Reviewing Blind Space and finishing Love's Landscapes.

Blind Space by Marie Sexton 4*
BLURB: Captain Tristan Kelley enjoys the luxuries of Regency service, as well as the pleasure of his Prince's bed. It's an easy life, if not a happy one. When the Prince decides to take a trip through the perilous Blind Space, Tristan must go with him, but somebody in the Prince's guard is a traitor. Blind and held prisoner, Tristan finds himself at the mercy of Valero, a pirate who bears no love for the Regency. Valero is determined to seduce Tristan, and Tristan fears his resolve won't last. His duty is clear, but so is his desire. As the days tick by with no word or ransom from the Regency, Tristan begins to question what loyalty means to his Prince, the Regency he's sworn to, and to the man who holds him captive. He begins to realize that being a prisoner may actually set him free

My Review: If there had been more of a Science Fiction feel to this it would have got 5* but as it is it only got 4* and most of that was for the well written characters. The main storyline of Tristan's conversion from duty bound, easy going soldier to disillusioned prisoner and senses deprived at that was very well done. With plenty of emphasis on how the lack of sight changed everything for him from how he reacted to situations to how he felt about people. I just wish it wasn't the kind of story that could have taken place anywhere and any when. In fact he spaceships and the flashguns were about the only thing remotely science fiction about the story.

And at last I have read all the Love's Landscapes stories.

The Rake, the Rogue and the Roué by Eric Alan Westfall 5*

Don't forget that yesterday's post has a prize attached.

Reviewing The Spirit Room by Michael Cairns

The Spirit Room (The Planets #1) by Michael Cairns 4*
BLURB: ‘The Avengers meets Magician' The Planets is superhero conflict on a global scale.
An ancient cadre of magicians
A select team of extra-ordinary warriors
An unseen foe
As two ancient forces battle for control, reality as we know it is being torn apart. Caught somewhere in the middle, and tasked with ridding the world of the insidious alien intelligence are The Planets. Neptune hails from Rio, the gay daughter of strict catholic parents. Mars, from Ireland, still missing the sister he lost years ago. Uri grew up on the streets of New York, and Venus… well, no one knows and she isn’t telling. Imbued with extra-ordinary powers, these highly trained individuals take the fight across the globe. With startling and unnerving revelations at every turn, the depth of deception is only now becoming clear…

My Review: I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. Thank you Michael. I feel exhausted! That was a very frenetic story and even though I put it down quite often (I needed that break time) I still felt that everything was on fast forward. Don't get me wrong it was a very good story and had the added value of not making the superheroes into clones of the Marvel or DC Comic ones. It's just that I had too many unanswered questions by the end of the book. On the plus side the characters are well rounded with plenty of back story eventually given on them and it had plenty of intrigue and action to suit most people. On the negative side there were a few times I felt quite lost and there were a few editing errors (probably more than I spotted). Not sure if I'll try reading book two, it will depend o nif it looks like it will be as frantic as this one and if I feel like diving back into that wild rush.

Love's Landscapes stories I've also read:

In Your Veins by S.J. Eller 3*

Until the Bitter End by L.L. Bucknor 1*

William's Whimsy by Susan Beck 4*

Starlight And Constellation: Gemini by Alexis Woods 1*

Review of With A Kiss by Kim Dare

Another book that's been on my to-read list for a longish while:

With a Kiss by Kim Dare 4*
BLURB: When Liam Bates volunteered to visit lonely patients at his local hospital, he expected them to be able to talk back when he chatted to them. But, when he’s assigned to visit a comatose man, he soon finds himself spilling out his whole life story in an effort to fill the silence. It’s not long before the peace and comfort he finds in the man’s hospital room becomes Liam’s refuge from an increasingly hostile world.
Vampire Marcus Corrigan has been trapped inside his paralysed body for over three years, unable to communicate with anyone. The chatty young man who visits Marcus quickly captivates him, and Liam’s softly spoken words soon have him determined to rescue the boy from his current life, but, unable to move a muscle, all Marcus can actually do is lay there and listen.
There’s only one thing that can wake up Marcus. There’s only one thing that can save Liam’s sanity. Everything is about to change for them both, and it will change with a kiss.
My Review: So this story has an abused man and a vampire in a coma who awakens on being kissed by the man. Fairytale? Probably! But it sure was a hot one, with Marcus teaching Liam the difference between submission to a caring Dom and abuse from a bullying ex boyfriend and some really great sex scenes that were well written and not put in just to titillate the reader. Each and every one made sense within the storyline and showed the emotional connection between the two guys. I enjoyed this story as much as I expected to given who wrote it. Kim has a way with words that makes reading her stories a treat.

