Happy Birthday Nanay!

My Mom as a young lady playing at a church in Pampanga.

My Mom as a young lady playing at a church in Pampanga.

Today’s my Nanay’s supposed 61st birthday. There is not a day in my life that I haven’t thought about her since she died over four years ago. I’m pretty sure she’s happy with my father now and I always wonder what they’ll think of me if they were see me now. If they’re watching from somewhere – if there’s some sort of social media in the afterlife or something where they could see me, I sure hope that they are proud of me. I missed them every day and forever.

Nanay with her first grand daughter, Mariel ♥

Nanay with her first grand daughter, Mariel ♥

Happy Birthday Nanay. Kaluguran da kayu pu.

Book Review: Cold Fusion – Harper Fox

Cold FusionKier Mallory is a tree-hugging poet who made a fatal decision on one of their anti-whaling missions that took the lives of his two crewmembers. Disgraced and with everybody turning him away, he found himself heading to Spindrift. The place that is once a lair for artists and such is now deserted and dilapidated save for its lone inhabitant.

Vivian Calder is the son of a local laird. With Asperger’s syndrome, it leaves the young scientist emotionally and socially awkward. His lonesome existence however led him to perfecting cold fusion – a clean, free, and limitless source of power.

With this groundbreaking discovery and their unlikely friendship blossoming into something unexpected, uncertain instances clouded above them that may threaten it and their lives.

At first, Mallory’s character was highly unlikable. I thought he was a real douchebag snapping on Viv all the time. It’s obvious that he’s got some anger management issue or perhaps it’s everything that has happened to him prior to meeting Viv but it doesn’t excuse his behavior towards Viv whose detachment over emotional things made him a clear target for such attitude – I didn’t like it at all. Then when things started to unravel between them, post-Allan’s betrayal – everything seemed perfect and they just easily complimented each other. I liked that despite the insta-love (10 days of knowing each other and love is in the air) in the story, the romance does not feel forced at all.

Viv is a real riot at times. His awkwardness is way too adorable and I loved his forgiving nature. I also loved how he felt comfortable with Mal disregarding all his inhibitions. Love is the ‘cure’ after all. *wink*

“Do you get erections?”

“Yes, at awkward times. Over some things you’d find strange.”

“Let me tell you something I never thought I’d share with anyone. When the discovery of the Higgs boson was confirmed in the LHC at CERN, I went upstairs, lock myself in my room, and I came so hard I thought my eardrums would burst. Does that answer you question?”

The science aspect of the story didn’t bother me at all. There was ample amount of explanation that didn’t go beyond info-dump-zone and I loved that the author eventually veered off from it at the latter part of the story.

I thought Alan deserves more than a bruiser. I don’t care if he’s the one who got in contact with Viv’s sister – he’s still a criminal. And a douchebag. Period.

The semi-twist that was conveniently laid out at the second half of the story was a bit surprising to me. I mean, the guy has Asperger’s syndrome (nothing wrong with this but he’s been alone all his life) and then he’s got to suffer that. Poor guy, really.

As usual, the story ended with a very solid conclusion. Harper Fox is one of those authors that does not know how not to write beautifully. Cold Fusion is another wonderful piece of literature! Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 297 pages
Published January 5th 2016 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

About The Author
Harper Fox is an M/M author with a mission. She’s produced six critically acclaimed novels in a year and is trying to dispel rumours that she has a clone/twin sister locked away in a study in her basement. In fact she simply continues working on what she loves best– creating worlds and stories for the huge cast of lovely gay men queuing up inside her head. She lives in rural Northumberland in northern England and does most of her writing at a pensioned-off kitchen table in her back garden, often with blanket and hot water bottle.

She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn’t letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she’s yet to discover them.

Book Review: Getting Him Back – K.A. Mitchell [ARC]

GEtting HIm BackRELEASE DATE: Feb 15, 2016
Format: Novel
Genre: New Adult / Romance / Contermporary
Length: 133 pages, ebook
Publisher: Carina  Press
Ebook ASIN: B018QI6TPM
Characters: Ethan Monro, Wyatt Reese

Charming, quirky, and unpretentious – I didn’t think that I would be describing this book as such when I first read its blurb. I feel like I’ve already read a thousand books like it but you know what – once I started reading it, I just couldn’t seem to stop because it was that good.

The book begins with tall and gangly Ethan Monroe following his high school sweetheart Blake to college only to get dumped on his first day there.

