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“an estranged relationship with pleasure” he would do numbers on here

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doing important research on this fine sunday morning

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Oooh, want some romances with fat MCs? Check out this list of freebies from Fat Girls in Fiction (sale runs March 21st and 22nd) https://books.bookfunnel.com/fatgirlsinfiction/62f8esewg4

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Happiness

At the start of my day today I heard that something called The World Happiness report had been released:

And apparently, it was organized by age and younger generations are less happy.

We all know of course, that there are MANY valid reasons for this: Wars, Climate Change and the cost of living just to name a few.

I have to admit, I doubt I fall into this younger unhappy generation - I'm 46, Gen X and I guess some may see me as old.

But even before this story came out I've been thinking about happiness. I truly believe we are each individually responsible for our own happiness. Other people can add to your happy but ultimately it is on you.

Like most people, I have times when I have been happier than others. But even when things were hard I tried to incorporate happiness into my life by ensuring I actively did things daily that made me happy. And that works.

But for the first time in my life, the future has never looked bleaker. My parents are ageing and sick, I don't think the future governments in Canada or possibly in the US will help things, I feel as though public health has completely failed society, there is Climate Change and Wars and I'm moving backwards financially. Being single, I will probably never own a home or even be able to retire - and I have a GOOD JOB.

I'm not depressed, just realistic. For what I know of the future, it is not bright.

But I still want to be happy. All of the things I've mentioned so far, I have no control over. They may happen, get worse or not happen at all.

So I'm going to focus on the things I can control - sure it will be naval gazing but that's all I really have control over. And you never know good things may also just happen...it's possible!

First, I am grateful for all the things I have. A roof over my head, food in my belly and in my home, a safe place to live, loving friends and family and endless books to read and possibly write! Things are already looking up.

If I'm ever truly sad, I think of all the books I have yet to read and I'm instantly super happy.

And you really never know what could happen. Maybe I'll meet a guy, make new friends, win the lottery....all possible.

So while the future does look bleak, I'm going to be grateful, remember the things I have that make me happy and hope for the best.

And I hope the younger people who are struggling to find happiness can do the same.

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Marchesa 2020

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Ryan Gosling performing “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars 2024

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"*If you want to* write sexy, don't hold yourself back."

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Hang On

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Idk if you have watched the tv show Miss Scarlet and The Duke but if you have...could you recommend HR like that? 🤭

I watched a couple episodes! I think I got discouraged because everyone kept telling me how slow-burn it was, but I might pick it back up when I have time and emotional capacity for anything other than Jeopardy. I have some recs that fall under the general investigator/cop/mystery boat:

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean: Probably the one that fits your ask the most, and it's not just because Tommy Peck is a cop whose physical description sounds very similar to William Wellington's. He's also a gruff, no-nonsense hero paired with a loud and proud, somewhat messy heroine with a penchant for explosives and he's OBSESSED and also very exasperated for a lot of the book.

Her Protector's Pleasure by Grace Callaway: Grace Callaway in general will fit this vibe because they're very mystery/crime forward. This book's hero is then-cop Ambrose Kent (an Honorable cop, but don't worry he quits afterwards and opens his own detective agency; honestly, Grace Callaway was ahead of her time), a very unlikely hero considering he's POOR and BUILT LIKE A SCARECROW (but a hot one obvi). He's investigating society lady Marianne Draven (who is also doing some investigating of her own, and both their investigations collide).

The Duke Who Knew Too Much by Grace Callaway: The heroine is Ambrose Kent's sister and a plucky amateur (emphasis on the amateur; Emma accidentally almost sold her virginity at a brothel while investigating) investigator, while the hero is suspected of killing his paramour and keeps chasing after the heroine going "GODDAMMIT Emma".

Olivia and the Masked Duke by Grace Callaway: So this heroine is Emma's daughter, Livvy, and she's secretly an investigator who's a part of the HR version of Charlie's Angels. She's hopelessly in love/chasing after much-older friend Hadleigh all while hiding the fact that she's an investigator. This also has an element of him being annoyed for her safety while she investigates around London but the difference is a) she's a lot more qualified than her mom and b) this man's "punishment" (funishment?) includes spanking.

Fiona and the Enigmatic Earl by Grace Callaway: They're both investigators, well, he's a spy, but both Hawk and Fiona have secret jobs and both end up investigating the same situation, all while being in a marriage of convenience while hiding their secret identities

I feel like a lot of Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane books could qualify because even if they don't have the exact dynamic, a lot of them are set in the gritty underworld of London (St. Giles!), there's mystery subplots that deal with some pretty dark stuff, but there's a lot of vigilante justice going on (see: The Ghost of St. Giles). I'd strongly recommend the series as a whole if you're into any of this.

Lisa Kleypas wrote a cop series (her Bow Street Runners series) but none of them are very standout to me. I think Lady Sophia's Lover was good from what I remember, because Sophia is out for *revenge* and trying to seduce honorable? magistrate? Sir Ross Cannon.

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Lindsay Ellis explains the history of romance novels with an assist from @sarahmaclean.