#e.j. russell

[the-dust-jacket]

[geethr75]

Review of Five Dead Herrings (Quest Investigations 1) by E.J. Russell

Blurb Something’s definitely fishy about this case…On my last stakeout for Quest Investigations, I nearly got clotheslined by a grove of angry dryads. I expected my bosses to reprimand me, but instead they handed me my first solo assignment. Me! Matt Steinitz, the only human on the Quest roster!Okay, so the mission isn’t exactly demanding. Obviously, the bosses wanted to give me something they…

[professionalqueerbookworm]

Queer Reviews: E.J. Russell, "The Lady under the Lake" (Quest Investigations #3, a Mythmatched Spin-Off).

CW: mildly graphic violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, in-world racism

Plot: After receiving a hot tip on the whereabouts of my almost-boyfriend’s nearly-ex-husband (hey, I told you—it’s complicated!), I thought my love life was finally coming up for air. But when we stake out the remote lake, it’s not the ex who surfaces.

It’s the Faerie King’s long-missing mother (and I mean really long, as in double-digit centuries), and she wants to hire Quest Investigations. Since one of my bosses is the king’s brother, he has a tsunami of…feelings about her as a potential client, and refuses to take the case. Instead, he passes it to me.

Yes! However… Should I be thrilled at the vote of confidence or suspicious that he’s tossing me in the deep end without a life preserver, the better to punish the woman who abandoned her kid all those years ago?

You know what? It doesn’t matter. I may be Quest’s token human, but I’ve proven I can get the job done, so I dive right in. Then the lady explains what she wants me to do: find her missing child.

Seriously? I expected more of a challenge. All I have to do is introduce her to the king and bingo, case closed. But when she says, "Not that one," this little family drama threatens to send ripples throughout the supernatural community—especially with my boss in over his head as the prime suspect in a fae kidnapping.

As if things weren’t complicated enough… Remember that nearly-ex? When he shows up and muddies the waters, I’m faced with a choice: I can solve this case or I can finally hook my almost-boyfriend.

10/10 on the Rainbow Scale™ 🌈: Seriously, how much family drama can one fit in one book? The answer is HELLA. Jokes aside, I would put in a serious trigger warning: some of the characters deal with serious domestic abuse, bordering on rape. Nothing graphic, but a specific type of fae can be tricked and forced into marriage against their will, and two of the characters had to experience that (sometimes more than once).

[melaniem54]

Review: Ghostridden (Ghost Townies Book 1) by E. J. Russell 

Rating: 4.5🌈 E.J. Russell begins a new series, Ghost Townies, with Ghostridden, a wonderful paranormal mystery that introduces the delightful denizens, mysteriously quirky history of this remote small town that’s Ghost, Oregon.  It begins when ghostwriter Maz Amani, accompanied by his ginger cat Gilgamesh, arrives at the house he inherited from an Uncle Oren he barely knew.  That house, a…

[thebryanandsilvergarbage]

The 23rd Annual Bryan Awards - Acting Categories

Acting and Performance

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues (ABC) DEAD TO ME - Christina Applegate as Jen Harding (Netflix) MAISEL - Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam Maisel (Prime Video) ONLY MURDERS - Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora (Hulu) POKER FACE - Natasha Lyonne as Charlie (Peacock) 

Lead Actress in a Drama Series: BAD SISTERS - Sharon Horgan as Eva Garvey (Apple Plus) THE CROWN - Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II (Netflix) THE DIPLOMAT - Keri Russell as Kate Wyler (Netflix) THE HANDMAID’S TALE - Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne (Hulu) SUCCESSION - Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy (HBO) YELLOWJACKETS - Melanie Lynskey as Shauna Sadecki (Showtime) 

Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: BEEF - Ali Wong as Amy Lau (Netflix) DAISY JONES & THE SIX - Riley Keough as Daisy Jones (Prime Video) FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE - Lizzy Caplan as Libby Epstein (Hulu) GEORGE & TAMMY - Jessica Chastain as Tammy Wynette (Showtime) LOVE & DEATH - Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery (HBO) TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS - Kathryn Hahn as a Clare Pierce (Hulu)

