#i really want those lockwood era covers man....

[steamclouds]

Wish it wasn't borderline impossible to find most of the physical LoD novels in english without paying a fortune in shipping...

[caitlinsmithfmp2]

A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent

Written by American author Marie Brennan, “A Natural History of Dragons” was published in 2013 and is a fictional fantasy book set out similarly to a scientific research journal. Documenting her travels, discoveries and the dragons she sees, the author tells an interesting story through the eyes of the main character, the book is beautifully illustrated by Todd Lockwood and is written as if it is a memoir to future researchers. The book also has a few sequels that I could look into including “A Tropic of Serpents”, “Voyage of the Basilisk”, “In the Labyrinth of Drakes”, “Within the Sanctuary of Wings” and “Turning Darkness into Light”.

Set in a fictional country that bares lots of resemblance to 19th century England, the story follows Lady Isabella Trent, a curious young woman who has always been fascinated by dragons. In the world, Dragons and other fantastical creatures are real and roaming the Earth, however, despite wishing to study them as scientists do, this path is off limits to Isabella due to her gender. Knowing this, she marries a man who shares her passions of natural history and dragons, convincing him to let her join him on his expedition to see the wild dragons of Vystranda. Eventually she proves herself as an outstanding scientist and gains the respect of those around her, proving she has a deep understanding of natural history and a connection to dragons.

The book concept is very interesting and I might eventually read this book myself as I like the concept idea and the characters point of view might be quite useful to read into. “A Natural History of Dragons” also slightly reminds me of my story on dragons as it is also set 18th to 19th century type era and similarly holds a female character who has always been plagued by the rules woman had to follow such as being ladylike and staying away from the business of mankind. “In my story, one of the main characters, Elizabeth, was born into a rich and powerful family, showing a passion for technology and science, her father and mother both nurtured her curiosity and intelligence until their mysterious death. After this, Elizabeth was forced to obey strict rules and taught about her roles as a wife and carer, even beat into submission when she made the slightest mistake, eventually she managed to escape this cruelty but is often forced to play a ladylike role in order to avoid the attention of those who killed her parents. Although she was supposed to be the chosen to save the dragon as they were reborn, this role too was taken by a man and forced her to step aside from the main character role she had always wanted to play. Despite often being shunned due to her gender, she is a strong character and does not let anyone or thing stand in her way of completing the legacy of her parents and deceased partner”. 

Overall I like the concept of “A Natural History of Dragons”, it relates well to my story idea and could help me add more realistic aspects to the story as it is set in an England like setting with the addition of magical creatures that are part of normal life. The illustrations inside the book and on the book covers are beautifully done and very realistic looking, many are set out to look like they were created by a scientist or researcher and this adds a really cool effect to the book overall, relating well to its theme and content.

[s-trawberryv-eins]

An Introduction

(NOT MY GIF)

AN INTRODUCTION TO CAROLINE STARK

A/N: Hi! Thanks for reading! So, after months of waffling about wanting to write, I finally sat down and did it. It’s pretty complicated, so it’s pretty important to read this one before you start with anything else. I’ve created an original character, who lives in a slightly alternative universe to the one we were left with after Endgame. I’d like to state that none of my personal changes are reflections of my opinions of what DID happen, but in order to build her as I wish, some things needed to be slightly different.

1)    Steve didn’t go back to Peggy after he returned the stones

2)    Hulk and Banner didn't become one, they’re still two separate beings

3)    Natasha was brought back by Steve as he was able to return the soul stone in return for her life

4)    The compound was rebuilt after the Battle of Earth. There is a memorial for Tony where he died.

A few other things to note:

1)    My first piece of writing will be a background that is applicable to all of the fics. However, many of them will be stand alone, unless I state otherwise. I’ll be creating a masterlist which will lay everything out very clearly, but please feel free to ask if you need to 😊

 Thanks for reading the boring stuff. Everything will be up soon!

 Summary: An introduction to the secret Stark sister. Who is she? Why was she kept a secret? And what happens when everybody finds out?

