Being a new member of the undead sect has its ups and downs, something that newly embraced Akio Lee is finding out first hand. Being able to spend eternity with his beloved Vincente, the man who introduced him to life in the nightside, is a definite up. Having to sneak up and feed on strangers? That’s one of the downsides, and something that Akio is finding difficult to swallow. But what other option is there for a recently wed vampire couple who need blood to survive?
Finding a new donor perhaps? One who comes into the lifestyle willingly, as Akio had done, and is open to the unique and sensual relationship that develops when three men have a blood bond. A man who can exist in both the nightside and the dayside worlds. A man like Dalton Briggs, the tall, dark, and handsome caretaker of the manse Akio and Vincente now call home? Dalton seems to tick every box Akio and Vincente have: he’s comfortable around vampires, he’s obviously into men, he’s drop dead gorgeous, and he’s human. But will the outgoing handyman be willing to offer two vampires his vein, his body, his heart?
USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.
When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.
Yes, its officially September and a perfect time to continue our chat about sports and sports in romances. Football and tailgating, airhorns and goals scored. Fall just speaks of sports. Among other things of course.
As I hurried to put in rows of mums, HB was commenting with a wonderful list of sports recommendations. Here they are below. This will give me a breather to find my dusty list and add to it. Where do you put some of your favorites? What heading do they fall under?
Check them all out below and leave a comment. You never know when a gift cert might pop up!
Sports Romance Story Recommendations by Sport
From our reader, HB:
I haven’t read too many sports books but what I can remember seeing and have read in each category are:
Rugby/Soccer.
Ten in the Bin by N.R. Walker
Offside by Ryan Loveless
Ravages by R.A. Padmos
Glasgow Lads series by Avery Cockburn
Pull Me Under by Zarah Detand
Hunted by Liz Powell
More Than the Ball by Brandon Redstone
Balls and Strikes by Sean Michael
Ice Sports:
Frozen Hearts by Teegan Loy
Power Play by J.M. Snyder
The Magic Broom by Teegan Loy
See the Light by Cassandra Carr
Seattle Marauders 1-2 by Riley Shane
Blue Line Hockey 1-9 by Stephani Hecht
Home Ice by Kate Sherwood
How To Quit Playing Hockey by Isa K.
Him 1-2 by Sarina Bowen
Heart in Hand by salifiable
Straight Shooter by Heidi Belleau
Training Season by Leta Blake
Breathing Snow by Dev Bentham
Cold War by Keira Andrews
Winging It by Ashlyn Kane
Crashing the Net by Samantha Wayland
Home and Away by Samantha Wayland
Different Dynamics by Tamir Drake (A/B/O)
City Boy by A.E. Wasp
Noah by Ben Ryder
Enforcing Emory by Mickie B. Ashling
Rodeo:
Bully for You by Catt Ford
Bullheaded by Catt Ford
A Wild Ride by Andrew Grey
After the Sunset (Timing 2) by Mary Calmes
Home of His Own by T.A. Chase
Equestrian (Polo,Jumping, Racing, Dressage):
Polo series by Mickie B. Ashling is the only one I know of and you’ve already mentioned,
Force of Law by Jez Morrow has a small polo scene written in too but is not a sports romance.
One Step Forward by Tia Fielding
Water Sports:
My Hero 1-2 by Max Vos
Riding the Board by Cate Ashwood
Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer
Slow Bloom by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Aquamarine by Sara Bell
Stroke! by M.J. O’Shea
Rocking the Boat by Christopher Koehler
Synchronicity by Keira Andrews
Making It by Louis Stevens
Baseball/Football American NFL:
A Perfect Game by Reno MacLeod and Jaye Valentine
Deep in the Count by Madison Parker
Four Corners by Kate McMurray
Caught Running by Madeleine Urban
Out in the Field by Kate McMurray
Grand Slam by J.T. Cheyanne
Bromosexual by Daryl Banner
Caught Looking by Kathleen Lee
Southern Scrimmage series (book 1-6) by Mercy Celeste
Playing for Keeps by Lexi Ander
Safety Net by Keiko Kirin
Quarterback Sneak by Pepper Espinoza
Man-to-Man Coverage Series by Nico Jaye (free)
Long Pass Chronicles series by Tara Lain
Horizons by Mickie B. Ashling
Steamroller by Mary Calmes
Fourth and Long by Michele Micheal Rakes
Given the Circumstances by Brad Vance
Sacking the Quarterback by Carol Lynne
Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
Out of Position books by Kyell Gold
Rebound by Remi Ryan
Other:
All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic
Wrestling With Desire by D.H. Starr
Kieran & Drew by L.A. Gilbert
Superhero by Eli Easton
Match Maker by Alan Chin
The Unforgiving Minute by Sarah Granger
Prize Package by Kyle Adams
Overdrive by Ariel Tachna
Pinned by Maris Black
Pool Hall Green by Sara Bell
Fight by Kelly Wyre
The Locker Room by Amy Lane
Dance With Me by Heidi Cullinan
Heart of the Race by Mary Calmes
Exposed by Skylar M. Cates
Out of Bounds by T.A. Chase
Jock Dorm series by Bobby Michaels
Volley Balls by Tara Lain
Gearshark series by Cambria Hebert
Dumb Jock Series by Jeff Erno, covers multiple sports.
