Take a Break

It’s Spring Break y’all!

At least for us in my house. And boy howdy do we need it. After almost a solid year of working from home and virtual learning, we’re both feeling cooped up and could use the time off. I mean, if we’re being honest he may not need it as much since he had Winter Break and then the winter storm that the south went through. But I sure as heck do. As a matter of fact, this will be the longest vacation I’ve had since last Spring Break.

Speaking of last year, it’s weird to think that we were where we were this time last March. How sobering to realize that, originally, we were also going into what was just supposed to be a two week lockdown. Just. Two. Weeks. 

*eye twitch*

And here we are a whole calendar year later. When I think of it that way I agree with the idea that this has been the longest year ever. I look at my memories on social media and am like, “This was just a year ago?” It’s just… mind blowing. 

Generally I try not to take a Robert Frost approach to things and ponder about the road not travelled but I can’t help thinking that if people had simply taken the two weeks last year; would it have spiraled into the situation that it did? I mean, there’s no use getting too upset about it because here we are. But I’d bet dollars to donuts that one of the questions that my possible future grandkids may have is, “Why didn’t people just stay inside?”  And I won’t have an answer for them. 

While rough, the last year hasn’t been completely terrible as I’ve learned a few things about myself. The main thing is I made the right choice in not home-schooling my son. And not to disparage those that do but I just don’t have it in me. I would have loved to give it a shot but there’s only so many ways I can explain something before I get frustrated. And he needs the social interaction of other teachers and kids too, because it was hard for him to separate his mom from his mom the teacher. We are going to finish the year out virtually but, God willing and the creek don’t rise, come fall he’ll be back in the classroom. 

In keeping with the Spring Break theme, I’m going to try to keep it light today, especially given the heavier topics of the last few newsletters. Which isn’t to say that they were bad or weren’t things that needed to be said. But sometimes, it’s just nice to focus on the positive too. So let me tell you one of my latest addictive joys.

TikTok. 

Yes, I know I’m late to this game and it’s nothing new. But it has bought me so much happiness in the last couple of weeks. I’ve found a lot of very creative content creators, especially in the cosplay community. But I also love it for the BookTok aspect since I’ve discovered a lot of new, indie authors there across multiple genres. If you are a fan of reactions, check out Chelle Sloan’s reactions to thirst traps. They’re utterly priceless. 

What I love about it is that, no matter what, these people are doing what they love and taking such joy in it. And there’s such a variety of things to choose from. Besides cosplay, there’s musicians, comedians, artists, burlesque performers…the list goes on. You even have spiritual communities within it. I think finding a community is very important, even more so now since we’re still in a situation where we have to be mindful of large gatherings, that finding a place with like minded individuals is very uplifting. 

I mean of course, as with any type of social media, there are trolls. But for the most part as long as you don’t feed them they can’t grow.

Book News

Everyone in Romancelandia was excited for Eve Brown’s debut last week and I’m sure most of us that ordered online looked like this as we waited for delivery. At least, I know I was. If you haven’t picked it up yet, be sure to snag your own copy. I haven’t heard a single negative thing about this book so far. 

The cover reveal for A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria was revealed and….wow. Just wow.  That’s just amazing.

One of the first romances I remember reading was Shadow Over Bright Star by Irene M. Pascoe (you wouldn’t believe the amount of Google power it took to remember this). It is by far, even today, one of the tamest romance novels I’ve ever read. If Gothic romances are your jam, then check out the latest from Silvana.

Romancing the Stone is one of my favorite ’80s movies. The chemistry between Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas cannot be denied. There’s a reason they played opposite from one another multiple times. If you also like stories about writers, check out this list of romances. A good number of these are on my read or to be read pile but I managed to find a few more.

And, in case you want even more warm fuzzies….oh who am i kidding? Of course you do!! So be sure to check out this interview with another fellow romance lover and reviewer.

Fabio by the numbers. ‘Nuff said. On a side note, reading this article was a nice little stroll down memory lane as a romance reader.

New Releases

Here are some of the new releases headed your way this week:

What a Tangled Web by Melissa Brayden

The Dating Plan by Sara Desai (currently reading this one and loving every moment)

Emerett Has Never Been In Love by Anyta Sunday

Next Exit Home by Dena Blake

Deals

All the books listed below were showing as available for $0.99 at the time of this writing:

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian

The Truth About Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden

Hometown Cowboy by Sara Richardson

Sledgehammer by P. Dangelico

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That’s all for now friends! I hope that this week treats you well. As always feel free to follow me as @PScribe801 on Twitter. I’ll see y’all Thursday.