10 Books I’m Excited About in 2025/26

August 17, 2025August 17, 2025 Kara Jorgensen4 Comments

This week I thought I would make a little post about some books that I am really looking forward to that are coming out later this year or early next year. You will notice that the list skews toward traditional publishing, but this is because many indies do a very short preorder period or don’t announce their release dates that far ahead of time. Disclaimer: all links to the books are affiliate links, so if you purchase anything, I get a small kickback.

Pantomime (#1) by L. R. Lam- If this book sounds familiar to you, it came out years ago and is being re-edited and released. This book was one of my absolute favorites when I read it in college. You have an intersex, trans MC who runs away from their family and societal expectations to join the circus and discover themselves. Throw in a dose of magic, romance, and danger, and Pantomime is a must-read. Out 9/9/25
To Clutch a Razor (#2) by Veronica Roth- I have been on a bit of Veronica Roth short book/story kick, and I am dying to get my hands on this one. You have magical Chicago filled with Slavic magic and creatures, a queer MC, horrific family obligations, and a cast of intriguing characters, and this series is un-put-down-able. Out 9/16/25
What Stalks the Deep (#3) by T. Kingfisher- I absolutely love this series. It’s horror that is gross yet intriguing without being too scary for chickens like me. The main character is a nonbinary soldier in the 1800s, and in this edition, Alex is headed to America to go to a spooky mine that is probably filled with horrors. If you enjoy Jordan L. Hawk’s books, I highly recommend this series. Out 9/30/25
America’s Most Gothic: Haunted History Stranger than Fiction by Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes- I absolutely loved their first book, A Haunted History of Invisible Women. This volume goes into the parts of the Gothic that titillate us and explores the real history that is potentially far spookier and fascinating. Hieber and Janes have a lively style that is all at once informative and entertaining. Out 9/30/25
All of Us Murderers by K. J. Charles- Maybe I am biased but I don’t think K. J. Charles has written a bad book yet. This one takes us to a Gothic manor where a fight over a young ward’s hand turns murderous and scorn queer lovers reunite. It sounds chef kiss and messy, and if you are into Gothic vibes, the cover for this book is right on the money. Out 10/7/25
A Mouthful of Dust (#6) by Nghi Vo- The Singing Hills Cycle is one of my favorite series, and this one sounds a little similar to the K. J. Charles book in terms of creepiness of houses. Chih is trapped in the house of a sinister magistrate in a town where famine has hit hard and the things beyond and within the walls are growing hungry. If you like lush yet economical stories, Vo’s work is top knotch. Out 10/7/25
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow- We have a lady knight, a historian, and time doing weird shit to ensure she plays her role. This is based off a short story Harrow published a few years ago that I absolutely devoured. I am dying to get my hands on this, especially because I have been in a medieval mood, so I hope this scratches that itch. Out 10/28/25
A Wild and Hungry Place by E. E. Ottoman- It has been quite some time since Ottoman published, and I am so excited. His books are filled with trans characters, rich descriptions, and stories that tug at the heartstrings and soul. This one has a woman trying to break a curse, a man with a garden full of poisonous plants, and a ghost woman. What else could one want?
The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman- I am including this one because it was originally scheduled to come out in November but was pushed back to January of 2026. This is a retelling of “Bisclavret” by Marie de France, and as a Marie de France fan, I am so in. Of course, this book is queer, has werewolves, knights, kings, magic, and so much more. Out 1/26/26
Through Gates of Garnets and Gold (#11) by Seanan McGuire- If you haven’t read The Wayward Children series, now is the perfect time to start. Nancy, who is the MC of book one, finally is getting her own book! I am so excited to return to the Halls of the Dead with Nancy and the misfit crew from the school for wayward children. This is one of those settings that sounded so intriguing even though we saw little of it, and I look forward to what McGuire creates in this one. Out 1/6/26

