DNF due to crippling illness.

DNF due to crippling illness.

It’s been a long time since I last read a magical mystery story and Cat Sitter’s Curse by Angel Leigh McCoy was a delightful surprise. It was by turns cute, suspenseful, exciting, surprising, and engrossing. I stayed up past midnight trying to finish it. I enjoyed that two of the main characters are mother and daughter (Kitty and Diana) and it was rewarding to see them grow closer through the various mysteries in the story. What attracted me to the book was the feline main character Muse. He is not at all a sweet kitty, but rather an otherworldly immortal cat who behaves like Earth cats to fit in. He too experiences emotional growth through the tale. I did not solve the big or small mysteries before the characters did, which made it an excellent mystery book. The setting in mythical Wyrdwood was as important as any of the characters. I had not read the first book in the series, but was able to pick up all the important elements as I read this one. I will now add this author to my must-read list! I received a free copy of the book from LibraryThing and am leaving this review voluntarily.

DNF due to crippling illness.

Divine Intervention by Riley Benhoff contains some of my favorite story elements. I love books with song titles for chapter headings. I look them all up on my computer. I also like when a “bad” character is redeemed by the overwhelming good of another character or two. While books set in high schools are not my favorite, the author captured the teen angst quite well.The main character, BL or Be’el, is searching for his past and in the process, the past of another character gets revealed. Be’el is a demon who is more good than most of the rest of the characters in the book. Although his appearance is thoroughly described, for me at least I saw him as a nice guy with a disturbing past, who tried to never hurt anyone. The book also included one of my least favorite writing tropes, which is why I took away a star. I received this book as an Early Reviewers giveaway from LibraryThing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Allowing the Night by T.S. Winterway uses an interesting technique in their fantasy story. Quite often fantasy books spend a lot of time on worldbuilding to set the stage for the action. In Allowing the Night the whole book is told in first person, either by the human protagonist Jaq or the grimling/fae Briar. One thing that this accomplishes is making both characters likable since we can see they are just trying to survive in a perhaps post-apocalyptic world. I liked the way the tension was built up in the book and did not see the ending coming at all. But it ends on a positive note, for those who need to know the main characters survive and maybe even thrive.
There was something that took me out of the story and it was that both Jaq and Briar have the vocabulary most would associate with a college education here in the US. Jaq even names the different verb tenses used in English (and most other languages too). Other than that it was an engrossing read and I would read the author again. I was fortunate enough to win a copy of the book from LibraryThing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoy short stories because they let me read a complete story when I don’t have enough time to read even a novella. Short Stories by Fred Griffiths fits this bill well, with very short vignettes of only a few pages. One unique feature to some of the stories is little poems as part of the dialogue, which I’ve not encountered before other than in some children’s books (e.g. Alice in Wonderland) and I am a voracious reader. Most of the stories have an animal that adds to the entertainment. My biggest complaint is the poor editing. I speculate English is a second language for the author, increasing the need for editing. I received a copy of Short Stories by Fred Griffiths from LibraryThing and am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Rival Most Vial by R K. Ashwick is a fun enemies-to-lovers story set in an intriguing fantasy world filled with elves, orcs, and others living ordinary lives. In addition to all the paranormal beings included, they also represent a good portion of the LGBTQA+ rainbow. Ultimately the book celebrates found family, something I share as central to my life. The main characters, Ambrose and Eli, have different backgrounds that often make for misunderstandings on their road from enemies to lovers. It was interesting to see all the potions the two cook up, along with the magic of wands created by their friend Dawn. I enjoyed her and all the supporting characters and would read more books in this setting with its excellent worldbuilding. I received a free ARC of A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick from LibraryThing and am leaving a review voluntarily.

