Beauty in Ruins

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:11:00 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

A trio of digital downloads to start the week.

As Old As Thyme by Alix Nicoud: A T4T F/M childhood best friends to lovers medieval romance novella between a HRT-brewing bisexual wise woman and the gray-aroace scammer who walks back into her life.
The Giantess's Valley by Jenna Sahara: For readers who crave size difference erotica with heart, detailed worldbuilding, and encounters that push every boundary.
Guardians of the Holy Grail by Preston William Child: Archaeologist Dr. Laura Stevens leads an expedition beneath the Temple Mount, searching for traces of a forgotten past. What she uncovers could rewrite history.

And a stack of paperbacks from the used bookstore to end the week.

The Diamond Throne by David Eddings: the first book of The Elenium, introducing Sparhawk, Pandion Knight and the Queen's champion.
Belgarath the Sorcerer by David & Leigh Eddings: the first of two prequels to The Belgariad and The Malloreon, the other featuring Polgara the Sorceress.
First King of Shannara by Terry Brooks: prequel to the original Shannara trilogy, introducing us to both Bremen and Jerle Shannara.
Isle Witch by Terry Brooks: the first book of The Voyage Of The Jerle Shannara, which takes us outside the lands of the original trilogies for the first time.
Winter Moon by Dean Koontz: from the 80s heights of Koontz's fame, before he fell into the tropes of special dogs and special kids, this one mixes horror and sci-fi.

Currently Reading

Our vacation starts on Wednesday, with 6 days of reading on the beach in the Dominican, so I'm in my usual frantic scramble to determine what books will make the trip - hence the used bookstore trip. I have started Empire of Grass by Tad Williams, but I'm looking for some shorter books I can start on the beach and finish by the pool, not one to last the week.

Weekend Freebies - Femdom & FLR

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:39:00 +0000

Well, if it's another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Every weekend I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might interest visitors to the ruins. Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon's free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

The Dominion and the Sugilite: Episodes 27-30 by B.J. Frazier (erotica)

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:06:00 +0000

Title: The Dominion and the Sugilite (Episodes 27 | 28 | 29 | 30)
Author: B.J. Frazier
Publication Date: September 19, 2025 to December 10, 2025
Genres: Erotica | Sci-fi
Protagonist Gender: Various

If you're new to The Dominion and the Sugilite, it's a serialized erotic science-fantasy soap opera by B.J. Frazier, set on a female-ruled planet where erotic power exchange is the foundation of a fantasy-themed society fueled by the magic of gems known as sugilite.

Yes, it's been a while since my last review in the series, but my efforts to catch up have brought me to the end of season 3, so I'll apologize in advance for offering an overarching review of this part of the story arc.

In large part, these episodes are centered around plans for Attis Day, which have much of the Dominion in a tizzy. Aurora's idea of bringing together all the neighboring races and cultures in the spirit of cooperation is a wonderful idea, but there's a lot of racism, classism, and speciesism among Dominion females that leaves some humans feeling threatened or slighted. It's not necessarily cruel, more dismissive, but it's just one thing that casts a shadow over this utopian world.

That brings me to another key theme in these episodes that only adds to the shadow. Frazier explores two 'forbidden' relationships here, one of which involves secrecy and lies between two mature women who enjoy the power exchange together, and another of which involves the tease and temptation between two younger women who have been flirting with sapphic experimentation. It's not a matter of homophobia that casts the shadow here, but the idea of a woman taking a submissive role in the power exchange. It's hard to maintain a femdom gynarchy if not all women are dominant/superior.

Contrasted against all that, we see Aurora and Nug, her primary submissive, getting back to normal, having overcome their issues over the last season-and-a-half. What's important here is that we see the femdom dynamic at its purest, and with concern about Nug overindulging in submission again and upsetting the power exchange, we're reminded how intrinsic it is to Dominion society. There's a physical and emotional toll involved in the power exchange, and too much of a good thing is... well, too much of a good thing.

With Attis Day just 4 episodes away, things are getting heated in the Dominion, and I cannot wait to see how it turns out - and what the fallout may be.

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀

My sincere thanks to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Weekend Freebies - Trans Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:03:00 +0000

Well, if it's another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

Trans Rights Readathon: Upcoming 2026 Trans Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:16:00 +0000

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

With this week being the heart of the Trans Rights Readathon (an annual call to action to readers and book lovers in support of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31st), I want to focus on some upcoming trans/nonbinary titles.

What We Are Seeking by Cameron Reed: April 7th brings us this soaring novel of queer hope and transformation on an alien world where survival means transformation.
Gender Ever After edited by S.B. Milne: Coming May 1st, this anthology of 15 stories revels in the full spectrum of gender expression, identity, and desire with love stories blooming between sapphic people of every kind—including trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, and genderfluid—offering a kaleidoscope of possibility, passion, and joy.
Safe Food: A Queer Splatterpunk Novel by Taylor Z. Adams: On May 1st we get to meet the ladies (and monsters) of TransCendent Studios, transbian vampires on the verge of being exposed who find that protecting found family demands spilling far more than stage blood.

Estro Junkies by Talia Bhatt: Coming May 24th, this absurdist, satirical drama explores transfeminine love, community, and identity through an underground contest that awards hormones and surgeries to anyone willing to grow the biggest breasts—so long as they claim they’re cis men... which neither Nicky nor Daniel are.
Carrying by Samantha Josephs: Publishing June 4th, this mix of sensational body horror and transgressive camp comedy explores a trans woman whose secret threatens to be unraveled by a mysterious illness and bizarre experimental treatments.
Transcendent: A Memoir by Laverne Cox: On June 9th, the four-time Emmy-nominated actress shares her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.

