Most of the presents are bought (I think my husband and the eldest are going out into the masses to purchase a few more this morning), my daughter is home from college and I’m going to sit down today with a glass of wine and hope I can fit everything in bags because my wrapping skills are profoundly lacking.

I only have a couple of books for you today because this last week was so hectic. But they are good ones!

(Also, WordPress isn’t cooperating with me this morning so this post will probably be shorter than usual because I hate this new block editor, I’m tired of fighting with it, and it’s Christmas.)

The galaxy’s a dangerous place. Best not to travel it alone.

It’s been over a century since the AIs rose up and attacked, driving humans from Earth and leaving them scattered across the galaxy. Humanity survives, but always fearful of the technology that allows them travel among the stars, never knowing when it may turn against them once more.

An interstellar fugitive.

For Jaime Bashir, born with the ability to communicate telepathically with computers, his gifts are more of a curse. They also make him a target. On the run, he finds himself among a starship crew, one transporting a mysterious cargo. Even more intriguing is Rylan, the muscled guard watching his every move. Jaime has no reason to trust him, but nowhere else to turn.

A disgraced ex-soldier.

Rylan Slate is looking to leave his past behind. Joining a crew of smugglers is one way to do it. But capturing Jaime is both an opportunity and a danger. He starts out as a prisoner, but then becomes something more, testing loyalties in ways Rylan never expected. Will regaining his honor mean betraying Jaime?

I came across this book while searching for new releases last week and immediately put it in on my TBR list. I kind of opened it thinking I would just read the first few chapters and ended up reading pretty much straight through. This is the first book in the Mind and Machine series, which is M/M Science Fiction Romance and I’m always on the look out for something new and fresh and science fictiony. I enjoyed everything about this book from the world-building to the romance. It’s available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. KINDLE

Spaceships, daring heists, and interstellar intrigue.

Since murderous AIs drove humanity from Earth more than a century before, people have been rebuilding civilization. That doesn’t mean the galaxy is anywhere close to being civilized.

A liar and a scoundrel – and he’s the good guy.

The thing that Captain Sebastian Garcia values most of all is his ship, The Wayward Prince, and like most of his possessions, it’s something that he stole. Now the ship’s original owner has found Sebastian and he’s looking to collect what he’s owed.

When you want something stolen, call a professional.

Ren is someone Sebastian never expected to see again, and the one he never could forget. But Ren’s not offering forgiveness. Unless Sebastian can pull off an impossible heist on a distant planet he’ll lose everything – including a second chance with the man he once betrayed and still cares for.

After enjoying book one I immediately went and downloaded book two and OMG I LOVE SEBASTIAN SO MUCH. He kind of reminds me of Mal from Firefly, only more fashionable. I ADORED his relationship with Ren, which quickly evolves from guilt, regret, and longing to understanding, companionship and smexytimes. . They were so delightfully different and those differences played off each other so beautifully.

I feel like this series jumped from good to fantastic with the release of book two. I am so invested in these characters and their relationships with each other. I love that their ship, Dub, is such a valued, important part of their crew. I love the racial and sexual diversity of the characters. I absolutely can not wait to see what comes next in this series. KINDLE

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope y’all have a safe, joyful week!