ESCAPE with these Read & Watch Picks from Brighton Walsh!

It's that time again! The first of the month and time for this month's Read and Watch picks for the challenge. If you want the details on the Read & Watch challenge, you can still join in. Just click here to see the other themes. And even if you're not doing the challenge, stick around for some great book recs!

This month we're welcoming summer with an ESCAPE theme and have author Brighton Walsh as a guest to help us out.

Now, though "escape" is clearly related to summer and vacations and such, don't feel confined by that. Escape can also mean a book or movie about someone escaping a serial killer or escaping to another universe or escaping a bad marriage. Or it could just be a book that provides you an escape to another world. However you want to interpret it is up to you! But Brighton and I do have some suggestions if you're looking for a place to start.

But first, meet Brighton!

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible. Website: www.brightonwalsh.com

And now let's let her take it away with her picks...

Book

I tried not to think too hard on the word escape and just recommend the first things that came to mind. In the case of books, that was Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series. I fell in love with Jill’s books long before the people of Lucky Harbor came into my life, but this series is what made me a lifetime fan of hers. These books all focus not only on the relationship of the hero and heroine and their various friends and family, but also treats the town as a character in and of itself. It’s easy to picture yourself in the quaint little town, and I always compared it to the literary version of Stars Hollow. The lush descriptions and quirky characters make Lucky Harbor the perfect getaway when you need to escape for a while.

TV Show

Choosing a TV show was slightly harder. I have a lot of comfort watches, but in the end I picked HGTV’s Island Hunters. This show is like House Hunters on crack. And I’ll admit, I spend the entire time these lucky people are choosing their own private island getaway pretending it’s me. As soon as I sell a million books, I’m totally getting my own island. Until then, the next best thing is watching someone else do so (and shouting at the TV telling them which choice is the right one).

Thanks, Brighton! And be sure to check out Brighton's latest book, Paige In Progress, which also looks like a great choice for an escape. :)

About the book:

She wanted a one-night stand...and then he moved in next door.

Paige Bennett is more than content with her life and what she does—and does not—have in it. She’s got a supportive family, a great apartment, and the best friend a girl could ask for; so what if her relationships expire faster than a carton of milk? After a disastrous detour courtesy of poor judgment in the boyfriend department, her plan is back on track and her dream job is finally within her grasp. Nothing can make her lose focus now. Well, nothing except the one-night stand she had with her best friend’s surrogate brother. The one-night stand she can’t stop thinking about.

Adam Reid has always been reliable...the responsible son, the loyal friend, the steady boyfriend. Two years ago, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and is well on his way to making a name for himself at an accounting firm in Denver—a far cry from working as a helper in the Mom and Pop store his parents own in Michigan. But when said store starts failing, he’s the only one who can step in and help. So reliable Adam does what he always does, and he comes to the rescue.

Paige thought Adam was a safe bet because he lives halfway across the country. But then suddenly he’s moving back to their town, and then into her apartment building, and soon he’s worming his way right into her life. If she’s not careful, he might sneak his way into her heart, too...

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Roni's Recommendations

Books

For a warm mother/daughter story with a touch of romance, go for Every Wild Heart by Meg Donohue. I really loved this one and it was the perfect light summer read. See my full review here.

I loved this one so hard, y'all. My full review is here. But this One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid will sweep you away, break your heart, and then put it safely back together, leaving you feeling all warm and fuzzy afterward. One of my favorite reads of the year so far.

And if you really want to take the ESCAPE theme to the next level, escape to another world. A Promise of Fire will introduce you to a fascinating world with a tough-ass heroine and a swoony hero. This is a series but this first book doesn't end on a big cliffhanger or anything. Full review here.

