Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Charm, Shame, Desire, Justice, Pride, and Pain

The Bone Orchard by Sara A Mueller

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Charm is a bone witch, a prisoner, and a whore. Alongside the boneghosts that she grew in her laboratory, she runs a brothel at Orchard House. When her keeper the old emperor lies dying, poisoned, he charges her with safeguarding the empire and finding out which of his sons was his killer. Firstly, that cover is utterly beautiful. Now that this important matter is acknowledged, let us go on into the story. I saw a lot of complaints that it was difficult to understand, for […]

How to Become Tsarina of All the Russias

The Tsarina's Daughter by Ellen Alpsten

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It is nighttime, and Elizabeth Romanov stands in the nursery of her infant cousin the Tsar of All the Russias, contemplating her next move and all the events that brought her here. Though the prequel Tsarina is on my TBR, this is my first taste of Alpsten’s work. Luckily the work stands alone. And it was a fascinating read. I knew very little of the early Romanovs beyond that one of them picked his wife in what was basically a marriage cattle fair, which is probably not […]

After the Hero’s Quest Ends

So This Is Ever After by FT Lukens

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After defeating the Vile One as the prophecy foretold, Arek has somehow ended up as king – and now he must find someone to wed if he is to survive his eighteenth birthday. And his first choice, his best friend and mage Matt, obviously doesn’t like him back. I was very excited by the idea of this book – the Chosen One having to settle down after fulfilling his prophecy and now actually getting on with the business of governing his newfound kingdom. However, though […]

Violent Delights

Truly, Madly: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and the Romance of the Century by Stephen Galloway

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Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were an iconic couple in the acting industry, with their combined talent and looks. But the turbulent thread of mental illness ran through their intense romance, ultimately tearing them apart. I only vaguely know both these figures, Leigh better than Olivier because of Gone With the Wind. However, I have always been fascinated by old Hollywood romances because of how turbulent they are, and I was excited for this one. The author has a pleasant narrative voice – he is respectful of […]

out of order but it’s an ARC! my first!

For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa

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It’s my first ARC, and I actually have this book on request for purchase at a few of my libraries. Without much knowledge of how ARCs work (are they final? Will there be more changes?) I’ll give it my best shot… So CLEARLY there was some meeting of the romance novelists and they all decided that this year’s theme was going to be Cooking Shows/Kitchens/Chefs, across all gender identities and sexualities and tropes. I think I’ve read two of these already, considered a few more, […]

Family Feud: Medieval Scotland

The Highlander's Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin

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Elspeth is on her way to wed a childhood friend when she is abducted by Calum Campbell, who hopes to use her as a bargaining chip to gain an audience with her brother. But when they begin to fall in love, they must figure out how to end the war between their clans if they hope to be together. Though it was slow going at first, I soon got sucked into this story of warring clans and unlikely romance. Calum’s gentle nature provides an interesting […]



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