You Must Read This Book

Y'all.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing (okay, the geese are honking, which isn't quite as pleasant, but whatever), and I read a really, really good book today.  One of my Goodreads friends recommended it to me, and I'm so happy they did.  This story should not be missed.

Here's the blurb (it doesn't do the story justice by any means, but it's what we've got to work with):

Straight jockboy Kevin thinks he has gay, cross-dressing 
Danny under his thumb. Kevin only likes girls. 

So... why does he keep thinking about her? 

Or him. 

Whatever.


Kevin is a star football player on the verge of losing his spot on the team because of his grades.  But that all changes when he spots a pretty girl across the room at a party and realizes that it's actually Daniel, the new kid in school and the second string quarterback.  Kevin makes a deal with Dani-- she helps him pass his classes and he won't tell the whole school about Dani's little hobby.


The relationship between these two characters is absolutely magic.  Real and easy and loving and painful and everything that a true relationship is, no matter the genders or sexualities of the people involved.  It's a beautiful thing to watch unfold, and the author does an incredible job sharing it with us.


Kevin may be presented as a typical jock, but he's so much more than that.  There is real kindness there, under the rough, teenage boy exterior.  And Daniel, Danny, Dani, is a real person, struggling with issues of identity and acceptance.  More acceptance of self than acceptance by others.


It's not perfect.  There are places where difficult dynamics seem to be more in the characters' heads than on the page.  Well, many of our problems are more in our heads than in reality.  But in the relationship between Kevin and his father, Kevin seems to be pushing hard against an obstacle that just isn't there.  At the same time, the author doesn't shy away from some difficult, painful truths in Kevin and Dani's relationship.  Both have their issues, and something kind of horrible happens between them that must be overcome.  I'm not sure how I feel about that incident, but it's a lot like looking at other relationships that have hit a hard speed bump.  Could I get past it?  I don't know.  But do I believe that these two have managed to move on?  Absolutely.


That's what's so wonderful about these characters.  They're real and believable.  They grow and change individually and as a couple, and it's a wonderful journey.  The end of the book is a little after school special, but Kevin and Dani are so terrific that I'm willing to forgive that.


So where can you buy this amazing book?  You can't.  Because for some reason it's not been picked up and published by anyone.  (Silly, silly publishers.)  It is available for free, though, published online by the author.  (And that is the final proof of how good this story is-- I hate reading on a computer screen for any length of time, but I happily spent the entire afternoon reading this.)  So here it is: The Girl For Me by Failte.  If you enjoy it half as much as I did, I hope you'll pass the link on to everyone you know.  This story deserves to be read.

Free Today Only- The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt

It's the last Wednesday in February, and that means we've come to the last of the Carina Press freebies.  This week it's The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt.  To get your copy, go here, and don't forget to use the code SEVENFOLDFREE at checkout.

Here's the blurb:


Have you ever wondered what happens to the other people in the fairy tale?


Things look grim for Talia and her mother. By royal proclamation, the constables and those annoying "good" fairies have taken away their livelihood by confiscating their spinning wheel. Something to do with a curse on the princess, they said.


Not every young lady has a fairy godmother rushing to her rescue.


Without the promise of an income from spinning, Talia's prospects for marriage disappear, and she and her mother face destitution. Past caring about breaking an arbitrary and cruel law, rebellious Talia determines to build a new spinning wheel, the only one in the nation—which plays right into the evil fairy's diabolical plan. Talia discovers that finding a happy ending requires sacrifice. But is it a sacrifice she's willing to make?


This novella generated quite a bit of buzz last fall when it was released, and deservedly so.  It's an unusual take on the Sleeping Beauty tale.  For one thing, Talia isn't the princess.  And she doesn't wait around for someone else to give her what she wants, she goes out and gets it herself.  She also takes a very un-fairytale like attitude toward sex.  There is a romantic interest for Talia, but it's really not about the guy.  This is her story all the way.


Also, did you see that gorgeous cover?


This one is definitely worth a read, and bonus!  It's free!  Happy Wednesday, everyBetty.

