DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS: Crea Reitan

Our favorite  MM authors a.k.a. castaways are asked, what books, songs and luxury item would they take to a desert island?

This is a monthly series inspired by LezReviewBooks.com’s ‘Desert Island Books’, which in turn is based on BBC’s ‘Desert Island Discs’.

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Let’s welcome our February castaway, Crea Reitan!

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DESERT ISLAND BOOKS:

Top ten books – this was both stupidly hard and easy at the same time. I’ve come to realize that I can’t just choose a single book when I need the entire series. Such as the case with several of these choices but I did the best I could!

1. Whit by Cora Rose

Cora is a gateway drug. No, not her books, but her. Okay, her books, too. Whit was my very first MM. Up until this point, I read strictly poly (otherwise known as RH) with MM but my good friend was just raving about this book and let me tell you, YES! Nerd/jock although I think it’s more nerd/dudebro than true jock. Whit has some trauma and Caleb is just a lovable teddy bear and while maybe he’s a little obtuse, he feels wholeheartedly. This book has it all – angst, bi-awakening, lovable family, and all the feels. Honestly, I’d choose this entire series if I could. I would read this book over and over again.

2. Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon

I know I can find part one and two in a single binding so I’m counting this as one book. I absolutely FLOVE this duet. Lola shows legit trauma from past experiences and throughout the story, she has growth as a character. She also has drive in her career and doesn’t want to take handouts, even as she becomes involved with those who own the company. And of course, the men – her four alphas, beta, and omega – are just… chef kiss perfection! I adore every single one of them. This is a comfort read that I often go back to. 

3. Power Plays and Straight As by Saxon James and Eden Finley

This was my first Sadenverse book and I think because of that, it holds a special place in my heart. So much about this book truly opened my eyes to aspects of the book world I am currently obsessed with: nerd/jock, brother’s best friend, hockey, MM, interconnected standalones. There’s so much more, too. I am always so sad when I don’t see more of Foster and Zach in other books but I think, again, that’s just because it was my very first book by them and it truly shaped so many things I love about the genre and has made me a true Sadenverse fan.

4. Breathless by Cara Dee

This book was my first introduction to true kink in MM and it’s MMM to boot. Also, this was my first taste of twincest taboo and I’m all here for it! I love the brothers, River and Reese. Their unapologetic connection and relationship. I love how they handle Shay’s trauma and don’t allow him to run. I also love that you can see characters from other stories within the series and while it’s just peeks at them, there’s still the update on their relationship. I love to know how other characters are doing. I’d really want to bring the additional buy of all the taboo that was taken out to make it Amazon-friendly; I need it all just tucked right into the full book, please! 

5. Headache by Onley James
6. Madman by Onley James

I’m going to talk about books 5 and 6 together because they run parallel for the most part and their books are so intertwined. Psychopath twins Asa and Avi are mirrors. Opposites and yet identical. The relationships that they share with Asa’s Zane and Avi’s Felix just give me all the warm, fuzzy feels, which might say more to my mental state since there’s nothing soft and sweet about them. It’s all hard edges and rough times. But I love their connections. These four, affectionately known as the ‘Core Four’ within Onley’s fandom are the reason I became a patreon member. I FLOVE all the extra goodies scenes with them. I live for these four!

7. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

This is my one and only MF series that I still read to this day. Honestly, Patty is a genius. Her writing is perfection. I love the world building in this urban fantasy story. The depths of the fae, the power of the werewolves, the tension that’s littered throughout each book. Ugh. I can’t get enough. One of the things I absolutely love is the Native American lore that’s tied into this series. The main female character is a skinwalker, which in this book is not that horror that the world really thinks of them as. She’s a shifter of sorts. And her life! Her pack! This series is everything. It has everything. It’s one of the very few series that I have read multiple times and have even tabbed my favorite scenes. 

8. Wicked by Gregory Maguire

I believe that Wicked is where my love of fairy tale retellings comes from. But unlike so many, there aren’t just a few random elements and then the setting is Oz, which effectively makes it a retelling. This is true immersion into Oz and what makes it better is that we’re seeing it through the ‘villain’s’ eyes. We’re learning her side of the story! Every detail, the complex political structure, the creatures of the world, and Elphaba herself is such a refreshing and fascinating ride. I could read this book 100 times and it’ll be like reading it for the first time. 

9. Rules of Play by Lane Hayes

Honestly, this is a nerd/mechanic (and a bi-awakening) which I think might be a weakness of mine. However, what captured my attention is that George, our oddball nerd, is unique. He’s not your typical nerd but he has quirks that just tug at my heart. Yes, he’s brilliant, but he also loves all things spooky and wears a cape. It’s also a best friend’s brother dynamic. This story is refreshing and different with George being a bit strange and Aiden coming around to appreciate all those little quirks more and more.

10. Until Him by Cora Rose

Last, but certainly not least, is my girl, Cora again. Let’s be honest here; I really needed this book for the cover, too. It’s gorgeous. This is another nerd/jock, bi-awakening, and though it’s been a while since I read it, I adore Theo and Logan. It’s grumby/sunshine to the max. An exchange of power in this has Theo holding the cards because Logan needs something from him – his brilliance. There’s something recognizable within Theo’s pain when he finally gives Logan glimpses and I’m so here for this heartwarming story.

DESERT ISLAND PLAYLIST:

I’m old school so here’s one that I listen to on a fairly regular basis via YouTube (don’t judge me; I’m old).

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVqjjBtJOqA2WMaGq4W7No6wssXbHcjhb&si=tMMY3D5sZcp3LF6I 

Sorry for the ugly link. This is as best as YouTube can do, apparently.

LUXURY ITEM

My one luxury item is a bed. To me, that also means a plethora of blankets and pillows but if I have to choose just one of those items, I’m going to choose a really good mattress. Like my Purple. It’s life. I can probably give up most things but I cannot sleep on the ground. I have to have this one piece of comfort or I might just stop existing. 

ABOUT CREA REITAN

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Patreon | BookBub | Facebook

A big thank you to Crea Reitan for joining us on this month’s Desert Island Castaways!

Check out our other Castaways:
Natalina Reis
V.L. Locey
 J.P. Jackson
A.E. Wasp
Elle Keaton.
Elouise East
J.K. Jones
Colette Davison
B.A. Tortuga
Casey Cox
Amanda Meuwissen
A.M. Johnson
Becca Seymour
Alexa Piper
Rick R. Reed
C.P. Harris
K.L. Hiers
A.E. Lister
S. Rodman
Kaje Harper
M.A. Church
Karenna Colcroft
Aiden Ainslie
J. Hali Steele
Kristian Parker
H.L. Day
D.K. Girl
Jackie Keswick

Hope you enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to check out next month’s Castaway.

What books would you take with you to a desert island?
What’s on your desert island playlist?
Who would you like to be the next Castaway?

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