Enter the mysterious Wyatt Reese. Blake’s roommate and possibly his straight roommate. Ethan’s intention upon approaching Wyatt was to get information on how to win Blake back.  As he got to know the guy and their friendship deepens, Ethan thought it’s time to move forward from his ex and ventured into a new goal of making Wyatt believe that what they have is worth taking a chance.

I loved that even if the book is told entirely from Ethan’s POV, the author was still able to explore each (other) character and their personalities. I loved the attention the author gave to Waardenburg syndrome. I find it refreshing when the main character/s isn’t all supermodel in appearance where it almost always seemed like the prevailing pattern into describing physical perfection for book characters. Ethan here is not physically godlike here. Wyatt isn’t Christian Grey material either but both guys are realistically regular guys you can easily relate to. So that’s me basically saying that I both loved Ethan and Wyatt and thought they’re perfectly matched because of their opposite personality. Opposites attract yeah?

I also liked Ethan’s friends. Connor and Makayla are fabulous secondary characters! Both should be back for more because what is college life without your regular booze-buddy and your humans vs zombies playmates?

Overall, it was a perfect read for me. I won’t change anything in it because I’m perfectly content with the characters, their personality and the storyline and to where it is going in the future. This one I highly recommend.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Expected publication: February 15th 2016 by Carina Press

About The Author
At a very early age, K.A. Mitchell decided that Ken and G.I. Joe made a much cuter couple than Ken and Barbie and was perplexed when invitations to play Barbie fell off sharply. Today she still loves hanging out with imaginary friends and making up stories. Even better, people pay her to read about them. Now the author of over twenty gay romances, she guarantees happy endings for even the surliest of heroes, despite all their baggage.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

He’s Troye Sivan.

Troye Sivan Blue Neighbourhood Promo PictureI thought it’d be a great intro for those who have not heard of Troye Sivan to have you listen to these fantastic singles off his Blue Neighbourhood debut album.

I myself just found out about him late last year. My good pal Riina from Germany sent me an e-mail with a picture of her and Troye Sivan who just had a concert there and I was like – okay, cute kid but who’s this kid exactly? I googled him (on my laptop – not on my phone – yep, ‘am old hah!) and saw his YouTube videos (and apparently, I’m the only one who’s not watching his channel *wink*) – was instantly charmed and the rest as they say is history.

BLUE NEIGHBOURHOOD ALBUM COVER

Seriously though, the first time I listened to Wild – I’m hooked then I got to watch his Blue Neighbourhood trilogy for WILD, FOOLS and TALK ME DOWN. And I’m like, okay I’m super convinced and I know I’ve got to have his full album!!!


[FOOLS] My favorite in the album! The feels!

Since I still have a lot of time in my hands, little ol’ me tried checking out his YouTube channels (the Troye Sivan one and the TroyeSivanVevo) and learned more about him and I know that I’ll be watching this kid from here on. This is a mega-superstar waiting to happen.

So it started that way and here I am, trying to (or bribing a friend to) get me a copy of Rolling Stone Australia’s February 2016 edition because THIS.

Troye Sivan Rolling Stone Australia


His Rolling Stone interview back in September 2015.

Need I say more?

BUY LINKS: BLUE NEIGHBOURHOOD

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Book Review: A Royal Craving – Elaine White [ARC]

a-royal-cravingRELEASE DATE: Feb 08, 2016
Format: Novel
Genre: Romance / Historical / Dystopian
Length: 323 pages, ebook
Publisher: Encompass Ink
Cover Artist:Rue Volley
Characters: Spencer, Prosper, Perry, Davian

I’ve been reading a lot of MPREG* books these past few months and I’ve to say this has one of the most unique premises so far and I just loved it! The story was told from multiple POVs where each character has unique voices throughout the book (so it doesn’t get confusing.) There are two main sub-plot involving royal twin vamps and two “human” companions but the story of Prosper (vampire king) and his human companion, Spencer is the focus of the story.

Spencer is deaf and has adoptive parents. When he was fourteen, he went to the prophetess to have his fate read. He was given two choices – a path to death and that of love.  His dark and bleak world turned for the better when the vampire king Prosper took him as its companion. Prosper became horribly disfigured after his father’s failed experiments and lives in the shadow until he stumbled upon Spencer who became a beacon for change not only about himself but everything around them.

This one isn’t exactly a short novel – it is rather long but it reads fairly quick because everything in it happens so fast. It may sound a bit odd to say that it’s not historical but it does sound like one based on their speech but there’s a reason behind it and I think it’s a promising plot to explore if ever the author ventured more into this world. It was a bit dystopian-ish but not quite.