Only the one Love's Landscape read this time:
Zippadacious by A.R. Noble 4*

and one listened to:
Audiobook: Scent of Danger: Dale Kinsall Mystery, Book 2) by Doranna Durgin Narrated by: Tom Schiff Narration: 5* Story: 5*

The Servant by Mary Calmes & others reading stuff

The Servant by Mary Calmes 5*
BLURB: After saving his younger brother’s child, Daemon Shar is cursed by a witch and runs far from home, a stray who will seemingly never be anything more. But destiny is hard to outrun, even for a man who is now more cat than man beneath his robes and cowl. A chance battlefield meeting between he and Ehron, a foreign lord, gives him purpose amidst the darkness of his accursed life. Soon Daemon finds that his true nature cannot be corrupted no matter the form he inhabits.
As Ehron’s consul, Daemon plots and plans to shape his new lord's future so that he may leave it blessed when he runs away yet again. But he never counted on his soul hungering for Ehron’s brother Gareth or for his past to catch him by the tail at last.
My Review: I love Mary Calmes books, as she has a wonderful way of bringing all her characters to life (even the minor, in for a few minutes ones)and this book was no different. At times I was reminded of Puss-in-boots because of the cat aspects of the hero and the way he creates situations to help his friend Ehron. But mostly I was just so fixated on reading what came next that I didn't do anything I had planned for the day and I only meant to read the first chapter!

Plus one short story, one audiobook and one Love's Landscape one to rate as well

Goldilocks and His Three Bears by A M Riley 3* (Some of it was a little far fetched but it was great as a bedtime erotica).

Science and Fiction by Ray Van Fox 5* (Go read this at LL on the M/M Romance group if you like unusual science fiction concepts).

Audiobook: Shades Of Dark by Linnea Sinclair Narrated by: Dina Pearlman Narration: 5* Story: 5*

Since the last update

I've read a lot of shorts and listened to another old favourite by Linnea Sinclair. I have lso finished a few more Christmas gifts and almost finished a Tunisian crochet baby blanket. I have also decided to do a CAL (crochet a long) with the end product beign a mystery blanket for a single person. Should be fun and it will be done in time for Christmas too. Starts on October 3rd so plenty of time yet to fit in a few baby hats and jackets maybe :D

Ratings for the stuff I've read recently are below.

Love's Landscapes stories read:
Bromance to Romance by Elizabeth Daniels 3*
Accidental Karma by Katies Crewman 4*
Randy's Ghost by William Tate 5*
Only To You by Gabrielle Bhlack 3*
Before You Go by Vicktor Alexander 3*
Mad Passion by Naaju Rorrete 4*

Other short books read:
Sold to the Man in the Purple Fur by Anya Byrne 4*
I Want to Bite on Your Ears by Marcy Jacks 4*
Foxy-Eared Devil (I Want to Bite on Your Ears #2) by Marcy Jacks 4*
Hedgehog's Delight (Wolf Creek, #3) by Jade Buchanan 4*
Gay Erotica: A Sea of Possibilities: by Tesgura 2*

A few quick reads.

