"Wake Me Up Asuna" is a personal smart assistant app that features a combination of Sony Corporation's voice interactive technology, state-of-the-art speech synthesis, and an animated anime character interface, where the heroine, Asuna from the megahit anime "Sword Art Online," provides useful information and morning entertainment including wake-up calls, current weather, fortune, and your scheduled appointments.
Read MoreWith more devices taking up space in our bags, the bigger the need for portable charging power. It's a crowded space, with even street peddlers selling them for $20 a pop, but the truth is, most of them aren't very good. But never fear, high quality and industrial level engineering can be found in the powerful Ventev powerCell 10000+
Read More"Evac" is the story of a war veteran named Benjamin - Benji for short. While on assignment in Afghanistan, Benji loses his entire unit; including his partner, Blade. While his body mended, his mind is fractured; as he suffers from debilitating PTSD flashbacks. Finding it nearly impossible to reconnect as a civilian, Benji claws for any sort of release from his mental pain; participating in ever more dangerous activities until finally ending up on a bridge ready to end it all. It is here where he meets Nick, a young man on the same bridge for the same reason. The two men find common ground and give each other hope for a better future.
"Evac" is a quick but powerful story. Even at under 200 pages, I found myself both empathizing with Benji and enraged at the utter incompetence of the people around him. With such tragedy, it is very gratifying for him and Nick to get together with their much deserved happy ending. But what a ride getting there! Random sexual encounters, a brief stint at a BDSM club, picking bar fights; Benji hits all the self-destructive marks before he meets Nick and is set on a more balanced path. Yup, I said BDSM club. And Michael Murphy doesn't flinch a bit in his depictions of the lifestyle and all the smutty encounters, so count this among the "mature audiences only" books.
And in case you're all wondering: "Lenni? What's with all the naughty LGBT books!?" Well, to be perfectly honest, I think more of these books should be reviewed on sites like ours and - I freely admit - I made myself a complete pest at the Dreamspinner Press booth at BEA this year. I have a LOT of books from them and I'm hell bent on reviewing as many as possible. Expect more of these in the future.
To get back on point, "Evac" packs a quick emotional punch with good pacing and development in a small package. Benji's unflinching honestly and pain to tug at your heart even if the book hits all the sorta cliche romantic tropes. But, they're cliche for a reason; it's how romances work. If you're looking for a quick and smutty romance with a happily ever after, "Evac" will do ya well.
After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to make Vader return from the dark side of the Force.
It's been a while since I did a geek who do music review. However SkyBlew is back with a brand new EP entitled "Race For Your Life, SkyBlew." After a listening to the album twice I can say he has done it again. SkyBlew just keeps getting better and better with each release. This guy truly has the Hip-Hop I've been craving. His music has not pigeonhole himself as a geek rapper. Instead of going that route he just gives you himself. In a world of music where many play characters for sells. SkyBlew gives you authenticity in his music and you feel it.
The album is great lyrically, production wise, with a few concept songs that make references to pop culture of the past. Songs like "Spirit Detective 2" which is a brilliant nod to the anime "Yu Yu Hakusho" makes references to the show but maintains the theme of the song. The song is about a man who won't give into demons and will continue to be a solider of light. It's clever tracks like "Spirit Detective 2", "Dwayne Wayne" and "Picture That" that will have you take notice if you haven't to SkyBlew.
I have to say that is truly is a great album. But in the world music it's not just the artist alone. The people behind the production job is to compliment the talent of the artist. "Race For Your Life, SkyBlew" has fantastic production from producers Scottie King who owns it on my favorite track of the album "Picture That." I love this beat it's sounds soulful but at the same time like I'm going into a RPG town. Scottie King lends his talents to other tracks and it's home run each time. SkyBlew also continues his collaboration with Backdraft (see SkyBlew his album Journey in 1st Person for more) and you can hear the chemistry when great lyrics mix with great beats. Backdraft and SkyBlew fit like a glove and when you hear the production on the song "The Ballad of Patience" you will see why I say that. Don't wait for me to tell you check it out. Other producers such as U'Nquie Music, DJ Reimi and Englewood all do fantastic on the tracks their production is featured on.
Overall if you looking for music that is authentic with positive vibes and great lyrics and production. "Race For Your Life, SkyBlew" is the album for you. 16 tracks and I didn't skip on track. Great album and a must listen too if you like music with substance.
