I loved this episode on Poirot with David Suchet so I decided it was high time to finally listen to the book on which it was based.
I was initially puI loved this episode on Poirot with David Suchet so I decided it was high time to finally listen to the book on which it was based.
I was initially put off by it NOT being narrated by Hugh Fraser as so many of the Poirot tales are but there's a good reason for this that one soon discovers. The original tale was clearly crafted as a tale told by a woman narrator who was there and was involved in the events described. While the character of nurse Amy Leatheran is in the TV episode, her role was greatly reduced in order to give Hastings a place in the episode. As with the rest of the television series, this tale was lovingly adapted but with far fewer Art Deco references and the subplot about Poirot's larcenous Countess Vera Rossakoff was added.
This was the first series of Valdemar books and they were written in the late 80s. I first picked them up after reading the trilogy about Vanyel the LThis was the first series of Valdemar books and they were written in the late 80s. I first picked them up after reading the trilogy about Vanyel the Last Herald-Mage. It was fun to know the origins of some of the "ins and outs" of Valdemar whilst reading these and they certainly show an evolved Kindom, hundreds of years later than the Vanyel books. Whilst the Vanyel series will always be my favorite, these tell a great tale about Talia, a Holderkin farm girl who makes good in the "big city." Some have criticized this book for being overly violent but I felt that that was in keeping with the times portrayed.
I've re-read them a number of times and always pick up a new detail or two to appreciate which I missed on earlier reads. Listening to them this time around made some points clear that I'd tended to overlook before.
The Narrator here does an excellent job and even voices the male characters with a distinctive flair that seems to add to rather than detract from the voice acting. ...more
The Time Machine meets Eyes on the Prize? Pleasantville meets Noah’s Arc? Black to the Future?
This new novel by Jay Bell is the best kind of M/M romanThe Time Machine meets Eyes on the Prize? Pleasantville meets Noah’s Arc? Black to the Future?
This new novel by Jay Bell is the best kind of M/M romance. It’s a mixture of many topics; from the civil rights struggle to 50s culture, to women’s rights, to the gay rights movement. Plus there’s making out with granny's “bent” boyfriend. And ya gotta admit... 65 years makes for a heck of an age-gap story.
When black and openly gay 18 year old Reggie gets transported from 2021 back to 1950s Chicago, one is immediately struck by the dangers involved. After all, Chicago was the hometown of Emmett Till. Being transported into a land where bigotry was in full flower didn’t exactly work out well for him.
Seeing 21st century Reggie meet and fall for very white, very closeted, Eagle Scout Daniel Parker was sweet to see but knowing that the young man had grown up regularly promising to be “morally straight” had me seeing the potential for catastrophe.
There are several new twists in the time-travel theme that I’ve never thought of before and so many fresh perspectives came up. When Reggie’s talent as a musician comes to the fore, I fully expected to see the book take a familiar turn. When it didn’t I was happy to see that what did follow was much more interesting. As with any really good novel, the author allows the reader to stumble upon some new perspectives without beating them over the head with them. Time travel romances are bittersweet at best. This one certainly had me misting up a time or two. When the “should I stay or should I go” dilemma arises, we get to the real heart of this story.
I loved seeing Daniel’s progressive doctor/father debating Reggie about conversion therapy. Such therapy, and whether or not homosexuality is a psychological disorder would still be cutting edge in some parts of this country. Police raiding a gay dance club is something we hear about. But having the main characters that you’re emotionally invested in, in fear of that very thing, gives the reader a whole new perspective.
I love reading M/M romances and enjoy them. But I do think of them as a guilty pleasure. The truly great books are those with more nutritional value. Here, there’s plenty of food for thought… as well as some sweetness. This is perhaps the best book I’ve read in 2021.
***Note: I am voluntarily reviewing this after receiving a complimentary copy *** If you're an audiobook fan this one's available to listen to (narrated by Kevin R. Free) at https://youtu.be/PdB38RQb9KY?si=d335W...
