What I'm Reading: Storybook Christmas (Terra Weiss)

I know, it's just October; so why am I reading Christmas books, right? Well, usually at this time of year I'm elbows deep in a Christmas WIP and it helps keep me in the right frame of mind if it's December in my reading worlds, as well. Real life can be very disconcerting, at times. 

Anyway, this was a cute book. Predictable in all the usual Christmas RomCom ways--which isn't a criticism, btw. Low angst--also not a criticism. And I loved the setting (inside a publishing company) and that both h/h were editors! That was different and fun and dear to my heart. Although I think it has to be said: those competing children's book they're both working on? They sound HORRIBLE. 

Storybook Christmas
Terra Weiss

https://www.terraweiss.com/storybook-christmas

The scorching hot stripper is my new co-worker? Yes, I drooled over Finn Hayes last weekend as he gyrated in a sparkly fuchsia thong. So what? 

But Lacy Callahan, the unflappable career woman, does not let her hair down, does not blab her secrets, and certainly does not try to kiss a stripper! Except last weekend. I flapped.

And now, I have to make senior editor at Sutton & Sutton Publishing by getting my author's children's Christmas novel on bookshelves everywhere. It's also how I plan to rekindle the spark between me and my ex, Joshua, who just got promoted at Sutton.​

My roadblock? Finn, who came up with a concept for a competing children's Christmas novel. Unfortunately, he's witty, quirky, and brings me chip-infused sandwiches. It's too bad I have to crush him.

And what's he hiding? Why is he editing by day and stripping by night?

Mug Shot: Banned Books Mug

 

So, it's banned book week. Hence the mug of the week. Obviously, as an author, I'm completely opposed to banning books. I'm old enough to remember when writing and publishing erotica was a criminal offense. And I was just coming of age when Miller V California came into effect. 

So yeah, banning books is bad. Free speech and freedom of the press are NECESSARY to human rights.  People need to get a life and start minding their own businesses. 

The theme of this year's event is, "Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights." Which...yeah. I wholeheartedly agree with. Books like 1984 and A Handmaid's Tale were meant as warnings, y'all; not instruction manuals. Get a clue!

https://pen.org/banned-books-list-2025/

What I'm Reading: Operation Glass Slipper (Linda Mooney)

I don't know how anyone could not love this series. It's the most amazing, tongue-in-cheek, hilarious mashup of classic noir detective fiction with Stephen Sondheim-esque fairy tales. They're clever and entertaining and nothing you're expecting. And the covers! OMG, I love the covers.

Operation Glass Slipper
Noir Fairy Tales Book 5

Linda Mooney

https://lindamooney.com/Noir.htm

Marybeth Cendrillon works her life away at her family’s bakery, but two nights a week she gets to be someone else. If her malicious stepmother and stepsisters knew about her other persona, she’d be locked in the attic for good. She lives for the nights when she can transform into Cindra, sultry songstress at Rosie’s Place.

Charles Charmer, co-CEO of Royal Steele, suspects his father, Kingsley Charmer, of dirty dealings and wants to stop him from sullying the family name and possibly ruining the company. There’s a plan to take the man down once and for all, but Charles could be caught in the crosshairs. 

A covert meeting with some of the members of the FBIM ends with Charles seeing Cindra, and he’s enraptured by the doll on stage. He wants her to perform at his father’s upcoming gala because she’d be perfect, and it would give him another chance to hear her voice again. He wasn’t expecting her to be caught in the crosshairs along with him.

With a little magical help, can they both find their happily ever afters?

Warning! Contains cherry tarts, a dangerous mission, magical raw diamonds, showing a little spine, a rope ladder, HEAMS, no go on just cake, and two people finding the courage to save themselves in order to accept each other's love.

Mug Shot: Marble Falls/Lake Vibes

 

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how Texas Lakes are (in many cases) wide bends in a river. Here's Lake Marble Falls as Exhibit A. 

Marble Falls is a CUTE little town with excellent Cajun food, a quaint shopping district and "world famous pies" courtesy of the Blue Bonnet Cafe. However, my favorite attraction is the "Before I Die Wall" Where people are encouraged to write down an item from their bucket list. It's kind of inspirational. 

What I'm Reading: Tan Lines and Timeline Lies (Sam Marshall)

Funny story. I bought this book back in June and started to read it on my trip to New Jersey to attend my cousin's memorial service. I thought it was cute. It's about a social media influencer who mistakenly tags a person in one of her posts who very much does not want to be involved with this kind of thing. An exceptionally creative meet cute. 

