A lot of my February reading was books I read and judged for the RITA contest, which I can't talk about here, but in between them (and writing, revising, and editing frantically during JeRoWriMo), I read a few other books that I enjoyed.

Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles: This book was so good, people. Just so good. The younger son of a duke hires a couple of thieves to steal diamonds from his father and stepmother. It's twisty in the best ways. I loved the characters and the references to a previous series by the author. I would've loved a little more focus on the romance earlier on, but it's a minor quibble, really.

Hexhunter by Jordan L Hawk: I've been waiting for Isaac's book for what feels like ever. It's now one of my favorites of the series. Isaac and Bill are so perfect together, and the book's mystery/paranormal elements were so well done too. I'm very much looking forward to more in this series. If you haven't read it, start with The 13th Hex and binge your way through.

Noble Hops by Layla Reyne: Noble Hops brings the Trouble Brewing series to an end, which I'm kind of sad about because I hate to leave all of these characters behind. But the book itself was a really fantastic end to the series and HEA for Cam and Nic. Definitely read these in order, maybe even start with the previous series, Agents Irish and Whiskey that this one spun off from.

Mate by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly: This might be my favorite book of the Forbidden Desires series. The guys in this book are wonderful together and the romance lovely. And there are baby dragons! Cute little baby dragons! I think it's probably best to read this series in order, but the previous two books are so much fun too. I really hope there will be more in this world.

Diplomatic Relations by JL Langley: I was so excited for this latest book in the Sci-Regency (it's been so long since the last one!), and it did not disappoint. I loved the couple and the romance, and it furthered the series plot too in interesting ways. It's probably best to read this series in order, so start at the beginning if you haven't yet. The books are great romances and such a fun blend of sci-fi and Regency romance.

In audio, I've been rereading some favorites—books from Jordan L Hawk's Whyborne & Griffin series and from KJ Charles's Charm of Magpies series.

What have you read and loved lately?

Somehow we're a week into February and I'm juggling writing and editing and judging RITA books, but I wanted to do a quick post about books I read and enjoyed last month.

Single White Incubus by EJ Rusell: This was a fun beginning to a new series, and a fun check in with some characters from the author's Fae Out of Water series. It probably isn't necessary to read those first, but they're lots of fun too.

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole: I haven't read the second book in this series yet (I know, I know, I have to! And I have it, so I will soon!) but I skipped ahead and read this novella when it came out because I really wanted to know what happened to Likotsi during a A Princess in Theory and for her to get her HEA. Go read them all.

Omega Defiant by Dessa Lux: I'm really loving this shifter series. The first book was great, and this second book was even better. I also loved Omega Wintertide, which included three holiday short stories about characters in previous books and one character I assume will have a book later.

Earthly Pleasures by Sera Trevor: I enjoyed this fantasy romance about a hedonistic prince and a religious acolyte who have to combine their magic to bring fertility back to the land. Of course they fall in love along the way, and the prince grows up a bit. It's over the top and kind of ridiculous, but really quite charming.

A Lady's Desire by Lily Maxton: I'd heard such good things about this novella that I gave it a try. Everyone was right; it's a really lovely second chance, friends to lovers romance. I have to read the rest of the series now!

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare: Tessa Dare's books are always wonderful, and this was no exception. I loved the romance and the building of a family. And I laughed out loud at all the funerals (trust me).

What have you read and loved lately?

In December, I generally throw myself into reading and rereading holiday stories. This December was no different. I mentioned a few in a holiday reading recommendations post last month, but here are others that I read for the first time this month.

Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas by Joanna Chambers: This was a lovely follow up to Introducing Mr. Winterbourne, a novella I'd hoped the author would revisit since I first read it. Read that first and then jump into the Christmas story, which gives the couple their sold HEA.

Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews: A light, age gap Christmas romance with some kink. It also has a grumpy guy who has to dress up as Santa.

Mr. Frosty Pants by Leta Blake: Perhaps slightly more angsty than I usually like in my holiday romances, but it was still an enjoyable romance between two estranged friends.

Christmas Angel by Eli Easton: This book is the first book in the Christmas Angel series, standalone books written by different authors and connected by the magical angel ornament. I only read a few of them, but this one and The Magician's Angel by Jordan L. Hawk are the two I enjoyed the most.