Book Reviews

10 Books to Add to your TBR 2025 Edition Pt. 1

May 11, 2025May 9, 2025 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

In the past, I would make a best of list for books I read, but I hate holding off on talking about my favorite reads. Instead, I plan to make a few of these posts throughout the year as I find books I loved. The links below are affiliate links, so I get a tiny kick back if you purchase through that link.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire- this is the tenth book in the Wayward Children series, but I think this one can be read out of order. The story follows a Russian girl who was born without an arm who was adopted by an American family who tries to change/fix her. She falls into a water world and finds that she is capable of far more than her adopted parents ever thought she could be while still staying true to who she is.
Two Friends in Marriage by Jackie Lau- once again, this is the third book in the series, but they can be read out of order. This story is a queer MF romance where both characters are queer! We have a demisexual FMC and a bisexual MMC. I loved how both characters are queer and stay true to themselves throughout the story. It was just super sweet to watch this marriage of convenience become a romantic and sexual relationship as their emotional intimacy builds.
10 Things that Never Happened by Alexis Hall- after getting a concussion while having an argument with his asshole boss, a man fakes amnesia in order to keep his coworkers from being fired, but when his boss takes care of him after his head injury (which is real, unlike the amnesia), he finds the man is far more complicated and caring than the jerk they all know at work. It’s very much gay, reverse Overboard, but I loved it.
The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alex E. Harrow- a short story packed with so much post apocalyptic goodness. An old knight arrives in town with his hawk to slay the woman who has turned into a demon only to have her lover (and the town memory-keeper) step in. It’s about love, subverting regimes that want you dead, and so, so much more in a very concise package.
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar- it’s the tale of two sisters, magical willow trees, and a river of grammar. The story is short but has so many layers. Magic is grammar, grammar is magic, both are words, meaning, etc. It is fascinating and beautiful. I highly recommend the audiobook version as the author and her sister play the music for it and sing as well. It is immersive and gives a fuller experience than just reading it.
When the Earth was Green by Riley Black- a nonfiction book that is about how plant life evolved over eons. What I particularly love about Black’s books is that she weaves history, science, and narrative in such a seamless way. This is the opposite of a dry textbook. If you’ve ever wondered about plant life evolution, especially in the very distant past (think dinosaurs and before humans), this is a great place to start. There are also cool illustrations peppered throughout.
Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau- a workaholic woman who is feeling unfulfilled by her life eats some dumplings and ends up in a time loop. This story is sort of a Ground Hog Day meets 50 First Dates where the main character has to figure out how to get out of the time loop while slowly falling for the man she meets nearly every day in the loop.
Don’t Sleep with the Dead by Nghi Vo- a loose sequel to her retelling of The Great Gatsby, The Chosen and the Beautiful, this story returns to Nick twenty years after the end of the last story. He is facing his own demons in magical New York City alone, or is he? When he hears Gatsby’s voice in his ear, he goes looking in the shadows. It’s a story of unrequited love, desire that borders on gluttony and greed, and fantastically grotesque creatures.
A Gentle Madness by Nicholas A. Basbane- even though this book was published in the 1990s, it was a fantastic nonfiction read about the world of book collecting. I think I liked it because it takes place before the digital age, and we get to see the world of trading, collecting, and how the world’s most famous book collections came to be. Basbane also talks a lot about bibliomania, and the history of book collecting.
Death in the Spires by KJ Charles- because this is a mystery, I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a historical murder mystery that takes place in the late 1800s at Oxford where seven friends met and became embroiled in the death of one of their best friends. A decade later, Jem sets out to figure out once and for all how his friend died and who killed him. As with all KJ Charles books, the texture of the world is rich, and the characters are complex and wonderful (even when they’re awful).

Book Sale Time!

April 5, 2025April 5, 2025 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

a dark blue background with purple-ish drawings of ghosts, skulls, a rocket, planets, gems, and a dragon reading a book. It says Indie book sale indiebook.sale fantasy, scifi, and horror April 5th to April 7th

This week’s blog is a day and a half early, but it’s because it is time once again for the Narratess Sale! This is a massive sale of indie authors writing scifi, fantasy, or horror, many of whom are queer and/or marginalized authors. You can find tons of good books for under $2 each (some are even free). Lots of my friends have their books for cheap, so make sure to take a look between April 5th and April 7th!

