DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS: Beth Bolden

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 March castaway, Beth Bolden!

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DESERT ISLAND BOOKS:

Captive Prince trilogy
I see this trilogy on a lot of these lists, as I’m scrolling through, and for absolute good reason. It’s a masterpiece of character arc and development. Some of the most masterful writing I’ve ever read, not just transforming our opinion of Laurent’s character in front of our eyes, but doing it by slowly opening Damen’s eyes. There’s a scene in the second book, where Laurent gets into a swordfight, and it is hands down one of my all-time favorite scenes, in any book, ever.

Fire by Kristin Cashore
I re-read this yearly. I enjoy the rest of the loose series that Cashore has put together, but there’s something about the insane power that Fire holds but has never wanted, that she actively pushes away from her, that is heartbreaking and insanely compelling. Also the love story, while very G-rated, is top notch.

Top Secret by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
This is just the most fun romp in the world. I love a good enemies to lovers story, and this is a fantastic one, plus an extra dose of frat boy magic. I love it when Bowen and Kennedy write MM, and this is no exception.

A Gentleman’s Position by KJ Charles and Unfit to Print by KJ Charles
It was hard for me to come up with only two KJ Charles books to put on this list. I love basically everything they’ve ever written, with a few exceptions, but these are two favorites. I love a forbidden romance, and A Gentleman’s Position is a big one. And ugh, the reunion romance in Unfit to Print is so sexy. It’s amazing how a book about porn can be so romantic, and yes, so unbelievably sexy.

The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish
A yearly re-read for me at the holidays! I love writing foodie romance, and one of the very best ones out there is this book by Roan Parrish. The food all sounds incredibly delicious, and the romance is delightful and evocative and unique.

Woods of the Raven by Mary Calmes
As far as paranormal goes, give me a witch over a vampire any day, and I especially loved Xander’s hedge witch. This book has the coziest feel, and I always feel like it’s the perfect read for a stormy afternoon by a big fireplace.

Never Have I Evan by DJ Jamison
Sometimes I just want something light and funny, and DJ always hits that perfect balance of hilarious and heartwarming. This is one of her best novels, and I absolutely love the idiosyncratic characters she’s written in her small town of Granville.

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
If you want beautiful, evocative writing, this is the book for you. I used to read a lot of MF historical romance when I was in my early twenties, and this is hands down maybe the most romantic book on the planet, and also the most gorgeously written. Also it brought back so many fond memories of devouring all of MM Kaye’s backlist, including The Far Pavilions.

Ashwin by Kit Rocha
Like KJ Charles, hard for me to pick one book on this list by Kit Rocha—who is actually the writing duo of Donna Herren and Bree Bridges. They wrote a dynamite post-apocalyptic series that’s romantic and fire-burning hot. But it’s this first book in their spinoff series, Gideon’s Riders, that’s my favorite. I mean, anytime you tell me that someone can’t feel and they definitely can’t love, and it’s a romance novel, I’m in. 100%. Can’t turn me away.

Beard Science by Penny Reid
If you ever asked me if I’d love a hero named Cletus, I’d have told you that you were insane. But this hilarious and romantic book about one of the Winston brothers is so good, I don’t even care that Cletus’ name is Cletus. In fact, he wouldn’t be the character I love so much if his name wasn’t Cletus. I’m a huge sucker for character development, and Cletus and Jen and all his brothers feel like such real characters, it’s like I know them personally.

DESERT ISLAND PLAYLIST:

LUXURY ITEM

Adult coloring book + colored pencils. This is how I relax and turn off my brain, and also if I absolutely had to write something, I still could 🙂

ABOUT BETH BOLDEN

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published forty-five novels and ten novellas.

Website | Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook | Instagram

A big thank you to Beth Bolden 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
Crea Reitan

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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