firewhiskeyreader

Hello all! I am so delighted to be bringing you our winter bingo board announcement, most especially because Aarya is back as a collaborator and Sarah was able to illustrate and design the board again! I love collaborating and coming up with the prompts for the board and I love planning for Bingo even though, y’all know I am awful at following a TBR. Anyway, let’s talk about what we’ve got going on this time, shall we?

First of all, #SnowInLoveBingo will take place from December 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022. We hope that y’all will share with us on all the types of social media what you’re reading and loving and we just ask that when you do, you make sure any images you’re using are accessible using alt text or image descriptions. Additionally, when you type the hashtag, please make sure you are capitalizing each word so that screen readers can read the hashtag instead of a string of letters. Finally, we just want to remind everyone that Black Love means reading a book where the author and love interests are Black. We hope you join us and, more importantly, that you enjoy whatever books you pick up in the next three months!

Row One

Black Love

I finally finished Love Notes by Christina C. Jones and now I’m fully invested in this series. So I’ve got both Bittersweet and In Tandem on deck and I am very much looking forward to them. I’ve also been eyeing A Winning Season by Rochelle Alers for such a long time because I’m in love with the cover so I really need to finally read it. Finally, I really need to finally read One Day to Fall and wrap up this Therese Beharrie series that I’ve loved so far! I’ve read books one and three and just need to finish up with book two.

‘Tis the Damn Season

I’ve really only picked out two books so far for this because I’ve resigned myself to needing to fall into the perfect book. If you’re not a huge Swiftie, just think of this as a prompt for a book with a slightly grumpy about the holidays character. If you are a Swiftie, please join me in my search for the perfect returning home, a little grumpy, very sexy, worried about someone going back to their “real” life sort of thing book. On my TBR in my quest are One Hot December by Tiffany Reisz and A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas by Jackie Lau. They’re worth a shot, at least, and I’ve been wanting to read them both for a while!

Found Family

We all love books with Found Family in them, right? I have a few Cate C. Wells books left in the Steel Bones Motorcycle Club series, so I’m leaning toward one of them. Dizzy and Forty are the two I have already downloaded. I also think that Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren should count and that book will finish up my read of Wild Seasons so I’m really looking forward to that. And then my third option is Dolci by Katrina Jackson, which involves both blood family and found family. The mafia counts as found family right? I’m saying yes.

Adventure

Y’all. I know I can’t shut up about being behind on my ARCs, but… I am very behind and if I could catch up on them while knocking out this prompt, all the better, right? I’ve got The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha, Requiem of Silence by L. Penelope, and Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep that I really am so excited about!! I’m just slow sometimes.

20th Century Vibes

I have a few choices here, although I could easily have more. I’ve got Free Fall by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner still to read, which is set during the Space Race. Then I’ve got Pride and Passion by Carla Buchanan, which is set in the 1950s around the Korean War. Next up, I have The Flapper’s Fake Fiancé by Lauri Robinson, which sounds like so much fun set in the 1920s. And I’ve also got A Delicate Affair by Lindsay Evans to read, which is set in the 1900s (like the first decade). I have a ton of others on my TBR in the broad sense, but these are the four already on my kindle that are perfect selections for this prompt.

Row Two

Romantic Gesture

In all honesty, I’m probably just going to pick something for this as I go though my reads for the next three months because in general most books will deliver on this front. If I get desperate, I’m pretty sure Laura Florand will definitely deliver and I have several left from her because I’m rationing them.

Job You Want(ed)

So, I know that being a bookseller/librarian is not everything that I always wanted it to be as a kid. However, even with the realities that I’ve learned from following various people in both professions on social media, I’m pretty sure I would still prefer it to my actual job. So… I could go with Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake, which drops February 22nd, so definitely a little close for comfort. Or Chloe Liese is dropping a Kobo exclusive The Mistletoe Motive, which I’m fairly certain I’ll love, and features booksellers as well. Another job I’ve not infrequently thought about having is that of a professor. I could have gone the academic route and didn’t, so, you know, an alternate universe Jenica is probably teaching something somewhere. Using that career path, I’ve had (Trust) Falling for You by Charish Reid on my TBR for much too long.

Cozy

I’ve picked out a few that I think should work for this prompt, but I’m quite flexible on it really. I’ve got A Christmas Spark lined up by Diana Biller and I’m looking forward to that one immensely. The Mistletoe Motive is Chloe Liese’s Kobo exclusive that I’m extremely excited about (assuming I don’t read it for the above prompt)! Tiny House, Big Love is an Olivia Dade novella I’ve been saving for an emergency, but I feel like that could easily need to be broken into in the next few months. And then I’ve also thought about The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish, which has the coziest cover.

