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Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Read The Heron Prince by Kim Alexander #Fantasy #Adventure #EpicFantasy

  





The Heron Prince
(The Demon Door Book 2)


Synopsis

The Demon Door can be opened...but the price is deadly.

Prince Rhuun has found acceptance among the humans on Mistra, something he could never have in the demon realm of Eriis, not even as heir to its throne. What's more, he has even found love with the prickly, passionate heiress, Lelet va'Everly.

The idyll can't last. The prince has enemies who are after more than his throne. They are out for his blood…which holds the key to unsealing The Door between the two worlds, and the demons want in. When Rhuun is lured into a trap on Eriis, Lelet has no choice but to turn to a motley group of exiles, children, and madmen to help save him.

Lelet soon discovers that, like all things, rescuing the prince comes with a price. The secrets in Rhuun's blood may be worth killing for, but are they worth dying for?







What are the other books in the series?


Two worlds. 

Bound by magic. 

Divided by a Door. 

On the barren, war-ravaged demon world of Eriis, the fierce queen Hellne fights to keep her people alive and her son Rhuun's heritage a secret. 


On the green and gentle human world of Mistra, demons have faded into myth. Only a handful of old men and fanatical children still guard The Door between the worlds. Different and shunned by his demon kin, Rhuun finds refuge in a book that tells of a human world of water and wonder. 


Forced by his mother's enemies to flee Eriis, he finds himself trapped on the other side of The Door in the very place he has read and dreamed about—Mistra. Chained to the deadly whims of a child who guards The Door, Rhuun must balance serving and surviving, even at the risk of exposing his true identity. 


Riskiest of all is his task of kidnapping an infuriating young woman who is about to find out that the demons of Eriis are much, much more than just an old bedtime story.


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The Glass Girl


Love opens all doors…but betrayal locks them forever.


Newly blessed (or cursed) with wings and fire, Prince Rhuun of the demon realm of Eriis sees hope for his life in the human world of Mistra with his fierce human lover, Lelet va'Everley. She literally went to hell and back to save him, and she's not about to let anything—or anyone—ruin their perfect future.


All too soon, the claims of family, duty, and justice force Rhuun and Lelet to confront new griefs and old mistakes as they attempt to restore balance to the throne of Eriis. But, with every jealous rumor and each vengeful whisper, friends turn, family schemes, and forgotten enemies creep from the shadows.


Treachery in Eriis and betrayal in Mistra jeopardize what Rhuun and Lelet have fought so hard to build, threatening to tear apart the two lovers, their families, and even their worlds.



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The River King

SOMETIMES LOVE DOESN’T CHANGE THE WORLD. SOMETIMES IT CHANGES ALL OF THEM.

Rhuun, the half-human and wholly reluctant prince of the demons has finally reunited with his fiery Lelet. It’s too bad they must hide behind a facade of icy indifference to fool those who are determined to keep demons and humans apart...by any means necessary.

There is more at stake than bringing the miracle of rain back to Eriis. It's not just sand and lost royals poised to come through the newly-opened Door. Something ancient is hungry, and fat, complacent Mistra won't stand a chance. Even worse, whispers and shadows speak of blood magic that could destroy not just The Door, but all Doors—forever—barring the way home for lovers and enemies alike.

Will the love Rhuun and Lelet have moved worlds to share be the very thing they must sacrifice to save their worlds?


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Who am I?

Kim Alexander grew up in the wilds of Long Island, NY, and slowly drifted south until she reached Key West. After spending ten rum-soaked years as a DJ in the Keys, she moved to Washington DC, where she lives with two cats, an angry fish, and her extremely patient husband who tells her she needs to write at least ten more books if she intends to retire in Thailand, so thank you for your patronage. 



Stalk Me



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Monday, April 27, 2026

Free Regency Recipe: Sally Lunn Buns: Tea, Tradition, and a Taste of the Regency

Today’s contribution comes from Jean of The Delightful Repast, a freelance writer with a particular talent for all things culinary, celebratory, and well-mannered. With an English grandmother, a Southern grandmother, and a mother who mastered it all, Jean’s culinary instincts were practically inevitable. Her love of reading and cooking—often at the same time—feels entirely appropriate for a discussion of tea in Jane Austen’s era. She has kindly shared both her reflections and her recipe for the ever-comforting Sally Lunn bun.

