Werewolves, Witches, and Vampires, oh my!
Jul. 9th, 2026 08:04 pm![[personal profile]](/post-https-www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
flareonfury posting in ![[community profile]](/post-https-www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandom_iconsitsabattlefield Supernatural battle. Entry count was only 20, but... I'm me, and I have a bunch of extras... What can I say? I love me some werewolves, vampires & witches ;D[20] Being Human (US & UK)
[03] She-Wolf of London
[02] Sabrina the Teenage Witch
[07] Grimm
[01] Moonlight
[02] Buffy the Vampire Slayer
PREVIEW
werewolves, witches, and vampires....
what you don't have, you don't need it now
Jul. 9th, 2026 06:54 pmmusesfoolMy meetings next Tuesday have all been cancelled, so I've added the day to my vacation next week, so I'll be in Monday and then done until the next Monday. I also discovered I had booked 2 separate optometrist appointments, so I cancelled the one next Thursday and will go in August as usual.
My plan this weekend is to bake a blueberry crumb cake* to take to my brother's on Sunday for our birthday bbq, and then make a key lime pie for myself on Tuesday, since my birthday is Wednesday. I haven't figured out what I'll make myself for dinner, but that is always the less important part of things to me. As long as I have a good birthday dessert, the dinner can be anything.
*Note: it will be an orange blueberry crumb cake since my sister does not like lemon. We'll see how it goes!
I am also once again waiting for the cleaning service to let me know if they are coming on Monday or not. They did not come this past Monday since I said it wouldn't work for me, but then there was radio silence, so today I reached out again, but have not gotten an answer. I appreciate the work they do immensely. I just wish they were better at communicating!
*
NOT-FOUND! (SEE COMMENTS) A ship found in 'the black'...
Jul. 9th, 2026 12:30 am![[syndicated profile]](/post-https-www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
sga_storyfinders_feed
I believe the fic I'm searching for is fairly old. The Atlantis
Expedition was abandoned by the SGC/IOA/Earth. Atlantis "woke
up" when ZPMs were installed and she offered the Expedition
members a gene upgrade and Sheppard and everyone agrees and are
'upgraded' and they survive the wraith seige. I think there is more
to the story but the part I specifically recall is that a Russian
ship discovers one of Atlantis's children ships in 'the black'
between Pegasus and MilkyWay galaxies. Instead of helping the ship
and its occupants [the ancient crew was in stasis I believe] they
cause the death of the crew and try to make the AI in charge a
'slave' to their orders and missions.
I think that the ship’s AI manages to get a message out to her
mother (Atlantis) and Sheppard and crew intercept the ship. The
Russian crew had no remorse for killing off the Ancient crew and
definitely did not care about the AI that they had traumatized. I
recall Atlantis being absolutely beyond furious with the coldness of
the Russian crew and their captain. Part of me wants to say this was
an unfinished/WIP…
There at least a few different SGA Au fanfics with the expedition
being abandoned by Earth and Atlantis stepping in the help them.
Any help locating this fic – pointers, links, etc. – would be
most greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
YA Fantasy and Contemporary Romances
Jul. 9th, 2026 03:30 pmsmartbitches_feedAnnie Knows Everything
Annie Knows Everything by Rachel Wood is $1.99! This one feels like contemporary fiction with a subplot of a workplace romance, rather than a full on contemporary romance. However, please correct me if I’m wrong!
Annie thinks she knows what’s best for everyone. But when her life goes sideways, the inner workings of her own heart become a total mystery—can she stumble her way to happily ever after?
“This is the tech-world romance I didn’t know I was craving. Crisply written, smart, and full of unique, quirky characters, this is a truly joyful and healing love story. I give it five big stars.”—Annabel Monaghan, New York Times bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script
After getting let go from her job and learning her sister is engaged to the worst man alive, Annie needs a win. Filling the open role in her company’s data strategy team is just what the doctor ordered. So what if she doesn’t know how to write code? How hard can it be? Surely Connor—the team’s overworked, aggravating, and distractingly hot interim head—will soon realize how capable Annie is.
Annie sets her sights on landing this new job, even if that means ignoring the chemistry building between her and her new boss, and she tries to (gently!) convince her sister to reconsider her engagement. But with sparks flying at work and at home, she begins to see how complicated taking matters into her own hands can be. Maybe, just maybe, Annie doesn’t actually know everything.