Free Today Only- The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro

Another Wednesday, another free ebook from Carina Press!  This time it's The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro.  To get your free copy, go here, and don't forget to use the code SPURNEDFREE at checkout.

I can't tell you much about this one.  It's in my TBR file, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.  If anyone has read it and would like to give us the scoop, please do!  In the meantime, here's the blurb:


Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind's only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn't expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her.


Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry—not when he's plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.


Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close—and tempted into passionate kisses—Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife...


Sounds pretty good.  Maybe I need to bump this one up the queue!

Free Today Only- Silver Bound by Ella Drake

It's Wednesday, and it's February.  That means Carina Press is giving away another ebook!  And this time it's one I don't already have.  Oh, happy day!  Go here, and don't forget to use the code SILVERFREE at checkout.


As I said, I haven't read this one yet, so I can't give you the scoop.  But here's the blurb:



Sheriff Guy Trident doesn't have much to do with off-worlders; he has his hands full keeping his own planet safe. But he'll do anything, go anywhere to save Jewel Quinn. She broke his heart years ago when she left to marry a Terraloft aristocrat. Now she's run away from her husband, only to fall into the clutches of slavers.


Posing as a wealthy playboy, Guy arrives at Zuthuru Station to learn he's too late: Jewel's memories have been erased. She's been tipped in silver, a process that leaves nothing behind except her body, sexually bound to pleasuring her master. Unwilling to give up hope, Guy buys her.


Jewel fights to reclaim herself, recalling a different connection to the handsome sheriff, remembering the frightened eyes of a young boy and the events that made her run. Together she and Guy search for her cure, plan her son's rescue from her ruthless ex, and test if they have any kind of future...before the past catches up to them.


So, Happy Wednesday, everyBetty!  Enjoy the free book!  And if anyone's read this one, let us know what you thought.

Review: The Adrien English Mysteries by Josh Lanyon

Review by Chronic Betty

Relationships can be murder. Bookseller and mystery author Adrien English is looking for love in all the wrong places -- and, according to hot and handsome LAPD detective Jake Riordan, it's liable to get him killed.

Fatal Shadows
A serial killer is stalking gay men, and a tawny-eyed LAPD detective wants bookseller Adrien English in handcuffs -- for all the wrong reasons!

A Dangerous Thing
When his romance goes south, Adrien heads north to the California Motherlode country. Can murder -- and Adrien's favorite LAPD detective -- be far behind?


I love mystery series with a romance that evolves over multiple books, particularly if the romance is complicated.  Think Julia Spender-Fleming and Deanna Raybourn.  Well, this weekend I found a new author to add to that list- Josh Lanyon.


Adrien English is a gay bookstore owner with a bum ticker and a serious problem.  His best friend has been murdered, and he's Suspect #1.  Jake Riordan is the hostile, deeply closeted detective who's been assigned to the case.  As the bodies start piling up, all Adrien wants is to figure out who the real killer is and clear his name.  What Jake wants... is a greater mystery.

These books were phenomenal.  I read all five books in the series over the course of three days, and the whole thing has been rolling around in a big ball of goodness in my head ever since.  After being that immersed in the series, it's hard to know what to say without spoiling something.

What I can tell you is that the mysteries were exciting and well plotted.  The relationship between Adrien and Jake was intense, and it drags you right along with them.  Books three and four smashed my heart into a million pieces.  Book five slowly put it back together again.  The sex is explicit, and hot, but never over done. These are mysteries with strong romantic elements, not erotica.  And you may pick up the next book in the series because you're dying to see what's going to happen between Adrien and Jake, but that's never the main focus of the story.

I give the whole series an A.  Excellent, excellent work.  And in case you were all wondering if I've flipped my wig after this mess of a review (wig flipping always being a possibility with me), I've found a few people who agree with me.  The fifth book in the series, The Dark Tide, made the American Library Association's 2010 Over the Rainbow List.  The third book, The Hell You Say, was the winner of the 2006 USA Book News award for best GLBT fiction.  And that's just for this series.  There are plenty of other awards for his other work, too.

