MONDAY MORNING – MARCH 27

Good morning. This weekend was just plain great. Kiddo was an angel all weekend, and so much fun to hang out with. We went shopping for his Easter basket on Saturday — he accompanied me. He’s not even two, he has no idea what Easter is so he doesn’t care LOL. He’s getting shape sorter eggs, a book, a Water Wow book, new sunglasses, a new Bluey water cup, and a Blues Clues ball. He’ll love all of it, I’m sure. We ended up going out to eat on Saturday, too, and munchkin was SO. GOOD. I am so proud of him. He ate most of his food, and then sat and played nicely next to Dada while we ate. Sunday, we went grocery shopping (thrilling), and then to Home Depot to get some things we needed around the house. I got two new plants! All in all, a great weekend. I hope yours was awesome, too.

TBR SPOTLIGHT

By now, you probably know how much I love Greek and Roman myth retellings, so when I saw this one I immediately threw it on my TBR. We’ll see if it’s any good once it comes out! I don’t know much about this particular myth, unfortunately, but any retelling is one I’m interested in!

PSYCHE AND EROS BY LUNA MCNAMARA

What happens when a god of love falls in love?

A prophecy claims that Psyche, princess of Mycenae, will conquer a monster feared by the gods. Beloved by her family but at odds with her society’s expectations for women, Psyche trains to become a hero, mastering blade and bow.

When Psyche angers Aphrodite, the love goddess enlists Eros, god of desire, to help deliver a cruel curse. Eros is the last born of the eldest gods, dry-witted and jaded, unsure of his place in the cosmos. The last thing he wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world, but when he pricks himself with the arrow intended for Psyche, Eros is doomed to yearn for a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet.

A joyous and subversive tale of gods, monsters, and the human heart and soul, Psyche and Eros dazzles the senses while exploring notions of trust, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. With unforgettably vivid characters, spellbinding prose, and delicious tension, Luna McNamara has crafted a shimmering and propulsive debut novel about a love so strong it defies the will of Olympus.

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – MARCH 20

Morning. My child did not want to sleep the past two nights. Again. So we’re tired, and we’re grumpy, and god dangit, kiddo why can’t you sleep through the night again? We miss that!! (Though, to be fair, I think last night was one of the cats yowling that woke him up.) STILL. Go back to the full 11 hours of sleep for you, please. You need it, we need it, it’s good for everyone. Anyway. I hope your weekend was good, friends.

TBR SPOTLIGHT

This doesn’t come out until next year (WHY SO FAR AWAY), but I am already HYPED for it. It’s supposed to be sexy, queer, and full of Greek mythology, so SIGN ME UP, please. I can’t wait to see the official cover.

CROWN OF STARLIGHT BY CAIT CORRAIN

Ariadne Tholos, (former) Crown Princess of the Cretan Empire, has never had a say in her own life.

Her (tyrant) father, Minos, and his totalitarian regime of militarized death cultists dictate her every “choice,” from who she’ll marry to when she’ll inherit her family’s bloody legacy. Unwilling to order the deaths of innocents, she betrays her father, saving the lives of his enemies. But when her new allies turn against her, Ariadne finds herself on the run, injured, alone, and in desperate need of a miracle.

Enter the (exiled) God of Wine, Madness, and Debauchery, who offers her protection—for a price.

A snarky, sexy, queer reimagining of the myth of Ariadne and Dionysus, CROWN OF STARLIGHT combines the darkly sensual, court intrigue of KUSHIEL’S DART, with the irreverent wit and space fantasy sensibilities of GIDEON THE NINTH, and the fresh twist on Greek Mythology of LORE OLYMPUS.

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – MARCH 13

Good morning, friends! It is Monday already, somehow, and the time change is making me so tired. It stinks. I want my sleep back, please. I also would like my child to sleep like he knows how to, if that’s possible, too. He woke up at 1 am last night, and didn’t go back to bed until 3 something. My husband was up with him, and now he’s a zombie this morning. Here’s hoping today goes quickly. Happy reading!

TBR SPOTLIGHT

I absolutely adored the first book I read by Kate Clayborn, Georgie, All Along, so when I saw this one on super sale for kindle, I snatched it up. I hope to read all of her books eventually, because I loved Georgie that much.

