Set in the year 1929, in Jazz-age Paris, this story takes us through the glittering literary and artistic set, into the depths of those who take things to extremes, indeed to the brink of insanity and then over the edge into a dark, hellish experience.
Harris Stuyvesant is an American investigator sent to find a young woman who has gone missing in Paris. The irony is that he had a brief affair with the girl and so his interest in finding her is tinged with personal regret and a sense of a failure to protect her.
The writing in this novel is vivid and evocative and though it is filled with historical nuggets and real world characters, such as Hemingway and Man Ray, it is in no way dry.
I found that I was drawn strongly into the story and that the fictional characters were written in a way that allowed me to identify with them and feel that all-important connection that makes me want to read on.
This is a story that I can highly recommend.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
His Lordship Possessed by Lynn Viehl
The second in the new series featuring Kitt who works for her own living in a society that does not approve of a woman living independently continues the story that began with Her Ladyship's Curse.
Set in a world in which the British won the Revolutionary war, Kitt wades through the mires of Victorian values to make her way in the world, as she helps folk solve problems caused by curses placed upon them. She doesn't believe in curses, but she does believe that she can find what is causing their issues and deal with them.
In this book, Kitt finds herself under attack from Lord Nolan Walsh, a banker whose wife Kitt aided. Attacked on all fronts, professional and personal, she finds herself navigating a hazardous course to find her path and to protect those for whom she cares.
I absolutely love this series thus far and the world that Lynn Viehl has built. I look forward to many more stories.
Set in a world in which the British won the Revolutionary war, Kitt wades through the mires of Victorian values to make her way in the world, as she helps folk solve problems caused by curses placed upon them. She doesn't believe in curses, but she does believe that she can find what is causing their issues and deal with them.
In this book, Kitt finds herself under attack from Lord Nolan Walsh, a banker whose wife Kitt aided. Attacked on all fronts, professional and personal, she finds herself navigating a hazardous course to find her path and to protect those for whom she cares.
I absolutely love this series thus far and the world that Lynn Viehl has built. I look forward to many more stories.
The Perfect Ten (Romance, Variety, Ten Full-length Books in one)
The Perfect Ten contains a variety of full-length novels, all containing romance, but varying greatly in other aspects. There are paranormal, suspense, historical, time-travel and Christian elements, just to name a few. Some of them are real gems, but a few are either flops or work that would have truly benefited from either editing, a re-write or both.
It is worth the money and time to read those books in this compilation that were good. Don't be shy about skipping past those that don't appeal after reading a bit.
It is worth the money and time to read those books in this compilation that were good. Don't be shy about skipping past those that don't appeal after reading a bit.
Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Heugette Clark by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell (Biography, Non-fiction)
In generous terms, Heugette Clark was an eccentric woman who was left a great fortune. This is a story of her family and how they acquired wealth and how this rich woman's life drifted into what to me would be a strange, nearly nightmarish phase in which she was left without anyone to protect her interests and fell into the hands of folks who would take advantage of her generosity, including those medical professionals who were supposed to be treating her illnesses.
There is much information given in this book, though precious few conclusions were drawn, it was informative. It is really left to the reader to judge, but I found it sad that a woman who began with so much fell prey so easily to the unscrupulous among us. I was dismayed to see that some of those folk were the very people who had sworn oaths to care for and protect those who need it.
This was a long read with much documentary information.
There is much information given in this book, though precious few conclusions were drawn, it was informative. It is really left to the reader to judge, but I found it sad that a woman who began with so much fell prey so easily to the unscrupulous among us. I was dismayed to see that some of those folk were the very people who had sworn oaths to care for and protect those who need it.
This was a long read with much documentary information.
The Sparkle Factory by Tarina Tarantino (How-to, Jewelry)
The Sparkle Factory is a charming how-to book that shows you how the author makes her quirky and original jewelry and gives you step by step instructions on how to make some of her designs.
It is full of bright colors, sparkle and charm and provides some interesting information about Tarina's work, as well as encouraging you to embrace your creativity and craft your own.
It is full of bright colors, sparkle and charm and provides some interesting information about Tarina's work, as well as encouraging you to embrace your creativity and craft your own.
Fat Girl by Carlos Batts (Photography)
This book purports to be about the beauty of a particular large-sized woman, April Flores who is a model, actress and porn star.
The photos are taken by her husband, Carlos Batts.
When I initially read the description, I had a very different picture in my mind of what I would see, than what is contained in the book. I was expecting to see and read a celebration of a large woman's form with supporting text that perhaps discussed self-esteem issues. What I got was some beautiful photographs, some interesting ones and some that were just fat-girl porn.