Calk Walk & Love Cake by Douglas Bell: Releasing on June 16th and July 17th, these 2nd editions explore queer love, masculinity, politics, trans joy, and protest through the romance between Bryan, a polished Black executive and steady father, and Nadia, a radiant, no-nonsense transgender woman.
Misery's Wife by Joan Tierney: Arriving July 14th, this queer and cli-fi reimagining of a Portuguese folktale tells the tale of a young trans woman who must save her elder sisters from the King of the Air, the King of the Sea, and the King of Misery
All We Hide by Robyn Gigl: Coming August 4th from the author of the Erin McCabe series, this brand new investigation follows a trans detective who takes on the twisty, poignant cold case murder of a local trans woman, unraveling the threads of a mystery that’s haunted her since she was a child.

Shy Trans Banshee by Tony Santorella: Appearing October 2nd, this queer urban fantasy features 3 friends, into hooking up with strangers and fighting supernatural crime, who are tasked by one of the Van Helsings to find a missing colleague, only to meet up with a timid trans woman with the uncanny ability to know just what's going to happen next.
Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun: Just in time for Halloween, this October 27th release sees a trans woman content moderator who notices a pattern emerging from the most hideous videos humanity has to offer and sets out on an epic journey that sweeps from rural Texas to the heart of American darkness at 1940s Los Alamos to rescue Jules from the Public Access Afterworld.
Dice & Dungeons: The Velvet Robe by Emily Lacey Kay: Releasing February 1st of next year, this is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship, fantasy, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own character sheet as Sam decides to stop hiding behind Gorn the Barbarian to become Elara of the Silver Spire, a High Elf Wizard of illusion and grace.

RELEASE TOUR: Goblin Heart by Fae Loxley

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:32:00 +0000

RELEASE TOUR: Goblin Heart by Fae Loxley

Length: 77k words
Series: standalone
Prior Reading: n/a
Genre: fantasy romance
Tropes: Heist, Royalty, Tragic Hero, Rescue, Trans Hero
Trigger/Content Warnings: Claustrophobia, past and present abuse, slight body horror, magical mind manipulation, strong disassociation, violence, death of peripheral characters, insects, misogynistic/transphobic villains, oral sex, and penetrative vaginal sex.
Designer: brosedesignz-bookcovers.com

http://books2read.com/GoblinHeart

As a goblin prince living in the human court of Morvane, Luc is unerringly loyal to his best friend, Prince Ramon. While his feelings seem genuine, his loyalty is forced, magically-controlled by the false heart beating in his chest. The royal wizards have hidden his true heart out of reach, keeping Luc as a well-mannered captive in the Morvanish palace.

Will Fletcher is an irritable apprentice smith, more comfortable sneaking off to the goblin kingdom of the Brightwood than staying in his family home. When Luc stumbles into his life, Will learns that he and the goblin prince have more in common than he expects. In order to steal back Luc’s heart and free him from magical bondage, Will must confront the shadows hiding in his past and forge a new life.

AVAILABLE NOW

EXCERPT:

“I never wanted to be a wizard,” Will said. The words burst out of him in a rush, harsh and rough-edged. “But if I am one, I want to use my magic to do something good. I want to be more than… than this.” He gestured to the study, the bed, the detritus that had once been the sphere. “I want to use magic the way they do in the Brightwood.”

Luc knelt on the floor in front of him. “How do you know what magic they use in the Brightwood?”

“I’ve been there.” Will tried to look away, afraid that Luc might resent him for it, but Luc held his face in a firm grip. “My magic helps me get through the thorns. There’s a smith there, Olven, he showed me some of the magic the goblins have done. It’s small, but it’s helpful. It doesn’t have to hurt people.”

“You can navigate the thorns,” Luc said. “You’ve been to the Brightwood.” He smiled, but it wasn’t the vacant, unsettling grin that came with his magicked heart. His eyes were shining, sharp teeth bared. “What a curious man you are, William Fletcher.”

Luc slid his fingers through Will’s hair, cupping the back of his head. The heat of him felt like magic, warm and full, a surge of dizzying elation rising through Will’s body. It filled him like steam, and he raised a hand to Luc’s thigh.

Will had some experience with men. Traveling farmhands passing through Westwood were more than willing to spend time with a young man who wouldn’t spread tales. They didn’t bother with gentle touches and sidelong glances. There wasn’t enough time for that. Will was used to fellows making their intentions known, not having to guess what they meant when they stroked his hair and called him curious.

A voice rose from the other side of the house, and Luc pulled away, leaving Will kneeling in the center of the study with shafts of light pooling over the floor.

“We should hurry,” Luc said. Will felt adrift, yearning for something he hadn’t known he could ask for. He swiped a hand over his mouth. The pressure lingered, the ghost of warm lips that hadn’t quite touched him. “We don’t have much time before they return.”

about the author:

Fae is a transmasc writer of Queer romance. He’s fond of folklore, crafting, and weird folk music. You can usually find him being mobbed by his gaggle of ridiculous cats.

@faeloxley.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/faeloxley

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075106501903

https://www.tiktok.com/@faeloxleywrites

https://gayromancereviews.com/

#GayRomanceReviews #GRR #GRRTours #ReleaseTour #FaeLoxley #GoblinHeart #Romantasy #RainbowReads #QueerLit #LGBTQbooks #MMromance #OutNow #NewRelease @gay.romance.reviews

Trans Rights Readathon: My Last 10 Trans TBR Additions

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:05:00 +0000

The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action to readers and book lovers in support of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31st. The idea is for the reader community to read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconforming authors and characters.

