Another update...

This month is almost in the end. Thanks to a temporary job I got, my reading has slowed down a lot. Having only 4 more days until the end of the month, I've only read 8 books, one currently so. I'm not used to reading so few books, but it's the way things are. About the challenge. I've managed to read two books this month! Thankfully, the latest book by JL Langley was released and I was happy for it, and I was already counting on it when I included it in my reading list. I just wasn't sure of when I would read it but really, who was I deceiving, I had to grab it right away! Therefore, I've read letters D and the repeated L this month. Next month it will a busy one again, so I'm picking up only a letter as well, but if I find that I do have the time, I might read another one. So, the letter for April will be A, from Addison Albright. I haven't chosen the book yet, but I'll post it when I read it. Let's see if it's the only one.

Kenn Dahl - Soaring with a Hawke

Aaron, at nineteen the oldest son of a pioneer family, had discovered the joys of masturbation and was practicing his art naked in the woods while the rest of the family had gone into town to attend church. As he strokes his long, hard shaft, he is interrupted by a handsome young Indian brave, Soaring Hawk. Clad only in a deerskin loin cloth, Hawk, as he asked Aaron to call him, is instantly attracted to the handsome and well-endowed white youth. Over many stolen Sundays they explore each others’ bodies in the myriad of ways two horny young males are capable of devising. In the process they fall deeply in love. When they are discovered in the middle of an act of what the puritanical standards of the time would call sodomy, they are forced to flee westward.

Comment: After reading this story - my first one by the author - I can't say I'm eager to read more. I mean, of course it isn't a short-story that represents all the goodness of a writer, but there are so many authors, books, stories, worlds to read, I don't know if I'm following something when it wasn't appealing to me. The story seemd sweet and promising even if small. And though there are some shorts that, despite their size, are still quite good, this wasn't one of them. But I repeat it, it wasn't, to me.

The main character seemed interesting, and like young people in those days, curious and knowing he was commiting a sin by doing what he was doing. Then he meets another boy and a relationship starts between them. The other boy is indian, our "hero" is a white boy and I thought the author would lead them to a predictable end, where the white boy's family finds out about the relationship and throws the boy out or accepts him. Hum, I was not expecting what happened, that the boy would simply leave because his younger brother found him out. It seemd rushed and reckless, this from a boy that liked his family and took his chores seriously. I understand fear does things to us and in that aspect his actions were quite believable but in the overall picture, it wasn't so. Anyway, he leaves with his indian lover, they are accepted in the tribe and live together the rest of their lives.

This is fiction, a short story. It had to be rushed, but still I wasn't convinced. I didn't particularly like the writer's voice. It doesn't mean he is a bad writer, just that I'm not dazzled by it. It was good to read it because I can justify my opinion, but it's not an author to follow. Perhaps in the future.

Larissa Ione - Eternal Rider

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

Comment: I've finished this book last night.
I think this author has managed to construct and make such an interesting world...it's really amazing.
Each book is a new chapter in the lives of loved characters. The reader likes to see them work to reach their hapiness and in the end everything is good or, if not, we can hope to see that in a following story.
Although the series Demonica has ended, this new story about the Horsemen of the Apocalypse is placed in the same world, with the same cast to support the action.
I loved it! I think this has two sides that can be understood: it's a smart idea by the author in order to keep things straight and also a gift to the faithful reader who enjoys seeing loved characters and the ones who weren't protagonists so far, still alive and perhaps to hope for a story with them.

The book stars the new series and right now the world is in danger of reaching the apolcalypse because the 4 horseman are close to break the seals that will turn them evil. One of them is already a villain and another one is close, but Cara shows up and has a role that might prevent that from happening. Ares, the knight that will become War, gets stuck with her and both have to deal with it and the personal evolution so they can be happy in the end.
As usual, the author has managed to connect legends and writing skills and the result is a very good story, great action and characters, interesting twists, believable solutions withinh the world created...
Very good indeed.
I hope the series keeps this faithful and dedicated to what we've come to expect of it.