Love Around the Corner by Sally Malcolm: This was a sweet romance that managed to be both friends to lovers and sort of enemies to lovers with the same couple. Two men become friends and fall for each other online while talking books, but don't like each other in real life. 

Gaudete by Amy Rae Durresson: I'd somehow managed to miss this Christmas romance, though I love the author's others. This one was no different. It was a beautifully written story of a second chance between two men who'd been friends years earlier.

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert: Everyone has been talking about Hibbert's books for ages, and I finally read one! I enjoyed this story between two good people with very real baggage.

Love Blooms by Stephanie Hoyt: A cute fantasy about Santa's son, who has to fall in love and be loved in return by his 30th birthday in order to be eligible to be Santa one day.

Color of You by CS Poe: Romance between the bowtie-wearing new high school music teacher and the older parent of one of his students who owns an apple orchard/Christmas tree farm. There's some insta-crush turning into insta-love here, but it was really sweet.


I also like to do a list of my favorite reads for the year. 2018 was a strange year for me with reading (and with everything else—last year was rough). I read a lot of books, but many of them were rereads and some didn't quite work for me—I found myself not able to get into a lot books. Also, last January feels like a hundred years ago, so it was tough even remembering what I read early this year. Here are some favorites that I read for the first time last year, though they might not have been written in 2018.

Band Sinister by KJ Charles
Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Balefire by Jordan L Hawk
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian
Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch
The Wolf at Bay by Charlie Adhara
How to Bang a Billionaire by Alexis Hall
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin
Caroline's Heart by Austin Chant
The Doctor's Discretion by EE Ottoman
Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

What were your favorite 2018 reads?

I thought I'd share some favorite holiday romances with you, though I'm getting to it later than I meant. Every December almost everything I read is a holiday romance—I like to wallow in the warm, happy feelings that holiday romance especially provides. This year has been no different, though I've been busy and I haven't gotten as much reading in as I hoped. I'll keep reading holiday romances through New Year's, so I hope to get in a few more. This list includes a few that I read for the first time this year and some old favorites that I tend to reread over and over.

Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas by Joanna Chambers: I loved this sequel to Introducing Mr. Winterbourne. It really gave us a solid HEA for these two during a snowy Christmas.

The Magician's Angel by Jordan L Hawk: I've read a few of the books in the multi-author Christmas Angel series, and this is my favorite so far. Of course, there is a murder mystery running through the story (it's Jordan L Hawk!), but the romance was just lovely too.

Love Around the Corner by Sally Malcolm: This book managed to be both friends to lovers and enemies to lovers at the same time. Two men are falling for each other online without realizing that they don't get along at all in real life. A really enjoyable Christmas romance.

And some old favorites (that I'm sure I've talked about in previous book posts somewhere):

Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles by Eli Easton (librarian heroes!)
Holly & Oak by R. Cooper
The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn
The Holly Growth Green by Amy Rae Durresson (and her other Christmas stories)
The North Pole City Tales by Charlie Cochet (fun fantasy romances about elves at the North Pole)
Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert
Icecapade by Josh Lanyon (probably my favorite of Lanyon's holiday stories, but Lone Star is great too)

Do you have any favorite holiday romances?

November was a better reading month for me than October was, so I have a few books to share with you.

Band Sinister by KJ Charles: This is an odd KJ Charles book in that there is not one dead body in the whole thing. It's also absolutely delightful and just what I needed.

Craft Brew by Layla Reyne: I'm really enjoying the Trouble Brewing series. Cam and Nic are wonderful together. I really want the next book now so I can find out what happens! (Start at the beginning with this series. It really should be read in order.)

The Wolf at Bay by Charlie Adhara: Here's another series that I'm eager for the next book in. This second book was as good or better than the first. I love the characters and their deepening relationship, and the book is a skillful mix of paranormal and mystery.

A Midnight Feast by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner: A lovely second chance romance between two characters who have been married for a long time but have lost the spark and connection between them. Set at Thanksgiving and part of the Fly Me to the Moon series, which I really need to catch up on.

Leverage in Death by JD Robb: I'm blown away that this is the 47th book in this series. I keep reading them because they're reliably enjoyable, and I love checking in with the characters. Eve and Roarke have built themselves a wonderful family.

The Mercenaries of the Stolen Moon by Megan Derr: This isn't my favorite book in the Tales of the High Court series, but it was very good. I've been waiting to learn more about Myra, the High King's frighteningly efficient secretary, since the beginning, and Charlaine was wonderful in the last book. It was great to get to know them more and Jac as well, though I do wish they weren't separated for so much of the book.

