Hi guys
So, remember when I released The Solstice Gift last month? No? Yeah? Maybe a blurb will refresh your memory.
Dis is a changeling, a human stolen away from his own world as a child by the vicious winter fae. He's survived to adulthood through a combination of luck and careful oversight by his only ally, a fairy lord named Marten, but his success might have finally reached its end.
It's the winter solstice, and Oberon's court is preparing for a hunt with a history of bloodshed, one that requires Dis to be an unwilling participant. Even if Dis lives through that, he's being watched by the king of the fae himself, and no one can save him if Oberon has marked him for sacrifice.
Yes, bad times for my changeling hero, but. I thought I ended the story on a hopeful note, relatively speaking. A couple of reviewers didn't really see it that way. Their reactions, while very valid, surprised me, and I thought I'd share them for your edification.
Serena at Rainbow Reviews said:
The author manages to paint the picture of a landscape and behaviors as bleak as they are cruel really well. From the environment to the storyline, I have to say this story is as fascinating as it is bittersweet. And as much as this is not my thing personally, I suspect that lots of people will like this short book. If you’re looking for burning passion that seems even hotter because it is set against the darkness of a cruel group of fae that have no respect for anyone who isn't part of their society, and if you prefer your stories with a touch of horror and cruelty, you will probably like this short book.
And Pixie for m/mbookreviews said:
Before we go any further I just need to do this… ‘aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh’ okay that’s out of my system.
There is much of this story that pulls you in and I will be honest the ending had me growling in frustration and spitting feathers, I nearly gave this book 2 Hearts because it ended so abruptly but I have since calmed down enough to give it a reasonable rating based on the storyline. There has to be a sequel in the pipeline for this book *on knees begging* because I need to know what happens next pppllllleeeeeaaaaassssseeeee.
I will recommend this to those who love Fae, finding love in a bleak harsh landscapes, a hard unfair life and a very bittersweet ending.
These are just excerpts from the reviews. Both people used the word "cruel" several times, and both of them seemed to enjoy the book but find it a downer as well. Folks, let me take a moment to assure you: I'm not evil. I'm not! While there is an established place in literature for tragedy, I tend to like happy endings! I would have made this one more pointed except that a condition of writing for this call from Total E-Bound was writing another story for the Summer Fae collection coming out in June, which I've done. It's a definite sequel, wraps everything up nicely and will leave you without the taste of blood in your mouth.
I bring this up for two reasons: one, I really appreciated the reviews because they pointed out something about my story that I hadn't really considered, and two, I wanted any potential readers not to be afraid of being let down by the plot. There's resolution, and there will be even more of it coming down the pipe, so...don't be afraid. Try it out!
More Paradise soon, and then I'll talk to you about the next serial starting up on the blog. I've been challenged to do something that, astonishingly, doesn't take place in space. I accept your challenge, madame!
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2013
Monday, August 20, 2012
HAPPYFUNTIMES!!! (re: reviews:)
There's been a brief but brilliant cascade of awesome reviews for some of my stuff lately, and I want to share them with you here, because if you're on the fence about a story I want to tip you off it (onto the soft and gentle side, of course!) and if you need a reason to recommend a story to a friend, these might do it for you. Thank you to the reviewers, you are all. So. Cool.
All reviews are helpful, but really good ones are just...um...well, you know how it is when you're really, really happy and your frail self can't contain it and you shout it to the ceiling/sky/door/clock/computer/husband's face, and you get funny looks but you just don't care? Yeah. Kind of like that.
The first two are for my story Reclaimed, the last one in the Treasured trilogy (which is now a collection, btw, called Pursued). It rounds out the story of Daniel and Rhys, in what I hope is a satisfying way.
It was reviewed by Jenre, here: Well Read: Review: Reclaimed. And here's a highlight:
At about 22,000 words, this isn't a long book. It does, however, round off the series in a very satisfactory manner and I waved off these characters into their HEA feeling that I was pleased to have known them. Those of you who have read the other books in this series will, like me, be keen to see the end.
The other review for it came from Sensual Reads, here: SensualReads Reclaimed Review.
Beautifully written with two magnificent heroes, Reclaimed shows love can save the day. Reclaimed will also have you on the edge of your seat as the plot unfolds and we cannot be sure what will happen next. Great job for Cari Z.
And just now, like 5 minutes ago, I learned that Alex at Between The Covers reviewed Changing Worlds, which if you know me you know is my baby, my longest published work so far. And it rocks. Rocks!
