Steampunk StoryBundle is Amazeballs…

Hi there! Today I’m talking about a great deal I ran across through my friend and fellow writer, Susan Kaye Quinn. I have featured a few of her books in the past, not hard to–she’s a talented and prolific indie author–but today’s deal is unique to me. A story bundle.

The way a StoryBundle works is described below, so please read on. In the meantime, I’m going to share mini-reviews from two of the books in the bundle.

The first is Quinn’s own THIRD DAUGHTER. I have adored both this and the sequel SECOND DAUGHTER (not part of the bundle).

They are steampunk books set in the fictional East Indian-inspired matriarchal world of Dharia and feature a daredevil of a princess bent on saving herself from a loveless marriage and her country from a war.

The second book in the Bundle I finished was THE MACHINE GOD by MeiLin Miranda. This story focuses on the adventure of Dr. Adewole, a linguist and Humanities expert investigating the floating island of Risenton. Myths surround this site, and when a power source becomes available, Adewole and a team of explorers and military-folk ascend a mile into the sky to meet an untouched culture. Their arrival is legendary, but the mystery surrounding Risenton’s history takes up the tale.

Adewole’s mission to study the history of the city uncovers the primary documents of a sinister inventor who combined magic with metal and brought about his own destruction–along with those of thousands of Risenton-folk. Now, a thousand years later, Adewole’s research uncovers the power behind that destruction, and he’s an inadvertent accomplice to (perhaps) the second coming.

It’s like STARGATE and THE IRON GIANT had a love child and called it THE MACHINE GOD. I loved it. Like both of those movies, malevolent forces are working behind the scenes to weaponize an ordinarily peaceful invention.

Beyond creative, I also loved that the main character of THE MACHINE GOD, Adewole, was a man of color and a scholar. The steampunk elements remain throughout, but the fantasy elements, from living metal to sentient, speaking birds, make this story unique. This book is truly well-written allowing the fantasy to simply blend instead of outshine. The fun thing is there’s another book in the Bundle–BLACK MERCURY–which adopts a similar setting, so I’m anxious to dive into it.

Now, each of these books purchased through Amazon would cost $3.99. You can set your own price on the StoryBundle site for the purchase of the first four books in the Bundle, but if you pay more than $10, they kick in three bonus books (a $12 value).

I’m new to StoryBundle, but I’m going to watching this take off. What is also cool as that each book comes separate, unlike a boxed set where you have to page through six books to get to the last one in the set…something prolific eReaders (like myself) can appreciate.

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

GET IT HERE

Story Bundle is like Price Line for Books where you choose your own price! It’s a great way for readers to discover new authors in a genre they already love. This steampunk story bundle was curated by Susan Kaye Quinn (author of Third Daughter, a steampunk fantasy romance), and she explains what steampunk is all about below. Hop over to see how you set-your-own-price on these story bundles and scoop it up for yourself (bundle lasts a limited time only)!

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk
Curated by Susan Kaye Quinn

The most common question I get about steampunk books is, What is steampunk?

The easy answer is that steampunk stories are set in the 19^th century Victorian era when steam-driven technology was primary, corsets were tight, and tea was a formal affair. But that’s like saying science fiction is about spaceships when the genre is much broader, deeper, and more amazing than that. (And yes, steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction.)

With a thriving real-life steampunk culture that is very do-it-yourself in inventing characters, costumes, and gadgets, the real answer is that steampunk can be virtually anything you want it to be. It’s this tremendous devotion to creativity that actually drew me in to writing steampunk in the first place (along with the gorgeous costumes!). In this steampunk bundle, we have an east-Indian fantasy romance, an Asian-flavored pirate love story, a Shakespearean retelling, two stories set in a common world with a floating island, a young adult adventure about a lightning invention, and a story that uses Arcane Science in the modern world. These stories are perfect examples of the truly rich diversity of steampunk stories, while each also portrays a world where steam technology shifts the ground under their characters feet.

We think of the Victorian era as being somewhat repressed, but it really was a time of tremendous change: class divisions, and the aristocracy it supported, were being challenged by the everyday men and women who were bringing about amazing technological advances. Science was on the rise! And the beautiful costuming and formal traditions of the past were coming into conflict with those first hints of the modern world. Steampunk stories in general resonate with readers not just because of their fun, escapist fantasy; a flight into the past when things were simpler, adventures were fought with sword and gun, and social strictures brought some order to the world, but because the upheaval wrought by technological change still resonates with our real lives today.

What is steampunk?
It’s a story like any other story: a chance to escape the world for a few hours, to live in the wilderness of an author’s imagination, to adventure, to fall in love, to die for one’s friends. It’s classic storytelling in a visually rich, emotionally gripping era that still resonates with us today. Plus you get to rollick about in corsets and top hats, inventing gadgets and saving the world from the villains who turn that fantastic steam technology to their own dastardly purposes.

Strap on your goggles and prepare for the ride!
— Susan Kaye Quinn

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

CLICK HERE TO GET IT

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, Tweet us at @storybundle, Like us on Facebook, and Plus us on Google Plus. For press inquiries, please email press@storybundle.com.

She Learned HOW TO FALL (Just in Time!)–A Review

Hi all! Today’s book is a contemporary YA mystery, with a hint of romance. HOW TO FALL by Jane Casey is a page turning whodunit…if there was a “dun” done, that is.

How to Fall About the book:

Sixteen-year-old Jess Tennant has never met any of her relatives, until her mom suddenly drags her out of London to spend the summer in the tiny English town where her family’s from. Her mom’s decision is surprising, but even more surprising is the town’s reaction to Jess. Everywhere she goes, people look at her like they’ve seen a ghost. In a way, they have—she looks just like her cousin Freya, who died shortly before Jess came to town.

