Tag: Storm Grant

What I Read Last Week

Posted February 21, 2012 by Tracy in Features | 8 Comments

Hi there!
I’m a day late with this but I’m finally putting it together.
Unfortunately my lovely 3 day weekend was spent taking care of a sick child (my youngest again) and heading to the urgent care. Luckily she’s better now and on the road to recovery but I think I might need 3 days off to recover from my 3 days off! lol
Since she wasn’t moving much we played a lot of games and watched a lot of movies while cuddled on the couch together.  (Unfortunately mommy couldn’t be too far away from her baby before baby started whining. :).) This weekend I saw (again): Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan (the live action one), The Prince of Egypt, Willow, Jumanji, Thor and A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think I’m movied out for a while. 🙂
My reading was a bit schizo this week as I had lots of little bits of time to read rather than long periods. Hopefully this week will be back to normal.
I started off with Sea Change by Darlene Marshall which is the book that I read for my TBR Challenge. It was a great historical – ship – with a cross-dressing heroine book. You can read my review here. 4 out of 5
After that it was I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. The story with this one starts with our heroine, Poppy, looking for her engagement ring after a tea with friends. She then gets her cell phone stolen and because she gave out the number to everyone to contact her about the ring – which is a family heirloom from her fiancé – she’s beside herself. She then finds a cell phone in the trash that still works and since it’s finders keepers she keeps the phone. She’s not really willing to give up the phone even once she discovers that the phone belonged to a personal assistant and the man she was assisting needs it back. A fun and funny story. You can read more in my review here. 4 out of 5
My next read was for The Book Binge and it was a novella called Love Revealed by Sorcha Mowbray. This was the story of a woman who is on the outs with the ton because of the fact that her now dead husband had syphilis. Of course it is thought that she must have it too – which is untrue. She takes care of her baser needs at a place called The Market where she can play out her sexual fantasies – and those she hadn’t ever thought about before. There she meets a man who goes by the name of Sir who wants her as a long term partner. Little do they know that they know each other. The story was definite an erotic historical romance that was light on the romance. It was a good book but just too short. There were lots of things to work out between the couple and I just didn’t think they were fleshed out enough by the end of the story. 3.25 out of 5
After that I picked up Few Are Chosen by Storm Grant. I liked this story so much but I wish there had been more of it! lol The story is about two boys who are fighting demons with one going the traditional demon hunter route with the speech and all and the other going more street gang. You can read my review here. 4 out of 5
The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands was my next read. This is book 3 in the Madison Sisters series and the story was about Lisa. Lisa is in love with Robert who she practically grew up with. Robert only sees her as a little sister and Lisa goes back and forth with giving up on him and hunting for a husband then trying to make him jealous. I really wanted her to choose one or the other and stick with the plan. You’ll be able to read more in my review when I post it this week.
Another book that I read for The Book Binge was Not Wicked Enough by Carolyn Jewel. This was the story of a woman who was visiting a friend and falls for her brother. Only she doesn’t exactly fall…more like makes a slow slide into it. lol The book was really great and I’ll definitely let you know when my review posts. 4.5 out of 5
Happy World by Kiernan Kelly and Tory Temple was about a man who works at Happy World (kind of like Disneyland) as a groundskeeper. Kyle loves working at Happy World but would really like to get into the theatrical part of it and become a “character”. For now Kyle is stuck training Rory as a groundskeeper and Rory isn’t one to follow rules to the T. The more time the men spend together the more they attracted they come and eventually start a relationship. But there are people who are out to get one or the other and secrets that are kept and this all might bring the relationship skidding to a halt. The story was very sweet and fun. I really liked both men and the story was great. Thanks for the rec., Tam! 4 out of 5
Another of Tam’s recommendations was Grand Jeté by Diana Copland. This story is about an ER nurse, Jordan, who starts falling for one of his patients, Davis. Davis is a ballet dancer who has been hurt and then deserted by his boyfriend and his dance company. He has nowhere to go so Jordan offers to let him stay at his place since he’ll only really be around for about a day. That day…and some…is enough for the two men to get together and form a bond. But Davis has to go back to the west coast and when Jordan tries to contact him his cell is turned off. Jordan has no way to contact him and eventually resigns himself to the fact that he was a bit used. But was he? This was a great story. I loved Jordan and Davis and though the book is pretty simple it was very sweet and pretty darned hot all at the same time. 4 out of 5
My Book Binge reviews that posted last week:
Happy Reading!