Visit the narratess Sale

I have included The Reanimator’s Heart (TRM #1) in the sale for $0.99, but The Reanimator’s Soul (TRM #2) is also on sale for $1.99. You can grab them at all major retailers, including Kobo, B&N, Apple Books, Amazon, and you can get them slightly cheaper at Itch.io

Find my books on itch.io

Grab TRH for $0.99

Grab TRS for $1.99

If you like queer, paranormal historical romances featuring an autistic necromancer and his undead lover solving crimes in 1890s NYC, this series is for you. It’s also perfect for fans of Pushing Daisies and Sleepy Hollow.

Book Reviews

2025 Releases to Add to Your TBR

December 22, 2024December 15, 2024 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

Before we get into the post, I want to mention that The Reanimator’s Remains has been nominated in the Indie Ink Awards for best friendship, best setting, LGBT+ rep, mental health rep, disability rep, and neurodivergent rep. If you’d be willing to vote for TRR in at least the mental health, disability, and/or ND rep categories, I would be eternally grateful. You can vote here.

We are getting closer and closer to 2025, and of course, I’ve already started to make a list of books I want to preorder. Since I was compiling that list, I thought I would share it with you all and tell you why I’m excited for each book (books are listed by release date, not excitement level).

A few disclaimers, most, if not all, of the books listed below are trad pub. This is because most indies don’t list their releases until a month or two before they come out. Therefore, I don’t have titles or listings for most of the indie books I’m excited for in 2025. I will post more about them later in the year. Also, the links used below are affiliate links, meaning I get a tiny kickback if you order anything.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire- 1/7/25 The Wayward Children series is an auto-buy for me. In this installment, we have Nadya’s story where she falls into a watery world where she is accepted by the river and its people. I can already feel the brackish water of the river and the cold world of a drowned girl.
Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite- 3/18/25 An intergalactic murder mystery aboard a library ship filled with souls and borrowed bodies with an older female detective with queer leanings? Yes, please. I loved Waite’s sapphic historical romances, and I think she will do a fantastic job writing a scifi, cozy mystery.
Don’t Sleep with the Dead by Nghi Vo- 4/8/25 This is sort of a loose sequel to The Chosen and the Beautiful where Nick Calloway (yes, from The Great Gatsby) realizes Gatsby is still following him. Whether he or Gatsby are human is up for debate. This version of the Roaring Twenties is filled with magic, fae, and monsters, and with all of Vo’s books, it’s very queer.
The Influencers by Anna-Marie McLemore- 4/15/25 A critique of influencer culture, mommy bloggers, and the ramifications of commodifying your children’s lives overlaid with a murder mystery, The Influencers sounds amazing. Knowing McLemore, the book will also go into race, gender/sexuality, and the ethics of all of the above.
When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley- 4/29/25 This book is illustrated by an absolute fantastic artist I’ve been falling for a while, and I am DYING to get my hands on this book. With a merman, Coney Island, queer romance, a Latinx MC, and an 1910s setting, what more could you want?
Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau- 5/6/25 Ground Hog Day meets 50 First Dates in a time looping romance featuring magic dumplings, a workaholic spinning her wheels, and the man who appears throughout her repeated day that might be the key to getting un-stuck. He forgets her every day, but is there a chance he might remember her?
A Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie Cathrall- 5/6/25 The final/second book in the Sunken Archive duology follows Sophie and Vyerin as they venture to an underwater city to see if they can find their siblings. The first book was so good, and I’m very curious as to whether or not this book will be told in letters again or if we will get to see E. and Henry again. There’s also the ominous threat of something even more terrifying than missing siblings.
These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa- 5/27/25 A trans MC descended from the god of death must fight to the death in order to receive a favor from the gods and rescue their family. Death, magic, gladiator-style fighting, and queer and trans characters? This is always up my alley.
Vesuvius by Cass Biehn- 6/3/25, I have been following the progress of this book/author on Twitter for like 2 or 3 years. The story takes place in the days leading up to the eruption of Vesuvius where two boys have their fates intertwined and apocalyptic visions become reality. It’s marketed as sort of a YA Song of Achilles, and I am ready to have my heart ripped out and stomped on.
The Memory of the Ogisi by Moses Ose Utomi- 7/15/25 This is the final book in the Forever Desert series. What I love about this series is how we see history that we watched the characters live through get twisted and turned into something completely different by future generations. Each book is a novella, but there is so much world-building and history crammed into a small package.
Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher- 8/19/25 I love T. Kingfisher’s books so much, and the fact that this is a Snow White and Rose Red retelling involving a poison-maker just sold it even harder. To top it off, we get a mirror world that will be *chef kiss* for texture.
Cemetery Boys: Espíritu by Aiden Thomas- 9/16/25 I have been waiting SO LONG for this sequel. Cemetery Boys is a queer YA featuring a trans MC and his brought back from the dead boyfriend (sound familiar?). In the sequel, we have more magical mayhem and monster lurking in the shadows.

