en-US Sun, 20 Apr 2025 09:21:23 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9330755782 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 09:21:23 -0700 /review/show/7503712398 Ruby wants to read Ocean of Fireflies: A YA Sapphic Alchemical Adventure by J.S. Fields
]]> Review7490485061 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 08:53:35 -0700 /review/show/7490485061 Ruby gave 5 stars to Foxfire in the Snow (The Alchemical Duology, #1) by J.S. Fields
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
I picked this book to read after reading the excellent "The Rosewood Penny" by the author. I wondered if this was a one off or typical of the author - the answer I am pleased to report that on the evidence of these two books it seems the author does write all her books with attention to character and interaction between character. The character of Sorin is so well developed I found myself saying "Damn, this is an exact description of xxxxx". Magda is a perfectly written character. The two mothers and another main character - no spoilers, read the book.
As with "The Rosewood Penny" the author does not pad them with world-building to make a trilogy, these are action and character driven which this reviewer is very happy with, rather than having to memorize pantheons of gods and goddesses, histories and countries over several continents we can enjoy the story and the character's interaction and not have to flip back to see if we have remembered a name correctly,
I know I have only read two books but I am starting to really like this author;
Five well deserved stars
]]> Review7467243902 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:35:02 -0700 /review/show/7467243902 Ruby gave 5 stars to The Unnatural Order (Schooled in Magic Book 27) by Christopher G. Nuttall
As always the author asks for a review and as always I am happy to oblige.
I love all the authors magic books as he has produced a well thought out world that all fits together with no glaring anomalies. Emily is an awesome heroine and there is a thread running through all the books with many interesting digressions and side plots, although I am not really on board with the bringing of romance into Emilie's life - keep her single like Void.
I will not spoil the book in this review just say irf you are a "Schooled in Magic" fan you will not be disappointed. I will say if you discover an author like this buy the books or persuade your library to stock then as it would be a shame to lose stories from the likes of Christopher Nuttall as they are too busy selling used cars (or whatever) to sit down and write.
Recommended and 5 stars. ]]> Review7453622749 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 09:34:49 -0700 /review/show/7453622749 Ruby gave 5 stars to The Siren's Song (The Santerran Sea Stories Book 1) by Sarah Zane
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
A cute FF romance with a novel break-up/make-up twist and a truly stellar supporting cast. But for me where this book really hits the mark is it's look into what happens when the patriarchy slips it's leash, a little glimpse through the door of Hell (for women and gays anyway). This may be a work of fiction but it is uncomfortably close to reality for the residents of some parts of this world.
Pushing back against the oppressors are the Daughters (pirates) and sisters (sirens) and that is all I can really say without spoiling your reading pleasure just that the story with its twists and turns is well worth the cover price - hence the five stars.
Even just as a love story ignoring the social commentary it is a damn good read. If I was to pick a fault it would be that it is a little bit insta-lovey, others may disagree, read it and decide.
I was torn between and stars finally deciding on 5. Looking forward to the next in the series Scyla's story
]]> Review7450234960 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 06:40:45 -0700 /review/show/7450234960 Ruby gave 5 stars to The Lost Selkie by Eule Grey
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
I have made no secret of my admiration for the books of Eule Grey. As is usual this book was totally different from all others and written very quickly after the others. In my opinion this is one of the best, the entwining of story and romance is masterful, once again I find myself in the position of not being able to fully explain the skill of the author as it would certainly involve spoilers.
In these times of Novels being stretched to trilogies with subplots and padding it is good to see and author with the skill and imagination of Eule Grey bringing back the Novella with its beginning, middle and end, its fast pace and still with time for character development so the we fall in love with the main characters.
Five well deserved stars - if you like FF fiction or just a damn good read I would advise to try Eule Grey and join the rest of us addicts. ]]> Review7430637028 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:48:32 -0700 /review/show/7430637028 Ruby gave 5 stars to The Revenge of Captain Vessia (Sails of Black and Blood Book 1) by Leslie Allen
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
The story of a vampire's search for revenge and finding love along the path. Claire Vessia starts the story almost as a plaything of fate, escaping from a bad home situation she heads to sea as seems to be the route of preference for young girls in this world to escape bad relationships. Stumbling into piracy with the rest of her crew she end up sentenced to death as the sole survivor, her captor gives her the title Captain to increase his personal glory - which as the last one still living I guess she is. She is turned into a vampire on death row and this is her turning point where she starts to take control. This much is in the book description an here I stop as to go on would enter into the realms of spoilers and I would not wish to ruin anyone's enjoyment of this excellent book.