JL Langley - With Abandon

Aubrey Reynolds is a dedicated man, always putting his family, job and pack before his own wants and desires. As the next Alpha in his father’s pack, he’s expected to mate and carry on the family name; except he has a problem. The visiting werewolf from New Mexico…a male werewolf is his new mate and Aubrey never planned on telling anyone he’s gay.

Leaving his brothers is difficult but Matt Mahihkan knows attending college in Atlanta is the right thing to do. When he arrives and discovers Aubrey’s his mate, he’s distressed to learn their relationship must be kept secret, instead of openly acknowledged. Can Matt remain patient until Aubrey’s ready to publicly claim him? When a rogue werewolf makes trouble, Aubrey’s forced to make a decision. Will be choose Matt and love or his pack and unhappiness?

Comment: I'm not even sure of how long I've been waiting for this book to be released! Me and all the other fans of the series.

The author has one of the best voices in the genre, she creates amazing characters and stories about the gay genre. It doesn't matter if she's writing sci-fi, contemporaries or paranormal. She rocks!

With Abandon is the 4th story in the with/without series and the fans have been desperate to get their hands on the book. Finally, it was released last tuesday.

Matt and Aubrey are characters we know from the previous novels. They're constant features and we got to see them act before and slowly we've been getting more and more tidbits about each one.

Matt is going to another city to study and Aubrey has been kind enough to let him stay in his apartment, but he arrives there and is thinking that Tara - Aubrey's fianceé - is his mate. However, when he finally meets Aubrey in eprson he understands he is the one who's his mate.

Aubrey can't be openly gay because he thinks as the new pack alpha he won't be accepted, but will his duty be stronger than his love for Matt?

I was quite eager to read the story and after the little tidbits the author has been leaking throughout the last year, more than ever I'd want to see how Aubrey would react, because we didn't know he is gay.

The author's style is consistent, the language and character's personalities are very well developped and the reader feels like those characters could be real, shapeshifting too! The only think that I, personally, think that makes this book not so good as the revious one, With Caution, is the less interaction between characters. I know it's a romance but in the other one we had the best romance story I've read and lots of characters interacting. This one only lacked that, because in the end it's great.

When an author knows what is going to work to make the readers enjoying themselves and has talent, it shows.

Deborah Smith - Gentle Rain

A Connecticut heiress journeys to a “cracker” cattle ranch in search of her mentally handicapped birth parents. She never expects to find a home, a family and a new purpose in live, or to fall in love with the ranch’s part-Seminole owner, a cowboy struggling to care for his handicapped ranch hands and his Down syndrome brother.
Kara Whittenbrook is an unlikely heiress. Down-to-earth and lovably quirky, she's never fit in with the stogy Whittenbrook clan of Connecticut. Growing up at her parents' rainforest preserve in Brazil, she has a quaintly off-beat view of life. Now her beloved parents have died in a plane crash, and Kara's learned a stunning truth.
She was adopted.
Her birth parents are Mac and Lily Tolbert. They live and work on a backwoods cattle ranch in northern Florida. Ranch owner Ben Thocco is running out of time and money. He's going to need a miracle in order to save the ranch and care for the likable crew of unusual hands he employs, including Kara's parents and his own fragile brother Joey.
Kara, using a fake identity on the advice of her lawyer, gets a job at Ben's ranch in Fountain Springs, Florida, where her adventures include entering an unpredictable mare in a local horse show.

