Some romances remind us that home isn’t always a place, sometimes it’s a person. Playing at Home by Jax Calder is exactly that kind of story. As the second book in the Sporting Secrets series, this M/M romance blends professional sports with the warmth of a manny romance, creating a heartfelt story about family, responsibility, … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Downtown to experience The Odyssey in glorious 70mm, and if there’s ever been a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible, this is it. Christopher Nolan has built a career around creating cinematic events, but The Odyssey feels different. Instead of exploring the future … Read more
During the weekend, I traded city streets for alpine trails and made the drive to Artist Point, one of those places that never fails to remind me just how incredible Washington is in the middle of summer. By the time I reached the trailhead, the mountain air was crisp, the sky was brilliantly blue, and … Read more
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a series that raises both the stakes and the emotional depth with each installment, and Falkirk by Casey Morales does exactly that. As the second book in the Of Shadows & Secrets series, this M/M spy thriller continues to blend high-risk espionage with deeply personal relationships. Every mission carries consequences, … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Uptown for Art House Theater Day, where they screened Sorry to Bother You. Even though I’d seen it before, watching it with a packed theater reminded me why it’s become one of my favorite films of the past decade. Boots Riley doesn’t just make a movie, he creates … Read more
During the weekend, I headed down to Seattle’s waterfront to spend part of the day enjoying Seafair, one of those traditions that reminds me why summer in the Pacific Northwest is unlike anywhere else. The city seemed to come alive from the moment I arrived. The waterfront was filled with people soaking up the sunshine, … Read more
There’s something especially rewarding about a romance where emotional safety is just as important as romantic chemistry, and Zander by Carly Marie captures that beautifully. As the first book in the Johnson Family Rules series, this M/M Daddy romance introduces readers to a world where trust, communication, and acceptance form the heart of the relationship. … Read more
Last night at SIFF Film Center I watched Horsegirls, and it completely won me over. I’ll admit, I walked in knowing almost nothing about hobbyhorsing. The premise sounded quirky enough to make me curious, but what I found was something far more meaningful than I expected. At the heart of the film is Margarita, a … Read more
During the weekend, I pointed the Jeep north before sunrise, strapped the sea kayak to the roof, and headed for the San Juan Islands. Some places never lose their sense of adventure, and every time I paddle here, I’m reminded why it’s one of my favorite corners of the Pacific Northwest. The moment the kayak … Read more
There’s something undeniably compelling about a romance where loyalty, danger, and desire are constantly at odds, and Enemy by K.A. Merikan delivers exactly that. As the first book in the Vulture Hollow MC series, this M/M biker romance throws you into a gritty world where rivalries run deep, trust is hard-earned, and every decision comes … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Maddie’s Secret, and I honestly wasn’t prepared for how much this film would surprise me. The trailer makes it look like an outrageous satire about influencer culture, and it absolutely is. John Early is hilarious as Maddie, a dishwasher whose quirky cooking videos suddenly launch her into … Read more
During the weekend, I swapped hiking boots and my kayak for a lawn chair and spent the evening at one of Seattle’s favorite summer traditions — a concert at Woodland Park Zoo. There’s something different about live music outdoors. Maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s the setting, or maybe it’s the way everyone seems … Read more
Fake dating is one of those romance tropes that never seems to lose its charm, especially when the chemistry feels effortless from the very beginning. Boyfriend for the Weekend by Gaia Tate is a fun, heartwarming reminder of why I keep coming back to it. As the first book in the Boyfriend Trouble series, this … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Rose of Nevada, and it’s one of those rare films that completely defies expectations. At first, it feels like a quiet story about a struggling fishing village searching for hope. Then a trawler that disappeared with its crew thirty years ago suddenly returns to the harbor, and … Read more
During the weekend, I spent a little less time on my phone and a little more time simply enjoying the Fourth of July, which explains why this Weekend Wrap is arriving a day later than usual. Honestly, I think I needed it. Seattle showed off this weekend. Sunshine, blue skies, warm temperatures, and one of … Read more
