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Bebe-san no Koibito –
Katsura Komachi
Bebe is an elderly cat nearing the end of his life. He reflects on his beloved Isuku, the human he loves most, and of the unspoken love that Isuku feels for his best friend, Hibiki. When Bebe is no longer around, will Isuku be all alone?
Hug your cat!
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SPECTR: Reaper of Souls – Jordan L. Hawk
When an incubus murders the powerful ally of an anti-paranormal senator, it’s up to hotshot Federal exorcist John Starkweather to catch the demon before it can kill again. Fortunately, he has backup, in the form of his boyfriend Caleb, a telekinetic possessed by the vampire spirit Gray.
As the political pressure mounts and bodies pile up, John discovers an old enemy protecting the incubus: the Fist of God, a group that believes all paranormals are evil. But why would the Fist work with a demon? And why would they let it kill one of their own allies?
John and Caleb need to find out fast. Because the incubus lurks at the intersection of love and longing, and it’s willing to turn their deepest desires against them.
For Reaper of Souls, our SPECTR agents are dealing with an incubus and deepest darkest desires is the theme for this installment.
Caleb got a snazzy new leather coat which didn’t impress Tiffany.
“They aren’t going to give out a warrant against a senator on the say-so of a possessed hippie,” Tiffany replied. “Or are you a goth now, with the coat and boots? Way to live the vampire stereotype.”
“Tiffany,” John said, a warning edge in his voice. “Can we keep the personal insults out of it, please?”
“Fine.” She settled back in her seat, arms crossed over her chest. “But if he starts writing morbid poetry and hanging out in graveyards, I’m staking his ass.”
But it certainly got John’s blood running, John who has a dark secret desire (which doesn’t take much to figure out given his reactions). He’s keeping it from everyone including Caleb. I wonder how Caleb and Gray would react if they know. I think all readers saw it coming but I can’t wait for the moment he drops the bombshell.
Finding out who the possessed human was was a bit blah because there wasn’t much action on this part but the climax took it to the max.
Powers were amped up as Gray battles the incubus on top of a lighthouse.
The scenes where Caleb vamps out and Gray comes out to play were major hellyeah! moments. I say unleash the drakul!
P.S.
Reviews of SPECTR books here.
Reviews of Jordan L. Hawk books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: The Hollow
Artist: A Perfect Circle
Album: Mer de Nom(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17999898-reaper-of-souls)
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[spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A4XDBEoD6QFnzDY5oMmNVXN&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]Soundtrack to SPECTR: Reaper of Souls by Jordan L. Hawk
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I knew what was like to finally be seduced by the thing you hunted. Mine just happened to be a more traditional seduction. Okay, at least I was still among the living.
Laurell K. Hamilton -
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Ii Kankei de Komatteru – Machiya Hatoko
A collection of old and new stories, cute, funny, and sweetly intimate.
1) Coworkers in an easygoing relationship.
2-3) Childhood friends go to a planetarium.
4) A responsible salaryman enjoys the unconventional attitude of a new intern.
5-8) A school librarian is tempted by a determined student.This good relationship bothers me: Smutty bore but I think the president should have his own story.
Deep in Winter +
Under the stars: A passably cute childhood friends to lovers romance that could be so much more
Lets sparkle: An age-gap, boss+subordinate romance that shows promise
Library Temptation +
Library Love +
Lingering Traces +
Fireworks Hanabi: Started out as smutty bore but quickly redeemed itself by turning out to be an evocative librarian+student romance.
(source: https://mangapark.org)
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Burn – Aleksandr Voinov
Flight Lieutenant Chris Waters is the pilot of a cutting-edge unmanned SAD fighter drone that is used for secret government missions. Chris is cutting-edge technology himself: his neural network is upgraded with cyber-technology and software that makes him the interface of his combat drone.
Then, something goes wrong as he connects to his drone. Haunted by strange, disorientating impressions, a so-called “ghost”, he hooks up on leave with fellow pilot Cyril for a night. But Cyril is not the man Chris thought he is, and Chris soon finds out what the “ghost” in his body really is, as well as the truth about his missions.
I am aware Aleksandr Voinov writes sci-fi but I almost didn’t recognize the story as his. Granted this is my first Voinov sci fi, I think perhaps the fact that the characters and the setting were American threw me off. I’m used to his European characters. This thing felt different. It wasn’t a dud, not the best either. It also felt like a prequel to something.
This sure packs a lot for a shortie.
It started out with Chris talking to a recorder and preening for the press which covers the world-building part. I thought it would continue in that vein, then, poof! It shifted to third person. We get burn junkies, a mystery, a one-night stand, military secrets, and a pilot gone rogue. What the titular burn is, I’m not exactly sure but Chris is addicted to it. I wouldn’t say the ending was satisfying or complete. More like, it hinted on so much more that the short story format would leave you wanting. Make this a full length novel, please.
P.S.
Reviews of Aleksandr Voinov’s books here.
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Jet Pilot
Artist: System of a Down
Album: Toxicity -
[spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A0a2kVvbCbk52gmeFQFHNaG&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]Soundtrack to Burn by Aleksandr Voinov
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How is it possible to feel such a strong connection with somebody but miss the most vital piece of information about him?
Dahlia Adler -
