#sarah hoyt

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Preview: Barbarella: Woman Untamed Vol. 2 Trade Paperback

Barbarella: Woman Untamed Vol. 2 preview. She is known only as “the Lady.” Her identity, her origins, even her rise to power, are shrouded in utter mystery #comics #comicbooks

[arcticdementor]

It won’t be pretty, and I advise to have prep stuff on hand – you know, guns and canned, and such.   Whether to move to the city or rural is something else.  Yes, I know what you guys hear – and the instinct to “go and hide.”  But I’ve read accounts of Argentina’s collapse, and the worst stuff happened in the countryside, where isolated farmhouses were raided.  If you were in the city, for the most part, you were all right. (Which I’d say was more likely if your city has military presence.)

—Sarah Hoyt

[evilhorse]

Woman untamed

[nfcomics]

BARBARELLA: THE CENTER CANNOT HOLD no.5 • cover art • Derrick Chew [June 2023]

At last, the secrets of the Unnamable are revealed! Having travelled beyond our universe to reach the home of the Unnamable, Barbarella and her stalwart companions may have the answers they've been seeking, but they're very, very far from home, and very, very vulnerable. Can a war between universes be averted? Will the Architects sacrifice our universe in the name of victory? Can we possibly fit in all the answers we're promising here? One thing's for sure, our universe will never be the same again. Learn more in this final chapter!

[theantoniomabs]

REVIEW: Barbarella The Center Cannot Hold #5

Barbarella, what a crazy thing right? A young and beautiful space traveler tries to save the world from an evil being, not that crazy in hindsight but when you watch the movie it’s a whole ‘nother thing. Thankfully though we are not here to review the movie. Instead, we will be taking a look at Barbarella- The center cannot hold issue #5. In this issue, Barbarella gets inside the mind of a…

[triviareads]

Idk if you have watched the tv show Miss Scarlet and The Duke but if you have...could you recommend HR like that? 🤭

I watched a couple episodes! I think I got discouraged because everyone kept telling me how slow-burn it was, but I might pick it back up when I have time and emotional capacity for anything other than Jeopardy. I have some recs that fall under the general investigator/cop/mystery boat:

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean: Probably the one that fits your ask the most, and it's not just because Tommy Peck is a cop whose physical description sounds very similar to William Wellington's. He's also a gruff, no-nonsense hero paired with a loud and proud, somewhat messy heroine with a penchant for explosives and he's OBSESSED and also very exasperated for a lot of the book.

Her Protector's Pleasure by Grace Callaway: Grace Callaway in general will fit this vibe because they're very mystery/crime forward. This book's hero is then-cop Ambrose Kent (an Honorable cop, but don't worry he quits afterwards and opens his own detective agency; honestly, Grace Callaway was ahead of her time), a very unlikely hero considering he's POOR and BUILT LIKE A SCARECROW (but a hot one obvi). He's investigating society lady Marianne Draven (who is also doing some investigating of her own, and both their investigations collide).

The Duke Who Knew Too Much by Grace Callaway: The heroine is Ambrose Kent's sister and a plucky amateur (emphasis on the amateur; Emma accidentally almost sold her virginity at a brothel while investigating) investigator, while the hero is suspected of killing his paramour and keeps chasing after the heroine going "GODDAMMIT Emma".

Olivia and the Masked Duke by Grace Callaway: So this heroine is Emma's daughter, Livvy, and she's secretly an investigator who's a part of the HR version of Charlie's Angels. She's hopelessly in love/chasing after much-older friend Hadleigh all while hiding the fact that she's an investigator. This also has an element of him being annoyed for her safety while she investigates around London but the difference is a) she's a lot more qualified than her mom and b) this man's "punishment" (funishment?) includes spanking.

