Tag: Romance Page 1 of 4

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Luisa Perez’ Her Quiet Hunt! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Her Quiet Hunt by Luisa Perez
Series: Quiet Hunt
Genre: Romance, Dark Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback/eBook/Audiobook
Length: 344 pg.
Publication Date:May 22, 2025

About the Book:

Some monsters are born. Others are made.

Caroline Landers has always known the darkness lived inside her. Not hidden. Not controlled. Simply waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.

That moment came the night she crossed paths with Samuel Corby—a man who stalked her from the shadows, only to awaken a hunger in her that even she couldn’t tame.

Samuel is everything the world warns you about: obsessive, lethal, untouchable. But the most dangerous thing about him isn’t what he does—it’s how deeply he loves her. How completely he sees her for what she truly is… and still demands she belongs to him.

When a sadistic new enemy rises from the wreckage of her past, threatening everything Caroline has fought to protect, she doesn’t break. She doesn’t run. She does what monsters do best.

She hunts.

As secrets unravel, betrayals ignite, and another shadow steps forward—one who has loved her from the dark all along—Caroline must face the brutal truth:

She was never the prey.

She was always the predator.

And sometimes… you don’t have to choose between your monsters at all.

You can have them both—and let the world burn

What is the opening line? After my shift in ED, I don’t head home like most people would.
What’s a fun fact about the book? Caroline, the FMC, sings nursery rhymes while unaliving abusers because, when I wrote it, my youngest was watching Cocomelon.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Lasagna and Tequila
What music pairs best with the book? Metal and salsa

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Luisa Perez is the author of emotional and twisted stories. Luisa lives in Ireland, where she somehow juggles writing, working full time, and managing everyday chaos with the help of caffeine and sarcasm. She has a habit of recommending her own books after a few Tequila Rose shots, and she is still trying to convince her husband that her internet search history is part of the creative process, not a red flag.

Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2026 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Fimbulvinter’s Fires by A.M. Weald

By HCNewton

On November 2, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for A.M. Weald’s Fimbulvinter’s Fires! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Fimbulvinter’s Fires by A.M. Weald
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 175 pg.
Publication Date: October 1, 2025

About the Book:

Worlds and hearts will be set aflame…

Within moments of his escape pod crash-landing in a night-clad frozen forest, musician Asher Hollin is frostbitten, bleeding, a thief, and a killer. If not for technology looted from a dead prison guard, he’d be long dead, either from hypothermia or from being attacked by battleaxe-wielding not-quite-human marauders.

Without hope of rescue from those he’d fled, there’s only one choice: keep going. Fight. Survive for those who didn’t. Somewhere out there is food, shelter, civilization. Indeed, just as the darkness threatens to consume him, help comes from an initially unwilling source.

Compassion and a yearning for companionship spark an unlikely relationship, but a lack of understanding of language and culture endangers Ash and everyone around him.

Inspired by the tale of Ragnarök and its harbinger, Fimbulvinter’s Fires combines achillean love stories with first-contact sci-fi, survival horror, and apocalyptic tragedy: a heart-pounding yet tender tale of empathy, survival, and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love.

This snowpocalypse contains violence and death, steamy scenes, strong language, deep snow, and high heat.

Tread carefully.

What is the opening line? Searing cold. Piercing under my fingernails, into my bones, into my brain. Ass is numb. Hard to breathe. Shivering. Trying to remember, trying to think.
What’s a fun fact about the book? The story was written to match the cover art.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Snow cone
What music pairs best with the book? anything by 2WEI

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

A.M. Weald writes emotional, character-driven fiction in a mix of genres from the romantic to the speculative. She is a freelance editor, a semi-retired archaeologist, and a neurodivergent xennial who thinks about cats way too often.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2026 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Ember and Steel by Donna Morgan

By HCNewton

On October 30, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Donna Morgan’s Ember and Stee! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Ember and Steel by Donna Morgan
Series: Breitho Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 425 pg.
Publication Date: March 9, 2026

About the Book:

The gods are gone. Magic is lost. Vengeance is nigh.

There is death in the north; entire settlements slaughtered in the night by unknown hands. But dead things do not rest. Mages and scholars from across Breitho search for answers, to no avail.