Rating - A+
Stand Out Tracks
Flowers PT. 2
Spirit Detective 2
The Ballad of Patience
Dwayne Wayne
After the rebels have been brutally overpowered by the Empire on their newly established base, Luke Skywalker takes advanced Jedi training with Master Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.
Read MoreSpinning out of the pages of BATMAN! The teenagers of Gotham City have adopted the "R" and made it their own. A new Robin? No, hundreds of new Robins! The Boy Wonder has inspired a movement in Gotham, where different people of all creeds, colors, genders and religions have donned the "R" insignia to combat crime. But will this clean up the city...or make more trouble than it's worth?
We Are Robin has done something I was waiting to see for a while. This comic book has manage to show how Batman & Robin have become a symbol of change and hope in Gotham. As explained in the synopsis above a group of teenagers inspired by Batman take it upon themselves to take crime head on. These young teens adopt the symbol of his sidekick Robin by wearing Robin colors and his symbol. The main protagonist Duke Thomas who readers can meet for the first time in Batman Eternal.
Duke parents have been missing after an attack from The Joker. He has been in and out of foster homes and different school due to his behavior. Right from the beginning I was immerse in the world. We usually see Gotham from the perspective of our heroes like Batman and The Bat Family. However We Are Robin depicts Gotham from the perspective of the people. We see how poverty, broken homes and violence spreads all over Gotham. Gotham is truly a place you don't want to live. We Are Robin uses the living condition of Duke and the other Robin's to show why Gotham needs saving. It's a city that doesn't just need Batman but needs ordinary citizens to step up even that means using your fist.
The main key element that makes We Are Robin such a good read is the characters. Each Robin was presented with an introduction, backstory and a glimpse of their everyday life when they are not trying to save the day. I found myself not being able to put it down as each Robin's backstory was presented or a glimpse into their lives. This great use of characterization and development will have you turning the page after another. This is clearly an origin story for a group DC Comics hopes will be a driving force in a few years. Since this is a origin story the young Robin's are learning the ropes from someone who I won't spoil. Like any hero story in comics, mistakes are made and lives are loss. Duke and the others make decisions that have consequences and I love the cliffhanger ending that leads into The Robin Wars.
Overall We Are Robin is a great read. The story has interested characters, the setting is dark and gritty and the art style is great. If you want a story about the citizens of Gotham and a more in depth look at the city. We Are Robin is the book you should read.
Final Grade 9.0/10
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a wookiee and two droids to save the universe from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader.
Read MoreJBL's new flagship, the Everest Elite700 headphones is the whole package. Yes it's big, and the sound matches its size. The materials are beyond comfortable. The built-in bluetooth controls are clever and designed for easy access. But what truly blows me away is the noise cancellation paired with the ambient sound control. It's one of the most useful things a city person could ask for and works to epic proportions.
Read MoreThree years after the onset of the Clone Wars; the noble Jedi Knights are spread out across the galaxy leading a massive clone army in the war against the Separatists. After Chancellor Palpatine is kidnapped, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his former Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, are dispatched to eliminate the evil General Grievous.
Read MoreTen years after the 'Phantom Menace' threatened the planet Naboo, Padmé Amidala is now a Senator representing her homeworld. A faction of political separatists, led by Count Dooku, attempts to assassinate her.
Read MoreThe chargesync alloy micro USB cable, made by Ventev, comes with a lifetime warranty - I mean finally, a company who believes in their product enough to put their money where their mouth is!
Read MoreThe evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to confront the leaders.
Read MoreThere was a time when the Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girls' boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo but a recent policy revision is allowing boys into the student body. On his first day, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that he's one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Completely overwhelmed by the thousands of girls on campus, the few boys find that their situation is less than ideal.
In the wake of utter chaos on their home planet, the Oconodians are fleeing their world on a massive ship called Pathfinder. Due to riots caused by Changers; people who have developed various sorts of powers, this ship will take them on a long journey to a new world. Chief engineer and seasoned soldier Adina Vantressa has the responsibility of keeping all two million people aboard safe by overseeing the proper functions of all the systems keeping them alive. One of those millions is Briar Lindemay; a nurse who, along with her sister Caya, have boarded the ship in search for a better life. Briar joins the expedition as a nurse but also is hiding the fact that her sister is in fact a changer and Briar has illegally boarded the ship to protect her young sister from the violence at home. Thrown together by an obvious sabotage attempt, Adina and Briar become fast friends with a chance at something more. But the same sabotage that brought them together was not the first and with Caya's ability to see visions increasing in strength, Briar is forced to decide if her budding romance is worth risking her sister's safety or Adina's life as well.
