A Literary Escape

Maya and Natasha by Elyse Durham

Published on February 17, 2025February 10, 2025 by Celeste6 Comments

Today’s review is about MAYA & NATASHA by Elyse Durham. It’s a historical fiction set in early Soviet era Russia. Twin sisters Maya and Natasha both hope to graduate and become ballerinas at the Kirov Ballet. But a set of circumstances results in one sister trying to change fate, which upends both their lives.

Author: Elyse Durham
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Mariner Books
Publish Date: February 18, 2025
Print Length: 384

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Maya & Natasha on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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STEMinist Romance Books

Published on February 14, 2025February 10, 2025 by Celeste24 Comments

Outside of fantasy, I don’t typically read a lot of romance books. However, when I do, I tend to gravitate toward STEMinist romance books. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEMinist combines STEM with the concept of feminism. In other words, a STEMinist is someone who supports gender equity in STEM, which are fields typically dominated by men.

Lately, author Ali Hazelwood has put STEMinist romance books on the map. She probably isn’t the first author to publish these types of books, but her recent works certainly increased their popularity. So, in the spirit of STEMinism, here’s a list of STEMinist romance books to dig in to. This list focuses on STEMinist romance books where the women are in the STEM field. The last category of STEMinist-adjacent books includes romances that contain STEM elements. However, either the female main character does not have a STEM job or the topic is tangential to STEM (e.g., gaming). Let me know some of your favorites in the comments!

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WWW Wednesday: February 12, 2025

Published on February 12, 2025February 11, 2025 by Celeste6 Comments

I didn’t think I’d get around to a WWW Wednesday again until next week. But my recovery is going really well so far and I hope it continues to trend in that direction. While I feel mostly “up and at ’em,” typically in the mornings, I’m still not 100%. I have been working a few hours each day so far this week despite scheduling this whole week off, if that’s an indicator of anything! Anyway, let’s get on with it…

WWW Wednesday was revived and hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. The idea is to answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses.

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

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What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Published on February 10, 2025January 26, 2025 by Celeste13 Comments

Today’s review is about WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE LIBRARY by Michiko Aoyama. Alison Watts translated this short novel from its original Japanese publication. It’s a compilation of short stories about different characters searching for a new direction in life.

Author: Michiko Aoyama
Translator: Alison Watts
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Publish Date: September 05, 2023
Print Length: 304

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of What You Are Looking For is in the Libary on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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SFINCS Review: Gothel and the Maiden Prince by W.R. Gingell

Published on February 8, 2025January 26, 2025 by Celeste2 Comments

Today’s review is about GOTHEL AND THE MAIDEN PRINCE by W.R. Gingell. It’s part of A Villain’s Never After series of standalones. So reading the other novellas is not a prerequisite. This novella is a slice-of-life retelling of Rapunzel from the villainous witch’s point of view.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

Author: W.R. Gingell
Series: A Villain’s Never After, #8
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: October 1, 2021
Print Length: 134
Purchase: Amazon

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