Out in College 1-3 by Lane Hayes also covers a different sport in each book.
Jock Series by Wade Kelly is another
And now for our week ahead…..
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, September 1:
Sports Romance and Recommendations
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, September 2:
Review Tour – Joanna Chambers – Gentleman Wolf
Cover Reveal Angel of Death by MD Neu
Book Blitz – Various Authors – Between The Covers
MelanieM Review:Empty Net (Scoring Chances #4)by Avon Gale
A Stella Review: Gentleman Wolf by Joanna Chambers
A Lucy Review The Low Road by Eleanor Harkstead
Tuesday, September 3:
Blog Tour Pure by JM Dabney
Blog Tour – Just Like Heaven by T.L. Bradford
A MelanieM Review: Pure (Trenton Security #4)by J.M. Dabney
A Melanie Review Just Like Heaven by T.L. Bradford
A Lila Review The Windmines of Bora Bora (Virasana Empire: Sir Yaden Book 2) by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus
Wednesday, September 4:
BLITZ Beyond Identity by Karrie Roman
Cover Reveal – Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale – V.L. Locey
Audio Review Tour – RJ Scott – Single
A Stella Review If You’re Going Through Hell Keep Going (Mann of My Dreams #1) by Tinnean
A Free Dreamer Review: Art of Death (Lychgate #1) by Bob Appavu
A MelanieM Audio Review :Single (Single Dads #1) by R.J. Scott and Sean Crisden (Narrator)
Thursday, September 5
Release Blitz – Sam Burns – Wolf Lost
An Alisa review Him Improvement by Tanya Chris
A MelanieM Review: Dine with Me by Layla Reyne
An Alisa Review: Him Improvement by Tanya Chris
A MelanieM Review:Drama Dance (Nicky and Noah Mystery #8) by Joe Cosentino
Friday, September 6:
Release Blitz Eli Easton – Puzzle Me This
DSP PROMO Victoria Sue
Blog Tour Resonance by Neve Wilder
A Melanie Prerelease Review: Hellion (415 Ink #3) by Rhys Ford
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:In Safe Keeping (Heroes and Babies #2) by Victoria Sue
Saturday, September 7:
A MelanieM Review:Coach’s Challenge (Scoring Chances #5) by Avon Gale
We started talking sports and romance last week. Baseball and hockey primarily. And what sports are and were featured in LGBT romances. I’ve been reading a lot of MM hockey romance this month, getting caught up on our hockey recs and books/series I had missed. Last week’s discussions also prompted me to start thinking about what other sports are featured highly in LGBT contemporary romances? Right away rugby jumped into my brain. Sean Kennedy’s outstanding series Tigers and Devils as well as Dahlia Donovan’s sexy The Sin Bin series. Soccer and rugby, English and Aussie rules, totally different, I know. Hot men in shorts with great legs. Kill me now.
Don’t get me started on the French Rugby calendar Dieux du Stade fans self!
So yes, those sports as well as hockey are right up there in romances. Also ice skating seems to be on the rise as well. A hockey and ice skating combo? Hot hot hot. There is one in the RJ Scott/VL Locey Harrisburg Railers Series. And a couple of standalones if I could jog my memory. I really need a better system of recording these stories.
Swimming. Sean Michael has several of those. BA Tortuga and her rodeo cowboys, in fact, loads of bull riders and ropers out there. But NFL and MLB? I can’t think of too many as I said last week.
Some gymnastics….also Sean Michaels….comes into mind. It might even be the same series. I wondered what you had to say and this is what HB replied:
From HB:Basketball and football in romance seems less frequent to me. I think I’ve only read one basketball sport romance in 10+ yrs of reading m/m fiction and only seen a handful maybe less with ones that have football. I think there are less popular ones out there like soccer, ice skating, lacross, rugby and equestrianism that get even less attention. Swimming I think is a big one after hockey and the focus usually falls over the two.
Yep, forgot about the equestrian sports. That’s a big one. Jumping, Polo, Dressage, Racing! From Mickie Aisling to others. Horses are well represented in romance along with the men who love them.
So you know what’s coming.
Recommendations. Let’s divide them up by category.
Rugby/Soccer.
Ice Skating
Rodeo
Equestrian (Polo,Jumping, Racing, Dressage)
Water Sports (do not go there!)
Baseball/Football American NFL
Other
Let’s see what we can come up with.
Meanwhile I’m still reading and reviewing my way through Avon Gale’s incredible Scoring Chances series and will finish it up this month. Stay with me. Here is our schedule this week.
