Name? Instagram handle?
Hails @wearecurrentlyreading
Hails on Goodreads
What is your favorite genre or subgenre?
I have several favorite genres & subgenres but I will always be a fantasy and romance girlie. If it has either of these things, I’ll read it! Romantasy & romantic fantasy are my favorites because they encompass my two favorite genres together, but vary depending on which element you want more of in your story. Another subgenre I love reading is omegaverse. There’s something about the biological level fated mates and instincts to care for your partner that just soothes my hopeless romantic soul just right. Of course I also love paranormal, rom-coms, dark romance, monster romance, and all the things in between.
What are you currently reading?
Currently, I am reading several books in several formats: my audiobook is A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden, my e-book is an ARC of Broken by Daylight by Elizabeth Helen, and my physical book is Fear the Flames by Olivia Darling. Apparently I’m in a romantasy mood!
What is one of your favorite 5 star reads?
I simply cannot pick just one!
The Hanging City by Charlie N Holmberg! It was romantasy and monster romance (light) with such a fun concept that I could not put it down!
Beta by MT Zimny is book 1 in the YA fantasy series The Apex Cycle. It’s so quippy and you will NOT anticipate the twist at the end. You will go into it thinking one thing and end completely immersed and ready to read the next book.
You, with a View by Jessica Joyce is one of my all time favorite romances. The FMC, Noelle, is a soul character for me. I’ve never laughed, cried, or felt so seen by a book before in my life!
Do you have any unique reading quirks?
I will stop reading and “put my bookmark down” (so to speak when I’m listening to an audiobook or reading an e-book) at any point. Sometimes this means I stop mid chapter, mid page, mid sentence, or even mid spicy scene. When I’m done reading (for whatever reason) I just stop immediately because I’ll have no problem picking it up later regardless of stopping point.
Who is one of your favorite authors and why?
Sarah Blue is one of my all time favorite authors! Not only is her sense of humor unmatched but she also writes romance books that are perfectly balanced for a reader like me: they’re unhinged without going too far, sweet without being cheesy, funny without being silly, and when there are darker or taboo themes they’re handled perfectly. Sarah Blue was also my gateway into omegaverse romances. I cannot recommend the Heat Haven series enough for readers new to the genre!
What bookstagram accounts do you love to follow and why?
I have so many favorites but here are my top 2:
@_thats.what.she.read_ is adorable and funny and shares my taste in books across the board. Her page is my favorite source for the best small business shout outs, book recommendations, and funny reels
@alireadswiftly always has the best book recommendations! If she loves it, I know it’s going to be a top tier read. She has never once let me down with her recommendations! Plus if you love cats, dragons, Taylor Swift, and pretty photos, you’ll be just as obsessed with her page as I am!
What’s one of your favorite bookstores (city, state) and why does it stand out? Can you share their insta account?
I love Charlie’s in Seattle, WA! It’s all queer books and books by queer authors. What’s not to love? You can find them at @charliesqueerbooks on Instagram!
What’s a book on your upcoming TBR list or wishlist? Why can’t you wait to read it?
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer is on my upcoming TBR! I’m SO excited to read it because I absolutely loved the first book (Assistant to the Villain). I think these books are the perfect mix of comedy, fantasy, romance, and mystery. Plus who doesn’t love the frog Kingsley?!
Who is your favorite villain and why?
Caspian, Prince of Thorns, from the Beasts of the Briar series by Elizabeth Helen. I think he is just SO swoony and dynamic. Plus I just love him, morally grey or otherwise.
On the other hand, I love to hate Allemas from Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N Holmberg. He is such a creepy villain and I literally get icky goosebumps when I think about him.
ALL DONE!!! Thanks for reading the interview!
If you’d like to hear some more reader interviews check out the rest of Cassie Swindon’s blog. Don’t forget to read Cassie’s free short stories that serve as prequels to her novels.
