This year keeps racing by, and somehow it's July already. June was busy with the release of The Merchant's Love and edits for A Dance of Water and Air beginning, but I had some time for reading. Here are some books I enjoyed last month:

My Fair Captain by JL Langley: I've read the first edition of this book published by Samhain more than once (this is a favorite series), and when I heard the second edition had substantial changes to it, I decided to give it a try. There are lots of changes here, and I think they strengthen the book. There's much more focus on and development of the plot arc for the series. I'll probably pick up the second edition of the other two books when they come out as well, and I'm looking forward to more books in this series.

Twenty-One Arrow Salute by Kasia Bacon: I love the fantasy world and character's Kasia has created in her Order series, and this short is an excellent addition to it.

A Right Royal Affair by Helen Juliet: I love royalty romance, and this one was just delightful. A light, sweet Cinderfella story that left me smiling. 

Twice in a Lifetime by Jodie Griffin: This is a low angst contemporary f/f romance with two main characters who are in their early fifties. They've each been married before and have grown children, and, for a complication, are boss and employee. I loved their romance and how they decide to take another chance on love after loss, and their relationship with their kids. 

Autoboygraphy by Christina Lauren: I had a few niggles, but I enjoyed this YA about a bisexual high school senior forced back into closet when his family moves to Utah falling in love with a Mormon boy while writing a book for a class. I will admit to crying.

Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage by CS Poe: I wanted something light and fun, and this adorable short fit that exactly. It's about two penguin shifters who meet at WaddleCon, a convention that single penguin shifters attend to find mates. I wanted more, but this was just so cute and charming.

If you follow me on Twitter, you might have seen that I was trying to rec a queer book a day during in June for Pride Month under #PrideRec and #PrideTBR. I say "trying" because I'm horrible at remembering to do these things daily, and I missed a few days. In case you're not on Twitter and you need more books for your TBR, here are the books I posted:

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
A Matter of Disagreement by EE Ottoman
The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin
Coffee Boy by Austin Chant
Reawakening by Amy Rae Durreson 
Far From Home by Lorelie Brown
Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory
A Gentleman's Position by KJ Charles
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
Widdershins by Jordan L Hawk
A Boy Called Cin by Cecil Wilde
Vespers by Irene Preston and Liv Rancourt
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
Empty Net by Avon Gale
Marian by Ella Lyons
It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by JC Lillis
Once Upon a Haunted Moor by Harper Fox
Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall
Twice in a Lifetime by Jodie Griffin
Hold Me by Courtney Milan
One Life to Lose by Kris Ripper
His Royal Secret/His Royal Favorite by Lilah Pace

What have you been reading lately?

I feel as if I blinked and May was gone! Does anyone else feel like this year is flying by? In any case, it's time to talk books again. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed that I've joined in to recommend LGBTQIA+ books this month with #PrideRec and #PrideTBR. I'm doing my best to remember to post every day (I'm notoriously bad at doing that...), but check the tags for recs this month. And here are some books I read in May that I enjoyed:

Lost Souls Found by Kris T. Bethke: I enjoyed this second book in the Requiem Inc series as much as I did the first (and I'm looking forward to the next!). You probably could read this as a standalone, but if you like a light paranormal read, read the both books.

All's Fair series by Josh Lanyon: I read the first book in this trilogy years ago, but for some reason, I never finished the trilogy. This time, I reread the first and glommed through the other two as well. I liked reading them all at once. While each book had its own mystery, elements set up in the first book carried all the way through, and it was nice to see the relationship development too. I like Tucker and Elliot as characters and together.

Caroline's Heart by Austin Chant: This is a lovely historical fantasy romance between a cowboy and a witch, in which both main characters are trans. I've yet to be disappointed by an Austin Chant book.

