Who could have known a Frankenstein-inspired book about two gay Victorian London-era men using mycelium to build a daughter would be so thoughtful about the human condition? No me, that's for sure.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I went in expecting a fun reset or a weird story about some scientists who play build-a-bear with plants. I ended up immersed in a complicated story about love, family, sacrifice, personhood, identity and what is sentience. We follow Jennifer, Gregor, and Simon in the use of an exotic mycelium to turn a corpse into their sentient daughter Chloe. She begins as an experiment and turns into a member of their bizarre family who live in a beautiful greenhouse.

This story takes place in 19th century Victorian-era London where queerness was understood and discouraged, but one of those oft-not discussed features of life. Gregor and Simon love one another dearly, but they test each other a lot between Simon's fervent worry and Gregor's megalomania. Jennifer is their housekeeper-turned-family whose best friend's unexpected passing paves the way for Chloe, the "substrate" for this experiment.

We watch Chloe develop and behind to get away from her fathers' original ambitions, turning into something entirely herself. It forces Gregor to consider what is personhood? What does it mean to be sentient? At what point has Chloe earned a right to autonomy? Simon, on the other hand, is horrified at first. Over time, he learns what it means to love paternally and how to see Chloe as her own person instead of an identity crafted around what he hoped she might be.

The style is very gothic and the prose is springy and fluid, but can be a bit drab at times. I loved some of the imagery and the moments where we see Jennifer start to come out of her shell from "quirky village girl" to fully realized passionate woman. Watching her interactions with Chloe and how she becomes an advocate for her independence is charming, in a weird "this woman is made of plants" way.

One thing I found surprising, personally, was how I forgot at a certain point Chloe was just a jumble of plant life. When she is given a voice and subsequently robbed of it, I was furious for her. It was beautiful commentary on the way women are often silenced to sate the egos of men. I appreciated Medlock's subtlety with showing how gay men in Victorian London still had more power and voice than a woman did, despite both of them being subjugated and shackled by their own society. Gregor could pretend and society would be happy to let him, but Jennifer and Chloe can't hide their womanhood despite Jennifer's affinity for suits.

Gregor, I think, was a fantastic Dr. Frankenstein-inspired mad scientist. He was stiff-upper-lip and completely convinced of his own superiority to the point of nearly destroying everything he loved. His megalomania and pathological need to be right almost ruined his relationship with Simon and had me scowling at the text because how dare he say such things to my precious Simon. His ego started this experiment and nearly destroyed him.

Simon learned to pull past his timidity and fear because of his growing love for Chloe. At first, she was an abomination to him, but then she becomes his daughter as much as any flesh and blood child could. Her curiosity and her desire to be free and participate in the world inspires him to stop fearing life and shying away from valiantly loving the way he wishes. Neither he nor Gregor seek to change London's societal woes around queerness, but they stop pretending to be anything other than themselves.

This was much more than I was expecting in a pleasant way. A quick, easy read that got delightfully weird and a little gross. It asked questions of me I did not expect and for that I am very grateful.

Gregor with your testy letters to Julian though? You better keep my man happy or it's on sight.

This one is for my inner circle.

Welcome!

While Hexes Go Well with Tequila is being recorded for audio, by award winning Patricia Santomasso, I met with my agent before I took a vacation with my dearest friend.

What should I work on next?

Hay House, a lovely imprint with Penguin Random House, bought all three Lost Souls books which will start re-releasing starting this October.

I Have finished a first book in a new duo logy, and while it sits for a while I've decided to jump back into The Lost Souls world again.

More to come on that, but I do have 7 chapters of the next Lost Souls series. I am so excited to be back with these characters, and with no plans on what we will do with these next 2 books, this adventure has warmed my heart.

So, any guesses on the next character focus?

Hello, everyone! Happy New Release Tuesday! Sorry for the late post, but here are some new releases we're excited for!

• The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus

• Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh

I haven't been reading as much (hello, slump!) but I did find a copy of Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle so I'm reading that and it feels like the slump buster I've been looking for!

Till next time!

-Ryn

Hi everyone!! I can’t believe we are already going into July… so it’s time to vote for which books we will be reading next month!

Everyone will get two votes, so that if you want to read in both genres, you can vote for both!!

