• manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Kimi wa Samishigari ya no Hana

    Kimi wa Samishigari ya no Hana – Nomori Mina

    One evening, Hisanaga approaches Morio at a bar with just one thing in mind. However, Morio is looking for a deeper relationship. Can Morio break through the wall around Hisanaga’s heart to get something more than empty sex?

    You Are The Loneliest Flower is a story of university student, Morio, who developed feelings for his on-again off-again hookup, an aloof salaryman, Hisanaga.

    This has a not so common set-up of characters openly admitting they’re gay and regularly hooking up at gay bars. Most of the time, BL manga characters just fall into relationships without even realizing or acknowledging their sexuality.

    Morio knew Hisanaga is a self-centered, lonely man who pushes people away but it didn’t stop him being drawn to him. Morio is a natural do-gooder who can’t help but dote on the difficult and blunt Hisanaga. I liked his dedication and that he didn’t cross the line to pushy. Although I did wonder what was so attractive about the older man other than his looks. I didn’t connect with Hisanaga. I think his character could have been developed more.

    The manga had a mature vibe. The premise is good but the way it was delivered wasn’t that convincing. The pacing and the scenes felt awkward. It closed in an open-ended but hopeful note where Morio hopes Hisanaga would eventually open up to him.

  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Death Comes To Main Street by Felice Stevens writing as A.P. Eisen

    55044346. sy475

    The Paul Monroe Mystery: Death Comes To Main Street – Felice Stevens writing as A.P. Eisen

    In the sleepy town of Thornwood Park, something dark and ugly is brewing….

    Detective Paul Monroe is investigating a routine string of break-ins when the case takes an unexpected turn. Merchants are receiving threats, and things might be more sinister than he originally suspected. Paul’s been on the receiving end of those warnings as well, but he brushes them off, not bothering to mention them to his partner, Cliff until Cliff himself is threatened.

    In fact, Cliff discovers he’s been shut out of quite a few things and confronts Paul, who doesn’t understand the problem. The situation escalates quickly, leaving them at a crossroads, with Cliff conflicted and wondering if he’s an equal partner. Now Paul finds himself not only fighting for the people he’s sworn to protect, but for his relationship and the man who means everything to him.

    When an unthinkable tragedy occurs, it’s a race against time to catch a killer who thinks he’s untouchable and has committed the perfect crime.

    Only…nobody’s perfect.


    I’ve always described The Paul Monroe Mysteries as understated. I’m not sure if it’s the right term but I liked how fuss free the stories are. They avoided grand heroics or any over the top action yet delivered engaging, suspenseful police procedurals and heartfelt romance.

    Death Comes To Main Street is the third installment. I found this darker and gritter than its predecessors. Paul and his work partner, Rob, were investigating a series of robberies, threatening notes and suspected arson that resulted in the tragic death of a close friend. These appeared to be hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Paul and Cliff also had to deal with homophobic neighbors who were also the main suspects.

    While there are these unpleasantness, this was also, in a way, a happy book. Paul and Cliff’s relationship were as strong as ever. They both had busy, high-stressed jobs but they made it work. They remained solid and in sync even with Cliff’s issues with Paul’s over-protectiveness. They’re comfortable and happy. That really shone through all the negativity.

    Paul took major leaps forward by coming out to his boss and co-workers. I liked that this wasn’t the focus of the story but came about as part of Paul being ready to fully embrace who he is. And I’ve always appreciated how patient and supportive Cliff was about this and everything.

    Being a detective’s boyfriend and having been involved in the last two cases, Cliff could have easily poked his nose in Paul’s new investigations. I’m so glad he did not turn into some kind of amateur sleuth. The story also repeatedly emphasized that Paul does not discuss his cases with Cliff. This is another thing I liked because it showed Paul’s professionalism. Even when his boyfriend was harassed, Paul admirably kept his cool and handled it like the pro he is.

    Cliff’s involvement in the case, albeit through some unfortunate circumstances, happened naturally. The author did a great job letting his character shine even with Paul working closely with another character.

    This series has a good supporting cast. Rob stood out the most because he’s Paul’s partner and best friend. He’s always the first to defend Paul against the stupid and the bigoted. Also, there’s Annabelle who’s not even on page 99% of the time but is strongly felt because Rob always mentions his adored wife. There was the introduction of a new character, Joshua. His appearance added an interesting minor thread to follow.

    This time around, the series amped up it’s procedural by showing us the nitty gritty of the investigation. While realistic and detailed, it moved things at a brisk pace and happily, did not bore us with minutiae.

    The villains were all given so it was a matter of Paul and Rob finding enough evidence to arrest them. I like this approach to mystery because it’s not so common. Usually, we are left to guess the identity of the bad guy. Proving the guilt of the obviously guilty but slippery is interesting as well as satisfying. For me, it reflects real life crime. Wherever we are, there’s always some notorious lowlife who manages to evade arrest despite repeat offenses.

    Death Comes To Main Street gives us the things we love about the series while spicing it up with a tiff and a little more grit. There’s some low-key flash and bang but still a roller coaster of emotions, going from love and passion to grief, fear and anger, to acceptance and relief. Ultimately, it leads us to a happy end but leaves us hanging at the very last second. So not my favorite way to close a story but it does set the next one up nicely.

    P.S.

    Follow Paul as he finds himself with Cliff, stumbles upon dead bodies and catch bad guys in The Paul Monroe Mysteries. The books should be read in order. Check out my review of the first two books below:

    Couldn’t Cheat Death by A.P. Eisen
    Diagnosis: Death by A.P. Eisen

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Walls
    Artist: Stokeswood
    Album: Walls


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to get your copy of The Paul Monroe Mysteries. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

  • quote,  Uncategorized

    We are moving in our own slow motion
    Believing in the lies they say
    We are standing with our arms wide open
    And we ain’t ever looking back, we ain’t ever looking back
    We are moving in our own slow motion
    Believing in the lies they say
    We are standing with our arms wide open
    And we ain’t ever looking back, we ain’t ever looking back

    So even if you tell me not to take the fall
    Come in heavy handed, and I’ll take it all
    A different kind of love, a deeper kind of call
    Believe me when I say I’m running into walls, walls
    I’m running into walls, walls
    I’m running into walls

    We are spinning in an endless ocean
    We are lost in an endless maze
    We are grabbing at life by the throat and
    We ain’t ever looking back, we ain’t ever looking back
    We are spinning in an endless ocean
    We are lost in an endless maze
    We are grabbing at life by the throat and
    And we ain’t ever looking back, we ain’t ever looking back

    So even if you tell me not to take the fall
    Come in heavy handed, and I’ll take it all
    A different kind of love, a deeper kind of call
    Believe me when I say I’m running into walls, walls
    I’m running into walls, walls
    I’m running into walls

    So even if you tell me not to take the fall
    Come in heavy handed, and I’ll take it all
    A different kind of love, a deeper kind of call
    Believe me when I say I’m running into walls, walls
    I’m running into walls, walls
    I’m running into walls