Phantom & Rook by Aelina Isaacs is one of the most involved fantasy novels I’ve read recently. It is a high fantasy set in one location and the quest is initially in the form of a game created by a mythical being who watches over the city. There are also a slew of characters in addition to the two main ones, Thatch Phantom and Arlo Rook from the eponymous title. It is not much of a spoiler to say none of the other characters are superfluous. I especially appreciated the diversity of secondary characters, in almost every sense possible, including physical abilities. It almost would have been convenient to have a character list. Since Phantom & Rook is a romance, the reader knows the main characters will wind up together somehow, even though there were chapters that made me wonder if the book was going to be bittersweet, which I don’t care for. I’m happy to say that is not the case. The author has done an excellent job of worldbuilding. I liked the mix of modern technology, even down to cell phones that must be charged, and the existence of different types of magic and paranormal creatures. There are a number of flashbacks to explain some of the issues faced by not only the two main characters, but several of the secondary ones as well. Again, nothing is brought in without it being important to the overall tale. I’ve not read this author before, but I will be on the lookout for another book in this world. I received a copy of Phantom & Rook by Aelina Isaacs from show more LibraryThing and am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

I enjoy reading about people from the whole LGBT+ spectrum and Farm to Fabre by Dahlia Donovan features two characters who are both ace, Andriana (Andie) and Docherty (Doc). Doc is also autistic which means in his case he needs longer to process feelings and to try to understand them. The book gives the reader their whole romance over sixteen months, with both viewpoints usually represented. The story is sweet and touching in presenting how other people manage to connect and create satisfying lives outside of the heterosexual, neurotypical mold. I wish I had been able to see myself in fiction romances when I was growing up, but better late than never. I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I’ve enjoyed Katherine McIntyre’s Chesapeake Days series and Stronger than Longing is an emotional finish. It’s a classic bad boy/good boy romance, with the bad boy, Silas, ripe to be redeemed by the good boy, Taran. I don’t usually like books with babies/children as important characters, but this book made me change my mind. As always, it was good to see characters from the previous books make an appearance in Stronger than Longing. Who knew life in a small town could be so entertaining and diverse? And the diversity is treated as normal, not an add-on. If I wasn’t already in love with the book, all it took was a line from Taran who says in regards to his new program: Not like I’m curing MS. That hit home for me, since I am now in a wheelchair thanks to my MS. It’s nice to be seen, if only peripherally. It was a real pleasure to read that the author intends a spinoff series, which I will eagerly await. I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

One of Our Spaceships is Missing by Chris Gerrib is a fun space opera. In addition to pirates seizing the ship, I enjoyed the changes brought about in the world, or rather the solar system, in the 23rd century, including the normalization of LGBTQIA people and relations. Having served in the USAF, it was entertaining to see the role they played in the future. I also liked how the Americans and Martians came together to save the hijacked ship and the similarities and differences in the two militaries. I liked switching between the missing ship and the activities on ground to find her and save her. Having the main person on Earth involved in the rescue operation being an FBI agent who knew nothing about space and little about the military gave the perfect reason for the military spacers to explain what was happening in space. Another thing I enjoyed was the use of contemporary SFF references for ship names. And it was also fun that a couple of characters went to the same university I did for my PhD. Even readers who aren’t that knowledgeable about technology or the military can enjoy this book. I received a free copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Fangscreen by Ellen Mint did what I thought was impossible - put a new spin on vampires. I’ve been reading vampire books since LKH and thought I’d seen it all. But in Jareth we find a vampire willing to stretch his limits to get to know Laiken, the ultimate sun and sea worshiper. It was fun to see these opposites discovering some common ground and falling for each other. There is a big twist toward the end that I did not see coming, but was very rewarding. There was also a small twist that was pure fun and put a smile on my face. I’ve not read a book by the author before, but I will again. I received a free copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Katherine McIntyre continues their Chesapeake Days series with another entertaining book in Stronger than Passion. I enjoy enemies to lovers when it is believable. The author gave Nico, one-night stand king, and Hudson, serial monogamist, a truly rough road to HEA, which made it feel authentic. While the sparks from these two are overwhelming, the misunderstandings are epic. They both have difficult family situations, although of different varieties, complicating their lives further. One of the things I like most about reading a series is having characters from previous books put in an appearance and Stronger than Passion has plenty of this, since the setting in a small town makes it inevitable. As before, the author has planted the seeds for the final book in the trilogy. I’m already looking forward to it!

I was fortunate to win a copy of Adrift in Starlight by Mindi Briar from LibraryThing. I was sold on the book when I read the lines: “Just… avoiding contact with humans. That, more than anything, proves they’re intelligent life-forms.” This book is so much better than its blurb makes it sound and that wasn’t bad. The author has done an excellent job of depicting characters who are not cis het white and made them believable. They have also created an immersive future world that runs on dragon power, a fantastic combination that makes for engaging world building.The adventures of our brave crew of Tai (aka Titan), Aisha, Jimin, and Hue on various worlds are exciting and dangerous and help create this found family. I was hoping for a link to the next book at the end of this one.