To follow up on My Last 10 Trans Reads, I'd like to look forward to My Last 10 TRB Additions:

A Lady for All Seasons by T.J. Alexander - March 10, 2026

Cake Walk: A Novel by Douglas Bell - March 10, 2026

The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton - June 17, 2025

A/S/L by Jeanne Thornton - April 1, 2025

Community Witch by Ash Kreider - March 10, 2025

A Huntress Of The Night: In Cold Embrace by Gwen Leonhard - December 28, 2023

Not Like Before by Lily Seabrooke & Jacqueline Ramsden - October 9, 2023

She Who Earned Her Wings by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea - March 31, 2023

Check Your Work by Skye Kilaen - November 1, 2022

The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky - August 20, 2020

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 07:53:00 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

A pair of digital review titles found their way to me this week, courtesy of Sourcebooks and Simon & Schuster.

Reign by Bethan Croome is a story of found family, forbidden love, and a heroine who refuses to kneel... a fierce feminist romantasy about choosing freedom over fear and setting fire to the throne.
Year of the Mer by L. D. Lewis is a dark, bloody epic fantasy reimagining of The Little Mermaid that goes far beyond the fairy tale to explore family legacy, war, and what we will sacrifice for vengeance—the perfect read for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and Circe.

After a few weeks of restraining my urges, I also splurged on some new paperbacks this week, two of which are new bundles of stories from the Necroscope saga, and two I picked up for the trans rights readathon:

Necroscope: The Last of the Lost Years, Vol. I by Brian Lumley: Stories included in this collection include In Dublin's Fair City, Dinosaur Dreams, The Plague-Bearer, and Harry and the Pirates.
Necroscope: The Last of the Lost Years, Vol. II by Brian Lumley: Stories included in this collection include Dead Eddy, The Möbius Murders, For the Dead Travel Slowly, Old Man with a Blade, and Resurrection.
By Way of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl: Crackling with authenticity and featuring a protagonist who, like the author, is a transgender attorney, BY WAY OF SORROW is both a gritty, riveting legal thriller and an “Own Voices” story bringing much-needed diversity to the genre.
The Synthetic Sister by Tanya Mondragon: When FBI profiler Cameron Raines survives a brutal attack by an underground biotech experiment, he wakes up transformed—his body rewritten into a replica of his murdered sister.

Currently Reading

Not a lot of time for reading this week with one more novella to proofread and a full novel to edit, but The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub has found its way back into my hands along with Azure Bonds by Kate Novak & Jeff Grubb.

Trans Rights Readathon: My Last 10 Trans Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:03:00 +0000

To kick things off, I want to recap My Last 10 Trans Reads:

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord - 4 stars

One Night as a Woman by Dani Collins - 4 stars

The Calyx Charm by May Peterson - 4 stars

The World Within by Dani Finn - 5 stars

Welcome to Dorley Hall by Alyson Greaves - 5 stars

To Please Her by Elena Abbott - 5 stars

From The Inside by Sophia Turner - 4 stars

Red Market by Dharma Kelleher - 4 stars

Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner - 4 stars

The Revenge of Captain Vessia by Leslie Allen - 4 stars

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 22:02:00 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

First up this week, 2nd edition copies of both CAKE WALK and LOVE CAKE, courtesy of Douglas Bell (along with a quote coaster) - a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind work of literary fiction exploring queer love, coming out, and spiritual awakening. It asks a radical question: What if coming out isn’t losing your identity—but discovering you were never alone at all?

On the digital front, I also scored a review copy of Easy Nevada and the Pyramid's Curse by Georgette Kaplan (a lesbian romantic-suspense adventure that is slow burn, fast action, and high stakes) and an advance review copy of Call Me Traitor by Everina Maxwell (a thrilling and romantic fantasy adventure from Everina Maxwell, bestselling author of Winter’s Orbit).

Currently Reading

Not a lot of time for reading this week with a short story and 3 novellas to proofread for clients, but The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub has found its way back into my hands, along with Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan.

Weekend Freebies - Trans Romance & Gender Play Erotica

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Well, if it's another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

Can't-Wait Wednesday - Calk Walk: A Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:17:00 +0000

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

My pick for this week is a title I was just pitched over the weekend, a contemporary literary novel set in Texas that explores identity, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to come out later in life.

Calk Walk: A Novel by Douglas Bell

Cake Walk is a contemplative literary novel about masculinity, queer love, and the spiritual cost of living behind a mask.

Bryan Hicks is a successful cisgender executive in Houston, Texas. In the high-pressure world of oil and gas, he has mastered control. Strength is his currency. Conformity is his shield. From the outside, his life looks solid and enviable. Inside, he feels divided.

When he falls in love with Nadia, a confident and unapologetic transgender woman, the carefully constructed identity he has relied on begins to crack. Loving her openly in conservative Texas forces Bryan to confront fears he has buried for decades — about desire, masculinity, and what it would mean to come out later in life.

Through meditation and the steady guidance of Buddhist wisdom, Bryan begins a deeper journey inward. In stillness, he starts to question the stories he has inherited about manhood and worth. He must decide whether protecting his image is more important than living truthfully — and whether vulnerability might lead not to rejection, but to belonging.

Cake Walk is a character-driven story of awakening, emotional courage, and the transformative power of love. It speaks to readers wrestling with identity, sexual shame, toxic expectations, or the quiet ache of knowing they are not fully living as themselves.

At its heart, this novel asks:

Who are we when no one is looking — and who might we become if we choose community over conformity?

This version is the 2nd Edition of the original version published in 2022.

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

A trio of purchases this week. Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher and The Witcher: Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski are beach reads for our Dominican vacation in April, while Queen of Faces by Petra Lord is my airplane read for our flight to Orlando this weekend.

Currently Reading

No Life Forsaken by Steven Erikson and The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub are on pause this week while we're on vacation.

Since we're traveling to the USA (not my choice) and to Florida specifically (blame my son), I've decided to carry out a little literary act of rebellion by arming myself with three books featuring transgender protagonists: Queen of Faces by Petra Lord, Loyalty of Severus by Len Berry, and Chasers by Mariah Darling & Eve Harms.

Can't-Wait Wednesday - A Lady for All Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

With the first of the month having come and gone, it's time to look ahead to the books I'm most excited about seeing on shelves next month.