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, August 24:
Sports Romance and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, August 25:
Review Tour – RJ Scott – Today (Single Dads #2)
Release Blitz Tour – Joanna Chambers – Gentleman Wolf
Review Audio Tour Wake Up Married serial, Episodes 4 – 6: Fight Their Feelings, Meet the Mob, Happy Ending (Wake Up Married #4-6) by Leta Blake ( and Alice Griffiths
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:Today (Single Dads #2) by RJ Scott
An Alisa Review : Already Home (Finding Home #4) by Carly Marie
A Caryn Review: An Uncommon Whore (An Uncommon Whore #1) by Belinda McBride
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Wake Up Married serial, Episodes 4 – 6: Fight Their Feelings, Meet the Mob, Happy Ending (Wake Up Married #4-6)by Leta Blake ( and Alice Griffiths
Tuesday, August 26:
BLOG TOUR Heel by KM Neuhold
PROMO Mason Thomas
Book Blitz – Ann Lister – A Rhythm You Feel (The Rock Gods: East Coast Label Book One)
A MelanieM Review: Omega from the Ocean (Heron Manor Book 1) by Amy Bellows
A Chaos Moondrawn Review The Witchstone Amulet by Mason Thomas
An Alisa Review Heel by KM Neuhold
Wednesday, August 27:
BLITZ A Noble Cause by Mickie B. Ashling
Review Tour for Escape (Rebellion #1) by Annabelle Jacobs
PROMO Belinda McBride
A MelanieM Review :Escape (Rebellion #1) by Annabelle Jacobs
A Lila Review: Soul on Fire by Tal Bauer
Thursday, August 28:
Release Blitz – Marshall Thornton – Code Name: Liberty
TOUR LOVE UNDER GLASSE by Kristina Meister
An Alisa A Alisa Audio Review :In Safe Hands (Heroes and Babies #1) by Victoria Sue
A MelanieM Review:Overtime (Scoring Chances #3.5) by Avon Gale
Friday, August 29:
Audio Blitz Dirty Mind – Roe Horvat
A Chaos Moondrawn Review : Hitting Black Ice by Heloise West
A MelanieM Review: Empty Net (Scoring Chances #4) by Avon Gale
A Stella review If You’re Going Through Hell Keep Going (Mann of My Dreams #1) by Tinnean
Saturday, August 30:
Blog Post – Joanna Chambers – Gentleman Wolf
A MelanieM Review:Coach’s Challenge (Scoring Chances #5) by Avon Gale
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Eva Munoz here today talking about writing, happy endings, and the new release I Dare You to Break Curfew. Welcome, Eva!
✒︎
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with Eva Munoz
How much of yourself goes into a character?
A: I really see myself in Camron. My curiosity always gets me into more trouble then I should be in. I’ve had my share of rebelliousness in high school. Saying I can’t do something is the fastest way to actually get me to do it. How anyone hasn’t figured this out about me yet is a blessing.
Does research play a role into choosing which genre you write?Do you enjoy research or prefer making up your worlds and cultures?
A: I research as I write. When I’m putting together a scene and something pops up that I need more information on, I do a quick Google search. As much as possible, I want all the information I have to come from the story itself, that way the world building is much stronger.
Do you like HFN or HEA? And why?
A: I’m a romance fan so an HEA is important to me. But, when I’m writing a series, the HEA only lasts until the end of the book. By the next book, everything is fair game. That is actually what is happening with the second book. Poor Camron.
Do you read romances, as a teenager and as an adult?
A: Yes. Anything with romance catches my attention. I love falling in love and I love reading about characters falling in love and the obstacles they face along the way. Reading romance is so satisfying even if you know what the ending will be. There is a comfort to that.
How do you feel about the ebook format and where do you see it going?
A: If you read I DARE YOU TO BREAK CURFEW, I specifically have a scene where Camron debates the merits of ebooks versus physical books. Since I stare at a screen for most of the day, reading from a physical book is a great rest from the bright LCD glare. Plus, the smell. Don’t we all love that book smell?
Do you have a favorite among your own stories?And why?
A: I love this Inshari series because it’s my love latter to vampires. I grew up on Anne Rice and Twilight and Holly Black’s THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLD TOWN. I wanted to share the Inshari with the world and I can’t wait for all of you to read the next book in the series.
What’s next for you as an author?
A: Harmony Ink just signed my racing book that I can’t wait to share with all of you. Think Fast and Furious but with LGBT characters. All that high-octane action with a sprinkling of romance set in a murder mystery. This is going to be a cool book, I promise.
Blurb
Inshari Chronicles: Book One
To save humankind, Camron may have to fall in love.
Vampires are real, and they are called the Inshari. After Camron Masters breaks curfew the first time, he discovers them living beneath Braylin Academy. The second time he breaks curfew, he meets a mad scientist who convinces him to take part in an experiment in exchange for more information about the Inshari. A small pinprick later, Camron wakes up as one of them and finds himself bonded to the prince of his dreams—vampire or not, Troyan is dark, brooding, and oh so delicious. But there’s the enigmatic Zaire vying for his attention too. Or is Camron just a pawn in a centuries-old feud?
All Camron’s ever wanted was to live his own fairy tale. But there’s always a catch after meeting Prince Charming
About the Author
Eva Muñoz loves dreaming of worlds filled with hot guys falling in love with each other. She believes that love is love is love and everyone has a right to find their person. Her love for writing began in high school. It was because her teacher complimented a story she had written that put her on the path she is on today. She would spin yarns on her father’s electric typewriter, bind the pages together, and bring the finished product to school for her classmate to pass around and swoon over. Little did she know at the time that writing would be a career she never knew she wanted.
