Tag: #Adult

Posted in Cover Reveals

Burn Her They Said #CoverReveal

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Burn Her They Said
Cherish Wright
(The Anomalies of Ampara Deicra, #1)
Publication date: June 26th 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

What would you endure for those you love?

Imperial Grand Witch Tasch was born with emotional influencing magic stronger and stranger than any other witch—an Anomaly the Emperor requires to manage his temper and that of those he interacts with under threat of harm to those she cares the most. He assigns five sorcerers–all Anomalies–each the strongest in their magical form. After years of enduring the hardship of serving the Emperor, they form an alliance intending to free every citizen.

One sorcerer changes everything.

Until a sorcerer named Varic is found to have magic surpassing Tasch’s Lead Guard, to which the Emperor sends him to serve in the Imperial Army, diverting from his claim to have assigned only the strongest sorcerers in the Continent to Tasch’s detail no longer being accurate.

Varic is made to strengthen his magic until even he cannot contain it, resulting in the worst magical catastrophe in history. Wielding power the Emperor covets, he sends Tasch to rehabilitate him with the false belief her magic alone can make him want to live. Tasch soon discovers Varic is another survivor of the same corrupt system and they forge a strong bond, free from the Emperor’s prying eyes for once in her life. In the months Varic requires for healing, they fall in love—a love so forbidden, the consequences are too dire to mention.

Oppression forms unbreakable bonds.

Increased attacks on the Imperial Palace require drastic measures, prompting the Emperor to assign Varic over Tasch’s detail. The problem being now that bordering lands are escalating their efforts to reclaim necessary resources the Emperor hoards, Varic’s presence makes it impossible for he and Tasch to hide their feelings for one another, as well as the signs her magic is fading drastically. And with no heir apparent due to the Emperor’s belief he will discover the answer to immortality, they need to be more careful than ever.

In an Empire where Dragons are revered like Gods, one power-hungry tyrant rules it all, while Tasch and her Guards .

Dragonfall meets A Discovery of Witches in this dark fantasy forbidden romance between Imperial Grand Witch Tasch whose magic is fading, and Varic, the sorcerer she saved years earlier who will stop at nothing to return the favor. Family, power, and Empire collide in the first of this series as everything Tasch has ever known begins to change. Will they find a way to save her without major consequence to the citizens, or will her magic fade entirely?


Author Bio:

Writer of Dark Romantic Gothic Fantasy with character driven stories with MC’s in their 30’s

Website / Instagram / Facebook / Newsletter


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Posted in #non-fiction

How to Test Negative for Stupid

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

And Why Washington Never Will—A Senator’s Funny and Perceptive Takedown of Washington Politics

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

One of the most distinctive and funny politicians, Senator John Kennedy (the one from Louisiana)—hailed by Politico as “America’s most quotable Senator”—offers his perceptive (and hilarious) takes on the ridiculousness of political life in this scathingly witty takedown of Washington and its elite denizens.

How to Test Negative for Stupid offers the Senator’s tongue-in-cheek guidebook through Washington, punctuated by his thoughts on various issues and humorous stories about life from Louisiana politics and inside the Senate.

From the mind—and mouth—of “America’s Most Quotable Senator”:

  • “Always be yourself . . . unless you suck.”
  • “I say this gently: This is why the aliens won’t talk to us.”
  • “If you trust government, you obviously failed history class.”
  • “I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”
  • “Always follow your heart . . . but take your brain with you.”
  • “I’m not going to Bubble Wrap it: The water in Washington, D.C., won’t clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.”
  • “I have the right to remain silent but not the ability.”
  • “Common sense is illegal in Washington, D.C., I know. I’ve seen it firsthand.”
  • “I believe that we are going to have to get some new conspiracy theories. All the old ones turned out to be true.”

About the Author

John Kennedy has served as the junior U.S. Senator from Louisiana since 2017. He previously held the position of Louisiana State Treasurer from 2000 to 2017. Kennedy graduated from Vanderbilt University, the University of Virginia, and Oxford University. He lives in Madisonville, LA and was raised in Zachary, LA.

Posted in #History

Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Luke Short and Others

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Yes folks, the author of this books is in fact, that Bat Masterson. Not many of the movies that came out of Hollywood acknowledged this fact. The only one that even mentioned it is Gunfight at the O.K. Corral where it mentions it in the closing narration.

Discover these tales of frontier justice and life-and-death struggles will transport you to a bygone era of adventure and excitement. Originally published in 1907, Bat Masterson’s gripping collection of short biographies introduces you some of the most famous lawmen and notorious outlaws of the Wild West, including cattle rustlers, sharpshooters, and gunslingers. From Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp to lesser known figures like Luke Short, Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier is packed with daring feats and larger-than-life characters.