Fiona and the Enigmatic Earl by Grace Callaway: They're both investigators, well, he's a spy, but both Hawk and Fiona have secret jobs and both end up investigating the same situation, all while being in a marriage of convenience while hiding their secret identities

I feel like a lot of Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane books could qualify because even if they don't have the exact dynamic, a lot of them are set in the gritty underworld of London (St. Giles!), there's mystery subplots that deal with some pretty dark stuff, but there's a lot of vigilante justice going on (see: The Ghost of St. Giles). I'd strongly recommend the series as a whole if you're into any of this.

Lisa Kleypas wrote a cop series (her Bow Street Runners series) but none of them are very standout to me. I think Lady Sophia's Lover was good from what I remember, because Sophia is out for *revenge* and trying to seduce honorable? magistrate? Sir Ross Cannon.

[lizabethstucker]

Baen Free Short Stories 2013

4 out of 5.

A selection of fifteen short stories published in 2013 by Baen Publishing, free at their website. A mixture of science fiction and fantasy with an occasional outlier.

The stories are, for the most part, interesting and enjoyable reads. While not every story appealed to me, and a few were extremely confusing, I don't regret giving them all a read. Some of my particular favorites include "Eleutherios", "Dog's Body" (I immediately downloaded the first Shifter book after finishing this story), and "Murder on the Hochflieger Ost". FYI, "Sweothi City" is military adventure, while "Murder on the Hochflieger Ost" is a pre-World War I spy mystery, neither science fiction nor fantasy.

Contents/Individual Ratings

"Eleutherios" by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller. 4.5 "Seven Miles" by T. C. McCarthy. 3.5 "To Spec" by Charles E. Gannon. 4.5 "Skyspark" by Ryk E. Spoor. DNF (I just couldn't connect with this novella.) "The Krumhorn and the Misericorde" by Dave Freer. 3.5 "Pittsburgh Backyard and Garden" by Wen Spencer. 3.5 "Haunts of Guilty Minds" by John Lambshead. 4 "The Lamplighter Legacy" by Patrick O'Sullivan. 3.5 "Dog's Body" by Sarah A. Hoyt. 5 "The Sorcerer of Daigawa" by Jon F. Merz. 3 "Sweothi City" by Larry Correia. 4 "Out of True" by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller. 3 "Mars Farts" by Ben Bova. 3.5 "The Virgin of Hertogenbosch" by David Drake. 3.5 "Murder on the Hochflieger Ost" by Frank Chadwick. 4.5

[overflowingshelf]

July 2024 Reading Recap

Well, August didn’t start off how I expected, which is why I’m a bit delayed in getting my recap up for July. Unfortunately, my cat Fox was unexpectedly hospitalized again last weekend with congestive heart failure, but she’s back home now with a new dose of meds to help keep that in check. But that’s putting her kidneys at higher risk as she also has kidney disease, so it’s a delicate balance. I…

[keycomicbooks]

Barbarella #1 (2021) Lucio Parrillo Cover & Madibek Musabekov Pencils, Sarah Hoyt Story

#Barbarella #1 (2021) #LucioParrillo Cover & #MadibekMusabekov Pencils, #SarahHoyt Story The Siren of Space returns for a series of all-new adventures. SAVE ON SHIPPING COST - NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PICK UP IN DELTONA, FLORIDA https://www.rarecomicbooks.fashionablewebs.com/Barbarella%202021.html#1b  #RareComicBooks #KeyComicBooks #DynamiteEntertainment #ComicBooks

[weirdesplinder]

Recensioni a caldo: Night Shifters, di Sarah A. Hoyt

Night shifters, di Sarah A. Hoyt, è il titolo di un volume che contiene i primi due romanzi della sua serie Urban fantasy intitolata SHIFTERS composta da tre libri:

