#August release

[nugothrhythms]

"Black September" by Los Angeles, California-based eclectic post-punk and indie goth band Warsaw Pact off of their upcoming 2023 EP The Kompromat, released next month

[hollymbryan]

Blog Tour + #Review: KISSING KOSHER by Jean Meltzer!

Welcome to Book-Keeping and my stop on the Summer 2023 Blog Tours campaign with HTP Books! Today I’ve got all the details and a review for you for Kissing Kosher, the latest contemporary romance from Jean Meltzer. I loved this one and can’t wait to tell you all about it!

About the Book

title: Kissing Kosher author: Jean Meltzer publisher: MIRA Books release date: 29 August 2023

"An unflinchingly honest romance." --Kirkus, STARRED review

From the author of THE MATZAH BALL and MR. PERFECT ON PAPER comes this hilarious and emotional rivals-to-lovers romance.

Step 1: Get the secret recipe. Step 2: Don't fall in love...

Avital Cohen isn't wearing underpants--woefully, for unsexy reasons. Chronic pelvic pain has forced her to sideline her photography dreams and her love life. It's all she can do to manage her family's kosher bakery, Best Babka in Brooklyn, without collapsing.

She needs hired help.

And distractingly handsome Ethan Lippmann seems the perfect fit.

Except Ethan isn't there to work--he's undercover, at the behest of his ironfisted grandfather. Though Lippmann's is a household name when it comes to mass-produced kosher baked goods, they don't have the charm of Avital's bakery. Or her grandfather's world-famous pumpkin spice babka recipe.

As they bake side by side, Ethan soon finds himself more interested in Avital than in stealing family secrets, especially as he helps her find the chronic pain relief--and pleasure--she's been missing.

But perfecting the recipe for romance calls for leaving out the lies...even if coming clean means risking everything.

Add to Goodreads: Kissing Kosher Purchase the Book: BookShop.org | Harlequin | Barnes & Noble  | Amazon | Books-A-Million | Apple

About the Author

Jean Meltzer studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and has earned numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. Kissing Kosher is her third novel.

Connect with Jean: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

My 5-Star Review

This is the second book I’ve read by Jean Meltzer (the first being The Matzah Ball), and what can I say except I loved it *even more* than the first?! As with her other books, Kissing Kosher is unapologetically Jewish and heavy on disability awareness. But the amazing thing is that she does all this without sacrificing any of the pieces that we love so much about rom-coms -- the romance, the comedy, the banter and flirting, the butterflies, the adorable male love interest (Ethan is an absolute dream). I don’t know how she achieves this balance so well, but I love it! 

With The Matzah Ball I felt seen because I have fibromyalgia, which is in many ways similar to ME/CFS that the FMC has in that book. In Kissing Kosher, our FMC, Avital, has interstitial cystitis. I so enjoyed and appreciated learning more about living with IC because a good friend of mine has it. I kept telling her, “You have to read this book, you’ll feel so seen!” This is why reading diverse books is so, so important! People who identify with the characters feel seen, and the rest of us learn so much. I didn’t just learn about IC, either, but about Judaism and their teachings on sex and intimacy (which just might blow your mind!). Honestly, if you haven’t yet read one of Jean’s books, what are you waiting for? 

RATING: 5 stars!

**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book for purposes of this blog tour. Thanks to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the eARC!

