Review: Wicked Bindings (Wicked’s Way #02) by Havan Fellows

Rating: 4.75 stars out 5

Series Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Wick Templeton, private investigator and all around pain in the ass, receives an email on his private account that only his friends have. The problem? It’s not from any of his friends, but from that enigma from his last case, Ned Harris. There is a serial killer on the loose, murdering prostitutes and both men are out to stop him. From Ned Harris’ point of view, it’s all about procedure and legality. For Wick Templeton? Not so much. Wick has always done things his way and Ned is about to find that out. As the two mens investigations intertwine, so does their interest in each other. Wick and Ned are playing head games with each other as the killer taunts them from behind a maze of clues.

Who will find the killer first? Or will the killer have the last laugh and turn the tables on Wick and Ned?

Wicked Bindings is the second installment in the Wicked’s Ways series, a series that just gets better by the book. We pick up shortly after Wicked Solutions ends. In that story, Ned and Wick part, each thinking they got their own way in the resolution of that case. As Ned leaves Wick’s office, Wick tells Ned:

“You have no idea what I’m capable of, Ned. Don’t begin a game you can’t finish.”

With these men, a threat is as good as a flirty come on and neither man is very good at resisting either one or each other. This is how it all starts again in Wicked Bindings:

Wick chuckled and turned back to his computer, tuning out his overnight guests’ babblings. He brought up his private email and his curiosity piqued once more; he didn’t recognize the sender. Since he didn’t use this email for anything except his closest friends, it never received any type of spam.

The subject line contained one three letter word: tag.

And with that one word, the game is on once more. There is an investigation into the deaths of several prostitutes that pulls both men in and now they have a murderer to catch. And there will be a clash or two as the sexual sparks fly and their methods of investigation collide on each side of the law.

Without consciously doing so, his hand moved the mouse and his finger depressed the left button when the pointer hovered over that small word.

“Want to come out and play with me again? If you are interested you’ll have to take a turn for the worse, but remain brave and don’t worry—I’ll protect you. Ned.”

So much attitude and characterization is packed into that piece of dialog. Havan Fellows has created two wonderful characters in Wick Templeton and Ned Harris. These men ooze vitality and sex appeal. They are witty with a love a gamesmanship that they deploy at every possible moment and the reader gets to come along and experience the fun and sometimes terror.

In each new book, the author uses the interpersonal interplay between Wick and Ned to reveal more of their characters and their history. Of the two, Ned continues to remain more of an enigma. Wick (and the reader) is not sure exactly what branch of the government Ned works for, and Ned continues his own personal investigation into Wick’s past and circle of friends. Through this approach, Fellows creates a level of tension between the men is not strictly sexual. Is Ned trustworthy? What is his real intensions towards Wick? Friend or foe? As their head games continue, the murder investigation adds another layer of tension and apprehension on top of the existing doubts about each other. It’s a delicious feeling and the reader can’t help but smile while cringing in dread as the men close in on the killer.

Havan Fellows does a tremendous job of creating a scene that contains comedy and terror, both occurring at the same time. It’s a wonderful ploy to keep the reader engaged at several levels. You are laughing even as you fear for the safety of two men you have come to love. And yes, I loved every minute of it. I admit it. I am addicted to Wick and his Wicked Ways. You will be too.

These are short stories, under 50 pages or so. And while these are quick reads, they all have the feel of a much longer story. The end is wrapped up nicely while still leaving us with a clue to the continuing growth in the relationship between Ned and Wick. The book did not leave me wanting, while the two men made me crave so much more. Like a certain food item, you can’t have just one. You want more, so much more.

Havan Fellows has promised that the mysteries will continue with more of Wick and Ned past these four books. That’s a promise to cheer about. If you are new to the series, start with the first book, Wicked Solutions and work your way forward.

Here are the books so far in the Wicked’s Ways series. Read them in the order they were written and released in order to understand the characters and the developing relationship:

Wicked Solutions (Wicked’s Way #01)

Wicked Bindings (Wicked’s Way #02)

Wicked Incarceration (Wicked’s Way #03)

Wicked Guidance (Wicked’s Way #04)

Cover art by Laura Harner does a good job of branding the series while losing the opportunity to make a great pulp fiction cover.

Book Details:

ebook

Published March 17th 2013 by Pulp Friction

ISBN13 HFPF000001

edition language English

series Wicked’s Ways

Review: Parting Shot (A Matter of Time #7) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Det. Duncan Stiel, closeted homicide detective, had a childhood so bad that he never talks about it. All the events in his past has lead to Duncan growing up as an adult who keeps his personal life and his emotions hidden, including his sexual orientation. Duncan’s reserve and determination to remain closeted has already cost him the only real relationship he has had to date (see Acrobat). So when Duncan meets and hooks up with Aaron Sutter, billionaire and equally closeted gay man, Duncan thinks that finally he has met a man on the same page emotionally as he is. No longer will he have to worry that Aaron will want him to meet family or friends, or even come out of the closet where Duncan is most comfortable, all the things that caused his last relationship to break up. Duncan is a man consumed by his job, including the need to occasionally go undercover. The last thing Duncan ever expected was to find love with Aaron Sutter.

