Alex BeecroftCritiques

One of my oldest books finally finished. And as I feared (and what kept me from reading it for so many years), I felt like I was back in my dreaded history class of 5+ decades ago. There were a few glimpses of romance but not nearly enough to say I enjoyed the reading. Twice I almost DNFed it but I'm stubborn and really hate not finishing what I started.½

I skipped stories from authors that rate all their books. It's not the case with those that only rate antologies; I still don't like it but I can understand it like a recognition to their co-authors.


The Legend of Mountain Ash by Ruth Sims - 3 stars
Inner Truth by Alex Beecroft - 2 stars
Turnabout by Lee Rowan - 2,5 stars
Under the Shadow of Your Wings by Gillian Palmer. - 2 stars
Home Cooking by Brian Holiday - 4 stars
Mister Right by Rob Rosen - Skipped
Two Men: A Fugue by Sophia Deri-Bowen - 5 stars!!
Stripes by Nigel Puerasch - 4 stars
Morbidly Obese by Rick R. Reed - 2 stars
The Song Inside by Nexis Pas - 3,5 stars
Hitched by Michael Gouda - 1,5 stars
Cakewalk by Nathan Burgoine - 4 stars
Ships That Pass by Jamie Freeman - 2 stars
Work Experience by Bruin Fisher - 3 stars
Even Guys Cry by D.C. Juris - 2 stars
Touche by James Buchanan - 2 stars
Mallory's Gift by L-J Baker - 3 stars
The Uneven Chance by Charlie Cochrane - 3 stars
Honolulu Hula by Neil S. Plakcy - Skipped
Elephants in Her Tea by Julia Rios - 1,5 stars
Aim Higher by J.L Merrow - 3 stars
Ganymede by Lenore Black - 2,5 stars

I found this one a little of a slow starter and it took me a while to get my head straight on who the protagonists were. But it was delightful to have a book set to a more unusual period, and I got to like the protagonists eventually.½

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

Michael has been released from his work as a police officer for not being able to control his temper. With seemingly nothing else to do, he returns to his hometown and to the house that is now vacant after his father's death. He expects there is nothing for him there, but he can busy himself with getting the house ready to sell. But then he meets Fintan Hulme, proprietor of the town's bookshop. There's attraction and chemistry, but can that overcome Michael's policeman tendencies and Fintan's criminal past?

I want to describe this as a smooth, easy read. When I finished, it felt much shorter than it actually is, but not because of lack of story or pacing. It's just an engaging and well-written story. There's a bit of suspense and action here with some romantic elements thrown in for good measure. This is the start of a series that looks to be more of a 'takes place in the same space but doesn't involve the same main characters throughout' type, and I'm certainly looking forward to continuing it.

If nothing else this should be enjoyed for HRH kicking butt, Lizzy brandishing a shotgun (which one keeps beside one's bed no less) and blasting otherworld creatures to Kingdom Come.

Excellent ghostly horror story that managed to chill the blood and warm the heart at the same time. The aura of of uncertainty permeated both the horrific deed and Charles's blossoming feelings at first but love conquered all, in every respect. I honestly didn't know what was coming next and the ending had me perched on the edge of my my seat.
In the blurb at the end Alex asked if readers would like to read more stories of Charles and Jasper's adventures. The answer from this reader is a resounding yes.

This version includes a short story called Communion set four years later. I'll say nothing but I'm smiling here.

First I think what needs to be addressed is the fact that the publisher saw fit to split this epic into two separate books and in doing so has done this book a disservice. This needs to be read as one complete story, even the few months I left between reading the two halves was too long. The last scene in book one, by virtue of being the last scene in book one, was given more importance than it required and it wouldn't have if this had simply been another scene or a chapter close.

I used the word epic earlier and that is what it is. It's history, fantasy, and the paranormal all rolled into one, with a gentle but underlying love story beneath the surface. Told from the POV of 5 strong but very different characters, all broken in their own way, but all with the ability for greatness.

The descriptions are magical, history and world-building is strong, the plot is well paced (if it was all one book) and intricately weaved, and the characters leap off the page and grab you both round the heart and the throat, because these characters aren't perfect. Of the 5 heroes they all make mistakes, and act out of selfishness, and take a cowards way out on occasions. But they face up to their actions, break the conditioning of society and parental control, fight their inner demons.

Highly recommended.

Okay, so this is difficult to rate. This book is only half the story. Nothing is resolved by the end of it. You have to buy the second book, there is no other option.

I can say nothing about the story without giving things away, except to say it is excellently written. The sort of perfect lyrical prose that I wish I had the ability to write.