Lead Actress in Daytime: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan (CBS) THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Jacqueline MacInnes-Wood as Steffy Forrester (CBS) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Laura Wright as Carly Spencer (ABC) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Melissa Claire Egan as Chelsea Newman (CBS) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers (CBS)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: BARRY - Bill Hader as Barry (HBO) THE BEAR - Jeremy Allen White as Carmy Berzatto (Hulu) ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING - Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage (Hulu) ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING - Martin Short as Oliver Putnam (Hulu)

TED LASSO - Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso (Apple Plus)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series: BETTER CALL SAUL - Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill (AMC) THE LAST OF US - Pedro Pascal as Joel (HBO) THE OLD MAN - Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase (F/X) SUCCESSION - Brian Cox as Logan Roy (HBO) SUCCESSION - Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy (HBO) SUCCESSION - Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy (HBO)

Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: BEEF - Steven Yeun as Danny Cho (Netflix) BLACK BIRD - Taron Egerton as James Keene (Apple Plus) GEORGE & TAMMY - Michael Shannon as George Jones (Showtime) MONSTER - Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer (Netflix) WEIRD - Daniel Radcliffe as “Weird Al” Yankovic (Roku) WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES - Kumail Nanjiani as Somen “Steve” Banerjee (Hulu) 

Lead Actor in Daytime: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester (CBS) DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Dan Feuerriegel as E.J. DiMera (NBC & Peacock) DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera (NBC & Peacock) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos (ABC) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott (CBS)

Lead Performer in a New Series: THE BEAR - Jeremy Allen White as Carmen Berzatto (Hulu) THE DIPLOMAT - Keri Russell as Kate Wyler (Netflix) THE LAST OF US - Pedro Pascal as Joel (HBO) THE OLD MAN - Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase (F/X) SHRINKING - Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird (Apple Plus) SO HELP ME TODD - Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret (CBS) WEDNESDAY - Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams (Netflix)

Younger Performer in Daytime: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Henry Samiri as Douglas Forrester (CBS) DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Christopher Cary as Thomas DiMera (NBC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - William Lipton as Cameron Webber (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Avery Kristen Pohl as Esme Prince (ABC) 

Younger Performer in Primetime: FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE - Meara Mahoney Gross as Hannah Fleishman (Hulu) THE LAST OF US - Belle Ramsay as Ellie (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Keivonn Montreal Woodard as Sam Burrell (HBO) THAT ‘90s SHOW - Callie Haverda as Leia Forman (Netflix) WEDNESDAY - Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams (Netflix) YOUNG SHELDON - Iain Armitage as Sheldon Cooper (CBS)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Janelle Jones as Ava Coleman (ABC) ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard (ABC) THE BEAR - Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu (Hulu) MAISEL - Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson (Prime Video) THE OTHER TWO - Molly Shannon as Pat (HBO Max) SHRINKING - Jessica Williams as Gaby (Apple Plus) TED LASSO - Juno Temple as Keeley Jones (Apple Plus) TED LASSO - Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton (Apple Plus)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: BETTER CALL SAUL - Carol Burnett at Marion (AMC) BETTER CALL SAUL - Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler (AMC) THE CROWN - Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales (Netflix) SUCCESSION - J. Smith-Cameron as Gerri Kellman (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya McQuoid-Hunt (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - Meghann Fahy as Daphne Sullivan (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - Aubrey Plaza as Harper Spiller (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - Simona Tabasco as Lucia (HBO)   

Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or TV Movie: BEEF - Maria Bello as Jordana Forster (Netflix) FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE - Claire Danes as Rachel Fleishman (Hulu) LOVE & DEATH - Lily Rabe as Betty Gore (HBO) MONSTER - Niecy Nash-Betts as Glenda Cleveland (Netflix) TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS - Merritt Wever as Frankie Pierce (Hulu) WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES - Annaleigh Ashford as Irene Banerjee (Hulu) WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES - Juliette Lewis as Denise (Hulu)