Sin and Tonic by Rhys Ford: I'm sorry to see the Sinners series end, but I did enjoy revisiting all the characters in this last book (though I would have loved some more time with particular favorites), and seeing everyone happy. This book brings closure to some plot threads from earlier in the series, so I would read them from the beginning.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust: I don't read a ton of young adult, but I loved the sound of this Snow White retelling, and it didn't disappoint. It's beautiful and inventive, telling the entwined stories of the princess and her stepmother in the past and present. Their complicated but loving relationship is at the center of the story, but there are also f/f and m/f romances.

Alpha Heat by Leta Blake: After I read Slow Heat, I was happy to hear that Leta Blake planned to write this second book because I wanted Xan to have his happily ever after. After reading it, I kind of want her to write more in this world. With each book, the world building has deepened, and I'm even more intrigued. Xan got his HEA here, which made me happy, and I love the family that he, Urho, and Caleb built. I also loved Caleb. He's a wonderful character, and it's good to see more asexual characters.

What have you read and loved lately? What's next on your TBR?

Am I the only one who is still surprised that it's May? I'm not sure what happened to April (though apparently I read some books during the month...) or maybe even March, but it's finally starting to feel like spring, so maybe I'll catch up!

Here are some books that I enjoyed in April:

The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin: First of all, the cover is gorgeous! This was a fairly light fantasy romance that sets up an interesting world I'm hoping for more books in. A princess has been betrothed to a prince of another country for years. When he dies unexpectedly, she agrees to marry his sister, who has no desire to be heir to the throne, instead. And there are dragons.

Aberrant Magic series by Lyn Gala: I read the first four books in this paranormal series about a unit within the FBI of magic users solving magical crimes and enjoyed them all. The world building is interesting, and I liked the characters and romance. 

Ghost of a Chance by Kris T. Bethke: This paranormal in from DSP's Dreamspun Beyond line. In this world, we're introduced to ghostwalkers who cross over to the other side to help spirits find their way. They have to die to do it, which was slightly shocking to me, but I really enjoyed the world and the romance, and liked our main characters, Blake and Derek very much. I'm looking forward to more books in the series.

The Doctor's Discretion by EE Ottoman: I've been wanting to read this for a while and finally got to it, and I'm so glad I did. This is a historical interracial romance with a trans character. Both main characters are doctors, and it seems that the author put a lot of research into 19th century medicine too. It deals with some heavy themes, but the wonderful characters lighten the heaviness. They fit together wonderfully.

Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian: I loved this book. It made me happy. It's a historical romance with a non binary main character. I just loved Alistair and Robin together. Their friendship and romance were lovely, and they are altogether delightful. It left me smiling so much.

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins: This is the second book in the author's Old West series. It stands on its own fine I would think, but the first book, Forbidden, is great as well, so go read both. I liked Kent and Portia, and I liked them together in this book. I'm looking forward to reading Regan's book.

What have you been reading?

March was another busy month around here, but I found a little more time for reading than in February. I'm still in one of those weird moods where I'm not sure what to read and nothing jumps out at me...ugh, I hate those moods! I reread KJ Charles's Charm of Magpies series (which is a favorite) early in the month hoping to get out of my slump, and I enjoyed some new to me books too.

Surfacing Secrets by Bellora Quinn and Sadie Rose Bellingham: With each new book, I'm enjoying this paranormal mystery series more. I'd start from the beginning to get the most out of the romance and the plot threads that connect the books.

Blended Whiskey by Layla Reyne: This was a lovely end to the Agents Irish and Whiskey series and a great teaser for the spin-off series to come. This will make no sense if you haven't read the series, so definitely go back and start at the beginning.

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole: This book is kind of a grown up Princess Diaries with a woman who doesn't know she was betrothed to an African prince as a child. There's a STEM heroine and a prince in disguise, and look at that cover, everybody—so pretty (that dress is gorgeous)!

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo: This is a YA story about a trans girl written by a trans author with a trans model on the cover, and it was so good. It ended in a hopeful place and was so emotional that it had me in tears at various points.

What have you read lately?