Established Relationship

I once again have several options for myself on this one. I have Cherish Me by Farrah Rochon for a marriage in trouble type book. I have Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren for essentially an extended epilogue type of book. I think. Honestly, I don’t know, but I have it. I’ve got Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann, which at least features some more of Alyssa and Sam, the loves of my life. I’ve stalled out at the book before this one, but it wouldn’t take too much to catch up. And then I’ve also got Isn’t It Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams, but I’m not 100% sure it counts. I mean, they are married, but it’s a marriage of convenience and okay, yeah, that totally counts. Oh, and there’s also a Walsh book by Kate Canterbary that follows Sam and Tiel after they get their HEA in the book I’m reading now, so that’s also an option.

Wolves

So, assuming I don’t just re-read Kiss of Snow, which you should all know by now is incredibly tempting, I do actually have a multitude of options. First, there’s Binding Shadows by Jasmine Silvera, which has been on at least three TBRs already if we’re being honest. I need to finally pick it up. Then there’s Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews because I need my Julie and Derek fix. Plus, I have both Wolfsong by T.J. Klune and The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara that have both received such rave reviews I feel like I need to finally pick them up too.

Row Three

Dessert

I have two main options for this one, although I know full well, I’ll wind up reading plenty. But the two I’m prioritizing are Sweethand by N.G. Peltier and The Chocolate Temptation by Laura Florand.

Author You Want to Try

There are so many authors I want to try! Elizabeth Hoyt, Love Belvin, Brighton Walsh, Kristina Forest, Felicia Grossman, Allie Therin, Molly O’Keefe, Kandi Steiner, Zoe York, Jack Harbon, Alexandria House (it doesn’t count if I’ve only read a holiday short, right?), Chencia C. Higgins (since I just decided it doesn’t matter if I’ve only read a holiday short, I’m counting her too!)… You get the point. There are a lot.

Happy Holidays

Thus far, I’ve managed to list five Christmas books in other prompts, those being A Christmas Spark by Diane Biller, The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese, The Lights of Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish, One Hot December by Tiffany Reisz, and A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas by Jackie Lau. I also have Kati Wilde’s Three Nights Before Christmas borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, Dancing Through the Snow by Té Russ, and Santa Baby from Té Russ on my kindle. So one of any of those can count and that’s just for my December holiday TBR. I have a couple NYE books I want to read from Katrina Jackson and some Valentine’s Day novellas too.

Backlist Title

I mean, honestly, I could read so many books for this prompt, but here are some of the ones at the top of my list. The One by Danielle Allen, One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews, and Earth Bound by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner.

Five Star Prediction

Let’s talk about how I still haven’t read The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan, which is absolutely a five star prediction. Why am I dragging my feet on so many books I think I’ll love? Anyway, as far as new books go though too, I’m really thinking Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon will be a five star read and then also, House of Sky and Breath (aka Crescent City 2) by Sarah J. Maas is almost certainly going to be a five star read. I cannot wait for that one either!!

Row Four

All the Tropes

I think that The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas has this one line in the description that made me decide this one counted: The Spanish Love Deception is an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating romantic comedy. Then, it’s also described as a steamy slow burn, so… I’m counting it!

Winter Wonderland

I have entirely too many options for this one. This is our sort of ode to the fact that the Winter Olympics are happening, but also, if you don’t want to do a sports romance, you can do something with just fun winter vibes. I have a million unread ice skating, hockey, and apparently a snowboarding book on my unread TBR so here are just five options for me: Hearts on Ice by Janae Keyes, Pairing Off by Elizabeth Harmon, Edge of Glory by Rachel Spangler, Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen, and Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer. Honestly, my TBR has way more than this, so we’ll see which I wind up reading!

Indigenous Author

I’ve got a few options for this one that are already on my owned TBR. First up, I’ve got Lakota Dreaming by Constance Gillam, which is a romantic suspense. Then we’ve got Seducing His Secret Wife by Robin Covington, a fun hook up in Vegas situation and then turns out it’s a long lost brother’s best friend romance. I’ve also got the YA Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith, which I’ve been meaning to read for approximately forever. Although, if we’re being honest, I’m going to drop LITERALLY everything if I get approved for Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse because I need to know the status of my ship. Is it dead??? I will cry. If it’s alive, I will also cry. But I need to know!!

