Where Am I?

Lately I've been horribly absent from the internet and this blog. If it wasn't for Larissa's reviews it would've been very quiet around here. Conflicts and work overload are sucking up all the energy I usually put into writing reviews, so, that's my excuse... It's a lame one, I know.

But hopefully it will all change soon, as I'm due to go on a vacation. Yay! I'm actually flying across the Atlantic Ocean when this post goes up. We (hopefully) left Amsterdam early this morning and we're heading to Los Angeles where we will jump in a car to drive to San Diego. The first week of our vacation we're staying in SD, hubs is attending a convention there while I seek out the beach. ;)
After San Diego we will travel around for a bit. We plan to visit a few National Parks like Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Monument Valley and of course Grand Canyon. And than, to go home well-rested, we'll spend a few more days in Santa Monica to conclude our vacation. :)

I'm not sure how much time I will have to blog when we're traveling, I guess not much. But I hope to at least read a lot and also to write a couple of reviews once I'm less stressed, so that I can post a few when I'm back again in mid-June.
Larissa has written a few reviews that will be posted in the next weeks and I might pop in occasionally as well, so hopefully it won't be too quiet here at the blog. But in case it is, you know why. :D

Quick Review of Firesong by Terry Milien

Terry Milien

Firesong

Less Than Three Press, January 31, 2013 | 35 pages

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
Miller has a long history with fire, one he cannot forget as he was disfigured by it. So when the crippled, flying Sasha crashes into his home from exhaustion and burns the whole place down with his unchecked magic, he does the only thing he can think of: he runs into the raging flames and saves the unconscious creature.

Genre & Keywords: M/M Romance, Fantasy, Mystical Creatures, Sweet Romance, Abandonment, Short Story

~~~~~
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 1 out of 3 flames
~~~~~

Reviewed by Lis/Larissa:

Firesong is a sweet and light short story. One that will get your “awwww-factor” rocking. It’s also a story that you shouldn’t read too much into (kind of like a Disney movie or you’ll figure out that Simba is actually mated to his half-sister)

Firesong is the story of Miller and Sasha. Miller is an outcast in his village who keeps to himself and bears the scars of his history with fire. One night his past with fire catches up to him when a mysterious and mystical creature crashes into his houses and almost burns it down.

This creature is Sasha. Miller rescues him and nurses him back to health. A misunderstanding is created when Sasha believes he is the cause of Miller’s scars.

Both characters have their pasts to deal with, as well a mystery. The question is: can they work it all out and overcome their pasts to have a future together?

Firesong is a sweet uncomplicated story that is fun and easy to read. As I said before, you shouldn’t read too much into. It’s a little underdeveloped, but this has mostly to do with its length. It would have been nice to see Miller’s past worked out and more details added to the mystery angle of the plot.

All in all, Firesong was an enjoyable story to read.
~

Lis’ Review of Soul Magic by Poppy Dennison

Poppy Dennison

Soul Magic (Triad, #3)

Dreamspinner Press, May 6, 2013 | 220 pages

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
Sequel to Mind Magic
Triad: Book Three

Blood runs soul-deep. Cormac hasn’t been the same since the night the High Moon Pack was attacked. With his magic weakened, he’s consumed by a bloodlust he hasn’t felt since he first became a vampire. His need to replenish his power makes him a danger to his last remaining family member, and his hunger makes him careless. And that’s just the beginning of his troubles. Feeding from pack beta Liam Benson was supposed to slake his appetite, not leave him craving more.

Lis’ Review of The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau & Violetta Vane

Heidi Belleau & Violetta Vane

The Druid Stone (Layers of the Other World, #1)

Carina Press, August 6, 2012 | 351 pages

Heidi Belleau’s website | Violetta Vane’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
Sean never asked to be an O'Hara, and he didn't ask to be cursed by one either.
After inheriting a hexed druid stone from his great-grandfather, Sean starts reliving another man's torture and death...every single night. And only one person can help. Cormac Kelly runs a paranormal investigation business and doesn't have time to deal with misinformed tourists like Sean. But Sean has real magic in his pocket, and even though Cormac is a descendant of legendary druids, he soon finds himself out of his depth...and not because Sean's the first man he's felt anything for in a long time.

May M/M Releases I Look Forward To

Even though it has been quiet for a few weeks here at the blog and I haven’t had much time to read a lot this past couple of weeks, I still keep buying books. You never know when it comes in handy to have tons of unread books, right? So, here’s my wish list for May! 

I Can See For Miles

Worrall, Lisa

May 01, 2013

After a kayaking accident took Josh Donald’s sight, he’s faced with learning to negotiate the world as a blind man. In short order, his boyfriend leaves him behind, making it clear he’s not inclined to deal with special needs. Reeling from the blow, Josh flounders. In an attempt to help, Josh’s friends take him to a camp for the blind, where he falls for the camp organizer...more

Review of Take It Off by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

Take It Off (Market Garden #2)

Riptide Publishing | February 25, 2013 | 38 pages

LA Witt’s website | Aleksandr Voinov’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
Turnabout is foreplay.
High-end Market Garden rentboys Tristan and Jared have found their niche. Men are willing to pay good money to watch Tristan tease Jared, and the two of them seduce London’s elite with sex and power games.
Except Tristan is less and less interested in getting money out of the johns these days. He wants his partner in crime, and he wants the seduction to be real. But is Jared just in this for the pay?