In Fine Form

Which is an apt title as it is both how I feel after accomplishing so much in my crochet project and is also the title of the best book I've read this week. Well as I have listened to the other books and read only short stories it didn't actually have that much competition but it would still have been my choice of best read.

I've added a spider to my web and made a few owls (1 small and 4 tiny ones) as well as a rainbow dragon and a Fennec Fox (well at lest that's what he ended up looking like). You can find the pictures at my Bespokecrochet4u site (link to the right).

I've listened to
Audiobook: Aaron by J. P. Barnaby Narrated by Tyler Stevens Narration 5* Story 5*

Audiobook: His Hearth by Mary Calmes Narrated by Andrew Schwartz Narration 5* Story 5*

Audiobook: The End Of The Matter: Pip & Flinx, Book 4 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5* Story 5*

I've read from Love's Landscape

Coming Out of the Storm by Laura Matthews 4*

An Old-Fashioned Love Song (Woodshed Series #1) by Michelle K Grant 4*

The Layover by Megan Erickson 3*

Fighting Dirty by Olley White 3*

Expect the Unexpected by Lou Silvre 3*

The Anchor Tattoo and the Pistachio Dream by Paula Coot 2*

The Laws of Physics by Claire Davis 3*

The Dreams You Made in the Dirt Lisa Henry 4*

Measuring the Rein by Jae Moran 5*

If At First You Don't Succeed by K. C. Faelan 5*

Point Of Honour by K. Mason 4*

Un/Common Ground by Arielle Pierce 3*

Sorry Is The Magic Word by M. A. Jackson 3*

and of course what I consider the best book read this week:

In Fine Form (Chronicles of Ylandre #6) by Eressë 5*
BLURB: Guile is an asset in foreign relations, but an affliction when it comes to affairs of the heart.
A bastard of unknown parentage, Yandro Vaidon was born saddled with a huge disadvantage. The nigh rigid class structure of the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre relegated him to the bottom rungs of the social ladder and promised a dim future. Worse, the endeavor to win respectability was arduous—most claimed it was impossible. But by dint of hard work, perseverance and instances of plain good luck, Yandro rises higher than even he had hoped. However, he quickly learns there are hurdles to overcome even at these heights. Not least is his inconvenient attraction to a colleague deemed way beyond his reach.
Scion of House Essendri, the reigning dynasty of Ylandre, Jareth Hadrana is gifted with more than his fair share of beauty and wit. The kingdom’s preeminent ambassador, he has surpassed what is usually expected of a fief-lord’s second son. But while his high birth and family wealth opened doors for him, Jareth’s success stemmed from his own efforts to make something of himself other than the idle fop or swaggering rakehell that was the lot of many younger sons.
A coincidence of interest drew Jareth and Yandro to the same profession, but a king’s intervention throws them together in an association that soon turns into mutual desire. However, prejudices have largely kept the aristocratic True Bloods and lower caste Half Bloods on opposite sides of the social and romantic divide. In addition, reticence born of distrust and a secret like no other hamper their attempts to span the chasm between them. It will take more than their shared passion to convince them to lower their protective walls and risk their hearts in full

My Review: I am really loving this series. The characters are always very interesting and the over all story arc is never boring. The romance is done with panache and caring and each time I learn a little more about the world that Eressë has created. I can't wait to see what she produces next in this wonderful world nor who her next main character will be (I'm hoping it will be Tenryon).

And for those who have bothered to read this far I have some news - I am going to be part of a blog tour in August. My first ever blog tour so wish me luck.