The church clings to a whispered prophecy to bring back the gods and end the horrors in the dark.

But none of them understands what is truly at stake.

In her tiny village, Sarah Brandt has her own problems. She has witnessed her friend’s murder and is now running for her life.

Her frantic escape takes her to a circle of Druid stones, where something ancient and powerful is waiting in the darkness. When she encounters the burning presence within the stones, Sarah’s world changes forever.

Now it isn’t just justice she seeks, but salvation.

Not for herself, but for all humankind.

What is the opening line? Branches whipped my face as I ran, scoring fresh lines of pain across my skin.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I have immortalised my late mother-in-law as one of the characters in the story
What food or drink pairs best with the book? A glass of spiced mead
What music pairs best with the book? There is an official playlist, but Wardruna works fine

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Donna lives in Somerset, England and has a passion for dark fantasy epics and horror. She lives with her husband, son and two incredibly stupid cats. Diagnosed in her forties with Autism Spectrum Disorder, her debut novel aims to bring a realistic representation of autism into a fantasy world. She is also trained to swing a longsword.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2026 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Corruption by Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren

By HCNewton

On October 26, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren’s Corruption! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Corruption by Alexander by Verbeek-van den Toren
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 203 pg.
Publication Date: January 13, 2026

About the Book:

When their ability to connect to the magical Flow disappears, Revan and the other students at his college’s island are stranded, surrounded by fiery seas separating habitable regions. Revan can’t retreat to his home island, only in contact with people who don’t know his true identity.

While most people only have one of the five crystals in their torso lit up, determining their role in society, Revan is among the few with more than one lit-up crystal. If anyone find out, he’ll be considered Othercrystalled, and cast from society.

Torn between his feelings for his male best friend and a female classmate, with his secret close to being revealed, Revan discovers evidence the magic might not have been cut off naturally. Someone might be using the chaos to hunt Othercrystalled. Someone full of Corruption.

What is the opening line? Revan could no longer form a gate with his magic.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I wrote this book after writing a fantasy novel where the worldbuilding felt too earthly. So in this I was like, let’s throw in ALLLLL the weirdness I can imagine.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? I think a soda would be nice! And some pizza, perhaps. Pretzels could also work well.
What music pairs best with the book? Queer songs would probably do well. Think It’s A Sin, or Smalltown Boy.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren is a Dutch writer who enjoys queer books and strange cultures, preferably even together, and loves both writing and reading about them. Alexander writes both in Dutch and in English; in English his debut novel ‘Corruption’ came out this year, in Dutch he regularly appears in collections and magazines with his short stories. Apart from writing Alexander is a child psychologist. He lives in Spijkenisse, near Rotterdam, together with his husband and their dog.

Facebook

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2026 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: An Absence of Artificers by Emma Bradley

By HCNewton

On October 22, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Emma Bradley’s An Absence of Artificers! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: An Absence of Artificers by Emma Bradley
Series: The Citadel Of Souls
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 310 pg.
Publication Date: December 6, 2024

About the Book:

Workshop owner by day and spy for the Menagerie by night, Molly dreams of swapping the Faerie citadel for the wider realms of Faerie.

The citadel isn’t safe and escaping it is rare, so when one of the recently missing Fae from the Artificers’ Guild turns up dead, Molly is determined to dig right to the core of the rot infesting her home.

But in a self-contained city where the enemy knows all the same routes she does, it won’t be long before they’re hunting her in return.

What is the opening line? The middle-aged woman slumped crying over her desk definitely didn’t abduct her husband.
What’s a fun fact about the book? Talie was originally meant to be an outright villain but she grew on me so much throughout edits that I had to change the arc to keep her.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? The closest thing to a meat pocket (nicer than it sounds I promise) is probably a Cornish pasty, so one of those with some berry juice
What music pairs best with the book? I was going through an Einaudi phase while writing it so I always associate his music with certain scenes. That or Linkin Park.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Emma lives on the UK south coast with her plant collection and a very lazy black Labrador who occasionally condescends to take her out for a walk. Aside from creative writing studies, an addiction to cereal and spending far too much time procrastinating on social media, Emma is still waiting for the arrival of her unicorn. Or a tank, she’s not fussy.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2026 Semi-Finalist badge

Pupposites Attract 2 by Hono Natsuna, Matt Trayvaud (translator): The Slow Burn Decelerates

By HCNewton

On September 23, 2026

In Comics, Dogs, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

Pupposites Attract 1

by Hono Natsuna, Matt Trayvaud (Translator)

DETAILS:
Series: Pupposites Attract, #2
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
Format: Paperback
Length: 160 pg.
Read Date: September 19, 2026

What’s Pupposites Attract 2 About?

