Karin's Lesfic bookblog

New Girl on the Street – Donna Jay

Jay writes great books! What great about her books is that she writes them about normal peopel. Not “normal”, but really relatable, normal and real women. With a regular job and no unnecessary dyke drama or other unrealistic “we don’t talk” angles you often see in lesbian romance novels.

This novel for me was a feel good story about a young woman meeting her long lost love again. There is some nice push and pull in the beginning of the book. And what’s also in this book are lot’s of puns: I love puns!. The first one you’ll find in the book blurb and in the book it continues. Lisa is an electrician and you won’t be shocked by the amouth of jokes you can make about that. See what i did there?

Both Lisa and Bella are easy to like and they have great chemistry together. I think this book qualifies as a medium burn romance. The burn is not instant but it is great when it arrives. There is light BDSM in this book. If you’ve never read something like that before: don’t let it stop you. You might like it!

Also the secondairy characters in this book are likeable. I think even Lisa’s friend Cherie deserves her own book, only that book should ben more heavy on the BDSM, haha.

This book is set in New Zealand and words and terms are used accordingly. Don’t worry about nog knowing what it’s about. Jay alsways checks with her readers and makes sure it’s set in context so you’ll know the meaning of words also if you’ve never heard of them before.

All in all a great read easy to read feel good romance! Check it out on Amazon.

Golden Oldie (’11) – Snowbound

Books that are current get the most attention. But that doesn’t mean the older books aren’t worth your while. When reading I alternate between “older” books and newly published books. Because there are so may good lesfic books out there already, they deserve more attention. Therefor I have introduced a ‘Golden Oldie’ category about books I read longer ago. This time: Snowbound by Cari Hunter.

This thriller begins with a gentle introduction to our mc’s. After that, a thriller is born and you just can’t put the book away. A good portion off the book is set in one location: the barn where the MC’s are kept hostage. This setting could easily be a quick bore, but Hunter keeps your eyes on the page and keeps you wanting to know what’s next. I felt tightness in my chest while reading, it was that good!

I don’t want to talk too much about this book, I think you should just buy this thriller and see for yourself 🙂

Collecting Stars – Lexa Luthor

The Alpha God #4

I just can’t get enough of this series! If you want to start this series also check out my review of the first book.

After a great prologue, this book starts where book three stopped: Charlie crashing down on Kander. Again. Crashing down on Kander seems to be her thing and it gives this book a page-turning start.

This book is different from the earlier books in this series. Where Charlie goes out into space in the first books, in this book she stays on Kander. She does visit “higher places” so to speak and those parts of this book really intrigued me. (read it to know what I’m talking about)

The pages turn themselves in this book. There is plenty of action and the way the storyline continues is great. With action, I mean both in missions and in the bedroom. The latter especially is evolving to a level that I particularly enjoyed. Again more intimate than the last book but still – how shall I put this… – with vigour and passion.

After chapter 3, the book will slow down a little. In those slower parts, Luthor lets you get to know the characters and their relationship on a deeper level. I noticed Charlie herself developing into a person who is less concerned about her own wellbeing and more about that of other people. Now that I write this down it sounds strange to talk this way about a space missionary who lives with the knowledge that in her job every minute can be her last.

Because Charlie is on Kander this long stretch of time you might wonder about the dynamics between Kal and her. I must say that Luthor did a great job in balancing those things out. I think readers will enjoy their time together in this book, both in- and outside the bedroom 😉

This book finishes with a cliffhanger and although I – a person with no patience and lover of instant gratification – hate cliffhangers. But Luthor would disappoint me if there wasn’t one. This cliffhanger made me freak out a little because I’m scared of what is to come. So Luthor, make it scary next time, haha.

As a final remark, I’m going to be upfront about my desire to want to read stand-alone spin-offs of other characters in this book.

Check out other reviews on my blog.
Also, check out the author’s website for an explanation of F/F Omegaverse and terms like G!P.

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Last Resort – Angie Williams

Would you go to a dating resort exclusively for lesbians? Let me know!
Part of reading Last Resort is like the guilty pleasure of watching a dating show and rooting for two people to come together. In contrast to a bad tv-show, this book is great. This is Williams’ second book and again I enjoyed it immensely!

At the beginning of this book I got the “Ali Vali”-vibe. And that is a big compliment. Vali is big on family and the vibe she brings in her writing makes me instantly love her mc’s. The same happened to me with this book of Williams.