Aaron Sutter has finally realized that Jory will never be his and that it is time to move on. Duncan Stiel is as far from the type of guys that Aaron normally finds attractive, Instead of a slender blond twink, the detective is tall, muscular, and an alpha in every way. And in no time at all, Aaron is smitten, lusting after the detective in a manner so unlike himself that Aaron is astounded at his own behavior. When Duncan is hurt, Aaron has an epiphany that shakes him to the core, making Aaron question the decisions he made in the past.

But Aaron is also involved in a mean, and desperate fight with his father over control of Sutter Enterprises. Staying in the closet and away from Duncan might be the only way he can stay in control. Duncan too is involved in a criminal case so dangerous that it threatens not only his fragile new relationship with Aaron but their lives as well. As the obstacles mount up against them, the men must fight not only against outside influences but their own inner demons as well if they are to find their way to love and a future together.

I love Mary Calmes. She is a wonderful storyteller who has created a pantheon of characters both memorable and addicting that they have cried out to be included in one book after another. Parting Shot is not only an addition to A Matter of Time series but incorporates characters from other favorite novels of mine as well, including Mine and Acrobat. The inclusion of these characters is important in a number of ways in describing why Mary Calmes is so good as what she does. Both men, Nate and Terrence Moss (also known as Conrad Harris) make only a brief appearance here, but just the mention of their names brings up a well of memories and emotions created by their stories (Acrobat and Mine respectively). They make an impact despite the brevity of their scenes in Parting Shot because of Mary Calmes’ incredible gift of creating characters we commit to memory and bury deep within our hearts. Just look at Duncan Stiel and Aaron Sutter.

Both men started out as satellite characters in other stories. Aaron Sutter was once the boyfriend of Jory Keyes before Sam Kage arrives into the picture. Aaron continues to flow through their story, a man determined to regain Jory’s affections and then finally as a true friend to be counted on. Hard to make an arrogant billionaire with a predilection for sharing his lovers with other men likable but Calmes made him a complex and ultimately appealing character. No matter his actions, there was just something about Aaron as created by Calmes that spoke to the reader and garnered their affections. Aaron just demanded that he have his own story and now he has gotten it, to my absolute delight.

Duncan Stiel was a little harder sell. He was a complete jerk when he appeared in Acrobat, although handsome, and competent, a complete alpha male. Parting Shot helps explain Duncan’s behavior by presenting us with his past. Once we see his traumatic childhood revealed, then those personality traits that made him so unappealing becomes understandable. Duncan Stiel of Parting Shot is someone the reader connects with on every level. I just love him.

These two men have arrived independently at the same stage in their lives where they want a real relationship. Both have Jory and Sam as an example of what they are missing in their lives and what they can attain if only they take a chance and change. The men meet and fall instantly in lust. That’s extremely realistic knowing what we do about these men. But what follows is also just as authentic given their personality traits and their pasts. They just mesh with each other in almost every way. I have seen this happen in real life. When the timing is right, things (and people) just fall into place. Not the case of “instant love” that appears so often in other stories but a connection based in reality and the personalities of the men involved. I believed totally in their relationship and feelings towards each other. It just felt right.

Aaron and Duncan are also an extremely sexy couple. They are equals in and out of the bed. I loved that about them as well. Their sex scenes together are hot, sensual, realistic, and sometimes quite funny. Aaron is really out of his element here and Mary Calmes incorporates that aspect into their relationship in some wonderfully funny scenes and dialog. They cracked me up, just amazing.

Duncan is involved in a case with some very dangerous criminals, pulling him undercover yet again several times in the book (including a undercover gig that brings in Marshall Sam Kage). This storyline flows along side one in which Aaron is dealing with his father who is determined to overthrow his son as the head of Sutter Enterprises so the father can resume his control over the company. The corporate fight Aaron is engaged in is just as critical as the criminal investigation Duncan is engaged in. Each power struggle and criminal case has ramifications for both men. It will cause them to examine their closeted lives and determine the paths their lives will take in the future. Powerful stuff indeed. And Mary Calmes makes it just as exciting and suspenseful as it sounds.

This is a completely absorbing novel. Once you pick it up, be prepared to remain situated until you have finished the book. It pulls you into the lives of Duncan and Aaron and all those around them. If you are new to the series, it helps to read the preceding books to fully understand the nature of these men and the relationships they had in the past. Grab up Mine and Acrobat while you are at it. Have a very merry Mary Calmes sort of weekend! I highly recommend them all, including Parting Shot.

Cover art by Reese Dante. I love Dante’s cover but it really doesn’t pertain to this story. It could be the cover for any number of books and that’s too bad because this story had so many elements that could have been used to make it relevant to the story within. Consider this cover a misstep.

Here are the books of A Matter of Time in the order they were written and should be read:

A Matter of Time (#1)

A Matter of Time (#2)

A Matter of Time (#3)

A Matter of Time (#4)

Bulletproof (A Matter of Time #5)

Just Jory (A Matter of Time #5.5)

But For You (A Matter of Time #6)

Parting Shot (A Matter of Time, #7)

A Matter of Time, Vol. 1 (A Matter of Time, #1-2) reworked and reedited

A Matter of Time, Vol. 2 (A Matter of Time, #3-4)reworked and reedited

Book Details:

ebook, 264 pages

Published July 19th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN 1623808758 (ISBN13: 9781623808754)

url http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4020

series A Matter of Time

Review: Attachment Strings (Jeff Woods Mystery #1) by Chris T. Kat

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

A mother (the Mayor’s daughter) receives a letter threatening to kill her disabled child if she hasn’t left town with the child by a specified date. While her husband doesn’t take the note seriously, the mother does and reports it to her father. With the Mayor’s family involved, the police assign Detective Jeff Woods and his partner, Detective Parker Trenkins to the case and their initial findings are unsettling. It’s not only the Mayor’s daughter whose disabled child is threatened but others as well. At the center of the investigation is St. Christopherus School, a private school for disabled children. where a number of accidents involving their children has occurred.

