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Whiskey & Wry, Sinners #2 (GLBT)

Whiskey and Wry by Rhys Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, Rhys Ford did not just do this to me! The ending, that ending was...was AAAAAARGH!! Now I'll be waiting on pins and needles and probably stalking her blog for any news about the next book. Okay so I would've done it anyway because I just completely ADORE this series, but I'm just going to go crazy with the waiting. Anyhoo, my attempt at a review.

Learning about Damien's life was beyond heartbreaking and so I felt this paramount happiness that he found Miki, that they found each other in that alley. These boys have gone through so much, watching their fighting will and indomitable spirit is awe inspiring. So I'll admit that what I really wanted to get to was the reunion between Damien and Miki; when it happened, I wanted to wallow in it until I was all pruny (actually read that scene like 3x >.<).

Sionn, heck Kane and the whole Morgan clan too just make me feel warm and safe. Knowing Damien was readily welcome to this boisterous and protective brood, just had me grinning like an idiot-which most likely creeped out the people at the laundromat. So it goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the heck out of this story, Rhys Ford doesn't pull punches when it comes to peeling the layers of her characters. Their pain becomes your pain, but so do their joys, and their personal triumphs. She takes me to the darkest, most painful places yet I can't help but follow; but still, that ending, that was so not fair.

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Wolf at the Door (GLBT)

Wolf at the Door by K. Drew
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This had a 'classic horror' feel to it. The author's prose just had me riveted (well, whenever life didn't get in the way and I could actually sit down and read). Much like Brad Pitt (Louis) in the film Interview With a Vampire, I pictured Nick recounting the events that led him to and then transpired in Blackwood. Rich in detail and dark in it's history, this is the kind of tale that just haunts you. With a strange sort of morbidity I felt compelled to continue reading, knowing that this was no sweet romance and even sort of expecting it not to have any sort of happily ever after.

It was hard to root for Sebastian and Nick, particularly with the bloody ties that Sebastian has with Lilith. Even after the events that unfolded I wondered how it would all work out. While the ending was good, it still left me with a sense of sadness at the price these two had to pay for their own happiness and just what kind of future they would have.

A very engrossing and dark romantic story.

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Burden (GLBT)

Burden by Annmarie McKenna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nice satisfying read. Liked the characters, particularly the Bobs (Keegan's nicknames for them really made me laugh)-though they didn't get enough screen time. A case of insta-love between the MCs but still felt believable, the chemistry is there. As for the danger they find themselves in, I got an idea who was involved pretty quickly yet that didn't diminish my interest in the story. Would've liked Brennan's case fleshed out a little more as well as the other players implicated but overall I was caught up with the guys. It's fun to imagine how Keegan will deal with recovery in the company-or more like at the mercy of Cujo, King Kong, Godzilla, and Jaws (the Bobs).

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Cold Company (Marnie Baranuik 'Between the Files' story)

Cold Company by A.J. Aalto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5

It was fun discovering this little short as I was a little antsy and wondering when I would get another dose of Harry and Marnie. Marnie goes on the hunt-ahem-in the search for a missing woman and the 'possible' vampire involved in her disappearance.

Marnie's talents, along with Wes' and Harry's assistance, uncover a woman that has been almost irrevocably damaged and broken. Rachel's existence is about survival, about having the courage to even make it out of her bedroom. Her terror is crippling, yet it's admirable that she fights for every little step she makes forward.

Marnie and Co. soon discover Rachel's monster is all too human and if they don't get to Rachel in time, her tenuous hold on life will be lost.




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Private Dicks: Undercovers (GLBT)

Private Dicks: Undercovers by Samantha M. Derr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Temper: ***** One of my favorites, and the reason I took longer to finish this antho.-I went back to reread it. >.< This story was great and a total treat to read. Reese does his PI job, mostly looking for stray pets. He doesn't have it easy with his 'supposed' pack (supposed b/c basically the Alpha is a total P*&CK and the rest are no better). When asked to infiltrate another pack to look into the murder and disappearance of several shifters is when his life becomes a tangle of lies and deception as he tries to discover what is going on. It made me sad how Reese was so used to mistreatment that Deepine's welcoming and warm actions seemed so alien to him, particularly the Alpha's focused and doting attentions. I was totally engrossed in this story. There's action and tension and mystery that when everything was revealed at the end, I was like woah, Reese is one very sweet but sneaky fellow. LOVED IT!!

