Somehow, we're a week into June already, which I still have not fully realized, but it at least means it's time to talk about last month's books. I spent a week of May on the beach in South Carolina, which means some of these are my beach/poolside reads for the year. Here are some books I enjoyed last month:

Proper English by KJ Charles: Proper English is a romance/English country house murder mystery and was absolutely delightful. I enjoyed every minute of it and wished for more at the end, not because the story wasn't complete but because I wanted more time with these characters. This is a prequel to Think of England (which I went back and reread after because I wanted more of Pat and Fen and because I've always loved Archie and Daniel) and shows us how Pat and Fen ended up together. I loved the romance between them and how their characters fit together. And, as for the mystery, let me tell you, never has someone so deserved to be murdered.

Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness: Time's Convert is an addition to Harkness's All Soul's Trilogy, which I enjoyed very much (Did anyone else watch A Discovery of Witches? I thought it was so good!). This books flips between present and past, showing us Phoebe's transformation into a vampire, giving us Marcus's history, and catching us up with the Bishop-Clairmont family since we last saw them. I'm eagerly awaiting more books and season two of the show!

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas: My favorite Kleypas book is still (and probably always will be—I love Sebastian and Evie) Devil in Winter, so it was lots of fun to read Devil's Daughter, which has Sebastian and Evie's oldest daughter as its heroine. I really enjoyed the story on its own, but the scenes with characters from that earlier book made me so happy. I also listened to Devil in Spring (about Sebastian and Evie's eldest son) on the car ride home from South Carolina to round out the vacation. I might have to reread Devil in Winter too.

Hooked by Claire Cullen: I really enjoyed the latest in the Siren Cove series. The shifter/merman series as a whole is really good, and this one gave us more background on the history of wolves and sirens plus set up what I think will be the final showdown, while also giving a lovely romance. The series is probably best read in order.

A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian: I'm just realizing how much of my reading was historical romance last month! The latest Cat Sebastian gives us an illustrator who has epilepsy and finds out he's the lost heir to a duke (and really doesn't want to be) and the bisexual radical bookseller who is his best friend (and the woman he loves). This is the second book in this series, but they can probably be read out of order (though Unmasking the Marquess is excellent, so you should go read that too).

What have you read and loved lately?

Does anyone else feel as if this year is just flying by? Somehow, it's May already, and I still think it's February! But, I did read some great books in April, so I guess that's something.

Thrown to the Wolves by Charlie Adhara: This is the third book in the series, and it might just be the best yet. I love how the relationship between Oliver and Cooper is developing, and I love that we got more of the paranormal aspect in this book. I really want more books! I'd say read this shifter/law enforcement series in order.

All Souls Near & Nigh by Hailey Turner: Another book that's even better than the first book in the series in my opinion. The series is predominantly urban fantasy, but there is a romance that gets more development here, as does the world building and the complications for our characters. I'm excited to see what happens next. 

Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert: This book has been sitting on my Kindle since October, and for some reason, I hadn't gotten to it. I should've read it ages ago! It's a fun little Halloween romance between a werewolf and a werewolf hunter. 

Connections in Death by JD Robb: There are almost fifty books in this futuristic mystery/suspense series, which I've been reading since I was in high school, and I still turn up every time for more of Eve and Roarke and the family they've built.

Stranded by Claire Cullen: I'm really enjoying this series about sirens and werewolves. This third book gave us some more info about siren society in addition to a sweet romance, and I'm looking forward to more.

Pink Slip by Katrina Jackson: The premise of Pink Slip is that a married couple, who happen to be spies, have a thing for their PA, and the feeling is mutual. If you like super steamy spy poly romances, this one may be for you.

I also listened to Band Sinister by KJ Charles (which I loved just as much listening as I did reading the first time) and Misfits by Garrett Leigh (same).

What have you been reading lately?

Anyone else feel like they blinked and March disappeared? I can't complain that it's beginning to (slowly...) feel like spring. And it's time to talk about my March reads! Here are a few books that I enjoyed last month:

A Duke by Default and Can't Escape Love by Alyssa Cole: I really enjoy Alyssa Cole's Reluctant Royals series. A Duke by Default has been on my Kindle for far too long, but I finally devoured it last month and then moved right into the novella. And I'm looking forward to the next book in the series too.

New Horizons by Hailey Turner: This is a novella that gives a supporting character from Hailey Turner's futuristic MetaHuman Files series his own HEA. I loved reading his story and catching up with other characters from the series. Probably best to read the rest of the series first.

Vampire with Benefits by EJ Russell: Rusty and Casimir may be my new favorite couple in the fun Supernatural Selection series. They were just perfect together. I have the last book in the trilogy and need to dive into it soon.

Fangs and Catnip by Julia Talbot: This was just such an adorable book with a romance between a vampire writer and a cat shifter innkeeper. I needed something light, and this fit perfectly.

What have you been reading lately?

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?