Shameless Promotion

If you're looking for a quick read about escaping your life for a summer with a super hot guy, grab a copy of Nice Girls Don't Ride. Summery escapist fun. Plus, it won a RITA award for best novella last year! (And psst, it's only $1.99)

TV Show/Movie

If you follow me on social media, you may have seen my ranting about the remake of Dirty Dancing. I don't even want to talk about it. I'm still slightly scarred. BUT this just means that it's time for a rewatch of the original. This is my favorite movie of all time and nothing sweeps me away like going to Kellerman's with Baby and Johnny. I know I'll be watching it again this month.

What I Plan to Read for the Challenge:

I'm currently reading The Dry which fits the escape theme because it's set in Australia. And I have these other two on my TBR. The Identicals because it looks like the perfect summery read and will be part of my Book of the Month order. (Join Book of the Month with this link and get 3 months for only 9.99 a month, which is way cheaper than what you can get the hardcovers for any other place. For instance, The Identicals is 19 bucks on Amazon. And it makes the first of the month more fun because you get to see what the new pics are. Note, this is an affiliate link but I haven't been asked to promote it and I'm a full paying customer. I just love it and like to share.) And Someday, Someday Maybe, which is written by the actress from Gilmore Girls and is about an actress, which sounds like escapist fun. 

What I'll Be Watching:

Besides a rewatch of Dirty Dancing, I will be eagerly awaiting the start of Big Brother at the end of the month. It is tradition at our house and it's one of those things that screams "it's summertime!" to me.

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Now it's your turn. What are you planning to read or watch this month to escape?

A Summer Read with a Gilmore Girls Vibe

It has been a mentally taxing few weeks and sometimes you just need a book that is lovely and warm and low on angst. (And that's coming from someone who LOVES the angst.) Enter my read for the week: Every Wild Heart by Meg Donohue.

I came across this book through Modern Mrs. Darcy's Summer Reading Guide, which is a fantastic place to find new recs (For non-romance books. Sadly, romance isn't a genre she covers.) But I picked up this book and read it this week and was so glad I did.

This book is a mother-daughter focused story (told in alternating POVs) and reminded me a lot of Gilmore Girls. Plus, the heroine is based on the DJ Delilah (of Delilah After Dark fame.) I used to listen to Delilah when I was younger and that totally made me want to read this. There is a mild suspense element in this book, but it's handled with a gentle touch. And there's a bit of romance for both these ladies, which I, of course, loved.

So if you're looking for a cozy, quick, don't-have-to-angst read, this is a good one to grab. I really enjoyed the whole ride.

Here's the official summary:

From USA Today bestselling author Meg Donohue comes a mystery, a love story, and a mother-daughter tale about two women on a precarious journey to uncover their true selves.

Passionate and funny, radio personality Gail Gideon is a true original. Nine years ago when Gail’s husband announced that he wanted a divorce, her ensuing on-air rant propelled her local radio show into the national spotlight. Now, “The Gail Gideon Show” is beloved by millions of single women who tune-in for her advice on the power of self-reinvention. But fame comes at a price. After all, what does a woman who has staked her career on being single do when she finds herself falling in love? And is the person who is harassing her in increasingly troubling ways a misguided fan or a true danger to Gail and her daughter, Nic? 

Fourteen-year-old Nic has always felt that she pales in comparison to her vibrant, outgoing mother. Plagued by a fear of social situations, she is most comfortable at the stable where she spends her afternoons. But when a riding accident lands Nic in the hospital, she awakens from her coma changed. Suddenly, she has no fear at all and her disconcerting behavior lands her in one risky situation after another. And no one, least of all her mother, can guess what she will do next…

Grab a copy: Amazon | B&N | The Ripped Bodice

Recommended Reads:Cowboys, Quarterbacks & Being Fearless

It's Friday, woot! Hope you all have something fun planned this weekend. I'm getting taken out for a Mother's Day brunch so yay for that. But I wanted to pop in and share a few recommended reads since I've been a little quiet over here (because I'm WRITING MY ASS OFF, lol.)

However, writing my butt off doesn't mean I stop reading. When I stop reading, the words stop coming, so it's part of my process. 

Anyhoo, here's what I've got for you.

