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Reza is the third book in Rayne Forrest’s trilogy, The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles – The first book is Kiana, and the second is Talyss. I haven’t read the first two, and I don’t usually like to pick up a book in the middle of a series, but I made an exception in this case -- I discovered that my editor at Loose Id and the editor on this book are the same. That sparked my curiosity and, as a result, I discovered a great new author. Premise: As the new captain of the Rea Cheveyo, one of Mick Coulter’s first assignments is to protect the outcast Yahto healer, Reza Breen. It is soon clear that the beautiful Reza is keeping many secrets. But as they give into their mutual attraction, it is Mick’s own secret that threatens to keep them apart. Through it all, he must keep her safe, because Reza not only holds the key to his heart, but to her people’s future. What I liked as a reader: Mick is an intelligent and mature hero. I get tired of reading about alpha-males who are all growly and aggressive, because I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t like them in real life. Mick is an alpha, but Forrest is confident enough in her ability to convey that about him, that she doesn’t have to shove it down our throats. The sex is hot, hot, hot! Oh, and the story is great, too. J What I liked as a writer: Fantastic world-building. It takes place in the distant future, and while Mick is a human, Reza is not. Forrest introduces many other “species", each with their own individual physiologies, customs, and social structures. But even with the complex world, and involved plot, the writing was clear and compelling. While this book is obviously part of a series, it stood well on it’s own –now I can’t wait to read the first two! [posted 4/5/2006]
I hadn’t read any of the three authors in this anthology before I bought it -- almost unheard of in a purchase for me. So what prompted me to spend my precious dinero here? You guessed it -- I bought this book because of the cover. Isn’t it yummy? What a pleasant surprise to find Jet Mykles’ story Leashed: Two For One Deal equally delicious, and well worth the price of the book. Premise: Meg is a witch with a problem. Another local witch wants her to be a part of his new coven -- not a bad thing in itself, but this other witch is kind of evil and power hungry. So Meg does what any self-respecting witch would do -- she calls for back-up in the form of a familiar. Lucky for her, back-up turns out to be two sexy shapeshifters who have the hots for each other, and who make it clear that they are more than willing to include her in their fun. What I liked as a reader: I likes so many things about this story, it’s hard to know where to begin. I really liked Meg. She was smart and funny and powerful, but all in a way that made her human and likeable. I love reading about m/m/f relationships, but only if the author can convince me that there are two distinct men there -- not just two penises. Mykles did this superbly. Rudy and Michael are wonderfully unique characters, who each brought something different to the table. The sex was HOT, and I love the way magic made it even hotter. What I liked as a writer: The story was short, but three characters were well developed -- not an easy feat. I love witches, but often stories written about witches are so steeped in Wicca, or the nitty-gritty of craft and theology that the story feels burdened by it. Or, on the other side of the spectrum, the witchiness can be a mere plot device to a story, and ends up seeming silly. Jet Mykles strikes just the right chord with her witch, Meg, neither overburdening the story with information nor reducing the witch element to the point of triviality. The m/m/f relationship is written with a deft hand, by someone who respects the m/m part of the equation as much as the other. This story was a real pleasure to read -- a witch and two shapeshifters done with skill, imagination and creativity -- how could I not love it? [posted 4/19/2006] |
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