Liar City by Allie TherinLGBTQ+ Fantasy/Mystery/ThrillerFebruary 28, 2023Carina Press Review by Kate H. Do you ever read a book with a certain expectation based on the way it is marketed, only to be disappointed, and yet … still love the book anyway? That is what happened to me with Liar City by Allie Therin. Liar City is the first novel in her latest paranormal series and is set firmly in contemporary times. What expectations did I Continue Reading
Review: Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell
Artfully Yours by Joanna LowellHistorical RomanceFebruary 21, 2022Berkley PublishingReview by Kate H. Who are more diametrically opposed than an art forger and an art critic? Artfully Yours begins in the late 19th century, with Alan, aka Lord De’ath, the formidable art critic, declaring that the painting in his brother’s drawing room is not a Rembrandt, but rather a fake. Little does he know in that moment that the forger, one Nina Finch, is standing the room with him, posing as the Continue Reading
Kate H’s Favorite Books of 2022
I didn't plan this, but I think 90% of the books I read in 2022 were m/m romances. Season's Change by Cait Nary is probably what kicked it off. There's a lot of variation within m/m, just like in romance in general and I have hundreds of books yet to read. My "own voices" list for m/m romances all by itself could keep me busy for months and months. I also discovered this year that I have a few romance pet peeves. I only became a romance zealot two years ago, so I guess my honeymoon period is Continue Reading
Review: A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson
A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko JacksonLGBTQ+ Romance12/6/2022 by Berkley Publishing Review by Kate H. A Dash of Salt & Pepper by Kosoko Jackson is a funny yet serious novel about a young gay black man who must return to his small fishing town in Maine after losing both his dream job at a start-up and his boyfriend. Xavier is planning a quick turnaround – the last thing he wants to do is stay in his hometown. He will parlay his NYU and University of Continue Reading
Review: The Gentleman’s Book of Vices by Jess Everlee
The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess EverleeLGBTQ/Historical RomancePublished November 29, 2022 by Carina Press Review by Kate H. This debut novel by Jess Everlee is about a young man who has trapped himself into marriage by living a profligate but not degenerate life. He needs to pay off his debt, and his father has arranged this if he marries Alma, a sweet young woman. Charlie is an amiable guy, loyal, and though there may not be anything super-remarkable about him, I really grew Continue Reading
Review: His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees
His Christmas Guardian by Cindy DeesRunaway Ranch #4Thriller/LGBTQ+ RomanceOct 25, 2022 by Harlequin Review by Kate H. There is a lot to like in His Christmas Guardian. For one thing, it starts us right in the middle of things, with Nicholas Kane scoping out an art auction in search of his treacherous spymaster boss, Gray. We begin with intrigue, action, and a near death experience. We learn that Nick, an operative in the US intelligence services, was left out of a deadly and Continue Reading
Review: The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish
The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan ParrishLGBTQ+ RomanceSept 27, 2022 by Harlequin Review by Kate H. I’ve been procrastinating on this review because I am a fan of Roan Parrish. I love her Middle of Somewhere and Riven series, and I have enjoyed the Garnet Run books, set in one of those utopian small towns where half the population is queer and the other half is benign. The third book in the series The Lights on Knockbridge Lane took Continue Reading
Review: Wildfire by Garrett Leigh
Wildfire by Garrett LeighLGBTQIA RomanceSeptember 8, 2022Heart Eyes Press Review by Kate H. Wildfire is Garrett Leigh’s most recent contribution to In Vino Veritas series (an extension of the Vino & Veritas series), which in turn is just part of Sarina Bowen’s World of True North, all set in Vermont. Sounds complicated? The good thing is each book is intended to stand alone, multiple authors write independently for each series, and you can pretty much dip in Continue Reading
Review: The Rake’s Daughter by Anne Gracie
The Rake's Daughter by Anne GracieHistorical RomanceJuly 26, 2022, by Berkley Review by Kate H. The Rake’s Daughter by Anne Gracie is a Regency-era romance that uses an unusual scenario to give us that riveting tension between love and societal expectations. The story begins with Clarissa and Isobel (Izzy) – sisters by a different mother, daughters of an ill-tempered, degenerate rake. Improbably, and through sheer force of will, they manage to grow up together on their father’s Continue Reading
Contract Season by Cait Nary
Contract Season by Cait NaryLGBTQIA RomanceSeptember 6, 2022 by Carina Review by Kate H. Contract Season is the second book by Cait Nary, whose debut, Season’s Change, came out earlier this year. This novel expands the universe of her Trade Season series by including not just the world of professional hockey, but also country music. Brody Kellerman is trying to get over the end of his three-year relationship when the novel starts. His Continue Reading