Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (September 21, 2010)
Amazon: Angel 1089
I could not put it down. I expected to be a little lost following a story in another world and was not. I was immediately drawn into it and was disappointed when I got to the end, only because I wanted more. The story flowed very well and was very well written. --Rachel
When this deal breaks, Heaven will fall. Heaven Corp, Book 1. Catching two demon burglars is routine for Gabriel 1089, who’s one cog in an army of cybernetically modified humans protecting the sky city of Heaven. Until two turns into a twenty-demon ambush. When he wakes up, he’s missing his network-enabled halo—and one of his metal wings. The down-level junk dealer tending Gabe’s wounds has hands that spark nerve endings he never knew he possessed. But for an angel cut off from Heaven, an attic in Old Trent feels more like a trap than a sanctuary. Demons on his doorstep are nothing new for Jeff Werth. Ever since they saved his daughter’s legs, they’ve been calling in their marker. In exchange for his services—nursing Gabe back to health so they can use him as a pawn in their war with Heaven—they’ll consider the debt paid in full. Except having a powerless angel at his mercy feeds a rising desire that has him rethinking the deal. Then the de-haloed Gabe begins having dreams that become visions…then memories. Until he’s not sure whose side he’s on. Heaven, or the simple family man who healed his broken wings…and made his heart whole.
Publisher: Carina Press (August 15, 2011)
Amazon: Dark Edge of Honor
Dark Edge of Honor is too gritty to gush about. But after checking the story out again, I have to say that my first assessment holds true: I believe this story deserves a perfect score. Brilliant, edgy, as rush as thrilling as any rollercoaster ride...but don't make the mistake of thinking this one is a light read. The ideas, the tenets it raises? Will echo in your soul long and long. The uncompromising brilliance is almost painful. Well done Aleksandr and Rhiannon. Well done. -- Cherie
Darker than I usually like to read, but so good. --Merith
Sergei Stolkov is a faithful officer, though his deepest desires go against the Doctrine. A captain with the invading Coalition forces, he believes that self-sacrifice is the most heroic act and his own needs are only valid if they serve the state. Mike, an operative planted within Cirokko's rebels, has been ordered to seduce Sergei and pry from him the Coalition's military secrets. His mission is a success, but as he captures Sergei's heart, Mike is tempted by his own charade and falls in love. When the hostile natives of the planet Cirokko make their move, all seems lost. Can Mike and Sergei survive when the Coalition's internal affairs division takes an interest in what happened in the dusty mountains of Zasidka Pass…?
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (July 5, 2011)
Amazon: Dark Sun
This book was awesome... The only thing more I could want, is if it was a series and not just this book. I highly recommend it. --Norma
A really fantastic story with a nice sense of world building. It has a Romeo and Juliet feel with a bold dash of Robin Hood thrown in. The story universe and the problems associated with it, reminded me of Total Recall. And the ending was rather abrupt. It made the story feel like there's more to come, and I hope so because this story would be incomplete without more to back it up. --Merith
Lynx is the spoiled sheltered son of the Dragon Triad, a crime family that rules over futuristic New Seattle. When he gets separated from his cousins during an adventure in the seediest part of town, he meets the man of his dreams in a bar owned by the Phoenix Triad, his family’s bitter rivals. After a night spent in passion, his mysterious lover disappears and Lynx fears he’ll never find him again. Orion has a secret. On the surface he’s the perfect son, a society prince, heir to the Phoenix Triad’s corporate throne. But in his other life he’s known as Katana -- thief, hacker, hero who steals from the triads to help the poor citizens of Bottom City. Orion knows the pretty Dragon he met in the bar that night is trouble, but he can’t forget the passion they shared. So when the opportunity arises, Orion captures him and takes him on an adventure he’ll never forget. Will their love match survive the revelation of their true identities and the heat of their families' feud?
