Title: The Second Mango (Mangoverse #1)

Author: Shira Glassman

Genre: Fantasy, F/F, M/F, lesbian fiction, Jewish literature

Publication date: September 20, 2016 (new edition)

Length: 178 pages

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32179385-the-second-mango

I already knew I liked Shira Glassman’s style when I picked this up, so I anticipated enjoying the story. It’s quite different from the last one I read, which was contemporary realistic. This is pure fantasy, and it’s absolutely wonderful.

I was immediately drawn into the setting. The book begins, “Once upon a time, in a lush tropical land of agricultural riches and shining white buildings, there was a young queen who spent the night tied up in a tent, panicking.” A lot of world-building and set-up isn’t necessary. We have an instant picture of where this story is going. Everything else about the kingdom of Perach is neatly woven into the rest of the story, making it easy for readers to imagine themselves right there with Shulamit and Rivka.

The tone throughout is reminiscent of telling wide-eyed children tales of adventure by the fireside, only with a grown-up flair. I was captivated and delighted by the distinctly Jewish flavor of the storytelling. For non-Jewish readers, there’s a nice glossary of terms in the back to translate some of the words, but I found it personally unnecessary. While I did know the terms already, I think I’d have mostly been able to gather the meanings from context. Your mileage may vary.

I loved both of the point of view characters, Shulamit (the queen) and Rivka (her chosen bodyguard). They are opposites in almost every way, but they develop a deep and wonderful friendship. What makes this a somewhat unusual love story is that it isn’t between the POV characters. While Shulamit is a lesbian, Rivka is straight. This is not a “gay for you” story. I want to make that clear upfront so anyone thinking this is going to be about Rivka awakening to her true feelings won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t go that way. Instead, although there is some romance (which I won’t spoil), it’s mainly about these two women developing trust for one another. It makes a refreshing change from many romances, which focus exclusively on the love interests.

There isn’t much I could say without spoiling the story. It relies heavily on the element of surprise to be effective, and there are a couple of interesting mysteries to solve. In fact, the idea of puzzling things out to find the answer is a theme through the entire story. It’s one of the things I enjoyed most.

I absolutely loved Rivka and the way she bent gender norms without it feeling like the same old plot of a woman posing as a man. Yes, she intentionally hides her gender, as part of a culture in which she would not be accepted as a woman warrior. However, it’s done in such a clever way, and Rivka is not expected to somehow change into a delicate flower the minute she finds a man. Nor is she expected to deny her womanhood simply because she’s employed as a bodyguard. The acceptance of both women for who they are is one of the best parts of the book.

As for the romance, it was exactly the right amount for me. I like a little love story with my adventure more than I like a little adventure with my love story, so in my eyes, it was perfect. The hinted at sensuality and the mostly off-page violence fit the tone of the story nicely. Those elements are mild enough that I would feel comfortable giving this to a well-read teen, even though it’s not listed as young adult. I suggest parents preview first, as others may have a different view on the matter than I do.

I loved this so much that my first action on finishing was to go find the rest of the books in the series. I can’t wait to read them all. This book was everything I was looking for, and it was the perfect read to start my holiday vacation. Ms. Glassman has earned a place on my go-to authors list.

For a fun (and often funny) adventure, easy to love characters, and just the right touch of sweet romance, this gets 10/10 mangoes…er, fountain pens.

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Title: The Power of Peppermint

Author: L.D. Blakeley

Genre: m/m romantic comedy, holiday

Publisher: LDB Books

Publication date: December 14, 2016

Length: 68 pages

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33299197-the-power-of-peppermint

This is only the second story I’ve read by L.D. Blakely, but I’m officially hooked. The story is funny, smart, and steamy enough to melt a whole box of candy canes.

I absolutely love May-December romances, especially when they’re as sweet and fun as this one. Predictably, Jamison, the older man, is stuffy and uptight; Noah, the younger man, is charming and bubbly. But underneath the obvious exteriors, both of them defy their age stereotypes. They make a perfect match. Neither of them falls into the trap of playing “teacher” or healing each other with magic sex. They’re just two guys who happen to fall for each other.

For readers who enjoy it, there’s a bit of teasing, a lot of ogling, fluffy instant-love, and meddlesome-but-not-really family. In another context, I might enjoy it less, but it works perfectly for a holiday romance. It all has a tongue-in-cheek feel to it. They have good chemistry, and although they move fast, there are no declarations of forever at the end. They do, of course, have magical sex, but it didn’t feel like too much or too perfect. There’s a nice balance of sweet and steamy. I highly recommend this for people who aren’t looking for anything heavy, just a little Christmas fun.

For a gift-wrapped romance, sexy guys, and a sweet twist on classic tropes, this gets 10/10 peppermint sticks…er, fountain pens.