I also listened to Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness and moved on to the last book in the trilogy, The Book of Life, which I'm still listening to now. I still love the narrator, and I've been enjoying revisiting the world of All Souls.

What have you been reading lately?

October wasn't a great month for reading for me. I was busy and kind of in a book slump, which I hate because I always feel off when I don't have a book I can lose myself in. I did enjoy a few books though.

The Metahuman Files by Hailey Turner: I read this author's A Ferry of Bones and Gold back in September and decided to try this series next. I really enjoyed it, but it's very different from her other book. This series is futuristic/sci-fi/paranormal romance centering on an elite military unit of metahumans. There's an overarching mystery/suspense plot that continues throughout the series, and there is much more focus on the romances in this series. I wasn't totally in the mood for the military violence, but I loved the character relationships, not only the romances but the found family this group formed.

Nothing More Certain by R. Cooper: This is the latest in the author's Familiar Spirits series and just as lovely as the others. I read it over Halloween, which was perfect as it had an autumnal feel to it (as does the first book in the series, A Little Familiar, which I re-read immediately after). I loved the characters, especially Ezra, though we didn't get his point of view. You can read this as a standalone, but the other two books in the series are wonderful, so give them all a try.

I also listened to the audiobook of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (I finished on Halloween, which seems appropriate). I loved this book and its combination of romance, history, science, and the paranormal when I read it the first time a few years ago, and the audio might have made be like the book even more. The narrator is fantastic and added even more nuance to the words of the story. It's over 24 hours long and so is the next book, but I dove right into that one the next day. Something tells me I'm going to do the same with book three after that...

With the release of A Dance of Water and Air, I lost all track of time and almost forgot to put this post together! But September is over (how did that happen?), so it's time to talk about some books I read and loved last month. 

A Ferry of Bones and Gold by Hailey Turner: This is probably more urban fantasy than paranormal romance, though there is a romance subplot and I'm looking forward to how it develops in the next book in the series. I loved the world building and the characters here. I'm excited for more.

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt: I've enjoyed the books I read in Hoyt's Maiden Lane series, but I seemed to have skipped around a bunch. I'm trying to catch up.

Looking for Trouble by Misha Horne: I didn't expect this book to be so emotion and heartwarming. It's a sweet, slow-burn western romance. The character development was lovely.

The Englor Affair by JL Langley: I've read the original edition of this book a bunch of times, and I really enjoyed this new edition too. The plot and intrigue are stronger as in the first book in the series, and I still really love the characters. I'd read the series in order if I were you. It's a fun mix of sf and historical.

Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon: A solid Lanyon mystery set on a group tour through Scotland. I really enjoyed it.

The Surrey SFS Society series by Nicola Davidson: These are short, sexy historical romances with f/f, m/f, and m/m/f pairings. They were a lot of fun, but I did wish they were a little longer so I could get to know the characters better. 

Consorting with Dragons by Sera Trevor: I recommended this earlier in the week in a blog post I did about fantasy/royalty romance. I loved this one with a young man who reluctantly goes to court to find a husband and ends up falling for the king. Plus dragons.

Cinder Ella by ST Lynn: A short trans Cinderella retelling that was generally light and fun (There is some transphobia from the evil stepmother/sisters).

I also listened to Think of England by KJ Charles in audio for the first time. I've read the book before (and loved it), and I loved the audio too. I know we aren't likely to get more Daniel and Archie, but I really wish that wasn't the case!

What books have you loved lately?

It's September (already!), so it's time for a post about what I read and enjoyed in August. 

Imperial Stout by Layla Reyne: This first book in the romantic suspense series spinning off from the Agents Irish and Whiskey series was really good. I was ready for the next book as soon as I read the last page of this one. I adore Nic and Cam, but then, I'd already started to love them in the previous series. You can probably read this without reading the original series, but if you do, you'll get a better grasp on characters and background.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn: The Alice Network is fascinating historical fiction telling the entwined stories of a young female spy during WWI who is a part of the Alice network, a network of female spies working in France, and a young woman searching for her cousin in the aftermath of WWII. It's the only book on my list this month that isn't a romance, though there is a romantic subplot.