Supporting Actress in Daytime: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Krista Allen as Taylor Hayes (CBS) DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Stacy Haiduk as Kristen DiMera (NBC & Peacock) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Sonya Eddy as Epiphany Johnson (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Brook Kerr as Dr. Portia Robinson (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Kelly Thiebaud as Dr. Britt Westbourne (ABC) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Susan Walters as Diane Jenkins (CBS)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie (ABC) BARRY - Anthony Carrigan as NoHo Hank (HBO) BARRY - Henry Winkler as Gene Cousineau (HBO) THE BEAR - Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richie Jerimovich (Hulu) JURY DUTY - James Marsden as Himself (FreeVee) SHRINKING - Harrison Ford as Dr. Paul Rhoades (Apple Plus) TED LASSO - Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt (Apple Plus) TED LASSO - Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent (Apple Plus)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: BETTER CALL SAUL - Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo Fring (AMC) SUCCESSION - Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch (HBO) SUCCESSION - Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans (HBO) SUCCESSION - Alan Ruck as Connor Roy (HBO) SUCCESSION - Alexander Skarsgard as Matsson (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - F. Murray Abraham as Bert Di Grasso (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - Michael Imperioli as Dominic Di Grasso (HBO) THE WHITE LOTUS - Theo James as Cameron Sullivan (HBO) 

Supporting Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series or TV Movie: BEEF - Young Mazino as Paul Cho (Netflix) BLACK BIRD - Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall (Apple Plus) BLACK BIRD - Ray Liotta as Big Jim Keene (Apple Plus) FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE - Adam Brody as Seth Morris (Hulu) LOVE & DEATH - Jesse Plemons as Allan Gore (HBO Max) MONSTER - Richard Jenkins as Lionel Dahmer (Netflix) WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES - Murray Bartlett as Nick DeNoia (Hulu)

Supporting Actor in Daytime: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Matthew Atkinson as Thomas Forrester (CBS) BEYOND SALEM/DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Steve Burton as Harris Michaels (Peacock) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Nicholas Chavez as Spencer Cassidine (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Robert Gossett as Marshall Ashford (ABC) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Bryton James as Devon Hamilton (CBS)

Supporting Performer in a New Series: BAD SISTERS - Eva Birthistle as Ursula Flynn (Apple Plus) THE BEAR - Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu (Hulu) THE BEAR - Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Hulu)

JURY DUTY - James Marsden as Himself (FreeVee) THE OLD MAN - John Lithgow as Harold Harper (F/X) SHRINKING - Harrison Ford as Dr. Paul Rhoades (Apple Plus) WEDNESDAY - Gwendoline Christie as Larissa Weems (Netflix)

Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Taraji P. Henson as Vanetta (ABC) ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING - Jane Lynch as Sazz Pataki (Hulu) POKER FACE - Judith Light as Irene Smothers (Peacock) SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Quinta Brunson as Host/Various Characters (NBC) TED LASSO - Becky Ann Baker as Dottie Lasso (Apple Plus) TED LASSO - Harriet Walter as Deborah (Apple Plus) 

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Leslie Odom Jr. as Draemond (ABC) THE BEAR - Jon Bernthal as Mikey Berzatto (Hulu) THE BEAR - Oliver Platt as Pops (Hulu) MAISEL - Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce (Prime Video) SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Steve Martin & Martin Short as Co-Hosts/Various Characters (NBC) TED LASSO - Sam Richardson as Edwin Akufo (Apple Plus) 

Guest Actress in a Drama Series: THE LAST OF US - Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Storm Reid as Riley Abel (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Anna Torv as Theresa “Tess” Servopoulos (HBO) SUCCESSION - Hope Davis as Sandi Furness (HBO) SUCCESSION - Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce (HBO) SUCCESSION - Harriet Walter as Lady Caroline Collingwood (HBO) 

Guest Actor in a Drama Series: BETTER CALL SAUL - Mark Margolis as Hector “Tio” Salamanca (AMC) THE LAST OF US - Murray Bartlett as Frank (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Lamar Johnson as Henry Burrell (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Nick Offerman as Bill (HBO) THE MANDALORIAN - Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon (HBO) SUCCESSION - James Cromwell as Ewan Roy (HBO) 

Guest Performer in Daytime: GENERAL HOSPITAL - Denise Crosby as Dr. Carolyn Webber (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Alley Mills as Heather Webber (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Linda Purl as Peyton Honeycutt (ABC) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Barbara Crampton as Leanna Love (CBS) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - James Hyde as Jeremy Stark (CBS) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Robert Newman as Ashland Locke (CBS)