No one does mystery like the Brits. And this is the brilliant first novel in what I hope will be a long, long series. What’s not to love? We have TrisNo one does mystery like the Brits. And this is the brilliant first novel in what I hope will be a long, long series. What’s not to love? We have Tristan, a nerdishly cute, if somewhat klutzy coroner, and Danny, a dashing DI (that’s Detective Inspector to us non-Brits) who hails from the North of England. Also there’s Dusty, a recently deceased drag queen, now ghost. (Though she prefers the term Corporeally Challenged)
Both Danny and Tristan are movie buffs, and both are kind of lonely; Tristan because the widowed father who raised him is in a home with degenerative vascular dementia, and Danny because he’s pretty much been disowned by his family after coming out back in Leeds.
Danny has a new job with Scotland Yard and is assigned to solve Dusty’s murder. Tristan gets some invaluable tips (on both the murder and on landing Danny) from Dusty. Yet, admitting to Danny that he now “sees dead people” is a little too “The Sixth Sense” for Tristan. The situations are by turn sexy, and uproariously funny. Dusty’s a bit of a blithe spirit, but stuck in one stiletto. She’s sort of gotten off on the wrong foot with this whole being dead thing. ...more
There are so many different takes on shifters these days... wolves, panthers, bunnies, even duck shifters -- but this is my first experience with DinoThere are so many different takes on shifters these days... wolves, panthers, bunnies, even duck shifters -- but this is my first experience with Dino-shifters.
And who better to pair up a dorky paleontology professor with than a smart-mouthed, devil-may-care, punk-rock paleo-shifter? A pink Mohawked, Dino-Dalton, is the perfect shake up for the stodgy, slightly older lab rat Simon. Together they're adorable and unstoppable.
These two gayboys bring a new bent to M/M shifter lore in a cross country road-trip chased gun-toting fossil smuggling bad guys along the way.
Though the action is almost non-stop, the Dino punk-rocker and the paleontologist do find time to bone. And since the paleontologist has previously identified as straight, there are plenty of firsts here. Even the trite blowjob declaration “you taste good” takes on a slightly different kinky vibe, when one's scientific side is wondering “Does he taste like chicken?” There are also some laugh out loud funny moments, such as hearing Velociraptors described as “Death peacocks.”
Of course this is an M/M romance so the boys do end up routing the baddies and getting together but this is clearly only the beginning and I can't wait to see the mayhem that ensues in book 2.
The audiobook is ably narrated by Kirt Graves and he brings a charm and a sassiness to both of the main characters. There were even a few “bleed through” moments where his performance here reminded me of moments in his narration of the Green Creek Shifter series and it sort of added to the fun.
And feel good fun is what this one is all about. By all means check this one out....more
How many coming out/ coming to terms stories have been written in the last decade? I’ve read a bunch and generally love the best ones as they allow meHow many coming out/ coming to terms stories have been written in the last decade? I’ve read a bunch and generally love the best ones as they allow me to empathize with the boy or boys coming out. It’s therapeutic to see this gut-wrenching experience through the eyes of another. This one is doubly therapeutic in that it’s laugh out loud funny in spots. Laughter is, as they say, the best medicine.
Ryan is the only openly gay student at his small rural high school. Luke is the school’s athletic golden boy and has earned Ryan’s animus in a way that we only learn later. The two begin a fake (but closeted?) dating relationship, Ryan is looking to avoid being expelled while Ryan is looking get a little revenge of the clueless popular kid… if only he weren’t so gosh dang sweet, and cute, and Grrr.
This is a surprisingly well written “he said/he said” novel in which both boys get what they want, and discover that they both want more. The insights that both boys gain, moves this out of the merely entertaining and into the enlightening. For a book to do that while also being an enjoyable read, and even laugh out loud funny in spots, makes this one great.
The characters here are pretty much all good people. I enjoyed spending time with them. Several of the supporting characters here really deserve their own books as well… or at least appearances in the sequel to this one. I look forward to seeing how this story (and these lads) develop further.
