Making Your Own Luck

Calamity (Uncharted Hearts #1) by Constance Fay

Sci-fi romance

Bramble, November 2023

Temperance Reed has fallen from being a recognized member of one of the most elite families in the universe to being a banished scout among a ragtag band of other outsiders. Romantic drama collides with political intrigue and double-dealing in this outstanding sci-fi genre mashup that's action-packed, funny, and tender.

Winter's Eve: Then, Now & Always (Three Kings #2)

by A.E. Valdez, author/publisher

Contemporary romance/fiction/women's fiction

August 2023

A decade earlier, Eve Valentine and Winter King's love burned hot and bright until tragedy struck and the devastating fallout ended their relationship. Now connections between family, friends, and the best interests of their community force them back together. Will their love rekindle or incinerate?

The exquisite blend of intricate family and friendship dynamics combined with themes of trauma, grief, and recovery as an ongoing, evolving process make this second-chance romance something much more than the sum of its excellent parts in the tradition of Kennedy Ryan.

Many thanks to Patti Ross and her EC Poetry & Prose team for inviting my kidlit co-author and me to read our upcoming book, How Our Family Was Made (A Love Story for My Child), about a single-parent-by-choice family at this month's Second Sundays at OCA Mocha Cafe UMBC in Arbutus, Maryland! We enjoyed our experience of reading while sharing the images on a screen (that we did make level after this pic was snapped), and listening to a line-up of talented poets and other spoken word artists.

Happy creating!

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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