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Review: Few Are Chosen by Storm Grant

Posted February 18, 2012 by Tracy in Reviews | 5 Comments

Apprentice warrior Blake St. Blake is the Chosen One, raised by an ancient order to defend the world against evil. Well, maybe not the whole world, but at least his neighborhood in downtown Detroit. When a dreaded reflux demon is sighted in a local cemetery, Blake is sent off to his very first battle, armed with his sword, his super-senses, his black leather duster, and a few well-rehearsed one-liners.

But another Chosen One gets in Blake’s way—an apprentice wizard named Shadow. While the boys argue about who’s the more chosen of the two, the demon escapes.

Blake wants to be angry, but it turns out he and Shadow have a lot in common. Besides, Shadow’s pretty cute, and Blake can’t help but think that the wizard’s skills (and hands and lips and other bits) might make the perfect complement to his. Blake and Shadow are brave enough to challenge the reflux demon in a second battle, but will they have the courage to tell each other how they feel?
Blake is on a information mission in a cemetery when he meets up with Shadow. Blake is supposedly the only Chosen One but then this street talking beautiful man/boy tells him that indeed there are Chosen One’s for each Order. Blake is more than a bit stunned that he isn’t THE Chosen one but tries to deal with it as best he can.
Blake and Shadow talk and though they kind feel a kindred bond between the two they play it off and act tough and go their separate ways. Later when they are seeking the demon once again they meet up and end up partnering to send the demon back to hell.
Ok this book is hilarious. It’s only 46 pdf pages but it made me laugh multiple times throughout.
Blake is so stunned that he’s not the one and only and that is pretty funny but he’s so determined to speak the proper demon slaying way – is there a certain way? IDK, but he seems to think so.  Then there’s Shadow who is a tough smack-talkin almost demon hunter that is just truly as young and naïve as Blake is. This gives you a bit of a taste of the differences in the two:

I rose from my half-crouch, a war cry gathering in my throat. My balls once again surged upward. Ignoring my scaredy-cat testicles, I took a deep breath, raised my sword, and rushed at it.

“Fear me, oh spawn of Satan. For I am Blake St. Blake and I have come to return you to Hell!”
I had to slow my run a bit to get that all out before I arrived.

A flicker of movement caught my eye, but it was too late for me to stop my charge.

Another creature sprang from the darkness, weapon at the ready, crying, “Yo, asswipe. I’m gonna rip off your head and spit down your throat!”

I ground to a halt in front of the confused demon. And honestly, I was as confused as it was. I didn’t know which one to smite: the ax-wielding, acid-spitting, fire-belching demon, or this other thing, cloaked in dark cloth and brandishing a glowing stick.

“Who be-est thou?” I demanded of the newcomer. I had to shout to be heard over my pounding heart. At least I’d remembered to use formal demon-hunter language like the heroes in books and movies did.

“What the fuck?” the cloaked being said, raising his glowing stick.

The story is about two man-boys trying to figure out their place in their “professions” and how to deal with that. as well getting a handle on their attraction to each other. The story is short and sweet with a mall sex scene and not too much depth at all but I SO liked it. A definite must if you want to put a smile on your face.
Rating: 4 out of 5


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Christmas is coming – so I’m focused on February by Storm Grant

