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Hakanakumo – Akizuki Ichiha
Miogi tries to take his life after hearing his lover is engaged.
At first glance, sensei seemed cold-hearted but then I realized, our little drama queen needs someone to talk some sense into him
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A Tender Curiosity – Charlie Cochet
Take a journey into the past and meet the men who laughed, lived, and loved in a bygone era. This collection includes three short but sweet tales of infatuation, adventure, humor, and even a dash of the paranormal.
When Love Walked In
Private investigator Bruce Shannon’s cases of missing persons and infidelity don’t inspire warm feelings around Valentine’s Day. Luckily Bruce is quite happy with only his cat for companionship—until handsome Jace Scarret wanders off the street and into Bruce’s life.In His Corner
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Jessie “the Demon” Dalton needs a cornerman, and Eli jumps at the chance, hoping for answers about why Jessie broke his heart years ago. It soon becomes clear that Jessie needs Eli in his corner—and in his life. Now all Eli has to do is convince Jessie.Believe Me, Beloved
Robert Bradley dreams of singing on the radio, and when he attends the masked ball of handsome station owner Gabriel Chase, Robert has no idea his dream is about to take an unexpected paranormal turn.In His Corner originally published by Torquere Press, Inc., September, 2012.
When Love Walked In originally published by Torquere Press, Inc., February, 2012.
Believe Me, Beloved originally published in Masks Off Anthology by Top Shelf, An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers, 2012.A collection of historical stories set in the same era as The Auspicious Troubles of Love series.
Two were set in the real world while one had paranormal elements.
All three featured age-gap which is catnip to some but not really my thing.
When Love Walked In: Mittens and her human, Bruce Shannon, pick up jobless Jace. They fed him, clothed him, housed him and gave him a job. Throughout all these, Bruce and Jace dance around their mutual attraction. Well-paced, well-developed and sweet. Comes with Mittens’ seal of approval.
In His Corner: Washed up boxer Jesse Dalton tries to deal with his feelings for Eli as the young man whom he had pushed away comes back to his life as his new cornerman.
A story about second chances with fully-fleshed out background and convincingly delivered romance.
Believe Me, Beloved: Aspiring singer Robert Bradley was invited to a posh ball hosted by his boss and crush Gabriel Chase. There he discovers a different kind society. Weakest story for me. I must have bad luck with Cochet’s shifter stories because this one did not work. It seemed nothing more than a set-up for a human/were-jaguar mating.
Rating:
When Love Walked In –4 Stars
In His Corner –3 Stars
Believe Me, Beloved –
2.5 Stars
Overall:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
Soundtrack: First Day of My Life
Artist: Bright Eyes
Album: I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39722627-a-tender-curiosity)
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[spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A5OiaAaIMYlCZONyDBxqk4G&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]Soundtrack to A Tender Curiosity by Charlie Cochet
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‘No,’ Nico said. ‘Getting a second life is one thing. Making it a better life, that’s the trick.’ As soon as he said it, Nico realized he could’ve been talking about himself. He decided not to bring that up
Rick Riordan -
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQkZGpKy_mU?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=375]
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Kamatte Hoshii no? – Suzukura Hal
A freshman in college, Amano, is taken a liking by a mysterious senpai, Kamishiro, who raises chicks. When Kamishiro hugs him out of nowhere in their first meeting, he thinks this senpai is crazy, but as he spends more time with him he sees how kind he is. But one day, while Amano is playing with the chicks, Kamishiro kisses him out of nowhere! An airheaded research student and a kuudere freshman’s love story.
A bunch of trite sempai stories on the theme of “want my attention?”
Want my attention?: baseless insta-love
I Can’t Hate You: Has this Ashio-sempai nothing to do all day than hang around Ryouta’s apartment?!
I Can’t Say No to Your Hands: Your usual friends-to-lovers trope. The best story in the collection
You Can’t Do It Alone: Ok, so we all fail at adulting sometimes, but what are the odds of getting a boyfriend because of a messy apartment?
From Morning to Night: cliche AF
The Two of Us Together: cutesy shit 1
Do You Want To Play?: cutesy shit 2
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Psycop: Criss Cross – Jordan Castillo Price
Criss Cross finds the ghosts surrounding Victor getting awfully pushy. The medications that Victor usually takes to control his abilities are threatening to destroy his liver, and his new meds aren’t any more effective than sugar pills.
Vic is also adjusting to a new PsyCop partner, a mild-mannered guy named Roger with all the personality of white bread. At least he’s willing to spring for the Starbucks.
Jacob’s ex-boyfriend, Crash, is an empathic healer who might be able to help Victor pull his powers into balance, but he seems more interested in getting into Victor’s pants than in providing any actual assistance.
I know most people are squee-ing over the romance but up until now, I still don’t understand what Jacob sees in Victor. I get the protective streak, pill-popping Victor is high most times and tends to to get into trouble but he’s a mess and seems to bring nothing into the relationship. Is it a wish fulfillment thing? Because this could have been done more convincingly with a bit of depth and background information.
I also don’t know why Vic kept thinking about how gay something is, like do straight guys eat salad, that sort of thing. It’s kind of stupid.
Not to say I didn’t enjoy the audiobook. I do like Gomez Pugh’s voices for both Vic and Jacob as well as Vic’s commentaries apart from the one mentioned above. The mystery wasn’t that deep but it kept me listening. And we have Crash, Jacob’s ex. Crash is interesting enough in his own right without the Jacob connection and I am vaguely entertaining a Vic + Crash hook up because Jacob is perfect the way computer simulations are perfect.
Rating
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Walking with a Ghost
Artist: Tegan and Sara
Album: So Jealous(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5260435-criss-cross)
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[spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A7ImkjvM1OKWhJ5HIPOHcHE&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]Soundtrack Psycop: Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price
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I see dead people. But, then by God, I do something about it!
Dean Koontz -
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zdMgghw4VY?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=375]