The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara: The Wolf at the Door is paranormal mystery/suspense combining wolf shifters with FBI-type agents investigating a series of murders/disappearances. I suspected the bad guy pretty early, but I still enjoyed the twists and turns of the story and the tension between the main characters. I'm very excited to see how their relationship develops in the next book.

The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series by S.J. Himes: I glommed up the three books in this series, and now I would really like the next soon please. I loved the world building and the romance between necromancer Angel and vampire Simeon. I loved the supporting characters. And there's a dragon, who is fantastic. Definitely read these in order.

Lock Nut by J.L. Merrow: I've had this latest book in the Plumber's Mate series since it came out, and it somehow got lost in my teetering TBR stack (well, virtual stack). These mysteries are always fun, and I enjoyed catching up with Tom and Phil. I don't know if this is the last book in the series (I would happily read more!), but it did leave the guys in a very good place if it is. The mysteries all stand alone, but to get the most out of the characters, I would read this fun series from the beginning.

Wheels and Heels by Jaime Samms: This is a sweet, lovely opposites attract romance with a really great cast of characters in the found family created at the bar. The stalker storyline might have been slightly rushed at the end, but I really enjoyed the book, and I wouldn't mind reading more about this couple and the group of characters making up this family.

Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch: I'd heard so many good things about this historical fantasy romance that I had to give it a try, and I really enjoyed it. I loved Soren and John and their developing relationship. The magic system and world building were compelling, and the setting was vivid and at times, creepy. I would love to read more in this world.

Once Upon a Western Shore by Harper Fox: Once Upon a Western Shore is the 9th book in the Tyack & Frayne series, and I hope it isn't the last. I spent August listening to the earlier books in audio, which I enjoyed so much. The audio really brought an extra dimension to books I already loved. Then I finished up by reading this book for the first time, and it was lovely to continue Lee and Gideon's story. These are paranormal mysteries with lyrical writing and a lovely romance. Start back at the beginning of the series to get the most from them.

What have you been reading lately?

These days, days sometimes feel like weeks and weeks like months, but summer is still flying by and somehow it's August already! I hope you've been getting some good reading in at least. I finally listened to KJ Charles's Charm of Magpies series in audio. I love the books, but this is the first time I've listened to them, and I loved the audio too. The narrator is fantastic and added a whole other dimension to the stories. I also listened to Harper Fox's Once Upon a Haunted Moor, which is the beginning of her Tyack & Frayne series (which I also love), and I enjoyed the audio of that too.

Here are some other books I read and enjoyed in July:

Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore: Wild Beauty is a young adult magical realism story that is just gorgeous. The Nomeolvides woman have tended the garden of La Pradera for generations, making the flowers grow, but if they fall in love too deeply, the garden takes their lovers. Only now it's given someone back. The beautiful cover drew me to the book first, but the story and characters didn't disappoint.

The Queen's Game by Carla de Guzman: I loved the premise of this royal romance. It's set in a small island country near the Philippines and has a prickly heroine about to be crowned queen and a cinnamon roll of a hero who is the prince of a neighboring country.

Gutter Roses by Jude Lucens: Gutter Roses is a very a short story, but it gives a lovely introduction to the world of this series. I have the next book, and I'm looking forward to settling down with it.

Balefire by Jordan L Hawk: I adore the Whyborne & Griffin series. It's one of my favorite series, and Widdershins is a place I wish I could live (despite the monsters). I loved this new addition to the series, and my only complaint is that the next book is the last (I'm not ready!). Go read this series from the beginning!

Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray: This is lovely m/m Beauty and the Beast retelling set during World War II. The beast takes the form of a dragon, and there is an acknowledgement that maybe the punishment didn't really fit the crime.

Unfit to Print by KJ Charles: July was an embarrassment of riches for new books, including this new historical. It's a friends-to-lovers, second chance romance between a erotic bookseller and an upright lawyer who are long lost friends and only encounter each other again when lawyer Vikram goes looking for a missing boy. It's a long novella, but a bit short for me because I wanted more! 

The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick: I've read a ton of Amanda Quick's Regency and Victorian historicals over the years, but this is her first set in the 1930s and it was a lot of fun.

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian: I adored the first book in this series (they do stand alone but go read It Takes Two to Tumble anyway because its so good and happy-making), and I loved this one too. Hartley and Sam were both wonderful characters who were wonderful together. I loved the family they built and the sense of warmth this book left me with.

What have you been reading lately?

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?