Published to commemorate and honor the 4oth anniversary of a New Hope, this set of 40 short stories is perfect for an uber fan who would want to know what the trash compactor worm was thinking about while choking Luke Skywalker (The Baptist by [a:Nnedi Okorafor|588356|Nnedi Okorafor|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1507148868p2/588356.jpg]) or how an Imperial paperwork genius could help get you out of trouble with Darth Vader ("The Sith of Datawork" by [a:Ken Liu|2917920|Ken Liu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400610835p2/2917920.jpg]).

What I wasn't expecting were the fits of weeping as I read Claudia Gray's "Master and Apprentice" featuring Force ghost Qui-Gon Jinn or Wil Wheaton's "Laina" about a pilot leaving his young daughter behind before fighting against the Death Star.

Gary D. Schmit's "There is Another" was the most shocking story, as apparently Yoda was hoping fervently to train Leia!!

I both read and listened to From a Certain Point of View, with various results. A story I would have loathed in print was transformed into genius with the full production audio - "Of MSE-6 and Men" by Glen Weldon featuring the droid MSE-6-G735Y and how two Imperial officers used him as an intermediary in their love affair. The story is written from the droid's perspective, leading to repetitive commands that to read would have been irritating but with the sound effects and voice modulating were hysterical. I also appreciated the gay romance.

The stories focusing on soldiers in battle, from either side, weren't as effective for me, but overall the entire collection is well rounded and worth any Star Wars fan's time. Would make an excellent gift.

Haven, recently rescued from her abusive drug king father by the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club, falls hard for the Ravens leader, Dare. Many years older than Haven and plagued by his own dark past, Dare is reluctant to start a relationship with the woman he needs to find a new identity and a new life for. But, from her sweetness, her easy ability to fit in with his motorcycle family, and her zest for life now that she is free, Dare can't stay away even if it means throwing his whole club into danger.

Highly readable story, but I'm a bit over the super shy yet so very sexy virgins who dark, dangerous, older men fall immediately into lust with. I enjoyed later books in this series more, but still worth to read the start.

Also, did not realize this is a spin off of a completely different series (Hard Ink) and a novella, so I did find myself feeling a little plopped right into things. The female audio narrator did a great job with the dual POV.

Working at an elite para-military organization has its perks, sometimes they even let you play really cool video games not available to the public during your lunchtime! Super cool, until Jina finds out the game wasn't really a game at all - it was a test that she passed with flying colors, a test that has now landed her into a crazy training program to get her ready to deploy with a GO-Team.

Refusing to quit despite the crazy training, Jina the IT nerd eventually begins to hold her own with her assigned team of super fit action heroes. She holds her own even though she fervently believes her sexy team leader Levi wants her to fail.

Eventually Jina is fully certified and begins missions with her team. Over the course of year she alternates between being bored, scared, and amped. Jina and Levi hid their massive sexual tension from each other and the team, as but they are both committed to the team. Then Jina gets left behind...

My first Linda Howard, but I enjoyed! Fans may quibble about the very slow burn of this romance. I felt the tension between the characters but I was a little bit mystified over the kinda instant lust/love and the non-interaction that took place for a large part of the book.

Thank you to Avon for the free ARC!!!

Lexie Kowalsky got swept up in the reality dating show competition she only entered to help boost sales of her doggy costume couture. So swept up she won the whole thing and almost made it down the aisle to marry a man she only really went on a few dates with.

Instead of going through with the wedding, she bolts and ends up in a plane with a sexy man who eventually helps her escape the paparazzi and hide out for a short time in his small Canadian hometown.

What Lexie doesn't know is that Sean is one of her hockey coach father's new star players and that once they return to the states she is facing an even larger controversy than simply running from her wedding.

Unfortunately, I did not like this. I admired Lexie's kookiness, her drive, but I truly detested Sean. He lies to Lexie, his thoughts mostly revolve around how hot she is, how big her breasts are, and how even though he thinks she's crazy, he'll sleep with her anyway. He doesn't really redeem himself for the entire book, and when he does decide he loves her the decision comes far too quickly and conveniently.

I haven't read the other titles in this series, but don't think I'll be picking them up.

Thank you to Avon for the ARC!

Adorable. All Maddie wants to be left alone and watch her pair of lobsters mate so she can accurately draw the process for an encyclopedia. Natural drawing has been her dream since childhood, and a pesky husband and panic inducing society events are not for her.

To whit, Maddie concocted a secret (and fake) fiancee, a Scottish hearth throb who was sent off to fight Napoleon. To convince her family, Maddie sent hundreds of letters to "Captain Mackenzie," letters she basically used as a personal diary.

