Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Granada) Pairings/Characters: Mycroft & Sherlock Rating: G Length: 523 words Creator Links: Blistering_Typhoons Theme: Siblings
Summary: The Sherlock Holmes that sits in front of him may as well be dead.
Reccer's Notes: A little story of Mycroft meeting with Sherlock during the years he was on the run post-Reichenbach. Poor Sherlock is not doing well, and Mycroft tries to care for him in his own way.
Our theme for March is siblings—whether assigned or chosen.
The tag for this round is: theme: siblings
If you're just joining us, be sure to check out our policy on content notes. Content notes aren't required, but they're nice to include in your recs, especially if a fanwork has untagged content that readers may wish to know about in advance.
But as every Downtown Abbey fan knows, white tie is THE most formal of all evening wear, and to dress accordingly. You know, like this all-white wonder:
It doesn't get more classic than black and white with red roses all over.
Hey, remember that time on Downton Abbey when Matthew was forced to wear a black tie to dinner, and everyone acted like he had just shambled in wearing a holey bathrobe and flip flops? Ha! So funny. (Um, this show is better than I'm making it sound, honest.)
Don't worry; I bet no one would ever mistake this beauty for a waiter. (Mostly because that wouldn't make any sense, but still.)
Ok, back to more civil matters. Remember that time on Downton when that thing happened to that person, and everyone was, like, really shocked? (Jen says I'm not allowed to give any more spoilers, but YOU know what I mean.)
Well, I guess we can only hope the person who that thing happened to will come back later. You know, for a...cameo:
And while we're dreaming, imagine the look on Mr. Carson's face if Mrs. Patmore baked this stunning cake and hung it up in the dining room, chandelier-style!
That's right, this cake is actually hanging from the top, like a real chandelier. Or chandeTIER, as I like to say it. Cake joke! (I've never actually said that.)
But I do love the hexagon-shaped tiers of this next cake. Aren't the hand-painted doodles dreamy? File this under 'fabulous!'
And here's one last extravagantly fanciful cake to remind you to make the rest of your weekend an occasion. And maybe watch more reruns of Downton Abbey. Again.
Sub'd by Su-Anne & made by Cile Bellefleur Burbidge
I’m so glad you all enjoyed the last edition, that was full of recommendations from KJ Charles. I wonder if we could do special editions like that from time to time, where we ask an author to recommend four books. What do you all think?
As always, share with us some recommendations!
Blood Sweat Glitter
Firstly, this cover just makes me so happy. It’s pure joy! This is a f/f roller derby romance novella that packs a punch. There are elements of female rage and trauma, especially as it relates to the COVID pandemic.
The Primrose Glitter Girls play ROLLER DERBY and they’re here to DESTROY YOU!
Well, they’re trying. Team captain Eleanor Ashwell has problems. Her fresh meat skaters are terrified, her blockers fall over when people look at them funny, and if the Glitter Girls don’t start winning bouts soon they’re going to be chucked out of the league. And off the track, things are no Eleanor’s job as a nursing sister is overwhelming her, and friends and lovers seem to be drifting away.
Robin, Eleanor’s pretty-in-pink new jammer, is hawk-fast and fearless, and she’s a brilliant skater to boot. But she’s never on time, she forgets her kit, she comes to practice in stupid frilly dresses, and according to Eleanor, she has no respect for the traditions of the game. It’s only because the team needs her so badly that Eleanor is teaching her to play at all.
But ditzy, silly Robin isn’t quite what she appears to be. And if Eleanor can see past that candy-pink exterior, then there might be some things Robin can teach her, too. About how to win, how to lose, how to rediscover a little glitter in her life. How to get herself back up from where she’s fallen—and how to fall in love.
This is a twisty and fucked up thriller. After discovering her twin is dead, a woman slips into her sister’s life of luxury and social media.
In this razor-sharp, diabolical debut thriller, a young woman steps into her deceased twin’s influencer life, only to discover dark secrets hidden behind her social media façade.
Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
This graphic novel is GORGEOUSLY illustrated and I highly recommend seeing it in person. While this is listed for middle grade, it reminds me children’s shows that clearly have subtle content for adults too.
Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in little Sandy’s bedroom. She catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings that cover her room.
One day, Morfie, a mysterious pale girl, appears at school. And she knows all about Sandy’s drawings…
Nightlights is a beautiful story about fear, insecurity, and creativity, from the enchanting imagination of Lorena Alvarez.
Nothwell writes m/m fantasy romances and historical romances, and I think would scratch similar itches of KJ Charles and Allie Therin.
Shrike, the Butcher of Blackthorn, is a legendary warrior of the fae realms. When he wins a tournament in the Court of the Silver Wheel, its queen names him her Oak King – a figurehead destined to die in a ritual duel to invoke the change of seasons. Shrike is determined to survive. Even if it means he must put his heart as well as his life into a mere mortal’s hands.
Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk, has long ago resigned himself to a life of tedium and given up his fanciful dreams. When a medieval-looking brute arrives at his office to murmur of destiny, he’s inclined to think his old enemies are playing an elaborate prank. Still, he can’t help feeling intrigued by the bizarre-yet-handsome stranger and his fantastical ramblings, whose presence stirs up emotions Wren has tried to lock away in the withered husk of his heart.
As Shrike whisks Wren away to a world of Wild Hunts and arcane rites, Wren is freed from the repression of Victorian society. But both the fae and mortal realms prove treacherous to their growing bond. Wren and Shrike must fight side-by-side to see who will claim victory – Oak King or Holly King.
It's time! Registration is officially open for the 2006 CONfab, to be held on October 22-25th at the Springhill Suites O'Hare in Chicago! Register now with the Early Bird Special at $145!
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Everything you’re used to seeing at the Hot Pink Palace that is Smart Bitches Trashy Books will remain free as always, because we remain committed to fostering community among brilliant readers who love romance.
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Welcome back! It’s the last day of February and here’s how we’re wrapping up the month:
Sarah: Alpha, Omega, and Update: Blind Date with a Werewolf ( A | BN | K | AB ) is an anthology that came out last year and focuses on Asil, a side character. I read that after Cry Wolf because series order is a meaningless construct that doesn’t apply to me. Ha ha! Now I’m reading book two, Hunting Ground. ( A | BN | K | AB )
Lara: I had a bit of a meltdown yesterday and I remedied it the only way I could: temporarily abandoning all responsibility and rereading a KJ Charles book: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen.
Amanda: I’m reading The Trident and the Pearland loving it! A queen bargains with the gods to save her kingdom from a deadly storm. The price: she must marry the first man who steps on her kingdom’s docks and abdicate the throne. Now she’s out for revenge on said gods.
Susan: I’m currently embarrassingly obsessed with Monster and The Beast by Renji. ( A | BN | K | AB ) It has a huge scary monster encountering a peddler in the woods and deciding to travel with him. One of these characters is a terrifying ravenous beast, the other one is an easily embarrassed ray of sunshine. Guess which is which!
It gets full marks for never showing the monster character’s full face! I’m like 90% certain he doesn’t have lips, and this is not a deterrent to the hedonistic middle-aged bisexual he’s travelling with.
Tara: I have been on a massive Devil Wears Prada fanfic kick since the trailer for the second film dropped.
Lara: Update: I finished the first book, felt almost myself, moved on to the second book. It’s now Monday morning and I’m feeling ready for those responsibilities again.
Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 23 secrets from Secret Submission Post #998. Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ]. Current Secret Submissions Post:here. Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
The Right Swipe is an amazing, well written story about two people of color falling in love as they come to terms with how the physical, psychological, and emotional traumas they experienced continue to affect them both. It was also, for me, a quiet little moment where I felt my existence was acknowledged.
Alisha Rai returns with the first book in her sizzling new Modern Love series, in which two rival dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.
Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator controls her love life with a few key rules:
– Nude pics are by invitation only
– If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice
– Protect your heart
Only there aren’t any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night… and disappears.
Rhi thought she’d buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won’t fumble their second chance, but she’s wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…
Single Player by Tara Tai is $1.99! Dahlia mentioned this on her monthly Queer Romance Roundup. The main characters work in the video game industry. Did any of you read this?
Two video game creators go head-to-head in this delightful, queer enemies-to-lovers workplace romance debut.
Cat Li cares about two things: video games and swoony romances. The former means there hasn’t been much of the latter in her (real) life, but when she lands her dream job writing the love storylines for Compass Hollow—the next big thing in games—she knows it’s all been worth it. Then she meets her boss: the infamous Andi Zhang, who’s not only an arrogant hater of happily-ever-afters determined to keep Cat from doing her job but also impossibly, annoyingly hot.
As Compass Hollow’s narrative director, Andi couldn’t care less about love—in-game or out. After getting doxxed by internet trolls three years ago, Andi’s been trying to prove to the gaming world that they’re a serious gamedev. Their plan includes writing the best game possible, with zero lovey-dovey stuff. That is, until the man funding the game’s development insists Andi add romance in order to make the story “more appealing to female gamers.”
Forced to give Cat a chance, Andi begrudgingly realizes there’s more to Cat than romantic idealism and, okay, a cute smile. But admitting that would mean giving up the single-player life that has kept their heart safe for years. And when Cat uncovers a behind-the-scenes plan to destroy Andi’s career, the two will have to put their differences aside and find a way to work together before it’s game over.
One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti is $1.99! This is book one in the dystopian fairy tale Grimm Bargains series. I recently reviewed this and gave it a D, but no judgement if you want to try the crazysauce for yourself.
