Reading · Anne’s Substack

This week, I’ve been coping with my very dodgy back, and using my walking stick to get around. I managed to get a doctor's appointment and the upshot was that I came off my medication earlier in the week until the blood test results were in. That did improve things, phew. So I’m now on a different kind of medication so let’s hope I’m able to keep walking without the need for a stick! Meanwhile, BIG thanks to the Glyndebourne team who allocated a disabled parking bay for us at very short notice on Tuesday (see below).

For most of the week, it’s been too painful to write so I completed the edit of my MMM romance The Dangerous Delaneys and Me & submitted it to ACX audio. I’ve also updated the book in the paperback & Kindle versions on Amazon 🥰

However, on Friday, I was well enough to do a little more writing of my MM romance Jack’s Party. Ralph and Alec have sensibly decided to ignore my plans & to embark on a new spice scene for their first date. 😍

Meanwhile, here's the first page of my MM romantic thriller Maloney's Law. Private investigator Paul is about to get seriously out of his depth, in more ways than one ...

And if you’re looking for dark & dangerous MM romance to spice up your reading list, then I hear you! 😍 All the below books are available on audio at Amazon & Audible & on Kindle (FREE with KU) at Amazon!

This week's poem is called Leaf-Cutter Bee and is found in my poetry collection Learning to Swim. 😍

This week, I’ve read Collided by Riley Harper: this was a very sweet and slow burn romance which starts out with the two main characters, Francis and Jack, disliking each other and then learning how first impressions aren't always the best ones. I did enjoy how different the two men are, and how they develop throughout the story. A nice read.

Plus I’ve read Open Liner by Katherine McIntyre: this was a lovely & very emotional romance with a great spice level. I loved how emotional & open August was, and how Drake complemented that and matched it too. This was a really good pairing. There's a good plot line, particularly in terms of family issues for both men, and a little bit of danger too, and I loved the ending. Recommended.

And I’ve read Forbidden Lust by Oliver Takely: I really loved the two characters in this spicy age-gap romance - Josh is just so adorable and I loved Daniel's strength too. I particularly enjoyed the way the two men develop during the story and how they both stand up for what they believe in. I have to mention Josh's sister as well - such a great secondary character. A very romantic read.

I’ve also read The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell: this is a slow-burn and very intense book about the marriage of Lucrezia to the Duke of Ferrara in the 1560s. For me, it took a while to get going but, once it did, I couldn't put it down. The sense of place is brilliantly described and the slow increase of threat and danger is excellently done. Those last few chapters are incredibly powerful and the ending is pitch-perfect. Recommended.

In spite of my walking/health issues, I did manage to get to see Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo at Glyndebourne, which was as lovely as ever (though I thought this beautiful & stately opera was sadly overpowered by the ridiculous scenery & staging …). They also had last year’s Last Night of The Proms dress on display as it was made by the Glyndebourne Costume Team - isn’t it amazing!