Since this is aimed at the YA market, don’t expect any graphic sex here, but do expect a few first kisses, first dates and as the author puts it “a ridiculous amount of hand holding.”
This was F.N. Manning’s debut-novel but this re-released version is longer than the original. Given the witty repartee here, I can’t imagine why this hasn’t been scooped up and made into an audio-book. Someone needs to do something about that. And while they’re at it, maybe consider a movie? Some of the scenes here feel like they’d be incredibly telegenic.
*** Note: While I received a free copy of this title, this is a fair and honest review ***
Have you ever had one of those 14 oz containers of Häagen-Dazs turn into a “single serving” size? I started this book just after breakfast and figuredHave you ever had one of those 14 oz containers of Häagen-Dazs turn into a “single serving” size? I started this book just after breakfast and figured it would be great read over the next couple of days. Now as the sun is setting I wonder what about it was so riveting that I couldn’t stop listening? The first two book in this series were also of the “YA” action movie ilk and I enjoyed them but this one had some extra addictive properties.
Partly it was that this one brings Theo to New York City, one of my favorite cities in the world. More so it was due to a plot development partway through the book that not only make this one an “edge of your seats” adventure but also something of a cliff-hanger. Now I need to get the final installment of this epic tale. Partly just out of a compulsion to see what happens next and partly to see if my theories are correct.
Those familiar with the first two book in this series will not be surprised that Theo has an almost too good to be true boyfriend nor that he he never gets to spend the kind of quality time he wants with him because of his “sideline” as a security operative for spy organization. When Theo’s parents pull him out of Boston on a “family trip” to NYC to help a college buddy of his dad’s, Theo’s upset at what that means for his end of summer plans with Eddie. But imagine his surprise when Eddie shows up in NYC to surprise him. Will Theo be able to do the kind of high tech hacking he needs to do and still have time for Eddie without putting Eddie in danger?
As you’d expect with teen-aged main characters, there is no graphic sex depicted here. Theo’s kept so busy that he gets even less time with Eddie than in previous books.
Kirt Graves does the audiobook narration and his youthful voice is perfect for the first person narration as seen by Theo. His other character’s dialogue voices are spot on as well. Now I need to arrange to get hold of Book 4, the finale to the series.
***Note: While I received a free copy of this title, this is an honest and impartial review ***
Welsh werewolves? A decades ago conflict between “shifters” and Humans has settled into an uneasy truce. Due to their genetics, shifters are humans-plWelsh werewolves? A decades ago conflict between “shifters” and Humans has settled into an uneasy truce. Due to their genetics, shifters are humans-plus, but given their attitudes, tend to be secretive, insular, migratory and unwelcome in most “human” towns and villages. In this tale werewolf shifters are the modern day equivalent of gypsies.
Quinn, one of our main characters lives with his human aunt in a small Welsh village where he helps her run a news agent shop/convenience store. Quinn’s mom and dad both died long ago. He knows little about them, but he and his aunt Ruth get along quite happily – despite Quinn’s being the only out gay lad in the village. Quinn was outed as gay a few years back when caught “experimenting” with a school-mate.
But then a group of shifters arrive in the area. Quinn has always been a bit fascinated by the idea of shifters. He’s powerfully drawn to Kellan, a young shifter male, that he first spots skinny-dipping in the local quarry.
When Quinn forgets to take his “epilepsy meds” one day, and notices his senses seem to have improved. The story, and his fascination with Kellan, take a wild turn.
I Grew up with a mom who was bi-polar, so this story spoke to me on a different level as well. When I was young Mom had some episodes where she went off her meds, snared by the euphoria that the onset of a manic phase engenders. But things can quickly get out of control. Most of the time she felt that emotional stability was worth missing some of the elation that that impending mania engenders. Seeing the disruption that “slips” like this caused first hand, I could really sympathize with Quinn’s Aunt Ruth and her decision. And yet, seeing how Quinn was deprived of making that decision for himself, for as long as he was, did indeed feel unfair.
