Blush by Kimberly Gardner

Blush by Kimberly Gardner
Stars: 2.5/5

Length: 70 pages
Blurb
Once Vinn might have believed that vampires were nothing but legend and myth. But when his life is threatened by a legend, it takes a myth to save him.

Overall
Fair to middling writing, this story is classical vampire and thus somewhat unoriginal in its telling. Evil vampire wants young thing's blood, good vampire must protect him, even if it will cost him his life. That said, it was a fairly enjoyable story with some sexy times.

Review
Despite the resolution of the major points in the plot, there were some gaping holes by the end of the story. The role of Vinn's professor seems to be broached and then cast aside with no real purpose aside from reiterating the positives of the bloodstone (for both the reader and Vinn, but if you can't trust what your vampire boyfriend has to say about it, who can you trust?). Her involvement for that one scene seems to indicate an importance that is never really played out, despite raising several questions.

Another problem I had was the ending, which seems to be saying something different than the previous scene would indicate was going to happen. While the end result can be guessed from the beginning, I felt jarred by the juxtaposition between what was said and what happened. Plus the ending felt tagged on in a too-happily-ever-after way. Cutting the last scene would have left the reader hanging, but would have felt like an appropriate ending to me.

Travis is a nice addition to the story, a considerate friend offering good advice that Vinn listens to (mostly). He's also a good knowledge source later in the story as everything falls apart.

This story mainly serves as a sex-centric story with an overall plot and classic vampires. Readers looking for this type of story will find an enjoyable nugget, but otherwise there isn't much meat here.

Handle With Care by Josephine Myles

Handle With Care by Josephine Myles
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 191 pages
Blurb
The best things in life aren’t free…they’re freely given.

Ben Lethbridge doesn’t have many vices left. After raising his little sister to adulthood, he wasted no time making up for the youth he lost to responsible parenting. Two years of partying it up—and ignoring his diabetes—has left him tethered to a home dialysis regimen.

He can do his job from his flat, fortunately, but most of his favourite things are forbidden. Except for DVD porn…and fantasizing over Ollie, the gorgeous, purple-haired skateboarder who delivers it.

Their banter is the highlight of Ben’s lonely day, but his illness-ravaged body is the cruel reality that prevents him from believing they’ll do anything more than flirt. Not to mention the age gap. Still, Ben figures there’s no harm in sprucing himself up a bit.

Then one day, a package accidentally splits open, revealing Ben’s dirty little secret…and an unexpected connection that leaves him wondering if he’s been reading Ollie wrong all this time. There’s only one way to find out: risk showing Ollie every last scar. And hope “far from perfect” is good enough for a chance at love.

Overall
Sweet and enjoyable, and definitely well researched, but I had trouble really sinking into this one. The blurb mainly focuses on the first 20% of the story, which left me surprised at everything else that happens. The characters were easy to empathize with, and I liked where Myles took them and the different issues she explored. Worth picking up, especially for readers who want a slightly different taste of a relationship.

Review
Going into this story, I had high hopes, as I'd heard nothing but good things, and while I enjoyed it, I wasn't blown away. All the positive things other reviewers pointed out are what I enjoyed, but something was missing to really make this story pop. Both characters were likable, but neither felt particularly inspired--although admittedly it could be that I've just read a rash of similar types recently. Despite my overall blasé review, I did enjoy the story, I just went in with higher expectations than was delivered.

One of my favorite elements of the story was that it touched upon a lot of topics that aren't brought up in romance--or rarely are. The biggest obviously is Ben's diabetes and kidney failure and all the resulting medical drama. I liked the focus on what he could and couldn't eat and how he would be on meds for the rest of his life if he did get the organs he needed. Ben's struggle with his attractiveness--not because he's unattractive, but because he feels unattractive due to his illness and the medicine helping him to live--and how Ollie and Ben's sister confront that.

Ollie is brilliant. He's young and a little stupid, but he's also brilliant. He's a bit over-emotional, but it's more a matter of not knowing how to react in a new situation rather than being a drama queen. I love that he has a rough history that affects him but doesn't stop him. I worried at times that he had a bit of a medical fetish, what with his tube fondling, but that seemed to be more an acceptance thing than a fetish thing (which relieved me!).

