Karin's Lesfic bookblog

The Pink Line – Mark Gevisser

When wanting an eye-opening experience about queer experiences on a global scale: this is your book. This book gives you an insight in current queer frontiers around the world of the last seven years of this century.

I was blessed with friends, family and a professional circle of people who give a rats ass who I love. That combined with living in western Europe, my “fight” for gay rights consists of equity on levels of running activity’s for queer youth, ask attention for laws on alternative parenthood and all-round better acceptance for LGBTQIA who do not have the same experience as me. Of course, we have all heard about gays around the world not having such great lives as we do. But those are short news items that give us only a glimpse.

This book by Gevisser gave me insight into people’s lives around the world. Their struggles, the way they cope, what their day looks like and how that must feel. How society around them copes with their queerness and how that affects them on a daily level. Gevissers writing portraits people in a beautiful and respectful way.
I would advise anybody who is sincerely interested in this topic to pick up this book.

This book is not cheap, but it does give you 534 pages of eye-opening 😉 I didn’t read this book in one sitting but chose to read a couple of chapters and vary it with reading fiction.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Of Iron and Gold – Lexa Luthor

This is a great title for a great book. Of Iron and Gold is the first stand-alone (earlier books are in a series) F/F Omegaverse fantasy romance written by Lexa Luthor. It is wonderful and burning hot read that I didn’t want to put on the nightstand to go to sleep.

Let’s start with the cover: me thinks it is yummy. A great design by May Dawney and perfectly fitting to the story. The setting of this story is in my alley. It has a medieval kind of setting with a kingdom, a great princess (Kinsey), a castle, and an underdog named Aubrey. I loved both characters and the way they were portrayed.

This was my first read where I had the full alpha-omega dynamics. In other books by Luthor, the alpha’s love interest is of a different race (human) and therefor the dynamics are different.I really enjoyed the dynamics in this book between the alpha-slave and the omega-princess. There was destiny in there and when coupled a kind of fierceness I always enjoy. Kind of like you always read in the werewolf novels.

A big part of why I love books by Luthor is because she satisfies my dirty mind with great erotic scenes but makes sure the book is about more than that. This book also has a good storyline and good world-building. The movie theatre in my head had no problem seeing the scenery in my mind’s eye.

Looking closer at the erotic scenes in this book I can tell you that Luthor made a weird and awkward situation into a great one. Warning beforehand: keep your spouse within reach or make sure you can cool off after reading. Up until chapter six, you can read it in public. After that, I would advise a little more privacy. That the burning part of the romance starts after chapter six would presume it to be a medium burn. But the feelings and brooding beforehand are just lovely.

To top it all off this book has a HEA. And although the story is finished, I still think there could be a second book in there 😉

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Want to buy this book, check it out on Amazon or check out Lexa Luthor’s website for other options.

Moon Fever – Ileandra Young

This urban fantasy has a unique kind of darkish feel over it that I enjoyed immensely. This book is full of werewolves, vampires and other edanes/creatures. Great peace of world building.
I did not read the first book in the series and that didn’t bother me while reading this book. You can read it as a stand alone.

Danika Karson is one of those types who don’t know when to shut up. “But” is her favorite word and I love how Young set up this stubborn character in a way you’ll love her and sometimes want her to just zip it.

In this book she is put in some sort of diplomatic role that doesn’t necessarily suit her. That makes her character and her challenges real.

Danika’s girlfriend Rayne is a vampire. They work as special agents for the same SPEAR team. Their relationship is troubled and although they try, they don’t talk it through. Danika seems to be scared of Rayne and the manias she can experience as a vampire. These troubles blend with a great action adventure storyline.

When a fan of paranormal and/or (urban) fantasy, give this one a try. It is full of good action and is definitely not a cookie cutter book. Ow, and as a last note: I want a chittarik as a pet too. Want to know why? Buy the book 🙂 Want to read it in order of the series, don’t hesitate, I’m sure Both Ways was a thrill too.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Golden Summer – Lydon and Markinson

This book made me feel a lot of things. It made me feel a bit oppressive because of the trust issues both Saffron and Kirsty. Also it made me feel good and sweet because of the seaside setting, the banter and the secondary characters. And I must not forget the happily ever after.

