Category Archives: Book Talk

Aidee’s Anticipated Books of 2024

This list is late, which is entirely my fault. The end of 2023 felt like it snuck up on me, and I’m terrible at looking for new books when I actively have to go and find them. Also, there is not a lot of romance on this list, but I am definitely looking forward to romance novels. The theme this year seems to be reading a lot of authors I’m familiar with. You’ll notice books by my favorite authors, like Nalini Singh, Sherry Thomas, Seanan Mcguire, and Patricia Briggs, among others. The list is roughly chronological, though it doesn’t make it past July because while I’m sure that there are many authors with books in the second half of the year, I wasn’t really able to find them. Happy Reading!

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire (January)
1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg (January)
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (January)
Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka (January)
The Catch by Amy Lea (February)
Bride by Ali Hazelwood (February)
At First Spite: A Harlot’s Bay Novel By Olivia Dade (February)
The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka Older (February)
A Tempest of Tea (Blood and Tea) by Hafsah Faizal (February)
Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire (March)
Archangel’s Lineage by Nalini Singh (March)
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (April)
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark (April)
Evocation by S.T. Gibson (May)
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (May)
A Ruse of Shadows (The Lady Sherlock Series Book 8) by Sherry Thomas (June)
The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life’s Deepest Secrets by Tom Cech (June)
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland (June)
Winter Lost (Mercy Thompson Book 14) by Patricia Briggs (June)
Primal Mirror by Nalini Singh (July)
Twisted Shadows by Allie Therin (December)

*Editor’s Note: Aidee sent this on January 14th, so it’s my fault too 😅

Limecello’s 2023 [Reading] in Review

Hi friends! So ALBTALBs turns 13 this year! … The site is older than some of your children! … 😅 if the people I’m thinking of are still even checking this site/clicking links …

First of all I unfortunately am still dealing with a lot (so many 😭) health issues, so I’ve still got that GoFundMe Campaign – if anyone is willing to donate or even share the link I’d so appreciate it: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-limecello thank you!

Anyway, I did very little reading in 2023 Just a smidge over 50 books. There was that whole miserable surgery thing. Mostly I watched Chinese dramas, and if you’re curious as to what … here’s my MDL list. A few of them I watched long long ago, some I watched at the end of 2022, but the vast majority I watched last year. However near the end of the year I picked up reading again … but translated Chinese romances. And I’ve been having a grand old time.

However, I’m here to do my annual “Read in Review” or whatever – I really need to come up with an “official title” … without further ado, my 2023 reads! It was a lot of re-reads for me at first. That’s what the asterisk indicates. The “♪” means it was an audiobook read.

January
*On Fortune’s Wheel/The Tale of Birle by Cynthia Voigt
*Kincaid by Laurelin Paige
The Thief Who Loved Me by Cynthia Eden
Deck the Halls by Cynthia Eden
Division 11’s Princess Agents by Xiao Xiang Dong Er
Taken by the Horde King by Zoey Draven
Throne of the Horde King by Zoey Draven
Mine Tonight by Christina C. Jones
*The Satin Sash by Red Garnier
*Anonymous Acts by Christina C. Jones ♪
Kraving Tavak by Zoey Draven

February
Tempest by Beverly Jenkins ♪
Kiss Me This Christmas by Cynthia Eden

March
[Who Rules The World] 且试天下 (Qie Shi Tian Xia) by 倾泠月 (Qing Ling Yue)
*Downfall by Evelyn Sola
Defeat by Evelyn Sola
*Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
*The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
*Scandal Never Sleeps by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
*Teacher’s Pet Wolf by Kati Wilde

April
Touched by Ice by Cynthia Eden

May
Do Me by Sheryl Lister ♪
The Legend of FuYao by 天下归元 (Tian Xia Gui Yuan, World Convergence)
Love Me by Delaney Diamond ♪
Show Me by Sharon C. Cooper ♪
Queen of Barrakesch by Delaney Diamond ♪
Field of Pleasure by Farrah Rochon ♪

June
Spacer’s Cinderella by Adria Rose

September
Somebody’s Wife by Robbi Renee ♪
Devoted by Evelyn Sola
Desire in His Blood by Zoey Draven
Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS by Myeongseok Kang

October
All the Feels by Olivia Dade ♪
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren ♪

November
Marriage of the Di Daughter by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke)
The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke) – which I reviewed
Rebirth of a Star General by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke)
The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke)