Posted October 28, 2011 by Tracy in Reviews | 14 Comments

(picture: Storm Grant in San Miguel, February 2011. Notice I’m leaning away from the rooftop edge with no railing. That’s a four-storey drop to the cobblestones below.)
Up in the mountains of Central Mexico, about a three-hour shuttle ride from Mexico City’s international airport, lies a writer’s paradise. Let me re-phrase that—lies an older* writer’s paradise. Indeed, it’s heaven for any older person who’s interested in art, music, literature, hiking, riding, or a spiritual retreat.
Every year, people flock there to escape winter, and to live an intellectual lifestyle for a week, a month, the entire winter. Many people move there permanently, although real estate isn’t as cheap as it once was. It’s called “Gringo culture” and it meshes well with local culture and brings in welcome tourist dollars.
Each week, everyone grabs a copy of L’Attencion, the local newspaper. It features a chronological list of all the activities, gallery openings, art classes offered, etc. We take a red pen to our copy and then compare notes: “I’m going to the Jazz documentary on Friday. Shall we go to the gallery opening before hand?”
It’s a friendly place, with a central square that I call “hanging out in the caf for the senior set.” I like San Miguel because it’s so easy to meet people, and it gives me so much to do. Oh, sure, there are all kinds of activities here in Toronto, but this is different. This is something to do every day.
I always time my visits to allow me to attend the annual San Miguel Writer’s Conference. http://sanmiguelwritersconference2012.org/ In addition to excellent panels and workshops given by locals, they get great speakers. After all, who doesn’t want to go to Mexico in February? The keynote addresses are open to the public, so Barbara Kingsolver was hugely attended last year. This year, it’s Margaret Atwood.
But the big draw for me is that none of the attendees are professionals. “Huh?” you say? Yup. It’s attended by retired professionals who think they might have a book in them, and it’s almost always a memoir. So they have no idea how the publishing industry works or any interest in writing or publishing commercial fiction. What does that mean to me? That the big name agents and editors are left sit in the hotel lobby all by themselves. I’ve spent quality time with several agents, including former agent Nathan Bransford, Kirsten Nelsen, and Rosemary Stimola of Hunger Games success.
You get to know a person when you hang with them, and sometimes the person who was at the top of your “dream agent” list gets kicked off entirely. And sometimes you just click.
I understand the mountains surrounding SMA have mystical properties making them a sought-after spiritual retreat. There’s also a world-class riding school.
Don’t look for bars and parties (okay, Harry’s is hopping every night of the week). We’re a day’s journey from the closest beach. The weather is unpredictable (but still way better than Toronto in February.) But if you’re looking for a writer’s paradise, c’mon down.
Also, an excellent 3-course steak dinner is around $10, and a large, fully-equipped (but very run down) apartment is around $250 a week.
For more information on my writer’s paradise, click here: http://www.internetsanmiguel.com/
*I define “older” as 40 and up.
Speaking of online hangouts, where are yours? Where can your readers find you? 
Author Name: Gina Grant w/a Storm Grant
Email address: storm.grant@gmail.com
Website URL: www.stormgrant.com
What’s your current book list and where can we buy them? 
Sucks and Blows: paranormal short m/m story. To be re-released by Riptide Publishing October 2011
Shift Happens, paranormal romance/urban fantasy (m/m) available now from Amber Quill Press.
Acolyte, short horror story, available in Unspeakable from Blood Bound Books
Gym Dandy, gay romance novel, from MLR Press
Tart & Soul, fun and angsty m/m novelette about young hookers in love from Torquere Press
Lust in Translation, an erotic m/m love story in the charitable anthology I Do from MLR Press
Be Prepared, short m/m erotic piece in the charitable anthology Coming Together: with Pride from Phaze Books


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What I’ve Been Reading This Week

Posted February 16, 2009 by Tracy in Features | 13 Comments

So I sat down to do this post and realized I’ve not got a whole lot to say. lol Isn’t that funny? It is for me because strangely enough I’m rarely at a loss for words. But it was a very quiet week for the fam.

Oh, well, my youngest did graduate Clown School. I know, most of the people in my family have but she actually got a certificate and a red nose! 🙂 Let me explain: The first grade class that she’s in has a theme this year and it’s “Under The Big Top” so a lot of the stuff they do is circus related. Her homework folder is circus themed, and they have a little tent in the classroom where 2 kids at a time can go in and read in the library. It’s very cute. What they also do every Wednesday is Circus Sight Words. They have a list of words that are in sections by 10 that they need to learn and my youngest completed her first set of 100 Circus Sight Words so she graduated Clown School! lol Here she is in all her glory. We’re so proud! (lol I just realized when looking at the picture that she’s wearing a polka dot dress! Always in character, eh?)

Let’s see…oh my hubby made me a Valentine card and put it by our bed so I’d see it when I went in and read in bed…only I didn’t go in there all day so he ended up stuffing into the book I was reading so when I opened at the bookmark the card fell out. So cute. And there was a Borders card in there too which was fab. He’s so cute. I asked him if the thought ever crossed his mind to actually hand me the card. He said no. That’s my guy.