1. Draw One in the Dark

2. Gentleman Takes a Chance

3. Noah’s boy

Tutta la serie è Inedita in italiano

Link acquisto: https://amzn.to/40g7NMf

Trama: I mutaforma vivono fra di noi, nascosti. E Kyrie Smith, è una di loro, una ragazza che non sa nemmeno lei perchè, si può trasformare in una pantera nera. Questo potere non sembra ereditario, è comparso nell’adolescenza e sembra collegato alla luna piena, questo è tutto ciò che sa e non vuole sapere altro. Lo odia e tenta di ignorarlo, almeno finchè non incontra un altro mutaforma, di notte, in un parchegio deserto: un draho che sembra stia uccidendo un umano davanti ai suoi occhi. Ma non tutto è come sembra: il drago è il suo nuovo collega di lavoro, e non ricorda esattamente cosa sia successo, una cosa sola è certa. I mutaforma sono molti più di quelli che Kyrie credeva, qualcuno li sta uccidendo, e ora lei è pure coinvolta nel furto di una sfera magica collegata a un Dio drago. Negare l’evidenza non le sarà più possibile.

La mia opinione: Il libro parte bene in tipico stile urban fantasy subito con azione e colpi di scena ma poi dopo circa un terzo....cala per poi perdersi del tutto soprattutto per colpa di personaggi abbastanza freddi o poco simpatici. Nessun personaggio neppure Kyrie è riuscito veramente a coinvolgermi emotivamente, all’inizio lei e Noah erano promettenti ma poi.....lui diventa insopportabile e lagnoso e lei improvvisamente un poco stupida. Mi aspettavo di più da quetso romanzo sinceramente perchè di solito questa autrice mi piace, ma effttivamente questa è una delle sue prime serie e si sente, poi è miglirata veramente tanto fortunatamente.

Perciò vi consiglio di leggere i Post che ho dedicato a questa autrice sul mio blog dove parlo degli altri suoi libri e serie, molto migliori di questa.: https://weirdesplinder.tumblr.com/post/180827255168/sarah-a-hoyt

[dhaaruni]

If you liked Bridgerton, here are other historical romances with the same tropes:

Virgin-Meets-Rake (Season 1, Simon and Daphne):

When the Duke was Wicked by Lorraine Heath: She's a witty debutante who's the jewel of the season, he's a seasoned rake mourning the death of his wife and child with excessive hedonism, and she recruits him to teach her how to attract a husband

The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe: She's a shy heiress and master chef who struggles to talk to men, he's an irreverent scoundrel and would-be restaurant owner she recruits to teach her lessons to catch a husband

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas: The villain in It Happened One Autumn enters a marriage-of-convenience with an heiress with a stutter (whose best friend he kidnapped, whoops) and at one point he goes, "I’m Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. I can’t be celibate. Everyone knows that," and isn't being ironic.

Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean: She's on-the-shelf and deeply bored, he's a rake who's suddenly been given custody of his irreverent and wild teenage half-sister, she recruits him to help her be rebellious

Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran: He's a (seemingly) silly dandy, she's impossible to charm, and he shatters her facade

Enemies-To-Lovers** (Season 2, Anthony and Kate):

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean: She loves causing trouble, he totally hates getting her out of it, she's wild, he's starchy, and they fall madly in love

The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath: She's the viperous writer who's publishing explosive smut starring him, her former fiancé that jilted her at the alter, and they find each other again

The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe: She's a free-spirited heiress whose reputation was ruined ages ago, he's a broke Duke looking for a wife to fill his coffers and fix his estate, they see each other for who they truly are

It Happened One Autumn (and its precursor Then Came You) by Lisa Kleypas: two iterations of the classic, "free spirited woman meets buttoned-up man who loathes her and is kind of a freak in the sheets" trope in the best way possible. Also, Alex buys Lily a bear in Then Came You, which obviously made me cry

All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue by Sophie Jordan: His best friend is her brother, and they really want to fuck but hate it

Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt: She's engaged to his brother, they meet when she walks in on him fucking another woman, HATES her for being perfect, she hates him for being a degenerate loser, and infidelity ensues.

** These are true enemies-to-lovers books, not that hella lame rivals-to-lovers shit that's all over contemporary romances of late

Friends-To-Lovers (Season 3, Colin and Penelope):

The Lady Hellion by Joanna Shupe: Sophia is trying to solve a mystery (and dresses up as a man in the process), and recruits her friend (and one-time kissing buddy) Lord Quint to teach her how to shoot. She's exasperating, he's charmed and there's a puppy involved.