Guest Performer in a New Series: THE BEAR - Jon Bernthal as Mikey Berzatto (Hulu) THE BEAR - Oliver Platt as Pops (Hulu) THE LAST OF US - Murray Bartlett as Frank (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen (HBO) THE LAST OF US - Nick Offerman as Bill (HBO) WEDNESDAY - Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams (Netflix) 

Performance by a Cast in a Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC) Barry (HBO) The Bear (F/X) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video) Saturday Night Live (NBC) Ted Lasso (Apple Plus)

Performance by a Cast in a Drama Series: Bad Sisters (Apple Plus) Better Call Saul (AMC) The Crown (Netflix) The House of the Dragon (HBO) Succession (HBO) The White Lotus (HBO)

Performance by a Cast in a Limited/Anthology Series or TV Movie: Beef (Netflix) Daisy Jones and the Six (HBO) Five Days At Memorial (Apple Plus) Fleishman in Trouble (Hulu) Welcome to Chippendales (Hulu) The White House Plumbers (HBO) 

Performance by a Cast in Daytime: The Bay (Pop TV) Beyond Salem & Days of Our Lives (Peacock) The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS) General Hospital (ABC) The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Performance by a Cast in a New Series: Bad Sisters (Apple Plus) The Bear (F/X) The House of the Dragon (HBO) Jury Duty (FreeVee) So Help Me Todd (CBS) Wednesday (Netflix)

Screen Couples

Screen Duo or Trio in a Comedy or Variety Series: THE GREAT - Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning (Hulu) ONLY MURDER IN THE BUILDING - Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez (Hulu) SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Steve Martin and Martin Short (NBC) SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Michael Che and Colin Jost (NBC) SCHMIGADOON - Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key (Apple Plus)

Screen Duo or Trio in a Drama Series: BETTER CALL SAUL - Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn (AMC) THE CROWN - Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki (Netflix) THE GOOD DOCTOR - Freddie Highmore and Paige Spara (ABC) THE LAST OF US - Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman (HBO) SUCCESSION - Any two (or more) Roy Siblings (HBO) 

Screen Duo or Trio in a Limited/Anthology Series or TV Movie: BEEF - Steven Yeun and Ali Wong (Netflix) DAISY JONES AND THE SIX - Sam Claflin and Riley Keough (HBO) FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE - Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, and Claire Danes (Hulu) GEORGE & TAMMY - Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain (Showtime) HOCUS POCUS 2 - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy (Disney Plus) 

Screen Duo or Trio in Daytime: GENERAL HOSPITAL - Maurice Benard and Cynthia Watros (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - Chad Duell and Katelyn MacMullen (ABC) GENERAL HOSPITAL - James Patrick Stuart and Finola Hughes (ABC) LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK - Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos (ABC/Syndicated) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Peter Bergman and Susan Walters (CBS)

Host Categories

Late Night Host: THE DAILY SHOW - Trevor Noah (Comedy Central) JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE - Jimmy Kimmel (ABC) LAST WEEK TONIGHT - John Oliver (HBO) THE LATE SHOW - Stephen Colbert (CBS) THE PROBLEM WITH - Jon Stewart (Apple Plus)

Daytime Talk Host: THE DREW BARRYMORE SHOW - Drew Barrymore (Syndicated) THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW - Jennifer Hudson (Syndicated) THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW - Kelly Clarkson (NBC/Syndicated) LIVE WITH KELLY and MARK - Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos (ABC/Syndicated) THE TALK - The Hosts of The Talk (CBS)

Reality Host: BAKING IT - Amy Poehler & Maya Rudolph (Peacock) NAILED IT - Nicole Byer (Netflix) QUEER EYE - The Hosts of Queer Eye (Netflix) RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE - RuPaul Charles (VH1) SURVIVOR - Jeff Probst (CBS) TOP CHEF - Padma Lakshmi (Bravo)

Game Show Host: FAMILY FEUD - Steve Harvey (ABC/Syndicated) JEOPARDY - Mayim Bialik (ABC/Syndicated) JEOPARDY - Ken Jennings (ABC/Syndicated) LET’S MAKE A DEAL - Wayne Brady (CBS) PASSWORD - Keke Palmer (NBC) WHEEL OF FORTUNE - Pat Sajak (Syndicated)

[oldfangirl81]

Suddenly I am very glad I went a little overboard on that "queer your bookshelf" sale at the start of the month. It looks like the train I am taking to Portland doesn't have WiFi if the online data is still accurate.

