New Release Book Review: Everything That Kills Me by Barbara Elsborg

Another fabulous read by Barbara Elsborg, she is firmly in my favourite author category.

In Everything That Kills Me, I was taken on an emotional journey that covered around a decade of Jack and Zeph’s lives and their hard-won relationship.

My heart broke for both of these young men throughout this story, but I never gave up hoping they would get their happy ever after despite the barriers that kept them apart.

I’m glad I got the backstory of each of the MCs, as upsetting as some of it was, it was essential to understanding the journey their lives took.

Starting at age 16, seeing the way Zeph was treated by his family and by the kids at school made my heart ache for him, and I felt anger and dislike for his family; no family should treat their children or siblings the way they did. Meeting Jack at school and their short but deep connection is the catalyst for change he needs, even though it brings heartbreak on more than one occasion over the subsequent years.

My heart also went out to Jack, who at 6 was saved from a house fire and taken in by Thomas and trained to be an assassin, something he didn’t fully understand when he was given the choice at such a young age and something he eventually takes for granted as his future, until he meets Zeph and his view of the world, his life and his future are changed.

An emotional read full of ups and downs and doubts, and hopes, it doesn’t shy away from some of the darker aspects of life.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase link

About the book

Two boys. One deadly secret. A love worth risking everything for.

Rescued from a raging inferno as a young child, Jack is homeschooled in more than English and maths. His saviour is training him to be an assassin. But when Jack is compelled to attend an ordinary school, in an ordinary English town, his carefully controlled life unravels.

Zeph, brilliant, passionate and determined, has his eyes set on Cambridge and a future in intelligence. He has no time for distractions, at least, not until Jack turns up at his school. He’s everything Zeph has secretly longed for but he has no idea his life will never be the same again.

As boys turn into men, the cost of their connection becomes clear. Jack’s secrets are dangerous, and each time he sees Zeph, the more the two of them are at risk. Jack knows he should walk away and not look back. Is a happy-ever-after possible when his life is full of secrets and lies, disappearances and deception?

But some things are meant to be.

Warning
Violence – this is about an assassin after all!
None of the following are major themes but occur in the cruelty to a child, bullying, homophobic and transphobic remarks, cancer, brief mention of eating disorder, brief mention of suicide, gambling, death of parents.

New Release Promo Blitz: Kael by Becca Seymour

In a realm ruled by power and prophecy, love isn’t just messy. It’s world-altering.

𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒑𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉? 𝑫𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚
𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆.

💙💙💙

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Kael (Monsters & Mates #2) by Becca Seymour is live!

📖 getbook.at/Kael

⭐ #FREE to #Download in KU! ⭐

Prepare for a monster-filled romantic fantasy packed with portal-hopping, fated mates, and the kind of enemies-to-lovers tension that comes with forced proximity and clashing personalities. Expect “mine” vibes, hurt/comfort twists, alpha-level danger, and a spark-filled collision between sharp-witted sass and broody, battle-hardened muscle.

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Connect with Becca ➤
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@gay.romance.reviews @gayromancereviews.bsky.social

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

First seen over on Book’d Out, I’m going to try to do this post regularly, linking to It’s Monday! What are you reading? at BookDate.

Last Tuesday evening I went to local author Holden Sheppard’s launch of his new novel King of Dirt. I’ve loved his previous two with Invisible Boys recently being made into a TV series which was nearly as good as the book.

Holden read a few pages of his novel and it made us wish he’d narrated the book himself. I’ve started reading it and it’s so good, very Australian.

A gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story set in the world of FIFO workers and tradies in Western Australia, from the author of the bestselling Invisible Boys.

I have still been working through my #100dayproject of doing something small each day, I’ve mainly been doing small watercolour pictures. I started a new painting last week (the sunset), getting back into using my pastels. And I’ve added two paintings that came in in my memories last week, (the Ringneck Parrot and the Star Wars paintings).

So, onto my reading and listening for last week.

I read Straight Crush by Devon Doe which I really enjoyed, I chose it as part of the Prideoploly challenge I was trying to do. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I finished listening to Network Effect (#5) and Fugitive Telemetry (#6) in the Murderbot Diaries series, I have really enjoyed this series and I’ll be sad when I finish the last book.

I finally finished Love Beneath the Guillotine by WH Lockwood ARC), this was a long book and the first half didn’t really grab me, but I really enjoyed the second half so I’m glad I persevered. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡ I’ll write my review up later this week.

