Review: Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost

August 22, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost by Z.A. Maxfield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoy this author’s voice and writing, perhaps even more than the book itself. The ghosts were the absolute highlight of this story while the main couple left me cold. In particular the ingénue in Fitz drove me nuts with his idiocy and often “too stupid to live” moments. He has a lot and his bumbling, socially awkward manner should be endearing but soon turns frustrating for me as a reader. Not everyone may feel this way but for me the best part of the story by far were the ghosts; an element that didn’t even make much sense or seem to fit in well. Yet I’m very glad it’s there. Continue reading →

Review: Dark Sun

August 18, 2011Kassa 2 Comments

Dark Sun by M.J. O’Shea
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a fan of dystopian fiction, I was pretty excited to read Dark Sun. The story has a very nice urban fantasy setting that fulfilled that craving I always have for the genre while the characters and plot are decent. They’re not great unfortunately, partly due to the short nature of the novella, and the entire story rushes from start to finish. The characters feel unfinished and somewhat empty as they stick close to pretty well known stereotypes. There is a vague Romeo and Juliet feel to the star crossed lovers from warring families while one character is a pretty typical Robin Hood by stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Because of these obvious tropes, the story never quite satisfies and moves into something wholly unique but the various elements included are enough to make an interesting enough story if you’re a fan of urban fantasy. Continue reading →

Review: Convincing Leopold

August 4, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

Convincing Leopold by Ava March
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Convincing Leopold is a decent sequel to Convincing Arthur. You should really read the first book to fully appreciate the main couple and their relationship but I found that the same frustrations I had with the first book are still present in this sequel. It’s an easy novella to read and March is a good writer but my main annoyance is with Arthur and those issues aren’t solved in the sequel. If you’ve read the first book and quite liked the couple, definitely continue with this one. Other March fans are also likely to enjoy the familiar tropes and writing that make a smooth, albeit delightfully steamy regency read. Continue reading →

Review: Bear Like Me

August 2, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

Bear Like Me by Jonathan Cohen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bear Like Me is a satirical look at the gay bear community. It’s a little dated as a contemporary piece but the humor translates for the most part if you’re looking for something very light and heavy on the obvious puns. The ending is ridiculous and completely over the top but that’s mostly the point. It’s meant to be outrageous and unbelievable with one gag after the next. The characters are decent and likable to a point but none stand out very much. In the end this is a fun, easy book to read but not one I’ll especially remember. Continue reading →

Review: Make a Right

July 21, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

Make a Right by Willa Okati
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I chose Make a Right because I like Willa Okati’s writing and the men seemed a touch angsty, which I adore. While the story succeeded in being romantic with a lot of elements fans are sure to love, I couldn’t quite connect with one of the main characters which kept me from truly enjoying this story. The right reader, however, will find this an easy, enjoyable book to read with very strong love conquers all and soul mate themes. Continue reading →

Review: Living Promises

July 20, 2011Kassa 2 Comments

Living Promises by Amy Lane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It’s no real secret I think Amy Lane serves angst with a side of awesome. She frankly knows how to make complicated men tug at your heartstrings and the Promise series is a great example of that. Unfortunately (and this easily could be a problem for me alone) the series starts off so high that it’s never really hit that same sweet note in subsequent books. I like Living Promises more than the second book in the series but they both pale in comparison to the first. You can read LP as a stand alone but you shouldn’t. I also realize that I just adore Crick and Deacon so much that any time the focus is on someone else, I just want more of them. This is a fine book but as a reader I’m totally spoiled by Crick and Deacon and realize that any other focus in this series will be lost on me. For the more open reader, this is a great angsty character driven story. Continue reading →

Review: The Art of the Delaneys

July 5, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

The Art of the Delaneys by Anne Brooke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Delaney’s series is a very entertaining excuse for some hot ménage sex. The various installments don’t really add much to the characterization or overall plot but the setups manage to make for some fun and hot sex scenes. The third installment is set up at Liam’s place of business and involves an art scam. This of course is just a way for Liam to have some hot and dirty sex with the mob twins but who’s complaining. Continue reading →

Review: Good & Hot: Gay Erotic Romance

June 28, 2011Kassa 2 Comments

Good & Hot: Gay Erotic Romance by Rob Rosen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rob Rosen is an author I tend to buy but his work can be hit or miss. Thus an entire collection of his short stories is along those lines with some hits, some misses, and a peek behind the curtain at what inspires him. Although Rosen always includes romance and a happy ending for his boys, the short stories are geared towards erotica. They’re hot encounters meant to get you off and sometimes Rosen’s prose doesn’t always do that for me. It’s gritty, dirty, and raw and sometimes just doesn’t work while it may for others. This collection is an interesting one and should work best for fans of the author. Continue reading →

Review: Where He Ends and I Begin

June 13, 2011Kassa 2 Comments

Where He Ends and I Begin by Cardeno C.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For those following the Home series, Where He Ends and I Begin is the third book published yet the first book chronologically. It’s a bit of a convoluted publishing scheme (it’s almost as if the books are published backwards in the timeline) but thankfully you don’t need to read the books in any particular order to understand the series. This book, like all the other books, stands alone. The writing is very typical of the other two books in the series and the tone tends to be too sweet and perfect. There is very little tension, almost no conflict, and every single person is accepting and happy for the couple. In fact life is pretty easy for these two once they actually tell each other how they feel. This kind of low drama, soul mate romance will appeal to fans who like their couples fated to be together with no question of anything tearing them apart. Continue reading →

Review: Paper Planes

June 4, 2011Kassa 2 Comments

Paper Planes by M. Jules Aedin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Paper Planes is a lovely romance and one I quite enjoyed for 2/3rds of the book. Once the two are together and in love the final 50 pages are slice of life details as the two figures out where they will live and the various details of their life together. It’s sweet and romantic yet I was missing that sense of purpose and need to read, which had my interest in the story petering out. If I’d ended the book once the two got together I don’t feel like I would have missed something important. At the same time however these two men are warm, charming, and mature with an easy, uncomplicated and drama free romance that will appeal to fans who want something light and satisfying.

Continue reading →

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3 stars