Saffron doesn’t trust easy because as an actress, she is used to the fake world of movies and people wanting to know the characters she plays but not the real Saffron. And Kirsty doesn’t trust easy because she was betrayed by her ex and she can’t imagine a movie-star would be interested in the likes of her. Especially because she is way to old for Saffron.

For me this book was as much about stepping outside your comfort-zone and baring your soul as it was about trust and daring to be honest.

A very well written novel and I sure enjoyed reading it.

A copy was provided by the author(s) in exchange for an honest review. Want to read it too, you can buy it over here or any other outlet you prefer.

Double Entendre – Mistress Black Rose

I found it difficult to rate this book. So I’m glad that I don’t give away stars in my blog. In the end it’s about how it made me feel, so let’s talk about it.

This book is about Quinn, a workaholic who’s losing sight of herself and what’s important over time.
Miss Jade helps her with that after she meets her thanks to colleague Estelle. That’s also where the twist of this story can be found. As a reader you’ll see through it, Quinn sadly does not.

I like the sex scenes in the book and although a good storyline is also nice, my filthy mind is just fine if it gets to read a book only for great sex scenes. If there were written more emotions in there, I would have rated higher. But also only the anatomy of the scenes made my heart rate go up and flush a little.

I like that both Estelle and mistress Jade are good with words and words were used that I never heard of before. As I’m note a native speaker, I can appreciate learning the new words. (Don’t quiz me about them, I’ve already forgotten them ;))

All in all I found this book a nice, quick and naughty read and would encourage you to make up your own mind about this book. You can buy it over here or an other preferred store.

After the last chapter you’ll get a chance to be a good sub for mistress Black Rose. Always wanting to be a good girl, I hereby hope my review qualifies. A nice wink from the author before you close the book.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

44 HOURS – Donna Jay

What happens when you dislike a person because of second-hand information? Exactly, you can get proven wrong and that’s exactly what this book is about.

This book is published at a perfect time. An enemy’s to lovers book that’s written so that it feels and is a feelgood romance. As a Dutchy, I did wonder how one gets lost in a forest when going for a number one. But after seeing the pictures of dense New Zealand’s forests there was no doubt about it: never will I set foot in there without compass or some device with a GPS in it.

This book is the most lengthy book Jay has written so far and she managed it great. The pacing of the storyline is great and because of the length of the book, scenes and developments in the book didn’t have to be rushed.

Jay is one of my favorite writers and has a way with words that’s up my ally. “She had a body like a country road – all dangerous curves and warning signs.” is by far my favorite sentence of the book. The enemy’s to lovers dynamic is totally different from what I’m used to and turned pretty quickly considering the circumstances. The other troubles this brought on is something I think everyone encounters at some point in their lives with some friends: they are not always what they seem.

This book really made me feel good, so thank you Jay, for another great read! You also want to feel good? Buy this book.

A copy of this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Fae – Chris Fenwick

This second book in the State Changers series was good fun. I got sucked into the world of Fae and the different Fae-gifts state changers have.

The coming of age element in this book, combined with becoming more and more comfortable in her own skin was well described and didn’t feel forced. In the end, Cashide became a leader. Not by choice, but by destiny and nature.

The relationship between Cashide and Dana becomes so serious they get mated at the tender age of 18. The bound they’re mating brings with itself makes for extra fun stuf they can do with their fae gifts.

Also taking frequents trips to the Tir Na nOg in this book were great to read about. Most pressing issue in this book is off course figuring out who is trying to close the portals between Topside and Tir Na nOg. The story has a great tempo and I think it wil speak to young adults as it won’t bore you because of all that’s happening. The plot is a little see-through but that doesn’t make it any less fun to read.

This book has no happy ending but a cliff hanger that gives you hope for the future.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

The Last Place You Look – Aurora Rey

I loved this friend to lovers romance. It made me read with a smile on my face and I don’t have a doubt in my mind recommending this book to other readers. Please buy and enjoy this book.

The story is about Julie, who is back in her hometown because her “hot-shot” ex cheated on her with her personal trainer. In the hardware store of said town, she meets Taylor again after all those years. A new friendship is born. After a long relationship, Julie want’s to see what’s out there, dating-wise. And Taylor, not wanting to be another nudge on her bedpost, agrees on being her wing-woman.

