Review: Not His Kiss to Take by Finn Marlowe … Free porn that’s highly entertaining

March 2, 2015Kassa 3 Comments

Very interesting book. I initially decided to read it because of the mixed reviews on it – some loving it as pure porn and others being bothered by the close to abuse actions – and it’s free. I figured I was up for some free literary porn so why not take a chance.

I have to admit, I loved this book. I found it incredibly entertaining and it’s really close to porn without a plot, but honestly I thought it was really funny and absorbing with a lot hot sex. There’re definitely some problems that skirt the line and I can see why some readers would be disgusted and discomforted by the aspects depicted. If I was reading a book that took itself seriously I probably would have been as well but since I was reading it with the expectation of being unrealistic porn, I didn’t mind the problems. Continue reading →

Throwback review: Body and Soul by Jordan Castillo Price (Psycop #3) New Audiobook Version

February 16, 2015Kassa Leave a comment

Body and Soul by Jordan Castillo Price

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sadly this was the last of the audiobooks for the psycop series and I kind of want to wail and gnash my teeth. Please JCP, please make more! Please!? If not everything in your backlist (yes yes I’m greedy) then at least the psycop series. I feel bereft knowing there are no more and while I’ll be listening to these again, I long for the entire series. Can I beg again, please?

Enough of that though. I liked the third book in the series more this time around due again to the narrator, the fantastic Gomez Pugh, but the lack of coherent plot still stood out. I enjoyed the furthering of the relationship between Jacob and Vic and damn they have some extremely hot chemistry – something JCP has always been excellent at creating. However the plots do get better in the series and it’s evident the mystery portion was still finding its feet early on in the series. I’d forgotten key parts of the series, such as the zombies, and it made me roll my eyes at that part but this time around I focused on the relationship between the key players and Vic’s new partner. I especially loved the narrator’s voice for Zig, Vic’s new partner. It was so very UP/Minnesotan that I wished he talked a lot more. That’s one of the reasons I sometimes prefer audiobooks as they add another layer to the story. Sometimes in a good way and others not so good. It compensates for sometimes missing details and nuances when not physically reading. Overall the plot this time was barely there and not entirely good but the writing and solid characterization smoothes over any issues in my opinion. I’m still impressed how well this series has held up on re-reading and even better on listening. Highly recommended still !

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Review: A Case of Possession

May 28, 2014Kassa Leave a comment

A Case of Possession by K.J. Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

While Case of Possession, the second book in the Magpie series by KJ Charles, feels like a filler book, it’s still exceptionally entertaining and well written. The characters are wonderful with incredibly clean, evocative writing and the plot is absorbing. I do feel as though the mystery was a bit rushed and not as thorough as the previous book. Perhaps that’s because this particular outing offered more focus on Lucien and Stephen’s deepening relationship so time on the who-dun-it had to be sacrificed. It’s a minor compliant though and I’m more convinced than ever this author is a really stunning writer. I’m going to look for everything she’s written and dive in happily. Continue reading →

Review: Not a Drop to Drink

October 15, 2013Kassa Leave a comment

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 rounded down

As a fan of dystopian novels, I was eager to read this. I’d heard it was stark, sometimes uncomfortable and bleak to read with some moments of angst. The reviews I’d read made the book seem dire and almost overwhelmingly dark. I had some hesitation because while I like dystopian, I don’t want to be depressed after reading a book. However, upon finishing Not a Drop to Drink, I didn’t feel depressed at all. I found the material fascinating and I flew through the pages. I never felt the world was desolate or depressing. Harsh, stark, and unforgiving definitely but there is always a thread of hope and the book actually ends on an absurdly positive note. I think dystopian fans will really enjoy this story, even if the YA romance shouldn’t have been included. Continue reading →

Throwback book – Urban Shaman by Lyn Gala

August 29, 2013Kassa Leave a comment

Urban Shaman by Lyn Gala

3.74 average rating · My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Published April 12th 2010 by Dreamspinner Press

A few thoughts…I reread this book recently over my staycation (beach vacation was cancelled sadly). I quite like Lyn Gala and there are several of her books I want to re-read. This one just came out at me. I didn’t remember anything about it, just that I gave it a very high rating and remember loving it. I didn’t even read my review before I dove back into the book. I only read my review after I finished reading and it’s very on point for how I still feel about the book.

While I urge everyone to read the full review on the book, which I think covers everything, my thoughts on re-read were as follows. I would still rate this at 4.5 stars easily. I instantly became absorbed in the book once again. At several points all I wanted to do was continue reading. I had forgotten there was little romance, but that suited me just fine. I found Nikolai slightly more annoying this time around and the magical ending to the missing children bothered me more this reading. However, I still found this to be an exceptionally written and paced book. I kept wanting more of Rob and Miguel. I was sorry to see the book end and curious where the characters could go from there.

