I meant to get this post up a week ago, but everything has gotten away from me as I slowly drown in a sea of moving boxes (moving is never fun and even less during a pandemic). Somehow, it's not only September already but nearly the middle of the month! 

My reading remains sporadic and still easier in audiobook, but I enjoyed a few books in August:

Wolfsbane by SJ Himes: This is the first book in a spin-off to the Beacon Hill Sorcerer series and focuses on werewolves, which is fun since we didn't get much about them in the original series. It made for a good start to the spin-off, and I really enjoyed the couple in this book—and the appearance by a favorite character for the original series—and I hope we see more of them.

The Fantastic Fluke by Sam Burns: Let's start with there being an adorable fox familiar in this book and I love foxes. There's also a guy who's under the impression is magic is incredibly weak—and therefo re believes he's a failure—until a ghost shows up and shows him otherwise. I so enjoyed this book. The world building is so interesting, and I enjoyed the characters. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

Demons Do It Better by Louisa Masters: This was a fun paranormal romance about a human administrative assistant working for a team of assorted shifters, demons, and vampires...and the guy he had a one night stand with right before starting the job happens to work there too. I enjoyed the world building, and I'll look for the next in the series.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson: This f/f small town young adult romance was just so cute. Liz Lighty is a Black, queer girl with anxiety in a small midwestern town. A town that is obsessed with prom. And Liz has to run for prom queen in her school's big competition because it's the only way she can can the money to attend her dream college. Along the way, there are some great friendships, Liz figuring out how to be herself and find her own type of fairy tale, and an adorable romance.

​Have you read and loved anything lately?

Somehow, it's August, but my brain still thinks it's May (maybe?) despite how hot it's been. Time truly has no meaning this year. I hope you've been staying safe and well and reading lots of great books. My focus has still been...not great...so reading is hit or miss. I've continued to listen to a lot of audiobooks, including a reread of Jordan L Hawk's Whyborne & Griffin series. They are absolutely comfort reads for me, and I always enjoy returning to Widdershins and my friends there.
I did read a few new books that I enjoyed and wanted to share with you.

A Song of Wraith and Ruin by Roseanne A Brown: This YA fantasy was once described to me as what if Aladdin and Jasmine were trying to kill each other. Karina needs the heart of a king to bring her mother, the country's ruler, back from the dead, and Malik must kill Karina to save his sister from a powerful magical entity. The world building is vivid and based on African folklore, and the characters are interesting and sympathetic. The end isn't a complete cliffhanger but definitely leaves the story open for the second book (which I eagerly await). Also, the cover is gorgeous.

Harkworth Hall by LS Johnson: This started a little slow for me, which could have just been my lack of attention span, but I fell into it pretty quickly after. Harkworth Hall is a Georgian historical, a Gothic f/f romance full of suspense and the paranormal. It's the first book in a series and wraps up nicely while also setting up the next, which I'm looking forward to reading.

Duking It Out by EJ Russell: This book combines so many tropes—royalty romance, enemies to lovers, stranded on a deserted island, there's only one bed—into an m/m romance that is so much fun and funny too. Plus, those royals have various superpowers. The main characters were great, and the secondary characters were fun and intriguing too. It's part of a shared world series, and I'll be checking out the others.

What have you read and loved lately?

This post is a bit late, not only because July snuck up on me but also because I had an unfortunate incident with my computer (and the less said about that the better at this point). Reading is still hit or miss for me, which is still extremely frustrating. I've always found distraction and comfort in books and stories, and to not have the focus to do so is upsetting. Audiobooks are still pretty reliable for me, and I've been listening to a lot of favorites (just started Jordan L Hawk's Whyborne & Griffin series). I did read some new books in June, though my lack of focus really killed my planned Pride Month reading:

Golden in Death by JD Robb: Golden in Death is the fiftieth book in the In Death series, which is mind-boggling! I've been reading them since I was in high school or college, and I've read every single one. I have books in the series I like better than others, but they're always reliably enjoyable, and it's fun to revisit the characters.