A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander

March 10, 2026 by Vintage

Historical Romance

From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss and A Gentleman’s Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.

“The perfect blend of rich Regency romance and frothy screwball, Alexander has brewed a queer and cozy cup of something sure to delight.”
—L.C. Rosen, author of Lavender House

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman who has lost her fortune must be in need (not want) of a husband. Beautiful, cunning Verbena Montrose must marry to save herself and her odious family from abject poverty. Fortunately, what she lacks in a dowry, she makes up for in the currency of gossip.

When she hears an alarming rumor about her very dear, very queer friend Étienne that could ruin him, she comes to his aid with a proposal—for a marriage of convenience, that is. But when Verbena discovers that a mysterious and celebrated poet by the name of Flora Witcombe has been publishing verses that hint she is onto their scheme, Verbena has no choice but to pretend to be a poet herself to confront her in a local salon. And—unexpectedly—be charmed by her.

Flora, in turn, is terrified by and smitten with Verbena in equal measure. But she holds a secret of her own: he is also William Forsyth, a struggling novelist and fifth son of a minor noble family. And if circumstances don’t allow Flora to woo Verbena, perhaps William can. Faced with two suitors and a fiancé, Verbena, who has always had to be clever to survive in society, starts to realize she may need to think outside of society’s constraints to find true happiness.

Book Review: Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 23:05:00 +0000

Title: Enchanting the Fae Queen
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Publication Date: January 27, 2026 by Bramble
Genres: Romantasy
Protagonist Gender: Various

Not quite as cozy or sweet as the first book, especially with Gerard being more annoying than adorable, but I loved Lorelei and what she brought to the dynamic. It's a heavier read than the first, with more of the social/political conflicts that get deep into racism and genocide, but I felt like the first book prepared us for that (and it gives the conflict more weight).

That said, I found the tournament encounters rushed, with many of them summarized and overcome far too quickly, and I would have loved it if the story spent more time developing them.

A solid read that I breezed through quickly, and one that has enough of a tease to leave me excited for the next.

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀

26 (plus) SFF Books to Read in 2026!

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:10:00 +0000

Well, if it’s the first Wednesday of the new year, then it must be time for the biggest and best Can’t Wait Wednesday of the new year.

If you’re like me, last year’s TBR is already giving you dirty looks and rolling its eyes as you admire the new releases coming your way. There’s just something about the promise of a new book, the blank slate of unseen, unread, and unreviewed pages. Even if you don’t plan to read it right off the shelf, you just have to have it . . . even if it buries last year’s TBR a bit deeper or pushes those titles further back on the shelf.

To help schedule your anticipation, I’ve listed my 26 SFF Books to Read in 2026 in order of release date, with links to Goodreads. Dates (and even releases) are always subject to change, but that distracted reader meme has to start somewhere.

The Bloody Brick Road by Maude Royer (2026-01-06): In this wildly creative, horror-soaked reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, nothing is as it seems in Dorothy’s dystopian nightmare. Fans of Tender Is the Flesh and Maeve Fly will want to follow her twisted journey down the yellow-brick road.
Bound by the Blood by Cecilia Tan (2026-01-15): Dark magic threatens the BDSM community in New York. Good thing Mira’s already got her boots on and a whip in her bag. Long delayed (I’ve been waiting since 2017!), it’s finally free of its original publisher and on the way.
Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis (2026-01-27): Stephanie Burgis delivers another irreverent, sparkling, and sexy installment in the Queens of Villainy, where a seductive fae queen meets her unexpected match in the enemy empire’s valiant general. My review of Wooing the Witch Queen

Pendergast: The Beginning by Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston (2026-01-27): From bestselling duo Preston and Child comes THE Agent Pendergast origin story – an event for longtime fans of the beloved series and for new readers who want to start at The Beginning. I’m wary of prequels and origin stories, but it’s Pendergast, so I’m all in.
The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier (2026-01-27): Two sisters set sail on a bride ship from Normandy hoping to leave a curse behind them and find better lives in the wilds of 17th-century Quebec, only to meet a mysterious witch who forces them to confront the truth about magic—and their past.
Nightshade and Oak by Molly O’Neill (2026-02-03): An Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human in this delightful historical fantasy of myth and magic from the author of the instant hit Greenteeth. I’ve still yet to read Greenteeth, but this sounds fantastic.

A Lady for All Seasons by T.J. Alexander (2026-03-10): From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss and A Gentleman’s Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable bigender lead.
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord (2026-02-03): A desperate girl at a cutthroat magical academy faces a choice between life and become an assassin for the enchanted elite or watch her decaying body draw its last breath.
Secrets of Dorley Hall by Alyson Greaves (2026-02-27): A closeted trans girl successfully infiltrated a secret underground forced feminisation programme. Now she must deal with what comes next. My review of Welcome to Dorley Hall.

Green and Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons (2026-03-03): For fans of S.A. Chakraborty, Robin Hobb, and Martha Wells’s Witch King, a page-turning standalone fantasy of necromancy and magical mayhem from Jenn Lyons, the acclaimed author of The Ruin of Kings. My review of A Chorus of Dragons.
Hell’s Heart by Alexis Hall (2026-03-10): Gideon the Ninth meets Moby Dick in USA Today bestselling author Alexis Hall’s science fiction debut, Hell’s Heart! I wasn’t a huge fan of Gideon, and the Moby Dick narration of this makes me anxious, but it just sounds so good.
Sunstone Volume 1 by Stjepan Sejic (2026-03-10): From critically-acclaimed creator Stjepan Šejić (Death Vigil, Ravine, Aphrodite IX, Witchblade) comes Sunstone, a love story like no other.
Witch of the Shadow Wood by Tori Anne Martin (2026-03-10): A feminist cozy romantasy retelling of the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, complete with a sapphic love story and a revenge tale, from USA Today bestselling author Tori Anne Martin, perfect for fans of The Spellshop.

