Happy Halloween, my darlings! I adore Halloween and Autumn, which you probably know if you've been around here for a while, but I'm not a fan of horror. This time of year, I love to read something a little spooky or creepy, something witchy or with all the cozy fall vibes. So, for Halloween, I thought I would share some of my favorite books for this time of year with you.

A Little Familiar and Nothing More Certain by R Cooper: Witchy m/m paranormal romances with all the fall feels and all the pining. A Little Familiar is out in audio as well—it's been keeping me company on my walks the last few days. It's set leading up to and at Halloween, so it always feels perfect for this time of year.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: A forbidden romance between a witch and a vampire in a story filled with an intriguing blend of magic, history, and science. This first book in the series takes place between Mabon and Samhain, so again it's perfect for this time of year. I also really love the audio.

Once Upon a Haunted Moor by Harper Fox: An incredibly atmospheric story with a mystery and some spooky elements and the beginning of a lovely romance between a village police officer and a psychic. It's short but an excellent read and a great beginning to the series.

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper: I read this in ebook last fall and reread it this year in audio. A witch reluctantly returns home at the start of the book, which continues with a vengeance pact between her and two other witches, a magical tournament, and a lovely f/f romance. And, again, all the fall vibes here. (The second book in the series is also fantastic, though without the fall vibes!)

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: A paranormal YA in which a trans brujo tries to bring back the ghost of his cousin to find out what happened to him and prove himself to his family—and ends up with a difference ghost entirely. Who he falls in love with while finding out what happened to him. The sweetest romance, magic, ghosts, and the traditions of Dia de los Muertos fill this book. The audio is fantastic too,

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling: This book was apparently pitched as "Hocus Pocus but they fuck" and it does have that vibe. A heartbroken witch fake-curses her ex—but when he returns to town years later, she realizes that the curse is real as bad things keep happening to him and magic goes haywire all over town. A second chance romance, a fall festival, an absolute romp as they try to put the magic right...and a delightful talking cat. I haven't read the second book in the series yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it.

Prince of Death by Sam Burns and WM Fawkes: This book might be a semi-odd choice for this list because it's centered around Greek gods in the modern world, but it's also set in fall in Washington, DC (which brings back memories of my college days there) and there's an actual Halloween costume party in the underworld. A professor of magic is lured to the underworld with the promise of being able to find his dead mother and meets the son of Hades instead. The two fall in love while also stumbling into a plot to end humanity.

Widdershins by Jordan L Hawk: I love this book (and the series it begins), but I'm not entirely certain why I associate it with this time of year. It's set in early winter, just before Christmas. But there's something about the magic and monsters, I guess. And, of course, I adore the beginning of the relationship between Whyborne and Griffin. There actually is a book in the series set around Halloween—Bloodline, which I love too and am probably due for a reread of, but the series is best read in order.

Hainted by Jordan L Hawk: Yes, another Jordan L Hawk (and I could absolutely add more to the list!). This one is a standalone, though I wish there were more books set in this world. A young man is trying to keep the family farm afloat while raising his siblings and haint-working—helping ghosts cross over. When another haint-worker comes to town looking for his help catching a necromancer, he doesn't want to get involved, with the search or the guy but I think we can guess what happens there? Romance, ghosts, graveyards, and some bleeding walls make for a just creepy enough but not too much for me Halloween read.

As for my own books, none are explicitly Halloween books. But, if you're looking for a cozy fall/winter fantasy romance, you should curl up with The Merchant's Love. Or if shenanigans at a masquerade ball intrigue you, give The Spymaster's Secret a read.

What are some of your favorite fall or Halloween reads? (And how badly will they scare me?)

​It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets! The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

​I'm sharing snippets from The Spymaster's Secret over the next few weeks to celebrate the book's third birthday. The Spymaster's Secret is an opposites attract romance between a flirtatious, outgoing royal with hidden depths and an older, serious widowed father with very mysterious work. Which our young royal is quite curious about. And you know what they say about curiosity. With Halloween tomorrow, I thought I would share a snippet from the closest thing I have to a Halloween scene—a masquerade ball. In this snippet, Alexander and his twin, Faelen, are getting ready for the masquerade. They've dressed alike—Alexander's idea. He wants to make a little good-hearted mischief...though he has other reasons too.