I haven't read any beyond a couple pages yet but still thought it might interest some. Caution most fall on the adult side. A couple are on the darker side(I tried to note them but again haven't read them yet and might have missed some). And tend to be sci-fi/fantasy.

Tidal Wave by E.M. Lindsey (Motorcycle Club/Gang)

For Real: An M/Mx Romance by R.A. Frick (BDSM)

Double Crossed: A Why Choose Military Romance by Adora Crooks

Stumptown Spirits by E.J. Russell

T.A.G. You're Seen by D.G. Carothers (BDSM/Kink)

Rough Sketchers by MJ Green (Mafia)

Soulmates by Liv Rancourt

Wormwood Summer by Kai Butler

Silent Truth by Samuel York

Acoustics by London Price

Changing His Tune by Blake Allwood

Love is Blind by Scarlet Blackwell

The Viking and the Drag Queen by V.L. Locey

One Wild Heat by Kelex (Omegaverse)

Twenty-One Arrow Salute by Kasia Bacon

Love Is A Stranger by John Wiltshire

As You Wish by Isobel Starling

Wrong Hunt by JS Harker

Adverse Conditions by Elle Keaton

First Moon by Richard Amos

Surrender Love by Kayelle Allen

Forbidden Devotion by Lee Colgin

The Things We Find by BL Maxwell

Trial By Fire by BA Tortuga

Dark Warrior by Lily Harlem

The Witch's Familiar by TJ Nichols

Teeth and Tarot by A.A. Fairview

His Death Bringer by Courtney W. Dixon (Rape)

Shards of Hope by BL Jones (many of the reviews say it starts off very dark)

Black Ice Heart by Abrianna Denae (suicidal ideation, torture)

Double Trouble by Babara Elsborg

Stone Wings by Jenn Burke

Kitchen Sink Dom by Tanya Chris (BDSM)

Mr Mustachio Is Falsely Accused by Dawn MacKinnon

Embers and Flames by Sadie Jay

Sebastian by Linden Bell

The Date Mistake by Joelle Lynne

[aspiringpolymath]

July 2023 Reading Wrap Up

I've been pondering starting a bookish instagram, but in the likely event I never do, here are the monthly wrap up images I made for July 2023. (If it doesn't have a rating it just means it was too short or too . . . personal? to easily rate. I didn't track DNFs on these graphics, but I DNF'ed seven books.

*sigh*

Of course, I wrote a bunch of stuff about the books here, but then tumblr ate my words. So, on the off chance you have a question about anything I read, let me know.

I might keep posting here, if no one minds and I find it easy enough to keep up with. I'm hoping to make the graphics a little less rough and ready in future.

Also, I will list the books for accessibility purposes.

