About Read and Reviewed

Read and Reviewed is the site where I occasionally review books I've read and enjoyed. These are always books I read in the course of my everyday life. So please, please don't send me review requests.
On the bright side, you are most welcome to submit a guest review.

Bachelor Kisses by Nick Earls

I audio-read Nick Earls' Bachelor Kisses over a couple of weeks of walks with the dogs. Briefly, the story follows the 1980s activities of Jon, a young medic, as he deals with his odd housemates (Jen, who has men coming out her ears, and Rick, who would love to have women coming out his ears but whose tie collection and Porky Pig doona cover doom him to lonely nights), his attraction to the (female) nurse of the species, various patients, other doctors, Monte Carlo biscuits and a growing fascination with research into depression and a possible treatment. All this activity is conducted to the theme song of The Go-Betweens' Bachelor Kisses.
I enjoyed the story a lot, despite an occasional desire to kick Jon in the pants. It is funny in an ironic way... but less sweet-natured than Story of Butterfish. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good romp with serious overtones and a hapless hero.

Disclaimer - the image is not of the audio book, but of a paperback edition from Penguin. Picture found on-line because my own paperback copy is down in my library shed among a couple of thousand other books. I love audio books which is why I chose to audio-read this one despite owning it in paperback.

My Angel, My Light as Darkness Falls

My Angel, My Light as Darkness Falls by Linda Hays-Gibbs is a delightful mix of regency romance, paranormal thriller, humour and adventure. Pru is an orphan whose only close family member is her twin brother, Michael, the Earl of White. When Michael joins the army to fight Napoleon's troops, Pru's Scottish admirer promises to watch out for him, but nothing goes as planned. From a sparkling ballroom to the agony of a battlefield, an across the sea to a curiously lively deserted house, Pru despairs, gains independence, is hassled by an amorous ghost, reassured by an angel, guarded by a bereft dog and finally... well, if you're like me, you'll be smiling all over your face by the end. I heartily recommend My Angel for those jaded by the kind of story where nothing seems to happen. Lots and lots happens in My Angel and Pru is a charming heroine.

My Angelm My Light as Darkness Falls is published by Eternal Press. It is available from various on-line retailers or directly from the publisher's website at http://www.eternalpress.biz

Moon Over Soho (Ben Aaronovitch)

I loved Moon Over Soho. It seemed better paced and was less bloody than Rivers of London. The characters consolidated and we learned more about Nightingale, Molly and about Peter himself. There are laugh out-loud funny bits and moments of pure pathos (Nightingale carving ALL those names...) and Toby the terrier is in fine form. When I first read reviews of Rivers of London I asked friends if it was at all DWJ-esque. The answer was "No", but *I* think it is. Like DWJ BA flinches not from the probable consequences of character action, and also excels in showing humanity, non-humanity and hybrids. The narrator does a wonderful job of the audio book. I'm hanging out for Book 3