She may have taken a circuitous path towards her passion for writing, but when she finally made that decision to stick with it after countless rejections, she never looked back. A degree in creative writing helps too. When she’s not at her favorite coffeeshop thinking up new worlds and characters to explore, you can find Eva in a classroom teaching creative writing of all things. Talk about passion meets day job. Today she is molding impressionable minds the way her teacher once did for her.
To save humankind, Camron may have to fall in love.
Vampires are real, and they are called the Inshari. After Camron Masters breaks curfew the first time, he discovers them living beneath Braylin Academy. The second time he breaks curfew, he meets a mad scientist who convinces him to take part in an experiment in exchange for more information about the Inshari. A small pinprick later, Camron wakes up as one of them and finds himself bonded to the prince of his dreams—vampire or not, Troyan is dark, brooding, and oh so delicious. But there’s the enigmatic Zaire vying for his attention too. Or is Camron just a pawn in a centuries-old feud?
All Camron’s ever wanted was to live his own fairy tale. But there’s always a catch after meeting Prince Charming.
I Dare you to Break Curfew lives to its name. It’s the starting point to the story even when Camron was daring himself. It starts into the action and gives the reader a good understanding of the MC’s personality.
This story has an interesting premise and a new world hidden in plain sight. The characters were well thought as well as the world, culture, and the differences with the real world. It also makes a clear distinction to what the reader believes to be vampires characteristics.
I like the dynamic between Troyan and Zaire. How they reacted to Camron and how he changed them. The Inshari’s world meshed with the action and its occupants. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch too.
My main issue with the story may be a good point in favor of the author. During parts of the story I was as confused as Camron. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel a connection to his internal turmoil. I was an spectator not a participant, which took me out of the story. I read two other books in between to take time away.
I do want to read the next books in the series to learn more about this interesting world.
The cover by Kanaxa is a bit generic but it shows the main characters in the story. It has the feel for the setting and style of the Inshari’s.
Qualifications of a Perfect Romance Novel Continues
Thoughts on what makes the perfect romance novel continues into this Sunday with some of our readers chiming in on favorite books and their own romance book qualifications. I’ve been thinking a lot about it myself this last week, mentally shuffling over titles and thinking about what made them so powerful and so lasting…
One thing, one factor that appears and vanishes like a will o’ the wisp from story to story is, oddly enough, humor. Some are bereft of it. There is no levity to be found in Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë or Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, two stories that left a great impact on me to the point I can quote sentences and passages from each of them. Pride and the Prejudice by Jane Austen? Or Sense and Sensibility? What humor there is is gentle or should that be upper class?
But I have also read romances that have left me crying with laughter, lighthearted and filled with love for the story and couple. See Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston for the most recent story. Or going back? Arabella by Georgette Heyer (or anything by Georgette Heyer (M/F Regency Romance). Amy Lane’s series often veer from the hilarious to the angst full on a dime, breaking our hearts in the bargain. Don’t get me started on one of my favorite series of hers, The Granby Knitting Series. There are the wonderful historic romances of WWI of Charlie Cochrane and her inestimable Orlando Coppersmith and Jonty Stewart in her Cambridge Fellows series that spans decades in a relationship and major changes in England and the world around it. This series has a deep, abiding place in my heart.
So it begs the question …to humor or not to humor? Should that be a element in a great romance novel? Let’s continue to chime in….
And now let’s hear from one of our readers:
H.B. :
I agree with the assessment of whether you can have a great story was too much story and no or not enough sex scenes. Sometimes a story just doesn’t need it to get the idea of intimacy and love across.
I think everyone had one or more books that have stuck with them over the years. I’ve been reading romance for a long time and have plenty that i can still recall the story of without going back and rereading it and still love today.
M/F:
Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard
Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown
A Man to Call My Own by Johanna Lindsey
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Violet by Lauren Royal
Fantasy:
Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn
Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Nine Kingdom series by Lynn Kurland
SCI-FI:
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card
LGBT:
Kirith Kirin by Jim Grimsley
Valdemar: Last Herald-Mage series by Mercedes Lackey
All for the Game trilogy by Nora Sakavic
Dreams of Fire and Gods series by James Erich (YA)
Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux (and Madeleine Urban)
Chronicles of Ylandre by Eresse
A Simple Romance by J.H. Knight
Cethe by Becca Abbott
He Speaks Dead by Adrienne Wilder
Mercury’s Orbit by Lia Black
The Men of Halfway House series by Jaime Reese
all of Anyta Sunday books…
I can name so much more but the list keeps on going.
