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Star Trek Voyager: fic: substitute
Fandom: Star Trek: Voyager
Rating: G
Length: 275 words
Content notes: missing scene, implied food poisoning from Neelix’s coffee substitute, early in canon and developing friendship
Author notes: Missing scene from The Cloud, takes place shortly after Neelix tries to give Kathryn the “even better than coffee substitute” and I borrowed two lines from the ep but everything else is mines. If you spot a wild goof give me a prod and I’ll try to fix it, the dyslexia is kicking my arse at the moment.
Summary: Kathryn looked at him, realising he was referring to the three days earlier in the month when he insisted he couldn’t leave his quarters and wouldn’t tell anyone the reason for it. “You tried it? What happened?”
( substitute )
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Costume Bracket: Round 4, Post 1
( Outfits below the Cut )
Vote for your favourite of these costumes. Use whatever criteria you please - most practical, most outrageously spacey, most of its decade!
Voting will remain open for at least a week, possibly longer!
Costume Bracket Masterlist
Images are a mixture of my own screencaps, screencaps from Lost in Time Graphics, PCJ's Whoniverse Gallery, and random Google searches.
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Witches, Post-Apocalyptic Romance, & More
The Menopause Manifesto

RECOMMENDED: The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter is $3.99! Tara gave it an A:
If your field of fucks is completely barren and you just want some straightforward, evidence-based information served with a healthy dose of snark and the occasional jab at pseudoscience and Gwyneth Paltrow, this will be the book for you.
The internationally renowned, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Vagina Bible , Dr. Jen Gunter has been called the world’s most famous–and outspoken–gynecologist (The Guardian), the internet’s OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health. Now, in The Menopause Manifesto, Dr. Jen Gunter brings you empowerment through knowledge by countering stubborn myths and misunderstandings about menopause with hard facts, real science, fascinating historical perspective, and expert advice.
The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of research, and the culture of shame around women’s bodies, and it’s no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond.
Menopause is not a disease–it’s a planned change, like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what’s to come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information. Knowing what is happening, why, and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring.
Frank and funny, Dr. Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the
over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about:
– Perimenopause
– Hot flashes
– Sleep disruption
– Sex and libido
– Depression and mood changes
– Skin and hair issues
– Outdated therapies
– Breast health
– Weight and muscle mass
– Health maintenance screening
– And much more!
Filled with practical, reassuring information, this essential guide will revolutionize how women experience menopause–including how their lives can be even better for it!
Last Light

Last Light by Claire Kent is $2.49 on Amazon! This a post-apocalyptic, road trip romance, and it’s been recommend previously in a couple Rec Leagues on post-apocalyptic romances.
It only took four years for the world to fall apart.
Now the last member of my family has died, and I’m forced to travel across what’s left of three states to find the only people I know left alive. To survive, I’ll have to salvage food and supplies and try to avoid violent men who’ve learned they can take what they want by force. The only way I’m going to make it is by trusting Travis.
Travis used to fix my car, and now he’s all I have left in the world. He’s gruff and stoic and unfriendly, and I don’t really know or like him. But he’s all I have left. He’ll keep me safe. We’ll take care of each other. Until we reach what’s left of our town and can finally let go of one another.
Last Light is a standalone post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe.
A Trinket for the Taking

A Trinket for the Taking by Victoria Laurie is $3.99! Lara reviewed this and gave it a C+:
Looking at it with a bit of distance, this book is distinctly middle of the road for me. While I had a mostly good time reading it and I’m certainly curious about the next installment, it didn’t set my world on fire.
This mesmerizing mystery series debut from New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie introduces the captivating Dovey Van Dalen, once the belle of 1840s Copenhagen, now charged with recovering magic property from mortals—whatever it takes.
Dovey Van Dalen has a gorgeous day planned for her 200th driving her new Porsche, admiring the cherry blossoms abloom in her adopted city of Washington DC, and a little pampering. But her boss has other ideas. A powerful artifact has been stolen, and he fears it’s causing chaos in the unmagical world . . .
The rich and connected Ariti family has suffered a string of suspicious deaths, with no signs of foul play. Yet each member has died in the way they feared most. As the enchanting agent most skilled at blending in with mere mortals, Dovey must find answers and retrieve the dangerous trinket.
There’s just one unexpected by the time Dovey arrives at the art gallery where the Ariti patriarch died, FBI agent Grant “Gibs” Bartholomew has taken control of the scene. Dovey needs his cooperation to investigate—but she’ll have to hide her abilities, and her true objective, from a man who uncovers deceptions every day. And as they inch nearer a deadly truth, both will face danger even the spellbound would be lucky to survive . . .
Witches Get Stuff Done