Voting will end on 6/30

One of my goals this year is to help you spend less time wondering what to read next and more time actually reading.

This week's releases took me from the courts of ancient Egypt to Regency ballrooms, magical baking competitions, haunted forests, remote cabins, and even a city run entirely by animals.

As always, these are just my personal reactions. A book that didn't work for me may end up being your next five-star read, and a book I loved might completely miss the mark for someone else.

Let's get into it.

👑 Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones by Malayna Evans

Read or Skip: READ

Rating: 4.25 stars

After years of Greek mythology retellings dominating bookshelves, Isis of Egypt felt like a breath of fresh air.

This novel reimagines the story of Isis, goddess of magic, as she searches for her lost husband Osiris while navigating betrayals, rival gods, and the future of Egypt itself.

What stood out most to me was the atmosphere. Evans creates a version of ancient Egypt that feels vibrant and alive, filled with rich descriptions, colorful imagery, and divine figures who feel both larger-than-life and surprisingly human. I loved seeing familiar gods and goddesses portrayed with unique personalities and quirks that made them feel approachable without losing their power.

The prose is lyrical without becoming inaccessible, and the story does an excellent job introducing Egyptian mythology to readers who may not already be familiar with it. Through Isis's perspective, readers naturally learn about the world, its gods, beliefs, and traditions without ever feeling like they're sitting through a history lesson.

I was also impressed by the pacing. The novel spans enormous stretches of time, yet never feels rushed or bogged down. Instead, it successfully captures the immortal perspective of the gods while still maintaining momentum.

Final thought: If you've been wanting a mythology retelling that steps outside the Greek pantheon, this is an excellent place to start. Beautiful prose, fascinating mythology, and a compelling heroine make this a standout addition to the genre.

💌 The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit

Read or Skip: READ

Rating: 4.75 stars

This was billed as Bridgerton meets Emily Henry, and for once, the marketing comparison actually delivered.

Lady Harriet would much rather spend her time compiling a slang dictionary than searching for a husband. Unfortunately, a scandalous misunderstanding leaves her compromised with the infamous Lord Alexander, forcing the pair into a marriage of convenience.

Naturally, their plan to keep things strictly practical goes spectacularly off the rails.

Harriet completely stole my heart. She's intelligent, endlessly curious, delightfully awkward, and refreshingly unapologetic about wanting to learn everything she can about the world around her. Whether she's researching slang, asking scandalous questions, or pursuing her latest obsession, she approaches life with such enthusiasm that she became one of my favorite romance heroines of the year.

And Alexander? For someone who claims he isn't capable of love, he spends an awful lot of time absolutely worshipping his wife.

The chemistry between these two is phenomenal. The banter sparkles, the tension is delicious, and the yearning had me grinning more than once. Their romance feels both swoony and emotionally satisfying, helped by the fact that both characters are carrying complicated family dynamics that add real depth to their emotional journeys.

I also have to mention the writing. The Regency setting remains intact, but the dialogue feels fresh, sharp, and genuinely funny. It's the kind of historical romance that feels approachable for newer readers while still delivering everything longtime Regency fans love.

Final thought: Charming, funny, romantic, and full of heart. This is one of the most enjoyable historical romances I've read this year, and I already can't wait to see what Sophia Benoit writes next.

🖤 Night Witch by Jaymin Eve

Read or Skip: SKIP

Rating: 3 stars

This is one of those sequels that left me frustrated because I could clearly see the version of the story I wanted to love.

The first book introduced a fascinating magic system, complicated family dynamics, rival magical families, and plenty of mystery surrounding both the world and its characters. I finished it excited to see how everything would come together.

Unfortunately, Nightwitch tries to resolve so many storylines so quickly that very little has room to breathe.

The pacing was my biggest issue. Major events, revelations, confrontations, and world-altering developments arrive one after another with almost no time to process them. Instead of building tension, the final portion of the novel felt like it was racing through a checklist of plot points before the finish line.

The romance also didn't fully work for me. While I enjoyed the mystery and tension between Paisley and Logan in the first book, the progression here felt abrupt. The story leans heavily into fated-mates energy and instant devotion, which isn't typically my favorite trope. I wanted more time watching their relationship develop before reaching the level of all-consuming commitment the book asks readers to buy into.

