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Captive Prince:
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant – C.S. Pacat
The Adventures of Charls follows the dealings of a humble cloth merchant in the days before the royal Ascension.
Set after the events of Kings Rising and The Summer Palace.
THIS IS SOOO FREAKING GOOD!!!!
Damen and Laurent from the POV of somebody as pure-hearted as Charls is just adorbs!!
The humor!
The moments!
That last line!
Long live the kings!!!
Rating:
5 Stars – absolutely perfect
Soundtrack: King and Lionheart
Artist: Of Monsters and Men
Album: My Head is an Animal(source: https://www.goodreads.com/series/187877-captive-prince-short-stories)
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The Art of Murder: The Mermaid Murders – Josh Lanyon
Special Agent Jason West is seconded from the FBI Art Crime Team to temporarily partner with disgraced, legendary “manhunter” Sam Kennedy when it appears that Kennedy’s most famous case, the capture and conviction of a serial killer known as The Huntsman, may actually have been a disastrous failure.
For The Huntsman is still out there… and the killing has begun again.
Let it be known that the cover bears no relation to the story other than at some point Special Agent Jason West got wet. Also, not to spoil the story but I felt sorry for the perp. His life was ruined because of some mouthy spoiled rich brat. It could have gone another way for him.
People have complained about the lack of romance but I like the fact that it’s not romance-heavy given that these agents have known each other for less than a week and didn’t even like each other at the start. I would even go so far as to say the romance was unnecessary but since this is MM, romance and sex are almost always a given. If this was a murder mystery story with FBI agents who happened to be gay and do not necessarily fall in love with each other, it would still be as enjoyable.
I am not much a fan of the partners-to-lovers trope because the agents tend to bungle up because of some stupid emotion towards their partner (see Agents Irish and Whiskey) but here, both agents kept their heads and most of their professionalism intact. And unlike Agents Irish and Whiskey, this series needs no suspension of disbelief. Both agents were competent and solved the mystery in a timely manner.
As with the other Josh Lanyon story I have read, The Mermaid Murders focused mostly on the mystery. West and Special Agent Sam Kennedy are tasked to solve the supposed copycat killings in rural Kingsfield. Kennedy had captured the Huntsman ten years ago and now there was a possibility that he either got the wrong man or the serial killer had a disciple.
Kennedy, whom almost nobody liked, was good at hunting killers. At first, he and West didn’t get along so well. Kennedy was being an asshole but West proved himself despite serial killings not being his specialty and Kennedy couldn’t help but like him. True to form, he tried to push West away. All West is asking is a date, stupid Kennedy!
I like West’s specialization. He has a Masters in Art History which he used in the Art Crime Team. I liked how he compares the things he sees to paintings. Kennedy has a past (of course he has) which he didn’t want to talk about but we’ll see on the succeeding books.
At the start, I was listening with only half my brain engaged but the story drew me in. I couldn’t exactly pinpoint which part started getting my full attention but halfway through, I was fully invested in the story. It was a good mystery. I was in the dark with who was the real killer until the last part. Then there was the creepy but intriguing doctor who hightailed it when he was being questioned. I had a feeling we will see him in the succeeding books. And the suspense! I almost couldn’t bear the tension when West was down there at the basement. I was anticipating all sorts of bad things happening to him. All I can say is, you got me there, Lanyon!
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Kinder Murder
Artist: Elvis Costello
Album: Brutal Youth(source: https://www.goodreads.com/series/169224-the-art-of-murder)
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The Rowan Harbor Cycle: Blackbird in the Reeds – Sam Burns
Devon Murphy has never believed that there were fairies at the bottom of the garden, but when he’s in an accident on his way to his grandmother’s house and comes face to face with the biggest, baddest wolf he’s ever seen, he’s forced to reconsider.
When his grandmother asks him to look into a string of suspicious accidents, he finds a much bigger mystery to unravel. From his childhood best friend to the too-attractive Deputy Wade Hunter, everyone in Rowan Harbor seems to have something to hide. Devon has to get to the bottom of it all before the accidents turn deadly.
