Top Ten Favorite Reads for 2022 #read

I didn’t put one of these together last year. Just didn’t have the energy, you know? When I started to think about my list at the beginning of December, I wasn’t sure that I would have a list because I reread old favorites about 75% of the year. I’m a big rereader, obviously, but normally it’s about equal to new reads. But I started writing my list and had more than I thought I would.

#1 Favorite is a series by Martha Wells. The Murderbot Diaries is… give me a moment, I’m trying not to wax poetic, but this series was a big deal for me, and it took me time to figure out why. I mean, when I finished reading the series for the first time I got teary-eyed when I thought back on the story, and I didn’t know why I had that reaction. There were a lot of things that spoke to me such as Murderbot struggled with its emotions, not having context to explain what it was feeling until it had access to his serials. The struggle with interacting with people, being overwhelmed and not having the shield of its suit to protect it. There are a lot of little things that’s shown but not delved into as Murderbot grows as a person and discovers what it is it wants to do. Things that you either get or you don’t and you get it because you’ve been there. I’m only scraping the tip of the iceberg here. This series became my number one reread this year. There were months where it was the only thing that I read. I’d finish the series only to immediately start over again. I highly recommend this series.

Side note: the rest of these aren’t going to be in any particular order.

#2. White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton. Really enjoyed this slightly spooky urban fantasy. The family struggles/drama are and aren’t a big part of the story. The author did a great job of weaving it all together and making it all matter equally instead of being too heavy on any one topic. I still need to read the next two books, it’s on my list of to-dos. LOL

#3. Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher. This is a YA fantasy and I enjoyed it so much. Our main character is only 12 years old and his journey was fraught with so many different dangers. I do wish there was an extended ending when he’s reunited with his mother. That one glimpse of her wasn’t enough for me, but the story was wonderful.

#4. Junk Yard Cats by Faith Hunter. This is a futuristic dystopian fantasy. I used to read Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series, but stopped after book… 4 or 5? I don’t remember exactly. I have read the odd novella set in that world and usually those just remind me why I stopped. It’s not bad. The world building got better with every installment and her characterizations are better now, too, but that world had a pawl of depression, that sense that nothing will go right and things will just get a little bit worse. I can’t read stories like that anymore and it was the reason why I never picked up the Junk Yard Cats. Then it was recommended in a discussion group and I thought why not. There are only two books in the series so far, but the world building, plot, and characterizations are great. I wish there were more coming soon, but I’ll try to be patient to wait.

#5. The Akseli (The Aldebarian Alliance, 4) by Dianne Duvall. I really love this series. Vampires from Earth in space. Well, they aren’t vampires but Gifted Ones and if you’ve read Duvall you know what that means. The Segonian is still one of my favorite rereads and The Akseli has been added to the lineup. Simone is awesome. And space pirates. Enough said.

#6. The Forgotten Dead (Outfoxing the Paranormal, 1) by Jordan L. Hawk. What a spooky engaging story. I read in the evenings and realized my mistake when it stopped at 11pm to got to bed and realized I was analyzing all the house noises and giving them more meaning that I should. I stayed up longer to read something else to get my mind off the spookiness. I look forward to the next book and the adventure this ghost hunting team is going on.

#7. Perfectly Imperfect Pixie by MJ May. This was a story rich book. The setting is today’s world but with paranormal people in the open with humans knowing about them. The romance is slow burn which was perfect for what was going on. The world building and characters are great. I enjoyed every page.

#8. Embrace: Savage Planet by Kassie Keegan. I wish there were more Sci-Fi romances like this one. Rich world building, alien culture, lots and lots of consent everywhere. I wish it was on audiobook which would make it easier for me to reread. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

#9. The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees, 1) by Jennifer Cody. Full disclosure, I just plucked this one out of the ‘Cody List’. I gobbled up most everything Cody had to offer (a couple of the Houston Hub shorts I haven’t read) and I loved them all. Even the series with heavy BDSM romance (I sorta skimmed those scenes) because the overall story was fantastic. If BDSM isn’t for you either, she has stories that doesn’t have it in them. The series I’ve listed here and both Hammer and Fist books. I would rebuy everything I’ve read in audiobook, just sayin’. I’m looking forward to all her 2023 releases.

#10. Necromancer’s Light by Tavia Lark. This was my fist book by Lark and it won’t be my last. Great storytelling and heart in this book. The world is rich and the plot kept me turning the page. I really appreciated that there was angst but it wasn’t heavy handed.

These are bonuses:

#11. The Rabbit’s Foot by Parker Williams. Paranormal romance with a bit of a twist with a rabbit shifter as the romantic interest. There’s danger and love and an alpha wolf who doesn’t want to be responsible for people. I hope there is more to come in this series.

#12. Get It Together (Undead Detective Agency) by Shelby Rhodes. This was fun. A human is hired by the agency to be a driver and he doesn’t know about the paranormal world. Oops. This was cute and lightly humorous. The next book is coming in March. That feels like a long time away. LOL

#13. Gary of a Hundred Days by Isabel Murray. This a fantasy friends to lovers romance. Gary is quite naïve and adorable. There is a bit of humor and it wasn’t as angsty as it could have been which was perfect for me.

