Lydia Michaels's Blog
July 22, 2025
Summer Reading List
We Came. We Read. We Came Again. 
WE SURVIVED. BARELY. 
This year? Absolute chaos—in the best possible way.
We laughed. We cringed. We trauma-bonded over morally gray men with anger issues and magical d**ks. We said “just one more chapter” and looked up four hours later, emotionally wrecked, mascara on our pillows, questioning our standards.
And honestly? Iconic of us.
To every member of Read Between the Wines:
THANK YOU for bringing the unhinged energy, the wine-fueled opinions, and the bravery to say, “That scene on page 237? Life-changing.” We spilled secrets, declared our hard limits, and somehow turned smut recs into soul connections.
Now, summer’s halfway done (rude), and it’s time to power-read your way through the hot girl summer reading list before our next spicy little gathering:
Blind (he’s toxic and we love it) Simple Man (he’s lying) Almost Priest (you already know you’re going to hell, just pack a snack)
Next Book Club: September 11, 2025
Lydia Michaels Books
Vibe: Bring a friend, wine (if you want), bring chaos, bring annotated paperbacks with suspiciously smudged pages, and bring some cash to shop when it’s over!
So finish your reads, hydrate (for once), and get ready to overshare in the name of literature.
Can’t wait to see your feral little faces in September.
xoxo, Your Local Smut Sommelier- Lydia
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December 28, 2022
Prodigal Son is LIVE!!
It’s finally here! This is the moment I have been waiting for!
Prodigal Son is book #3 in The Order of Vampires series and it is an unstoppable, thrilling, runaway rollercoaster from page one!
These books must be read in order, so if you haven’t started the series yet, begin with Original Sin. The reading order is: Original Sin, Dark Exodus, then Prodigal Son. And, yes, there will be more!
This series is PNR, dark vampire romance. Be prepared for heat and some graphic scenes of violence. You can visit the content warning page of my website to check trigger warnings. The content warning page is set up to alert readers of triggers (or kinks) without spoiling too much. Simply search by action, for example “kidnapping” and the site will generate all book titles in my catalog with that action.
Prodigal Son is book #3 in The Order of Vampires series and it is an unstoppable, thrilling, runaway rollercoaster from page one!
These books must be read in order, so if you haven’t started the series yet, begin with Original Sin. The reading order is: Original Sin, Dark Exodus, then Prodigal Son. And, yes, there will be more!
This series is PNR, dark vampire romance. Be prepared for heat and some graphic scenes of violence. You can visit the content warning page of my website to check trigger warnings. The content warning page is set up to alert readers of triggers (or kinks) without spoiling too much. Simply search by action, for example “kidnapping” and the site will generate all book titles in my catalog with that action.
November 15, 2022
Pining For You is on Sale for .99 on Amazon!
Grab your copy while it's on sale!
Blurb:
An unexpected job offer to work as a nanny for the most eligible bachelor in their small town, sends rumors flying. The mayor of Jasper Falls might seem too old for Skylar to date--plus, he's now her boss--but there's no escaping the chemistry they share once living under the same roof...
Rhett Buchanan has single-handedly revitalized Jasper Falls since taking office as mayor. This handsome, single dad appears to be the picture-perfect man, but beneath all that small-town charm, he’s hiding a dark past.
Skylar Marcelli is relieved to move out of her overcrowded, childhood home and into the mayor’s mansion as a live-in-nanny, but her boss is sexy to the point of distraction, and his high expectations leave her eager to please...
The holiday rush slides into a holiday crush, when cold winter nights heat up with sexual tension, an explosion of passion, and an unforgettable Christmas punch that lands Skylar on the Naughty List and at the center of a Jasper Falls scandal.
♥ If you love big family chaos, warm holiday traditions, and age-gap romance, you will love PINING FOR YOU! ♥
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ex92yW
Blurb:
An unexpected job offer to work as a nanny for the most eligible bachelor in their small town, sends rumors flying. The mayor of Jasper Falls might seem too old for Skylar to date--plus, he's now her boss--but there's no escaping the chemistry they share once living under the same roof...
Rhett Buchanan has single-handedly revitalized Jasper Falls since taking office as mayor. This handsome, single dad appears to be the picture-perfect man, but beneath all that small-town charm, he’s hiding a dark past.
Skylar Marcelli is relieved to move out of her overcrowded, childhood home and into the mayor’s mansion as a live-in-nanny, but her boss is sexy to the point of distraction, and his high expectations leave her eager to please...