LOVE AT FIRST BY KATE CLAYBORN

Sixteen years ago, a teenaged Will Sterling saw—or rather, heard—the girl of his dreams. Standing beneath an apartment building balcony, he shared a perfect moment with a lovely, warm-voiced stranger. It’s a memory that’s never faded, though he’s put so much of his past behind him. Now an unexpected inheritance has brought Will back to that same address, where he plans to offload his new property and get back to his regular life as an overworked doctor. Instead, he encounters a woman, two balconies above, who’s uncannily familiar…

No matter how surprised Nora Clarke is by her reaction to handsome, curious Will, or the whispered pre-dawn conversations they share, she won’t let his plans ruin her quirky, close-knit building. Bound by her loyalty to her adored grandmother, she sets out to foil his efforts with a little light sabotage. But beneath the surface of their feud is an undeniable connection. A balcony, a star-crossed couple, a fateful meeting—maybe it’s the kind of story that can’t work out in the end. Or maybe, it’s the perfect second chance…

A sparkling and tender novel from the acclaimed author of Love Lettering, full of bickering neighbors, surprise reunions, and the mysterious power of love that fans of Christina Lauren, Sarah Hogle, and Emily Henry will adore.

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – FEBRUARY 27

Morning, friends. I started my day way too early courtesy of my child. I am still trying to get over the wakeup, bc I was dead asleep when he started crying. Oh well. This weekend was awesome — we went to see Hadestown, and enjoyed a date night on our own. Bubs was great while we were gone, too. My aunt said he was an angel. Other than our date, we didn’t do much this weekend which was just fine with me! I hope you had a great weekend, and are ready for another great week!

TBR SPOTLIGHT

I have an ARC of this book, too, and well, I am beyond excited that Del Rey accepted me for this. I have loved Connie Willis’s books for countless years now, and I had no idea she was still writing. Her last book, Crosstalk, is a favorite. Especially if you like sci-fi novels with more than a dash of romance. I highly recommend her work, and well, I’m excited for this one!

THE ROAD TO ROSWELL BY CONNIE WILLIS

A delightful romantic comedy about love, alien invasions, and the incredibly silly things people are willing to believe in—some of which may actually be true—from the Nebula and Hugo Award–winning author of Blackout.

When Francie arrives in Roswell, New Mexico, for her college roommate’s UFO-themed wedding—complete with a true-believer groom—she can’t help but roll her eyes at all the talk of aliens, which patently don’t exist. Imagine her surprise, then, when she gets abducted by one.

Her abductor is not your typical alien—not gray, or a reptilian, or anything else the popular media might have led her to expect. Instead, the creature is more like an animate tumbleweed—a mass of lightning-fast tentacles and unexpected charm, given that it has no apparent ability to communicate beyond pointing.

Worse, the alien’s second abductee—an endearing con man named Wade—only compounds the problem, for Francie was supposed to spend the weekend talking her roommate out of the wedding, not falling in love herself. How can a guy who sells anti-abduction insurance for a living still manage to be the most sensible, decent man she has ever met?

The more Francie gets to know her abductor, however, the more certain she becomes that the alien is in trouble and needs her help—though she has no idea what the problem is, or how to solve it. Especially as the alien’s abduction spree seems far from over.

But with Wade’s assistance, Francie is determined to get their new friend to its destination—wherever that might be. Because who knows what could be at risk should they fail?

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – FEBRUARY 20

Good morning, my friends! I hope you had a great weekend, and that you’re going to have a great week. We didn’t do a whole lot this past weekend — my MIL’s birthday was yesterday, so we made sure to go see her. Munchkin absolutely adores his grandparents so it was really fun to watch them all together. We went to Barnes and Noble yesterday, and got the kiddo four new books. (One about Weather, Blue Hat, Green Hat!, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, and Little Blue Truck Springtime! So Far Red Hat, Green Hat is the new favorite.) He’s always a wild man in Barnes and Noble, so we had a good time. I hope you have a good day, friends.