First up are two books from Maisey Yates' Copper Ridge series. These are fun, sexy, feel good contemporary romances that will having you laughing on one page and fanning yourself on the next. Hot cowboys in Oregon. Need I say more? Okay, fine, here's the only endorsement you need. I don't think I've read two books in the same series back to back in YEARS. Honestly. My TBR is so big that I jump around and hardly ever read the same author or series back to back. So that tells you how much I enjoyed these. You can jump in anywhere in the series but they do connect. 

Brokedown Cowboy has your grieving widowed hero who is just super grumpy and in need of love and healing.

Bad News Cowboy has one of my favorite romance tropes, the hero falling for his best friend's little sister. Plus, the hero is also my favorite kind of hero to read (and write!)--the bad boy, cocky, quick with a joke man-slut who is secretly in need of a relationship. 

For the writers in the crowd, I read Fearless Writing this week, and I really got a lot out of it. Even though I've been doing this writing thing for a good while now, I still feel like my process is evolving and can always be improved. I suffer with writer's block often (mainly because I'm a high-strung perfectionist) but this book has really great advice about finding the "flow" in writing and how to write with confidence. Lots of great info about fighting back those insecurity demons in your head, too. 

What I'm Reading Right Now

The Hot Shot - Full disclosure, I know Kristen, but y'all know I don't recommend books unless I love them. I'm about halfway through this one and it's so much fun. Hot quarterback. My hometown of New Orleans. Sassy heroine. Sexy sexiness. You can't lose. :) 

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All right, those are mine, now show me yours! What have you read lately that was amazing? What are you reading now?

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And ICYMI: My newest book, BY THE HOUR, is out and only $4.99! 

BUY THE EBOOK: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks 

BUY THE PAPERBACK: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | The Ripped Bodice | Books-A-Million | The Book Depository

Diverse Read & Watch Picks for May & Win a Book!

Happy May! I'm not sure how it's May already (isn't it only March?), but that's what the calendar keeps telling me, so I'm forced to believe them. The good news is that this means it's time for this month's picks for the Read and Write challenge!

If you're unfamiliar with the challenge, each month has a theme word, and I have guests recommend books, TV shows, and movies that go with the theme. I also throw in some of my own recs.

This month's theme is RAINBOW because it's spring and storm/tornado season in Texas and I can't wait for that scary part of the year to be done. Bring on the rainbows! But the theme also gives us a great opportunity to give extra focus to diverse, own voices, and LGBTQ reads for the month. And I have some fantastic guests ready to give you some great recommendations!

Plus, there's a CONTEST. So stay tuned until the end for a chance to win a book!

First up, author Robin Covington! A little about Robin... 

A USAToday bestseller, Robin Covington loves to explore the theme of fooling around and falling in love in her books. Her stories burn up the sheets. . .one page at a time. When she’s not writing she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, hoarding red nail polish and stalking Chris Evans.  

A 2016 RITA® Award nominee, Robin’s books have won the National Reader’s Choice and Golden Leaf Awards and finaled in the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, the Book Seller’s Best and the Award of Excellence.

She lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, her two brilliant children (they get it from her, of course!), and her beloved furbabies, Dutch and Dixie Joan Wilder.

 Robin's website 

Robin's Picks

Hey ya’ll! Many thanks to Roni for letting me visit with you and share my picks for LGBTQ books, tv and film!

I’m Robin Covington and I’m the product of a fine southern storytelling tradition, mixed in with the love of music and a liberal dash of moonshine bootlegging bravado!  I write sexy contemporary and erotic romance that burns up the sheets . . . one page at a time.

Here are my picks for the month . ..

 

TV:

I’ve had two fantastic LGBTQ TV experiences lately.  The first is the web series called, THE OUTS.  Over two seasons the series chronicles the lives of Jack and Mitchell, ex-lovers who start out as-less-than-friends and then make their way back to an indestructible friendship. The writing is crisp and hilarious and sometimes poignant as their social circle includes the bitchily-lovable Oona, the wise-beyond-his-years Paul (aka Scruffy) and Alan Cumming.  The first season is free on the show website, while the second season is available on Vimeo. Season three is in the works!