That said, Logan was easily my favorite part of the story. If you're looking for a protective, touch-her-and-die hero, he absolutely delivers. His loyalty is unquestionable, and I can easily see readers falling head over heels for him.

Final thought: Readers who love fast-paced paranormal romance, fated mates, magical academies, and fiercely protective heroes will likely have a great time here. For me, the rushed pacing and underdeveloped emotional beats kept the story from reaching its full potential.

Also Hitting Shelves This Week

Didn't see your next read above? Here are a few other releases arriving this week that caught my attention.

🌾 Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan

A family struggling to save their Texas farm becomes trapped between devastating storms, mounting tensions, and a mystery that turns increasingly dangerous.

I'm only about 20% into this one, but I'm already addicted. If you love family-centered thrillers, rural settings, and stories where nature is just as dangerous as the people involved, this one deserves a look.

Pick this up if you enjoy: family drama, survival thrillers, rural mysteries, and high-stakes suspense.

🥖 All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier

A magical baking competition determines political power in a divided city, and a young woman from the slums risks everything to compete.

This sounds like a perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and revolution.

Pick this up if you enjoy: magical competitions, political fantasy, slow-burn romance, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

🏴‍☠️ A Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

A rebellious heiress hiding out for the summer collides with a charming smuggler posing as staff at an abandoned estate.

The setup alone sounds ridiculously fun.

Pick this up if you enjoy: Regency romance, pirates, fake identities, witty banter, and summer adventures.

📚 Checking You Out by Jennifer Chen

Two teens fall for each other through notes hidden in library books while completely misunderstanding each other in real life.

Honestly, this sounds adorable.

Pick this up if you enjoy: libraries, books-about-books, academic rivals, secret identities, and wholesome YA romance.

⚔️ Asperfell by Jamie Thomas

A young woman escapes execution by fleeing into a legendary prison for mages and must convince an exiled prince to help her survive.

The premise gives me classic fantasy adventure vibes with a dash of romance.

Pick this up if you enjoy: magical prisons, exiled royalty, dark fantasy, and reluctant allies.

🦝 Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Philip Marlowe meets Redwall. Need I say more?

A raccoon private investigator searches for a missing mouse in a futuristic city populated by genetically engineered animals.

Pick this up if you enjoy: noir mysteries, anthropomorphic animals, detective stories, and wildly original concepts.

🌲 Little Wild by Laura Evans

A young woman is banished to a remote cabin after her forbidden relationship is discovered, only to find herself haunted by strange dreams and something awakening deep within the woods.

I'm currently about 30% into this one and completely intrigued.

Pick this up if you enjoy: historical horror, feminist folklore, queer stories, atmospheric settings, and slow-building dread.

🔪 Slasher Summer by EL Chen

A group of former friends reunites at the filming location of a cult 1980s slasher movie, only to discover someone wants to make the experience terrifyingly real. This sounds like pure popcorn horror.

Pick this up if you enjoy: slasher movies, nostalgia horror, friend reunions gone wrong, and campy horror fun.

🌫️ Rainsong by Lila Riesen

A fog-covered coastal town, a missing girl, supernatural powers, and a mystery tied to generations of secrets.

This one sounds tailor-made for readers who love atmospheric YA thrillers.

Pick this up if you enjoy: supernatural mysteries, small-town secrets, missing-person stories, and angsty romance.

This week feels like a great example of how varied publishing can be.

Whether you're looking for mythology retellings, historical romance, magical competitions, atmospheric horror, paranormal romance, or a raccoon private investigator solving crimes in a city of genetically engineered animals, there's probably something here for you.

My personal favorites were The Very Definition of Love and Isis of Egypt, but I'm also very curious to see where Whisper Creek and Little Wild go from here.

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs,

We're back with another week of amazing Latine releases, but, before then, a few announcements!

We have one more week of reading And I'll Take Out Your Eyes by A.M. Sosa and Accordion Eulogies by Noe Alvarez. We may be winding down our discussion of those books, but that ALSO means we're only 8 days out from...