Thanks, HB, and let’s keep the conversation going….what books do you have on your list? I gave you just a sampling of mine. More to come. Meanwhile, here is our schedule for this week. Check it out and happy reading and listening!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, August 11:
Qualifications of a Perfect Romance Novel Continues
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, August 12:
Review Tour – Jay Hogan’s Digging Deep
Release Blitz – RJ Scott & Meredith Russell – Kaden (Boyfriend for Hire )
PROMO Amy Lane
A Stella Review : Digging Deep by Jay Hogan
An Alisa Review: Anticipating Disaster (Anticipation #1) by Silvia Violet
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Ignite (Unbreakable Bonds #7)by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott
Tuesday, August 13:
RELEASE BLITZ – Wanderlust by Quin Perin
Release Blitz – After The Final Curtain – TL Travis
New Release & Tour: Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan
Guest Post and Tour – Elyse Springer World Turned Upside Down
An Alisa Release Day Review: Mischief Maker (Animal Lark #1) by Andi Lee
A VVivacious Prerelease Review: Nemesis (Alpha Unit One #2) by Chris T. Kat
A MelanieM Audio Review: Out in the Field (Out in College #4) by Lane Hayes and Michael Pauley (Narrator)
Wednesday, August 14:
BLITZ Stray by Nancy J. Hedin
PROMO Andi Lee on Mischief Maker (Animal Lark #1)
Release Blitz – Repeat Offence by Jackie Keswick
BLOG TOUR Out of the Office by Louisa Masters
An Alisa Review: Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe
A Vivacious Review Repeat Offence by Jackie Keswick
An Alisa Review Anticipating Rejection (Anticipation #2) by Silvia Violet
Thursday, August 15:
Cover Reveal for V.L. Locey ‘s The Good Green Earth
Book Blitz – – Jesus Kidj by Kayleigh Sky
Blog Post – Jay Hogan on Digging Deep
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: The Exile Prince (The Castaway Prince #2) by Isabelle Adler
A Lila Audio Review: Cash Plays (Seven of Spades #3) by Cordelia Kingsbridge
AN Alisa Review: Mad About the Boy by Beth Laycock
Friday, August 17:
Blog Tour Heart Strain by Michele Notaro & Sammi Cee
“The Stones of Power” series by M.D. Grimm Tour
A MelanieM Review:Save of the Game (Scoring Chances #2) by Avon Gale
A Stella Review Release Day Review: Nemesis (Alpha Unit One #2) by Chris T. Kat
An Alisa Review Anticipating Temptation (Anticipation #3) by Silvia Violet
Saturday, August 18:
A MelanieM Review: The Musician and the Monster by Jenya Keefe
One thing summer reading has always meant is relaxation and escapism. Not for me books that offered the psychologically twisty horror plots or ambiguous endings. Those get pushed to fall or winter. Even some of the hard core action adventure may slide a bit, depending on the plot and characters. Sometimes, I just want to recline and dive into a great fantasy world or romance that carries me away from everything happening in RL, listen to the ocean waves if I happen to be at the beach, and simply savor summer.
It will be gone all too soon as will the summer state of mind.
For me nothing says summer reading better than a romance story. Two people finding each other, the journey, the temporary heartbreak, the realization of forever love, and then happily ever after. The story that makes your heart burst and then puts it back together with puppies and sparkes and tissues and everything warm and glowly The novel with characters that pulls you in and you connect with them, and hold them close, and reread their story….over and over. A story that sometimes turns into your comfort read. That romance story.
The Perfect Romance Story.
Summer is the exact time for the Perfect Romance story (not that any time of the year isn’t as well). I found a Perfect Romance story this summer (thank you, Barb, our Zany Old Lady.). I should say I found it through a review here by Barb. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, although I just finished the audio, narrated by Ramón de Ocampo. This book has me wanting the ebook and even the paperback format.
The only problem? It’s the author’s only story.
For me, it’s everything I want and need in a romance story. I’ll go into that next week.
But for now. Do you all have that perfect romance story? What is it? What makes it a perfect story for you?
While we are waiting for those answers next week.
Here are the answers from our Polls. We are 50/50 about series and standalone stories. We don’t care obviously. About the type of stories? Well, contemporary runs slightly ahead of SyFy/Fantasy/Other trilogy with Paranormal running last.
Some of the comments from our readers:
H.B.:
“I can go either way. I don’t mind series but I do tend to gravitate towards standalone stories more (because it’s just faster to get through them and find the next exciting read). I usually like to wait till a series is near completion or completed to even start it because I know if I start one and the next book takes months or years to write I will have to go back to re-read the series and for me going back to read 8-10 books just to prepare to read the newest addition to the series is time consuming and not something I want to do for any series I just thought was okay but didn’t quite blow my socks off.
I do want some warning that a book will be a series before I start and whether or not they could be read loosely as standalones or not. As for series that intersect with other series. I don’t really mind them. I’m usually good about reading stories out of order sometimes and connecting them into a time line that will work but can see how it can’t work for others.”
and
Jenf27
|”I love both series and standalone stories. But, I do want to know if I a book is part of a series. I get that sometimes a standalone story turns into a series later due to reader requests or the author’s muse. And that’s cool, but if it is already a series or already planned to be a series, I want to know. One of my especial pet peeves is when a series is convoluted and you can’t tell the reading order. Such as a series within a series or interconnected series. In those cases, it is helpful when the author publishes a reading order.”
So to both of you go a $10 Amazon gift card. Please contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com with the email address to use for your gift card. And Congratulations.
So now think about what is your perfect Romance novel, what makes it so, and send it in. Let’s make that Summer List of Perfect Love Stories! Go!