I had to also tell you about LONDON SPY. This show was a roller coaster from the first episode the last second of the final and 7th installment. Lost London party boy, Denny, falls for the serious and inexperienced Alex but when Alex gets killed, Denny learns that his life has been a jigsaw of lies and truth. It’s riveting, breath-taking and engrossing. Jim Boradbent and Charlotte Rampling bring their decades of acting chops to the screen but Ben Wishaw steals every scene as the devastated Denny who finds out he’s way stronger than he thought he was.

I watched it on Netflix – so bonus!

Movie:

I recently watched BOY MEETS GIRL on Netflix as well and I was enchanted by the candid portrayal of a transgender young woman exploring love and her options for the future as she graduates high school and heads out into the world from her small town. I really loved that the main character was played by Michelle Hendley, a transgender woman. I’ve been searching for books, film and literature to help me understand the challenges and joys of transgender people and this film helped me grow in my knowledge. It thought it was charming, funny and poignant with characters and a story that were universal.  I loved it.

I watched it on Netflix and then I tuned into Hendley’s video blog which is funny and very honest about her transition and her life. (

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Next up is author Lex Chase! A little about Lex...

Lex Chase once heard Stephen King say in a commercial, “We’re all going to die, I’m just trying to make it a little more interesting.” Now, she’s on a mission to make the world a hell of a lot more interesting.

Weaving tales of cinematic, sweeping adventure—and depending on how she feels that day—Lex sprinkles in high-speed chases, shower scenes, and more explosions than a Hollywood blockbuster. Her pride is in telling stories of men who kiss as much as they kick ass. If you’re going to march into the depths of hell, it better be beside the one you love.

Lex is a pop culture diva, her DVR is constantly backlogged, she has intense emotions about Hannibal's Hannigram, and unapologetically loved the ending of Lost. She wouldn’t last five minutes without technology in the event of the apocalypse and has nightmares about refusing to leave her cats behind.

Lex's website

Lex's Pick

TV Show:

For LGBT television, my #1 recommendation is NBC's Hannibal. All three seasons are streaming for free on Amazon Prime.

Why I would rec a show about Hannibal Lecter? It's actually a gay love story played out on mainstream television. Our hero is FBI agent and social misfit, Will Graham, who has settled for the idea he'll never fit in anywhere. Upon the first time he and Hannibal cross paths, Hannibal sees something special in him. A bond so strong, it's one that you can feel in your soul. For that one person to not only get you, but fully understand who and what you are under all the layers we put on ourselves. It's a love story without being about the love story, which is lovely.

And yes, there's cannibalism, but really, Hannibal makes them look goddamn tasty. It is a beautiful psychological horror show after all. Also Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy are pretty easy on the eyes. Just sayin'. Even if you don't think the show is your jam, just try it. Trust me.

But you don't have to take my word for it. This YouTuber sums it up best.

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Next up is author Tamsen Parker! First, a little about Tamsen...

Tamsen Parker is a stay-at-home mom by day, USA Today bestselling erotic romance writer by naptime. Her novella CRAVING FLIGHT was named to the Best of 2015 lists of Heroes and Heartbreakers, Smexy Books, Romance Novel News, and Dear Author. Heroes and Heartbreakers called her Compass series “bewitching, humorous, erotically intense and emotional.”

She lives with her family outside of Boston, where she tweets too much, sleeps too little and is always in the middle of a book. Aside from good food, sweet rieslings and gin cocktails, she has a fondness for monograms and subway maps. She should really start drinking coffee.

Tamsen's website

Tamsen's Picks

Books

An Unseen Attraction by KJ Charles: For my money, KJ Charles is one of the best writers in romance right now. I loved this m/m historical because includes a PoC hero, and the main characters aren't Dukes or Earls, but the proprietor of a boarding house and a taxidermist. 