The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan: She's a genius botanist but can't share her research since she's a woman, and he's her public face but refuses to continue anymore. He's always been in love with her, she's as oblivious as they come.

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh: She's a scientist, he's an anthropologist, they're longtime friends and she recruits him to help her make a visiting naturalist jealous but ends up falling for him herself

Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas: They're in a marriage of convenience, but end up becoming real friends in the process before they realize they're in love

The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath: He's a Duke looking to get married, she's his secretary and most trusted friend, he recruits her to find him a wife and they fall madly in love in the process

Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston: He's her brother's friend who is recruited to help her manage her estate when her husband dies. She flits around constantly in anxiety and never sits still, and he likes it.

This should get you started!

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: Barbarella: The Center Cannot Hold #5

Barbarella: The Center Cannot Hold #5 preview. At last, the secrets of the Unnamable are revealed! #comics #comicbooks

[arcticdementor]

I wouldn’t put it past, in the current environment for “you don’t vote for democrats” or “we don’t like your yard signs” to be a reason to take your child away. You know they’ve convinced themselves we’re all secretly horrible people, anyway. What about being a sincere religious person? You think that won’t turn CPS against you? As an example of our brush with stupidity, they tried to start the process to take younger son — born very much to us and our genetic child — away because he had a speech impediment and a problem paying attention (both proceeding from a hearing issue), which they — using their powerful intellects and no information, not even casual query beyond his PRESCHOOL TEACHER’S OPINION — determined came from us speaking exclusively Russian at home. This was revealed to us when we fought back. We had to break it to them, not only didn’t either of us speak Russian, Dan speaks only English and bad public school French, and I speak only English except for the weekly call to mom, when I speak Portuguese (and the guys amused themselves pretending to understand.) BUT NO ONE HAD ASKED. AND THEY’D STARTED OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS to first take his education out of our hands, and eventually the child. (That was fun to fight. BUT we ended up diagnosing and fixing his unusual hearing issue.)

—Sarah Hoyt

[evilhorse]

That should hold them.

[winchesterwild78]

A New Sheriff in Town

Master List

Characters: Beau Arlen x Reader, Reader’s daughter Lily, other Big Sky characters

Warnings: Nothing too bad yet, just establishing the story with this chapter

A/N: This was an idea given to me by @cheekygirl2309. Just a short series featuring our favorite green eyes Sheriff. Reader is a single mom and Beau moves in. Things start to develop and the reader's daughter finds it hard to pull herself away from Beau. 

This does not follow the Big Sky timeline and is not in any way associated with the show. All work is my own, please don’t take it. 

Minors DNI 18+

You had always been a fiercely independent woman. Raising your three year old daughter, Lily, alone had been a challenge, but you’d managed with a stubborn streak and a whole lot of love. So when the new sheriff, Beau Arlen, arrived in town, you weren’t expecting much more than a friendly face at the local diner.

The day he drove into town you were working a double shift at the diner. Sarah, your friend, and Lily’s babysitter had brought Lily in for some ice cream. Jenny Hoyt had stopped by earlier in the day to let everyone know the new sheriff would be in later, so when she walked in with this tall, handsome man, you weren’t entirely surprised. 

Beau was everything you’d imagined a small-town sheriff to be: tall, strong, and with a kind smile that seemed to warm the entire room. He was also surprisingly gentle, especially around Lily. The little girl, who was notoriously shy with strangers, took to him immediately, clinging to his leg and babbling happily.

You were taken aback. Lily had never warmed up to anyone so quickly. You watched as Beau knelt down, his eyes twinkling with amusement, and gently stroked Lily's hair. The sight filled your heart with a warmth you hadn’t felt in a long time. He walked over to you and stuck his hand out, “Beau Arlen, nice to meet ya darlin’.” You knew he was from Texas and could definitely hear it when he spoke.

