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Jimmy jumped onto his back, using his shoulders to climb up. Satan grunted when he got a foot in the side of his neck. He was about to tell Jimmy to get the fuck down before he hurt himself when he felt hands wrap around his horns.
And he immediately melted into a puddle.
Not literally of course, though he could do that too if he wanted. His horns were very sensitive, and the kid was tugging on them lightly.
“Oh my god,” Jimmy whispered. “Are you purring?”
Satan coughed roughly. “I’m not purring.”
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MOVIE FEATURE: Fogi Is A Bastard
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Future Readings: ARCs & TBRs for February
NETGALLEY PICKS:
Tea – Matthew J. Metzger: This looks like one cozy read!
Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks – Nathan Burgoine: Very promising title. If you can go anywhere, where would you go?
Parallel Larry – Jacqueline Rohrback: I love the parallel lives premise. A second change romance with a sci-fi twist
Star Collector Vol. 1 – Anna B & Sophie Schonhammer: I just liked the cover. Also, shounen ai manga always gives me life.
Foreign To You – Jeremy Martin: Also liked the soft colors on the cover. That, and the fantasy element.
REVIEW REQUESTS:
Ripe: Letters – Alan Semrow: Addressing the men in his life in the form of letters. The nosy nancy in me is intrigued.
To Be His Life – George Leedy: I need to read this ASAP, it’s due soon. A gay-for-you story. Let’s see how far the straight man will stray.
NYV: Goth – K.D. Mcquain: calls to mind the 1980s goth scene. Time to break out the hair spray and black lipstick.
Fabulous! An Opera Buffa – Laury A. Egan: I’m especially excited to read this one because of the sheer number of singing transdivas in my country
Darkness on the Horizon – Christopher Renna: This is due soon too. Dark secrets, murder, deception. Yep, the good stuff.
The Illuminati Circle – Robert J. Ristino: Who can resist those good ole illuminati stories?
A Flight of Broken Wings – Nupur Chowdhury: It’s not just romance all the time. Sometimes we need good stories about friendship too! This one might be it.
The Blood Prince – Josie Jaffrey: Kind of drives me crazy that I don’t have a copy of The Silver Queen yet but I got this ARC already. Can’t wait to find out what happened to Cam and Felix.
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MANGA: Ezuke wa Yahan, Ano Heya De
Ezuke wa Yahan, Ano Heya de – Homerun Ken
A collection of interconnected stories ranging from cactus enthusiasts and compensated dating to vampires and zombies.
The Next Time We Meet, The Crimson Flowers Will Bloom: seemed more a friendship story than romance. I liked the seme’s blunt honesty.
Unable To Reach Neither Love Nor Friendship: they buy each other instead. That angsty search for connection and a place to belong to.
Midnight Feeding In That Room: A riff on the master-servant trope. Was going for dark but the interaction with the two couples gave it a much needed touch of levity
Zombie Cycle + Daybreak: a very poignant story of friendship and love that survived, sort of, the zombie apocalypse. Best story of the collection
(source: http://www.mangago.me)
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REVIEW: Baby, It’s Cold by Josh Lanyon
Baby, It’s Cold – Josh Lanyon
Talk about Kitchen Nightmares! TV Chef Rocky and Foodie Blogger Jesse have been pals forever, so it should have been the most natural thing in the world to kick their relationship up a notch. Instead, it turned out to be a disaster. But Christmas is the season of love, and someone’s cooking up a sweet surprise…
Rocky said it best, it was a convoluted mess. The whole charade fell flat in so many ways and I don’t understand why Jesse didn’t simply invite Rocky to dinner instead. It would have been the more honest and sincere approach for rebuilding that bridge. The introduction of Rocky’s agent to the affair didn’t help much either.
It’s not without it’s good points. The setting was cozy, the lovely meal Jesse prepared was a success and the whole story gave off fluffy, quirky vibes that earned it an extra star.
Baby, It’s Cold might not be Lanyon’s best short story but it is enjoyable enough once you get past dinner. It started picking up when Jesse caught the flu and he and Rocky had their Big Fight where Rocky pretty much hurled everything he had been bottling up inside out in the open. I’m with Rocky on this one. I love that he even made sure Jesse got his fluids despite everything. Jesse seemed unlikable and it was mostly his fault, IMO. Though I am glad they had their second chance, I still have a few niggles. Better make it work this time, guys!