The Reanimator's Remains · Writing

A Preview of The Reanimator’s Remains

October 20, 2024October 20, 2024 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

The Reanimator’s Remains (TRM #3) comes out on October 29th, so about a little over a week from now! In order to whet your appetite, I thought I would share another lengthy excerpt. This time from chapter one. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter One: Secrets and Surprises

Oliver Barlow did not keep secrets or enjoy surprises, yet he found himself eagerly doing both for Felipe. As Oliver buttoned his waistcoat, he went over the plan for that night’s outing once more. First, he would borrow one of the Paranormal Society’s steamers and take Felipe to the botanical gardens. Oliver wasn’t certain Felipe particularly cared about plants, but he enjoyed walking far more than sitting through a play. Besides, going to the greenhouses would be like visiting forests and gardens all over the world without ever leaving New York. Unlike at the theater, they could freely talk, and there was still a chance they could sneak a touch or kiss on a secluded trail. On the way back to the society, Oliver planned to stop at an Italian restaurant Louisa and Agatha had raved about. Felipe had mentioned wanting to have dinner there one day, but in the chaos of cases and meetings, they had never gotten around to it. Oliver wasn’t certain if the restaurant served dessert, so he double checked the maps in the archives to confirm there were places nearby where they could get an egg cream or some rugelach if Felipe was still peckish.

Oliver drew in a calming breath and shook out his hands to keep Felipe from feeling his anxiety on the other end of the tether. He didn’t need him running down to check on him and ruining the surprise. After listening to confirm Felipe hadn’t reached the laboratory or closet outside his basement bedroom yet, Oliver retrieved the strong box from under his bed. Tucked under papers and old photographs sat a ring box. A nervous smile crossed his lips as he turned it over in his hands. More than anything, he wanted Felipe to enjoy their outing because when they got back to the apartment, Oliver would give him a ring. Popping open the box, he marveled at the way the globe of polished amber set in gold caught the light. When he first saw the amber ring in a display case at the jeweler’s, he couldn’t get it out of his mind. Inside the fossilized resin were bits of ancient flower petals forever frozen in time, but what truly drew him to it was that the amber was nearly the exact shade of Felipe’s eyes when they caught the sunlight. He even got it inscribed with My light in the darkness to drive home to Felipe how much he meant to him. A man who reminded Oliver of all the beauty and softness in the world deserved a ring that reflected that light and life.

Oliver’s thumb drifted to the gold and black enamel band on his ring finger. Even though he wore it every day and kept it on a chain around his neck during autopsies, he still couldn’t believe it was there. He had never expected to be proposed to or to be proposing to Felipe. Men like them rarely found someone, let alone someone who wanted to stay with them forever. Oliver knew it was different at the Paranormal Society, that they could have some semblance of permanency and normalcy, but he never expected that he would find anyone who loved him like that. When Felipe had suggested they take a trip to Coney Island to relax, Oliver never thought it would end with Felipe presenting him with a ring and asking him to spend the rest of his life with him. Oliver swallowed hard at the memory. He would have given anything for that, proposal or not, but the ring with its grinning skeleton and Felipe’s message of Don’t go where I can’t follow was as much a memento mori as it was a memento vivere. If Oliver had his way, they would have so many more years together.