Tonight was a masked ball though. Everyone would be in disguise. They would dress in finery and cover their faces with fanciful masks and dance the night away. Why shouldn’t he and Faelen have a little fun?

Their clothing was identical down to the smallest detail of the rich, emerald-green velvet jacket and pants, the gold embroidered shoes. Alexander had insisted they put their hair up, securing it with gold combs, to disguise the slight difference between them. Their masks were exactly the same as well--intricate gold and green half masks with green- dyed feathers and a single white silk rose on the right side. They were secured with glossy green ribbons. Yes, Alexander was pleased with the effect. They looked wonderful, and no one would be able to tell them apart.

“Why is it the point?”

“Don’t be so serious! Just think of people’s faces when they don’t know who they’ve seen or how one of us can be in two places at once.” Alexander grinned. “You know it’s going to be fun.”

You can find more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today, and Happy Halloween!

I went to my first GRL last week, and I'm so glad I finally got to go. I've wanted to for years—in 2020, I was finally able to make plans to go, but then the pandemic hit and GRL was obviously canceled. It took two more years, but I finally made and as a Spotlight Author. I had a fantastic time and I loved meeting so many readers! Here's a little recap:

On Thursday morning, I did a Q&A panel on the theme Great Escape with other paranormal/fantasy/urban fantasy authors AR Moler, Drea Roman, and Tempeste O'Riley. We got so many great questions about our books and inspiration, what got us started writing and what's next for us. We were also asked about books in our genre that we love or that inspire us...which is a question that immediately makes me forget every book I've ever read! I came up with a few (and of course, remembered more once the panel was over!), so expect a blog post in the next couple of weeks about fantasy/urban fantasy/paranormal romance books that I enjoy to make up for my horrific memory during the panel.

On Friday morning, I had my Author Lounge. I set up my table and hoped that some people would stop by... So many of you stopped by! I loved talking to everyone who came by, whether they had read all my books or were just discovering them. So many readers said lovely things about my books, and I, of course, am always shocked and awkward with compliments, but I'm absolutely thrilled and blown away and honored by all the things you said and that you've enjoyed by stories and characters and worlds. 

I attended some other authors' panels, which were interesting and fun and allowed me to listen to some of my favorite authors. It's always an amazing experience to be surrounded by other readers and authors and all the joy and excitement about the books we all love. And, I managed not to get killed by the murder elevator (that thing was really trying to take one of us out).

I finished up with Saturday's morning book signing (unfortunately, I couldn't stay past then because I had to work the day job on Sunday). Thank you so much to everyone who bought books or stopped by my table to chat and pick up a bookmark or card. It was wonderful to meet you all, and I hope you enjoy your books! And huge thanks to my mom, who came to GRL with me and joined me as my book signing assistant and for walks around Portsmouth's historic district and for great pizza and seafood. Spending some mom/daughter time made GRL even better.

Hopefully, I'll be able to attend GRL again next year!

​It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets! The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

​I'm sharing snippets from The Spymaster's Secret over the next few weeks to celebrate the book's third birthday. The Spymaster's Secret is an opposites attract romance between a flirtatious, outgoing royal with hidden depths and an older, serious widowed father with very mysterious work. Which our young royal is quite curious about. And you know what they say about curiosity. This snippet occurs early on in the book. Marcus is trying very hard not to be interested Alexander, the prince's cousin, but Alexander has no reservations about displaying his own interest, much to Marcus's confusion.

You can find more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're staying safe and well!