I want to stop by Ollie's cafe and grab a drink and I love how it's so much more mature than it appears at first, which is totally Ollie. Along those lines, I love the double play of names for Ollie and the cafe and what that means for both of them.

Fun, cute and sweet, worth giving a chance and the read but not amazing.

Four short stories

 

Roadside ASSistance by Evan J. Xavier
Stars: 2/5

Length: short story
Blurb
An evening out with friends turns into an extraordinary evening of wildly erotic sex when Chris Saturday’s truck breaks down on the way home. He couldn’t have asked for a more equipped tow truck driver, or one so driven to please him.

Rain, mud and two libidos in overdrive create an unimaginable heat in the midst of a downpour.

WARNING: Explicit erotic hot gay sex.

Overall
I'm not sure if this crosses into the line of so bad it's good, but it definitely gives a run for its money. This leaves behind erotica (which should have some sense of artistry in the writing) and becomes porn, with the cheesy setting and the bad dialogue.

Only pick this up if you want a laugh. Two of my favorite lines:

...he placed my dick into his mouth as if it were a harmonica.
The author doesn't seem to understand how a harmonica is played. Dude, you're doing it wrong....in so many ways.

"You taste like honey," he said.
Poor choice of words when talking about cum, but no, he's talking about eating the guy's ass out. Which, even if he was clean as a whistle (and since it's romance/erotica/porn, we'll assume he is), wouldn't taste like honey. But hey, maybe he did. Nomnomnom?


Bad Cupid by AD Cooper
Stars: 2.5/5

Length: 4,200+
Blurb
Cupid—or Eric, as he prefers to be called while on Earth—is exhausted after two weeks straight of pairing people up in time for Valentine’s Day, and decides to take the night off on Valentine’s Day for some well-deserved R & R. After one too many drinks, he decides to seduce the guy he’s been chatting with for fun. What’s the worst that could happen, right?

All Gabe wants to do is to drown himself in liquor to numb his broken heart after he finds out that his boyfriend has been cheating on him. He isn’t looking for a rebound but when the cute guy sitting next to him begins to tempt him with that lithe body while whispering naughty things into his ears, Gabe decides to teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget.

Overall
This is porny, but still kind of cute. Cupid is feeling down on Valentine's day and comes across a sexy man who gives him everything he wants (in bed, at least). The dialogue leaves a lot to be desired, but it's pretty much just a one-off, so you can't expect too much. Some light bondage and "naughty boy" talk. Not worth buying, but if you are in the mood and can get it free (I got it free off Amazon), then be prepared for an eye-roll.



Pole Star by Josephine Myles
Stars: 3/5

Length: 34 pages
Blurb
Injured pole dancer Matt Lovell meets attractive radiographer Sal when he’s in casualty for an x-ray. Trouble is, Matt’s firefighter outfit is pretty convincing, and the longer he keeps up the pretence the harder it will be to reveal the naked truth: that there’s nothing underneath his costume but a sequined thong!

Overall
This is a cute little free short that doesn't have much to it, but is worth reading for its price. Just a nice little fun read that has a similar ending. I think my favorite part are the patterned boxers...



Back Alley Sex by Evan J. Xavier
Stars: 1/5

Length: short story
Blurb
At one of Vegas’ sexiest clubs, where everyone cums for a good time, Ian discovers he’s caught the eye of one smokin’ hot dude. When an old flame tries to get more than just the music pumping, Ian decides he’d rather test out the heat he’s been feeling from the new guy in town.

Overall
This was not only mostly forgettable, it was very dark as well with some weird relationships going on, a player lead, and a stumbling man who turns out to be the kind to take what he wants. (Yep, this has a rape [or at least rape-ish] scene, which I did not expect.) This ends with a cliffhanger, either to encourage the reader to buy the rest of the series, or because it's the end of the story...it's unclear. Not worth picking up.

Hawaiian Gothic by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

Hawaiian Gothic by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane
Stars: 4.5/5

Length: 168 pages
Blurb
Ori and Kalani were childhood friends too afraid to be lovers. Now in their darkest hour—Ori disgraced and Kalani a wandering spirit—they’ll fight the world and death itself for a second chance.