Indelicacy by Amina Cain - libby - novella - 3.5 stars

Assembly by Natasha Brown -libby - novella - 5 stars

Red’s Wolf by Beth Laycock - freeb - novella - 3.5 stars

Sergeant Delicious by Annabeth Albert - freeb - re-read - short - 3.5 stars

Sea Lover by J.K. Pendragon - smashwords - novella - 4 stars

45 and Holding by Jacki James and Jill Wexler - ku - 4 stars

The Stablemaster’s Heart by Sarah Honey - arc - 4.5 stars

Kiss Me Like You Mean It by Jacki James - ku - novella - 2.5 stars

Overtime by Marina Vivancos - arc - 3 stars

A Lifetime Kissing You by Riley Hart - ku - 4.25 stars

Like a Charm by Jordan Castillo Price - ku - short - 2.5 stars

The River’s Edge by Jordan Castillo Price - ku - short - 3 stars

The First and Last Adventure of Kit Sawyer by S. E. Harmon - arc - 3.75 stars

Not Over You by Samantha Wayland - ku - novella - 3.5 stars

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram - libby - 5 stars

Nothing Special by Jay Northcote - audio re-read - 4.25 stars

Open Throat by Henry Hoke - audiobook - novella - 4.25 stars

Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame - library - 3.75 stars

Sincerely Harriet by Sarah W. Searle - mg - graphic novel - library - 3 stars

Dirty Slide by KD Casey and Lauren Blakely - audiobook - novella - 3.5 stars

Ephemera by Briana Loewensohn - graphic memoir - library - no rating

Rockstar and Softboy by Sina Grace - graphic novel - hoopla - 3.5 stars

Like I Needed by Charlie Novak - ku - 3.75 stars

Dirty Steal by KD Casey and Lauren Blakely- audiobook - novella - 3.75 stars

The (Pet) Detective Agency by Noji - manga - hoopla - 3.5 stars

Love & Vermin by Will McPhail - cartoons - hoopla - 4.25 stars

It’s Paradise, Baby by KD Ryan - novella - 4 stars

Out in the Country by Alexandra Hale - ku - novella - 3.5 stars

Second Chance at First Love by N.R. Walker - ku - novella - 3.5 stars

An Exception by Megan Derr - hoopla - short - 3.5 stars

Use as Wallpaper by Glenn Quigley - freeb - short - 4.25 stars

Five Dares by Eli Easton - 1 star (for extenuating reasons, have liked other stuff by the author)

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera - own/hoopla audio - mg - 4 stars

Mistletango by Alexandra Caluen - hoopla - 4 stars

Paper Planes by Jennie Wood - graphic novel - libby - ya - 4 stars

It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood - hoopla - graphic memoir - 4.25 stars

Quest of Fools by Megan Derr - smashwords - 3.25 stars

Fairy Wings by Sasha L. Miller - smashwords - novella - 3.5 stars

Deal Maker by Lily Morton - audiobook re-read - 4 stars - more frustrating in audio

Riding the Wave by Daria Fisher - sapphic short - freeb smashwords - too short to rate, really

Thieves by Lucie Bryon - graphic novel - f/f - ya - library - 4.25 stars

Aug 9 - Fog by Kathryn Scanlan - libby - too strange to rate

The Best Men by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely - ku - 4.5 stars - very expertly done

Garbage by Reese Morrison - arc/ku - 3 stars

Fine by Rhea Ewing - graphic non-fiction - library - 4.5 stars

Silent Sin by E.J. Russell - audiobook - 4 stars

Sweat Connection by Katherine McIntyre - arc - 4 stars

[scoobybuddie]

June 2023 Book Ratings

His Compass by Con Riley (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Touch and Go by Aiden Bates (Kindle Version) - 2 out of 5 star rating

Vampire With Benefits by E.J. Russell (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Reckless by Kate Hawthorne (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Marked by Kim Richardson (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Date In A Pinch by Brigham Vaughn (Kindle Version) - 4 out of 5 star rating

The Seventh Sense by Kim Richardson (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Hear Me Out by Lila Rose (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Death Trace by Zoe Cannon (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

The Bandalore by D.K. Girl (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Three by 'Nathan Burgoine (Kindle Version) - 5 out of 5 star rating

Taking It by Cara Cumberland (Kindle Unlimited Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Of Heart and Wings by Debbie McQueen (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Scintilla by Elizabeth Noble (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

An Oracle Walks Into A Bar by Scott Burtness (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Say You'll Be Nine by Lucy Lennox (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

A Darker Shade Of Magic by V.E. Schwab (Hardback Version) - 5 out of 5 star rating

Ginger Snapping All The Way by Gabbi Grey (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Conspiracy Theory by Elle Keaton (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Like Water Catching Fire by E.M. Lindsey (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Dead & Buried by T.K. Eldridge (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Turning Points by Megan Linden (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Infamous Heart by Ryder O'Malley (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Launch The Hunt by Mia West (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Course Correction by Mia West (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Prince Of Killers by Layla Reyne (Kindle Version) - 4 out of 5 star rating