December
The Job of an Imperial Concubine by 月下蝶影 (Yue Xia Die Ying, Butterfly’s Shadow Beneath the Moon)
Greetings, Ninth Uncle by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire) – which I reviewed
Don’t Be A Favored Concubine by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)
It’s Better To Be the Empress Dowager by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)
A Mistaken Marriage Match: Mysteries in the Imperial Harem by 浅绿 (Qian Lu)
The Yandere Came During the Night by 風流書呆 (Feng Liu Shu Dai, Casanovanic Bookworm)
The Noble Woman’s Guide On How to Tease One’s Husband by 漪光 (Yi Guang)
After Marrying the Disabled Crown Prince of the Enemy Country by 新了个喵 (New Meow)
Xiao Qi, Wait (小七,且慢) by 悠若清风 (You Ruo Qing Feng)
The General Wants to Hug and Sleep and 千草 (Sleep by Qian Cao)
The General’s Genius Daughter by 灼华 (Zhuo Hua)
I’ll Be the Male Lead’s Sister-in-Law by by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)
The Imperial Guard’s Revenge by by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)

I also want to add in my “defense” these c-novels are hefty. I might have mentioned one of the chapters for Empress was like over 30,000 words, I believe the author’s notes for Guard said the novel was over 700,000 words … so yeah. And that was without any side stories/epilogues if there are any, which I hope there are! There’s a lot going on – AND I’M LOVING IT. In fact most these books also have extra/side stories, which are more epilogues or vignettes, and I’m really sad when translations don’t have them. Anyway I wrote the English titles, not bothering to look for the original Mandarin, but for author names I tried to do both. How it works here is I put the original Mandarin, then the pinyin (pronunciation/”romanization”), and then sometimes they translate the names and added that too. As you can see some of the titles are … interesting. Some things don’t exactly translate well, and sometimes that’s part of the fun.

Anyway if anyone is interested in c-dramas or translated c-novels, I HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU! 😄

I hope everyone has a lovely new year and that 2024 is the best for all of us yet! ❤️

Exclusive Excerpt: Rock Icon Ready by Kella Campbell

Rock Icon Ready by Kella Campbell cover Drum tech Kimmy Baker has been on the road with Smidge for six years, and she never wants to leave the band or concert tour life, but it seems incompatible with finding love. In any case, no one could compare to Dice, her drummer and best friend.

She’s always been careful not to jeopardize their friendship or her job by crossing any lines, even though he’s hot and sweet and shares her sense of humor and all her deepest secrets… except for one.

When she accidentally reveals that she wants to have a baby, he offers his DNA in trade for help with a secret of his own. It’s an irresistible proposition, especially when she suspects he might have a hidden dominant side. But as deeper feelings come into play, they’ll have to decide if they’re friends or lovers.

Will her intention to keep her promise of no strings conflict with his traditional impulses?

Is she meant to have forever with her rock icon?

Fall in love with the rock stars of Smidge… Rock Icon Ready is the third book in this series of interconnected standalone novels following each band member as they find their happily-ever-afters.

Excerpt from Chapter 5 of Rock Icon Ready by Kella Campbell

“I want the boys to have a nice party tonight,” Sally said. “It’s been such a hard year, and all this…” She gestured out the window at the tropical surroundings. “I know we’re here to stay out of the way so Valancy can negotiate for us, but it’s also a treat, a real vacation. You know how long it’s been since the boys have had anything but a working holiday, and New Year’s Eve has always been a work night. Some big show somewhere, or one of Awfully Hateful’s corporate bashes.” Continue reading

Aidee’s Anticipated Books of 2023

*EN: Aidee sent this list on January 5, all delays are my fault.

Anticipated Books of 2023

First, this list is late because I was struggling to track down books I was truly excited about. However, it was like a slow snowball, because I now have more than ten books I’m looking forward to, and I’m sure there will be many more I grab throughout the year that aren’t on the list. As always, these books are not in order of how thrilled I am about them, but they are loosely in order of when they are supposed to be released into the wide world (presuming nothing funky will happen that affects release dates).

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert book coverBradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He’s a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine.

Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption—yet, she’s still not cool enough for the popular kids’ table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that’s how Celine sees it.)

These days, there’s nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she’s surprised to find Brad right beside her.

Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert (which is already out if you are reading this list)

Lost in the Moment and Found (Wayward Children Book 8) by Seanan McGuire *This book is also already available 

Happily: A Personal History-With Fairy Tales by Sabrina Orah Mark *This book is also already available 

Furious Heaven by Kate Elliott

The Keeper’s Six by Kate Elliott *This book is also already available 

Rogue Familiar by Jeffe Kennedy

Radiant Sin (Dark Olympus #4) by Katee Robert *This book is also already available 

A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas *This book is also already available 

Mr. and Mrs. Witch by Gwenda Bond *This book is also already available 

Backpacking through Bedlam (InCryptid Book 12) by Seanan McGuire *This book is also already available 

Ana María and The Fox by Liana De la Rosa

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

Witch King by Martha Wells

Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang

Resonance Surge (Psy-Changeling Trinity Book 7) by Nalini Singh

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

A Dance of Smoke and Steel by Milla Vane

Ana María and The Fox (The Luna Sisters Book 1) by Liana De la Rosa book coverA forbidden love between a Mexican heiress and a shrewd British politician makes for a tantalizing Victorian season.

Ana María Luna Valdés has strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect niece, and the perfect representative of the powerful Luna family. So when Ana María is secretly sent to London with her sisters to seek refuge from the French occupation of Mexico, she experiences her first taste of freedom far from the judgmental eyes of her domineering father. If only she could ignore the piercing looks she receives across ballroom floors from the austere Mr. Fox.

Gideon Fox elevated himself from the London gutters by chasing his burning desire for more: more opportunities, more choices. For everyone. Now, as a member of Parliament, Gideon is on the cusp of securing the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade once and for all—a cause that is close to his heart as the grandson of a formerly enslaved woman. The charmingly vexing Ana María is a distraction he must ignore.

But when Ana María finds herself in the crosshairs of a nefarious nobleman with his own political agenda, Gideon knows he must offer his hand as protection . . . but will this Mexican heiress win his heart as well?

2023 “BHM” List of Black Romance Authors

Hi friends! It’s that time again! As you know the Smithsonian Heritage Month posts stopped working a few years ago so since then I’ve been posting lists of authors for most of the Smithsonian Heritage Months. I’m really excited to offer this updated and IMO extended list for 2023, and hope you all find a new author to love.

I compiled this list through the past year, so my apologies if there are any errors. Also, if you know of anyone to add, please let me know. (Or as always if someone wants to be removed from the list, let me know and I’ll be happy to do so.)

Happy reading!

Maybe Every Book Limecello Read in 2022

The subject kinda says it all but … like look – my life is a mess. I know in early January I was still recovering from surgery. (Which … 😐 stay tuned ….) I can’t recall what all I did – I’d thought it was February but also now I think it was January 2022 that I watched Schitt’s Creek in a week, and watched both seasons of Ted Lasso in something like 3 days. (I miss having Netflix access T_T) … and you do what you gotta do when your free trial of Apple TV is ending. 😜

I also don’t know the status of the HarperCollins strike – I think they’re in the process of negotiations? I also know there were a lot of suggestions/tips as to how to support the union. I truly didn’t have the bandwidth to check who published what from what I read – nor did I add “grades” this time for the same reason. Definitely I support the union though and don’t consider this reviewing or promoting – although I think the stikers said they weren’t asking for reviewers to stop? I’m not a good source for all this though – there are various places you can check.

ANYWAY. I truly don’t know how complete this list is … I also re-read a lot last year. And not just that, but I’d read the same book over and over. Especially audiobooks. As usual, the asterisk before the title means it’s a re-read. The “x#” after a book means how many times I read it in a row this time. I don’t think it’s all the books I read but it’s about as comprehensive of a list as I can get now.

January
*Crave by Evelyn Sola x2
*Indigo by Beverly Jenkins x7
*Vivid by Beverly Jenkins x4
*The Satin Sash by Red Garnier

February
Loverboy by Sarina Bowen
*Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins x3
*The Taming of Jessi Rose by Beverly Jenkins x3
*Exorcising Sean’s Ghost by Beth Kery
Studfinder by L.B. Dunbar
*Ante Up by Christina C. Jones x6
Evil Twin by Kati Wilde
*Crave by Evelyn Sola
Black Pearl the Prequel by Tiffany Patterson
At Her Command by Joey W. Hill

March
*Black Pearl by Tiffany Patterson
*Aaron’s Patience by Tiffany Patterson
Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins x3
Takeover by Evelyn Sola Mar 9
The Storm’s Whisper by T. A. White
*Pulling Doubles by Christina C. Jones x2
*Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones x2
*Mr. Vega by Xyla Turner x3
*Tempest by Beverly Jenkins x2
*Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins x2
The One Who Got Away by Cynthia Eden
Ghost of a Chance by Cynthia Eden
Say I Do by Cynthia Eden

