Defining Moments & Thriving with Neurodiversity

[an ornate small round picture frame with a paint brush angled across it, a camouflage fishing hat under a wristwatch next to a closed pocket journal with an ink pen on top of it]

Puck & Prejudice (Rink Meets Regency #1) by Lia Riley

contemporary historical mashup romance

Avon, November 2024

Contemporary sports romance + Regency historical romance + time travel = reading joy.

From chapter 5:

The moments of chemistry happened when and where there was some kind of alchemy in the blend of personality and atmosphere.

Lizzy and Austin's love story offers readers the best mix of engaging characters, multiple tropes, and nods to Jane Austen at a brisk pace that supports the humor, tenderness, and layered emotional substance.

Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North

contemporary romance/women's fiction

St. Martin's Griffin, June 2024

When marching to the beat of her own drum leaves Liz feeling out of step with her husband, family, coworkers and the world, she decides to make some drastic changes to reframe her approach to life. Hilarity and heartbreak ensue combined with hope for a happily ever after that exceeds her most optimistic dreams. Tender hot sexy times included.

From chapter 3:

... but I need someone to shove me into the shower every day or two, and for that I'd need Stellar's love. Or Amber's blunt frustration, which Mom calls love.

This story's emotional authenticity is reminiscent of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Huang and a few of Talia Hibbert's romances.

Viscount in Love (Accidental Brides #1) by Eloisa James

historical romance

Avon, July 2024

Victoria and Dominic's love story entertains as it celebrates the gifts and advantages of otherness in building relationships, families, communities, and fulfilling purpose-driven lives. It also examines the many challenges. Super sensual sexual intimacy scorches. Irrepressible children steal the spotlight in this tenderhearted tale. Make sure to read the author's note.

This week's book buffet (with Viscount in Love already consumed in the time between snapping this photo yesterday and sharing this post today:-)

[5 books arranged vertically, from left to right: Twisted Knight, The Christmas Countdown, Viscount in Love, American Ghoul, Bad Witches]

Happy reading!

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Hot Love in the Kitchen & Travelling Through Time

Redemption of the Heart by Moni Boyce contemporary romance Love Snacks Publishing 8 January 2019 Despite addressing heavy themes of domestic violence, incarceration, and grief, Redemption of the Heart is a charming and sweet spicy read in the tradition of a 21st-century interracial homage to Janet Dailey’s monthly romance era. Gemma’s open-hearted ingénue contrasts starkly with Alex’s jaded workaholic. They struggle with a variety of challenges, but ethnicity isn’t one of them—a spin that feels particularly modern. Once readers commit to their suspension of disbelief regarding the cascading impact of lacks in due diligence by several characters, it’s easy to settle in to enjoy this love story. The recent public debate about the pros and cons of Gillette’s “We believe the best man can be” campaign ties in with the contradictory messages in the story threads about toxic masculinity. There’s a scene in which Alex apologizes to someone who was openly bragging among cowork...

123123! Goodbye 2023! Hello 2024!

A Marquis to Protect the Governess by Parker J. Cole historical romance fiction Harlequin Historical, December 26, 2023 Sometimes scrolling through new releases available on Libby (even though there's a stack of physical books within arm's reach), leads to unexpected reading pleasure. That's what happened with me upon starting this gem of a tale. Like opening my first books by Ms. Bev(erly Jenkins), Gay G. Gunn, Vanessa Riley, Alyssa Cole, and Lisa Rayne, Isadora and Andre's rocky love story hooked me from the first page. Using a seamless integration of historical context, character evolution, and high stakes combined with emotional nuances, this author has crafted an engaging tale that organically includes people and places too often erased from historical romance fiction. Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes by Marika Ray & Sylvie Stewart, authors & publisher contemporary romance fiction October 2023 Who knew that normalizing op...

21st Authorversary & 20th IPPY Awardiversary + Thanks!

[front cover of Seducing the Burks: Five Erotic Tales by Cardyn Brooks with the image of an open hand making a beckoning gesture, a "2004 Independent Publisher IP Award Finalist" medallion sticker; back cover with blurb, "authorHOUSE" logo - formerly 1st Books, barcodes] Self-publishing 21 years ago was still often considered "vanity publishing" as in ego-driven by writers not talented enough to merit a contract with a traditional publisher. My decision to self-publish came after years of feedback praising the compelling nature and professional quality of my submission as prefaces to rejections that included phrases like, "Will your target audience of readers relate to the level of privilege your main characters have?" WT... It took me awhile to understand that since my Black characters are educated and middle class, agents and editors assumed that most readers wouldn't identify with them since (they also assumed) most Black people wer...

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