Comment: I'm in love. I'm totally in love with this book. It's one of the most beautiful, sweet and wonderful books ever!
I don't even know how to start praising its beauty.
The book focuses on the problems that people with mental handicapps face because they're different. The "normal" ones don't always wonder what it's like for people with Down Syndrome or with autism or any other mental affliction how they see the world or how hard it is to see the so proclaimed normal ones react to them. Whether by laughing or ignoring or mistreating them, those people not always treat others with respect.
In this book the author presented us all kinds of people and it was beautiful. Think of your favourite song and it's what this book feels like. I'm still...so happy, to tremendously at ease because I read this book.
The title is totally right on, you'll see if you read it.
The characters are amazing. It's a miracle to think there are people like the protagonists in the world. Both Kara and Ben are the most amazing characters, they love with their hert full and they aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe. Karen does things just to ease the others minds, jut to bring them a little bit of happiness and to make them smile...it's beautiful. Ben takes care and welcomes anyone with a mental handicap, he makes them worthy and valuable and offers them a loving home . Seriously, it's great.
They both feel some guilt for past actions and they aren't perfect, they act stupid sometimes, but who doesn't? Nobody is perfect all the time, and in this book, the perfection of their actions is highlighted mainly because they aren't perfect. But they're close, oh they surely are! And they fall in love, slowly, like stepping over a lake, each step at a time...it feels real, more so because it isn't rushed.
I won't spoil anything, I won't tell what happens and why it hapens. You have to read the book. This is amazing, it's beautiful. Try to read it, borrow it, bring it from the library, buy it! Just get it because you'll smile over happiness and sadness but in the end your heart will be full.
Like I said, I'm in love with this book.

José Rodrigues dos Santos - the Seventh Seal

World famous cryptanalyst Tomás Noronha is approached by Interpol agent Alexander Orlov, who hires him for a strange investigation. Two scientists were killed a few years ago, both on the same day in the summer of 2002: an American in Antarctica and a Spaniard in Barcelona. Both were well acquainted with Filipe Madureira, an old high school friend of Tomás. Filipe has since disappeared and Interpol wants Tomás to track him down. Orlov also wants the cryptanalyst’s help to decipher a message left by the assassins near the victims’ bodies - an ancient biblical mystery: “666”
The Number of the Beast.
To solve the killer’s biblical riddle and to find his long lost friend, Tomás tries to trace Filipe’s last known steps. The investigation puts him in the track of humankind’s biggest challenges in the next few years: global warming and the end of oil.
Based on true scientific data about climate change and genuine Aramco documents dealing with the major problems facing world and Saudi oil production, The Seventh Seal takes us on a daunting journey to the impending disaster facing humankind and our planet.

Comment: This portuguese author is actually more known for his career as a journalist. He's the pivot of the national station newscast and to be honest that's the first image of him that reaches my head when I think of his name and not the fact he writes books.
I wasn't very eager to read his books, I usually don't like much when a reporter turns to writer, there's always something off in there. Anyway, in this case I'll go further and confess I only picked it up because it's from the public library...

Well, the story is quite actual, it's mostly about the close end of the oil as a fuel to the world and how the planet is reacting to the diferences on the climate and the pollution. I think the premise is very serious and everyone should worry about the future and the author certainly included a lot of fear because of it. I, as a reader, am now even more frightned about my planet and future. This is a work of fiction but as the author states in the first page, the historical information is all true.
The characters...well, that's what one can discuss...I don't think he created the most intriguing characters ever, they feel like a copy of something already seen, but in the end it suited the genre.
I was waiting for something better, considering he's area of work is communications, but at the same time, writing fiction isn't the same thing as fiction, no matter how good one is with words.
In the end I feel conflicted, I liked reading the book, but I'm not passionate about it. It's good to read between genres, the ones one really likes, but sometimes we need to change in order not to overdue something and ruin it.

Patricia Briggs - River Marked

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a coyote shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. And she's never known any others of her kind. Until now.

As Mercy takes in this new information, an evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River. Something deadly is coming, facts are thin on the ground and Mercy feels ill at ease. However, her father's people may know more. To have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need all the resources the shifters can offer. Or death will be the least of their worries.