Jess immediately feels a strange connection to Freya, whom she never got to meet alive. But the more Jess learns about the secrets Freya was keeping while she was alive, the more suspicious Freya’s death starts to look. One thing is for sure: this will be anything but the safe, boring summer in the country Jess was expecting.

My Review:
You may recollect that l have, perhaps, on occasion shared my love of Nancy Drew? It was these novels, about a smart, tenacious teen girl taking on criminal masterminds that enthralled me to the point of being grounded…for reading. Yes, my father lamented that. Not that I gave him any choice; I was obsessed to the point of skipping my school work to devour one for the first (or tenth) time.

So, anywho, I’m a lifelong sucker for teen sleuths, which is why I loved this book. Also: Anglophile = ME!! Thus, a story of a London girl on holiday to visit her mother’s sister and home town for the first time in her 16 years is pure catnip for me.

Here’s the thing, the book didn’t start out like a mystery. It started off like a girl helping her overwrought mother get over her divorce. Jess isn’t bitter over her dad being a philanderer–she’ bitter that he’s moved on entirely, and she hopes that this extended visit to the small coastal town where her mother grew up will turn the tide of her mom’s depression. Also, Jess is anxious to meet her cousins. She has no siblings and longs for a bigger family.

What she didn’t anticipate was becoming her dead cousin Freya’s doppleganger. On the drive Jess learns her resemblance to Freya is so strong, her mother opted to stay away from her niece’s funeral, afraid having Jess there would be too shocking.

From the outset the reader knows something bad happened to Freya. (She fell off a cliff on page 5.) But, was she haunted, hunted or–maybe–pushed? The authorities, namely Jess’ mum’s high school sweetheart Dan Henderson, has ruled Freya’s death an accident. (One reason I love British books…the actual classification was “death by misadventure,” which sounds a whole lot more romantic…) Yes, Inspector Henderson is quite the enigma. He’s creepily over-friendly to Jess and her mum, despite being married, and he’s unduly harsh on his son, Will. Will is a town pariah for confessing some nasty business to his dad years ago; he’s also Freya’s closest friend. Does Will know what happened that night?

Through the weeks of visiting and working in the idyllic locale, Jess is befriended by Darcy, Freya’s best girlfriend, and hated by the town bully–Natasha. Nats has a good deal of obsessive affection for pretty-boy Ryan, and Ryan likes Jess just the same as he admired Freya. After a few altercations, Jess is concerned that her cousin was being harassed. Did Natasha bully her into suicide?

Few people will talk openly about Freya, thinking that each may have played a role. Will feels guilty for not being a better friend. Ryan’s miserable that Freya wasn’t into him, but that she paid the price of Natasha’s bullying. Darcy knows she let Freya down right as she needed her most. But, still the question remains–what sort of misadventure took place on that cliff? Natasha seems a likely target for blame, and yet Inspector Henderson’s admonitions to “drop it already, or else…” seem far too sinister for comfort.

While the love triangle wasn’t necessary, it was certainly handy to the plot. Jess is attracted to Will, whose tap runs lukewarm most of the time. Ryan’s attracted to Jess, much to Natasha’s psychotic dismay. In the midst we get some interesting interplays of characters. I liked Jess. She was sharp, and determined. She saw the suffering of her cousin’s family and her entire thought-process was to bring them closure. The big showdown revealed the killer–who happened to make my shortlist but wasn’t top three. I loved that I was fooled, a bit.

Pacing wise, the book cracks along. We don’t get too bogged in Jess’ head. We also don’t spend too much time in Love Central. Jess knows she doesn’t care much beyond friendship with Ryan, Natasha’s antics notwithstanding. But, Jess is sharp enough to recognize that making allies where she can will get her the info she needs to lay Freya’s ghost to rest. I really enjoyed and would recommend to any lovers of YA mystery. Just a touch of romance, but not enough to turn off the younger readers.

Interested? You can find HOW TO FALL on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I obtained a copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

About the Author:
Born and brought up in Dublin, Jane Casey has been twice shortlisted for the Irish Crime Novel of the Year Award. She is the author of The Missing and two previous Maeve Kerrigan novels The Burning and The Reckoning.

Married to a criminal barrister, Jane lives in south-west London. You can find Jane on her Goodreads page, her website and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends. 🙂

Not Comfortable IN HER SKIN–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a YA book from Trina Sotira, an author a met a few weeks ago at a book signing. IN HER SKIN introduces us to Tirzah/Troy a male-identifying transgender teen, who desperately wants to find love with his best friend, Heidi.

Now, please, I am no expert on transgender issues. If anything, I am sympathetic and wish to understand more. I admit naivete to transgender persons in my childhood, but watched BOYS DON’T CRY in my twenties. The poignancy of the pain of discrimination, the brutality, and the lack of connection chilled me.

Over the years, because I embrace human equality as a concept, I found myself without qualms whenever faced with transgender issues in the media and my own life. Earlier this year I watched the moving Youtube presentation of Ryland Whittington and began to realize that transitioning children seem to know very early on that they are in the WRONG body, and swift parents can be a real help to their kids–perhaps save their lives.

Last year one of the contestants for Miss Universe was a TG woman, and there is a rise in androgenous and TG fashion models, most recently Andreja Pejic came out as a TG woman. So, slowly, TG persons are finding a place in society–I hope that mainstream acceptance will become the new normal soon, before more lives are lost.

In Her Skin
About the book:
Tirzah would do anything to cover up her girl body: duct taping her chest, dressing like a guy at the skate park, even changing her name. But two things are holding her back from transitioning into an all-male body: her best friend Heidi and a full-ride soccer scholarship. And when Heidi’s family disapproves of Tirzah’s transition into Troy, Heidi disappears.