And that’s it! Those were my favorite reads for 2022. What were yours?

Thank you for stopping by and reading!

What's on the Reading Radar? #read #WishList #TBR

December is chugging along and there is a list of things that I need to do... that I keep forgetting to do. :) Story of my life, yeah? Writing is going alright. 200% better than October and already 100% than November. 

Reading has been alright. 

Title: Minor Mage

Series: 

Author(s): T. Kingfisher

Length: audiobook is about 5 hrs

Genre: Fantasy / YA

Notes: I needed something outside what I normally read because I was in a reading slump and my mood-reading-meter wasn't helping me. I'd seen this a few time and I think it was on my wish list a while ago but I moved it off because... no real mood for YA. But I listened to the sample and went for it. I really enjoyed the book and following Oliver and his adorable familiar on his quest to bring rain to his community. There are lessons here about the price of betrayal, types of courage, and how to value yourself even though you aren't who/what you want to be. My only complaint is that I wanted more of a reunion scene at the end. I loved Oliver's mother just as much as he did and I really wanted to see them interact.  

Blurb: Oliver was a very minor mage. His familiar reminded him of this several times a day. He only knew three spells, and one of them was to control his allergy to armadillo dander.

His attempts to summon elementals resulted in nosebleeds, and there is nothing more embarrassing than having your elemental leave the circle to get you a tissue, pat you comfortingly, and then disappear in a puff of magic. The armadillo had about wet himself laughing.

He was a very minor mage. Unfortunately, he was all they had.

Title: Perfectly Imperfect Pixie

Series: 

Author(s): MJ May

Length: 367 pages

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy-ish / Paranormal / Gay / Reading

Notes: I'm about half way through when writing this post. Phil is one of those sunshine characters that you want to shelter and keep safe. There is a lot going on plotwise, which I love, so the romance is on the slow to medium burn rate. It's taken Sed a few to actually see Phil. The villain has been introduced and though their HEA is promised, I'm still biting my nails.

Blurb: Size matters. Pixies are supposed to be petite, beautifully lithe creatures with gossamer wings. Sporting luscious, ombre pink hair and fluttering pink wings, Phil meets two out of three of those criteria. At over six feet tall, no one would dare call Phil petite. As a home-and-hearth pixie, Phil yearns to find a home and family he can bond to. When no one’s willing to hire a pixie of his stature, Phil is forced to find work elsewhere. Turns out, pixies make terrible bouncers.

The sudden death of Sedrick’s brother and sister-in-law left Sedrick Voss a pack of one—plus two young, traumatized were children. Sedrick needs help. He needs a home-and-hearth pixie. But pixies are small, delicate creatures nowhere near sturdy enough to stand up to a couple of growing werewolves. Phil seems like the perfect answer—a pixie that might be able to physically withstand small werewolf teeth and claws.

Phil is overjoyed, finally able to do a job that speaks to his heart and soul. But peace is a hard-won commodity. Sedrick is in the middle of a nasty custody battle with his niece and nephew’s maternal grandfather—one of the most arrogantly deceitful werewolf alphas to ever lead a pack. If their grandfather gets custody, Sedrick’s niece and nephew are in for a lifetime of manipulation.

Between the custody battle, noxiously invasive garden gnomes, and fairy lawyers, Phil and Sedrick struggle to keep their home and family safe. Werewolves and pixies don’t mate. Phil and Sedrick are about to challenge that misconception.


Perfectly Imperfect Pixie is a m/m standalone title with a HEA, a rough but kind werewolf, fairy lawyers, vampire bar owners, dwarf miners, questionably intelligent humans, pesky garden gnomes, and charming pixies.

Title: Worse Guy

Series: 

Author(s): Ruby Dixon

Length: 234 page

Genre: Romance / Monster Romance / Villain Romance / Sci-Fi / Alien / Curvy Woman / POC FMC / 

Notes: Since I read Bad Guy and liked it, I thought I'd give this one a try. This is another clone of Crulden with implanted memories from the real Crulden and very different from the Crulden clone from Bad Guy. There is still the element of him discovering who he was and what he wanted to be once he felt sure he was no longer a prisoner. I really like Bee. It doesn't dodge that she's been traumatized and how she uses all the tools available to her to keep herself safe. At this point in the story, it looks like there won't be a 'sex heals all trauma' aspect, which pleases me immensely. I would love to see a different kind of relationship for these two. I also really enjoy this look at the Masaka (not sure I spelled that correctly since I have the audiobooks) who are the favorable MCs in her popular Blue Barbarian series, but here they align to a more natural person scale. Bee is easier on them and their shortcomings than I would be, but she works the misogynistic alien society to her advantage where I would be yelling and screaming. I'm about half way through, maybe more, as I'm writing this. I listen to this when I'm crocheting so I probably won't finish for another couple of days. 

Blurb: Crulden the Ruiner is the most dangerous gladiator in the galaxy.

