I have never been one to do much re-reading, which is surprising because I can re-watch a movie or television show I love endlessly but books just never seemed to interest me for revisiting. When they introduced audiobooks it gave me a chance to enjoy some of my favorites over and over. The past few years I guess I've changed and there are some books that have become almost required re-reading, the summer wouldn't be complete without a revisit. Here are three author's works that continue to intrigue me no matter how many times I read the words.
2nd Overall Series Re-Read Review 2017:
These mermen just keep getting better and better, I'd say as the cliche goes "third times the charm" but truth is Taren and Ian charmed me from the very beginning. Frankly, I don't know what more I can say about these characters, the universe the author created or the author herself that I haven't said already so I'll just leave it at this: if you thought mermen were something you'd never read about then give it a go because you don't know what you're missing and I am already looking forward to my next revisit to the land(and water) of Ea.
Books #1 & 2
Original Combined Review 2014:
I have to say that I never thought I would get so involved with the characters in a series about merman. I've always been interested in myth and legends but just never once thought about reading a story revolving around merman. But, I love this series! The characters grabbed me from the get go. My heart went out to Taren from the minute his master gave him away in place of his debt. I won't lie that my heart was torn when meeting Ian for the first time but eventually, he too wormed his way into the good side of my heart. I do no spoilers so I'll say no more in regards to the plot.
I will say that I owe my reading this series to some friends and I thank them for the recommendation because I am the first to admit I would probably never have given these titles a second look had it not been for them. Having said that, I mean no negativity towards the author, it's just merman as a fictional topic never would have even crossed my mind. Thankfully, it crossed my friends' minds because without their recommendations, I would have missed some well written story telling.
Running with the Wind #3
Original Review 2015:
I am so torn about Running with the Wind, on one hand I couldn't wait to jump in the minute it showed up on my kindle but then I also knew it was the finale and that it would be the end of Taren and Ian, so I wanted to take it slow. Who am I kidding? I jumped in and read until I swiped the final page. To see Taren come into his own and realize that he is so much more than the slave he saw himself as at the beginning of Stealing the Wind really made my heart burst with complete and utter "Yay!" and of course Ian hasn't exactly stayed stagnate either. As individuals they have come far but because of the other they also became stronger. Not because they needed the other to be who they were but because the strength and passion they recognized in each other spoke to their own levels of passion and created a determination that not only helped themselves but also their friends, shipmates, and fellow merfolk find a place in the world. This is truly a trilogy for those who love fantasy and for those who love an all around well written story.
RATING:
1st Re-Read Review 2017:
If I am being completely honest, there really is nothing I can add to my original review. I will say that I could not tell you what any of the re-edited or added bits were as every bit of Jacob and Ethan's journey flowed together as beautifully as it did when I read it in 2015.
Jacob is still a spoiled Hollywood stereotype who thinks the world is his oyster and he's lined up for the all you can eat buffet. Ethan is still the humble man who wants to help the less fortunate. When their journeys converge, fireworks are the result from the starting line, equally stubborn and determined the pair is perfectly matched. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we see what is really important in life, well Jacob hasn't really hit rock bottom but he is about at his last chance for redemption when he's forced to serve his community service sentence at Ethan's center. I do believe that we all have that one defining moment that can change us and that's what Jacob faces in Moments.
That's about the best you're going to get out of me as for the plot but I will say that I can't recommend Moments enough. There are points that may seem cliche but there are plenty of points that are not and when you combine them what you have is a beautiful tale of redemption, friendship, love, and finding your place in the world which is something we all want. Whether you are as I am doing a re-read or completely new to you, Moments is another winner from Miss Scott that you don't want to miss, you just might learn something about yourself as well as be thoroughly entertained and for me that is the mark of an excellent and amazing tale and talent.