College instructor and former television journalist Trina Sotira challenges religious, gender, and social boundaries in this fast-paced adventure filled with love, friendship, and self-discovery.

My Review:
Tirzah/Troy is a male-identifying TG teen in his senior year of high school. (It is my understanding that TG persons wish to be addressed by gendered pronouns to which they identify, so I will use the male, throughout.) He is a star soccer goalie with dreams of college, these dreams shared by his involved father. His mother doesn’t understand Troy’s dress–he’s not into the frilly pink designer stuff she wishes to lavish on her “daughter” but Tirzah/Troy rarely visits his mother, who happens to be a TV news anchor in Chicago.

Tirzah/Troy has a deep love for his best friend, Heidi, who is a Bengali girl in a deeply traditional Muslim family in the suburbs of Chicago. Heidi has more than a passing affection for Tirzah/Troy, but prefers to date wild American boys–including the party boy JC–against her parent’s expressed wishes. In fact, Heidi uses Tirzah/Troy as a shield–her parents see that Tirzah/Troy is a girl, even if “she” dresses oddly, so Heidi is allowed to spend time with “her”…at first.

Soon, Heidi’s escapades with JC cause big problems, not just with her parents. Tirzah/Troy desperately wishes to be a romantic part of Heidi’s life. There are hints that this happens, but Tirzah/Troy also knows that it will only occur in private–as Heidi and all his friends still see him as a girl. JC even threatens to “out” Troy as a girl to some skateboarding friends they share, in order to ensure Tirzah/Troy’s cooperation in dating Heidi on the down-low.

Tirzah/Troy is not alone, however. His baffled father is supportive, to some degree. Girls on his soccer team are also cool with his transition–one is REALLY cool with it. Tirzah/Troy invests more of himself into transitioning, but his “maleness” begins to worry Heidi’s parents, and that–coupled with Heidi’s lies about JC–leads to some serious problems in their friendship.

Despite bullying, and complete separation from his mother, Tirzah/Troy aims to move forward in his transition, meeting other TG persons and allies along the way. He even tries to see if his college scholarship will apply if he plays for the men’s soccer team.

This is a deeply emotional story, with well-researched characters and moments of extreme anguish to which any teen (regardless of gender/sexuality issues) can relate. In the end, all people wish to find love and acceptance in their lives–and Tirzah/Troy is no different. His love for Heidi drives him to deny himself for a long time, and he is still an amazing friend to her. Heidi is, herself, very conflicted with her love for Tirzah/Troy and her culture-clash as a “traditional” Muslim girl in “modern” American society.

It’s a positive story that I think TG kids will really enjoy. It suffered a little from being, perhaps, too rushed at the end. I really wondered what happened to Heidi, and if Tirzah/Troy should have gone to see her that one last time, but it ends with a boatload of hope and acceptance for Tirzah/Troy’s transition, for which I think readers will be happy. There are some instances of drug use, self-mutilation, and sexual experimentation, but it’s done well, and should be no issue for older teen readers.

Interested? You can find IN HER SKIN on Goodreads and Amazon.

About the Author:
A former television news producer and long-time member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, Trina Sotira has spent over a decade writing for large audiences. Her academic work and Creative Writing studies have been featured at the Illinois Reading Council, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, SCBWI-Illinois, and ABC-7’s “Chicagoing.” She teaches Fiction Writing, Creative Writing, and Composition as a faculty instructor at College of DuPage under her dinosaur name: Trina Sotirakopulos.

You can find Trina on her website and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends! 🙂

Book Reviews: When is TOO Much?

Hi all! Today I felt a rant was in order.

I’m not particular to ranting on my blog–this is my creative space, not my personal FB account, but I’ve been reviewing books a bit now and I’m wondering about some recent feedback.

See, I think I’m a bit in the middle about book reviews. Some folks get long and gushy, or long and brutal. Some people write a sentence or two. Some add gifs, and memes and get silly, which I do, on occasion. I think it depends how entertaining I wish to be–and also how much time I have.

For me, book reviews are a passion. I write myself, and while I don’t speak much about that each of my reviews is an exercise in improving my writing–and broadening my reading sphere, which helps my writing. Beyond that, I’m a full-time mom with a full house and a full-time job. My eldest son is nearing college while my youngest is still in diapers. My days are roughly 18 hours long, with a commute that lasts only 90 minutes on a low traffic day. Most days I spend about two hours in the car back and forth to work…but I digress.

When I read a book, I like to describe the story in as much detail as possible without “giving it all away.” If it’s going on my blog, I want people to see what struck me, what caused me to share it. If you’ve been in my blog life awhile you know I do blog tours, which are essentially promotions. But, when I don’t like the book, I request a blurb post and cancel the review. This has only happened twice in the past year. Frankly, I won’t recommend a book I didn’t like.

On the flip side, I review a ton more books on Goodreads than I do in this blog. Not everything is going in my blog’s Sacred Space, if you will. Already this year I have read and posted reviews on nearly 100 books in my Goodreads profile. (Click here to find and FRIEND me if you wish.) I’ve got reviews on over 350 books there and will keep on chugging. Some books I loved, others I hated. I even returned two books to Amazon this year because the “Alpha” males were just too misogynistic, too paternalistic, for me.

So, anywho, what began this rant was a message I received on Goodreads from a fellow reviewer who remarked that while she admired how much I enjoyed the book, she feared that my comprehensive review would cause readers to NOT purchase the book.