Reviewing books again

Broken (Planet Alpha #2) by Erin M. Leaf 4*
BLURB: When Sky finds a critically injured Xyran warrior, she can’t just let him die. She drags the unconscious alien home and dresses his wounds. He’s difficult and arrogant, but she’s more than enough woman to deal with him until he’s gone. So what if he intrigues her? The last thing she can afford to do is fall for an alien.
Jaxt knows the betrayers who left him for dead on Earth will not live long: his bond-kin, Zoen, will paint the warship’s walls with their blood. All he must do now is wait for Zoen to come. Unfortunately, the human woman who found him rouses his deepest instincts… Instincts he’d forgotten he had.
When Zoen finds Jaxt on Earth, he’s not sure he approves of the female who cared for his kin. However, when Sky kills a Xyran about to attack, he understands Jaxt’s insistence that she is their mate. Any female who shows such courage is worthy of his blood, and maybe even his heart.

My Review: I have only just found this series and am enjoying it immensely. The Aliens are really interesting and the heroine in this one was strong and feisty just he way I like them.

A Gamma's Choice (Under Wolves #1) by Amber Kell
BLURB: Sometimes werewolves are the good guys.
Kaden has always dreamt of cooking. His family scoffs at his wish to help out the war effort and think he's wasting himself joining a pack.
Gage is the Alpha of his pack and loves his mate Russ with everything he has. But, although the beta wolf loves him back, Gage isn't Russ’ mate. In a quirk of nature, their bond is one-sided and while Gage holds as tightly as he can, he can feel his lover slipping away.
Russ loves his Alpha, but a piece of him always longs for what could be. He doesn't want to hurt his lover-but how much better would life be if he could have a mate of his own?
Three men with different goals discover the difference between love and mating and how sometimes what you want may not necessarily what you need.

My Review: This was a typical mind candy story by Amber Kell and I liked it. It certainly made for an interesting concept of Good Werewolves and Evil vampires. As a background to this triad's love story it was well written and a good set up for a new series by Amber Kell.

I have also read a few more LL stories and crocheted this (trying to decide if I should add a spider to it, which is weird given I am an arachnophobe!!)

LL stories were:
Silver Embers by Becca Finn 5*
Checking Him Out by Debbie McGowan 2*

Listening and crocheting

I've been reading Love's Landscape and short stories so that I can get on with listening and crocheting. I have a load of stuff for The Little Haven Hospice here and will likely keep going on small stuff until the end of the month when I will post off a box full (with luck).

So the short stories have been

Captive (Planet Alpha #4) by Pelaam 4*

One Bratty Omega (Building The Pack #2) by Stephani Hecht 4*

Usual Conventions, The (Unconventional Romances #1) by Mathilde Watson 4*

Orion's New Leash on Life (Mended 2014 Daily Dose Anthology) by C. Callenreese 4*

and the Love's Landscapes have been:

Contrary Instincts (Love's Landscapes) by Ava Penn 3*

Man of the Match (Love's Landscapes) by Lane Swift 3*

Bonded (Love's Landscapes) by Sara York 3*



My audio books have been

Audiobook:Redshirts by John Scalzi Narrated by Wil Wheaton Narration 5* Story 5*

Audiobook: Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T. J. Klune Narrated by Sean Crisden Narration 5* Story 5*

Audiobook: Orphan Star: Pip and Flinx, Book 3 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook:The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson Narrated by Michael Kramer Narration 5* Story 5*

Audiobook:Rednecks vs. UFOs by Darren Griffin Narrated by Darren Griffin Narration 4* Story 3*

It's that time of year

when the m/m group do their Don't Read In The Closet stories. This year it's titled Love's Landscapes and, because of it, I have cut my June reading challenge short. I reduced it to 4 books (which I had already read) and started catching up on the m/m stories instead. So far I have got to the stories put up on 15th June so I'm only 5 day behind :D

My rating for those I have read so far are as follows :