Too bad Captain Mackenzie actually got all of her letters. And now he's come to claim the lass who used his identity.

I loved this. A very different premise, with a great writing and dialogue. Super fun.

Listened to on audio in 2017, and it delighted me even more the second time around. The narrator added a great dimension to the characters and had an excellent Scottish accent. The same (female) narrator did all of the voices and had a great range!

I turn to Tessa Dare novels when I'm feeling blue. They are always sweet without being saccharine, they have drama without being full of angst, and the heroines always have endearing quirks and passions. I love reading about Maddie's obsession with bugs, creepy crawlies, and her ardent desire to illustrate two lobsters fornicating. Dare's heroes are also the best. They, in the words of Maddie, are often hard on the outside but just full of squish on the inside. My favorite kind.

2021 - #ButDoTheyBang
Bumped my rating up to a full five because damn, the craft in WASTTK is incredible. From the allusions to the lobsters to just the sheer emotions between Maddie and Logan, this is just a masterclass of a historical. I love it.

I've been meaning to read Giovanni's Room for a very long time. I distinctly remember mentally adding it to my TBR pile while reading John Irving's [b:In One Person|12758317|In One Person|John Irving|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1379313446s/12758317.jpg|17893276] because Baldwin's classic meant so much to the main character in that story.

So, inspired by my 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge "read a classic by an author of color," I've finally realized this goal! Huzzah!

I found it a heavy work, weighted with sorrow, self-loathing, and guilt. I had a sense of foreboding every time I went to pick up the tiny in size but hefty in mental weight book. It wasn't something I actively enjoyed reading but something that left a huge impression. I felt awful for all of the characters, none of whom are likeable but all of whom you can feel for.

The themes of being an ex-patriot in Europe are also a favorite trope of mine, and I ate up every angsty minute of it.

Mick Trewlove is a bastard out for revenge against the father who paid off a widow to take him in, a father who knew he was essentially condemning his baby to a grim death and burial in an unmarked grave, the fate of thousands of bastards of this time period.

Mick will have his revenge by taking his father's legitimate son's money, his lands, and by god, his bride-to-be, a scheme he hopes will force his father to acknowledge him.

Lady Aslyn Hastings is the ward of Mick's father, and the intended bride of Mick's half-brother. She thinks she is ready for marriage to the man she always knew would be her husband, but he never wants to kiss her, never pursues her. When she meets Trewlove and instantly feels sparks, she begins to doubt her fate.

Mick immediately regrets his decision to punish his brother by ruining Lady Aslyn, as he is falling headlong into love with the whip-smart and sweet lady who defies norms of the time period. She doesn't judge him by his status, but by his actions.

Turning his plot for revenge into a plot courtship wasn't Mick's intention, but he falls into it anyway.

My first Lorraine Heath, and a super enjoyable one! The premise is quite dark, but delicately handled. I felt it was a little "insta-love" at first, but soon didn't care as I grew to love Mick and Aslyn's characters. This will definitely make people want to read further on this history of bastard laws and infanticide.

I also enjoyed the character development of Lady Aslyn's former fiancee. He wasn't a creepy, rapey cad, but a spoiled heir who is addicted to gambling. She wants to help him, but he refused to help himself until he has lost everything. I'm thinking we may see more of him in the future, and hopefully he'll get his own HEA!

Looking forward to reading more in this series!

Thank you to Avon for the ARC!

I adore a graphic memoir and Bechdel's classic is now among my favorites! Tackling complicated family relationships, especially between Bechdel and her father who had a very secret self she only learned about after his tragic death (maybe suicide), and her own coming out.

I loved the lush black and white illustrations with just a hint of bluish-gray color, and while the literary references bordered on a bit overwhelming, they were just right for each use. Thank you Ms. Bina and AP World Lit, without which I would be lost.

I finally read this (why it took so long, who knows) for my 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge: Read a Book Frequently Banned in Your Country.

A childhood classic I revisited in order to check off my 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge "read a book published between 1900-1950."

I recall being quite fond of this story as a child and it did not really hold up as well for me as an adult. Still a cute story and I really love the illustrations.

My first official "re-read" on Goodreads, huzzah! Love this new feature. Love the chemistry between Callie and Tanner and the addition of Tanner's teenage son Troy.

A fitting wrap up to the latest Lucky Harbor set. Callie, who doesn't believe in marriage or love anymore after being left at the altar, finds herself entangled with single dad and former wild child Tanner, who may change her opinion on things after all.

Steamy and wonderfully real as per usual. I can't help but fall in love with all Shalvis' couples. I also loved finally seeing old nosy bird Lucille a bit more as well.

**Reviewed from a free copy received from my link text