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper is $1.99! This is a small town paranormal romance between a witch and a librarian. Sounds a little too twee for me, but it could be right up your alley.
Juggling newfound witchy powers, a house full of ghosts, and verbal battles with the handsome local librarian is almost too much for a new witch to manage. A new witch with a coven, however, can get so much more done…
From the moment Riley Everett set foot in Starfall Point, magic bubbled inside of her. But with only her late aunt’s journals and a cantankerous live-in ghost butler to instruct her on all things witchy—including her newly inherited Victorian haunted house—Riley seeks out a coven for sisterhood and support. The last person she expects to be drawn to is the town’s frustrating, yet ridiculously attractive head librarian.
Edison Held knows almost everything there is to know about Starfall Point, but Shaddow House was always off-limits, thanks to its elusive owner. If he can convince the new owner, Riley, to let him take a peek inside, there’s so much he could learn. But as he gets closer to Riley, he’s fascinated by her dazzling wit and fiery spirit. Edison will do whatever he can to help Riley keep her family legacy alive, especially if it means spending more time with the captivating new witch in town.
Bestselling author Molly Harper wields a magical pen in this hilarious, delightful witchy romcom perfect for readers of The Ex Hex and Payback’s a Witch.
(no subject)
For eight years, I have tried to keep contact with our granddaughter with gifts and cards on her birthday, Christmas and other times. I do not receive a response of any kind from her. We believe her mother forbids her from contacting us.
My question is should I continue to send cards and gifts to her? I’m ready to stop. I don’t want her to forget us but I’m very tired of attempting to reach out to her with no response.
– Estranged Gramma
( Read more... )
(no subject)
I sent out a family text to all of our extended family raving about his achievements. This is common amongst all of the aunts and uncles. We got a load of congrats. However, my husband’s brother side-texted my eldest daughter, “tell your brother to stop being first loser.” (He did not text any “congrats” to the group text.)
My daughter showed me the text and chuckled. I’m not sure if she showed my son. I’m so deeply angry about this. I know that everyone will tell me he was joking. Or that I’m misinterpreting his meaning. I just cannot get over it.
My initial feeling is to keep my son as far away from his uncle as possible for the rest of his life. My second feeling is to call said uncle to tell him he is a complete loser himself (which would be super biting as he just got laid off, has to sell his house and downsize everything). I know I won’t do either but I am having a hard time imagining being around him this summer as our families usually get together each summer for a few days.
How do I express by complete disdain for his comments without upsetting the entire extended family? Am I being oversensitive?
– Second to None
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HaBO: A Secret Prince and a Woman in a Blue Dress
This HaBO is from A Very Desperate Reader, who really wants to locate this romance:
I got this book from my mom in 2016 or maybe 2017. She has had a collection of romance/erotica books since the 90s. I’m assuming the book was published around that same time: 90s to 2010s. The book cover was slightly ripped, but I’m pretty sure it had a girl with long blonde hair, and I think a long blue dress. She was in a running stance, looking over her shoulder. If you can just find me the title of the book or even just the author I would be greatly appreciative!
The description of the book:
A blonde (possibly platinum) haired girl goes to a party in the woods. There is a bonfire happening and she goes near a tree when a man that (she knows?) comes up to her and tries to assault her. Blonde girl panics and freezes him with ice (I want to say he froze all the way and then dropped to the floor making him shatter into pieces) and then she runs back to her home where she and her step-father live.
We switch point of views to the prince (I believe). He’s the bastard son of the king (I think or the king has a bastard son; it’s either one) and the king is sick and tells his son that he needs to marry. The prince not wanting to marry, doesn’t argue but decides that he’s going to join the soldiers who are going to collect different women for him to marry. He does this because he wants to see how his future wife acts without being around someone to impress.
We switch point of views again to a witch. She’s just kinda there. I think she’s trying to curse someone (I want to say the king but I don’t know) and she has this wizard that has the same powers as the blonde girl. (I think they are related but I never finished the book to prove my theory). Their point of views have a point, I just don’t know what it is, but it was often and I would usually skip them. The wizard and the witch were sleeping together. The wizard was more interested in the witch in the relationship.
We switch point of views again back to the storyline of the blonde girl and the prince. The prince and her start talking and start to fall in love. Blonde girl still thinks that he’s a solider and no one really important. She’s not really interested in marrying the prince. (During this point, I think the prince is sabotaging the other princess candidates because he loves the blonde girl. The prince and the blonde girl get married at some point and they consummate their marriage in this B&B of sorts or tavern. They continue on their journey to the palace. Once they get to the palace, the prince reveals himself as the prince and the blonde girl is pissed that he hid it from her and tries to leave. He doesn’t like that, so he puts her in the highest tower in the palace and basically keeps her prisoner. Eventually her powers start getting more powerful or she starts losing control and the prince finds out about them. She thinks this means that he will let her go and instead he wants to keep her even more.
The heroine had a pretty name and her mom either passed or just isn’t in the picture. She lives with her stepfather who treats her well and treated her mother well.
The hero potentially had dark hair and features. He doesn’t like his father much. And his father has a lot of women that he sleeps with. First scene of both of them i think is in the throne room.
The witch lives in a shack of some sort has some grand plan.
The wizard I think is a similar situation and is described as skinny.
I don’t remember any of their names sadly.
I’m sorry for this very long and seemingly hectic HaBO. I’ve been looking for this book for nearly 10 years and I need to just find this book. I’ve tried everything.
With this level of description, I know we can identity this one.
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The Boyfriend Experience
My boyfriend went on a trip abroad with his friend (also a guy). After he came back, he showed me that he made a Bumble profile while he was there. I didn’t feel like anything was off or ask him to show me; he volunteered. He said that he was just curious to see how … Read More »
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With Trans Comedian Nico Carney
When she was in high school, she surprised herself and delighted her boyfriend by squirting all over his face. But the incident alarmed her enough to set off a neurotic need to pee before every sexual encounter. How can she get out of her head about it, and allow for spontaneity in her current, awesome … Read More »
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Hide Your Wallet: June 10th Release Week