I’m his clone - equally ugly, equally dangerous, and just as feared. I’m also being held captive, since no one trusts a creature like me to be let loose.

A curvy, determined human named Bee doesn’t think I’m a creature, though. In fact, she thinks I just need a guide. She’s got half the males on this planet eating out of her hand, and she’s confident she can do the same with me.

The managing little female has no idea what she’s in for. I’m not some fool to be led around by my tail. But…the champion in me loves a challenge.

A champion also wants to win a prize. So I tell Bee I’ll go along with her plans if she kisses me…right on my tusk-filled mouth.

I never expected her to say yes…

Title: Problem Child

Series: The Wolfverse

Author(s): Sam Hall

Length: 438 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / RH

Notes: There are a couple of reasons why I gave this book a try. Even though there are omegas in this world who typically pair up with the alphas (like in the other omegaverses), this is about the Beta getting her alpha wolf pack. There is also the secret child trope that tickled my mood radar and it wasn't a series. The end is an HEA and I didn't have to read more than one book to get to it. This is a series but the only real interconnectedness that matters is that it's all set in the same world, and though I'm guessing that there is some crossover from somewhere with the people at the clinic, you didn't need to know anything about them. This is a high heat story, so lots of smexy times, some of which I skimmed though I did notice that the author did a good job using those scenes as part of the character building and relationship and not just for titillation. I might try another book in this world since I enjoyed this one. 

Blurb: One night of fun with a gorgeous guy, that’s all I thought this was, but when Ben walked out my door, he left behind more than just a heart that ached a little.

There’s no way I should’ve been able to get pregnant, yet here I am.

For nine long years, I’ve been fighting to bring my daughter up right, trying to cater for all her unique needs, even as I go to bed every night knowing I’m failing her. So, when I’m offered help by Riley Taylor from the world famous Crowe Corp, I jump at the chance.

But that’s when I run into him.

He shouldn’t look that good, not after all this time and his brothers shouldn’t be clustering closer, trying to catch my scent. He definitely shouldn’t be looking at my daughter with awe and wonder, knowing exactly where her blonde hair comes from.

Ben and his pack want to be part of her life, but more than that, they want their mate and they think I might be her.

If you loved A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing and wanted more of Riley and the gang’s story, join Lily as she struggles to balance motherhood, bringing up a very strong willed daughter, being a beta in an alpha’s world and being forced to consider another chance at love.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #reading #WishList #TBR

How is it already mid-November? It was Halloween just yesterday! The writing week has been meh, but a ton better than the whole of the month of October in which I did zero writing.

Reading has been alright. 

Title: Not So Thanks in Advance
Series: Warts & Claws, 3

Author: Clio Evans

Length: 174 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay / BDSM elements /

Notes: I've really enjoyed this series so far. Y'all know that BDSM isn't my think but it's not a heavy element for this series, just enough to add spice. I liked all three of these characters and it brought something unusual with the predicament of an invisible character. The series plot has advanced and we know more of what is going on as well as who the next romance with be about. I'm looking forward to Ember's story. :)

Blurb: It’s just another Monster Monday…

Billy expected many things to happen— but getting into an elevator with the omega he’s been stalking and seeing an invisible tentacle monster for the first time wasn’t one of them.

Charlie is an invisible tentacle monster who never believed he could be seen or loved. Jaehan is an omega witch who recently escaped a bad situation and is just trying to settle into his new job.

After meeting in the elevator, passions arise, and souls connect. When Billy and their boss are kidnapped, the Warts & Claws office will have to pull together and fight against the monster trying to ruin their lives.

Can Billy, Jaehan, and Charlie live to see another Monday without sacrificing what they have found?

This story contains the following:SPICY Monster Office Romance
Fated Mates
BDSM
Omega heats
Tentacles
and more.

The Warts & Claws Inc series is a spicy monster romance series following an evil HR department vs. the office. Each book will have a different relationship dynamic, inappropriate use of office supplies, creatures finding love, and more.

Title: The Kraken's Mate
Series: Houston Hub Short

Author: Jennifer Cody

Length: 92 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: If you look at the next book listed you will see Shahmat, the last book of the Shattered Pawn series. Earlier this year I read both the Shattered Pawns and Diviner's Game which was a wild ride, to say the least. Shahmat came out about a week ago and I've been hmm-hawing over reading it, so I picked up this latest Houston Hub short to get into the groove of universe. 

This was a really cute story. I loved both characters and it did help to get me in the mood for the next rollercoaster ride. :)

Blurb: 

Soren:

I might die down here, but dang. What a way to go.

It was just supposed to be a test dive. I'd take the submersible down to the bottom of the Atlantic and then straight back up. If I got to see some cool ocean life, well, that's why we were live-streaming the dive.

I didn't expect to see the most incredible thing ever. Who expects to get abducted by a kraken? Not me, but wow, he's...um...hot.

The Kraken's Mate is a standalone 25k MM Paranormal Romance set in the same universe as the Diviner's Game with cameos from characters in the Shattered Pawns series, featuring steamy scenes with tentacles and an adorable billion year old eldritch horror with a thing for cute, puny humans—well, one specifically.