[danielleurbansblog]

Meet This Author: Jo McNally

Meet This Author: Jo McNally

Q: When did you begin writing your novel, When Sparks Fly?This book had a more interesting writing timeline than usual! I began writing it in the spring of 2021 for a late winter release. Then my 95-year-old mom fell ill, and after a brief illness, passed away last June. My writing ground to a halt, so we rescheduled the book for this summer, and I dove back into writing it last fall. Q: Where…

[hyunjinspark]

let’s stop running from love | hyunjin sm au | announcement ♡

synopsis:

as the head of the cheerleading squad, you’ve worked hard to get to the top of the pyramid. with the upcoming football season, you’re still winding down from your well-deserved vacation.

college football gets intense, and there’s only a few rules you can’t break, like befriending the rival team. especially not when they have a new appointed captain, hwang hyunjin.

so it may be a problem that he looks a lot like the boy you hooked up with all summer at the beach resort in cancun…

pairing: footballer! hyunjin x cheerleader! reader

fic type. social media au + written parts

genre: rivals to lovers, vacation romance, university au, smut, fluff, angst, mutual pining but they’d never admit it, no strings attached, slowburn, mature content. he’s a quarterback, she’s a cheerleader 📣

status: coming this year.

[xoxojuniper]

KILL YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[r-aindr0p]

since Halloween event has a rerun I remembered that moment I found just so heartwarming of Riddle dancing with Ortho ghugjkshkrs, look at the tinies look at them

[dead-ringer-if]

DEMO (TBA)

The Wardens, stationed within the bustling city of Seattle, were the first proof of what could come from The Scourge, a cataclysmic event that had set off a chain reaction that would forever echo throughout time: Los Angeles falling into the Pacific, New York City being partially taken over by water, the Sahara Desert sweltering in intensity which killed off native fauna in record amounts, were among the most prominent. Years of misery, of fear, transcending over a century, wherein every remaining government strived to figure out a solution.

Which they found in the form of Titan— the first meta-human, Patient Zero, whose natural abilities were enhanced by various procedures. Titan started a new wave, hope beginning to appear, as more and more meta-humans were found— mainly due to the efforts of the Rose Family— and their naturally honed abilities, seemingly derived from the Scourge itself, being able to combat the effects until there’s only fractal remnants of it left.

From there The Wardens were formed, with Titan leading them, a new period of peace fell over the world once more. Of course, that never lasts as more and more villains began to pop up out of the woodworks, threatening the sanctity of the New World. However, without fail, The Wardens were there to answer the call and defend those that couldn’t defend themself.

Titan persevered, The Wardens went on, until a fateful day a decade ago on this date— wherein Titan lost Peregrine, their sidekick and protege. It’s a day that will forever live in infamy, as it’s a day that Titan lost Peregrine, but the world lost Titan.

— Excerpt from the Seattle Times.

The world was your oyster— at least that’s what you were told. By who? You’re not quite certain of that. Everything could be possible if you just strived to reach it… They just never tell you how to deal with the harsh reality of it forever being unobtainable.

Maybe that’s why you fell into a life of crime? Well crime is a stretch, you’re more a prisoner in a heavily guarded fortress than anything else. You’re not quite sure, not being able to remember the majority of what brought you to this moment; only fragments of what used to be visits you in your sleep. Of course, working for Diego Ruiz, the local crime boss in downtown New York City, wasn’t the worst possible job, barring the imprisonment, not that you were truly part of anything nefarious to begin with, but you still saw things you’re never sure you’ll be able to unsee.

When he gets arrested, you can’t say you’re too surprised— after all he took a lot of gambles while not having the intellect to back up such moves— but you are concerned about what the future could mean for you.

Nothing you ever imagined could prepare you for what’s in store, however. Never could have imagined The Wardens would have such a vested interest in you. You’re nothing special, haven’t been for as long as you could remember.

And why the hell do they keep calling you Peregrine?

Play as an MC that doesn’t quite remember their past life. Is it possible that you’re Peregrine? The protege that had been killed in a surprise raid a decade before? Or is something more nefarious going on and you’re simply caught in the middle of it? Why are you suddenly developing powers that you’ve never had before? And why the hell do you feel like you’re in a constant state of deja vu?

Please note that this story is rated 18+ for depictions of explicit language, alcohol consumption, potential drug use, sexual themes, mentions of death, blood, torture, and grief.

