The Red Thread of Forever Love by Nicole Kimberling

The Red Thread of Forever Love by Nicole Kimberling
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 96 pages
Blurb
A "Not Quite New Year" Story!

Folklore researcher and PhD candidate Hank Caldwell has a problem. He’s come to Japan to get information for his book on supernatural creatures called yokai. Along the way he discovers that yokai are not only real, but one of them is determined to make Hank his forever lover.

Translator Daisuke Tachibana knows all about the shadowy figure in a business suit who keeps accosting Mr. Caldwell. He knows the creature must be stopped, but how? Their upcoming research trip to a remote, hot springs resort will be exactly the opening the yokai is looking for. Now if only Tachibana could stop thinking about Mr. Caldwell’s naked, freckled body submerged in steaming water long enough to formulate a plan to keep the amorous creature at bay.

Overall
This is a cute story that immerses the reader in Japanese culture, specifically folklore. While I enjoyed the historical elements, the romance, and the plot, I had a hard time really sinking into the story. Everything was good, but I never deeply associated with any of the characters, which left me pleased but not completely satisfied.

While this story starts slow in order to develop the culture and character relationship, the end picks up, culminating in their relationship and a dramatic turn of plot. The pacing was a bit of a struggle in the beginning, but a necessary evil and definitely worth muddling through.

This is one of those stories that I enjoyed but never wow'd me, leaving me with very little to say. It could be that it just wasn't up my alley, or not relating to the characters kind of ruined it. Nonetheless, I would recommend this story to others, especially those interested in Japanese folklore, who like a little bit of humor, and who are looking for something serious but not too heavy. It's an interesting mix of cultures, characters, and rhythms. And if Fingers annoys you in the beginning, he'll probably grow on you by the end! :)

The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane
Stars: 5/5

Length: 117,000 words
Blurb
Sean never asked to be an O'Hara, and he didn't ask to be cursed by one either.

After inheriting a hexed druid stone from his great-grandfather, Sean starts reliving another man's torture and death...every single night. And only one person can help.

Cormac Kelly runs a paranormal investigation business and doesn't have time to deal with misinformed tourists like Sean. But Sean has real magic in his pocket, and even though Cormac is a descendant of legendary druids, he soon finds himself out of his depth...and not because Sean's the first man he's felt anything for in a long time.

The pair develop an unexpected and intensely sexual bond, but are threatened at every turn when Sean's case attracts the unwelcome attention of the mad sidhe lords of ancient Ireland. When Sean and Cormac are thrust backward in time to Ireland's violent history—and their own dark pasts—they must work together to escape the curse and save their fragile relationship.

Overall
Another breathtaking exploration of reality, love, and the supernatural by Vane and Belleau. In some ways this story is very similar to Hawaiian Gothic, but it differs so dramatically that the similarities aren't even worth mention, although fans of HG will just as surely love The Druid Stone. Be sure to grab on to your hats, though, because just when you think the ride is about to end...it's really just beginning.

Review
Holy Plot Batman! This story makes your head run in circles trying to guess what's going to happen next—give up, you won't! It's an amazing adventure that once again crosses the boundaries between the mundane world and the supernatural, as Sean and Cormac try to resolve Sean's recurring dreams—a more complex problem than either of them suspects in the beginning. Along the way they make friends, make enemies, and struggle to handle the greed of supernatural beings. The plot is fantastic and leaves no stone unturned—and no thread left dangling.

There is a fairly large (but not overwhelming) and varied cast in both worlds. Cormac, who is a bit of a stiff board sometimes, is balanced out by his super-welcoming family, while Sean, who is incredibly functional considering all he's been through, is contrasted by his almost completely absent family. The men themselves work well together in their struggle and in their stubbornness. And, while this is definitely a romance, it almost takes second seat to the adventure, although the two parts seamlessly entwine.

There are vivid descriptions in this novel, letting the reader experience what the narrator is, while enhancing the narration and bringing the environment to life. But these descriptions also didn't overwhelm the story or interrupt the flow of action. They were well placed and easy to skim with a quick read (if you're that type of reader). Gorgeous.

I think my biggest 'issue' with the novel was the ending, which felt almost anti-climatic after the drama in the previous 100,000 words. I found the conclusion completely satisfying, but after riding the adrenaline and emotional high, it felt so very mundane. That being said, it was perfectly handled and I really loved how things were resolved.

This was one of those books where I loved every moment and already want to go back to re-read.

Requested this book for review.

Burn (Elementally Evolved, #1) by TJ Klune

Burn (Elementally Evolved, #1) by TJ Klune
Stars: 2.5/5

Length: 370 pages
Blurb
Book One of the Elementally Evolved series

Set in a world that closely resembles our own, Burn is a story of redemption and betrayal, of family and sacrifice, which leads to the greatest question of all: how far would you go to save the ones you love?

Fifteen years ago, Felix Paracel killed his mother with fire that shot from his hands. Since then, he has hidden from forces bent on exploiting him and his fire and wind Elemental abilities. But Felix’s world is about to change, because he is Findo Unum—the Split One—and his coming has been foretold for generations.

Though Felix’s arrival brings great joy to the Elemental world, it also heralds a coming darkness. No one knows this better than Seven, the mysterious man who rescued Felix from that horrible fire years ago and then disappeared... who now has returned to claim what’s rightfully his: Felix’s heart. But even as Felix begins to trust Seven and his feelings about his place in the world, the darkness reveals itself, bringing consequences no one could have predicted.

Overall
There are elements of Burn that I really enjoyed, and other pieces that left me struggling to finish the novel. First off, I wouldn't count this story as a romance, because while there is a strong romantic/sexual element, it's really not the overwhelming focus of the story, especially the latter half. Second, this tale suffers from a loquacious narrator, which from the two books I've read by Klune, this seems to be the author's style. I had difficulty connecting to the narrator and the world in general, although I wanted the narrator and his team to win.

For readers who need absolute closure in their books, beware that this is "Burn, Elementally Evolved #1," meaning that there is an on-going story. I found the lack of closure frustrating, although understandable.