Now here is our week ahead! Happy reading and listening!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, July 28:
Summer Reading and the Perfect Romance Novel.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
Monday, July 29:
BLOG TOUR Rules to Follow by Susan Hawke
Review Tour – Trusting The Elements – Elle Keaton
Tia Fielding
An Alisa Review: Between the Covers Anthology
A MelanieM Review:Trusting the Elements (Never Too Late #1) by Elle Keaton
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Mercs and Strippers (Ore 5 #3) by Meraki P. Lyhne
Tuesday, July 30:
Review Tour – Alison Temple – Cold Pressed
Release Blitz – Tal Bauer
Tour Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan
PROMO Jess Anastasi
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Shaman of Kupa Piti (Shaman’s Law #1) by A. Nybo
A MelanieM Review:Here Comes the Son” by Dahlia Donovan
A Stella Release Day Review: A Pocketful of Stardust (Aster) by JP Barnaby & Rowan Speedwell
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: A Beautiful Disaster (Geek Life#3) by Marguerite Labbe
Wednesday, July 31:
Book Blast – The Artist’s Boxer by Este Holland
SERIES REVIEW TOUR – Fairground Attractions by L M Somerton
PROMO A. Nybo
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Ghost Train by AM Summerton
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Rocking Thin Ice by Z. Allora
A MelanieM Audio Review: Burn (Witchbane #1.5) by Morgan Brice, Kale Williams (narrator)
A Lily Audio Review:Burn (Witchbane #1.5) by Morgan Brice, Kale Williams (narrator)
Thursday, August 1:
RELEASE BLITZ Mason’s Run by Mellanie Rourke
J.P. Barnaby/Rowan Speedwell on A Pocketful of Stardust
Blog Tour – – Mad About the Boy
A MelanieM Review:Where the Night Reigns by Emilie Lucadamo
A MelanieM Review: The Hate You Drink by NR Walker
Friday, August 2:
PROMO Wendy Quall’s Rockets and Romance
PROMO Marguerite Labbe on A Beautiful Disaster
An Alisa Release Day Review: Rockets and Romance by Wendy Qualls
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Intoxicating (Elite Protection Services #1)by Onley James
A MelanieM Audio Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and Ramón de Ocampo (Narrator)
Saturday, August 3:
A MelanieM Review: Breakaway (Scoring Chances #1) by Avon Gale
As the heat continues here and across most of the midwest and eastern coast, it’s a perfect time for reading. Series or standalones as we started to talk about last week. Our poll is running almost neck and neck as far as preferences are concerned. So we are leaving it up another week to see if we can tip the scales.
Me? Series are a given. Love having more than one story to dig deep into. Doesn’t matter if it’s two more, three more or, be still my heart, seven or more stories, to love in a series. I know how hard that must be for a author to sustain. But as Yoda would say, love them I do.
Does it matter whether the series is fantasy or science fiction or supernatural or contemporary? Not a whit! I love them all. Bring them forth!!!!!
Although I do wonder if one type of series is easier to sustain than another but that’s a question for authors. If you are listening, please feel free to chime in.
Summer reading in the past was always a time for the big blockbuster books (along with the big blockbuster movies). You’d lug the heavy hardback bestsellers to the beach in your carryall, the Michael Crichton’s, the latest Stephen King, Mario Puzo, Danielle Steele, ….and now it’s Kindles and and more authors than I can happily name.
Back then the genre didn’t matter much. Swinging from the horror of King to the romance of Nora Roberts to the intrigue of James Patterson to the fantasy of J.K. Rowling, we read it all any time of the year, but especially during the summer. So it has never seemed to matter what genre we read.
Or does it?
Poll time times 2!
Turns out I’m also listening to my stories too. Another wonderful way to get through this heatwave when looking outside and watching the weeds grow is your only choice. Lightening my mood this week was the audio for Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and Ramón de Ocampo (Narrator. I adored this. A perfect summer read or audio in every way! Funny,, sweet, lighthearted and adorable. Catch my review on Saturday.
A Participation gold star and $10 Amazon gift card will be handed out next Sunday!