I was fortunate to win a copy of Mothers of Enchantment from LibraryThing. I enjoyed the various stories in the collection, which included tales of fairy godfathers as well as fairy godmothers. I was pleasantly surprised to find stories based on tales I was not familiar with, despite fairy tales being my favorite when I was young. My favorites were the stories that modernized the trope, such as My Last Curse by Elise Forier Edie and Modern Magic by Carter Lappin.

This was a DNF for me because it was too depressing. The world I live in is depressing enough without reading a book that increases the feeling. I read fantasy to escape. The worldbuiling was impressive and I can see why people like the writing.

Stronger Than Hope by Katherine McIntyre is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last! I believe it is important to see ourselves in books, so LGBTQIA representation is an automatic plus for me. I also enjoy when the location plays a key role in the book, which is true for Chesapeake City, a real small town in Maryland. What really makes the book an entertaining read are the great characters of Nate and Linc. Both are nice guys who have been dealt a bad hand by life, one losing his wife in childbirth and the other his lousy boyfriend to another man. Watching them navigate the rocky road to love put a smile on my face. They are aided and abetted by a fun cast of secondary characters, both male and female, some of whom are likely to get their own book. A great start to a new series.

I received a copy of The Only True Biography of Mae Jemison by Sneeze, Her Cat by Dan Greenburg from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I am on my public library board and we are focusing on EDI this year. I requested this book with an eye to recommending it for inclusion in our library. I’m happy to say I will definitely be making this recommendation. This is a charming story that makes an extraordinary woman seem very human through the eyes of her cat. It also should improve people’s opinion of cats, as Sneeze is both wise and funny. It was a nice relief from the pandemic to read this enchanting tale.

I received a copy of Deja Vu Halloo by Chris Dolley from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers. I was a fan of P.G. Wodehouse in high school and am currently a fan of steampunk, so this pastiche was perfect for me, plus it had the additional benefit of being amusing at a time in history when that is lacking. Since the cover set the tone for the mystery, I knew what to expect even not having read the previous books in the series. Dolley captures the essence of Wodehouse fun, brings in other people from the time period (e.g., H.G. Wells), and adds in entertaining steampunk elements. While 2020 is almost over, there still remains a need for light-hearted entertainment and the author delivers this perfectly!

I received a copy of Champagne Charlie and the Amazing Gladys by B. G. Hilton from LibraryThing. I have been a fan of steampunk since it was developed, having read Wells, Verne, and Doyle like the author. This is a good addition to the genre, with a complex story that follows Oscar Wilde’s dictum: The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means. There are so many characters, both good and bad, that it is hard to keep track of them all without a crib sheet. And they are all interacting in different locations in the London area. I enjoyed the story’s mix of steampunk elements with all-out fantasy, without any spoilers. At first, I was going to give it three and a half stars until the final chapter which was so satisfying that it elevated my ranking to four stars. I would definitely read another book by the author!

I received a copy of A Witchly Influence by Stephanie Grey from LibraryThing. I requested the book because I wanted something lighter in these trying times. The book delivered with its tale of Carmen, a witch who must influence two people onto their right path. I enjoyed that it was not a romance, as it showed people could be happy with their lives without “The One” to complicate things. The characters who surround Carmen are mostly all entertaining, including her boss and close friends, and they all provide advice to the novice influencer. I would read the future exploits of Carmen and company.

What attracted me to Poisoned Primrose by Dahlia Donovan was the main character was not young and neurotypicallly perfect. Rather, Motts is autistic and almost forty. Her autism makes it hard for her to leave something incomplete, or in this case, unsolved. Her need to know what happened to the body in her garden feels very real, as do her other non neurotypical behaviors. She is surrounded by close friends and family who help and sometimes hinder her efforts at living on her own.As someone with a neurologic disability, I applaud her taking on the world her way! I can’t wait for the second story in the series.