In Your Dreams
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams is $2.99! This is book four in the When in Rome small town romance series. The heroine is a chef and the hero is her brother’s best friend.
Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is her shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend.
James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and running the family business. But when Madison’s happiness is on the line, he’s willing to take up his estranged brother’s offer to launch a restaurant. James has loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance, but now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that.
Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy restaurant in record time, but keeping things strictly professional soon becomes impossible, and the town can’t help but meddle in their relationship. As opening night looms closer, Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back.
When an unexpected disaster collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.
Pipe Dreams
Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen is $1.99! This is book three in the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey romance series. It seems that illustration covers have claimed another series.
A goalie has to trust his instincts, even when taking a shot to the heart…
Mike Beacon is a champion at defending the net, but off the ice, he’s not so lucky. A widower and a single father, he’s never forgotten Lauren Williams, the ex who gave him the best year of his life. When Lauren reappears in the Bruisers office during the playoffs, Beacon sees his chance to make things right.
Lauren hates that she’s forced to travel with the team she used to work for and the man who broke her heart. There’s still undeniable sexual tension running between her and Mike, but she won’t go down that road again. She’s focused on her plans for the future—she doesn’t need a man to make her dreams of motherhood come true.
Lauren plays her best defensive game, but she’s no match for the dark-eyed goalie. When the field of play moves to Florida, things heat up on the beach.
One of Mike’s biggest fans doesn’t approve—his teenage daughter. But a true competitor knows not to waste the perfect shot at love.
The Faraway Inn
The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst is $2.99! This is a YA cozy contemporary fantasy with some romance. If you’ve been keeping up with Durst’s adult cozy fantasy romances, there’s a fourth book out in January.
A teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn—only to discover that the fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret—in this cozy and irresistible new young adult fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.
“Frosted with whimsy and sprinkled with joy, The Faraway Inn is a testament to why Sarah Beth Durst is the queen of cozy fantasy!”—Tricia Levenseller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Darkness Within Us
When sixteen-year-old Calisa arrives at her great-aunt’s B&B in rural Vermont for the summer, she’s shocked to find a rundown inn rather than the cozy bed-and-breakfast she was expecting. Grumpy and eccentric, Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn . . . even though she clearly needs the help.
To convince her great-aunt to keep her around, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper’s (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the surer she is that there’s something strange about the B&B—and its guests. Something almost . . . otherworldly.
The inn is keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she’s come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth before it’s too late.
World Wide Slash Con 8 DAYS AND COUNTING
Jul. 9th, 2026 11:30 amslashmommy posting in dcslash
It's The "I Of The Tiger"
Jul. 9th, 2026 01:00 pmcakewrecks_feedWhen CW reader Jamie ordered a birthday cake for her husband Jim Bob, she encountered one of the funniest dilemmas I've seen yet - and that is really saying something.
The problem?
Her baker had never heard of the letter J:
And apparently thinks Birt and Hday are two separate words.
(Give it a minute.)
(Theeeere it is.)
Um....
Any guesses?
Anyone? Anyone?
Bueller?
Two of the most misspelled words I see on cakes are "congratulations" and "confirmation." So when someone is foolish enough to order a "Congratulations on your confirmation" cake, HILARITY WILL ENSUE:
Thank goodness the baker made up for it with all those great decorations.
Wrecky minion Tabatha was having a bad day, so she decided to swing by the discount rack at the bakery for a little pick-me-up. Then she asked the baker to write "Eye of the Tiger" on it, since we all know that's the best song for a bad day training montage. (I'm picturing slo-mo clips of rampant toe-stubbing, pink slip shredding, and bad haircut reaction shots.)
Anyway, as it turned out, Tabatha got an even bigger pick-me-up than she bargained for:
Greetings, from We of the Turkeys!
And finally, when it comes to baseball bats, this baker is ALL THUMB:
NAILED IT.
Thanks to Jamie, Ashley R., Sandi M., Tabitha G., & Amanda F. for knowing something was wrong with that last wreck, but not quite putting her finger on it.
*****
P.S. Friendly reminder:
:D
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
Community Recs Post!
Jul. 9th, 2026 09:14 amglitteryv posting in recthethingThis works great if you only have one rec and don't want to make a whole post for it, or if you don't have a DW account, or if you're shy. ;)
(But don't forget: you can deffo make posts of your own seven days a week. ;D!)
So what cool fanvids/fanart/podfics/other kinds of fanworks/fics/fancrafts have we discovered this week? Drop it in the comments below. Anon comment is enabled.
