Tag: novella (Page 27 of 29)

Castle Hill by Samantha Young

January 17, 2014 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Braden Carmichael never imagined he’d fall as hard and as fast as he did for Jocelyn Butler. He also could not have anticipated how difficult it would be to convince her to give in to love. But now that he has her, he’s never letting go. He’s got it all planned—the passionate proposal, the dream wedding, the sexy Hawaiian honeymoon—even the perfect family they’ll start.

After trying to flee from her painful past, Joss is finally allowing herself to embrace the future. But when things start moving faster than she anticipated, she finds herself panicking over something Braden can’t understand. After everything they’ve been through, Joss is sure that their love can survive even her worst fears. But, this time, she may push Braden too far—and risk losing everything all over again…

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoyed this novella but I think the dedication is right – it’s very much for the Braden and Joss fans. It won’t make a lot of sense if a reader hasn’t previously read On Dublin Street and even though there is a story arc, it felt to me like nothing much happened in terms of character development. It was an opportunity to spend more time with a couple many people love but I don’t think I was better informed as to their characters by the end. Sure, things happen during the novella – they get married and have a sexy honeymoon and then their relationship is tested and this time, Braden pulls away. But I didn’t feel like anything was revealed in this novella that I didn’t already know about both Braden and Joss in the first book.

December Round Up

January 5, 2014 / Kaetrin

on Paper/eBook

A Small Miracle Happened by Mari Donne – B- This is a short sweet and sometimes sexy novella set mainly over the 8 nights of Hanukkah 2013. Dan is a Jewish man (although he doesn’t keep kosher, it is nevertheless part of his heritage) in a new town over Hanukkah. His neighbour Chris (short for Christian – guess what religion he is?) comes over when a package from Dan’s grandmother containing a menorah and other Hanukkah goodies is delivered to Chris’ place by mistake. They strike up a friendship and more, as they spend the eight nights of Hanukkah together. Chris doesn’t know anything about Judaism really and he is curious and interested in Dan generally so he asks a lot of questions which Dan is only too happy to answer. As a non-Jew I found the information about Hanukkah very interesting but I wondered whether Jewish people would have the same fascination as I did. I did appreciate the safe sex message in the story but unfortunately, sometimes it all felt a little clinical and other times it was rushed. Perhaps that’s more about the short word count though. I did like the story and there were parts of it which were very moving and there was some lovely poetry quoted in the text too.

“‘The kingdom where nobody dies.’ We all need to hide there sometimes, don’t we, even when we know it’s an illusion? Otherwise life is just too hard.”

This line in particular, made me think about why I read romance. (Even though characters do die in romance, for the most part you can at least guarantee the main characters make it).

I could easily have read a longer story with this couple and I loved Dan’s family in particular, who embraced Chris early and brought him to to their loving embrace. It’s a Loose ID title so for the 70 or so pages, the price is a bit steep at $3.99 but I picked it up at the recent ARe sale and got a 50% rebate back which made it more palatable. A satisfying evening’s read, A Small Miracle Happened hit the spot for me.

BUY IT: AMAZON

The Family We’re Born With by Kaje Harper – C+ This is a free Christmas short which appears to be the first in a series. Devin and Jesse have been together for five years and Jesse thought Devin had been accepted by his family. So he is very hurt and angry when his mother asks him not to bring Devin on Christmas Eve because that is when she will meet for the first time, her eldest son, Sam; the child who was adopted out when she was just sixteen. Sam is a former Marine and Jesse’s mother doesn’t want to freak him out with the gay the first time they meet. The story is quite short and it doesn’t just focus on Jesse and Devin – but also on Sam and his runaway brother. I felt it had a bit too much going on to be entirely successful for me but it did succeed in whetting my appetite for more from this world. I like the way that Ms. Harper writes complicated families and hey, it’s free.

DOWNLOAD IT: SMASHWORDS

Kaetrin’s 2013 Favourites

December 24, 2013 / Kaetrin

Up until 16 December, I read a total of 251 books for the year. Of those, 145 were books published in 2013. Last year, my 2012/all-reading ratio was a lot lower. Good for the newly released books, not so good for the books languishing on Mr. TBR.

Out of all the books I read, only 27 were rated 5 stars, but 144 were rated 4 stars. I’d have to say that’s a pretty good reading year.

Of the books released in 2013, my favourites were (click on the pics to see my reviews):

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal elements

New Adult/YA

Rhythm of Three by Kelly Jamieson

December 23, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I enjoyed the first book in this series and bought this one as soon as I realised it was out.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) One woman, two lovers. Double the pleasure, or double the trouble?

Rule of Three, Book 2

Former goodie-two-shoes Kassidy now has three pairs of shoes under her bed—hers, Chris’s and Dag’s. While she relishes the hot threesome that makes her friends jealous, she can’t deny things are…complicated. Namely, whom to tell about their unconventional relationship, and whom to keep in the dark.

In the dark category? Definitely Chris’s parents, which should be simple, since they live far away. Except they’ve sprung a surprise for their son’s thirtieth birthday. They’re coming for a visit. Then there’s Kassidy’s best friend Danielle, who’s home from Europe, clueless to recent events, and flirting with Dag like crazy.

Awkward!

Family, friends, coworkers and a wedding put three lovers’ best intentions to the test, making them wonder if this unique brand of love has a chance in hell of working out.

Warning: Spoilers ahoy.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This novella starts off the day after the end of book one and the trio are still trying to find their feet and work out how their relationship is going to work – from who they will tell and when, where they will live, to communication and picking up laundry. I felt that it made a good start on some of the practical issues three people in a permanent menage might have, even if there was a tad too much melodrama for me when Chris told his parents (Dag’s reaction was a bit scary for me actually and I thought it was out of line even though Chris’ dad was a douche). Once again, there was plenty of smokin’ sex – I appreciated that there was a just Dag and Chris scene – I felt it needed to be there so show that Chris was becoming more comfortable with his heteroflexible side.

In the Clear by Tamara Morgan

December 22, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Fletcher Owens is full of secrets.

Few people know he spends his nights volunteering for a Search and Rescue team, saving lives while risking his own. Even fewer know he’s in love with his best friend’s sister. And since he’s not willing to give up their friendship for a chance at something more, that’s exactly how things will stay.

Lexie Sinclair has nothing to hide.

The zany daughter, the wacky sister, the quirky fundraiser for a children’s charity — Lexie couldn’t hide her true self even if she wanted to. So when her brother’s best friend is revealed to be a local hero, she’s determined to stand up and prove she’s ready to be more than just friends.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This novella was a lot of fun. It is also a good example of self publishing done well. The cover looks professional, the formatting and editing was good – tick, tick, tick.

Lexie Sinclair is a vivacious, enthusiastic young woman who is also a bit of a klutz. Her twin brother Sean makes fun of her pretty much all the time and even though she’s accomplished in her job (as a fund-raiser for a children’s charity), he’s not alone in doing so. Lexie is treated by most everyone as someone whose heart is in the right place but who screws up all the time. While it’s sort of true, it’s also unfair. She has landed in a role which is perfect for her. She can charm and manipulate money out of rich people like nobody’s business and her friendliness is genuine, which makes the wallet-loosening easier to bear.

Fletcher Owens is Sean’s best friend and has been part of Lexie’s life since they were children. He is a dear friend and she’s a little jealous that Sean seems to get most of his attention. Fletcher sees Lexie in a different way to her brother and her co-workers. He doesn’t see her as a screw-up in need of a keeper. He’s in love with her but he’s too afraid that doing anything about it will mean he won’t even have her as friend, so he says nothing.