Title: Shahmat
Series: Shattered Pawn's, 4

Author: Jennifer Cody

Length: 433 pages

Genre: Romance / High Paranormal (I just made that up) / BDSM / Poly / Gay

Notes: I've been looking forward to and dreading this last installment. The complete chaos left by the last book in this series was a bit mind boggling, just like the whole series (including the Diviners series). Why did I put High Paranormal as a genre category? Because this series is a genre mashup, IMHO. It's a high fantasy set in a contemporary paranormal environment. On top of the genre, toss in handfuls of varying mythology, alternate realities, a sprinkle of chaos, and coat it in BDSM... So, High Paranormal. Depending on my mood, I'll read it this weekend. I don't think that I can read it in one sitting but I guess we'll see. You might be seeing this on next week's Radar if I have thoughts I want to share. :)

Blurb: Den:

What does one do when they're responsible for the death of their chosen mate? Kill a god, steal his powers, and reset the timeline, of course. What does one do when their chosen mate keeps throwing away his life to save the universe? Reset the timeline forty two times, obviously. I’m not letting Monet sacrifice himself because I made a mistake that ended the universe. I’m not letting any of my family sacrifice themselves to save the universe, and if I have to kill a thousand gods to save them from their hero-complexes? Done. I might be on the verge of villainy, but I have my priorities in line.

Slean:

What does a diviner do when the love of his mate’s life dies in the apocalypse? Kill three gods, steal their powers, and change the fate of the world, of course. What does he do when his mate’s the one responsible for starting the apocalypse? Everything he can to fix it, obviously. I’m not going to let the universe end. I’m not going to watch my family die because of my mate’s choices, and if I have to create a few new Aquinos to do it? Done. It might make me insane, but I’ll do anything for Den’s happiness, even if that means becoming the villain in my own story.

Shah Mat is a 105k word MMMM paranormal romance.

In the Aquino family, the boys all have tragic backstories; Den isn’t an exception. Content warning: Child imprisonment/harm, violence, consensual sharing and sex outside of the main relationship (open relationship), exhibitionism, voyeurism, light BDSM including rope bondage, horror descriptions (i.e. zombies).

Title: Merman Kisses and Starving Incubi
Series: Sweet Supernaturals, 1

Author: Morgan Lysand

Length: 249 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: this is on my to-read list. The series title is what caught my attention since I really enjoy sweet, cute romances.

Blurb: Felix is a miserable incubus, but he does his best to hide his misery. For the most part. Adopted and rejected by strict Catholics, Felix is ashamed of his body’s needs. Work isn’t much better. He’s a star litigator at his law firm, but hates every second. Oh, and he’s in love with his best friend Chris, who happens to be a fellow attorney, his roomie, and a sexy as sin freshwater merman.

After Truth or Dare on Halloween loosens their lips in more ways than one, Felix pumps the brakes and challenges them both to a bet. No release for a month, or the loser moves out. Chris agrees with a counterproposal. Felix has to come to terms with being an incubus, otherwise he loses Chris.

Chris’s life is pretty peachy. His estate planning clients are great… mostly. He sees Felix every day and has the family lake to look forward to every Saturday. But as Felix investigates being an incubus, a few things of his own mer nature come to light, changing his perspective on his family.

Merman Kisses and Starving Incubi is a fluffy and spicy MM paranormal romance featuring the pine-y-est of pining besties to lovers idiots. A sugar-loving incubus that’s not a virgin, thank you very much. And a freshwater merman that may be a touch too obsessed with his long hair. Please check trigger warnings in the Author’s Note.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #TBR #WishList #reading

Wow, this week was a slog. I don't have a lot to say about it that I would repeat in polite company. LOL. On the upside, I ran across some covers that enticed me to look at some new-to-me authors.

Title: Not So Kind Regards

Series:  Warts & Claws Series, 1

Author: Clio Evans

Length: 188 pages 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Poly / Bisexual / BDSM-Lite

Notes: What a great find. This was a fun quick read. I enjoyed the plot arc and really loved all the characters, especially Inferna. This has mainly domination/submission situations with some spanking. I really liked that Calen was the omega. You don't seen that a lot. It's usually always the woman. I would totally recommend and I jumped into the next book.

Blurb: 

It’s just another Monster Monday…

Inferna expected many things to happen— but sparks flying between her, the office rival, and his lover was not one of them.

Calen is a nerdy omega witch, one that Inferna wants to sink her teeth into. Art is a stuck-up boss but can be a little more charming outside the regular 9-5.

After an evil HR agent shows up with an agenda, everything starts to change. No one is safe, tensions are high, and the creatures of Warts & Claws Inc will have to fight spell and claw to make it to the weekend.

Can Inferna, Calen, and Art survive a work week from hell while discovering a love that’s off the charts?

This story contains the following:

SPICY Monster Office Romance
Fated Mates
BDSM
Omega heats
V*agina fangs and more ;)The Warts & Claws Inc series is a spicy monster romance series following an evil HR department vs. the office. Each book will have a different relationship dynamic, inappropriate use of office supplies, creatures finding love, and more. 