For fans of Scarlett St Clair and Sarah J Maas, New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti explores the forbidden and the taboo in this modern twist on Beauty and the Beast – the first in a seductive new dark romance series set in a world where information is power, and those who control the flow of information live like gods…
“Sexy and utterly engrossing!” —bestselling author J.T. Geissinger
They christened me Alana—and while the name means beauty, beneath that surface is a depth I allow very few to see. I’m sole heir to Aquarius Social, a media giant about to succumb to an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to marry me off to the son of a competing family. My reaction? Not a chance. Now I have just a week before the wedding to change my fate.
Who knew the unforeseen twist would be an assassination attempt on me and an unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the head of the rival social media empire driving Aquarius under? The richest, most ruthless of them all, the Beast protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.
Thorn may think he can lock me in his enchanted castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.
RECOMMENDED: A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan is $1.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! This is the first book in the Lady Trent series, which Carrie really loves. Readers say the book is pretty awesome in terms of concept, but they surprisingly wanted more dragons. Have you read this book or series?
You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon’s presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one’s life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .
All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.
Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.
Today's post is dedicated to all the engaged couples out there. That's right, lovebirds, I thought we might take this opportunity to consider the most important cake of your entire lives: your wedding cake.
Now, I know I feature a lot of wedding wrecks, and I know a lot of folks will point out that asking for a fondant design recreated in buttercream is asking for disaster, but don't you worry. I'm here to help. After all, this is what Leah D. ordered for HER wedding cake:
And look what she got!
It's the tinfoil-covered cookie sheet that really sells it.
Ok, yes, it's a wreck. BUT - did you notice how the inspiration cake was all buttercream, and the wreck itself is fondant? I'm just sayin'. It works both ways.
Now, don't you feel better?
No?
Ok, then how about what Susan A. ordered for her wedding?
Not a great picture (you don't see mimeographs much these days), but I think you get the general idea.
And here's what Susan got:
Granted, I'm not sure how this is supposed to make you feel better, but trust me, guys: the REST of us are feeling grrrrr-REAT. (John! Go make some popcorn! These are gettin' GOOD.)
Sara M. wanted her wedding cake to be a hunk a' hunk a' burnin' love:
The cake! The cake! The cake is on FI-YUR!
But instead, her cake just suffered from a mild burning sensation and performance issues:
Wah-WAAAAH.
(That was my attempt at a slide-rule trombone effect. I know: I'm a veritable foley artist with words.)
And finally, Elizabeth P. dreamed a dream of ribbon-wrapped sweetness for her big day:
...but ended up with something only a mummy could love:
Ouch. Uh...that's a wrap!
Thanks to all of today's brides and just remember, guys: wreck or Sweet, we're gonna need to see your wedding cake! (Oh, and we're all invited, right? RIGHT?!)
*****
P.S. When you don't have a cake to express yourself, there's always this:
Here is the cover, which could have shown off the books a LOT better.
The full page ad for Connie Mason’s Shadow Walker on the inside cover:
And in case you were wondering: here is the HAUNCH-TASTIC COVER:
There’s a LOT of wind in many of the DeSalvo pictures in this issue, and it is a blessing for him that no wind machine was present whilst he was wearing a loincloth.
Behold: Mustache.
LOOK how uncomfortable that must be, and they have to act like they’re super into each other while perched on some stairs.
And then there was this discomfort from the I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter launch party:
The senior brand manager at Lipton dipping Susan Paul – this makes me so very uncomfortable on a professional level.
What is on John DeSalvo, and where is that wind coming from?
I LOVE THIS IMAGE OF JANE AUSTEN BY A POOL!
Here is how it appeared in the magazine – inside a browser window!
Time for some 90s covers!
What’s going on with her neck? Is she ok?
That hair color is green, and that dog is very cute.
WHENCE doth this WIND ARRIVE? Also, I’d like to know the conditioner regimen here.
Slightly blurry, but FULL O’ SMARM is Cleve.
No shirt, no idea on shoes, full mullet – I wouldn’t serve him.
Again with the conditioner, but ouch that tree bark.
That poor horse wants to be elsewhere.
I’m really not sure what this was all about, but you could buy these photos.
It looks like he was sawed in half, right? What is up with his mid-section?
You can see why I thought at first glance that these were Indigenous American headdresses and was aghast. They’re mardi gras masks, which, thank heavens.
Also, all the pleated jeans and baggy sweats! Oh, my, the 90s were a time.
What did you think of today's episode? Got ideas? Suggestions? You can talk to us on the blog entries for the podcast or talk to us on Facebook if that's where you hang out online. You can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-3272. Please don't forget to give us a name and where you're calling from so we can work your message into an upcoming podcast.
Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 06 secrets from Secret Submission Post #998. Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ]. Current Secret Submissions Post:here. Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.