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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The Best Man: Unfinished Business by Malcolm D. Lee with Jayne Allen Delivers All the Feels

Black love. Black joy. Black drama. Humanity in its vast melanin array. [front cover of a paperback ARC for The Best Man: Unfinished Business; silhouette of three adults] The Best Man: Unfinished Business by Malcolm D. Lee with Jayne Allen adult contemporary fiction with romantic elements Storehouse Voices, July 2025 First, dedicated fans of The Best Man franchise and its beloved characters need not fear how they’re treated in this first of three novels. In fact. One thread of Harper’s storyline seems to reflect the real-life author/screenwriter/director’s battle to protect and maintain the integrity of The Best Man universe. Mission accomplished. Second, once readers - fans or not - start this novel they won’t want to stop. The compulsion to re/watch The Best Man movies and limited series and maybe even to reread this book while anticipating the release of book two in 2026 will prove difficult to resist. Who are you? Who are your people?...

A Million Lives Book Festival - An Unfortunate Exception, Not the Event Rule

[2 decorative stickers on lined writing paper from left to right: a round smiley face arranged upside down to look like a frown and a round smiley face arranged right sight up] By now most bookish folk and others have heard about the inaugural A Million Lives Book Festival held at the Baltimore Convention Center last Friday and Saturday. To recap: according to participating authors and attendees many promises were made and almost all of them were broken. As outreach director and co-organizer for The Write Women Book Fest scheduled to host its 6th event Saturday, July 19 & Sunday, July 20 of this year at the Bowie Comfort Inn & Conference Center in Bowie, Maryland, U.S.A., my reaction to the feedback being shared about A Million Lives is nightmarish. Even though we aren't connected to it in any way or familiar with the event organizer or her company, our completely unrelated event has felt some minor residual effects because people are worried. And that's an understanda...

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...

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