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1613721420
ISBN-13: 978-1613721421
Amazon: A Solid Core of Alpha
In an act of heroism and self-sacrifice, Anderson Rawn's sister saved him from the destruction of their tiny mining colony, but her actions condemned the thirteen-year-old to ten years of crushing loneliness on the hyperspace journey to a new home. Using electronics and desperation, Anderson creates a family to keep him company, but family isn't always a blessing. When Anderson finally arrives, C.J. Poulson greets him with curiosity and awe, because anyone who can survive a holocaust and reinvent holo-science is going to be a legend and right up C.J.'s alley. But the more C.J. investigates how Anderson endured the last ten years, the deeper he is drawn into a truly dangerous fantasy, one that offers the key to Anderson's salvation-and his destruction. In spite of his best intentions, C.J. can't resist the terribly seductive Anderson. Their attraction threatens to destroy them, because the heart of a man who can survive the destruction of his people and retain his sense of self holds a solid core of alpha male that will not be denied.
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (August 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611249503
ISBN-13: 978-1611249507
Amazon: Double Feature
Set in a sort of near-future, this menage/poly book is one of the better ones I've read. The idea of a man and his clone and his clone's lover hooking up is definitely novel (to me at least), but the pairing of the three isn't about titillation. It's as if the three complete each other in a tangible way. It's a wonderful book and if you've been looking for a poly m/m/m that doesn't descend into syrup or pointless sex, you've come home. --Heidi
As Hollywood's biggest holovid star, Adrien Grant has all the money and fame a man could want. The price he pays is keeping his sexuality firmly in the closet. When damning photos get leaked to the press, he decides a nice long vacation in the Spanish countryside is just what he needs. But Spain holds a surprise that he never could have foreseen. Cristian Rodriguez wants nothing more than to run his bed-and-breakfast in peace with his partner, Felix. But every glance in the mirror reminds him of the one thing he'd rather forget--that he's Adrien Grant's clone, a pale imitation of Hollywood's biggest celebrity. Still, they live a peaceful life until the day Adrien himself shows up on their doorstep, insisting he has a reservation. Adrien's a spoiled celebrity with the paparazzi hot on his heels. Cristian's got a chip on his shoulder the size of Europe and a lifetime of resentment burning inside him. Felix just wants to salvage what remains of his and Cristian's crumbling relationship. But what if each of them is just what the others need?
Honourable Mention:
6) Chris Quinton - Fool’s Errand (Fool’s Odyssey Trilogy 1)
Publisher: Manifold Press
I enjoyed this story; it was a good read although I had a few reservations about the relationship and the balance within it but that's a personal thing rather than a reflection of the writing. I also wish there was a little more about the vampire myth within this universe, but wondering if that will be explored further within this series. --Anne
7) Jordan Castillo Price - Zero Hour
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981875270/?tag=elimyrevandra-20
Jordan has expanded on ideas that have been around for decades with her futuristic look at how society will become, how people will be bred and farmed for their genetic dispositions. The world-building and character development is totally on par with JCP’s other works. She is a craftsman in this. The read spurred me to read more and more until the story was finished. Definitely a DIK. --Merith
8) Anne Barwell - Cat's Quill
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1615818944/?tag=elimyrevandra-20
Tomas Kemp has two successful novels to his name and the true belief that a successful sequel is only a matter of a little inspiration. When Tomas meets a mysterious stranger under the branches of an old oak tree, he feels compelled to tell him about a book he holds dear and the sequel he wants to read. But Cathal doesn't share that deep belief that the sequel Tomas seeks ends happily. Cathal has seen enough of a world where stories are real to know that happy ever after is sometimes the dream that won't come true.
9-tie) Chris Quinton – Starfall
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461026334/?tag=elimyrevandra-20
Overall the book was interesting and well-written. The love story between the two central characters – Ash and Conn – was especially good. I also appreciated effort that went into the development of the central character, Ash, the amphibian-alien. It was different and creative, yet managed to be believable. I think it works because of the detail Chris provided and the writing style. --Will
Stevie Woods - Other Worlds
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1611249570/?tag=elimyrevandra-20
This book was very entertaining, light, and well phased. It got me sucked in right away, and I was not able to pause even for a second. I also loved the characters in the beginning, and they surprised me in the end, I had thought the complete opposite of their personalities at first. The writing was good as well, albeit a bit too American for my taste. When it comes to these kind of books, I tend to skip the bedroom-parts, and this time I didn't have to. It was much appreciated. --Morg This entry was originally posted at http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/1359947.html.