    It was, I confess, something of a shock to discover that the ritual of afternoon tea—so dear to modern enthusiasts—was not, in fact, part of Jane Austen’s daily routine. The idea still feels faintly unsettling. Tea itself, however, was firmly established. Having gained popularity at court in the 1660s, it had, by the Regency period, become a staple across all levels of society. Jane Austen and her family would almost certainly have enjoyed tea regularly, most likely at breakfast and again in the evening after dinner.

    Of course, tea has always been wonderfully adaptable, slipping into any part of the day that requires comfort or pause. In my own household, tea appears no fewer than four times daily. My grandmother Elizabeth, hailing from the Lake District, took hers several times a day—including, on occasion, in the middle of the night. Her mother, Mary Ann, seemed perpetually in the act of putting the kettle on. And before her was Mary, a contemporary of Austen herself, though living at the opposite end of England.

    What, then, might accompany such steady tea drinking? Among the likely candidates are Sally Lunn buns - light, buttery, and equally suited to sweet or savoury toppings. The famous versions in Bath are impressively large, often six inches across and several inches high. My own interpretation is rather more modest. While they can be made the size of a hamburger bun, I prefer a smaller version, baked neatly in a muffin tin. One suspects the Bath purists might raise an eyebrow - but they are no less delicious for it.


Sally Lunn Buns

(Makes 18 )

4 packed cups (20 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package) instant yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

4 large eggs

1 cup milk



In medium bowl (I use a 2-quart glass measure), whisk together flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In small saucepan, melt butter.

    With electric mixer, beat the eggs until fluffy and pale lemon yellow, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. By hand with a dough whisk or wooden spoon, add the flour mixture to the egg mixture in three additions, alternating with the melted butter and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Cover with lid or plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to three days.

    About 2 1/4 hours before serving time, remove dough from refrigerator. Stir down the dough, just a few strokes, with a wooden spoon. With a 1/4-cup measure or scoop sprayed with cooking spray, scoop dough into well-greased or cooking-sprayed standard muffin tins. Lightly butter a sheet of plastic wrap and place, buttered side down, over the buns. Let rise until puffy but likely not doubled in volume, about 1 3/4 hours. During last 15 minutes, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

    Uncover buns. Bake at 375 degrees about 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer tins to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Turn the buns out of the tins onto the racks and serve warm or continue to cool before storing.

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Friday, April 24, 2026

Read Virtually Screwed by Isla Olsen #MMRomance #AgeGap #RomCom

  


Virtually Screwed

Love & Luck Series Book 2

Key Words: 

MM Romance, Rom-Com, Age Gap, Brothers Best Friend, HEA, Online Meet Cute

Synopsis:

Blake
At 43 I’m supposed to have everything figured out, and if you’d asked me six months ago I’d have said I did: head of my own tech company, beautiful fiancée, amazing future all planned out...life was perfect. Or, at least, I thought it was…

So now I’m in New York after selling my company and fleeing San Jose, and for the first time in as long as I can remember I have nothing to fill my day—no meetings, no reports, no tests, no launch parties—and that’s how I manage to get hooked on Warpath 4 and somehow find myself sexting with a guy almost twenty years younger than me.

Say what?

Okay, here’s the thing: it didn’t start out dirty. It was all completely tame. Mild. Conversational. But then conversation turned to flirting, and flirting turned to dirty talk. And, well…let’s just say things escalated from there…

But it’s just a bit of fun. Right? It’s not like anything would ever work in real life. I’m too old, he’s still closeted. And let’s not get started on how I’m supposedly straight. It’s just way too messy. Definitely best if we never actually meet each other...

But what if we already have?

Turns out my virtual f*ck buddy is actually Owen Kelly, my best friend’s kid brother. Which leaves me pretty much screwed…
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More in the Series
  


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Who am I?