 Warnings: Abandonment, injury, PTSD, death, blood, but there's plenty of soft love too.

 Word count: 1921

 SUMMER 2004

MALIBU, CALIFORNIA

"Yes, yes, two seconds!" Tottering over to the front door of her bosses lavish Malibu home, Pepper Potts grumbled under her breath, annoyed by the fact that she was the one answering the incessant knocking. "I’m not your maid, Tony!” Sighing, she unlocked the door and prepared to shoo whichever reporter, play bunny, or cold caller had decided that 10 PM on a Tuesday evening was a good time to show up. However, she was greeted with something entirely unexpected.

“Oh! Hello! Are you lost? Where’s your Mom?" In front of Miss Potts stood a small girl, 7 years of age, a sparkly pink bag held tightly in her little hand. Pepper greeted the young girl with the cheeriest voice she could manage in her surprise. Sticking her head out of the door, she looked around, but with a furrowed brow she realised that they were alone. There wasn’t another figure or car in sight.

“Momma said I had to give you this." In her tiny outstretched hand was a thick envelope. "She said my Daddy lives here.” The look on her face told Pepper that she knew exactly what had happened. Even as young as she was, she had an obvious maturity that would break hearts. Her mother had abandoned her, and the girl understood that entirely.

With eyes so wide it hurt, Pepper took the envelope, peeking inside to find a passport, a letter, and a photograph of Mr Stark and a woman. The girls' mother, Pepper presumed. Shock was written into the PAs face, but she forced a smile all the same. After a quick look at the passport, she ushered the child inside.

"Come on in, Caroline. We’ll sort you out, okay?”

 LATE 2008

NEW YORK

A series of loud bangs on her bedroom door pulled Caroline from her daydream. Not even having a chance to respond, the door burst open and three young girls practically fell into her room.

“Turn the TV on!"

“As if you weren’t famous enough!"

“Did you know? You must've known?!"

Wide eyed and clueless as to what her friends were talking about, Caroline blinked back gormlessly as Amelie grabbed the remote and turned the TV on.

“What channel?“

“Can somebody tell me what the hell is going on?" The 11-year-old spoke up, and all three heads turned to face her, humour in their eyes as they stated what was seemingly obvious.

“Your dad, Care.” Caroline knew her Father had been in some trouble. Happy had shown up outside the halls of residence, whisking her away immediately. The panic set in as her heart sped up violently. As the girls scrambled through the channels, they froze as a man in a suit appeared on the screen. Caroline's dad. Tony Stark. They watched in awe as he addressed his audience. As his daughter, she'd watched a few press conferences before. They were a bore, however, she couldn't lie.

The TV remote fell from Amelie’s hand as he spoke the four words that changed history.

“I am Iron Man.”

 MAY 2012

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK

Footage of the Chitauri destroying the very ground she stood on flashed through Caroline’s mind. Gripping Happy’s arm as she sobbed, the 14-year-old girl cried out desperately for her Father. Their relationship had been very rocky for a while. He’d rejected his new responsibility at first, leaving Pepper to parent the girl. He’d even shipped her off to boarding school, where he further pushed away his long-lost child. It wasn’t until Pepper dragged him by the sleeve to the young girl’s dorm room and forced him inside that he’d actually spoken to his daughter. From there, they established a solid relationship. Caroline, of course, fell head over heels for her Father. He could do no wrong in her eyes. That never changed, even as she grew.

Fear wracked her body at the thought of Tony not surviving the battle. Staring at the sky, she prayed and prayed that he return from that giant swirling hole of death that currently dominated New York. When she saw his body fall through the sky, her fear both vanished and increased ten-fold.

-

Later that evening, JARVIS informed her of her Fathers arrival at the beaten-up tower. Racing to find him, she threw her arms around his neck and cried. She cried and cried until she ran out, but she never let go of his hand.

 MAY 2015

NOVI GRAD, SOKOVIA

“Daddy?” Her voice came out a whimper. She felt weak and small.