The holiday rush slides into a holiday crush, when cold winter nights heat up with sexual tension, an explosion of passion, and an unforgettable Christmas punch that lands Skylar on the Naughty List and at the center of a Jasper Falls scandal.
♥ If you love big family chaos, warm holiday traditions, and age-gap romance, you will love PINING FOR YOU! ♥
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ex92yW
June 9, 2022
SIDE SQUEEZE IS LIVE!
So excited that this #beachread is finally here! The Jasper Falls books can be read as a series or each book can be read as a standalone. Don’t miss out! Link in IG bio: https://books2read.com/SideSqueeze Grab your copy now!
June 3, 2022
Side Squeeze Excerpt
He stepped back and pushed his hands into his pockets, facing the door. Her knees weakened and she sagged into the wall.
“Are you in love with him?”
Self-preservation kept her quiet. He watched her through the mirror.
“I have to get back.” She slipped past him, but he caught her arm.
“Let me see you tonight.”
“Harrison—”
“Please. I just want to talk. You owe me that much.”
She balked. “I owe you?”
“You didn’t come to the funeral.”
Shame washed over her, and she lowered her stare. “I couldn’t.”
“I needed you there.”
She shut her eyes. If he needed her, he wouldn’t have left. “No, you didn’t.”
“Well, I wanted you there.”
“Harrison, please.” Her voice strained around the lump forming in her throat. “Don’t make me feel bad for having boundaries.”
He lifted her chin and searched her eyes. “Tell me you’re not in love with him.”
“I don’t love him,” she whispered. “But I’m here with him, and I have to get back.”
“Meet me tonight. Eleven o’clock, in the parking lot of O’Malley’s.”
“Fine. But I have to go.”
“Are you in love with him?”
Self-preservation kept her quiet. He watched her through the mirror.
“I have to get back.” She slipped past him, but he caught her arm.
“Let me see you tonight.”
“Harrison—”
“Please. I just want to talk. You owe me that much.”
She balked. “I owe you?”
“You didn’t come to the funeral.”
Shame washed over her, and she lowered her stare. “I couldn’t.”
“I needed you there.”
She shut her eyes. If he needed her, he wouldn’t have left. “No, you didn’t.”
“Well, I wanted you there.”
“Harrison, please.” Her voice strained around the lump forming in her throat. “Don’t make me feel bad for having boundaries.”
He lifted her chin and searched her eyes. “Tell me you’re not in love with him.”
“I don’t love him,” she whispered. “But I’m here with him, and I have to get back.”
“Meet me tonight. Eleven o’clock, in the parking lot of O’Malley’s.”
“Fine. But I have to go.”
February 1, 2022
MY FUNNY VALENTINE IS LIVE!
Things can get a little heated when your stranded with an enemy during a blizzard...
I am so excited to announce that My Funny Valentine is now live!
A blizzard leaves Erin stranded and at the mercy of her childhood nemesis. Trapped, with no electricity or dry clothes, things heat up when two frienemies are forced to share a bed.
From bestselling and award winning author, Lydia Michaels, comes a second-chance bully romance about love and redemption that will touch readers' hearts!
Giovanni Mosconi has returned to Jasper Falls after years of touring as a standup comedian. When Erin Montgomery, his childhood enemy, heckles his performance at O'Malley's Pub, he holds nothing back and roasts her in front of the whole town. Emotions run wild and secrets are exposed when hate turns to lust and lines begin to blur.
Can trust form where betrayal began? Or should some secrets go to the grave?
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/31GauP1
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3DCv4wo
Nook: https://bit.ly/3zWgkse
Kobo: https://bit.ly/31CFijf
Google Play: Coming Soon!
Start listening in audio!
US Audible: https://adbl.co/3Hb3cCc
UK Audible: https://adbl.co/3udxDnA
Amazon Audio: https://amzn.to/3IvAU5C
Narrated by: Amber Battaglia
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3IpKS9w
I am so excited to announce that My Funny Valentine is now live!
A blizzard leaves Erin stranded and at the mercy of her childhood nemesis. Trapped, with no electricity or dry clothes, things heat up when two frienemies are forced to share a bed.
From bestselling and award winning author, Lydia Michaels, comes a second-chance bully romance about love and redemption that will touch readers' hearts!