Knocked Up by His Werewolf Dom (Lone Wolf Pack #2) by Anya Byrne 4*
BLURB: Jessie Orwell has a secret. He likes a little pain with his pleasure, and he craves the freedom he can only find in another man’s domination. But that secret has cost him, and now, he no longer dares to indulge in his true needs.
One night of loneliness and desire makes his path cross with that of Andreas Brandt. For the first time in years, Jessie trusts a Dom, allowing himself to surrender to Andreas's strength. His faith seems misplaced, as he soon learns Andreas has a secret of his own. He is a werewolf, and his role is to track down Jessie's best friend, Gavin.
Andreas is an enforcer, carrying the important duty of ensuring the safety of the werewolf world is protected from humans. Tasked with finding Saul Simmons and his mysterious human mate, he plans to approach Jessie for the investigation—only to run into him at a D/s club. One look at the beautiful human, and he knows his life will never be the same again. He knows he can never let anyone else touch Jessie. Jessie is his, his lover, his sub, his mate. His everything.
But there are a few more secrets hiding in Jessie's past and eventually in his belly. And Andreas will face a battle he never expected, to protect his new mate, his new family, and the new precious bond growing between him and Jessie.
My Review: Like the first in this series this was an easy, sometimes predictable, read. It was supposed to be BDSM but there wasn't that much dom/sub stuff going on. Mostly it came across to me as a little spiced up vanilla. Maybe that's just a personal thing because the odd bit of tying up, spanking and delayed gratification is not that hardcore for me. The werewolf stuff on the other hand did have a bit more umph to it with enforcers and assassins entering the picture. I look forward to reading book three in the series with the hope that it will be about Finn and the enemy pack. *oops . . . sorry about the spoilers*

I also reread a couple of books and read one Love's Landscape one:

The Blood Legion: Oracle by Ashlyn Daube 4*

Review and ratings for a Sunday

Pregnant with His Werewolf's Baby (Lone Wolf Pack, #1) by Anya Byrn 4*
BLURB: Gavin Price’s had enough. He’s lost countless relationships because he can’t seem to take that last step into intimacy. Never again. He’s going to get rid of his pesky virginity.
It’s a simple enough plan. Go into a club, pick up a handsome guy. Shouldn’t be hard. Other people do it all the time.
Of course, other people don’t run into Saul Simmons, a man with eyes that seem to change color, and whose sheer presence makes Gavin’s breath catch. One night together, and Gavin thinks this might be it. He might have finally found someone worth not only of his body, but also of his heart.
And then, Saul mysteriously disappears, leaving Gavin heart-broken and… quickly gaining weight? What in the world is happening to him? And why is his stomach suddenly being kicked from the inside? Surely it must be indigestion from his new excessive diet of meats.
Unbeknownst to Gavin, Saul is actually a werewolf. From the very first moment they meet, Saul realizes they are mates. But Saul is also a naturally born Alpha, and his pack has very specific plans for him, none of them including a bonding with a human. He also has no idea he’s going to be a daddy.
Can two men from two different worlds accept everything they thought they knew was wrong? Can they handle both a forbidden relationship and impending parenthood ? They’re definitely going to try.
My Review: If you wanted a little brain candy with hunky guys and a male pregnancy then this is the one for you. Simple, easy and fun sums this book up nicely. It has some great emotional bits in it but it isn't going to be one of those tearjerkers or heart breakers so don't expect anything truly in depth from it. I liked it for what it gave me - a bit of light reading that cheered me up and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling when I finished.

Love's Landscapes Stories:

Not Just a Kiss by Jennah Scott 3*

Raising Cade by Jonathan Penn 3*

Fly Like an Eagle by Cherie Noel 3*

Taking a Risk on Love by K. Mason 3*

Missing Piece by Riina Y.T. 4*

Assassin's Love by Sammy Goode 4*

Meridian by Gabbo De La Parra 5*

A guest and a promo coming soon.

Si I have a wonderful lady guest posting soon. Her name is Sue Brown and she can be found here. I am also going to be doing a blog tour post for Jamie Lynn Miller's latest release An Endless Sea of Stars.. I am also doing a Q&A interview with Jamie. Dates to be confirmed but I look forward to hosting both parties.

