firewhiskeyreader

I am so thrilled to let you know that #SpringIntoLoveBingo was once again a full collaborative effort with myself, Dani, and Aarya AND we even had our stuff together in time to have the board illustrated by my very talented sister, Sarah! We really hope y’all will enjoy participating with us from March 1st through the end of May. Please remember to always capitalize each word in the hashtag for accessibility reasons and to use alt text for any images that you share on socials regarding your participation. And while I will repeat this later, I’m going to preface everything else with the definition of Black Love, which is that it must be a romance written by a Black author and featuring Black characters for all love interests. Anyway, I hope y’all are excited! Let’s talk through the prompts!

Row One

Prompt: Phoenix

So I think actually “Phoenix” was Dani’s pick and she picked it for all the normal reasons you can think of (but mostly, even though she says it wasn’t, I’m fairly certain it’s because she’s begging everyone to read T. A. White’s The Firebird Chronicles, which is why the first book is my TBR book for this). However, at the moment when I think of phoenix, I just sing “You’re Losing Me” by Taylor Swift, which also inspired “Pathological People Pleaser” also on this board. Anyway, either use this prompt very expansively to mean any fantasy, read an actual book with a phoenix, or read a book inspired by the following lines:

I’m getting tired even for a phoenix
Always risin’ from the ashes
Mendin’ all her gashes
You might just have dealt the final blow

You’re Losing Me by Taylor Alison Swift

As for me, I will be reading Rules for Redemption by T. A. White because Dani has been raving about it so much. Or I might honestly finally continue my Zodiac Academy reading and pick up Shadow Princess. Or, as we all know, I will read neither of those and we’ll all be surprised in my wrap up about what I actually wind up slotting in here.

Prompt: Trope with a Twist

This is for all of the times we have a book that takes a common trope but puts a unique spin on it. At the moment, I’m thinking about how in If Only You Ziggy wants to fake FRIENDSHIP not date the love interest. And since I still haven’t read it, that’s high on my list of possibilities for this.

Prompt: Castle

On the one hand, how hard can it be to pick a book for the prompt castle? And on the other hand, wow, am I struggling to actually think of one for me to pick! On the other hand, I could just reread one of Tessa Dare’s Castles Ever After books, which would be delightful. Also, for what it’s worth, A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft would work for castle, but I plugged it in with Celtic. But what I should and probably will read is A Castle in the Air by Kelley Armstrong because I need to.

Prompt: Battle of Wills

This prompt is pretty versatile in that it works for books where a main character is in a standoff with a parent (for example, historical romances where a parent is like YOU WILL GET MARRIED and usually the heroine is like I WILL NOT and then oopsies, falls in love with somebody) or where the love interests are super engaged in banter or just absolutely convinced that they are right. For me, I discovered that Beautiful Tempest by Johanna Lindsey, which I own, includes the phrase “battle of wills” in the synopsis, so I’m set.

Prompt: Yay, Space!

I am so excited to finally read Capture the Sun by Jessie Mihalik so that’s 100%. going to be my Yay, Space! book. Also, if you’re confused by the prompt name, see Barbie movie for our influences.

Row Two

Prompt: Rogue

Because I’m bringing this to y’all late, I’ve actually read my book for this! I read A Rogue by Night by Kelly Bowen, which I’m counting because it has Rogue in the title, but I’ll be honest, the MMC was not giving rogue behavior. That said, you can absolutely interpret this either way! There are a decent amount of books with rogue in the title.

Prompt: Wartime

This is 100% where my renewed obsession with fantasy romance comes in useful, but there are also a lot of historical romances that work for this prompt as well! I’m currently being tempted by Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole, which is one I’ve started seeing on some of my favorite booktuber’s vlogs. Specifically Rachel from ravenhairedreader, who sways me toward new books all the time. But actually, just kidding, because I read As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh.

