Review: Love the Sinner

Love the Sinner by Avril Ashton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In my quest to experience new authors, Avril Ashton is my pick from Ellora’s Cave. While there are numerous good reasons why EC is not a publisher I go to when choosing books (esp m/m books) this particular choice wasn’t horrific. As that’s not a ringing endorsement, I found the writing to be standard if unimaginative, the characters to be stereotypical and predictable, the story littered with clichés, and a plot that didn’t always make much sense. Yet I found the book ok and finished it without having to force myself. I like the concept of the characters and the plot more than the actual execution. I know there are 2 more books in the series that tempt me because I like the potential of the characters and the situations. I’m just not entirely sure the writing can execute them.

Aliens, buttsex, and the end of the world…oh my

Dark Space by Lisa Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed reading Dark Space. I’ll be honest and say I read this one on a recommendation from Rain on the Roof. It has some decent world building, a pseudo interesting plot, a well-developed narrator, and a happy ending. That’s not to say it was without problems, as there were numerous issues, but on the whole I enjoyed reading this more than I thought. So much so I’ll be checking out the author’s other books. I think the whole of the story elevates the enjoyment and makes up for the individual problems. For a reader who is not as engaged with the writing, this story could be frustrating.

More promising…alien BDSM

The Heracian Affair by Liv Olteano
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

For my second choice I went with a BDSM choice from Dreamspinner. There’s a slight improvement with the cover, which again I didn’t see, but a huge improvement in the writing. DSP is hit or miss but I’m extremely pleased I seem to have hit with this choice. The writing is smooth, engaging, and interesting while there is a considerable amount of hot sex, almost too much. I’m not complaining as this is smutty good fun with some solid writing and decent, if sketchy, world building. As far as sci-fi/erotica offerings go, I quite enjoyed this quick novella and would definitely go back for more from this author.

First up…Men with clits!

Star Crossed by Astrid Cooper
My Rating: 1 of 5 stars

So my first foray was not an auspicious start and it wasn’t because the aliens were men with clits. I didn’t mind that, but what I disliked was kind of everything else. I chose this one because I liked the name, I’ve read several good books with the same title, which invoked a positive association,  and I thought the blurb sounded light but fun, sexy times in space with some built in cross species tension. If only I’d looked at the cover because really, has any book ever been good with a cover like that? I hate to be superficial but I can’t think of a single book I loved with such a bad cover. It’s like no one cares about the aesthetics because the content must be crap too. Even though I had a bad feeling about this once I saw the cover, I tried to go in with a more open mind. Perhaps it’s not great literature but maybe it’ll be smutty fun. I already had the book after all.

Review: Overture: Ghost in the Closet

Overture: Ghost in the Closet by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m very torn about this serial. On the one hand I think it’s very well written with some clever twists and a touch for drama. There are so many intriguing and absorbing aspects about this story that I get sucked in just when I think I’m done. This installment created more questions and I’m too intrigued and caught to give up now. At the same time, however, I actively dislike both Gabriel and Dorian as characters and find them insufferable. Thankfully this part focuses more on the secondary characters and flashes into Dorian’s past so I could enjoy it more, but I still can’t stand either protagonist and actively wish bad things happen to them.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: We Are Family

Dark Around the Edges: We Are Family by Cari Z.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Episode 3 of the serial picks up exactly where the last series left off. Devon has given away his sense of touch to a witch in exchange for information about their target. The information seems good but Devon is horrified when he realizes the true cost of the bargain. Losing his sense of touch plagues him in ways he had no way of knowing. Distraught and scared, Devon and Rio head to Devon’s hometown and his dads to wait out the remaining few days before getting his full ability back. Once there though, revelations, complications, and intense emotion are just a few of the things waiting for them.

Review: The Heir Apparent

The Heir Apparent by Tere Michaels
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tere Michael’s new novel, The Heir Apparent, is a tightly written, absorbing mystery-romance. The characters have depth and the relationships grow beyond typical expectations. The mystery portion is interesting and could have been pretty suspenseful, unfortunately there is only one option for villain and the story doesn’t even try to offer other options. Thus the end reveal is too easy and obvious, which ruins the pacing and suspense. However, I found this to a pretty minor problem and enjoyed the story regardless.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: Black Magic Woman

Dark Around the Edges: Black Magic Woman by Cari Z.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 2 of Cambion hits a bit harder and a bit edgier than the first. It’s just as good, if not better, than the first episode as the action becomes more involved and deeper. The characters aren’t really given any more depth and the supernatural world they operate in isn’t any weightier than the brief outline of the previous book. Despite this, the tone of this story is darker and more insidious, leading to potential new dangers.

Review: Fettered

Fettered by Lyn Gala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was really surprised by Fettered. I didn’t expect anything bad, after all it’s Lyn Gala and I quite like her books, but I was surprised by how good this one was. I think that’s due to the more intense subject matter and how it’s handled. The concept and plot are good and the story isn’t afraid to delve into pretty dark areas. It’s also not afraid to show a kink that may not be for everyone but definitely works between the main characters. The writing is very good, but what really shone here are the characterizations. The various cast members all have shades of interesting gray and it definitely hooked me to want to read more.

Review: Dark Around the Edges: Heaven’s On Fire

Dark Around the Edges: Heaven’s On Fire by Cari Z.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 1 of Cari Z’s new serial Cambion is an explosive start. Heavens on Fire is a quick introduction to a new world and set of characters. It’s short, filled with bite, and intriguing. It definitely left me wanting to read what happens next so this is a great first foray.