Meanwhile I have been taking it easy after the weekend trip (all the walking in London actually caught up with me by Wednesday!). I managed to finish three Christmas gifts and read a few books (ratings below). I also listened to an audio of an old favourite, I was surprised at how different the story felt listening to it instead of reading it myself, if I could afford it I would do that with a lot of favourites :D

Love's Landscapes Stories:

His, No Matter What by S.J. Lenox 1*

In the Flesh by Jae T. Jaggart 3*

Overkill by Elizabeth Daniels 4*

Billie Jean by Claire Davis 4*

Other short stories were:

Mickey's Duke (The Wilgrin Chronicles, #1) by Vicktor Alexander 3*

Ethan's Earl (Wilgrin Chronicles, #2) by Vicktor Alexander 3*

Audiobook: Gabriel's Ghost: The Dock Five Universe Series, Book 1 by Linnea Sinclair Narrated by: Dina Pearlman Narration: 5 Story: 5

Since the weekend

I have had aching legs and been feeling exhausted so I've been taking it relatively easy and doing baby blankets and Christmas gifts whilst reading and listening.

Since the last post I have read a few Love's Landscapes stories and these two from a new series for me:

Revealing the Beast (Solitary Shifters #2) by Summer Devon 4*
BLURB: Colt Easton is easygoing, fun loving, good with little kids and he occasionally turns into a beast capable of ripping out a man's throat. It's a family secret he d be more than happy to keep if there wasn't a little boy's life at stake.
A deathbed confession revealed the child could carry Easton blood. The only way Colt can monitor the boy is with a job at his day-care center. The problem? New laws decree that all shifters be tagged. No blood test, no job.
Dr. Jasper Glen is instantly drawn to the outgoing Colt and is certain any child would be safe in the handsome shifter's care. He ought to know he's been studying shifters for years, even invented the blood test that now, to his shame, the government is using against them.
All it takes is a quick vial switch. Except Jasper's good deed blows the lid off a secret he didn't even know he was keeping. And triggers a chain of events that makes them all moving targets.
My Review: I read this one first, even though it is the second one in the Solitary Shifters series, but it made no difference as it was a definite stand alone style story. I loved the story idea and the author did a good job adding plenty of tension as the different government departments all try to get their tuppence worth in. I liked the Characters of Colt and Jasper even though at first I was annoyed at Jasper's attitude towards the shifters. Once he got his mind on the right track though it became a great story with plenty of angst and romance.

Taming the Bander (Solitary Shifters #1) by Summer Devon 4*
BLURB: He thought he had nothing left to lose…until he lost his heart.
Jake will be forever grateful to the man who rescued him and brought him to an animal preserve to live. It’s the perfect home for a bander, a type of shifter known to be notoriously taciturn. Now Jake runs the place, and he’s content with the hard truth that he’ll always be alone.
Summer visitors are a necessary evil. And Vaughn Prentiss is exactly the sort of tourist that gets on Jake’s last nerve. A happy-go-lucky, carefree, trust-fund baby.
Vaughn can’t fathom why Jake seems to enjoy insulting him for no reason. Yet he’s attracted to the man’s gruff kindness with the preserve’s youthful workers. And it hasn’t escaped his notice that Jake is something special. Something not quite human.
When Vaughn discovers his financial manager has absconded with the family fortune, Jake acts on impulse to offer him a job, and wonders if he’ll live to regret it. It’s hard enough to keep his shifter nature private, much less keep his paws off his newest employee…a man Jake is coming to admire. If only he could be sure, when danger reveals the truth of what he is, if Vaughn will stay by his side—or run.
My Review: This is the first in the series and actually mentions a character from the second book (the one I read first)but he was more of a bit character in this book. Jake is a grumpy man who is trying to keep his 'other' self hidden from the world but Vaughn isn't fooled for long. The loss of Vaughn's money and need to work put the two men in daily contact and the rest is a forgone conclusion to any reader who enjoys a decent romance with plenty of external problems. Overall this was a slightly predictable story but the author makes the characters so interesting that I didn't mind at all.