Gay and in the closet, Jeff Woods seeks out one night stands at local gay bars to ease his sexual frustration and stress over the case. At the bar, is a young man, Alex Fisher, who is determined to pick up the attractive detective, no matter how many snubs he receives from Jeff. He succeeds after convincing Jeff he wants a casual hookup only. But their one night stand turns into something neither man was looking for, with a casual sexual encounter turning serious towards the end.

Both men flee back to their private lives in response to their feelings. Jeff to his job and investigation and Alex to his life centered on his disabled brother and the multiple jobs he needs to support them. As Jeff’s investigation spreads out to other students in the school, he encounters Alex and his brother. Their attraction and connection snaps to life when they meet again. It also brings up a prejudice against the disabled that Jeff didn’t know he had. Detective Jeff Woods and his partner must fight their own prejudices and their past to find a hidden killer targeting disabled children before Alex and his brother become the killer’s next victims.

It took me a while to like the main characters and storyline of Attachment Strings. At the beginning, this is a pretty gritty and brutal story. Jeff Woods and his partner, Parker Trenkins, are not easily likable men. Trenkins, who becomes important later on, is a loudmouth, a seeming bigot, definitely not someone you would want as a partner. What a surprise he turns out to be. But it is Jeff Woods character that must overcome several large obstacles before the reader’s affections are engaged. Woods is all about control. He doesn’t appear to have any prejudices, he is gay and in the closet, although not very deeply. Chris T. Kat gives us a complicated man in Jeff Woods because she makes him stubborn, somewhat arrogant, and finally so prejudiced against a section of society especially vulnerable and fragile that his bigoted attitude is just so ugly that it threatens to derail her story. That is one mess of a main character and a huge portion of readers might not make it through the first ten chapters to get to the best portion of this story and the redemption of Jeff Woods.

Yes, I said ten chapters. That is almost one third of the book but it is necessary to outline and set the foundation for this story that I found kind of brave. One remarkable aspect of Attachment Strings is that disabled children are not those portrayed as glowing totally unrealistic little kids, who always smile like cherubs, are easy to care for and put up little to no fuss. No, Chris T. Kat gives us realistic portraits of children who drool, flail, gibber and hoot. Kids that others, including some adults, look askance at even as the kids are strapped into chairs, with helmeted heads and uncontrollable limbs. The children that no one really wants to look at but would never admit to that fact. This is our and Jeff’s first introduction to Sean, Alex’s brother:

A shrill, piercing whistle startled both Parker and me. Alex appeared to be the only one unperturbed. He smiled at the child in his arms and asked, “You wanna stand and say hello?”

Another piercing whistle answered. This time Parker and I merely winced. We exchanged a worried glance when Alex shifted the weight of his bundle until the child stood on his feet.

“Should he, uh, even try to stand?” Parker asked cautiously.

“I’m holding him and he loves to stand and walk.” Alex wound his arms around the child’s torso and together, they maneuvered him around until he faced us.

The boy’s movements were spastic and I hastily took a step backward, barely evading getting hit by his flailing limbs. The boy was as blond as Alex, but he bore not even a trace of Alex’s beauty. The skin on his face was stretched taut and saliva trickled from the corner of his mouth in a steady stream. The bandana he wore functioned probably as some kind of bib; it just looked more stylish. I wrinkled my nose. The sight of this kid was not pretty. Most definitely not.

And the descriptions of life with Sean get more graphic as Alex feeds Sean while answering Jeff’s questions. Jeff’s reaction to Sean surprises both himself and his partner. It’s ugly and perhaps even pretty common. This is also where the story really grabs onto the reader’s attention and heart. We watch not only as Jeff comes to grips with his feelings and prejudices but also watch the love and care that Alex feels for and gives to his brother. In fact, this story is full of parents, and teachers who are fervent in their love and support of these special children. We are pulled into that love and intimacy along with Jeff. And that makes the killer all the more heinous.

Jeff’s partner, Parker Trenkins, is another quirky character. It is hinted that he is in a D/s relationship towards the end, and his character undergoes several transformations in this story, all terrific and believable. I loved him, he is a surprise in every way. I can see that more of his character will be revealed as the series continues and I can’t wait to see the true Parker that emerges.

Along side the relationship drama playing out, we have a murderer on the loose and a case with very few clues as to who the killer is. The threatening notes are scary and nauseating in content, with a brutal view towards these children as burdens on their parents and society. This is an absorbing case and my only quibble with it is that I wish it had played out a little more in depth towards the end. As it is, it is still a chiller of a mystery. And the closer the killer gets to Alex and Sean, the faster your heart will beat that Jeff and his partner will get there to save them in time.