SUMMER SCHOOL

On July 1st, we're starting summer school with TWO nonfiction reads for July (well, we technically we have 2 months for one of them). We're highlighting 2 Caribbean countries this July--

Our first read is BAD BUNNY themed. As he winds down his tour, we'll be reading P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance by Vanessa Diaz and Petra R. Rivera-Rideau. This is our main July read that we'll finish by July 31st.

As our nonfiction side quest, we'll be reading Cuba: An American History by Dr. Ada Ferrer. We'll have 2 months to read this longer and more challenging read on Cuba through the lens of US intervention.

WILL YOU BE JOINING US?!??!

As always, these discussions will be taking place on Discord, which you can access through your Bindery subscription.

Speaking of Discord...

MID-YEAR JOURNALING UPDATE

If you're new to journaling or wanting to do a mid-year assessment, our very own Angie will be leading a mid-year planner meeting on the morning of July 12th over on Discord. Time is to be determined through a poll I will be posting later today.

Speaking of polls...

WORLD CUP

Nani and G. have been leading World Cup discussions for every match on Discord. They have a bingo that will be starting soon and I've contributed a number bookish and non-bookish prizes, some of which are HIGHLY coveted. I'll leave it to them to announce, but tempting you over if you're looking for online community to watch matches with.

I'll have polls for today's matches up in a bit on Discord, but until then, let's go through today's Latine releases...

Translated Fiction

Animal Spiral by Luis Othoniel Rosa and translated by Katie Marya

It's All River by Carla Madeira and translated by Alison Entrekin (Audiobook)

History

Cuba: A Brief History by Sergio Guerra-Vilaboy and Oscar Loyola-Vega (Audiobook)

xo,

Carmen

Lit Agent Update!

It's a new week and I have some exciting things happening in my professional life!!

I officially signed my first author last week! EEEEE!!! I'm very much looking forward to getting this author ready to pitch and edit from the ground up. My goal is to become an editorial-focused agent to not only help my authors hone their voice, but to help me hone my storytelling abilities as well!

Another fun "first": I'm also going to send out my first pitch! I've been helping with edits for another author at the agency and I got to build my first pitch list and am drafting pitch emails to editors as we speak.

I also have an idea for a new series on TikTok in the same vein as my 'western wednesday' posts. I want to keep highlighting western media that I think is really changing the game, i.e., video games, movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc! I'm leaning toward calling it 'western media mondays' (groundbreaking--i know /j), so be on the lookout for my first post today as I highlight one of my favorite western movies.

If you're reading this, thanks for being here! I'm trying to draft out post ideas for my followers and I'm always open to feedback. I've also been sitting on my master's dissertation for three years about feminism in westerns and this might be my platform to start sharing bits and pieces of it.

I hope y'all have a great week!

xo ellen

Sickos! I'm back from my birthday week staycation and we got a lot of catching up to do. Let me know what you plan on reading this week in the comments and here's what I've been working on...

READING

REVIEW

THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER by SIMON JIMENEZ (fantasy)

Progress: Finished

Somehow I loved this even more on a re-read and even held off on the last little chunk for a while because I didn't want it to end. I feel bad for people that don't click with this early on because it's so doggone elite. Read it read it read it (but be in the right headspace for it when you do).

MALIBU RISING by TAYLOR JENKINS REID (historical celebrity fiction)

Progress: Finished

A strong second half saved a first half that felt too slow and melodramatic (although I get the contrast she was setting up). While this is at the bottom of my TJR rankings regarding the three books I've read (Daisy Jones > Atmosphere > Malibu), I still found it just as addicting as her other works and there were a ton of eyebrow popping reveals and moments. Think I'll tackle The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo from her when I feel like getting back to her work.

THE HORDE: HOW THE MONGOLS CHANGED THE WORLD by MARIE FAVEREAU (scholarly historical nonfiction)

Progress: 206/309

Though often treated as a book about the Mongols broadly, The Horde is primarily a history of the Jochids and the Golden Horde.

I have mixed feelings on this one. When Favereau sticks to history, it's quite informative and excellent. When she moves into broader theorizing, I find it less convincing. An increasing number of modern scholars are attempting to "rehabilitate" the Mongol image and while they are undoubtably more complex than their old caricatures, it does no good to completely breeze past the atrocities they committed for the sake of making a point.