I finished listening to Tough Luck by Annabeth Albert, which was ok, not my favourite of this authors books and not my favourite narrator. ⭐⭐⭐⚡

I finished Desperately Delicate Viper( Mafia Bound #4) by KM Neuhold (ARC) which I thoroughly enjoyed. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡ I’ll write my review later this week.

And I finished the final book (which is sad) in the SOS Hotel series; End of the Road by Adam Vex (Ariana Nash), this has been such a fun series, I read the first 6 books in one long weekend, it’s sad to say goodbye to these crazy characters. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This week I am reading/listening to

I’m just about finished listening to System Collapse by Martha Wells, the last book in the Murderbot Diaries.

After that I planned to listen to Green Dot by Madeleine Grey and I still might, but another book arrived in my BorrowBox app so I might listen to that first.

I’m reading Tall, Dark and Ginger by Mia Monroe (Last Call #4) (ARC)

I’m still going with Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin (ARC), it’s really good so far, the past timeline has me on edge because you know something very bad is going to happen.

I didn’t finish Love Is For All Of Us (ARC) like I had hoped but I’ll aim to pick it up this week.

I started A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers and did not want to put it down, but decided I needed to prioritise a little and read a couple of ARCs first, but I’m dying to pick it back up.

I’ve started King of Dirt by Holden Sheppard and once again I didn’t want to put it down, but, prioritising.

And lastly I hope to start my ARC of Kael by Becca Seymore (Monsters and Mates #2)

So, a pretty big week last week and this week. What did you read? I’d love to hear about anything in the comments.

Until next time, happy reading.

#6Degrees of Seperation – June 2025

This is a monthly link-up hosted by KateW at Books Are My Favourite and Best. Each month a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six other books to form a chain. A book doesn’t need to be connected to all the other books on the list, only to the one next to it in the chain. The rules are:

Link the books together in any way you like.
Provide a link in your post to the meme at Books Are My Favourite and Best.
Share these rules in your post.
Paste the link to your post in the comments on Kate’s post and/or the Linky Tool on that post.
Invite your blog readers to join in and paste their links in the comments and/or the Linky Tool.
Share your post on Twitter using the #6Degrees hashtag.
Be nice! Visit and comment on other posts and/or retweet other #6Degrees posts

This month, we begin with All Fours by Miranda July.

An irreverently sexy, tender, hilarious, and surprising novel about a woman upending her life. All Fours tells the story of one woman’s quest for a new kind of freedom. Part absurd entertainment, part tender reinvention of the sexual, romantic, and domestic life of a forty-five-year-old female artist, All Fours transcends expectation while excavating our beliefs about life lived as a woman. Once again, July hijacks the familiar and turns it into something new and thrillingly, profoundly alive.

I haven’t read All Fours, but reading the blurb, there were a few different ways I could go. In the end, I decided to go with the theme of discovering yourself, which my next book, Eva Reddy’s Trip of a Lifetime by Fiona McKenzie Kekic (an upcoming release), fits well with. This witty novel about coming of (middle) age and discovering that you don’t have to be who you’ve become. Witty, warm and acutely observed – a book club book from an extraordinary new Australian voice about taking life, and adventure, by the horns. A funny, defiant shout into the face of society’s expectations around ageing.

This leads to my next choice, a book I have on my TBR list, A Life Impossible by Matt Haig, a story of a woman in her 70s who, in searching for answers about her friend’s death, discovers more about life and herself. Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.

My next link is the word Impossible, with yet another book on my TBR list (it’s an unending list). This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagnann. Taking refuge on a remote island, a grieving woman develops unlikely connections with the community and the wild in this haunting novel of hope and perseverance. On this doomed island haunted by echoes of the departed, Alma searches for meaning in her future—and dares to discover the power of hope among the living.

It sounds like they might actually be linked by more than just the word impossible, with both having magical realism and finding meaning in their future as part of their stories.

My fourth book is linked by the title and the magical realism, and is one of my favourite novels (my review), even if I did cry through nearly half the book. A Lifetime of Impossible Days by Tabitha Bird, meet Willa Waters, aged 8 . . . 33 . . . and 93. On one impossible day in 1965, eight-year-old Willa receives a mysterious box containing a jar of water and the ‘One plant in the backyard.’ So she does – and somehow creates an extraordinary time slip that allows her to visit her future selves. ‘An uplifting story about the power of forgiveness, the ability to heal and the magical idea of being able to travel back in time to fix a broken future.’ Good Reading Magazine’

My fifth book is The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow, which is linked by magical realism and the Doors, which allow January to slip through time and discover the truth about her past. I enjoyed this novel, though it took a while to get into and required a bit of concentration, my review.