Original Review 2015:
I need to start by simply stating that you will not like Jacob Riley in the beginning. He is the classic, some might say cliche, Hollywood child actor turned bad boy. Whether you see Jacob as classic or cliche, it doesn't matter because it works and that's what makes Moments enjoyable. Despite Ethan's panic attacks he is incredibly patient, more patient than I would be when faced with dealing with Jacob. I don't do spoilers but I will say there was a point in the story that I thought the author might take a certain path with Jacob's character but she didn't and the road Miss Scott took was much better and appreciated. Moments may not be what I would classify as an emotional roller coaster but it definitely pulls at your heartstrings and will stay with you. Moments is another great example why RJ Scott is on my short list of "1-click without the blurb" authors.
The Gallows Tree
1st Re-Read Review 2017:
Even better the second time around. There is just something about RJ Scott's work that grabs me, sucks me in, keeps me intrigued, and won't let go till I reach the last page. You'd think that with a re-read I would be a little less "sucked in" a little less "intrigued". Nope. It just seems to get more and more intense every time, the anticipation of the unknown may not be there but in my opinion if they're work is able to keep you coming back that only speaks higher of the author's talent. The Gallows Tree has a little bit of everything: romance, mystery, paranormal, drama, with historical elements but most importantly it is a story of Cody rebuilding his life and reclaiming his freedom and sense of worth. Any one of these things is a very powerful angle but combined it makes for absolute uplifting brilliance.
Original Review 2015:
First off, RJ Scott is one of only a handful of authors that I automatically "1-click" without reading the blurb so there was no question as to whether or not to read The Gallows Tree. Secondly, it has paranormal qualities. Third, because there is ghosts then I knew it would have some historical aspects to the story too. Throw those all together in one book and I just knew I had to move this one to the top of my TBR list. Cody and Sebastian are adorable without being even remotely sickly sweet, now having said that, there are issues for the pair to get past or more so for Cody to get past. He runs to England to escape his fears of the former lover who is serving time for the abuse he inflicted upon Cody. Through chance encounters, or maybe not so chance since it is a relatively small community, he meets the Toulson-Brown brothers. Between Sebastian and his circle of new friends he meets, including a ghost and the desire to learn their story, in the process of restoring Mill Cottage, Cody begins to heal, grow, and love again. Will it be enough to make him stay? Well for that answer you will just have to check out The Gallows Tree for yourself, you won't be sorry.
The Summer House
1st Re-Read Review 2017:
I really don't think there is anything I can add that wasn't said in my original review two years ago. The Summer House is pure RJ Scott. For those who are not familiar with my love for this author's work, I will elaborate. The Summer House is an exciting story with an intriguing cast of characters within an awesome setting that hooked me in from page one, both as an original read and a reread. I was sucked in so deeply that if I opened my front door I expected to see the comings and goings of a quaint English village instead of my Western Wisconsin, USA street that has greeted me every day for nearly 26 years.
Original Review 2015:
You can't help but want to wrap Connor up in a tight hug to shield him from what we can guess he dealt with in his past. Watching him find his way in the world and specifically in the community that held such wonderful childhood memories is refreshing and uplifting. Then enters Ashby Sterling-Hayes, typical rich kid on the surface but we learn differently page by page. I loved the way the writer created a connection between the two that was pretty obvious and bordering on cliche on the surface but with each moment they spend in the other's company we quickly learn that there is so much more to both the individual characters and as a pair. In The Summer House book one of a new series, English Hearts, RJ Scott has created another batch of characters and setting that I eagerly await further installments.
RATING:
1st Re-Read Review 2016:
All I can say is I still loved David and Julian's story and that I hope we hear from them again. The duo is just so precious, sexy, and just plain fun.
Original Review 2014:
I once again enjoyed the vintage, paranormal behind this mystery. Passion, skepticism, drama, weariness abounds in this tale. Once again my only flaw is that it's just not long enough. Josh Lanyon creates characters and plots that just latch on to my heart, soul, and sets my imagination into overdrive that I just don't want to say goodbye when the last page hits.