Shutting the ring away, Oliver shoved the strong box back under the bed with his foot. Felipe knew the proposal was eventually coming; Oliver had asked him if he could do it in return after all, but even if it couldn’t be a true surprise, he wanted Felipe to feel special and loved, the way he had made Oliver feel. At the clack of the laboratory door, Oliver stuffed the ring box into the jacket he left hanging on the desk chair and scrambled to his feet. He had just finished smoothing the wrinkles from his trousers when the bedroom door opened, and Felipe slipped inside with a tired sigh. His curly brown hair and suit were rumpled, and beneath his eyes, dark circles blotted his tan skin, but when he saw Oliver watching him, a relieved smile spread across his lips. Oliver crossed the room in two strides and caught his partner in his arms. The shorter man sagged against him in a boneless heap.

“That bad?” Oliver asked with a small smile.

Felipe grunted into Oliver’s chest. “You don’t know the half of it. You’re lucky you work down here. If it wouldn’t make a mess for both of us, I would fully retire now just to not have to deal with these meetings.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Everyone’s getting on my nerves,” Felipe replied, leaning into Oliver’s touch as he combed his fingers through his hair. “During the meeting, the head inspector let us know that a case is being transferred to us from the New Jersey Paranormal Society, so of course, everyone has to pipe up that they are too busy to take it. It couldn’t possibly go to them. Give it to someone else.”

“Do you want to take it?”

“God no, but I didn’t start griping about how we’ve been run off our feet since the Institute for the Betterment of the Soul case. Everyone is busy. Yelling at each other and fighting over whose case is bigger isn’t going to make us any less short staffed. Besides, it hasn’t even been officially transferred to our branch. None of us even know what the case is about, so why start making trouble before we even know what we’re up against?”

“I’m assuming there’s no corpse, or it would be my problem too.”

Kissing the top of Felipe’s head, Oliver inhaled the familiar scent of his aftershave mixed with coffee. When his lips traveled down Felipe’s cheek and into the hollow beneath his jaw, the other man’s hands tightened on Oliver’s back and a low moan broke from his throat. Oliver’s tongue rasped against Felipe’s stubble as his lover’s hands snaked under his waistcoat and down his backside. Halfway down the dark blue wool, Felipe’s hand stilled.

Opening his eyes, he pulled back to look over Oliver’s form. “You’re in your new suit.”

“I am,” Oliver replied with a sly smile.

Felipe stepped back to take Oliver in. His walnut brown eyes raked over Oliver’s form, pausing pointedly on his navy-clad legs and backside as he circled him. A blush rose on Oliver’s cheeks at the heat in Felipe’s gaze. Letting out an appreciative whistle, he ran his hands down Oliver’s sides before kissing him in that slow, deliberate way that made every thought scatter like billiard balls.

“And what’s the occasion for so much color? Last time I saw you, you were in work charcoal.”

“I thought we could go out this evening. I have a whole itinerary. Unless you’re too tired, of course. We could always put it off until tomorrow if you would prefer to stay in. I don’t mind waiting.”

You can read the rest of chapter one when The Reanimator’s Remains comes out October 29th. Preorder it here. Paperbacks will be available very soon.

The Reanimator's Remains

10 Reasons to Read The Reanimator’s Remains

August 18, 2024August 18, 2024 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

As we get closer to the release of The Reanimator’s Remains (TRM #3), I wanted to talk about some reasons I’m excited for you all to read this book.

Gwen is on the case! In this book, Gwen gets to come along and be an active participant in the investigation since it’s up her alley. She may have gotten more than she bargained for.
More of Felipe’s backstory. We get to see more of Felipe growing up, for better or worse. Poor Felipe is going through it in this book.
ANGST. See above, lol. There’s a lot of internal angst in this book.
Quilts are important. Being a crafter and coming from a family of crafters, the idea of fabrics and quilts being passed down becomes an important part of the story. I love the idea of legacy and love being stitched into blankets.
A creepy forest. The Dysterwood is the star of this book, I think. If you liked the creepy cathedral in book one, you’ll love this forest. It has a lot of personality and creep factor.
Scandinavian influences. I’m bringing in the Scandinavian flavor for this book. It appears in some of Oliver’s history already, but there’s definitely more of it in this book, especially in the mythos influences and environment.
We learn about Oliver’s parents. They have been sort of shadowy, enigmatic figures in the series so far, so prepare to find out what happened to them. This feels sort of Hey, Arnold-ish, so prepare yourselves.
A proposal. If you haven’t read the short story, “An Unexpected Question,” you might want to before reading The Reanimator’s Remains because spoilers. But yes, someone is getting proposed to in this book.
Another dog. This one is named Argos, and he’s a large, brindle mutt that sort of resembles a hippo-shaped pit bull. As always, the dog will always be fine.
It’s the set-up for the final book. There will be one more book after The Reanimator’s Remains, and there are some hints in this book as to what will go down in the final/fourth book.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, I hope you’ll preorder The Reanimator’s Remains, coming out on October 29th. You can get it all major retailers, and the paperback will be out in October.