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All reviews are helpful, but really good ones are just...um...well, you know how it is when you're really, really happy and your frail self can't contain it and you shout it to the ceiling/sky/door/clock/computer/husband's face, and you get funny looks but you just don't care? Yeah. Kind of like that.
The first two are for my story Reclaimed, the last one in the Treasured trilogy (which is now a collection, btw, called Pursued). It rounds out the story of Daniel and Rhys, in what I hope is a satisfying way.
It was reviewed by Jenre, here: Well Read: Review: Reclaimed. And here's a highlight:
At about 22,000 words, this isn't a long book. It does, however, round off the series in a very satisfactory manner and I waved off these characters into their HEA feeling that I was pleased to have known them. Those of you who have read the other books in this series will, like me, be keen to see the end.
The other review for it came from Sensual Reads, here: SensualReads Reclaimed Review.
Beautifully written with two magnificent heroes, Reclaimed shows love can save the day. Reclaimed will also have you on the edge of your seat as the plot unfolds and we cannot be sure what will happen next. Great job for Cari Z.
And just now, like 5 minutes ago, I learned that Alex at Between The Covers reviewed Changing Worlds, which if you know me you know is my baby, my longest published work so far. And it rocks. Rocks!
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You can find it here: Between The Covers: Changing Worlds Review. Highlight!!!
Having enjoyed the short story that this novel expands on, I was excited to hear
that Ferran and Jason's story continued. And, for the benefit of people who
hadn't read the first story, it's included in the beginning of the novel. (Two
for the price of one!) I had already read it, but I re-read it, despite
everything being explained in the novel itself (for those who choose to skip
reading or re-reading the short). I was reminded how much I enjoyed the short,
and with its happy ending, it was almost difficult to begin the novel, knowing
there would be challenges in their future.
But I did, and I'm glad I did. A majority of the story is rather calm, action-wise, but it's tense in the relationship and political quandaries that arise. The last few chapters are incredibly compelling, and I eagerly ate through them. A great exploration of different cultures, xenophobia, and what really is the last great frontier--love. Oh, I mean space.
But I did, and I'm glad I did. A majority of the story is rather calm, action-wise, but it's tense in the relationship and political quandaries that arise. The last few chapters are incredibly compelling, and I eagerly ate through them. A great exploration of different cultures, xenophobia, and what really is the last great frontier--love. Oh, I mean space.
Friday, April 20, 2012
I read too, actually...
I've been spending too much time reading lately. I was so relieved to get my final edits done on Changing Worlds that once they were in, I completely shunned all my own work and started eating up other people's. Now I know I have to get back on task (yes, I'm constantly thinking about Cinders, it's on its way) but I thought I'd take a moment to mention a few things that appeal to me, personally, in what I read.
There are times when I read a story and it simultaneously fills me with pleasure and depresses me, because it's so good and so different that I know nothing I write could ever compare to it. And comparison isn't the point, every author is meant to have their own voice and I like the way I write, but sometimes I read something and I just go, "Oh wow. Damn."
BTW, these aren't reviews or necessarily recommendations, they're just things I've taken away from some recent reads that I've particularly enjoyed.
One thing I try to be comprehensive with in my own writing is worldbuilding, and it's probably the biggest selling point for me when it comes to other people's stuff. Before plot, before character, I like a setting and a scene. I want to smell and taste and hear what's going on. Descriptions don't have to drone on, but they do have to be relevant and interesting. I just finished The Time of the Singing by Louise Blaydon, and I absolutely loved her setting. One of her main characters was a Catholic priest and the way things were described, from his various duties to Latin mass to how he felt about his own homosexuality in the context of church law, was all amazing. I had to read the Latin parts out loud just so I could feel them roll off my tongue and increase my sense of atmosphere. This writer was someone who knew Catholicism, or at least did enough research to make it seem like she knew it to me, a non-Catholic. I loved it.
Did I love everything else about the book? No, I thought some of her characterization was rushed, and that she presented an unfeasably mature and forward 17-year old as a bit of a device for action. But I read it and I will read it again, with pleasure, because of how evocative her setting was.