The science fiction elements to this story are spot on and very interesting. This novel starts off running and doesn't stop for very long; even when the main characters are trying to get to know each other. What is gratifying about this book is since the situation is so dire, every character has no other choice but to be strong. Male or female; every character is a professional trying to ensure the survival of millions of people during a major interplanetary evacuation and resettlement so nobody is whining here. I know readers are sometimes on the lookout for strong female characters in particular and Brooke gives us an excellent balance of capable people where gender isn't important.
As for the romance, if you're looking for some steamy trash, this isn't the place. In my opinion, this is a science fiction novel with romantic elements and a couple of steamy scenes here and there. And I mean mature rating steamy, so don't be shocked by some woman on woman sexytimes.
Coming into this series on book 2 makes it so I cannot comment on how this book relates to the first but Pathfinder does end with the promise of more. But since the romance was so secondary in my opinion, I would love to see more about how these adrift settlers manage when they get to their destination. This is not to say that the romance is not executed well, it's just the story surrounding it was very cool. Briar and Adina are a cute couple and your root for them to come through the chaos around them. Kudos so you, Brooke! I look forward to book 3.
Modern times require modern ways of communicating, which means you probably own a cell phone and maybe a tablet. So unless you're a gadget geek like me, most people's needs for charging one or two devices can be totally satisfied by Ventev's elegantly designed wall charginghub 200 - without the ugliness of using a power strip.
Read MoreIan is an adept magic user but his rival, Jae, always teases him that he doesn't take any chances with his work. Finally having enough, Ian does the research and summons a demon he can show off to Jae to prove he can do something risky. The demon Ian ends up with is an incubus named Alistair; and a sexy romp progresses from there.
This short novella gives you exactly what it promises; a smutty romp with two guys and a demon. It has the sort of pacing that occurs when you need to get three men in bed and naked in under 50 pages; rushed and dirty. But, yeah, that's the price of admission here, folks. You don't get short erotica for the character development. Alistair is my favorite by far, of course. He seems to have the most personality out of the three.
What made me stumble was the replacement of pronouns like "his" "him" and "he" with "ze" and "zir." I just rolled with it after awhile. If you are looking for a quickie with some magic and fun, 'Rule of Three' isn't half bad! A little short for $3.99, in my opinion; but if you are looking for a m/m/m fantasy short story, you may want to check it out.
In Postal Dossier, a maverick FBI agent uncovers an unsettling hidden truth. A town that isn't a town, a place that hides known criminals and even changes them before re-inserting them back into society. The problem is, he hasn't got any hard evidence to prove it - nor the authorization from his boss to poke around...
Read MoreLeo Caldwell leads a mundane life as a tech support operator at a call center. He doesn't date much and spends most of his time with his two best friends; Julie and Felix. The three of them decide to change things up by taking an art class together and that is where Leo meets Aud Sorenson, artist and owner of the Bright Thoughts Gallery. The two have an immediate attraction and under the guise of Aud wanting to sketch Leo, they begin to date; touching off a whirlwind of drama that tests their budding relationship to the limit.
This is a cute little love story but when I say whirlwind of drama, I am not kidding. The moment these two meet you are rooting for them but Aud gets a stalker who threatens their lives and causes so much trouble, Aud and Leo simultaneously question if it's all worth it and knuckle down to stay together. It's all very sweet but as a reader, I had to wonder if these two got hexed or something because so much goes wrong so quickly. This male/male romance does end in a happily ever after (noted because some readers prefer their romances that way) but I think I would have liked to see the sketching featured a little more. It is in the title after all and that initial reason for them to meet up got lost a bit in my opinion. But that's me being very nit-picky.
In the end, this is a cute little story that was fun to read. Aud and Leo are almost too adorable and the smutty scenes aren't over done or silly. It's just spicy enough to make the book interesting but not tawdry. If you like your overly sweet couples in a tidy 200 page romp, Just a Sketch is worth the read.
This book will be available from Dreamspinner Press on December 4th, 2015.
RPG Maker MV allows you to make the RPG of your dreams! This latest version includes a host of new features and export options for MacOSX, Android, and iPhone!
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