I wish I had enjoyed this novel more, as I think the concept is interesting and would like to know it's ultimate conclusion, but the style of writing that worked so well in Otter, Bear, and The Kid failed to keep my interest here and ultimately made this something that I would have a hard time finding the time (my so-limited time) to read.

Review
Felix, our narrator, is selfish and a touch whiney, although in some/most instances it's understandable. He's not my preferred narrator type, especially with a close first person point of view. He toes the line (hard) of being a Gary Stu (male equivalent of Mary Sue). However, he's also understandably suspicious and distrustful, since everyone, from his father to his lover, lies to him or keeps secrets. He was hard for me to like, but he was also hard to hate.

The plot line was interesting, pulling aspects from familiar stories like X-Men and Lord of the Rings, but also including many original elements as well. The environment is similar to those mutants we know and love, where people with special powers are persecuted and there is the chance of laws coming into effect that will tag them all. Felix, unbeknownst to him, is a kind of savior to Elementals and is pulled into an underground society in order to receive his training and fulfill a prophecy. Yes, some of the story is been-there, done-that, but it went in some interesting directions, which kept me from saying, "Yeah, I've seen this before."

There is a large cast of characters, and it's hard to trust anyone, and those you do trust could wind up stabbing you in the back. It's painful for the main character and it's painful to read, but it is realistic, and the raw emotions that Felix forms from his interactions (no matter how irrational some of his behaviors are), do make sense. At the end, I found myself connecting to him as he struggled through the more difficult parts of the story, and I think part of my discomfort with the novel stems from the fact that Felix doesn’t know who he can trust and he can’t really trust anyone, which I don’t like feeling, and which of course I felt every step of the way. It was well done to evoke that emotion from me, but that doesn’t mean I need to like it. :)

About two-thirds of the way through, I got stuck. I was sick of the politics within the underground community, I was tired of Felix's whining, and the internal dialogue was killing the pacing for me. Several months later I finally opened it up again, but instead of thoroughly reading, I did a skimming finish. The verbosity never died out, but the plot picked up and gained steam, to the point where I kept looking at how much I had left and at what was happening and wondered how they could possibly end everything in time.

The answer was they couldn't. Although the conclusion is a sorta ending, if the tale ended there I would be terribly dissatisfied. Knowing this is part of a series and will be continued keeps me from grading this harshly (I'm out of practice of reading series and feeling like I'm going to rip my hair out waiting for the next one). It's still one heck of a place to end, and readers who need closure should wait until the next book--at least--is out, although I'm not certain I'll read it.

Finally, the cover is lovely, stark and eye catching. If I saw this on a bookshelf, I’d pick it up, which is the purpose of the cover! It’s fitting for the story and further shows that this isn’t your typical romance novel.

Requested this book for review.

Mind Magic by Poppy Dennison

Mind Magic by Poppy Dennison
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 200 pages
Blurb
Magical species must never mix. According to the rules, Simon Osborne should ignore the children’s cries for help. After all, they’re werewolf cubs, and he’s an apprentice mage. But for once in his life, Simon breaks the rules and rescues the cubs, saving them from a demon intent on draining them of their magic.

Of course, all actions have consequences, and Simon’s bold move earns him the displeasure of his peers and the attention of the cubs’ alpha, a man named Gray Townsend.

The last thing Gray needs is a mage in his life, but Simon did save his son. Since Simon is now a friend of the pack, Gray doesn’t have much choice about it—or the forbidden attraction that goes along with it. Unfortunately for the alpha, he needs Simon’s help to track down the demon behind the kidnappings—before it strikes again. Simon and Gray must join forces to protect the pack, even as they struggle to resist the temptation that threatens to destroy them both.

Overall
I've been in bit of a reading slump lately, and after reading a few short stories that re-inspired my faith in books again, I decided to put aside the book I was struggling with to read Mind Magic. What's nice about this piece is that it's a shorter novel, it's a quick read, and it has a pleasant set of characters. There is an interesting plot line that motivates all the characters, and there are enough tiny twists to keep the reader interested without feeling like the author is lying or purposefully misleading. However, the story also has a sense of being unfinished, as there are plenty of dangling questions that never get answered--and unless there is a sequel, I doubt there will ever be answers. In some ways the novel recognizes that (one character says "We may never know what really happened"), and while I can respect that life doesn't always have neat answers, part of me wanted more.

Still, I'm overall pretty happy with this piece, and despite some slight niggles, I was never pushed out of the story or unhappy with things.

Review
We are introduced to our leading mage when he rescues some were-kids from a demon, throwing us straight into the fire. This nice pace of action and intrigue holds through the rest of the novel as the more the characters figure out, the more questions that seem to arise. This works well to keep the reader guessing just enough, although it also means that there are plenty of questions unresolved by the end. Still, the hangers aren't head-crushing and they are cope-able, although for readers who like neatly wrapped endings, this could be a deal breaker.

Now, I'm a fan of soul mates, which shifter stories tend to be rife with, but this has a nice change of pace in that there are mates, and the shifters are very serious about mates, but it's not a sudden I-know-you're-my-mate-now type thing. I think this worked in the story as it opened up potential for distrust and uncertainty, but also allowed the feelings to come naturally between them. On the other hand, keeping this in mind, the progression of their relationship felt rushed as they fall into bed (err, the floor). On some levels it makes sense--physical attraction, not much sexual relief, and, at least on one end, a possessive, protective spirit. Still, their abrupt sex left me feeling like the story without instant-mates suddenly has instant-mates. Minor niggle, but enough to earn an eye roll.

Despite a main character's descriptive name, Gray, the characters were a nice bunch. Most of the werewolves blend into the background as general pack, but Gray's son Garon, a wolf from another pack, and a later character are both very interesting and add some nice flavor to the story. I could see potential for one or more getting their own tale told and being given their happy endings, although Garao would have to age up some. The sense of family among the pack felt real, both in being distrustful of strangers and in protecting their own...and in welcoming new family. The sense of family, belonging, and groups plays a pivotal role in the underlying depths of the story, and it's definitely worth paying attention to who does what magic and how those groups behave toward one another.