“Hey baby girl, I’m uh…I’m guessing you’ve seen, right? Yeah, it’s bad, Care.”

“Dad, what’s going on?”

“Listen, baby, I’ve gotta end this. Me and Thor, uh, we think we’ve got a way. A lot of people will die if we don’t do this. You're the best thing, you know?" His voice was soft, even as he continued to fight off robots and save the world. The line grew staticky and Caroline couldn’t stop the tears that spilled from her eyes. "I'm so glad you showed up on my doorstep all those years ago. I’m sorry for taking so long."

“Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye? Daddy you're scaring me!” Her voice was a desperate whimper, and a pain in her chest bloomed violently.

“I love you, Caroline. Remember th-" Horror erupted over her features as the line went dead. Not knowing whether she'd ever see him again, she made her way to New York, her heart dragging painfully behind her.

 NEW YEARS EVE 2015

AVENGERS COMPOUND

UPSTATE NEW YORK

Caroline and her Father walked through one of the many laboratories of the new compound. On her 18th birthday the Stark girl was offered a position as a biomechanical engineer for the new era S.H.I.E.L.D. program, built following its collapse in 2014. Taking after her Dad, she had excelled in school, and to the amazement of her new bosses, had landed a glowing recommendation from Iron Man himself. The decision for her to live under a different last name to Tony was one he himself had requested in a bid to keep her safe for as long as he could. She had never really met the other Avengers, and only three other people knew of her existence; Pepper, Happy, and Natasha Romanoff. It was easy enough to hide her identity.

Caroline didn’t mind too much. She could still see her parents as much as she pleased, and it prevented any special treatment from schools and professors. Those around Caroline herself knew; her school friends knew, she didn't want to keep a secret from them, and besides, she didn't know any better when she told them at 8 years old.

“How’re you settling in? Are you sure this isn’t too soon? This is too soon. I’m taking you-“ midway through his rambling, Tony realised his daughter both lived and worked at the compound, rendering his threat useless. "I'll take you somewhere. Details, schmetails."  

“Dad! Calm down! You’re spiralling. I’m fine, I’m settling in just fine! Now come on, I need to meet everyone.” A proud smile graced the young girls features as she tried to rid her rather of any worry. With a sigh, he took his daughters hand in his own and led her to the Avengers quarters. Separating just before they entered the room, Caroline took a shaky breath.

“Folks gather round. This is our new Doc. With Banner MIA," his brows drew together as he spoke, and his gaze fell to the floor for a second before finding Caroline "she’s our go to! This is Caroline. Caroline Lockwood.”  A half smile appeared on his face, the bittersweet moment getting the best of him. After a few brief introductions, the girl bid them goodbye to get ready for one of Tony Starks famous New Year’s Eve parties.

 JUNE 2018

AVENGERS COMPOUND

UPSTATE NEW YORK

Pepper sat with her daughter, a blanket around the two of them as they hid. They sat in silence, unable to find the words. Trying to maintain hope when everything around them told them to give up was the hardest battle they'd fought yet. “Momma? We’ll be fine, right? We always win.” Her voice nothing but a whisper in the darkness, she felt her adoptive mothers’ fingers tighten around her own.

“We'll be fine, baby. Your Dad will do what he always does. He'll save us. He'll save everybody.” The sad smile on Caroline's face couldn’t be seen in the dark, but Pepper could tell the moment that it fell. She felt the energy in the air shift. Did they lose? “Baby? Baby what’s wrong?" Placing her soft hands either side of her daughter’s face, she gasped sharply as the blanket fell around them, no longer supported by two bodies. Instead, a dark ash took the place of the youngest Stark.

“I’m sorry, Momma" she choked out before disintegrating completely "I'm sorry.”

Pepper was left alone, covered in heartbreak, grief, and the ashes her child left behind.

OCTOBER 2023

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

"Hey, sweetie. Do you want Mom?" Morgan shook her head and stepped closer to her sister.