Have a great week and stay cool. Happy Reading and Listening to all.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, July 21:
Summer Reading: StandAlones, Series and Tropes!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Blog Tour Guest Post – Heidi Cullinan ‘s Doctor’s Orders
Monday, July 22:
Book Blitz – The Positions Of Love Collection – JM Snyder
PROMO Michael Vance Gurley + Giveaway
Review Tour – Patron of Mercy (Lords of the Underworld #3) by Sam Burns & W.M Fawkes
A Lucy Review The Positions Of Love Collection by JM Snyder
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Anhaga by Lisa Henry
A Chaos Moondrawn Review : Patron of Mercy (Lords of the Underworld #3) by Sam Burns & W.M Fawkes
Tuesday, July 23:
Review Tour -Cold Pressed (Seacroft #2) by Allison Temple
BLITZ The Exile Prince by Isabelle Adler
BLOG TOUR Breakaway by Charlie Novak
A Stella Review : Cold Pressed (Seacroft #2) by Allison Temple
An Ashlez Review: Julie the Pianist (Miss Baxter’s Girls Book 1) by Davina Lee
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Four ( Love By Numbers #2) by Tia Fielding
A MelanieM Releases Day Review: Absolute Heart (Infernal Instruments of the Dragon #1) by Michael Vance Gurley
Wednesday, July 24:
TOUR The Midspring Rebellion by Doreen Heron
Review Tour – What Lies Beneath – RJ Scott
A MelanieM Review : What Lies Beneath (Lancaster Falls Trilogy #1) by R.J. Scott
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Enoughby Matthew J Metzger
An Ashlez Review: Anise the Snowboarder (Miss Baxter’s Girls Book 2) by Davina Lee
A Chaos Moondrawn Release Day Review:Anhaga by Lisa Henry
Thursday, July 25:
Release Blitz – Trusting The Elements – Elle Keaton
RELEASE BLITZ Out of the Office by Louisa Masters
RELEASE BLITZ Eminently Elf (D’Vaire, Book 13) by Jessamyn Kingley
BLOG TOUR Crossing Nuwa: Escape by Sean Ian O’Meidhir and Connal Braginsky
An Alisa Review Out of the Office by Louisa Masters
An Alisa Review Pack Strap Carry (Carry Me #9) by Charlie Richards
Friday, July 26:
Review Tour – Eli Easton – How To Run With The Wolves
Lisa Henry on Writing and Anhaga
BLOG TOUR Intoxicating by Onley James
A MelanieM Review: Stand In Place by Mary Calmes
A Stella Review:How to Run with the Wolves (Howl at the Moon #5) by Eli Easton
An Alisa Review Close to Home (Finding Home #3) by Carly Marie
Saturday, July 27:
TOUR Ignite by Drake and Elliott
Release Blitz – Jay Northcote – Nothing Ventured
A MelanieM Audio Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and Ramón de Ocampo (Narrator)
Ok, all of you know, it’s usually something I’m reading or just read that sets off a topic for my Sunday blog, and that’s the case again today. Actually I’m surprised this hasn’t come up before now because I feel pretty strongly about it. And that’s whether a book is labeled a standalone story or is part of a series. And should a reader know that in advance of picking up a book to read.
My answer is yes, let the reader know.
Give your reader as much information about your story to make an informed guess as to whether to go and read the previous stories or to jump into the middle or, as I just did without any inkling, end up at the end of a trilogy that killed off a main character. Was I happy? Uh no. This while giving happy endings to characters I had no idea who they were but apparently had stories that preceded this one.
How did I find that out? Because while the title and blurb gave no indication that this novel was part of a series and the finale, when I went looking for (hopefully) stories or notes that would indicate that the author would have new books coming to resolve this ending (there were ways given the nature of this book), instead I found reviews for the others in the series. I was flummoxed. Looking over each title, none indicated it was a part of a series/trilogy. Yet the two characters in books one and two only get their resolution in the third novel. One actually dies in his story. So uh, without reading them, what is their ending like? Got to be cliffhangers.
How do you feel about picking up stories you think are standalone only to find that they are part of a series?
Sometimes it hasn’t mattered. I have come in many times in the middle of contemporary series that feature multiple couples throughout the stories and pictured up the other books with no problem. It depends I think on the narrative and overall arc. I’m trying to think if I have done the same with a fantasy or paranormal series, and the answer is probably given the sheer amount of books I’ve read. But again, I’ve already noted in my review that said novel or story, unlike whatever the blurb has said, isn’t a standalone, that its a part of a group of tales to be read in the order they were written.
I just did that with a Josh Lanyon book (The Art of Murders series) and a Ana Newfolk book from her Made In series. The foundation and universe is the series each author has painstakingly created for their stories. Especially in Josh Lanyon’s case where The Art of Murders is a brilliant labyrinth of twisted psychology, deep emotions, and murder mysteries. Separating one out of the mix? Can’t and shouldn’t be done. In fact, the number of series where you shouldn’t come into the middle far out number the ones where it probably wouldn’t matter so much. That’s like falling into the middle of Abigail Roux’s fabulous Cut & Run series with Ty Grady and Zane Garrett. You could do it but why would you? Or Amy Lane’s Fish Out of Water Series or or or…
So why do it at all? Why say standalone if they really aren’t?
Hmmmm. Well, probably to sell stories for one.
People are less likely to commit to a series than they are to one story. Well not me. I love series. But others, probably. Ok poll time let’s find out.
I can’t wait to see how this turns out. How do people really feel about reading one book. One or three or more? For me it’s the more the merrier honestly.
Unless I come in on the end and they have killed off a major character with no hope of revival. Sigh.
But I can see publishers or authors wanting to put their stories out there and making them as accessible to readers as possible, even if (in my opinion)that’s labeling them as a standalone when they aren’t (again my opinion) or lumping them under a bazillion of genre tags. Ok, how many times lately have you seen a story labeled as a sci fy fantasy paranormal supernatural romance? It’s a cat and bunny romance, you are already there.
Head desk!
Well that’s a topic for another Sunday.
Anyhoo, back to my topic. How do you feel about standalones and series? Write in and let me know. There’s a $10 Amazon gift card waiting for a lucky reader chosen among the replies. And please take our poll, I’m dying to see our answers!
Oh and as to the book that set this all off? I’m reviewing it later this month. See if you all can guess which one it is. lol
Note:
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is looking for Reviewers! We are looking for reviewers for our blog. If you love to read or listen to LGBT stories and share your thoughts about them with others, consider reviewing with Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. Please send all inquiries to scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you. We are very flexible about how many reviews each reviewer takes on. That’s entirely up to each reviewer’s own schedule.