GRL starts today! I can't believe it—it feels like time just flew to get us here. This is my first (much-delayed) time at GRL, and I'm so excited to attend as a Spotlight Author and meet readers. If you're going to be there, you can find me several places, including Saturday's book signing, which is open to the public. Please come say hi! Can't wait to see you there!
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​It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets! The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

I thought I'd share a few snippets this month to celebrate the fourth publishing anniversary of A Dance of Water and Air, the first book in my Elemental Magicae series. I wrote this series as a challenge to myself to write a series that would be complete within those two books. (It is, but I'm probably going to write more in this world. Because of course.) In this book, Edmund is a demisexual prince whose father arranges a marriage for him with the queen of a neighboring country to create an alliance. However, Edmund soon finds himself falling for the queen's brother, Arden (who is bisexual and transgender). When Edmund is framed for an attempted assassination of the queen, he and Arden realize there is a lot more going on than they thought, and they go on the run, hoping to figure out a way to save Edmund and their countries and for them to be together. In this snippet, Edmund and Arden demonstrate their magic for each other—Edmund has Water magic and Arden Air, and by this point, they've spent a lot of time in their growing friendship talking about magic.

​Arden’s attention was pulled slowly to the river as waves rose—but only in the area in front of them, and only in gentle, even swells. Then the water surged up from the river and swirled in the air, too perfectly to be anything except magic. Watching the even motion was soothing, peaceful. And then everything went back to normal between one blink of the eye and the next.

​“I wasn’t sure what to do,” Edmund said.

“It was lovely.”

Edmund smiled, open and honest and almost enough to break Arden’s heart.

“Now, you. Show me something.” Arden bit back a teasing, and wholly inappropriate, reply. “All right.”

It was hardly work at all to feel the currents of Air around him, to seek out the threads of magic within them. It took barely more than a thought to move the Air, to create the playful little breeze that picked up the colorful leaves and to make it swirl around Edmund, to ruffle his hair and tug at his clothes.

Arden wished the sight of Edmund’s sparkling eyes, the sound of his delighted laugh, didn’t give him so much pleasure.

You can find more about A Dance of Water and Air here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're all staying safe and well.

Clarity (noun)

Four definitions to inspire writers around the world and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell:

1) Coherent and intelligible
2) Transparent or pure
3) Attaining certainty about something
4) Easy to see or hear

Clarity features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

Every year, Queer Sci Fi runs a one-word theme contest for 300 word flash fiction stories, and then we choose 120 of the best for our annual anthology.

Buy Clarity here.

From the Foreword

It's hard to tell a story in just 300 words, so it’s only fair that I limit this foreword to exactly 300 words, too. This year, 312 writers took the challenge, with stories across the queer spectrum. The contest rules are simple. Submit a complete, well-written Clarity-themed 300 word sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror story with LGBTQ+ characters.

For our ninth year and eighth anthology, we chose the theme “Clarity.” The interpretations run from an “Aha!” moment to the bubbling laughter of water to a private, life-changing realization. There are little jokes, big surprises, and future prognostications that will make your head spin.

I'm proud that this collection includes many colors of the LGBTQ+ (or QUILTBAG, if you prefer) universe—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual characters populate these pages—our most diverse contest yet. There's a bit of romance, too—and a number of stories solidly on the "mainstream" side. Flash fiction is short, fun, and easy to read. You may not fall in love with every story—in fact, you probably won't. But if you don't like one, just move on to the next, and you're sure to find some bite-sized morsels of flash fiction goodness. There are so many good stories in here—choose your own favorites.

We chose three winning stories, five judges' choice picks, and one director’s pick, all marked in the text. Thanks to our judges—Angel Martinez, B.A. Brock, Ava Kelly, Lexi Ander, and J.M. Dabney—for selflessly giving their time, love, and energy to this project. And to Ryane Chatman too, for editing.

At Queer Sci Fi, we're building a community of writers and readers who want a little rainbow in their speculative fiction. Join us and submit a story of your own next time!

Authors:

A Acosta - Stuck in the Space Elevator
A. B. Encarnacion - Arene, 27F Invisible
A.H. Lykke - Fresh
A.J. Clarke - Shinigami
Abbie Bernstein - Kids Know
Alden Loveshade - Clouds
Alex Blanc - Death by Siren
Alex Liddell - Telegram From the Netherland
Alex Silver - Smile
Alison J. McKenzie - Happy to Help
Allan Dyen-Shapiro - Oysters and Other Slimy Creatures
Alma Nilsson - Meet Me at the South Gate
Amanda Meuwissen - Willows
Andrea Stanet - Bathtub Gin
Anne Smith - A Glimpse
Anton Kukal - Detonation
Antonia Aquilante - Through the Glass
Avery Vanderlyle - Taking the Plunge
Barbara Krasnoff - Age Cannot Wither Her
Beáta Fülöp - The Unicorn Handler
Belinda McBride - The Choice
Blaine D. Arden - No Crime Unseen
C.T. Phipps - The Chase Was Enough
Camryn Burke - Burden of the Blurred
Caro Soles - The Truth Sayer
Catherine Yeates - Outpouring
Chloe Schaefer - Matthias
Crysta Coburn - The Ghost Maid
D.M. Rasch - Crystal Clear
Daria Richter - Make Me Real
Darrell Z. Grizzle - The Vampire and the Werewolf Priest
David Viner - The Best Solution
Derwin Mak - Software Update
Devon Widmer - Post-Apocalyptic Goo
Drew Baker - The Only Question I Could Ask
E. W. Murks - Earth Day
Elizabeth Hawxhurst - Inflection Point
Emmy Eui - Sunset
Gina Storm Grant - Clearing the Heir
Ginger Streusel - Lovers' Letters
Gordon Bonnet - Refraction
Isa Reneman - The Furthest Horizon
Isabel McKeough - The Art of Not Blowing Up
Isobel Granby - Sea-Glass
Izzy Tyack - Magically Induced Clarity
J Sigel - Hindsight
J.S. Gariety - Bloom
Jaime Munn - Impulse
James Dunham - Brain of Theseus
Jamie Lackey - The Cursed Princess
Jamie Sands - Remote Working Gothic
Jana Denardo - Unexpected
Jane Suen - Bowls of Steaming Noodles
Jason Sárközi-Forfinski - ACAB
Jaymie Wagner - Harmony
Jendayi Brooks-Flemister - Heartsbeats
Jennifer Haskin - Cold Conviction
Jess Nevins - Stagecoach Mary Versus the Ghost of Cascade
Joe DeRouen - The World Around Her
Jordan Ulibarri - Franklin
Josie Kirkwood - The Blue Capsule Experience
Julie Bozza - Verity
K.L. Noone - The Unicorn's Knight
K.S. Murphy - Looped
Kaje Harper - Beneath the Surface
Kayleigh Skye - Blue
Kim Fielding - Shared Language
Kiya Nicoll - The Satyr and the Wishing Pond
Kora Knight - Sunrise
Kris Jacen - Visus
Krystle Matar - My Poppy Fields Are Burning
Lloyd A. Meeker - Ruti's Prayer
Lori Alden Holuta - Magic Mirror
M. X. Kelly - Muddy the Waters
Marie Victoria Robertson - As Foretold
Mary Kuna - Late Bloomer
Megan Baffoe - Ribbon Thread
Megan Diedericks - The Closet is Made of Mahogany
Megan Hippler - The Gift
Mere Rain - With Clear Eyes
Minerva Cerridwen - Secundum Artem
Monique Cuillerier - Through This Window
Nathan Alling Long - The Shadow of Doubt
Nathaniel Taff - The Gauntlet
Nicole Dennis - Orange Dust
Oskar Leonard - Murcorpio
Patricia Loofbourrow - There's Something Weird About Joe
Phoebe Ching - The Killer Cupid
R.L. Merrill - The Sitter
Rainie Zenith - Crystal Clear
Raven Oak - Wrinkled
Rdp - Alice!
RE Andeen - Male Female Nonbinary Other
RE Carr - A Woman's Reward
Rie Sheridan Rose - The Night Witch
Rin Sparrow - Never Alone
RL Mosswood - A Trick of the Nerves
RoAnna Sylver - The Face in the Mirror
Rob Bliss - PSI Ecstasy
Rory Ni Coileain - One Night in Troy
Sacchi Green - The Star Beast
Sage HN - Impact
Scott Jenson - Cycles
Sheryl Hayes - A Smoking Hot Proposal
Shirley Meier - Upon Reflection
SI CLARKE - If the Shoe Fits
Siri Paulson - Blood and Water
Stacy Noe - Demons Need Love Too
Stephen B. Pearl - Sad Reality
Stephen Dedman - Through a Glass Clearly
Steve Fuson - Translucent
Steve Rasnic Tem - The Man in the Mirror
T.J. Reed - New Memories
Terry Poole - A Grey Man
Tori Thompson - A Visage of Home
V. Astor Solomon - Blood Will Show Us Who We Are
W. Dale Jordan - Ascension
Warren Rochelle - Ghosts
William R. Eakin - Overcoming Entropy
Yoyoli - If Deliberate Avoidance Fulfills No Dream