Or start the series with The Reanimator’s Heart in ebook, audiobook, or paperback (and in library systems).

Writing

Kara’s Current & Future Writing Plans

June 9, 2024June 8, 2024 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

As we head toward the end of the second quarter of 2024, I find myself starting to plan. Truthfully, I should be planning for the third quarter, but instead, I find myself thinking about all the writing projects I would like to work on and when I’m hopefully getting to them. To preface, none of what I’m going to talk about is set in stone. All dates and ideas are subject to change, especially due to work, extra projects, etc.

2024 Books

The Reanimator’s Remains (TRM #3)– Book 3 of the Reanimator Mysteries will be out October 29th, 2024. I’m hoping to have it drafted and done by the end of the summer for the late fall release. You can preorder it here.

TRM #3.5 short story– I still have no idea what this will be about, though I’m thinking it will be set during the Paranormal Society’s All Hallows Eve party. Depending on how long it ends up being, it will be released at the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025.

2025 Books

The Reanimator’s ________ (TRM #4)– As of right now, I think book 4 will be the last book in the Reanimator Mysteries series. I have ideas for it and hope you all will love how the series wraps up, and don’t worry, we will definitely revisit our favorites in future books. This will be my big project for 2025, and I expect it to come out in October as usual.

TRM #4.5– I’m not 100% sure if there will be a final short story, but I’m going to assume I will write some sort of epilogue for Oliver and Felipe. This story will come out after book 4.

Timeline Unknown

When I say “timeline unknown,” what I really mean is, “I haven’t committed to a due date, and I can’t be behind if I don’t know when they’re due.” Basically, these projects are marinating and will for sure be worked on, but they are not as high of a priority as the Reanimatory Mysteries books are at the moment. Also, due to job stuff, energy levels, etc., it’s hard for me to write more than one book a year, though I would love to work up to finishing two a year without sacrificing quality or my sanity.

Joe and Ansley’s Book– I’m 99% sure this will be novel length, so it will probably take months to write. I don’t want to shoehorn it in between Reanimator books like an afterthought, but it is coming! I have ideas for them, and I really want to write more within this universe as well.

A book starring Teresa Galvan– This one is a huge maybe. I have a sparkly idea, but I’m not sure it makes sense yet. Teresa is growing up in a time of immense change and possibility, so writing a story set during the Belle Époque from an artist’s perspective would be a lot of fun. Once again, still working out the bugs.

More Reanimator Side Stories– I have some ideas bouncing around for an Oliver and Gwen prequel short story, potentially a short story about the head inspector and Gale, and several others. Eventually, I would like to put together a collected volume of Reanimator Mysteries related short stories.

Trousers and Trouble– I am so sorry to my readers who have been waiting years for this book. Between burnout, covid, life stuff, etc., it was really hard to write a book about trans joy. Once again, after the Reanimator books are done, I will revisit this book, and this series to write books for other characters mentioned in this one and Kinship and Kindness.

Dinosaur Duology– So I think it’s a duology. In my head, that’s the structure of it, before and after a giant event, but that is subject to change. There are also some other things I would like to explore within the same time period, so I don’t know what the structure of this series will be or if there will be an off-shoot book. I have no idea, but it’s marinating.

Scandinavian flavored epic fantasy– the series that will be cooking the longest because I don’t know if I am smart and/or talented enough to pull it off yet. I have lots of sparkly ideas and aesthetics, but those do not make a book, unfortunately.

For now, these are the works I have on the docket and the backburner. I hope you will stay tuned as I talk more about my current and future projects!

The Reanimator's Heart · Writing

The Narratess Indie Sale!