Customizable MC: name, nickname, appearance, sexuality, hobbies, bits and pieces of what occurred in the last decade, and more! (The MC has a slightly semi-set personality.) You’ll also be able to partially design your Avian friend: name, gender, and feather colors (it’s a Peregrine Falcon). The MC is 28.

Bond with The Wardens and discover, or potentially rediscover, your found family. The people who thought they lost you.

Uncover the seedy underbelly that lurks beneath the surface of the New World. Will you be able to discover what exactly happened to you? Uncover if you’re truly Peregrine or someone, or something, else entirely.

Romance 1 of 4 romance options— from the newest initiate within the Inner Circle to a suave, if slightly broken, billionaire villain.

Cultivate your powers that are both new and old.

You’re a dead ringer for a hero the world thought it lost… Just make sure you don’t lose yourself too.

Camilo/Camila Osorio — M/F

Age: 29

Power: Chlorokinesis — the ability to create and control plants.

Alias: To the world they’re known as Verdant, partner to Frostbite, a superhero within the Inner Circle of The Wardens.

Appearance: Of Colombian descent, they have richly tanned skin with piercing dark brown eyes to offset it. Ash brown hair is naturally slightly wavy— Camilo has his to his jawline and Camila has hers to her shoulder blades— which brings out the elegant contours of their face. An alluring presence all around, partially due to their powers, they stand at around 5’5” with a lithe body type.

Personality: While not being completely unkind, they’re not the most welcoming person. They don’t detest you, but it’s clear that they’re barely able to be in the same room with you. After all, they were best friends with Peregrine (with you?) and being near you only brings back painful memories. A wall of apathy, and sometimes cutting remarks, separate you from them, but at times, when they think you’re not looking, grief flashes through their gaze— latent pain rising to the surface that they’ve tried to bury for years.

Romance Route: Ex-Best Friends to Lovers, Slightly Rivals to Lovers (in a roundabout way), Lost Love, Finding Each Other Again, and Second Chances.

Airan/Aira North — M/F

Age: 26

Power: Cryokinesis — the ability to create and control ice, while not being affected by the cold.

Alias: To the world they’re known as Frostbite, partner to Verdant, the recent addition to the Inner Circle of The Wardens, a prodigy in the making.

Appearance: Ebony ringlets, that’s strewn with arctic blue and white, fall to just beneath their jawline, complementing the dark brown tone of their skin. Sapphire blue eyes shimmer with warmth despite the coldness that always seems to follow them. With a slender physique, they’re not one to get into fist fights but that doesn’t negate the danger level they could present. They stand at around 5’8”.

Personality: With the warmest smile and a boisterous laugh, they’re the embodiment of a golden retriever. Always wanting to make other people happy and stress free, with a genuine quality that surrounds them. They may be one of your “caretakers” to help you get acclimated with the world once more, and your growing powers, but they truly wish to be your friend too. No matter what they’d always be there to lend a hand if needed, or a shoulder to cry on.

Romance Route: Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Golden Retriever, Stuck Together, Gentle Compassion.

Damon/Diana Ambrose — M/F

Age: 45

Power: Widely regarded as the most powerful meta-human, partially due to their past that’s still shrouded in mystery, they have multiple abilities— flight, invulnerability, enhanced senses, and super strength (to name a few).

Alias: They’re known to the world as Titan, the old leader of The Wardens. An individual that hasn’t been seen in nine years and rarely, if ever, leaves the comfort of Warden Tower.

Appearance: Fair, perfectly unblemished, skin is complemented by the raven black color of their hair. Piercing green eyes, that look almost unreal due to their brilliance, brings out the chiseled features of their face— high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, well defined nose, and full lips. They were made for perfection, but is it truly all that it’s cracked up to be? With a toned/well muscled body, they stand at around 6’3”.

