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By Katherine McIntyre

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Publishing Company: Hot Tree Publishing

Release Date: Friday, November 12 2021

Format: eBook

Is This Book Romance?: Yes

ISBN: 978-1-922359-94-0

Price: 3.99

Story Type: Novel, more than 50k words

Word Count: 50k

Cover Artist: Booksmith Design

Genres: F/F Contemporary Romance

Pairings: F/F

LGBTQ+ Identities: lesbian

Tropes: enemies to lovers

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given, and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Katherine McIntyre and Other Worlds Ink!*

Introduction

What can I say besides that I saw a cute sapphic romance with my favorite trope (enemies to lovers) offered to me for a blog tour and I was so thrilled I just jumped on the bandwagon and shouted HOOT-HOOT happily?

Yeah, basically that's me with Opposed Desires!

Curious about my blog tour post and an excerpt from this book?

I feel like sapphic romance are rare; more so than gay books, y'know. While I love both, I identify with the first… Representation matters and so does romance, not only erotica. So, I think this book, with its great and lovely characters, incredible voices, and the rollercoaster romance is true to us.

And I love it.

How about I show you around Opposed Desires by Katherine McIntyre?

Have fun discovering your next fave romance!

Blurb

Closet Romantic falling for the Hookup Queen? Never gonna happen… until one memorable vacation changes it all.

When it comes to women, Aubrey Moore believes in no-strings-attached hookups and keeping things simple. On her beach trip, her plan is clear—hit the bars and find single hotties. What she doesn't bargain on is the phone call from her sister. Distraught, Aubrey would like to have a breakdown in private, but the one woman who’s never fallen for her slick lines takes her by surprise and blurs her simple rules.

The last thing owner of the Renegades bar, Selina Beckett, expects to see on vacation is Aubrey Moore in the middle of a personal crisis. Every time they meet, they clash—whether Aubrey was picking up women at Selina’s bar or flirting to try and get her attention. Selina’s not interested in flings, cheaters, or womanizers, so she’s made a point to avoid Aubrey at all costs. But this raw, real side of Aubrey convinces her to bend those rules, just a little.

The more Selina gets to know Aubrey beyond the bravado, the more she begins to fall. But each day closer to the end of their vacation marks a return to reality—one where this entanglement between them won’t survive.

The Positive Sides

First of all, the character of Aubrey struck me instantly as a badass hilarious woman I wished I was as cool as. I connected right away with her sense of humour. Next came her charming gang of friends, and Selina… Oh, dear Selina. She's a bookworm–romantic, at that!–, naturally cool, confident, and witty. I related strongly and decided right then and there she was my favorite. Sorry, look the other way, Sel's mine!

Then, the enemies-to-lovers trope is in its own way quite amusing AND sweet. I mean, it's not the big "hatred" story, no; it's more like Aubrey wants to have a fling with Selina, but said awesome woman doesn't say yes, so Aubrey teases her instead–it's become almost an art. It's more like teasing bickering, you know? And I'm a sucker for that! But then, Aubrey shows some vulnerability, and Sel gives her a helping hand by talking with her on the beach. Isn't that just sweet?! And it just keeps going like this, a rollercoaster ride of sweetness, feels, and awwwwwwww's.

Moreover, the representation is amazing! I just love how the author showed not only "smut" (which seems like the trademark of LGBTQ+ stories, unfortunately…), but also various types of personalities, likes and dislikes, and love stories in the community. I felt like part of the gang.

I felt somehow like I was with friends.

Or better yet: home.

It doesn't get much better than that!

The Negative Sides

No matter how entertaining and sweet this book is, there is a certain point that bugged me. Her repetition technique sounds much like drilling vocabulary or notions to me. For example, when Selina discovers a new, vulnerable side to Aubrey, she finds it extremely alluring (which is cute in itself). However, every two sentences or so, she will reiterate this fact using other words for the whole chapter. It made me feel like: "yeah, okay, I know, I get it."

Otherwise, the whole book was pretty fun, light, romantic and a good enemies-to-lovers trope!

In Conclusion

Overall, even with its repetition flaw, Opposed Desires is one of the best sapphic romances out there! I give it a shoutout and I throw my recommandations your way. I had a blast reading it and falling in love with both Aubrey (who made me laugh at first read) and Selina (with whom I related right away) and their ship! Hence, I give this sweet and fun book a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. If you want to have a good time relaxing with a couple you'll just love and make friends with a whole new gang, this is your book! It definitely scored on my favorite sapphic reads, and that's coming from one who feels well represented! 😉

Don't forget to check out my blog tour post for an excerpt of Opposed Desires and an exclusive author guest post!

