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Cursed (Beholder, #1)
Cursed (Beholder, #1)
Christina Bauer | 2016 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my normal read as lately I have been hitting the erotica/contemporary romance hard. However, it had to do with necromancy and that is something I simply cannot pass up. Necromancy is something I am highly interested not only because it is rarely written about (compared to vampires, shifters, etc.), but also because rarely is the hero/heroine ever the necromancer. Usually the necromancer is the villain/antagonist.

This story was refreshing, like a breath of fresh air from what I have been reading. Elea is such a powerful character, both in magic and personality. I could definitely get behind her and her ideals. The author’s created world was also fascinating. I felt she not only created a marvelous world but also did a good job at explaining it. Sometimes in fantasy novels, I get lost concerning the author’s created mythology, but I wasn’t with this novel.

It definitely has a young adult feel to it though. Regardless, I loved it and can’t wait to read more. If you are a fan of strong heroines with interesting magic, and a fascinating world beyond imagination, then you may enjoy this novel. Not to mention the young love that spurs main characters. I am all for young, dewy eyed love…
  
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know what it is about this series that just gets me. This is the third novel I have read in the series and it just keeps getting better and better.

Historical erotica is something I can fully get behind. But a queer historical erotica?! Those don’t exist! Well let me inform you that they, in fact, do, and they are amazing. Society of Gentleman by K.J. Charles is not just one of the best historical erotic series I have read, it is also one of the best series period! So far, this one has been my favorite. There is something about forbidden love that just makes it that much more delicious. A lord and his servant? Scandalous! And toe-curling…

Again Charles brings her phenomenal character creating to the table and expertly weaves a story that lures you into its web and keeps you there till the very end. I love Charles’ writing and creativity.

There is really nothing else I feel I can say about this novel without giving it away. Are you looking for a fantastic historical romance featuring two men? Look no further! Seriously…don’t pass this series up.

Plus look at how beautiful that cover is...
  
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Logan Eccles (135 KP) rated Five Feet Apart (2019) in Movies

Oct 1, 2020 (Updated Oct 2, 2020)  
Five Feet Apart (2019)
Five Feet Apart (2019)
2019 | Drama, Romance
Spot on Adaptation to the Book
It took me a while to watch this movie but I was really looking forward to watching it because I read the book and enjoyed it. It is actually funny I only read the book because my mother bought it for her, my sister, and my niece to read it so they could go see the movie. None of them read it though only I did. After finally watching the movie I was very pleased by it almost every scene and line were straight from the novel and each actor did a good job portraying their respective characters. The only things that were missing were narrative type things so I didn't have a big issue with them being left out. However, I would've liked to see more of Wills's friends Jason and Hope because they weren't very important in the movie but in the book essential to the chapters about Will the same can be said about his mother too her story is way more important in the book. But I get why they weren't essential to the movie since it focuses purely on Stella instead of the back and forth between Stella and Will in the novel. All in all, this was a good adaptation of the book and a sweet romance flick. I recommend it.
  
LA
Live and Love Again
Jan Gayle | 2016
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Three years ago, Sarah lost her partner, Cheryl, in a terrible accident. A former Colonel in the military, Sarah remains shattered by Cheryl's death and closed off to those around her. She focuses on her furniture business and her dog, Benny. But on a flight to Chicago, she meets Jessica Whitney, a beautiful, successful, businesswoman. The two hit it off immediately and feel an instant connection. The sudden sparks force Sarah to re-think everything - is she ready to move one? Can she really imagine herself with a wealthy and strong woman?

This book is admittedly, a fairly stereotypical cheesy romance. But if the New Adult genre can write them so prolifically, then I think it's refreshing to find a novel that actually offers lesbian characters. True, I probably overlooked a few flaws in this book because I'm completely starved for books with lesbian protagonists and romance, but it was still an enjoyable story. The book engages you early on, when Jessica and Sarah meet. I read the first 150 pages rapidly - it drew me in immediately. Sarah is a likable character; as is Jessica, really. You can imagine knowing either of them in your lesbian circles (beyond Jessica's money, perhaps).

Speaking of the money, the book hammers home that point a bit much: Sarah has no money, Jessica has plenty of it. That gets a bit repetitive and the book stalls a little in the middle. That stall is helped by the cliche of the "wounded character hurt by a death in a previous relationship who can't move on." However, that cliche is found in plenty of genres, not just LGBT. Still, Gayle maneuvers her characters around all their issues fairly deftly. You're pretty sure you know how Jessica and Sarah will wind up, but it's still fun watching them get there. The book is sexy (especially early on - maybe that's the real lesbian cliche - ha!), fun, and, as always, refreshing to see some lesbian characters portrayed as real people. Points for the sweet and loyal supporting character of Jimmy the Driver, too. Definitely a fun, quick read.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for publication on 1/19. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
  
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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Lexin's Quest in Books

Jan 18, 2018  
LQ
Lexin's Quest
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second story I have read by Tamara Hartl, and further solidified my appreciation for her. If you have read her novel Dark Lord of Kismera, then you are familiar with her fantastic world and characters as well as her easy writing style. If you haven’t read Hartl before, I highly recommend her. Her Dark Lord series is a perfect mesh of fantasy and romance with a nice touch of heat. Her mythology is easy to understand and I didn’t feel left behind when she described anything fantastical. I also feel that you don’t have to read the first in the series to enjoy the second. The author lets you know everything pertinent to enjoy the story.

I recommend Hartl to anyone looking for a steamy fantasy with an amazing world.
  
TI
The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>The Iron Hunt</i> is a beautifully written book with some interesting twists on established fantasy memes. To some extent, I felt that I'd come in to the world on book 2 or 3, but as far as I know (and from what Amazon says) this is the first book of the Hunter Kiss series. There was a bit of Buffy and a little Witchblade, with other elements I'm sure I'm overlooking.

For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.

Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.