For example, I do agree with Favereau's central argument that the Jochids left a lasting imprint on Russia and were remarkably savvy operators. But to simply say that they "sacked Kiev" without engaging with the sources that claim roughly 48k of the city's 50k inhabitants were massacred is an intentional omission. Acknowledging the administrative and political achievements of the Horde doesn't require glossing over the scale of the violence that accompanied its rise and can even be used as a counterweight to further an argument that they largely transitioned from conquerors to rulers.

The writing is also dry af, but I expect that from a more scholarly work even though I'm sure the marketing will tell you it's accessible for a general audience. Making the Mongols this boring is an achievement on its own, though it does have just enough juicy chunks.

WE WILL BE JAGUARS: A MEMOIR OF MY PEOPLE by NEMONTE NENQUIMO (Indigenous environmental memoir)

Progress: 249/353

Nenquimo is a Waorani Indigenous leader and environmental activist from the Ecuadorian Amazon who become internationally known after helping lead the fight against oil drilling on about 500,000 acres of her people's territory. This is her story about growing up under siege by missionaries who cleared the way for oil companies to ravage the Amazon she calls home. There are some profoundly disturbing moments and its no wonder those events shaped her into being one of the most prominent Indigenous voices advocating for rainforest protection and Indigenous rights.

From page 220...

TL;DR, yes, I'd recommend this!

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON: POLITICS, PEOPLE AND THE AIDS EPIDEMIC by RANDY SHILTS (historical nonfiction)

Progress: 115/605

Early doors with this chonker that I'm reading with the History Sickos Book Club and I'll mostly be sharing my thoughts in the Discord, gonna try to take down a big chunk and finish it by the end of the week. This is super detailed (too much so?) and filled with personal zoom-ins; it won't be everyone's favorite style but definitely well worth it for the information.

PREVIEW

I'm gonna see if the Sicko Society is wanting to read The Lies of the Locke Lamora with me since they've all received their first quarterly book box, but if not I'm thinking I'm gonna take a stab at my first Discworld with Guards! Guards! ... For nonfiction,

EVERYTHING ELSE

Almost wrapped up with the last season of Better Call Saul (justice for Howard) and I'm currently binging all of Outlast and Outlast: The Jungle for my survival show fix, even though it's getting even more gimmicky with each new season. Of course the new season of House of the Dragon will be on very week. Plus, World Cup bb!

You know what's crazy? I've never played the newest God of War. Might fix that before the new AC: Black Flag comes out next month.

Went climbing a butt-ton last week and this morning. Started working the Kilter Board, which holy hell that thang is tough but I can tell how it gets ya strong, especially with fingers and tension.

Hi paid members! Just a reminder that this is the final week to help populate our monthly newsletter with all your cozy, creative joy. This month’s theme is: Things Worth Lingering Over.

I love the thought of lingering, just taking your time and letting the moment really settle in. Lingering has this sense of presence, of appreciation, and I think that's worth prioritizing especially as we enter the summer season.

With that in mind, if you’d like to add something to our newsletter this month, here’s a list of what I’d love to include photos, a piece of writing, book recs, recipes, art, anything that sparks your imagination and suits the prompt. Here are some examples:

• A place you stayed longer than planned

• A book/series you never wanted to end

• A beautiful view or cozy corner

• A slow morning or chill summer evening

• A simple summer recipe you savor

Ready to submit? CLICK HERE to send in your photo, piece of writing, book rec, drawing, etc. by June 26th and I’ll do my best to include it.

I can’t wait to see what you submit!
Meg

"It hurt, craving something so badly, especially when you didn't know if you'd never get it."

GENRE: Contemp. Romance with Magical Realism
RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: eBook ARC
Tropes: Set in Ireland, Strangers to Lovers, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, He Falls First

Review:

In Every Possible Way is for the dreamers because it's such a cute, wholesome story about how two people find each other and love with the help of a little magic

I was really excited to read this book as I'm new to Magical Realism in Comtep. Romance and it was such a fun read! Jess is a dreamer and that is the best way to describe her. She grapples with the fact that she is one and wants to stop hoping for things she has no control over (very relatable Jess, it's a common dilemma we all share).

