In One Sweet Ride, we meet Grey Preston, a very successful team owner/driver on the NASCAR circuit. Grey is estranged from his father, a powerful US SIn One Sweet Ride, we meet Grey Preston, a very successful team owner/driver on the NASCAR circuit. Grey is estranged from his father, a powerful US Senator, who is currently in the running to become Vice President. Evelyn Hill works for Grey’s father. But the man she knows is very different from the one that Grey remembers. She's been given the task of convincing Grey to bring some of racing fans over to his father's camp.
I thought Evelyn was an extremely strong character and Grey was just okay. I think other male heroes in the Play by Play series were more complex. The romance was predictable and the ending was disappointing for me. The author can be counted on to write sexy and fun relationships, so her fans will probably not be disappointed.
Merged review:
In One Sweet Ride, we meet Grey Preston, a very successful team owner/driver on the NASCAR circuit. Grey is estranged from his father, a powerful US Senator, who is currently in the running to become Vice President. Evelyn Hill works for Grey’s father. But the man she knows is very different from the one that Grey remembers. She's been given the task of convincing Grey to bring some of racing fans over to his father's camp.
I thought Evelyn was an extremely strong character and Grey was just okay. I think other male heroes in the Play by Play series were more complex. The romance was predictable and the ending was disappointing for me. The author can be counted on to write sexy and fun relationships, so her fans will probably not be disappointed....more
In 1938, 20-year old Chinese student, Stephen Chan, is sent to his family's summer house in a small Japanese fishing village to recover from tuberculoIn 1938, 20-year old Chinese student, Stephen Chan, is sent to his family's summer house in a small Japanese fishing village to recover from tuberculosis.
His only companion is Matsu, the caretaker of the house and garden since the time of Stephen’s grandfather. He is a man of almost no words. Matsu decides to take Stephen to visit the hilltop of Yamaguchi, a remote area inhabited by lepers, where he meets an older woman named Sachi. A lovely relationship forms between these three characters. Stephen resonates with the older couple and enjoys listening to their stories.
There are vivid descriptions of simple but elegant Japanese meals, customs, clothing, and different gardens. The major themes include loyalty, and honor. I felt such a connection to the characters in this beautifully written story, but also experienced their hope, heartbreak, sorrow, strength, resilience.
The story moves very slowly, gradually letting the reader into one secret after another. It was such a wonderful reading experience and I look forward to reading something else by this talented writer....more
This was much slower than the first book but I enjoyed the setting of China and getting to know more about Temeraire's background. At the end of the fThis was much slower than the first book but I enjoyed the setting of China and getting to know more about Temeraire's background. At the end of the first book we find out that he is a Celestial, the most prized breed of Chinese dragons. Celestials are companions exclusively to Emperors and crown princes and the Chinese don't believe Naval Officer Laurence qualifies. The Chinese disapprove of his bond with Temeraire, and they would very much like their dragon back. But there's no way Temerarie will allow that.
After the long long build up, it seemed to end surprisingly quickly. I really enjoy the way the author weaves her story and creates such fabulous world-building, Temeraire and Lawrence are still the highlight of this series. There was a lot of introspective dialogue between them in this installment, and I love how the dragon is beginning to shape some of his convictions. I am curious to see what Temeraire and Laurence will do in the future with what they learned in China....more
When this series opens, a group of human women are abducted from Earth and sold on an auction planet. This is Beth's story. She ends up with five Na’RWhen this series opens, a group of human women are abducted from Earth and sold on an auction planet. This is Beth's story. She ends up with five Na’Riths, who are space pirates from a race of aliens that are well known for being great thieves.
When we first meet Beth she’s extremely pregnant, locked in a cage and happy to be away from her ex. She likes being with the Na'Rith, who come from a cukture that is based on stealing, pranking, and fighting.
All of the interactions were all one-on-one, so there wasn't any group sex going on. Ekan spent a lot of the time selling Beth over and over again, always confident he could steal her back.
This is a reverse harem story alien. The author did a great job of giving them all diverse personalities, and the story is paced in a way that characters are gradually introduced.