My final linking is Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker, a spectacularly genre-bending retelling of Romeo & Juliet, asking the big questions about true love, fate, and time travel. I loved this novel, my review

I hope you enjoyed this month’s chain. I enjoyed making it. Have you read any of these novels, or do you find any of them interesting? I look forward to checking out everyone else’s.

Next month (July 5, 2025), we’ll start with the 2025 Stella Prize winner, Michelle de Kretser’s work of autofiction, Theory & Practice.

Until next time, happy reading.

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

First seen over on Book’d Out, I’m going to try to do this post regularly, linking to It’s Monday! What are you reading? at BookDate.

I had a good week of reading last week, well I should say a good week of audiobooks as I only finished reading 1 novel and that I read over 2 days unable to put it down.

It’s Pride month in June and I’m joining in the Prideoploly reading challenge which will be fun, I’m hoping the library get’s my first read in soon or I might have to roll the dice and come back to that one. Here’s the link for the details if you’d like to join in – Prideopoly

I’m still doing my #100dayproject posts on instagram which you can check out here yesterday was day 82 and since it was the start of Pride my painting reflected that.

I also received some #bookmail I’ve been waiting for which arrived on Friday, it’s a gorgeous Little Golden Book celebrating Pride.

So, onto what I’ve been listening to and what I read last week. I’m really getting into sci-fi at the moment, which is a nice change, I used to read it years ago so it’s nice to return to it especially with the great books I’ve read this week.

I finally finished my book club read Someone Else’s Bucket List by Amy Matthews, it was okay, it had some good bits and some not so good bits, the majority of the book club agreed it was good but nothing special while two of the girls loved it.

I am still listening to the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells and finished books 3 & 4 last week Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy. Rogue Protocol was ok, but I really enjoyed Exit Strategy and my wait for the next books to be available on the library app is over so I have 5, 6 & 7 out which should keep me entertained for the next fortnight. This is a series that does have to be read in order.

I’ve found a new favourite author, I can’t remember whose blog I first saw A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers on but I thank them for it because I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and it’s sequel A Prayer for the Crown-Shy. These gave me plenty to think about and were both 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads.

I ordered The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers from the library and picked it up on Friday while I was there with my client, I finished it late Saturday. It was so good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, I was actually upset to say goodbye to the crew of the Wayfarer because I came to love them all. I’ve ordered the next book A Closed and Common Orbit and it’s waiting for me to pick it up when I go again on Friday. I’m tempted to pick it up after work tomorrow, but I really need to finish a couple of review books.

Lastly I listened to a review copy of Tattooed Heart by Elamy Pride, it was a second chance romance between an established couple, it was ok, I wasn’t a fan of the narrator though he did a good job, I just didn’t gel with his voice.

This week I am currently reading/listening to

I am at 62% in Love Beneath the Guillotine by W.H Lockwood, it took me quite a while to get into so I kept putting it down and listening to an audiobook. I’m on a roll now though and will finish it within the next day or so. It’s a long book at 535 pages.

I am disappointed in myself for not finishing Love is For All of Us, the poetry anthology but I WILL finish it this week too.

I am reading Melaleuca a new crime novel by a debut author Angie Faye Martin and it’s really good so far.

I’ve got an hour left to listen to Tough Luck by Annabeth Albert, I usually really enjoy her books, but this one is just ok.

I’ve already started listening to Network Effect by Martha Wells (#5 Murderbot Diaries) this one is more than 3 times the length of the previous books so it’ll get me through this weeks driving.

I’m reading the final book (#10) in the SOS Hotel series, End of the Road by Adam Vex (Ariana Nash), it is going to be sad to say goodbye to Adam, Zee and Victor.

I’ll be starting my ARC of Desperately Delicate Viper by K.M Neuhold (Mafia Bound #4)

And as soon Is I pick it up at the library I’ll be starting A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (Wayfarers #2) and ordering in Book 3.

So, that’s me for this Monday. Have you read any of these? What have you been reading? I’d love to know in the comments.

Until next time, happy reading.

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

First seen over on Book’d Out, I will try to do this post regularly, linking to It’s Monday! What are you reading? at BookDate.