Love's Landscapes:
Of Gods and Monsters: Menoetius by Wulf Francu Godgluck 3*
Adam's Flight by Penny Wilder 5*

In case you are interested the ratings for the weekend books were as follows:
Morgan and the Star Guard (Star Cadets #1) by Jade Astor 2*
Liam’s Unexpected Alpha (Lupinville #1) by Alice Cain 4*
Aiden's Accidental Beta (Lupinville #2) by Alice Cain 4*
Cody's Eternal Sheriff (Lupinville #3) by Alice Cain 4*

Going to be absent from online

for the next three days at least. Off to London for a book signing and some sight seeing. Then it's off to Chelmsford for a visit with my middles son.

Meanwhile September is turning into the month of rereads as I reread all of Amber Kell's Dragonmen books as well as the following Love's Landscape stories:

Charon's Dilemma by Eloreen Moon 4*

This Too by Isla James 4*

Wrecking Ball by Elin Austen 3*

Cenotaph by Gabbo De La Parra 3*

A Heart of Klondike Gold by E. Davies 4*

The Other Side by MA Jackson 4*

A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules by C.C. Jaz

Oh, I also finished my hand-stitched voile skirt whilst listening to

Audiobook: Orphanage: Jason Wander, Book 1 by Robert Buettner Narrated by: Adam Epstein Narration: 5 Story: 4*

Record breaking

The Craft Club had their yarn bombing on Bank Holiday Monday and smashed the record with 13,388 pieces of crochet on display. Makes me feel proud to have been a small part of it (click on the link to see all the wonderful photos).

So on the reading front I have caught up with all the downloadable stories from Love's Landscape from before the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's 5th anniversary celebrations. Now to see if I can keep up with the remaining ones :D

Game On by Olley White 4*

Woven by Lor Rose 3*

Into the Wastelands by Gwynn Marssen 5*

Blood In The Water (An Act of Piracy, #1) by Tami Veldura 5*

Fleece, Fleas, and Flirtation by Ava Penn 4*

Omissions by Taylor Law 4*

One Step at a Time by S.N. Kat 4*

Apart from reading the above I also read two more Planet Alpha stories and listened to an audio book or two whilst starting on my gift crocheting.

Bondmate (Planet Alpha #1)by J.J. Lore 4*
BLURB: Decorated Alphan warriors Mateen and Bynton are on a clandestine mission to one of Earth’s refugee camps, in search of the one woman who might complete their bond. Tempering their instincts to capture and hold, both men realize they must court their chosen woman to win her trust.
Avanelle Rein is merely trying to survive in the chaos of a dying society. The last thing she expects is rescue at the hands of golden-skinned alien men. Despite her attraction to them, she fears their warrior ferocity.
Facing danger from Xyran raiders draws the three together as they explore their new relationship and one another. An unexpected challenge during an ancient claiming right forces Avanelle, Bynton, and Mateen to decide if their bond is strong enough to survive.
My Review: For me this was yet another great erotic, adventure story from the Planet Alpha series even though it is the first in the series. It's really fun to see how each author has their own twist on the ménage relationships predominant in these stories.

Proposition (Planet Alpha #3) by Beth D. Carter 4*
BLURB: Geoffrey DeWinter and his wife Keirah live on a dying Earth. The only refuge is an alien world that needs human women as mates, only Keirah refuses to leave her husband to save herself. Geoff decides to bring them to an auction house that takes married couples, accepting that he will have to share her with another.
Their shuttle is attacked by Xyran raiders looking for women and it's Keirah who defends them. When Captain Krig sees Keirah looking like an angel come to life, he wants her. The Alphan warrior wants her enough to accept her husband, thinking he will deal with Geoff in some way or another. But when a vengeful Xyran comes after Keirah they have to take refuge on a wilderness moon, forcing them to work together to survive. Is their love for Keirah enough to turn them into a family?
My Review: This was a lot different to the others in as much as the heroine was already happily married before meeting her Alphan mate. I liked the way Beth managed to show how the two guys interacted with each other without making the whole story clichéd and sloppy. I hope that the Planet Alpha stories continue to be this good.


Audiobook: Sunrise Alley by Catherine Asaro Narrated by: Hilary Huber Narration: 5 Story: 5

Audiobook: Magic's Promise The Last Herald Mage, Book 2 by Mercedes Lackey Narrated by: Gregory Nassiff St. John Narration : 5 Story: 5

Bank Holiday reading

I've read a few books but haven't felt like giving them full reviews., mainly 'cos I've been enjoying doing other things over the bank holiday weekend. Like going to the cinema for the first time in 27 years!!