Holding Hands

Even though I would almost certainly come across love interests holding hands in the natural course of my reading, I wanted to find a few guarantees, just to be safe. My options for just in case we’re really coming down to the wire (just kidding, I desperately want to read these) are Exposed by Kristen Callihan, Heartwood by J. H. Croix, and One Day to Fall by Therese Beharrie. I figure if I put One Day to Fall in at least two spots, that means I will almost definitely finally read it. Right?

Swoonies Rec

If you missed The Swoon Awards last year, I am so delighted to be able to tell you about my new favorite award system. Run by some of the most delightful romance people, Amber, Ari, Lynell, and Nick, The Swoon Awards is a fan voted award that is so transparent in the process that it’s absolutely incredible. I love their dedication to making sure everyone can understand and follow the work. Nominations open soon for the 2021 Awards, but the 2020 Award Winners and Runner Ups are already announced. Amber actually hosted #ReadTheSwoonies over the summer and I, unsurprisingly, massively failed at my TBR. So I still have some 2020 books I need to get finished up. My top four for going into #SnowInLoveBingo are From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout, Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas, Loverboy by Sarina Bowen and The Beast of Blackmoor by Milla Vane. In addition to reading some of the winners and runner ups from last year, there are a few other ways you could participate in this prompt. If you’re reading in December and know that you’ve just finished a 2021 release you’re going to want to nominate, that totally counts! If you’re reading in January or February, you’re likely going to already know a whole new list of nominations and ultimately, winners. So then there will be a list to choose from!

Row Five

Sparring

I’m choosing to go with literal sparring for this prompt, although if I come across a good verbal sparring book, I’m very on board with switching it out. But I do have several fantasy type romance novels on my TBR that I think should work for this and that would also help me tackle my TBR. So far the three I’ve pulled are Fate’s Match by Elysabeth Grace, Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass, and From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (again, if I have this on my TBR in multiple places, that means I’ll actually read it, right?).

Star

Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik is a very obvious choice for me here, because it literally has star in the title! It drops on February 1, 2022, but I’m fortunate enough to have an ARC. When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord is another solid choice for a couple of reasons. First, there are stars on the cover and second, this is about Millie Price following her dream to be a Broadway star. I’m definitely excited to try this one! I loved Tweet Cute so much. I’m also thinking about potentially doing Exposed because he’s a rock star (and again, doubling up on where I’m listing books means I’m more likely to read them, right??), but I could go with a sports romance that has a sports star. So many fantastic options, you know?

Hotel/Inn

My top two choices have me torn between Tessa Bailey (Getaway Girl) and Rilzy Adams (The Sweetest Escape), but then I realized I also have a brilliantly named option titled Wedding at the Riverview Inn by Molly O’Keefe so I have no idea which I’ll wind up going with. Technically, The Sweetest Escape is book five in the Falling Like a Johnson series so I probably shouldn’t choose it because I haven’t read the other books, but… We’ll see. I really love books about a main character finding themself. It’s one of my favorites. But also, Getaway Girl sounds so fun. I’m very intrigued by it and lately I’ve been really into Tessa Bailey. BUT Wedding at the Riverview Inn is both about a woman getting back on her feet after hitting rock bottom and and ex-husband and wife reconnecting, which is not quite the marriage in trouble trope, but may well be close enough for me!

Non-Binary or Trans Representation

I’m definitely going to be reading Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly for this one. I do have an ARC, but it’s also out on January 18, 2022 so if you’re also on the market for a cooking competition romance with a non-binary lead, this book might just be the one for you. Some other options for me, in case I get to more than one (fingers crossed!), are Sing Anyway (also by Anita Kelly) (which I’ve been meaning to read for ages) and Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian.

Main Character’s Name Starts with an A/D/J

I’ll definitely be tackling another Most Anticipated Book of Winter for me with Weather Girl for this one. The main character’s name is Ari Abrams, which is perfect, but also, this is Rachel Lynn Solomon’s second adult romance and given my love for The Ex Talk. Alternatively, maybe I could get ahead of my arcs and read A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings, which features a main character named Dan. I’m really looking forward to this one given how much Nick seemed to love it! Finally, I am fairly certain Twisted Hate by Ana Huang is going to be about Jules and Josh, which means I’m also covering the first letter of my own name! It allegedly drops on January 27, 2022.

And there you have it! The announcement and entirely too many books on my TBR. Can’t wait to see how many I actually wind up reading… What are you excited about reading in the next three months? Are there any prompts you’re really excited about? Let me know!

xx