I really don’t know how I felt about this one. I mean, I love Harry Potter (even though I’m extremely late on the bandwagon). I gave this book a five out of five stars because of all the feels but personally, I think that this might be my least favorite book in the series. I think I might as well have given this at least a 4.5 star rating. But, oh well.

First off, this book just starts off with the whole Ministry of Magic issue and the fact that Harry may have used magic illegally. Not only was this situation extremely frustrating, I think that this book just kept on making bad things after bad things happen, and it wasn’t the same fun tone anymore. I mean, I understand that this series obviously changes direction, but I feel like there could’ve been something more from the old times, right?

Also, can I just say that Luna Lovegood is the BOMB! She knows what she’s doing, man! She doesn’t let anyone tell her anything!

Unfortunately, there’s this witch (you know, when you change the ‘w’ to a ‘b’) in this book. Her name’s Dolores Umbridge. God damn, that woman is more frustrating than . . . anything I’ve ever read. Dolores Umbridge reminds me of those people that are mentally sick and weird sadists because this woman will get pleasure from your pain. It’s disgusting. It was also extremely difficult to read about this witch. I mean, besides the fact that she has an obsession with ruining people’s lives, she thinks that she’s helping them. Like, woman, you are insane and there is no justification for being a tyrant! Dolores Umbridge is a loner lady who is mentally insane and thinks Hogwarts is a mental institution and her only best friend (possibly even acquaintance) is the Ministry of Magic Handbook (or law book, or whatever the eff this psycho uses).

Overall, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is probably my least favorite book in the series, but I think that I’ll enjoy the last two books more! Hopefully, the drama that goes down won’t be too bad! I’m looking forward to the next one, I just need some time because . . . well, you know.

Thanks for reading my review everyone, and until the next one! :D

I want to start by clarifying that I have not read books one and two in this series. This did not detract from the book at all. This can certainly be read as a stand-alone book.

Playing Charlie Cool is a realistic and amusing look at LGBT issues in a modern world. It stars Charlie Trager, the Producer of a daytime TV talk show and Adam Joshua Goldberg. Adam/Josh, who goes by both names for sanity sake throughout the book, used to be an Aide in New York’s political arena. He announces to the world that he’s gay and ending his marriage and begins looking to run for Congress.

This is where things get interesting. The pressures on these two characters by friends, family and, in fact, society were really well portrayed in this book. The dialogue was tight, emotional and spot on. From Charlie talking to his best friends about Josh:

“This Mr. Right.” Freddie leaned forward and rested his hands, still flushed from washing dishes, on his knees. “It has been months and months, and you are still ashamed to introduce us? He must be Mr. Wrong-But-It-Feels-So-Right.”

To minor characters offering amusing support/disinterest for the LGBT cause:

“She let her shoulders relax. “Look Charlie. Personally, I don’t give a flying fig what people do behind closed doors. If it makes them happy to dress up like kangaroos and swing from the track lighting, more power to them…”

But by far, the most amusing aspect of the writing was the witty little one liners that were thrown into otherwise normal daytime scenes:

‘His phone, which he’d left on the table, was vibrating more than the test lab at a personal pleasuring device manufacturing facility, but he ignored it.’

The dialogue and writing aside, the story was a solid one. The characters are brilliantly constructed to have their own personalities and set of flaws, that I’m pleased to say, were exhibited and shown for the reader along with their strengths. Characters make mistakes. They are stubborn and pig-headed and then regret their decisions later. It’s all very real.

Character interactions and conversation and friendship subtleties were extremely well portrayed in this book. The use of body language, tone of speech and the subtle interactions of best friends or lovers was all drawn into the story. It created a very warm and realistic dialogue and interaction between all characters. Liza was one of the best characters, but Charlie took first place. The reader is drawn along with him in the tumultuous journey he and Adam/Josh take.

The writing was flawless. I found no typos, nothing grammatically incorrect or anything I stumbled over. This is a brilliant showcase on just how to create a great manuscript.