So anyway the books I read are:

Faerly Enchanted by Amber Kell 4*

Jude's Magic by Hollis Shiloh 4*

and a bunch of Love's Landscape stories:

It's You, Then Breathing by Vicktor Alexander 3*

Going Home by Kris Ripper 4*

Time Trials by Jay D. Clark 4*

Bird Meets Cage by Anyta Sunday 3*

The Fourth Act by L.E. Franks 2*

What I've done since last update

I've red a few more Love's Landscape stories nd listened to a couple of audio books whilst making baby jackets, bonnets and blankets. Will be taking a break from the baby stuff and working on daughter's birthday gift and family Christmas gifts for a while now (pastels can get so boring after a week or two :D).

Love's Landscapes:

Jaden's Honor by sassy lane 5*

On Edge by T.C. Blue 5*

Dancing for Diamond by K-lee Klein 4*

Dare by Matthias Williamson 3*

Budding Love by Adara O’Hare 3*

Never Cry Wolf by Phoebe Sean 4*

Indian Summer by D.C. Williams 2*

Audios:

Audiobook: Scales and a Tail: Midnight Matings, Book 2 by Stormy Glenn Narrated by: Johnny East Narration: 5 Story: 5

Audiobook: Brute by Kim Fielding Narrated by: K C Kelly Narration: 5 Story: 5

So far behind on reading

I am so far behind on reading the Love's Landscape stories - read the following but still have about 20 or so to read (even though there is a hiatus on the postings until the 24th).

All or Nothing by C.J. Anthony 4*

Tutti Fruitti Rudi by S.M. Franklin 5*

Dogwatch by Kiernan Kelly 3*

Elevation by Jenna Jones 3*

Exposed by Bette Browne 3*

The Arroyo by M. Caspian 2*

Blaze of Glory by Jeff Erno 4*

Love the Little Guys by M.E. Sanford 4*

Tidewater by Les Joseph 3*

Oh and I have also listened to another audio book whilst crocheting more baby blankets.

Audiobook:Trade Secrets: Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 4 by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins Narration 5 Story 5

All change

All change in the handicraft department. No longer making anything for the Little Hospice Yarn Bombing (which will be next weekend for the bank holiday) but am making stuff for PreemiesUK instead. So far I have made three varying sizes of baby blankets and three special bonnets for preemies in incubators. In between I have read the following from Loves Landscapes stories and spent a lot of time listening to audiobooks.

Dreaming of Fire by J.J. Cassidy 4*

Love's First Kiss by Jambrea Jo Jones 2*

A Second Chance for Three by Christa Tomlinson 3*

Taken From Him by Jackie Nacht 4*

Touching Narcissus by Jamie Fessenden 2*

Audiobook: A Boy and His Dragon by R. Cooper Narrated by: Guy Veryzer Narration: 4 Story: 4

Audiobook: The Pack or the Panther: Tales of the Harker Pack, Book 1 by Tara Lain Narrated by: Max Lehnen Narration: 5 Story: 5

Audiobook: A Wolf In Guchi Loafers : Tales of the Harker Pack, Book 2 by Tara Lain Narrated by: Max Lehnen Narration: 5 Story: 5

Audiobook: Balance of Trade: Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 3 by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins Narration 5 Story 5

Reviewing Born of Fury by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Born of Fury (The League #7) by Sherrilyn Kenyon 5*
BLURB: The war is on...
Counted among the fiercest Andarion warriors ever born, Hauk is one of the five founding members of the Sentella- an organization that has declared war on the League that rules the Ichidian universe with an iron fist and terrifies it with an army of well-trained assassins. Hauk's enemies are legion, but he fears nothing and no one. He will do whatever it takes to survive and protect his Sentella brethren.
Sumi Antaxas is one of the best assassins the League has ever trained. In her world, failure is not an option and she has never met a target she couldn't execute. So when she's assigned Hauk, she believes it'll be a quick and easy mission.
But nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and Hauk is far better trained and skilled than his dossier shows. More than that, as she pursues him, she stumbles upon the key that will bring down not only Hauk, but the entire Sentella organization.
In the race to report her information, she is overtaken by enemies out to end her as effectively as she intends to end Hauk. Now her only key to survival is the one man she's been sent to kill. And Hauk doesn't trust her at all.
The only question is, will he help her to live... or send her to her grave