I appreciate a good action scene. A lot of people try to write them, but often they come off feeling contrived and sort of "And then they were here" or "And with a feat of heroic ____, he killed his enemy." One series I follow is Andrea Speed's Infected stories, concerning werecats in modern society, and while I love her writing for the realism she brings to an unreal subject and characters who are memorable and well rounded, her action scenes are great. Even the ones that aren't meant to be anything special, just the description of someone walking, dancing or picking out their clothes, are all wonderful. She doesn't overuse words (not everything we do is sexy, not even in a romance), she doesn't overuse angst (I know your life sucks, but seriously, time to get over it or die) and she has a wonderful sense of flow. Good flow is something I'm working on, and reading her stuff just makes me more determined to get it right.
The last ones I'm going to bring up here are very popular in the genre, and rightfully so, because these books embody a sort of nebulous concept in writing, which often comes down to, "You either have it or you don't." The Cut and Run series starring FBI agenty Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are some of the most fun you can have while reading. The characters are delightful, the plots are interesting, the sex is very hot, and nothing is rushed--these are some long books, people. Very satisfying to read, and satisfaction is important in erotic romance. Again, are the books perfect? No. Because they're written by two authors, Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux, there are two distinct voices in the text. In the case of dialogue this can work very well, but sometimes it can be jarring. They're an impressive accomplishment of collaboration, however, and so much fun to read. In fact, as an author who's never successfully coauthored with anyone, I read them a little wistfully too.
So! Just thought I'd throw this out there, since it's been a while since my last post and Cinders isn't ready for you. Feel free to throw some recs my way if you can think of something that might appeal to me, I love knowing who else is in the library of my readers.
There are times when I read a story and it simultaneously fills me with pleasure and depresses me, because it's so good and so different that I know nothing I write could ever compare to it. And comparison isn't the point, every author is meant to have their own voice and I like the way I write, but sometimes I read something and I just go, "Oh wow. Damn."
BTW, these aren't reviews or necessarily recommendations, they're just things I've taken away from some recent reads that I've particularly enjoyed.
One thing I try to be comprehensive with in my own writing is worldbuilding, and it's probably the biggest selling point for me when it comes to other people's stuff. Before plot, before character, I like a setting and a scene. I want to smell and taste and hear what's going on. Descriptions don't have to drone on, but they do have to be relevant and interesting. I just finished The Time of the Singing by Louise Blaydon, and I absolutely loved her setting. One of her main characters was a Catholic priest and the way things were described, from his various duties to Latin mass to how he felt about his own homosexuality in the context of church law, was all amazing. I had to read the Latin parts out loud just so I could feel them roll off my tongue and increase my sense of atmosphere. This writer was someone who knew Catholicism, or at least did enough research to make it seem like she knew it to me, a non-Catholic. I loved it.
Did I love everything else about the book? No, I thought some of her characterization was rushed, and that she presented an unfeasably mature and forward 17-year old as a bit of a device for action. But I read it and I will read it again, with pleasure, because of how evocative her setting was.
I appreciate a good action scene. A lot of people try to write them, but often they come off feeling contrived and sort of "And then they were here" or "And with a feat of heroic ____, he killed his enemy." One series I follow is Andrea Speed's Infected stories, concerning werecats in modern society, and while I love her writing for the realism she brings to an unreal subject and characters who are memorable and well rounded, her action scenes are great. Even the ones that aren't meant to be anything special, just the description of someone walking, dancing or picking out their clothes, are all wonderful. She doesn't overuse words (not everything we do is sexy, not even in a romance), she doesn't overuse angst (I know your life sucks, but seriously, time to get over it or die) and she has a wonderful sense of flow. Good flow is something I'm working on, and reading her stuff just makes me more determined to get it right.
The last ones I'm going to bring up here are very popular in the genre, and rightfully so, because these books embody a sort of nebulous concept in writing, which often comes down to, "You either have it or you don't." The Cut and Run series starring FBI agenty Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are some of the most fun you can have while reading. The characters are delightful, the plots are interesting, the sex is very hot, and nothing is rushed--these are some long books, people. Very satisfying to read, and satisfaction is important in erotic romance. Again, are the books perfect? No. Because they're written by two authors, Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux, there are two distinct voices in the text. In the case of dialogue this can work very well, but sometimes it can be jarring. They're an impressive accomplishment of collaboration, however, and so much fun to read. In fact, as an author who's never successfully coauthored with anyone, I read them a little wistfully too.
So! Just thought I'd throw this out there, since it's been a while since my last post and Cinders isn't ready for you. Feel free to throw some recs my way if you can think of something that might appeal to me, I love knowing who else is in the library of my readers.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Two sweet reviews and a snippet of Reclaimed
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click here to view the post.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Nice Review for Different Spheres!