Happy Tuesday!
I swear, this month has so many good releases. One a personal note, too bad June is my busiest month so far.
We have a few releases with historical settings, a fantasy romance, and plenty of contemporaries.
What new releases are you excited for this week? Let us know in the comments!
A Rare Find

Author: Joanna Lowell
Released: June 10, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, LGBTQIA, Romance
When an aspiring archaeologist teams up with her childhood enemy for a treasure hunt, they find it impossible to bury their growing feelings, in a charming queer historical romance from the author of A Shore Thing.
Elfreda Marsden has finally made a major discovery—an ancient amulet proving the Viking army camped on her family’s estate. Too bad her nemesis is back from London, freshly exiled after a scandal and ready to wreak havoc on her life. Georgie Redmayne is everything Elfreda isn’t–charming, popular, carefree, distractingly attractive, and bored to death by the countryside. When the two collide (literally), the amulet is lost, and with it, Elfreda’s big chance to lead a proper excavation. Now Elfreda needs new evidence of medieval activity, and Georgie needs money to escape the doldrums of Derbyshire. Joining forces to locate a hidden hoard of Viking gold is the best chance for them both.
Marsdens and Redmaynes don’t get along, and that’s the least of the reasons these enemies can’t dream of something more. But as the quest takes them on unexpected adventures, sparks of attraction ignite a feeling increasingly difficult to identify as hatred. It’s far too risky to explore. And far too tempting to resist. Elfreda and Georgie soon find that the real treasure comes with a steep price… and the promise of a happiness beyond all measure.
Tara: Enemies to lovers! Viking artifacts! This one sounds super fun.
Bury Your Bones in the Midnight Soil

Author: V.E. Schwab
Released: June 10, 2025 by Tor Books
Genre: Historical: American, Historical: European, Historical: Other, LGBTQIA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
From V. E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying novel about immortality and hunger.
This is a story about hunger.
1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
A young girl grows up wild and wily—her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.
This is a story about love.
1827. London.
A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow—but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.
This is a story about rage.
2019. Boston.
College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.
This is a story about life—
how it ends, and how it starts.
V.E. Schwab’s ambitious new fantasy with a mix of time periods!
Never Been Shipped

Author: Alicia Thomspon
Released: June 10, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
A band reunion may be enough to change two musicians’ tune on love in this electric romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.
Micah’s relationship to music is complicated. As teenagers, her band took off after being featured on a popular TV show, but the group barely released their sophomore album before breaking up. Now, over a decade later, the band is reuniting for one more performance on a themed cruise, and Micah is determined to learn from her past mistakes — no losing herself in the music, and no losing her heart along the way.
John misses playing in a band, and mostly he misses Micah, who’d been his best friend until the music stopped. Back then, he didn’t take the lead, either in his guitar parts or while he sat back and watched her date another bandmate. John’s never been one to rock the boat, but he’s faced with another chance now that this cruise has brought music — and Micah — back in his life.
Onboard, Micah can’t help but see John with brand new eyes, and John’s feelings only intensify as the discordant band’s tension grows to a breaking point. With five days at sea, there’s a ticking clock on anything that might develop between them, and they’ll have to decide if their relationship is destined to be more than a one-hit wonder.
Dahlia: I see Alicia Thompson, I preorder it. She is the literal top of my autobuy list. And this one is reported to have cameos from my all time fave, Cold World.
The Palace of Illusions

Author: Rowenna Miller
Released: June 10, 2025 by Redhook
Genre: Historical: European, Science Fiction/Fantasy
The Palace of Illusions brings readers to a Paris breathless with excitement at the dawn of the twentieth century, where for a select few there is a second, secret Paris where the magic of the City of Light is very real in this enchanting and atmospheric fantasy from the author of The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill.
In the run up to the 1900s World’s Fair Paris is abuzz with creative energy and innovation. Audiences are spellbound by the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. But for Clara Ironwood, a talented and pragmatic clockworker, nothing compares to the magic of her godfather’s mechanical creations, and she’d rather spend her days working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s fair.
When her godfather sends Clara a hideous nutcracker for Christmas, she is puzzled until she finds a hidden compartment that unlocks a mirror-world Paris where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. The magic of her godfather’s toys was real.
As Clara explores this other Paris and begins to imbue her own creations with its magic, she soon discovers a darker side to innovation. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. There’s no ignoring the danger she’s in, but Clara doesn’t know who to trust. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
Amanda: Magic and the World’s Fair in Paris sounds like an amazing combo.
Realm of Thieves

Author: Karina Halle
Released: June 10, 2025 by Ace
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Thieves of Dragemor #1
Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.
For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.
Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.
Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?
Amanda: I think this is the first fantasy romance in a while that made me really perk up.
Roommating

Author: Meredith Schorr
Released: June 10, 2025 by Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Sizzling chemistry and tender friendship develops between two accidental roommates in this hilarious rom-com from the author of As Seen on TV.
Sabrina is too busy with grad school and her job as a library page to think about dating. Until her elderly roommate Marcia invites her estranged grandson Adam to move into their two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan temporarily to “find himself.” Sabrina doesn’t mind sharing the small space with Adam if it helps Marcia repair her relationship with her grandson. But she’s not expecting to fall for him herself. Adam is not only gorgeous, he’s kind, funny, shares her love of reading, and clearly adores Marcia. After one too many accidental midnight rendezvous in the bathroom (him shirtless), the tension between them is hotter than ever. But they’re not the only ones feeling the heat. After Marcia has a health scare, her doctors advise that one of her younger roommates must go.
In a comical and sexy battle to prove who deserves to stay, the two pull out all the stops. All’s fair in love and real estate, but in the end victory is not so sweet when winning the apartment could mean losing each other.
Dahlia: This has the sweetest premise, and I keep getting drawn in by that cover. Books and a dog! What could be better?
Slow Burn Summer