Gregorio “Ori” Reyes thought there was nothing left for him in Hawaii. A former Army Ranger and promising MMA fighter, his dishonorable discharge turned him into the family disgrace, and his childhood best friend Kalani never could love him back--not the way Ori needed to be loved--even before Kalani’s doctors declared him to be in an unrecoverable coma. Ori’s return to Hawaii seems fated to be a depressing reminder of every chance he never took... until Kalani himself impossibly welcomes him home.

Kalani’s body is bedridden, but his spirit is free to roam, and it turns out it’s not just Ori who had unspoken yearnings. Kalani is eager to prove that he can still savor all the pleasures of this world. Together, they remember all those years of surfing, wrestling, touching and aching but too afraid to act; now, they cross that final barrier and struggle against each other in an entirely different way.

Passionately but tenuously reunited, the pair must solve the mystery of Kalani’s unlucky life, sorting through dark family history and even journeying to the Hawaiian ghostworld. And the greatest terror of their journey is that Ori might have to put Kalani to rest.

Overall
A wonderfully refreshing story that breaks out of the mold of standard romance while still keeping one foot in the contemporary. Although Hawaiian mythos is heavily used, the authors did an excellent job of providing the reader with the necessary information and keeping the reader comfortable--if not knowledgeable--with what is happening. A mix of a heart-breaking plot, an innovative setting and hobbies, and realistic characters makes this definitely worth a read, especially for fans of mythology.

Review
Before I rave about this story, the one "negative": a fair amount of sex. Most people probably won't be distracted (well, disheartened) by the several sex scenes, but I was--although in thinking back, I'm not sure there were actually that many sex scenes. It was just one of those instances where the story and plot were so good that I didn't want to be interrupted by delicious, tender, rough ghost sex! I wanted to know what was going to happen!

Sounds pretty ridiculous in retrospect. Anyway, I wanted The Story so badly that the necessity of the emotional and physical development of the main characters' relationship seemed almost secondary. Much of the development happens through flashbacks, providing an idea of where they come from and how they got to the point in their relationship that they are. Speaking of which, readers who get bothered by flashbacks that interrupt the flow of the story may have some issue here, but I found them interesting, even if I did want to get back to The Story (Noticing a theme?).

This is a great exploration of Hawaiian mythology as viewed by a somewhat outsider, which keeps the text from becoming too overloaded with references that the reader won't get but without treating the reader like an idiot, either. I wasn't sure what to expect from the blurb, but I was pleasantly surprised. It felt like a journey that Joseph Campbell would be happy to read as the hero faces great challenges and overcomes difficulty.

There was depth of character, a twisty plot, tough decisions, and ultimately a satisfying ending, which I won't say much about, since the ending isn't really determined until the final pages. The journey was fantastic, and I loved discovering everything along with the narrator. There are so many ways a story like this could go wrong, but it was masterfully crafted into a compelling tale of ghosts and monsters.

Received this book for review.

Complete Faith by Sue Brown

Complete Faith by Sue Brown
Stars: 3/5

Length: 240 pages
Blurb
Sequel to Morning Report

For Tommy Bradley, a hand working on the Lost Cow Ranch in rural Texas, admitting his sexuality is impossible, even if his bosses, Luke and Simon, are gay—Tommy has spent his entire life hiding the truth from his homophobic parents. Then Tommy meets pastor Noah Taylor in Luke’s father’s hospital room, and his difficult secret becomes that much harder to keep.

Noah is unlike any man of God—or any man—Tommy’s ever met. For one thing, his congregation is made up primarily of GLBT individuals and their families. For another, he isn’t afraid of the attraction he feels toward Tommy, and he makes his intentions very clear. But Noah won’t hide his sexuality or his love from the world, and he won’t start a relationship with Tommy while Tommy hides his, either. Faced with the choice of losing Noah or coming out to his parents, Tommy takes his first steps out of the closet.

But Tommy isn’t the only one facing challenges. Thanks to an outpouring of hatred from Pastor Jackson and a group of ranch owners, Noah must cope with the possible loss of his church and his livelihood.

Overall
A nice cowboy story that fits in all the standards while introducing some new elements. Lovers of cowboy/rancher tales will probably like this, but I think I may be a little exhausted on them, although having the pastor in the story did shake things up. I didn't read the first in the series, but aside from not having any character history, I didn't think that diminished my enjoyment.