I loved all of the characters in it even the evil sister of the vampire twins. Sienna’s a great character but well underdeveloped if I may say. The only reason I’m docking a star off this book is because I was waiting for the big reveal, a twist or some major conflict that will stir shit up which I thought will be caused by Sienna. Alas, it didn’t happen. I mean, I liked that Elaine didn’t see the need to venture into that but I wished it wasn’t just all smooth flowing for our characters.

To finish this off, I’d just like to say (again) that the setting of this story is truly wonderful and I’d love to see more of these characters in the future. Again, wonderful writing from Elaine who gave us The Cellist (one of my favorite reads from last year) and this one will surely tickle the readers who loved their sexy-broody-bloodsuckers! Recommended!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Mpreg is the term for a genre of art and literature where a man is pregnant

About The Author
Elaine White was born and raised in the small town of Haddington, Scotland. She began writing from an early age when she thought that she would have written passages from the books she was reading differently.

At the age of 14, she tweaked existing stories to experiment with various writing styles. Eventually, this led to her taking a Creative Writing course and writing her own stories from scratch. Now, she finds inspiration everywhere, which has lead to numerous novels and series ranging from college romance and crime to the supernatural world of witches and vampires.

Elaine currently lives at home in Scotland with her parents and boisterous poodle. She is a full time student and full time writer.

You can find Elaine on the following sites:
Wattpad – http://smarturl.it/ElleLainey
Pinterest –http://smarturl.it/ElainesPinterest
YouTube –http://smarturl.it/ElainesYouTube
Tumblr – http://smarturl.it/ElainesTumblr
Linkedin –http://smarturl.it/ElainesLinkedIn
Google – http://smarturl.it/ElainesGoogle

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

Book Review: Third Solstice (Tyack & Frayne, #6) – Harper Fox

third-solsticePublished December 17th 2015
Format: Novel
Genre: Paranormal / Romance / Contemporary
Length: 80 pages, ebook
Publisher: Foxtales Publications
Cover Artist: Harper Fox
Ebook ASIN: B019IYQKPM
Characters: Gideon Frayne, Lee Tyack

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Harper Fox released another book on her Tyack & Frayne Mystery series – and I knew I just had to get my paws on it pronto! I’ve re-read the series constantly ever since I got hold of the first book earlier last year and getting a glimpse of ‘em once again just makes me oh-so-happy!

This installment isn’t stand-alone since it includes characters from previous books which made me really happy (much so) since I really loved the “Kitto” one and he’s got a bit of a mention here.

As for the story here, it was all domestic for both Gideon and Lee and their daughter until said daughter started to show her psychokinetic abilities. It was also the winter solstice – also a time for new beginnings and everyone’s becoming what they should be.

I loved how Harper Fox focuses on their family this time and not all the odd things happening around them. I mean, it’s a given they’re an odd family what with all the paranormal stuff but this one feels more emotional in some way. Gideon and Lee’s relationship is stronger than ever, their careers are stable and just the whole domestic side is all so-endearing to read. Their love for their daughter is almost palpable and how they protect each other.

Reading the whole thing was like watching an episode of my favorite TV show. There were some issues at the beginning which got resolved easily at the end and that’s that. Purely enjoyable and you’d definitely want to ask for a repeat or perhaps the new “episode.” Highly recommended for the fans of the series!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Harper Fox is an M/M author with a mission. She’s produced six critically acclaimed novels in a year and is trying to dispel rumours that she has a clone/twin sister locked away in a study in her basement. In fact she simply continues working on what she loves best– creating worlds and stories for the huge cast of lovely gay men queuing up inside her head. She lives in rural Northumberland in northern England and does most of her writing at a pensioned-off kitchen table in her back garden, often with blanket and hot water bottle.

She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn’t letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she’s yet to discover them.

My Top Picks For January 2016 MM Releases (Ebook Category)

Cold FusionCold Fusion
by Harper Fox
Release Date:  January 5th 2016
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
PRE-ORDER LINK

Their love is the catalyst that could save the planet…or cost their lives.

As an environmental activist for Peace Warrior, Kier Mallory never hesitated to throw himself into dangerous situations. Until his hotheadedness costs the lives of two fellow crewmembers on an anti-whaling mission.

He finds no refuge in his hometown on Scotland’s north coast, where everyone knows what this son of a broken fisherman has done. Effectively homeless, Mal returns to one of his favorite places—Spindrift, a rustic colony of artist and crafter huts.