Comment: This series is oneof my favourites ever. The author includes what I think it's one of the strongest points in fiction for me, whether in romance or crime books or whatever: familiar connections.
I explain. I just love a book where the characters don't interact own their own, I love seeing their families, their friends, their relationships, their packs if that's the case.
In RL we all have family or other people to make us act, so why not in fiction? But in romance, usually the main couple has the focus and the rest of the cast is exploited in later installments, if it's a series.
Patricia Briggs is a great writer because she writes things, she makes her characters think and she proves there's many people in the world besides the main couple. This is one of the reasons why I love her books.
In this last book in the series, River Marked, we don't see this as much. Mercy and Adam are in their honeymoon and obviously there isn't much interaction with the rest of the pack. I accept that, as it's part of the book's plot. I just hope the next one is back at their house lol
This book introduced many mystical elements, a lot of history and legends. It was interesting and I think the story was very well done. I wished I'd see more of their relationship but, honestely, they're happy! I repeat it, they are happy! How wonderful to see them work at that, at making it be the best they can. They seem perfect for each other.
I also cried when it seemed something bad would happen, and I was glad to see them solve the problem that happens throughout the book.
I've seen somewhere the finale of this series is close. I wish it wasn't, but if it is, then I hope it's the perfect ending, because there's nothing worse than seeing something you love getting wasted or stretched to its degradating limits.

Jude Deveraux - Lavender Morning

Jocelyn Minton is a woman torn between two worlds. Her mother grew up attending private schools and afternoon teas, but she married the local handyman. After her mother died when Joce was only five years old, her father remarried into his own class, and Joce became an outsider — until she met Edilean Harcourt. Although she was sixty years Joce’s senior, Miss Edi was a kindred soul who understood her like no one else ever had.

When Miss Edi passes away, she leaves Joce all her worldly possessions, including an eighteenth-century house and a letter with clues to a mystery that began in 1941. In the letter, Miss Edi also mentions that she has found the perfect man for Joce — a handsome young lawyer. Joce is shocked to learn that the mystery, the house, and the future love of her life are all in Edilean, a small town in Virginia that Miss Edi never told her about. Hurt that the woman who meant so much to her kept so many secrets, Jocelyn moves to this tight-knit village in an attempt to understand the legacy that has been left to her. As she begins to dig into Miss Edi’s mystery, she soon discovers some shocking surprises about her family’s history and her own future — and she meets a man with his own mysterious past.


Comment: Lavender Morning was the first book I've read by this author.
The thing I liked the most is the fast pace and storytelling. It seems light but isn't, it seems superficial but isn't. Everything isn't explained all the time, like the reader couldn't stand more than 5 pages without more explanations but at the same time it tells us all we need to know.

The main couple is cute, but I admit it, the little snippets about another couple were what kept me going, loved the chemeestry between them and I saw their book isn't out yet, can't wait for it!

About this book's story, it was funny, great dialogue and scenes...the main characters seem too "made out" to be real, but no one knows everyone else in the world, so...I wished we'd seen more of them, more about their thoughts.
Their behaviour was to be expected too.

The end was a surprise, all right, I wasn't expecting the twist. I was also sad because there's really not much we can do to stop fate and little things can map out our lives without us knowing. I mean, the book isn't sad, it just has a sad part, something from thr past that made me think, but overall, it was a good, happy book.

The book was good, I liked reading it and I'll look for the other stories..I'm not sure I'll run to get other things from the author but I'll keep her in mind, for sure.

Sandra Brown - The Switch

It isn't the first time that identical twins Gillian and Melina Lloyd have switched identities. Yet it's the first time as adults that they've even considered the childhood prank. Melina, the more impetuous twin, proposes that her circumspect sister take her place as a media escort to NASA astronaut and national hero Colonel Christopher "Chief" Hart.

Although it's an enticing offer, Gillian declines for a very personal reason-she's preoccupied with whether or not the artificial insemination she underwent that day will be successful. Besides, she warns Melina, such a switch could have unexpected consequences.

Media-savvy Chief turns out to be an easy assignment for Melina-in fact the evening with him is as much pleasure as business. But the following morning police arrive at Melina's door with the worst possible news: her beloved twin has been brutally murdered in her own bed. And on the walls, scrawled in blood, are obscenities directed at Gillian, along with insults toward Native Americans that indisputably link Chief to the crime.

Dissatisfied with the official police investigation, Chief and Melina form a grudging alliance, strike out on their own...and find themselves uncovering more questions than answers. Mistrusting even the authorities claiming to protect them, on the run with their lives in danger, the two are soon following a crooked and bloody trail that inexplicably leads to Gillian's attempt to conceive a child...and to the threshold of an inner sanctum, where a megalomaniac hatches horrific schemes and lies in wait for Gillian's replacement, her identical twin-Melina.

