š§” Our September Book Box picks are here
Fast & full of fire, the words are flying between these main characters, and weād expect nothing less from our banter-themed book picks!
The fantasy romance is a story tension-filled friendship turned so much more amidst the highest stakes. She's the conduit who traveled to the City of the Gods to find answers for her hidden arcane abilities. He's the captain who's sworn to protect the famed city, while also harboring his own secrets in the shadows. Knowing it cannot be more, and denying the chemistry and alchemy between them, they forge a friendship. But the fates cast long ago have other plans, ones that could either reconcile their star-crossed souls or destroy the world as they know it. ā¤ļøš¦
The contemporary romance brings the all the sweet burn typically associated with a certain amber-tinted spirit. Outrunning a dangerous case, she's found herself in the heart of Bourbon Country with a new identity and a clean slate. But that won't stop the ex-cop in the famed bourbon family from suspecting her of hiding...something. Will lies keep her safe in this small-town haven? Or will her past threaten to take down the place that's beginning to feel most like home to her and the man at the heart of it? š„š§”
āØSpecial box: The books in our September Contemporary Romance Book Box come with signed bookplates and the playlist includes author-selected songs!
Get ready for the best-ever back-and-forth!
Our September Fantasy Romance pick:
Of Blood and Aether by Harper Hawthorne
Get your Of Blood and Aether Book Box here!
A rare conduit of Light, drawn to the Shadows. A spymaster who canāt seem to stay away.
For as long as she can remember, Arken Asher has been searching for answersādriven by an insatiable hunger, a need to understand the meaning behind her dangerous arcane secrets. Sheās finally taken that leap into the unknown, leaving her simple life behind to attend the Arcane Studium: a prestigious college of magickal arts & sciences nestled in the heart of Sophrosyne: the City of the Gods.
As the Scouting & Reconnaissance Captain of the Elder Guard, Kieran Vistarii deals in Shadows, blood and subterfuge. Scarred by his past but dedicated to safeguarding Sophrosyneās future, Kieranās self-imposed isolation is easily masked by charm and cocksure energy. Strange disappearances have kept his cadre busy as of late, and yet the captain finds himself sidetracked, distracted by the inexplicable allure of a certain golden-eyed Conduit and her curious mind.
They both know better than to get involved, but the Fates have other plans. The dark threads of prophecy were woven long ago, and the ties that bind just might be what it takes to mend these broken, star-crossed soulsā¦ or what forges a deadly bond that could damn them all.
You can expect:
- shadow daddy
- dual POV
- he trains her
Content warnings:
- violence, torture, murder
- child abduction
- tattooing of a child without consent (on page)
- emotional abuse
- explorations of implied mental illness (depression, anxiety) and neurdivergency (adhd, autism)
- references to cults and sex work
- explicit sexual content, including explorations of kink and BDSM
- If there is a particular content theme that is triggering for you, we suggest doing additional research on the title to ensure your mental health.Ā
Our September Contemporary Romance pick:
Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder
Get your Bourbon & Lies Book Box here!
In Fiasco, Kentucky, there is one rule: never fall for a Foxx brother. Any woman who did, ended up deadāor so the rumor goes. Townies call it a curse. But Iāve lived it, and I wonāt survive it again.
Iām not a cop anymore, but Iāve seen enough danger to know that Laney Young, the beautiful stranger who just showed up in my small town, is running from it.
Sheās lying about where she came from and what sheās doing here.
I donāt want her near my family or the quiet life Iāve made for myself. But my brothers have other plans. Now sheās everywhereāworking at my distillery, living in our guest house, calling me ācowboyā and skinny-dipping in my horse trough.
But itās the way she dishes out attitude from that pretty mouth of hers that has me wanting things Iāve sworn to myself Iād never want again. I should push her away, forget how her lips taste, and ignore how she makes me want more out of life again.
When her past shows up and mingles too closely with mine, her lies begin to unravel. The rules donāt matter anymore. I mess up, dig too far, and get too close. Only two things have the power to keep her safe now: bourbon and lies.
You can expect:
- romantic suspense
- dual POV
- bourbon tasting
Content warnings:
- violence and death (on page)
- descriptive gore
- discussion of captivity
- violence toward women
- gun violence
- violence against an animal
- discussion of deceased parents and family
- reference to sexual assault
- discussion of cannibalism
- discussion of homicide
- main characters dealing with PTSD
- explicit sexual content
- If there is a particular content theme that is triggering for you, we suggest doing additional research on the title to ensure your mental health