Tag: QUILTBAG

12 Tropes of 2020 – A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian

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Mistaken Identity from
12 Tropes of 2020

The ploy where one person is mistaken for another and hilarity ensues.

Taken from TV Tropes

All the books where one (or both) main character is keeping his/her’s identity secret or the other just thinks she/he is someone else.

Taken from Goodreads

A Delicate Deception
by Cat Sebastian

When Amelia Allenby escaped a stifling London ballroom for the quiet solitude of the Derbyshire countryside, the very last thing she wanted was an extremely large, if—she grudgingly admits—passably attractive man disturbing her daily walks. Lecturing the surveyor about property rights doesn’t work and, somehow, he has soon charmed his way into lemon cakes, long walks, and dangerously heady kisses.

The very last place Sydney wished to be was in the shadow of the ruins of Pelham Hall, the inherited property that stole everything from him. But as he awaits his old friend, the Duke of Hereford, he finds himself increasingly captivated by the maddeningly lovely and exceptionally odd Amelia. He quickly finds that keeping his ownership of Pelham Hall a secret is as impossible as keeping himself from falling in love with her.

But when the Duke of Hereford arrives, Sydney’s ruse is revealed and what started out as a delicate deception has become a love too powerful to ignore. Will they let a lifetime of hurt come between them or can these two lost souls find love and peace in each other?

Blurb taken from book blurb

My thoughts

Okay so, A Delicate Deception?

Yes please!

Two bisexual/pansexual characters + One introvert author/spinster + One softly damaged/emotional engineer = an amazing book that I enjoyed SO much.

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Dekoboko Sugar Days by Yusen Atsuko

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Dekoboko Sugar Days

by Yusen Atsuko.

PUBLISHER
GOODREADS
AMAZON

BOOKTOPIA
book depository

Yuujirou Matsukaze has been close friends with Rui Hanamine since the two of them were children, and at that time, Yuujirou was the one who stood up for and took care of his adorable, soft-hearted friend. But as it turns out, Yuujirou’s childhood dreams end up growing a little too big to handle ― or, rather, too tall! At over six feet in height, the cheerful and happy-go-lucky Rui towers over his would-be protector… and still has no idea Yuujirou’s had a crush on him since they were kids! 

Taken from book blurb

Release Date: February 18, 2020.

Length: 256 pages.

Series: Stand alone.

Genre: Manga. QUILTBAG. Yaoi.

Read as: an eBook.

Sourced: NetGalley.

My Thoughts

Dekoboko Sugar Days is a quick and cute story of Yuujirou and Rui as they each come to realise their feelings for each other. Yuujirou was a favourite character of mine, as he both angstyed over his short height and his feelings for Rui. I say angst but really it was all just cute pining and over compensation for his shortness by drinking a lot of milk.

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Quick Queer Reviews – LGBTQ+ Fantasy Romance

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One of my absolute favourite genres is QUILTBAG fantasy romance novels. I am a sucker for the fantasy genre anyway but when you add in LGBTQ+ elements and a romance story – I am hooked and hooked good! I think the main draw card is that so many of the story do away with the historic homophobia of historical novels and instead tell stories of LGBTQ+ characters achieving great things and falling in love.

I have a spotted history with Scribd – I once loved it SOOO much but they changed their service. I could not handle the drop from unlimited books to 8 a month for the same price. However it has recently come to my attention that Scribd is back to the unlimited reads business model. So here are just a few of the books that I have read in my first month back on the service.

So, prepare yourself for just a few of the QUILTBAG fantasy romance novels I’ve read on Scribd. I won’t lie though, it’s mainly been from two authors 😋

LGBTQ+ Fantasy Romance

Demonica by Megan Derr

Life as a mercenary isn’t kind or easy, and Shale has lost much: one family, then another, one leg, one arm, one eye, and the love of his life when pain and medication left him disinterested in sex. The last thing he wants is to accept a job from his ex-lover’s mother, but the pay is too good to refuse, especially as it should be a relatively simple job

First paragraph of book blurb

I really liked this short fantasy romance as I really connected with the characters of the novel. I felt so bad for Shale who after having been attacked by a dragon, lost his arm, leg, eye, and due to the pain medication, lost his sex drive. To make this even worse, his partner dumped him as he couldn’t be in a relationship without a physical component.

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Romance Recommendation: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

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The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

by Mackenzi Lee

Author
Goodreads

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and travelling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Taken from book blurb

Length: 10 hours 47 minutes

Series: Montague Siblings #1

Genre: Young Adult. QUILTBAG. M/M Romance.

Read as an: eAudiobook

My Thoughts

While listening to the first chapter of this audiobook, I was very tempted to stop reading. Don’t get me wrong, the narrator was amazing and the writing was good – it was just the character Monty was such a prick that I didn’t want to listen to a whole book about him.