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

a grid of book covers. in the center is a dragon and a planet, and around them it says, Indie Sale fantasy, scifi, and horror. April 13-15th

We will be back to our regularly scheduled blogging next week, but I wanted to let you all know that there is one day left in the Narratess Indie Sale, so if you are looking to beef up your to-be-read pile for Indie April, swing over to the Narratess Sale to check out over 200 indie books that are free to $1.99.

The Reanimator's Heart by Kara Jorgensen is on sale for $0.99 for a limited time at all major retailers. mm romance, food tour of 1890s NYC, unbury your gays, forced proximity, a lavender marriage, an autistic necromancer, everybody's queer, murder, magic and mysteries

The Reanimator’s Heart is also part of the sale and is $0.99 at all major retailers and in most regions, so if you’ve been looking to get your hands on it, now is the perfect time to start the series, especially ahead of book 3‘s release in October.

Book Reviews

10 Queer Books to Read After Pride Month

June 25, 2023June 23, 2023 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

Somehow I forgot to write a post about books to read during Pride Month leading up to it, but we should be reading queer books all year long. Before the month ends, here are some queer books I read within the past six months that you should check out now and after June is over.

She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki- This is a super cute sapphic manga featuring an office worker who loves to cook and a truck driver with a large appetite. When Nomoto cooks more than she can eat, she invites her neighbor, Kasuga, over to share it and kicks off their friendship. And as the women get closer, they realize their relationship might be more. It is an ongoing manga series.
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw– a horror novella about a mermaid and a nonbinary plague doctor who stumble upon children in the woods who are being preyed upon by “gods.” It’s a story about the inhumanity of humans and the brutality (and beauty) of nature. The story is also a horror riff on what should have been the aftermath of The Little Mermaid. It was phenomenal.
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone- I don’t care that this was all over Twitter and Tiktok; it was so good. It’s a novella told from the perspective of two time-hopping agents who are working for opposite factions in a time war, order and chaos. As the two agents start leaving letters for each other, they grow dangerously close. The story is so well woven and layered that it kept me on the edge of my seat ’til the end.
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz- This is a young adult graphic novel about a young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to inherit her father’s title after his death. When she returns to the capital, she is supposed to be keeping a low profile, but the allure of fashion and the princess’s gala is too much to resist. She is attracted to the princess’s activism and passion draws her to her, but she may not be able to keep her secret much longer. This story was so cute, and I loved the way Muniz balances a Regency-esque style with modern devices like a Nintendo Switch.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles- If you liked Poldark but wish he was gay and less… him, this one is for you. Joss and Gareth have been secretly meeting, though they don’t know each other’s names. After breaking up, they quickly realize they are neighbors as Gareth moves into his late-estranged father’s house in the town where Joss runs the local smuggling ring. Can an uptight baronet and a smuggler figure out what his father was up to before Gareth ends up paying for his crimes? Gareth and Joss are great compliments for each other, and I loved them immensely, even if I wanted to smack their heads together.
A Novel Arrangement by Arden Powell- As soon as Elizabeth and Arthur get engaged, there is friction between her and his best friend, Coxley. Determined to find a truce, Elizabeth and Coxley try to become friends and find that sometimes a love triangle can become why choose? There’s also a boudoir painting, magic, and blackmail. I loved how 2/3 of the main characters are creative types, and the dynamic between the three of them is absolutely lovely.
Sword Dance by AJ Demas- I haven’t read many historical romances set in an Ancient Greek-esque setting, but I absolutely loved it. Damiskos is a disabled ex-soldier who stumbles into a party at an old friend’s house that is more than it seems. The person who draws his eye is eunuch and sword-dancer, Varazda, but they are more than they seem. Drawn together against a common enemy, Damiskos and Varazda must work together to solve a murder and prevent something far worse. Once again, I loved their dynamic, and I adored the novelty of this story being set in the ancient world. This is the first book in a trilogy, so we get a happy for now ending.
A Garter as a Lesser Gift by Aster Glenn Grey- This story is a retelling of Gawain and the Green Knight but set during WWII. It still has that stylized quality of a Brenton lais during parts of it, which I loved. Briarley, Grey’s Beauty and the Beast retelling is one of my absolute favorite queer books of all time, and this story feels similar, though a little less dramatic. In this case, we end up a polyamorous, why choose situation between Gawain and his illustrious hosts.
Last Gender by Rei Taki- is a three volume manga series about Bar California, a queer sex club where members can explore who they are. The volumes are broken down into vignettes about each character where we learn more about specific flavors of queerness, including aromantic, bisexual, queer, transgender, gender nonconforming, etc. At times, it feels informational rather than character driven, but I enjoyed the ways the stories wove together and how we get to see more sides of Japanese queer culture.
A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow- This is the second book in the Fractured Fairytales series (and you should read book one for context) where we find Zinnia universe hopping and rescuing princesses until her actions start to break the multiverse. When she stumbles into the wrong fairytale and ends up face-to-face with Snow White’s Evil Queen, who is also quite a hottie by the way even if she is a bit evil, she begins to question everything she knows about fairytales. This series also has a chronically ill, sapphic main character and queer side characters.