The plot itself was explored enough to resolve the major conflict, even if I still have plenty of questions. I enjoyed the slow reveal, and while some things aren't a complete surprise, others are, creating a nice mix. Wanting to know what happened next was my biggest push to keep reading, and I'd probably re-read this story just to see everything unfold again.

Finally, the perspectives are limited to Simon and Gray, mainly sticking to their perspectives for large chunks of time. However, there is some leniency in flipping back and forth (if only for a moment) in scenes, and other times when we get brief glances into other characters. They are never deep thoughts and it could be the PoV character is thinking that the other person is thinking that, but it was a little wiggley.

Requested this book for review.

An Angel's Soul by SL Armstrong K Piet

An Angel's Soul by SL Armstrong K Piet
Stars: 3/5

Length: 30 pages (12,000 words)
Blurb
Cole had everything: a great education, his own company, money, and Daniel, his lover since college. But in gaining everything, he lost the one thing he'd been building that life for: Daniel. Now that Daniel has moved on, Cole is without direction or purpose. Turning to alcohol and drugs to fill the void left behind, Cole dives head first into a downward spiral, unaware that there is another who loves and cares for him.

As Cole's guardian angel, Raziel has watched Cole since birth, and his love for his ward is deep and abiding. Witnessing Cole's fraying life breaks Raziel's heart, and when the thread that binds them together wavers during an overdose, Raziel breaks all the rules just to keep Cole alive. The consequences are unthinkable, but a life without Cole is a loss that Raziel simply can't conceive. An angel's soul was made to love, after all, and if he saves Cole, perhaps he can show Cole how the end of one great love doesn't mean another waits patiently for him.

(Part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write event.)

Overall
A well done, if somewhat typical, tale of a guardian angel falling in love with his charge. This was obviously working within the constraints of a short story, and to some extent Cole's feelings toward Raziel felt a little forced, but this could be because we see so little of them together, but Raziel’s reasoning for why Cole feels the way he does makes sense as well. Still, I would have liked to have seen more of Cole's struggles and surprise at his feelings toward Raziel.

Most of my issues with this story are personal peeves, and I think in general many readers will enjoy it. Cole seems to have so much going for him in life, but losing the one thing that meant the most to him is something he can’t seem to bounce back from. His struggle to accept Raziel and begin to open up and trust, and love, another being is a wonderful exploration of the heart.

The other pet peeve (I seem to have so many!) I had with the story, is that they immediately have anal sex. This pure being who has seen a lot, sure, has his first sexual experience as anal sex. From kissing to anal. It seems unlikely, and rubs me the wrong way a bit. Not that Cole isn't wonderfully tender and not that Raziel doesn't want it (oh, he does!), but still. In addition, while I understand that the angels are male because it's M/M romance (and many are traditionally portrayed as such), I have to wonder at the inclusion of an anus. They don't eat, why would they need one? They don't need to digest, so why? Obviously it's there for the same reason the penis is.

Despite the above, I did enjoy the story and it's definitely worth picking up!

The War at the End of the World by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

The War at the End of the World by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane
Stars: 4/5

Length: 26 pages (10,000 words)
Blurb
September, 1941.

War correspondent Joseph Byrne has been cheating death all his life, ever since he spent two years in an iron lung as a boy diagnosed with polio. In the years since, the Fetch, a strange being charged by Death with collecting Joseph and transporting him into the unknown, has been condemned to watch and wait.

Now, with Joseph working in a Finland caught in a tug of war between Nazi and Soviet forces, it seems a foregone conclusion that the Fetch's sentence is at its end and Death will have Joseph for her own at last. Joseph, an openly Jewish American, has no doubt where his allegiance lies, no matter the danger. But after all these years at Joseph's side, watching him overcome adversity to grow into a brave and principled young man, the Fetch has come to realize that there are forces stronger and so much sweeter than even the purpose you were made for.

(Part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write event.)

Overall
These two authors always take me for a ride, never knowing if I'm going to like the ending, but never disappointing, even if they break my heart, and this is no exception. This is a refreshingly different story that takes place during WWII mainly, but in Finland rather than the standard locations. Once again Belleau and Vane bring the supernatural into a mundane world, creating something terrible and beautiful that leaves an impression.

This is a very different love story, as we are trapped in the perspective of a guiding spirit that is meant to gather the souls of the dying and take them to death. But the one we are in has been delayed from his purpose and again and again is unable to take the life of his charge. It's a moving, sad, painfully tender tale as he struggles with knowing his duty and knowing they are running from death, but unwilling to cause suffering to Joseph. The end is beautiful and a little painful, but ultimately satisfying.

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.

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.

Good Bones by Kim Fielding

Good Bones by Kim Fielding
Stars: 4/5

Length: 200 pages
Blurb
Skinny, quiet hipster Dylan Warner was the kind of guy other men barely glanced at until an evening’s indiscretion with a handsome stranger turned him into a werewolf. Now, despite a slightly hairy handicap, he just wants to live an ordinary—if lonely—life as an architect. He tries to keep his wild impulses in check, but after one too many close calls, Dylan gives up his urban life and moves to the country, where he will be less likely to harm someone else. His new home is a dilapidated but promising house that comes with a former Christmas tree farm and a solitary neighbor: sexy, rustic Chris Nock.

Dylan hires Chris to help him renovate the farmhouse and quickly discovers his assumptions about his neighbor are inaccurate—and that he’d very much like Chris to become a permanent fixture in his life as well as his home. Between proving himself to his boss, coping with the seductive lure of his dangerous ex-lover, and his limited romantic experience, Dylan finds it hard enough to express himself—how can he bring up his monthly urge to howl at the moon?