Overall a highly enjoyable story full of crazy space pirates. It was light, humorous and filled with pop culture references. I've enjoyed the last couple of books in this series so I will continue when I get a chance....more
The second book in this series had a lot of "ick" moments for me and I wasn't sure I wanted to continue the series. This was the complete opposite andThe second book in this series had a lot of "ick" moments for me and I wasn't sure I wanted to continue the series. This was the complete opposite and is my favorite so far.
In the first book of the series, the auction pen of human women contained a blind woman and her seeing eye dog. This is their story. Sanna and her dog Kota are lucky enough to get “purchased” by a lonely animal wrangler named Breslin. He's always described as a gentle alien giant and does everything he can to help ease Sanna into the new life she's fallen into.
Sanna, along with her guide dog Kota, go to live with Breslin and Meesahrah, a mischievous and carnivorous alien horse. What a riot and a sweet love story. One of the things I liked is that we have a blind heroine. She doesn't just get cured through some sort of fantastic and advanced alien technology.
This was a good continuation of the series and can easily be read as a standalone. This author writes with great imagination and humor. If you"re looking for a sci-fi romance with likable characters, a blind heroine, and some steamy alien sex, check into this series....more
The Secret Life Of The American Musical is a fact filled book about musicals, what makes some of them successful, and what makes some of them not as sThe Secret Life Of The American Musical is a fact filled book about musicals, what makes some of them successful, and what makes some of them not as successful as others. The author arranges his study with an analysis of every standard number in a show and how it serves the purposes of the play. He focuses quite a bit on the importance of pleasing the audience, which makes sense. If people don't like the songs, they aren't going to pay to see the show.
He utilizes a step-by-step guide through what he views as the prototypical musical story structure. He believes this guide can be more or less applied to most of the popular shows of the last century. It was quite interesting, especially when he recounts how now-classic shows worked out their kinks. When he writes about theory, it's not as compelling.
This book was a knowledgeable, engaging blueprint of what makes a musical enjoyable for the audience. It would be a fun read for theater experts and general readers alike....more
Rainy Day Dreams is Book 2 in the Seattle Brides series. We follow Kathryn Bergert, whose father sends her to the newly named Seattle, hoping that sheRainy Day Dreams is Book 2 in the Seattle Brides series. We follow Kathryn Bergert, whose father sends her to the newly named Seattle, hoping that she can find a husband, since there are so many single men there. Kathryn is angry about the arrangement where she is to be a maid in a cousin’s hotel. All she wants to do is follow her dreams of being a painter. In the meantime, Jason Gates has taken a position in the office at the lumber mill. He is trying to move on after the loss of his wife. Kathryn and Jason have an immediate dislike for each other,
I didn't care for either of the main characters. Kathryn was self-centered and Jason was surly. I never felt there was any chemistry and only found them both aggravating.
It did describe an interesting period of history and while it was a Christian novel, it wasn't written in a heavy handed way. Most of the story was built on a foundation of historical facts. The authors document details about at the conclusion of the novel for further research and a discussion guide is also included for book groups....more
This is the sixth book in the Icehome series and another one where we get an annoying female main character, Hannah. Why is it that every male charactThis is the sixth book in the Icehome series and another one where we get an annoying female main character, Hannah. Why is it that every male character is sweet and devoted, but every three or four books brings us a female character that's unlikable. I guess I can understand why she refuses to accept her life on the Ice Planet. She was about to become a star back on Earth and is having difficulty giving up her dream of becoming famous.
Hannah and J'Shel resonated from day of the the islanders coming over! But Hannah doesn't want a mate and plans to fight it tooth and nail. J'shel was such a patient hero. He's not willing to give up on his mate despite her actions toward him. Will his persistence and kindness pay off?
This was probably my least favorite book in this series. However, we do get a little peek into Devi's world. I'm excited to read more about her and her discoveries, so I'm looking forward to the next book....more
Angie's Gladiator is Book 5 in the Icehome series and my favorite so far. When Angie wakes up from stasis, she doesn't know what happened, but she's vAngie's Gladiator is Book 5 in the Icehome series and my favorite so far. When Angie wakes up from stasis, she doesn't know what happened, but she's very shocked to discover she's very pregnant. She doesn’t know how to feel about the pregnancy or the baby she is expecting.