A couple of things I love about this book. For one, Rey knows exactly how to describe how fucked up someone can become after a relationship that obviously wasn’t equal (enough) and loving (enough). This story show mighty-fine how insecurities can take over someone’s mind after years of not being good enough. It also shows a good dose of realism when it comes to the dating scene: it is not all hot and bothered, there are many curious women out there and the prospect of a hot night of sex mostly is just a night of not so hot sex and a lot of awkwardness.

That being said and laughed about, because I did, let’s go to Taylor. Because wouldn’t we all want a Taylor in our lives. (Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got one with a different name and not the same level of carpenter skills.) I just loved her character, sweet, strong, no selfishness bone in her body and on a mission to be the best wingmen for Julie. Stupid Taylor…

But in the end, it all works out, because Rey doesn’t let us wait until the end before fireworks come out. And thus, you can love a great romance story for most of the book. Off course there is some trouble in paradise, but it’s all very balanced and no part of this story comes across as off or oddly placed.

I loved reading this book, loved the characters, the storyline, the secondary characters were great and the writing style was great. All in all a solid 4-star read. I would definitely pick up any other book of Rey after reading this one.

Check out Amazon of BSB for buying this book.

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Born to Be Mine – Lexa Luthor

Born to be Mine is the third book in The Alpha God series. I can not do other than be ridiculously enthusiastic about this series. It just keeps getting better and better. If you have not read the other books in the series: go back to the first book and start reading there. I truly think that your reading experience will be best if you’ve read the other books first. Also, you need to know about omegaverse and gp! content. It is a kink that you will love, or not, haha. For me it works, I think it is smoking hot!

When you start reading this book, make sure you are alone and/or have your lover within reach. Because the first chapters of this book will make you so hot you’ll risk ending up a pile of ashes. Beside smoking hot sex scenes, this book is about so much more. Luthor has built a world of her own and I for one never knew I would enjoy reading sci-fi so much. In this book, for instance, a locke is introduced as a character. I for one feel instant love for this red-eyed, fox-like animal and want to know where this is going the next book. With introducing this animal we not only learned more about wildlife on Kander but also about the people and how (some of them) treat the wildlife. It’s these details that make you experience the world Luthor build for us readers.

I also loved reading about the effects of being in a rut had on the alpha god. The love she is developing for Charlie is clearly making her old identity as Sumner and her now being the alpha god mix together. Sumner the alpha seems to come and peek through the shell of the alpha god more and more and I’m curious what the future will bring. The time spent in space is shorter than in the first two books, the tempo of the storyline reads nice and quick. It’s exciting to read about the upcoming alien invasion of the sworne and while reading about them it even made me a bit nervous for the future books.

Thank you, again Luthor for a great read. Please hurry up with finishing book 4 in the Alpha God Series. And kudos to May Dawney’s cover design, love it!

Of course you want to buy this book, so here’s the link on Amazon.

Flavor of the Month – Georgia Beers

While reading this book “lighten up” passed my mind many times. For me, this second chance romance was a little too heavy-handed on the issue of Charlie leaving for the big city and leaving Emma in Shaker Falls. But that’s what you do when you’re young: you make decisions, good ones and less so. And that makes you into you. But it seemed like Charlie had committed a crime. Her sister even gave her shit without being upfront about it at first. I’m not sure after reading if Charlie broke up with Emma or that they drifted apart in a way that you just fade out and not being able to end things in a good way.

While Charlie was in Manhattan, Emma also left town and came back earlier to Shaker Falls to start a restaurant. And a pretty good one too! Because Charlie is baking pies, and Emma needs them for her dessert menu, they meet again.

In the beginning, Emma is being kind of shitty towards Charlie. She seems to think she deserves this and because of that Charlie is very uncomfortable bringing over pies to the restaurant. Of course, things develop and at one point they make a trip together that strengthens their bond.

Other themes besides the romance are a liquor induced mother and an unknown father for Emma. The bakery and what happens in there made it all a little more sunny and light.

Maybe it was the moment of reading that this book didn’t do it for me. This has never happened before with a book of Beers and luckily I see a lot of reviews from people who immensely enjoyed the book. So don’t hold back on my account and give it a go. Because it still is an oke read and good feelings linger.

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Check out this book on Amazon or Bold Strokes Books.