A quick note for me and others

Jun. 9th, 2025 11:32 pm
sholio: Text: "Age shall not weary her, nor custom stale her infinite squee" (Infinite Squee)
[personal profile] sholio
[community profile] justmarriedexchange nominations close tomorrow (the 10th).

I will almost certainly be signing up for this one, I'm just saying. And you do need three distinct fandoms for this exchange.

*my existing assignments side-eye me*
[syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed

Posted by Amanda

Happy Tuesday!

I swear, this month has so many good releases. One a personal note, too bad June is my busiest month so far.

We have a few releases with historical settings, a fantasy romance, and plenty of contemporaries.

What new releases are you excited for this week? Let us know in the comments!

A Rare Find

A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell

Author: Joanna Lowell
Released: June 10, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: , ,

When an aspiring archaeologist teams up with her childhood enemy for a treasure hunt, they find it impossible to bury their growing feelings, in a charming queer historical romance from the author of A Shore Thing.

Elfreda Marsden has finally made a major discovery—an ancient amulet proving the Viking army camped on her family’s estate. Too bad her nemesis is back from London, freshly exiled after a scandal and ready to wreak havoc on her life. Georgie Redmayne is everything Elfreda isn’t–charming, popular, carefree, distractingly attractive, and bored to death by the countryside. When the two collide (literally), the amulet is lost, and with it, Elfreda’s big chance to lead a proper excavation. Now Elfreda needs new evidence of medieval activity, and Georgie needs money to escape the doldrums of Derbyshire. Joining forces to locate a hidden hoard of Viking gold is the best chance for them both.

Marsdens and Redmaynes don’t get along, and that’s the least of the reasons these enemies can’t dream of something more. But as the quest takes them on unexpected adventures, sparks of attraction ignite a feeling increasingly difficult to identify as hatred. It’s far too risky to explore. And far too tempting to resist. Elfreda and Georgie soon find that the real treasure comes with a steep price… and the promise of a happiness beyond all measure.

Tara: Enemies to lovers! Viking artifacts! This one sounds super fun.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Bury Your Bones in the Midnight Soil

Bury Your Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

Author: V.E. Schwab
Released: June 10, 2025 by Tor Books
Genre: , , , ,

From V. E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying novel about immortality and hunger.

This is a story about hunger.
1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
A young girl grows up wild and wily—her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.

This is a story about love.
1827. London.
A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow—but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.

This is a story about rage.
2019. Boston.
College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.

This is a story about life—
how it ends, and how it starts.

V.E. Schwab’s ambitious new fantasy with a mix of time periods! 

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Never Been Shipped

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thomspon

Author: Alicia Thomspon
Released: June 10, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: ,

A band reunion may be enough to change two musicians’ tune on love in this electric romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

Micah’s relationship to music is complicated. As teenagers, her band took off after being featured on a popular TV show, but the group barely released their sophomore album before breaking up. Now, over a decade later, the band is reuniting for one more performance on a themed cruise, and Micah is determined to learn from her past mistakes — no losing herself in the music, and no losing her heart along the way.

John misses playing in a band, and mostly he misses Micah, who’d been his best friend until the music stopped. Back then, he didn’t take the lead, either in his guitar parts or while he sat back and watched her date another bandmate. John’s never been one to rock the boat, but he’s faced with another chance now that this cruise has brought music — and Micah — back in his life.

Onboard, Micah can’t help but see John with brand new eyes, and John’s feelings only intensify as the discordant band’s tension grows to a breaking point. With five days at sea, there’s a ticking clock on anything that might develop between them, and they’ll have to decide if their relationship is destined to be more than a one-hit wonder.

Dahlia: I see Alicia Thompson, I preorder it. She is the literal top of my autobuy list. And this one is reported to have cameos from my all time fave, Cold World.

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The Palace of Illusions

The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller

Author: Rowenna Miller
Released: June 10, 2025 by Redhook
Genre: ,

The Palace of Illusions brings readers to a Paris breathless with excitement at the dawn of the twentieth century, where for a select few there is a second, secret Paris where the magic of the City of Light is very real in this enchanting and atmospheric fantasy from the author of The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill.

In the run up to the 1900s World’s Fair Paris is abuzz with creative energy and innovation. Audiences are spellbound by the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. But for Clara Ironwood, a talented and pragmatic clockworker, nothing compares to the magic of her godfather’s mechanical creations, and she’d rather spend her days working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s fair.

When her godfather sends Clara a hideous nutcracker for Christmas, she is puzzled until she finds a hidden compartment that unlocks a mirror-world Paris where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. The magic of her godfather’s toys was real.

As Clara explores this other Paris and begins to imbue her own creations with its magic, she soon discovers a darker side to innovation. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. There’s no ignoring the danger she’s in, but Clara doesn’t know who to trust. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.