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)
Artist: Ramones
Album: Brain Drain -
SOUNDTRACK: Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight) by The Ramones
Soundtrack to Baby, It’s Cold by Josh Lanyon
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I really can’t stay (but baby, it’s cold outside)
I’ve got to go away (but baby, it’s cold outside)
This evening has been (been hoping that you’d drop in)
So very nice (i’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice)
My mother will start to worry (beautiful what’s your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I’d better scurry (beautiful please don’t hurry)
But maybe just a half a drink more (put some records on while I pour)
The neighbors might think (baby, it’s bad out there)
Say what’s in this drink? (no cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (i’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
I ought to say, no, no, no sir (mind if I move in closer?)
At least I’m gonna say that I tried (what’s the sense in hurtin’ my pride?)
I really can’t stay (oh baby don’t hold out)
But baby, it’s cold outside
I simply must go (but baby, it’s cold outside)
The answer is no (but baby, it’s cold outside)
Your welcome has been(how lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)
My sister will be suspicious (gosh your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (waves upon the tropical shore)
My maiden aunts mind is vicious (gosh your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more (never such a blizzard before)
I’ve gotta get home(but baby, you’d freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat(it’s up to your knees out there)
You’ve really been grand (i thrill when you touch my hand)
But don’t you see? (how can you do this thing to me?)
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow (think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (if you got pnuemonia and died)
I really can’t stay (get over that old out)
Baby, it’s cold
Baby, it’s cold outside -
MOVIE FEATURE: Morgan
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MANGA: Kuro Ookami to Gin Kitsune
Kuro Ookami to Gin Kitsune – Inose
Kuzunoha is a Fox, a member of the Vulpine Faction at his school for Beastlings, and while he gets along well with his kind and the Feline Faction, the Lupine Faction scares the mess out of him because they still practice the ancient rite of pelt reaping, where in traditional ceremonies they skin their fellow beasts. But when he wanders into the forest on an urgent errand and winds up stumbling into the middle of a hunt, he must rely on the help of a Wolf classmate of his to reach safety, because Kuzunoha isn’t all he appears to be at first blush!
This has so much potential! I hope the mangaka continues the story.
(source: https://mangapark.org)
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REVIEW: Noble Hops by Layla Reyne
Trouble Brewing: Noble Hops – Layla Reyne
Everything Dominic Price has worked hard to uphold is about to come crashing down on everything he holds dear.
So much for the quiet life. Just as assistant US attorney and brewery owner Dominic Price is settling into a comfy new chapter with his partner, FBI agent Cameron Byrne, the sudden death of Nic’s father puts their happily-ever-after in jeopardy. Nic immediately suspects foul play, his prime suspect a notorious gangster his father was indebted to—only now the loan shark is out for blood.
Cam has been longing for Nic to finally let him in on this very personal case. But when Nic’s belief that he’s the sole Price heir is upended, the line between personal and professional starts to blur, leaving Cam unsure of where he stands.
Nic is depending on Cam’s kidnap and rescue expertise to save his recently discovered family member before it’s too late. But with a dangerous threat closing in, the ghosts from Nic’s past cast long shadows. Any relationship could crack under the pressure, but for Nic, finding his family might mean losing the love of his life.
I want some of that Fighting Boston Irish Stout!
Noble Hops wraps the Trouble Brewing series with a lot of suspense, action and that much awaited HEA. This third installment is focused on Nic. We get some answers to burning questions, such as why Vaugh was so hell-bent on hassling Nic when he had already cut ties with his father and who is this GS tattooed on Nic’s back.
Cam and Nic is rock-solid and nothing could come between them, not even Nic’s first love, though Cam had his insecurities. I love how in sync they were with each other and nothing underscores their deep connection than when Nic wholeheartedly said Cam would find him. He always does.
Like any MM reader, I love a good love story but Noble Hops is my kind of MM book in which there’s a whole lot of plot going on and the romance is on the side. An important person was kidnapped and Cam was in charge of the rescue operation. The search and rescue and the case against Vaugh took up most of the book. Vaughn was one tough bastard to nail. Waiting for him and Bowers to get their comeuppance kept me turning the pages. Nic’s family secrets were exposed but on the upside, his family expanded. Also, I have been waiting for it!, Nic doing his AUSA magic in the courtroom. Go get that bastard, Counselor!
I highly recommend Trouble Brewing. It’s an addicting romantic suspense series with well-written story arcs, lovable cast of characters, exciting romance, also, great beer.
P.S.
And please, do we get a wedding novella? A spin-off for Eddie and G?
I received a copy of Noble Hops from Carina Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Falling In Love Is A Suicide Mission
Artist: Our Krypton Son
Album: Fleas & Diamonds
