It's December already. This month can be hard for a lot of people. Between the increasing darkness, the cold, and the various stresses of the holiday season, it's a tough time for many.
I can't speak for others, and I'm the last person to offer advice on how to get through this time because it's different for everyone. But one thing that helps me is having a good stack of stuff to read.
Books have been my escape, and the characters inside have been my friends, for as many years as I've been reading. Today, I'm going to mention some of my favorites by my colleagues here. Hopefully, your new Book BFF resides in the pages of one of these.
I'll admit I haven't read everything in our catalog, and there are authors I've yet to try. This list is not exhaustive even of the ones I have read and loved. But each of these has a special place in my heart for one reason or another.
Underdogs, by Geonn Cannon
Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of shifters. But this one had me sold from the first page. I love the series, and in my opinion, they just keep getting better. Underdogs was my first taste of Geonn's writing, and I was hooked. A little birdie told me I'd like it, and they were right.
The Rise and Fall of Radiation Canary, by Geonn Cannon
What does it for me in this one is the music. While a tune can't be conveyed via a book, the emotion behind it certainly can, and that's what made me fall hard for this novel. Also, I just really like the name of the band.
Silence Out Loud, by Geonn Cannon
I love this one too, even if I can't pinpoint why. I think there's something for me in the way the story unfolds and the idea of learning to be content even when life doesn't go as planned. It's not a traditional love story, and I'm always on the lookout for more books like that.
Surrogate, by Jeanne G'Fellers
This is one of my top reads of 2017. Etain, the main character, feels to me like the experiences of women embodied. The personification of her fertility cycle is an external representation of many people's inner lives, and it's exceptionally well done. This is just a beautiful novel.
Adieu, Warm Sunshine, by C.E. Case
I had the privilege of reading this one before its release, and I loved it. It's suspenseful, yet it's also literary and has some romantic undertones. I remarked at the time that the intimate scenes are exactly how I think descriptive sensuality should be written, though that is not really what I like best about this book. There are moments which are dark and strange, and the characters aren't necessarily nice people. And yet somehow, you want them to succeed.
Forever Burn, by Adrian J. Smith
This was my first ever Supposed Crimes novel. All by itself, that means it will always have my heart. It was also my first adult fiction novel featuring women in a relationship; I'd only read YA and a handful of fan fiction at that point. What did it for me was the characters, as is usually the case. There's an intriguing storyline, of course, but I fell in love with the people.
For by Grace, by Adrian J. Smith
I love novels which include elements of faith and spirituality, but I shy away from things labeled "Christian fiction." That is, unless they can bring something new to the table. This novel certainly does that. The Bible reference sprinkled throughout add to the overall themes rather than feeling forced or like literary proselytizing. Be forewarned, it ends with a cliffhanger. But the suspense is worth it for everything else contained in these pages.
Endless Days of Summer, by Stacy O'Steen
This is a sweet book about coming of age, coming out, and becoming proud of who you are. Anyone who needs to feel like they've just read the equivalent of a big, squishy hug needs to read this. It's positive and affirming and just plain wonderful. This is the book I still recommend first when anyone asks me if I've read any good novels with an asexual character. Although there are more now, when this was released, it was unusual to find any at all, let alone good ones.
Quiet Shy, by Brandon Summers
Another one I got to read before its release. I liked it for it's comic-book feel. The titular character herself is wonderful and interesting. I have never read anything else like it. One nice element is that the women are in an established relationship, and what's between them is tender and loving, but it's secondary to the overall plot of the story. They've got each other's backs when the time comes. It's an outside-the-box novel, which is definitely my thing.
That's just a small taste of what we have. I'm sure my colleagues could also recommend their favorites, whether their own or one of our other authors' books. This is a good month to practice self-care by setting aside time for reading. Do you have a favorite book from our list? We'd love to hear about it!
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