BTW, AI fanworks are not eligible for reccing at recthething. If you aware that a fanwork is AI-generated, please do not rec it here.
What is Your Favorite Book You’ve Read So Far This Year?
Jul. 9th, 2026 06:00 amsmartbitches_feed
We are a few days past the halfway point of 2026 (we made it!) and I am asking an important, difficult question.
What is your favorite book you’ve read so far this year?
Rules: you may name 1 fiction and 1 nonfiction.
That is the limit.
Yes, I’m know. I’m terrible.
Also: the book does not have to be a 2026 book! Any book you haven’t read before is a new book.
Sarah: I’m the one asking, and here I am thinking, Oof, that’s a tough one, because I’ve read some really, really good books and I’m very happy about it.
My favorite fiction that I’ve read so far this year: Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood. I read this book on vacation in May, and it still gives me warm, fizzy feelings, probably because of the perfect combination of being a book that made me laugh and cry, and a book that I read in a swimming pool. Kirsty was my podcast guest last week talking about this book, too.
My favorite nonfiction, hands down, is Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online by Fortesa Latifi, because I am not going to stop thinking about the things I learned in this book for ages. I have been thinking about the children of the original mommy bloggers and influencer families for literal decades, and this book confirmed many of my suspicions about exploitation. It also forced me to confront some of my own conclusions and reevaluate them. (Fortesa Latifi was also my guest on the podcast earlier this year.)
Lara: I have read a handful of truly excellent books this year. If I were cheating, I would choose an author, rather than a book. My introduction to CS Harris/Candice Proctor this year has been glorious. But if you were to really turn the thumbscrews, I would choose Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian. That book had me cheering and breathless with joy for the duration! But if the criteria were which book had the strongest impact on me personally, then I’d say Vera Stein is Fine by Julie Murphy, as Vera and I both have big life changes happening.
Sarah, how badly did I cheat? Oopsy.
Sarah: I’ll allow it.
Amanda: I’ve only had one five star read so far this year and that honor goes to Against a Wall by Cate C. Wells.
Shout out to Katie for the recommendation. She had previously signed up for After Dark recs and we had a convo via email about Cate Wells and where I should start. She recommended this one with the caveat that it’s kind of an enemies to lovers, bully romance if that is or isn’t my bag.
I also want to mention DiscoDollyDeb’s really great description of Wells’s heroes:
As I frequently assert, her heroes tend to be men who want to do better but often lack the emotional bandwidth to do so without blunders. Wells’s style isn’t for everyone, but, if she hits your sweet spot, she’ll undoubtedly become an auto buy.
I really appreciated seeing a hero repeatedly try to get the heroine’s attention or try to understand her and her interests. I also thought it had an interesting take on small towns we don’t often see in romance and certainly, though briefly, touched on the socioeconomic issues and racism that lies at the foundation of these communities.
Elyse: My favorite book of the year so far really surprised me: Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. This is a non-fiction book that recounts a period of time during COVID lockdown when Dalton raised a baby hare she found abandoned in her garden.
Dalton raises the hare with the intention that it returns to the wild (it does), but it also repeatedly returns to her home as well. It’s a beautiful memoir of appreciating wild things and allowing them to be wild, but also about her budding awareness of the natural world outside her home. It’s just an incredibly soothing and intimate read that was wonderfully relaxing for my brain.
What about you? What is your favorite book you’ve read this year?
Remember: you can name up to 1 fiction and 1 nonfiction, and it does not have to be a 2026 book!
Update! Y’all have so many good recommendations that we have some shopping options, should you wish to add these titles to your library or TBR.
First, an an Amazon storefront with your picks (in progress, since you’re still commenting).
And, a Bookshop.org list – don’t forget to pick the store that will benefit from your purchases, from local indie bookshops to friends of the library organizations!
Daily Happiness
Jul. 8th, 2026 08:14 pmtorachan2. I finished up the second of the Star Wars movie poster puzzles.
These really are fun little puzzles, though I will be glad to move on to something a bit more challenging once these are done.
3. Carla arrived safe and sound in Wisconsin this afternoon. Unfortunately the AC was not working well on the train, which is not what you want for an almost two day journey during the height of summer, but at least it wasn't fully off, just spotty in the rooms while still being nice and cool in the hallway. And now she's in the hot, muggy midwest, but at least her aunt and uncle's house has AC.