Overall
I started this novel in the mindset of "Oh, look, another werewolf story." There may have been a slice of "A were story in the woods. That's new. /sarcasm" But one of my friends recommended it so I slid it in the queue and when I needed to read something that I had low expectations for, it was the winner. So yes, I went it a little jaded.

I was surprised to enjoy this as much as I did. While in some ways it's the classic werewolf romance story (which is like taking a choose your own adventure), it also has its own plucky attitude that adds the certain something to let the story flourish. The characters clash in a way that made me think I wouldn't enjoy them together, but in the end it was their very different style of relationship that helped this from becoming same-old, same-old.

Strengths
As I said, the main concepts of the story weren't brand-spanking new, but the way everything was handled, the story-telling aspects made the story come to life in a funny, tender way. For the most part it still didn't blow me away, but the ending was icing on the cake, leaving me with a slight euphoria.

The characters aren't the pleasant bunch I normally find in romance novels. While the narrator is more along the lines of squishy that I was used to, his match is a rough-around-the-edges, slightly caustic man who is more hick than he is handsome. This contrast made me wary of their coming together, but by the end the author made the pair work for me and, if given a chance, I think for most readers.

Part of my enjoyment probably falls along the veins of both men being broken puppies, at least a little. They aren't angst-mongers about it, but both their issues are raised plot wise and relationship wise.

Finally, I love that Richard and Dylan have such juvenile nicknames for each other. It's such a tiny thing, but it made me roll my eyes--and snicker.

Weaknesses
I found some of Chris' emotional moments to be almost swooning-woman in nature, which is compounded by being rescued twice by Dylan. Part of this could just be society brainwashing me into thinking men have to be tough, but part of me was a little taken aback by this strong, tough man's reactions. However, considering Chris' upbringing and how he normally puts up a tough front, when he's given love and kindness, it makes sense (to an extent) that he's overwhelmed. So in this way his reactions seem reasonable, but I still felt I should mention it.

Requested this book for review.

The Ronin and the Fox by Cornelia Grey

The Ronin and the Fox by Cornelia Grey
Stars: 5/5

Length: 32,000 words (85 pages)
Blurb
In feudal Japan, Kaede Hajime lives as a vagabond ronin, a samurai without a lord. As he spends the night at a village's inn, the innkeeper begs him to help stop a mischievous kitsune, a fox spirit, plaguing their village. But when he captures the spirit—in the form of a hauntingly beautiful man—Hajime learns that the kitsune has troubles of his own. The pearl that contains the fox's soul has been stolen, leaving him a slave to the new owner, who is forcing him to attack the village.

Hajime agrees to help the fox retrieve the jewel, but living with a fox spirit isn't easy, and the budding trust between them is constantly tested. Kitsune are tricksters above all, and Hajime must decide how much of the story the fox tells him is truth. What's worse, an old comrade of Hajime's is in town, bringing with him the sour memories of Hajime's time as a samurai. Hajime must find a way to locate the thief and steal back the jewel before the thief turns the kitsune's considerable power against him.

Overall
A passionate, heart-felt story, this will especially appeal to readers who like Japanese mythologies, mischievous spirits, and honorable samurai. While the cover and title caught my eye (and perfectly represent the story told within), the pages within didn't let me down. I was quickly drawn in by the serious ronin and the playful kitsune and the troubles they find themselves in and their struggles to trust one another.

Strengths
Despite most of the time our only two characters are the leading men, I never became bored with them. They are entertaining and mysterious enough that as everything unfolds, it's enough just to find out more. These aren't flat characters. The honorable samurai who was too honorable and lost his lord, and the mischievous kitsune who isn't causing problems because he wants to (this time, at least). They can't trust one another, but they have no one else they can trust. It's a wonderful dynamic that plays out perfectly.

While the story being told isn't incredibly new or surprising (for me, at least), it does incorporate fresh elements and there were enough unknowns to keep me curious about how everything would turn out. The pacing was perfect, dragging out curiosities until the end without ever slowing down the story. Much like it's setting, there are almost meditative qualities about the telling, which brings the tale together nicely.

Grey does an excellent job of setting the scene in a historical-esque story that is unfamiliar to many readers. She provides the necessary information without bogging down the text and keeps the craft ahead of facts, although facts are not necessarily lacking.

Weaknesses
The only moment that stuck out as being a little odd was after Hajime meets the fox. While previously I felt a sense of urgency at needing to stop the events and help the village, instead there is a drawn out period of time together. While obviously this is needed for the two to get to know each other, for healing, and for resting, the sense of hanging out seemed too casual considering Hajime was supposed to be doing a job. However, this niggle was very minor (and inconsequential), and did not detract from the book's enjoyment.

Received this book for review.

Ink by Isabelle Rowan

Ink by Isabelle Rowan
Stars: 3/5

Length: 230 pages
Blurb
Roman centurion Dominic drew his last human breath during the time of Hadrian. In the centuries since, he’s seen much of the world change around him, but the vampire finds himself held captive in Melbourne, Australia, by his fascination with young, passionate, fun-loving, and alive tattoo artist Michael Chapman. Unable to resist the lure of Michael’s beauty, Dominic finds himself entering the parlor to get a tattoo he knows will fade.

The attraction he feels only grows, and despite Dominic’s extreme reluctance to get involved with a human, he and Michael form a bond—a connection that all too soon attracts the attention of a dark specter from Dominic’s bloody past. Soon, a dangerous game of cat and mouse threatens not only the budding romance, but also their humanity.

Overall
A classic tale of a young man's attraction to a vampire ending with a question of humanity and whether vampires are still of the same stock from which they were born. Ink is a slowly building story that uses a third person omniscient perspective that mainly sticks to the two main characters. The story was fairly good, the writing the same, but I had difficulty really getting into it. This teeters on an Insta-Love edge, but the way it was handled keeps it from being too terrible an example. A pleasant overall read, those who devour vampire novels may enjoy it especially.