My Review: If you have ever read any of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books then you already know that you are in for a feast of angst containing a tortured hero, a torn between duty and heart heroine and a lot of loyal friends helping the two find a happy ending. This story follows that formula but with it's own individual traits that make it so much the same and yet so different from the previous League stories. I can only say it was as good as the others and I can't wait for book 8 to be done, especially as it will be about one of my favourite characters after Hauk.

I've also read the following Love's Landscape stories:

Displaced by Sofia Grey 4*

Window by Ali MacLagan 2*

The Raven's Luck by Laylah Hunter 4*

Guarding Dizzy by Casey K. Cox 4*

Love's Landscapes and Audio Books

So, the vast number of Love's Landscape books I've read recently are rated below, followed by the three audio book I listened to whilst crocheting the Little Haven Hospice items and some preemie bonnets and blankets for Preemies UK :D

High Five Dive by Adrian Fridge 3*

Gravitational Force by C.M. Walker 4*

We the Calari of Calar III by Wart Hill 2*

Stranded by Lies by Finn Marlowe 4*

The Archers of Kynthos by K.M. Harty 2*

Marketing Beef by Rick Bettencourt 3*

Consorting With Dragons by Sera Trevor 5*

The Hate Game by Hennessee Andrews 4*

Five Dates by Amy Jo Cousins 3*

A Dark Love Story by Jonathan Treadway 3*

My African Prince by Vona Logan 4*

To the End by Kathleen Hayes 3*

Count Your Blessings by Amelia Mann 5*


Audiobook: A Matter of Time Volume 1, Books 1&2 by Mary Calmes Narrated by: Paul Morey Narration: 5 Story: 5

Audiobook: A Matter of Time Volume 2, Books 3&4 by Mary Calmes Narrated by: Paul Morey Narration: 5 Story: 5

Audiobook: Bulletproof, A Matter of Time Book 5 by Mary Calmes Narrated by: Paul Morey Narration: 5 Story: 5

Love's Landscape and my prompt story

I've been reading a lot of Love's Landscape stories and today my prompt one was published at the group page and all I can say is Andrew Q Gordon is a magician.

The previous stories I read:

To You I am Bound by Cam Kennedy 3*

Geeking Out on 11C by L.L. Bucknor 4*

Waiting, Hoping, Wishing by Nic Starr 4*

No Enemy But Time by Angel Martinez 4*

Half Past Forever by A. Morell 3*

Jagged Rock by Willow Scarlett 5*

Meant to Be by Rawiya 4*

The Shopping Mall Massacre by Erica Pike 4* (This one is not getting done as an ebook due to a planned extension into a YA book)

Agile Moves by JC Shelby 4*

Ashes Of Life by Andrew Q Gordon 5*

STORY LETTER:
Dear Author,

I never knew the day I rescued the injured phoenix that it would create such a large change in my normal run of the mill guardsman’s life. After all how was I supposed to know he was a mage shifter and I was to become his warrior to own.

Sincerely,

Ilona


My Review: As the prompter I am naturally biased towards enjoying the story my prompt inspired. However that bias does not detract from the fact that this was one wonderfully fulfilling story with great characters, nice world building and a plot that was both interesting and intriguing. I just hope that Andrew takes this world and writes more stories set in it as I would love to read more about the dragon mages and Brill.

p.s. I love the line 'That meant I owed my position to my skills as an actor because I was one loud noise away from soiling my britches.' it sums up the subtle humour threaded throughout the story that made me love it even more.