This continues the story about the beginning of a relationship—two really. Boy walking dog meets girl walking dog. Kiyotaka’s a big guy, a little on the shy side—his dog Monjuro is a little Pomeranian who is nothing but adorable fluffiness and outgoing energy. Chiharu’s a bold extrovert and her Rottweiler, Tsubu, is a gentle giant (who may tend toward a nervousness that feels out of place for such a big guy).

A few chance encounters mark the beginning of a friendship between the two humans—and between the two dogs. The dogs seem to know before the humans do that there’s more going on between them than friendship—or at least that there should be. The relationship hasn’t budged a bit since the first volume, but they’re still cute together. Kiyotaka gets the idea for something they can do together that doesn’t involve almost-chance encounters, and spends some time working up the nerve for it.

Also, his brother and Monjuro may have made a connection on their own with an attractive young lady. The lesson of this series is get off the apps and devote yourself to a yappy Pomeranian.

We also get Monjuro’s backstory.

Translator’s Notes

As with the last volume, following the story, we get some character design sheets and a few pages of translator’s notes which talk about some of the cultural background, explain the dog names (although the story itself does a pretty decent job of that), and things of that nature. Most of the translator’s notes didn’t help me too much—but those that did were great. (and I expect other readers will have the opposite reaction to me) Regardless, it’s a nice tough for people who may not be all that familiar—or familiar at all—with manga.

Like me.

I really appreciate these notes.

A Little Word About the Art

It was good—nothing that blew me away, but I enjoyed it.

The dogs were drawn perfectly—they’re so adorable that you want to take them home—or at least roll around on the ground and play with them regularly.

Hono Natsuna nailed depicting the emotions, both human and canine. Again, there were many scenes where the text really wasn’t needed to tell the story in addition to the art.

So, what did I think about Pupposites Attract 2?

You could tell from the first book that this romance (assuming that’s what it is) would be a slow burn. But, wow, I didn’t expect it to be this slow. They almost seemed to be marching in place rather than advancing for all but a couple of pages. (I don’t know how a good fire metaphor to use there, or I would’ve). Still, watching these two shy folks try to connect is fun.

I would complain about some of the flashbacks. There’s really one important story told in the past, but the jumps back and forth in time didn’t make sense. If it had gone present-past-present, that’d be one thing. Instead, we get present-half of the past-present-the other half of the past-present. The jump to the present didn’t help out the next bit of the past, and it really threw me out of things when we took that second trip backward.

I would’ve liked a little more forward progress–and more of the potential second romance arc (although it looks like #3 could have that). But that’s not the story that Hono Natsuna is telling. This calls for patience–thankfully, treading water with these four is entertaining enough that it doesn’t bother me too much.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Ariel: Dancing on TV by Ailish Sinclair

By HCNewton

On December 11, 2025

In Book Tour, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Ailish Sinclair’s Ariel: Dancing on TV! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Ariel: Dancing on TV by Ailish Sinclair
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 266 Pages
Publication Date: January 1, 2025

About the Book:

The night before Ariel, a sixteen-year-old girl with a deformed hand, starts at the most prestigious dance school in Scotland, her mother tries to kill her.

Torn from a life where she never fitted in, Ariel quickly becomes the focus of a reality TV show. In the castle school, she forms deep friendships and meets Alexander, the best looking boy she’s ever seen. Together, they unravel the mysteries of the castle’s shadows and confront the demons of Ariel’s past.

Can she rise above a lifetime of pain and embrace the possibilities of fame and love that beckon to her?