Review
Although it's a perfectly enjoyable novel, I found everything to be generally rather forgettable. Gay ranchers in Texas having to deal with the backlash, a young kid coming out to his conservative parents, and the hard work of farm life Of course, this means that all these elements will get your crank if you look for cowboy stories. For me it felt mostly uninspired, although Noah's role (as a gay black pastor), added a nice flair.

There were some parts of the story (one in particular) that added a sense of adventure and excitement, but didn't really seem to further the plot any, except to--maybe--build character relationships. I wouldn't have minded this so much if it didn't feel like one of the major plot points mentioned in the blurb wasn't rushed at the end. I would have liked to have seen the confrontation between Noah and Jackson happen a little earlier so it could be fleshed out more, although if Brown is planning on having another book in the series (which I'm guessing she would), then she may expect the development to happen then.

I liked Noah and Tommy, but I also felt that so many things were happening around them that it detracted from them as the focus of the story. Also, there were a lot of sexual situations that were hinted at but never came to fruition or weren't really given any room to play. Again, these may be elements Brown plans on exploring in later books, but as the reader of this book, I felt shorted. Not that I felt it needed to be central in the story, but it's a pretty big thing and it just sort of gets pushed to the side.

Generally a well-written, enjoyable novel, but it had some weaknesses for me that hurt the enjoyability. Definitely not a bad read and it's worth picking up for all those cowboy lovers out there!

Requested this book for review.

Acrobat by Mary Calmes

Acrobat by Mary Calmes
Stars: 3/5

Length: 250 pages
Blurb
Forty-five-year-old English professor Nathan Qells is very good at making people feel important. What he’s not very good at is sticking around afterward. He’s a nice guy; he just doesn’t feel things the way other people do. So even after all the time he’s spent taking care of Michael, the kid across the hall, he doesn’t realize that Michael’s mob muscle uncle and guardian, Andreo Fiore, has slowly been falling in love with him.

Dreo has bigger problems than getting Nate to see him as a potential partner. He’s raising his nephew, trying to leave his unsavory job, and starting his own business, a process made infinitely more difficult when a series of hits takes out some key underworld players. Still, Dreo is determined to build a life he can be proud of—a life with Nate as a cornerstone. A life that is starting to look like exactly what Nate has been seeking. Unfortunately for Dreo—and for Nate—the last hits were just part of a major reorganization, and Dreo’s obvious love for Nate has made him a target too.

Overall
I went into this book hesitant, as my previous Calmes's book didn't really grab me and while I liked elements of it, in other parts I found it lacking. Sadly, I felt similarly about this one. There are large parts that I like and there's an overall good sense of humor throughout, but the irritants I came across kept me from thoroughly enjoying the story.

Review
The biggest annoyance is the main character. Not that he's a bad guy or anything--he's not. He's actually rather likable. However, he has no sense of his own attraction, and never seems to have had one, despite everyone in the book saying how attractive he is. Part of his issues is with his age, which was understandable, since he seems to be drawn to younger men, but instead of him being focused on age and how he's not as attractive as he once was, he's constantly surprised and denying his own attractiveness. While I can buy him denying that he looks as good as he did when 20, it's hard to believe he never realized he's actually a sexy beast when we've been given no reason for him not to realize it.

Along those lines, because he's such a sexy man who is super nice, people fall all over him. This isn't too noticeable in the beginning, but when he's being introduced to various Italian families, it becomes too much--at least for me. Maybe it's because I'll never be that person who everyone is falling over to be nice to, but I find the humble beauty queen to be somewhat irritating.

The plot isn't bad, and it does add some suspense and move events along, but it didn't feel real. I won't say much, because it'd be giving it away, but the mob and police involvements seemed a little too ridiculous for me to take seriously. (OK, some of the mob scenes "felt" real in an appropriate mob movie kind of way [totally acceptable], but some of the politics fell flat). If you're hardcore about contemporary stories being realistic, this will probably leave a weird taste in your mouth.

On the other hand, while it's probably unrealistic, I do love how the mob politics were handled in regard to Dreo trying to get out. I really loved Tony who, despite being a mobster, is a really cool guy. I thought it was nice to minimize some of the kerfluffle on that end, plus it shows the contrast of old school and the advancing perspectives (even if it was only acceptable because Dreo was getting out).