And as soon as she decides to be realistic, life hits her in a strange way. Enter Eamonn, and oh what a journey that was. They get to know each other in a slow and fast way simultaneously as they both know they only have so much time together (they do both think it's for different reasons)

And somehow, the way they get to know each other kind of feels like they've spent a lifetime getting to discover who their soulmate are. It's a beautiful, tender journey and you know it's the start of something beautiful. And while both Jess and Eamonn do have a different perspective in life, they share the same mentality of wanting to appreciate the smaller moments and finding beauty in it.

I do wish we got to dive a bit deeper into some of the things that we read from both Jess and Eamonn as they both brought up a lot of heavier things from their past. I know that they only had 48 hours together and so we get the version of them starting together and if they were a real couple, we'd know they'd be happy together

I will say that even though I did know this was a Romance and HEA are granted, I was SO scared they wouldn't work out and that we wouldnt get a happily ever after for both Jess and Eamonn but perhaps I should take a page out of Jess's dreamer book and learn to be a bit more hopeful as it all worked out🥹

I was provided a free advance reader copy and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

1. The Nagging Character

Q: In your bio, you shared how your character, Carmindy, essentially refused to leave your head until you finally wrote her story. Did Cody from The Long Way Home take over your brain in a similar movie scene style, or did his story come to you differently?

A: All of my books are shown to me as a movie in my head. But Cody was a very minor side character in Carmindy's book Someone To Watch Over Me. He was the long-lost brother at the wedding, and one of my beta readers told me that he needed a story because he was a mystery. So I did try to force his story because I knew people wanted it. It didn't work and took a lot longer for him to manifest than any of the other characters did.

2. The Co-Writer

Q: Tell us a little bit about your Great Pyrenees, Bella Love!

A: She's my giant office speed bump. She hangs out, and I bounce ideas or dialogue off of her. I think she couldn't care less as long as she gets a snack every few hours. She also keeps the kids from bothering me while I write.

3. Sports Fanatic Fiction

Q: Have you ever considered writing a sports romance?

A: I hadn't even read a sports romance until I read my friends Jenny Proctor and Emma St. Clair's hockey series. I haven't really thought about writing one, but I'm definitely not opposed to giving it a go.

4. The Gateway Book

Q: What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading?

A: Charlotte's Web. Growing up on a farm, I found a girl like me. It was the first book that didn't earn a big eye roll when my mom assigned summer reading.

5. The Comfort Read

Q: What book can you reread forever?

A: Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune Mysteries. I reread all 27 books while waiting for the next release.

6. The To-Be-Read Pile

Q: What's waiting on your nightstand?

A: Jenny Proctor's boy band series. I just wish I had more time to read.

7. The Rookie Crossover

Q: Which character would survive an episode of The Rookie?

A: Definitely Cody. Smith would provide comic relief.

8. From Covert Ops to Houston

Q: What drew you to themes of rebuilding identity and belonging in The Long Way Home?

A: When readers meet Cody in the first book, it's obvious something major happened that caused him to leave. I wanted to explore the realities of long deployments, secrets, and the strain military life can place on relationships.

9. The Allure of the Second Chance

Q: Why do second-chance romances resonate so strongly?

A: I think everyone has experienced a relationship that ended badly and wondered if things could have turned out differently.

10. Switching Gears to Chilling Truths

Q: How do you transition between romance and darker stories?

A: The Brooks Spencer Journal was actually a challenge I gave myself. I wrote it over a weekend to provide more insight into Carmindy's stalker.

11. Music as a Narrative Tool

Q: What research went into Finding My Way Back?

A: A tremendous amount. I consulted medical professionals and learned about performance psychologists while researching injury recovery.

12. Plotter vs. Pantser

Q: How do you approach a new project?

A: I wait until I can see the story unfolding like a movie in my head. Then I start taking notes.

13. The Writing Setup & Routine

Q: What's your writing routine?

A: I have an office now, but I've written everywhere from my couch to work. I write whenever life allows, especially now that we're busy grandparents!

14. The Fuel

Q: Coffee, tea, or something else?

A: Definitely not coffee. Sprite, Cherry 7Up, water, popcorn, and Riesen caramel candies.

15. The Hardest Part

Q: Favorite and least favorite part of being an author?

