Welcome to December, fellow readers. Sorry it has taken me so long to post some reviews, but my husband of 28 years died on Dec 4, and it has been a massive amount of work dealing with cremation arrangements, death certificates, all the detritus he left behind, and all the bills he left unpaid. So I've been grieving, overwhelmed and relieved that he's no longer in pain and is at peace. He was 65, but alcoholism had taken its toll, and he looked like an 80 year old. Addiction is a cruel mistress, and Jim found out the hard way that unless you face it and try to overcome it, it will eat you alive, body and soul. He became, in the past two-three years, someone I hardly recognized, an angry, hateful, cruel man who wanted to turn back the clock 37 years so he could be a carefree bachelor going out drinking, dancing and carousing every week. Unfortunately, time doesn't work that way, and he paid the price for his egotistic fantasy. Anyway, here's some tidbits and reviews of the three books I was able to read during the past few tumultuous weeks.
RIP to am amazing playwright.
Obituary
Note: Tom Stoppard
Tom Stoppard, whose beloved plays
include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Jumpers, Travesties,
Night and Day, The Real Thing, Arcadia, The Invention of Love, The
Coast of Utopia, Rock 'n' Roll, and Leopoldstadt, has died at the age
of 88.
The New York Times called Stoppard "the
Czech-born playwright who
entwined erudition with imagination,
verbal pyrotechnics with arch cleverness, and philosophical probing
with heartache and lust in stage works that won accolades and awards
on both sides of the Atlantic, earning critical comparisons to
Shakespeare and Shaw....[He] earned a reputation as the most cerebral
of contemporary English-language playwrights, venturing into vast
fields of scholarly inquiry--theology, political theory, the
relationship of mind and body, the nature of creativity, the purpose
of art--and spreading his work across the centuries and continents."
The Wall Street Journal said Stoppard
"spun wordplay, philosophical
debates and scientific principles into
popular theatrical entertainment, landing a string of West End and
Broadway hits [and] was known for elevating intellectual theater in
the public consciousness and marrying intellectual depth and dramatic
entertainment."
Besides more than 30 plays, Stoppard
also wrote screenplays for TV,
radio, and the movies. The best-known
of them was Shakespeare in Love,
for which he and Marc Norman won an
Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
His other screenplays included Brazil,
Empire of the Sun, The Russia
House, Billy Bathgate, Enigma, Anna
Karenina, and Parade's End. He
adapted his Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern Are Dead for film and directed
the movie.
And, as the Guardian noted, "he
was the go-to writer for blockbusters in
need of a bit of spit and polish
(including Indiana Jones and the Last
Crusade and the Star Wars adventure
Revenge of the Sith). Steven
Spielberg once dragged him out of the
shower with an urgent phone call
to discuss a problem with Schindler's
List."
Among his many honors, he was knighted
in 1997 and awarded the Order of
Merit in 2000. In 2013, he won the PEN
Pinter Prize for his
"determination to tell things as
they are." Another honor was having an
adjective based on his name included in
the Oxford English Dictionary:
"Stoppardian."
Tomorrow London's West End theatres
will dim their lights for two
minutes in honor of Stoppard. The
Society of London Theatre's president,
Kash Bennett, said Stoppard's
"extraordinary voice reshaped modern
theatre, combining intellectual daring,
emotional depth and razor-sharp
wit in work that challenged, moved and
delighted audiences across
generations."
This sounds fantastic, and I hope that I get the chance to see it when it debuts.
Movies:
Rogue Male
Benedict Cumberbatch "has
confirmed that he remains committed" to
adapting Geoffrey Household's Rogue
Male, the 1939 British novel that he said inspired Ian Fleming to
write the James Bond books, Deadline reported. Cumberbatch and his
production company SunnyMarch had announced in 2016 that they planned
to adapt the novel, but it hasn't happened yet.
"It's the original fugitive novel
and a huge inspiration for Ian Fleming
for Bond. When we first sat down to
talk about this, [we thought] is
this a bit of a guy's film?" he
said recently on the SmartLess podcast,
adding that he hoped to schedule
shooting for 2026.
"The longer we were exploring the
themes of it and the motivation behind
the guy's actions, and the outcome, and
how he's turned on by his own
side, as well as the side he's tried to
take down, it's fascinating how
it plays into the political spectrum of
what's going on in the world
right now," Cumberbatch added.
Peter O'Toole appeared in a 1977 BBC TV
adaptation of Rogue Male, and the 1940
Twentieth Century Fox movie Man
Hunt was also based on it.
What a great idea for those who are dealing with poverty this holiday season! Books feed the soul, just as food feeds the body.
Cool
Idea: A Giving Tuesday Yarn Tree
"This past weekend you might have
noticed the yarn tree Alex built by
the register," A Novel Idea in
Philadelphia, Pa., posted on Facebook. "This is our Giving Tree
in honor of Giving Tuesday
(though we're going to keep it up
through the holidays).... This holiday
season we encourage you to
pay-it-forward. Purchase an ANI gift card,
book, ornament, etc. to go on our tree
for someone in the community.