Title: Not So Best Wishes

Series: Warts & Claws Series, 2

Author: Clio Evans

Length: 169 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Poly / Bisexual / Non-Binary / BDSM-Medium

Notes: I'm only a couple of chapters into this one and I'm licking it so far. This shares a series plot arc which has me biting my nails for Cinder. (Saturday morning update!) I finished this last night and realized that I missed the last chapter of the first book in the series. It was from the big bad. Just make sure you keep reading after the amazon window pops up asking what you thought of the book. It made me think the book was done. That aside. I enjoyed this, maybe not as much as the first. I just really liked Inferna. I do wish there was more back ground on the characters. I was really happy to see the next book is about Billy. The poor guy needs hazard pay. He made me laugh with his sigh-heaving 'you can try' attitude. I looking forward to the next book in the series. :)

Blurb: 

It’s just another Monster Monday…

Lora expected many things to happen— but sparks flying between her, the new HR agent, and her manticore coworker wasn’t one of them.

Mich is a handsome manticore who goes into rut after a fateful encounter with Lora and Cinder. Cinder is the new sexy HR agent with secrets they can’t keep for long.

The office environment starts to get hot as these three fall into an affair they can’t stop. Love and heat are in the air, but as the corporate enemy starts to emerge, everything changes for monsters and witches alike.

Can Lora, Mich, and Cinder make it to the weekend without losing their newfound love and jobs?

This story contains the following:

SPICY Monster Office Romance
Fated Mates
BDSM
Stapling
Nonbinary Representation
Evil HR overlords
and more ;)
The Warts & Claws Inc series is a spicy monster romance series following an evil HR department vs. the office. Each book will have a different relationship dynamic, inappropriate use of office supplies, creatures finding love, and more.

Title: Tentacles & Triathlons

Series: Leviathan Fitness #2

Author: Ashley Bennett

Length: 202 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: This sounds like it can be read as a standalone. I have it downloaded.

Blurb: Leviathan Fitness is the favorite place of monsters, muscles, and a tentacled creature who can seduce even the hardest to win over human.

When parks department supervisor Reece Rollins decides to sign up for a triathlon– there are two things holding him back. One, his fear of monsters. Two, his sub-par swimming skills.

At the urging of his sister’s wolven mate, Reece joins Leviathan Fitness to train in the gym’s olympic size swimming pool. After running into Reece at the pool, Cyrus offers to help Reece get ready to win the race.

New feelings arise from the depths as Reece and Cyrus learn that monsters and humans go together, tentacle in hand. The only question is- can these two hold on to their new found love despite their differences?

Tentacles & Triathlons is book two in the Leviathan Fitness series. Each book will center around the gym and feature a different monster pairing.

Title: Warts and All

Series:

Author: Ashley Bennett

Length: 

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Poly / Bisexual

Notes: I grabbed this cover not realizing that the book won't release until next year. My bad.

Blurb: Once upon a time, deep in the bog, amid the song of crickets and the flash of fireflies— a pair of cold-blooded hearts ran hot for me.

After escaping my ex, I find myself running straight towards a 36.2-acre stretch of freedom. The wetlands call my name, an unexpected ticket to a life of my own. What waits for me is a new job, a new home, and a secret no one can know.

When the sun sets, I discover that my neighbors turn into something else…something monstrous. Sparks fly between us and I’m drawn into a world where creatures aren’t just fantasy.

I find myself falling for them both, warts and all. But when a nightmare from my past returns, I learn just what it means to fight for a happy ending.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #WishList #TBR #reading

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted for the Reading Radar. October was just one of those busy months, though not in the usual ways. I traveled and visited family at the beginning of the month so I did get to listen to some audiobooks, but for a large part of the month I did very little reading or even book browsing. I'm working to get back into the swing of things with only marginal success. :)

Title: Clarity: Queer Sci Fi's 9th Annual Flash Fiction Contest

Series: (Queer Sci Fi's Flash Fiction Contest Book 8)

Authors: Multiple Authors

Length: 294 pages

Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror / High Fantasy / Speculative Fiction / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / LGBTIAQ

Notes: Full disclosure, I was very honored to be a judge for this flash fiction contest this year. All the stories are 300 words or less. It was interesting to see where the writers took 'Clarity'. I really enjoyed the experience and have some favorites. My 'judge's pick' is actually in the front of the Fantasy section. Telegram From The Netherland is fantastic. I do have a list of other favorites, but the list is too long to put here. Pick up a copy yourself and see which ones you like best. :)

Blurb: clarity(noun)

Four definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell:

1) Coherent and intelligible

2) Transparent or pure

3) Attaining certainty about something

4) Easy to see or hear

Clarity features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

Title: From the Noblest Motives

Series: (Variant Configurations Book 2)

Authors: Angel Martinez

Length: 296 pages

Genre: Slow Burn Romance / Urban Fantasy? / Sci-Fi / Gay / 

Notes: I've been looking forward to this release. Yay! Coming Nov 22nd

Blurb: The Fredamine Project was just the beginning. Shadow dealings and conspiracies regarding variants intertwine until Damien and his cohorts can no longer tell who the bad guys are.