A: I love developing characters and their little quirks. I absolutely hate social media marketing.

16. The Cast

Q: Which character would you spend a day with?

A: Smith. We'd go horseback riding and explore Houston.

17. The July 1st Countdown

Q: How will you celebrate release day?

A: My partner usually takes me out for dinner and orders an outrageous dessert while telling everyone it's release day.

Follow Renee Curtis

Website: ReneeCurtisBooks.com

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Pre-Order The Long Way Home: https://a.co/d/06fhl9gD

Shop Previous Books: https://payhip.com/shopreneecurtisbooks

A Final Note From Renee

"I just want to say thanks to everyone who's taken a chance on a total unknown author. And thank you ladies for giving me a chance to let people get to know me a little better."

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome indie romance author Renee Curtis to the blog today! With her highly anticipated contemporary romance, The Long Way Home, set to hit shelves on July 1st, we sat down to chat about everything from stubborn characters and giant dog assistants to childhood farm life and her ultimate reality TV crossovers.

Here is your exclusive, all-access pass into Renee’s writing world. Want to see what happens when a character completely takes over an author's brain?

Let's dive in!

The Q&A: 8 Questions with Renee Curtis

1. The Nagging Character

Q: In your bio, you shared how your character, Carmindy, essentially refused to leave your head until you finally wrote her story. Did Cody from The Long Way Home take over your brain in a similar movie scene style, or did his story come to you differently?

Renee: All of my books are shown to me as a movie in my head. But Cody was a very minor side character in Carmindy's book, Someone To Watch Over Me. He was the long-lost brother at the wedding, and one of my beta readers told me that he needed a story because he was a mystery. So I did try to force his story because I knew that people wanted it. It didn't work and took a lot longer for him to manifest than any of the other characters did. So that was different, lol!

2. The Co-Writer

Q: Tell us a little bit about your Great Pyrenees, Bella Love! Does she act as your writing assistant, or is she more of a distraction when you are trying to hit your word count?

Renee: She's my giant office speed bump. She hangs out, and I bounce ideas or dialogue off of her. I think she couldn't care less as long as she gets a snacky snack every few hours. She does make sure that the kids don't come in and bother me if I'm writing, so I do appreciate that.

3. Sports Fanatic Fiction

Q: You are a major fan of the New York Yankees, Jets, and the Dallas Stars. Have you ever considered writing a sports romance, or do you prefer to keep your love for sports completely separate from your fictional worlds?

Renee: I hadn't even read a sports romance until I read my friends Jenny Proctor and Emma St Clair's hockey series. I haven't really thought about writing one, but I'm definitely not opposed to giving it a go.

4. The Gateway Book

Q: What was the first book you remember reading that made you absolutely fall in love with reading?

Renee: Every summer from 3rd grade through 6th grade, my mom made me read three books and then write a book report telling her what I found interesting about each one. The book that stuck with me for years was Charlotte's Web. It was the first one that I didn't give a big old eye roll to when I picked it out. Having lived on a farm from the time I was seven, I had found a girl like me. It was like a light bulb went on. My biggest regret is that I didn't start my writing career while my mother was still alive.

5. The Comfort Read

Q: What is the one book you can re-read over and over again and never get tired of?

Renee: Easy! All of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune Mysteries series. When her husband passed away, there was a pretty long gap between books, and I reread all 27 of them, waiting for the next release. They are amazing and funny as can be.

6. The To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile

Q: What books are currently sitting on your nightstand or e-reader waiting to be read next?

Renee: Jenny Proctor's boy band series. I just wish I had more time to read because I really miss it.

7. The Rookie Crossover

Q: You mention loving the TV show The Rookie. If you had to drop one of your main couples from the love/life series into the middle of a chaotic episode with John Nolan and the LAPD, who do you think would handle the drama the best?

Renee: Lol, definitely not Carmindy/Colby or Harlow/Luke because frankly, they've been through enough already. I'd say Cody would be able to handle anything, but Smith would be good for some comic relief for The Rookie crew!

8. From Covert Ops to Houston

Q: The Long Way Home features Cody, a protagonist with 18 years of covert military experience adjusting to civilian life. What drew you to the themes of rebuilding identity, healing, and finding a sense of belonging after a high-stakes career?