I think my only quibbles here with this story and the author is that I wish she had truncated the section of the story where Jeff’s initial feelings of disgust are displayed from ten chapters into perhaps even five. By shortening this portion of the story, she would have been able to engage the reader sooner and been able to concentrate on the investigation in greater detail. As it stands, I am sure that a fair number of readers won’t make through to the heart of the story, and that would be a shame indeed. For this is where it starts to turn:

THE fork crashed down hard on the plate. So hard in fact that a delicate fracture line became visible. Alex’s furious face softened as he turned around to his brother. The boy mewled pitifully and tears rolled down his cheeks. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean… they don’t… oh please, hush now. No one is disgusted by you.” Sean started to cry in earnest. Parker and I exchanged an embarrassed and very helpless look. We watched uneasily as Alex heaved Sean out of his wheelchair and placed him on his lap. He rocked back and forth lightly, all the while murmuring soft, soothing words into Sean’s ear.

It took Sean a long time to calm down. Alex asked me to hand him a paper towel and used it to clean up Sean’s face. My gut knotted in sympathy when Sean’s face emerged from his hiding place against Alex’s chest. It was blotchy and his eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. Suddenly, he simply looked like a lost and hurt little boy. There was no place for any kind of disgust in my heart, only guilt and shame.

Trust me, this is a story you will want to read. Hang in there and be rewarded with an unusual detective and his partner who we will be seeing more of. Attachment Strings is the first in the Jeff Woods Mystery series and I can’t wait for another installment.

Cover art by Catt Ford is terrific and pertinent to the story. Great job.

Book Details:

ebook, 244 pages

Published June 17th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN 1623808634 (ISBN13: 9781623808631)

edition language English

url http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3951

series Jeff Woods Mystery #1

characters Jeff Wood

Review: The Hanged Man’s Ghost (Night Wars #1) by Missouri Dalton

Rating: 4.75 stars

Fynn Adder’s life is on a downward spiral and he is doing his best to speed it up. Since the murder of his longtime lover, Flynn has spent his free time in a drunken haze, the alcohol contributing to his frequent sexual hookups and increasingly disastrous personal decisions. Only his professional life is currently stable, but that is due more to the efforts of his partner, Jack Winchester, than to his own discretion. Flynn Adder is a detective with the Chicago Police Department, and a son of a famous Chicago irish police family. And because of his family name and reputation, Fynn’s actions and career are under greater scrutiny, a fact not lost on Fynn.

When a girl is murdered, the case is muddied immediately when the trail of clues point in the direction of Fynn’s family and the death of his lover. That case went unsolved and now it appears the two are connected. With his Captain,partner and family expressing their concerns about his erratic behavior and drinking, Fynn tries concentrating on the strange clues he is unearthing, they just aren’t making sense.

As more murders occur, all the clues point to a supernatural rather than rational explanation. Then Internal Affairs agent Daniel Voight enters the picture. Voight is determined to prove Adder a dirty cop and will let nothing, even the truth, stand in his way. The only aspect of Adder’s life that brings him happiness is his relationship with his police partner, Jack. Fynn has had a crush on his married partner for years and been happy to just be included as a friend in Jack’s life. But even that aspect of Fynn’s life is undergoing a major change.

With all the clues pointing back to Fynn’s past and the murderer taunting him with mysterious messages he can’t decipher, the stress and unnatural events push Fynn past the breaking point. If the murderer is to be caught and the killings stopped, Fynn will need to reach out for help and support in places he never expected and soon before he and those he loves are caught in the Hanged Man’s noose.

I loved this book and fell under its spell immediately, as I should have. But I didn’t come to this series in a straightforward manner. I started with The Night Shift (Night Wars #2), than the 3rd installment, The Hellfire Legacy, and by doing so, did this series a real injustice. Trust me when I say this is an addicting, enthralling series with something for everyone to love. And I would have known that sooner had I read them in the order they were written and should have been read. Mea culpa indeed. But let’s get back to the beginning and The Hanged Man’s Ghost.

Missouri Dalton’s characters are a wonder. Fynn is especially surprising. He comes from a large irish family in Chicago whose members have always been part of the Chicago PD rank and file. But unlike his father and brother, Fynn is not your burly Irishman but rather a slender blond with a penchant for knitting and booze. He is also gay, out with a large supportive family behind him. Not that it seems to matter when we first meet him. The author has created a back history for Fynn that is incredibly complex and is only slowly revealed over the length of the book, both to the reader and to Fynn. He has been existing in an alcoholic fog since the murder of his longterm lover. Dalton’s treatment of Fynn’s alcolholism is realistic and grim without giving up any of the character’s wry, and sometimes caustic personality. It’s a personality you will come to love as much as for it’s power of survival as it is for its wry, self effacing facade. Here is a taste of Fynn for you:

“You need a lift to the station?” Jack raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head. “Nah, I see my bike.” It was parked three feet from a hydrant. Jack eyed the bike. It was sort of a death trap.

“You were at the club last night.”

“Yeah.” I backed out of striking range.

He stepped closer and grabbed my arm. “Were you drinking?” I looked away. “Damn it, Fynn, were you?”

“Yeah.” He usually managed to make me feel guilty about these things. He shook his head and let go of my arm. “He could suspend you, take you off this case.”

“I know.” At least he didn’t hit me, but from the ache in my arm, I’d bet it was bruising. Sometimes it sucked to have pale Irish skin.

“At least tell me you’re still seeing the shrink.” My silence was answer enough. “If you want to kill yourself, Fynn, that’s your business. But don’t you dare think it doesn’t affect the rest of us.” He stormed off. Good old Jack, still trying to save me from myself.