The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White (2026-03-10): An obsession with a beautiful serial killer entangles a vampire hunter’s daughter in an immortal sapphic romance in this enthralling gothic fantasy. Hide and Lucy Undying are both on my TBR, so this still has a chance to be my first KW book.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews (2026-04-02): A page-turning, unforgettable fantasy set in a city peopled with ruffians, spies, malcontents and murderers. Experience out-of-this world adventure and dangerous politics as Maggie tries to survive waking up in her favourite fictional world.
The Goblin Crown by Brenna Raney (2026-04-07): When shapeshifter Aren’s foster mother is killed in a mysterious disaster, he must infiltrate a foreign court to learn what caused the same disaster the last time it happened-three hundred years ago in the elfland. The shapeshifting and gendershifting element has me hooked.

Six Bullets and a Crown by Alexis Calder (2026-04-21): Perfect for fans of ACOTAR and The Gunslinger, this sizzling, enemies-to-lovers romantasy is a bullet-laced ride through a magic-starved kingdom. I’ll be honest, this hooked me with the Gunslinger reference.
First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston (2026-04-14): Cameron Johnston returns in this innovative space fantasy, where wizards race to be the first on the moon – also known as the land of the gods. Space fantasy? Wizards on the moon? Come on, this sounds awesome.
The Duke by Anna Cowan (2026-04-26): A sapphic regency romance about the duke who fears nothing… until the woman she never forgot walks through the door and brings her to her knees. I’ve had a digital ARC of this since August (wow!), so it’s nearly time to start reading.

Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter (2026-04-26): A debut high-stakes fantasy romance trilogy set against a once-in-a-generation duel to the death between rival witches and dragon riders as they battle to control the source of all magic in their kingdoms.
Bones of Contention by Karen F. Williams (2026-05-01): An aquatic landscape designer and an undertaker with a heart of gold must unravel a decades-old mystery, fend off a restless spirit, and figure out whether love can survive where the dead don’t stay buried, and the living dig deeper. I’m already in love with this couple and I’ve only read the blurb!
The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty (2026-05-12): Set sail into the second adventure of Amina al-Sirafi as her quest to track down magical artifacts brings her to the island lair of a sorceress whose woven enchantments are impossible to flee… My review of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden (2026-06-02): With her country’s future and her own life at stake, an orphaned duchess must journey into a world of myth and there discover a power that may be her salvation—or her demise.
The Shape of Monsters by Tessa Gratton (2026-06-16): A talented heretic and the emperor she both loathes and loves will learn what monsters are really made of in the second installment of the Moon Heresies trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Gratton.
Vanyel and Vixen by Mercedes Lackey (2026-06-30): From a New York Times-bestselling author and beloved fantasist comes a new Valdemar tale as, for the first time in over thirty years, fan-favorite Vanyel returns to the page! I never thought we’d see a new Vanyel novel, so count me in for this.
The Eye of Leviathan by M.A. Carrick (2026-07-14): A new historical fantasy duology by M.A. Carrick, inspired by the Fae and set within the remarkable backdrop of the Spanish Golden Age. I didn’t love The Mask of Mirrors, but I also think it was a victim of bad timing, so I’m happy to try Carrick again.

War Wizard by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (2026-08-04): The first volume of a new epic trilogy set in the world of Krynn, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the creators of Dragonlance.
Elvenbred by Mercedes Lackey & Ben Ohlander (2026-08-18): An ending fans have been waiting more than 20 years The long-awaited conclusion to one of fantasy’s most beloved sagas. Alliances fracture, old powers fall, and new legends rise. The prophecy completes. The circle closes. And fantasy history is made. New Vanyel and new Halfblood in the same year? I’m afraid I’ll wake up in high school again.
The Halls of the Dead by S. M. Hallow (2026-08-18): A queer, gothic horror romance set in a necromancy-tinged London, sure to entrance fans of The Death of Jane Lawrence and Mexican Gothic.

Bonus Picks (Maybe)

Other Worlds Than These by Stephen King & Peter Straub: No cover and no official release date, but King has announced it’s done (it ties explicitly into the Dark Tower universe), so fingers crossed. Time for a re-read!
Walk in Shadow by Steven Erikson: No cover or official release date for this either, but Erikson posted on Christmas day that he should have this done by the Spring so, again, fingers crossed. Time to catch-up!

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:22:00 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

A signed ARC and an eagerly awaited paperback to start…

The Duke by Anna Cowan: A sapphic regency romance about the duke who fears nothing… until the woman she never forgot walks through the door and brings her to her knees. Set in a world of powerful female nobles and the women who love them.
No Life Forsaken by Steven Erikson: The epic fantasy sequence continues with the new book from the bestselling author of Gardens of the Moon. A goddess awakens to a new world, only to find that some things never change.

A pair of review titles…

Bound by the Blood by Cecilia Tan: Dark magic threatens the BDSM community in New York. Good thing Mira’s already got her boots on and a whip in her bag.
Sunstone Volume 1 by Stjepan Šejić: A slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, soft domme/anxious sub, graphic novel series featuring explicit on-the-page intimacy, healthy, negotiated BDSM, emotional vulnerability, and two women slowly realizing they’re in love.

And an addition to my trans/nonbinary shelves, and a contributor’s copy to wrap things up…

The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky: Khan’s extradimensional research was purely theoretical, until she found cracks between our world and countless others. Parallel Earths where monsters live. These cracks are getting wider every day, so who knows what might creep through?
Carry On by Nillin Lore: An exploration of the messy but liberating process of defining and decentring inner narratives of shame, fear and regret for one’s own queer identity.