Vordis and his brotber Thrand, are a'ani, who are clones, and have always been slaves. Vordis doesn't know anything about being free, but he and Thrand been programmed to protect Angie and they intend to do so.
I really loved the character of Angie and all the things she was trying to sort out. I also liked the slower pace of this story. Vordis was so sweet, especially how he treated Thrand after he learned about his worries, and how he helped Angie with her fears about her pregnancy.
This was another great book in the Icehome series, I love how flexible the author is with her stories and I hope Thrand finds his perfect mate soon. I find this series to be compulsively readable, and genuinely is a great source of Covid escapism....more
We've gotten glimpses into Willa and Gren's relationship in the first two books of the Icehome series. We already know that Willa wants to take Gren aWe've gotten glimpses into Willa and Gren's relationship in the first two books of the Icehome series. We already know that Willa wants to take Gren and find a place where the two of them can be together.
Gren has suffered his whole life as a battle slave whose purpose is to fight or die for his master's amusement. Willa knows about real monsters, having been raised by her awful mother and uncle. Her devotion to Gren is apparent from the beginning, which I found to be her only redeeming characteristic. She seems to equate him to her uncle's vicious fighting pit bulls.
There's not a lot of action, except the sex, so the story felt a bit repetitive. Willa gets annoying and I got bored with her inner monologues. Gren was just as adorable and sweet as are all the male characters in this series. I enjoyed seeing how he transforms, and starts to see himself as something other than a monster. It's obvious that Willa's kind touch and a friendly words can make a world of a difference for someone who's been made into a beast.
I do appreciate how the author tries to create different versions of the recurring alien male with human mate formula to keep the series fresh....more
The Icehome series is starting to give readers some different types of characters from other planets. Ashtar is a Drakoni gladiator that has lived as The Icehome series is starting to give readers some different types of characters from other planets. Ashtar is a Drakoni gladiator that has lived as a slave since he was kidnapped when he was eight. His wings were clipped and he only lives for the next fight in the gladiator arena.
Veronica claims she's nothing special. She is a somewhat clumsy, with ordinary human features. She can't understand why the golden god-like man is trying so hard to get her attention.
I thought this was one of the funniest books of the related Ice Planet series. Ashtar was just hilarious. He can't believe he is actually free. He’s also stubborn and suspicious, testing the boundaries with the sa’khui to see if they aren’t lying about his freedom.
I've never read this author's Fireblood series but meeting Ashtar has made me curious. One of the things Ruby Dixon does in every book is give readers a glimpse of who the next featured couple is going to be. In this case, the next will be about Willa and Gren. Gren was such a mixture of species I'm curious to read his story.
I love the world building and the interaction between tribes/species. Ruby Dixon does a great job at building a fun and interesting world, with fascinating characters. Every book follows a similar outline, so they are quite similar. I can't wait to continue this new series with new aliens who find the human female of their dreams. ...more
Sentorr, the navigator of the Lovesick Fool is the only unmated male left. He's been chatting every night with Zoey, the navigator of Little Sister, aSentorr, the navigator of the Lovesick Fool is the only unmated male left. He's been chatting every night with Zoey, the navigator of Little Sister, a rival pirating vessel. She won't let him open up a video link, but he still is sure she is "the one".
From some of the comments he has made, she has reason to believe that Sentorr does not like humans. Zoey is a human who was saved from slavery by three huge Mesakkah brothers who have taken care of her over the past ten years.
There's not a lot of world building in this series, which is one of the things Ruby Dixon excels at. This series has been fun, and filled with sweet romance and hot sex. I'm sure that Zoey's brothers, Adiron, Mathiras, and Kaspar will be back time with their own stories....more
This is usually a more light-hearted series than some of the others, but the first half of this book dealt with some dark themes. Alvyos loves to fighThis is usually a more light-hearted series than some of the others, but the first half of this book dealt with some dark themes. Alvyos loves to fight, but when he sees Iris and the horrible abuse she’s suffered at the hands of the szzt, he just wants to protect her.
Iris is afraid of being hurt by her slave owners so she tries not to fight back and always complies. Alvyos is determined to give her back the confidence to be herself again.
This was another short book that didn't have time to do more than focus on our main love interests. I have enjoyed so many Ruby Dixon books this year and I can add the Corsairs series to that list. ...more