Strengths
While there are elements that I really couldn't grab and character moments that made me raise a brow, I really loved some parts of the characters. Abby especially was a delight, the only one in this whole story with her head screwed on right! Dominic has his moments, but Abby pegged him rightly as a Louis character, and Michael, while mostly sensible and a good guy, sometimes seems to be playing the role the author set out for him. Galen (see "dark specter" above), was a surprise and I enjoyed his depth for being a late-appearing villain.

Along those same lines, the ending surprised me, but didn't necessarily disappoint. The epilogue made me raise a brow, but I also liked the sense of mystery it left in the wake of the resolution. Compared to the slow beginning, the ending seemed almost rushed, although there wasn't much to be done to extend it, either. Still, I was satisfied, if not a little sad, to see the way the story went. Also, I loved the role tattoos and markings played in the story.

I really love the cover. It's arty and dark with a strong fantastical feel that really caught my eye. Elements of it relate to the content of the novel without strictly sticking to it.

Weaknesses
While not too terribly cliche, nothing felt especially fresh about this vampire tale. Old vampire thinks of vampires as godly and that the blood lust is unavoidable; young vampire struggles to retain his humanity. There are definitely some interesting elements of the story and while not necessarily new ideas, Rowan approaches the idea with confidence and from a slightly unique angle.

Even understanding the need for it, the beginning of the story is very slow to open as it develops the characters and the situation. Some may find this too slow and lose interest before the action starts. I didn't mind, but it took a little to keep me going, and this definitely wasn't a page-turner until near the end.

Requested this book for review.

Worth (Gray Zone, #2) by Adrienne Wilder

Worth (Gray Zone, #2) by Adrienne Wilder
Stars: 4/5

Length: 196 pages
Blurb
Give us your poor, your unwanted, your criminals... that’s the unofficial motto of Atlanta’s Gray Zone, the no man’s land between the city and the Dens of the Kin—the dragons. Between Liam, the two brothers he’s cared for most of his life, and their abusive stepfather, they account for all three categories.

Liam was fifteen when he made the arrangement: as long as he let his stepfather sell his body, his brothers would be safe. Scarred inside and out from years of horrific abuse, Liam is stunned when Jericho, a Lesser-Bred—a dragon’s mixed-blood offspring—makes a pass at him, and he is helpless to resist.

Then Liam’s stepfather welshes on their deal and sells Liam’s brother into the trade, and once again Liam resolves to do anything to save him, even get involved in a million-dollar kidnapping scheme that could get him killed. But that’s not his plan. Now that he has Jericho, Liam knows his life is worth fighting for.

Overall
Although I really enjoyed this story, and love broken characters (plus abused rent boy!), this story didn't quite earn a 5-star rating. I'm not sure exactly what is keeping it from reaching that point, as I can't really think of anything really negative about it. It has good writing, a good story, interesting plot and characters and a fun world, but I still don't feel like it's a 5-star book. Maybe I'm in a blase mood, maybe the characters weren't new/creative enough. Still, a good book, definitely worth picking up.

Strengths
Liam is horribly, horribly abused by his step-father and his johns, is struggling to protect his brothers, and works his butt off so that the boys have all that they need. He's not a weak character, just exhausted and trying to continue to fight to survive while being a little broken emotionally. This pushed all kinds of lovely buttons for me and it was well handled; nothing was described too gruesomely but it didn't ignore the horrors that he's endured. Liam is a lovely character and his struggle is beautiful.

While the plot was more predictable than the first, I still enjoyed watching it unfold. Like a play you've seen before, knowing what happens doesn't make the characters' performances any less interesting. And with Liam in the center, there are plenty of interesting actors on this stage.

I liked how certain elements of the Kin world were handled in this story better than how they were handled in the first. Whether the author assumed people would be reading this book second and would recall from the first novel, or just didn't want to focus as heavily on those aspects, the more pared down descriptions worked well.

Weaknesses
This still suffers from having a glossary in the front. In addition, there seemed to be even more words defined, while not that many additional concepts were used. While it's easy to skip over this, it's hard for the reader to know if anything important is going to be missed by doing that. In this case, I didn't feel like reading the glossary was too advantageous, as the narrator knows very little about Kin society and anything the reader would need to know is explained in the story.

Plot was somewhat predictable, although this didn't damage it's enjoyment much.

Requested this book for review.

Blacker than Black by Rhi Etzweiler

Blacker than Black by Rhi Etzweiler
Stars: 4.5/5

Length: 110,000
Blurb
Apparently, my twin and I are two of York’s most notorious criminals. We’ve been Nightwalkers in the blue-light district since the vamps took over the world. Don’t know how many years it’s been. Long enough that a stream of fellow ’walkers have come and gone. Most don’t last long selling their chi. End up face-down in the gutter, or worse.

For us, one night and one sale change everything.

Monsieur Garthelle is the first john to hunt me down. He calls me a chi thief in one breath and offers absolution—servitude—in the next. Maybe I’m a sucker, but I like living and breathing. Strange that such a powerful vamp would show leniency to a mere human. And something’s not right with the chi I took from him. It won’t go away.

Neither will he, and he’s forcing us to spy on his peers. Then a vamp turns up dead, and we go from playing eyes and ears to investigating a murder. This isn’t what I signed up for. All I ever wanted was to sell a little chi, maybe steal some in return. I should’ve kept my damn hands to myself.

This is my story. Look through my eyes.

Overall
An incredible journey that takes the reader from the rough streets to shadowy, backstabbing high-class mansions. It's a winding tale that plays at a murder mystery, delves into social issues, paints a glorious urban fantasy world, and rounds it out with a tense bit of romance. This is not a typical read, and it's hard to shove it under any one genre heading, but it's definitely something to pick up (especially if you want something new).

Strengths
It's difficult for me to pinpoint all the strengths of this novel. The pieces weave together so tightly, it's hard to pick just one or two threads. However, that being said, I can mention the elements that caught my eye as important parts for the enjoyment of this novel.

