Today, let’s look back on December and look forward to January.
Favourite December reads
At the time of this writing, I’ve read 12 books this month. My favourite few of the month are below. Just click on the images to be taken to the book’s Amazon page.
I just loved Merry Measure by Lily Morton. It was cute and sweet and lovely and low-angst and funny. Chock-full of feel-good happiness. Arlo and Jack were the sweetest and the atmospheric Amsterdam setting was just perfect.
Moments of Forever by Kelly Jensen is a freebie available via her newsletter. It’s an extended epilogue of sorts featuring Charlie and Simon from her novel Building Forever, which I absolutely adore. I could read about Charlie and Simon all day.
The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson is a novel out of my typical genres: historical fiction. There are dual storylines: one set in the past, in Cornwall during WWII, and one set in Cornwall in the present. They’re interwoven in a way that keeps the reader intrigued from the very beginning.
Hook by Gina L. Maxwell is a last-minute addition to my favourites list; I just read is a couple of days ago. This romantic suspense features an undercover cop and the hard-edged Captain of the Pirates who only wants a better life. It was gritty and sexy and steamy.
Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer is a young adult sci-fi featuring a pansexual lead as she races across space in a race to see who will be the next emperor. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, but from what I have read, this one’s a favourite. It was sharp and witty and fun, with twists and turns around every corner! Honestly, a highlight of 2020.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen is a beautiful graphic novel. It’s about a boy and his mother and who struggle to commnunicate with each other, but who learn to do so through the magic of storytelling. The art is just lovely and the overall story was so uplifting and hopeful.
Books I’m looking forward to reading in January
Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins is a new body positive young adult love story about a boy who will be spending 15 days living with his lifelong crush.
I read The Happy List by Briar Prescott recently and loved it so much. I really enjoyed Briar’s writing and can’t wait to read Project Hero.
Roommate by Sarina Bowen looks like all sorts of fun. Roommates to lovers? Yes please.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco came in my October Fairyloot book box. The cover is amazing and the story sounds great. It’ll be my first book by this author and I look forward to it.
On the writing front
My February release, Keeping Casey, went to my copyeditor and proofreaders this month. Release date is February 23. I don’t have all of my pre-order links yet, but you can add it to your shelf on Goodreads. Keeping Casey is a college romance that features childhood best friends who become fake boyfriends. Here’s the blurb.
Casey Preston is the guy with the plan. The list-maker. The one who micromanages his own life.
Spontaneously offering to be his best friend’s fake boyfriend to get Ethan’s annoying team captain off his back?
That’s not thinking things through. It’s not even smart given Casey’s been fighting his feelings for Ethan for years.
Ethan Rain just wants to play hockey and get his college degree. Adding a fake boyfriend to the mix? He doesn’t need that complication.
If Casey were his real boyfriend, though? If he got to keep Casey forever? Now we’re talking.
But what if Casey doesn’t want to be kept?
I had character art made for my newest release, Gingerbread Mistletoe. The art is by Mariana Avilez, and you can find her on Instagram here. Check out the art below or find it on the Gingerbread Mistletoe bonus content page.
My novella One Winter with You is officially available for download! It’s part of the Winter Wonderland gay romance giveaway on Prolific Works—180+ authors have come together to offer you brand new gay romance stories absolutely FREE. Find all of the stories here. Get them now because the giveaway ends on January 10.
Of note, there will be many people trying to claim books at the same time. Prolific Works knows we’re coming but technical difficulties are bound to ensue. Please be patient if things are moving slowly or if you’re having trouble downloading books. They will all be available until January 10, so there’s plenty of time to claim the ones you want.
With so many stories available, the giveaway organizers have put together a checklist that lists all of the participating authors alphabetically, and then each story be genre. Find it here.
What’s next for me? Well, I took December off from writing. I worked on some promotional stuff and on edits to One Winter with You and Keeping Casey, but I took time off from writing new material. I went non-stop from February 1 this year and I needed a break to recharge.
Starting Janaury 4, I’ll be diving into writing a new novel: the companion novel to Keeping Casey. Keeping Casey isn’t technically a series in the regular sense, but one of the side characters you’ll meet will get his own novel. Think older sister’s best friend! I expect the companion novel will release in June, but more on that to come.
That’s it for the December edition of High Five Friday. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!
What books are you looking forward to reading in January? Leave a comment below!