Several months have passed since Blaze and the infamous Variant activist Shudder McKenzie helped Damien rescue the captives of the sinister Fredamine Project. Professionally, everything's great. He's back to working with Damien again and they have a new lead on the three kids who are still missing. Personally, not so much. Blaze has made his peace with Shudder, though nothing between them has even been easy, but his relationship with Damien has taken several steps back. Blaze no longer has any idea where he stands. Adding to the tense atmosphere are the anti-Variant members of legislature who have been slowly gaining popular approval, and the cryptic messages Damien receives from an unknown source.

Shudder's back to his old haunts and his old tricks, trying to raise public awareness of imperiled Variant rights—such as the draconic Horace Act that strips due process during Variant trials—and to rescue Variant kids in trouble. His almost mythical luck runs out though when he's arrested for murder only three days after the passage of the Horace Act and a whirlwind trial and sentencing lands him in the most notorious maximum security facility for Variants—San Judas Tadeo.

With too many conspirators on both sides of the aisle, Damien, Blaze and Shudder no longer know whom to trust. Peeling through the layers of deceit and half-truths puts them on shakier ground with every discovery and in greater danger than ever before.

Variant Configurations takes place in a future Earth where humanity is reclaiming its spot in a gradually healing world. This book contains mentions of past abuse, action-adventure style mayhem, and the sparks of a slow burn, series-spanning relationship.

Title: The Akseli

Series: Aldebarian Alliance, 3

Authors: Dianne Duvall

Length: 11 hrs 2 min

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / 

Notes: I'm still in love with this spinoff series. Simone was awesome and I really enjoyed a look at the Janwar and his 'pirates'. 

Blurb: Simone has hunted and slain psychotic vampires for hundreds of years and desperately needs a change. When the leader of the Immortal Guardians offers her an opportunity to guard ten mortal women who are venturing to another planet, she dives right in and finds traveling into space just as exciting as she'd hoped . . . until an enemy attacks. Simone saves everyone she can before she's thrust into an escape pod and the ship explodes.

Despite his fierce reputation and propensity for violating the law, Janwar has formed a friendship with strait-laced Prince Taelon of Lasara. When the prince's ship is destroyed, Janwar joins the Aldebarian Alliance-wide search and rescue mission and soon locates the Gathendien ship that launched the attack. Much to his surprise, someone else has reached the ship first: one of the very Earth women he hoped to rescue.

Fascinatingly fierce, Simone bands together with Janwar and his crew to search for her missing friends. The friendship that grows between Janwar and Simone deepens into love. But the enemy warriors they face boast more weapons in their arsenal than the alliance knows. Can Janwar, Simone, and such a small crew vanquish them?

Contains mature themes.

Title: The Valens Legacy

Series: Publisher's Pack 1-2

Authors: Jan Stryvant

Length: 11 hrs 13 min

Genre: Paranormal / Action & Adventure / Harem / Romantic Elements / Bisexual / 

Notes: I've mentioned this before on the Radar when it was recommended to me since I enjoy poly romances. This is very much a plot driven story about a lion shifter uncovering his past and the people who are trying to keep him from accomplishing something that will rock the paranormal world between shifters and mages. It deals with some heavy topics, like the forced servitude of some shifters to mage houses. It has an interesting lore for the rare lion shifters. Sean is a likable MC. He collects pride members with a decisiveness that is a little jarring because the use of "girlfriends" morphed into wives from one chapter to the next. There is insta-love in all cases and very little relationship angst. I'm completely okay with that since it fits with his shifter type. There are not long drawn out love scenes and they are on the lighter side of explicit, which is also okay with me. I'm on the 3rd dual volume and so far I've liked all the women in his life and how they were depicted, each being different and bringing new skills to the group.

There are a couple of things I noticed though. One is the lack of diversity. With the story taking place in Reno, Nevada I expected there to a wider range of cultures represented. But from signs given in the writing, I'm pretty sure that the author isn't from the area and might not be from the United States. The first hint came from how banking is portrayed. No on can walk into a bank and withdraw 100,000 in cash in less than an hour. The teller doesn't handle that kind of money. And you're not going to be keeping it in rolls in your pockets. Plus, there aren't going to be many places that will accept large bills simply because they don't keep enough cash in the register to break the bills. There were other hintss, like all the humans at a Reno mall carrying a firearm and running to participate in a gun battle. *dies laughing

Despite the things that I've overlooked because I found them weird (this is fiction and they can write the world however they choose) I've been enjoying the series. The narrator is also pretty good with all the different voices. *looks up at the paragraphs I just wrote. Looks like I had a lot to say about this series. :)

Blurb: Black Friday, book 1:

In his junior year at college, the only things on Sean's mind are doing his homework and getting out of college to get a real job. A gamer and a bit of a nerd, Sean's philosophy in life has been to keep his head down and get his work done: He doesn't have the time or money for anything more after his father died in an industrial accident when Sean was eight.

