Diverse Reader: February 2017

Review

The first time I ever read a Karen Stivali book I fell in love! It was a free read (still free BTW) called Tonight. I remember reading this wondering first, how was it freaking free and second, why didn’t everyone and their mother know who she was and buy all her books like now?! Because, for me, her writing was fantastic, it was the flow, the pace, the characters, the settings, the HEAT. She had it all. And she quickly became one of my favorite auto buy authors. Maybe that makes me bias, but I think I can be objective...mostly ;)

The world she created in the Moments in Time series is a world with very dynamic and fully fleshed out characters that I cannot help but connect with, cheer for, and swoon over. And Moment of Fate was no different. Bryan Dane is the down to earth rocker guy who was going to NYU for photography we met in book one, Moment of Impact. Finally being able to see him and know him was what I’ve been waiting for. He’s the guy that never shares his problems, never wants to depend on someone else, but is always there to lend a helping hand. Bryan is working hard to graduate, taking it slow this summer with his band, and oh yeah he has that whole year of celibacy thing. I loved the glimpses we got of him in book one, but seeing him deeper here, finding out his secrets; shed a whole new light on what makes him tick. He’s not as put together as he makes himself out to be, which honestly made me love him more. He’s a funny guy who really gives everything 110% when he sets his mind to it. So finishing this pact shouldn't be so difficult…or so he thought until he met Oliver.

Oliver is a new character, and although the story is completely from Bryan’s POV, I felt I knew as much about him as I did Bryan. Oliver seems sweet, naive, and full of life. After living a half-life; he chose, he’s finally out in the big bad city wanting to explore and learn about the side of himself he’s kept hidden. I loved his blog and Bryan reading it - in his sneaky stalkerish ways - because it felt like through them I, as the reader, got to know him better. The chemistry between these two was a super slow burn but was hot and ready to ignite at any given moment. Karen took their story slowly and I loved each and every scene between these guys. And can I just say talk about super-hot catch the kindle on fire sex scenes!!! I know in part it’s the chemistry and anticipation but believe me when I tell you there are very few authors that I can say write smexy so well and Karen is one of them. It should come with a warning to not read in public, for sure.

The journey of love is easy to see between them, even when they weren’t ready to admit it. The story talks about Oliver's need for a new experience, exploring to get to know himself, but in the end this is a story about Bryan letting go of the past, looking to the future, and letting people in. It was heartwarming, heat filled, with breathtaking writing, and a place wouldn’t mind going back to again and again.

Giveaway

Enter the monthly giveaway to win

a $30.00 Dreamspinner Press GC

Contest ends March 31st!

Thanks!

Random Review: We Met In Dreams by Rowan McAllister #Review #Giveaway

Author: Rowan McAllister
Book: We Met In Dreams
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication date: February 27, 2017
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska
Length: 268 pages

Reviewed by Morningstar

Synopsis

In Victorian London, during a prolonged and pernicious fog, fantasy and reality are about to collide—at least in one man’s troubled mind.

A childhood fever left Arthur Middleton, Viscount Campden, seeing and hearing things no one else does, afraid of the world outside, and unable to function as a true peer of the realm. To protect him from himself—and to protect others from him—he spends his days heavily medicated and locked in his rooms, and his nights in darkness and solitude, tormented by visions, until a stranger appears.

This apparition is different. Fox says he’s a thief and not an entirely good sort of man, yet he returns night after night to ease Arthur’s loneliness without asking for anything in return. Fox might be the key that sets Arthur free, or he might deliver the final blow to Arthur’s tenuous grasp on sanity. Either way, real or imaginary, Arthur needs him too much to care.

Fox is only one of the many secrets and specters haunting Campden House, and Arthur will have to face them all in order to live the life of his dreams.

Buy links

Review

I am a lover of historical romance and Rowan McAllister hit the nail on the head with this one. With every word written, Rowan brought life to a world that I will soon not forget and one that I was sad to leave. There was so much to this story it’s almost hard to put into words.

The entire story was told from Arthur’s point of view, which made this story in my opinion, because it was centered around him. Although, getting into Fox’s head would've been great. I never felt the story less than, because I didn’t get it. There was an intensity to this story, it wasn’t dark, but it had this heavy darkness that just hovered at the edges, bringing down the light-hearted parts by just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The mystery around Arthur's illness at the end was unique. The author gave us the answer, but left it open to our own interpretation without making it feel as though we didn’t have all the answers. The ending in the romance was more HFN, since we don’t know what the two main characters will do to make their relationship work in a time period that being gay was criminal. Watching Fox and Arthur’s romance was nothing like any story I've ever read. Arthur’s illness made it so when Fox first showed up, he thought he was one of his apparitions, but one unlike all the others. There was safety in that for him because people made him nervous, so if Fox wasn’t real he could be himself.

Being in Arthur’s mind while he dealt with his illness and his thoughts about himself, or what others thought of him, was fascinating. I am a firm believer in having more stories about mental illness, and this one was one that will live in my mind for a very long time.

Arthur went through so much growth in this story I was at any given time cheering for him and fearing for him. Was there a bad guy? And if so, then who was it? I was never sure of Pendel, the butler or Oscar, his Uncle, even Fox had points had me worrying that I was so lost in the romance that I was missing something about him. I loved Arthur, and I loved Fox for him. The romance is what balanced the story for me. The fun and laughter and honesty that Fox brought out in Arthur was beautiful. The heat level is low but it was perfect for the innocent that Arthur was and the care that Fox had for him.

So much love for this story and I will be revisiting them again soon.

Giveaway

Enter March's Review Giveaway!

This month it's a $30.00 Dreamspinner Press GC!