‘Ariel: Dancing on TV’ is a mesmerising tale of resilience and the pursuit of a brighter future against all odds.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Authors:

JAilish Sinclair trained as a dancer and taught dance for many years, before working in schools to help children with special needs. A short stint as a housekeeper in a castle fired her already keen interest in untold stories of the past and she sat down to research and write.

She now lives beside a loch with her husband and two children where she writes and dances (yes still, chronic medical conditions allowing, pah!) and eats rather too much chocolate.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ TikTok ~ Facebook ~ Bluesky

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2025 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Boys Cry by Misty Gardner

By HCNewton

On December 9, 2025

In Book Tour, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Misty Gardner’s Boys Cry! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Boys Cry by Misty Gardner
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 359 Pages
Publication Date: November 5, 2024

About the Book:

‘Everything I thought I knew has changed. I feel like I ‘m at sea looking for a rock to cling to, only to find it’s just a whale or a turtle’

Four guys

Two generations

Tangled relationships

And music

A roller-coaster ride…

When Greg is attacked outside a nightclub in Brighton he is reunited with Stef, his best mate from school.

When Eddie flies to Canada on an ‘errand of mercy’, little does he realise that his life will never be the same again.

But life is rarely simple and all four will experience heartbreak before happiness.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Authors:

Misty Gardner has had a varied career,most recently as a historian and previously as a lawyer, but from an early age has had a passionate interest in music, from the Merseybeat sound down to the present day. Misty’s current ‘obsession’ is with the country/folk/rock sounds that came out of California in the 1970s and which will feature in their latest novel, provisionally-titled ‘Love Hurts’, due out in late 2025. Misty has previously published a four-part saga [The Misty Blue quartet] featuring broadly the same story told from four differing perspectives, and also ‘Walk Right Back’ – all set in the world of rock music. As well as playing guitar in various bands in the 1980s, Misty has also appeared on stage in numerous roles over a long period. Other than music, their main interests are 17th century history, dogs and horses.

Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2025 Semi-Finalist badge

Catch-Up Quick Takes—Books I Enjoyed Probably More Than I Should’ve

By HCNewton

On December 8, 2025

In Audiobook, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Science Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

I don’t know what to say about these books—I’m not the target audience for these, and I’m not sure exactly why I tried any of them. But something about them caught my attention and I had a blast with them all. I don’t have a full post about any of them in me, but I have a few things to say. As usual, the point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.

On Again, Awkward Again

by Erin Entrada Kelly & Kwame Mbalia, read by Jennifer Aquino & James Fouhey

DETAILS:
Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
Publication Date: April 15, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 6 hrs., 48 min.
Read Date: September 17-18, 2025

(the official blurb)
It delivers on the premise precisely. It’s sort of a variation on Rowell’s Elenor & Park, but done in a way that probably won’t get anyone annoyed by the depictions of the various ethnicities depicted.

Two geeky kids (in their own ways) who see beyond the geekiness to the great person (not ignoring it, but embracing it and the person exhibiting it). They’re drawn to each other, enjoy each other, and you can’t help but hope for a Happily Ever After (or at least a Happily-‘Til-Graduation).

The narration was great. I really loved the way they brought the characters to life.

3 Stars

I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

by Ann Aguirre, read by Faith Clark & Cary Hite

DETAILS:
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication Date: June 17, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 10 hrs., 47 min. 
Read Date: July 31-August 5, 2025

(the official blurb)
I’ve read some pretty good UF by Aguirre, and some good SF by her, too (and would’ve finished the series if I hadn’t had trouble finding a book or two at the library). But they were pretty serious—so seeing a Rom-Com with her name on it intrigued me. A Rom-Com with this premise even more so. An alien stranded on Earth meets some friends in an online chat room, develops a crush for one of them, and then they arrange to meet at a con. She’s a bit of a geek, who has a pretty sizable crush on him. Things spark at the con, just as you expect and…

I really liked our female main character and their friends. The alien intrigued me—and I did like him, but I think the narrator kept me from liking him as much as I should’ve—which is odd, because I think he nailed the character.

The story ends up not being as predictable as you’d expect, but it’s sweet. The found-family part of it is terrific. The romance will win you over. There are two occasions that it gets too steamy for me—but I really am a prude about that kind of thing (especially in an audiobook where I can’t just skim a few paragraphs to get past it), and it’s really not that bad (I don’t think).