Spindrift is dilapidated and empty, save for a lone resident. Vivian Calder, a brilliant but emotionally detached scientist who appears to have done the impossible—mastered cold fusion. A clean, free, limitless source of power.

Despite Viv’s aversion to contact, a fragile bond forms between them, seemingly one atom at a time. Until Mal, determined to redeem himself by revealing Viv’s accomplishment to the world, brings down the wrath of an oil-dependent establishment, risking not only their love, but Viv’s life.

Warning: Contains a disgraced environmentalist and an autistic genius who go from strangers to lovers-for-life in thirteen days. Don’t believe in miracles? We’ll make you.

Dangerous TerritoryDangerous Territory
by Cari Z.
Release Date: January 13, 2016
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
PRE-ORDER LINK

With his father barely in the ground and his sister married to a scheming bastard, Carter is on the verge of losing the family ranch. His only chance at holding onto his inheritance is to get his cattle to market before his brother-in-law. That means braving Mason Canyon, which on top of being snake-infested and easily flooded, is also shifter territory. Most clans would just as soon shoot humans as look at them.

His only hope of making it is to trust the shifter who’s agreed to help him, and pray that Rani won’t double-cross him. If Carter doesn’t go he loses everything, and if he doesn’t make it there his family is as good as dead.

My Review HERE.

Ollie AlwaysOllie Always
by John Wiltshire
Expected Release Date: January 15, 2016
PRE-ORDER LINK (will update once available)

Named after the main character in his mother’s infamous Oliver novels, Ollie’s been fighting his fictional namesake his whole life. It’s a battle for identity he is slowly and inevitably losing. Ex-army PTI Tom knows all about battles—the real ones that break soldiers. When he volunteers to help with the Oliver situation, Ollie hears more in the offer than Tom apparently intends, for Tom quickly informs Ollie that he’s married. Which is absolutely fine, because Ollie isn’t gay—that’s Oliver. Tom and Ollie discover fairly swiftly that there is often a very fine dividing line between fact and fiction.

Rock N SoulRock N Soul
by Lauren Sattersby
Release Date: January 16th 2016
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
PRE-ORDER LINK

I’m Tyler Lindsey, and until recently, I had an okay apartment, an okay girlfriend, and an okay job as a bellboy at a respectable Boston hotel. Then rock star Chris Raiden died right before I brought his room service—stiffing me on the tip, by the way—and my life went to hell. My fifteen minutes of fame was more like five seconds, and my girlfriend left me in disgust.

But even worse—Chris is haunting me. Not the room where he died, like a normal ghost. No, somehow he’s stuck to me and is insisting on taking care of a bunch of unfinished business in California. So now I have to traipse across the country with the world’s most narcissistic ghost.

But . . . I keep having these weird thoughts. Thoughts about how much I like the way he makes me laugh. Thoughts where I kind of want to kiss the emo-narcissist, even though he’s a ghost and an asshole and I can’t touch him anyway. And even if I could, what will happen when he finishes his business and nothing’s keeping him here anymore?

My Review HERE.

LollipopLollipop (Candy Man #3)
by Amy Lane
Release Date: January 25th 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
PRE-ORDER LINK

Ezra Kellerman flew across country to see if he had another chance with the man he let slip through his fingers. He didn’t. Rico has moved on, but he doesn’t just leave his ex high and dry. Instead, Rico entrusts his family and friends with Ezra’s care. Ezra, confused, hurt, and lost, clings to Rico’s cousin and his boyfriend as the lifelines they are—but their friend Miguel is another story.

Miguel Rodriguez had great plans and ambition—but a hearty dose of real life crushed those flat. When Miguel finds himself partially in charge of the befuddled, dreamy, healing Ezra, he’s pretty resentful at first. But Ezra’s placid nature and sincere wonder at the simple life Miguel has taken for granted begin to soften Miguel’s hardened shell. Miguel starts to notice that Ezra isn’t just amazingly sweet—he’s achingly beautiful as well. Suddenly Miguel is fending off every single man on the planet to give Ezra room to get over Rico—while fighting a burning suspicion that the best thing to help Ezra get over his broken heart is Miguel.

¤¤¤

Enjoy you guys and please buy copies from legitimate sites! Do not support piracy!

