The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

I won't be reviewing every single story in this volume the way I did in the last anthology I reviewed, simply because there are twenty-eight stories in here and I could end up with a review longer than the book itself. I will say however that there isn't a bad story in the bunch, which is an achievement for any anthology, let alone one as well-filled as this one is.

Sideways in Crime

Sideways in Crime

This book features alternative history and mystery! "Sideways in Crime" is a brand new anthology of all-original stories from some of the genre's foremost writers. Featuring an eclectic range of alternative history crime stories, from Jacobean power-plays to far future empires, this new anthology explores the darker side of the alternative history genre. It includes new stories by Kage Baker, Stephen Baxter, Tobias Buckell, Pat Cadigan, Paul Di Filippo, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Theodore Judson, Jack McDevitt, John Meaney, Paul Park, Mike Resnick & Eric Flint, Mary Rosenblum, Chris Roberson, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and SM Stirling.

I've always been fascinated by alternate history and I love mysteries so this anthology caught my eye right away.

Extreme Bull by Catt Ford

Extreme Bull by Catt Ford

I have to admit to a certain soft spot for rodeo based stories, especially those involving bull riders or rodeo clowns, so I was looking forward to this and I was not disappointed!

The Last Chance Ranch by D G Parker

Last Chance Ranch by D G Parker

In the rough desert country of New Mexico, Ben Johnson runs a horse ranch called the Bar J. More than a business, the ranch is home to a collection of drifters, gamblers, drunks, and gunslingers, all of whom have found a second chance at life. What’s more, the ranch is a haven for men who prefer the company of other men, like Ben himself. He and his young lover, Obie, deal with the everyday running of the Bar J and try to keep their ranch hands out of trouble. But when the arrival of strangers brings threats from without and within, Obie and Ben find out who their friends truly are and whether the strength of their love can see them through.

I should start with a confession - this is the second in a series but since the first part is in an anthology that I don't own I haven't read it. Maybe this book would have been better if I had but I don't think the things I had a problem with are related to that.

Dealing Straight by Emily Veinglory

Dealing Straight by Emily Veinglory

Richard is worn out, used up, and just plain cynical. Son of a wealthy Bostonian banker, he came west to gamble and carouse when his life fell apart. Though a sensitive and moral man, he finds a reckless life easier to bear—since he has no one to care about and no real hopes for his future.


Brave, beautiful U.S. Marshall Wayne Sneddon wants to change all that. He enlists Richard to help him find and take down a bigwig out to get water rights for himself, regardless of the settlers in the way. In part, Wayne needs help, but more, he wants Richard’s company.


In between the shooting, fighting and intrigue, Richard comes to share Wayne’s feelings…but after he finds the courage to share Wayne’s bed, will he find the courage to share his feelings?


Sometimes just about anything is easier than Dealing Straight.


I have no idea where to start with this...

Desire, Oklahoma, The Founding Fathers - Untamed Desire by Lana Dare

Desire, Oklahoma - The Founding Fathers 01 - Untamed Desire

by Lana Dare

[Siren Menage Everlasting: Erotic Western Menage a Trois Romance, M/F/M] Desire, Oklahoma: The Founding Fathers...and the courageous women who dare to love them. Here is how it all begins...When Eb and Jeremiah Tyler left their father's ranch five years ago, Maggie Simms thought she'd never see them again. But now they're back. But different. In the years they've been gone, they've become strangers--hard, cold men she barely recognizes. Dangerous men. But her heart knows them. And knows she'd never survive watching them walk away again, even though they see her as nothing more than the woman they'd helped raise, one who understands ranch life. Knowing she could never let them suspect that she loves them both, she dreams of marrying one of them and living happily ever after on their father's ranch. But she's stunned to learn they have plans of their own--plans to share her. To take her away from the only home she'd ever known. To a ranch in Oklahoma, called the Circle T. In a town they call Desire. A Siren Erotic Romance

It sounded so promising ... I quite like the idea of communities with their own rules and since it's a common trope in this kind of book I get to indulge my tastes quite regularly and the idea of seeing one from the start really made me happy because I absolutely love historical romances. And cowboys! Who doesn't love cowboys?

Challenges for 2012

I really need to get through some of my huge (virtual) stack of unread eBooks so I am signing up for two challenges for 2012.

The first is hosted by Workaday reads and is the 2012 eBook challenge. I am going for the 'Server' level, which is 100 eBooks over 2012. I'd like to go for the higher level but I can always upgrade later so I'm playing it a little bit safe.

The second is at My Reader's Block and is the Mount TBR challenge. I'll be going for the Mount Everest level there which is 100+ books in 2012.

I won't be posting a list of books I intend to read because I have so many to choose from I just know that as soon as I compile a list I'll be changing my mind again.