Renee: When you read the first book, you realize that something wild happened that caused the divide in the Lynch household. I saw him walking away from a courthouse and taking the oath. What did he do that would have him walk away from his family?

I've seen the effects that long or secret deployments have on soldiers. They want to shield the family from war and everything that happens. They don't have stable relationships or any relationships at all. So I took things that I knew and found a way to build a whole life for the character that I know so many have wanted.

Coming July 1st: The Long Way Home

A heartfelt, character-driven romance about second chances, healing, and finding home where you least expect it.

The Story: Cody Lynch spent 18 years serving in covert military roles, living a life built on movement, discipline, and the constant reality that he could be deployed at a moment’s notice. Serious relationships were something he admired from afar but never allowed himself to have.

After an op goes bad and he’s medically discharged, Cody travels to his brother’s wedding for the weekend but is unsure of what comes next. In Houston, he finds a place that feels unexpectedly like home. As Cody rebuilds his life, he begins to imagine a future he never thought he could one filled with love, family, and the kind of belonging he once believed wasn’t meant for him.

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Inside the Premium Tier, Renee dishes on:

• A deeper look into the inspiration behind Cody's psychological journey.

• Why second-chance romances resonate so deeply with her.

• Her absolute favorite writing routines, snacks, and release-day traditions.

• Her dream day hanging out with one of her own characters in real life.

Connect with Renee Curtis

Don't miss out on Cody's story! Make sure to follow Renee and secure your copy of her upcoming release before July 1st.

• Pre-Order The Long Way Home: Amazon Pre-Order Link

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"I was a woman, a psychic and fortune teller. I had to face my fear, the feeling. I wanted to. The Spark was a tantalizing possibility of what I could be and do. It was like recovering a lost piece of myself. My affinity, whole. Me, complete."

GENRE: Historical Fantasy & Mystery
RATING: 4.75/5
FORMAT: eBook & physical ARC

Review:

Olseya Salnikova Gilmore never fails to enchant me magically with her books and this one is no exception. I am a huge fan of her debut, The Witch and the Tsar and so when I heard she had a new release this year, I was super excited for it.

The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru is a beautiful tale that mixes Fantasy, Historical Fiction and Mystery while adding touch of magic throughout the book. I had a specific tab annotated to all the auras that Zina could see and the magical moments we get throughout the book. I think the strongest strength of the book is how beautifully Olseya writes, in a way that blends all different parts and makes you feel that you're in Paris with Zina, Baba Valya and everyone else.

We do get a deep dive into the story of immigrants, leaving your own home country and growing up somewhere else. Zina's POV shows us what it means to be from two different cultures as she is both from Paris and Russia. She describes this as one foot in each culture and the way that you see her go from one area in Paris to another based on where she felt she needed to be shows how so many of us are a blend of different cultures now.

We also get other character's POV and Baba Valya is a beautiful POV, with her role shifting from being a mother to a grandmother. She truly reminded me of my own grandmother, wanting to serve traditional tea, desserts and always prioritising family.

Oh and the twists and mysteries in the story? It does take you on an adventure, one that is filled with all the themes I've mentioned above and still focusing on solving the mystery of it all.

I can't wait to read Olseya's future releases and dive into the beautiful worlds she always creates.

I was provided a free advance reader copy and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

Happy Monday! Today I am encouraging you to read Love at 350 Degrees by Lisa Peers. I adored this sapphic romance when it came out a few years ago and feel like it did not get the love it should have! Set on a TV baking competition (it's certainly not The Great British Bake Off, I don't know why you'd think that), this is a romance between a contestant and a judge on the show.

I totally understand why this book was a hard sell on bookstagram - it's a slow burn, closed door romance. But my god, the LONGING! The PINING! It's so good. Add in some really good competition scenes and some really excellent food descriptions, and we're cooking (sorry, I couldn't help myself)!

Another thing I loved about this books is that both the main characters are over 40, with Tori having teenage kids and contentiously divorced from her wife. I loved that she and Kendra both knew themselves (including their weaknesses) and still grew emotionally - both together and separately - in a believable way.

So, if you're looking for a Pride read that's not on every reading list already, please give Love at 350 Degrees a try!