BOOK: Wings Of Equity - Sean Kennedy

Title: Wings Of Equity
Author: Sean Kennedy
Genre: Steampunk
Publisher: Dreamspinnerpress (2010)
Pages: Paperback, 248
Language: English
Rating: 8/10
Summary: Ezra Kneebone designed his own airship and hopes to build a whole fleet together with his best friend and pilot Jazz. The bounty on the head of a flying Robin Hood, known as Icarus, is just the kind of money they need to get their business started. But when Icarus saves his life, Ezra isn't so sure the man should be in jail, even if Icarus managed to steal... his heart. (hehehehehe)

Spoilerfree Review
A delightful steampunk novel. For those unfamiliar with the term: this means Victorian era elements in a science fiction setting. Kennedy manages to build a marvelous, yet believable world and the discriptions of the flying-machines and actions in the sky are very vivid. The dialogues are sparkling as usual and of course there is plenty of unresolved sexual tension between the men before they figure things out. It was refreshing to have two women in a 'longterm commited relationship' as supporting characters. Loved it.

BOOK: Dash & Dingo In Search Of The Tasmanian Tiger - Catt Ford & Sean Kennedy

Title: Dash & Dingo In Search Of The Tasmanian Tiger
Author: Catt Ford & Sean Kennedy
Genre: Adventure, Romance
Publisher: DreamSpinnerPress 2009
Pages: paperback 294
Language: English
Rating: 6/10
Summary: When Jack "Dingo" Chambers whirlwinds into his office, British archivist Henry Percial-Smythe isn't too pleased. But when Dingo invites him to travel to Australia to search for the near extinct Tasmanian Tiger, Henry doesn't have to think long. This could be the last chance to preserve the creature. Although the men try to keep their focus on saving the rare animal, in between fighting off poachers they can't help being distracted by each other.

Spoilerfree review
After reading Sean Kennedy's first book Tigers and Devils I was looking forward to his new book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a story that was co-written. I've known Sean to be fascinated by the Tasmanian Tiger for years and his personal love for that now extinct creature did shine through in both the main characters' s enthusiasm. Their interaction with the Tasmanian Tigers was very exciting to read. But I felt the main adventure was reduced to the background by the amount of sexscenes.
Don't get me wrong: I like a bit of porn in between the adventures, but I hadn't expected the overload of it in this story. I wasn't aware this book was meant to be erotica, especially after reading Tigers and Devils, which is a character-driven romance. And while I could relate to the people in that book, I couldn't get a grip on Jack and Henry. I had problems visualizing them and they often seemed to switch personalities. I am aware people other than me have a variety of emotions and are capable of change, but with these guys it often felt forced to fit the occasion. Despite the enjoyable physical scenes the men never really came to life for me.

I did get a good sense of the era (1934) and loved the descriptions of the way the men traveled from England to Australia and through Tasmania. A lot of the dialogues made me smile and grin. Some conversations were maybe a little predictable, although that probably wouldn't have bothered me if I had managed to perceive the characters better.

Since the book ended with a hint of a new adventure, I'm curious to find out if Dash and Dingo will be able to convince me they are indeed more than just bodies to enjoy.
Because however pleasant those sexscenes were, I'm convinced they could be even better when there are actual characters involved.

BOOK; Tigers And Devils - Sean Kennedy

Title: Tigers And Devils
Author: Sean Kennedy
Genre: Romance
Publisher: DreamSpinnerPress (2009)
Pages: Paperback, 363
Language: English
Rating: 8/10
Summary: Simon's life is going along nicely: he has a good job and friends he loves. He doesn't need anyone else in his life, no matter how much his friends push him to go out more. Even if anyone would be interested in him, he is not looking for someone to mess with his reasonably comfortable existence. He's perfectly fine spending his time working, hanging out with his friends and watching football together.
Then his friends drag him to a party where he meets famous footballer Declan and as it turns out Simon wasn't wrong about relationships making life complicated.

Spoilerfree review
For the sake of full disclosure let me first say that I know the author. We've never met in person, but we have shared enough personal stuff online that I consider him a friend. That wouldn't in any way stop me from critisizing his book though. I would absolutely say it if I thought it sucked, but the honest truth is that I loved it. The dialogues in this book are brilliant; they had me grinning and cringing, depending on the situation. Varying from comfortable talks amongst friends to miscommunication and awkward conversations they are all a joy to read. I loved hanging out with these people. Obviously I related most to Simon, because I'm as apprehensive about relationships as he is. I was nearly biting my nails while he struggled to figure out if it is all worth it. I may have even learned a thing or two. Huh.