Prompt: Once Upon a Time

A couple of options to interpret this, but the most obvious one to me is to pick up a book that is a retelling. For me, that’s likely to be be Marry Me by Midnight, but there really are so many options! Another way to interpret it is that some books mention a fairytale or may reference one. Alternatively, maybe the book is written like a fairytale even if it’s not one. Be free! Just try and find something you enjoy. 🙂

Prompt: Celtic

Celtic in origin, inspired by, or just otherwise somehow connected to Celtic myths/heritage/etc. For me, I went with A Fragile Enchantment, which seems to really have been inspired by Irish history.

Prompt: Tactile

This is a super broad prompt and really can be interpreted to whatever degree you feel like. When I think tactile these days, I think of two things, one Mad Rogan who literally has a tactile talent and second, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift because a) I’m a Swiftie and b) the two of them are so touchy with one another, you can tell that physical touch is part of what makes them feel grounded with one another. So whether I reread Burn for Me for the 80th time or slot in a book with a bunch of physical affection remains to be seen.

Row Three

Prompt: I Can See You

This prompt is illustrated with a theme from Taylor Swift’s “I Can See You” lyrics, but is again a prompt that has several ways you can interpret it. First, take the lyrics from “I Can See You,” and go wild. Because I would say you can also use the music video. So if you have a book with a heist? Go for it. Second though, is a book where the characters really SEE one another. There are a lot of books where thematically someone feels overlooked or like they always have to wear a mask. Third though, go wild and pick a book where it feels like the author is reading YOU and you feel seen. Whatever interpretation you feel, just know that I support you. Based on the synopsis, I think Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage is likely to be my pick for this.

Prompt: Epigraph

An epigraph is generally something before the book or the section or even the chapter that is not necessarily from the book/characters, but is an excerpt from something else that is thematically related to the content of the book. I described that so well, I could be an English teacher. (Please note the sarcasm…) Anyways, there are lots of books that do that. Nalini Singh usually does it before every chapter in the Psy-Changeling series, but Primal Mirror isn’t out for too long. But in looking through some of the books on my shelf, I have discovered that Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams has an epigraph at the start of the book, which means it will slot in perfectly here. 🙂

Prompt: Happily Ever After

My favorite prompt because I can read truly anything! So what will I read for this? Whichever book I read first that I can’t fit anywhere else. 🙂

Prompt: Reread

My second favorite prompt because I truly love a reread. This is another place I could slot in a reread of Burn for Me, which I haven’t done in a while. Or the other day I was really feeling the urge to reread Kate Daniels… We shall see.

Prompt: Sports

I picked this prompt because the Olympics are coming up and I am so excited! I love watching gymnastics and have ever since I fell in love with the sport watching the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta at the tender age of 4 almost 5. My parents took me to the Columbus stop of the Magnificent Seven’s tour and I was enthralled. Anyway, enough reminiscing, use any sport for this prompt, but if you can find one that’s in the Summer Olympics, I will be very excited for you! I’m currently leaning toward a basketball romance and doing Shots Not Taken by Nicole Falls.

Row Four

Prompt: Spring Breaks Loose

“Spring breaks loose the time is near . . . spring breaks loose but so is fear” are two lines from Taylor Swift’s “Ivy.” So interpret that how you will if you choose to take that pathway. On the other hand, just interpret it as Spring Break vibes. A character letting loose. A vacation romance. Whatever you’re feeling. Now, I cannot explain my choice to you, but I’m leaning toward reading Revive Me, Part One by J. L. Seegers for this. There’s something about “Ivy” and the idea of accidentally winding up completely intwined knowing that everything could fall apart that makes me think that the angst of J. L. Seegers and the premise of Revive Me will deliver the right vibe in this.

Prompt: Pathological People Pleaser

I know that there are so many Taylor Swift references in this Bingo board, but you know what, I’m not sorry. This particular line again draws from “You’re Losing Me” where the relevant lines are, “I wouldn’t marry me either, pathological people pleaser, who only wanted you to see her…” But this prompt also comes to you because I have been LOVING reading books about recovering people pleasers and people learning to stop focusing so much on those around them so that they can find true love and happiness. So my current pick for this prompt is Ana Maria and the Fox, which I think applies based on the synopsis.