Sunday Statements

I, Omega by Kari Gregg 4*
BLURB: After one mind-shattering night with a stranger at a local leather bar leaves him forever changed, Gabriel lives on the streets as a vagrant to elude the master who hunts him, but the were-shifter is a fierce, stubborn predator who reclaims him soon enough. Gabriel is carried away to the pack’s home territory where his instruction on what it means to be the pet of an alpha begins. Gabriel isn’t just any pet, though. He is the rarest among their kind: a human omega.
Treasured? Or cursed?
As Gabriel’s father, the Distinguished Gentleman from Pennsylvania and stalwart of the conservative party, pushes the considerable resources at his disposal to locate his missing son, Gabriel explores who and what he is under his master’s careful protection. Gabriel falls for the shifter who is lover and destroyer, owner and...friend?

My Review: This book is not for everyone - the beginning is quite brutal in a way and I almost gave up on it. However the character of Gabriel got me hooked and I couldn't wait to find out what was going on and how he was going to deal with the strangeness all around him. I also started feeling in sympathy with Gabriel's Master (who's name we do eventually learn) and his character added a whole new dimension to the story for me. Without giving anything away about the story I can only say it gets better than it's rather hardcore start and is worth reading if you like m/m and shifters.

Damaged (Planet Alpha #6) by Erin M. Leaf 4*
BLURB: Cori knows her Xyran captivity has damaged her ability to trust, but when she meets Reiyn, desire flares despite her fear. He’s clearly hiding something, but when a distress call sends them into space together, passion takes over.
Cori enflames Reiyn like no other female ever has. She threatens his control over his hidden Xyran heritage, but he can’t fight his instincts. When his true nature is exposed during the daring rescue of a dying Xyran captain, will Cori forgive him, or will he continue his life’s work alone?
Captain Kyuk welcomes death when his ship is destroyed. He doesn’t expect to survive, but when Cori and Reiyn find him, instinct pushes him to live. He’s spent years smuggling slaves to freedom—can he now give up his own liberty to bond with Cori and Reiyn? Or is he too damaged to build that kind of emotional connection?

My Review: Luckily for me these can all be read as standalones as I am not reading them in order. This one was as good as the previous ones I've read with a short but intense story about a woman meeting her alien mates.

***
I took a small break from the Love's Landscape stories and only read these two:

Kiss of Truth by Ash Jay 3*

Triskellion by Jana Denardo 5*

And because I have done a lot of crocheting (See Here for more info on that) I also listened to these audiobooks:

Audiobook: The Pack or the Panther (Tales of the Harker Pack, #1) by Tara Lain Narrated by: Max Lehnen Narration: 4 Story: 5

Audiobook: A Wolf In Gucci Loafers (Tales of the Harker Pack, #2) by Tara Lain Narrated by: Max Lehnen Narration: 4 Story: 5

Feeling like T-1000 at the end of Terminator 2!!

I am melting... it has been so hot lately (currently 28 degrees Celsius) that I haven't felt like doing much of anything. I have made a bit of bunting (two lengths of 5m each), a dancing fairy and two doughnuts (one with lemon icing and sprinkles and one with chocolate icing) for the yarnbombing next month. I have also read a lot of Love's Landscape stories:

Cataclysmic Evolution by Alicia Nordwell 5*

Clicking by Alex Gale 4*

Mating Balance by Gina A. Rogers 4*

A Thoreau Affair by Hunter Frost 3*

Foxes Over Flowers by J. Colby 3*

Spring, Bax & Butterflies by Riina Y.T. 2*

The Book & the Rose by Douglas Glen 4*

Under Pretenses by Jessa Ryan 4*

The Court of Lightning by Amy Rae Durreson 4*

Trying Not to Love You by N.J. Nielsen 4*

A Sonnet for His Vaquero by N.D. Wylders 3*

Sugar and Sawdust by Debbie McGowan 3*

Achievement: Tentacle Lust by NK Layne 3*



Plus I listened to:

Audiobook: Inside Out by Andrew Grey Narrated by John Solo Narration 5* Story 5*

Audiobook: Gust Front: Legacy Of The Aldanata, Book 2 by John Ringo Narrated by Marc Vietor Narration 5* Story 5*