Lookit, if that’s happened to anyone here, I want to apologize! I also want to know! I’ve had dozens of authors write me, thanking me for sharing my opinions and reviews. And, I’ve had readers write to thank me for recommending a book here that they have read, and loved. I had ONE author ask me to post a spoiler warning. One, in over 350 reviews. Does this mean I never “spoil” a book? Unlikely. But I don’t usually TELL ALL THE STORY. I may allude to the ending, or to a connection, but I rarely get that far.

But, more importantly, does having a “small reveal” of plot ruin a book for the reader? For that matter, does a BIG REVEAL even matter?

***Potential spoilers below:***

Would you have not read CHARLOTTE'S WEB if you knew Charlotte 
died?
(I've read the book half a dozen times now. Still love it. 
And, yes, I still cry.)

Or, would you have avoided HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY 
HALLOWS if you knew Voldemort killed Harry? 
(Because, erm, he did. But, HEA anyhow!)

This summer THE FAULT IN OUR STARS was released in theaters. 
Did that kill book sales? Um, no. And, yet EVERYONE knows 
what happens to Hazel and Augustus. 
(Well, if you don't it's ON FREAKING WIKIPEDIA, in all its 
spoiled glory for goodness sake.)
(Side note: I'm confident that Wiki gets a whole lot more
traffic than, say, my blog. Or, my Goodreads profile...
But, for real, even I wouldn't give the end away!)

I’m conflicted. I want to entertain, to inform, to get the word out for new authors and old faves, but I don’t want to ruin reading for anyone.

As a reviewer, I am THRILLED when people get interested in the books that spoke to me. I hope I have done so–with or without “spoiling.”

I’d love some comments on your experiences with book reviews.

Do you like reviews?
Do you read them?
How does a good/bad/spoiled review affect your choice to read a book?

Thanks all! More reviews coming soon. In the meantime, keep reading my friends! 🙂

They Unravel the PACK OF LIES–A Review

Hi all! Today I’m reviewing a new steamy paranormal mystery from Lucy Felthouse. PACK OF LIES has two werewolf brothers who live in a remote village in Derbyshire–and each man wants to keep his secrets safe….

Doncha love a sexy cover?

About the book:

Werewolf brothers Matthew and Isaac have lived in the peaceful village of Eyam all their lives. The villagers know what happens every full moon, and are happy to keep their secret. But their privacy comes at a cost—neither brother has taken a lover in almost four hundred years.

Then at the full moon, a sheep is slaughtered on Eyam Moor, by what could only be an animal. A large, vicious animal. Even the brothers’ staunchest supporters begin to have their doubts. Meanwhile Isaac is smitten by a handsome newcomer to the village, while a vivacious visitor is happy to offer Matthew her all.

As they indulge their lust, they must clear their names and convince their neighbours that they aren’t also letting their baser instincts out to play.

Inside Scoop: This book contains sizzling scenes of both M/M and M/F sex.

My Review:

Matthew and Issac Adams are 400 year old werewolves. They live in Eyam, a tiny town in Derbyshire, where they have spent their entire lives. Hundreds of years ago the residents of Eyam had experienced Plague, and Matthew and Issac had helped to protect the town, and its inhabitants, during the outbreak by nursing the sick, and burying the dead. To this day they protect the current residents and their livestock from harm. They change into wolves once-monthly, on the full moon, but remain trapped in caves underground in order to protect themselves and the villagers from harm.

Being that Eyam is a remote village filled mainly with generations of families who had survived the Plague there are many resident who know Matthew and Issac are werewolves. Both men live in harmony with the villagers; Matthew works at the local pub, and Issac is a doctor. Neither man will engage in a long-term relationship knowing that they have a secret to keep, and their longevity is troublesome in that they do not wish to watch their partner age and die while they do not. Matthew is heterosexual and Issac is gay, though he is not “out”.

At the point of the beginning, Matthew and Issac are emerging from their cave night, and learn that someone has slaughtered a sheep. This is a big problem, in that it was made to look as if a vicious animal had torn the sheep apart, and eyes begin to turn towards Matthew and Issac. They have allies on their sides, but they know that they are under scrutiny, and attempt to determine who had committed the crime, with little success. The next month’s full moon some villagers attempt to follow the brothers into the caves and witness their change. It is a foolish and dangerous enterprise, and still there is a gutted sheep and no proof it wasn’t Matthew and Issac.

During the next month, supporters plan out how to 1. verify Matthew and Issac’s innocence and 2. capture the culprit. This is imperative because both men know if the slaughters continue to recur soon the town will turn against them, and they will be “outed” to the world at large. The wait and the plan is too nerve-wracking for the brothers, and they argue with themselves a bit until they FINALLY begin to blow off steam in some very sexy ways.

Matthew finds a vacationer who appeals greatly, while Issac admits his interest in a newcomer to town–Nathaniel. There are some deliciously sensual interludes, of the Het and Homo variety, that bridge the mystery. When we finally learn who the sheep gutter is (well, I picked up on the WHO right away) it’s unfortunate that the WHY was unsatisfying. And, when I say unsatisfying, I mean I didn’t want it to be for the reasons explained (I had also thought there might be a bit more of a paranormal turn in the motive, but no…) because, dammit, I wanted both Adams brothers to have a happy ending, and it WASN’T for one of them.

Well, that is, it wasn’t a happy ending THEN. Because, as it turned out, both men end up finding their best partner not too long after.

It was a fun tale with some steamy scenes and emotional connections. Both Matthew and Issac take turns telling this story and there was a lot of well-considered characterization that surpassed the whole Alpha wolf dynamic of most shifter novels. The loneliness the men experience, of watching generation after generation pass, making friends they will later bury, was palpable. I was so glad to watch them really connect with lovers beyond the one night stand. The book is chock full of Eyam history, and I loved the colloquial speech.

Interested? You can find PACK OF LIES on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author:

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women’s Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house.

