Beauty and His Beast by Bey Deckard Review

 

Novella (~38,000 words)

Genre(s): Fairy tale, science fiction, lighthearted, xenophilia, magic penis, love story, LGBT+/GSM

They call him Marrex the Monster.

Deformed and wretched, Captain Marrex roams the black of space with only a pair of eccentric AIs for company. The curse in his DNA means a long, bitterly lonely life for the Ghelyxian, and it’s a fate Marrex knows he can’t change.

After a long sleep in stasis, Juniper Bo wakes to discover he’s an unwelcome guest aboard Captain Marrex’s ship. Though he tries to stay away from the surly Ghelyxian, he just doesn’t get why the curse is such a big deal—then again, Juniper knows his tastes are rather… unusual for a Human.

When friendship blooms between Marrex and Juniper, they realize they face a future that neither could have predicted in their wildest dreams.

Purchase:

Amazon / Audible / Paperback

About the book (from Bey's Goodreads):

Once upon a time, long long ago, someone gave me an illustrated copy of Beauty and the Beast as a present. The story was a retelling of a retelling: this was Deborah Apy’s version retelling the one written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756, which was a retelling of the original story, La Belle et la Bête written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. I loved the story and the illustrations by Michael Hague really intrigued me—they were creepy and dark and fantastic. I loved his images of the horned, shaggy-albeit-well-dressed, angst-ridden Beast. Interestingly, we never get to see the miraculous transformation of the prince… The final painting in the book is of Beauty finding the Beast dying of heartbreak in his rose garden.

Years later, I would see the Disney version and, though the story isn’t all that similar to the original, I liked the comedic aspects of it. However, I was disappointed with the Beast’s transformation—call me strange, but I actually preferred him as he was.

Beauty and His Beast is a story that’s been percolating in my brain for a few years now. It’s a mashup of the original stories, the Disney version, and bit of another book that has nothing to do with Beauty and the Beast, but was my absolute favourite when I was really young: Disney’s The Black Hole: A Spaceship Adventure for Robots.

This story is not dark, not very long, and not particularly serious—just my silly take on a much loved, oft-retold fairy tale… in space.

P.S. - Ghelyxian is pronounced Hell-EE-zee-an and Ghelyx, Hell-ix

P.P.S. - Michael Ferraiuolo will be doing the audiobook narration

Find it here at Amazon (kindle & KU): http://geni.us/BaHB

Beauty and His Beast by Bey Deckard


Beauty and His Beast is a short sweet love story. Marrex and Juniper are easy to like. The AI reminded me a bit of C-3PO so as you would assume, there is some lightly humorous banter. It's about friendship and romance with a touch of fantasy and eroticism and good portion of sci-fi. If you're looking for a charming quick read with sexy hot scenes, this is it. I wouldn't mind seeing these guys pop up in a future book.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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More Than Words by Mia Sheridan Blog Review

Description

No one lays open the heart and soul quite like New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan in this heart-wrenching love story about destiny, second chances, and the healing power of love set in the beautiful countryside in France.

Named on of the "Best Romance Books of 2018" by BookBub!

The moment she met Callen Hayes, eleven-year-old Jessica Creswell knew he was a broken prince. Her prince. They became each other's refuge, a safe and magical place far from their troubled lives. Until the day Callen kissed her -- Jessica's first real, dreamy kiss -- and then disappeared from her life without a word.

Years later, everyone knows who Callen Hayes is. Famous composer. Infamous bad boy. What no one knows is that Callen's music is now locked deep inside, trapped behind his own inner demons. It's only when he withdraws to France to drink his way through the darkness that Callen stumbles into the one person who makes the music return. Jessica. His Jessie. And she still tastes of fresh, sweet innocence . . . even as she sets his blood on fire.

But they don't belong in each other's worlds anymore. There are too many mistakes. Too many secrets. Too many lies. All they have is that instinctive longing, that need--and something that looks dangerously like love.

Praise for More Than Words

"Sheridan explores the power of first love in a tale of childhood friends parted and reunited." -- Publisher's Weekly

"A modern fairy tale, the well-crafted romance and beautiful French setting will take readers by surprise. Sheridan is one to watch." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Simply perfect. There is no love story like a Mia Sheridan love story. I was absolutely swept up in Callen and Jessie, and fell for them just as hard as they fell for each other. I loved it." -- A.L. Jackson, New York Times Bestselling Author

"More than Words is Mia Sheridan at her best! The story of love, heartbreak and second chances ... each scene was beautifully written and paired with breathtaking imagery and epic love." -- Alessandra Torre, New York Times Bestselling Author

"Some love stories touch your soul so deeply, they stay with you long after you've finished reading. More Than Words by Mia Sheridan is such a story." -- Katy Regnery, New York Times Bestselling Author

 

http://miasheridan.com/product/more-than-words-2/

Kobo / B&N / iBooks / Amazon

More Than Words by Mia Sheridan

Jessica and Callen are easy to root for and love. They're sweet characters with an awww love story. There are a couple of moments where I wanted to kick them, but I kept the faith that they would have their HEA. The setting is in France. Jessica's job is translating old writings so there is an interesting side story she's working on that's a bonus to the main couple's tale. I really enjoyed this and all the historical bits and descriptive scenery and sightseeing of France. More Than Words is written by one of my favorite authors, and as expected, she delivers the romance. This isn't my favorite book from her, but I liked it and do recommend it.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones Blog Review

 

This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.

