisation that he fulfilled her sexual and emotional needs.

Yet despite everything, Ms. Murphy’s storytelling was good enough to keep me interested and reading… until I got to this:

“I expect you to take what I’m going to do to you without complaint.  If it proves to be too much for you say your safe word and I’ll let you leave…for good.  Understood?”

Um, no. Just “no”, full stop. That right there misrepresents and undermines the general understanding re: the purpose and concept of the safeword. There should be no consequences attached to a person’s use of a safeword other than the immediate cessation of BDSM play. Anything else should be a separate matter for discussion.

So why did I continue and read to the end? Because again, the writing was good and frankly, I was close to the end anyway. Unfortunately, a certain “moment of realisation” was more telling (vs. showing)/info dump and for me, the book sort of ended on a whimper as it relates to Ted and Jo. And the Epilogue is clearly to set up the next book, instead of the more standard “where are the MCs now and how has their relationship changed/gotten better”.

Despite hitting a few of my own personal “hard limits” and the small letdown at the end, I don’t regret choosing to read Required Surrender one bit. It introduced me to Ms. Murphy’s writing and I would definitely consider reading another one of her books. In fact, the Epilogue to this one certainly worked in piquing my interest in David/Lacy. :)

Side note: Given that well-established Ellora’s Cave published Required Surrender, I didn’t take off for repeated technical writing errors (such as run-on sentences and necessary but missing commas) which I found very distracting. I lay those squarely on those involved in the proofing/editing.

NOTE: My deepest apologies to Ms. Murphy for the delay in posting this review. The mod was kind enough to give me a generous extension, which I ended up using to re-evaluate this book and write up a new review. But then recent GR site upgrades/maintenance tweaks posed all kinds of headaches until now.

Short blurb: London, 1955...

Grace receive an inheritance from a mysterious benefactor, Eva d'Orsey, whom she's never met. And so begins a search that takes Grace to a long-abandoned perfume shop on Paris's Left Bank, where she discovers the seductive world of perfumers and their muses, and a surprising love story.

Told by invoking the three distinctive perfumes she inspired, Eva d'Orsey's story weaves through the decades, from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, Paris, and London.

Amazon US @ www.amazon.com/dp/B009NESIEE/

B&N @ www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-perfume-collector-kathleen-tessaro/1113200719?ean=9780062257840

* not sure about other retailers

NB:  Review originally posted on GR @ Fall 2012.  Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.

NB: This is a dark epic fantasy + paranormal.  220,735 words @ 300/pg = nearly 736 pages.

Simply put, BLOODRAVEN is one of the most riveting books I've read in a long, long time (1st read @ Jan 2009), and it came to me out of the blue. Having second thoughts after buying it, my friend asked me to "test" it first. At the time, P.L. Nunn was completely unknown to me but my friend described the book as a LOTR-type epic fantasy involving ogres and fey. (Yeah, he forgot to mention the graphic aspects of the book, as well as the M/M relationship.) After multiple re-reads, my only major complaint remains the same: the ending begs for a sequel. Hell, I'm begging for a sequel, even after all these years.

Reviews already discussed the plot, characters, and the graphic nature of this book so I'll just lay out my reading experience. I didn't look up the book so I blindly stepped into the unfamiliar realm of M/M, graphic violence and torture (including rape), and other firsts... and immediately fell into the abyss of Nunn's incredible world. Within a few pages, I'm mumbling holy sh*t and reaching for my drink and then a non-existent cigarette, as I proceeded to literally devour the pages until I fell asleep. Woke up the next morning, made coffee, and promptly hid until I finished the book.

BLOODRAVEN is a throwback to the old days of books; at 600+ ebook pages, it's hefty and meaty. But Nunn's vivid narrative, a potpourri of multi-layered characters, and near effortless storytelling combined to achieve that rare occurrence—transporting a reader into the story. I was too busy journeying with Yhalen and Bloodraven (and squirming a bit uneasily at times) to notice the rapidly passing pages and hours until I finally reached the end and sat back exhausted.

Did I have a few "whaaa?" and "nooooo" moments? Yeah. So my advice to future readers: If you're squeamish and/or have an inviolable comfort zone, this book may not be for you (yet). If you've never read M/M before, this book may not be the one to pop your cherry. (But then again, if you're familiar with present-day erotica... although I have a hard time considering this book as erotica per se, even though the sex scenes are erotic, helping to make BLOODRAVEN one of my personal best enemies-to-lovers stories). Also, BLOODRAVEN could seriously spoil you vis à vis other dark/erotic fantasy books, even Nunn's other works.

If you do decide to try this book, plan accordingly. Don't start it on a weeknight; you may not get much sleep. Don't think you can do your laundry while you read, and above all, don't try to cook up a meal somewhere in-between. Be safe and order take-out. Oh, and don't read it when children may be about; choice words may well fly out of your mouth at certain points. :)

NB:  Review originally posted on GR @ Fall 2012.  Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.

NB: This is a dark epic fantasy + paranormal.  220,735 words @ 300/pg = nearly 736 pages.

