Book Review: Diane Adams - A Place to Run

Book Review: Diane Adams - A Place to Run


Following up her largely successful writing debut, Our December, Diane Adams has wowed audiences world wide with the second part of her stunning series 'The Making of a Man'. A Place to Run is an amazing and emotive piece that will leave the sternest of hearts a little watery eyed.


Following the story of Alex and Jared, the heart gets swept away with the trials of a grown man dating a younger man. There is nothing held back with the raw emotion that both of the two main characters face. It's a learning curve for both and a bliss to read. The story deals with real situations and heart breaking moments. The story will bring out random giggles and make tears spill.


A Place to Run deals with the painful trial of coming out that many gay men face. Adams has taken this in her stride and proven just who much of a powerful writer she is. The moments where the tears won't stop falling as the heartache and confusion of Alex reigns supreme while dealing with how to tell his mother that he prefers the company of men. It's a story that many out gay men will be able to relate to.


Fortunately, rather than spending the entire story crying, there are light hearted moments between the two men and even a bit of light raunch to kick the story off. The story focuses on how deeply the two characters care for each other and just how beautiful love can be. Gender regardless.


The story can be read more than once and never get tired. It's a strong follow up to what was already a brilliant first story. A Place to Run is one of those stories that won't date quickly and people can find something to relate to and hold close.


Adams is an amazing writer with a huge amount of talent for dealing with touchy subjects in a sensitive and respectful manner. Each time she announces a new release you reach for the kleenex. To wipe the tears of both laughter and sadness. Adams will have you on the edge of your seat emotionally and begging for the next installment of her series.


A Place to Run is out now through Silver Publishing

Music Review: Britney Spears - Femme Fatale

Music Review: Britney Spears - Femme Fatale


After a dismissal reception to her last album, Circus, Britney has returned with a brand new album which she says her best album yet. Amazingly, this album isn't terrible. Go figure.


The album is full of dance classics. A hint of dub step, a bit of house throb and a pinch (handful) of auto tune. That aside, the overall feel of the album will appeal to people who have grown with Britney and the club culture. Each song is unique and enjoyable. 


The album starts off with the amazing track Til The World Ends. It loops and throbs. The sound of the music is destined to grace club speakers worldwide. It's actually a bit confusing that this isn't the lead single off the album.


Hold It Against Me is the song that got everyone's attention back on Britney. It's not following her usual generic radio disposable pop crap. It shows a bit of substance. Maybe not lyrically, but with the bump and grind that play throughout the track, it's certainly not something to be ignored.


The only real ballad on the album (no, it's okay - you don't need to cringe at this one) is Inside Out. The stop start at the feel of the track will have you wondering if the track is playing. It's creative if the artistic types are to be believed. The song sounds like something that is akin to Madonna's Ray of Light era. The difference is that this song is a lot more sexier. With the chorus starting "So come on, won't you give me something to remember, Baby shut your mouth and turn me inside out." Someone pass me a cold drink.


One of the highlights of the track is I Wanna Go. The heavy thump of the bass and thrilling electronic sound will please clubbers worldwide. It will also need very little remixing to be a club anthem. This could very easily be the best work she has released in a long time. You want the album for this track alone.


People listening to the track (Drop Dead) Beautiful could be forgiven for thinking that they were listening to Blow by Ke$ha with the backing tracks sounding near identical. The track takes on it's own life with the exciting rapping by guest vocalist Sabi. The track is certainly easy to listen to but isn't one of the highlights. It's a fill in track much like the following track Seal It With A Kiss. The vocals are well done and production slick, it won't set your heart on fire though.


Big Fat Bass. It's a Will.I.Am track. I was prepared to shake my head and fill my ears with hot wax. Amazingly, I didn't need to. The track has a similar feeling to his Black Eyed Peas work while still keeping the Britney feel. It's got the right sounds to have feet stomping and hips gyrating. Throbbing bass and repetitive lyrics. It's a club kid dream.


Trouble for Me sounds like something you would expect to hear on a Ministry of Sound album. It's a surprise to hear on an UNremixed Britney track. It may have something to do with the producer being Fraiser T. Smith who has written tracks for the likes of Taio Cruz, Kylie Minogue and Cheryl Cole. The production of this track is amazing.


Finishing the album is Criminal which, after an album of electronic whistles, bangs and beeps is refreshing. The album is a guitar driven piece which is mid-tempo. The track is different from anything else on the album and has it's own unique flavour.


This is the album Britney should have made instead of Circus. It's track after track of stunning music. The bass throbs. The hooks and beeps drag you in. The album is a piece of dance music history and proves that Spears will continue to exist much the same as Madonna, constantly re-inventing herself and bringing something new to the table with each new album.


Femme Fatale is out in Australia 25th March 2011 and 29th March 2011 worldwide.