This book succeeds for me as it is the personal journey of Claire Vessia all the rest including the romance is secondary and it works. Leslie Allen has written a hard to put down page turner.
If this is Book #1 in a series I am very interested to see where the author takes his characters
Five stars and recommend this book
]]> Review7386193823 Sun, 16 Mar 2025 09:15:41 -0700 /review/show/7386193823 Ruby gave 5 stars to The Assassin and the Sorceress: (A Sapphic Romance Fantasy Adventure) (The Assassin and the Sorceress Series Book 1) by N.R.G. Selove
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
I have at times bemoaned the modern trend of authors taking a good story, bloating it and making three books where one would do nicely. Well, folks, here is how it is done! The story and the action do not let up for a minute, not a paragraph is wasted. No bloat here, no sir. To illustrate how exciting the story is and how it draws you in. I had a person stand almost in front of me waving arms and trying to get my attention for almost 15 minutes while my eyes were rivetted to the screen following our two m/c epic journey.
Character development does not suffer either, the author choses to show not tell so we learn Jessara and Asha's characters and even their physical form by what they say and do. Also I love the author's Orcs so different from the cannon fodder they usually are, plus their vulgar British (?) accents provide a rare bit of light relief in an intense book.
Five stars and of course I recommend you buy this excellent work. With new authors like this coming through the future looks good for the reading public.
]]> Review7380287186 Sat, 08 Mar 2025 08:02:12 -0800 /review/show/7380287186 Ruby gave 5 stars to The Break of Dawn by Eule Grey
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
I have often stated that the great thing about this author is the unpredictability - no two books are the same (with the exception of the series) but this book I did not see coming, and I loved it. Eule Grey cements her status as the undisputed ruler of the novella with this atmospheric story of two broken women and the power of their love of art and each other. I would love to say more but I do not want to spoil the reading pleasure of folk who pick up this work I will just say that the ending is like a big red bow completing the package. Normally I take my time and savor a Eule Grey book over several days but the first day I was so lost in the atmosphere of the book I had t force myself to bed when I looked up and it was 3 AM awesome!
If you want an object lesson in the difficult art of the novella or are just looking for a cute romance pick up this book. I keep waiting for a full length Eule Grey novel but at the same time I cannot think of a modern author who has so completely mastered the novella.
As a footnote, if I am ever in the UK again I will definitely take a road trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. ]]> Review7335765593 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:07:06 -0800 /review/show/7335765593 Ruby gave 4 stars to One More Spark (Base City Romance #4) by Ellie Roth
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
Firstly let me say I picked up this book not having read the previous 3 so there was a bit of a learning curve but it was not too steep and it was fairly easy to figure what went before.
It is hard to write an original superhero book but this is a good try with the suits and the complex team dynamics but the real strength of this book is in my opinion the relationship between the two women (or even the two women and their daughters) a real cute enemies to friends to lovers journey.
From a slow start the action (and the relationship) ramp up as the book progresses leading to a satisfying conclusion.
I for one hope the Candace/Vanessa story is not over and I would also love a Monique/Tiffany spinoff. ]]> Review7332422546 Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:25:00 -0800 /review/show/7332422546 Ruby gave 2 stars to Love Is Free - ACLU LGBTQ Charity Anthology (Kindle Edition) by JMS Books Authors
First off let me say I am not a fan of the short story format but I can appreciate it when done well Most of the authors in this anthology are clearly authors who are more at home writing novels but have given their time and skills to a good cause. That is to be applauded but it does not necessarily make for good reading and a few stories I did skim. Most of the stories are MM romances but not all.
Some stories do stand out "Gitties Ranch: The wedding", "Returning to Hopaline" and of course "This is it " by the ever reliable Eule Grey. If I had to pick a personal favorite it would probably be the awesome "Ripples don't fade" a master class in the short story format (and also romance)
Have to recommend this as a lot of good folks gave their time to a good cause plus there are some damn good stories, ]]>