The wiggle he gave as his cell phone rang, elicited a flurry of giggles from the children who were patiently awaiting their turn. He’d tucked it into the waistband of his tunic because, well, honestly there was nowhere else to stash it.

“Speak of the devil,” he answered, seeing his sister’s face on the phone’s display. “Woah, woah, cool your jets.” Noah held the phone an inch or so from his ear. His sister’s voice was anything but dulcet, especially when she was blasting him with an earful of — wait, what did she say?

“Where are you?” Abi demanded.

“At the mall in all my elfin glory.”

“Well, how come Jamison just told me you bailed?”

Her voice had zero chill and Noah knew better than to mess with her too much. “What are you talking about? I’m looking at him right now. Have been for hours.” As though to punctuate Noah’s sentence, Jamison looked up at that exact moment. Noah couldn’t help himself and flashed what he hoped was a dazzling smile.

Dropping his voice just in case it carried, he continued. “P.S., how come you never mentioned how hot he was? I mean, he’s wound tighter than a two-dollar watch, but he’s damn pretty. You did say he’s gay, right?”

“He is. And leave him alone.”

“Hang on a second, you’re talking to me like I’m a delinquent teenager instead of someone helping you out of a jam. Remind me again how you roped me into this gig?”

“You’re good with kids, know your way around a camera, and could use the distraction. And you love me.”

Noah laughed at her bullet-pointed accuracy. “I don’t love you that much. Try again.”

“Because I’m letting you live under my roof, smartass. And as long as you’re under my roof—”

“I know, I know,” he cut her off with a chuckle. “But I might have to amuse myself by flirting with the J in A & J Photography.” He could almost hear the impending warning, so he didn’t give her a chance. “Sorry, gotta go. Santa’s almost done for the day and requires my assistance. Bye-bye.”

She hated it when he did that. Which made it all that more fun when he did. Just to be on the safe side, however, he turned the ringer off before tucking his phone back into his patent leather belt.

There were only a few kids left in line when Mac gave him the wrap-it-up signal, so he latched the velvet rope behind the last of them to keep out stragglers. As much fun as the munchkins were, Noah was looking forward to getting home, getting showered and putting on real pants.

When the last print of the day had been handed over to a beaming young couple and their chirpy toddler, he locked up the till and started packing things away for the night. Within the first few days on the job, he’d gotten the routine down to a science and was finished in no time.

Jamison was still crouched by a tripod busily loading lenses into his camera bags so he wandered over to help. He didn’t seem the type to let anyone touch his gear but Noah figured he’d at least ask. It was as good an excuse as any to talk to the guy.

“Need a hand?”

“I’m just about finished. Thanks.” Jamison zipped up the bag and stood to his full height.

With absolutely no shame, Noah gave him a head-to-toe once-over. Damn.

“I’m Noah by the way.” He grinned, knowing full well by the slight blush on Jamison’s face that he’d been caught. He hadn’t been going for subtle. “Abi’s brother.”

“Oh. Oh.” Jamison’s eyes widened, no doubt in recognition of the name. “Jamison. Hi.” He cleared his throat and held his out his hand.

“Nice working with you today.” He held onto Jamison’s hand a beat or two longer than necessary and gave him a puckish smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he added with a wink.

For good measure, he added a bit of sway to his hips as he walked away. He’d be willing to bet good money Jamison was watching his ass.

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Today I’m chatting with L.D. Blakeley about writing, life, and their current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about The Power of Peppermint.

What inspired you to write this story?

I love May/December romances and wanted to write a happy holiday story. I think Christmas can be a tough time of year for a lot of people, so every little extra bit of happy we can create is important.

Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?

I can certainly identify with Jamison. I can be a bit tightly wound like he is and I tend to have moments where I think, “good lord, but I’m old.” I also have a fondness for photography – it’s been a hobby since journalism school, though I’m no pro like Jamison.

What was the hardest part of writing this?

This was, happily, one of those stories that came quite easily once the idea took root.

Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?

I think my favourite line is from Jamison’s POV.

Apparently it was possible to feel ancient and pubescent at the same time.

Because I think that, no matter how old we get, there’s always a part of us who feels out of our element or childlike and unsure how to behave. At least that’s been the case in my life. LOL.

Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.

Now that I’ve released my first self-published title, The Power of Peppermint, I’m busy with edits/rewrites for a magical realism MM romance that I started during last year’s NaNoWriMo. And I’ve got books 2 and 3 of my Laissez Faire series on the go as well. Book 1 (Opportunity Knocks) came out the summer before last, then I got sidetracked with a  few other WIPs and left the boys hanging.

What are some of the jobs besides writer that you’ve held?
Once upon a time I was a summer reporter for a newspaper. I’ve been an entertainment/music writer, a travel writer/editor, a PR writer, a website writer/editor, and a marketing shill. And back in my high school & university days, I worked in a department store.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
I once s-l-o-w-l-y finished a half-marathon and I’m probably a bit too proud of that accomplishment (especially considering there’s no way I could repeat the feat.) But career-wise, I would say just being published. I spent a long time writing for other people. So when I started writing for me, it was incredibly encouraging to know that it was something that others might also enjoy.

What do you see yourself doing in another 1, 5, and/or 10 years?
Exactly what I’m doing now—writing and sharing my stories with as many people as possible.

Word Sprints!

1. Plotter or pantser? Plantser
2. Coffee or tea? Coffee
3. Cats or dogs? Cat. But if I didn’t live downtown and had a yard? Both.
4. Musical theater or rock concert? BOTH
5. What’s your favorite movie? Velvet Goldmine

Title: Seven Minutes

Author: Grace Kilian Delaney

Genre: MM Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner

Publication date: December 7, 2016

Length: 55 pages

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32930685-seven-minutes

**Full disclosure: I had the privilege of beta reading this story.**

This is a terrific story, short enough to read on a cozy afternoon. It should hit the high notes for people who enjoy “you’ll know it when the right one comes along” tales.

Stone and Devon are a pretty unlikely couple, but it’s precisely because they don’t fit the usual molds that they work perfectly. I’m not usually a fan of the “manly man” type, but Stone wears it so well it’s impossible not to like him. He wants to be this bad boy, but he isn’t. I’m a sucker for “hardened with a heart of gold,” so he won me over.

As much as I like Stone, Devon is my favorite. He’s gender variant, and he doesn’t fall into a stereotype of what that’s supposed to look like. He’s a treasure. The two of them are so absolutely right together. On the surface, they look like they might fall into stereotypes, and yet they never do. Stone might be a gruff guy-guy, but he’s also sensitive and a bit emotionally needy as someone just discovering himself. Devon’s got confidence in spades, and his cross-dressing and femininity don’t ever turn him into a woman stereotype stand-in.

My favorite thing here is that Stone and Devon both save each other, yet neither of them is a white night. They show each other what it means to be both soft and strong, and when it comes down to it, they’re able to draw on each other’s support to stand up for themselves. That’s the best kind of relationship.

For a sweet and sexy romance, lovable characters, and just the right touch of humor and fun, this gets 10/10 fountain pens.

What inspired you to write this story?

I wanted to do something contemporary, and my friend, Paige Gabriel, came up with the idea of a cross-dressing MC. Stone’s character fulfilled my teenage dreams of being a heavy metal singer. The unlikely pairing seemed like a fun thing to write.

Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?

Initially, I identified with Stone in that he’d been burned by love, yet he remained open to experiences. Deep down, he didn’t want to be grumpy—me neither. But Devon is my favorite. He’s got that confidence of accepting who he is and doesn’t feel the need to chose between identifying as male or female; he’s at home with both. When I picked my pen name, I included both a female and male name. The action was intentional, but at the time I hadn’t realized how true it felt. I’d always be the boy when I was a kid playing, and yet I liked all the things associated with being female. It’s taken many years for me to reach the level of self-acceptance Devon possesses, and now I just go with my mood, like him.

What was the hardest part of writing this?

I have to say trying to figure out how Devon identified and how to write about him/her in a light that would convey a strong, confident character was a challenge. I am grateful for all of my beta readers and Dreamspinner Press for their suggestions and guidance.

Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?

This scene between Stone and his bandmate/best friend Matty is probably my favorite. I love their relationship and their banter because they’re not afraid to get in each other’s face and tell it like it is.

“Admit it,” Matty said. “You haven’t been the same since you met Devon.” The grin returned, and I restrained myself not to punch it the hell off his face.

“Fine. So the fuck what if I like him?” I’d had enough. “Are you gonna disown me because I like cock?”

He barked a laugh. “Dude, I’m like a fungus. You can’t get rid of me.”

Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.

Oisin, Devon’s best friend, needed his own story and happy ending. I’m hoping the full-length novel Waking Oisin will be out by Spring.

Oisin Harrison, a UNLV law school student, is poised to take over his father’s multimillion-dollar law firm, and it’s making him miserable. He’d lost his fiancée last year when she realized he truly was bisexual and the occasional hookups he’d had since felt empty. Wanting something more, Oisin attends an invite-only fetish party where he meets a former Dom. This Dom has Oisin seeing the future—a talent inherited by his grandmother—and it’s not entirely good, but the good parts reveal this man is everything Oisin has dreamed about, if only he wasn’t set to be the next junior partner in Oisin’s father’s law firm.

Trenton Fisher loves working as an attorney, though a recent case had him and his colleagues fearing for their lives. When Trent learns a potentially violent man may be attending a fetish party, Trent regresses to his former life as a Dom to warn the Dungeon Master. What he didn’t expect to find was the senior partner’s son, Oisin Harrison, a younger man he’d fantasized about but never met, one breath away from letting the violent man dominate him. Forced to take charge, Trent risks his beloved career to protect the man, a risk costing them both far more than Trent ever anticipated.

How has your life changed since becoming a published author?

Being this is my first time published as a writer (I am a published musician), it’s changed the way others view me more than it’s changed my perception of myself. Having the opportunity and the gift of being published opens doors and makes other publishers and authors take me more seriously than before.

If you could take a time machine back 10 years, what would you tell your past self?

Just be yourself. Stay true to your art and quit drinking and hiding so much.

What do you hope people say about you after you’re gone?
She was a kind soul who inspired me.

Word Sprints!

1. Plotter or pantser? Plotter
2. What’s your favorite book? Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman
3. What’s a charity/cause you support? World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)
4. In school, were you more academic, artsy, or athletic? Artsy
5. What superpower do you wish you had? The ability to heal people

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Title: Of the Bauble

Author: Debbie McGowan

Genre: YA, fantasy, romance, bisexual

Publisher: Beaten Track

Publication date: December 15, 2016

Length: 136 pages

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32884992-of-the-bauble

**Full disclosure: I received a free ARC for the purpose of review. I had already pre-ordered as a gift for my 13-year-old. When he was in immediate need of a book for school, I allowed him to read my copy. He will still receive the eBook I ordered.**

I love good young adult literature, especially if the protagonist is LGBTQIA and it’s not full of drama centered on homophobia. More importantly, though, is whether or not I would recommend any given book to the young adults in my household. I took a chance and gave this one to my thirteen-year-old before I’d previewed it. My instinct paid off; I knew it the moment I heard him laughing from the other room. We both loved it.

Kieran is a delightful protagonist, and he’s entirely age-appropriate. Old enough to be mostly independent, he’s able to have his magical adventures unhindered. But he’s still young enough to be under the watchful (albeit tolerant) eye of his mother, requiring some creative explanations for his actions. This is a nice and atypical balance. Too often, adults are enemies in young adult literature. There’s a refreshingly realistic balance between Kieran’s decision-making ability and his need for some guidance.

Then there’s Jinn. They (gender-neutral pronouns used throughout) are also well done as a not-quite-human presence discovering things in the human world. Rather than the tired trope of human-has-to-guide-non-human, Jinn possesses vast knowledge and understanding—and Kieran needs their help as much as they require the same in return. Rather than the balance of power being skewed, the two of them are on equal footing with regard to how much they can do for each other.

I suppose it could be argued that because Jinn is a magical being, it places gender variance in the realm of mythical beings. However, I didn’t see it that way. While we do need realistic characters of non-binary genders, Jinn’s gender is actually a function of how Kieran sees them (to explain why would give spoilers). That puts gender variance firmly rooted in humanity and demonstrates people’s (especially young people’s) ability to understand the complexity.

Although this is listed as a romance, and there certainly is some of that, it doesn’t carry the entire plot. The love between Kieran and Jinn is sweet, developing slowly and organically over the course of their other adventures. It parallels Kieran’s self-discovery, but neither the romance nor Kieran’s identity are the focal point of the story.

Besides touching on gender and sexuality, there’s some good commentary about the world Jinn comes from and the relationship between the magical realm and the human one. Again, to describe it would be to give spoilers, and this is a story which relies heavily on the element of surprise. I’m still thinking about what it means with regard to the symbiosis of human cultures.

This is short enough to be read in an afternoon, but long enough to feel satisfying. According to my thirteen-year-old, he related to Kieran in many ways. He loved Junie, the rabbit, and the story has been a source of conversation (and quotes) since he finished. He says,

“The plot was incredible. It was amazing and had lovable characters that were constantly developing.”

For me, that’s the best reason to recommend the book: My teen, who rarely reads young adult novels because it’s hard to find ones he likes, enjoyed this. Good enough.

For delightful characters, a bit of holiday fun, and youth-centered commentary on gender, freedom, and relationships, this gets 10/10 fountain pens.

By now, the bauble was only millimetres from my face, the heat so intense I could feel it burning the tip of my nose, but I was completely transfixed by the swirling blue inside the glass chamber, a tiny tornado spinning up from the spike, dispersing and scattering like exploding fireworks, before fluttering down and settling in a sapphire snowstorm, only to start over again. In the far-off distance, I was aware of Cara’s bedroom door opening and slamming shut, the creak of the rungs as she climbed the ladder…

I need to hide it.

Where the thought had come from, I did not know, but I was overwhelmed by the urge to keep this magnificent find to myself. I stared into the glass, trying to think where i could put it so no one would find it.

A face stared back at me.

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