Although both know they click in all the right places, it takes pretty long for Katie and Rhys to get together. It’s sad to read and I wanted to berate Katie for it. Katie is very tactile towards Rhys and that give’s a great tension to the story. But also it made me feel bad for Rhys to have to endure those moments while knowing nothing will come of it.

When Katie and Rhys do come together sparks fly. Like in the first book of Williams, mc’s talk during the sexy scenes. Where I found that a little distracting in that first book because the type of talk didn’t suit the character, she did manage to find the right kind of balance for me in this book. The scenes were hot.

Loved reading it and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up any book of Williams. Want to read it to? Check it out on Amazon or Bold Strokes Books.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Longing For You – Jenny Frame

This was a fun read! After the first book (Hunger for You), it took two years for this second to get published. I liked it better than the first book, but have trouble pinpointing why. Let’s just keep it at my state of mind when I read a book.

I read the first book, but I think that you don’t have to read it first to be able to understand this book. I do think however that you would enjoy reading it in order. Otherwise, you’ll crash into a full-blown relationship between Byron and Amelia. It’s nice to read first how they meet each other.

In this second book, the story of the first continues and we zoom into another couple: Alexis and Katie. They do the push-pull thing pretty convincing in this book. They both have their reasons for not engaging so when they do it is rewarding. I didn’t expect a certain plot twist, I can’t tell more without spoiling the story for you, sorry!

This book is told from two viewpoints: the “good side” and the “bad side”. Just like in the first book I felt less invested in reading the parts of the “bad side”. I even resorted to scanning some of those parts instead of fully reading them (blush…). They are important for the storyline but just couldn’t hold my attention. Also, I was waiting for the big fight the whole time, everything leading up to that, and it just didn’t come… Guess that’s for book 3 in the series. Wich, I want to read, because I’m that curious and also mainly enjoyed the read.

If you like vampire-romances and you’re not heavy on the action, this is a good read for you. I had a good time reading.

I received an ARC and voluntarily leaving a review.

Heart of Ice – T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod

An office romance at it’s best! This book starts in the fifth gear with a “hangover” later when mc’s meet in the office.

Both mc’s are intriguing personalities. With Laurie’s nickname being “the hatchet”, you know she is one you’ll love to hate.
The conversations in this book are witty and funny to read and the character of Laurie balances the thin line of loving and hating in a good way. I could certainly identify with Jack, not seeming to be scared of “the hatchet” and handling the boss/employee dynamics in a daring but respectful way.

In the business part of this book there was a twist I did not expect to go that way, so that was a nice surprise (won’t spoil that for you here). It’s not a big thing, but it’s always nice not to have the obvious happen.

The chemistry between Jack and Laurie is good and so are the sexy scenes. Despite there being an age gap between characters, it wasn’t a big deal for me in this book. So when you don’t like age gap-romance: I don’t think this will bother in this romance story.

Authors did a good job writing this romance together. Check it out on Amazon.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Golden Oldie (’13) – Backwards to Oregon

Books that are current get the most attention. But that doesn’t mean the older books aren’t worth your while. Inn reading I alternate between “older” books and newly published books. Because there are so may good lesfic books out there already, they deserve more attention. Therefor I have introduced a ‘Golden Oldie’ category about books I read longer ago. This time: Backward to Oregon by JAE.

I used to avoid the historic novels. But because I enjoyed other books of this author so much I gave it a try. And I LOVED it! So much so that I took my e-reader everywhere: couch, bed: falling asleep with e-reader in hand and waking up starting all over again.
I just couldn’t put the book away, constantly wondering what will happen next in the adventure of Luke, Nora and Amy.

They get to know each other in a town where the Oregon Trail starts, get married for practical reasons and join a group of emigrants en route to Oregon. At the time Nora doesn’t know Luke is actually a woman who’s lived like a man from the age of 12. I liked that gender bending aspect, it brings some nice tension in the book.

The love story is slow burn. When Nora discovers that Luke is a woman, that’s not just oké and Noras response is very realistic. I loved how awkward (in a cute and sometimes clumsy rude way) Luke acted around Nora and Amy. The setting of the booking is nothing but realistic, no romancing these horrible months on the trail, so you get real insight in how it would have been.