When I First Saw Red by Kasia Bacon: This fantasy romance uses two of my favorite tropes—opposites attract and fated mates. It's the story of a demon and a human solider who are reluctant fated mates (very reluctant and very stubborn about it!). I really enjoyed the story and loved both main characters.

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh: Silver in the Woods is a m/m fantasy romance novella that draws on legends and Green Man myths and feels a bit like a fairy tale. It was really lovely, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir: Okay, so funny story: this was the last physical book I borrowed from the library before the library closed back in March. I started it when I borrowed it, but I wasn't really in the mood. Then the library closed and the book sat on my table for months. The library reopened for returns in June, but I insisted I had to read it first (it had been in my house for months, after all!). I'm so glad I did. It was recommended to me with the line "lesbian necromancers in space" and it is that. It's science fiction and fantasy and suspense and mystery all wrapped up in a very interesting world. Gideon is such a fun and engaging character, and her relationship with Harrowhawk is intriguing as it is revealed/evolves throughout the book. So many of the supporting characters are interesting as well. I'm definitely going to read the next book when it comes out.

Let's Talk about Love by Claire Kahn: Let's Talk about Love is listed as YA, but the main characters are in college or in their early twenties, so it might be more New Adult (if that category still exists...?). Either way, it is delightful. It is told entirely in the POV of its asexual, biromantic, black main character. Alice's voice is wonderful and engaging, and her struggles with her sexuality and family and figuring out what she wants to do with her life are relatable.

Have you read anything lately you loved? Or are you struggling to focus like me?

This is take two of writing this post—I tried last week, but weebly ate it or it disappeared into the ether or something (fingers crossed it doesn't happen again). Anyway, it's a new month (I think...time is still strange), so I'm talking about books I read in May. Reading is still not great for me. I just can't focus to read the way I usually do, and it's so frustrating. But I've been rereading in audiobook format, and I did read a few books last month.

Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles: I fell into this book immediately and read it straight through in a day (it felt so good to do that!). In KJ Charles's newest, Will Darling returns from the Great War with no idea what to do and ends up inheriting his great-uncle's used book shop just when he was running out of options. When several people begin showing up at the shop to demand information Will knows nothing about, he's thrown into some intrigue he never expected. It's a fun take on 1920s pulp adventure stories. With some romance thrown in, though there isn't a HEA here or even much of a HFN—but it's the first book in a trilogy and it ended in a good spot. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.

Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis: This novella has been sitting on my Kindle for a while, part of my mountainous digital TBR pile, and I decided to read it on a whim. I'd heard good things about it, and they were all right. This is a fantasy romance set in an alt-historical world in which the women govern and the men use magic—until Cassandra became the first lady magician. And then lost her ability to use magic. Now she's snowed in at a house party and a dangerous elf lord is threatening everything. The novella was light and quick and enjoyable. I'll definitely continue with the series.

The Selection and The Elite by Kiera Cass: I grabbed these YA books from the library, and I have mixed feelings. Obviously I'm enjoying them enough to keep reading the series (I have the next sitting on my Kindle waiting for me, and I should read it because the digital loan expires in a week), but I'm also kind of torn. I will not lie—the gorgeous dresses on the covers attracted me to the books (I want those dresses) in the first place. And I love a royalty romance. But I'm not a huge fan of love triangles (and I don't trust one of the guys in this one for some reason), and the dystopian setting wasn't something I expected. This is set in a future when the US no longer exists. After a war with and occupation by China, the US became a monarchy with a strict caste system. In this world, when a prince needs to marry, young women from all over and all castes are chosen to basically compete to be the country's next princess.

​What have you been reading lately?

My attention span continues to be almost non-existent, so, much to my utter dismay (because I'm a reader! I'm always reading!), I didn't read very much again in April. I listened to some more favorites in audio—these comfort reads seem to be something I can do, and I'm thinking about doing a post about comfort reads soon—but I only read a few new (or new to me, anyway) books. 

