The Wednesday Witches Book Club by Sarah Beth Durst (Cozy fantasy/mystery): I'm not usually a big short story reader, but I do enjoy Sarah Beth Durst's books and so I gave it a try. It didn't disappoint. Ashley has just relocated after a difficult divorce and joined a book club, since every witch needs one in this world where magic is discovered through stories. But she finds that someone is turning her new book club into cats one by one. It's a cute, quick read that left me with a smile on my face.

The Lion's Tusk and A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett (Fantasy/mystery): A Trade of Blood is the third Ana and Din mystery with The Lion's Tusk a short story set between the second and third books. While the mysteries in this series are all stand alone, the characters and world develop over the series, so I personally would recommend reading them in order. I enjoyed both of these new entries—as always, there is a twisty mystery capably handled by Ana and her assistant Din. Ana is, as always, weird and grumpy, Din brave and long-suffering and an absolute disaster at romance (which is nowhere near the focus of the books, but do not expect his love interests to work out) and now dealing with family drama too. Looking forward to the next book.

Ruinous Ends by I.V. Marie (YA fantasy romance): Ruinous Ends is the second and final book in the Souls of Blackwood Academy series, which has to be read in order. I won't give you spoilers, but I'll say that I thought this book ended the series well, even if a lot of it was more bittersweet than I was perhaps in the mood for at the time.

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (Cozy fantasy romance): Yes, another Sarah Beth Durst. This was the absolute right book at the right time for me, but I don't think that takes away from how delightful it was. The previous book in the series (this is book three, but it can be read on its own) introduced us to Marin, the supply runner, and this book gives us her story, one of opening up and letting people in again. It also shows us more of this whimsical, lovely world (do I want to be friends with a sea serpent and a marmoose? yes, yes, I do). This might be my favorite book in the series so far, though the other two are lovely as well, and I'm now eagerly waiting for the next.

What have you read and loved lately?

​It's time for the big August Narratess indie book sale! There are so many fantasy, sci fi, and horror books on sale, including The Prince's Consort, which is $1.99 (or equivalent in other currencies) wherever you get your ebooks. Find The Prince's Consort here, and check out all the sale books at indiebook.sale.

Both books in the Elemental Magicae series are on sale through August 31st! A Dance of Water and Air is $1.99 and A Harmony of Fire and Earth is $2.99 wherever you buy your ebooks, so this is a great time to grab the complete series if you haven't read them yet! Find them both here.​

The Hollow Sea by Jordan L. Hawk (trans M/cis M paranormal romance): This is the latest (and I think last...?) book in the Outfoxing the Paranormal series, which I've really enjoyed and am sad to see end. Oscar and Nigel are an established couple by now, and this book doesn't have much romance. But it does take us out to a creepy old house on an empty island where there are ghosts and a mystery to solve. It also wraps up a plot thread that has been winding its way through the entire series. Definitely start at the beginning with this series.

Wooing the Wiccan and Enticing the Elf by Louisa Masters (M/M paranormal romance): Wooing the Wiccan and Enticing the Elf are the first two books in the Elf Magic series, which is the latest series in the world that began with the Hidden Species series. They were cute romances with some funny moments (often involving characters from earlier series) and quick to read, and I'm going to read the third to finish out this series, but this isn't my favorite series in this world. They also do have a lot of characters from prior series in this world, so you might be a little lost without reading those first.

Born to Be Legends by Hailey Turner (Urban fantasy with M/M romance): I've been meaning to read this novella for a while, and my brain decided this was the time. It wraps up and puts a bow on the romance from the Soulbound series, and was a lovely little end to the series. Not much plot—a quick hostage situation that leads to the decision to finally get married and then wedding planning—but plot wasn't the point. If you've read the series, you'll probably enjoy checking in with favorite characters. If you haven't read the series, it probably won't mean anything to you!

​What have you read lately?

What are some of your favorites?

I'm not a nonbinary author, but I have a few books with an important nonbinary supporting character, who will have their own book in the Dragons of Ivria series (book 4!). Romilly is a big part of

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​The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend (I'll beg forgiveness in advance for sometimes going over the sentence limit!). Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

To Know a Dragon Spy is out in the world now! Yay! This second book in the Dragons of Ivria series is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers-ish romance that ties up some loose ends from the first books (and creates a couple more for book 3...). I've been sharing some snippets from Dragon Spy, and this one picks up right after the last one.

You can find out more about To Know a Dragon Spy here. And all of my other books are 50% off at Smashwords this month—so go grab yourself some summer reading!

How to Fake It in Society by K.J. Charles (M/M historical romance): This book was delightful and I had the best time reading it. Shopkeeper and paint-maker, Titus finds himself unexpectedly (and quickly) married, widowed, and wealthy after he makes a delivery to an elderly client and finds her on her deathbed. She claims her horrid nephew is responsible, and she needs to marry to keep him from inheriting her wealth. Now everyone is trying to cozy up to and take advantage of Titus, including Nico, Comte de Valois de La Motte and Titus's late wife's original fake intended. Nico owes some very bad people a lot of money and was relying on the windfall of the marriage. Titus and Nico are lovely together. Nico is definitely a rogue and a schemer but he's also an utter cinnamon roll, who does everything he can to make Titus happy. 

The Consort's Curse by Eliot Grayson (M/M fantasy romance): I love this series, and I was so excited about another book! And this one was so fun and bonkers in the best possible way. Remi has been locked away in a monastery since his magic manifested years ago, but then he is abruptly taken away from the island where he has been sheltered and dragged back to the capital and its glittering court, then forced to marry. He becomes a pawn in the political schemes of his new in-laws and society, but though he is sweet and sheltered, he isn't a pushover, and I loved his romance with his husband—also not what he seems. There are a couple of cameos from characters from book 3 in the series, but this does generally standalone. I loved book 3, though, so I'd say go read it! Meanwhile, I'll be hoping for more in this series soon.

Bright Dead Things by Hailey Turner (M/M romantasy/urban fantasy): Bran is a witch, the last in his coven, after his mother is murdered. Her death has him rushing back to his small hometown, both to take care of his younger sister and to take up his mother's duties. He didn't really want to see Cillian, his childhood best friend who is now a park ranger. Bran kissed Cillian once and was rejected and they haven't spoken since. Then, Bran's sister is kidnapped by fae and taken into their world, and Bran is determined to find her despite the danger—because fae and witches are longstanding enemies. Cillian insists on going with him on his journey into the fae's world, and what follows is a dangerous journey and a lot of revelations. The focus here is mostly fantasy, but there is romance too between Bran and Cillian. No cliffhangers but definitely some threads left hanging for the next book.

Cauldrons & Campfires by Ali K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison (F/F paranormal romance): This book is so fun! It's a spin off of the authors' Maple Hollow series (which is also delightful), but this story brings us to a summer camp for witches. To become members of Maple Hollow's coven, college-age witches have to spend four summers at the camp, practicing magic and participating in more mundane summer camp activities. In this book, we get a romance between Sabine, back at camp for her fourth summer and eager for it to be over so she can leave small-town Maple Hollow and move to New York City, and Gwen, who didn't even know she was a witch until she accidentally turned her ex-boyfriend into a toad and now feels horribly out of place at camp. No need to read the Maple Hollow series first, but those books are lots of fun too (and have all sorts of autumnal vibes).

What have you read lately?

The big Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale started today and runs through the month. Lots of books are on sale, including all of mine except my new release, To Know a Dragon Spy. I've put my Chronicles of Tournai, Elemental Magicae, and To Love the Dragon King 50% off on Smashwords this month, so go grab them there and browse lots of other great books too and stock up on summer reading!