Isla is a cocktail-loving, history-obsessed Aussie who writes low-angst, high-heat queer romantic comedy.

She is best known for the Love & Luck series and P.S. I Loathe You.

Some of Isla's favorite tropes include: Friends to lovers, queer-awakening, age gap, enemies to lovers, best friend's/sibling's ex, secret fling...and many more!

Fun Facts about Isla:
If she had a time machine she'd go to London on July 13, 1985, to see Live Aid.
She's travelled to 44 different countries 
If she could re-live any year of her life it would be 2000
Her all-time favourite books are Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters world
Her all-time favorite movie is Gladiator
Her all-time favorite TV show is Friends
Her all-time favorite song is "Live Forever" by Oasis, and she has the title tattooed on her forearm
The five people she'd invite to a dinner party are Neil Patrick Harris, JFK, Courtney Act, Miranda Hart, and Freddie Mercury

Stalk Me

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/islaolsenromance
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346067248994507/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islaolsenromance
Website: https://www.islaolsen.com/

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Thursday, April 23, 2026

Meet Me At The Romance Book Store

 Are you ready? Independent Bookstore Day is coming up April 25th. I have to mention the city I now live in—Austin, TX—has two romance-only bookstores. The largest, and the first all-romance bookstore in Austin, is Flutter.


New York Times bestselling author Laurelin Paige owns Flutter, which opened on Valentine’s Day 2025.


This bright, warm bookstore, full of romance ambiance, is set in a cozy white, wood-paneled house with a forest-green roof and a charming wraparound porch with a ramp for accessibility.




And yes—it’s devoted to romance books only.


This is a place for romance readers to browse to their heart’s content.


When I say romance, I mean all romance. I highly doubt that there isn’t a book here that isn’t written in a subgenre or doesn’t have a trope that you want. There’s also a strong focus on LGBTQ+ romances and inclusive reads, so everyone can see themselves in the pages.


And Flutter goes way beyond books.


They’ve got romance-themed merch, blind date-with-a-book boxes, mugs, apparel, and even photo-worthy spots (yes… including that lip-shaped couch).


They host author signings, pop-up events, and book clubs. They include book clubs for romantasy, dark romance, morally gray romance, contemporary romance, LGBTQ+ romance, a club for the Zodiac Academy series, a club for Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses in preparation for new releases, and the Flutter Romance Writing Club.


Best of all? You can get real recommendations from people who totally get exactly what kind of story you’re craving.


flutterbookstore.com


Finney’s Books


The second romance-only bookstore in Austin is Finney’s Books.


This indie, queer-, and woman-owned bookstore was opened by Cameron Lagrone in December 2025. She named it after Finney, her adorable dog.


You’ll love this bright, cozy shop where you can take your time to browse sweet contemporary romances, sweeping romantasies, monster romances, sports romances, and LGBTQ+ romances in your favorite tropes and spice levels.


And when you stop by, keep an eye out for Finney—that furry darling adds an extra layer of charm to this irresistible book haven.


https://www.finneysbooks.com/


They're about 30 indie bookstores in the Austin area. A few more that I’ve dropped by recently are:


Bird House Books and Gifts


I am definitely stopping by here on Indie Bookstore Day. I love this shop. This queer-woman-veteran-owned, community-focused bookstore has a super interesting and great collection of books, including a strong romance section. And I want to point out, a big bonus for me is that they have a cat section. The owner is super nice and friendly. In fact, I left my cane there by accident, and she let me know right away and kept it in a safe place until I could get back there. This is one of my favorite bookstores in Austin.


https://www.birdhousebooksatx.com/


Alienated Majesty Books


They have a great collection of obscure literature, especially nonfiction in philosophy and politics.


They “specialize in a curated collection of international small presses, translations, literary fiction, indie comics, politics & theory, environments, and poetry.”


https://www.alienatedmajestybooks.com/


Black Pearl Books is another I recommend.