“Can you help me? You’re my sister.” With sad, glazed over eyes, Caroline nodded. It's not difficult to sympathise with the two girls. Morgan knew all about her big sister. Stories were told, and pictures were framed in every inch of the house. Morgan idolised her before she’d ever met her. And when, by some miracle, they did meet, it was a few days before their fathers’ funeral. Two days before that, Caroline had been dead.

Dead.

It'd been one hell of a week.

To say the oldest Stark sister walked on eggshells around the younger one would be an understatement. Allowing their relationship to be on Morgan’s terms was the least she could do. The thought that Morgan may reject her completely never left her mind, despite Peppers constant reassurance. “I can braid your hair, if you’d like. Momma taught me when I was a little girl."

-

"Where's Morgan?" Pepper's voice barely registered in Caroline’s brain. She could feel herself drifting further and further away every day. But she didn't have the strength to fight it.

“Happy took her for cheeseburgers.” A hint of smile traced her mouth, but it didn't stick. It never stuck. The bags under her eyes were heavy and dark, and the once rich brown of her eyes seemed to have dulled miserably. After receiving her own private recording from Stark, she felt as if she'd broken completely. Turning to face Pepper, she struggled to continue, her voice hoarse from crying and screaming in the night. "They should be back an-"

“MOMMY SISSY UNCLE HAPPY BOUGHT EXTRA.” Watching the tiny girl stumble through the door, a brown paper bag clutched tightly to her chest, Caroline just stared in awe. Of course, Morgan was too young to really understand what happened. She missed her Daddy, and she knew he wasn’t coming home, but she managed to smile. Her eyes shined bright as ever. The world hadn't tainted her hope, it hadn’t torn away her faith.

It would be so, so easy to just let go. To just give up and fall into the oblivion that called her name. But in doing so, she'd miss even more time with her sister. Watching her eat with a pensive look on her face, clutching on to Pepper and watching all the strangers around her, Caroline made a choice. She could do it for Morgan. She could hold on and keep going.

So, she did.

TAGS:

@bucky-castiel​

[perspectiveswithjasmine]

Elite (C)

It all happened so fast. The lights, the celebrities, the parties. It seemed like a scene out a film. All of it seeming so surreal, at times I had to pinch myself to prove that I wasn’t dreaming. I had become the object of attention. Flying from country to country, Appearing on talk shows and T.V. shows alike, and being put on the cover of Vogue. It was just intoxicating. I was what girls aspired to be. I was the talk of the time. Every step I took, every breathe I had to take, was now being seen by the entire world. I had now become a part of the select few who would no longer live the average life. I had become a celebrity, an icon, a new member of the Elite.

           I fell for a man of equal status. The son of a wealthy businessman, he had followed in his father’s footsteps, owning businesses far and wide, ranging from Hotel Chains, Apparel lines, and Music Labels. Starting off at the age of 15, he began to invest in local artists in his neighborhood, and thanks to his father, in time, grew to be some of the top charting artists of our era. He then began owning businesses internationally, managing to build his net worth to $20 million by the age of 24. This same man, was the same person who was so embarrassed to ask me to dinner, he had to send a waiter to ask for him. But once we had got to talking, I had realized that this man would steal my heart, and in time, he did. He had understood me completely, and I to him. We grew together in the madness and insanity of this fast paced world and industry.