I borrowed The Adrien English Mysteries 1&2 through the Kindle lending program.  Once I finished devouring those, I popped over to Fictionwise and bought the rest of the series.  In three days my borrowing period will be up, and I'll have to hop online and buy myself a copy of those first two books, because there's no way I can go without them.  One of you will not have that problem, however.

I loved these books so much that I'm going to do something I've never done before.  I'm going to put my money where my keyboard is.  I'm having a contest!  To enter, just comment on this post.  Have you read any of Lanyon's stuff?  Do you want to?  Do you have questions about the series?  Any old comment will do. On Friday night I'll close the comments and randomly draw a winner.  That winner will get an ebook copy of The Adrien English Mysteries 1&2.  That's the first two books in the series.  It's available from several different vendors, so I can be flexible to meet your device's needs.  There don't appear to be any geographic restrictions for this title on Fictionwise, so it's open to everyone.  If you absolutely can't do an ebook, well, the two book collection isn't available in paper.  But I'll do my best to get the first book, Fatal Shadows, into your hands.

So go forth and comment!  And if you're impatient (like me) and can't wait for the drawing, Fictionwise has a 40% off coupon running now through the 14th.  (vday2011)  Great books and a great deal!

And I suppose I ought to say, just in case the FCC is one of the handful of people reading this, that no one paid me in anyway to do this.  The prize is coming out of my own pocket.  I loved this series that much, and I wanted to share it.

Free Today Only- Coin Operated by Ginny Glass

Carina Press is offering a free ebook every Wednesday in February.  Today's offering is Coin Operated by Ginny Glass.  Go here, and be sure to use the coupon code COINFREE at checkout.  


I read this one the other day, so no freebie for me this time.  :(  At 68 pages, Coin Operated  may not be long, but it's definitely hot.  Here's the blurb:



Elijah Elliot and Beatrix London's fledgling ad agency is under siege. Not from outside competition but by Eli and Bea's unspoken lust for each other. As their unsatisfied cravings to dominate and submit bloom into vivid daydreams, the office becomes a minefield of frustrated needs and dangerous desires. Now something's gotta give or their partnership is going to self-destruct.


When Bea unveils a racy new light bondage ad campaign for their key client, she pushes Eli to cross the line he's drawn between them—the one that keeps him from doing all the hot, sinful things she imagines he's capable of...


As it says, BDSM is a theme in this one, so if that's really not your bag you may want to skip it.  But I thought the story was pretty good, and the price is certainly right.  So go check it out!

GoodReads Giveaway

Viking is doing another giveaway of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness through GoodReads.  Click here to enter.  Seriously.  Click it.  I'm reading this one right now, and I'm diggin' it.  Sign up ends in about 16 hours, so don't delay.  It's US only, though.  Sorry non-USian folks.

Gotta go now.  Must read more.  Bye!

Freebie!

I've been talking a lot about the Vorkosigan series lately, since I'm working my way through the whole series again before starting the new book.  (Up to Mirror Dance.  Four more books to go before the new one.)  So I thought I'd mention that the publisher, Baen, has one of the books available for free.  The Warrior's Apprentice is the first book in the series that features Miles as the protagonist.  It's the first book that I read in the series, and in my totally biased opinion is an excellent place to start.

To download the book, go to the Baen free library.  (This is an excellent resource if you like scifi.  Be sure to read the introduction, where they explain the reasoning behind the free library.  Baen was way ahead of the ebook curve.)  Click The Authors, then Lois McMaster Bujold, then Warrior's Apprentice.  Once on the Warrior's Apprentice page you've got your choice of about a million different formats.

Enjoy!

Free Books! Go Now!

Books on the Knob, an excellent source for info on free or inexpensive ebooks, has posted that Kobo has a $3 off coupon going right now, good until midnight.  (Non-Agency books only, unfortunately.)  If the book is under $3 before the coupon, it's free.  Kobo, if you haven't heard of them, is a reputable ebook vendor.  I've bought from them many times with no problems at all.  Their books are in epub format, so be sure that works with your reader, or be ready to read on the computer.

Here's  a link directly to the post.  What are you still here for?  Go!  Download lavishly!  And then come back tomorrow and tell me what you bought!  ;)