There must have been a tremendous amount of research before writing this book. The trail surroundings and challenges on the way are described in such detailed way, kudo’s to JAE for her research and writing skills. I would definitely recommend this book.

This book can be read as a stand alone, but there are more books in this series that let you in on the lives of the future generation.

Unknown Omega – V.T. Bonds

After reading some F/F Omegaverse this is my first M/F experience.
The first chapters I was contemplating putting the book down and dnf it. I’m glad I did not though.
The dynamics between alpha and omega in an M/F is similar but also very different from the F/F I’ve read.

Bonds made me connect with the unknown omega (Nova later on in the book), but I had trouble connecting with the Alpha (Seeck). That happened later in the book.
This makes me want to read more M/F, to discover if this disconnect is in this character or in the male alpha.

In this book is some dub con (dubious consent), which fits the storyline. Before that there is also some not consensual handlings, be aware of this trigger warning. You will see it coming so you’re able to look away in time if you do want to read the book but give this scene a pass. It is important however for the rest of the book.

The secondary characters in this book are all alpha’s of the elite force and all of them more likable than the main alpha character. I’m curious if in the next book Bonds can make me connect with them. I’ll be reading more of this author.

You can buy this book on Amazon and at the moment it’s also available in Kindle Unlimited.

Silver Ravens – Jane Fletcher

Sometimes I ask myself if I have lived under a rock the past years. Also while reading this book: why haven’t I heard of Jane Fletcher before! Obviously, because you tend to read what you know. But I must say I had a great time venturing out from the known!

Fletcher did a great job with creating her world: Annwyn. Lot’s of details that make it a lust for your minds’ eye. Annwyn is flat and when you go off one side, you come back in the other. This made me think of a video game, which is funny as Lori is/was a game developer. Sentences like “The castle looked as if it had grown, rather than been built.” gave me the ultimate fantasy feel while reading.

In the prologue, we meet a young Tamsin as she seems to go up in smoke. A very cool scene to start the book with. Later we meet Lori in the present day and the way she says goodbye to her old life with Jess. I loved the way Fletcher made you be part of Lori’s thoughts. It made me instantly like Lori because of the way she still trusts her ex on certain topics despite what she has done to her.

The connection between the two worlds is brilliantly made. The decoding challenge Lori has to face when on Annwyn could have been more detailed for me. But I can imagine that other readers think the level of depth is just fine as Fletcher did it. Not everybody likes decoding games, but don’t let that hold you back, you won’t be bothered by it while reading.

The inner voice of Lori in this book is witty and funny, a delight to read. Characters are diverse and all have their role to play. The plot-line is well thought about and not an open door. There is romance in this book, secondary to the story-line but nice.
I can recommend this book to any fantasy lover.

To buy this book you can go to Amazon or Bold Strokes Books.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Keeping Secrets – McGee Mathews

With many men (over 3.000.000) going to fight for the Union or the Confederates, lots of thing became a women’s job and newly defined the dynamics between men and women. Also, women wanted to fight for their cause. Over 400 women (both sides) fought in this civil war, disguised as men. Imagine looking over the shoulder of a woman fighting in this war: meet Elizabeth (EJ)!

EJ goes to the war in a surprising way, also for herself. When it happened I was constantly saying: don’t do it, don’t, don’t… But she did… I must confess that I didn’t like the war parts in this book. That is not the authors fault, this part was well described and not too graphic, so no worries there. Real war just seems to get to me, apparently also when it’s been a long time ago.

“Luckily” EJ gets to go home, read the book to know why I put the “” there ;). She struggles with her sexual orientation, her father, aunt and herself in many ways. Naive as she is her train of thought sometimes is very funny too. The love blossoming between Charlie and EJ is very sweetly described. There are love scenes in this book, but they are not graphic or make you feel like you can’t read them in public. So go ahead and take this book with you on your commute or read while on a lunch break.

Both MC’s are likable and also the secondary are mostly likable. A lot is happening in this book, though the pace doesn’t seem rushed. You’ll get to read from the point of view both Charlie and EJ. I would have appreciated a more in-dept experience in the feelings of both MC’s, but did have a nice time with this book. This book has indirectly thought me about the civil war and this era in American history, I can always appreciate that.

Overall good feelings linger after reading and at the end I felt that Mathews created a possibility for a second book while closing this story in a happy way. If it happens, I would want to read it.

This book will be published on August 15, check it out over here.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.