short stories

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Lenni Reviews: “Contemporary Draconic Hoarding Practices” by Dae Richards

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*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.

While Clayton splits his time between his graduate thesis and being a teaching assistant, he meets dragon and magical teacher Syralis; who is in possession of manuscripts crucial to Clayton’s work. Syralis is intrigued by the magic surrounding Clayton and agrees to teach him how to control his abilities. But there is an obvious attraction between Syralis and Clayton and when a dragon wants you, they want to keep you like any other pretty bauble they possess and Clayton doesn’t want to be a prisoner for the rest of his life.

This story does have a good plot and introduced the reader to an interesting world of magic and magical creatures but the length doesn’t allow the reader to enjoy much of it. This is another short story where I feel the world and characters could use a longer narrative. This is a fun little romp though and is good for readers who may want the titillation of lust but no actual boning. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Paint a Story on Your Skin” by L.J. Hamlin

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*I was given this book in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Mike, a gallery owner in his forties, puts out a call for local artists to be in his next show. His first candidate is the much younger Tommy, who is not only talented but attractive. Mike believes himself far too old for a twenty-one-year-old but Tommy isn’t about to let that stop him.

We got another one that’s too short for its own good, folks. It took me a minute to get used to the third person present tense point of view but I felt like I could have gotten more story and the age difference could have been a more important plot point – aside for Mike’s personal insecurities. The story sorta drops in, does what it wants, then ends. A pity, really, since there were some interesting elements that deserved more exploration. Gotta give it a 3 out of 5.

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New Short Story! “Beaverish”

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It’s ready, boys and girls! While this is a lesbian noir, it is not smut. There are some mature elements, violence and such, but otherwise clean. You can get it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or even iBooks if you visit my site here!

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Lenni Reviews: “The Scars of Jocasta Lacroix” by Jack Harvey

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

In this short story, Jocasta reveals the story of one of her scars to her wife, Katie. In the past, Jocasta spent some times as a hired bodyguard for a noble targeted by an assassin. As the reason behind the killer’s mission is revealed, Jocasta is caught in the middle of a messy web of betrayal and lies.

While this story is written well, every word of it feels like one of those prequel or 1.5 stories authors have in their series. There is an established modern world where Jocasta drives a car but her mission took place in horse and buggy times. And she’s part elf but no mention of her background? These inconsistencies had me scratching my head more often than not and the fairly by-the-book sex scenes didn’t make the book stand out any more. Not BAD but feels incomplete. 2.7 out of 5.

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Writing Update and Recovery Update

Obviously, since I’m in recovery, I’ve been “blessed” with ample time to write. I have a short story that’s been giving me WAY more trouble than it should be and editing on Lost Brother to do. Other than trying to keep as active as I can (as the advice on this site said to do), there is no excuse not to do it.

I really am grateful for that recovery link because I was NOT informed to leave the steri-strips on my stitches until they come off on their own. Of course, I haven’t touched them but I did wonder what the heck I was supposed to do about them. Other than keeping the wounds dry and clean, I have not been messing with them.

It’s also good to know that there will still be some residual pain in my left shoulder as the air that’s left behind moves around and eventually goes away. For a second there, I was freaked out there was another hole and I’d have to go back.

I’m a week out from the surgery now and I’m back to some solid food. Ice cream and really soft pasta stayed down without any problems and I’m able to walk decent distances before I feel like my stitches are pulling.

To me, that’s the worst part of this; the helplessness. I’m so used to doing everything myself and being laid up and unable to walk at more than a snail’s pace, is KILLING ME.

And the itching. Gods, do the healing wounds ever itch.

Why am I posting about this? Well, there was a lot of information I had to dig out of forums and medical sites that I didn’t learn directly from the doctor or nurses. Of course recovering from surgeries like this is very individualistic but the things I find out may benefit someone else.

I will try not to be too gross about what I find out.

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Lenni Reviews: “City of Dreams” by Sydney Blackburn

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*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.

Marcus Allegro travels to the City of Dreams to study art under Sebastian Moreaux; a master painter and well known to bed any willing student he comes across, shunning any sort of commitment. When he sets his sights on Marcus, Sebastian is baffled when the young man absolutely refuses to add his name to Sebastian’s long list of forgotten conquests. This makes Sebastian want him even more but Marcus is looking for true love, which Sebastian takes great pains to avoid.