One is the evolution of events, story, and romance. The story starts off almost exceptionally simple with a 'whore' picking up the wrong 'john.' But as the characters interact, the story unfolds, expands, and almost explodes off the page. While the events, story, and romance are fine, it is experiencing the development of everything that makes the novel impressive. It's a feat to keep the readers attention for so long in first person while developing multiple tendrils of story, but Blacker Than Black does it. As I muddle through trying to explain, all I can really say is it's something that is best experienced first hand.

Two, this book has a cast of colorful characters. They aren't all good, in fact, most have some sort of underhanded moment, even if it is against the "bad guy." Honesty would have gone a long way to avoiding many of the circumstances, but then we wouldn't have had much of a book! I loved Garthelle, the shady bastard, and Black, possibly the least trusting individual in the book (with good cause, sometimes). There were various side characters who added layers of entertainment, one of my favorite being the butler, who is a loyal, sometimes snarky, worker willing to think for himself. What I really enjoyed (even when it made me want to rip out my hair) is that while I thought I knew where things were going and who to trust, I never did. Much like the main characters, I was constantly on uneven footing.

While this world is similar to ours, the flourishes that Etzweiler added, from the social mores and the creation of chi prostitutes to the hierarchal social structure of the vampires--I mean lyche. Everything may take place in a future of our world, but in reality it takes place in the lyche society and follows a different set of rules. Everything was well handled--and if you're confused it's probably because you're meant to be.

Weaknesses
Some readers may find some of the language choices to be distracting, but they were consistently used, so I chalked it up to narrator's voice, although it did chafe me a little. Though the fact that this is my biggest issue with the story, says something about it's quality.

The author raises some questions in the second half of the book that don't get answered, but honestly they didn't need to be answered for the conclusion, nor could an answer easily be achieved. Some may find the hanging questions to be frustrating, but I found them interesting, as the reader and the narrator must look at "Why does it matter?"--a question that can be applied to several elements of the story.

While this is a longer story, it has a good pace and brings information in from all angles, so it never came across as boring, although some parts are slower.

I am affiliated with Riptide Publishing. Read as a proof.

To Adam With Love by Adrienne Wilder

To Adam With Love by Adrienne Wilder
Stars: 4.5/5

Length: 230 pages
Blurb
Adam's mother brought him as a child to the Gray Zone, the no man's land between the crumbling city and the Dens where the Kin-the Dragons-and Lesser-Breds-their mixed-blood-offspring-live. He was different, not completely Human, and she knew fear and prejudice would drive people to do horrible things... like a father trying to kill his son. Five years later, Adam's father is behind bars and Adam has come home to the Zone, the last place anyone would expect innocence, loyalty, and devotion, to complete his becoming Lesser-Bred and find his best friend and only love, Ean.

But Ean has a life of his own. He's always wanted to belong to Batu, the Male Kin who has watched over him since childhood, but now Ean's caught in a deadly trap of biology and vengeance: he isn't enough to feed his beloved Adam during the dangerous transformation, and Kin won't allow an emotional bond in their midst. Years ago Ean lost Adam after failing to keep him safe. Now that Adam is back, will a simple feeling give Ean the strength to defy everything he's ever known and keep them together?

Overall
I put this book off again and again because going in I knew it was going to be a darker novel and I kept telling myself I wasn't in the mood. However, while it is a darker novel, it's not bleak. It takes the reader along a twisted path full of thorns and prickers, but it doesn't rip out the heart, stomp on it, then stitch it back in. Instead the central themes are love and emotions, as Adam is afraid of losing his humanity, and Ean is slowly trying to understand his own humanity beyond physicality.

Parts of this story dragged for me, but only because I wanted to know the ending and how the author worked out all the different problems that the characters were facing, which speaks highly of the plot that Wilder created. I would recommend this to most, but for readers of fantasy and dystopian futures, this should definitely be something to check out.

Strengths
While he's not mentioned in the blurb, there is actually a love triangle involved in the story. Ean and Adam love one another, but there is a young man named Brian from their past who also loves Adam, and Adam feels attraction in return. The play of these three characters was amazingly supple, to the point where I thought I knew how things would end up, but little moments would leave me guessing how exactly the lovers would pair off.

Speaking of the end--without spoiling everything, since spoilers would damage the enjoyment of this book, I feel―I really liked how everything unfolded and was resolved. I had one minor niggle involving Adam's father, but overall I was surprised, pleasantly, with what happened. I definitely wasn't expecting things to go that way, but it also didn't blindside me.

Wilder creates a very interesting and thought out world here, and I look forward to reading more of it in the second novel Worth. Although there wasn't much explanation for why there was a nest of these dragons who masquerade as humans, and it's never mentioned if there are other nests, I enjoyed the ample information that was given. The world, word usage, and culture surrounding the Kin was detailed without bogging down the story and felt organic within the plot.

Weaknesses
Most (if not every) chapter started with a flashback from when Adam and Ean were kids. While this was vital for supplying history about the characters and building up their relationship, especially in the beginning, it also became a little tedious toward the end when events were quickly unfurling and I wanted the story and I wanted it immediately. In someways it interfered with the natural flow and I felt it could have been used more judiciously, but it in no way ruined the book.

There is a glossary in the beginning that goes over many of the terms that are used pretty consistently through the book. While this works in paperback from, in ebook form it becomes pretty much inaccessible. For the most part the reader can use a single reading of the glossary and context of sentences to know what is happening, and by the end the words are second nature. However, I found two words (chela, which means claws, and chetra, which means humans) to be near enough in spelling that the first instance of chetra had me confusing it with chela. A minor inconvenience that was easily fixed by context clues, but for readers who have difficulty with learning new vocabulary, be advised.

Requested this book for review.

Crying for the Moon by Sarah Madison

Crying for the Moon by Sarah Madison
Stars: 5/5

Length: 210 pages
Blurb
Vampire Alexei Novik may have the teeth and the coffin, but he’s given up the lifestyle for an old fixer-upper in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Weary of his past, Alex plans to keep to himself, but it seems his sexy, new neighbor, Tate, can’t take the hint—a good thing, since it turns out he’s handy for all kinds of things around the house. Tate even gets along with Alex’s werewolf friends, though one of them pointedly reminds Alex that their friendship is a bad idea.