The weariness of that voice gets inside of you, and the force of the personality behind that voice makes the reader want to help him out of the gutter he has tossed himself into. And this is just the beginning.

Dalton starts bringing in Fynn’s large family, each a well drawn character, and the mystery that surrounds them. We also get to know Jack, his wife and his precocious daughter too, and come to care for at least two of them just as the author intends. And as Dalton grounds Fynn with his family and Jack, she connects the reader intimately with them and we become invested in their survival. A survival that becomes increasingly precarious as the murderer starts targeting people around Fynn. Piece by supernatural piece starts to position itself in the story, as the plot lines start to crisscross, and some surprising and chilling twists arrive around each plot corner. Make no mistake, there are some truly haunting and suspenseful aspects to this story, beautifully conceived and written.

The tough thing about this story is that it is so complex and every little nuance will take on greater import as the story and the series progress. Things I would have overlooked as inconsequential here had I read this book first, now took on a larger role because I knew what lay behind the slight descriptions so casually thrown away inside this book. The narrative reminds me of that magazine Hidden Pictures. There are clues and small stories to be found everywhere as the author is constructing a much larger story outside of The Hanged Man’s Ghost. This just absolutely delighted me with its complexity while never forgetting that the story and the series has a very human heart, that of Fynn Adder and those he loves.

Another thread that weaves itself through Fynn’s life and the story is his knitting, a subject near to my heart as a knitter as well. Here is a little taste of Fynn the knitter:

Cassie’s knitting was in a basket on the left side of the chair I had claimed and I needed a distraction from the tension.

A half-finished pink scarf. Probably for Tara. Cassie would likely not finish it in time for Tara’s birthday.

I picked it up and started a new row. It looked like a simple purl knit purl. Jack raised an eyebrow, I kept knitting. He couldn’t knock my knitting; I’d fixed his sweater the day it got caught in the drawer. With pencils no less.

I intend to track down the author and ask about a certain pattern for a scarf that Fynn knits for himself. It’s perfection but not one that can be included in this review. It is just one more insightful and delightful element that is incorporated into a story that just keeps surprising the deeper into it you go. The Hanged Man’s Ghost is a cop thriller, a supernatural mystery and a love story. It chilling, and humorous, and filled with angst. And for the many angles and subject matters that are being juggled here, Missouri Dalton does them all justice and then some, pulling them together for a terrific ending that will leave the reader looking for more.

The editing could be a little tighter and the narrative gets away from itself a tad towards the middle, otherwise this would be a 5 star rating, My love for the characters and plot far outweigh those issues, so it really comes close to being perfect. Now the series has become a new favorite of mine. It will become yours too. Just don’t make my mistake and start in the middle. Go right to the beginning, and succumb to the many charms and chills of the Night Wars series and Missouri Dalton’s characters. You won’t be sorry.

Here are the books as they were written and should be read:

The Hanged Man’s Ghost (Night Wars #01)

The Night Shift (Night Wars #02) – please note revised rating and additional comments at the beginning.

The Hellfire Legacy (Night Wars #03)

Alessia Brio is the cover artist for this book and the series. I think the artist did a great job in branding the series while keeping each cover true to the story within. Great job.

Book Details:

ebook, 276 pages
Published February 1st 2012 by Torquere Press
ISBN 1610407091 (ISBN13: 9781610407090)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3507
seriesThe Night Wars #01

Scattered Thoughts May 2013 Book Reviews

It was a great month in book reviews. While most of the book fell into the contemporary fiction category, there was a book in just about every genre. One of my favorites this month was Fragile Bond by Rhi Etzweiler, a science fiction gem of a story from Riptide Publishing. I have also found new authors like Sue Brown and her outstanding The Sky Is Dead. Don’t pass either of these by. And if you loved Country Mouse by Amy Lane and Aleksandr Voinov, then you won’t want to miss the followup novel, City Mouse (Country Mouse #2). I thought it was even better than its predecessor.

There are stand alone stories and new books in continuing series. This includes one series (The Night Wars) that I will be reevaluating on the basis of the third book in the series, a real stunner called The Hellfire Legacy by Missouri Dalton. This is a terrific book and I had not rated the second book very highly. Now I am going back in June, reading all three together and write a review of the series in June (and probably a mea culpa or two on my part as well).

The titles are linked to my reviews. Really, there is something for everyone here. Here are May 2013’s book reviews in order of rating:

5 Star Rating:

City Mouse (Country Mouse #2) by Amy Lane and Aleksandr Voinov (contemporary)
Fragile Bond by Rhi Etzweiler (Science Fiction)
The Sky Is Dead by Sue Brown (contemporary)

4 to 4.75 Star Rating:
Adapting Instincts (Instincts #4) by S.J. Frost
Bad Attitude (Bad in Baltimore #3) by K.A. Mitchell (4.25 stars) (contemporary)
Bullheaded by Catt Ford (4.25 stars) (contemporary)
Closet Capers Anthology (4.25 stars) mixture
Damned If You Do: The Complete Collection by J.L. Merrow
Leaving Home (Home #4) by TA Chase (4 stars)
Moments by R.J. Scott (4.25 stars) (contemporary)
Never A Hero (a Tucker Springs novel) by Marie Sexton (4.5 stars) (contemporary)
Night of Ceremony (Notice #4) by M. Raiya (4.5 stars) (fantasy, romance)
Noah by Ben Ryder (4 stars) (contemporary)
Shy by John Inman (4.25 stars) (contemporary)
Still by Mary Calmes (4.75 stars) (contemporary)
The Hellfire Legacy (The Night Wars #3) by Missouri Dalton (4.5 stars) (supernatural)
The Isle of…Where? by Sue Brown (4.5 stars) (contemporary)
The Unforgiving Minute by Sarah Grainger (4.75 stars) (contemporary)