Ultimately this is just a book that tells a good story. Enough drama to keep it interesting, with a literal “big bad wolf” posing a real threat, and some small-town, small-minded, “shifter-phobic” bigotry that made matters worse. But we’re dealing with basically good-hearted, if somewhat naive people. This has a happy ending that suggests that if we can come together and work toward the community good, things can get better.
As with so many other Jay Northcote books, Hamish Long does the narration. He gives us great pacing and ably acted male and female voices. The distinctive Welsh accents were well done. There was just enough of that English verbal class distinction present as well. This was super voice acting as both the many men's and the women's voices were well done as to timbre and dialect while being age-correct and easily distinctive.
Given that bigotry (and racism?) is such a factor in this story, the one accent that seemed just a bit off was the one “American southern” accent. That accent was attributed to Sam, a building contractor. It’s pretty clear from the text that he’s African-American. While his accent clearly sounded “American,” it had more of a "creosote-laden cowboy twang” of the west, rather than a "molasses-coated southern” feel as suggested in the text.
And while race isn’t always evident in an accent, it generally is a component. So much so that this mid-western born-and-raised “yank” has been surprised a few times to learn that a particular voice actor is black after hearing no clue in their vocals.
That said the other accents and voices are handled masterfully here. First the females since they seem to be in the majority in this tale... Quinn's Aunt, his best friend's Tash, her mom Wendy, Kellan's mom the shifter pack leader, even the two old village gossips all have clearly unique "voices" and it's a bit hard to believe that one voice actor is doing all these voices so seamlessly.
The same is true for the men's voices. Quinn and Kellan have their distinct voices of course, but so do the village policeman, Kellan's work-mates, several key villagers all are distinct, and recognizable when their bits of dialogue come up. Their voices are even appropriate as to class, age & fit their written personas.
This low angst tale of first love is definitely a title that will make it into my frequent re-listen queue.
Rainn is a straight loner who left his family behind in Rhode Island in order to play hockey at the collegiate level in Vermont. When his professionalRainn is a straight loner who left his family behind in Rhode Island in order to play hockey at the collegiate level in Vermont. When his professional hockey dreams are shattered by a career ending injury, he drops out of college. He refuses to form any new dreams lest they too be shattered.
He's now a grumpy curmudgeon, treading water whilst working in Burlington as a book store clerk / bartender. The "gay inclusive" Vino & Veritas bookstore and wine-bar is perfect in that the staff are friendly and accepting, and he's reasonably certain to not encounter any of his collegiate hockey team-mates reminding him of the sport that he's resolved to hate.
Witt is an irrepressible local farm-boy. He grew up just outside Burlington and was able to attend "Moo U" on a hockey scholarship. Now a newly out and proud college hockey player, he is determined to not be a virgin by his 22nd birthday. So he decides to cruise the "gay inclusive" Vino & Veritas bookstore and wine-bar.
This is a tale of what happens when an irrepressible optimist meets a stubborn curmudgeon. These two are opposites in almost every way. Newly minted gay virgin vs. decidedly straight grump. A man who's left family behind for his dreams versus a guy who lives and works on his family farm. A man who's stopped planning for a future and a man who is continually planning. And yet there's an undeniable chemistry. The badinage between the two is charming.
As their friendship grows, Rainn begins to question his jealous reactions whenever Whit begins to make progress toward his goal of getting laid. Though he's never been attracted to men before, if he's honest with himself he's clearly attracted to Whit. While others warn Whit that crushing on a “straight” guy is a recipe for disaster, Whit is soon aware that he's willing to risk it.
This is a very believable addition to the GFY trope. One being a virgin & the other a “straight” guy explains and justifies the gradual sexual ramp up and makes this a compelling story. What pushes it into 5 star territory is that the GFY conflict is NOT the main plot crisis. Whit's attitude toward family and those he loves being more important than his individual desires comes into clear focus when Whit turns down an opportunity that Rainn would have killed for. The way that that conflict is resolved, the great supporting characters, and the clear love for each other that these two men develop, presses all the right buttons. This is one that I can see myself re-listening to regularly.