When I sat down to write this post, I realized that I hardly read at all in February, or, well, for me, since I'm usually constantly reading. But February was a busy month. I had a nasty cold and was trying to write and then do the first set of edits for Tournai and I just couldn't concentrate on reading too much. I reread some of Jordan L Hawk's Whyborne and Griffin series and Megan Derr's Tales of the High Court series. They're both favorite series, and I could get into them easily without too much effort. I also switched between audio and print with W&G while I was sick. Other than those books, I also read Hold Me by Courtney Milan. It's been on my list for ages, and I finally got the paperback at Christmas and sat down to read it. I really enjoyed this book with a Latinx trans heroine and a bisexual Asian hero, both in STEM fields. It manages to be both friends to lovers and enemies to lovers for the same couple. Really good.

What have you been reading lately?

January was a busy month for me with writing/revising deadlines, so I didn't read as much as I usually do, but I still have some books to share with you that I enjoyed: 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee: I loved this historical YA novel (which I started last year and finished in January). I adored the characters and the portrayal of setting and life in the time period. The romance was swoony and the adventure fun.

It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian: I loved this book. It made me so happy. A historical romance between a grumpy navy captain and a happy vicar, a bunch of children performing some crazy antics (who are wonderful characters too)...so good. Go read, and then join me in wishing for the next in the series.

Spun! by JL Merrow: This is the latest in Merrow's Shamwell Tales series, though I don't think you have to read the others to get this one, though you will get more background on the main characters if you do. I always enjoy this series. It's very British and lots of fun. This book is sweet, and I just adored David.

How to Bang a Billionaire by Alexis Hall: I took far too long to read this book, but I found it delightful. As always, Alexis Hall's writing is lovely, and Arden is a wonderful character. It was so much fun to be inside his head. I'm looking forward to continuing the trilogy and seeing where the author's take on this trope goes.

No Rulebook for Flirting by Laura Bailo: Laura sent me an ARC of this story, which has two competitive guys meeting and falling for each other at a board game convention. Super cute and sweet.

​What have you been reading lately?

December was almost entirely filled with holiday reads and rereads for me, and I've shared a bunch of them with you already in my November reading post and in my Christmas post, so I won't repeat those. But there are a few I read and enjoyed after I put together the Christmas post. I thought I'd shared those before I give you some favorites from last year.

Ballerina Dad by Amy Aislin: Such a sweet second chance romance story between a dance teacher and a hockey player dad (who wears a tutu to his daughter's dance class at her request).

The King's Courage by Charlie Cochet: I'm sad that this is the last in the North Pole City Tales series. I've enjoyed it so much, and I've reread the stories a bunch of times. I'm sure I'll reread them again, since the world is such a fun one. 

The Charity Shop Rejects Live in Concert by Gillian St. Kevern: I've enjoyed each story in this holiday series, and this one was no different. It stands alone, but I'd say read at least The Ugliest Sweater (which was so cute) to get the most out of it.

Calamine & Christmas Cake by Lillian Francis: I enjoyed this story of a man who gets sick at a hotel over Christmas and is taken care of by a hotel employee (who was such a sweetie.).

Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews: I think this is the only non-holiday book I read in all of December (well, that I finished—I started The Gentlemen's Guide to Vice and Virtue). This was lots of fun, just everything I was looking for in a pirate romance.

I'm really bad at favorite lists because I have such a hard time narrowing them down (please don't every ask me to pick one favorite of almost anything—I find it impossible!). I've tried to keep this list from getting too out of hand (it still kind of did, but it's my blog so I'm leaving it). Here are some of my favorite books that I read in 2017, in no particular order:

The Sins of the Cities series by KJ Charles
Draakenwood by Jordan L Hawk
The Lawrence Browne Affair and The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
The Loyal League series by Alyssa Cole
Danced Close by Annabeth Albert
The Queers of La Vista series by Kris Ripper
Pansies by Alexis Hall
Forevermore by Kristen Callihan 
The Mechanical Universe series by EE Ottoman
Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory
Coffee Boy by Austin Chant
Slow Heat by Leta Blake
Coach's Challenge by Avon Gale
​Ash by Malinda Lo
Spy Stuff by Matthew J Metzler
A Daring Arrangement by Joanna Shupe
Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
Recovery by Amy Rae Durreson 
The Heart of the Lost Star by Megan Derr
Nocturne by Irene Preson and Liv Rancourt
Hexslayer by Jordan L Hawk
Spectred Isle by KJ Charles
​Agents Irish and Whiskey series by Layla Reyne

What were some of your favorite reads of 2017?

Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating! I hope your holiday is filled with laughter and love, family, friends, and good food. 

I'm celebrating with family today (and there will be lots of food!) after spending the last week baking cookies and wrapping gifts, listening to Christmas music, and reading lots of holiday romances. Well, I've been reading those all month, and I'll continue reading them straight to New Year's. I've posted some favorites before (check my November reading post for links), but here are a few I've enjoyed since, if you need some more holiday reading:

The Glow of Luminiferous Aether on Tinsel by Jana Denardo: I don't think I've ever read a steampunk holiday story before, so this felt really original.

Eight Nights in December by Keira Andrews: This is a revised version of a previously released novella, which I didn't read so I can't tell you how different it is, but I enjoyed this one.

The Holly Growth Green by Amy Rae Durreson: This was lovely. If you like a little magic with your holiday stories, read this one.

Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt: Part of the Maiden Lane series, but you don't have to have read them all to enjoy this. (It's a great series though!)

Poison Marked by TJ Nichol: A bit different, as it's set in a fantasy world, and just so good. I think this would work for you even if holiday romances aren't your thing.

Miracle on Ladies' Mile by Joanna Shupe: I enjoyed this Guilded Age novella so much. The characters pulled me right in.

A Holiday Crush by CJane Elliot: For those who like a little politics with their holiday romance, try this short.

New Game, Start by CS Poe: So adorable and sweet!

Ok, that was a bit more than a few! Enjoy your holiday, everyone!

I was pushing to finish writing/revising Tournai 6 (still no title!) during November, so I didn't read as much as I usually do. But I still have some books to share with you:

Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn: An opposites attract, age gap, hockey romance between a professional hockey player and his professor (the romance begins after they're no longer professor/student). I'll be looking forward to the next in the series.

Wolf's Clothing by EJ Russell: This is the second book in the Legend Tripping series, and I'd read the first one before you jump into this one. The stories mostly stand alone, but there's a lot in book one that sets up book two. I found the werewolf lore so interesting in this book, and I loved the relationship between Trent and Christophe.  

Heard by AM Arthur: Heard is the next book in the author's Breaking Free series and I found it as good as the first two. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Karter and Jax, and I loved seeing them become part of the family that had been building in the previous books. These books do have some dark themes in the characters' backstories, but they are lovely romances in an interesting world.

Preacher, Prophet, Beast and Underhill by Harper Fox: How did I get so far behind in Harper Fox's Tyack and Frayne series? I have no good answer to the question, really. The series remains a favorite, and I glommed up these latest two books, all the while hoping for more soon. Definitely read this series in order (and if you haven't read it, what are you waiting for?).

Vincent's Thanksgiving Date by R Cooper: A sweet, adorable Thanksgiving short that I read over the holiday. It gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings that I like from a holiday romance.

I've also started my holiday reading. If you don't know, my own little tradition is to read (almost entirely) holiday stories in the month of December. I've posted about some of my favorites before (here and here and probably some other places too!) if you're looking for recs. So far this year, I've read:

Tequila Sunrise by Layla Reyne: Action-packed suspense and some very sweet scenes too, but you should read her Agents Irish and Whiskey series first to get the most out of it.

Blessings and Light by Kasia Bacon: A lovely, evocative winter holiday short set in the author's Order universe, and a good intro to this fantasy world. (And it's free, so definitely give it a try!)

A Special Delivery by Laura Bailo: This is a fluffy snowball of a holiday short with two men snowed in together and an adorable dog.