3 Stars

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science

by Kate McKinnon, read by Kate McKinnon & Emily Lynne (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science, Book #1
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date: October 1, 2024
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 4 hr., 54 min.
Read Date: July 18-21, 2025

Secrets of the Purple Pearl

by Kate McKinnon, read by Kate McKinnon & Emily Lynne (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science, Book #2
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date:  September 30, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 4 hrs., 42 min.
Read Date: October 3-9, 2025

(the official blurb of Book #1) and (the official blurb of Book #2)
Would I enjoy these in print? Yeah—especially the illustrations. But the performance by McKinnon & Lynne make these things you have to listen to. And likely re-listen to.

These are silly, silly, silly adventure novels about three sisters (orphaned and living with unpleasant and demanding relatives) who wind up at The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette because they can’t manage to stay in other schools without being disruptive (by being themselves, not by being disruptive). Sure, their aunt may not truly understand the nature of this school—but that works for the sister’s benefit.

Quibb introduces them to a world of pizza, self-expression, curiosity, mystery, danger—and the chance to save the world from mad scientists.

I cannot say enough good things about these books. The plots are insane, the texts are ridiculous, and the jokes are a great balance of silly enough for children but clever enough for adults. They’re perfect for young or young-at-heart readers (or people who want to be young-at-heart, you will be in that condition while reading them).

4 Stars

I Hope This Finds You Well

by Natalie Sue, read by Nasim Pedrad

DETAILS:
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Format: Unabridged Audiobooki
Length: 12 hrs., 3 min. 
Read Date: November 21-25, 2024

(the official blurb)
The entire setup for this book makes utterly no sense—and is likely technologically impossible. Suck it up, pretend it can happen. Once that’s done, you can bask in this feel-good, self-improvement story about love, people who shouldn’t interact anyone in public (without a lot of therapy), and friendship.

Jolene’s parents (and the mother’s social circle) are fantastic and add both comedy and heart.

Is the book predictable? Yes, but Natalie Sue may not time events/reveals the way you expect. Does the predictability matter? Nope. It’s the ride. And man, it was a fun one. Dynamite narration, too.

4 Stars

Back After This

by Linda Holmes

DETAILS:
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication Date: February 25, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hrs .,12 min.
Read Date: April 30-May 2, 2025

(the official blurb)
I could copy the last paragraph for this one and be done (although I think Holmes times pretty much everything the way you’d expect). But it’s not just about the sweet love story.

Nor is it just about the fantastic dog character (but, yeah, that’s part of it).

It’s the personal/professional journey that Cecily takes and where she lands at the end that really sells this book for me.

3 Stars

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Card Snake by John Morey

By HCNewton

On December 8, 2025

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for John Morey’s Card Snake! This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

Pilcrow

Book Details:

Title: Card Snake by John Morey
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 486 Pages
Publication Date: September 21, 2024

About the Book:

THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS…

Asteria Silvertongue, a snake in a city of humans, breaks hearts and wins wallets with her vivid scales just as much as her skill with cards. When a valuable artifact from the war that could rewrite her people’s history drops into her scaly hands, she finds herself drawn into a web of deception and betrayal that threatens to bring her deepest secrets to light. Can she play her cards right to avoid the mob, keep her tail out of trouble, and perhaps even find a little love before it’s too late?

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Authors:

John Morey is the author of Card Snake, a Gaslamp fantasy novel as well as the Lucy December urban fantasy series. He is a former professional editor, an amateur historian, and photographer. Born in Pennsylvania and raised on a steady diet of monsters, he now lives in the Bay Area, where there are even bigger monsters. It’s pretty much always about the monsters. John wrote articles for Nerditis, has written for Poe Ghostal and Captain Toy’s Reviews, contributed to the 2007 Welebaethan Historical Journal, was once a typist in the same building where Dashiel Hammett worked for the Pinkertons, and John Stossel once called him “the toughest guy in New York” (long story. It involved a puppy, lots of snow, and Grandma). But really, it’s all about the monsters

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2025 Semi-Finalist badge