I’m only giving it four and a half stars though. Because, as much as the writing, characterisation and dialogue was spot on, there was some passion missing. The romantic scenes between Charlie and Josh were sweet, urgent and well placed, but they didn’t quite get there in terms of heat. It was obvious the boys were into each other, but that next level was missing.

Because of this lack of heat, the story loses some of its power. It doesn’t feel quite as real. It needs a little more from the boys.

Certainly a book I’d recommend to M/M romance (sweet not sexy) lovers, and to those who like current day real-life dramas with a twist of romance. Play Charlie Cool will be a welcome addition to anyone’s reading diet.

It's particularly hard to take being stabbed in the back close to home. There's always a feeling of betrayal when people of your own group oppose you. - Catharine MacKinnon

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. - Ferdinand Foch

Amber Farrell knows everything about betrayal. Betrayal by the US Government, friends, coworkers. Betrayed in every way she ever thought possible – and some ways no one could have ever imagined. As a hybrid of Athanate, Werewolf and Adept, life is a complete misery. Athanates don’t trust her wolf side, wolves don’t trust her Athanate. And the Adept – well, they just want her dead.

War is coming, the first shots have been fired, and without her mentor, Diana, Amber may be going rogue. So, in a desperate bid to salvage her sanity Amber and Tullah make a desperate bid to find Diana by entering the forbidden territory of New Mexico. Now, they are trapped in plots within plots as enemies are revealed as friends, friends as enemies, and death.

"You tread a difficult path, Amber, where every way bears death and sorrow and pain and loss"

As the story continues to wind tighter and tighter, and war becomes inevitable, Amber and her kin, her friends, and even her enemies, walk the razors edge – the edge of death, sorrow, pain and loss – and the brutal fires of a world war between humans, Athenate, were, and adept.
Mark has outdone himself this time. His books have continuously gotten better, but this edition is beyond amazing. If you haven’t read the series, I can’t recommend it highly enough. But this one? This one is the best I have read this year. The hard part? Now I have to wait for the next one!

Sigh. Write faster, Mark!!

Highly, highly recommended!

Come see for yourself... Great story and terrific read!!

FREE right now at Amazon:

CLICK HERE to buy at Amazon

Television producer Charlie Trager knows he’s lucky to have a successful career and good friends and family who support him. The man he loves, however, is not so lucky. Joshua Goldberg suffers the spite of an ex-wife gunning to keep him from their two children…and maybe Charlie. Determined not to let Joshua go, Charlie crafts a scheme that could remove the obstacles to their relationship…or destroy their love forever.

Charlie and Josh's story is so very good, and yet so very complex.  Adam-Josh (as he is called since Charlie has a brother named Adam, also.)  Is very much the love of Charlie's life.  Only he is virtually untouchable since he is in the public eye and has to protect his children.

Charlie is a producer for daytime television and has plenty of divas of his own to take care of during the day.  At night, he wonders how he can be so alone in the city that never sleeps.  Joshua is a man in the middle of a divorce, since he was honest with his family about his feelings and does not want to hurt his family or himself anymore.

Charlie and Josh barely get any time together, schedules and other priorities keep them apart so much.  They text and sometimes get to talk on the phone.  Josh has been making the rounds and circling the globe doing promotions that his father has asked him to do.

Then when they try to talk about feelings?  Well - never the two shall meet.  Josh keeps his close to the vest since he has so much to lose.  But will he lose Charlie if he does not tell him soon what he feels for him?  

Charlie is not sure whether to keep waiting for Josh or just move on.  His feelings are real and it hurts to see him in just stolen moments when he feels like a leftover in Josh's life.  Good thing Charlie has such good friends and family around him.

I was absolutely bowled over by a book who could put it so right!  I felt like the characters were real and I was experiencing their love story unfold as I read.  What an emotional and humorous book!  I could not put it down!!  

The price is perfect right now - absolutely FREE for the eBook.  To read more about the Trager Family Secrets Series at Goodreads CLICK HERE!  This book is the 3rd book in the series but my personal opinion is it was the best!!  I give it a whopping 5/5 Kitty's Paws UP!