Some points to note:
This is not a traditional m/m romance.
There are 4 pov's in this book. Only one is part of the romantic couple. The other povs are from side characters (except they may not be side characters because THE STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET). You may be able to tell I am slightly angry about this fact. Seriously, whose idea was it to split this into two books.

Edit: My review and rating is for the story as a whole and can be found here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2026124510

Just scrolled through some reviews and noticed a few comments on use of foreign language. Here, to be fair, it's just a few foreign titles (one of them is misspelled, too) and names/words. Not many, but enough for readers to get pulled out of the story when they have to stop to google things.
A nice glossary in the beginning would be really nice to have. So, why wasn't any offered?

Otherwise a very nice read.

This is not am m/m romance, definitely not a continuation of MC's relationship from book one. MC's hang out together for the first 20% of the book, then POV switches to some chick, then to Zayd, then - for a short while - to Radu. Mostly it's all about mean vampires, lonely hurt women, desperate novice magicians and a tiny bit of Radu and Frank in the very end.

No sex. No romance. Silly angst, product of miscommunication and lack of common sense (i.e. humans controlling vamp vs vamps controlling humans - which do you think is true?).

The book is all over the place.

2.5 stars.

The cover is a killer, tho :)

If nothing else this should be enjoyed for HRH kicking butt, Lizzy brandishing a shotgun (which one keeps beside one's bed no less) and blasting otherworld creatures to Kingdom Come.

Excellent ghostly horror story that managed to chill the blood and warm the heart at the same time. The aura of of uncertainty permeated both the horrific deed and Charles's blossoming feelings at first but love conquered all, in every respect. I honestly didn't know what was coming next and the ending had me perched on the edge of my my seat.
In the blurb at the end Alex asked if readers would like to read more stories of Charles and Jasper's adventures. The answer from this reader is a resounding yes.

This version includes a short story called Communion set four years later. I'll say nothing but I'm smiling here.

First I think what needs to be addressed is the fact that the publisher saw fit to split this epic into two separate books and in doing so has done this book a disservice. This needs to be read as one complete story, even the few months I left between reading the two halves was too long. The last scene in book one, by virtue of being the last scene in book one, was given more importance than it required and it wouldn't have if this had simply been another scene or a chapter close.

I used the word epic earlier and that is what it is. It's history, fantasy, and the paranormal all rolled into one, with a gentle but underlying love story beneath the surface. Told from the POV of 5 strong but very different characters, all broken in their own way, but all with the ability for greatness.

The descriptions are magical, history and world-building is strong, the plot is well paced (if it was all one book) and intricately weaved, and the characters leap off the page and grab you both round the heart and the throat, because these characters aren't perfect. Of the 5 heroes they all make mistakes, and act out of selfishness, and take a cowards way out on occasions. But they face up to their actions, break the conditioning of society and parental control, fight their inner demons.

Highly recommended.

Okay, so this is difficult to rate. This book is only half the story. Nothing is resolved by the end of it. You have to buy the second book, there is no other option.

I can say nothing about the story without giving things away, except to say it is excellently written. The sort of perfect lyrical prose that I wish I had the ability to write.

Some points to note:
This is not a traditional m/m romance.
There are 4 pov's in this book. Only one is part of the romantic couple. The other povs are from side characters (except they may not be side characters because THE STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET). You may be able to tell I am slightly angry about this fact. Seriously, whose idea was it to split this into two books.

Edit: My review and rating is for the story as a whole and can be found here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2026124510

4.5 stars

Quality writing full of depth and detail. Author doesn't shy away from difficult subjects or morally dubious characters, and addresses the issue of nature vs nurture in a way that damn near broke my heart.
Idris is adorable, if too innocent and trusting, a character that is easy to like and root for. He shines off the page like sunshine, making even the morally dubious Victor glow. And when Idris' shine is dimmed so is the book. From the moment Victor breaks his heart (and that's not really a spoiler, that knowledge is curled up waiting from the very first moment they meet because there really is no other way out for them) the book is a shadow of its former self, still beautifully written but without that joy that had carried it along, so you are living that bleakness with the characters.

The happy ending came fast on the heels of this gloom and I felt it needed one more chapter to balance that out, as it stands the ending wasn't quite enough to wipe away my lingering sadness from the events after their split. I would have liked to have seen some of the events told to us in the final chapter and that would have given me the distance from the sadness that I craved.

This is the reason I give it 4.5* I toyed with rounding down to 4 but the quality of the writing and the gloriousness that is Idris wouldn't let me.

Seriously what can I say but...wow. I love a well researched book and this was that and more. I can only assume Ms. Beecroft is a traveler from another time transported here with not just knowledge but the experience of living in those conditions. I could practically feel the tang of the salt in the air and the spray against my cheek.
My only complaint would be that I wanted more. A sequel of their time as pirates would make my day.