She owns Erotica For All, and is book editor for Cliterati. Find out more at her website, join her on Facebook and Twitter, or even subscribe to her newsletter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Squid Soup August 2014–Stand By Me

MOCK! and The Armchair Squid are proud to introduce Mock Squid Soup: A Film Society. Each month, on the second Friday, we shall host a bloghop devoted to a particular movie. We invite others to watch the same film and post their own reviews.

So, today I’m departing from books (slightly) to chat about movies. For one, I found a blog hop hosted by The Armchair Squid and MOCK! celebrating a movie from my childhood: STAND BY ME. Secondly, I want to rant/rave over some adaptations recently out, or in development.

To begin, my review of STAND BY ME…

This movie premiered two weeks before I began 7th grade, back in the summer of 1986. I had just completed my growth spurt topping me at 5’3″–still my height today and woefully small even at 12. I had been, and remained, one of the shortest kids in my junior high. But I digress…

SBM was a turning point movie for me. Mostly because I was unfortunately rechristened “Vern”–in deference to the fat, stupid, hideously awkward character played by an appallingly young and not-nearly-showcasing-his-future-deliciousness Jerry O’Connell in this movie. It was a sad occurence, for me–a young, thin, short, smart…uh, GIRL who didn’t have the strength of fist to defend herself from the random “Hey there, Verno!” hallway catcalls.

At first, I didn’t know what was going on–until I ventured to the local Dollar Theater and had my mind blown. I remember the awe of seeing Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and that weird-looking other kid (O’Connell) along with BOTH a swoony John Cusack and a to-die-for Bad Boy Kiefer Sutherland and thinking YES!!! See, the puberty hormones were already turning my brain sideways–I did mention my growth spurt ending, right?–and there’s a scene in this movie…

Ahh, yes, that’s the one! Where Gordie (Wheaton) must reach into his wet underwear to dislodge a blood-engorged leach from his junk and I thought…whoa. (Don’t judge–this was the 80’s! and I was 12…)

Okay, so the story goes this way: It’s 1959 and four intrepid friends—Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern–want to recover the body of a missing boy, Ray Brower. They know he’s dead because Vern has overheard his brother confess to seeing the body near some railroad tracks several miles from home. Vern’s brother won’t tell the cops because he found the body when he was joyriding in a stolen car, but Gordie & Co think retrieving the body will make them heroes.

These boys are all about to begin high school, all have trouble at home, and all need the company and comradery of each other to keep their demons at bay. Being heroes would go a long way toward making their sad worlds brighter. The boys go on a weekend “camp out” to track down the body and claim their glory. Along the way, each boy comes to terms with the realities of the destructive forces in their lives. It is a sweet coming-of-age tale with the back drop of nostalgia of lost innocence and harkening back to a time many consider to be America’s “Golden Age”.

Being a Gen X’er I don’t have the same opinion of the movie’s period, but I could sure dig the movie itself. It was likely a combination of hormones (mine) and heart (the movie’s). Richard Dreyfuss narrates, telling the tale as an adult Gordie, recounting this trip as the defining moment of his youth. It is based upon a Steven King book, The Body.

STAND BY ME is one of those touchstone movies of my youth that I will never forget. The interplay of the boys’ vulnerability and their burgeoning bravado was catnip to the young girl I was, then. They talked about girls. They talked about life. They CRIED. And, they swore. A lot. All of this scandalized me to my Christian roots. There is humor–a total and complete barf-a-rama. That pretty much sums it up.

Please stop in at the other blogs reviewing this film. I’m sure their reviews will be better–and undoubtedly less boy-crazy–than mine.

1.	The Armchair Squid	2.	mainewords
3.	Cherdo on the Flipside	4.	MOCK!
5.	The ToiBox of Words	6.	V’s Reads

To continue my movie ranting, I’ve got two other topics rattling around in my brain. First, OUTLANDER.

The STARZ miniseries adaptation airs tomorrow. I have read (and loved) the Outlander series. I am a Jamie Fraser/Claire Randall Fraser devotee. I have actually watched the first episode–as it was available on Starz.com all week. And I liked it.

Now, however, I’m nervous about fan backlash. Diana Gabaldon is a consultant to the show and has been giving it her seal of approval, but–as is wont to happen–purists will likely complain. See, the first episode captures the spirit of OUTLANDER, but it’s naturally condensed. Events happen a bit faster than I recall them unfolding in the book. Other scenes didn’t happen at all, yet remain true to the storyline nonetheless.

Will this be a problem?

It wasn’t for me. I’m not the gal to get hung up on casting choices–mainly because I couldn’t name any of ten popular actors under age 30, and I’m okay with that. My world doesn’t revolve around Hollywood.

But some folks are obsessed with WHO should play WHOM in a movie, and I fear this negativity may cause watchers to spurn a promising show that I’ve LONGED FOR since I first read Outlander seven years ago.

Which brings me to my SECOND point: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.

Lookit, I read the books. They are fun and entertaining. They are arousing and intriguing. They are NOT good literature. And yet the legions of fans in complete meltdowns over the film’s cast is mind-boggling.

It weirds me out thinking that people discard a movie featuring a book they love because they “can’t see” a certain actor in the role. I will admit, I’m put-off by the “dream cast” posts I see for books these days. I guess it is because I almost don’t care about the appearance of a character in a story–I desire only so much detail to give me an IDEA of their appearance so I can imagine them in their space–but beyond that it is the character I fall for, not the image of the character.

If an actor is incompetent or not sufficient to the challenge, well, we’ll all see that on the screen. It’s my thought that a movie is separate from a book, as a work of fiction. I like to believe that a book inspires a movie, but doesn’t replace it as a work. Each must be judged on its own merit.