Such a beautiful cover! The kind that gives you high hopes but unfortunately, the story didn’t make me feel anything, positive or negative. I wasn’t bored but I wasn’t excited either. There was no one to hate but nobody I warmed up to. The dialogues were funny enough but it wasn’t the laugh out loud kind. The romance was passable but forgettable.This book is the definition of average.
Blackbird in the Reeds is the first book of the Rowan Harbor Cycle. Devon is a returnee in the small town of Rowan Harbor where everybody is related to every other person and there is a small town fear of outsiders. Devon reacquaints himself with the town folks and meets Maria Leon, a teacher who was considered an outsider by everyone. Maria experienced suspicious accidents and Devon’s gran asks him to investigate. Devon also cross paths with the deputies and when he shook hands with one of then, Wade Hunter, they got zapped by static electricity. Apparently, that was a sign and the way everyone was teasing Devon about it was cheesy but well, that’s what small town folks do.
Everyone was pleasant and genial enough (except for Helena Mackenzie who was the designated pain in the neck) so I didn’t feel there was much going on in terms of conflict. It’s nice that it’s angst free but it also felt shallow in a way. It added to the mediocrity of the thing that the narration was flat. The voices for the characters were distinct but the person telling the story had almost no emotions. The world building needs some work but there’s a lot of promise. I could only hope the author is able to maximize all that was set in this first book in the succeeding installments.
P.S.
Jesse’s book is next. I’m not sure if I would read it.
Rating:
2.5 Stars – far from hate but not quite a like
Soundtrack: We Want a Rock
Artist: We Might Be Giants
Album: Flood(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37777178-blackbird-in-the-reeds)
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PsyCop: Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price
Victor Bayne, the psychic half of a PsyCop team, is a gay medium who’s more concerned with flying under the radar than in making waves.
He hooks up with handsome Jacob Marks, a non-psychic (or “Stiff”) from an adjacent precinct at his ex-partner’s retirement party and it seems like his dubious luck has taken a turn for the better. But then a serial killer surfaces who can change his appearance to match any witness’ idea of the world’s hottest guy.
Solving murders is a snap when you can ask the victims whodunit, but this killer’s not leaving any spirits behind.
A lingering-on-my to-be-read-pile book that turned out to be passable but barely.
An audiobook-narrator-kept-me-going story with a mildly interesting take on psychics doing detective work that couldn’t hold my full attention.
An I-see-dead-people urban fantasy with good potential for more stories (and it has more, a lot more) but didn’t really break new grounds.
A mostly-physical hookup I wasn’t invested in until…
“It was you, Vic.”
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
Soundtrack: To Repel Ghosts
Artist: Manic Street Preachers
Album: Lifeblood(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5603414-among-the-living)
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Bureau: Creature – Kim Fielding
Alone in a cell and lacking memories of his past, John has no idea who—or what—he is.
Alone on the streets of 1950s Los Angeles, Harry has far too many memories of his painful past and feels simply resignation in facing his empty future.
When Harry is given a chance to achieve his only dream—to become an agent with the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs—all he has to do is prove his worth. Yet nothing has ever come easy for him. Now he must offer himself and John as bait, enticing a man who wants to conquer death. But first he and John must learn what distinguishes a monster from a man—and what a monster truly wants.
This!
A monster was kept in a cell, alone for who knows how long. Isolated, he dreams of the sky, grass, and coffee. His only comfort is the warm patch of sunlight that filters through his cell then he crawls to a corner to sleep. The monster knew his name was John and he said his name over and over again. I am alone most of the time but the depth of John’s loneliness was something I could barely fathom even in my most isolated state. Breaks the heart, it truly does.
Harry Lowe dreamed of becoming an agent of the Bureau. He was turned down because Chief Townsend saw a softness in him that doesn’t fit an agent role. He was, however, approached by Townsend once again when they were in need of a pretty face for a case involving the illegal and unethical scientific practice of reanimating dead people. Harry will be used as a bait for the mad scientist and John will be used as a hook. Desperate, alone and penniless, he reluctantly accepts and meets John inside his cell. Harry’s initial reaction was that of shock but he soon noticed that the monster was not dangerous.
