Inhale, Book 1 of the Just Breathe Trilogy by Kendall Gray, was pretty fantasmic.

I am relatively new to the world of Elemental PNR and I was a bit wary at first. But then again, I was wary of Trolls and you know what happened when I finally read the Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking (I loved it). Plus, I couldn’t pass up a free book. I should have learned and I definitely did.

Like I said. Fantasmic.

No, this was not a erotica thriller with sex, raunchy sex, kinky sex and general smut smut thrown around for an extra good measure of good ol’ hedonistic sex. Of course, don’t get me wrong, Kendall Gray does not disappoint when exploring the relationship between Zoe and Gavin. Kendall Gray just adds so much *more* to her story.

I love how Kendall Gray threw us into the Elemental world with no lengthy introductions or overly long descriptive prose. I stumbled a bit since the terminology was unfamiliar and the players not fully revealed. In fact, even by the end, the author left us still treading in the Elementals world. While she explores the feelings between Zoe and Gavin pretty extensively, she is able to flesh out her secondary characters with delicious glimpses into their hidden backgrounds. Everyone is playing a game in this series and as readers, we still don’t know all the rules. And I love it. Can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

The Marann, Book 1 of Tales of Tolari Space, by Christie Meierz  was one of the best science fiction romances that I have read in a long time.

Ms. Meierz writes about Ms. Marianne Woolsey, a young hyperpolyglot fluent in seventeen languages and teacher of foreign language in twenty-sixth century Iowa, who has been forcibly requested by Earth’s government to teach six foreign languages to the heir of the Sural, leader of a distant uncannily human like race called the Tolari.

I loved how the author introduced us to the Tolari mostly through Ms. Woolsey’s perspective. Her description of the complex culture of the Tolari is water to the world building thirsty soul. Her attention to detail from initial encounters, hierarchy, foods, clothes and even language is impressive and without contradiction. Clearly Christie Meierz has spent an extraordinary amount of time researching and piecing together her Tolari world. Her work reminds me of the efforts of Ilona Andrew husband and wife team and their own detailed world building which makes Meierz’s efforts even more impressive as she completed all this work on her own.

I immensely enjoyed how the love story that plays between Marianne Woolsey and the Sural is sweet and evenly paced. Their relationship plays out over years instead of a few days or even a few hours as some other romance relationships in the same genre tend to do. And their story is not over as The Marann is only the first of the series.  

The Marann is one of the few thought provoking and beautiful science fiction romances out there in an otherwise seemingly smut smut filled world.

If you loved The Marann, I would recommend reading Eden by Louise Wise and Starkissed by Lanette Curington.

The Barista's Smile

It’s pretty disarming. I find them pretty damn intimidating too. Every time I wander over to the local coffee shop, I have to steel myself for this inevitable addition to customer service.

After perusing the displayed assortment of confections, I will approach the cashier with my order. Sometimes I’m lucky and the barista will just look at me in a distant stony like fashion that I find oddly comforting at times.

Most times, there will be a smile. A blinding smile with a friendly, “How’s it going?” to which I can only sputter, “Uh.. How’s.. I mean.. um I’d like the orange chocolate scone… and.. a small tea?” I can feel my shoulders slumping as my ears start reddening. And then as I wait in line for my order, I give a sigh of relief. One more encounter down, an infinity left to go.

What is it with smiles? I can’t handle them. Maybe I don’t have enough of them in my life. Maybe the years of angry patients have taken their toll on me. I can tell you one thing. Smiles, I just don’t like them.

Seduction and Snacks

I’m laughing alone in my apartment and realize I must look ridiculous. Curled up on my couch with a blanket over my lap and my kindle in front of me, I’m reading Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec and I’m loving it. So I keep chuckling.

I’ve decided to depart from my usual paranormal romance/fantasy and have been foraging in the realm of “normal” romance for the last few weeks. I have been pleasantly surprised. I’ve come to the conclusion that magical feats, fanging necks and displaying super alpha prowess through super alpha powers are not absolutely necessary to good ol’ romance (excluding my paranormal favorites of course).

Exploring farther and farther out of the realm of paranormal, I’ve finally discovered book #1 of the Chocolate Lovers Series by Ms. Sivec this past week. Seduction and Snacks has incidentally shot up to become one of my top 10 favorite books of all time.

Ms. Sivec writes the story of Claire and Carter, two young lovers who had a brief affair which led to a more prolonged adventure, a son named Gavin. Unfortunately, since Claire and Carter never really exchanged names, Gavin became Claire’s solo adventure. Thankfully, fate brings them together 5 years later and hilarity ensues. Literally.

I mean belly laughing, tears falling, I’m feeling a little embarrassed for laughing so much on my own while reading a book hilarity. Ms. Sivec’s writing is smooth with natural dialogue and natural interactions between her cast of characters. The next book Futures and Frosting is already out but I find myself reluctant to read it since Book #1 has already set such high standards.  But with 135 five stars for Book #2, I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed.

Just finished The Restorer by Amanda Stevens.

Wow. what an amazing book. The first book of a series with a name like The Graveyard Queen, how can you not be intrigued.

This book captivated me from the very beginning. Amanda Stevens descriptions of the Lowcountry and Southerners like the Gullah, her ability to turn a sunset and the fragrance of flowers into something mystical and otherworldly is stunning. Her characters were ones I couldn't help falling in love with. Her writing so deliberate and her plots so intense that I had to actually slow myself down when I was reading. I didn't want to devour this book in one sitting, I wanted this book to never end and I took my time getting to the inevitable.

I can't wait for book 2 to come out.