What I'm Reading: Holiday Round-up

I'm doing something different again this week. Here's my Christmas Reading Wish List. 

Jingle Spells (Emily Grimoire): A witch who hates Christmas returns to Oak Haven and teams up with a holiday-hating human to restore order in this sweet magical romance.

Emily Grimoire has no discernible website, so all I’ve got for you is an Amazon link. Mia Culpa. I have the first book in this series and am really looking forward to Christmas in Oak Haven.

The House on Hidden Lane (Jayne Ann Krentz): New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz dives into an enthralling new romantic suspense novel filled with deeply entrenched grudges, psychic dangers, and a conspiracy that threatens not only two families but also the entire paranormal community.

I haven’t read a new Krentz book in AGES! So, this is going to be a treat. Unfortunately, it looks like the release date isn’t until JANUARY? WTF?

 

Scrooged for the Holidays (Kayla Grosse): A modern "A Christmas Carol" retelling where Ice Queen Greer meets three supernatural men in a mountain town, leading to a steamy holiday romance with paranormal elements.

I LOVE this idea. And the fact that the three men are angels? Be still my heart!

 

Good Spirits (B.K. Borison): A woman finds romance with the ghost of Christmas Past while he's haunting her.

 

Okay, as mentioned above, I’m a sucker for anything based on “A Christmas Carol”. And I think I’d buy this book just for the gorgeous cover.  And speaking of which…

 

 

Lovelight Farms (B.K. Borison): A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

 

This one is a couple of years old, but I love a good madcap, Christmas-tree-farm romance and the cover is once again GORGEOUS.

I have a few new Christmas-themed books releasing this year as well! them here:

https://www.pgforte.com/only-for-the-holidays

Winterlude
A Winter Hearts Christmas Collection

Includes This Winter's Night, Winter World of Love and Winter of Our Discontent, and a sneak peek at Lightning in a Bottle.

This Winter's Night:  Dario and Ophelia Leonides are passionately in love. The only things marring their happiness are Lia's homesickness and continued inability to conceive a child. 

Dario would do anything to make Lia smile again. He's hoping to use the miraculous technology his father-in-law has pioneered, combined with the magic inherent in his native land. But calling upon the forces of Kokopeli may have unintended consequences. 

Winter World of Love: Just one short year ago, Ophelia Leonides returned to New Texacali hoping to reconcile with her husband. And, for a while, it seemed that most, if not all, her dreams were coming true. But as the holiday season approaches, Ophelia can’t help but notice that Dario has begun to brood. He says it has nothing to do with her, but trust, once lost, is hard to regain.

Dario is frustrated by his inability to give Ophelia the life he knows she deserves. Now, as old ghosts from his past draw close, and the bright future he’s promised his wife grows increasingly dim, he’s on the brink of making a last, desperate gamble--one that might destroy everything they've been hoping to achieve.

I'll Be Home for Christmas 
An Oberon Christmas Duology

Includes two novellas, If Only in My Dreams, and Spicy Nick. One holiday weekend. Two special stories. Will they both have happy endings? Well, it’s Oberon, so anything is possible.

IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS: Scout is heading home for the holidays when her flight gets rerouted into Alternate Universe Oberon, where nothing is as she remembers it.

 

SPICY NICK: When his wife finally makes it home (after her unexpected adventure) Nick is ready to greet her with a little holiday spice!

We're Dreaming of a Wine Christmas

A Pour Decisions Christmas Story

The Martinelli sisters have a lot of reasons to celebrate this holiday season!

Mug Shot: Currier and Ives

 

We're still in Thanksgiving season, so here's a cup that I inherited from my grandmother. And, as you can see, there's a picture of someone riding in a horse drawn carriage. So, I choose to associate this with the song Over the River and Through the Woods. 

And, I mean, I'M the grandmother now, and technically, my grandson DOES have to travel over the river and through the woods to get to my house--even if the river and woods are in HIS development, rather than mine. 

So, yay! Thanksgiving!