Book Review: RJ Scott - The Heart of Texas

Book Review: RJ Scott - The Heart of Texas

A story of oil tycoons and Texan aristocracy. With a hint of arson, an unconventional wedding and heart breaking secrets comes a story full of twists and endearing characters. R.J. Scott has returned with the latest in her ever growing list of gay romance titles and this one is as sure to fly off the shelves as her previous stories.

Welcome to the story of the Hayes and Campbell family. Long time rivals and completely at odds with each other due to the sins of both fathers. These sins become more apparent as the story progresses.

From a son and heir (Riley Hayes) who feels cheated when it comes to dividing up the family company, he devises a plan to get back at his father and get his share. The dividing of the shares is in a contract and states that Riley must marry for love and stay married for one year. Welcome to the unconventional wedding and the perfect way to get back at his father.

Enter dashing young rancher Jackson Campbell. Riley’s husband-to-be. The contract didn’t state the gender of Riley’s spouse. The interaction between the young men is interesting to say the least. To start with anyways. The beauty of Scott’s work is the sheer indulgence in watching the characters mature in the words that lie before you.

The story has multiple other characters including mothers, sisters, nieces and brothers. The story is littered with plots and sub-plots which all tie in together with one sharp twist towards the end of the story. The book is skilfully written and thoroughly addictive. There is a certain joy from sitting to read such stories when there are so many books out there where, at the end, one can’t help but roll their eyes at the drivel that some poor publisher decided to print.

Scott’s work is its own legacy. Be warned though, this isn’t a romance story that you will buy your grandmother. The story does contain explicit sex scenes. While they are not a dire part of the book, they certainly increase the reading pleasure... if you’re into that sort of thing.

The story is a great addition to Scott’s list of titles and worth the money spent to purchase it.

The Heart of Texas is out now through Silver Publishing

Game Review: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Game Review: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood


Unleashed on the world is the stunning third party of the Assassin's Creed story. We revisit Desmond Miles as he sifts through his genetic memory and revisits Ezio Auditore Da Firenze.


The story line keeps just as captivating and riveting as the previous two games and is well worth the time that it will take to sit and play the entire game through. With core memories, side memories, romance and gore, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is an amazing piece in the mosaic that is being written.


There are new features in this game including the long awaited crossbow, guns and the ability to whistle for a horse when you're too lazy to walk. The basic game commands are still the same and high and low profile moves and skills that have been learnt in the first two games still being put into affect. There is more Desmond time this game as well. It's interesting to watch how Enzio's skills 'bleed' through the animus and Desmond picks them up and starts to use them.


This time around, you are able to save citizens who then become recruits and new assassins. You are able to delegate contracts and upgrade the recruits weapons and armor along with your own. When doing your own upgrades in this game there are a series of 'shop quests' which much be completed to unlock certain items. It comes to a basic concept of 'loot everything you can'.


For those who are worried, Ubisoft haven't lost their touch with this installment as the game is as violent as ever. Perhaps more so now with the added inclusion of being able to turn the blood effects on and off through the main menu. Also in the main menu now is the option to leave the animus and interact with the others on your team. Don't forget to go exploring... you can find some cool stuff.


In Assassin's Creed II, the Armor of Altaïr was the be all and end all armor. This time around, we have the Armor of Brutus. It's doesn't look half as impressive as Altaïr's but is still quite effective when it comes to protecting Enzio though you will need to get it repaired after a couple of nasty brawls.


The game play is about what you would expect from the series but now, to fully synchronize with your ancestor's memories, you have to complete your tasks with guidelines that are specifically set up Ubisoft. There is no negotiation about this, if you don't do it their way, you don't get the benefits of fully synching. It's quite irritating and does put a dampener on the enjoyment of the game as some of the tasks that are set cannot be done by a casual gamer in the manner that Ubisoft wants - for example going through a maze with no guidance in under 8 minutes when it is quite hard to see where you are to go doesn't work. Tasks like that are set for the hardcore gamers not people who play for a few hours on the weekend. They have also made the tasks incredibly pedantic. Timing out on a task because you weren't standing half an inch to the right is a joke. Whoever wrote that either is incredibly anally retentive or has no girlfriend. Perhaps both.


All in all, the game was as enthralling as the previous two and has left fan's crying for more. Fear not, Ubisoft announced last year that Assassin's Creed IV will be out in 2011. No word yet on if it will be Enzio again or will stay solely focused on Desmond as he races to beat Abstergo.


Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is out now.


   

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

New Song Alert: Lady Gaga - Born This Way


Yes, the new music from one of today's kookiest stars is here. Lady Gaga has released her synth heavy masterpiece Born This Way.