How to Talk to Nice English Girls by Gretchen Evans: This is a 1920s set f/f romance between the daughter of a British earl and the daughter of a wealthy American industrialist. It's pretty inwardly focused on the English protagonist as she discovers who she is and what she wants and falls in love. I wanted there to be more to it—more of the time period, something from the American main character's point of view especially considering the title—but it's a lovely lighter read, low in conflict.

Spellbound by Allie Therin: Here's another book that makes me ask myself why it took me so long to read it because it was so good. Another 1920s set romance, this one a paranormal (I seem to be mostly able to get lost in paranormal/fantasy and/or historical books lately). The characters were wonderful, the romance adorable—so very grumpy one falls for the sunshine one—and the paranormal plot/world building interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to the second book in the series.

A Vigil in the Mourning by Hailey Turner: Soulbound is one of those series that gets better with each book. I really enjoyed this installment. The overarching plot continues to moves forward in intriguing ways, and Patrick and Jonty's relationship continues to deepen. I am also constantly delighted by Wade, the teenage dragon shifter who is either eating, thinking about eating, or picking people's pockets. I'd say start at the beginning of the series instead of jumping in here.

Under Currents by Nora Roberts: I think this is last year's Nora single title, but I've gotten a bit behind in reading them, so I borrowed this one from the library through Libby. It's classic Nora, which is kind of a comfort. I think the first part of the book, set in the past, might have been the part I liked the most, but the whole thing was a good read. I loved the characters—both the main characters and the family surrounding them. (CW: lots of on-page child and spousal abuse.)

Are you reading a lot? What have you read and loved lately?

The decade that has been March 2020 is ending today (and I don't know about anyone else, but I'm completely losing track of days and wondering if it actually matters anyway). I didn't read as much as I thought I would, or at least, I didn't read many new books this month (I've been rereading favorites on audio mostly). I've been so anxious that I haven't been able to get into most books or concentrate on much of anything. There were a few I enjoyed, though:

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Charlie Adhara: I've been waiting for this next book in the Big Bad Wolf series for ages, and it did not disappoint. The mystery was great, but what I really loved was the continuing developments in Cooper and ​Oliver's relationship. You should probably read the series in order instead of jumping in here, but the whole series is wonderful and it seems to keep getting better.

Magpie by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly: I'll admit this isn't my favorite book in the Forbidden Desires series, but it was still really enjoyable and I'm sure I'll reread it along with the rest of the series. I liked learning more about Reynard and Misha and having a few things explained from a previous book. I also liked the appearances by characters from other books and some appearances by characters we've only heard of before but maybe might learn more about in the future... Plus dragon shifters and baby dragons!

Lord of the White Hell, Book One by Ginn Hale: I've had this on my Kindle for ages and somehow hadn't read it despite so many people telling me how good it was. And it was really good. I enjoyed the world building in this romantic fantasy set at a boarding school, and I'm looking forward to reading book two (book one ends on a cliffhanger).

I hope you're all staying safe and healthy, and staying at home as much as you possibly can. If you've been reading and escaped into something you loved, let me know what it is. Love to you all.

February was another tough reading month for me. I've been in a book slump for far too long, and I was really busy with writing, edits, revising, and proofreading on three separate books. So not as much time to read as I wanted plus not being able to get into too many books or even decide what to try next. 

During January and February, I reread the Forbidden Desires series (including the spin-off, Swallow) by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly in audio, which was fun as always (dragon shifters, romance, baby dragons, peacocks...), and I'm looking forward to the next book, which will be out soon. I also read and enjoyed a few other books this past month:

The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare: I can always rely on Tessa Dare for an enjoyable historical romance with delightful banter and romance and some funny situations. I loved the previous books in this series (though you don't have to pick them up before this one, you should anyway because they're very good), and this one was a great addition. I especially liked Penny and all her animals and all the hilarious moments involving those animals. (CW: past childhood sexual abuse) I'm looking forward to the next book.