Right from the start, Harry treated John with kindness and day by day John grew stronger and more human. Harry grew to care for John and now he is conflicted. Poor Harry! He is a simple minded bloke and the case was quite out of his league. The moments he spent with John were really sweet. I love the way John marvels at the everyday things we take for granted. He is so pure and selfless and it’s really adorable how Harry was showering John with little gifts.
He, in turn, reminded Harry of appreciating all the small blessings he has.
“Let me see your feet.”
An odd request, but John held them up obediently and watched as Harry
measured one of his own stocking feet against John’s bare one. “All right. Yours
are just a little bigger.” Then Harry sat in an armchair to put on his shoes. “I’m
going to run errands. Need anything?”
“I already have so much.”
Harry looked surprised and then smiled. “Yeah. I should remember how
good I have it too.”And then this!
“I like you.”
“Even though—”
“Yes. Just as you care for me, even though.” In fact, John thought, their
respective shortcomings made their feelings exquisite. It was probably easy to
fall for someone who was flawless, but to ache for someone who was not…
didn’t that mean the emotion was more genuine?Go! You both deserve it!
Kim Fielding in a “noir frame of mind”created this beautiful story about men and monsters. Creature is my favorite Bureau book so far. It neatly captured the mood of the 1950s with diners, Sinatra and Cary Grant. There men who were crueler than monsters and monsters who were more human than most men. There were men who create monsters and monsters who hunt other monsters. And then, there were monsters who simply want a friend.
Harry was tempted to remind him of their earlier discussion, in which Harry had questioned the very concept of monster. He still believed it was just a word people threw at someone they feared or misunderstood.
I couldn’t agree more, Harry!
Rating
5 Stars – absolutely perfect
Soundtrack: Somebody Loves Me
Artist: Nat King Cole
Album: Penthouse Serenade(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39779972-creature)
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Fence #5 – C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Seiji’s calm is badly rattled over a lost match and his mysterious past begins to come out.
In this fight, I’m team Seiji but I must admit Aidan made the
devioussmart moves. Damn him and his mind games!P.S.
Seiji’s mysterious past?!! OH, YES!Rating
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: Under Easy
Artist: The Posies
Album: Failure(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38312083-fence-5)
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Timekeeper – Tara Sim
I was in an accident. I got out. I’m safe now.
An alternate Victorian world controlled by clock towers, where a damaged clock can fracture time—and a destroyed one can stop it completely.
A prodigy mechanic who can repair not only clockwork but time itself, determined to rescue his father from a Stopped town.
A series of mysterious bombings that could jeopardize all of England.
A boy who would give anything to relive his past, and one who would give anything to live at all.
A romance that will shake the very foundations of time.
Victoria Schwab describes the novel as “at once familiar and utterly original”. An alternate Victorian world ruled by clock towers does sound original but the automaton and principles used were familiarly steampunk.
In this world, time seems to be a very changeable thing which leads me to some questions. What is time in relation to the moon, the sun and other celestial bodies? If time can run fast them slow, does that mean the people in a town age faster and die faster or a town where people die sooner than another town? In a world where time is very erratic, what is their reference point? These things were not explained and I think the world-building needs to flesh out some of the finer details.
Danny is a skilled mechanic but he’s also the type who do not think things through and did some things that came biting him in the ass. There were moments when I thought he was unlikable but he pulled through at the end. Danny and Colton are a cute couple although I am only halfway convince that their relationship would work because a. Colton’s a clock spirit, he doesn’t age but he also very fragile, b. Colton’s emotions affect time so when things got hot and steamy between him and Danny, time ran really, really fast so I don’t think Colton should be exposed to extreme emotions. However, there’s enough fluff to satisfy my fluff quota so I could deal.