Redhot Sugar by Connor Peterson (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Learn The Rules by Leighton Greene (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Princess by Daniel May (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Beneath The Opal Arc by Lee Colgin (Kindle Version) - 5 out of 5 star rating

Hold Firm by Sue Brown (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

How Much For The Whole Night by RJ Scott (Newsletter Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Hell On Earth by Macy Blake (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Airbag Scars by Jim Heskett (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Hold The Door by Vinni George (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Theo's Game by CS Joyce (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Booklover by J.E. Birk (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Written On My Heart by Annabella Michaels (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Rule Breaker by Lily Morton (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

After The Crash by Emma Alcott (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

A Serpent's Bond by Misha Paige (Kindle Version) - 2 out of 5 star rating

Transfer Wizard by Tavia Lark (BookFunnel Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

Warlock In Training by TJ Nichols (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

For The Long Run by Elizabeth Noble (Kindle Version) - 3 out of 5 star rating

[arwainian]

Reading This Week 2023 #8

Finished:

Sam Patch, the Famous Jumper by Paul E. Johnson

Started and Finished:

The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist by Ben Barres, Foreward by Nancy Hopkins

absolutely skipped the entire middle because all the science was too dense for me to follow

this year's love by BeatriceEagle on ao3

Reaching Out, Sunlit by wearwind on ao3 (reread)

DIGITAL FAGGOT SUICIDE HEAVEN by Jay Dragon

very goopy! which i think recommends it. but also don't read this if you want to have a good time, this is will not be likely to put you in a good mood but it WILL make your brain buzz

"Gender" by E.J. Clery and "Sociability" by Gillian Russell in The Cambridge Companion to Jane Austen, 2nd edition, edited by Edward Copeland and Juliet McMaster

lots of fics for my attempt at reading all friends at the table fic on ao3:

Mira and Pattern Magic by spamyoucantswim turn away kick out the red sand by LuckyDiceKirby all things turn to rust by and by by LuckyDiceKirby Friends Adjacent to a Table by thickestgoosenog A Righteous Man by LuckyDiceKirby 7 Weight-Lifting Poems That Will Get Your Pumped by wannabequeen Mako Climbs the Tower by Animenite97 in nature and art by Yellow Memories Valid and False: In Remembrance of the Last Apokine by NeitherNora The Long Con by Mansion Bird's Eye View by hieromagus Like a Ruptured Vessel by corvidcall

i guess this is like a sneak peek? All of these were read just today bc they're mostly pretty short

Started and Ongoing:

now the little red lighthouse knew that it was needed, (Ch. 1, only chapter published) by xscintillate on ao3

Dulce et Decorum, (Ch. 1-8, all currently published) by wearwind on ao3

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Emma by Jane Austen

Ongoing:

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, translated by Constance Garnett, narrated by Frederick Davidson

I had a thought this week that by ideal fe3h fic basically does the mix of social drama and war that War and Peace does, so then instead of seeking out more fe3h fic, I went and kept reading W&P

The Gentleman's Daughter by Amanda Vickery

Frequency, (Ch. 4) by cryptocism on ao3

[wornoutspines]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲…

SUMMER KITCHEN, by E.J. Russell, is available now in ebook and audio!

Find it at your favourite ebook and audio retailer, narrated by Greg Boudreaux.

💜🧑🏽‍🍳💜🧑🏽‍🍳

Take:

·      One former rock musician

·      One almost-MBA turned cooking school student

Add two heaping spoonfuls (each) of:

·      responsibility

·      familial obligation

·      regret

And a dash of:

·      misunderstanding (optional)

Stir together in:

·      one small Vermont town

Season with:

·      friends

·      family

·      foes

·      and one large ginger cat

Garnish with:

·      validation

·      laughter

·      just deserts (also desserts)

Simmer for one entire summer before serving up a delicious (well-deserved) HEA. Bon Appetit!

💜🧑🏽‍🍳💜🧑🏽‍🍳

CONNECT → FB @EJ Russell | IG/TT @ej_russell_author

[author-raine-willis]

Nine People I'd Like to Know Better tag

I was tagged by

I was tagged by @words-after-midnight

Tagging @noahhawthorneauthor @fandomtrashkaye

@junypr-camus @digitalsatyr23 @apolline-lucy @lebuc

Last song: "Loser, Baby" and "Poison" from Hazbin Hotel and "In My Sights" by Paranoid DJ have been on a loop

Favorite color: All of them I don't have a favorite

Currently watching: Re-Watching Hazbin Hotel and Percy Jackson.

