No Take-Backs, Only Steps Forward

[8 books from left to right: The Love Audit, August Lane, Heated Rivalry, The Long Game, India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent, Remember That Day, Son of the Morning, The Bodyguard Affair]

Read

August Lane by Regina Black

contemporary romance

Grand Central Publishing, 2025

Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice...

August Lane has legitimate cause for hating Luke Randall. Maybe if she'd never loved him she could forget him, but he's coming back to their home town and she has a plan that includes making him an offer he can't refuse without exposing himself to public ruin. Will it destroy or renew them? Their struggles, failures, and victories lead them back to each other in this achingly lush, layered narrative.

The Love Audit by Lucy Eden

contemporary romance

Forever, 2025

Succession collides with a Hallmark Channel movie in this spicy tale of regrets and redemption. Jasmine and Derek are forced to work together despite their festering wounds from their shared past. A quirky town, adorable dog, and family secrets add charm and depth to their love story.

Reread

Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2)

The Long Game (Game Changers #6) by Rachel Reid

Since reading most of the Game Changers series 5 or 6 years ago, binge-re/watching the show made me curious about the subtle differences between them. The show amplifies all of the respect, love, joy, and drama of the books, and each show modification enriches every compelling, worthwhile element.

Currently Reading

India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent by Audrey Truschke

So far it's fascinating, accessible, and really saturated with information. It'll probably take me until this summer to read all of it.

TBR

Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi

Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

Works in Progress

Started another round of revisions on a completed manuscript from 2019 that was submitted and rejected twice in 2020, then revised again in 2023 but not submitted anywhere else.
Still brainstorming my anthology idea that currently has about 20k words.
My speculative project has about 30k words.
My BACissues (Book Acquisition Compulsion) continue.

Always wishing you good health, peace of mind, safety, joy & some pleasure every day

Comments

Tapping into Your Power

The following two books celebrate powerful characters who overcome their fears to manifest their greatness for the benefit of themselves, their loved ones and communities. So satisfying. [2 books from left to right: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff] A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna contemporary speculative romance Berkeley, July 2025 Sera's story of navigating otherness was worth the wait. The advantages, responsibilities, and consequences of being powerful are explored with nuanced observations, humor, and compassion. Themes on distinctions between family by blood, choice, and intention weave throughout this poignant tale about paying attention and recognizing personal details as fundamental to the evolution of one's perspective on who and what are valuable. One of my favorite passages from the end of chapter nineteen: Like this was a thing that had, somehow, become...

Beach Reads That Sizzle (in Many Ways)

It's a miracle that so many actual and imagined human young survive into adulthood, and then on to old age. The following books offer entertaining and provocative tales of challenges, misadventures, and triumphs. [a collage of 4 images: upper left - It Had to Be You hardcover Thorndike Press large print edition set on the edge of a small table between 2 chairs; upper right - a "BEACH" tote bag in a striped beach chair along with a paperback ARC of Up in Smoke; lower left - a paperback copy of An Evening at the Hotel on a wood table next to a beach umbrella; lower right - a paperback copy of All Super-Heroes Need PR] All Super-Heroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens contemporary speculative romance Amazon Publishing, May 2025 Vanessa's story delivers a riveting aliens-among-us origin story, a fake romance with unexpected twists, and nuanced workplace interpersonal dynamics that offer drama, humor, razor sharp social commentary, and visceral memories of past chi...

TWWBF Grand Finale Gratitude & More Books

The 6th and grand finale The Write Women Book Fest 2025 event last weekend was phenomenal! It exceeded our most ambitious hopes during these very challenging times. Many, many heartfelt thanks to the each of the featured authors, tabling authors & their assistants, TWWBF Poet Laureate Aressa V. Williams, performing poets, storytime readers in the children's area, narrators, author and publishing services professionals... Special thanks to the 2/3 of the TBR Trio who attended, a dynamic IG influencer, and each and every attendee who engaged with participants and bought books and merch. And to the volunteers, Bowie Comfort Inn staff, the team at South Bowie Branch Library, and as always, our conscientious, tireless team of dedicated TWWBF voluntolders, expressions of gratitude beyond words! [a "The Write Women Book Fest" journal, a tote bag with "Maria Secoy Romantic Suspense" and a smaller "Thank you" tote bag] [a collage of 3 images: left - pla...

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