Book Review: Rock N Soul – Lauren Sattersby [ARC]

rock-n-soulRELEASE DATE: January 16, 2016
Format: Novel
Genre: Paranormal / Romance / Contemporary
Length: 434 pages, ebook
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Ebook ISBN: 9781626493117
Characters: Chris Raiden, Tyler Lindsey

The first five reviews I’ve read of this book heaping praises for the author and the story is not just some sort of ploy to ask the audience to buy the book. I mean, yes it would definitely encourage them good ol’ folks to check out the book but let me give it to you straight – THIS BOOK IS JUST ALL KINDS OF AWESOME!!!! I can’t even…

The story starts with Tyler Lindsey, a regular guy who works as a bellboy and has a wicked-awful girlfriend. His life took a turn when he discovered famous rock star Chris Raiden dead after he od’d on heroin. After a couple of months, Chris’s ghost materialized that seems to be stuck with Tyler.

Rock N Soul is a wonderfully easy read. Everything about Tyler and Chris – their situation, their banter and the uber-awesome chemistry between them just totally struck a chord with me. They are so likable from the get-go so it’s easy to just eat up their story. Tyler is so freaking regular that you’d relate to him right away regardless of the ghost haunting. And that’s what I loved so much about him. He’s an easy character – practical, blunt and just an all-around guy.

Chris on the other hand is charming to the bones! There’s something childlike about his character. Perhaps, it’s because he’s a spoiled superstar but beyond all the glamour, glitter, the drugs and all – he’s just someone who needs someone to love him. And with those characteristics, you can’t help but root him!

As for the story, it’s actually pretty simple but the dialogues made it so fascinating it’s like re-watching your favorite film where you know everything about it, scenes that were about to unfold but at the end of it, you are still very much satisfied. Rock N Soul is that kind of film…err book.

The conclusion I won’t tell of course but right after the last page, I’m all ready for a sequel. It’s that kind of awesome!

‘Tis a 5-star rocking book to start your year!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Lauren Sattersby works as a budget manager by day, but while she’s at her desk mindlessly crunching numbers, it’s a good bet that she’s also writing M/M romance in her head and counting the minutes until she can get home and write it all down. She is a grammar enthusiast, which is why she has a Master’s degree in technical writing, but that tends to scare friends away so she keeps that to herself.

Lauren lives in Wisconsin with her partner and their three terrible cats. She’s a recent transplant from a thousand miles further south, so she still gets crazy excited about snow. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found playing video games or scouring the countryside looking for interesting birds.

Connect with Lauren:

Website: laurensattersby.com
Facebook: facebook.com/laurensattersby
Twitter: @LaurenSattersby
Tumblr: laurensattersby.tumblr.com
Email: laurensattersby@gmail.com

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

Book Review: Match Maker – Alan Chin

match-makerPublished September 6th 2010
Format: Novel
Genre: Romance / Sports / Contemporary
Length: 337 pages, ebook
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Ebook ISBN: 9781615815883
Characters: Daniel Bottega, Connor Lin, Jared Stoderling
Summary: In the four years since being forced off the professional tour for being gay, Daniel Bottega has taught tennis at a second-rate country club. He found a sanctuary to hide from an unkind world, while his lover, Jared Stoderling, fought a losing battle with alcohol addiction to cope with his disappointment of not playing on the pro circuit.

Now Daniel has another chance at the tour by coaching tennis prodigy Connor Lin to a Grand Slam championship win. He shares his chance with Jared by convincing him to return to the pro circuit as Connor’s doubles partner.

Competing on the world tour is challenging enough, but Daniel and Jared also face major media attention, political fallout from the pro association, and a shocking amount of hate that threatens Connor’s career in tennis, Jared’s love for Daniel, and Daniel’s very life.

I got Alan Chin’s Match Maker after reading a couple of sports-themed stories and I think I got more than what I’ve paid for it. Upon reading it June of this year, I immediately exclaimed over Goodreads that

Alan Chin’s Match Maker just became one of my favorite books ever! And I don’t even understand Tennis! What a profound, special, highly technical and just all kinds of brilliant!!!”

My exact words and they’re still true until now! Everything about it just clicked on my five-stars-o-meter.

This being under the mm / gay romance category, I’ve already made some preconceived ideas about it and really thought that Daniel and Connor would end up together so I was pleasantly surprised to discover from the first few chapters that Connor is actually straight with a guy best friend who’s actually in love with him.

Now, Daniel’s relationship with his best friend turned lover Jared was just the sweetest I’ve ever read. Even after everything they’ve been through, the hardship from the sports where they opted to come out as a couple and vying for acceptance from people around them – they remained together and I think that’s what I absolutely adore in this story regardless of the heavier issues discussed in it.