4. There is a new yuzu green tea from my favorite bottled green tea brand (Itoen's Oi Ocha series) and it's on sale at work through today. I only noticed it today at lunch when I bought a bottle for myself, so I bought a case (12 bottles) before I went home, so I could have them to bring for lunch. When I just buy a drink here or there I don't always use my employee discount as I always use the self-checkout and don't always have my badge with me to scan, but if I make a larger purchase I always make sure to, so I got the employee discount (which is only 10% but better than nothing) plus the sale price.
5. Jasper loves hanging out on this box in my closet lately. If I can't find him, this is always the first place I look!
Drable Regardont la ville
Jul. 8th, 2026 10:07 pmao3_eddievenom_feedJuste eux deux, observant la ville sur un pont.
Words: 114, Chapters: 1/1, Language: Français
- Fandoms: Venom (Marvel Movies)
- Rating: General Audiences
- Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
- Categories: M/M
- Characters: Eddie Brock, Venom Symbiote (Marvel)
- Relationships: Eddie Brock/Venom Symbiote
- Additional Tags: Slice of Life, Romantic Fluff
What I'm Doing Wednesday
Jul. 8th, 2026 07:21 pmsageAmerica, América: A New History of the New World by Greg Grandin. 2025. FINALLY finished, though I skipped the notes bc I was just done with the book. It's a very thorough and sharply critical history of the Americas, and I loved the first half. The second half is mostly a deep dive into intra-hemispheric politics, most of which I've already studied in detail. I do wish it had started BEFORE the Conquest, rather than at it, but the book's 768 pages as it is.
Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan. 2026. Started reading just before the Independence Day weekend and just now finished. A chore to read, tbh, bc there's so much orange menace in it, and I hate him. But it confirms gvt by the inept following a plan framed by the vicious. I have been angry at H&S for sitting on so much of this info for up to 3 years, rather than releasing it to the public. But the timing now is good. It's fresh in voters' minds for the midterms. And we certainly won't have an impeachment before the new Congress is sworn in on January 3rd.
iwtv 3.5/tvl 1.5
Holy shit. This show is SO GOOD.
yarning
The cat scarf halves are stitched together & now I only have to weave in five million ends before mailing it out Friday. Didn't make yarn group again bc I slept too late. Stupid sleep disorder.
healthcrap
allergy shot yesterday. I need to remember to make a mammogram appt, though. Also, pain clinic appt. Oops.
wildlife
There's a(n o)possum living in my back porch laundry room. I don't know if it's a nesting female or not. It had diarrhea on top of my washer lid. Which is dried on and vile. (Cleaning it up is my project for maybe tomorrow.) I replaced the burned out light bulb today (and left it on) and left the door open, so maybe it'll vacate the premises on its own. I can call maintenance about relocating it. I just haven't yet. I thought about bombing it with peppermint or something, but peppermint is toxic to cats, and the stray cats use the laundry room for shelter in the winter, so that would suck for them.
#resist
? (I'm still waiting to see an announcement of a new march. Granted, it's hotter than hell, so maybe that's the delay? IDEK.)
I hope you're all doing well! <333
Shore Leave
Jul. 8th, 2026 07:21 pmmelagangoddess47 and I are headed that way tomorrow for a long weekend.Anyway, if you're going, I won't be hard to spot since my hair is a lovely Pegasus teal blue. Come say hi.
Be aware there could be a lot of blue-haired folk there, it is a sci-fi convention after all.
My grown kids are kindly not saying, " You're weird, Mom, but there's a definite pause before they say, "Have a good time." 😊ᐰ
if it's not love, then it's the bomb that will bring us together
Jul. 8th, 2026 06:28 pmmusesfoolAnyway, it's Wednesday and I have read some books!
What I've just finished
Radiant Star by Ann Leckie. This was enjoyable but very low-key, even at the climax.
Long Live Evil and All Hail Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan. Hiilarious and very genre-savvy portal fantasy. I enjoyed both books and am hoping the third one sticks the landing. Sadly, it's not due out until next summer. Alas.
What I'm reading now
Dead Hand Rule by Max Gladstone, which is the third (and final?) book in the Craft Wars trilogy? series? Idk. I'm enjoying it but he is pulling people from all over the first series and I don't always remember who they are since it's been a while since I read those books.
What I'm reading next
As ever, it is a mystery.
*
Susan's deeply disturbing AU
Jun. 29th, 2026 07:29 pmsga_storyfinders_feedAnybody save a copy?