What can I say? I feel the need to spread the love. This short story's reception has been particularly good so far. *basks in warm snuggly feeling*
The review was by Lucy at Hearts On Fire Reviews. Four out of five stars, and here's the majority of what she had to say:
What this story shows is the blossoming of a friendship, with no pressure and no expectations. It is a slow build, and a precious glimpse into the lives of a mature (44 year old) man, living with a progressive disease and how that affects perceptions. Warren is 50, and had lost a partner to a heart attack. When he tells Gil about the last words of his lover, Nate, before he died, I cried. It was just so, real life and hurting.
This is a short book that I didn’t want to be any longer than what it was. While I would love a follow up sequel to revisit Warren and Gil, I felt this ended at such a beautiful place that anything else wouldn’t work.
Definitely recommended for those of us who aren’t perfect, who aren’t 18 and who know how difficult opening up can be.
Thanks, Lucy! Sorry I made you cry. Actually, not really:) Several people have let me know a sequel would be good. Any thoughts on that, folks? Because I'm definitely tempted to go there.
The review was by Lucy at Hearts On Fire Reviews. Four out of five stars, and here's the majority of what she had to say:
What this story shows is the blossoming of a friendship, with no pressure and no expectations. It is a slow build, and a precious glimpse into the lives of a mature (44 year old) man, living with a progressive disease and how that affects perceptions. Warren is 50, and had lost a partner to a heart attack. When he tells Gil about the last words of his lover, Nate, before he died, I cried. It was just so, real life and hurting.
This is a short book that I didn’t want to be any longer than what it was. While I would love a follow up sequel to revisit Warren and Gil, I felt this ended at such a beautiful place that anything else wouldn’t work.
Definitely recommended for those of us who aren’t perfect, who aren’t 18 and who know how difficult opening up can be.
Thanks, Lucy! Sorry I made you cry. Actually, not really:) Several people have let me know a sequel would be good. Any thoughts on that, folks? Because I'm definitely tempted to go there.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Upcoming Contest...totally serious here
So, the art of self promotion is something that I’ve yet to fully conquer. I realize that I’m supposed to push my work and let you know when something is coming up, when it’s getting a good review, and give you bits and pieces of it that will tantalize your curiosity. Ok, I can go there…it’s the contest thing that’s still bugging me. I haven’t done any contests yet, but the standard of giving something out one of the bunches of people who comment on your blog feels like overreaching to me, because I don’t get that kind of traffic. Yet! Not yet! Feeling confident, but still…
I’m going to hold a contest on November 2nd, when my novella A Blinded Mind comes out from Dreamspinner Press. All you have to do is leave me a comment that includes, hopefully, something nice to say. If there are five or fewer comments left on that post, I’ll contact every one of you lucky people (one comment apiece, please) and either send you an ebook of mine you haven’t read yet, one of the paperback books with my work in them that accumulated while I was in Africa (includes several anthologies) or something new and exciting to beta read (providing I adore you, which is always possible:). If there are more than five comments, then a random number generator will help me give the same offer to two people.
I’ll do a big and flashy post on the 2nd and remind you about the contest. In the meantime, here are some nice reviews. I’ll do a snippet later this week for my upcoming release. Huzzah!
An excerpt from www.freshfiction.com, for I Like To Watch (found here)
I LIKE TO WATCH is a collection of seventeen gay erotic short stories edited by Christopher Pierce. Although the stories all revolve around voyeurism and exhibitionism, they are very diverse in content. From solo shows to hook- ups to falling in love, from vanilla sex to fetishes to BDSM, there is something for everyone in this steamy anthology.
Other noteworthy entries include Good Boy by well-know author Jeff Mann and Table Topped by Cari Z. Both of these stories are about office romances, and I found them to be perhaps the most erotic in the collection.
From www.threedollarbillreviews.com, for Wild Passions (found here)
Anthologies for me are not always a great experience. I am always disappointed in a few stories, and wish others were a bit longer. This anthology had the disappointment, but with some good news. I am totally in love with the last two stories in this book; it’s as if they saved the best for last. The whole book deals with interspecies hook-ups, animal/human hybrids, and if I am not stretching too far some social and political issues. It all could just be my interpretation. Therefore, I will break down my review in terms of each story.