At first listen it sounds like Express Yourself by Madonna but when you listen, it's a bit more anthemic than that. With a strong beat and energetic delivery, it doesn't take long to hear the differences between Madonna's song and this new piece of music by Gaga.


When Gaga promised a gay anthem to rival I Am What I Am she wasn't kidding. The lyrics are politically orientated and Gaga has gone all out to make sure she has an amazing song on her hands.


From the 80's inspired electronica and synth that features heavily throughout the track to hearing Gaga's vocals belting out her own anthem, this is going to be a high charting hit for the songstress.


Enough talking, here's the audio version - you tell us what you think?

Music Review: Bruno Mars - Doo-Wops and Hooligans

Music Review: Bruno Mars - Doo-wops and Hooligans


Here at Talking Reviews, we usually attempt to keep our finger on the pulse with good music and let you know. This time, it would appear, we let one little gem slip by us. Bruno Mars album Doo-Wops and Hooligans is the debut album of Bruno Mars. Slick and eargasmic, the album is an amazing piece of music that has been playing non-stop at Review HQ since it's discovery.


By now, everyone knows Grenade. Those who don't know it have obviously not been listening to the radio in recent times. Every station you tune into seems to have picked up the song for one reason or another. Mostly because of it's amazing talent and undeniably addictive sound.


You saw the Glee episode where they featured Just The Way You Are. Yes, the actors on the show can sing but Mars leaves there rendition for dead. The inspiring song is full of confidence boosting lyrics and lush melodies  which are almost reminisce of Craig David. Y'know, back when he was still popular. A pleasant trip down the R&B river. 


The smooth R&B flavour continues with Our First Time. It's a stunning piece that plays gently and relaxing. There is nothing offensive about this song. It blends nicely into the background. It's slow pace and relaxed tones make this song just easy to kick back and relax to. It's a track to watch and certainly get your hands on. It's almost a bubble bath with chocolate covered strawberries and champagne. If you're into that sort of thing.


Runaway Baby brings a new aspect to the album. It's got a healthy upbeat tempo with a bit of funk and groove in there. Mars shows his true vocal talents throwing this track in. It's got a bit of a stomping rock feel with vocals that sound like something akin to melted chocolate. It's refreshing and irrefutably amazing. A grabbing piece of music to infuse into your day.


Keeping the up-tempo trend in line is the other Glee song, Marry You. With Mars' trademark groove and smooth vocal delivery, there's even a hint of Beach Boys-esque backing music. This would be an amazing track for a beach wedding. Needless to say, this is going to be played at a lot of wedding in the coming years. Don't look like that, you  know it's true. The infectious music, the slick lyrics and enticing voice. It's everything a wedding night will be. Just remember, sock on the door knob.


Liquor Store Blues is the first of two collaborations. The reggae feel to the track is a little out of place compared to the rest of the album. This isn't to say that it's not a great track. The track features Damian Marley who does his own style of rapping. Yes, this is the youngest son of legendary Bob Marley. The two individually are creators of great music. Together, they are epic.


The track Count On Me sounds like something that we would expect from Jason Mraz. Here at Review HQ, we see this as a good thing. The indie feel of the track and relaxing vocal stylings are a bit playful and very addictive. The track can be played several times over without getting bored and without the track losing any of it's shine. The track is catchy, chilled and will get your head bopping from side to side.


The second, and last, collaboration is The Other Side which features Cee Lo Green and BOB. The song itself is quite hard to describe. It's got smooth melodies. It's got a bit of rock in there. It's got a bit of pop. The song has something that will appeal to everyone. There's just something about this track that makes it just standout from the others. Whether it be the collaborative input from all three, it's catchy. Maybe it's the eager rapping or maybe it's the mix of everything. Needless to say, this is an absolute highlight of the album.


Closing the album is Talking to the Moon (Acoustic Piano Version). Hearing Mars' voice with such a pure sound is just magic. The way the piano and his voice work together. It sounds like a stripped back and raw version. The effect is just breath taking. Hearing Mars sound so honest is just amazing. Lose yourself in the majesty of the song. Let it was over you. It is, truly amazing.


Doo-Wops and Hooligans is amazing. There are no other words for it and here at Reviews HQ, we can't believe that it slipped by without us noticing. It's exciting and fresh. It's endearing and enduring. It's actually got talent and sets the scene that we may have Bruno Mars hanging around on the scene for longer than we originally thought. This album is truly amazing and gets by without mass amounts of post-production work.


Doo-Wops and Hooligans is out now.

Book Review: RJ Scott - The Christmas Throwaway

Book Review: RJ Scott – The Christmas Throwaway

One of the most heart-warming stories to have been released in a long time. It’s also one of the most heart breaking. RJ Scott is well known for her emotive writing but this time, she has pulled out all stops and made it into something truly beautiful.