Amanda: Magic and the World’s Fair in Paris sounds like an amazing combo.

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Realm of Thieves

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

Author: Karina Halle
Released: June 10, 2025 by Ace
Genre: , ,
Series: Thieves of Dragemor #1

Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.

Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.

Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?

Amanda: I think this is the first fantasy romance in a while that made me really perk up.

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Roommating

Roommating by Meredith Schorr

Author: Meredith Schorr
Released: June 10, 2025 by Forever
Genre: ,

Sizzling chemistry and tender friendship develops between two accidental roommates in this hilarious rom-com from the author of As Seen on TV.

Sabrina is too busy with grad school and her job as a library page to think about dating. Until her elderly roommate Marcia invites her estranged grandson Adam to move into their two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan temporarily to “find himself.” Sabrina doesn’t mind sharing the small space with Adam if it helps Marcia repair her relationship with her grandson. But she’s not expecting to fall for him herself. Adam is not only gorgeous, he’s kind, funny, shares her love of reading, and clearly adores Marcia. After one too many accidental midnight rendezvous in the bathroom (him shirtless), the tension between them is hotter than ever. But they’re not the only ones feeling the heat. After Marcia has a health scare, her doctors advise that one of her younger roommates must go.

In a comical and sexy battle to prove who deserves to stay, the two pull out all the stops. All’s fair in love and real estate, but in the end victory is not so sweet when winning the apartment could mean losing each other.

Dahlia: This has the sweetest premise, and I keep getting drawn in by that cover. Books and a dog! What could be better?

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Slow Burn Summer

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

Author: Josie Silver
Released: June 10, 2025 by Dell
Genre: ,

A talent agent hires an actress to play the part of “novelist” on a book tour for his agency’s publicity-shy client

She’s playing the part of romance author, but has she found her own real life love story?

Talent agent Charlie Francisco has three problems: a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never planned to inherit, and a take-your-breath-away romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with its publication. The book is a surefire hit, if only his agency can find someone to “play” author on its summer book tour.

Enter Kate Elliott, a former soap actress who’s miraculously right for the part at the very moment her life seems to be going all wrong. Kate is still recovering from her own divorce and Charlie’s job offer is a lifeline. She agrees to the pretense for all interviews, signings, and appearances surrounding the novel’s publication. But she can’t know who really wrote the remarkable story—the one so beautiful it’s made her believe in love again.

When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks—the one thing they have in common is they’re determined to play their respective parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines . . . or will they go off-script?

Lara: I absolutely love this premise!

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Tuesday @ 4:57 pm

Jun. 10th, 2025 04:57 pm
alisx: A demure little moth person, with charcoal fuzz and teal accents. (Default)
[personal profile] alisx
Part of a YouTube tumbnail for Apple's Liquid Glass announcement. The YouTube logo is position such that the image reads "Introducing Liquid ass."

Introducing . . . what?

Leave a comment.+

delphi: An illustrated crow kicks a little ball of snow with a contemplative expression. (Default)
[personal profile] delphi
Fandom 50 #20

Untitled Ouizzy Neighbor AU by [tumblr.com profile] derekstilinski
Fandom: Our Flag Means Death
Relationship: Frenchie/Izzy Hands
Medium: Gifset
Length: 3 gifs
Rating: SFW
My Bookmark Tags: romance, happy ending, getting together, constructed reality, au: modern, domesticity, nature

Description:
In the first gif, Izzy wanders out into a field and happens upon Frenchie, who's sitting alone and obviously having a bad time alone with his thoughts. In the second, the two men are each in their houses, looking out the window at each other's places. In the third, they've finally come together, Frenchie handing a wary Izzy a cup of tea.

I am such a sucker for constructed reality graphics and vids, and all the ways a little tactical harnessing of the Kuleshov effect can bring us the crossovers, AUs, and visual adaptations we crave. I've got a few from this same creator to rec, but I'm starting with this Neighbor AU that imagines a modern day Frenchie and Izzy living next door to each other in the country and catching each other's eye.

First off, I just love how it's put together, from the progression of running into each other by chance, then scoping out each other from their houses, to finally coming together for tea. But I also love how the choice of sources colours the story being told here. I'm pretty sure the Con O'Neill clips are from Vengeance Is Mine and the Joel Fry ones are from In the Earth. These are both harrowing movies where the actual characters are going through some awful things. I appreciate how those scenes get recontextualized here into something cozier that nonetheless paints a picture of both characters having gone through some rough times.

You can easily imagine that this modern Frenchie has just as many terrible things locked up in that little box in his head as his 18th century counterpart had, and that this Izzy has just been through an emotionally and/or physically traumatic breakup with Ed, and now here they are, a little bruised and cautious but finding some potential comfort and love in their own backyard.