Hold Me Down by Sara Taylor Woods: This is a BDSM coming-of-age novel, and one I hope budding kinksters get their hands on. It's an #ownvoices story with a Jewish heroine and I love seeing faith integrated in non-Inspirationals. 

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And finally, it's time for a few of my picks...

Roni's Picks

Books:

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

This book was one of my Friday Reads a while back and you can see my full review here, but this is about a loving family and how the handle things when they're youngest son starts saying he's a girl. This story was funny, touching, and loving. The whole family is full of people you'd like to know. And it really makes you think about how, as parents, we often have to make huge decisions for our children that could affect them long-term, and we usually don't have all the information (because it can't be known), so it's a leap of faith and trusting your gut. 

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon - I read this one earlier in the year and it's stuck with me. It was so fantastic. Two teens meet in NYC and spend the whole day together. But it's so much more than that. It's about how one day and one person can make a difference in the whole trajectory of your life. It was romantic, funny, poignant, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting. It fits the rainbow them because the cast is diverse (the heroine is Jamaican, the hero Korean-American) and the cover has a pretty rainbow theme! My full review is here.

Movies:

Queen of Katwe - I saw this one with kidlet. It's based on a true story about a girl in Uganda who discovers she has an amazing talent for chess. It was a great movie that I enjoyed, but also a bonus that my normally easily distracted in non-cartoon movies kidlet was into as well.

Hidden Figures - I saw this one with my son as well and it was phenomenal. If you haven't seen it yet. Watch. Now. 

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Thank you to our guests for this month! While you're grabbing your Read and Watch picks, check out their newest books, too! 

Third by Robin Covington

Dr. Carla Androghetti is not interested in compromise. 
 
With a thriving psychiatry practice in Washington, D.C. and a fulfilling position as a sexual third in a threesome with couples at Club D, she's living just the way she wants. When the murder of a famous former bedmate brings a sexy, tempting cop into her life, she indulges in an affair as sizzling as it is dangerous. Finding a man who can love her and accept her kink is a dream she’d given up a long time ago.
 
Homicide Detective Aiden Cross takes no prisoners.
 
Usually nothing can distract him from a case, but a sexy shrink with an unusual kink has him losing his laser-focus on the job. He’s been burned before by a cheating ex-wife and he doesn’t share, so why does he keep finding himself in the bed of a woman who breaks all his rules?
 
Passion will force them to take a risk.
 
When forbidden desire takes them to the edge of their personal limits, their walls will need to crumble if they have any chance together. 

Americana Fairytale by Lex Chase

Modern fairy-tale princess Taylor Hatfield has problems. One: he’s a guy. Two: his perfect brother Atticus is the reincarnation of Snow White. Three: Taylor has no idea which princess he is supposed to be. Four: Taylor just left his prince (a girl) at the altar. Despite his enchanted lineage, Taylor is desperate to find his Happily Ever After away from magic, witches, and stuffy traditions. Regrettably, destiny has other plans for him. Dammit. 

When word reaches Taylor that Idi the Witchking has captured Atticus, Taylor is determined to save his brother. He enlists the help of rakish and insufferable Corentin Devereaux, likewise of enchanted lineage. A malicious spell sends Taylor and Corentin on a road trip through the kitschy nostalgia of roadside Americana. To save Atticus, they must solve the puzzles put forth by Idi the Witchking. As they struggle, Taylor and Corentin’s volatile partnership sparks a flash of something more. But princesses have many enemies, and Taylor must keep his wits about him because there’s nothing worse than losing your heart… or your head.

His Custody by Tamsen Parker

He needs to be a better man for her sake, but she makes him want to be so bad...

Keyne O’Connell leads a charmed life. She has a caring family and a terrific boyfriend. Her senior year is about to begin, and her future looks bright. But one dark summer night robs her of everyone she loves, thrusting her into the care of her boyfriend’s intimidating, much older brother.

