Wednesday Reads

I cheated a bit on my book count, since I’m including novellas and short stories. Hey, I need all the help I can get to reach 90 by December 31st. This is what I finished this week:

Jun 28: “How Hard Can it Be?” by Robyn Peterman. This is a romantic comedy. Blurb: What happens when an accountant decides to grab life by the horns and try something new? Apparently a pirate named Dave, a lot of pastel fleece, and blackmail--just to start with… Visualize and succeed, Oprah said. I was sure as hell trying, even if my campaign to score a job as the local weather girl had ended in a restraining order. Okay, TV was not my strength. But a lack of talent has never stopped me before. Which is why I’ve embarked on a writing career. I mean, how hard can it be to come up with a sexy romance? Leave it to me to wind up in a group of grandmotherly porno writers who discuss sex toys and apple cobbler in the same breath. Also leave it to me to leak an outlandish plot idea to a bestselling author with the morals of a rabid squirrel. And only I could get arrested for a jewelry heist I didn’t commit--by a hunky cop whose handcuffs just might tempt me to sign up for a life of crime. Maybe I’ve found my calling after all…. This book made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me go “awwww.” I found a new author to follow (like I NEEDED any more books to read--I’m so screwed). I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads.

Jun 30: “Pirate Dave & His Randy Adventures” by Robyn Peterman. This is the story that was written in “How Hard Can it Be?” Blurb: After all was said and done, the disgusting novella meant to destroy a story-stealing NY Time’s best-selling author’s career was successful. Rena Gunderschlict, an accountant with no discernible literary talent, and her band of adorable porno writing grannies, came up with the worst piece of literature, (and I use that word sparingly), that was ever written. Amazingly enough, it became a cult classic. Who in the hell knew there was an underground need to know and love a Time Traveling Vampire Warlock with erectile dysfunction and his conjoined lady loves, Laverne and Shirley. Apparently the need was there and so this spoof was spawned. A laugh-so-hard-you-wet-your-pants profane parody meant for those with an open mind and questionable maturity level, this is the glorious full version of their story. A funny spoof of a bad paranormal romance. I don’t know how she thought up some of this stuff, but I can imagine what fun it was to write. I had fun reading it. I gave this novella 5 stars on Goodreads.

Jul 1: “Dragonstone-A Kingdom of Chalvaren Romance” by Paula Millhouse. This is a short (39 pgs) romantic fantasy. Blurb: Elf prince Kort Elias journeys to a new world in search of a stolen royal dragon egg and discovers a lost elven princess, a prophecy, and danger; and only true love--and an erotic magic he's never experienced--will set them free. Book says it’s intended for mature audiences, so I wasn’t sure if this was an erotic romance or what, but it’s no steamier than a normal romance. I wasn’t quite sure what the era of Earth was, as that was never explained (bows, arrows, and axes seemed to be the weapons of choice), and not sure what Chalvaren is, either, or if I should know. But it was a very well written short, even for this non-lover of fantasy. I enjoyed the story and I guess that’s all that matters, huh? For a quick romantic read, it hit the spot. I gave this short 5 stars on Goodreads.

So…Do you like reading short stories or novellas?

Happy Reading and enjoy the holiday!

Stacy

(turning **mumble, mumble** years old in 15 wake ups!)