I had some trouble rating this book. On the one hand I really enjoyed it and before I knew it I had it finished. But on the other hand at times the MC's really irritated me...

It is very well written "cinderfella" story; rich businessman meets and falls in love with a very poor surfer boy from the wrong side of the tracks. So, slightly cliche yes, but with a distinct British 'voice' that makes the cliches seem to disappear. The indecisiveness of both MC's was what annoyed me slightly. There were times I would have gladly reached in and given both of them a good shake and told them to grow up. But even with that I truly enjoyed the journey of these guys.

I believe the ending was a little rushed, and I would have liked it to maybe have been handled slightly different. But perhaps that's just me not really wanting the story to end once the characters had found their backbones...

On the one hand
-Transgender protagonist that could be read as genderfluid or non-binary
-biseuxal love interest
-one woman who could be read as asexual/aromantic, one who could read as aromantic
-an interesting view of greek culture from an outside perspective (especially on how woman are keep separate)
-a look at a way queer identities could operate in cultures where they aren't accepted and still be happy

On the other hand
-age difference is not really my thing, Kikeru is "of an age to be married", Rusa has a daughter around Kikeru's age.
-Kikeru's various inventions were a bit... unrealistic
-problematic consent in one scene that definitely makes me uncomfortable as in it's not really addressed other than "next time, I want you to be sober" and some vague guilt feelings

Part of the Porthkennack series by multiple authors, this one follows Alex, living in his camper van after breaking up with his family, and Ruan, a local man who first encounters Alex in suspicious circumstances involving entrails, magic, and teenagers being cyberbullied.

3.5 stars.

This book started out quite well for me by addressing the current political climate and making a dedication to Tolkien. As Ms. Beecroft quotes: "Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?. . . If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!" I love that.

It was funny to read this just when I did, right around the same time I read another writer's take on [book:Frankenstein], because while this is definitely not a rewriting of [book:Dracula] I'd still bet any money that the Alex Beecroft knows the latter book well. The atmosphere, especially throughout the beginning as protagonist Frank makes his way through the wilderness, is extremely reminiscent of Jonathan Harker's travels to Romania.

I never knew that the reason to bury a vampire – or, I presume, anyone who might return as a ghost – at a crossroads is "so that even if they do walk again, they won't know which way to take". Brilliant.

I found it rather intriguing that neither of the two men at the center of this book, neither Frank nor Radu, is a conventionally heroic and amiable hero. Frank is not a brave man; Radu isn't a particularly nice man – and they make for a seemingly deeply mismatched couple – but I liked their characterization. The author has proven herself over and over to have a beautiful gift for that.

Something I also liked was that though this is a book by an LGBT publisher, and features a pair of men who seem well on the way to becoming lovers, their orientation is not the primary focus of the book. For one thing, their plotline also features a very strong female character: a heroine in an m/m novel, when it seems like a lot of m/m novels I've read seem to have all but exclusively male casts of characters. "She was Mirela Badi, and in a contest between herself and the world, the world had better watch out." I like it. Also, there is a whole separate second story line in which, so far, no one's sexuality seems to be relevant at all (except for that one eunuch). I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting, but what I found is a really solid, fun fantasy.

At first I was a bit put out when the book switched over without warning to that second plot, a whole new set of characters in a totally different setting. But it did not take long at all for me to become surprisingly fond of Zayd, and his mother and his aunt, and fascinated by their world and predicaments. Because it also did not take long at all for Zayd to land in one mahoosive predicament. The worst-case-scenario of that difficulty is horrifying – and I think I'm looking forward to the second book more to see how he makes out than to see what happens to Frank and Radu (and Mirela). (A favorite line: "Only after Zayd had seen the destructive glory of the idea did he remember that his own powers amounted to nothing more than the ability to write neatly in small spaces." Poor boy.)

I admire Alex Beecroft's skill at storytelling – that's why I keep coming back. She has a gift for doling out enough information to maintain interest, never showing her hand too early. The mysteries of characters' pasts – and of their settings – emerge in a natural manner, the revelations to both reader and other characters coming just as and when they should. The world in which this story – these stories – take place is coming beautifully into focus, vivid in its colors, exotic, and different in ways that … well, I was going to use the word "fascinated" again. Put it this way instead: It's a great time, and I can't wait for more. And, happily, I don't have to.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

I bought this after reading "False Colors", hoping for more of the same sort of action adventure. This was, however, primarily a romance with only dashes of swash or buckle.

2.5 stars. Well-written but quite confusing. I expected to learn how Zayd and Frank would meet or somehow interact before it simply ended. I guess that's in the next book. I want a full story in one book though.

This was more of a first few chapters than a whole book.