April
Scandal Between the Sheets by Brenda Jackson
Stranded With the Tempting Stranger by Brenda Jackson
Subordinate Position by Delaney Diamond x2
Counting on Cole by Cynthia Eden
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Mama’s Boy by Avery Flynn
What Happens on Vacation by Brenda Jackson x2
Cross My Heart by Cynthia Eden
Chase After Me by Cynthia Eden
Pretend You Want Me by Cynthia Eden
Crossing the Line by Cynthia Eden
What He Wants for Christmas by Brenda Jackson
Impromptu Seduction by Stephanie Nicole Norris
*Let Me Love You by Alexandria House
Roman Will Fall by Cynthia Eden
Intimate Seduction by Brenda Jackson x2
Her Naughty Suitor by Stephanie Nicole Norris
*I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones
The Heart You Break by Cynthia Eden
Secrets of the Tycoon Bride by Emilie Rose
Tempted By You by Stephanie Nicole Norris
No Escape From War by Cynthia Eden
Don’t Play with Odin by Cynthia Eden
One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson
A Catalina Cove Christmas by Brenda Jackson
Anonymous Acts by Christina C. Jones
*Equivalent Exchange by Christina C. Jones x2
Perfect Fit by Brenda Jackson
Deadly Sexy by Beverly Jenkins
Sexy/Dangerous by Beverly Jenkins
*The Satin Sash by Red Garnier
*Exorcising Sean’s Ghost by Beth Kery

May
Private Arrangements by Brenda Jackson x2
Possessed by Passion by Brenda Jackson x2
Jinx You’re It by Cynthia Eden
*Deadly Sexy by Beverly Jenkins x3
One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
Love Notes by Christina C. Jones x2
Behind the Scenes by Christina C. Jones
One Night with the Wealthy Rancher by Brenda Jackson
The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins
Flagrant by Alexandria House
Technical by Alexandria House
The Edge of Midnight by Beverly Jenkins
*Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
*Night Song by Beverly Jenkins

June
Never Gonna Happen by Cynthia Eden
*Scandal Never Sleeps by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
*Something Like Love by Beverly Jenkins x2
*The Taming of Jessi Rose by Beverly Jenkins
*Smoke and Sin by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
*Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins
Natural Law by Joey W. Hill
*Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins
Prior Affair by Christina C. Jones x2
*Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
*Always and Forever by Beverly Jenkins
A Duke Worth Falling For by Sarah MacLean
Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean
*Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd
We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland

July
*Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
*His Every Kiss by Laura Lee Guhrke
*The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke
Relationship Goals by Christina C. Jones x2
*Tempest by Beverly Jenkins
*And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke
Back in the Day by Katrina Jackson
*Let Me Love You by Alexandria House
And They Lived Happily Ever After by Therese Beharrie
One Last Chance by Therese Beharrie
Governess Gone Rogue by Laura Lee Guhrke
Bring On the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins
Ballsy by Elise Faber
Caught by Elise Faber
The Truth About Love and Dukes by Laura Lee Guhrke
*Dirty Player by Stacey Lynn
In Bed With Her Boss by Brenda Jackson
*Equivalent Exchange by Christina C Jones x2
Remember Ramsey by Cynthia Eden

August
The House on Blueberry Lane by Brenda Jackson
*The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
*Equivalent Exchange by Christina C Jones
Keep Me by Stacey Kennedy
Save Me by Stacey Kennedy
Baking Lessons by Katie Allen
*Ante Up by Christina C. Jones x2
*The Wicked Ways of a Duke by Laura Lee Guhrke
*Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke
*Just Friends by Delaney Diamond x2
*Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

September
*Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas x2
*Wild Side by Cynthia Ayman
Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
*Aaron’s Patience by Tiffany Patterson
*Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas
What a Westmoreland Wants by Brenda Jackson
*Safe Space by Tiffany Patterson
Unlocked by Courtney Milan
Taking Care of Business by Brenda Jackson x2
*Bad Night Stand by Elise Faber
The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan
*Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins x2
Something Borrowed by Eve Dangerfield
Something Else by Eve Dangerfield
Locked Box by Eve Dangerfield
Midnight by Beverly Jenkins
Out of Control by Shannon McKenna
Ex Marks the Perfect Spot by Cynthia Eden