And now onto our week ahead.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, July 14:
Standalone or Part of a Series? This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
SALE BLITZ – RYKER – RJ SCOTT & V.L. LOCEY
Monday, July 15:
REVIEW TOUR Chef On Top (Sizzling In The Kitchen #3) – MJ O’Shea
SERIES REVIEW TOUR – The Series of Fates by C.C. Dado
Release Blitz – Alison Temple – Cold Pressed
An Alisa Review :Denying Fate (A Series of Fates #1) by C.C. Dado
A Lucy Review: Invisible by Iyana Jenna
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Chef On Top (Sizzling In The Kitchen #3) by MJ O’Shea
Tuesday, July 16:
Review Tour Request – C.F. White – Love & Tea Bags
Tour for “Serpent’s Teardrop” by Mary Rundle
Blog Post – Victoria Milne – Purple Method
Book Blitz – WS Long – Revving It Up Box Set
A Stella Review: Love & Tea Bags (Pink Rock Series #1) by C.F. White
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Warm Heart (Search and Rescue #1) by Amy Lane
Wednesday, July 17:
Cover Reveal, – Joanna Chambers – Gentleman Wolf
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TOUR – Lucky Town by Morgan Brice
PROMO M.D. Grimm
A MelanieM Audio Review: Lucky Town (Badlands #1.5) by Morgan Brice and Kale Williams (narrator)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Terms of Service (The Heretic Doms Club #2) by Marie Sexton and John Solo(Narrator)
Thursday, July 18:
R GREY PROMO ON Oasis
Release Blitz Signal – Sam Burns & W.M Fawkes – Patron Of Mercy
Release blitz Beautiful Trauma by Aimee Nicole Walker
BLOG TOUR Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice
An Alisa Review: Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice
A Caryn Review: Dancing with the Lion: Becoming (Dancing with the Lion #1) by Jeanne Reames
Friday, July 19:
Release Blitz – What Lies Beneath – RJ Scott
Release Blitz – Hanna Dare – Black Sky Morning
Release Blitz – Eli Easton – How To Run With The Wolves
An Alisa Release Day Review: Kneading You by CS Poe
A MelanieM Review: Séance on a Summer’s Night by Josh Lanyon
Saturday, July 20:
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Craving’s Creek by Mel Bossa
Rafe’s human lover Eamon disappears through a portal to a differnet world after a ghoul attack. Rafe is a low ranking lord and thinks the king will not help so he decides to rescue his lover himself. As Eamon battles the elements and strange culture of the ghoul world with the help of Beah, a native who helps him, Rafe battles ghouls to learn the secret of portals with his second in command Kiran. Larger evil is afoot than just ghouls jumping worlds to eat humans and what started as a horrible accident, leads into a possible war no one saw coming.
Rafe is called a rin, which is basically a vampire. I liked the lore used here. Even though the ideas aren’t radically unique, there are some interesting takes on common science fiction themes: interdimensional travel, feeding on blood/sex/energy, mind linking/control, bonded mates, turning on magic users, religion to control the population, the feudal type of setting, etc. Eamon is strange at first, full of fear and anger, like he can’t take control of himself and needs Rafe to (mentally) control him. I think this was meant to show him as submissive, but I’m not sure I like this characterization. Taking this out of the equation, Eamon is loyal and brave, even when frightened. I loved the flashback of how Rafe and Eamon met. At the beginning Rafe is cold, calm, and collected even after Eamon disappeares; then he seems to miss him slightly, but does go to look for him. By the end the I love yous are completely over the top, so I wish this had been a little more even handed. It would have made their reunion more impactful. Beah is a great trans character who gets treated horribly by his tribe. Be aware they are several depictions of misgendering, humiliation, and dead naming–although the author doesn’t allow the reader to know the dead name, which I appreciated.
This story could be a self contained adventure, but it’s also a larger story arc that will be picked up in the next book. The side characters like Kiren, Orienna, and the King are all intriguing, but there is little to them in this book. Eamon is the fish out of water in this tale. There is a little of Beah being a fish out of water as well, for some nice symmetry. It’s difficult in a first book with all the world-building, so I am hoping the next book works harder at holding/highlighting the emotional moments between the friends and lovers so they don’t get stomped on in all the politics and intrigue. Those are what gives me something to root for–to hope they win and save the day. There are twelve worlds and this book has only shown small parts of two, so there are so many different possibilities for future stories.
The cover art by Natasha Snow shows a desert through what appears to be a grimy window pane, which I take to be the portal between worlds.
To save humankind, Camron may have to fall in love.
Rafe’s human lover Eamon disappears through a portal to a differnet world after a ghoul attack. Rafe is a low ranking lord and thinks the king will not help so he decides to rescue his lover himself. As Eamon battles the elements and strange culture of the ghoul world with the help of Beah, a native who helps him, Rafe battles ghouls to learn the secret of portals with his second in command Kiran. Larger evil is afoot than just ghouls jumping worlds to eat humans and what started as a horrible accident, leads into a possible war no one saw coming.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 