As a former large-sized model and an avid supporter of the idea that there are all kinds of beauty in the world, not just one, I really wish that this book had not crossed into the porn level. Each person makes their own choices in life and that is well and good, but to me, the display of sexuality in this fashion smacks of desperation and low self-esteem, rather than pride.
There are some beautiful photographs in this book, just prepared to also see pornographic shots and some text that reads as a justification of choices, rather than the celebration of unique beauty.
The photos are taken by her husband, Carlos Batts.
When I initially read the description, I had a very different picture in my mind of what I would see, than what is contained in the book. I was expecting to see and read a celebration of a large woman's form with supporting text that perhaps discussed self-esteem issues. What I got was some beautiful photographs, some interesting ones and some that were just fat-girl porn.
As a former large-sized model and an avid supporter of the idea that there are all kinds of beauty in the world, not just one, I really wish that this book had not crossed into the porn level. Each person makes their own choices in life and that is well and good, but to me, the display of sexuality in this fashion smacks of desperation and low self-esteem, rather than pride.
There are some beautiful photographs in this book, just prepared to also see pornographic shots and some text that reads as a justification of choices, rather than the celebration of unique beauty.
Indexing by Seanan McGuire (Urban Fantasy)
Indexing is a currently on-going Kindle serial story set in a version of our world where tales try to force their way into reality, co-opting seemingly ordinary people that happen to fit into a particular story-line to meet the goals of the Narrative.
A Snow White, Henry Marchen heads a team from the ATI, the investigative agency that tries to stop, or at the very least, control the incursions of the Narrative that can literally end people's lives and disrupt the world as we know it.
The folks at the bureau have all been affected by the Story, at one point or other and must be on guard not to become an active part of the tale once more, while fighting to protect others by whatever means necessary.
While I am rarely pleased with short-stories or serial formats, this is an interesting tale which is not yet finished. The characters that we see on a regular basis are well-drawn and engaging and more are woven in as we progress.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
A Snow White, Henry Marchen heads a team from the ATI, the investigative agency that tries to stop, or at the very least, control the incursions of the Narrative that can literally end people's lives and disrupt the world as we know it.
The folks at the bureau have all been affected by the Story, at one point or other and must be on guard not to become an active part of the tale once more, while fighting to protect others by whatever means necessary.
While I am rarely pleased with short-stories or serial formats, this is an interesting tale which is not yet finished. The characters that we see on a regular basis are well-drawn and engaging and more are woven in as we progress.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
My Lord Mayhem by Lynn Viehl (Alternate History, Steampunk)
My Lord Mayhem is set within the Disenchanted & Co story world in which Britain won the revolutionary war. It shows another perspective on the dinner scene found in Her Ladyship's Curse, but is its own tale, complete in itself.
Centered around Lady Laurana Walsh, eldest daughter of Lord Nolan Walsh, the banker, the story expands upon a character that we might not have gotten to know and shows us who she is and why, as well as revealing a few other surprises.
This novella length piece is available on Ms. Viehl's website for the Disenchanted & Co. stories and is well worth the time to download and read. I am enthusiastically enjoying this new alternate history/steampunk world that she has built.
Centered around Lady Laurana Walsh, eldest daughter of Lord Nolan Walsh, the banker, the story expands upon a character that we might not have gotten to know and shows us who she is and why, as well as revealing a few other surprises.
This novella length piece is available on Ms. Viehl's website for the Disenchanted & Co. stories and is well worth the time to download and read. I am enthusiastically enjoying this new alternate history/steampunk world that she has built.
A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes (Urban Fantasy, mystery)
June Heal inherited her homeopathic cure business, run out of a flea market stall, from her mother. Her own potions and cures evidently are better than her mother's, but she keeps the name of her 'shop' which is 'A Dose of Darla.'
When her backyard shed/laboratory blows up, she is forced to sell her house and move to another city where she is surrounded by strange people who all seem to know her.
Then someone is murdered and she is the main suspect in the case.
While the genre and even, at first glance, the subject may be right along the lines of what i generally favor, this story fell short. There were far too many oddly used or misused words, leaps of logical and magical jumps for me to suspend disbelieve and immerse myself in the story.
Among other things, everyone in this town is a 'psychic.' They all have different skills and abilities, but they are all called 'spiritualists.'
There were all kinds of bizarre rules for the town, one of which was that each family could only have one shop in town, therefore it was forbidden for one shop owner to fall in love or have a relationship with another. Also, anyone not of pure blood was banned from the town and some people were 'half-banned' which I never quite understood.
A lot of questions and issues were answered by 'using intuition' and flinging random herbs around.
There was also a rule that one spiritualist could not read another without permission, but they would all start to say things about the future to the young woman and then when June asked for clarification, they would say something to the effect of 'I am forbidden to read you." and then they would wander off.