Mug Shot: Pumpkinesque (?) Mug

 

Well, this is clearly an Autumn coded mug, what with the color, the vaguely pumpkin-like shape and the autumn leaf design. And, like the black cat mug from a few weeks back, the rim curves inward making it somewhat awkward to drink out of. 

Still, it's a PSL mug if ever I've seen one. And since Thanksgiving is celebrated this week, that's really what matters. 

What I'm Reading: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes (Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart)

I've been having the WORST LUCK with books lately, either they haven't held my interest, or I didn't like them enough to finish. So I gave up and re-read something I knew I'd like. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes is a collaboration of three authors and it's very much in the same vein as the Practical Magic or Charmed. It's fun and light-hearted and I was this-many-weeks-old when I realized that the title was a pun. Miss Fortunes = misfortunes. To make matters worse, one of the characters flat out explains it right IN THE BOOK: "we ended up the Little Miss Fortunes, and you'd have thought somebody would have seen the play on words there, wouldn't you? But no"

Yeah, no kidding. Me either. 

Anyway, it's cute, well-written, and magical, with three happy endings. Or possibly four. I'm rooting for you, Pauline!

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

Jennifer Crusie
Eileen Dreyer
Anne Stuart 

https://www.amazon.com/Unfortunate-Miss-Fortunes-Novel-ebook/dp/B004VMWJX4

Three magical sisters meet their true loves—in a wicked scheme to take their powers—in this sexy romantic fantasy from a trio of beloved authors.

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she's still trying to control her shape-shifting power, which is no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.

Dee's sister Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart . . .

While Mare, the youngest Miss Fortune, towers above her sisters, her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video VP and Mare's long lost love turn up…and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

Mug Shot: Owl Mug

 

I guess we're on a tangent this month. Owls are also on my could-be-a-spirit-animal list. I've loved them forever, too. 

I love this mug for many reasons. First of all, it's bigger than it looks in the picture, which means it holds a lot of coffee without feeling massive. Also, the Taupe and Teal color combo has always been a favorite. The spirals look like something I might have put on a mug during my high school ceramics phase. Actually, the owl looks like something I might have drawn in high school, as well. 

I bought this used and have NO idea when it was made, but everything about it, including the shape, screams '70s to me...which is when I actually was in high school, so it all tracks. I feel like I imagined this mug into being. 

Not for nothing, but my husband also likes this mug. I know, surprised me, too. 

What I'm Reading: Crazy Together (Marie Sexton)

It's been awhile since I picked up a Marie Sexton book. I devoured her Coda and Tucker Springs series--and several of her stand alone stories, as well. Back in the day, we wrote for several of the same publishers and hung out together at conventions (I still owe her some wine bottle stoppers, come to think of it. Oops.). 

But, anyway...

I was thrilled to find out she'd written TWO new books in a new, Christmas-themed series. Yay! If you're a fan of low-angst, heart-warming M/M stories, check them out!

Crazy Together

A Camp Bay Christmas Novel

Marie Sexton

https://www.mariesexton.net/books/complete-book-list/crazy-together

In the wake of his husband's recent passing, nightclub owner Bryan Nantel feels smothered by sympathy from his well-meaning friends. Tired of being seen only as a grieving widower, Bryan decides to spend the holiday with his father in Houston, even though he fears it will be the end of his hard-fought sobriety. But a chance encounter at the airport changes everything.

Noah Porter is a former baseball player whose career was cut short by a devastating injury. He’s not quite ready to come out of the closet, but he has every intention of losing his virginity ASAP. On a whim, he invites Bryan to spend the weekend with him at Camp Bay Chalet, a secluded B&B tucked away in the panhandle of Northern Idaho.

Bryan knows running away with a man he just met is crazy and reckless. Maybe even dangerous. But it sure beats his other options. He figures what happens at Camp Bay can stay at Camp Bay. And a bit of Christmas craziness may be exactly what he and Noah both need.

Mug Shot: November Legend Mug

 

So it's my husband's birthday this week, and I bought this mug for him. It's stainless steel and insulated and it comes with a lid so he can take it with him anywhere.  

I'm happy to say that this IS (finally) a mug that he likes.