Simply put, BLOODRAVEN is one of the most riveting books I've read in a long, long time (1st read @ Jan 2009), and it came to me out of the blue. Having second thoughts after buying it, my friend asked me to "test" it first. At the time, P.L. Nunn was completely unknown to me but my friend described the book as a LOTR-type epic fantasy involving ogres and fey. (Yeah, he forgot to mention the graphic aspects of the book, as well as the M/M relationship.) After multiple re-reads, my only major complaint remains the same: the ending begs for a sequel. Hell, I'm begging for a sequel, even after all these years.

Reviews already discussed the plot, characters, and the graphic nature of this book so I'll just lay out my reading experience. I didn't look up the book so I blindly stepped into the unfamiliar realm of M/M, graphic violence and torture (including rape), and other firsts... and immediately fell into the abyss of Nunn's incredible world. Within a few pages, I'm mumbling holy sh*t and reaching for my drink and then a non-existent cigarette, as I proceeded to literally devour the pages until I fell asleep. Woke up the next morning, made coffee, and promptly hid until I finished the book.

BLOODRAVEN is a throwback to the old days of books; at 600+ ebook pages, it's hefty and meaty. But Nunn's vivid narrative, a potpourri of multi-layered characters, and near effortless storytelling combined to achieve that rare occurrence—transporting a reader into the story. I was too busy journeying with Yhalen and Bloodraven (and squirming a bit uneasily at times) to notice the rapidly passing pages and hours until I finally reached the end and sat back exhausted.

Did I have a few "whaaa?" and "nooooo" moments? Yeah. So my advice to future readers: If you're squeamish and/or have an inviolable comfort zone, this book may not be for you (yet). If you've never read M/M before, this book may not be the one to pop your cherry. (But then again, if you're familiar with present-day erotica... although I have a hard time considering this book as erotica per se, even though the sex scenes are erotic, helping to make BLOODRAVEN one of my personal best enemies-to-lovers stories). Also, BLOODRAVEN could seriously spoil you vis à vis other dark/erotic fantasy books, even Nunn's other works.

If you do decide to try this book, plan accordingly. Don't start it on a weeknight; you may not get much sleep. Don't think you can do your laundry while you read, and above all, don't try to cook up a meal somewhere in-between. Be safe and order take-out. Oh, and don't read it when children may be about; choice words may well fly out of your mouth at certain points. :)

FYI to NetGalley members: 48-hr Read Now @ NG

(expires FRI, Mar 14th, 2:00pm EDT)

www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/41102

So my book buying hex creeps into NG items... *sigh*

NB:  Review originally posted on Amazon and GR @ 30-Mar-2013.  Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.

Genre: CR + a dash of paranormal

Length: novel (237 Kindle pgs)

Heat Level/Content: Hot! (m/f vanilla; *tease* of D/s)

Publication Date: March 2013

Publisher: self

Series Info: N/A

BLURB:

*** Review copy provided by the author ***

THE SHORT: Definitely recommend this funny, light-hearted ROMcontemp with an unusual PNR twist. A welcomed change from the overly angst-ridden stories flooding the market of late, I think that “Magic at Work” will appeal to a wide range of romance lovers—so long as they can handle the smokin’ erotic moments. *wink*

THE LONG: I could’ve read “Magic at Work” by relatively new author Sotia Lazu in one sitting if not for RL and some other interruptions. Well-written with a style which resonated with me, I was immediately drawn into the story. Much of that had to do with the naturalness of the dialogue; while reading, I could “hear” the conversations in my head and could easily imagine my friends and me having similar ones.

Although the likable MCs are in their mid-20s, I could relate to them because either I went through the same phase or their realistic behaviour and uncertainties applied across a wide age range. Moreover, while they seem “young” sometimes, both characters possess maturity appropriate for their ages (read: no real TSTL moments). And I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book without the tropes of an abusive past, hateful or negligent parents, back-stabbing friends, and/or vengeful exes. (Oh, and sorry, no suave billionaire either.)

So what’s the problem and whence the conflict? Well, seems that both Lexi and Ric suffer from the “once burned, twice no effin’ way” syndrome. Unfortunately for them, they also suffer from an instantaneous, nearly irresistible attraction to each other. Lexi fights it much more than Ric but then, she may have more reason for her stubborn denial. Plus, it serves as the vehicle for the emotional back-and-forth between these two.

May seem fairly simple but Ms. Lazu took that basic premise, added a splash of paranormal, and produced a book which had me chuckling, snorting and laughing at multiple points.

Oh and the creative sex scenes… *fans self in memory*

Just so there’s no confusion… There’s no last minute hurdle to overcome. The MCs work through their differences, and there’s a definite HEA. (That’s not a true spoiler because we pretty much expect that in a romance, yes?) So “Magic at Work” is more about how Lexi and Ric get past their misunderstandings and bickering to reach their HEA. Of course, there’s also their erotic encounters along the way and the clever, steamy “story within a story” role a certain on-line erotic novel plays in their relationship.

___________

Note: This last bit is just me… I did notice some edit/proof stuff (but well within the “we’re all human” range) and had funky italics in Chapter 15 (but could’ve been my device). Also, kinda wished Ric had been more masculine (for lack of a better term); I don’t like my males to get teary too often. ^ᴗ^