November 7, 2018November 7, 2018 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “The Charlatan’s Conquest” by Vivien Dean

*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rates 18+

Brody Weber is a man of science so when his father is willing to shell out thousands of dollars for a ghost hunter, Brody is livid and hot to prove the man a fraud. But, when Cruz Guthrie digs into the investigation, Brody comes face to face with things he never knew existed.

What made me interested in this book was how both Brody and Cruz are men of science; Brody is a neurological researcher and Cruz is a software engineer who moonlights as a ghost hunters assistant. Neither one of them expects real paranormal activity on this case so they get to know one another and we get to know them as the investigation takes place.

Given its short length, the story does a decent job developing our main leads and the threat they’re facing. You don’t get as much as say, the Storm and Winter books, but it does the job. I think it would have been more memorable with some length, giving more of a chance for the ghosts to be scarier but overall a good short story! 3.8 out of 5.

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November 6, 2018November 5, 2018 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “When Dachshunds Ruled the Serengeti” by Michael Murphy

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Phillip is an only child from a wealthy New York City family. José is the oldest of nine children of Mexican migrant workers. When the two meet at college, José is unwilling to form any closer attachments, lest anyone find out how poor he really is. But Phillip isn’t easily fooled and the pair do form a friendship that turns into much more. But can such a mismatched pair find true happiness?

If I were to describe this book in one word, it would be “simple.” The writing is simple, the relationship is simple, the conclusion is simple; it’s all simple. I kept waiting for some real conflict to happen and it never did. They fall in love so deeply so quickly, I found it barely believable for a romance novel! It’s great for newbies to the genre but more seasoned readers may find this contrived.

The only real conflict we get here is when Philip, seemingly at random, flips a previously unheard of asshole switch and it’s completely out of his character. On the whole, way too sappy for me. 2 out of 5.

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November 5, 2018November 5, 2018 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “No Way Out” by Julie Lynn Hayes

*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

While house-sitting for a friend of his mentor, Wyatt Findley sees Shylor Lind washing a car across the street and is immediately attracted. The problem is Shylor is a slave to Randy Grant; an abusive dom who keeps Shy as a broken prisoner to his every twisted whim and has done so since Shylor was a child. In the sparse moments they meet, Shy comes to care for Wyatt but does he possess the strength to defy his awful master?

This is another book I’ve read lately that comes with a smattering of trigger warnings; although most of the really icky non-consensual elements are done “off screen.” You’re still dealing with a damaged man who is not willingly consenting to his dom.

Mild spoilers but while I may have enjoyed Shylor’s story arch and his relationship with Wyatt, it was odd for me to have such a dark story culminate in a such a neat and tidy ending. I expected Randy to exact terrible revenge but nope! He storms off never to be seen again. Shylor and Wyatt’s chemistry makes up for it though. 3.5 out of 5.

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September 17, 2018September 20, 2018 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Jerricho’s Freedom” by Jake C. Wallace

*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Jerricho is in love with Rex but as a demon prince, Jerricho is promised to someone else; a demon named Tyranis who is a cold male demanding Jerricho’s complete obedience and submission. As one last act of rebellious freedom, Jerricho goes home with Rex but there is an unforeseen consequence: Jerricho is pregnant.

Say hi to all the trigger warnings in this book. Implied non-con is rampant in this book.

Since I was reading this on my Kindle, about 30% in, I’m thinkin’ “Ok, they are too happy. What is gonna go horribly wrong?” I keep in trucking through the book and what happens is pretty thrilling. It kept me reading but once I hit the 75% mark, there’s so many twists and turns in the plot that I felt like I needed my Zumba music.

Once the plot stopped flip-flopping around, I found this book to be ok. I found the background plot about the demons MUCH more interesting than the romance between Rex and Jerricho despite all the twists making me dizzy. I found one sanitized villain to kinda be a copout. I did read this book expecting a dark fantasy and that got a good start but it trips over its own plot twists in the end; which left me numb because I couldn’t muster the energy to care by the ending. 2.9 out of 5.

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June 28, 2018July 10, 2018 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Semblance” by Chris E. Saros

*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Drake is on a single-minded quest for revenge against the cartel that killed his family; going so far as to open a shady nightclub; called Semblance, in order to get their attention. Walking a crooked moral line, he cannot afford any distractions. Unfortunately, one is working for him in the form of the flirty, clever, and handsome bartender; Scotty. Drake is forced to protect Scotty from the vicious cartel yet still complete his mission to take them down.

I love how this story plays out. Not only is it a decent romance with realistically flawed characters, it is also a decent crime drama.

Now, when I say ‘decent,’ it’s not to bring this book down. As such a prolific reader, it is easy for me to predict plot points just because it’s how things go. Anyone familiar with Chekhov’s gun principle would be able to see the coming twists and turns but I still enjoyed reading this compelling story. 3.8 out of 5.

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December 11, 2017December 16, 2017 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “The Librarian’s Rake” by Z. Allora

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Philip and Tristan are polar opposites; Philip a risk-taking hairdresser and Tristan a quiet librarian. But when their matchmaking grandfathers get them to meet, neither can deny an attraction is there. However, Philip has always preferred quick trysts and worries he my not be the type of man Tristan would want for more than one night. Tristan wants to test his wilder side but lacks the courage and is more suited to longer relationships. Each man must step out of their comfort zones for a chance at happiness.