Opening Worlds by Cari Z
This was one of my favourite stories in the entire anthology. It just felt right and complete, and made me happy with its conclusion. A captain of a passenger freighter, and the alien from another planet. A human and alien love story in the greatest form. Jason Kim the captain swore never get involved with his passengers, but there is something about Ferran that calls to him. He is willing to break all the rules at a chance at happiness, but there is more to Ferran and will Jason be able to live with losing him. Just really adored this one.
Thanks to both those reviewers for having nice things to say! For those who are interested, my story in the Wild Passions anthology will be released as an individual ebook in December, so just in case you were waiting because you aren’t an anthology person, fear not. It’s on it’s way.
I’m going to hold a contest on November 2nd, when my novella A Blinded Mind comes out from Dreamspinner Press. All you have to do is leave me a comment that includes, hopefully, something nice to say. If there are five or fewer comments left on that post, I’ll contact every one of you lucky people (one comment apiece, please) and either send you an ebook of mine you haven’t read yet, one of the paperback books with my work in them that accumulated while I was in Africa (includes several anthologies) or something new and exciting to beta read (providing I adore you, which is always possible:). If there are more than five comments, then a random number generator will help me give the same offer to two people.
I’ll do a big and flashy post on the 2nd and remind you about the contest. In the meantime, here are some nice reviews. I’ll do a snippet later this week for my upcoming release. Huzzah!
An excerpt from www.freshfiction.com, for I Like To Watch (found here)
I LIKE TO WATCH is a collection of seventeen gay erotic short stories edited by Christopher Pierce. Although the stories all revolve around voyeurism and exhibitionism, they are very diverse in content. From solo shows to hook- ups to falling in love, from vanilla sex to fetishes to BDSM, there is something for everyone in this steamy anthology.
Other noteworthy entries include Good Boy by well-know author Jeff Mann and Table Topped by Cari Z. Both of these stories are about office romances, and I found them to be perhaps the most erotic in the collection.
From www.threedollarbillreviews.com, for Wild Passions (found here)
Anthologies for me are not always a great experience. I am always disappointed in a few stories, and wish others were a bit longer. This anthology had the disappointment, but with some good news. I am totally in love with the last two stories in this book; it’s as if they saved the best for last. The whole book deals with interspecies hook-ups, animal/human hybrids, and if I am not stretching too far some social and political issues. It all could just be my interpretation. Therefore, I will break down my review in terms of each story.
Opening Worlds by Cari Z
This was one of my favourite stories in the entire anthology. It just felt right and complete, and made me happy with its conclusion. A captain of a passenger freighter, and the alien from another planet. A human and alien love story in the greatest form. Jason Kim the captain swore never get involved with his passengers, but there is something about Ferran that calls to him. He is willing to break all the rules at a chance at happiness, but there is more to Ferran and will Jason be able to live with losing him. Just really adored this one.
Thanks to both those reviewers for having nice things to say! For those who are interested, my story in the Wild Passions anthology will be released as an individual ebook in December, so just in case you were waiting because you aren’t an anthology person, fear not. It’s on it’s way.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A new review for Shadowed
Well, gee. Really?
Apparently so! Coffeetimeromance.com just reviewed Shadowed and said all kinds of nice things about it. Have a link and an excerpt:
Shadowed review
"The adrenaline never stops racing as you are swept along in a fury of passion and danger with Rhys and Danny. Danny is not quite as clueless as everyone seems to think, but I really like his humble and quiet nature. He is a mirror image of his lover, Rhys, but that only makes their relationship all the more interesting. I do suggest reading Treasured first, and definitely hope there will be a third, because their story does not feel at all finished."
Thanks, Lototy! I hope there'll be a third story as well. I think I could round out Daniel and Rhys' story arc (at least this one) in a third book, and answer a lot of questions that readers have brought up in doing so. Like, how can someone who professes to value history as much as Daniel does have a relationship with someone who makes his living stealing it? Really. No, seriously, how can he actually put up with that, isn't he just lying to himself?
All this and more will be revealed if I get a contract for a third story. Fingers crossed. Want to check out the first two? Head to http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Cari-Z/ for the backlist.
In the meantime I'm working on more Pandora, I'm in the middle of edits on A Blinded Mind (the one I wrote for NaNoWriMo last year, intriguing but kind of dark), and there are a few more things waiting for approval before I can talk to you about them with any sense of triumph and/or accomplishment.
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