Giovanni Mosconi has returned to Jasper Falls after years of touring as a standup comedian. When Erin Montgomery, his childhood enemy, heckles his performance at O'Malley's Pub, he holds nothing back and roasts her in front of the whole town. Emotions run wild and secrets are exposed when hate turns to lust and lines begin to blur.
Can trust form where betrayal began? Or should some secrets go to the grave?
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/31GauP1
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3DCv4wo
Nook: https://bit.ly/3zWgkse
Kobo: https://bit.ly/31CFijf
Google Play: Coming Soon!
Start listening in audio!
US Audible: https://adbl.co/3Hb3cCc
UK Audible: https://adbl.co/3udxDnA
Amazon Audio: https://amzn.to/3IvAU5C
Narrated by: Amber Battaglia
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3IpKS9w
January 25, 2022
Some details on the heroine from My Funny Valentine
Erin is such a unique character. She's lived in my head for years and first appeared at the start of the McCullough Mountain series as Finn's girlfriend (Beautiful Distraction). Now, Finn is married, the whole town hates her, and she's mixed up with Giovanni, a first cousin of the McCulloughs. She's one of my favorite villains we all love to hate. But the curious thing about Erin Montgomery is that, like most bullies, she's mean for a reason. No one has ever been there for her long term. She's not used to kindness or permanence, so nothing unnerves her more than when someone is kind to her and impossible to push away. Giovanni's just that annoying, which is why they never got along. Erin's not huggable. She's certainly not easy. And she'll never be like other girls. But for some crazy reason, he can't stop pushing her buttons and that pushes them into some heated and uncharted territory.
January 18, 2022
My Funny Valentine Excerpt
“What do you know about Ward Montgomery?”
Finn looked up at his cousin from the upside-down little bike on the work table in his garage. “Erin’s dad?” He shrugged, sliding the chain on the bicycle and aligning it until it was tight. “His fertilizer’s overpriced but he served the best crumb cake around. Why?”
Giovanni sipped the beer his cousin offered when he first stopped by. “What was he like at home, like, when you and Erin dated?”
Finn’s sharp blue eyes cut to him, suspicion swirling with the sapphire flecks. “Who wants to know?”
His cousin was rarely guarded. The fact that an unmistakable boundary just went up, proved he knew something. “I do.”
“Why? Why this sudden interest in the dead hardware store owner? You thinking of buying out the shop?”
“No.”
Finn reached for a set of training wheels sitting on the shelf and unwound the nut holding the bolts in place. “Erin’s grown into a pretty girl, but she’s single by choice. If you’re thinking she might be an easy conquest, I’d respectfully ask you to look elsewhere. It wouldn’t be right to take advantage of someone in her state.”
Giovanni narrowed his eyes. “You think I’m the kind of guy to take advantage of girls?”
“I’ve heard your act, G. I know how you are with women.”
“It’s an act, Finn. I’m telling jokes.”
His cousin met his stare with a harder one of his own. “I’m protective of her.”
“You’re married.”
“And I don’t keep secrets from my wife. Erin’s my friend. As her friend, I’m going to suggest you look elsewhere.”
“What if it’s too late?”
Another hard stare.
“Is that a problem?” Giovanni asked. “It’s been a long time since you two dated—”
“Are you using her?”
“Jesus, Finnegan. Give me a little credit.”
“What is it you want from me?” Finn snapped. “Permission? Erin’s a grown woman who can decide for herself. But she’s had a hard life. I can’t recall you two ever being particularly close, so I’m not sure what you’re doing in my garage asking all these questions about a girl I haven’t dated since we were kids.” He shoved the training wheels aside and turned to grab a ratchet off the shelf.
Giovanni grabbed his beer and killed it. “I had sex with her.”
Finn looked up at his cousin from the upside-down little bike on the work table in his garage. “Erin’s dad?” He shrugged, sliding the chain on the bicycle and aligning it until it was tight. “His fertilizer’s overpriced but he served the best crumb cake around. Why?”
Giovanni sipped the beer his cousin offered when he first stopped by. “What was he like at home, like, when you and Erin dated?”
Finn’s sharp blue eyes cut to him, suspicion swirling with the sapphire flecks. “Who wants to know?”
His cousin was rarely guarded. The fact that an unmistakable boundary just went up, proved he knew something. “I do.”
“Why? Why this sudden interest in the dead hardware store owner? You thinking of buying out the shop?”
“No.”