Anyway, that was the extent of my excitement for the week. So, on to what I read:

I started my week with Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr. My thoughts on it are below if you’re interested.


The it was on to Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis. Cute book. I really enjoyed the story of Katie and Cam and their romance. It was just ssweet and comfortable read. If you like contemporary romances I’d say this is a good one for you. Although I already know who the other two brothers are gettin with I’m still looking forward to reading their books.


Next I read a short little story called Whirlwind Wedding by Lilian Darcy. This was a Harlequin Mini that I downloaded for free from Books on Board when I was testing my MS Reader after my new computer was installed. It was a cute little story about a woman who’s about to marry a man that she’s only known for 7 weeks and as she gets to him the man she always had planned on marrying bursts in on the wedding. For such a short book I thought it was well done and I’ll be reading more of Ms. Darcy’s work.


When shopping at Borders right before the So Cal Blogger Get Together I snagged a copy of Scandal by Carolyn Jewel. I’d heard good things about the book and was anxious to read it. It was good, no doubt about it. I think Rosie said it best when she said it was a gentle book. Stirring and moving but not a ton of excitement. You just didn’t need it – it had everything it needed. The heroine of this book kind of bugged me though. Yes she’s been hurt over and over and I could understand her reluctance but I thought it went on a tad too long. But that’s me…others might not agree.

I read Fragile by Shiloh Walker as my last read of the week and my next book review for The Book Binge. I’ll let you know when the review gets posted.


FYI – I forgot to post about 2 books that I read last week – oops. The first was Stroke of Midnight by Julie Kistler – another Harlequin Mini. A story about a woman who goes to a New Year’s Eve party to break up with her fiance and falls in love with another man in about an hour. Not really my cup of tea, but not bad.


Also Techno Thrall by Storm Grant was a novella that I read for The Book Binge. You can read my review here.

Happy Reading!!


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Guest Review: Techno Thrall by Storm Grant

Posted February 15, 2009 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 2 Comments

Guest Review: Techno Thrall by Storm GrantReviewer: Tracy
Techno Thrall by Storm Grant
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication Date: February 16, 2009
Format: eARC
Genres: Science Fiction
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
two-stars

This man’s too hard, this man’s too soft, this man’s just…a robot? 

Detective Deyla Reckard lives in a time of communication implants and spray-on condoms. Robots are common as workers, soldiers, and pleasure-toys. And sometimes as criminals. A case of an e-companion attacking its owner makes Deyla question her firm belief that humans are good and robots are bad. Then she meets the man of her wet dreams and begins to fall in love, although who’s human and who’s robot, she’s not sure.
Deyla Reckard is lonely. She doesn’t have anyone at home to cuddle up to but when she stops to think about it, she doesn’t really want that. But she does want the skin to skin contact. So she picks up men and sleeps with them. Unfortunately she’s not getting the emotional feedback she needs.Eight years earlier Deyla was a Marine. She had been in a plane crash due to pilot error…the pilot was a robot. Since then she’s had a strange version of PTSD and her senses have been heightened. She hates technology because of what happened years earlier. During a confrontation with the pleasure robot that they’ve been looking for she kind of has a melt down. Heading to her cabin to decompress she meets a man who looks like the pleasure robot but he says he’s the original model that the robots are based on. Deyla starts to fall in love after a day and can’t wait to spend more time with this man. Unfortunately things take a little turn when not expected and she heads back to work and civilization.

Will she find the companionship she’s looking for…and will the man she loves turn out to be a robot or a human?

This book was very unusual. It flowed nicely up until the end but I never really got a sense of who Deyla was. She wanted the companionship, but she didn’t. She wanted human contact, but she didn’t. She was very at odds with herself and I just couldn’t connect with her on any level.

There is a huge twist at the end of the book that I more or less had figured out but was still mildly surprised by. Unfortunately right after the twist was revealed the book ended with nothing further happening. It was jolting to have it end that way and didn’t give me any sort of satisfaction. Although the book started off well it quickly went downhill for me.

Rating: 2 out of 5

two-stars


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