Broken Phoenix by Edmond Manning 4*

Carte Blanche by Nash Summers 4*

Villians by Andrea Speed 4*

Awakenings by Jayson James 2*

Hinori’s Journey by Victoria Zagar 3*

The Lonely Drop by Vanessa North 3*

Chapmistres View by Carol Pedroso 3*

Somebody Nice! by Raine O’Tierney 4*

What Remains of Us by J.H. Knight 2*

Better Than New by Charley Descoteaux 3*

Metronomy by Suki Fleet 2*

Mr. Jaguar by K.A. Merikan 2*

All I Ever Wanted by Lauren Lewis 4*

Get Off My Case by Lisa Oliver 4*

Knickers in a Twist by Ofelia Gränd 4*

Forever Under a Rainbow by Posy Roberts 4*

Inhaling Smoke by Tia Fielding 4*

Lost and Found by Eileen Griffin 4*

Human Choices by Jaye McKenna 5*

500 Kisses to Steal a Heart by Anyta Sunday 2*

Cruel to be Kind by Kim Dare 3*

This Hour I Lost by Indra Vaughn 3*

Guarded by Kim Fielding 5*

Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots by Thianna 3*

Past the Horizon by D.C. Williams 2*

His by Jack L. Pyke 3*

Puckish by Wart Hill 2*

Wounded Beacon by Leslie Lee Sanders 2*

The Last Cannoli by Tali Spencer 5*

Bound by Amelia Bishop 3*

Punch-Drunk Love by Nico Jaye 4*

Spell Bound by Pelaam 5*

Bonded by Sara York 3*

Busted by Sofia Grey 3*

Man of the Match by Lane Swift 3*

It Takes Two by Alexa Milne 2*

Playing with Two-Edged Swords 4*

You can find all of these along with all the others published so far here: Love's Landscapes and I hope not to have to wait too long until the story from my prompt get published :D

Been doing a lot of crocheting and listening again.

So I have joined in with the ladies of The Craft Club to make crochet items for the Little Havens Hospice. The theme is Enid Blyton's The Faraway Tree and they are trying to break the record of over 4000 pieces. So to keep things short I have been busy making said items and listening to lots of audio books (when not reading Goodreads m/m group Love's Landscape stories).


Audiobook: Mission Of Honor: Honor Harrington, Book 12 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: A Riing Thunder: Honor Harrington, Book 13 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: Timing by Mary Calmes Narrated by Sean Crisden Narration 5 Story 4

Audiobook: Magic's Pawn: The Last Herald Mage, Book 1 by Mercedes Lackey Narrated by Gregory Nassif St. John Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: For The Love Of Mother Not: Pip and Flinx, Book 1 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: The Tar-Aiym Krang: Pip and Flinx, Book 2 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

And for those who are interested I have made:

1 hedgehog (eating a worm)
1 Butterfly scene (butterfly on treestump with grass underneath and flowers on grass)
1 Woodland fairy/elf
1 cat/squirrel
1 vase with a dozen carnations
1 basket with a trio of apples and a pair of acorns

WIP a rainbow wreath with hanging nest and bird with butterflies and flowers around it.

pics of the first three can be seen here: Bespokecrochet4u

Lords Of The Underworld shorts

One of the categories for the June challenge was a book with a character that is a GOD or GODDESS. I chose Dark Beginnings because the first story has a goddess. Turns out the three stories in there were way too short for me.

Dark Beginnings (Lords of the Underworld 0.5, 3.5 & 4.5) by Gena Showalter 3*
BLURB: This title includes three new stories, Lords of the Underworld, from "New York Times" bestselling author Gena Showalter.
"The Darkest Fire" - He is the guardian of Hell, more monster than man. She is the goddess of oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a horde of demon lords - and discover a passion unlike any other...Discover the origins of Pandora's box and the demon spirits trapped within.
"The Darkest Prison" - passion and danger collide in this brand-new Lords of the Underworld adventure! Once, Atlas, the Titan god of Strength, was the Greek goddess Nike's slave. Now, he is her master. And soon these sworn enemies destined to destroy one another will be forced to risk everything for a chance at love.
"The Darkest Angel" - An iron-willed demon assassin, the angel Lysander has never known lust - until he meets Bianka. Spawned from the bloodline of Lucifer, the beautiful but deadly Harpy is determined to lead the pure hearted Lysander into temptation.

