ARCs from Deanna's World for the holidays | Dystopian Science Fantasy, Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Hello, team!

It is time for our final batch of Advance Reader Copies for 2025, and I am so excited to share these stories with you before I head into my annual break. While I am officially stepping away until January 12 to catch up on some much-needed business tasks and enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch with dear friends, the ARC team never truly sleeps. This month is a little bit of a departure from our usual schedule, as we are venturing outside of the pure romance genre. While I know most of us are romance-first readers, I still believe a great story is made even better with a romantic subplot, so I have selected these specifically because they offer that perfect blend of high-stakes tension and emotional heart.

Our December offerings include two very special books from our own Deanna’s World author, Ann Hosler, as she refreshes her Runebound Earth series. These dystopian science fantasy titles are joined by a gripping technical thriller and a high-heat military romantic suspense. Because we are exploring some heavier themes this month—including technical espionage and deep explorations of PTSD—I want to remind everyone to take a close look at the content warnings for each title. Whether you are in the mood for a "smart" heist or a second-chance love story that feels like Top Gun with extra soul, there is something here to keep your e-readers busy while I’m off the clock.

I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate it, and a restful, happy holiday season regardless of your traditions. Thank you for being such an integral part of this community and for supporting these authors as they bring their worlds to life. I am already looking forward to everything we have planned for 2026, but for now, I am ready to trade my editing notes for a glass of something festive and some quality time with loved ones. Happy reading, and I will see you all in the New Year!

If you are an author and would like to submit your book for review consideration, click here.

Our Book Club Dines Out on Stanley Tucci. A Recap Served Hot (and with a Side of Controversy!)

I know, I know. My ability to remain consistent with my posting ebbs and flows. Believe me when I say that it is not my intention. I truly had the best of intentions, but this year, my health has been kicking me in the butt and growing older is no joke. But... you're not here for that.

I’m trying something a little different with this new series, so bear with me! Many of you know Deanna's World for its focus on the publishing industry, writing insights, and book-related topics. Lately, I’ve felt the itch to stretch my writing chops in a new direction and bring some fresh variety to what you find here – something purely for the enjoyment of it.

I’m a member of a wonderfully spirited local book club that gathers monthly at a book cafe in town. We choose a book, and the next month, we unpack it with gusto. The conversations are… well, you’re about to find out!

So, to share a slice of that enjoyment and offer a different flavor of writing from my corner, consider this your invitation. Here’s a look at our (not so) recent, rather animated, discussion that's only slightly exaggerated…

The 6% Rule | A Data-Driven Case for Why Reader Loyalty Can't Be Faked

There’s a question I get asked in my inbox at least once a week: a reader, staring at their overflowing Kindle library with a mix of excitement and dread, wondering how on earth they’re supposed to choose what to read next. I smile every time because I get it. I really do. My own Kindle library had become a digital swamp of good intentions. It was a chaotic collection of books downloaded on a whim from a BookTok video, a "must-read" recommendation in a reader group, or an ad that was just too tempting to ignore.

New ARCs from Deanna's World for you | Romantic Suspense, Steamy Contemporary Romance, Scottish Romantasy

Hello, team!

It’s been a busy month for ARC submissions. While we've received a lot of books, I am, as always, very selective about what I pass on to you. I make it a priority to ensure that every book I offer aligns with the genres and tastes you've shared with me. It’s a process that takes time, but it's my core commitment to you. You’ve entrusted me with your reading time by joining this team, and I want to make sure every book we offer is a potential new favorite, not a chore.

On that front, I'm so excited to offer a new one from a Deanna's World author, Emma Hartlight. This is Knox's book, and I know it has been highly requested! Your wish is Emma's command, and I can assure you that Em has worked hard on this one. The early-early reviews have been very positive. And I can confirm that this time, no cats were accidentally left in cars during the editing process (my bad!)—a detail that, thankfully, our eagle-eyed typo hunter team caught. (If you're very eagle-eyed and think you'd like to join that team, you can click here.)

In addition to Emma's book, we also have a new steamy contemporary romance and a fantastic find for our fantasy lovers. This one is a Scottish romantasy that blends fae and fantasy romance, and I think it will tick a lot of boxes for many of you. Please note, it does have some heavy themes, so be sure to check the trigger warnings in the book's listing.

If you are an author and would like to submit your book for review consideration, click here.

What Deanna Read #111: October 2025

I'm not sure if it's possible, but I think October might have been an even sadder effort than September. I haven't counted yet, but I think that's the case. I hope the count proved me wrong but the brain was not braining last month and I finally found out why. I hope this means the second half of November and December means I'll be reading more for fun despite work being bonkers.

Here's what I read in the last month.

More ARCs from Deanna's World for you | Romantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary Romance, Dark Fantasy

Hello, team!

It's time for another batch of awesome books for you to read and review. These are October's offerings. I'm a little later with these than I wanted to be due to some work-related deadlines (one of my author clients released an audiobook, a new release ebook, AND a foreign language book in ONE WEEK!!). Oof!

There are a few books that are carrying over from last month's offering. They are still available for a couple of weeks. In addition, we have some exciting brand new offerings, including book 2 in a romantasy series which a lot of you enjoyed book one when it was offered a month ago. And for the paranormal romance lovers, there's an entire series of sexy shifter romance available to read and review too. Finally, there's a dark fantasty/erotic suspense that comes with a boatload of content warnings for those of you who like books with a large side of wild and dark.

If you are an author and would like to submit your book for review consideration, click here.

What Deanna Read #110: September 2025

In an attempt at getting ahead and organized, I am starting my September What Deanna Read early-ish. It's not that early since there are only three days left of September, but the reality is I've not been reading as much as I like, my brain is mush, and my entertainment when I'm not reading for work has been watching cooking videos and audiobooks.

As reading months go, at a glance, I'd say this was a sad effort.

Here's what I read in the last month.