One reason I really enjoyed the re-read, not just reading a great book, was that I didn’t remember the book while reading. It kept feeling like a fresh, brand new book. I knew I’d read it before but none of the details came to mind when reading so I was free to experience the book all over again as if it were the first time. I loved that, especially having the freedom to not worry. I could trust the book was good and would satisfy.

This was one of the most enjoyable books – re-read or new – that I’ve read in weeks, if not months. I may need to pull this out again in a year or so. Continue reading →

Review: Heir of Starlight

June 12, 2013Kassa 2 Comments

Heir of Starlight by Nicole Kimberling
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I honestly can’t think of a better treat than a Nicole Kimberling sci-fi book. I was of two minds to read this because it’s a sequel to a book that was published four years ago so although I read that book I can’t remember a single detail about it sadly. While I was really excited to delve into this, I worried that I’d be lost since I couldn’t remember anything from the previous book. Thankfully I don’t think you need to since the story flows easily enough without encountering any big gaps. No doubt reading and remembering the previous book will enhance enjoyment and understanding of this one, I think anyone new to the series can read it just fine. I certainly enjoyed it immensely despite my lack of remembered knowledge. Continue reading →

Review: Divergent

January 4, 2013Kassa 2 Comments

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

*WARNING: This review may contain minor spoilers. This is the kind of information that would be revealed very early on in the book and nothing regarding later outcomes.

It’s been a while since I’ve devoured a book. The kind of reading where you don’t want to put it down and find yourself sneaking in time to read it. I read this during our NYE celebration because it’s that good; at least to me. It’s not a perfect book by any means and it struggles in some places but the creativity and writing easily stands out. The best part for me is the moral ambiguity. The gray space of right and wrong, struggling to do the right thing when it’s not entirely clear what the right choice is. The very real and concrete consequences combined with the atmosphere of violence gives a visceral authenticity to the book. Anything can and will happen to almost anyone. No one is safe and what is safe anyway? Continue reading →

Review: Apples and Regret and Wasted Time

June 30, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

Apples and Regret and Wasted Time by Cornelia Grey
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This short story is definitely one of my favorites. It hits all the high notes and great details that I personally adore while being short enough to leave me wanting more; the setting, writing, characters, and bittersweet but hopeful ending just do it all for me. This is a short story I’ll easily read again and one I’d recommend to anyone that’s a fan of urban fantasy-esque type settings. It’s not quite futuristic or even magic/fantasy based but the super hit man/cop dynamic gives it that edge and feel without those added details. In short, I loved it and highly recommend it. Continue reading →

Review: The Legend of the Mountain Ash

June 21, 2011Kassa Leave a comment

The Legend of the Mountain Ash by Ruth Sims
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Legend of Mountain Ash is a wonderful story. I’ve read it before and remembered the story as soon as I read the first lines. It’s one that sticks with you, pulling emotion that you don’t want to fear and wonder at the magic offered. It’s not an easy story but Sims rarely offers that. Instead it’s sad, painful, uplifting, and offers happiness but not before the sacrifice. The writing is beautiful and perhaps some of the author’s best so if you haven’t read it, you should for that reason alone.

Ethan and Davy return to the America after World War II and eventually find themselves living in an isolated cabin in the woods after an aborted attempt to live in a small town. Together they build a life. It’s hard and marked by back breaking work but they’re happy and in love. They etch out a home, plant crops, raise animals, and love each other. Years later a stranger enters their life, heralding loss and pain but perhaps eventually magic and salvation but only at the end of the journey.

The story is deceptively simple. It’s a tale of magic, love, pain, sacrifice, and happiness. The language is beautiful and powerful with no words wasted. Each description brings the vivid colors and hardships to life while tears and laughter ring out and leap off the page. Sims’ prose is enchanting as it draws you in from the very beginning and never lets you go. There is a sense of wonder and bittersweet foreshadowing. The characters are accepting even as they ache for more.

The Legend of Mountain Ash is a fairytale and a love story wrapped together in a moving tribute to love and sacrifice. The depth of emotion this short story draws is a real testament to the author’s skill. It’s not an easy journey but one you’ll be glad to take. The ending of course will have you smiling through the tears.

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Review: Mere Mortals

May 2, 2011Kassa 11 Comments

Mere Mortals by Erastes
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Mere Mortals is an excellent Gothic story filled with drama, intensity, romance, and a vivid setting that stands out in almost every scene. The mystery is somewhat surprising in that the clues are slowly laid out along the way and the reader is left to interpret them. You can either see through the disguise as Myles does, remain innocently clueless like Crispin, or indulge in the fantasy like Jude. The characters all represent vitally important but different personalities that together form a complex yet fascinating story. Historical drama is not always a favorite genre among readers but you won’t want to miss this one.