Portfolio including poetry and flash fiction from micro fiction to short stories and a bit of photography thrown in for good measure.
Trauma is etched in bone—
A white-hot brand pressed into soft tissue—
Eviscerated souls swirl like New Year’s confetti in the chilly winter breeze,
Lost—
A rising flood, disorienting—
Home, unrecognizable—
It’s not my trauma,
But it is, and it will be,
And my children’s, and their children’s as well—
Etched in bone, branded in soul—
Shredded hearts remember even when we have forgotten—
Sci-fi has never been my favorite genre to read but lately I have had the pleasure of reading a few fantastic sapphic sci-fi novels and I am excited to share them with you.
1. The Black Hole Saga by JA Gaudio is a trilogy with an additional prequel novella. The blurb for The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter, the first in the series, gives a thorough overview of the plot and piqued my attention. However, it could not have prepared me for the gamut of emotions I felt when completely enveloped in this world. I have said that I am not much for sci-fi space stories, but some are just that good. Despite this novel being around 400 pages, it was clean, tight, and engaging from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down. Read my full review here: The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter. Be sure to check out The Lost Captain and Captain Commander as well.
2. Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth by Gwenhyver is a standalone that exists within the same world as the author’s previous series Jasyn and the Astronauts. Oh, my goodness, where do I even start?! Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth is an epic sci-fi adventure and sapphic romance featuring sword-wielding lesbians, an evil princess, a death maze in space, an overzealous “hero,” a driven monster hunter, and an extraordinarily complex “beast.” Dysfunctional childhoods, mental and physical traumas, nasty villains, and language barriers challenge our protagonists as they struggle to communicate and make sense of the situation they’ve found themselves in. The blurb effectively describes the plot while leaving us to discover the exciting twists and turns as we navigate the labyrinth. Read my full review here: Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth.
3. The Sword of the Queen by Jasmin Joachims includes two novels and a prequel novella. Despite Duty is a well-written science fiction series starter with a lesbian lead. Our captain, Elia Salazar, is operating as a pirate but is on a secret mission from her queen to locate a terrorist. Her unwitting crew has her back despite learning that some things are not as they seem. I am not science-minded, but Joachims does a great job creating an engaging story with solid world-building, what seems like sound science and tech, an exciting, action-packed, suspenseful plot, and diverse characters, and I was easily immersed. Read my full review here: Despite Duty and be sure to catch the second book Despite Doubt as well.
4. The Biokin Chronicles by Spencer Rose is a four-novella series with a couple of additional novellas set in the same world. Each of the four books do not stand alone and must be read in order. Naive Biokin Addison has turned sixteen and embarked on her customary pilgrimage off world. Biokins can connect with and understand plants, and they grow up in the forest honing their skill. Addison ends up with space-wise Mila for a pilot to transport her to her first job. The two come in contact with the shady agribusiness called Evo. The protagonists grow over the series and their relationship matures. Read my full review here: Sapling’s Orbit and don’t miss the follow up books Sapling’s Aurora, Sapling’s Depths, and Sapling’s Rising.
5. Wastelands by Samira Lloyd is the first book in the Parched Earth Trilogy. At this time the other books have not been published. I wasn’t planning to include specifically dystopian novels in this list, but this one includes a lot of futuristic technology giving me a stronger sci-fi feeling about it. This dystopian series is set on Earth after its decimation by human activity. There is no more green, or so they are told. Humans are relegated to living in domes to survive. Of course, there is still a hierarchy of haves and have-nots and a strict set of laws to keep the masses in check. Folks who are “askew,” read “queer,” are sent for delineation, and “aberrations,” or powered humans, are exterminated, and anyone who breaks the rules will be banished. I love the depth of the characters, the relationships, the social system, and the spark of hope found along the way. It does include a slow-burn sapphic subplot that feels very organic. Read my full review here: Wastelands.
These are wonderful sapphic stories written by queer indie authors. I hope you will give them a try and spread the word. Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoy them. It’s really the least we can do to support their hard work in bringing us quality entertainment and visibility. Representation matters. Read on!
I was just thinking about how I am smitten with Aurora and Evie from Aurora’s Angel and then I remembered the last book crush I had before them and then the one before that and it occurred to me that I have a type.
I guess I should have realized that a while ago, and maybe everyone does, but since it just came to me, I thought I’d share.
• Mental fortitude
• Emotional vulnerability
• Physical strength/skill
• Personal moral code
• Intelligence
• Sapphic, of course
• Physical beauty, which may be unconventional, as it is subjective
• Soft features
Here are some examples I was thinking about.