BAD MEME, chapter 14.

Jun. 10th, 2025 02:13 pm
alisx: The head of a moth creature. It has dark fuzz and is grinning at you with glowing teeth teeth and eyes. (alis.mothface)
[personal profile] alisx
The title BAD MEME in a bold, brush font, white with a black outline, in front of a roughly painted symbol that looks like an W on top of a vertical line, with two diagonal lines crossing it at roughly the middle. The background is an abstract grunge effect, mostly orange, but with some green and purple at the edges.

Fourteen

Taylor had driven all the way into town to pick her up. Bich had been surprised at that. She’d called Taylor, filled him in on some brief details, and Taylor had told Bich to come stay at his place overnight. Which was . . . nice, Bich supposed, but Taylor lived miles away and Bich was about to refuse with some muttered excuse about the trains when Taylor had asked for her location and said he’d come to her. After that, Bich had no excuse but to say yes.

Which is how she ended up stepping out of Taylor’s beat up old car and onto a cracked suburban driveway, the dark shape of a 1960s fibro house, renovated into mad chunks of retro-modern mashup, spilling a slice of golden light across neatly manicured crabgrass.

Two people were silhouetted against the house’s open doors. The Taylors, both mum and dad, waiting for their boy to come home. The scene was so fucking Neighbours it made Bich feel sick, and attributing the queasy roil in her gut to contempt was easier than admitting to herself she was afraid.

Keep reading »

Leave a comment.+

2025's Summer of the 69 is now open!

Jun. 9th, 2025 09:48 pm
soc_puppet: A sunflower against a blue sky with a few stray clouds; text reads, "Summer of the 69" (Summer of the 69)
[personal profile] soc_puppet posting in [community profile] fictional_fans
A photo of a sunny summer day; text reads, "Summer of the 69"


Community: [community profile] summerofthe69

Event Description: Summer of the 69 is an event focused on creative works about the sexual position, open to all fandoms and to original works, and to all types of creations. Participation is through two means: A comment meme where users can leave and fill prompts, and themes posted weekly to get creative juices flowing.

The 2025 fest has officially opened! If the above description interests you at all, check out the following links:

Community profile
2025's Theme Calendar
2025's Comment Prompt Meme
2025's First Theme: "First Time 69: Everyone has to start somewhere"
musesfool: "We'll sleep later! Time for cake!" (time for cake!)
[personal profile] musesfool
I made this black cocoa loaf cake yesterday, and followed it exactly as written despite some skepticism, which turned out to be warranted, because the middle of the loaf collapsed as it cooled. Even as I was measuring out 1 TBSP of baking powder(!!!), I was like, this seems excessive, but maybe it's because the cocoa is so alkalinized??? So I might cut that back slightly to 1.5 or 2 tsps if I make it again, which I might, because the flavor is good, despite all that baking powder. I didn't bother with the ganache since I don't have room in the fridge for the cake. But it would also disguise that kind of collapse, so if I were serving it to other people I probably would make it.

It's been gray and cool since last night, but it hasn't rained yet, so I've been able to keep the windows open. I did have to use the AC a couple times last week, especially to sleep, and I'll put it on again when necessary, but it was nice just using the fan last night.

Anyway, work remains busy, the world is on fire, but the Mets stay winning! Gotta take the little joys while you can...

*

Dept. of The Fall of Empires

Jun. 9th, 2025 06:36 pm
kaffy_r: Doc Yewl from Defiance (yewlyay)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
Jesus Fucking Christ

It's already been bad for days out in LA, and now the motherfuckers are deploying marines there? Marines? The actual military?

It's only a matter of time - days? - before they send them into my city. Fuck. My neighborhood might not be as heavily Hispanic as Pilsen or Humboldt Park, but Rogers Park has a big enough undocumented community that ICE thugs have already been reported hanging around; at least that's the report. Last week I hoped it was just a fear-fueled rumor. Now?

Sorry for the swearing; but not too sorry. The moment calls for it.

Pro-tip

Jun. 9th, 2025 07:40 pm
sabotabby: (molotov)
[personal profile] sabotabby
 They are going to beat you, and eventually kill you, regardless of whether your protest is violent or non-violent.

Media Consumption 6/9/2025

Jun. 9th, 2025 05:34 pm
itsnotmymind: (spike/dru kiss)
[personal profile] itsnotmymind
 Succession is eating my brain so that is what I have been watching. I'm looking forward to Daredevil: Born Again when I will watch soon.

I'm reading a fun YA novel based on Hindu mythology called Aru Shah and the End of Time. It's about a girl who lights a lamp she has been told is cursed to impress her peers and ends up having to save the world.

I've been listening to Dan Snow's history podcast, which is little bites of all kinds of history. The current episode I am listening to is on Founding Father Samuel Adams.

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