Currently Reading

No Life Forsaken by Steven Erikson went from the shelf at the bookstore directly to my hands, and with the 3rd book in the trilogy formally announced, I’m doing a rare (for me) reread of The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub.

Weekend Freebies - Queer Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:40:12 +0000

Well, if it's another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

Book Mail: The Duke by Anna Cowan

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:21:01 +0000

She doesn’t have much of a social presence, but Anna Cowan does have a Substack, and that’s where she shared the details of her international giveaway of 10 signed print ARC copies of The Duke – one of which I was fortunate enough to win!

Arriving on the doorstep today was a carefully wrapped book that I was just as careful to unwrap, tugging at the tape, one piece at a time…

Inside was that gorgeous paperback ARC, as promised, which is something of a collector’s item, given the minor changes to the final cover.

And inside that cover, the pièce de résistance, Anna’s signature!

I know what I’ll be reading next.

Book Review: T-GIRL TALES #9 by Crystal Veeyant

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:47:11 +0000

Title: T-GIRL TALES #9 - Forced Feminization
Author: Crystal Veeyant
Publication Date: November 22, 2025
Genres: Erotica
Protagonist Gender: Various

If you've ever stumbled across a Crystal Veeyant story (or collection) and dismissed it because of the title or the cover, you're doing yourself a disservice. Yes, she deliberately plays with taboo and temptation, embracing both fetish and fantasy without reservation, but there's so much more beneath the surface. Crystal writes from the heart, and she does so by drawing upon real experiences - not just her own, but those of the wider transgender and BDSM communities as well.

Her latest collection, T-Girl Tales #9, exemplifies that understanding perhaps better than anything she's written to date.

The first story, “Foreign Service,” definitely leans more heavily into the 'forced' aspect of feminization, and in doing so sets the reader up for the surprises that follow. It's almost like a palate cleanser, a story that sort of panders to fetishistic expectations, but one that still finds joy in Jessie's acceptance of his new role in serving the military men protecting him.

Now that the reader is comfortable, "Sissy Salon" flips the script a bit, forcing a confrontation with the shame, embarrassment, and fear with which so many crossdressers or sissies are intimately familiar. It's very much an emotional rollercoaster as we see Dennis deal with his own shame and his wife's disapproval, struggle with the 'punishment' of transformation and training, overcome his own internalized guilt, and ultimately embrace his role. Of course, it helps that, from a fetish/fantasy perspective, the salon is a dream come true, providing thrills upon thrills for the reader.

“Sissy Stepbrother” is a sample from the full novella (you can read my review here), and a story that approaches things from a peer's perspective. It all begins with an embarrassed sissy being outed by his step-brother, but shifts subtly as we see him surrender to the thrill of authority... before Crystal throws in a twist that transforms the whole story.

Next up is “One of the Girls,” a story that has far more plot, character development, and twists than even I expected. It starts out simply enough, with the old trope of a crossdresser caught and punished for stealing panties, but then it blossoms into a story of self-discovery and self-expression, guided both erotically and lovingly by the women around him, before widening its scope to show the joys that coming out, being out, and accepted as out can bring.

Emotionally and intellectually, however, it's “Crossdressers Anonymous” that serves as the heart of this collection. It all begins at a support group where men double down on the shame and guilt of crossdressing, validating one another's most negative thoughts in striving to be 'normal' men. When a beautiful woman stands up to protest, to assure them all that there's nothing wrong with who they are, urging them to put aside the negativity and be happy in themselves, the story comes alive. I don't want to spoil things, but there are levels of acceptance here, layers of shared experiences, and even if it does get deep into the raunchier side of the genre, it's all in service to that self-discovery. It's a story that's as smart as it is sexy, and worth the price of admission all on its own.

Finally, we have "Get Out of Jail Card," a story dealing with the darker side of how some try to self-medicate their way out of the spiral of shame and guilt. It's a simpler story than the others, more intimate and personal, but still powerful in 'forcing' Ethan to break free of that spiral and enjoy being himself.

With all of that said, T-Girl Tales #9 is a Crystal Veeyant collection, so if you're familiar with her work, rest assured it's just as naughty (or nasty) as you've come to expect. The erotic details are there, the fetish-fueled dialogue is in place, and the gloriously messy happy endings are piled on, one after another. Yes, she does a wonderful job of getting inside your head, but never at the expense of embracing the physical pleasures of reading.

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:54:53 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

First up, a pair of pre-ordered new releases arrived on the doorstep this week:

The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier: Two sisters set sail on a bride ship from Normandy hoping to leave a curse behind them and find better lives in the wilds of 17th-century Quebec, only to meet a mysterious witch who forces them to confront the truth about magic—and their past.
Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis: Stephanie Burgis delivers another irreverent, sparkling, and sexy installment in the Queens of Villainy series, where a seductive fae queen meets her unexpected match in the enemy empire’s valiant general.

Additionally, I added a new batch of books to my trans shelf:

Narcissus in Chains by Laurell K. Hamilton: Narcissus presents in a, “high femme” or androgynous style, often dressing as a woman while using male pronouns. It is revealed that he is intersex, possessing both male and female anatomy.
The Library Thief by Kuchenga Shenjé: Written by a Black trans woman, features themes of queer and trans identity, and includes a trans character.
Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders: Features extensive non-binary, trans, and gender-diverse characters, including a Black Brazilian trans-nonbinary bisexual character and alien species that have third, non-binary, variable genders (and it’s written by a trans woman)
Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice: Features a prominent intersex character, Petronia, a roughly 2,000-year-old vampire who was born intersex in the Roman Empire, and is often referred to with she/her pronouns.

Currently Reading

I have a small shelf full of 2025 currently-reading carryovers that will likely shift back to the TBR shelves, but I’ve also managed to finish and review a couple this month, so progress! Given how much I loved Wooing the Witch Queen (read my review here), it should probably come as no surprise that I leapt on Enchanting the Fae Queen the moment it arrived.