I loved Dreo with his single-mindedness and Italian whispering, his possessiveness and the moments when he backs off to not be a controlling jerk. Classic tough guy with squishy insides. Many of the characters come together to make this a fun little story, and I do like Nate, despite some of my qualms with him, and he comes to some very poignant conclusions that are very thoughtful (I actually highlighted them on my reader). The characters are fun to watch, funny, and have a variety of personalities that come together nicely. They are what really make the book work.

Readers who love Calmes's work will probably like this one as well, but her 'style' rubs me wrong, so I don't know if I'll ever really appreciate her works as much as others.

Requested this book for review.

One Small Thing by Piper Vaughn and MJ O'Shea

One Small Thing by Piper Vaughn and MJ O'Shea
Stars: 4/5

Length: 214
Blurb
“Daddy” is not a title Rue Murray wanted, but he never thought he’d have sex with a woman either. Now he’s the unwitting father of a newborn named Alice. Between bartending and cosmetology school, Rue doesn’t have time for babies, but he can’t give her up. What Rue needs is a babysitter, and he’s running out of options. He’s on the verge of quitting school to watch Alice himself when he remembers his reclusive new neighbor, Erik.

Erik Van Nuys is a sci-fi novelist with anxiety issues to spare. He doesn’t like people in general, and he likes babies even less. Still, with his royalties dwindling, he could use the extra cash. Reluctantly, he takes on the role of manny—and even more reluctantly, he finds himself falling for Alice and her flamboyant father.

Rue and Erik are as different as two people can be, and Alice is the unlikeliest of babies, but Rue has never been happier than when Alice and Erik are by his side. At least, not until he receives an offer that puts all his dreams within reach and he’s forced to choose: the future he’s always wanted, or the family he thought he never did.

Overall
A touching, delightful story of a young man who steps up to take on the responsibility of caring for his daughter and the quirky young man who happens into his life. While some elements of the ending felt a little overboard to me, I really enjoyed this story and would have probably given it closer to a 5-star rating if the ending had been stronger (not that it was a bad ending!). Definitely a hit for those who like stories with kids, nerdy reclusive men, and awesome understanding friends.

Review
I never used to like stories with children. I'm not a big fan of kids in general, and I didn't like when they intruded in my free time. Then I read a few stories with kids, wrote one with children and my brother and his wife had three (at once). I'm much more comfortable with children now, though it's still not something I go looking for in my reading, and I need the kids to play a role, but a minor one. Baby Alice plays a perfect part in this story. She's often a motivating factor (say, for the main characters to meet and interact), she's never forgotten in any scene, but she also doesn't overwhelm the story and distract from the development of the main characters. Like having a real baby in the room, everyone is aware of her, but that doesn't mean the conversation can only focus on her, which I appreciated.

I loved Erik and Rue who are as different as different can be, but who come together sweetly. While some may take issue with them being interested in each other (since they don't really share any common interests), I bought it and felt it was realistic. Erik is a hunky hermit who eats nothing but junk food (the big jerk!) and is desperate for some money to help pay the bills. Rue is desperate for a baby sitter. While I raised a brow at Rue letting someone with no baby experience take his daughter for the day, I concede his desperation would probably push him to such extremes.

What really made me fall in love with Erik was when he finally agrees to babysit and then agrees to take a smaller fee than what Rue was offering. The scene was touching and perfect and from that point on I wanted them to be BFFs. Or more.

One of my favorite lines is almost cliche, but I loved the description, because it fit the two of them so well:

"He’d somehow managed to seep into my cracks and fill all the odd, empty spots in my heart."

Yep, I'm a sap.

Aside from the issue with Rue leaving his kid with a stranger who knew nothing about babies, I have to question how he affords things. Sure he admits money is tight, but he still buys lots of produce (I mean, good on him, but stuff isn't cheap), all those things for the baby, pays for school and rent, and pays for a manny. He must get paid a lot of money at the club where he works! It didn't bother me much, as I don't feel like money was supposed to be the focus of the story and so I can understand why the authors glossed over it and just kept it mentioned in passing, but it still raised a brow.

Finally, while the end wasn't bad by any means, part of it felt a little extreme to me. It definitely cleared up loose ends and tied everything together properly, and the characters' reactions were all in line with how they behaved throughout the story, but it still rubbed me a little. Erik, who spends much of the latter half of the book acting like a normal, mature adult, has what feels like a temper tantrum that seems to drag on. It's completely fitting, but I was peripherally bothered by it. Still, the ending was satisfying, and hopefully Dusty is finally getting laid...