The playlist today was chosen because the heroine of book one, Waiting for the Big One, is a Pisces, like I am, and her hero is a scorpio, like my husband. 

What I'm Reading: A Christmas Spark (Diana Biller)

This is a VERY short story, with almost no angst to it at all. But it's Christmas, so who cares? It also has a very steampunky feel to it, which I love. The h/h are both scientists, the hero is a total cinnamon roll, and there's ice-skating. Also, I love the cover.

The author has three books (this and two others) that I assume are linked in some fashion; this one is set in the 1840s, the other two are set in the 1870s and the heroes in all three books have the last name Moore. 

I'm assuming a family connection and that THIS Moore might be the father of the other two. I've ordered one of the other books in hopes of finding out, but I REALLY wish authors would make things like that more obvious on their websites. 

A Christmas Spark
Diana Biller

https://www.dianabiller.com/a-christmas-spark

Winnifred can’t believe her luck! She’s been hired to work for renowned scientist John Moore - which in 1843 is the next best thing to being a scientist herself. Unfortunately, she didn’t expect to find his very presence so… distracting during experiments.

 John thinks Winnifred Byrne is a disaster of an assistant. She makes a dreadful cup of tea and has caused not one but multiple explosions! Except...she's warm, funny, brilliant, and to make matters much worse, is probably the most beautiful woman he's ever met.

 As the snow falls and their friendship deepens, one thing becomes clear: he’s met his match in more ways than one.

Mug Shot: Junk Gypsy

 

I love chickens. I'm not convinced they're my spirit animal, but I was born in the year of the rooster, so, they kind of are, right? 

Anyway, this mug comes from Junk Gypsy. There's a store in Wimberley, not far from my son's house. Rumor has it that Miranda Lambert is a part owner, but as far as I can tell, the rumors are unfounded. 

What I like about this mug are the bright colors, the cover, and the shape. I dearly love tall mugs with decent insulation and that double as travel mugs. It's a win/win/win. 

What I'm Reading: All of Us Murderers (KJ Charles)

Well, this was just delightful. If you were ever a fan of the old, mid-century, gothic novels have I got a book for you. It's creepy and atmospheric, featuring a truly horrible family house party where everyone's dying to leave, but no one can get away. There's an ADHD hero (actually, I think he's more AuDHD--there's that whole justice sensitivity thing) that I absolutely loved. And all the plot twists you could ask for.

I'll be amazed (not to mention seriously disappointed) if this doesn't get turned into a film along the lines of Mousetrap, Deathtrap, or And Then There Were None.

All of Us Murders

KJ Charles

https://kjcharleswriter.com/standalone-books/

 When Zeb Wyckham is summoned to a wealthy relative’s remote Gothic manor, he is horrified to find all the people he least wants to see in the world: his estranged brother, his sneering cousin, and his bitter ex-lover Gideon Grey. Things couldn’t possibly get worse.

Then the master of the house announces the true purpose of the gathering: he intends to leave the vast family fortune to whoever marries his young ward, setting off a violent scramble for her hand. Zeb wants no part of his greedy family–but when he tries to leave, the way is barred. The walls of Lackaday House are high, and the gates firmly locked. As the Dartmoor mists roll in, there’s no way out. And something unnatural may be watching them from the house’s shadowy depths…

Fear and paranoia ramping ever-higher, Zeb has nowhere to turn but to the man who once held his heart. As the gaslight flickers and terror takes hold, can two warring lovers reunite, uncover the murderous mysteries of Lackaday House–and live to tell the tale? 

Mug Shot: Momento Mori Mug

 

I think I got this mug in Marble Falls. It was definitely on a recent trip. It features creepy pics and sayings and inside there's an ouroboros encircling a skeleton inside to complete the creepiness. 

Again, not my husband's favorite, but certainly timely! 

What I'm Reading: Unbroken: Rath and Rune #4 (Jordan L Hawk)

Rath and Rune is a spin off of Jordan Hawk's popular Widdershins series. And this is probably an unpopular opinion, but I kind of enjoy it more than the original series. The reason being that it's more consistent. The world building in the original series kept evolving. So that almost everyone in the first book, everything you thought you knew about them, everything they thought they knew about themselves, kept changing. Normally, I like that in a series, but in this case...I don't know what to tell you, except that I'm enjoying the spin off so much more.  

