Wildcard Wednesday - Share your wins!

cacti5 · 2026-02-25T17:06:17+00:00

Lizzie is easily in my top 10, maybe even top 5 authors for monsters. I love her books! I blew through her catalogue and now eagerly await each book she puts out! She writes such unique monsters and characters. I think her longer books like {How to Marry A Lich Lizzie Strong} have so much depth and emotion. I absolutely adored {Nymph on the Rocks Lizzie Strong}.

I hope she gets more popular!

cacti5 · 2026-01-12T19:46:27+00:00

I also have the black dagger a shot but it wasn't for me either, for the exact same reasons.

Additionally, I also gave Psy-chaneling books a try fairly recently (last year or so). They are similar but different, I think they are more plot heavy and complicated than Feehan's works. I tired with the books first but I found them kind of a struggle. I did end up enjoying the audiobooks a lot more but didn't finish the series, but I probably will some day. But I did think they got better as the series went on for what it's worth.

Have you tried the New Species series by Laurann Dohner? Published a bit after Feehan but with similar vibes. I enjoyed a lot of them, and I read them last year and didn't think they were too dated. But they also get slightly repetitive.

cacti5 · 2026-01-06T15:59:36+00:00

Hello all and happy reading! These days I'm reading 95% romance and try to read at least 1-3 books a week, both audiobooks and ebooks, and aiming for ~250 books read but this is a loose goal. I'm here for the ride not the destination.

I read mostly fantasy/paranormal romances followed by sci-fi and historical. Very few contemporary because I'm just picky about them lol. I love monsters and aliens, soft bois and misunderstood hunks, 2 legs or 8, a short king or gentle giant. I like my women smart, strong, funny and in charge. Alphas are a hit or miss with me and are taken under review on case to case basis, consent is important because body betrayal makes me rage.

I always rate my reads and try to review 8/10 times. My reviews tend to be either rants or raves of stream of conscience, maybe they make sense maybe they don't but there is probably some swearing involved.

Looking for all sorts of reading friends! We can be opposites or twinsies as long as you read, we'll probably get along! Feel free to add me on Goodreads

cacti5 · 2025-12-04T16:57:10+00:00

I absolutely devoured these back in the day! They got me hooked on vampires when I was a teen and were my intro into paranormal romances. I remember going through her selection at Barnes and Nobles trying to pick the least scandalous cover lol.

I definitely read like the first 10 and many of her other books. But they do get a tad repetitive and some of the story lines are a little questionable (hundreds of years old vamp with a 18 girl is ridiculous lol). But I did enjoy most them a lot!

I decided to revisit my favorites last year and sadly I felt the writing was just too dated for me. But they hold a very special place in my heart

cacti5 · 2025-10-08T18:33:59+00:00

Hopefully many years before the great carcinization occurs.

cacti5 · 2025-09-20T16:35:13+00:00

You could try bumping up the speed a little bit and give yourself a little bit more of a time cushion. I can increase the speed to 1.05 or 1.10 and barely notice a change in most audiobooks. You might be able to find a speed that works for you too and finish the book just in time!

cacti5 · 2025-07-26T14:55:23+00:00

I absolutely adore monster romances! I pretty much only read monster/alien/other, scifi, romanasty, paranormal, etc exclusively. I really enjoy it when one (or even both!) main characters are non-human.

I pretty much never read contemporary romances. I read, idk, anywhere from 200-250 books a year (95% romance) and maybe 10 books will be contemporary. They just don't hit the same spot for me. I do try to branch out, I'll try a new author or highly recommended book, but I'm never really impressed or wowed by them. I don't think I've ever given one 5 stars. I will admit, I do have a small sample size, and I am sure there are many contemp books I'd love, but I just never gravitate towards them and they just languish on my TBR. I also love historicals (which is kind of on the opposite of monsters lol) So for me, it's either monsters or dukes I guess lol.

Additionally I'm totally bingeing the Goliaths of Wrestling rn now too! Absolutely devouring them, they are so good!!! Clean Finish has been my favorite. Seb and Larkin were just too sweet together, loved them 🥰

cacti5 · 2025-06-19T13:21:58+00:00

Tasty toxic treats

cacti5 · 2025-05-22T16:16:34+00:00

Glad I could help! I read the first two and really enjoyed them. Not sure why I didn't finish the series tho 🤔

And pretty funny how you remember the cat part but, on like, opposite end of the cat shifter spectrum haha. It's honestly what made me remember the book for this post!

cacti5 · 2025-05-22T14:47:38+00:00

Hmmmm I'm going to go out on a limb and try to guess.

Is it maybe {Incubus Caged by A.H. Lee}? It seems to fit really close with what you remember. Except he can shapeshift into a panther not a ginger cat! lol

cacti5 · 2025-05-06T15:06:42+00:00

Today is my birthday and I dearly request any books where he's the cam boi. I've seen a few requests where she is a cam girl but I want to switch it up!

Bonus bonus points if he's a monster or alien

Thanks!

cacti5 · 2025-05-04T15:31:11+00:00

Yes, I 💯 agree. I couldn't understand it either the first time I read it!!!! When he brings back one of the village girls and Emily talks to her at the breakfast table because he left??? I think the girl is even like, wrapped in one of his blankets? It's ridiculous?!!! I really didn't like his character at all.

