Showing posts with label Katherine Halle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katherine Halle. Show all posts

Friday, November 7, 2014

CAST THE FIRST STONE by Katherine Halle




Publisher: Torquere Press
Date published: 10/8/14
ISBN: 978-1-61040-815-8
MM, werewolves
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Weblink: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=4276
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 3




Human Julian Hart is a werewolf hunter. He is chasing a rogue werewolf who tuned a woman against her will but has to stop the chase when the rogue moves into another clan’s territory. He obtains permission to enter Alpha Stone’s territory and continue the chase, but Stone himself becomes part of his problem, not to mention the entourage he’s surrounded by and the evil rogue himself. The minor characters are interesting and add to believability and the depth of story, even ones we only meet for a few lines occasionally are well drawn.


This is a fascinating plot with the main characters, Stone and Julian, very three dimensional and multilayered. I enjoyed learning more about them and their lives and motivations as the layers of their personality were revealed and their thought processes unpacked.
Ms. Halle writes excellent, detailed, hot MM sex. The sex scenes were varied, emotional and a fulfilling read.

The plot had some interesting twists and turns that added great suspense and drama to the story.

So why didn’t I give this book four and a half stars?
First, it felt like I was arriving halfway through a series. There was backstory and characters it seemed like I ought to know about and relate to their past history, yet nowhere on the blurb or in the book itself does it say this story is part of a series, or a sequel to something else. Even when I went to the publisher’s website and the author’s blog there was no mention of this book being part of a series or a sequel to a previous story. Yet the author clearly expects the reader to relate to Zoe’s situation and to know about Zax and his pack and the boundary rules.

Secondly, during the book I was completely thrown out of the story by a werewolf answering their cell phone while they were running. Later it seemed that shifted wolves in this world maintain human characteristics (such as being able to speak, answer phones, remain clothed etc) but at the time it hit me as a massive plot hole and had me scrolling back wondering if I’d skipped a chapter or something. More explanation of the world was absolutely needed before this happened.

A much more minor point, but one that still aggravated me, was that humans and wolves are always called that, not who. Using “that” denies their humanity and to relate to shapeshifters as humans they must be called who. And denying the humanity of humans is just plain weird.

To sum up, this is a great story with marvelous characters. But to make it a better read the author needs to link it to previous books in the series, or if there aren’t any, to add some more backstory explaining her world and the past history of some characters.


This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.





Sunday, December 16, 2012

EARTH MYSTICAL CONVERGENCY by Katherine Halle



Publisher: Torquere Press
Date published: 10/31/12
ISBN: NA
MM, Paranormal
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Obtained via publisher

 


Greg’s restaurant is all set for a huge Halloween night, with a very Halloween-appropriate menu and the staff in costume. Unfortunately Greg’s boyfriend, Lane, is out with two of their friends and Greg’s worried he won’t get his own happy Halloween after all. Greg’s a chef, Lane’s a demon hunter, and the friends are witches. It’s Halloween. How could everything not work out perfectly?

This is the sequel to “A Watched Demon Always Boils” and I enjoyed revisiting these characters. Greg is such a mixture of uncertainty and imagination, and Lane delights in teasing him, as do their friends.

This is a very short story indeed, less than five thousand words, with just a smidgeon of plot but the characters are well described, the sex is hot, erotic and romantic, as well as surprising, and the outcome is excellent.

The use of Lane’s job as a cause for stress is well done, and the detailed description of the menu gives us a great insight into Greg’s personality. There’s a great sense of tension and urgency in language and descriptions, which Ms. Halle does so well.
There were a couple of clumsy constructions that should have been fixed, but overall a great little vignette into Greg and Lane’s life and well worth the read. I’m enjoying Ms. Halle’s stories.



This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.






 

Monday, March 26, 2012

A WATCHED DEMON ALWAYS BOILS by Katherine Halle

Publisher: Torquere
Date published: 2/22/12
ISBN NA
ASIN B007C7S39E
Gay, paranormal
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Obtained via Publisher


Greg’s restaurant is having troubles. When photographer, Lane, offers to do a photo shoot and magazine spread, Greg, at first hesitant, agrees. Of course nothing goes to plan, and then there’s the demon. Not to mention Lane’s very helpful, but slightly unusual, best friend and colleague, Lexie.

As the blurb says, “Take one stubborn chef, a determined photographer, mix in an evil demon and a slightly crazy best friend, and watch it come to a boil, every time.”

This is a very short story that packs a powerful punch. There’s a lot of story and character play for such a tiny word count. The story races along leaving the reader unsure whether to laugh, shiver or do both simultaneously. Almost every paragraph has a hidden gem of information about the characters, or plot or some enjoyable quirkiness in it.

A wonderful short read, perfect for when waiting in line somewhere. Strong enough to entertain but so short the reader won’t miss their turn at whatever they were waiting for.

My only complaint is that it’s been mislabeled. It’s definitely not erotic, there’s not so much as a kiss, far less a sex scene. It is, however, a most enjoyable MM paranormal sweet romance.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.