If you want to learn more about the author, Katherine McIntyre:

(Come on, she's adorable! And she looks so funny!)

Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there's an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

You can follow her on:

A huge thanks to Other Worlds Ink for this amazing blog tour opportunity!

See you next post, lovelies!

plan it

Blog Tour – Opposed Desires by Katherine McIntyre with Other Worlds Ink (F/F, Sapphic Romance)

Hello, folks!

Today is a special blog tour day for the sapphic romance (F/F) novel, Opposed Desires, by author Katherine McIntyre!

There's a fun bonus, too: if you read till the end, I share an author guest post with you. 🙂 Also, you can read my book review to get an insider's look.

Let's start with more info about the book!

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Publishing Company: Hot Tree Publishing

Release Date: Friday, November 12 2021

Format: eBook

Is This Book Romance?: Yes

ISBN: 978-1-922359-94-0

Price: 3.99

Story Type: Novel, more than 50k words

Word Count: 50k

Cover Artist: Booksmith Design

Genres: F/F Contemporary Romance

Pairings: F/F

LGBTQ+ Identities: lesbian

Tropes: enemies to lovers

Where you can purchase Opposed Desires:

Universal Link (Books2Read)

Goodreads (Add it to your TBR!)

Book Blurb

Closet Romantic falling for the Hookup Queen? Never gonna happen… until one memorable vacation changes it all.

(Selina, my baby. She sounds just like me!)

Want to know more already?

I knew it! I was just the same when I was offered this blog tour opportunity!

Here's an excerpt for you to be thrilled over (I think it depicts Selina–my fave–and Aubrey–a funny, cool woman–and their rollercoaster-relationship well!):

They reached the edge of the boardwalk, the sand and the sea stretching before them in a pale strip that clashed with the inky darkness of the waters. Something loosened in Selina’s chest at the sight. The ocean always calmed her, especially at night when most of the daytime rabble had retreated. She was used to being surrounded by people, but sometimes she preferred the solitude.

“I’m sorry for dragging you away from your friends,” Aubrey said, loosening her ponytail to run her fingers through her hair. The moonlight highlighted her deep brown strands, and the way they fell down to her shoulders made her seem a little softer than the sharp, pointed woman Selina’d come to know. She found this side of Aubrey far more alluring.

“I could’ve done this by myself,” Aubrey admitted. “I just lost my mind a little bit back there.”

“I wouldn’t have left if I didn’t want to.” Selina shrugged. “Bars aren’t really my scene.”

“Said the bar owner.” Aubrey gave her the side-eye. “Why even own one then?”

Selina swung her arms by her side, staring at the half moon overhead. It glowed with pearlescent promise, a steadiness she’d always longed for. “Spend your whole life traveling from one town to the next and you get desperate to set down roots. I wanted to create a safe space for folks like me, and I needed to stay in one place. Renegades ensured that.”

Aubrey shook her head, a throaty laugh escaping her throat. “I’ve known you for four years now, and I’m pretty sure that’s the most you’ve ever shared about yourself.”

“Well, we’re having a truce tonight,” Selina said. “Tomorrow I can go back to loathing you, and we can return to the usual witty repartee.”

Aubrey pointed at herself. “Me? Witty? Glad you think so, doll. I don’t keep track of half of the things that leave my mouth.”

“Good to know,” Selina murmured, a smile nudging her lips. The earnest note in Aubrey’s voice had her warming up to the woman far faster than she had in years. The lack of an agenda helped too. Selina slipped off her sandals to hold them in her hand, walking barefoot on the sandy shore. “Won’t the girls be wondering where you went?”

Aubrey shrugged. “They’ll assume I took someone home. It’s my MO when I pull the vanishing act.”

“That sounds pretty lonesome.” The words slipped out before she could help herself. Selina licked her lips, not knowing what to say. The salt air wove past her, caressing her senses.

“Different bed every night? How could that be lonely?” Aubrey joked, yet her voice scraped over the words like a tire crunching uneven rocks. She cast Selina a sideways glance. “Maybe a little,” she admitted, her dark eyes somber in the surrounding dark. The slight gleam from the moonlight only enhanced that sharp, vibrant beauty. This version of the woman, framed by moonlight and unguarded with her hair down, struck Selina as far more gorgeous than the sweet-talker she regularly saw at the bar.

Aubrey bent down to slide off her sneakers, and Selina couldn’t help but follow the motion. Those long legs were on full display, all corded muscle and defined calves, and the red shorts she wore showcased a gorgeous sculpted ass. Selina never argued that the woman was hot—Aubrey Moore undeniably, unequivocally raised her temperature, but she was also the exact sort of person Selina needed to avoid.

She wanted someone to settle down with. Someone who wouldn’t get bored, or cheat, or ditch her when the routine got too monotonous. Been there, done that. She’d learned her lessons well and committed them to heart.

These two characters are hot-and-cold and I love it. Anyhow, what about that SURPRISE I mentioned earlier?

Here comes the amusing and insightful author guest post by Katherine McIntyre (thanks for sharing this gem with us, Miss!):

How Opposed Desires Came About…

            One of the things I’ve noticed through the years is that even if you plan for a standalone, occasionally characters come along that demand a sequel. Or, usually in my case, enough of them cluster to turn the whole thing into a series.

            When I first started writing Confined Desires, I planned for a standalone—a fun jaunt for me while I was furloughed during the pandemic. I certainly hadn’t planned for a sequel, let alone a trilogy. However, then Aubrey made herself known, a side character in Confined Desires who was snarky, flirty, and so blunt that I fell in love immediately. With a character like Aubrey though, I knew she wouldn’t fall quietly into a relationship though. No, she’d be loud, abrasive, and fight it every inch of the way.

            Hence my enemies to lovers vacation romance was born. Selina had been mentioned briefly in Confined Desires, and the aloof bar owner formed the counterpoint to Aubrey. If Aubrey was fire, Selina was ice, and the two opposites clashed on just about everything. Except in this book, once they start getting to know each other behind their defenses, that’s when they begin to uncover similarities too, things that end up drawing them together.

            And, of course, while I was writing Opposed Desires, the third member of the Rehoboth Pact crew, Kyle, came along and stole my heart. She was the adorkable cinnamon roll sort who charmed me immediately, and writing the third and final book came as fast as the second in this series, all inspiration as this noisy band of best friends chattered in my ear. So, if you’re looking to return to summer for a little bit, dive into Opposed Desires today!

Katherine McIntyre, author (look at the sweet-looking woman, awww! <3)

About the Author

You can follow the author on:

Thank you so much to all readers of sapphic romance (yay for representation, WOOHOOO! Call me maybe? Ok ok, just jokin'… maybe I'm not? All women are wonderful! YOU ROCK, SWEETHEARTS!), to Katherine McIntyre for creating Aubrey and Selina I just adore and instantly clicked with (it's rare), to Other Worlds Ink for this blog tour offer. I had a blast writing this post and sharing Opposed Desires with you!

Don't forget to check out my book review of Opposed Desires!

And if you've stayed to the end (well, first of all, CONGRATS!), there's a giveaway for you with this awesome tour 🙂 :

Katherine is giving away an Amazon gift card with this tour:

Giveaway for fantastic readers

May the sapphic love be with you on this December 4^th–What, we're on December 2^nd? Bah, still, the mantra still stands, loves. 😉

Make sure not to miss the rest of the blog tour by Other Worlds Ink!

Next stop: Emotion in Motion's blog tomorrow, Friday, December 3^rd!

plan it

A Horror Comic Anthology: Texas Horror

Blog Tours, Book Reviews, chit-chatting with Cat May 13, 2021 Leave a comment

Now, finally, another great comic book arrived.

Now, let me just…

Comic Book GIFs | Tenor

Yes, let me just read it please.

So, I was fortunate enough to get an insider's look at Texas Horror by David Doub and Halo Toons (writers), and several artists such as Dominic Racho (art), Daniel Chan (letters), Terry Parr (art), Diego Garza (art), and Miguel Ángel Hernández (art).

This comic anthology has everything: diversity, LGBTQA+, horror, gore, humour… Name it! The drawing styles are different from story to story, which renews your attention, and there's one you'll like for sure.

As we all know, the pandemic makes it hard on everyone. However, conventions are an important part of making a comic book for creators; they help sell copies, spread the word about them, and generally get the connections and funds required–but where are the conventions now?

Exactly, none (or very few) is happening lately. So, ingenious creators turned to crowdfunding. After all, the public gets to read those comics, so a little contribution to the artists and writers can go a long way. If you want (and can) to help publish Texas Horror, please visit their Kickstarter page and make a contribution to receive benefits such as a copy of the comic book upon release: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/demonsinthedarkness/texas-horror

Read below for my review of the insider's look I was offered.

Thank you for reading and helping, loves! Please share and boost as any help will be useful. 😉

The first story I decided to read was Demons in the Dark, written by David Doub, art by Dominic Racho, and letters by Daniel Chan.

I really enjoyed this story. It was dark, gruesome, poignant, and emotional. I understand what these kids are going through; been there, suffered that. There's a lot of diversity, whether in regards to ethnicity and sexuality! Kudos for that, champs! Also, I rather enjoyed the moral of the story, it was touching. A bit too on the nose, maybe. But the characters are right: Anger hurts yourself, not the others. Plus, I thought the comic was too short. That’s a compliment.

On the negative side, sometimes the story felt rushed or cramped… again, I’d have preferred it to be longer. But it’s because it was good! Lastly, the drawings are detailed but the characters are supposed to be teenagers… Honestly, I thought for a few pages they were adults, or teachers, and then I debated the fact. Until it was made clear by their playing cards at the cafeteria they were teenagers…

The second story was Mask it or Casket, written by David Doub and art by Miguel Ángel Hernández:

That one was… hilarious, honestly. The names and the cynical & weirdo humour are perfect! I laughed a lot in the preview. But this comic can also be poignant as there’s a difficult family situation in the story, and the topic is about “masking”, something that is very current. Also, the drawings are both cute and pop with colours. They seem “light”, if drawings can have weight… it’s like you could cut them out and move them around like paper toys. That nice! They remind me of the latest Archie Comics, the newest issues. A different style, but that’s the vibe I get from this story. Finally, the horror looks to be ramped up… dangerous. Awesome!

The third story was Aerobicide Blockbuster, written by David Doub and art by Terry Parr:

The most beautiful and colourful of the stories! It’s so bright it pops, and I love the matte effect of the main character, blue-haired Sheri Ken (nice name there…, like a Shuriken!) This story was undoubtedly SO WEIRD, so upside down, with hints and allusions to old horror movies! So confusing, but so funny, and entertaining. I loved the nods to the classics, seriously! Honestly, I want to read the rest! Trust me, you’ll be surprised, too.

As for the other comics, the drawings look gorgeous to me, and they’re quite detailed (End World Escape, Luna Vino) and very cute (Kitchen Witches)! The stories sound very intriguing, and I wish the creators the best to publish Texas Horror Comic with YOUR help through their crowdfunding campaign.

Don’t forget to support them here to get a copy and bonuses: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/demonsinthedarkness/texas-horror

Please share this post, and talk about it on social media. Every bit helps!

Thank you, loves.

I hope this comic entertains you as much as it did me.

Love,

Catherine

Author Guest Post: I. L. Cruz on Fairytale Retellings and Diversity

Blog Tours March 14, 2020 Comments: 2

Hello, folks!

Remember the blog tour in which I'm taking part? Well, the day has come!

I hope you enjoy I. L. Cruz's touching and insightful guest post about fairytale retellings.

Have fun reading Reimagining the Imaged and don't forget to read to the end for there is an excerpt from her latest book in her Enchanted Isles fantasy series, A Noble's Path.

Reimagining the Imagined: Fairy Tale Retellings

At the time, the moment seemed unimportant. My best friend and I were playing Snow White, but it was understood I wouldn’t be Snow White. I didn’t question it at the time. I was far from being snowy white—I am a dark-skinned Latina—and my best friend was, so I played the huntsman. It didn’t bother me because I never gave it a second thought.

Years later, I was reading fairy tales to my daughter and as an adult I read them with a keener eye than when I was a child. The women were passive and all suffered from some martyr complex. At least the main characters did. It's what started my writer’s journey—wanting to read something other than what was available.

Those two elements are the basis for my love of fairy tale retellings and why I think they exist. Both the need to see oneself reflected in stories and the feeling that somehow what does exist can be improved upon. Do you like Cinderella but wish she was less subservient and maybe make her Native American or Mongolian? Have you always liked the story of Red Riding Hood, but wished she could save herself? Do you feel the giant was the wronged party considering Jack snuck into his home and stole his harp? All these scenarios are the start of fairy tale retellings.

Fairy tales are like building blocks. They form a rough structure for a more complete story, like writing prompts just begging to be used for a fuller story. And what better way to make the tales from a time so long ago more relevant to modern readers than by making sure a modern audience sees itself in the story. It’s what gave me the idea for my current series, The Enchanted Isles. It’s set in a fictional world full of characters from Mother Goose rhymes. The main character, Inez Garza, is an independent and resourceful Latina, who embraces adventures despite not because of her love interest.