I received a copy of Special Delivery by Ellen Mint from Member Giveaways by LibraryThing. With ebooks, I discovered a love of holiday-themed books and Special Delivery was my first for V-day this year. As I am not a fan of this holiday, I especially enjoy books that highlight some of its negatives and Special Delivery does that. The author chose two MCs who are not white gym rats and that made the story work for me. I also liked how the artist Jack wound up working at a florist, as most artists need a regular job to pay the bills. A fun fast read.

I received a copy of Naked Came the Florida Man by Tim Dorsey from LibraryThing. I requested the book because I needed something humorous in my life and Dorsey more than delivered. Although I had a roommate from Florida for many years and even visited their home state a few times, I learned so much about Florida from this book. I loved reading all the quirky facts triggered by the road trip of Serge and Coleman. I also enjoyed the vigilante justice that Serge dispensed frequently in the story. Although there was one that was too gruesome for me but well-deserved nonetheless. Since I usually read genre fiction, this was the first Dorsey book I read, but it won’t be the last! The author will now be my go-to choice whenever I need an escape from depressing reality.

I received a copy of The Athlete and the Aristocrat by Louisa Masters from LibraryThing. It’s been a while since I read a Dreamspun Desires story and I’d forgotten how much fun they can be! I’d actually read The Bunny and the Billionaire by Masters and The Athlete is set in the same world, with the characters of The Bunny making an important appearance, although The Athlete can be read as a stand-alone. Simon and Lucien are great characters, both lovable yet human at the same time. Of course, the path to true love does not run smooth, but love triumphs in the end, which is what we want from category romance. While not a sports fan myself, the importance of it in the story added a grounding touch. The book delivered what the series promises - heartwarming heroes, captivating plots, and exotic settings.

I received a copy of Mazes of Magic by Jack Massa from LibraryThing. This is a great book for someone with a background in Egyptian and Greek culture or good google skills. Luckily, I fall in the first category, having been a classics major and worked in the Egyptian Department of a major NYC museum. I loved how the author set the novel in the period of the Ptolemies, so the combination of cultures was realistic. Korax is a fascinating main character, very human in his hubris and interest in all things magical. His stint as a scribe, while frustrating as a slave, nonetheless teaches him many things that will help him on his journey set by the gods. As with any engrossing series, my only complaint is having to wait for the next two books!

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of The Rushes by Richard Natale from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program. The author’s knowledge of all things Hollywood is evident in this entertaining book. While all the scenes of the industry are engrossing, they never detract from the story of two wanna-be filmmakers navigating the shark-infested waters of Tinsel Town. Both Jamie and Carson are basically good guys, Jamie more so than Carson, but both have genuine talent. As the world knows, that is not enough to succeed and it takes connections, which they also have in their former professor David. While the eventual pairings are not seriously in doubt, it was fun to watch the foibles of the main characters, with enough morality examples to make us hopeful nice guys don’t finish last. A fun, fast read.

I won a copy of Heart of Fire by Lisa Edmonds through LibraryThing. I try to screen out books that are not the first in a series, but I am so glad Heart of Fire slipped through. It is the second in an urban fantasy series I am enjoying more than I have any contemporary UF in years. While it has the de rigueur female lead, Alice is truly engaging. She needs to be independent, yet knows when to reach out to others by the end of the story. Not having read the first book, her backstory was unknown to me, but as it came out in Heart of Fire, it is amazing she is as level-headed as she is. My main complaint was the death of a character I’d already come to like. Not quite as bad as a dog or cat dying, but close. However, do not let this stop you from reading this captivating UF!

I won a copy of The Library, the Witch, and the Warder by Mindy Klasky from LibraryThing. It took me a while to read it because life kept getting in the way, but I am glad I finally got around to it. It is set in magical Washington and is a wonderful antidote to the horrors of real DC these days. David is a humanly flawed main character, making mistakes for what he perceives to be good reasons, but of course most of them backfire. He has a BFF, Con, who is a shifter and also makes poor choices, but like David, he is genuinely a good guy. David is called to a new witch, Jane, who knows nothing about magic or the paranormal world around her. Needless to say, this causes much confusion, but she too is on the side of right, unlike David’s first witch. There is plenty of worldbuilding, so one does not need to read the other witch books by the author to appreciate this book. It was a light read that also touched on real issues. I now want to know what happens next for David and the others in his world.