The HUNGER GAMES movies are good. Like the Harry Potter movies, they are mainly true to the books, yet have a whole different appeal. I’m not trying to sway anybody’s opinion either way about adaptations of books to film. I will likely always prefer the book, but I can also appreciate the movie in its own right.

That said, I’m pretty sure I know where I’ll be come Valentine’s 2015.

Anywho, I’ve rambled enough. I’d love to hear any comments you have on STAND BY ME, OUTLANDER, FSOG or movie adaptations of books. Drop me a line, and keep reading my friends! 🙂

She’s Desperate to Not be a VIRGIN–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a New Adult romance from a debut novelist: VIRGIN by Radhika Sanghani. It’s all about a 21 year old gal who is *still* a virgin. And she isn’t happy about it…

Virgin About the book:
Okay, I admit it…I didn’t do it.

Yet.

This is normal, right? I mean, just because everyone I know has talked like they’ve already done it doesn’t mean that they’re telling the truth…right?

It’s not like I’m asking for that much. I don’t need the perfect guy. I don’t need candlelight or roses. Honestly, I don’t even need a real bed.

The guys I know complain that girls are always looking for Mr. Right—do I have to wear a sign that says I’m only looking for Mr. Right Now?

Sooooo…anyone out there want sex? Anyone? Hello? Just for fun?

I am not going to die a virgin. One way or another I am going to make this happen.

Hey, what have I got to lose? Besides the obvious.

My Review:

Elena “Ellie” Kolstakis is a 21 year old virgin. Some people would celebrate this as “strong moral character” but Ellie feels cursed. She’s been at uni in London three years now and has never had a boyfriend. She’s not hideous, or deformed. Mostly, she’s average–with an overdeveloped sense of self-loathing.

See, Ellie feels left out of the crowd whenever her buds start talking about hook-ups and beer goggles and embarrassing first times. She wants to have sex, dammit, and it becomes her mission. This, by the way, comes with a whole lot of pre-sex prep–including waxing, shaving, and plucking to cultivating the perfect lady garden.

I will, for the record, state this is the only book which made me laugh out loud over the use of the term: Hitler.

Ellie’s quest leads her to almost hooking up, having a huge fall out with her childhood BFF, fighting with her mom, making a new BF, making a gay best friend (who happens to also be virgin), starting a vlog, meeting a decent guy, having fairly decent snogs, gaining self-confidence, and experiencing epic fails at both scoring and pubic bareness.

I did have several moments of /facepalm laughs. Poor Ellie!

Spoiler–she does tear her V-card.

Not-so-spoiler–She has one heck of a time getting the deed done.

So, on a personal level, I totally sympathized with Ellie’s eagerness to be “just like everybody,” but I was also glad she found new connections. Her mother’s ham-handed effort to unite Ellie with Paul was so brilliantly handled. And, Ellie reaching out to Emma helped Ellie to grow out of her cautious shell. I truly adored Ellie’s adventurous spirit. She’s like that awkward cousin everyone likes but quietly pities because she’s so sweet and yet so socially clueless.

Ellie’s level of personal growth was excellent–she didn’t emerge from her shell-she burst forth and dove headlong into an active social experiment: Operation Fix Ellie. But, having finished her quest, with bittersweet results, Ellie took a moment to reflect on her self and realized that she wasn’t broken at the beginning of this journey. She was just fine being a virgin–even if she wasn’t a virgin any longer. I rather liked her more for that.

Now, be prepared for lots of vagina talk in this book. The amount of time devoted to pubic grooming is substantial, and forms many of the gags in this book. Imagine a hairy man being outraged by pubic hair, while a bare man is stunned to not find any? Yeah, poor Ellie just can’t win that battle.

I also liked VIRGIN’s commentary on porn in today’s society. The arguments about its prevalence and acceptability were sound and funny, and the expectations placed on women as a result of porn rang true. The setting was cool, because I like the London scene and lingo. The smexytimes were akin to THE FORTY YEAR OLD VIRGIN in scope and humor. Lots of fits and starts with cringe-worthy happenings that only made me love Ellie more for embarking on this personal journey. This book is NOT for kiddos. Lots and lots of frank discussions of sex, and how to get some…

Interested? You can find VIRGIN on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I obtained a copy of his book via NetGalley for review.

About the author: (in Radhika’s words…)

I have just written my debut novel VIRGIN, which will be coming out in August in America, with Penguin, and September here in the UK with Harlequin.
I’m a women’s writer for The Daily Telegraph in London where I write on women’s issues.
I read constantly and love reviewing contemporary novels. Feel free to get in touch!

You can connect with Radhika on her website, Goodreads, and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Cover Reveal–HER DESTINY by Monica Murphy

Ta-da!!!

A contemporary YA romance coming soon

from best-selling author Monica Murphy.

Add HER DESTINY on Goodreads

About HER DESTINY:
I knew from the moment I first saw him he was the one. The only boy I could ever want.
The only boy I could ever love.

They say he’s bad for me.

But I know he’s not.

Until the day he rejects me.

And breaks my heart.

Everything changes in the blink of an eye. My entire life as I’ve known it is…gone. Secrets are revealed. Promises once made are irrevocably broken. There’s no way my family can get back to what we once were.

So when Nicholas Fairfield walks back into my life like he never left it, I’m furious. Thrilled. Irritated. Excited.

Despite my confusion, I want to be with him. I love him. But danger lurks where we least expect it. Someone will do whatever it takes to tear us apart. All I know is: I won’t let them.

Don’t forget to read HIS REVERIE while you wait…

About HIS REVERIE:

I knew from the moment I first saw her she was the one. The only girl I could ever want.

The only girl I could ever love.

She is light.