There are just too many things that bothered me about this story to list here and I won't spoil the ending, even if I thought it was illogical and unsupported.
Mind you, I am not saying that this story or author are without potential. I did like a character or two, but in my opinion, it would take a major overhaul and some hard work to make this into something readable.
When her backyard shed/laboratory blows up, she is forced to sell her house and move to another city where she is surrounded by strange people who all seem to know her.
Then someone is murdered and she is the main suspect in the case.
While the genre and even, at first glance, the subject may be right along the lines of what i generally favor, this story fell short. There were far too many oddly used or misused words, leaps of logical and magical jumps for me to suspend disbelieve and immerse myself in the story.
Among other things, everyone in this town is a 'psychic.' They all have different skills and abilities, but they are all called 'spiritualists.'
There were all kinds of bizarre rules for the town, one of which was that each family could only have one shop in town, therefore it was forbidden for one shop owner to fall in love or have a relationship with another. Also, anyone not of pure blood was banned from the town and some people were 'half-banned' which I never quite understood.
A lot of questions and issues were answered by 'using intuition' and flinging random herbs around.
There was also a rule that one spiritualist could not read another without permission, but they would all start to say things about the future to the young woman and then when June asked for clarification, they would say something to the effect of 'I am forbidden to read you." and then they would wander off.
There are just too many things that bothered me about this story to list here and I won't spoil the ending, even if I thought it was illogical and unsupported.
Mind you, I am not saying that this story or author are without potential. I did like a character or two, but in my opinion, it would take a major overhaul and some hard work to make this into something readable.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Perks of Being A Beauty by Manda Collins (Regency Romance)
Following the death of her mother, Amelia Snow has made herself over into an unexceptional companion, rather than the diamond of the first water that she used to be.
The companion of the daughter of a cit, she helps to polish and support her charge and to keep her from harm, while underplaying her own skills and beauty so that she fades into the background.
When Lord Quentin Fortescue comes courting the Smithson's daughter, Amelia is forced to put her own feelings behind her for the benefit of the girl. Lord Quentin may have other ideas, however.
This was a nicely written regency romance that does justice to the period in which it was set. An enjoyable read.
The companion of the daughter of a cit, she helps to polish and support her charge and to keep her from harm, while underplaying her own skills and beauty so that she fades into the background.
When Lord Quentin Fortescue comes courting the Smithson's daughter, Amelia is forced to put her own feelings behind her for the benefit of the girl. Lord Quentin may have other ideas, however.
This was a nicely written regency romance that does justice to the period in which it was set. An enjoyable read.
The Bride Wore Scarlet by Liz Carlyle
Anais de Rohan poses as the bride of Lord Basset, one of the St. James Society's leaders. Together, they attempt to save a small girl from the clutches of those who would use the powers that she holds for ill.
A Regency period romance, this story is made different from most by the paranormal element that runs through it. It is well-written and does justice to the period in which it is set.
An enjoyable read.
A Regency period romance, this story is made different from most by the paranormal element that runs through it. It is well-written and does justice to the period in which it is set.
An enjoyable read.
Death Ain't But a Word by Zander Marks
Death Ain't But A Word is different than your normal urban fantasy. The main character isn't a strong woman or an alpha male or someone with any huge level of attractiveness, battle skills or charisma.
Wilkin is a crack-head, though not a very good one, with hard-scrabble survival skills and some very odd friends, one of which is the ghost of a friend from his childhood.
When his friend's murderer shows up and buys the motel with the intent to destroy the young boy's remains, Wilkins retrieves the child's skull and runs, pursued by the murderer who wants all the evidence gone. As he travels, he finds both answers and more questions to the puzzle that is his life.
The story and the protagonist are unique and the writing is well-done, drawing you into Wilkin's unlovely world and allowing you to see it through his eyes.
It is a story well worth the time and effort to read that will draw you into a new way of looking at the world.
A quote:
The streetlight dappled oak-leaf shadows on the pavement in front of him. He sifted his position, leaning back on the chain-link fence with his ass on the ground, legs bent, arms resting straight out on his knees. half-empty bottle of Sprite in one hand. Index finger absently rubbing the thumb callous on the other.
Wilkin is a crack-head, though not a very good one, with hard-scrabble survival skills and some very odd friends, one of which is the ghost of a friend from his childhood.
When his friend's murderer shows up and buys the motel with the intent to destroy the young boy's remains, Wilkins retrieves the child's skull and runs, pursued by the murderer who wants all the evidence gone. As he travels, he finds both answers and more questions to the puzzle that is his life.
The story and the protagonist are unique and the writing is well-done, drawing you into Wilkin's unlovely world and allowing you to see it through his eyes.
It is a story well worth the time and effort to read that will draw you into a new way of looking at the world.