Some romances are built on instant sparks. Others grow from friendship, patience, and learning to trust someone enough to let them see every part of you. Click by Nora Phoenix is very much the latter, and it’s one of my favorite kinds of love stories. As the third book in the White House Men series, … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Tuner, and it completely surprised me. What starts as a story about a gifted piano tuner quickly transforms into one of the most original crime thrillers I’ve seen in a while. Niki’s extraordinary hearing, the very thing that ended his career as a concert pianist, becomes the … Read more
During the weekend, I spent time in Capitol Hill celebrating Seattle Pride, soaking in the energy of a community that continues to inspire me both as a writer and as someone who simply appreciates spaces where people are free to be themselves. There was music everywhere, sidewalks full of laughter, rainbow flags stretching from storefronts … Read more
There’s something about a nerd/jock romance that never gets old, especially when both characters are forced to look beyond first impressions. Asking for Trouble by Alex McAnders does exactly that. As the second book in the Snow Tip Falls series, this M/M sports romance follows Nero, a football player whose future is under the spotlight, … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Leviticus, and it’s one of the most emotionally affecting horror films I’ve seen in quite a while. On the surface, it’s a supernatural thriller. Two teenage boys fall in love in a conservative Australian town, only to find themselves hunted by an entity born from a brutal … Read more
During the weekend, I traded roads and trails for the water and spent the evening paddling around Lake Union as Seattle eased into the first weekend of summer. There’s something special about being on the water at sunset. The city changes. Everything softens. The noise fades into the background, and even familiar places feel different … Read more
Few tropes are as satisfying as rivals-to-lovers, and Playing Offside by Jax Calder absolutely understands why. As the first book in the Sporting Secrets series, this M/M sports romance delivers all the tension you’d hope for when two competitors find themselves fighting feelings just as hard as they’re fighting for victory. The rivalry creates instant … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Time and Water, and it’s one of those documentaries that quietly settles into your thoughts long after you’ve left the theater. This isn’t a film built around dramatic revelations or urgent narration. Instead, it invites you to slow down and pay attention. To landscapes. To history. To … Read more
During the weekend, I decided not to chase a mountain summit or load the kayak onto the Jeep. Instead, I gave myself permission to slow down and spend the morning wandering through Fremont with nothing more than a good cup of coffee and a notebook. As writers, there’s always this temptation to believe inspiration lives … Read more
Some fantasy romances invite you into a magical world. Others pull you into something darker, stranger, and impossible to look away from. Shadow Prince by S. Rodman does exactly that. As the first book in the Shadowmen series, this M/M fantasy romance embraces mystery, danger, and the thin line between fear and fascination. The nightmare-to-lover … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched I Love Boosters, and it’s exactly the kind of indie film that reminds me why I love spending an evening at the movies. The film takes a world that could easily be treated as a simple crime story and instead turns it into something much more interesting, … Read more
During the weekend, I skipped the highway, ignored the urge to make plans, and spent the day on my bike riding the coastline between West Seattle and Alki Beach. Some weekends call for adventure. Others remind you that some of the best views are already in your own backyard. The route followed the water almost … Read more
There’s a reason the friends-to-lovers trope never gets old, and Just Like Friends by Jenny Pineapple is a perfect reminder why. As the third book in the Station Thirteen series, this M/M romance takes a familiar setup and fills it with chemistry, tension, and all those complicated feelings that come from realizing a friendship might … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched The Power Ballad, and honestly, it reminded me why music-centered films can hit so hard when they get the emotional side right. At its heart, this is a story about reinvention. About people looking back at old dreams, old versions of themselves, and trying to figure out … Read more
During the weekend, I loaded the kayak onto the Jeep before sunrise and headed north toward Deception Pass, one of those places that never stops feeling a little wild no matter how many times I visit. The moment the bridge came into view, I remembered why I keep coming back. The cliffs, the forests, the … Read more