This can be done in-store or online!
"Anyone is welcome to take
something from the tree--maybe for
themselves, a gift for a family member
or friend, etc.--at no cost, with
no questions asked, and without
stigma."
This is true...booksellers are heroic.
Quotation
of the Day
'Booksellers Are Heroes for Their
Communities'
"I grew up mostly an only child,
so I spent a lot of time reading in my
room, then imagining stories of my own.
Which is to say, books have
always felt like some of the very best,
most satisfying company.
"These days, living in the D.C.
area, my local indies have become a
refuge from the uncertainty and
heartache swirling around this city.
Even as our local economy bears the
brunt of a government shutdown and
massive government layoffs, when I
visit Wonderland Books or Politics
and Prose, they're almost always
bustling with customers. I think that's
because they supply more than
books--they provide community and escape.
More than ever, I believe booksellers
are heroes for their communities."--Marisa Kashino, author
RIP to the famed potboiler romance writer, Fern Michaels.
Obituary
Note: Fern Michaels
Prolific author Fern Michaels, "a
mother of five in suburban New Jersey who responded to her husband's
request to get a job by taking up writing, only to blossom into a
bestselling author of more than 200 romances and thrillers,"
died on November 12, the New York Times reported. She was 92.
Michaels began her career writing with a partner, Roberta Anderson,
but took legal control of the pen name (her real name was Mary
Kuczkir) in 1989 and adopted it as her public persona in interviews.
She sold an estimated 150 million
books, according to Kensington
Publishing, her longtime publisher. Her
work has been translated into 20
languages. She was best known for the
Sisterhood series, a collection of
36 romantic thrillers that began with
Weekend Warriors (2003),
Michaels credited a steely resolve that
allowed her to launch a writing
career in her 40s: "When my
youngest went off to kindergarten, my
husband told me to get off my ass and
get a job. Those were his exact
words. I didn't know how to do anything
except be a wife and mother....
Rather than face the outside world with
no skills, I decided to write a
book. As my husband said at the time,
stupid is as stupid does. Guess
what, I don't have that husband
anymore." Although the couple never
divorced, they separated in the early
1970s.
She met Anderson, another suburban
mother, while working part time in
market research. They chose their pen
name because Michaels liked the
name Michael, and had a huge plastic
fern in her living room. The Times
wrote that "the duo worked odd
jobs, including cleaning clogged drains
and taking door-to-door surveys, before
publishing the first Fern
Michaels novel, Pride & Passion, in
1975.... Two years later, they
achieved a commercial breakout with
Captive Passions."
"Fern's books became a safe place
for women to find someone who not only
understood what they were going
through, but also celebrated them," said
Esi Sogah, who edited several of her
novels for Kensington. "She gave us
a window into the world the way it
could be, and showed us how to have a
fun time doing it."
After she took over the pen name,
Michaels continued her relentless pace
for decades. Even into her 90s, she
typically published four books a
year. She recently embarked on a new
series, Twin Lights, and published
the first installment, Smuggler's Cove,
in August. Code Blue, the 37th
Sisterhood novel, will be published
this month, and several more books
are scheduled for publication in the
coming year.
"Is Fern Michaels a great writer?
No," she wrote on her website. "She is
however, one hell of a story teller.
When people ask me what I do, I
say, 'I scribble and tell stories.'
It's a great way to make a living."
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle is a YA romantasy that has just the perfect amount of spice and sexual tension, and also has a mystery laden plot with plenty of twists and turns, well outlined by straightforward and gleaming prose. Here's the blurb: In the dark underbelly of a beautiful city,
two rival assassins are pitted against each other in a deadly game of
revenge, where the most dangerous mistake of all is falling in love in
this “steamy” young adult fantasy.
In Fantome, a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, beautiful buildings, and secret catacombs, Shade-magic is a scarce and deadly commodity controlled by two enemy guilds: the Cloaks and the Daggers—the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother’s murder, eighteen-year-old Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary with the Cloaks, Sera’s heart is set on revenge. But are her secret abilities a match for the dark-haired boy whose quicksilver eyes follow her around the city?
Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers. And Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farm girl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before. As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome’s underworld, Sera and Ransom are consumed by the push and pull of their magic…and the deadly spark and terrible vengeance that keeps drawing them back together.
In Fantome, a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, beautiful buildings, and secret catacombs, Shade-magic is a scarce and deadly commodity controlled by two enemy guilds: the Cloaks and the Daggers—the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother’s murder, eighteen-year-old Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary with the Cloaks, Sera’s heart is set on revenge. But are her secret abilities a match for the dark-haired boy whose quicksilver eyes follow her around the city?
Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers. And Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farm girl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before. As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome’s underworld, Sera and Ransom are consumed by the push and pull of their magic…and the deadly spark and terrible vengeance that keeps drawing them back together.