A quote:
The streetlight dappled oak-leaf shadows on the pavement in front of him. He sifted his position, leaning back on the chain-link fence with his ass on the ground, legs bent, arms resting straight out on his knees. half-empty bottle of Sprite in one hand. Index finger absently rubbing the thumb callous on the other.
The Fall by Annelie Wendberg
The second in a series of stories about Anna Kronberg, a woman physician who hid her identity and masqueraded as a man, The Fall is a book worth reading.
Arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty captures Anna and forces her to continue her research, turning it into the development of biological weapons, while Sherlock tries to aid her and extract her from his clutches.
Both The Devil's Grin and this book do full justice to the Holmesian tradition and to the historical period in which they are set.
Though I can't say much more without revealing details of the plot which is cleverly written with the knowledge of a mind trained in the scientific method, I can say that I highly recommend both books.
Arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty captures Anna and forces her to continue her research, turning it into the development of biological weapons, while Sherlock tries to aid her and extract her from his clutches.
Both The Devil's Grin and this book do full justice to the Holmesian tradition and to the historical period in which they are set.
Though I can't say much more without revealing details of the plot which is cleverly written with the knowledge of a mind trained in the scientific method, I can say that I highly recommend both books.
Hellbender by Jason Jack Miller
Hellbender is the second book in the Murder Ballads and Whiskey series. It begins with the burial of Henry Collins' sister and moves on into a story of star crossed lovers and a man who is forced to face the reality that the weight of his heritage is firmly resting upon his shoulders. It is up to Henry to solve the puzzle of his sister's death and to ensure that those who caused it pay for their acts.
Set in Appalachia, the story shows us aspects of the culture that belongs to the mountain folk of Celtic descent that are quite foreign to those of us who were not raised in the area. The culture is rich in lore and myth that is shared here and perhaps expanded upon. I am not familiar enough to say for sure which it is, but either way, it is enriches and supports the story itself. Also woven into the story are the musical traditions which carry their own lure.
When I began reading Hellbender, I was immediately drawn into the story and the lives of those in it. The characters are well-developed and the story and background are deep and intricate, the information necessary to see them as they are, trickling naturally from the words of the story.
Miller's writing is evocative and as close to lyric poetry as prose can get. It carries its own measure of enchantment in each phrase, creating vivid pictures of the surroundings and the actions of those who are part of the tale.
A Quote from the book:
The green of these mountains in my lungs smelled like an old friend, one who wouldn't tell lies to you. One who understood. One who knew pain didn't go away just because you wanted it to. And when I exhaled, only the sweet scent of smoke and s dry mouth remained. But the scent was enough to rekindle the memory.
Green in the hills above.
Green in the water below
Green in my lungs.
A little green in Alex's eyes when she smiles.
Reflected in each was something different. In the water I saw faces and bones, my past written in fossiliferous hieroglyphs scattered among the rocks and hellbenders--the giant salamanders that have watched these mountains change for over three-hundred million years. They saw dinosaurs and mammoths come and go. I didn't see myself outliving them either. In the green hills all around me I saw my present. I'd never leave. So I looked at Alex. In her I saw a green glimmer of hope.
Her green gave me a chance to move away from the black of revenge.
Set in Appalachia, the story shows us aspects of the culture that belongs to the mountain folk of Celtic descent that are quite foreign to those of us who were not raised in the area. The culture is rich in lore and myth that is shared here and perhaps expanded upon. I am not familiar enough to say for sure which it is, but either way, it is enriches and supports the story itself. Also woven into the story are the musical traditions which carry their own lure.
When I began reading Hellbender, I was immediately drawn into the story and the lives of those in it. The characters are well-developed and the story and background are deep and intricate, the information necessary to see them as they are, trickling naturally from the words of the story.
Miller's writing is evocative and as close to lyric poetry as prose can get. It carries its own measure of enchantment in each phrase, creating vivid pictures of the surroundings and the actions of those who are part of the tale.
A Quote from the book:
The green of these mountains in my lungs smelled like an old friend, one who wouldn't tell lies to you. One who understood. One who knew pain didn't go away just because you wanted it to. And when I exhaled, only the sweet scent of smoke and s dry mouth remained. But the scent was enough to rekindle the memory.
Green in the hills above.
Green in the water below
Green in my lungs.
A little green in Alex's eyes when she smiles.
Reflected in each was something different. In the water I saw faces and bones, my past written in fossiliferous hieroglyphs scattered among the rocks and hellbenders--the giant salamanders that have watched these mountains change for over three-hundred million years. They saw dinosaurs and mammoths come and go. I didn't see myself outliving them either. In the green hills all around me I saw my present. I'd never leave. So I looked at Alex. In her I saw a green glimmer of hope.
Her green gave me a chance to move away from the black of revenge.
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