3 to 3.75 Star Rating:
Chateau D’Eternite by Ariel Tachna (3.75 stars) Fantasy
Fire Horse by Mickie B. Ashling (3.75 stars) (contemporary)
His Heart To Reap by Erin Lane (3 stars) (supernatural)
It Takes Practice by Willa Okati (3 stars) contemporary

2 to 2.75 Star Rating:

Review: Closet Capers Anthology

Rating: 4.25 stars

Closet Capers contains a series of stories revolving around mysteries or capers if you will. From a riverboat gambler trying to find out who is trying to ruin his good name to a thief who continues to steal cans of coke from a office refrigerator and everything in between, this anthology mixes the romance with a little detective work to uncover new and different paths to love.

Closet Capers stories are:

Kitsch Me by Mari Donne
Leveling Up by Jude Dunn
Philip Collyer vs. the Cola Thief by Amy Rae Durreson
A Kiss in the Dark by Eli Easton
Calberg’s House Specialty Blend by Skylar Jaye
Small Change by Danni Keane
Lawrence Frightengale Investigates by Aidee Ladnier & Debussy Ladnier
The Whole Kit and Kaboodle by Ari McKay
Le Beau Soleil by Christopher Hawthorne Moss
Joie de Vivre by Pinkie Rae Parker
Made Good Under Pressure by Maja Rose
Tempest for a Teacup by Andrea Speed

I love the idea of mixing romance and detective work, how better to sleuth out the mysteries of the heart? The stories contained within this anthology run the gamut from a 1800’s riverboat gambler to a lovely story about a cable tv horror host and a missing Cadillac. A number of these authors are unfamiliar to me, like Aidee Ladnier and Debussy Ladnier of the wonderful “Lawrence Frightengale Investigates”. For me, buying an anthology means getting a quick introduction to authors I might not have found any other way and for that alone, it is always worth buying the book. And of course, there are authors involved that I love, like Andrea Speed and her “Tempest for a Teacup”. I loved that story, it was one of my favorites of the group.

Closet Capers gets off to a strong start, wobbles a little in the middle and finishes with the best of the stories included. Here are my teacup reviews in the order they are placed in the book:

1. A Kiss in the Dark by Eli Easton

4 stars. An anonymous kiss during a blackout at a office Christmas party disrupts Lester Lane’s life as he tries to figure out just who the great kisser is and why the person won’t come forward to admit it. A cute story with adorable characters make it easy to overlook the fact that the reader can spot the drive-by kisser from the beginning. Totally enjoyable and one of the longer stories.

2. Calberg’s House Specialty Blend by Skylar Jaye

3.75 stars. Lawyer Jonathan Mayer needs his coffee in order to function, specifically he needs Calberg’s Houe Specialtiy Blend. But one morning Jonathan arrives to find that Calberg’s coffee shop is closed and his desperately needed morning cup of the Speciality Blend vanished with the store. What follows is Jonathan trying to find out what happened to his beloved coffee shop and finding love with its former owner. This story had great characters but could have used a little extra length to fill out the story resolution.

3. The Whole Kit and Kaboodle by Ari McKay

5 stars. Dr. Grey Harris, history professor at Hartwell University has a mystery on his hands and it comes in the form of the new librarian, Henry Adams. Grey knows that Henry is gay and the way the shy librarian gazes at him when Henry doesn’t think Grey is looking tells Grey that the librarian is attracted to him. So why won’t the man go on a date? The answer to that question is not only surprising but over the top charming as well. Ari McKay has combined great characters with a intriguing mystery that ends up being one of the best stories in the anthology. I am still smiling over the ending that is completely satisfying in every way.

4. Le Beau Soleil by Christopher Hawthorne Moss

4.25 stars. It is 1855, New Orleans, and riverboat gambler François “Frankie” Deramus is hearing the first of the rumors that not only threaten his livelihood but his great love, the riverboat he owns and operates. A gambler is only as good as his reputation and up until now, Frankie’s has been flawless. But recently, some of the top gamblers have been refusing to play with him, referring to whispers of tricks and cheating. Frankie has to find the culprit and quick before he is ruined. Enter Michael Murphy, former soldier and now private investigator. Its up to Frankie and Michael to find and confront the person intent on ruining Frankie before the riverboat sails from New Orleans. Time is running out but the attraction between the two men is running high. Nothing like lust and mystery in New Orleans. Moss does a terrific job in capturing the flavor of the times with the setting and secondary characters in the story. I really enjoyed the tone and quality of the writing. My only quibble would be the ending and the length, otherwise, great job.

5. Leveling Up by Jude Dunn

4.25 stars. Game designer Adam Chandler is running late for his anniversary with Ben Randal, his partner and love. Ben has arranged dinner for them at a restaurant and hotel downtown but when Adam arrives, he is mistaken for a man named Chandlis and the mistaken identity pulls Adam into a mystery he never expected, a mystery that also asks where is his lover? Dunn delivers a sharp little story, full of likable characters and a neat little twist to keep us and Adam guessing. Throughly entertaining little read.