Dark and brooding, Jasper Andersson is not a good man. His business dealings are barely legal. He’s a womanizer and a casual drug user. He has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian, although given her limited options, he doesn’t have much of a choice. He knows he must protect her at whatever the cost.

But living in close quarters soon stirs up feelings inside them both that are far from platonic. Keyne needs a firm hand to keep her in line, but what she desires could lead Jasper into trouble...

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QUICK NOTE:

BY THE HOUR came out last week! If you haven't grabbed your copy yet, what are you waiting for? ;) Read the first chapter here or just get yourself the whole thing!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Indiebound

Also, a huge thank you to everyone who has bought, read, reviewed, and spread the word about it. Huge hugs!

About the book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Off the Clockcomes a story of love, hate, and the fire that ignites when the two collide... 

Dr. Elle McCray has a plan. Work hard. Be the best. And do it alone. After her ex-husband’s betrayal, she’s learned being feared is a hell of a lot easier than being humiliated. So when trouble personified, Lane Cannon, dares to flirt with her, she shuts him down cold. Too gorgeous. Too cocky. And his job as The Grove’s sexual surrogate is to sleep with patients. No, thank you.

Former escort Lane Cannon has spent enough years with people looking down on him. Stupid. Trailer trash. Rent boy. He’s heard it all. He’s worked too hard to shed his past to let some haughty doctor cut him down. But something about Elle’s ice queen act has his dominant instincts perking up and his body taking notice. He can’t walk away.

After an evening of verbal sparring turns into a night of steamy hate sex, Lane’s ready for round two. But Elle proposes a business deal. How better to keep things strictly physical than to pay him for his services? 

Lane wants her, not her money. But he’ll play along in exchange for one thing—all the control. It’s only supposed to be a dirty little fling between colleagues, but these two are about to learn a lesson in love…by the hour.

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CONTEST ALERT:

This month as a thank you to our guests, I'll give away a copy of one of the guest's books to three different winners.  

Now it's your turn. What are you planning to read and watch this month? And let us know if you have any recs for this month's theme!

BY THE HOUR is now available!!!

Lane is finally here! I've been wanting to tell his story for a long time, and it's been a journey getting to this point, so huge thanks to all of you who asked for Lane's book and for being patient. I'm so glad that I'm finally able to share BY THE HOUR with y'all!

This books is enemies-to-lovers and is full of banter, hate sex, and two people who really have a lot to fight through to find their happy ending. but I hope you'll find their journey there as satisfying to read as it was to write.

So here's the official info about the book and if you want to check out the first chapter, you can read that here.

*Also, if you're new to me, this is the second book in the series but can absolutely stand alone. :)

From the New York Times bestselling author of Off the Clockcomes a story of love, hate, and the fire that ignites when the two collide... 

Dr. Elle McCray has a plan. Work hard. Be the best. And do it alone. After her ex-husband’s betrayal, she’s learned being feared is a hell of a lot easier than being humiliated. So when trouble personified, Lane Cannon, dares to flirt with her, she shuts him down cold. Too gorgeous. Too cocky. And his job as The Grove’s sexual surrogate is to sleep with patients. No, thank you.

Former escort Lane Cannon has spent enough years with people looking down on him. Stupid. Trailer trash. Rent boy. He’s heard it all. He’s worked too hard to shed his past to let some haughty doctor cut him down. But something about Elle’s ice queen act has his dominant instincts perking up and his body taking notice. He can’t walk away.

After an evening of verbal sparring turns into a night of steamy hate sex, Lane’s ready for round two. But Elle proposes a business deal. How better to keep things strictly physical than to pay him for his services? 

Lane wants her, not her money. But he’ll play along in exchange for one thing—all the control. It’s only supposed to be a dirty little fling between colleagues, but these two are about to learn a lesson in love…by the hour.

BUY THE EBOOK: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks 

BUY THE PAPERBACK: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound