Hello Book Babies,
Welcome back to another month of questionable decisions and fictional men causing me emotional distress.
Unfortunately, my silly little full-time job has been demanding an unreasonable amount of my attention lately, which means I haven’t been able to focus on the truly important things in life—namely, writing Oleander's story.
Fear not, though. Let Me Stay is still happening.
In fact, it’s sparked yet another book idea.
I know.
At this point, I should probably be stopped.
This time, the culprit is a pair of sexy identical twins. I will not be elaborating further because I don't actually know what the plot is yet. I just know there are twins and they're hot. The rest is Future Olivia's problem.
As for Let Me Stay, this book has a lot of heavy lifting to do. Primarily because book one put everyone through emotional warfare.
And the grovelling?
Ohhh.
Let's just say one particular man has some serious work to do if he wants to get back into Oli's good graces.
And mine.
Currently, he's being a complete dick and we all hate him.
But that's okay. Character growth is important. He's working on himself. We're choosing to believe in rehabilitation.
For now.
That's all from the Writing Desk this month. Hopefully next month brings more words, fewer work obligations, and significantly less emotional damage.
For now, enjoy a few quotes from Oli's three men—and feel free to place your bets on which one has landed himself firmly on my shit list.
Jude
I can’t claim you. You’re not a thing to own.
But it is my bed you’re in every night. It’s my mouth on your pussy that has you screaming my name.
Spend the day with Caleb. You’re free to do whatever you want. But I know it’s me you’ll come find when you’re done.
Caleb
It’s not about making it hurt, it’s about making you feel every inch of your skin. It’s about heightening every sensation to wring out every last drop of ecstasy from your body.
It’s not the pain. It’s worship
Ash
Who knew I got you so wet, Street Rat?
This month’s spotlight isn’t about me, it’s an indie author who deserves so much more hype:
Lacey Buckles 👀
If you love short, spicy novellas that you can absolutely inhale in one sitting, then trust me—you’re going to want her on your radar.
Her books are addictive, ridiculously fun, and perfect for when you want something quick, filthy, and impossible to put down.
And the best part? You can grab a bundle of three directly from her website 😌
Three dangerous temptations. Five irresistible men. One insatiable descent into control, confession, and surrender.
This signed paperback set includes all three books from Your Dark Desires: Volume Three, where power shifts, lines blur, and giving in might be the only way out.
Each copy is hand-signed by the author and comes with free extras, including character art, stickers, and bookmarks!
Your Billionaire’s Gift
A woman on a mission.
A billionaire who sees straight through her lies.
One dance… and everything begins to unravel.
Your Priest’s Confession
A man bound by duty.
A woman he should never touch.
Some temptations don’t ask permission—they take root.
Your Masters’ Bound
Three masked men.
One carefully negotiated arrangement.
Control was the promise… until surrender changed the rules.
Perfect for fans of:
️Powerful, possessive men
️High-stakes desire and hidden agendas
️Slow burn that breaks into heat
️Control, surrender, and shifting power dynamics
️Forbidden tension with emotional depth
Every book in the Your Dark Desires series stands alone. They can be read in any order.
Writing Characters I Fall in Love With (Even When I'm Not Supposed To)
Here's something I think about a lot when I'm reading romance:
Sometimes, I finish a book and think... these people should absolutely not be together.
Not because the writing is bad. Not because the chemistry isn't there. But because it feels like the characters were created to fit a trope rather than each other.
And that's a trap I never want to fall into.
I love dark romance. I love morally grey men. I love obsession, possessiveness, and all the delicious fictional red flags.
But when I'm writing, I try to focus on something else:
What does this character actually need?
Honestly? I don't know if I'd be attracted to many of the men I write. Not because they're not hot (they are FINEEEE), but because I didn't write them for me.
I wrote them for their women.
Carina needs Nate because he understands her need for vengeance—and, more importantly, lets her pursue it herself. He respects her independence while remaining a strength at her side. And when the weight of the past threatens to drag her under, his sense of humour helps pull her back to the present.
Tess needs Kai because she’s prone to recklessness and needs someone to rein her in a little. Someone willing to tell her no, even when she doesn't want to hear it. Kai and Carina, on the other hand, would be an absolute disaster together.
Oli needs Jude because she's spent her whole life being betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect her. His steadfast loyalty and unwavering protection is something she’s desperately craved. And as she says:
“I’ve spent a lot of my life being shouted out. Being told what to do, or how to behave. Words are a weapon used against me. I think… your reluctance to speak feels safe. It lets me exist without any kind of performance or pressure.”