I am darkness.

She is innocent.

I’ve done too much.

She is good.

I am bad.

She is my every dream.

I should be her every nightmare.

We come from different worlds. She’s…perfect. And I’m…

Not.

Somehow she wants me anyway. So we’ll grasp at what we can. We’re going to make this summer count. She’s my secret. And I’m hers.

The problem with secrets is they never last for long. And when others discover we’re together, they’ll do whatever it takes to keep us apart. All I know is: I won’t let them.

Because Reverie Hale? She’s mine.

Interested? You can find HIS REVERIE on iBooks, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

About Monica Murphy:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Amazon author page

Their Love is… THE SILK TIE–A Review

Hi all! today I’m sharing a super sexy menage book newly released by Lily Harlem. I recently reviewed her book THE GLASS KNOT and couldn’t resist going back for a another steamy menage story.

It’s a complicated tale, and I think Hayley, the female lead describes her dilemma best:

Back cover information

Professional life in the City of London is tough going which is why my husband Gabe and I live by the motto: work hard and play hard. So when something, or rather someone, comes along that changes how he wants to play I’m intrigued by our sexy new game.

But there’s always private sides to the ones you love, and in this case new thoughts and desires are stealing Gabe’s dreams. It’s not until I meet Brent—gorgeous and sophisticated yet soul-achingly alone—that I begin to understand the complex layers of Gabe’s needs and exactly what I have to do.

But I’m not afraid; in fact the idea of two men turns me the hell on. In a whirlwind of romance, fear, desire and a new cresting wave of passion we open up to each other, testing the water for one weekend only. Or is it? Will we ever be the same again? Can Gabe and I survive our decision to let a third into our bed? Can Brent just walk away and, more importantly, will we let him?

My review:

Gabe and Hayley are a happily married couple. They are both professional lawyers who have worked hard to gain respect and prestige at their respective firms, but they find time to play some sexy games with each other. It seems that one of Gabe’s new clients, Brent, is having a rough time. And Gabe befriends him. It’s clear to Hayley that something is up with Gabe–he has a sudden fondness for Brent and, strangely, Hayley isn’t put off by the hungry looks she sees Gabe flashing. Is it because Brent is a man? Because, quite honestly, Brent seems to be extremely cozy with Gabe.

Okay, so the stage is set. The book is mostly told from Hayley’s POV though the prologue lets the reader know first, that Gabe finds Brent sexy–and Gabe has never had a gay thought prior–and second, that Brent is bisexual, or a closeted gay man, because he’s in the midst of a nasty divorce and the Ex is claiming infidelity on Brent’s part with a male lover….

Throughout, we see Hayley observing her husband’s desire for another. She remarks often how she’s confused why she feels arousal–rather than betrayal–about Gabe’s infatuation for Brent. It could be because she also finds Brent attractive. Or, maybe she recognizes that Gabe’s sudden bi-curiousness is not a reflection on their marriage. There’s a lot of introspection, and Hayley thinks it would be wise for Gabe to have a tryst with Brent and get it out of his system, but Brent is upset. He doesn’t want to come between Hayley and Gabe, and insists that any experiences be shared.

The resolution of this situation takes a bit of time to unfold–Gabe recognizes some distress from Hayley, and attraction from Brent. He’s insecure, fearing that somehow Brent will snatch Halyey away, but these three people come together in all the ways that matter.

Let’s just say the steam-factor on this book, on a scale of 1-5, is a 10. The dang thing mighta crashed my iPad it was so freaking hot. I loved every dirty second of it. Recommend to all lovers of M/M romance, and ménage. Disclaimer–this is NOT SAFE for the kiddo’s. Adults only, por favor.

How about a little excerpt?

I gathered my strength and refused to be intimidated by him. “You can’t deny you like Gabe.” I gave him a steely glare.

“That’s not the issue.” Brent narrowed his eyes.

“And he likes you,” I snapped back.

“All of that is irrelevant because he’s married…to you.”

“Which surely means, if there is one person who can give Gabe permission to fuck someone else, it’s me. His wife.”

His mouth opened slightly and he stared at me.

“What?” I asked. “It makes sense. Gabe’s got a crush on you, I suppose that is one way of describing it, and he wants you, badly, he—”

“He’s not even bloody gay.”

“No, but he must have elements of being bi for him to be feeling this way.”

Brent stepped away, turned and locked his fingers on the crown of his head with his elbows outstretched.

“Brent,” I said, pushing away from the wall. “Please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad…just…”

“What?”

“Confused, I suppose.” He dropped his hands and turned to me as he sighed. The hardness had gone from his face.

“Why?” I moved to my desk and leaned my behind on it, kept my arms at my sides in an effort to look open and available for him to express his feelings to. It was a tactic I used with clients. “Tell me, Brent. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Yes, we are.” He sat in one of the two chairs in front of my desk and sighed. “I like you, Hayley, a lot, and I like Gabe too. I care about him.”

“And do you fancy him?”

“I’m not gay either.” He paused and appeared to summon courage. “But I am bi. I have been with a man before.”

I nodded and kept my expression neutral even though there was something electrifying about his admission. No longer a rumor but a solid fact he was able to share with me.

“And would you want to be with Gabe that way?” I asked. Again words were coming out of my mouth that I wouldn’t believe I could utter. This time last month this conversation would be ludicrous.

“Do I want Gabe that way,” he repeated.

I waited for him to go on.

“Yes, in a word. He’s bloody gorgeous and damn sexy too, but I don’t need to tell you that, Hayley. Heck, you married him.”

I smiled. “He is gorgeous and sexy, and also the most passionate, loving person I’ve ever met.” I paused. “His happiness is also my responsibility and right now, him not being with you the way he wants to be is screwing with his mind.”