I went to a life drawing class with a friend on Sunday, it was only my second one, but I’ve definitely improved since last year’s class despite not having any practice.

I don’t watch much (any TV) but do occasionally go and see a movie. Today, my disability client wanted to go and see Lilo and Stitch, which I didn’t have very high expectations for, but it turned out to be really good and gave me plenty of laughs.

I had an excellent reading and listening week last week. I managed to catch up on a couple of books that have been on my bookshelf for at least a year, and a library book I’ve had out for a couple of months, they were all 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads.

The Sinner’s Penance by K.C. Carmine was an audiobook. I read the book 2 years ago and really enjoyed it, so when I was asked if I wanted a copy of the audiobook to review, I jumped at it. It was just as enjoyable as when I read it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡

As the River Rises by Fiona McArthur has been on my shelf for maybe 2 years, and after meeting Fiona at the book event the following week, I decided it was time to dust it off and read it. It was so good! I’ll type up my review this week (I hope) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magic and Other Mishaps by TJ Nichols (book #2 Mytho Collapse) (ARC) is another good addition to this spinoff series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Back to Birdville by Fiona McArthur was another fabulous read, and I can’t believe it’s taken me nearly a year to read this. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks is one of the library books I got out of the library a couple of months ago after seeing the author talk at the Festival of Fiction last year, I have another one of her books on my shelf that I bought a couple of years ago and after reading this great junior fiction novel I’ll be getting to it sooner rather than later. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells was the second audiobook in the Murderbot series, and each one is only around 3.5 hours long. I wasn’t sure after book 1, but after book 2, I definitely want to keep listening. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Blame Game by Brigham Vaughn (Relationship Goals #5) is another book I read a while ago that I loved, and I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook to review, so I jumped at it. I did have to up the speed to x1.1 just because the narrator seemed to pause for a long time between sentences, and just that tiny tweak made it perfect. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My review

This week I am reading several ARCs and finishing off my bookclub book for Wednesday’s catch-up.

Someone Else’s Bucketlist by Amy Matthews is my bookclub read, I’m listening to the audiobook, finally and have nearly finished it, I’ll have it finished by the time I go to bookclub Wednesday evening.

Love Beneath the Guillotine by WH Lockwood (ARC)

Love Is For All Of Us I am once again hoping to finish this poetry anthology this week. (ARC)

Where the Birds Call Her Name by Claire Van Ryn (ARC)

Not Alone by Christie Gordon (ARC) I’m not sure I will finish this at the moment because it isn’t working for me, I’ll give it a bit more of a go before I say no.

Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin (ARC) this is a crime novel by a new Australian author and it sounds really good.

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot #3) Audiobook

So, it was a good week. How did yours go? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Until next time, happy reading.

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

First seen over on Book’d Out, I’m going to try to do this post regularly, linking to It’s Monday! What are you reading? at BookDate.

This past weekend there was a book retreat on in Perth, the Rachael Johns Book club Retreat. I couldn’t afford to go but for Christmas my mum bought my sister and I tickets to the dinner. We had some blogger friends coming over from Victoria and there were a few authors I really wanted to meet. I was great catching up with the guys (Phil and Craig) from HappyValley BooksRead as well as another blogger friend I haven’t seen for ages Mrs B. And meeting Penelope Janu, Fiona McArthur and Barbara Hannay as well as meeting two new lovely authors Deb Jordan and Nadia Mahjouri.

Myself, Phil, Fiona McArthur, Craig and my sister Sarah.

Myself, Penelope Janu, Sarah, Phil, Barbara Hannay and Craig.

I had a pretty good week last week.

I finished Voyager by Diana Gabaldon and am waitlisted for Drums of Autumn which is 45 hours long, but there’s a 10 week wait at the moment.

I listened to All Systems Red by Martha Wells book 1 in the Murderbot series which I keep hearing about as it’s been made into a TV show on Apple TV. It is only a short listen around 3 hours and I have the second audiobook out now.

I read My Demon Roommates by Stella Rainbow, a MMMM poly romance which was super sweet with no angst.

I read an ARC of Glitter by Kayla Halleur, and MM romance, this was my first read by this new Australian author and I really enjoyed it. My review

I listened to Anna O by Matthew Blake, I received an ARC of this to read a couple of years ago but the file wasn’t compatible with my tablet. I’ll write up my review on Friday. The full cast of narrators were very good and I enjoyed the book, the ending I’m still unsure about and want to relisten to the last chapter before I send the audiobook back. It was very twisty at the end.