Also, I have a couple of WIPs that involve either influencers or people involved with reality TV shows, and it's always interesting to see how other authors handle the kinds of things you're also working on. BUT the tension as the Black Moment loomed was INTENSE, and my tolerance for character angst is much greater as a writer than as a reader, so I left off reading--something I rarely ever do when I'm actually enjoying the book. But I was dealing with enough real life angst, so this seemed too much. 

I finally picked it up again the other day, and finally finished it and really enjoyed it. It may have gotten a little overly preachy at the end, but endings are hard and overall, I think the author nailed it.

It's a very cute summer beach read, so I'm a little mad at myself that I didn't read it sooner, but OTOH, the temperature was 101F today, so...it still feels like summer, so rush out and read it!

Tan Lines and Timeline Lies

Sam Marshall

https://www.amazon.com/Tan-Lines-Timeline-Lies-Marshall-ebook/dp/B0F9C8TJ3Z/ref=sr_1_4

A fake summer romance. A viral lie. A seaside town where filters fade—and the truth finally shines.

Ever felt like your perfectly curated feed is more real than your actual life?

Have you ever pretended to be okay just to survive one more scroll, one more post, one more day?

Then Emery Blake’s summer might feel all too familiar.

When a wine-fueled, Photoshop-powered lie accidentally turns her into a viral “vacation goals” sensation, Emery does what any broke, burnt-out content creator might do—she doubles down.

The plan? Keep the illusion going. 

The twist? She accidentally drags a grumpy (and very real) local chef into the spotlight with her.

Cue the fake beach romance, strategic hashtags, and a sponsorship deal she desperately needs.

But the longer the lie lasts, the harder it becomes to tell where the content ends… and her feelings begin.

Mug Shot: Pujo Street Cafe

 

We traveled to Lake Charles, Louisiana recently, and had breakfast in the Pujo Street Cafe there. This was my husband's tea service. We haven't really explored Lake Charles to any great extent. There's some excellent Cajun and seafood there, as well as several casinos. However, like all the casinos in Louisiana, all the gambling takes place behind plexiglass walls that just creep me out. 

Latent claustrophobia; what can I say?

Anyway, according to astrocartography, my Sun/IC line is close to there, which mean, "Even when you are not ready to retire, this placement guarantees the best conditions for a relaxed and gentle rest from your hectic working life."  

I might need to plan another trip there soon, because I can certainly use a relaxed and gentle rest, right about now!

What I'm Reading: The Wine Jelly Murder (Meg Benjamin)

Here's another book whose release surprised me. Thank goodness for pre-orders, I guess. Because I was once again startled to learn that another friend and Nine Naughty Novelist alumni has a new release. NB: the next book in Meg Benjamin's Lucious Delights cozy mystery series is due out in October! 

But anyway, I suppose I should be annoyed with Meg for being able to segue so effortlessly from Romance to Cozy Mystery. I've ALWAYS wanted to write cozies, but haven't managed it yet. 

Also, the Lucious Delights series is all about jam making, which is such a cool and original niche. I hope she continues with it for many, many books. 

Meg has also mastered the multi-book story arc. I like how the characters' relationships grow and change throughout the series--sometimes going in different directions than I thought it would. Just like a mystery! I'm interested in how various storylines will continue to play out. 

Another thing I like is how Roxy is generally reluctantly pulled into solving crimes, rather than repeatedly jumping into obvious danger. I swear some cozy heroines are truly Too Stupid to Live. No fear of that happening here. Which is not to say there is NO foreshadowing--where would the fun be in reading something like that? But the characters generally have realistic reasons for why they miss seeing more of the danger signs. 

I've found the entire series very enjoyable.

The Wine Jelly Murder

Meg Benjamin

https://www.megbenjamin.com/the-wine-jelly-murder/

Weddings can be murder, and Roxy’s trying not to be the next victim. 

Roxy Constantine and Nate Robicheaux are into weddings, both for work and family. But when the obnoxious father of the bride is murdered at the engagement party, they find out more about his business than they bargained for.

Now someone wants to stop Roxy from investigating even as she pulls out all the stops on a super New Year’s Eve wedding celebration for her uncle.

She’ll need more than wine jelly favors and wedding cake to stop the killer.