In Case of Emergency by Keira Andrews: Former step-brothers meet again after ten years and fall in love over Christmas. Very sweet (all those holiday warm fuzzies!), and there's a demisexual main character too.

Holly and Oak by R Cooper: Holly and Oak is set in the same world as the author's A Little Familiar, which I adored. This was wonderful too. I love Chester and Will (though maybe Chester just a little more?), and loved watching them find their way to each other. I also loved their cat and dog familiars, who were full of personality and great characters themselves.

Next up for me is Seven Tricks by KS Trenten, a holiday romance inspired by the Nutcracker. I'm very excited since I love the Nutcracker ballet. What have you been reading lately? And if you're a holiday romance lover, have you read any this year that you enjoyed?

October was a busy month as I pushed to finish writing Tournai 6 (revising now! yay!) and attended the NJ Romance Writer conference, but of course, I also found some time to read. It feels strange not to be reading for me. Anyone else? I managed to find time to read through law school and studying for the bar because there's just something about escaping into a story that I need. That all said, here are some books I enjoyed in October:

Team Phison by Chace Verity: An age-gap romance in with the guys meet playing video games on line. The novella is so sweet and left me smiling and feeling all sorts of warm fuzzies. 

Saved and Seen by AM Arthur: These are the first two books in Arthur's Breaking Free series, which is an omegaverse series. I'm hoping we'll get more books too because I really enjoyed them. There are some darker parts of the world and the stories, but the romances are lovely and sweet. Read them in order. They don't stand alone well.

An Unsuitable Heir by KJ Charles: I've been waiting for this book for so long! And it didn't let me down. It was so, so good. I just adored Pen, and I hated to see it end. I wanted more of him and Mark. The rather twisty mystery (I figured out some of it, but it definitely surprised me too) was brought to a satisfying conclusion, and it was good see where all of the characters end up. You don't want to read this book if you haven't read the first two books in the Sins of the Cities trilogy, but really, you need to read these books.

Hexslayer by Jordan L Hawk:  I've been waiting for this book too! I so enjoyed the next book in the Hex World series. Great historical fantasy, romance, and an exciting mystery. I already need the next book! I also read Wild Wild Hex, this month. It's a short story set in the same world, but out west instead of in New York. A Hexas Ranger and a criminal join forces and fall in love along the way. You could probably jump into the series with one of these, but it's so good that you should read them all anyway.

His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington: A contemporary marriage of convenience romance between a pro football player single father (with a delightful kid whom I loved!) and a Russian ballet dancer who is denied asylum in the US and needs a way to stay in the country.  

Nocturne by Irene Preston and Liv Rancourt: Each book in this series seems to get better. The New Orleans at Madi Gras setting is wonderful, the mysteries deeper, the romance growing. I just love Thad and Sara and want more of them immediately. (Please?)

Creative Process by Jodi Payne: Jodi is a fellow NJRW member, and I bought her book at the conference, though it had been on my list since it came out in September. I very much enjoyed this contemporary romance between an author who gets obsessive and tends to lose himself in his writing and a driven, determined cellist. The characters and the romance were both just so charming. 

An Extraordinary Union and A Hope Divided by Alyssa Cole: These books, guys! You need to read them. The second book won't be out until later this month (I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy at RWA and signed too!), but read the first so you're ready. These are wonderful Civil War historicals that tell the stories we never hear but should. They're not easy reads. They don't gloss over the horrors of the United States' past, which makes them very relevant for today. There's powerful history, engrossing stories, lovely romance here. Go read them.

Trick or Treat by Sydney Blackburn: I don't read many short stories, but this short from NineStar's Halloween collection sounded adorable and I wanted a little Halloween-appropriate reading. It was so sweet and adorable, and I had such a smile on my face at the end. The story, though short, was well-rounded and I felt like I got to know the characters, though I would love more about them as their relationship continues. I also read Interview with the Kevin by Mark Lesney, which was a lot of fun (a little take-off on Interview with the Vampire, if the title didn't give that away!).

What have you been reading lately? My TBR is never long enough...