You extended your hand, “Hello, I’m Y/N, and this little firecracker is Lily, my daughter.” He knelt back down to Lily and shook her hand, “Hello, Lily, nice to meet you.” He looked up at you and smiled, “And your mama too.” You didn’t realize you were biting your lip until Sarah bumped you with her hip. She smirked at you and you rolled your eyes.

Beau made his way around the diner introducing himself to everyone and chatting with them. Some were apprehensive of the young new sheriff, but others welcomed him with open arms. Throughout his interactions you kept looking up at him and would occasionally catch him looking at you. Quickly looking away and blushing. 

You had no intention of striking up a relationship with anyone. You and Lily had been on your own for 2 years now. Your husband, Aaron, was a firefighter who died unexpectedly during a call. The two years since have been hard. You were thankful your husband had insisted on paying off the house early in your marriage, so at least you and Lily had a place to live. 

Never in your wildest dreams did you think you’d ever be a widow and a single mother at such a young age. Lily was your rock and kept you going. When Aaron died she was the only reason you got out of bed in the morning. The diner owner, April and her husband Jack were Lily’s godparents, so when Aaron died they offered you a job there. Jack and Aaron had been best friends since grade school. 

April saw how Lily interacted with Beau and was just as surprised as you, “Looks like Lily likes the new sheriff” she smiled. “Yeah, it’s great seeing her open up to new people.” You smiled and April looked at you, touching your arm and sighing. 

Before Beau left the diner, April gave him some coffee and a muffin to go, “Come back anytime Sheriff, coffee and muffins on the house for our first responders.” He smiled, tipped his hat and thanked her. 

Lily ran up to him and clung to his leg, “Daddy! No go!” Everyone’s eyes went wide and you gasped walking and picking up your daughter, “No, Lily, he’s not Daddy. This is Sheriff Arlen.” Her big blue eyes wide as she looked between you and Beau, “No! Daddy!” She started to cry and kick her legs wildly, trying to break free from your hold. 

Tears started to fall from your face as you clung to your daughter. Sarah stepped in and took Lily as you were ushered to the back with April. As Sarah carried Lily out, Beau’s heart broke. He looked at Jenny, “I’m so sorry. Is there something I can do to help?” Jenny put a hand on his shoulder, “No, Y/N will be okay. Her husband died a few years ago, so it’s just been her and Lily. It’s still raw for everyone. He was a firefighter and he died in the line of duty saving a family from a fire. He got them all out safely and then the house collapsed on him. Lily was about a year and a half, so she doesn’t have many memories of him. Y/N has been an amazing mother. She’s poured her heart and soul into raising Lily.” 

Beau nodded with understanding. His heart broke for you and Lily. He could still hear the toddler crying as Sarah buckled her in her carseat. Beau’s heart panged with guilt, so he walked over to Sarah’s car. 

Lily saw him and her arms went up, “Daddy!” Beau leaned into the car and hugged Lily, “It’s okay Lily, go with Miss Sarah. I’ll see you later.” He kissed the toddler on the head and she quieted down. Sarah looked at Beau, “How did you do that?” Beau smiled, “I have a daughter, her name is Emily. She’s not little anymore, but sometimes a hug and kiss on the head was all it took to calm her down. Please let Y/N know if she needs anything or any help with Lily to give me a call.” 

Sarah nodded and closed the door. Lily was sitting in her car seat giggling and kicking her legs playfully. 

Beau climbed in Jenny’s truck and they drove towards the station. Sarah had called you to let you know Lily was down for a nap and what happened at the car. “It was the craziest thing, Y/N. I’d never seen her calm down so quickly.” “Wow, I’m speechless.” “He told me to tell you if you needed anything or any help with Lily to let him know. He has a teenage daughter, so maybe that’s how he knows how to handle Lily.” “Yeah, maybe. Hey Sarah, can you stay a little later. I want to stop at the station and talk to Beau.” “Yeah, sure. Please tell him thank you again for me.” “I will, thanks again Sarah.”