           Now, 2 years later, just arriving from fashion week in Paris, I pull up to his condo in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Before I get out, I admire the rainfall in the city. The way it slides down the glass window, joining the rest of the earth. A true representation of how no matter how much we build and create in this world, the earth will always show its dominance. “Everything alright, Ms. Lockwood?” I look at the driver as he stares back through the rearview mirror. “I’m doing just fine, thank you for asking”, I say as I open the door. Right when I step outside, I’m bombarded with paparazzi. Flashing lights and photographers huddling around me, their questions seeming like the buzzing sound a swarm of bees make around their hive. The doorman of the building quickly paces towards me with an umbrella and rushes me inside. The photographers surround the door, taking picture after picture. “They’re like maggots in a trash can”, the doorman says as he wipes the water off his coat. I couldn’t stop myself from releasing a small laugh. I go up to him and give him a $20 tip. “It’s the price of fame. It’s the contract we signed with the devil when we entered this world”, I take a quick glance around, “Is Drake here?” He laughs as he puts the bill into his coat pocket, “Yes, Mr. Remy is here. He got in earlier today”.  “Thank you Carter, I sincerely appreciate it”, I say as I walk towards the elevator door. “My pleasure Ms. Lockwood, All in a day’s work, as they say”, he says as he takes his position back at the door. I look at him and smile before I enter the elevator. I click the button to the 45th floor. I try to straighten myself while I wait. The elevator door opens up and I step into his luxurious apartment. The aroma of lavender fills the air. I walk up to the main window overlooking the city and stare at the skyline being covered by rainfall. Clouds cover the sky, leaving the sun nowhere in sight. I can hear his voice drift through one of the rooms. He’s on a business call. I can always tell by the half forced laughs and emasculated tones. Being pushed into this world I grew to understand the language of men with money. I lay my coat on one of the loveseats, and step over to a mirror placed in the middle of his living room. I take a look at my face and try to salvage any damage made by the rain. “A beauty that launched a thousand ships” I turn around to see him staring right at me from a corner of one of the rooms. I let out a small laugh, “I’m hardly anything close to the fairness of Helen of Troy”. His face gives a little smirk.  We both pause and stay in place. We stand still in complete silence, only allowing our eyes to speak for us. He then walks over and brushes a piece of my hair behind my ear, “To think, a woman of such allure and stature stands before me with equal admiration, it’s hard to believe at times”. I scoff at him, “You’d think after 2 years you would start accepting the fact”. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls my body closer to his, “That’s what love can do to a man, creating a type of madness in his mind, fearing that what he’s experiencing could only be that of a dream, having him doubt reality” He then takes my face into his hand, “I love you Camille” he says as he pulls our lips together.

           As I zip my dress back on and put myself back together again, I step go into his living room, only to see him standing in front of the window, waiting for me to be done. His eyes completely fixated on the city. I walk up and stand there with him, staring at the city as well. “It’s so interesting at how much promise is out there, how many opportunities lay before us”, he says, his eyes still glaring towards the skyline. I think for a second and smile, “It’s really beautiful isn’t it? How much every individual is capable of and how much they can achieve”. He turns and looks at me with confusion, making me look at him in the same manner, “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, how does the people have anything to do with this?” he says with confusion all over his face. I sit there and question my statement for a second but then shortly respond, “Well I was assuming you meant the opportunities that each and every individual has in this world.” He looks at me bewilderment and laughs afterwards, “That’s not what I meant at all. The people don’t matter, they’re just puppets and pawns awaiting our next move.” I take a step back as I take moment to understand what he said. “What do you mean by Our next move? Who are you referring too?” He takes a step towards me and tries to grab my arm, “I mean us. The people who have the ability to make change. The few individuals who have influence and power over what people think and say. What they buy, what they do, and how they do it is all influenced by us. We’re the ones who get to decide how they live their lives.” I move away before he can touch me. I stand still in disbelief at what he had just said. He senses my shock and grabs me, pulls me over to his couch and sits me down. “Camille, you can’t pretend that this hasn’t crossed your mind before. You yourself is a living example of this. Everything you do and say is all monitored by the entire world. You can dictate if people should wear yellow or blue. You have the power to influence millions. People want to be you. They want to follow your example. You cannot sit there and tell me that the mere thought has not crossed your mind”. I sit there and take a moment to process everything he’s saying. I have thought about it. Multiple times. Sometimes it overwhelms at how much responsibility I have and how much I have to live up too. There are nights I sit in fear at what I might do and how it may affect all of those who watch me with complete admiration and devotion. I look to him and see his eyes pouring into mine. I stand up and walk towards the window, staring towards the landscape of the city. Sitting there in silence, his eyes still on me, I turn around with my arms crossed together, “You’re right, I have thought about it. Many times.” He smiles wide, stands up, and paces towards me but I hold a hand out keeping him in his place, “What I don’t grasp is how you view the people who we have influence over. How you can view them as puppets and pawns. Does their existence only serve one purpose? Are we not the same flesh and bone as they are?” He looks at me with the same confusion as he did before and stares at me blankly, “Do you honestly think that we are the same as the people below us? People like Carter who remain in their mundane lives, forever in their same routine? Camille, we’re nothing like them. Yes we are of same flesh and bone but we are not like them in any way. We create the world around us.” I stand there in silence, just looking at him as he goes on, “For instance, I just got off the phone with one of the managers of my apparel line. We’re going to start a new trend where people start using the phrase ‘grippin’. We’re going to put it on T- shirts, Hats, even Jewelry. I’ve even started conversations with artists who said they’ll feature the phrase in their songs. All of that because I wanted too. Don’t you understand how powerful that is?” He starts to laugh with this new look in his eye. A look I’ve never seen before. I still stand in silence as he starts to calm down. He realizes my reserved composure, takes my face into his hand and motions my eyes into his, “Camille, I want you to know of what I, or should I say, what We are capable of. I want you by my side throughout all of this. I’ve even considered going into politics in the near future, and if I do, I want you, my Beautiful Penelope, to be there right by my side.” Before he can go on, a phone starts to ring, he reaches into his pocket and realizes who’s calling, “Camille, I have to take this, it’s a very important business call, but I want you to know that I love you. I need you to trust me, there’s nowhere but up for us.” He grabs me in his arms, looks at me with his eyes, and kisses me on the forehead. He then walks away into one of the rooms.