Book Review: The Calyx Charm by May Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:47:23 +0000

Title: The Calyx Charm
Author: May Peterson
Publication Date: July 13, 2021 by Carina Press
Genres: Fantasy
Protagonist Gender: Trans Woman

The Calyx Charm is a book I've wanted to read (and wanted to love) for what seems like ages now, but every time I've attempted it, I've struggled to make it past the opening chapters. They're very slowly paced, full of more tell and show, and told almost entirely in memory and flashback. This time, I managed to persevere, to stick with it, to trust that the narrative would improve as the current story unfolded... and I'm glad I did.

The central relationship between Violetta and Tibario is the book’s greatest strength. Their bond—best friends from rival families who have secretly been pining for one another—is built on care, consent, humor, and emotional honesty. Watching Violetta, who has been forced to be brave far too young, slowly allow herself to be seen and cherished is genuinely moving. Tibario’s loyalty, self-doubt, and gradual reorientation of what (and who) he owes allegiance to make him a worthy partner, not just a love interest. Their intimacy feels earned, vulnerable, and warm, with moments of levity that cut beautifully through the darkness.

Violetta herself is unforgettable. Her transness is not an add-on or an “issue” to be explained, but the core through which the story understands magic, power, trauma, and becoming. The novel’s exploration of gender feels lived-in and authentic, suffused with both pain and joy. The idea that reclaiming one’s body and identity is inseparable from reclaiming one’s power is handled with real care, and the book’s compassion for trans survival and hope resonates long after the final page.

Equally powerful is the found family element. The Fragrant Rose and the queer community around it offer a counterpoint to the cruelty of the wider world: a space of solidarity, humor, protection, and chosen kinship.

As I mentioned at the start, the opening takes its time settling into the story. While the ideas are fascinating, they can feel overwhelming, and those early sections demand patience. The pacing improves dramatically after that... until the end, where the conclusion stretches long past the point where the emotional arc feels resolved, with extended explanations, monologues, and increasingly abstract magic that dilutes some of the impact. The stakes remain high, but the momentum softens, and the ending could have been sharper without losing its meaning.

All that said, The Calyx Charm is imperfect, occasionally exhausting, but ultimately rewarding: a romance that blooms against all odds, a trans narrative full of truth, and a reminder that love and revolution are, at their core, communal acts.

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀

Weekend Freebies - Queer Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 21:08:21 +0000

Well, if it's another weekend, then it must be time to bend our hearts and minds around preparing for the week ahead, and how better to do that than with some Weekend Freebies!

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Enjoy!

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 12:59:00 +0000

Stacking The Shelves (Reading Reality) and The Sunday Post (Caffeinated Reviewer) are both blog memes about sharing the books we’re adding to the shelves and sharing news of the week ahead.

New Arrivals

One can never have enough books, so I added to the Xmas haul with some Boxing Day thrift store shopping:

The Dreaming Tree by C.J. Cherryh – as luck would have it, I was able to find the mass market paperback of the duology
Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King – somehow I’ve never read this, but for as long as I’ve had my eye on it, I wanted that original 1987 cover
The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub – With King having announced that Talisman 3 is complete AND it buttons up The Dark Tower saga, it’s time for a reread
Song of the Mysteries by Janny Wurts – I’m only halfway through The Wars of Light and Shadow, so this final volume will have to wait a bit, but I love having an ending to chase.

Currently Reading

Having felt burnt out by October/November last year, I really need to find a better balance between review titles and random books I just want to read. Trust No One by James Rollins is one of the former, kind of a New Adult version of his Six Sigma tales, while Jungle of Stone by William Carlsen is one of the latter, the kind of story that would be too far into pulp adventure were it not entirely true.

End of Year Review Catch-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Mx Sally Bend) — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 23:13:40 +0000

With the end of the year upon us, it’s time to gather a few reviews for my December reads.

The Sword Defiant by Gareth Hanrahan

This was a cover-appeal read, catching my eye with that black-and-blood-red sword, bolstered by a reviewer who called it “Witcher meets Lord of the Rings, if both combined were a D&D campaign.”

All-in-all, it was good read, a solid fantasy with great atmosphere and some really cool ideas, but it had 3 weaknesses that held it back from being a great read.

The pacing was slow, with a lot of filler and exposition dragging things down. It felt like the book was half over before the plot really began to develop.
The story is character-driven, which could have made up for the pacing, but none of the characters were likeable/interesting. So much of the story hinges on loyalties, alliances, and friendships, but I had a hard time connecting with anyone.
The final twists, revelations, and betrayals are piled on too fast, too thick, and too late to really have an impact. There’s no time to think or react before the next one lands, and because of the character issue, it all feels coldly impersonal.

I’d say there’s a 50/50 chance I’ll continue with book 2.

The Cucksitter Training by B.J. Frazier

Although the title feels a little misleading, in that this has more to do with female domination and little to do with cuckoldry, I love what B.J. Frazier crafted here and how she develops the story, framing it with a teasing confession between friends – one newly kinky and the other not as vanilla as she appears.

Offered a mysterious internship with very little detail, Nora arrives at Professor Emery Hagan’s home, not sure what to expect – and certainly not expecting a naked male servant and a professor who is as much a dominatrix as a professor. Under the professor’s guidance, she finds herself trained in the psychology of dominance and submission, learning to undertake the physical component of the Professor’s therapy.

The first half of the book serves as an elegant primer on dominance and submission, emphasizing consent, communication, and psychological understanding. Through Nora’s training, Miss Frazier explores chastity, teasing, denial, humiliation, and punishment as carefully orchestrated expressions of female control that tap into submissive psychology. It’s in the second half where Nora comes into her own, left to take care of one of the Professor’s submissives for the weekend, leading to an act of pegging that triggers her full-fledged immersion in this strange new world.