Contest will end March 31st!

Thanks!

Monday, February 27, 2017

Release Day Review: Until You by TJ Klune #Review #Giveaway

Author: TJ Klune
Book: Until You
Series: At First Sight #3
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication date: February 27, 2017
Cover artist: Reese Dante
Length: 149 pages

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

Together with their families and friends

Paul Auster

and

Vincent Taylor

request the honor of your company at the celebration of their marriage.

Buy Links

Review

TJ Klune has cordially invited all of you to the wedding of Paul Auster and Vince Taylor ... and oh what a wedding it is! Until You is everything you've been waiting for, and so much more. Paul, Vince, Sandy, Darren, Daddy Charlie, Cory/Kori, and all the rest have made this wedding one you'll never forget. Hijinks galore, shenanigans that only this group can get themselves into, and full of equal parts humor and heart, Until You is a gift.

It seems like we've been waiting forever for Paul and Vince's wedding, doesn't it? We've seen them meet, we've seen Paul run Vince over with his car, we've seen death, we've seen ups and downs but through it all we knew we'd get here. TJ's unparalleled mix of humor and emotion shines through from beginning to end. You know with this series you're always going to get our favorite guys in the most ridiculous situations, and Until You is no different. There are plenty of laugh out loud, spit your drink out moments (my favorite is drunk Paul and his present for Vince :) ) but there are also plenty of moments where your heart will try to explode out of your chest from all the feels? Hello, Paul marrying RoboCop anyone? I mean seriously, right out of the gate there were tears from all the sweet and happy.

For me, even though I love Paul and Vince more than just about any other couple in Romancelandia, the part of this book that REALLY got to me was Daddy Charlie. I won't spoil anything, but if you're like me and you've been just hoping and praying for something BIG to happen to everyone's favorite grumpy Daddy, trust me when I say you will be sooooooo happy by the end of this book. And you'll probably immediately try to find something, anything, to bribe TJ with to write the next book faster! Trust me.

Matty, Larry, Nana are all present and accounted for, don't you worry. The thing I love so much about these three, and really all the rest of the characters, is that it would be SO very easy to make them into caricatures. TJ never allows that, though. Sure they say and do outrageous things, find themselves in situations most sane people wouldn't be caught dead it, but still, somehow, it all seems realistic, which just goes to show how talented TJ Klune really is.

Really, this book, and this series is just good for the soul. Paul and Vince will make you smile and fill your heart. Endearing and sweet and so funny you'll laugh until your side hurts, this wedding is one you definitely DO NOT want to miss!! Bring tissues though, you'll need them.

Giveaway

Enter the monthly review giveaway!

Contest ends Tomorrow!

Release Day Review: Black Market Blood by Francis Gideon #Review #Giveaway

Author: Francis Gideon
Book: Black Market Blood
Series: New Canadiana #2
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication date: February 27, 2017
Cover Artist: AngstyG
Length: 330 pages

Reviewed by Morningstar

Synopsis

In a world where monsters are known to—and despised by—humanity, vampire Chaz Solomon hides in plain sight as a detective on the Toronto police force. But freedom from prejudice does nothing to alleviate his guilt over the lover he betrayed to gain his label of “normal.” He spends his days living a lie and his nights in a brothel, seeking company and black-market blood.

When a serial killer preying on both vampires and sex workers leads Chaz and his department on a twisted chase through New Canadiana’s supernatural underground, one of the brothel employees, Sully, becomes the only person Chaz can trust. There’s much more to Sully than a pretty face, and he’s slowly breaching the walls around Chaz’s heart with his intelligence and kind nature.

But as the body count rises and conspiracies come to light, the past Chaz has been trying to escape comes rushing back. Sully might accept Chaz as a vampire, but will he forgive Chaz’s other deceptions? And what will become of Chaz’s life if his secret is revealed? Before he can worry about a future with Sully, he’ll have to find the vengeful murderer threatening everything he cares about.

Buy Links

Review

Murder mysteries are some of my favorite things to read, add in the fact that this takes place in a world that is filled with the supernatural and I was excited to read it. And for a bonus it was first time reading this author.

Chaz (aka Chip) is a vampire that must hide that fact since, in this world, supernaturals- or those otherwise known as “monsters”- are not allowed to have jobs in law enforcement. They really aren’t seen to have the same rights as humans. His new case hits close to home and one that has many twists and turns; making difficult to figure out who the killer really is. The author did a fantastic job on keeping me on the edge of my seat, trying to see all the clues that were given to come up with the answer. Although I did suspect who it was I was not certain most of the way through the story. A sign of someone who is great writing mysteries since hiding it completely is super hard to do most times.

In order to feed, Chaz needs to go to a private club that caters to all supernaturals and humans for blood and sex. It’s here he meets Sully, a sex worker, that becomes much more than that to him. I personally loved both characters; but didn’t fully feel that they had a connection. The beginning part of their relationship felt stilted and for me I didn’t feel the chemistry between them. I’m not sure what it was since the writing was great so it truly could just be me. Sully was never in a place of wanting since he was content and happy in the life he led. He may have been forced to become a sex worker, but he finally found a place to call home and a job that he was good at. But he felt a connection that he typically doesn’t feel for his clients, and as much as he knows he should walk away, he just cannot bring himself to do it.

Danger and intrigue is the name of the game in this story. It was interesting and fun to read especially adding, that if Chaz doesn’t figure out who the real killer is he may be framed for all of them and soon. Great story that held my attention, an atmospheric world created that was descriptive and grounded all at the same time.

Giveaway

Enter the monthly review giveaway!

Contest ends Tomorrow!!