Book Reviews

12 Queer Books to Read Now (Pt 2)

June 12, 2022June 11, 2022 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

Last week I posted a list of 12 Queer Books to Read Now (Pt 1), and because I read a shit ton of queer authors, I wanted to do a second post full of authors you can check out. I may also do a list of authors I have on my to-be-read pile but haven’t gotten to yet. We shall see. You may have also noticed that I changed the title from queer authors to queer books because I don’t think an author needs to be out to write a queer book, so this is more inclusive.

Anna-Marie McLemore– McLemore’s books are an auto-buy for me because their books are so rich with texture, magic, and queer characters. Many of their characters are also neurodivergent and/or trans, which speaks to me. I highly recommend Lakelore or When the Moon was Ours.
Tehlor Kay Mejia– Mejia has teamed up with McLemore before, but I also really enjoyed her dystopian, Latinx fantasy duology We Set the Dark on Fire, which has a really interesting sapphic couple at the center of the story.
Keito Gaku– Gaku’s 4 volume manga Boys Run the Riot is the first I’ve read featuring a trans masc character by a trans masc author. The story is about friends, fashion, and going after who you are and what you want to be.
Margaret Owen– I adored all three of her books so far (with Little Thieves being my favorite), which all feature lots of queer characters and have asexual rep as well. If you like heroines who are a bit rough around the edges and softer, dorkier love interests, her books are for you.
Talia Hibbert– While Hibberts Brown Sisters series is M/F romance, Dani Brown is bi and Hibbert is nonbinary, and that queerness shows in the books. Hibbert’s books have queer side characters with the promise of future queer stories. Also, great neurodivergent rep in the Brown Sisters series!
Lara Kinsey– Kinsey writes quite a bit of f/f romance, and I absolutely loved Budding Romance and Blooming into You. She manages to cram so much development into novellas. They’re perfect if you need a short, compelling piece.
KJ Charles– I would be remiss if I didn’t include KJ Charles’s books on the list. Her queer romances are *chef kiss* and run from magical fantasy to political intrigue.
Joanna Chambers– Chambers’s work is reminiscent of KJ Charles’s as they both write historical, political/historical focused MM romance. My favorites from Chambers are the Winterbourne series, which are shorter and follow different characters. They’re soft and sweet and just warm.
P. Djèlí Clark– I don’t think Clark has a single book that doesn’t have a queer character. The main pair in A Dead Djinn in Cairo is sapphic, and his books have complex characters, amazing stories, and interesting magic with lots of rich texture.
Yuki Fumino– Fumino’s I Hear the Sunspot is one of my favorite manga series. It features a very slow-burn MM pair and talks a lot of deafness and what it’s like to be hard-of-hearing with an immense amount of detail. One MC is losing his hearing and the other works for a company that tries to make things more inclusive for the deaf community.
E E Ottoman– Ottoman is a trans masc author who writes some really fantastic romance featuring trans characters. They’re smart, cozy, and usually have quite a bit of heat.
Nina Varela– Crier’s War and its sequel were books that I read and sort of sat there in a daze after because I enjoyed them so much. A robot princess, a human girl in the midst of starting a rebellion, and the collision course that brings them together. Who can ask for more?

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I hope you have a bunch of new books to add to your TBR pile and stay tuned for EVEN MORE authors to add in a future post.