If a platonic relationship is a bad idea, the growing attraction between Tate and Alex is a disaster waiting to happen. Loving Tate will draw him into Alex’s dangerous world, and Alex is torn between having the relationship he’s always craved and keeping Tate safe. Tate won’t take no for an answer, however, and seems to handle everything Alex can throw at him without blinking. Just when he thinks things might turn out all right after all, Alex’s past catches up with him—forcing him to make a terrible choice.

Overall
This novel utilizes all the qualities that make vampire novels great--but also has fun with it. The characters are hilarious, caring, and loyal; the sex is hot; and the plot is well fleshed out. Even though most of the action doesn't happen until the last 20%, the story never drags as each chapter develops characters and cultural history. For those who are familiar with vampire and werewolf lore, you'll appreciate the nods of recognition to some of the standards, while also finding a few new twists.

Strengths
Set in the modern world, there is very little development that needs to be done on that end, but Madison took vampire and werewolf lore and tweaked it just enough to make it her own. The info wasn't dumped on the reader all at once, except for a single instance and that wasn't even dumped, but worked into dialogue. The nuances in the cultures and the world creation felt believable and well done, but most of all, it took something that has been rehashed and made it feel fresh.

This story contains a very limited cast (no more than 10 people total), but the main six are constantly on screen and moving around. The skill with which the characters are handled is excellent, and their unique personalities all shine through. Each is an individual that adds a different dynamic to what's happening in the story, sometimes to Alex's chagrin. Fun, oddly human, characters.

While initially there doesn't seem to be much plot, everything is building toward the final climatic scene with purpose. The hints and allusions are invoked to lure the reader into wanting to know more, without being obtuse and ignoring facts or questions that the characters in the story would know or ask. In addition, while main climax is slowly being built, other tiny events happen, some of which are dramatic (an attack) and some of which are just people living in close quarters and newly falling in love. The varied events and happenings create a well-paced piece.

Weaknesses
If I were pinpoint one weakness, it's definitely that the end happens quickly and a few points are brought up without being resolved, possibly for future sequels, or possibly because life doesn't always give us all the answers. However, I didn't feel shorted by the end or the information given either, I just want to know More! More! More!, which I count as a good thing, even though I put it under weakness.

Requested this book for review.

Other Side of Night: Bastian and Riley by SL Armstrong and K Piet

Other Side of Night: Bastian and Riley by SL Armstrong and K Piet
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 47,000 words
Blurb
Vampires walk among us. For centuries, they have adapted, learning to pass undetected in our world. They no longer fear the day, only the sting of direct sunlight. They are students, bankers, lawyers, and even actors. But when the sun goes down, they are all united by their eternal thirst. We do not see them from our safe and comfortable side of the night. But sometimes, one of us is drawn away from the light and we cross into their world. Into the other side of night.

Sebastian Rossi's second year at the University of Tennessee began much differently than his first. He rushes to and from his classes, covered head to toe in thick clothing. Parties are a thing of the past, and dating hasn't been high on his list of priorities. No, high on his needs is blood. Lots of it. Adjusting to the changes no one even told him would happen following one great night of partying and sex has been hell for Bastian, but he's managing.

Riley Lynch's dream is to be a veterinarian. He works hard to pay his tuition, reads in every spare moment, and tries to forget the nightmare of his sophomore year. Summer has washed away all the bad, leaving him refreshed and eager for his junior year at UT. Life is finally looking up for him, and he has no intention of sliding back down into the depression that had consumed him during his last relationship.

A chance meeting brings their two worlds into alignment and passion sparks between them. When Riley learns of the changes Bastian is going through, he has a choice to make: walk away or embrace the night.

Overall
This story takes place in a traditional vampire world with a very different sort of vampire as the focus. Instead of the sexy, suave vampire, we are given as our lead vampire an average college student who has to figure out this new world on his own. Although the majority of the premise isn't earth shattering, the writing and story telling is excellent, and the authors delve into less common vampire lore, which is refreshing.

I would recommend this book for people who love reading vampire novels and are willing to give something a little different a chance. Also a good read for people who like contemporary romances, as long as they don't mind a little of the fantastical thrown in. While not an exceptional novel, it was an enjoyable read--perfect for the beach or curling up with on a lazy weekend.

Strengths
A fun combination of classic vampires and college students who are just trying to be college students--nothing mysterious.

The characters are cute and it was interesting watching them work through their struggles together. Riley, who protects his heart due to a previous relationship's experiences, seems to be the perfect, patient boyfriend until he becomes (understandably) a bit of a hypocrite. I loved how Riley deals with things by putting them in boxes and how facing what Bastian is forces him to come to terms the difficulties he had in his previous relationship. Bastian, on the other hand, struggles to deal with what he is, and feels like he never does anything right. Overall, his reaction to becoming a vampire and how he handles everything felt realistic.

The authors took the time to explore the progression of Bastian's vampirism. Nothing was gory, but there were some nice details added, especially the transformation of the fangs. I found the authors' treatment of the creation of vampires to be good, going into some details without boring the reader with too much info about a topic almost everyone is familiar with.

Weaknesses
While this was an enjoyable read, the story and world weren't very unique. For some this may be considered a positive, as the world complies to the standard vampire existence, but it definitely isn't the strongest part. Points off for creativity in that element. This is probably shown most in the character of Havva, who plays the controlling, powerful, and sneaky ruling vampire. Some may see her as everything a vampire should be, but I felt she was a touch cliche and found her arch of the story involving her to be the slowest moving.

Received this book for review.

The Tourist by Clare London

The Tourist by Clare London
Stars: 3/5

Overall
Normally in reviews we talk about "head hopping" from a narrative perspective, but in the case of Ace, our narrator, we literally hop heads with him. Although he's a little pompous and self-centric, he's a bearable narrator and he grows (on the reader and as a character). In an interesting twist on the normal "switch perspective" trick, London uses Ace to not only change perspective, but also to retain some of the memories and feelings that were in his previous host so that he can use that information to further the relationship.