This is about a librarian so I had to grab it and thus I may be biased since I AM a librarian. Tristan is so adorably awkward and Philip may be more brave and flippant, but he’s not dangerous or irresponsible. And the side characters are hilarious. About 81% in, this line made me crack up:

“I swear, the smartest thing to ever come out of your mouth is that librarian’s cock.”

I had to put the kindle down and catch my breath. Again, I’m probably biased because I’m a librarian but in that moment, that was the funniest thing in the world. What a descriptive way to vent your frustrations to your friend.

After that murder mystery on the brink of a terrible war, this was a bit of much needed levity. It’s a cute read that made me laugh and made me blush. If you want a quick and dirty read while curled up with some cocoa, you could do far worse than this sharply written story. 3.9 out of 5.

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July 12, 2017 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Wounded Pride” by Remmy Duchene and B.L. Morticia

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

*This review is cross-posted to Otakus and Geeks.

Brian Daystar is celebrating the opening of his youth center for at-risk kids but notices a considerable lack of support from his country music star boyfriend, Corey. When Corey finally bothers to call Brian, he’s drunk and not alone. Deciding to end it, Brian takes a vacation to New York to face Corey while staying with Renford Kline; a retired attorney considering becoming a law professor. Brian is attracted to Renford but Ren’s experience with men has never gone beyond college experimenting. Both are attracted but Brian’s past traumas and Ren’s reluctance to get feelings involved may keep them from the happily ever after they have been wishing for.

First off? Ren, 39 isn’t ‘old man’ territory. I could see if he was pushing 55 (seeing as he’s retiring) but, no.

This is one of those romances where you think there would be more time spent on building the relationship between the main pair before they hop into bed but nope. Not really a criticism on my part; just saying the writing and tone made me expect that. As is, the flaw in this standard romance cycle is I feel some of the character elements could have been explored more; like Brian’s pretty dark past and Redford’s previous attraction to women. It doesn’t make the book bad at all. In fact, I find it sweet and the smutty bits are written well. But those deep personal issues could have used more attention. A fun romp even if I was left a bit wanting; 3.7 out of 5.

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June 27, 2017 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “More Things in Heaven and Earth” by Paul Comeau

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

*This review is crossposted to Otakus and Geeks.

Danny Crawford’s religious father decided to stop him from being gay by dumping the boy into conversion therapy. Desperate to escape the abuse in his home at the hands of his homophobic father, Danny is willing to die. While in the hospital recovering from his botched suicide attempt, his plight moves Damien; a vampire pretending to be a priest in order to feed on terminal patients. Damien decides to take the boy in but Danny’s father is determined to fix the ’embarrassment’ that is his son.

I had such high hopes for this given the premise but my overall impression is that of reading a textbook. The POV will switch, the prose seems to talk AT you, and the whole thing comes off as a methodical checklist of what a gay paranormal romance is supposed to contain without the heart other stories have. Damien switches back and forth between contemporary vampire and old world vampire in his language and that knocked me right out of the book. I couldn’t get fully immersed.

This book feels like a missed opportunity. It could have been a really touching, beautiful story that brought up the very real horrors of conversion therapy but I feel like I got a particularly detailed wiki entry. It isn’t even very smutty as the sex scenes are all fade to black. I have to give this a 2 out of 5.

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May 3, 2017May 3, 2017 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Cross My Heart” by Catt Ford

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+

*This review is cross-posted to Otakus and Geeks.

Daniel Hunter sees Lana Renault pass him in the streets and is immediately smitten by this beautiful, elegant, and classy Parisian woman. But Lana is Roland Reynolds; who feels more comfortable living as Lana and wearing women’s clothing without judgment. Having had painful and violent reactions in the past, Lana has resigned herself to a life of loneliness. Daniel’s gentle and romantic pursuit of her is very tempting but Lana is terrified of how Daniel may react to the truth.

This book reminds me of those old black and white romance movies with some deliciously smutty bits thrown in. At times it does fall into the trap of being too perfect but this is a book for hopeless romantics who believe in happily ever after – which I am not. But, with Ford’s writing, I almost believe it. Starting off a bit slow but touching my heart, I give this book a 3.7 out of 5.

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April 6, 2017 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Better with Bacon” by Matthew Lang

*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+

*This review is cross-posted at Otakus and Geeks.

David, Patrick, and Li Ling have been a trio for years; with Patrick and Li Ling dating since high school. Two weeks before Valentine’s Day, Li Ling dumps Patrick and ends up in David’s bed. But Li Ling calls the next morning and she’s pregnant. Assuming Patrick will go back to her, David takes a job assignment out of town to drown his sorrows in work and random hookups. Will these friends turned lovers come together or is all hope lost?

What’s great about this book is having a collection of decent people. It is such a trope to have randomly bitchy or manipulative people in order to make the main characters look even better but here, the characters act SO rational, I almost didn’t believe it at times. I think I have gotten too used to massive irrationality in my love stories…

It’s also great to see a more multicultural cast. More stories need more non-white characters.

Now, I will freely admit I requested this title to review because, bacon. Bacon is amazing. So, my biggest gripe is that bacon wasn’t shamelessly crammed into the plot as much as possible. But that’s just because I’m silly. Other than that, my only other gripe is how some characters are too rational in some areas and not rational enough in others. David runs off without talking to Patrick AT ALL. He could have waited 10-20 minutes but then again, the rest of the book wouldn’t have happened.

All in all, this was a cute read! I enjoyed it and give it a 3.5 out of 5.

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The Literary Lunacy of a Geeky Librarian

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