Bloodlust (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #2)
7.7
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A new beginning... When Stefan Salvatore's first love turned him into a vampire, his world—and...
Bats In The Belfry
8.0
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Bruce Attleton dazzled London's literary scene with his first two novels - but his early promise did...
Temeraire (Temeraire, #1)
4.0
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Naomi Novik’s stunning series of novels follow the global adventures of Captain William Laurence...
Conference Cupid
7.0
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Aspiring author, Keary Galloway, hasn't had sex since her divorce a year ago. No wonder her heart...
romance short stories smashwords novels books
Thankfully, all three are stand-alone.
This one is set in the relatively near future and on the moon, where Artemis is the first - and, currently, only - city there, and where life can be rough.
Which is why the protagonist Jasmine "Jazz" Bashara turns to smuggling alongside her 'proper' job as a porter. And, inevitably, finds herself involved in a conspiracy for control of the city when things go sideways.
Personally, I found this to be a bit weaker than either The Martian or Project Hail Mary but, well, tastes may differ!
David McK (3791 KP) rated Tyrant of Rome (Cato and Macro #24) in Books
May 26, 2026
Yes, that Nero.
the one who (famously) "fiddled while Rome burnt".
And, indeed, a fire in Rome plays a pivotal role in this, with Cato put in charge of the much-maligned urban cohorts by a fickle Nero and appointing (the now supposedly retired) Macro as his second-in-command.
If you've read any of the previous books you'll - largely - know what to expect, although -as Cato has now moved up in society - we're moving away from the wars of the earlier novels into more political (but just as, if not more so) dangerous waters.
David McK (3791 KP) rated Ravenheart (Rigante #3) in Books
May 5, 2024
I think it's generally accepted that the Rigante are Gemmell's equivalent of the Scots, and that this book and its subsequent sequel are his interpretation of the wars fought by the Scottish Highlanders against the invading English (whereas the earlier two books were more like their wars against Rome).
As in most of his works, the novel deals with the notions of redemption and the nature of both good and evil, and has a strong central protagonist plagued by doubt. Worth reading? Assuredly yes (though I'd say that about nearly all his novels)
ClareR (6225 KP) rated Absolution in Books
May 30, 2025
Annihilation is in three parts: Dead Town (20 years before Area X); The False Daughter (18 months before Area X), which deals with the aftermath of what happened in Dead Town; and The First and Last, the first formal expedition into Area X, 18 months before its creation.
This is a weird and wonderful book: experimental, jam packed with horror and it left me constantly on edge. How on Earth someone can come up with these ideas, I have no idea. I’m certainly glad that Jeff VanderMeer is around and writing novels like this, though!
David McK (3791 KP) rated Around the world in 80 days in TV
Jan 30, 2022
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!