Posted in #History

What If the South Had Won the American Civil War

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

(What If? Turning Points of History) 

What If the South Had Won the American Civil War

What if one of the most pivotal conflicts in history had ended differently?
This gripping work of alternate history dares to imagine a world where the Confederacy emerged victorious. This victory reshapes not just the fate of the United States, but also the course of global events.

Through vivid storytelling and thought-provoking scenarios, What If the South Had Won the American Civil War explores the ripple effects of a Confederate triumph:

  • How would slavery have evolved—or endured—in a victorious South?
  • Would the United States have fractured permanently into rival nations?
  • How might this alternate America have influenced world wars, diplomacy, and the rise of global powers?

This book blends historical detail with bold imagination. It offers readers a chance to step into a parallel timeline. In this timeline, the familiar story of America takes a dramatic turn. Perfect for fans of counterfactual history, political thrillers, and anyone fascinated by the delicate hinges on which history turns.

If you’ve ever wondered what could have been, this book delivers a compelling answer.

Discover a world that almost was—and imagine the consequences.

Marko Roostalu
4.0 out of 5 stars. 
A Thoughtful “What If” That Sparks Real Historical Thinking.
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2026.
Format: Kindle
Verified Purchase.
As a history teacher, I’m always cautious with alternate-history books—done poorly, they oversimplify complex events or drift into speculation without grounding. This one does a better job than most. What If the South Had Won the American Civil War treats the question seriously and uses it as a lens to explore the causes, consequences, and contingencies of history.
What I appreciated most is how the book doesn’t just stop at a Confederate victory and call it a day. It follows the ripple effects forward: politics, economics, global power shifts, and—crucially—the unresolved moral and social questions around slavery. Even when the scenarios are imaginative, they’re rooted in real historical tensions and documented debates from the era.
This isn’t a substitute for studying what actually happened, and it shouldn’t be read without context. But as a supplement, it’s excellent for older students or curious readers who want to understand why outcomes matter in history. It encourages critical thinking, comparison, and discussion—exactly the kinds of skills we want students to develop.
Used thoughtfully, this book can spark meaningful conversations about historical turning points, unintended consequences, and how fragile the paths of history really are.
Posted in #BookTours

The Real Ones

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Real Ones
J. Rose Black
(Chasing Victory)
Publication date: February 12th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Second chances don’t usually come wrapped in shoulder pads on Valentine’s Day…

Ten months ago, All-American shortstop Briella Reddington fell hard for grumpy, battle-scarred quarterback Maddox “Mick” McBride.

And then he walked away—right when she was finally ready to let him in.

Now Ella’s done being vulnerable, done being blindsided, and definitely done with emotionally unavailable athletes. But losing a bet lands her at a Valentine’s charity flag-football event…face-to-face with the man who broke her heart.

Maddox never stopped wanting Ella—but teammates loyal to her golden-boy ex, a rival gunning for his spot, and a coach who made Ella the price of peace forced his hand. Choosing her once cost him everything. His season tanked, his starting job is on the line, and seeing Ella again is the one hit he isn’t prepared to take.

When a chaotic Valentine’s “cupid” pushes them together, sparks ignite, truths surface, and Maddox realizes he’s been fighting the wrong battles all year.

This time, he’s not walking away.

He’s fighting for the girl who was always worth the risk.

READ THIS IF YOU LIKE…

Grumpy/protective hero
Sunshine-with-boundaries heroine
Second-chance romance
College sports + rival athletes
Forced proximity
Emotional scars & healing arcs
Charity-event chaos
A hero who finally fights for his girl

TW: mild hazing, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse; mentions of combat scars.

Goodreads / Amazon


Author Bio:

J. Rose Black weaves stories about redemption and the transformational power of love – with a few side-helpings of snark. Now an award-winning and Amazon Top 300 chart-topping author, Rose writes about broody alpha males and plucky, no-nonsense women ready to fight for what they believe in. Her novels have been praised for their realistic mental health representations, with narratives offering a unique balance of romance, humor and tougher, real-world issues.

When Rose isn’t deeply immersed in her latest manuscript, she’s working in cyber security and thwarting the next generation of internet bad guys. Out of the office, she’s #Shipping with friends over her favorite, swoon-worthy couples, heading to the gym to battle the great evil that is Unmovable Baby Weight, or complaining about her husband’s addiction to 3D printing. Also: nagging her children to eat something other than cheese.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter


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