You hung up and grabbed your stuff. April came from the back and hugged you before you left. “Here, take this to Sheriff Arlen. You can’t go empty handed.” She smiled at you and you nodded. 

Walking into the station you saw Pop sitting at the front desk, “Hey! How are you Y/N? How’s that sweet Lily doing?” “Hey Pop, we’re good. Is Sheriff Arlen around? I wanted to talk to him.” “Yeah, I think he was about to leave, but I’ll let him know you’re here.” You smiled and took a seat.

A few minutes later Beau came out of his office, “Ms Y/L/N, is everything okay?” “Yes, please call me Y/N. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Beau nodded and motioned to his office.

You walked in his office and noticed the picture of a girl on his desk, this must be his daughter you thought. “Oh before I forget, April asked me to bring you these. They are her famous cinnamon rolls. Great with coffee, heck great by themselves.” You laughed. “Well thank ya, darlin’.” You bit your lip hearing his accent. 

“Beau, I wanted to thank you for what you did for my Lily. I’m sure by now you know I lost my husband about two years ago. Lily was so young she doesn’t remember her father. I’ve never seen her take to someone as quickly as she did you. I’m sorry she called you ‘daddy’, she’s never done that. I really appreciate you taking time to help calm her down too. Sarah said she went down for her nap without any issue.”

Beau was leaning against his desk, feet crossed at the ankles as he listened to you. Your heart fluttered and a warmth filled your body. One you had long since thought was gone forever. Beau sat beside you and took your hands in his, “Y/N, anything either of you need I’ll be there. She reminds me of my Emily, so I’m happy to help.” 

You smiled softly at him and he smiled at you. His smile reached his eyes, and small crinkles formed around his eyes. He was breathtaking and his eyes were so kind. 

His touch was soft and gentle. Your heart beat wildly in your chest. It had been forever since you felt the gentle touch of a man, and a wave of anticipation and guilt flooded your body. 

You swallowed hard and your breath hitched, pulling your hands away, you stood. “I should be getting home to Lily. Thank you again, Beau.” You started to walk out the door, stopped and turned towards Beau. You offered him a soft smile. A smile you hope conveyed your appreciation. “Here, take my number, Y/N. In case you need anything for Lily.” 

You handed him your phone, he put in his number and sent himself a text. Taking back your phone, your fingers brushed against his and you felt your breath catch in your throat. “Good night, Beau.” “Good night, Y/N, drive safe.”

Walking to your car your head was spinning. Today did not turn out the way you had expected. The new sheriff was sweet, charming, and attractive. Since your husband died you hadn’t even looked at another man in that way. So feeling what you were feeling took you by surprise.

You would often ‘talk’ to Aaron on your way home and tonight was no different, however, the conversation tonight was one that was laced with guilt. Hey honey it’s me. I miss you, Lily misses you like crazy. You’ve been gone for over two years and sometimes it feels like yesterday. The new sheriff came to town today, which I’m sure you already knew. Lily instantly connected with him, calling him daddy too. You will always be her daddy, honey. I don’t know why she did, but she was absolutely taken by him. I don’t know what to do, I felt something today. I didn’t want to, but I did. I’m not sure what it means, maybe I’m just lonely, but I haven’t felt this since you. I need your advice now more than ever. I know we said if something happened to either one of us we would want the other one to move on, but I don’t know baby. I love you, Aaron. Come look in on us from time to time. 

You wiped the tears away as you pulled in your driveway and put the car in park. When you walked in the house Sarah was sitting on the couch and Lily was in bed. “Hey, Y/N, everything okay?” “Yeah, just had a talk with Aaron. Thanks again for staying a little later.” “Of course.” She hugged you and when she pulled away she said, “You know Aaron would want both of you to be happy. You deserve to be loved again, Y/N. It’s not a disservice to his memory and you wouldn’t be trying to replace him if you met someone and fell in love again.” You sighed and nodded, “I know, it’s just hard. When you think you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone and they are gone.” She nodded, hugged you again and left for the night.