My Review: As previously stated above, these were all way too short for me and unfortunately they didn't make me feel like I was learning anything new about the world and it's characters. I enjoyed them for the sheer pleasure of returning to that world, but that was all. I didn't read the interviews so I have no opinion on them but I expect most fans of the series will enjoy at least one of the stories, if not all three.

I think romances are too easy to read

I have finished yet another book from my challenge and, as that was another quick read, I have switched to catching up on the m/m group's Love's Landscapes Stories and a nice reread of Wolf's Dawn instead.

Black Planet: Little Dragon by Belinda McBride 4*
BLURB: Following a devastating injury, Detective Rose "Little Dragon" Lee takes a courier job to make payments on her ship. The job was easy...safe...until her ship is captured by the dangerous, war-like Nephris. Nephris Commander Arad Soheil immediately recognizes his captive as the one person his government would most like to capture and terminate. Arad immediately files a property claim on the dangerous female, making her part of his household. Rose means more to him than a warm body in his bed or a vessel for his children. She holds the key to his freedom and his sanity, to his very life. Because Arad Soheil is not what he seems, and his time is running out.

My Review: I liked this short story and it was an f/m, so obviously I wasn't in that much of a rut with my romance reading as I thought. One of my favourite things was the mentions of Bruce Lee as he was a favourite martial arts hero of mine in my day. As for the actual story I think Rose was a kick-ass heroine with a soft heart and Arad's truth was a surprise to me and it helped make the story for me. So I am not going to say anything else as it will mean spoilers but I will say if you like Belinda McBride's style of writing and haven't read this one yet go and get it now.

June reading challenge

I enjoyed taking part in last month reading challenge over at Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy on Goodreads. So much so that I decided to take part in the one for this month too. I have already read two books from it as well!!

Dream Lover by Kimberley Reeves 3*
BLURB: Can love transcend time to rewrite the past?
The night before their wedding, Nicolo Covelli's fiancé disappeared without a trace. He grieved for her until the day he died.
115 years later, Rachel Delacourte is suddenly plagued with nightmares where she is entombed alive. But it's not just the nightmares that compel her to seek help from the Covelli sleep clinic, it's the errotic dreams that follow and the disturbing feeling that the man in her dreams is real.
He’d never met Rachel, but he knew her intimately all the same. His fingers had sifted through her silky dark hair, traced the line of her delicate jaw, caressed her soft skin. Night after night she came to him while he slept and made love to him in his dreams. For a year now, she has haunted him, consumed his mind both day and night, and it made Nic wonder…was he the one haunting Rachel Delacourte’s dreams as well?

My Review: Not sure why this one didn't quite gel with me but it might be because the main characters got together far to fast for the kind of story it was. I loved the dream stuff and the reincarnation but it wasn't enough to make the story that interesting to me. Mind you as I've been on a glut of m/m romances it might just have been the f/m aspects took some getting back into!

Flowers and Chocolate by A.C. Katt 3*
BLURB: Justin Carter hates Valentine's Day. That was the day that his ex-boyfried and his brother broke his heart. He wanders in a bar in search of something to eat and finds Rafe Santiago who believe Justin is worth more than he knows.
Justin Carter had the worst day one year ago on Valentine's Day and wants nothing to do with the holiday even though it's the busiest for the flower shop he manages and hopes to own some day. Exhausted, he stops in to the bar two doors down where he finds Rafe Santiago, a man who wants to become more than a willing ear. Justin's ex show up with accusations and Justin turns to Rafe for comfort and support. Can Rafe cure the bad association that Justin has with Valentine's Day and make Justin his own?(

My Review: This one was a VERY short but sweet story that I finished in next to no time. I liked the characters and the romance was well paced. The background to Justin's hatred of Valentine's Day was well written and quite interesting. It made the slow wooing by Rafe very understandable and helped to make the story a 3* instead of 2*.