That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole: A really lovely historical romance novella with two queer WOC main characters: Mercy, a maid/secretary who was hurt and gave up on putting her feelings into her writing or maybe even feeling much of anything at all, and Andromeda, a dressmaker who is passionate about her community. Their meeting is wonderful, their letters lovely. (First published in the Hamilton's Battalion anthology)

Infernal Affairs by Jordan L Hawk: Somehow I missed this novella when it first came out as part of an anthology, but I'm so glad I read it now because it was absolutely delightful. We have failed crossroads demon Ralgath trying to redeem himself and fabulous monster-hunting human Chess plus some romance, mystery, and an adorable hellhound named Fluffpaw. Seriously cute and I'd love more adventures for them all.

A Wedding One Christmas by Therese Beharrie: I bought this around Christmas but was a little late getting to it. It's an emotional, introspective romance that takes place (other than the epilogue) in only one day. Two people basically fall in love at almost first sight, but it isn't easy for them. Both are dealing with a lot of very real emotional issues and have been hurt in the past, and now also have to deal with all sorts of new feelings. Set in a small town in South Africa where the main characters meet by chance on their home at Christmas, the book also has lots of sort of wacky small town situations, including the heroine being mistaken repeatedly for a bridesmaid at a wedding. I haven't read the rest of the series yet, but I'm sure I will.

What have you read and loved lately?

January was a tough reading month for me, not because I read a bunch of books I turned out not to like but because I just couldn't decide what to read. Even with my TBR pile so high it could probably fall over and crush me, I had a difficult time finding books that I felt like reading. So I read a lot less last month than I usually do. No idea why it happened, and I really hate that it did, and I really hope the slump ends because I don't like it. I did read some books last month, though, and there were some I liked very much:

Rago by Kasia Bacon: An m/m fantasy romance short story with a dragon shifter and fated mates, and it was just lovely, like all of Kasia's books.

A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian: Cat Sebastian's latest historical romance came out in December, and though I bought it then, I put it off until January while I wallowed in holiday stories (actually I did that with a few of these...). It's an m/f with bisexual main characters. Amelia, dealing with anxiety, and Sydney, dealing with grief, keep meeting on their morning walks and slowly fall in love. I really enjoyed how they found their way to a HEA that worked uniquely for them. I also loved the family they built around them. 

When the Moon was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore: There is such beautiful writing in this young adult fantasy, which I've come to expect from this author. McLemore paints gorgeous pictures with words. I loved Miel and Sam, and I loved how the setting in the book came alive. If you're looking for YA fantasy/magical realism (and one with a trans main character), I definitely recommend this one.

I Buried a Witch by Josh Lanyon: I enjoyed this second mystery in the Bedknobs and Broomsticks series (you should probably read the first one before this one). Cosmo and John are back from their honeymoon, and John finds out Cosmo is a witch. There is a bit more angst in this one, and the mystery moves along, some things solved but some questions left. Looking forward to the last book.

Open House by Ruby Lang: I enjoyed first novella, Playing House, in the series very much, and this one didn't disappoint either. (The novellas are only tangentially connected, so jump in wherever.) It's a warm book centered around efforts to save a community garden in Harlem. Magda and Tyson are on opposite sides of the issue, but there isn't a lot of conflict over it. The story is more about finding a way to be together despite family trouble and personal issues.

​What have you been reading lately? (I hope your month did not include a book slump like mine did!)

Happy New Year, everyone! A whole new year of books is ahead of us. Yay! But it's also time to talk about what I read and loved in December and some of my favorites from 2019 (I know...I'm a bit late with the favorites list...). My December reading was basically all holiday books—I love the extra warm and fuzzy feelings of holiday romances. I reread a bunch of favorites and also found some new ones I loved.

Pattern for an Angel by CJane Elliot: I started the month with this charming short story filled with love and support and family. A father is so accepting and supportive of his little boy who likes to wear dresses. They meet Loren, a drag queen who also likes to wear skirts and dresses in real life, in a sewing shop. 