This is a story that’s equal parts thoughtful, erotic, educational, and sensual. As much as it’s a story of power and control, it’s also a story of freeing oneself from the baggage of our past.

Sissy Stepbrothers by Crystal Veeyant

Precisely what you would expect from the deviant pen of Crystal Veeyant, Sissy Stepbrothers is a trashy, taboo tale of self-discovery, coming out, embracing your sexuality, and finding your place despite the challenges life throws in your way.

Part of what I loved about this story was how Crystal develops Ron and Eddie as individuals, one a sissy who wishes she could be more, and the other a femboy who is content with being accepted somewhere in the middle. There’s no forced feminization or sudden leap into femininity, just the bold embrace of long-suppressed identity.

Of course, nothing goes smoothly in one of these stories, but everyone we cross paths with has a role to play in the journey of these two sissies. From a friendly trucker and his kinky bunkmate to leaders of the Russian mob, there’s some darkness to the story, twists and challenges that test the stepsisters’ commitment to their new lives, and that means lots of nasty, dirty, fetish-fueled sex.

New readers could be forgiven for fearing the worst of this, but Crystal always finds her way to a HEA, even if it may not be your personal idea of a happy ending.

From Pool Boy to Party Girl by B.J. Frazier

For Milos, this is a story about the profound joy of being truly seen, accepted, and loved for who you really are—even when discovering that embracing your true self requires courage, trust, and transformation. It’s very much a story of coming out, a deeply affirming experience of watching him experiment with feminine expression for the man who has coaxed him into this new world.

Meanwhile, for Sebastian, this is a story of pursuit and seduction, tempered by restraint as he looks to avoid making the same mistakes that have alienated other lovers. He’s been watching Milos for three years, waiting with careful patience, a slow seduction that could read as predatory but is saved by genuine romance. Sebastian doesn’t merely pursue; he guides, supports, and cherishes.

The emotional and psychological complexity of Miss Frazier’s story deepens as their bond intensifies, the power exchange between them growing taut, stretched almost to breaking, as Milos becomes more comfortable with his identity and begins pushing back, pursuing what he wants from the relationship – and which Sebastian is so reluctant to provide.

And then comes the party, a sad glimpse into the dark, unethical side of the kink community. Here, the story confronts uncomfortable truths: how erotic power dynamics can be weaponized, how trust can be exploited, how the structures meant to create safety can enable abuse. I was deeply uncomfortable with this part of the book, but it’s important to the overall journey. It’s this darkness that forces Sebastian to confront what he truly wants.

I deeply loved Milos and his journey, his exploration, and his growth. He’s just wonderful, and even for all his faults, Sebastian is a dreamy lover-turned-partner who ultimately chooses connection over control.

And that’s it for 2025. Here’s to a new year full of great books with amazing characters and the kinds of stories we want to become lost in.

Beauty in Ruins

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

Weekend Freebies - Femdom & FLR

The Dominion and the Sugilite: Episodes 27-30 by B.J. Frazier (erotica)

Title: The Dominion and the Sugilite (Episodes 27 | 28 | 29 | 30)Author: B.J. FrazierPublication Date: September 19, 2025 to December 10, 2025Genres: Erotica | Sci-fiProtagonist Gender: Various

Weekend Freebies - Trans Reads

Trans Rights Readathon: Upcoming 2026 Trans Reads

RELEASE TOUR: Goblin Heart by Fae Loxley

RELEASE TOUR: Goblin Heart by Fae Loxley

http://books2read.com/GoblinHeart

Trans Rights Readathon: My Last 10 Trans TBR Additions

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

Trans Rights Readathon: My Last 10 Trans Reads

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

Weekend Freebies - Trans Romance & Gender Play Erotica

Can't-Wait Wednesday - Calk Walk: A Novel

Calk Walk: A Novel by Douglas Bell

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

Can't-Wait Wednesday - A Lady for All Seasons

A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander

Book Review: Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis

Title: Enchanting the Fae QueenAuthor: Stephanie BurgisPublication Date: January 27, 2026 by BrambleGenres: RomantasyProtagonist Gender: Various

26 (plus) SFF Books to Read in 2026!

Bonus Picks (Maybe)

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

Weekend Freebies - Queer Romance

Book Mail: The Duke by Anna Cowan

Book Review: T-GIRL TALES #9 by Crystal Veeyant

Title: T-GIRL TALES #9 - Forced FeminizationAuthor: Crystal VeeyantPublication Date: November 22, 2025Genres: EroticaProtagonist Gender: Various

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

Book Review: The Calyx Charm by May Peterson

Title: The Calyx CharmAuthor: May PetersonPublication Date: July 13, 2021 by Carina PressGenres: FantasyProtagonist Gender: Trans Woman

Weekend Freebies - Queer Romance

Stacking the Shelves & The Sunday Post

New Arrivals

Currently Reading

End of Year Review Catch-Up

The Sword Defiant by Gareth Hanrahan

The Cucksitter Training by B.J. Frazier

Sissy Stepbrothers by Crystal Veeyant

From Pool Boy to Party Girl by B.J. Frazier

Title: The Dominion and the Sugilite (Episodes 27 | 28 | 29 | 30)
Author: B.J. Frazier
Publication Date: September 19, 2025 to December 10, 2025
Genres: Erotica | Sci-fi
Protagonist Gender: Various

Title: Enchanting the Fae Queen
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Publication Date: January 27, 2026 by Bramble
Genres: Romantasy
Protagonist Gender: Various

Title: T-GIRL TALES #9 - Forced Feminization
Author: Crystal Veeyant
Publication Date: November 22, 2025
Genres: Erotica
Protagonist Gender: Various

Title: The Calyx Charm
Author: May Peterson
Publication Date: July 13, 2021 by Carina Press
Genres: Fantasy
Protagonist Gender: Trans Woman