TBR SPOTLIGHT

I already have an ARC of this one courtesy of Tor, but uh, it’s not due until August so I thought I’d spotlight this one. You already know how I feel about T. Kingfisher, I shouldn’t have to say anything else. She’s in my top 3 authors, and she has never let me down with one of her books. I jumped at the chance to get the ARC for this one!

THORNHEDGE BY T. KINGFISHER

From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is an original, subversive fairytale about a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

If only.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He’s heard there’s a curse here that needs breaking, but it’s a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – FEBRUARY 13

Morning, friends! It’s the day before Valentine’s Day — do you have your valentine yet? (Or, are you like me and only really celebrate when it comes to chocolate.) This year, though, I spoiled my husband a little. I got my husband a new lego set — a pirate ship — and we got my son his first real play-doh set! It’s got the squishy extruder, some stencil things you push into the dough, and cookie cutter things. He’s loving it. (I personally cannot wait to see the pirate ship all put together!) We all got our presents this weekend bc uhhhhhhh its the weekend and you can enjoy them! ANYWAY, I hope that you have a lovely Monday, and are ready for a fantastic week!

TBR SPOTLIGHT

I saw this one…somewhere….recently and was immediately grabbed by that cover. I THINK that’s the UK cover, though, which is really disappointing. Orbit/Redhook is putting this one out in the US, so it will most likely have an equally attention-grabbing cover over here, too! Anyway, it’s a retelling/spin-off story from Beowulf, so I’ll definitely be grabbing this one once it comes out. (Or be begging Redhook for an ARC!) Have you seen this one before?

SHIELDMAIDEN BY SHARON EMMERICHS

Having grown up hearing tales of her uncle, the great King Beowulf, Fryda’s one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet a terrible childhood accident has left Fryda disabled – thus, she believes, thwarting her dream of becoming a warrior-woman for good. But still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself.

Meanwhile, a great celebration of Beowulf’s reign is underway, and Fryda’s house is soon overrun with foreign kings and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda’s entire clan – and her own life. Enraged, Fryda resolves to fight for her people, no matter the cost… and all the while, her powers seem only to grow stronger.

But she is not the only one to feel its effects. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep…

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – FEBRUARY 6

Good morning, my friends! We were surprised this morning by a little earthquake rumbling our house! Everything is fine, it was something like a 4.2 on the earthquake scale, so nothing huge. In fact, we heard it rather than felt it. It’s not common to have these here, so everyone is in a tizzy around town. But really, I don’t think there was any damage at all! I hope you all had a good weekend — it was nothing particularly special here, but nothing awful either. I finally spent some money on some things we really needed — new nonstick pans and a BIG cutting board. Not exciting, but they’ll make life easier! Have a great week, okay?

TBR SPOTLIGHT

This has been sitting on my Kindle and TBR shelf for who knows how long. I haven’t read anything by Seanan McGuire yet, but I’ve heard she is a phenomenal author. I do follow her on Twitter, too! Have you read this one before?

MIDDLEGAME BY SEANAN MCGUIRE

New York Times bestselling and Alex, Nebula, and Hugo-Award-winning author Seanan McGuire introduces readers to a world of amoral alchemy, shadowy organizations, and impossible cities in this standalone fantasy.

Meet Roger. Skilled with words, languages come easily to him. He instinctively understands how the world works through the power of story.

Meet Dodger, his twin. Numbers are her world, her obsession, her everything. All she understands, she does so through the power of math.

Roger and Dodger aren’t exactly human, though they don’t realise it. They aren’t exactly gods, either. Not entirely. Not yet.

Meet Reed, skilled in the alchemical arts like his progenitor before him. Reed created Dodger and her brother. He’s not their father. Not quite. But he has a plan: to raise the twins to the highest power, to ascend with them and claim their authority as his own.

Godhood is attainable. Pray it isn’t attained.

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – JANUARY 30

Good morning, friends. Life is sadly back to normal now — my family made it home safe last night, and our house is back to being our little quiet get away. I loved having my family around, but it will be nice to get everyone back into our normal routine. I hope you had a fantastic weekend! It’s supposed to be very cold here this week, so I’m ready to bundle up! Here’s to a good week for all of us. Happy reading, folks.