6. Kitsch Me by Mari Donne

3.25 stars. Brian is obsessed with all things Hawaiian, including the hula dancer objects found at a store called Cunning Collectables. But with his salary and the little money that his lover brings in, Brian and Craig are barely making ends meet at their barren little apartment. Brian is curious about all the weird things that Cunning Collectables offers for sale, things like Lord Shiva in a tortilla or a tree trunk with a knot that looks like a Star of David. A little investigating brings a most unexpected answer, and the trip of a lifetime. Donne has a neat story buried somewhere inside Kitsch Me. Unfortunately, somewhere towards the end, it just turns so unrealistic that you can run whole semis through the holes in the plot. Up until then, it is a nice little story with interesting characters.

7. Made Good Under Pressure by Maja Rose

2 stars. Awkward narrative ruins this story about Billy in New York City, 1926. Written in a manner certain to bring to mind David Attenborough narrating a nature film, this peculiar style of writing makes this story almost unreadable. Here is an example:

Billy’s just a glorified errand boy at the moment anyway, so after the day spins to a close.

Everything is pretty much, Billy cocks his head, Billy rolls his eyes, Billy thought that, Billy, Billy, Billy, and before you know it, the reader is so disconnected from Billy and his story that it almost becomes a DNF. Unfortunately, one of the longer stories (or at least it felt that way), skip quickly over this one and head to the next.

8. Tempest for a Teacup by Andrea Speed

4.5 stars. One look at the young man asking for help, and private investigator Jake Falconer wanted to say no before even knowing what the case was. Sarcastic, morally flexible Jake still ends up taking the case of the missing Morkie, much to his chagrin and his cop boyfriend’s delight. Tempest for a Teacup is one of the shortest stories in the anthology but it is still long on laughter and full of memorable characters that will leave you laughing in appreciation even after the tale is finished and the doggynapper uncovered. One of my favorite, I mean really a Morkie called Princess? That’s perfect.

9. Small Change by Danni Keane

4.75 stars. Dom is the site attendant for Little Lexington, a model village of endless charm and timeless beauty. Dom makes sure that all the people, houses, streets, everything is kept in perfect order, adding new elements as needed. The little village and its perfect unchanging order give something to Dom he has never had anywhere else, stability and an unchanging future. So when someone starts tampering with the little figures he has so painstakingly created, Dom is determined to find out who is upsetting his village and Dom’s life. So sweet and a little sad, Small Change brings a different feel to the anthology, giving the collection a touch of pathos and depth that has been lacking up until now. As the story slowly unfolds you learn more about Dom and his need for the stability of Little Lexington, meet the person who has brought change to Dom and the village and get a delightful ending too. One of the strongest stories of the collection and a new author for me as well.

10. Lawrence Frightengale Investigates by Aidee & Debussy Ladnier

5 stars. Lawrence Frightengale, aka Larry French, and his lover cabaret singer Myrna Boy (also known as Nicholas Benson when out of drag) are getting ready to ride in the annual Out & About Parade in the classic black Cadillac El Dorado convertible. That car had once been owned by the original host of Channel 11’s Terror Time, Harry Ghoulini, the morbid magician. Now Lawrence Frightengale is the host of the resurrected show and for the first time, he will be riding, along with his lover and cohost, in the historic Cadillac convertible. But when the car is stolen, the tv host and his cohorts must find the black convertible before the parade starts or lose their jobs in the process. Who would want to steal the El Dorado? Who is after Lawrence Frightengale? The answers must be found quickly as the parade is soon to start.

Wow, this story is such a delight in every aspect. I grew up with Count Gore DeVol here in the DC area but I am sure that everyone will fondly remember a corny dramatic horror show host somewhere in their past. The authors Ladnier are careful to treat the horror show host with affection and in loving tribute to their shows. These are fully realized characters, the setting authentic and the mysteries, yes two, nicely planned and resolved. The main characters are endearingly quixotic and yet oh so relatable that the reader will be left wanting more of their exploits or at least their cable show. Love this story and the authors.

11. Joie de Vivre by Pinkie Rae Parker

4.25 stars. Jules, a chef, has inherited his Aunt Mathilde’s country home, a place he remembers fondly as his escape from his battling parents and a person to whom he was always accepted as who he was. During the years Jules spent training to be a chef and opening his own restaurant, he had not been to visit as often as he wanted and now returns to the only real home he has known to settle her estate. Aunt Mathilde’s house is in dire need of repair but clearly someone has been there after her death. Her cat is missing and so is her box of recipes, so important to Jules as Mathilde taught him to appreciate great food and cooking. Who has been in the house? And where are the cherished recipes? The answer lies in Jule’s past and a motorcycle he hears in the night.

Again, another lovely story, full of the ambience of the French countryside and the love of great food. Vivid descriptions bring Aunt Mathilde’s crumbling french country home to life, from the decrepit plumbing to the disaster they call a roof. Jules is well drawn, the mystery man less so. I wish that Parker had fleshed out all of her characters, not just Jules and the ending felt a little more realistic than the one that occurred in the story. Still, the charms and ambience of Joie de Vivre outweigh the few issues I saw and carry the story into the must read realm it deserves.