           I have always feared of what man is capable of. Seeing the history of our humanity and what we have been able to do with just a simple idea and the power to do it. I’ve even questioned my own power and have been afraid of what I may do with it. I stare out towards the skyline and watch the rain cover everything, gloom covering the sky. I can hear the beginnings of thunder in the distance. I hear him laugh in one of the rooms and slowly walk towards the doorway of the room he’s in. I stand by the corner and just watch him as he carries on with his business. This man is capable of change. He has the will and power to do it. I saw the look in his eye when he told me. I could see the person he would become. Yet, why was I scared? This man who had stole my heart. Who had allowed me to feel safe and warm. I kept staring at him thinking at what potential truly he was capable of. At what he may do, and how it might affect the rest of the world, for better or for worse.

Circa 2015.

All Rights Reserved.

[mermaidsirennikita]

Valentine’s Day Reads

Happy Valentine’s Day!  As I often gripe about badly done romance on this blog, I thought I’d list a few books that actually do it well.  Some are classics; some are decidedly not.  But I love the love stories in all of them.  I tried to cover my bases, and while I won’t say that all of these are all-time favorites for me, they do stick out in my head for their romantic plotlines and the chemistry between the leads.  Hopefully, something here will appeal to you.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.  Scarlett is a spoiled, vivacious southern belle on the eve of the Civil War.  She wants Ashley, a gentleman whose romanticism and genteel nature embody the antebellum era they’ve grown up; he’s the one man she can’t have, engaged to his sweet, kindhearted cousin Melanie.  As the war begins and becomes increasingly brutal, Scarlett must grow up and become a survivor, pining for Ashley while engaging in a game of wits and and emotion with Rhett, a man whose cynical and opportunist nature makes him a pariah in the south--but perhaps might also make him Scarlett’s true match.  The love/hate narrative is really defined by GWTW, which is less a tragedy than it is a coming of age story.   Scarlett and Rhett’s chemistry and rightness for each other is undeniable, but held back by the fact that she can’t recognize her own true feelings, committed to an idea rather than reality, and he is too protective of his own feelings to admit that he loves her.  GWTW is one of the few “classics” out there that is truly and compulsively readable, and it suggests a lot of Deep Things while at the same time entertaining you with a frustrating, gorgeous romance.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  Cinder is a cyborg, shunned by society and neglected by her stepmother and stepsister--despite her status as a gifted mechanic.  When the stepsister she loves grows fatally ill, she catches the blame, putting her in a precarious position.  At the same time, however, she finds herself as the mechanic of none other than Prince Kai, heir to the throne of the Eastern Commonwealth.  As Cinder becomes more entwined in political intrigue through Kai, she must also fight her feelings for him, and her lack of self-worth.  It’s hard to explain this series without spoiling a lot--and while The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorites series, I’ll admit that Cinder--though the first book--isn’t my favorite (that honor goes to Scarlet, the second book in the series).  But Cinder and Kai have a fantastic, sweet romance that of course draws from Cinderella, as every book in the series draws from a different fairy tale.  Yes, there is a lot of sci-fi going on in The Lunar Chronicles, and various space politics, but ultimately, each novel is a love story, and the couples you meet in one book return in the next.  (Except for Fairest, the excellent villain origin story prequel, which is an obsession story.)  Highly recommend if you’re on the lookout for some fun, romantic YA with a sci-fi spin.