I loved Sera's strong backstory and her commitment to her goal of taking out the bad guys and bringing light to all the darkness created by her mother's hatred of her father, the head of the Daggers assassins. I also loved the fact that she was no shrinking violet or damsel in distress, and she let Ransom know this right from the start, so there was no misunderstanding her goal and determination. Of the two, Ransom was the more emotional, confused and unable to accomplish anything due to his infatuation with Sera. Usually in romance fiction the woman gives it all up for the handsome guy, but it was the opposite here, which was refreshing. The prose was juicy and very well done, gripping enough to turn this novel into a page-turner that I couldn't put down. I'd give it an A, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantasy with very moderate spice.
Toni and Addie Go Viral by Melissa Marr is an LGBTQ romance that was very spicy and full of emotional backstory and reveals. Here's the blurb: Hot new author and her lead actress stun fans in a secret wedding―is it all a publicity stunt? Or something more…
On a whim―and hoping to pay off the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt her grifter father left behind―Victorian history professor Toni Darbyshire sells her lesbian detective novel in a massive deal. Suddenly thrust into the overwhelming new world of publishing, plus a television adaptation, Toni’s life gets even more complicated when her one-night stand turned pen pal (and the namesake for her main character) shows up in person for casting of the show.
Aspiring actress Addie’s had a crush on the professor ever since she watched her lectures on the Victorian era to prep for a stage role. Now, getting cast in Toni’s TV series could be her big break. But Addie’s in over her head when promo pictures of their fake Victorian wedding go viral. She could lose more than just her heart … and her historically accurate underthings.
On a whim―and hoping to pay off the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt her grifter father left behind―Victorian history professor Toni Darbyshire sells her lesbian detective novel in a massive deal. Suddenly thrust into the overwhelming new world of publishing, plus a television adaptation, Toni’s life gets even more complicated when her one-night stand turned pen pal (and the namesake for her main character) shows up in person for casting of the show.
Aspiring actress Addie’s had a crush on the professor ever since she watched her lectures on the Victorian era to prep for a stage role. Now, getting cast in Toni’s TV series could be her big break. But Addie’s in over her head when promo pictures of their fake Victorian wedding go viral. She could lose more than just her heart … and her historically accurate underthings.
This charming lesbian romance had a lot going for it, not the least of which is sparkling prose and a faster than lightening plot that will keep readers turning pages into the wee hours. Though the descriptive sex scenes were a bit too frequent and overly done, IMO, I'm glad that there are books like this for budding lesbians everywhere to read and know that their desires are normal and natural. The characters introspection was also a bit much, but, though this isn't my usual fare, it was so well done it doesn't matter...a well told story is a well told tale, no matter the genre. I'd give it a B+ and recommend it to anyone in the LGBTQ community, or those who are wondering about their sexuality and looking for roadmaps on their journey.
Bonded By Thorns by Elizabeth Helen is a fairy tale romantasy very spicey LGBTQ retelling of Beauty and the Beast that I found to be blush-inducing and charming all at once. Here's the blurb:
Four beastly princes. One awkward bookworm. An enchanted world of fae, magic, and danger.
I've always loved fairytales. I never imagined I'd actually be in one.
When
my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae, I know I have to
go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I'll do anything to save
him... Even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I'd end up
imprisoned by four fae princes who turn into beasts at night.
I
have to win my freedom, and that means making a bargain with them. They
must find their mates in order to break the curse. If I can help them
do that, they'll set me free. Sounds simple, right?
It's
not. Because against my better judgment, I'm starting to fall for these
beastly princes. One is smart and sweet, the other mysterious and
deadly, another flirty and confident, and the last prince... He's
handsome, strong, has a wicked temper, and is dead-set against breaking
the curse. Why does he want to keep me here forever?
But
it's not just my freedom on the line. If I don't break the princes'
curse soon, all the magic in the Enchanted Vale will be stolen by the
evil—and stupidly hot—Prince of Thorns. And I'm not letting my princes
stay cursed.
Not after I've fallen in love with them.
Though there's lots of metaphors in this book, I'm not completely sure what the thorns represent, unless they're male anatomy covers. There's a lot of descriptive gay male sex that goes on in this book, though the beauty has 4 male suitors and I'd expected at least one "throuple" or "group sex" scene somewhere, but was disappointed. An effort is made to tell readers that all the main characters are actually bisexual, but none of those scenarios are ever played out. There were some dark and bloody scenes here, and alight bondage, while it was apparent that each character was insecure in one way or another. I liked that the castle was run by women who shape-shifted into adorable animals like bunnies or raccoons at night, while the four princes become savage wolves. The prose was clean and crisp, and the plot beautifully swift, which was a blessing since the book was over 500 pages long, so it was never a slog to read. Engrossing, if somewhat redundant with the constant gay male sex scenes, I'd still give this beautifully created (great cover art and rosy burgundy edges) novel a B, and recommend it to anyone looking for some spicy male on male action and an elegant retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Warning, this is the first part of a series, so cliffhangers are inevitable.