Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins (Short Stories) Wish I could find Aurora and Evie art.
I was just thinking about how I am smitten with Aurora and Evie from Aurora’s Angel and then I remembered the last book crush I had before them and then the one before that and it occurred to me that I have a type. I guess I should have realized that a while ago, and maybe everyone does, but since it just came to me, I thought I’d share.
• Mental fortitude • Emotional vulnerability • Physical strength/skill • Personal moral code • Intelligence • Sapphic, of course • Physical beauty, which may be unconventional, as it is subjective • Soft features
Do you have a book crush type? Tell me in the comments, and who’s your current crush?
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I know the year isn’t quite over yet and I am actually going to be reading a couple more books before the end, but I am so blown away by my last read that I have decided to commit to it being my favorite for the entire year. In fact, I am ready to say this is my all-time favorite book.
I had Aurora’s Angel on my TBR list for a while and just never got around to it until last week. I am sorry I waited so long. It is brilliant! I cannot stop gushing over it. It is author Emily Noon’s debut novel and that is amazing. I have a massive book hangover and I am rereading several parts and blogging about it to help process all the feels.
Aurora’s Angel is a brilliant epic love story set in a fantasy world ripe with all manner of beasts, shifters, and humans precariously coexisting amidst ancient magic and primal instincts. The main characters are beautifully drawn with distinct but equally bad-ass personalities. They have hearts of gold, and they love and fight hard through their respective adversities. They journey across a physical landscape that can be treacherous, both from difficult terrain and a variety of dangerous foes. They discover themselves and each other on their way to their physical and metaphorical homes. I am blown away at this being Emily Noon’s debut novel. It is so well thought out with strong character development, (including the supporting characters) world-building, and lore. The writing style makes this world and these characters real and approachable. I am so in love with Aurora and Evie and their adventures. There are dark elements that may be difficult, but they are not for naught. Aurora has a tragic backstory and Evie is facing a betrayal. These are important challenges to their shared and individual journeys. Their dialogue is fantastic. Their fierce love for one another is fire. Their intimate scenes are spicey and beautiful. The mix of human characteristics and animal instincts are mingled in a fascinating amalgam. I am hungry for more of Aurora and Evie’s world and as soon as I finished reading the eBook, I purchased the hardcopy for my library. There are very few typos and a need for more commas. This story was so immersive, I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this 5-star read!
As soon as I finished reading this in ebook form, I ordered the hard copy for my library. This beauty arrived today!
I had a really good year for reading and so a difficult time composing this list. Originally, I was going to make it a top 5 list, but I couldn’t leave some of my other favorites out. Even still, I want to add an honorable mentions, but I am just going to stop now before I get carried away. All of the books on my list are sapphic but are from a variety of genres, from Italian mafia to wolf shifters to horror to pirates, and fantasy, of course. Most are 5 stars from me, and the last few are 4. I linked them for easy access. Let me know in the comments if you decide to give any of them a try. I’d love to hear what you think.
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
I recently completed a painted rock set of three characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. I was very happy with the way they turned out. Pleasantly surprised was more like it. I’m never really sure if what I plan to do will materialize. The set includes Jack Skellington, Sally Shock, and Oogie Boogie.
The only set I’ve ever painted was of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
I was excited to create some painted rocks with the new supplies I got last month. Turns out after trying three different sets, I finally found a quality set of acrylic markers I can call my favorite. I also, was able to get a set of smooth river stones for a nice change.
Here are some others I painted with these markers over the last month.
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
In case anyone is interested in this particular mental health challenge and a couple of good books…
I just started reading a new book and I realized that it is the second one in a row that has a main character managing panic attacks after the loss of loved one(s). I thought I should mention them in case anyone is interested in this particular mental health challenge. Both books have main characters that use tarot cards as well, in case that’s your thing (may or may not be relevant). Both books are very good at addressing ways of grounding oneself to stave off the oncoming panic attacks. I appreciate the gentle way the issue has been handled in both stories. It should be noted that both books are sapphic fiction (my favorite genre).
A little late-night reading with the feline.
Yes, I actually purchased the hardback version.
The second book is called Stars Still Fall by Jules Kelley. I have just started this one, so far so good but no review yet. It will be up on Goodreads and Amazon when I finish.
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
The seasons changed,
And so did our love.
The fleeting, flitting, fickle first feelings of false spring before the second coming of winter floated on the breeze…
Gently, quietly, barely noticed, they swirled with the undercurrent of something more.
A sudden, not-so-unsuspected cold snap pressed hard against the uncertainty of emotion yet undefined.
Brief as it was, it revealed a blossoming warmth that gave hope for coming growth.
The green bud pushed forth, struggling against natural and unnatural adversities.
Cathartic sunbathing in blissful awakening, two hearts bound by evergreen boughs, transformed yet familiar…
Bloom in extant, stronger, and more reverent for their trials.
– Written for Rattle.com’s January Ekphrastic Challenge.
A life before blue eyes Saw darkness even in daytime skies Urgency in every sip Slip of the tongue on many lips Chasing the trip Down hazy paths It didn’t add up But, who’s got time for math?
A life before blue eyes Saw self-deluding Illusions painted with booze And rouge And loathing I broke my own heart Time and again Exposing weakness on every sleeve
A life before blue eyes Was no life At first hard to believe Blue eyes saw a reprieve No lies, no trying to deceive Blue eyes saw me
A life before blue eyes Was a different life indeed
The prompt was “a life before blue eyes” from Maria Giesbrecht @theguelphpoet & @campfirepoets on Instagram on November 1. November prompts: Confessions.
A swing and a miss
I’m sorry miss
I took my chance
Though there was no chance
Perhaps in another life
We could’ve made a life
Together
Whatever
Did I mention
I babble when I’m nervous?
Are you going to eat that
Chicken wing?
– Written for dVerse Quadrille #164, prompt was “wing.” WC 44.
Leara writes and other creative things... 