June 1, 2023 - fundinmentalfundinmental

I want to thank Book Sirens, A C Huntley, and Bena House LLC for the opportunity to read and review a copy of The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide To Heists And Husbandry.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I expected something outside the normal and that is what I got. At first, I was having a hard time getting into the story, even thought of not finishing it. Patience paid off, though it took almost half the book for me to get involved. Was it the writing style? My expectations?

Definitely worth the read as I watched Saffron Savage find a life worth living, since her life on Hialeah made her so desperate, she would even traffick one of the animals she cared for, an umemeh, sort of a two headed llama. She lied, she betrayed, she stole, she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

I watched her go from a job that stole her soul to second chances and finding enemies that became friends, and more.

The last half of the book was a winner. I got in the flow, from her struggle to deliver the umemeh to a notorious mobster, to meeting Captain Reyes and his crew, to finding a home. We have space battles, a little romance, and a crass, belligerent woman who finally had me laughing and supporting her decisions as she comes to the realization that not everyone is out to get her.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide To Heists And Husbandry by A C Huntley.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

For eight years, Saffron Savage has been stuck on a dilapidated zoo-planet on the outskirts of the galaxy. Her mountains of overdue student loans make it impossible to afford the cost of leaving, and her sleazy coworkers force her to work demoralizing jobs on a daily basis. Desperate to escape, she hatches a scheme that might just be crazy enough to work: steal the zoo’s rare, two-headed llama and sell it to the highest bidder.
When the poorly planned theft lands Saffron and her stolen companion as unwitting stowaways on an outbound ship, she must pose as an animal rights activist on a mission to return the animal to its home planet. To her surprise, the ride comes with some perks – an instant chemistry with Captain Michael Reyes and burgeoning friendships with the ship’s motley, animal-loving crew. Other than the lie that’s snowballing out of control, Saffron finds herself settling into this quirky, ship-bound life.
If only the buyer wasn’t the most notorious, cut-throat mob boss in the galaxy. Or there wasn’t a warrant out for her arrest.
The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide to Heists and Husbandry is a fast-paced space romp about second chances, rediscovering purpose, and finding family in unexpected places.

Humor, Science Fiction
394 pages
Expected publication June 1, 2023 by Bena House LLC

ABOUT A C HUNTLEY (from Amazon)

Ace is a creative artist who authors science fiction novels, paints impressionist art, and dabbles in film. She lives in suburbia with her husband and child where she dreams of adding a dog, a few cats, a snake, a bat-house, and some chickens to the family.

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In a New York Minute
Felice Stevens
Publication date: May 22nd 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Garrett Steiner loves his grandmother.

Really.

But when she rents a billboard in the middle of Times Square, hoping to find him a husband, he isn’t so sure anymore. Bad enough everyone at the “Crossroads of the World” thinks he’s a joke—now his face is plastered all over the news. He’s already in enough trouble with the principal of his school, who isn’t thrilled to have a gay teacher. It might be two dateless years since his divorce, but no way is he going to answer any of the thousand emails he’s received.

Except….maybe one. The long-haired man with the soulful eyes.

After the devastating loss of his husband, rock star Remi Angel has hit rock bottom. His career is in shambles and he’s spiraling. Fast.
With the media ready for the next juicy scandal, he leaves the limelight behind to return to his roots and spend time with his beloved grandfather. Seeing Garrett’s billboard ad, Remi sends him an email, figuring nothing will come of it, but hey. At least he’s trying.

Except Garrett does answer, and when they meet, both feel that special spark. It’s terrifying yet wondrous, a combination of desire and hope mixed with fear.

The fear of loving again.
Of coming alive again.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.

But anything can happen in a New York minute…even love.

In a New York Minute is a slow burn, rock star, M/M romance filled with longing, doubt and swoony moments. There are love songs, a secret identity, a wise, bagel-loving grandpa, and an unrepentant bubbe who knows what’s best for her grandson.
It answers the question: once in a lifetime can’t happen twice…or can it?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Brownie? Apple pie with ice cream? Or cheesecake?” He fluttered his lashes, and Garrett rolled his eyes.

“You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not when I want something.” He winked and handed the menu to Brayson. “We’ll do the strawberry cheesecake and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.”

“Sure thing. Be right back with everything.”

The tea and cappuccino came, followed a minute later by the cheesecake and pie. Jeremiah fed him, their eyes never breaking contact, and those same flutters in his stomach returned.

They tussled over the bill, with Garrett ultimately losing but insisting on paying the tip. Outside, Jeremiah called for a car.

“Seems stupid for both of us to go to Brooklyn in separate cars. We should share.”

Nerves rippled through him. Was he being foolish allowing himself to share a car with Jeremiah? While part of him relished the additional alone time, another froze at the magnitude of the step. Would Jeremiah pressure him and take him somewhere else? Would he want to come upstairs under the pretense of using the bathroom and… Oh, for God’s sake. He’d been watching too many crime shows. Of course it was a good idea. They’d been on a few dates, and Jeremiah had never pressed him for more than he was willing to give. They’d spoken only an hour earlier about how they were going to get to know one another on a deeper level, and more alone time would only help that.

“Sure. Makes sense.”

As they bounced along the FDR Drive, Jeremiah put an arm around him, and Garrett settled into his chest. “I had a very nice time tonight.” He should ask Jeremiah out this time.

“Me too,” Jeremiah murmured into his ear. “Can I see you Friday night? Are you busy?”

“I was about to ask you the same. No, I’m not busy, and I’d like that.”

“Great. We can do dinner and decide what else afterward.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Jeremiah’s hand tipped his chin so they faced each other. “My plan is to kiss you again, if that’s all right with you.”

“Another good idea.”

Their lips met, and Garrett eagerly welcomed the increasingly familiar taste of Jeremiah. His kisses captivated, the perfect mix of fire and sweet, and he didn’t know whether to be annoyed by the restraint of the seat belts or grateful for them, as he probably would’ve made a liar of himself about taking it slow and climbed the man.

Author Bio:

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, because just like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

Felice is the 2020 Lambda Literary Award winning author in best Gay Romance. She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe. If she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her watching reality TV or procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice’s Breakfast Club.

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