The side characters are just as vibrant as Daniel’s plight. The story of Connor’s grandpa and his resilience was very admirable and of course, the barrage of story arcs circling in and out of Tennis. (Shar, Spencer, Connor’s family…etc)

The story in general was heartfelt with genius dialogues, realistic scenarios and very human characters. What a well-rounded book this one is and I couldn’t ask for a better book to read as my first from Alan Chin.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published September 6th 2010 by Dreamspinner Press (first published September 5th 2010

About The Author
Alan Chin was born in Ogden, Utah, where he was christened, Alan Lewis Hurlburt. He was raised in San Jose, California where he enjoyed an undistinguished childhood. After graduating high school, Alan served four years in the U.S. Navy where he learned and practiced the trade of aircraft mechanic while stationed at the naval air station in Kingsville, Texas.
Alan attended four years of night school at San Francisco State University, studying the field of Data Processing. Afterwards he enjoyed a twenty year career working his way from computer programmer, to software engineer, to network designer, and finally to manager of several software engineer development groups.

In 1991, while still working full time, Alan went back to night school and years later graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BS in Economics and a Masters in Creative Writing.

In 1999, Alan retired from his career in Information Technology to devote more time to his three hobbies: writing, traveling, and tennis. During that same timeframe, Alan legally changed his name to Alan Chin, so that he could share the same family name as his life partner, Herman Chin.

Alan turned serious about his writing in 2003, and began working on his first novel, Island Song. He has now published two novel with Zumaya Publications – Island Song and The Lonely War. He is currently searching for a publisher fr his 3rd novel, while writing a 4th novel and two screenplays.

Alan currently lives and writes half of each year at his home in San Rafael, California, and he spends the other half of each year traveling the globe.

You can learn more about Alan Chin and his writing at: http://AlanChinWriter.blogspot.com or about his travels at his travel blog: http://HermanAndAlan.blogspot.com
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Book Review: The Dead (Thaumaturge #1) – Cal Matthews

The DeadMy good friend Riina recommended this one and I’ve to say that for the most part I truly did enjoy it! Actually, there is only one thing that totally ticked me off about this book that I will discuss through this review.

First you have to meet the main character/s – Ebron, the one who raises the dead and Leo – his vampire-friend-sometimes-lover. They are the main couple here but all the things that transpired in this story centers on Ebron. The main premise involving witches visiting his town brought about some odd and mysterious happenings.

I loved Ebron’s characterization. He’s just a super-chill guy despite his odd occupation as an herbalist and an occasional necromancer. There’s this vibe about him that is absolutely adorable and likable and you’d just feel bad about him at times. Then there’s Leo – I don’t know what his deal with but I love him just the same. They’re great with each other and they are fun together. I just wished that Leo could be more open with Ebron.

Now that thing that’s been bothering me whenever I think about this story – I guess, it’s just a problem for me or depending how you accept things with your books / characters but see,  I highly despise cheating. Seriously, there was no cheating here if you want to be technical about it because according to Leo, Ebron could sleep with anyone. What happened with Ebron and Marcus just totally upsetting for me. I don’t know, I thought that even if Leo keep on saying that Ebron could sleep around, it was in the way Leo acted around Ebron that they’re actually a couple (an exclusive whenever Leo’s in town) without them both realizing it. I feel that, that moment tainted my impression on the story. Again, that’s just me. Technically, there was no cheating/ infidelity – since they have some sort of an “open relationship” but it’s still irksome if I’m being honest. I’m seriously hoping that I won’t be seeing Marcus in the next book. Please, Cal – do not torture me…^_^

Going back with the main antagonists – the witches. It was a tad bit predictable at the end of that fiasco but it was still enjoyable.  This is Cal Matthew’s first novel and I’m duly impressed by his writing style. The transition with each chapter was great, the characters well-captured and the story as a whole was very consistent from start to finish. Minus the Marcus incident, I’d definitely give this two thumbs up! I’m very much eager for the second book now. Congratulations Cal!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published August 5th 2015

 

About The Author
Cal Matthews is a writer of paranormal fiction. A Montana native, all of Cal’s stories are set in the Big Sky State and are often inspired by the kooky residents in her small mountain town. Ask her about the time she went on a memorial camping trip–with the recently deceased in attendance. Aside from writing, Cal enjoys long trail rides on horseback, hiking with friends and family, and lifting weights. A collector of college degrees, Cal does one day plan on having a successful career, but in the meantime she continues to add to her student loans and writes books between odd jobs. Cal is the author of the ongoing Thaumaturge Series and the recently released “Lupine Road”.