But when a failed kidnapping attempt leaves him with a gaping hole in his memory, his oldest friend dead, and his mother missing, Sean suddenly finds his whole world turned upside down as he's thrust into the hidden world of magic and the supernatural. Apparently he's now wanted, dead or alive, by all of the magical societies, though he has no idea why. About the only thing going for him is what his friend did for him just before he died and the cute track star who lives in the room next to his, who has suddenly taken a very personal interest in his problems.

Perfect Strangers, book 2:

During his junior year in college, Sean finds himself suddenly dropped into the middle of a world that he didn't even know existed. A secret world of magic and magic users, lycanthropes, goblins, and all the other things that go bump in the night. To make matters even more difficult, the very same magic users who had Sean's father killed now believe that Sean will somehow inherit his father's work when he turns 21, which is just a few days away.

Needless to say most of the magic users' councils seem to be in two camps: The first camp wants him dead. The second camp wants him captured and will probably kill him after they've learned his secrets. The only solution Sean sees to any of this is to finish his father's work, the very thing that got his father killed. But in order to do that, Sean must first find out just what his father was working on! He's also going to need to learn magic himself, find a safe place to stay, raise some money, and gain a lot of allies.

Fortunately for Sean he's got two good women at his side: Roxy, a cheetah lycanthrope with a lot of experience in fighting; and Jolene, a tantric witch with more than a few connections in the supernatural black market.

WARNING: The Valens Legacy contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, attempted murder, actual murder, self-defense, proactive self-defense, destruction of private property, vandalism, breaking and entering, tantric magic, polyamory, mayhem, gratuitous sex and violence, littering, breaking speed limits, a used car dealer, one Plymouth hemi, and some poor guy who just wants to earn a paycheck as a cashier.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!

What's on the Reading Radar? #reading #WishList #TBR

What a quick week! I ate something earlier in the week that disagreed with me and I lost a day to sickness. Now we have hurricane weather coming our way. I don't except it to be bad, just lots of rain. The winds are going to be 20-30 mph with gusts. The locals are acting as if we are going to lose power. I guess well see how the infrastructure holds up, yeah?

In the meantime, I've found a couple of great reads this week.

Title: Gary of A Hundred Days

Series:

Author: Isabel Murray

Length: 159 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes: What an adorable read. Gary is so innocent and easy to like and root for. I enjoyed this book so much that I went and bought this author's backlist, not caring if they were contemporary. If they have this same feel and atmosphere, then I'm completely onboard. Sign me up! 

Blurb: Seriously? Who is making this up?

Gary said no thanks, don’t want to be king, and they dragged him away from all he's ever known and stuck a stupid crown on his head anyway.

As far as Gary’s concerned, all that political intrigue can go ahead and keep seething without him. He didn’t know or care a thing about it when he was the unwanted son of a backwater lord. He definitely doesn’t care about it now they tried to kill him and he’s on the run.

Minor problem: he managed to escape, but he’s all out of ideas. It’s dark, it’s raining, he’s in the middle of nowhere, and there might be bears. In fact, he’s pretty sure one is following him.

Luckily for Gary (it’s about time he had some good luck) his ex-stable master tracks him down, and it turns out that Magnus has more than a few interesting ideas about Gary and his future.

More specifically, about their future.


Gary of a Hundred Days is a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king undergoes quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.

Somehow, despite an entire kingdom wishing him dead, it’s starting to look like Gary might just end up with a happily ever after?

(Unless that really is a bear following him.)

Title: Roman

Series: Vampire's Mate, 1

Author: Grae Bryan

Length: 273 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampires / Gay

Notes: I'm in the middle of reading this one right now and really enjoying it. The book has been on my list for a while and for some reason I thought it was going to be dark, but it's not really. There is danger from a crazy vampire but the relationship between Roman and Danny is sweet and hits on everything that I enjoy about fated mates stories. I've not read this author before and plan to look up their backlist. 

Blurb: Danny Kingman is used to fending for himself. Working nonstop as an ER nurse to pay for his mother’s care, he’s been putting his own life on hold since he can remember. But when an unbelievably hot, strangely intense man saves him from a mugging, Danny has a feeling everything is about to change. Especially when that man suddenly pops out a pair of fangs.

Roman Mourier has been wandering aimlessly for decades, waiting for the inevitable day when the last of his humanity leaves him, and the demon inside him takes permanent control. He doesn’t believe in fated mates, or the myth that there’s a soul out there that could tether his humanity to him. Until he feels a strange pull to the lovely young man at the hospital, and hope stirs in him for the first time.

But Roman has demons other than just the one inside him. Is he strong enough to keep Danny safe from the past that haunts him? He knows one thing for sure: now that he’s found his mate, he will do anything to keep him.

Roman is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains insta-obsession, a cinnamon roll of an ER nurse, and the possessive vampire determined to keep him. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. Not suitable for readers under 18.