And that’s the fun of fairy tale retellings—they allow the reader and the writer to imagine new and exciting ideas set in a story that everyone knows. That way anyone can play Snow White and no one will question it.

A Noble’s Path: An Enchanted Isles Novel (Enchanted Path Series, Book 2)

By I.L. Cruz

Book Blurb:

Divided loyalties test Inez Garza.

The infamous incident at the Academy of Natural Studies has forced her to work for the King’s Men while continuing to serve the hidden market.

Supporting Birthright furthers the cause of Magical Return, but the cost may be the fall of the royal house and losing Zavier forever.

And the strongest pull of all is her growing and erratic magic, which demands everything and offers only destruction in return.

Inez must decide where her loyalties lie—saving Canto or saving herself.

The Excerpt

The morning dew had given way to a chill humidity. The songbirds that hadn’t left for warmer climes started tuning up their whistles and calls. Snow would come early this year. After the usual stifling heat of the hidden market, it felt frigid in the open air. I pulled my coat closer, causing a rustle of Áliz’s list of KM. I had little time to memorize it, but keeping it on me was a great danger. The KM were no kinder to traitors than the hidden market was to theirs.

I reached for the list, but stopped myself when I heard a distinctive footfall behind me.

“Hey! What did the Empress want?” asked Jacque, calling the Jabberwocky by his personal nickname for her. He bounced on the balls of his feet, his lithe frame blocking my path.

“How did you know we talked?” I asked.

His near-perfect teeth shone in a mischievous grin. Jacque was one of the best fences I knew, able to reach out to wealthy clients because of his celebrity status as a stunt performer. It helped that he didn’t look like a criminal, with his handsome features. To them his smuggling activities were a sideline, but I knew smuggling was his priority. That acrobatics brought fame, not fortune—not that money was a problem for him anymore. Delaware Humphrey’s fortune looked good on him. Jacque had traded his patched clothes for custom made. Even for his night gig.

“How often does the Jabberwocky close the market? About as often as one of her smugglers get pinched to work for the enemy,” was his reply. “I knew the market going dark had to be about you.” He withdrew a miniature blaze burner from his coat pocket and it flared almost instantly. He didn’t flinch as his callused fingers caressed the flames.

“Are you waiting for applause? Yes, it was about me. Anyway, shouldn’t you be retrieving my egg stash?” I asked.

“Already done. You’ll see a nice little profit from that—not that you need it,” he said. Jacque was one of the few smugglers who knew I was the daughter of the second most powerful noble in Canto, right after the royal family. My mother’s title meant I never had to worry about money like most smugglers, but that didn’t mean I turned my nose up at extra cash. Funding rebels was expensive.

“I could say the same about you. Have you moved yet?” I asked. Jacque had come into a tidy sum after his half-brother, Delaware Humphrey, was killed.

“Not quite and don’t think I haven’t noticed you changed the subject. What did the Empress say?” He continued to fiddle with the mini blaze burner.

“I’m suspended until further notice,” I said, not wanting to tell him about my assignment of spying to redeem myself. The other smugglers at the hidden market had been making themselves scarce when I was around. Working with the KM wasn’t a way to endear myself with a bunch of mercenaries and thieves. Then it occurred to me that Jacque was still hanging around… Why?

I would never have suspected Jacque of spying on me but in that instant it occurred to me. Had he struck some deal with the Jabberwocky? I’d barely begun my covert operations and was already feeling paranoid.

Book details:

Publisher: Bosky Flame Press
Author: I.L. Cruz
Cover Artist: Jack Baker
Page Count: 236
Word Count: 69,000

ISBN (Digital): 9781732547131
ISBN (Print): 9781732547148
Release Date: January 31, 2020

You can purchase A Noble's Path using this link leading to your favourite bookstore: Buy A Noble's Path

The Author:

I.L. Cruz decided to make writing her full-time career during the economic downturn in 2008. Since then she’s used her BA in International Relations to sow political intrigue in her fantasy worlds and her MA in history to strive for the perfect prologue. When she’s not engaged in this mad profession she indulges her wanderlust as often as possible, watches too much sci-fi and reads until her eyes cross. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter and a sun-seeking supermutt named Dipper.

Find her on Twitter @ILCruzWrites

or her blog, Fairytale Feminista at https://fairytalefeminista.wordpress.com

And her website www.booksbyilcruz.com