Or a diagram of some kind.

A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

https://darynda.com/books/first-grave-on-the-right

Kobo / B&N / Amazon

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


First Grave on the Right has a strong female lead, action, mystery, a bit of comedy and some light suspense. Charley is a grim reaper but not in the traditional way they are usually portrayed. After people die, she sometimes helps them with unfinished business and provides them a portal to the other side. There are often spirits of the deceased around. She's friends with several. In this book, she helps cops and the murder victims solve the case of who killed them and why. There's also a being similar to the ones she sees daily but very different. She's majorly attracted to him so she must figure out if he is he dead or alive and who or what he is. Charley is one of a kind. She can't stay away from trouble, but she never lets that keep her down. I enjoyed following along. The side characters and interactions were fun. I plan to continue the series.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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Dark Horse (Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping #1) by B.J. Daniels Blog Review

 

Burdened by family secrets, this cowboy rides alone

For twenty-five years, the case of the McGraw twins kidnapping has remained unsolved. As the eldest son, Cull oversees the McGraw horse ranch, wary of prying eyes. So when true-crime writer Nikki St. James comes forward with new information, Cull can't believe his father invites her onto the compound. His family has suffered enough—he's not about to let St. James snoop and ruin them completely. But Nikki finds the eldest McGraw's protectiveness as endearing as it is aggravating. After all, this case is personal to her, too… And her secrets can set the truth free—if they don't destroy the McGraws first.

Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping

http://www.bjdaniels.com/2017/10/12/dark-horse-whitehorse-montana-the-mcgraw-kidnapping/

Harlequin / Walmart / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Kobo / Harlequin / Apple / B&N / Google / 

Dark Horse by B.J. Daniels

Dark Horse is the first book in Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping series. Each installment is about a McGraw brother finding romance. Dark Horse is Cull's account. He's the oldest and isn't looking for the attraction he feels for Nikki. For me, the romance is just a bit of side narrative. The main focus is the puzzle of the kidnapping and possible murder of the two youngest siblings which happened 25 years ago. Nikki is a true crime writer. She is known for helping to solve old mysteries while doing research to write her novels. I'm crazy about Nikki and really enjoyed following her investigation. She's very likeable, and there are some eerie and exciting occurrences along the way. This is an interesting whodunit, and it left me wanting to continue to find out what's next for the McGraw family.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT by Emma Scott Review

"Where you are is home..."

At age fourteen, Zelda Rossi witnessed the unthinkable, and has spent the last ten years hardening her heart against the guilt and grief. She channels her pain into her art: a dystopian graphic novel where vigilantes travel back in time to stop heinous crimes—like child abduction—before they happen. Zelda pitches her graphic novel to several big-time comic book publishers in New York City, only to have her hopes crash and burn. Circumstances leave her stranded in an unfamiliar city, and in an embarrassing moment of weakness, she meets a guarded young man with a past he’d do anything to change...

Beckett Copeland spent two years in prison for armed robbery, and is now struggling to keep his head above water. A bike messenger by day, he speeds around New York City, riding fast and hard but going nowhere, his criminal record holding him back almost as much as the guilt of his crime. 

Zelda and Beckett form a grudging alliance of survival, and in between their stubborn clash of wills, they slowly begin to provide each other with the warmth of forgiveness, healing, and maybe even love. But when Zelda and Beckett come face to face with their pasts, they must choose to hold on to the guilt and regret that bind them, or let go and open their hearts for a shot at happiness. 

The Butterfly Project is a novel that reveals the power of forgiveness, and how even the smallest decisions of the heart can—like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings—create currents that strengthen into gale winds, altering the course of a life forever. 

#standalone

The Butterfly Project. http://amzn.to/2hhax8v 

audible http://amzn.to/2xgLzA7

Additional Author & Book Links:

Full Tilt. http://amzn.to/2xfx6lL 
All In. http://amzn.to/2xkQuPX 
Sugar & Gold. http://amzn.to/2ynHiZD 
Rush. http://amzn.to/2hgVhZs
How to Save a Life. http://amzn.to/2xP48fI
Unbreakable. http://amzn.to/2fiqTRD
Love Beyond Words. http://amzn.to/2wvxkZ0
Endless Possibility. http://amzn.to/2xkscp8

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10405165.Emma_Scott

https://twitter.com/EmmaS_writes

https://www.facebook.com/EmmaScottwrites/

http://emmascottblog.blogspot.com/

http://bit.ly/2nTGLf6

Review

The Butterfly Project by Emma Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Zelda and Beckett have painful pasts. Both are struggling every moment with the emotional baggage. The author does an excellent job of putting the reader in their shoes. I easily understood their actions and feelings. I love these characters and how they don't play romance games. I suppose because they have seen firsthand how real consequences can be, they take life seriously. Both characters are sort of stuck and having trouble moving forward. They help to bring each other around to a better place. I definitely recommend The Butterfly Project. It's entertaining, but it also leaves you thinking. It's not a book that you can just finish and forget. The occasional drawings are a bonus that really adds to the storyline.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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