You’re everything. You’re… You’re chaos and order and everything between. Like sunshine kept back by clouds. Like the entire world’s imploded inside you, but all I see are the stars are sewn into your skin. You’re filled with soft, dark music. I hear it all the time. Your music.
This book was on my to-be-read list for a long time. Sadly, I was not as into it as I hope I would be. There were some predictable elements but I really liked the clock spirits idea. There is so much potential here that I hope the author might expand the concept and make the logic of the fantasy element a little more rigorous. I hope she adds more details to the world and make things a little more steampunk other than just mere mentions of automaton. I also don’t understand what the protesters were for and why exactly they are protesting the towers. I hope book two might make this plot point clearer.
Timekeeper is an example of a book with an interesting premise but failed to deliver all the goods. The parts where it delivered were enough to convince me to pick up the second book though so I’m not giving up on Danny and Colton yet.
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
Soundtrack: Precious Time
Artist: The Maccabees
Album: Colour It In(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25760792-timekeeper)
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Murder Takes the High Road – Josh Lanyon
From award-winning male/male author Josh Lanyon: a librarian finds himself in a plot right out of one of his favorite mystery novels
Librarian Carter Matheson is determined to enjoy himself on a Scottish bus tour for fans of mystery author Dame Vanessa Rayburn. Sure, his ex, Trevor, will also be on the trip with his new boyfriend, leaving Carter to share a room with a stranger, but he can’t pass up a chance to meet his favorite author.
Carter’s roommate turns out to be John Knight, a figure as mysterious as any character from Vanessa’s books. His strange affect and nighttime wanderings make Carter suspicious. When a fellow traveler’s death sparks rumors of foul play, Carter is left wondering if there’s anyone on the tour he can trust.
Drawn into the intrigue, Carter searches for answers, trying to fend off his growing attraction toward John. As unexplained tragedies continue, the whole tour must face the fact that there may be a murderer in their midst—but who?
This book is approximately 60,000 words.
I would love to go on a ‘Tour to Die for’ across Scotland! Explore old castles, find hidden panels and trap doors, see a headless ghost or two. If ever I do save enough money to go on a trip abroad, I’d make pilgrimages to anime sites in Japan or literary settings in the UK. I hope K.J. Charles does a book tour or maybe Jordan L. Hawk. I wish Widdershin’s a real place.
Murder Takes the High Road is an Agatha Christie-flavored mystery that I couldn’t stop listening to. Poor Carter Matheson, a librarian who had to endure his ex, Trevor and Trevor’s new boyfriend, Vans, in a group tour for fans of Dame Vanessa Rayburn. Carter meets the rest of the fans among them John Knight, who turned out to join the tour for some vague reason and who was not really a fan. Carter and John were roommates and they clicked really well. I liked their easy-going camaraderie and friendly banter.
Trevor was being an ass and a drama queen. He was probably the most annoying member of the group. I was as exasperated as Carter at the fact that Trevor kept making it sound like Carter was the one who was trying to win him back. Me, I was just relieved Carter had moved on to better things (or in this case, better man) already.
Dame Vanessa Rayburn is a very interesting woman. Killed her boyfriend at 15, served jail time then went on to become a best selling novelist with an OBE to boot. She lives in an old castle in an island. The tour was in her honor and it is said that somebody died on the previous tour and then, somebody actually died on the tour that Carter was in. Nobody noticed anything except Carter who felt the itch to investigate. He was no Poirot but he did figure everything out.
I liked how the author didn’t push the romance too far beyond what is plausible for two people who were together for only a couple of days. It was the mystery that took center stage. I find the mystery within a mystery clever but the big reveal was somehow anti-climactic. Maybe I was expecting it to be more shocking but the suspects were already obvious since they stick out too much. There was one slightly sour note when John was being a killjoy and found the game a bit too much but for me, I think it was a genius idea for a themed tour. I got John’s point about Vanessa and she got what she deserved at the end.The book ended on a hopeful note and we can imagine Carter and John taking another trip across the Scottish Isles. Good riddance to Trevor.