Comment: This author is one of my favourites. I've been a fan for a long time, and even tough I haven't read all her books, I did read most of them.
This one isn't one of my favourites, and I've been keeping it for years in hopes of being dazzled. I wasn't, but I didn't disliked it either.

I think its major problem was the lack of credibility...it's just a long shot something like that to happen, although it has happend...but nowadays, and also back in 2001 (time of action), it would be more difficult to cults liek the one described in the story to exist and developp without notice.

Anyway, the premise was compelling and made the reader want to read more. I was quite happy to see a native-american male protagonist. Mrs Brown had had writen other books back in her romance genre days, with native-american people and as always it's very interesting the clash of cultures and the attempt to bring them closer in the story.

The mystery is well done, all things considered, but the reader is always aware of the fictional side. I suppose one could say there's no "losing" oneself in the story. Maybe it just didn't grab me but once again I say it's not one of my favourites but stiil better than some other things by her, in my opinion. For instance I disliked Hello, Darkness much, much more.

The romance part was ok, once more it could have been better, but I dodn't see too many silly things as in some other books, and the character's behaviour was, at least, justified.

The vilain...ah this is one of Sandra Brown's strongest points. Her vilains aren't pure evil, they're mean and with no morals. They always repulse me, even more if they were to be serial kilelrs only interested in blood. In this book she didn't disappoint..I wonder how twisted she must feel when she's writing these character's POV's...

All in all it was a good book, one I'll remember..but there are other I prefer, like Exclusive and Where There's Smoke.

Anna Windsor - Captive Spirit

Saving humanity from the supernatural has been challenging lately—even for a well-trained earth Sybil like Bela Argos, who must harness the magic of a fractious group of warrior sisters and battle a new wave of paranormal attacks. Another challenge is Duncan Sharp, the hunky NYPD detective who might turn into a demon overnight and devour Bela in her sleep. Still, the darkness taking over Duncan’s body can’t stop the molten heat unleashed by the intense attraction between them.

Duncan has two major problems: First, he has the soul of a suspected serial killer hitching a ride on his vibe. Worse (yes, worse) he’s got a demonic fever raging inside that promises a world of hurt for everybody, especially Bela. Now he’s all about getting even with the demons that put this freak curse in his blood—satanic forces that dare to unleash their savage lust on Duncan’s soul, his city, and the woman he loves.

Comment: This is a new book on the world of Sybils. The author has another trilogy already based on this world, which ended in a bittersweet flavour.
This new book is the first of a second trilogy, and right now there's a new enemy.
The heroines are also characters from the previous books, and now we see them once again together to defeat some demons.

Bela Argos is the "leader" of a new team and she wants them to work out, while still mourning the ones who died.
She's afraid they won't be able to work together but she's making an effort. In comes Duncan Sharp, a police detective, someone who shows up at the wrong moment, but in the end that's what allows him to live long and in a useful way.

I think this book lacks a certain something to make it memorable. I liked it but I wasn't dazzled by it. The same had already happened with the previous trilogy. The writing is logical and makes sense. The characters are serious and with depth. But I think they're too serious, there's almost nothing in the humour department, the reader doesn't see them having fun...I understand the tone of the books isn't a funny one, but once in a while it would be nice to watch them in a more carefree environment.
Besides that, I think this world has everything to be a winner.
I'll read the following books when I can.

Updating...

I've been very busy lately so I'm falling behind on my readings right now...
I'm still reading the book by Anna Windsor, which was the last one I've started last month...I haven't started my reading list of march yet, but hopefully the last remaining pages of Captive Spirit will be finished tonight.

I've decided to read only one m/m book for the challenge this month, as I know I won't have much time to read during march.
This month's letter is D of Kenn Dahll.
The book is already chosen as well, it will be the short-story Soaring With a Hawk and although I don't exactly know when I'll start it, by the end of the month I'm sure it will be done.