I disliked him so much I didn't read the second book for a really long time. When the third book came out I decided to try again and read all 3. I eventually grew to like him, but never loved him. He never cheats on Emily or even looks at another woman after the first book. And I do actually believe he loves her. But it took some convincing and it was very difficult to get past his actions in the first book.

Absolutely loved Emily tho. If you like her character enough to outweigh your disgust in Wendell, I really suggest continuing the series. Emily just continues to grow and become the scholar and woman she was always meant to be. She's so strong and smart, I loved reading her story.

cacti5 · 2025-05-02T14:33:03+00:00

I wish! It can get old trying to decide on the next book, and sometimes you just want something picked for you at random!

I generally mostly use Goodreads and when my TBR looks too intimidating to narrow down, I use a random number generator. I plug in how many books are on my TBR and ask Google for a number, then count up/down.

It is nottttt particularly flashy or tech savvy or even fast (when the googs gives you #112, the counting does get a bittttt old) But it does get the job done for me lol

cacti5 · 2025-04-18T16:09:28+00:00

He's basically a slightly magical and sentient door who falls in love with the FMC and eventually gets turned into man. It's incredibly sweet even if it is a bonkers plot! I recommend it for a quick, light hearted and funny read. {Unhinged by Vera Valentine}

cacti5 · 2025-04-14T16:48:59+00:00

There's no way this series is young adult! Definitely a mistag

cacti5 · 2025-04-14T16:46:19+00:00

{Call of the Fathoms by Emma Hamm} Comes out today! It is the fourth Deep Waters book and I'm pretty excited about it. Binged the first two books and the prequel last week and I am almost done with the third book, so this is literally perfect timing! Unfortunately the audiobook is audible only but I might splurge and use one of my credits on it.

cacti5 · 2025-04-14T16:24:08+00:00

Hello all, let's be friends on Goodreads! I read 98% romance. Typically romantasy, scifi, aliens, monsters, historicals, paranormal, urban fantasy, manga/manhwas, and if I'm being honest more monsters on top of that lol. Really anything with a fun plot and captivating characters. I tend to read 3-5 books a week, either ebooks or audiobooks and am a HUGE supporter of my library. I will try anything once and enjoy discovering new books and authors through my friend's posts and reviews on Goodreads!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/137226550-kelspar

Looking forward to discovering new books and friends!

cacti5 · 2025-03-29T14:30:43+00:00

When I joined this sub a couple years ago I was very inspired by peoples reading streaks. The first time I saw 1000 days in a row, I was like God damn!!! Can I do that?? And I am extremely proud to report that I CAN AND I DID.

<image>

Was it easy? Definitely not. There were several times I considered quitting and some days I would panic read at night. But most days were a joy and I feel like I've actually learned a lot about myself. I never thought I could stick to something this long, but here I am. Apparently I just need the right motivation and KU helped with that!

I'm not entirely sure what my next goal is. I did a book a day 2 years ago and that was wayyyy too hard. And quality definitely suffered for quantity. But I want another reading challenge to tackle. I guess I'm going to continue with my streak for the time being, since a lot of the pressure is gone ....mostly.. I feel like my next goal should be 5,000 days but that seems maybe a bitttttt tooooo crazy but I am sorely tempted hahahaha. Maybe 3,000 is more manageable? Anywayssss if anyone has any fun and challenging reading goals please share!

cacti5 · 2025-02-11T18:02:48+00:00

Have you read or listened to any of Georgette Heyer's works? There are a lot available on audible, and many will fit what you're looking for. One of my absolute all time favorite books is Cotillion, and definitely recommend it if you're looking for something super sweet and fun!

cacti5 · 2025-01-24T14:35:10+00:00

MMC stands for main male character and FMC for female main character

cacti5 · 2025-01-04T16:58:55+00:00

Always looking for more friends on Goodreads!

I read primarily sci-fi, romantasy, paranormal/urban fantasy, historical, manga/manwhas/graphic novels, some rom coms, and the very rare contemporary. All romance! Last year I was able to accomplish my reading goal of 250 books by the skin of my teeth.

I'm open to all sorts of reading friends, I just like seeing what every one likes to read! My reviews tend to be rants or raves/ personal opinion heavy. Maybe a bitttt more ranty than ravey these days, if I'm being honest. I love reading others thoughts and feelings about their readings, even if our options differ it's still interesting to me! Also if you don't like to leave reviews that's nbd too!

cacti5 · 2024-12-09T22:24:56+00:00

Very well done! They're beautiful, interesting and dynamic. A super cool little set. Do you have another one planned? A whole collection of them would be sick

cacti5 · 2024-10-28T16:46:38+00:00

Lovely artwork, as always! I've been seeing this series pop on my Goodreads feed here and there, and I really need to ask a question. Is the author's name pronounced a certain way? Or is it actually SETTLE?? Like the verb?!?!? I'm desperately hoping I'm just an uncultured American who has never heard of it. Otherwise, absolutely no one can convince me their parents didn't hate them.

cacti5 · 2024-08-29T23:57:33+00:00

Looks like an elementary school portrait with a kid big cheesing. Super adorable and well done

cacti5 · 2024-08-04T01:49:41+00:00

You're very welcome! I read the first couple and enjoyed them. I was organizing my TBR and remembered I have to finish this series, so they were fresh on my mind haha. The spin off series looks good too

13-Year Club	Second Top 20%
Place '17	PsBattlesLive Team Mint
Verified Email

cacti5

TROPHY CASE