Strengths
Unique perspective. This was a really creative writing tool and London did a good job of writing four different perspectives, often two at a time. We have Ace constantly present, and then the different men he hops into. Initially we see him more separate from his hosts, but as he lingers in their bodies (and as the story needs to progress) we see him and his host as one and the same, although there is still a struggle as Ace cannot know all the deep secrets that the host is unwilling to admit to himself.

Writing. London did an excellent job of writing a difficult subject without doing too much or too little. The characters, while minimal in number, are very different in personality. This worked out just not from a plot point, but also because it allowed the narration to change dramatically depending on who was hosting Ace.

Weaknesses
Not necessarily a weakness, but Ace as a character bothered me. His personality rubbed me the wrong way, but not enough that I threw the book down and didn't continue. Some may find his sort of pompous attitude charming; it wasn't like he was a bad guy, he just didn't endear me, so I had difficulty getting into the book initially. Once we stepped back from his direct involvement and were more focused on the two other central character, I found myself able to relate better. He does improve as the story progresses, as well.

Some of the character developments, especially in Dan, left me curious, as I didn't feel as if the reader was given anything to be prepared for that particular turn. However, that said, I didn't feel like it was a random course of action either; it fit the story well and was established in the characters by the end—just the initial action surprised me.

Demon's Dance by Evey Brett

Demon's Dance by Evey Brett
Stars: 3/5

Overall
While this book wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. It wasn't one of those that I struggled to get through, but there are some definite negatives. The basic concept of an abused cambion (a half-human, half-incubus) struggling with his demon half and trying to make it on his own is good, but some of the players are morally questionable, creating a teetering balance of enjoyability. It could just be that this book isn't my cup of tea, but read ahead and make your own decision.

Strengths
The writing was fairly good. It didn't bring me to tears or move me exceptionally, but it kept me reading through some fairly rough patches. It was steady and consistent and is probably good enough that I'd consider reading other works by this author, despite some of the qualms I had with this book.

Tristan and Cory. Our leading men have a rather nice dynamic. Tristan is the most compassionate character, and while Cory makes mistakes, most can be written off as being human and desperate for human contact, or poor decision making, although I cannot see how he creates any sort of positive bond with Blanco.

The world. We are given an interesting world, much like our own with some additions...namely incubus and succubus, but there are some other people who are Sensitives or have similar gifts. The keepers of the cambions, the Wardens, have a duty to have sex just as much as they enjoy it, in order to keep the demon within their ward sated.

Weaknesses
Morals? Some of the characters behave in ways that to the average person will be bothersome/horrifying. Blanco is possibly the bigger example, but depending on what bothers you, Cory may offend you too. Blanco considers himself Tristan's guardian and when we see things from his perspective, he seems like a reasonable man.

However, he often comes across as a pervy old man (he's 60ish while the other two lead males are mid-20s, early 30s). He gets off watching (and narrating) Cory masturbating and presumably watching Tristan and Cory have sex. In addition, there is an event at the end that adds to this, though it was asked for by one of the other leads. All the sexual encounters are consensual, but he still sometimes reads as a perv.

Another element which touched on the questionable morals nerve is the relationship of cambion and Warden. While Blanco insists that the Warden's role is to keep his ward safe (and he feels guilt at his own failings in this matter, so a few points in his direction), the relationships seem off balance. Cambions are controlled by the Warden in where they go (etc), and they can be sold out for sex by their Warden, in order to sate their demon's lust (while bringing profit to their Warden). I buy it, but I'd probably buy it more if the only time we saw a cambion being used thusly wasn't Tristan being horribly abused--it didn't leave a very good impression of the system.

Liquid Glass by Zathyn Priest

Liquid Glass by Zathyn Priest
Stars: 2.5/5

Overall:
True love. Soul mates. Whatever you want to call it, Priest has it stretch across time and existence. I didn't really know what I was getting into when I started reading this story; in fact, I had some very wrong assumptions (which, after reading the description of the book, I'm not sure where they came from). We are given a ghost story in the barest sense that it involves ghosts and the past, but more importantly it involves true love which struggles through the ages to finally be happy together. While I didn't suffer while reading it, I wasn't captivated either. I'll probably give the author another chance, since I enjoyed one of his short stories.

What I liked
Story. The overall arch of the story was pretty interesting once they got into it and the action started happening. The flashbacks did an excellent job of explaining what was happening without further exposition (see What didn't work). Although it wasn't an intense story, it was "creepy" enough for it's ghost-story-like charms.

Characters. Most of the characters were enjoyable and complimented one another well.

True love. I'm a giant sucker for the idea of true love and soul mates, so this novel pushed that button hard. I really enjoyed the soul mates once they came together because they didn't completely lose their own identity. (Completely, see What didn't work.)

What didn't work
Over explaining. This problem mostly comes to head when Trudy is narrating. While she is the most knowledgeable about psychic abilities, she also tells the reader too much. While she has an important role plot wise, I'd rather if the author didn't use her as an unnecessary crutch to tell the reader things...things that we didn't really need to know in the first place. This is seen most clearly toward the end of the novel in the falling action when she pretty much tells all. In monologue. I felt like the author was trying to justify his own story when he didn't need to--I followed along with him until then.

Character loop hole. Cameron is frugal, a penny pincher, what have you. But as soon as his true love arrives, he's willing to blow massive amounts of money on him. I can't buy it. Yes, love makes you do crazy things, but love also rarely changes deep-seated behavior traits like that. It felt horribly out of character for him.

Construction. The story didn't grab me right off the bat, which I find to be a failing of any story/novel. Why should I continue if I'm barely interested? I realize some stories take time to build into a complex weave (and this one did have a fair amount of weave to work with), I still needed to be pulled in quicker than I was. Mostly the first few chapters left me annoyed, although it didn't help Malcom and Trudy initially led the story, and they were my least two favorite characters.