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Holiday Gift Guide 2025: White Elephant, Secret Santa, and Yankee Trader Gifts

You know those $10- or $20-or-less gift exchanges? We've got suggestions. So does Elvis.

Oh, Hey, Server Upgrade

Featured image for Oh, Hey, Server Upgrade

The server got a whole makeover and I need to test some things, including new posts. Hi!!! So, uh, what was for dinner? We had Korean takeout and my cat has now discovered that bulgogi is the only thing he wants to eat for the rest of his furry life. oh no..    

Hide Your Wallet

November 2025 Queer Romances

November is always a quieter month on the queer romance front, not quite ready for holiday romances but past the point when everything screams “Autumn!!” with leaf-filled covers. As such, we’ve got a fun variety of genres and categories waiting to be snatched up!

Podcast

691. Romantic Times Memories with Heather Graham

After mentioning Heather Graham, one of the Grande Dames of RT, so many times while recapping issues of Romantic Times, I got to sit down with her to talk about her career, the way the industry has changed, and of course, her memories of Romantic Times, both the magazine and the convention. We talk about… Her memories of meeting Kathryn Falk The earliest Romantic Times Conventions Her incredible RT parties The work of hosting conferences. … Continue reading 691. Romantic Times Memories with Heather Graham

Book Review

Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone

Gold Coast Dilemma

Gold Coast Dilemma is at its best when unpacking the culture, food, and family dynamics of a well-to-do Ghanaian-American family and the life of the central character, Ofosua. It is at its most infuriating when the characters face macro and micro-aggressions regarding race, gender, and mental health. And it’s least convincing when selling the actual romance between Ofosua and Cole. This romance is told from both Ofosua’s and Cole’s point of view, but Ofosua’s is … Continue reading Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone

Links: House Tours, Teen Vogue, & More

Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses.

Happy Wednesday! We’ve reached November. How did we get here? Did October blink by for anyone else? The approach to the holiday seasons always put me into a kind of funk. I’m trying to focus on coziness, reading, soups – all good self-care things to fight against the fact that it gets so dark, so early now in New England. Truly the worst part of the winter seasons for me. Do you have any saving … Continue reading Links: House Tours, Teen Vogue, & More

Frankenstein and I Need Better Seats

The movie poster for Frankenstein showing a man with shoulder length wavy hair facing away wearing a white shirt, suspenders and trousers. He is standing i a large darkly lit mostly green room with a large rose window in the background and in front of him is a massive hole in the floor. The text reads Frankenstein - only monsters play God.

One of Carrie’s popular features in Smart Bitches After Dark are her movie reviews and recaps, which we’ve given the Very Original name, After Dark at the Movies.  Carrie is usually very excited to recap from her couch, but she was determined to see Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and share it with the After Dark community. Trying to figure out where to see it led to this post.  … I’ve been very, very excited about … Continue reading Frankenstein and I Need Better Seats

Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Holiday Gift Exchange Ideas!

Stuff We Like: Gift Exchange Ideas Galore - an elvis plate, a lego vespa, and essie nail polish

It’s time for another edition of Stuff We Like, AND the first of our Holiday Gift Guides! Woo hoo! This time: Tara C. asked us for ideas for those $10 or $20 holiday gift exchanges – Yankee Traders, Secret Santa, or White Elephants, whatever you call them. We are ON IT! And if you have requests for your holiday shopping, please let us know! Take a look: Want to see? Just click that image above or … Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Holiday Gift Exchange Ideas!

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