Headstrong is actually the third in the Vino & Veritas series, but it can be read as easily by those who've never read any of the rest of the series as by series followers. While there are the smallest of vague cameo's by characters from books 1 and 2, they're incredibly minor and are simply there as bonuses for series followers. There's even a cameo appearance by Beck and Jacobs from the Moo U series.
I listened to the audio-book version of this via HOOPLA. It's narrated by Tim Paige and Iggy Toma and both veteran narrators do a great job. The narrative prose is clear and the various characters are all well fleshed out by the voice acting....more
This is the romantic story about the building relationship of an over earnest barrister and the truly messed up son of two musicians. Luc was raised bThis is the romantic story about the building relationship of an over earnest barrister and the truly messed up son of two musicians. Luc was raised by his mother after his rock-legend father abandoned them. He still bears the insecurities engendered by that betrayal. And after his last boyfriend sold him out to the tabloids, Luc’s been in a five year downward spiral, “living down” to his press.
Plagued by paparazzi always looking for the next chapter of shame, it’s become a hate hate relationship. Having grown up reading scandalous pieces about himself in the gossip rags, Luc’s self esteem and sense of self worth are about what you’d expect.
Problem is that his public notoriety has left him so stigmatized that he’s having trouble holding a job. When his latest debacle hits the tabloids, even his “CRAPPy” job won’t have him. No, that’s not exactly a scatological reference, but simply an acronym. He works as a fund-raiser for the Coleoptera Research and Preservation Project. It’s truly a CRAPP job… but Luc enjoys his somewhat loony workmates. Nevertheless, even the charity can no longer tolerate his press persona. His supervisor has given him an ultimatum; “Get a boyfriend, and become the “right kind” of gay, or get fired.
Enter stolid but boring (boorish?) Oliver. Oliver’s the seemingly perfect, put together, perennially principled boyfriend. Oliver’s all about mindfulness, and manners, and ethics. While being extremely fit and conscientious, Oliver’s the perfect complement to Luc’s overly chaotic life, Oliver has his own family issues and has been single for a while after being left by yet another boyfriend. With his parent’s 40th anniversary party coming up, Oliver can’t bear the opprobrium of going stag. So the two agree to this fake dating relationship to satisfy employers, donors, and demanding parents. But while they are fake dating, they discover that they like each other’s company.
Told primarily from Luc’s POV, this is a great fake boyfriends tale. In some ways it’s a much gayer, much less inebriated Arthur, without the Dudley Moore influences, and no faithful manservant. Both Luc and his “fake boyfriend” are both incredibly sympathetic characters and seeing them grow closer is a bit like watching the courtship of hedgehogs.
Luc (or Lucien as those who truly love him call him) is a modern little boy lost with more appeal and quicker wits than any paparazzi darling has a right to. Of course there will be a redeeming happy ending. There’s even a lot of jocularity along the way. There’s even one not so funny knock knock joke that manages to be the source of two laugh out loud guffaws and a chortle.
This title is available in audio form on HOOPLA and it’s even better when experienced as an audiobook as narrated by Joe Jameson.
Luc’s youthful voice is frequently self deprecating and at other times poignantly lacking in all self confidence. There are the “posh git” voices of his mostly upper crust workmates. There are several regional voices as well with a Welsh co-worker, Oliver’s upper middle class parentals, Luc’s loving but crazy mother, his deadbeat dad and a host of others.
Luc is the kind of guy that you find yourself pulling for even as early chapter one. The friends are all likable, the eccentric workmates are lovable.
Heck, I even liked the nice guy that tried chatting Luc up in chapter only to be disappointed by Luc’s paranoia. When he comes back later as something of a villain, I still liked him. So much so that I’m curious as to his story as well.
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