Beauty by Robin McKinley.  The awkward Beauty doesn’t much feel like she deserves her nickname, especially when she pales in comparison to her gorgeous sisters.  But when her father returns from the castle of a mysterious beats, she rises to the occasion, offering to be the beasts’s prisoner in his place--and determined that she can tame it.  Obviously, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling--but it’s a definitive one.  This a slow-burn romance, and the book is as much about Beauty learning to love herself as the beast.  But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some excellent moments between the two of them.  When you’re looking for something with a bit less heat and a bit more gentle romance, check this out.

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore.  Miel and Sam are childhood friends, having weathered prejudice--Miel is an immigrant, and Sam is a trans man--together, as well as the strange roses that grow out of Miel’s skin and the attention that attracts.  But just after their relationship crosses a line--going from pining to physical--confusing the two of them, the Bonner sisters return to town.  Rumored to be witches, they want Miel’s roses, and will do whatever it takes to get them.  McLemore is really, really good at magical realism.  And there’s a lot of that in this book.  But the central story here is Miel and Sam’s relationship, their pasts, and how they’re struggling to come to terms with who they are.  The story is both romantic and erotic, and perhaps part of why it feels so incredibly real is that parts of it reflect McLemore’s own life.  Whether or not that’s true, however, is irrelevant--it’s impossible to not love her dreamy prose and the intensity of Miel and Sam’s feelings for each other.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones.  Liesl is underappreciated and in many ways repressed, taking on a lot of responsibility at the family inn.  Her sister Kathe is the beautiful one, and her brother Josef, a gifted musician, is the talented one--regardless of the fact that Liesl herself is a driven composer.  Ever since they were children, the siblings have been preoccupied with the Goblin King, but though he inspires her music, Liesl has dismissed him as a childhood fancy.  Until, that is, Kathe is taken by goblins--and the Goblin King needs a bride.  To save her sister, Liesl takes her place as the Goblin Queen.  While initially repulsed by the Underground, she becomes enthralled by her new husband’s world, and their shared passion for music.  Wintersong is well-written and thoroughly addictive, laced with a kind of erotic intoxication.  You fall for the Goblin King as Liesl does; you fall for his world as she does.  It’s morally ambiguous and dark and strange, and quite perfect for those who never got over David Bowie in Labyrinth.

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux.  Jilted by her self-obsessed boyfriend and left penniless, Dougless asks for a knight in shining armor and gets one--in the form of Nicholas, a medieval knight sent forward in time.  Dougless is initially disbelieving, but as she and Nicholas learn about his real legacy--which falls short of what he expected--they gradually fall in love.  However, their relationship is cut short by his sudden disappearance, sending Dougless back in time to find him.  This is a classic 80s romance novel, and therefore I had to include it.  It’s silly; it’s problematic; it has quite a few sex scenes, some of which may or may not involve ice cream.  But there’s a kind of purity to its cheese and silliness that is lighthearted and unique to the era.