The PI and the Rock Star: *** This was a good story, but I felt like it was missing something to give it that extra sparkle. Maybe it was b/c I was expecting this major confrontation between the opposing characters...but I still liked Mason and Jade.

Glamour: *** This story for me had a lot of potential, but it felt like a condensed version of a novel.So while I liked the characters and the possibilities it seemed over too quickly and the situation resolved with no particular fanfare.

The Virginia Gentleman: ***This one was actually a great story, but I felt like there was a cop out as like a previous story there is no squaring off with the bad guy, it was very easily tied up in a bow. Still enjoyed it.

The Royal Inquisitor: **** Megan Derr is always a favorite, so it goes w/o saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's so hard to realize how one simple action can cause such a serious misunderstanding. Esmour trying to prove his love and loyalty to Teigh only leaves himself open to someone else's treachery, and giving Teigh the belief that Esmour has betrayed him. Now under the employ of the crown as one of the top Inquisitors, Esmour wears penance bracelets on his wrists and the pain of Teigh's actions in his heart. Suddenly an assignment tosses them together and Esmour and Teigh finally have the opportunity to set to rights the wrongs committed years before.

Regarding the Detective's Companion: *** Jamie is having a hard time. As a PI he finds it difficult to land any cases since rarely anyone wants to overlook the fact that he's in a wheelchair and when they do, it's only to offer him shady ones. Which is what happens with his next case. Someone is willing to pay a lot of money for Jamie to find anything that will implicate Dr. Hallingsworth of a crime, even murder. Jamie doesn't want to, sensing something more is going on but feels he has no choice at the reality of his situation. He accepts the case but bows to find the truth, discover who really murdered the Dean of Dr. Hallingsworth college, and if Dr. Hallingsworth really is the killer than he has nothing to feel ashamed of. This story was enjoyable, and the relationship between Jamie and Hallingsworth is very innocent. I disliked how people treated Jamie and his handicap, so it was lovely to see how Hallingsworth and his colleagues regarded him. While an intriguing mystery, the end result felt like a let down since it was just swept under the rug. But it was good to see Jamie get a fresh start.

The Demon Bride: ****This story was another favorite. Quinn is a young man who keeps finding dead bodies in the front stoop of his father's business, and he finds it odd that neither his father or the police are willing to investigate the matter further. He is convinced to let it go but finds it difficult to turn the other way when it involves a friend. Between ominous advice from a gypsy, dark riddles and warnings from a mysterious and compelling man-Sebastian, threats from a Hunter-Francis; Quinn has to discover who is leaving him bodies and why. He also has to deal with his attraction to Sebastian when it's Oz (his father's employee) that he loves, and last but not least come to terms with the fact that his not completely human. I wanted more of this story, seriously. Sebastian is a very compelling character, Quinn is very pure and I liked that even though he didn't really know what he was doing, still tried his best to find out the truth. Oz is a very gentle and protective character so the three of them go very well together. Really good read!

Too Dangerous: **** Shi accepts a case that involves locating Elis-his possibly ex lover. Not really knowing where their relationship stands but feeling the need to find him Shi goes ahead. The assignment is way over Shi's head, something Elis will most likely throw in his face-as that was the reason for their fight before the man disappeared but Shi has no other choice. Hmm, this story is good. Not so much mystery but more action driven. Shi and Elis are guys with strong personalities. I think this case proved Elis' point, not because he thought any less of Shi, but because there are some things that Shi is just not trained for. A very exciting story.

Overall this was a great compilation of stories. :D


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Black Dog Blues (Kai Gracen, #1) GLBT

Black Dog Blues by Rhys Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

I could've given this a full five star rating because actually this first book in the series really is quite good-then again it's Rhys Ford and what can I say I really enjoy her stories-but, there were minor errors that made this a little of a bumpy ride for me.

Driving along, the excitement of a new beginning for Ryder and Kai definitely revved me up; they're push/pull relationship added that spark to this exciting tale, that's not counting the other characters who seem to be so attracted to Kai.

Then the scenery changes; like driving through open fields at night, the terrifying monster that's at the center of all of Kai's nightmares is out there just waiting to devour him whole. But this road is not a total dead end, and if there's something Kai knows, it's just how to handle treacherous roads.

Gritty, action packed, and dark at times this story kept me engaged the whole way. Kai's fear is a palpable thing and almost crippling, so I admired his strength and his personal stand against the people that hurt (and this seems like such a trivial word) him. Definitely an awesome ride and I'm looking forward to another trip.

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