I feel if given more space to grow, this story would have more of an impact. I would have had a better understanding of how magic fits in this world, how artists have The Eye, how Sebastian came to be so guarded, how Marcus came to be such a romantic, and gotten to know them both more; I would be more invested in their romance and in their world. Coming in at a scant 59 pages as it is, this story is more like a sweet breeze; enjoyable but gone too fast. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Knight in Disguise, the Prequel (Earthbound Angels .5)” by Sandra Ross

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**I purchased this book for free from Barnes and Noble.

Erick Angell wakes up with no memories of he came to be alone in a room with a stranger who gives him this new name. After disobeying God, his wings are clipped and he’s now human. His punishment is meant to teach him compassion and learn his ‘special calling.’

Something is very basic about this. It’s like a fanfic romance. God banishes Erick Angell (with two l’s; GET IT!!!??) with all the perfect documents and enough money to buy a castle? Hire a decorator? Buy fancy furniture?

Aside for being human, how is this a punishment?

The writing and general story are so generic and boring I have zero interest in what happens to this guy. He gives me some serious Edward Cullen vibes: some rich, perfectly chiseled empty vessel for someone to drape themselves over. I’d hate his personality, but he didn’t have one. I really struggled to find a number for this tiny bit of fluffy nonsense (gods, I sound like a pretentious bitch) but I guess I’ll have to say a 2. Absolutely forgettable and uninspired.

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Lenni Reviews: “W.U.M.E.: A short story” by Marc Poliquin

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**I purchased this book for free from Amazon.**

When Kate Murdoch sees her baby boy for the first time, she decided there is no way she will allow Snazzy Corp to begin a process called fetal imprinting; which ensures brand loyalty to the company before a person is even born. This corporation is powerful and devious, not simply taking no for an answer and Kate will have to fight to protect her son.

This is a cool story with an interesting premise but man is it jumpy. Where it could have been fast-paced, this story is blasting it all at you as quickly as possible. It seems crammed in where it could have been a decently written longer novel. I give it a 3.7 because I felt I blinked and it was over.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Hustler” by Kay Simone

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**I purchased this book for free from Amazon and is intended for 18+.**

Excited to try out his new fake ID, Daniel heads to a bar for a few drinks to check out the scene. While there, be meets Wilson, who offers a game of pool. Thinking he can hustle the man, Daniel accepts the game and during it, drunkenly bets Wilson a quickie in the bathroom for the winner of the game.

Is this a thing that happens? I dunno, nobody’s ever offered this to me.

Anyway, this is Daniel’s last hurrah of the summer before he goes back to his swanky private school to find out his new English teacher for the year is Wilson.

While this short story could stand alone (as stated in the description) it really is a taste of a novel called The Aftermath. Daniel is a cocky brat (no pun intended) and I mean that in the best way. Since it’s from Daniel’s perspective, Wilson seems sultry and tempting but it ends right when you find out he’s Daniel’s teacher. Any further delving into his personality will likely have to wait for the novel. As the situation intrigues me, I am going to be reading the full novel when I get a chance. I’d give it a 4 out of 5 for being steamy but too short.

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Lenni Reviews: “Taken by the Hunter” by C. M. Hartley

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

Jasper is a Will-o-Wisp who ran afoul of a warlock named Hendrick and is now cursed to guard Hendrick’s treasure. He can’t leave unless he tricks someone into taking his place and if he doesn’t before Hendrick returns, Jasper will die. When a hunter comes by, Jasper sees his chance to escape but he’s a horny little sprite who has gone way too long without any relief but his own hand. Will Jasper choose to end his 100-year entrapment or give into the temptation and give up this chance at freedom?

This story is the first in a series of trysts Jasper has while he’s trapped guarding that box. It’s not badly written but it is purely a guilty pleasure read. You don’t have a slow build to get to know the characters, just some brief, naughty fluff to take up a few minutes of the day. I’d give it a friendly 2.9 since this is really an excuse for some steamy smexy times but it’s written well enough that I didn’t cringe while reading it.

And obviously only for adults here.

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