12. Philip Collyer vs. the Cola Thief by Amy Rae Durreson

Rating 5 stars

The collection ends on a strong note with a story by Amy Rae Durreson. Philip Collyer vs. the Cola Thief takes a everyday office occurrence, that of an office communal refrigerator and stolen food and elevates it with humor and and a touch of realism in this tale of one man’s obsession to identify the person stealing his cola from the office refrigerator. The reader gets it when Phil’s frustration mounts when not only does his precious cola, the one thing he anticipates daily, is taken and not only taken once, but taken every single day. The culprit is unknown but leaves post-it notes to taunt Phil with their absence. While the culprit is easy to spot, his motives are not and when revealed are very surprising to all. Phil gets over his frustrations and issues with the thief a little too easy for me but still the resolution is nicely done and will make everyone very happy.

If you love a sense of mystery, if the detective in you wants romance as well as something to solve, pick up this anthology and sit back and enjoy. There is something for everyone inside.

Cover by Paul Richmond is quite delectable, or should that be detectible, and perfect for the stories within.

Book details:

ebook, 282 pages

Published April 22nd 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN

162380650X (ISBN13: 9781623806507)

edition language

English

url http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

If you want to see what some of the authors thought, head over to Joyfully Jay where I am a guest reviewer. Lucky for everyone, we will be seeing more of Lawrence Frightengale and crew in a full length story.

Attack of the Planked Salmon and the Week Ahead in Reviews

This year we have had a real, honest to God or Goddess spring. The weather has been seasonally cool, with light winds and rain as appropriate. No snow (sorry, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan), no heatwave, just spring and we are not sure how to deal with this phenomenon. How quickly we have forgotten that it is not safe to plant annuals before the first week of May. And board shorts and flip flops won’t be needed really until the end of May or June. But one thing is always constant. And that is that spring and summer always herald is the advent of the grill season.

We started grilleing a week or two ago just as the weather started turning lovely and the ponds and small spring in the backyard called to us to come out and sit a while. And up until yesterday, all of our grilled dinners were delicious and uneventful. Then we decided that planked Salmon would be just the thing for Saturday’s dinner. Off we went to Harris Teeters to buy our fresh salmon and asparagus, then home to soak the planks and get everything ready. I had gotten another flat of red double begonias for the bed in the front yard (needed some extra pop of color), and the cedar planks were in the sink, soaking away. We had the glaze mixed and ready to go. When the time came, the salmon and asparagus cooked beautifully and perfectly on their planks and the meal was wonderful. We sat outside, with our wine, salmon and Bogle Sauvignon Blanc, and dogs of course and basked in the serenity of the gardens and afternoon sun. Then my own special hell hit me with a ferocity that would make the Hulk blink.

You see I keep forgetting that salmon hates me or that my insides hate such a rich and fatty fish. I can eat it about once a year but no more and I already had my one salmon meal earlier in March. Oh the idiosyncrasies of my aging mind , yeay, that’s what I keep telling myself it is but really, I just wanted that darn salmon. It started ominously just a few hours later. A slight twinge and a “oh no, maybe it will pass” thought. But I knew I was not to be so lucky and by early evening, I was commode hugging, Bluto frat boy sick. I mean I haven’t been that nauseous since my college days of Old Frothingslosh and cemetery running. Don’t ask.

By 10:30pm I was actively praying to the gods of Bacchus or anyone else that would listen, to let me just die in my bed before I had to race back to the bathroom, hoping desperately to make it there in time for some more porcelain worshiping. Willow was hiding under the bed, watching with great fascination, Kirby was racing with me, thinking it was a game and Winston of course was sleeping off his bits of salmon. Oh to be a dog, eat some grass and go on about one’s business. And finally it passed, leaving me a wreck in the bed, and thinking “never again”. Sigh.

So that was the great salmon attack. But for those of you lucky enough to eat salmon with a nonchalance I admire, I have included the recipe at the end of the post. Try it out and let me know what you think. We used honey and it was delicious but the maple syrup would be great too.

So here is the week ahead in book reviews:

Monday, May 6: Fire Horse by Mickie B. Ashling

Tuesday, May 7: Leaving Home by T.A. Chase

Wed., May 8: Shy by John Inman

Thursday, May 9: The Hellfire Legacy by Missouri Dalton

Friday, May 10: His Heart To Reap by Erin Lane

Saturday, May 11: City Mouse by Amy Lane and Aleksandr Voinov

So there you have it. It looks to be a great week. Now if I can just stay away from those oysters……

Here is the Planked Salmon Recipe from Epicurious.com:

yield: Makes 6 servings
active time: 30 min
total time: 2 1/2 hr
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons grainy mustard
2 tablespoons mild honey or pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon minced rosemary
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 (2-pounds) salmon fillet with skin (1 1/2 inches thick)

Equipment: a cedar grilling plank (about 15 by 6 inches)

Cooking:

Soak cedar grilling plank in water to cover 2 hours, keeping it immersed.
Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure . Open vents on bottom and lid of charcoal grill.
Stir together mustard, honey, rosemary, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Spread mixture on flesh side of salmon and let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
Put salmon on plank, skin side down (if salmon is too wide for plank, fold in thinner side to fit). Grill, covered with lid, until salmon is just cooked through and edges are browned, 13 to 15 minutes. Let salmon stand on plank 5 minutes before serving.

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