Author: Josie Silver
Released: June 10, 2025 by Dell
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
A talent agent hires an actress to play the part of “novelist” on a book tour for his agency’s publicity-shy client
She’s playing the part of romance author, but has she found her own real life love story?
Talent agent Charlie Francisco has three problems: a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never planned to inherit, and a take-your-breath-away romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with its publication. The book is a surefire hit, if only his agency can find someone to “play” author on its summer book tour.
Enter Kate Elliott, a former soap actress who’s miraculously right for the part at the very moment her life seems to be going all wrong. Kate is still recovering from her own divorce and Charlie’s job offer is a lifeline. She agrees to the pretense for all interviews, signings, and appearances surrounding the novel’s publication. But she can’t know who really wrote the remarkable story—the one so beautiful it’s made her believe in love again.
When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks—the one thing they have in common is they’re determined to play their respective parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines . . . or will they go off-script?
Lara: I absolutely love this premise!
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tired and writing
But it's lunchtime now, I have (mostly) survived the morning after a long weekend ("King's Birthday" long weekend), and I think I might end up skipping hockey training tonight because my knee has been feeling a bit weird the last couple of weeks and maybe I should go to the physio and get it checked out?
IDK. Maybe see how it holds up this weekend? We're already down one player that we're probably going to need...
--
I think I'm going to sign up for
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Now, the question of which story. Unfortunately most of the stories that I feel I want to finish and the ones that are half-done already. (Is the WIP Big Bang running this year? Anyone know?)
I know that I won't get many readers, I know that it's going to be something that not many people are going to read. I just want to get a few ideas out there.
--
Finished my 'the women sort out the MCU Civil War' fic.
The Civilian Peace (7073 words) by tielan
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Helen Cho & Jane Foster & Maria Hill & Pepper Potts
Characters: Helen Cho, Pepper Potts, Maria Hill, Jane Foster, Okoye (Marvel), T'Challa (Marvel), Avengers Team Members (Marvel), James "Bucky" Barnes
Additional Tags: Not Canon Compliant with Movie: Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Summary: What does it mean to be human, anyway?
Have a plan for the Psy-Changeling universe, it's gotten a little more complex.
--
Editing on the novel is going slowly; I just feel like it's boring and terrible and ugh. Which it might very well be. Are more dramatic things needed at this point? IDEK.
Writing on the new story is going to need at least one screen, preferably two. And a lot of editing. More ugh.
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not complaining about the weather too much????
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Star Trek Mapping: Mapping Rimward Systems - A Surprise in Monoceros
I love that this astronomical naming process is picking up speed in my lifetime!
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365 Questions 2025
8. How are you pursuing your dreams right now? I seem to be fresh out of dreams at the moment.
9. What’s the next big step you need to take? Packing up everything in my house (either to take with me or to discard) and moving to Connecticut.
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The Witch Roads, by Kate Elliott
Review copy provided by the publisher.
This is the first book in a duology, and it's the kind of duology that's really one book split into two volumes. The end of this book is merely the stopping point of this book, not in any way an ending. If that bothers you, wait around until the other half is out.
Honestly I can't tell you why I didn't love this book. I wanted to love this book. It's a secondary world fantasy where one of the central relationships of the book is an aunt and nephew, and that kind of non-standard central relationship is absolutely up my alley. It's a fantasy world where magical environmental contamination is a major threat, which is also of great interest to me. Sensitive yet matter-of-fact handling of trans characters, check. Worldbuilding that deviates from standard, check. And there wasn't anything that made me roll my eyes or say ugh! It was just fine! But for me, at least, it was just fine. Honestly if this is your sort of thing I kind of wish you'd read it and tell me what you think might have been going on here, or if it's just...that some books and some people are ships passing in the night.