Currently Reading: I'm throw this one in here because this is a writer blog and books are awesome. I am currently reading "Bad Boy's Bard" By E.J Russell

Spicy/sweet/savory: Sweet

Relationship status: Single.

Current obsession: Helluva Verse and Disney.

As a writer I'm obsessed with my Finding Home world. I'm been coming up with stories for everyone there brother and there mother. It's getting out of hand lol

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 2.4

Beer Birthdays

Adolph Coors (1847)

William Sebastian Sohn (1852)

Louis Camille Maillard (1878)

Peter P. Straub Jr. (1893)

Five Favorite Birthdays

Gumby; claymation character (1955)

Fernand Leger; artist (1881)

Charles Lindbergh; aviator (1902)

Joshua Norton; Norton I, Emperor of the United States & Protector of Mexico (1819)

Norman Wisdom; British comedian, actor (1915)

Famous Birthdays

Hans Erasmus Aßmann; German poet (1646)

Gabrielle Anwar; actor (1970)

Conrad Bain; actor (1923)

Julian Bell; English poet (1908)

Carl Michael Bellman; Swedish composer & poet (1740)

Ugo Betti; Italian playwright (1892)

Clint Black; country singer (1962)

David Brenner; comedian (1945)

Nigel Bruce; actor (1895)

Alice Cooper; rock musician (1948)

Lisa Eichhorn; actor (1952)

Ediie Foy Jr.; actor, singer (1905)

Mark Hopkins; educator (1802)

Oscar De La Hoya; boxer (1973)

Betty Friedan; writer, feminist (1921)

Friedrich Glauser; Swiss author (1896)

Woody Hayes; college football coach (1913)

"Big" Bill Haywood; labor organizer (1869)

Russell Hoban; writer (1925)

MacKinlay Kantor; writer (1904)

Thaddeus Kosciusko; Polish general (1746)

Erich Leinsdorf; orchestra conductor (1912)

Ida Lupino; actor (1918)

Byron Nelson; golfer (1912)

Rosa Parks; civil rights activist (1906)

E.J. Pratt; Canadian poet (1882)

J. Danforth Quayle; U.S. Vice-President (1947)

Mikołaj Rej; Polish poet & author (1505)

George Romero; film director (1940)

John Schuck; actor (1940)

John Steel; rock musician (1941)

Lawrence Taylor; New York Giants LB (1959)

Clyde William Tombaugh; astronomer (1906)

[geethr75]

Review of Duking it Out by E.J. Russell

Blurb Royal dukes from rival countries, shipwrecked on a deserted island. The grudge match of the century—or a love story of super-heroic proportions?Sander Fiala, Duke of Roses, is fourth in line to the South Abarran throne, even though his rogue power earned him the nickname “The Monster of Roses” and got him banished from the Castle. But right before he’s about to set off on his annual…

[storyxonline]

Audio Book Review: Devouring Flame (Enchanted Occasions #2) by E.J. Russell (Author) & Kirt Graves (Narrator)

Reviewed by Lisa   TITLE: Devouring Flame SERIES: Enchanted Occasions Book Two AUTHOR: E.J. Russell NARRATOR: Kirt Graves PUBLISHER: Reality Optional Press LENGTH: 6 hours 25 minutes RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2022 BLURB: Can a chance meeting rekindle their incendiary attraction? While cutting through the Interstices—the post-creation gap between realms—Smith, half-demon tech specialist for…

[melaniem54]

Review: At Odds with the Gods (a Mythmatched/Purgatory Playhouse crossover story) by E J Russell

Rating: 2.75🌈 E J Russell’s latest release is a book that should have worked for me. It doesn’t. Spoilers ahead. It’s all about a certain element, folks. Consent. I love both of the series it mashes up, the Mythmatched and Purgatory Playhouse series, two hugely popular and entertaining universes. The theme of redemption and starting over is a great trope, full of emotionally charged elements…