As you settled in on the couch after a quick shower you turned on the tv for background noise as you scrolled on your phone. You noticed on the town’s Facebook page they had posted a new post, it was one talking about Beau and a picture of him. 

The picture made your heart flutter. You couldn’t help but like the post and comment: Welcome to town, Sheriff. Glad you’re here. 😀. You put your phone down and you heard your phone chime. You picked it up and noticed a text message had come through.

Beau: Hey, Y/N. Hope you don’t mind me texting you. I just wanted to check on Lily.

You: Hey, no it’s fine you texted. Thank you for checking on her. She’s sleeping like a rock. When I got home she was already asleep. Thank you again for helping with her.

Beau: No problem. Oh and thanks for the cinnamon rolls. They were an amazing dinner. 😀

You: Please tell me you did not eat those for dinner?

Beau: Well I can’t lie, so maybe 😉

You: Oh goodness. You’re as bad as Lily thinking ice cream is a breakfast food.

Beau: Well she’s not wrong. Ice cream for breakfast is my favorite thing on birthdays and holidays.

You: 😂 you’re a grown toddler, aren’t you.

Beau: Yes, ma’am. I sure am.

The two of you talked for over an hour, sending texts back and forth. You realized it was late but you really didn’t want to stop talking to him. Your face hurt from smiling so much. It had been so long since you smiled that much. 

You: Well, Sheriff, I have an early shift and Lily is an early riser so I really should head to bed.

Beau: Of course. We can chat tomorrow some more if you want. 

You: I’d like that very much. Thank you for tonight. I enjoyed talking to you.

Beau: You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too. 

You: Good night, Beau. 

Beau: Good night, Y/N. Sleep well. 

You: You too. 

You placed your phone on your chest and took a deep breath and smiled. Crawling into bed you looked over at Aaron’s picture and smiled. “Good night honey, I love you, and I promise I’ll be open to whatever this is.” 

As you drifted off to sleep Beau’s smile and his interaction with Lily played over and over in your mind. For the first time in over two years you fell asleep with a smile on your face and a sense of calm in your heart. Could this be the start of something new, or would you just end up broken hearted? You hoped for yours and Lily’s sake it was the start of something new and wonderful.

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[starry-sky-stuff]

I agree that The Heiress Hunt is the weakest in that series. If you read that then The Duke Gets Even (or vice versa) you'd probably get a bit of whiplash because tonally they're quite different, but if you read in order you can clearly see the progression (the series definitely got sexier with each book and unfortunately that means The Heiress Hunt falls a bit short when compared to Duke Gets Even or The Bride Goes Rogue). Which makes sense for the start of a series, it just means I don't enjoy the book as much as the others, especially compared to The Duke Gets Even. But I love couples with build-up over multiple books, so I tend to prefer later books in a series anyway.

What are your favourite and least favourite books you’ve read by your top three favourite historical romance authors?

Oh, interesting! My top 3 does change a lot, of course.

Elizabeth Hoyt first.

Favorite: Thief of Shadows, because I think it's a nearly flawless blend of adventure, sex, angst, and romance. Totally sweeping. Both the hero and heroine are unique and incredibly well written.

Least Favorite: To Seduce a Sinner, probably? It's not a bad read as a romance; she does well with it. But it's less memorable than others, and I personally don't love the whole "heroes were tortured by indigenous people" backstory for this series, and that's huge in this one.

Joanna Shupe.

Favorite: The Duke Gets Even. She built up to it perfectly. It's intensely romantic and challenges some of the things we expect from romance novels. Great enemies to lovers vibes, and I love a book with rough sex. I just really, really believed those two were in love.

Least Favorite: The Heiress Hunt. It's good, and I recommend it as part of the Fifth Avenue Rebels series, but it's safer and less dynamic than her other books.

Lisa Kleypas.

Favorite: Dreaming of You. Beautifully written, perfectly angsty, fun, formative.

Least favorite: Hello Stranger. I really dislike this book. So boring.