This Black-woman-owned bookstore of diversity, inclusion, and representation is considered one of the top bookstores in Austin. I completely agree with that. They have a great romance section and are eager to offer book recs.


https://www.blackpearlbookstore.com/


BookWoman is another one to check out. They opened in 1975 as The Common Woman Bookstore, a feminist collective founded by 13 women. In the years since, they have hosted thousands of author and community events and formed a dedicated community of readers and feminists of every generation. They have a great collection of books, including plenty of romances.


https://ebookwoman.com/


BookPeople is one I have to mention. It is a truly incredible indie bookstore. It’s the biggest indie bookstore I’ve ever seen. Its beginnings go back to UT students in 1970, who opened it as Grok Books, and it became BookPeople in 1984. Inspired by Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, BookPeople stands for equal access, fighting censorship, and nurturing a community that’s bound by books. It’s been voted the Best Bookstore in Austin for over 20 years. BookPeople is known for their high-profile author events, locally curated gifts, an outstanding coffee shop, and a team of friendly, well-read booksellers who love to make thoughtful recommendations for readers of any age—and they are very helpful at that.


In 2004, I was with a small press publisher, but they were also digital-first, so their print books were print-on-demand, which is very popular now but not so then. So even though they were with Ingram, I couldn’t really get many books into stores. But unbeknownst to me, BookPeople carried The Scottish Selkie, which at that time was called Danger is Sweet. I found out when I went to an Epicon—an author association event for digital-first authors and publishers. Everyone was talking about BookPeople. Even though we were in San Antonio for the event, Austin is close by, and everyone knew about BookPeople. I looked them up online and saw that my book was there—without me or the publisher having to do anything. They had simply bought it to shelve in the store. So, of course, I have loved them ever since. And the first thing I did when I moved to Austin a little less than two years ago was go to BookPeople.


https://bookpeople.com/


Curio Mrvosa Books and More is one of my favorite bookstores. It’s right by Austin in Taylor, TX, which is also a great place for antiquing. This is such a cool store. It’s so full of things. It’s like if you were writing a story and wanted to include a bookstore where special things happened—it’s already right there in Taylor, TX.

Its window has a quote from my favorite author, Octavia Butler.  How cool is that? 



It also has a discount section in the back, a vintage clothing area, and a section for all kinds of books having to do with cats. Yes, like Bird House Books, and cat sections are a bonus to me.


It has all kinds of books, including used and bargain sections. And its sci-fi and horror section is awesome.


https://curiomrvosa.square.site/


This national celebration of indie bookstores, Independent Bookstore Day, takes place every year on the last Saturday of April (this year it’s April 25, 2026). There are over 2,000 independent bookstores across all 50 states, so there is probably one near you.


 

https://www.bookweb.org/independent-bookstore-day

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Sunday, April 19, 2026

For the Love of Jazmin


 


After my muse and I finished The Secretary's Bodyguard—followed by the editing process and the book's release—we both felt an undeniable urge to write another story with the same protagonists. We had fallen in love with Jazmin and Ethan, as well as the other bodyguards of his team. However, we didn't want to repeat the story (though that's always tempting, right?). So, I came up with the idea that Jazmin had been a police officer in Bogota and that her testimony had put a cartel boss behind bars. Unfortunately, the boss’s son, Raoul, finds out that Jazmin is still alive. Instead of going after Jazmin, he kidnaps her husband and brings him to Colombia to force her to follow.

This story has a much darker mood, filled with despair, but also with the love these two people have for each other. They would do everything in their power to escape together. My muse and I spent many afternoons over coffee and cake plotting and thinking about Raoul and his minions. It’s easy to make the bad guys seem evil, but it’s much harder to explain their backgrounds and motivations. Raoul is a criminal, yes, but he’s also still in love with Jazmin, who was by his side back in the day. He yearns for her like a teenager and wishes for nothing more than for her to love him again. So, while he treats Ethan like a hardcore criminal, he schmoozes Jazmin with clothes, food, and many other amenities.

Readers told me that they like how the book centers on Jazmine as the strong female lead who never wavers, no matter how bad the situation gets. From day one, she plans how to free her husband while trying to appease Raoul, no matter the cost of being friendly with the man who tortures her loved one.

 

Here’s an excerpt from the moment Jazmin meets her captured husband while Raoul watches her closely.

 

Raoul opened a thick door with a security key and held it for her. “Don’t dare go near the cell, Isabel. You can have a look, but don’t touch.”

Jazmin heard him come down the steps behind her and a guard stopped her three yards off the cell. “Ethan! Oh, my god!” Her first impulse when she saw Ethan in the cell was to turn and kill Raoul in cold blood. She wouldn’t be fickle when it came to the choice of weapons, but she had none handy, and the guard had made sure she carried nothing in her purse that suited as a weapon. Jazmin swallowed the urge and closed her eyes for a moment, trying, hoping to cope with the situation somehow. Ethan had been blindfolded and gagged and his hands were shackled to a ring above his head at the wall. He was wearing running pants with buttons at the sides, but neither shirt nor shoes. His chest was covered with welts, and when he heard her voice he began pulling the shackles, making sounds deep in his throat.

Raoul came up beside her, staring at her face. “Ah, yes, I want a picture of that expression, of your loss of equanimity. That was exactly how I felt when you took away my father and condemned him to rot in prison.”

“Is that so?” Tears trickled down her cheeks. She trembled, seeing her husband fight uselessly. “Let me get to him, please.”

“No.” Raoul went past her and stood to glare at her. “He’s still alive and, as you can see, he’s unharmed.” He turned his gaze heavenward. “In a way.”

“Unharmed?” She was furious. “And the bullet wound?”

Raoul blinked. “Bullet wound?”

“On the second video I heard a shot and Ethan screamed.”

“Yes, that’s what you heard.” He opened his hands, palms up. “I didn’t do it. A bullet wound is hard to treat. And it’s messy.” He made a face of disgust. “So one of my men shot, the other hit your husband’s balls. That made him scream for his mommy.”

“I don’t believe you.” She tried to pass the guard, but he held her arm, squeezing hard.

“You want the full show before dinner?”

Jazmin looked at him, unrelenting. She freed her arm, but didn’t dare go further.

“Ah, that beautiful hard look. I remember! Oh, my lady, you’re such a marvel. But, yes, if you want the show...” He gestured a guard who stood watch close by. He unlocked the door, entered the cell and ripped open the buttons so that the pants fell off. Ethan’s legs, too, carried the marks of whip and cane. He struggled again to no avail, clenching and unclenching his fists in the restraints.

“See? No bullet wound.” Raoul’s voice was a warm baritone, trying to soothe her. “I told you. I wouldn’t do that.”

Jazmin swallowed, trying to compose herself. Her words were a shallow whisper. “You messed with my mind.”

“Guilty.” His look tried for sincerity. “But I’m not a monster, Isabel. Not at all.”

Jazmin felt strangely grateful that he had spared Ethan the pain of a bullet wound. He was hurt and in pain, but the welts didn’t threaten his life. She was close to retching, though, when she realized Raoul had done this because he knew about her feelings and used them against her. Her gaze searched Ethan’s bound body. His breathing had accelerated, but the gag inhibited any word.

Raoul nodded toward the guard. “Dress him again.”

The guard did as ordered. Once more her stomach turned. She had just wanted to ask him and he had anticipated her wish to have him clothed again. She saw his friendly expression. He expected her to thank him for his benevolence. Jazmin swallowed, thinking that this was just the beginning. She wanted to scream and scratch his eyes out. She was furious beyond feeling they were both in the palm of his hand. It left her drained and aimless. She had no threat handy that would change Raoul’s mind.

Raoul came back and gently took her arm. “Come, my lady, it’s time to properly welcome you. You’ve had a long journey and I’m here to regale you with everything your heart desires.”

“Then let Ethan and me go.”

Raoul thrust his head back and laughed heartily. “Oh, come on, you know I won’t do that. You both just arrived.”

“Well, you obviously had enough time at your hands to have him beaten up more than once.”

“That, my lady, was his decision.” He nudged her through the door, closed it again and directed her back to the living room. “He longs to fight, obviously, and if he does, he’ll receive a proper answer.”