This is my first full-length Josh Lanyon novel. I really liked it. It’s a great mix of romance and mystery. The romance might not be the all out passionate romance that most people seem to like but I really liked Carter and John’s natural chemistry. I think this is the kind of relationship that last. The mystery might not be as mind-boggling as the best ones out there but it has enough twists and turns to keep one from being bored. However with that ending, we need a sequel or an epilogue that would wrap things up in a neat, tidy bow.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: Watching the Detectives
Artist: Elvis Costello
Album: My Aim is True(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25825973-murder-takes-the-high-road)
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Of Heaven and Hell: A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology –
Kim Fielding, Michael P. Thomas, J. Alan Veerkamp, Asta Idonea, Nicki J. Markus, Eric Gober, Nephylim, Eddy LeFey , S. Zanne, Jana Denardo, Kassandra Lea & M.C. Rayne
Whether you like your angels and demons naughty or nice…
Whether you like them angelic or demonic, we have a story for you.
Our authors have tuned up their harp strings, and let loose their inner demons.
We have demons with inner angels itching to be let loose.
And angels teetering on the brink.
We have dark. We have light.
We have angst. And forbidden love.
We have happy endings and not so happy endings…
We have the stories OF HEAVEN AND HELL.
Corruption by Kim Fielding – posted here
Purgatory by M.C. Rayne – A grief-stricken Bailey commits suicide after his husband Greyson succumbs to cancer. Drench with sorrow and darkness but always, always holding on to the light.
I feel you Bailey!
Sin to Get Saved by Michael P. Thomas – posted here
Cardinal Sins by J. Alan Veerkamp – Mysterious former priest Jacob had his runic tattoos done by Ozzie with whom he feels strong desires. And I am feeling strong Constantine vibes.
21st Century Demon by Asta Idonea – A day (and night) with a demon going about his business seducing mortals for their soul. Saul is an overconfident demon who suddenly found himself unexpectedly attached to his mark. I love the writing style, humor and pop culture references. I’m rooting hard for Saul and Tom
Purgatory Pink by Eric Gober – Lovable trio of gay friends Mickey, Damon and Angelo vacations in a gay ski resort. Mickey tries to play cupid to feuding frenemies Damon and Angelo. Will they or won’t they? Slightly amusing, slightly sassy, slightly cheesy.
Fade to Light by Nephylim – Taz, whose circumstances are unknown meets cross-dressing Pix and somber Rohan in one of his endless journeys. Beyond that I don’t know anymore because I don’t care and I couldn’t connect with any of characters plus there’s hardly any world building. Weakest of the bunch.
Guardian by Eddy LeFey – A Guardian angel, Callum, on a mission to save his charge, Rory, from demonic frat boys. Steve and his groping hands are annoying but at the very least it’s fluffy.
Drawing Head by S. Zanne – A story about a serial killing demon, Devin and James, the hunter out to get him. Generations of Goodman had tried but only he succeeded. But damn that ending! He got you too, didn’t he, James?
A Wolf in the Fold by Jana Denardo – Incubus Carduus also known as David, the tea monkey and aspiring artist, seeks to be a better person for his lover, Mark, a detective. Very domesticated demon. Befriends interesting Goth girl, Lamia. Eats sex offenders. I just wished he told Mark the truth.
Dripping in SIn by Kassandra Lea – A demon, Flynn, had a hot date with his lover, the angel Samuel. That’s it really. It’s not any different from how humans go about it.
Rating:
Corruption –
3.5 Stars
Purgatory – 4 Stars
Sin to Get Saved – 4.5 Stars
Cardinal Sins – 4 Stars
21st Century Demon – 5 Stars
Purgatory Pink – 3 Stars
Fade to Light – 2 Stars
Guardian – 2.5 Stars
Drawing Head – 4 Stars
A Wolf in the Fold – 3 Stars
Dripping in SIn – 2.5 StarsOverall:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: Some Demon
Artist: Dave Matthews
Album: Some Demon
