Arranged in the Stars is a MF Arranged Marriage Mistaken Identity Sci-Fi Romance that is set on the planet Minjet and a post-apocalyptic Earth. It is also a fairytale retelling of The Star Money by the Brothers Grimm. It was originally titled The Star Princess, but I received my rights back to this story earlier this year. I revised it to take it out of the multi-author series it was originally part of and made some other changes. Now, Arranged in the Stars is available wide at most ebook retailers.

​“Weird. So, when do you get to meet him?”
 
“Tonight.” Ro’sa returned her gaze out the window, watching the shuttle descend onto the runway. She wondered if the prince had saved himself for her or if the rule was yet another way to control her. “There’s an official introduction ceremony where we will shake hands and eat our first meal together.”
 
“That’s crap.” Her friend tugged on her fingers. “Let’s go meet him as he’s coming off the ship.”
 
Ro’sa shook her head, yanking her hand away. “I can’t. I have to follow protocol.”
 
“Then we’ll hide in the shrubs. Don’t you want to check him out before you’re introduced to him in front of everyone?”
 
Biting her bottom lip, Ro’sa watched the spacecraft disappear below the treetops, willing her stomach to calm. “I guess.” She didn’t want to look like a fool in her first reaction to the man. He could be ugly or breathtakingly handsome. And if she’d already caught sight of the prince, she could hold her emotions in check at their official first meeting.
 
“Let’s go then.” Ka’lyn stood at the door before she had the chance to move.
 
Leaving her friend’s home behind, they darted through the woods on the packed dirt path. With only moments to spare, Ro’sa hoped they’d make it to the runway in time. If the castle guards hastened him immediately away, they’d never make it in time. Her parents should have let her meet him many years ago. Was he that horrendous looking that they’d avoided the introduction until only days before her departure? The least they could have done was show her a picture of him.
 

Below are the books that I finished in May and my thoughts on each. 

I'm not doing any formal reading challenges this year, but I seem to be doing my own in an informal way. In May, I read books that were sci-fi. Once was a sci-fi romance, the second, a sci-fi horror, and the third, a sci-fi (techno) thriller. Between the second and third books, there were several I started, but couldn't get into.

Anyway, the books I did finish were great! This month, I am reading for Pride month, in July I will read Canadian authors again, and in September I will read books by Indigenous Authors since September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a symbolic day in Canada that recognizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools.

Below are the books that I finished in April and my thoughts on each. 

I'm not doing any formal reading challenges this year, but because April is Autism Awareness/Acceptance/Appreciation Month, and it's a significant topic for me, I decided to read books with Autism representation this month.

Why is it significant for me? My son is Autistic (diagnosed), as well as my cousin's son. In fact, with the research I've done since his diagnosis, I'm sure it runs in my family. If not for the political controversies and misinformation surrounding Autism, especially during the pandemic and happening now in the country south of us, I would try to get a diagnosis for myself. But it will not help me, and I need to be able to advocate for my son. 

But, I was labeled as "gifted" in school. And for anyone who has been around a bunch of "gifted" kids and done the research into neurodiversity and autism, you'll know that "gifted" is a title given to neurodivergent children who can mask well. Hence why the majority of my class was female. While I'm not sure if everyone of us in my class were neurodivergent, I am certain at least 90% were Autistic and/or an ADHDer. The "gifted" title focused on our neurodivergent strengths, but ignored the ways we struggled, instead telling us often that we "failed to perform to our full potential." I will say that the best thing to come from my "gifted" label was my parents being told that I think differently than others. Some parents are told their "gifted" children are smarter than others, but that is misleading and can lead to many mental health issues. Being told I think differently than others has helped me cope in many situations, but I still have a hard time understanding why some can't see the logic and obvious (to me) future results of certain actions. After my son's diagnosis, it's been an eye-opening experience, not only for me, but also for many in my family. We're learning, and trying our best to find ways to understand and support each other. It's not easy, and we're not perfect, but the knowledge we gain day after day, helps us through it all.

Anyway, it was another great month of reading. I'm not focusing on a theme for May, but in June, I will read for Pride month, and in September I will read books by Indigenous Authors since September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a symbolic day in Canada that recognizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools.

Books with Autistic Main Characters and by Autistic Authors that I’ve read and recommend:
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh - Autistic Main Character / Autistic Author
Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White - Autistic Character / Autistic Author
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White - Autistic Main Character / Autistic Author
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang - Autistic Main Character / Autistic Author
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum Edited by Bex Ollerton - comics by Autistic and Neurodivergent Authors and Artists

Books with Autistic Main Characters, many by Autistic Authors that I own but haven’t read yet:
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
Somebody to Love by Mariah Ankenman
Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese
Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
Speak Up by Rebecca Burgess 
You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh - pre-ordered

There are many more on my Wish List. Please feel free to share any others I haven’t included so I can make sure they are on my Wish List, too.