“Have you had a third person in your relationship before?”

“No, it’s always been just us. We’re strong, our bonds are tight, but…”

“And you’re willing to risk it all.”

“Perhaps it’s a risk for it not to happen.”

“Bloody hell…” He pressed his hands over his face and looked at me from over his fingertips. “You’re really are deadly serious.”

“Yes.” I sat on the seat at his side. “I am. He’s been on edge, preoccupied. I know he loves me, would die for me, we’ve been in each other’s lives for a long time now, there’s nothing that will tear us apart.”

“Except me. Maybe I will.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“It would be my worst nightmare to split you two up. Seeing you and Gabe together makes me very happy. You have something special, something I’ve hunted for, seen glimpses of, but never truly found.”

I reached out and rested my fingers on the sleeve of his gray suit jacket and rubbed my thumb on the smooth material. “Gabe and I are strong. Strong enough to cope with this.” I paused, hoping to hell that we were. “If you feel the same way about Gabe then this can happen. I don’t have a problem with it.”

He stared at me, long and hard, then, “You’re right, I do want to fuck him.”

My belly clenched and I squeezed my internal muscles. This might actually happen for Gabe.

“But I have one condition,” he said, leaning back and folding his arms. His suit jacket bunched at the lapels.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“You’re there. You watch us.”

Interested? You can find THE SILK KNOT on Goodreads and Amazon.

About the Author:

Lily Harlem lives in the UK and is an award-winning author of contemporary erotic romance. She writes for publishers on both sides of the Atlantic including Ellora’s Cave, HarperCollins, Totally Bound, Xcite and Sweetmeats Press. Her HOT ICE series regularly receives high praise and industry nominations.

Before turning her hand to writing Lily Harlem worked as a trauma nurse and her latest HarperCollins release, Confessions of a Naughty Night Nurse, draws on her many experiences while nursing in London. Lily also self-publishes and The Glass Knot and Scored have been blessed with many 5* reviews since their release in 2012.

Her latest novel, Breathe You In, is a super-sexy romance with a twist that will not only heat you up but stay with you for years to come. Breathe You In was named a USA Today Reviewer’s Recommended Read of 2013.

Lily also co-authors with Natalie Dae and publishes under the name Harlem Dae – check out the Sexy as Hell Box Set Trilogy available exclusively on Amazon – The Novice, The Player and The Vixen – and That Filthy Book which has been hailed as a novel ‘every woman should read’.

One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, is it will be wildly romantic and down-and-dirty sexy. Enjoy!

You can catch up with Lily on her website, blog, twitter, and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

She Had to Free Their TORTURED SOULS–Review and Giveaway

Hi all! Glad to be a part of the blog tour for Kimber Leigh Wheaton’s new YA paranormal romance, TORTURED SOULS. For other stops on the tour please click here. This rollicking ghost romp is a fun read and okay for the kiddos.

Tortured Souls
The Orion Circle #1
Kimber Leigh Wheaton
YA Paranormal Romance
Available now from Sea Dragon Press
Sometimes Rest in Peace isn’t an option.

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it’s ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can’t keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie’s longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he’s never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can’t ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

My Review:
Kassandra has had a rough life. She was born a psychic, and her parents were frustrated and angered by all of Kacie’s “imaginary friends.” Her mother left years ago, claiming she couldn’t deal with Kacie’s antics any longer. This left her father resentful to the point that Kacie has buried her psychic abilities so he won’t be reminded of his broken marriage.

One night at a party, Kacie senses a powerful spiritual presence–and she isn’t the only one! Logan, a boy from school that Kacie has admired from afar, actually approaches the spirit and forces it away, not before it scratches Kacie, however. Logan, it seems, is a psychic, too. In fact, he’s a member of the Orion Circle, a group of “talented” kids and adults who work against in it’s many forms–corporeal, and not.

Working with Logan is as empowering as it is enticing; Kacie is enamored, and the feelings are mutual. But, more than having a boyfriend, Kacie treasures being understood, being accepted for having her psychic powers. In fact, it soon becomes clear that Kacie’s nightmares are more than scary images, they are visions that hold the key to destroying the soul torture of thirteen murdered children.

With the help of Logan and the team of Orion Talents, Kacie has new friends she can depend upon when the evil Foxblood Demon spirit attempts to possess her. Even Kacie’s mother is in on the help–turns out she has some pretty awful reasons for abandoning Kacie all those years ago, and this Foxblood Demon threat has turned mom into an informant.

So, lots of changes for Kacie in a very short period. She embraces her psychic powers and learns to speak with the dead, releasing them to eternal rest, when possible. Logan is a great stand-by, offering whatever support Kacie needs, even if it’s just a soft shoulder to cry on. Kacie’s dad also recognizes that Kacie’s powers aren’t the insane nonsense he’d written them off as all those years ago, and her relationships (on the whole) become stronger and more healthy.

This was an interesting YA read, with well-developed primary and secondary characters and an intriguing plot line. It is the beginning of a series that will undoubtedly feature Kacie and Logan and the rest of the Orion paranormal hunter gang in new and exciting cases. I’d like to take a moment to note that the ebook was beautiful–well-edited and with great internal elements and chapter headings. I know this won’t matter to most readers, but when you read as many books as I do, I really appreciate formatting that goes above and beyond. So, bravo for writing a beautiful book as well as an interesting one. If I had one complaint, it would be that I thought the romance between Kacie and Logan blossomed a little two quickly. I had wished there was a bit more time between the meet-cute and the making out. Still, there was little more than kissing between the main love interests, so I’d go ahead and recommend for all YA readers.

Interested? You can find TORTURED SOULS on Amazon and Goodreads.
About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

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