This week I am currently reading/listening to

I’m listening to The Sinners Penance by K.C Carmine, an MM romance, I read this a while ago and loved it so when I was offered an audio ARC I said yes please.

I’m reading an ARC Magic and Other Mishaps by TJ Nichols, book 2 in the Mytho Collapse series, a MM fantasy romance.

After finally meeting Fiona McArthur I realised I had two unread novels of hers on my bookshelf so I decided to rectify that and I’m already 2/3 through As the River Rises after starting it last night. Then I’ll read Back to Birdsville.

I’m still reading the poetry anthology Love is For All of Us, I hope to finish it this week.

I will hopefully pick up Not Alone by Christie Gordon again and get it finished, I wasn’t loving it so put it aside, but it’s an ARC so I want to finish.

I will start my ARC of Love Beneath the Guillotine by WH Lockwood an historical MM romance.

I’d like to get stuck into Where the Birds Call Her Name by Claire Van Ryn

And I need to get started on listening to a Someone Else’s Bucket List by Amy Matthews as this is my book club read for next Wednesday.

In my arting life, my art teacher has been unwell for a few months so I’ve just been doing a small watercolour painting a day for the past 73 days. But a friend is going to get online with me at the time I’d normally have my lesson so I can start a new pastel piece, my ADD brain needs a body double to ensure I do some work.

I’m also doing a life drawing class this Sunday, I did one last year and it was fun, hard though so I’m looking forward to building my skills a little.

I’ve also written a few poems which I’ll share in another post soon.

How was your week of reading? Have you read any of these? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Until next time, happy reading.

Book Review: The Jam Maker by Mary-Lou Stephens

The Jam Maker was a mixed bag for me. I started this back in January and while I found it interesting; the time, the place and the people, I couldn’t connect to the characters and found it an effort to want to keep reading. I got to 50% and decided to put it aside for a while and come back to it.

I picked it up again last week determined to finish it. At about 60%, I started to engage, and at 70%, I didn’t want to put it down and stayed up until midnight to finish it. It’s a shame that it took until the 60% mark for me to ‘feel’ something for the characters and their plight.

Harriet was a very strong woman, but it took the support of her found family of two other strong women Ruth and Nelly to get through all life threw at them.

It was interesting to learn about the history of jam and the IXL company, I remember eating IXL jam whose name came from Henry Jones’ need to make a mark on the world hence “I excel” becoming IXL.

So much happened to Harriet and Henry from when we meet them in 1874 as children in the jam factory pasting labels and becoming fast friends, until we say goodbye to them in 1926. While Henry went from success to success, Harriet struggled through, at times barely managing. Henry and his wife Alice, another strong woman who really epitomises the saying ‘behind every successful man is a strong woman’ held strong to Henry’s friendship with Harriet and gave her opportunities to succeed and survive. It was interesting, the contrast between the two, the way their lives both diverged and merged, one wanting fame, fortune and money, the other wanting to succeed for herself and her family while doing something she loved.

I ultimately ended up enjoying this novel despite my shaky start with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel.

About the book

Jam is sweet but it can also burn.

Tasmania, 1874. Growing up in the impoverished tenements along the Hobart Rivulet, Harriet Brown is used to doing whatever it takes to survive. Including, at just twelve years old, shearing off her hair and pretending to be a boy to secure a job as label-paster at the George Peacock and Sons jam factory.

Four years later, the deceit becomes too much to bear and Harriet risks everything on the chance at a future with her ambitious friend and workmate Henry Jones. But this decision forces her into a new deception: play the role of expert jam maker, or else be cast out onto the streets.

As the secrets and lies grow, Harriet is driven to more and more desperate choices. Choices that will end with a dangerous secret which, if discovered, could destroy not only her life but the lives of those she loves and protects.

Intertwined with the fascinating history of the Tasmanian jam industry and the striking historical figure Henry Jones, The Jam Maker is a tale of danger, deceit and the desperate measures one woman will take to succeed in love and life.

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

First seen over on Book’d Out, I’m going to try to do this post regularly, linking to It’s Monday! What are you reading? at BookDate.

I only read two books the previous week, so I decided to wait and post my fortnight’s reading. I’m still listening to Voyager by Diana Gabaldon. It’s 43 hours long, and while I’ve surprised myself and nearly finished it, I’ve got 3.5 hours to go, which means I will finish it before it’s due back on Wednesday.