I'd assumed that this would be the last book in the series (because reasons) so I was thrilled to realize that there would be one more book after this. 

Anyway, this is the fourth book in this particular series and I think it might be the best. But I don't want to post spoilers so feel free to start at the beginning of the series. I don't think you need to read the original, Widdershins series before reading this one, but if you enjoy this series, I'll bet you'll want to go back and read more in this world.

Unbroken
Rath and Rune, Book 4

Jordan L Hawk

https://jordanlhawk.com/products/unbroken-rath-rune-4-ebook

The hunt for the evil Books of the Bound nears its end, as Ves and Sebastian track an elusive killer who can raise the dead.

Librarian Sebastian Rath has Bound himself to three of the four necromantic Books created by his ancestors. Only the Book of Blood remains—and it’s in the hands of an elusive killer.

Someone is murdering members of the Widdershins Horticultural Society using the Book’s magic. In order to stop the killings and Bind the final Book, Sebastian and Ves must find their way through a forest of lies and deception. But the danger is closer to home than they think, and more than one killer has Sebastian in their sights.

Mug Shot: Halloween Candy Mug

 

So my husband hates this mug. He thinks commercial candy is poison and is not a fan of corporate merch. But it's perfect for this time of year because this is one of my favorite Halloween candies. 

Anyway, never mind that. Here's some Halloween music and reading. They'd both go perfect with candy. 

FREE Through October 20th!

https://books2read.com/GoingBack

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

 

What I'm Reading: Halloween Round-Up

I'm doing something a little different this week. I've been inspired by Nicole Luiken in her post last week on the Here Be Magic blog. Here's my "bingo list". 

GHOSTS: Into the Dark by Jordan L Hawk. It's the third book in her Outfoxing the Paranormal series. Ghosts galore in an exceptionally gothic setting!  

DEMONS: Wayward Devils, book four in Devon Monk's Souls of the Road series. I'd start with the first book (probably) or even the spin off, Oak and Ink. Love these and her Ordinary Oregon series. Highly recommended!

GRIM REAPER: Dead Serious (About You) by Alistair Kennedy. To be honest, I just started this one, but it looks like fun! 

WITCHES: Dead Witch in the Library (Sonoma Witches, book 7) by Gretchen Galway. I'd just about despaired of their being any more books in this series, so this was a pleasant surprise. Even though I think this one might really be the end. Another really good series. 

WEREWOLVES: Wolf Gone Wild, book one in Juliette Cross' Stay a Spell series. I'm re-reading this one for my book club this month. Another of my faves. 

VAMPIRES: Tanya Huff is one of those annoying authors who started writing in pre-internet times and still doesn't have a website. But her vampire books (originally--and rather horribly, IMO--titled "the blood books" because, apparently series titles hadn't yet been invented yet either, or no one else was writing vampires, or something) inspired me to start writing my own vampire series. Well, the TV series (Blood Ties, starring actor Kyle Schmid) certainly helped. 

I have a few Halloween-themed books, you can find them here: https://www.pgforte.com/happy-halloween

Two of them, Going Back to Find You and Hungry Heart are FREE between October 16th and October 20th. See the links below!

Halloween Freebies!

https://books2read.com/b/GoingBack

https://books2read.com/HungryHeartOberon

Mug Shot: Black Cat Mug

 

Well, it's October, so I had to find something suitably Halloweenish to post. And this year, with the influx of kittens in my yard (specifically black and orange kittens) I really felt like I needed a black cat mug. 

This is cutely cartoony, but the way the rim turns in makes it somewhat awkward to drink out of. Of course, YMMV and this didn't stop me from acquiring several more mugs all of which possess the same unfortunate feature. Such is life. I'm thinking that's the fashion now? Also, the ears and tail make this impossible to dry upside down on the edge of a ledge, which is my preferred means of doing so. 

What can you do? I guess it's irritatingly cat-like. 

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.