I am SO glad that I powered through because I came to love Monty. While it might be stretching it to say that he grew as a person, he none the less grew on me as I came to understand him.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a young adult, historical, LGBTQ+ romance adventure novel. Encompassing that many genres may be a stretch with some books, but Lee pulls it off spectacularly. Soon I was absorbed in the world of the novel and was fighting for Monty and his love affair with Percy.

“We’re not courting trouble,” I say. “Flirting with it, at most.”

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Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

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Mooncakes

by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Publisher: Link.

Amazon: Link.

Goodreads: Link.

Book Depository: Link.

A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers’ bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town.

One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home.

Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

Taken from book blurb

Length: 256 Pages.

Genre: Graphic Novel. Fantasy. QUILTBAG.

My Thoughts

Mooncakes is a cute , inclusive, and easy to read graphic novel. The book is a fantasy story set in modern times, with witches, magic, and werewolves taking centre stage in this graphic novel.

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12 Tropes of 2020 Challenge – Better Not Pout by Annabeth Albert

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May/December from
12 Tropes of 2020

Refers to a romantic relationship where there is a drastic difference in age between the two participants.

Taken from TV Tropes

“Some say I’m robbing the cradle, but I say she’s robbing the grave!”

Hubert Farnsworth, Futurama

Better Not Pout
by Annabeth Albert

One hard-nosed military police officer.

One overly enthusiastic elf.

One poorly timed snowstorm.

Is it a recipe for disaster? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for holiday romance?

Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.

Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting—Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand.

The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind. 

Blurb taken from Goodreads

My thoughts

Better Not Pout has been on my reading list for a while now, I remember making grand plans to read it all the way back in December 2017… it only took me two years to read it. I am very glad that I did eventually read this book as I found it to be quite a sweet and tender hearted novel.

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Tough Guy by Rachel Reid

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Tough Guy

by Rachel Reid.

PUBLISHER
GOODREADS
Author
AMAZON
Barnes & Noble
Google Books
Kobo

They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

Taken from book blurb.

Release Date: January 13, 2020.

Length: 262 pages.

Series: Game Changers #3.

Genre: QUILTBAG. Romance. M/M Romance.

Read as: an eBook.

Sourced: NetGalley.

My Thoughts

Rachel Reid continues to blow me away. Not only does she make me want to know more about Hockey but she compels me to read her books in one session with her engaging characters and dynamic relationships. Although it is the start of the year, I feel like I have found a 2020 favourite in Tough Guy.

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Book Bingo Update 11

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I did it! It’s done. All 25 of these beautiful little squares have been marked off and read 🥰I’ve found this years Book bingo really challenging and enjoyed a lot of what I read for these squares.

While the traditional bingo card won’t be returning next year, keep an eye out in the coming week for my new reading challenge for 2020. Until then, enjoy my final books that finish off this years challenge!

Transgender Main character

A Matter of Disagreement by E.E. Ottoman

A Matter of Disagreement is a really cute story about two academics from opposing areas of study who as much as they want to hate each other, really enjoy the hell our of each others company.

I really enjoyed the story of these two characters as they tried to wrangle their professional feelings and work towards being friends. It was great seeing that romantic spark from the start and watching as the two tried so hard to at different times hate and like each other.

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LV48 by Matt Doyle

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LV48

by Matt Doyle.

PUBLISHER
GOODREADS
Author
AMAZON
BOOK DEPOSITORY
BOOKTOPIA
Kobo

New Hopeland City may be the birthplace of Tech Shifter gear, but it isn’t the only place that likes to blend technology with folklore. Now, a new nightmare is stalking the streets…

When PI Cassie Tam is attacked on the way home one night, she expects the police to get involved. What she doesn’t expect is to be forced into acting as bait to lure out a lunatic in a tech-suit that’s literally out for blood. But past actions have consequences, and doing so may be the only way she can get a clean slate from the city’s law makers.

If only that didn’t mean having to face down a wannabe vampire.

Taken from book blurb.

Release Date: December 10, 2018.

Length: 247 pages.

Series: The Cassie Tam Files #3.

Genre: Sci-Fi. Lesbian.

Read as: an eBook.

Sourced: NetGalley.

My Thoughts

LV48 is a suspenseful continuation of ‘The Cassie Tam Files,’ which features even more twists and turns than the previous books. LV48 takes place shortly after the events of The Fox, The Dog, and The King and jumps right into the action.

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Book Bingo Update 10

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Finish that TRILOGy

Looking For You (Lifesworn #3) by Megan Derr

The third book in the series, Looking For You, brings the Lifesworn series to a climatic end. The series is set in a fantastical world where in the first book, we follow a princess as she escapes her kingdom as her uncle usurps the throne. The two other books tell the stories of people close to Princess Shana and how they all ultimately work towards returning her to her kingdom and throne.

In each book the series explores a number of polyamorous relationships through incredibly different storylines. As per usual I am constantly in awe of the seamless way that Megan Derr creates worlds and lores within her work. However as always, the book could have stood to be given one last proofread before being published.

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