***

 

Find my books at online bookstores. For information turn to www.annraina.com

www.extasybooks.com

Follow me on Instagram ann_raina_author

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Saturday, April 18, 2026

Triple the Pleasure

 Who wouldn't like that?


The erd book in the Black Phantom series is coming out June 2! Devotion.

A business trip to Japan changes everything between Rourke and Ellie. Their second chance at love is met with obstacles that test their devotion to each other.
Official blurb and cover to come.

Get all three books in the series... and don't forget the spin off to Black Phantom Manhattan with Mr Lover!
Content Warning: Explicit sex/language, domination, light bondage and kink.


Obsession

When Ellie accepted the hand of the tall, blond masked maître-d, she wasn't prepared for her response to him. He’s irresistible and she was captivated. She needed him. She wanted him.

Rourke is used to getting what he wants and he wants this mysterious woman more than he's ever wanted anyone before. He intends to discover who she is beneath her masquerade and have her.

Their true identities concealed, they set out to use each other for pleasure with no risk of entanglement or commitment…but that may prove easier said than done.


Temptation


A man used to getting what he wants, Tom Rourke doesn’t take being discarded lightly. Smarting from Ellie’s rejection, he still can’t get her out of his head. She’d roused feelings in him he didn’t know existed. But they are no longer together. Refocusing his energy into ownership of the Black Phantom, he meets Heather Canyon. She casts an erotic web, but Rourke must resist her – or does he? – if she is to be his manager.

Rourke’s proposition is the perfect opportunity for dominatrix Heather to start anew and let her talents shine.

Ellie thought ending things with Rourke was the answer to her obsession with him. Her feelings for him run so much deeper than she thought possible. He is everything she desires, but he’s her boss.

The more time Ellie and Rourke spend apart, the greater their longing for each other grows, culminating in a decision that could alter both of their futures



mr lover


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Goodreads & Bookbub reviewer
"My kindle was aflame reading this novella and it almost obliterated itself."


Invited to her friend’s upscale sex club for a pole-dance workshop, Karen never expected a girls’ night out to turn her world upside down. She’s astonished by the sensual adventures going on around her. Still wearing her day-job clothes and self-conscious about not fitting in among the various states of undress, she finds solace in a darkened corner.

Rob came to unwind after a tough day on the trading floor. He had no plans to join in, just to chill and watch from the sidelines, but when he sees the buttoned-up to there beauty, he’s intrigued and can’t get her out of his head. Her hesitancy and discomfort strike a chord in him. The urge to take her under his wing is powerful, and he’s determined to get an introduction.

Karen and Rob embark on a captivating whirlwind of seduction and surrender that neither of them saw coming. Sexual tension between them awakens, burning hotter than anything they’ve ever known.

One chance encounter. One unforgettable night. And a sizzling connection that just might change everything.


And don't forget to sign up to my newsletter so you'll get all the newsy stuff first!

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Thursday, April 16, 2026

Dark Romance: Falling in Love with Evil

Dark Romance: Falling in Love with Evil Why, I ask, is there a fascination for mafia badies and serial killer heroes? Because, I’m told, they’re not evil for evil's sake. Emotionally scarred and bitter creatures, underneath all the vile, rough stuff, they’re as soft and loveable as warm puppies. And they’re consistent, too—how we love consistency.These predators truly believe their actions, however despicable, serve the greater good. Not only that, they’re experts, taking out, with literary ease and sufficient gore, their prey. Well-trained perfectionists, unlike the other characters, they see through pretence, and that gives them the right to commit all the nasty, repulsive, violent, grisly acts every one of us (supposedly) wishes we had the courage to do. Here’s another way of looking at it: when the hero or heroine falls passionately in love with a barbarous, coercive mafia hit man, or a local scumbag, or a serial killer, or a morally hideous extra-terrestrial, or a long-dead malevolent zombie, or some home-grown disgusting madman, there’s a sigh of relief. From now on, they’re on the good side. They’re with someone powerful. No need to peek under the bed at night; snuggled into the love-tossed covers with a tempetuous mass murderer, they’re safe. https://linktr.ee/j.arleneculiner
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