This Rough Magic
1st Re-Read Review 2016:
Again another great mystery that got even better the second time around. The author has done the noir genre proud with Rafferty & Sheridan.
Original Review 2014:
Once again, I don't know what to say about this story other than I loved it. I fell in love with private eye Rafferty and his tough guy exterior instantly. And couldn't help but feel for Brett, considering his past and situation. The fact that they are complete opposites and yet fit perfectly speaks to the author's love of the written word and her ability to wrangle up a damn fine story.
Out of the Blue
1st Re-Read Review 2016:
I have upped my rating to 5 with my re-read. Since reading it the first time 2 years ago, I have come to have a deeper respect for novellas and don't knock off 1/2 a bookmark just for it's shortness. As for the story, it was fantabulous!! I am a huge lover of WW1 stories so that just added to my enjoyment. Even knowing how the story goes, Cowboy's actions and attitude still left me reeling but loved every ounce of him.
Original Review 2014:
This story is several of my favorite genres all rolled into one: historical, male/male relationships, romance, drama, and erotica. With main characters named Bat and Cowboy you expect to be dropped in the middle of a western, which by the way is also a favorite genre of mine, but this time author has brought her way with words to the airfield of World War One. Now, I won't lie, the first time you meet Cowboy you're not real sure if you are suppose to like him or not but we quickly find out that there's more to him than he first lets on. The only reason I gave this a 4-1/2 bookmark instead of 5 is because I would have loved for it to have been longer. Simply put, I was just not ready to let go of this pair when the final page came. Once again, I was not let down by Ms. Lanyon's work.
Snowball in Hell
1st Re-Read Review 2016:
When you can enjoy mysteries and noir even better the second time, that takes talent because going in remembering who did it normally would take a little away but not here. STILL LOVE IT!!!
Original Review 2014:
Amazing! More! Vintage! Noir! These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of how to describe this book. The characters are very vintage, intriguing, and burrow their way into your heart. I don't do spoilers so that's about all I'm going to say other than just WOW! and definitely MORE of Doyle & Spain is needed to be written.
RATING:
Shira Anthony
Shira Anthony is a complete sucker for a happily-ever-after, and rarely reads or writes a story without one. Never a fan of instalove, Shira likes to write stories about real men with real issues making real relationships work.
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Series is loosely based upon her own experiences as a professional musician.
Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.
RJ ScottRJ Scott is the bestselling romance author of over 100 romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men and women who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn't with family either reading or writing.
The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.
Josh Lanyon
A distinct voice in gay fiction, multi-award-winning author JOSH LANYON has been writing gay mystery, adventure and romance for over a decade. In addition to numerous short stories, novellas, and novels, Josh is the author of the critically acclaimed Adrien English series, including The Hell You Say, winner of the 2006 USABookNews awards for GLBT Fiction. Josh is an Eppie Award winner and a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist.
Shira Anthony
iTUNES / GOOGLE+ / GOOGLE PLAY
B&N / DREAMSPINNER / GOODREADS
EMAIL: shiraanthony@hotmail.com
RJ Scott
B&N / KOBO / SMASHWORDS
EMAIL: rj@rjscott.co.uk
Josh Lanyon
BLOG / NEWSLETTER / KOBO / B&N
SMASHWORDS / iTUNES / SHELFARI
GOOGE PLAY / YOUTUBE / AUDIBLE
EMAIL: josh.lanyon@sbcglobal.net
Merman of Ea Series
Moments
B&N / KOBO / SMASHWORDS
The Gallows Tree
B&N / KOBO / SMASHWORDS
The Summer House
What's Left of Kisses?
The Dark Farewell
This Rough Magic
KOBO / AUDIBLE / iTUNES / iTUNES AUDIO
Out of the Blue
KOBO / AUDIBLE / iTUNES / iTUNES AUDIO
Snowball in Hell
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