Queer Sci Fi is the brainchild of J. Scott Coatsworth, a blog and website that’s all about LGBT characters in science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and horror fiction. We’re dedicated to promoting the inclusion of LGBT characters in these genres.

We started the site in January of 2014, with the intent to create a community for writers and readers of LGBT-themed speculative fiction. We post regular discussion topics, news, book announcements and reviews. We have an AWESOME Facebook discussion group, and a great admin team - Angel Martinez, Ben Brock, Ryane Chatman, and J. Scott Coatsworth.

Once a year, we put out a call for flash fiction submissions based on a single word theme, and get anywhere between two hundred and four hundred entries. Clarity is our eighth annual anthology.

​Website / Facebook (Personal) /Facebook (Author Page) / Twitter
​

QSF is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card + Ink / Innovation eBooks with this tour:

Happy October, my darlings! I'm looking forward to diving into some seasonably appropriate autumnal books this month, if I can get out of the reading slump that plagued me through September (and before that, really). I did a little rereading in audiobook on my walks in September, but I mostly started and stopped reading books that I really do want to read and hope I can get back into at some future point. I only read a few new to me books:

The King of Faerie by AJ Lancaster: I've been meaning to read this last book in the Stariel quartet for ages! And it was so good, so I wish I'd done it sooner. This books wrapped both the romance and the quartet-long plot up in a very satisfying way (and there is another book coming about a supporting character, which I am very pleased about). I did see a plot reveal coming early on, but it didn't ruin anything for me. If you enjoy quasi-historical, slightly steampunkish fantasy romance with fae, give these books a try. Meanwhile, I will be waiting impatiently for Marcus's story in a A Rake of His Own.

This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber: I borrowed this first book in the Verity Kent mystery series in audiobook from my local library. These books are set just post World War I. While her husband went to war (and died there), Verity Kent spent the time working for the secret service, something she wasn't allowed to tell anyone. But now she is receiving anonymous notes from someone who knows about her war work and says her husband was a traitor. They lead her to a house party on an isolated island, where people begin to turn up dead. I enjoyed the story (though I'd had a twist accidentally spoiled for me before I started) and the narration. I'm sure I'll continue with the series.

Wicked Autumn by GM Malliet: This another first book in a mystery series that I borrowed in audio from the library. Wicked Autumn begins the Max Tudor series, in which an ex-MI5 agent turned village vicar gets sucked into solving crimes. I was intrigued by the premise and enjoyed the English village mystery vibe, though for some reason this book felt like it should be historical but it's contemporary. I do wish there had been a little more autumnal atmosphere in the book—I'm in that mood! From the title, I was expecting it, but other than the murder happening at the Harvest Fair and a little description, it was missing that fall atmosphere.

What have you read lately?

​It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets! The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

​Happy October, all! And with October 1st comes the publishing anniversary of A Dance of Water and Air (out in the world for four years!). I thought I'd share a few snippets this month to celebrate. A Dance of Water and Air is the first book in my Elemental Magicae series, which I wrote challenging myself to write a series that would be complete within those two books. (It is, but I'm probably going to write more in this world. Because of course.) In this book, Edmund is a demisexual prince whose father arranges a marriage for him with the queen of a neighboring country to create an alliance. However, Edmund soon finds himself falling for the queen's brother, Arden (who is bisexual and transgender). When Edmund is framed for an attempted assassination of the queen, he and Arden realize there is a lot more going on than they thought, and they go on the run, hoping to figure out a way to save Edmund and their countries and for them to be together. In this snippet, Edmund and his secretary are traveling to meet Edmund's intended bride.

You can find more about A Dance of Water and Air here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're all staying safe and well.