Requested this book for review.

Play It Again, Charlie by R. Cooper

Play It Again, Charlie by R. Cooper
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 370 pages
Blurb
After an accident left him broken in body and spirit, Charlie Howard retired from the police force to teach at a community college. Life has taught him that he’s unlikely to get what he wants, so he’s stopped asking. Instead, he hides from the world in the apartment complex he manages. After all, no one can leave him if he doesn’t let anyone in.

Will, a sexy, classic-film-loving twink, moves into the apartment across from him and—to Charlie’s surprise—makes it clear that he’d like nothing more than to hole up with Charlie and get kinky. Will has no problem expressing what he wants in bed or out of it, but he’s never dated anyone long-term, and Charlie isn’t sure Will’s ready for anything serious.

Charlie is a serious kind of guy. He wants Will and everything a relationship could mean, even if he doesn’t have any experience in that scene—even if that makes him vulnerable. As they grow closer, Charlie realizes that it’s time to start asking for what he wants, and if he wants to be happy, he’ll have to risk everything and ask Will to stay

Overall
This book will not be for everyone, and despite really enjoying it, I did struggle through it. The writing style is a little different and pretty much drags out every scene to within an inch of its life, making for a very slow-paced story. In addition, the entire basis is structured around two men whose biggest problem is their complete lack of communication and the misunderstanding that gulfs between them. Still, I couldn't give up on this story, and while it wasn't an easy read, I really did like it. Not a popcorn cruncher by any standard, but for some (if you can read an excerpt and enjoy it), it will satisfy.

Review
Almost every conversation between Will and Charlie is a confusion, to the point that it's almost a miracle they hook up--or are interested in each other at all. Will talks in movie quotes half the time, and while the reader will quickly and easily pick up on his interest in Charlie, our dear, sweet, stupid narrator will take a little longer for any type of advancement. Even once they've fallen into bed (err, against the door), Charlie thinks Will is just after a good time and some satisfaction for his "Daddy issues." The reader knows better, but Charlie is a little (OK, a lot) tentative after his last 'relationship' and is unable to believe sexy Will would be interested in him. So Charlie doesn't get Will, and Charlie only ever says half of what he's thinking (more like one-eighth), so Will is just as confused. They spend over 300 pages misunderstanding one another, although their relationship does advance over the course of the confusion.

Charlie will strike true to a number of people, especially those who internally react to everything around them, but barely verbally react. Part of this is from Charlie's familial presentation as "the man" and part is from the under-described relationship with Mark. Also, Charlie is just one of those types. Of course he's faced with Will, who wears his heart on his sleeve, but doesn't come with a manual...or at least Charlie can't trust the translation he has. Their back and forth, painfully obvious feelings for one another may drive some to insanity, but others will enjoy their stumbling, plodding relationship.

When Charlie finally realizes he has to verbalize his feelings for Will, the story picks up and comes together nicely. The breaking point of the story is a little brow raising, since it's hard to understand Charlie's hesitation in revealing his family since the reader is never shown any men running from the experience of meeting his family. But much of the story suffers from the same struggles that the relationship does--Charlie doesn't share. Not necessarily a bad thing, but much like Will, the reader will be frustrated.

Despite this review sounding nothing but negative, I enjoyed the slow progression, the development of their relationship, and in some twisted sort of way, I liked the painful, drawn out wait the author made me go through to get to the end. In some ways I feel this needed a heavy editing hand, especially to appeal to a modern audience, but in some ways the unique style is what separates this book from the other similar stories.

What originally caught my eye with this novel was the cover, which was simple and domestic (and fitting). It gives away very little, which in itself made me curious, and the focus on the two hands and cooking were interesting choices and drew me in.

For the curious, there is some bondage/domination in the story, something Will wants and something Charlie is hesitant to give--although he can't help giving in to Will's need. The exploration was well handled, although again, Charlie's resistance to share his past--even with the reader--makes some elements of his life difficult to understand. Still, the dominance works, and despite "Daddy" not being my thing, I like how Charlie handles it and how it works in their relationship.

Requested this book for review.