1. Aurora and Evie from Aurora’s Angel by Emily Noon
2. Des from The Blood-Born Dragon by JC Rycroft
3. Robyn Hood from Heart of Sherwood by Edale Lane
Do you have a book crush type? Tell me in the comments, and who’s your current crush?
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
A brilliant epic love story…
I know the year isn’t quite over yet and I am actually going to be reading a couple more books before the end, but I am so blown away by my last read that I have decided to commit to it being my favorite for the entire year. In fact, I am ready to say this is my all-time favorite book.
I had Aurora’s Angel on my TBR list for a while and just never got around to it until last week. I am sorry I waited so long. It is brilliant! I cannot stop gushing over it. It is author Emily Noon’s debut novel and that is amazing. I have a massive book hangover and I am rereading several parts and blogging about it to help process all the feels.
Here is my review from Goodreads.
Aurora’s Angel is a brilliant epic love story set in a fantasy world ripe with all manner of beasts, shifters, and humans precariously coexisting amidst ancient magic and primal instincts. The main characters are beautifully drawn with distinct but equally bad-ass personalities. They have hearts of gold, and they love and fight hard through their respective adversities. They journey across a physical landscape that can be treacherous, both from difficult terrain and a variety of dangerous foes. They discover themselves and each other on their way to their physical and metaphorical homes. I am blown away at this being Emily Noon’s debut novel. It is so well thought out with strong character development, (including the supporting characters) world-building, and lore. The writing style makes this world and these characters real and approachable. I am so in love with Aurora and Evie and their adventures. There are dark elements that may be difficult, but they are not for naught. Aurora has a tragic backstory and Evie is facing a betrayal. These are important challenges to their shared and individual journeys. Their dialogue is fantastic. Their fierce love for one another is fire. Their intimate scenes are spicey and beautiful. The mix of human characteristics and animal instincts are mingled in a fascinating amalgam. I am hungry for more of Aurora and Evie’s world and as soon as I finished reading the eBook, I purchased the hardcopy for my library.
There are very few typos and a need for more commas.
This story was so immersive, I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this 5-star read!
As soon as I finished reading this in ebook form, I ordered the hard copy for my library. This beauty arrived today!
And now on to the rest of the list.
My top 10 are as follows:
1. Aurora’s Angel by Emily Noon (obviously)
2. The Blood-Born Dragon by JC Rycroft
3. Unleashed by Alli Temple
4. Giovanna by Victoria Arrow
5. Stars Collide by Rachel Lacey
6. The Headmistress by Milena McKay
7. All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley
8. Babylove by I.S. Belle
9. Pacific Pack by Harlowe Frost
10. The Valley of Stars by Yona Katz
I had a really good year for reading and so a difficult time composing this list. Originally, I was going to make it a top 5 list, but I couldn’t leave some of my other favorites out. Even still, I want to add an honorable mentions, but I am just going to stop now before I get carried away. All of the books on my list are sapphic but are from a variety of genres, from Italian mafia to wolf shifters to horror to pirates, and fantasy, of course. Most are 5 stars from me, and the last few are 4. I linked them for easy access. Let me know in the comments if you decide to give any of them a try. I’d love to hear what you think.
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
I recently completed a painted rock set of three characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. I was very happy with the way they turned out. Pleasantly surprised was more like it. I’m never really sure if what I plan to do will materialize. The set includes Jack Skellington, Sally Shock, and Oogie Boogie.
I was excited to create some painted rocks with the new supplies I got last month. Turns out after trying three different sets, I finally found a quality set of acrylic markers I can call my favorite. I also, was able to get a set of smooth river stones for a nice change.
Tooli-Art Paint Pens are now my favorite! These smooth river stones make the perfect canvas.
Here are some others I painted with these markers over the last month.
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
In case anyone is interested in this particular mental health challenge and a couple of good books…
I just started reading a new book and I realized that it is the second one in a row that has a main character managing panic attacks after the loss of loved one(s). I thought I should mention them in case anyone is interested in this particular mental health challenge. Both books have main characters that use tarot cards as well, in case that’s your thing (may or may not be relevant). Both books are very good at addressing ways of grounding oneself to stave off the oncoming panic attacks. I appreciate the gentle way the issue has been handled in both stories. It should be noted that both books are sapphic fiction (my favorite genre).
The second book is called Stars Still Fall by Jules Kelley. I have just started this one, so far so good but no review yet. It will be up on Goodreads and Amazon when I finish.
Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the Amazon affiliate links on my blog. I will only associate myself with products and services that I have personally used and enjoyed.
Leara writes and other creative things... 