I asked my Twitter friends for recommendations for fantasy romances a week or so ago, and my friend Chicklette told me I needed to read Strange the Dreamer! It sounds super interesting, and like something I might like. So here it is, slapped right onto my TBR.

STRANGE THE DREAMER BY LAINI TAYLOR

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – JANUARY 16

Morning, friends! I hope you had an excellent weekend, and are now ready to start a fresh week! Our weekend was just dandy — the kiddo behaved excellently and we had a fun time chasing him around the house and taking him to Barnes and Noble for fun. (He got a new book out of the deal, so he was more than happy!) My family is finally coming up towards the end of week! I’m so excited for them to see the kiddo, and all the progress we’ve made on our house. (Thought we HAVE had some bad news on that front, but I won’t get into it right now. It just stresses me out.) Anyway — here’s to a new week, and may it be a great one for all of us. Happy reading!

This is another one I saw on someone else’s blog as a eagerly awaited book! This comes out in May, and I will be waiting as patiently as I can. I’m a huge sucker for anything related to the Arthurian legend, so I’m all for this!

THE CLEAVING BY JULIET E MCKENNA

Four women, four destinies – the future of King Arthur’s court…

A new, feminist retelling of the Arthurian legends

The Cleaving is an Arthurian retelling that follows the tangled stories of four women: Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere, as they fight to control their own destinies amid the wars and rivalries that will determine the destiny of Britain.

The legendary epics of King Arthur and Camelot don’t tell the whole story. Chroniclers say Arthur’s mother Ygraine married the man that killed her husband. They say that Arthur’s half-sister Morgana turned to dark magic to defy him and Merlin. They say that the enchantress Nimue challenged Merlin and used her magic to outwit him. And that Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere ended in adultery, rebellion and bloodshed. So why did these women chose such dangerous paths?

As warfare and rivalries constantly challenge the king, Arthur and Merlin believe these women are destined to serve Camelot by doing as they are told. But men forget that women talk. Ygraine, Nimue, Morgana and Guinevere become friends and allies while the decisions that shape their lives are taken out of their hands. This is their untold story. Now these women have a voice.

Juliet McKenna is an expert on medieval history and warfare and brings this expertise as well as her skills as a fantasy writer to this epic standalone novel.

Have a wonderful week!

MONDAY MORNING – JANUARY 9

Gooooood morning, my dears. It’s Monday again, and wow did that weekend just FLY by. Seriously, I don’t think I got to sit down for more than three minutes either day. Raising a toddler is hard work, friends. Ours doesn’t stop moving until he’s forced, and then he basically falls asleep while you’re trying to get him to eat lunch. But he’s so much fun, and loves to stop playing to come give you kisses or hugs. The snuggles are worth it. Despite never stopping, we really didn’t do much this weekend. We went to Barnes and Noble, and then Target to look for a particular board game, but neither place had it, and munchkin literally would not stop running around at full speed. Adorable, but exhausting.

I hope your week will be a great one!

Last week on Twitter, I asked for recommendations for my theme list for the Scavenger Hunt this year. Someone recommended Echo North to me to fit the Merlin-esque character slot. I had never heard of it before, but it sounds right up my alley. It looks like it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I’m a sucker for those. Who else wanted to be Belle when they were little just so you could have that library????

ECHO NORTH BY JOANNA RUTH MEYER

Echo Alkaev’s safe and carefully structured world falls apart when her father leaves for the city and mysteriously disappears. Believing he is lost forever, Echo is shocked to find him half-frozen in the winter forest six months later, guarded by a strange talking wolf—the same creature who attacked her as a child. The wolf presents Echo with an ultimatum: If she lives with him for one year, he will ensure her father makes it home safely. But there is more to the wolf than Echo realizes.

In his enchanted house beneath a mountain, each room must be sewn together to keep the home from unraveling, and something new and dark and strange lies behind every door. When centuries-old secrets unfold, Echo discovers a magical library full of books-turned-mirrors, and a young man named Hal who is trapped inside of them. As the year ticks by, the rooms begin to disappear, and Echo must solve the mystery of the wolf’s enchantment before her time is up, otherwise Echo, the wolf, and Hal will be lost forever.

Have a wonderful week!