Last weekend, a friend and I attended a big book event in Perth, Wild Out West, for romance authors and readers organised by two West Australian authors, Louisa West and Julie Weaver. I won VIP tickets and got to stay overnight at the hotel, enjoy the Saturday evening fun event, the full day of meeting authors on Sunday, buying their books and getting them signed and a lovely 3-course dinner. It was a great weekend, and they are already planning next year’s event due to the success of this year’s. Expressions of interest for authors and vendors for next year’s event are open now

Books I have read/listened to this last fortnight

Cost of Redemption by Hayden Hall – MM Romance – ARC ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – My Review

Love in Spades by Charlie Cochet – MM Romance ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Legend Next Door by Jesse H Reign – MM Romance – ARC ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – My Review

The Accidental Summoning by Addison Acres – MM Romance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡ – I bought this at Wild Out West and found it a really fun read.

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson – Memoir LGBTQIA+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I read this as part of the Trans readathon. It was an interesting read, one in dipped in and out of. I think learning from others’ experiences, especially those that are so different to your own, is a vital part of life if we want more tolerance and connection with people. I am very glad George has told their story and I hope it helps not only the black youth to know they aren’t alone but all youth, as well as teaching others what is is like to grow up black and queer in the hope the world moves forward being more open and tolerant of people from all walks of life.

A Hawk’s Soft Embrace by Odessa Hywell – LGBT, Omegaverse, Taboo – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas – YA, LGBT, Trans rep, fantasy – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I borrowed this from the library after seeing lots of posts about it earlier in the year, and I read it in two days. I loved it, it was something really different and I was up until midnight finishing it on Friday night. Book 2 is releasing in September, so I can’t wait for that.

Asher’s Answer (Littles and Lace #10) by Anna Sparrows – audiobook) – LGBT, daddy/little kink ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – this was a quick listen to have a break from Voyager, Littles, if you know about this kink isn’t one of my favourites, but I am always open to learning about other people’s experiences.

The Jam Maker by Mary-Lou Stephens – historical fiction – ARC – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I am so glad to have finally finished this novel. I started it way back in January, and I really wasn’t connecting to it. At about the 50% mark, I put it down for a while. On Friday, I picked it up again, determined to start finishing some of my overdue ARCs. At about 60%, I started to engage, and at 70%, I didn’t want to put it down; this was another midnight finish on Saturday night. I’ll post my review on Friday.

This week, I am reading/listening to

My Demon Roommates (Demon Debacles #1) by Stella Rainbow – LGBT, MMMM Romance

Not Alone (The Swarm #1) by Christie Gordon – MM Rockstar Romance – ARC

Love Is for All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging from the LGBTQ+ Community and Friends by James Crews (Editor), Brad Peacock (editor), Lisa Congdon (illustrator) (ARC) Poetry

Where the Birds Call Her Name by Claire Van Ryn – Historical/contemporary fiction – ARC – I started this a while ago, but wasn’t in the right mood. I am hoping to really get stuck into this this week.

Anna O by Matthew Blake – Audiobook – Thriller – I am going to give this a go, I received the ARC a couple of years ago, unfortunately, the file wasn’t compatible with my tablet, so I was unable to access it to read. I figured once I finish Voyager, I might give listening to it a go.

Well, my second week was definitely more productive than my first. Hopefully, I can get some books finished this week. I am struggling with Not Alone at the moment, but I will persevere; I may read one or two in between, though.

Until next time, happy reading.

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors in my state

I saw this post on Portobello Book Blog and thought I might join in too, when I can anyway so maybe not every week but we will see.

Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post. Add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s post so that everyone can check out other bloggers’ lists. Or if you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

This week’s topics is authors from your country/state. I’m choosing to go with my state which is Western Australia. Even cutting it down to my state it was still ridiculously hard to pick 10. I ended up just going with the first ones that popped into my head.

So Ten authors from Western Australia that I have read and enjoyed.

This is by no means an extensive list because in WA alone we have so many fabulous authors, I could have easily made this 20 or 30 without even thinking too much.

In writing this list it did make me realise how few male authors I read and I’d like to change that this year. I am endeavouring to write a list of male authors from WA but so far including the three on here I’m only up to 8. If you know of any let me know in the comments.

Have you read any books by these authors? I think between them they cover just about every genre except maybe nonfiction.

Until next time, happy reading.