“I used to hate silence while I was on the street. It was nice, in some ways. But… It leaves me alone with my thoughts—and my memories. With you, my mind is quiet.”
And then there's Caleb. Oli needs him because he brings lightness into a life that has been overwhelmingly dark for far too long.
Caleb… he’s just so pure. The sunshine to Ash’s storm cloud. Every bit of warmth he shows me, with no expectations of return, it thaws a little of the frost that’s covered my heart for so long.
As for Ash? Oli needs his snark because he's the one who forces her to fight back. She's spent years surviving—barely—but Ash refuses to let her stay small.
Ash angers me. He fuels a fire in my veins I hadn’t known was there. He should scare me. But he doesn’t. Unlike other men before, I have the confidence to bite back at him. I’ve never had that luxury.
That's what makes me fall for them.
Not because they're dangerous. Not because they're obsessive. Not because they're hot.
But because they become exactly what their women need.
So I don't write the men for me. But I end up loving them anyway, because of the way they love their women.
I’ve read too many good books this month, I’ve narrowed it down to five, but seriously, check out my recent fable reads for some fantastic book recs.
Secret Vendetta — Kathy Lockheart
Wow.
This felt like a psychological thriller and a revenge romance had a baby, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
I genuinely could not put it down.
The first book had me completely hooked, and while the second slowed down a little in the middle, it quickly found its footing again and charged toward the finish line.
Would still recommend this duet so hard.
Honourary Mention:
I actually stumbled across this series because I read Trust first.
(Yes, I know I said I was only featuring five books this month. Clearly I lied. Feel free to sue me.)
Trust follows a dangerous inmate and a nurse on the run from her abusive ex, and I absolutely devoured it.
The MMC in Secret Vendetta, Hunter, is the brother of one of the characters from the Saints and Sinners series (where Trust sits). Even though I hadn't read the rest of the series, something about Hunter's story immediately grabbed me.
Very, very glad I followed that instinct.
Sacred Ruin — Mila Kane
Lord have mercy on my soul.
This book had me in an absolute chokehold.
The FMC is locked away in a religious asylum for sinners and the insane. The MMC? A hitman infiltrating the institution.
Tell me that premise isn't elite.
When I say I loved this, I mean I was completely obsessed. Every time I thought I should probably put it down and do something productive, I found myself turning just one more page.
I never wanted this story to end.
And listen, I don't usually read bonus scenes. Once I've finished a book, I'm normally done.
Not this time.
This time, I devoured every last scrap of content because I desperately needed more.
Highly, highly recommend.
“I’m sorry I’m late, micetta,” he murmured, his gaze moving across my face.
It had blood on it; I could feel it. A delicate spray.
“Are you going to kill me?” I heard myself ask through numb lips.
“Kill you?” he repeated, a frown furrowing between his eyebrows.
He ran his attention over my face, checking for wounds, perhaps, or deciding how he would end me. Something that looked like worry worked across those marble, statue-worthy features, and he slowly shook his head.
“No, angel, I’m not going to kill you. I’m going to marry you, and keep you . . . till death do us part.”
Dangerous Play — RD Baker
I loved everything about this.
British? Fuck yes.
Forbidden/taboo romance? Inject it directly into my veins.
I actually hate sports in real life, but sports romances? They hit different. And then this book went and added:
✨ age gap
✨ ex-husband’s DAD
✨ filthy tension
Seriously. This was actual crack.
So many of us British authors end up toning down our “Britishness” for American readers, but this book leaned right into it. I could practically hear the accents through the page and I was eating that shit up.
Love on Ice — JA Low
My GOD.
The smut in this book was absolutely SMUTTING.
Exclusive sex resort?
Reverse age gap?
She arranges a gangbang for him??
GOBBLE. GOBBLE.
This book was ridiculously hot, wildly addictive, and had me sitting there like:
“Oh. Oh wow.”
No thoughts. Head empty. Just filth.
Kaelen (Boston Sinners) — Michelle Love
Omegaverse… but make it dark mafia.
Yeah. I was immediately seated.
This was so good. I’m an absolute sucker for an omegaverse with scent matches, and this one completely scratched that itch.
And who doesn’t love a dangerous, terrifying man who would burn the world down but still get on his knees for one woman?
Exactly.
Love,
