Socially Orcward (2021) Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey (Adventures in Aguillon) Dave’s favorite thing is dragons. Especially his dragons. And he is thankful that his kings gave him a tower where he could raise and keep them. Simon Perrin doesn’t know how to do much, but his willing to try. What he does know, however, […]
Glass Tidings (2016) Amy Jo Cousins This story is full of little things. Then he changed his mind and gave the jeans a quick hand wash in the utility sink next to the dryer, unable to stand the thought of all that blood swishing around with Eddie’s clothes in the wash. Eddie didn’t trust anyone […]
Muscle Cub (2023) Slade James (Bear Camp) Despite living nearby, Paul has never gone to Bear Camp. But he’s been single for awhile now, and isn’t getting any younger, so his friends convince him to take a weekend to help them celebrate their birthdays. What Paul doesn’t expect is Austin: young, handsome, and did he […]
A Power Unbound (2023) Freya Marske (The Last Binding) Set in England in 1909 The final book in the Last Binding Trilogy centers on Alston, Lord Hawthorn who has been arrogant and supercilious throughout the series, but here becomes Jack, and Alan, Alanzo Rossi, who met Alston, Maud, and Violet on the ship from America […]
Served Hot (2015) Annabeth Albert (Portland Heat) I thought I was in the mood for this. I was looking for stories with complicated grief, and this story has that. “You feel what you need to feel.” What did I know about grief? I would be pissed, but I wasn’t David. And if David’s sadness made […]
Finders Keepers (2018) N.R. Walker Sunday was just like any other Sunday, except this one was the day before Monday. The very Monday I was spending with Griffin. So naturally it dragged like a Wednesday, which was my Monday. “Oh, you’re not staying for dinner?” I asked his Mum. Dane stared at the side of […]
Four Walls and a Heart (2023) Celia Lake (Charms of Albion) Set in the hidden magical part of England in 1884 Magni has served in the Guard for several years, and is told he is about to have changes in his job–including a promotion. Gil left the Guard to join the army, against the wishes […]
A Marvellous Light (2021) Freya Marske (The Last Binding) Set in England in 1908 Another time period I love–not yet modernity, but some of the trappings are starting to appear. A chauffeur was not needed. Robin referred vaguely to friends of his who owned motorcars and had taught him the knack of it in Hyde […]
His Grandfather’s Watch (2012) N.R. Walker I’m having trouble focusing, so I’m reaching for short stories and novellas. My other option would be graphic novels, but then I’d have to find my reading glasses. I knew from experience when things weren’t great, there was something about the human connection of being hugged. It had healing […]
A Queer Trade (2016) K.J. Charles (Rag and Bone) “It’s the way of things. Burn your love letters, or have ’em put in the ground with you, or they’ll be tomorrow’s packing paper.” Hall gave a slightly rueful smile. “I put ’em aside for packing, when I notice, rather than foul use.” Publisher: KJ Charles […]
The Pride of Garnet Run (2022) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run) (H)is brain was very loud, and he needed to put thoughts into music to quiet them down. “This place was built in 1927. This all used to be bigger, but they turned it from one screen to three in the fifties.” Published by Monster Press […]
Once a Rogue (2023) Allie Therin (Roaring Twenties Magic) Set in New York in 1925 I wish I’d been better able to focus, because I love Allie Therin’s stories. In fact, I was hoping that the story would allow me to focus on something outside of myself. The failing is mine, not the story’s. I’ll […]
Come Unto These Yellow Sands (2011) Josh Lanyon It would be nice to believe in something like God. To believe some higher power with a greater purpose was concealed behind the violence and chaos. Max grunted. “Did you see any other possibilities?” “I didn’t let myself look for them.” He couldn’t afford this. Couldn’t afford […]
Best Laid Plans (2021) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run) He looked at the situation and chose to acknowledge all the dimensions of it. Dimensions (as he thought of them) weren’t positive or negative. They were simply the truth of how he felt about things. He cut off his thought spiral and pictured windshield wipers clearing the […]
Better Than People (2020) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run) Every day had dilated to a month, every night to a year, and Jack found himself wishing for anything— anything— to break the monotony of lying on the couch all day long and in bed all night. This part was always the hardest. The moment when he […]
Teacher of the Year (2023) M.A. Wardell (Teachers in Love) Marvin has ADHD and anxiety I keep nursing my drink, which is already three-quarters gone, and try to ignore her mounting energy. Sometimes Jill getting revved up triggers my anxiety, and right now, I’m about to tip. And is also up for Teacher of the […]
Kneading You (2016) C.S. Poe (A Lancaster Story) He opened to the front page, where there was an old-fashioned library card in the pocket glued to the cover, with handwritten names and dates going as far back as 1947. No one deserved to lose access to books simply because of where they lived. “Someone who […]
Joy (2017) C.S. Poe (A Lancaster Story) “It’s all the mountains,” said a booming voice ahead of me. I looked up quickly and found a huge guy grinning down at me. “S-sorry?” “You ain’t got no signal out here because of all the mountains. Folks got satellite for home Internet service.” “What happens if there’s […]
The Deadliest Fall (2023) Charlie Cochrane Set in England in 1947. The war is over but things are still settling back down. When Leslie Cadmore runs into Marianne Sibley, he is reminded how much he misses his best friend and lover (and Marianne’s twin), but still is unsure whether Patrick was involved in the death […]
Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut (2018) R. Cooper That was too much to ask of anyone. Jerry should have used his words. Not stupidly thought that doing something for Lincoln was the same as talking to him. “You brought your toolbox,” Lincoln informed him, as though Jerry didn’t know that, and then mumbled, “Coffee, he says,” […]
Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental. Though if you do know of a criminal plot involving werewolves that has taken place at any of these locales, that is a coincidence I would love to know about. “Seriously, I wasn’t that new. And he wasn’t […]
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “So, let me get this right, on a scale from one to ten you’re rating this place a natural disaster? Is that higher or lower than— what did you call the place across town?” Park tapped his chin theatrically. “Oh right, the first monstrosity you’d […]
Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) There are many ways to grieve— no one way less valid than the others “Being open isn’t easy for either of us. Shit, maybe not for anyone. But I work on it because, to me, you’re worth it. And you know what, Oliver? I’m worth […]
The Wolf at Bay (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “You’ve been standing here staring at that flower shop for fifteen minutes. So is it for her birthday or anniversary, or are you making up for a fight? Because I’ve been married for thirty-two years, and believe me, there are different bouquets for different occasions.” […]
Mystery on the Menu: A Three-Course Collection of Cozy Mysteries (2023) Nicole Kimberling After rereading Grilled Cheese and Goblins I was wishing I had more mysteries by Nicole Kimberling when LO! I see she has a new mystery coming out! I can preorder it! DONE! As with her other books, this was a series of […]