Title: The Dragon Prince's Necromancer

Series: The Dragon's of Serai, 2

Author: Amy Sumida

Length: 363 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Dragons / Gay

Notes: I really liked the first book of this series and when this popped up as released I dived in. The storyline for this is a little heavier than the Dragon King's Assassin... okay a lot heavy. It's about racism, bigotry, culpability, personal honor, and I don't know what else. I started this before bed one night and got to about 45% before I had to put it down to go to sleep. Sleep was terrible because it was all dreams about this book and possible outcomes. It is rare that I take a story into my dreams anymore, which just shows how wrapped up in this I am. I'm planning a family trip in this coming week so I probably won't pick this back up until sometime in mid-October, but I wanted this to go on the Radar as a recommendation.

Blurb: Death walks beside me.

Two weeks ago, I was hired by the Dragon Prince of Zaru to help his brother, the King, deal with their dead. Not that there is an abundance of corpses in their kingdom, but those who die aren't staying in their graves. As a necromancer, I'm one of the few people on Serai who can put the dead to rest and discover why they are rising. As a Raltven, I'm particularly good at it. Good enough that the King of Zaru sent his brother across the sea to find someone like me.

At first sight, desire sparked between Prince Racmar and me. On the way to Zaru, our attraction for each other had grown. Now it's reached the point of combustion, but I want more than a single night of pleasure from the Prince. To win him, I must play a dangerous game, tantalizing the man without riling the beast inside him. Between Racmar and the dead, I have some serious work to do, and both are presenting unforeseen complications. The reanimated corpses aren't talking, something both unusual and unfortunate for my investigation. Then there is Prince Racmar who speaks too much, and his words are clawing at my resistance. I don't know who will break first—the unknown power behind the dead, the Dragon Prince, or me.

Death walks beside us Raltven, in our shadow form we are akin to spirits, but if I'm not careful, a spirit is exactly what I will become.

Title: It's Not Unusual to be Loved by and Alien

Series: Tentacular Tales, 1

Author: Chloe Archer

Length: 358 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal ? / Aliens / Gay

Notes: I just started this one last night, so I'm not far in, but so far it's cute, though I did a side eye at the Gen X'r and their eatable usage. This has the promise of a lighthearted romance with some soft humor. We'll see where it goes.

Blurb: A sexy alien living incognito on Earth meets a sci-fi loving nerd who wants to rock his universe. What could possibly go wrong? Besides the unexpected tentacles and the accidental Mating Courtship Ritual, that is....

RIVER SULLIVAN

As a bona fide sci-fi nerd and total X-phile—the truth is out there—I’ve always believed in aliens. Duh. But I never thought I’d actually find them on Earth–let alone right here in Las Vegas! Now I’ve stumbled onto a big freakin’ secret and found my very own hot AF alien. I’m head over heels, but he’s being a total grump and holding back. How do I make him realize a geeky sunshine guy like me is just what he needs in his life? Did I mention he also has tentacles?!?! #HolyHentaiFantasyBatman #SwoonworthyAlien #SignMeUpSugar #MakeItSo #VivaLasVegas

KAI GENARO

The last thing I need in my life is a chatterbox twink who’s determined to woo me and could expose the secret existence of aliens on Earth to all humankind. Everything about him annoys me, including his stupidly attractive halo of golden curls and his bright green ‘come hither’ eyes. To make matters worse, he’s been recruited to work for the alien Alliance on Earth, and I’m assigned to keep him out of trouble. I don’t care how attractive he is. I don’t date humans! Except, my tentacles may have accidentally started the Mating Courtship Ritual with him…

It’s Not Unusual To Be Loved by an Alien (Tentacular Tales #1) is a (102,000 words) M/M sci-fi rom com featuring an adorkable twink with unexpected secrets and a slight obsession with extraterrestrials, the reluctant alien he wants to make his boo, tentacles with a mind of their own, zany extraterrestrial shenanigans in Sin City, and enough humor to fill an entire spaceship. This is the first book in the series. There is no cheating, and this book ends with a HFN. Never fear, the series guarantees readers an HEA by the end!

Title: Regi's Goddess

Series: Gods of Misfortune, 2

Author: Lyn Gala

Length: 165 pages

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Aliens / Gay

Notes: I enjoyed the first book in this series. Sometimes it was hard for me to wrap my mind around people following gods who could bring misfortune, but the way its presented made sense. I was also glad I wasn't born as one of Regi's species. LOL

Blurb: Regi and Dante landed on one of the Empire's border planets while the exalteds try to understand the involvement of the gods. Regi's people are xenophobic, so he's determined that his crew will make a good impression. The alternative is unthinkable, especially with so many Kowri suggesting that the gods would rather see the outsiders dead rather than show them respect.

Dante wants to avoid the brewing political fight. He has never enjoyed politics—not on Earth, much less around aliens he barely understands. Give him a stable and alien horses to learn to ride instead. But when a certain goddess of poisons is involved, he will be dragged into the conflict whether he wants to be there or not. With Dante's life in danger, Regi cannot remain neutral. He won't take a stand on the conflicts between the Coalition and the Empire, but for Dante he will challenge the universe itself.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!