October
The Bodyguard Next Door by Cynthia Eden
*The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
Bittersweet by Christina C. Jones
Billionaire’s Proposition by Leanne Banks
Cause for Scandal by Anna DePalo
Begin Again Again by Eve Dangerfield
*Scandal Never Sleeps by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
*Winds of the Storm by Beverly Jenkins
*Something Borrowed by Eve Dangerfield
The Kracken’s Sacrifice by Katee Robert
*The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders
*Tempest by Beverly Jenkins
The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert
Not Your Shoe Size by Eve Dangerfield
*Carter’s Flame by Tiffany Patterson
*Aaron’s Patience by Tiffany Patterson x2
*The Satin Sash by Red Garnier
Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score

November
*The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders
*Roman Will Fall by Cynthia Eden
Frozen in Ice by Cynthia Eden
*Strictly Confidential Attraction by Brenda Jackson x2
Falling For the Ice Queen by Cynthia Eden
Ice Cold Saint by Cynthia Eden
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
Plus One by Christina C. Jones x2
Frosted, Whipped, Buttered by Christina C. Jones x2
Press Rewind by Christina C. Jones
Ten Dirty Demands by Laurelin Paige
Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne
*Spacer’s Cinderella by Adria Rose
Aaron’s Gift by Tiffany Patterson
How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days by Laura Lee Guhrke

December
Bad Kitty by Cari Quinn
Personal Protection by Tiffany Patterson
Captured by Beverly Jenkins
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Date
Takedown by Evelyn Sola
Takeoff by Evelyn Sola
Downfall by Evelyn Sola
Make Me by Evelyn Sola
*Wonder by Christina C. Jones
A Very Krampus Holiday by Katee Robert
*Spacer’s Cinderella by Adria Rose
*Exorcising Sean’s Ghost by Beth Kery
The Rancher’s Return by Brenda Jackson

It’s kinda funny/sad. You can kinda tell when I was depressed and in a slump. (When I’m really depressed there’s no reading at all. But also sometimes when I’m depressed it’s more reading. So … >.> levels?) As always, I apologize if there are any typos and such. And if you want more information/potentially any thoughts I jotted down, you can check my GR.

My apologies also for any DYAC typos.

Aidee’s List of Books Read from January to June of 2022

This list may have less romance than usual, but paradoxically more fluffy romance (think aliens and mythological creatures). It is, as ever, not in chronological order or any order denoting preference for particular books. Titles preceded by an asterisk are rereads; you may recognize some old favorites by this point. And this time, it is completely my fault this particular list is so incredibly late.

*Servant Mage by Kate Elliott
Grey Magic by Jeffe Kennedy
Love Notes by Christina C. Jones
*The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi [audiobook]
*Head On by John Scalzi [audiobook]
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews [dramatized audiobook]
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews [dramatized audiobook]
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews [dramatized audiobook]
Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews [dramatized audiobook]
*Harbinger by Wen Spenser
The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon
Entreat Me by Grace Draven
The Brush of Black Wings by Grace Draven
The Art of Deception by Stephanie Burgis
The Light Within by Grace Draven
Wildfire Griffin by Zoe Chant
Showstopper by Regina Kyle
Boyfriend by Sarina Bowen
Lucky in Leather by Holley Trent
Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold
Extent by H.E. Trent
Penric’s Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold
Resurrection by Karina Bliss
Redemption by Karina Bliss
A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova
The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison (audiobook)
The Assassins of Thasalon by Lois McMaster Bujold (audiobook)
Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh (audiobook)
Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire
Spelunking Through Hell by Seanan McGuire
Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond
Knot of Shadows by Lois McMaster Bujold (audiobook)
The Physicians of Vilnoc by Lois McMaster Bujold (audiobook)
Thorn Bound by Stephanie Burgis
Good Neighbors by Stephanie Burgis
The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells
The Heir Apparent’s Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells

[November] Team TBR Challenge Not Review: Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne

Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne
Contemporary romance released by Piper Rayne on November 15, 2022

The girl who loves Christmas falls for the Grinch—it’s a Christmas miracle.

What started as a dumpster fire of a blind date turns into a deal.

In truth, it probably didn’t help that I showed up dressed like an elf but that’s a story for another time. Our start was rocky at best which is why it’s so frustrating that I can’t stop thinking about his sexy British accent. Or the way his chest and arms fill out his suit. Or his perfect hair with that single streak of grey at the front.

Santa likes lists and so do I, so here’s all the reasons why Andrew and I aren’t right for each other:

He’s my brother’s best friend
He’s the biggest grump I’ve ever met.
He hates Christmas.