Prompt: “Love” in Title

I have over 40 books with “Love” in the title. And that’s not including the books with “loving” or other variations. So I decided to take a page out of Kayla from booksandlala’s book and give y’all a Buzzword Challenge style prompt. I may finally read Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood or Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keys. Or, more responsibly, my ARC of What is Love? by Jen Comfort. We shall see. The options feel legitimately endless.

Prompt: Flash Forward

Okay, this one is not one that was inspired by Taylor Swift, however, I did just start singing, “flash forward and we’re taking on the world together, there’s a drawer of my things at your place,” so if you wanted to, go for it. What I was thinking was that there are so many books that have a set up chapter and then the book takes places a couple of years later. Or the alternating timelines. Something along those lines. For this, I’m thinking of doing A False Start by Elsie Silver, but there are so many books like this, I could see me reading something else without even meaning to.

Prompt: Asian Author

Speaking of endless options… The diaspora definitely counts here, btw. Off the top of my head some options could be Jackie Lau, Courtney Milan, Mia Hopkins, Sonali Dev, Grace Callaway, Lisa Lin, Jeannie Lin, Alisha Rai, Jeannie Chin, Sherry Thomas, Nalini Singh, Tif Marcelo, and so many more. The last couple of years, Jackie Lau has actually put on a thing in May where she collects information about Asian authors who have books on sale and creates a list of those books that can be really helpful if you’re looking to stock up on some more ebooks. And truly, there are so many more. Off the top of my head became very quickly just the people whose books I have purchased most recently on my kindle app because my brain is tired. Anyway, for me, I have an ARC of Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau so that’s probably going to be my pick for this one! (Or I could slot it in for a book with love in the title… We shall see!)

Row Five

Prompt: Pretty in Pink

In addition to Taylor Swift, we were also inspired by the Barbie movie and for pretty in pink, my interpretation is a pink cover. But if you have a character like Elle Woods, you go for it. I have two options, A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn or Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson & Lydia Wang.

Prompt: A Book You Wish had a Midnight Release Party

So, here’s the thing, what I actually wish is that I lived close enough to a romance only bookstore that I could have been present for the Iron Flame and House of Flame and Shadow parties that they had. But since I don’t and I wasn’t, I’m just going to keep dreaming and the book that I wish had a midnight release is Archangel’s Lineage by Nalini Singh or Primal Mirror by Nalini Singh (but again, it won’t be out on time). OR Funny Story by Emily Henry or Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. I just know that a midnight release for any of these books would be perfection.

Prompt: Black Love

Black Love means that a book must be written by a Black author and feature Black love interests. There are so many options, but I just know that if I read Revive Me, Part One or Spring Breaks Loose like I’m thinking, I’ll need to immediately pick up Part Two to heal my heart a little bit right after. On the other hand, if I need something light and happy, maybe I’ll pick up a CCJ or Nicole Falls romantic comedy situation. We shall see.

Prompt: Somewhere You’ve Lived

Once upon a time I lived outside of Columbus and we went to the Columbus Zoo a good bit, which 100% means that I have to finally pick up Lucy from the Wild Side ASAP. The fact that I haven’t yet is wild. Also though, Late Bloomer is set in Asheville, which is near enough to where I currently live so I could go that direction… We shall see.

Prompt: Midnight Rain

And once again, we are in fact ending on a Taylor Swift inspired prompt! Sorry not sorry. Anyway, midnight rain just gives spring vibes. If you’ve got someone out late at night and it’s raining, in reality or on their face (aka crying), go for it. Alternatively, go forth and find you a book that fits the vibes of “Midnight Rain” the song. For me, I’m thinking of finally reading my ARC of Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod, which is probably the smartest choice!

Closing Thoughts

A) Apologies that this is going up 16 whole days into this reading challenge, but b) I hope that you are having fun and continue to do so if you’re participating! Please share your favorite prompts and any recommendations that you have for the challenge down below.

xx