Let It Sew by Anna Martin: Another sweet short, this one about a teacher who needs help with costumes for the school Christmas pageant at the last moment and a tailor who decides to help.

Mr. Naughty List by Leta Blake: This was a sweet and hot Christmas novel between a teacher and his former student. I loved RJ and how much he adored Aaron in this tender story.

A Whole Latke Love by Jodi Payne: A hook up becomes something more and latkes become the way to their hearts. Such a cute, sweet short.

One More Yule Log by Julia Talbot: One More Yule Log was a sweet and adorable romance between a widower with a precocious daughter and a baker who gets talked into teaching the little girl how to make a Yule log for her dad.

Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh: Not the lightest Christmas story, but a lovely, sweet romance. I'd love more of these two guys.

One Bed for Christmas by Jackie Lau: If you enjoyed the snowed in and there's only one bed and friends to lovers tropes (plus an inflatable T Rex costume), you will probably enjoy One Bed for Christmas as much as I did.

The Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews: This holiday romance novel is one I'm destined to reread in years to come. It made me so happy. 

Better Not Pout by Annabeth Albert: A grumpy Santa (who does not want to play Santa) and a bubbly elf make for a warm and fuzzy Christmas read.

Blessing and Light by Kasia Bacon: I read this holiday fantasy short in ebook when it first came out, and I listened to the ebook this holiday season. The story was as lovely as I remembered, and the narration was so good. 

Mangos & Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera: This was a delightful f/f holiday romance between two bakers competing on a Great British Baking type show. It made me want baked goods and want to bake, so be warned—you'll probably want cake while reading this.


I always try to limit my yearly favorite books list to ten or so, and it never works, so this year I didn't even try. Here are some of my favorite reads of 2019 in random order:
​

Hexhunter by Jordan L. Hawk
The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
Mate by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly
A Crown of Iron & Silver by Hailey Turner
Mastering the Flames by SJ Himes
Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole (I read the first book in 2018)
Thrown to the Wolves by Charlie Adhara
Proper English by KJ Charles
Midnight Flit by Elin Gregory
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Wolves in the World series by Dessa Lux
Mercy Hills Pack series by Ann-Katrin Byrde
Lilywhite Boys series by KJ Charles
Not Dead Yet series by Jenn Burke
Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian 
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Playing House by Ruby Lang
Deosil by Jordan L. Hawk

​What are some of your favorite books from last year?

I'm going to admit right now that I meant to have this post up days ago, but between day job work, editing, and holiday prep (including baking...so much baking...see below), it didn't happen. But I usually try to do a holiday book rec post, so I wanted to do it anyway. Anyone else like me, and reading holiday books starting at the beginning of the month and reading all through New Year's? If so, maybe you'll enjoy some recs. And if you have some for me, please share!

I love holiday romances because they take all the joy and hope of other romances to a whole other level. They just give me a warm, cozy feeling I want to wallow in all month. Some of these books are old favorites I return to year after year, and some are new books I read for the first time this month...and are destined to become favorites to reread in years to come:

The Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews (and a bunch of her other holiday books too!)
One More Yule Log by Julia Talbot
Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh
The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn
Holiday Outing by Astrid Amara
Lone Star by Josh Lanyon (also Icecapade)
Merry Christmas, Mr Miggles by Eli Easton
North Pole City Tales series by Charlie Cochet
Love Around the Corner by Sally Malcolm
Holly and Oak by R Cooper
Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert

​

​I'm absolutely positive I'm going to start kicking myself for not listing so many other books as soon as I post this (because there are so many good ones!), but that's a few anyway.

I haven't written a holiday romance yet, but if you're looking for a warm and cozy fantasy romance set during fall/winter/winter holidays, try The Merchant's Love. It's a warm hug of a book in which a bookish royal and the merchant awkwardly, endearingly besotted with him fall in love over books and baked goods.

​Happy reading, all!