That last one is big for a girl like me who thinks that the entire month of December should be a national holiday. So, when he calls for my help in planning his firm’s holiday party, I can’t pass up the opportunity to grow my small business. Bonus, we make a deal, and he agrees to attend three holiday events with me so I can make him fall in love with Christmas. As if I’d pass up an opportunity to make a Grinch’s heart grow three times its size.

It isn’t long until I discover Andrew has a very real reason to hate Christmas and I start to see him in a different light. That’s when the Christmas miracle begins.

Ok first of all, let’s just pretend it’s still November, shall we? Because somehow this week got away from me. (Like all the other weeks and years…) Anyway. secondly, I want to say overall I enjoyed this book. I’m not at all mad I read it. That being said though, there are some things that bothered me about it. And I’m just … too crushed by endless migraines to write a real review right now. So we’re going with just the lies in the book. (ETA the November TBR Challenge “prompt” was “Lies.”)

I picked up Single and Ready to Jingle because I’ve enjoyed some Piper Rayne books in the past, and “best friend’s sibling” is one of my romance catnip tropes. The heroine is 28 (god forbid she be over 30, right?) And the hero is 34. They get matched on a dating app, and realize he’s her brother’s best friend. But the thing is – they don’t exchange actual names until the actual date. (They’d also never met prior to this first date.) As the blurb says, it goes badly. With good reason. I have to admit I’m leaning a bit towards Andrew’s side on this one because Kenzie shows up at a posh Manhattan restaurant literally in full Christmas elf getup with literal bells on.  Why… not just message you’ll be late? And change?

Both characters have a lot – a lot – of understandable baggage. I totally was okay with that. November’s TBR challenge prompt was lies … so I guess I’ll discuss the two biggest ones in the book that I remember. Continue reading

Release Day Guest Author Maya Tyler on The Meet-Cute Point of View + An Exclusive Excerpt

Hi friends! I’m excited to welcome Maya Tyler to ALBTALBS! She emailed a while back asking if anyone was interested in reviewing her newest book (look for that sometime), and I responded with “and how about a guest post too?! 😁” And here we are! Everyone give Maya a warm welcome!

The Meet-Cute Point of View by Maya Tyler

Thank you, Limecello and A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet, for inviting me to visit on Release Day for Designed by Destiny, my 7th published title.

I embarked on my publishing journey in 2014, and I’m sure you “hear” this all the time, but being a writer—especially a published writer—was a lifelong dream of mine. I just want to write. (Think to the tune of The Flash theme song “I Just Wanna Run” because that’s what I’m humming.)

I’ve planned an “old school” release for Designed by Destiny with two book tours, additional guest posts, and several book spotlights. I want to get my book in front of as many readers as I can because it’s a great story. A classic fake relationship trope with my own personal twist. My couple have the assistance of a fairy godmother as they navigate their fake-turned-real relationship. Continue reading

Are You Scared? (Do You Wanna Be?)

Editor’s Note: Hi friends! So Dave actually sent me this post last year 🙃 but I didn’t get it posted prior to surgery, and … well, if you’ve ever recovered from major surgery I think you know basically continuing to breathe takes all your focus and energy. Anyway. Here we are a year later, and with Halloween right here, we’ve got some “scary” book recs for you.

This post is supposed to be about a book. Specifically, a collection of gothic horror. The New York Public Library defines gothic horror as “the battle between humanity and unnatural forces of evil…with an oppressive, inescapable, and bleak landscape.” It’s the stuff of haunted mansions (Shirley Jackson), ghosts (Susan Hill), and supernatural creatures (Bram Stoker). That wasn’t this book. 

There was no sense of foreboding or dread. There were no chills or scares. But then I had to ask myself, “Is it me?” Would someone else who isn’t a fan of horror novels, comics, and movies enjoy this more? Perhaps. Or did I not enjoy it because the horrors we’ve faced for the past year and a half are far scarier than anything I could read? Perhaps. It’s for these reasons that I’ll refrain from naming the book.

But it got me thinking what is scary or frightening? What makes me turn on the lamp while reading or even makes me put down the book? It is of course different for every person. I have a friend terrified of clowns, my wife is petrified of snakes, I detest daddy-long-leg spiders aka cellar spiders. Vile long-legged ticks is what they are. But I digress. Whether it’s clowns or snakes or walking ticks we all have that thing that sends chills down our spine.

Here are ten books that might make you stop reading and put on a Hallmark Christmas movie because the book has begun to haunt you and you need a change. Continue reading