The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre.  Deanna Madden wants to kill people.  So, she stays in her apartment all day, making a living as a cam girl.  As a result, she has to have a lot of things delivered to her--prompting the interest of the delivery guy, who just wants to get to know this woman he’s never even seen.  Too bad Deanna wants to murder him.  Basically, this is an erotic novel; there are a lot a lot a lot of explicit sex scenes, and a few different men who may or may not have a romantic interest in Deanna beyond her body (and if the series continues beyond the three books it’s already had, I wouldn’t be shocked if the author expands upon that).  But there’s something sweet about a guy and a girl who really don’t know each other being genuinely intrigued by one another--and the fact that the relationship’s main obstacle is Deanna’s own desire to kill makes it all the more interesting.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorn.  Lucy and Josh are work rivals at their publishing company--though “rivals” may be putting it lightly.  They loathe each other, regularly taunting one another throughout the day while competing.  That competition gets ramped up a notch by a promised promotion that only one of them can get.  But as they each struggle for the job, Lucy and Josh begin to realize that the tension between them may not just be professional.  The Hating Game is a rom com, but like... a sexy one.  There are plenty of UST-filled moments throughout the book.  And the great thing is that Josh isn’t an asshole, like most men in these sorts of books are.  He doesn’t want to ruin Lucy’s life; he actually seems into her, not into dominating her.  If you want something light and lovely and hot, go for The Hating Game.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.  Heathcliff is an orphan, brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw and raised as a “lesser than” sort of foster child alongside Earnshaw’s children, the abusive Hindley and spirited Cathy.  Equally wild, Heathcliff and Cathy become childhood best friends, and their feelings gradually deepen into intense romantic love as they grow up.  But Heathcliff is socially unsuitable for the upper-class Cathy, and when she agrees to marry her shy neighbor Linton--while vowing to love Heathcliff forever, out of his earshot--he runs away.  When he returns, Heathcliff is wealthy and bent on revenge; but the feelings between himself and Cathy remain, leading two families and multiple generations into ruin.  I feel like a lot of people are immediately put off by WH because it’s not told from Heathcliff and Cathy’s perspectives, exactly.  In fact, the story is told long after their children have grown up, by Nelly, a housekeeper who observed much of the story’s events, to Lockwood, a visitor to Wuthering Heights.  It’s also a really twisted love story--as much of a hate story as anything else.  Heathcliff and Cathy resent and adore each other in equal measure.  They thwart their own happiness over and over, and both are beasts to those that love them.  But this novel is so significant precisely because it shows that two hideous people can love each other--and it conveys a haunting sort of passion that seems almost out of place in a novel of its time.  The strain of morality running through Jane Eyre--tempering its subversive plot--isn’t present in Wuthering Heights.  Even when the cycle of abuse that consumed Heathcliff and Cathy finally is broken, the people that do so are hardly angels.  It’s a sad, angering, obsessive story.  But at its core, this is a book about love--and the things both terrible and great that it drives people to.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.  As a little girl, Grace was attacked by wolves--and since then has been somewhat obsessed with the yellow-eyed wolf in the woods behind her house.  Sam is a wolf in the winter and a boy in the summer, his transformation completely involuntary and based on the temperature.  This time, when the weather warms, he finally meets Grace, and they begin a tentative relationship--but if Sam can’t figure out how to stop himself from changing, he runs the risk of becoming a wolf forever, and losing not just Grace but himself.  Maggie Stiefvater has become increasingly famous for her Raven Boys series, and don’t get me wrong, I love that series.  But I love The Wolves of Mercy Falls more, and not just because it was the first book of hers that I ever read.  There’s a lovely approachable, understanding tone to Shiver--her writing is still beautiful and lyrical, but the simplicity of Grace and Sam’s love story set against the backdrop of a complicated, fraught situation is impossible to resist.  As the series continues, another very good, contrasting romance is added in--but I can’t really get over how incredibly soft Sam and Grace are, and how much this series feels like young love to me.