Personality: With a softly compassionate nature, paired with a presence that could silence an entire room by simply appearing, they were born to be a leader. Born to guide and help any that needed it. With a loving demeanor, wherein they have their heart on their sleeve, it’s no wonder that they took Peregrine in, at the ripe age of fifteen, in order to help train the young person that was clearly trying to find their way in the world. It’s also no wonder that they completely lost themself when losing Peregrine, something that they believe could have been completely avoided, and they’ve forever blamed themself for it. The last decade has brought with it a slew of darkness for them, their smiles not coming as easily, their anger at themself growing, and their hope slowly fading. Maybe with your reappearance things will be okay?

Romance Route: Old Mentor, Age Gap, Second Chances, Reunion, Forbidden Love (on their part), and Slow Burn.

Morgan/Morgana Rose — M/F

Age: 38

Power: Shapeshifting.

Alias: They’re infamously known as Silhouette. The leader of a criminal enterprise known simply as Syndicate.

Appearance: With sharp gray eyes, that seemingly stare right into your soul, and honey beige skin that’s complemented by their wavy auburn hair. They have an aura of danger consistently surrounding them, giving many the impression that they shouldn’t be trifled with. With a lean body type, they stand at around 6’0”.

Personality: Being called a variety of names within the tabloids: “The Lost Rose” or “Wilting Red”, to name a few— due to their abrupt departure from their rather famous family. They’re infamously known as Silhouette; a master manipulator, cutthroat in their dealings, and refusal to backdown over something they want. Of course, that’s simply gossip from individuals that have never truly met them— much like the tabloids that speculate on the life of the lost Rose Heir. Despite what you may think of them, they’re your best bet at discovering what happened to you in the last decade.

Romance Route: Enemies to Lovers (in a sense), Slow Burn (slightly), Age Gap, Villain/Hero, Misunderstood.

[todayisafridaynight]

[tampire]

Najd does her Roaring Justice Climax on Yamazaki in King of Fighters XV

[duckshuffled]

one of the tags left on my halloween buck art reminded me i can do anything i want forever, so it is real now :] wanted to have them next to each other on here. more images below because i love fun

i'm not sure if anyone else would wanna use it for halloween, but you can download the pack here if so!

[targarrus]

joker out - ona

more songs

[carefulfears]

the main reason why i literally don’t care about anything less than continuity in the x files is because so many of the things they did were just for vibes. why was mulder colorblind in one episode and then never again? for the vibes. why was mulder afraid of fire in one episode and then never again? for the vibes. why was it snowing in north carolina in spring at mulder’s funeral? for the vibes. so a 20-something girl could write prose fic about it being fitting that the ground was hard and unrelenting as he was lowered into it. is that not enough????

[bookinit02]

in honor of my s5 announcement this week, here’s one of the scenes from the first episode! hope you all like it🫶🏻

[justgaara]

LookUp NARUTO Shippuden - Gaara Figure

add him to your collection here

[anxietea413]

i've seen so much content on grayson and whoever the phone girl is, the masquerade ball, and (perhaps) the one bed trope. BUT i have not seen a singular post on alice hawthorne being alive. like is that not a shock to ya'll? ALICE HAWTHORNE IS ALIVE???? and also eve that demon spawn? that mf is probably somehow gonna expose that sheffield grayson's dead to savannah and ruin their just healed (half) brother-sister relationship? i swear i physically hurl when i hear the word eve, thats how much i hate on her and emily. the both of them genuinely just exist to give grayson (and jameson) severe trauma. especially grayson, my man has not recovered, and the description of the grandest game scares me. grayson's emotions? my man has literally bottled up his emotions since he exited the womb, that's gonna be a harsh journey (im looking forward to it). avery's doing some charlie and the chocolate factory shit and im so into it. ive been maniacally hunting for easter eggs on the cover, bringing my swiftie (clowning) senses to tig. im on the edge of my seat jennifer. ive been waiting for like 6 months too long 😔 when's the paperback pre-order on amazon gonna open 🫠