Finn reached for a set of training wheels sitting on the shelf and unwound the nut holding the bolts in place. “Erin’s grown into a pretty girl, but she’s single by choice. If you’re thinking she might be an easy conquest, I’d respectfully ask you to look elsewhere. It wouldn’t be right to take advantage of someone in her state.”
Giovanni narrowed his eyes. “You think I’m the kind of guy to take advantage of girls?”
“I’ve heard your act, G. I know how you are with women.”
“It’s an act, Finn. I’m telling jokes.”
His cousin met his stare with a harder one of his own. “I’m protective of her.”
“You’re married.”
“And I don’t keep secrets from my wife. Erin’s my friend. As her friend, I’m going to suggest you look elsewhere.”
“What if it’s too late?”
Another hard stare.
“Is that a problem?” Giovanni asked. “It’s been a long time since you two dated—”
“Are you using her?”
“Jesus, Finnegan. Give me a little credit.”
“What is it you want from me?” Finn snapped. “Permission? Erin’s a grown woman who can decide for herself. But she’s had a hard life. I can’t recall you two ever being particularly close, so I’m not sure what you’re doing in my garage asking all these questions about a girl I haven’t dated since we were kids.” He shoved the training wheels aside and turned to grab a ratchet off the shelf.
Giovanni grabbed his beer and killed it. “I had sex with her.”
December 17, 2021
What is Unexpected About Dark Exodus?
Unlike traditional romance novels that follow one couple through an arc, the plot of Dark Exodus is an intricate storyline that follows many main characters. Not only does the plot follow two couples closely, readers are able to see how past couples are progressing. At the end of Original Sin, readers suspected some new complications on the horizon. But in Dark Exodus, several immortals are called and we learn just how dangerous and cruel fate can be.
👉LINKS for Dark Exodus (#2):
🔗 Universal: https://books2read.com/DarkExodus
🇺🇸 Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3mHNVje
🇨🇦 Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3DzRdfp
🇬🇧 Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DCZJdG
🇦🇺 Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3iTgNEc
🍎 Apple Books: https://apple.co/30hwcaV
📗 Nook: https://bit.ly/3FLEBnw
📕 Kobo: https://bit.ly/3AIrCze
📘 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3p6tH5U
📚 Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3v5MCOW
📚 BookBub: https://bit.ly/3lHbmKi
Need to start Original Sin (Book 1)?
👉LINKS to read Original Sin (#1):
🔗 Universal: https://bit.ly/3vfiCjW
🇺🇸 Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3DF2OJY
🇨🇦 Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2YHJ8Gu
🇬🇧 Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lBf1cz
🇦🇺 Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3mQzBoU
🍎 Apple Books: https://apple.co/39mvBDI
📗 Nook: https://bit.ly/3CBmCh4
📕 Kobo: https://bit.ly/3ahEfVi
📘 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3EM33Vj
📚 Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3DyKUZu
📚 BookBub: https://bit.ly/3v5MRJQ
🎧Audiobook: https://adbl.co/3vff0OU
👉LINKS for Dark Exodus (#2):
🔗 Universal: https://books2read.com/DarkExodus
🇺🇸 Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3mHNVje
🇨🇦 Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3DzRdfp
🇬🇧 Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3DCZJdG
🇦🇺 Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3iTgNEc
🍎 Apple Books: https://apple.co/30hwcaV
📗 Nook: https://bit.ly/3FLEBnw
📕 Kobo: https://bit.ly/3AIrCze
📘 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3p6tH5U
📚 Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3v5MCOW
📚 BookBub: https://bit.ly/3lHbmKi
Need to start Original Sin (Book 1)?
👉LINKS to read Original Sin (#1):
🔗 Universal: https://bit.ly/3vfiCjW
🇺🇸 Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3DF2OJY
🇨🇦 Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2YHJ8Gu
🇬🇧 Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3lBf1cz
🇦🇺 Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3mQzBoU
🍎 Apple Books: https://apple.co/39mvBDI
📗 Nook: https://bit.ly/3CBmCh4
📕 Kobo: https://bit.ly/3ahEfVi
📘 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3EM33Vj
📚 Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3DyKUZu
📚 BookBub: https://bit.ly/3v5MRJQ
🎧Audiobook: https://adbl.co/3vff0OU
December 14, 2021
DARK EXODUS IS LIVE!
I'm thrilled to share that Dark Exodus is live early!
Larissa Hostetler is on the run after an arranged marriage to Silus, her abusive, immortal husband. As Silus hunts his disobedient wife, he plots her painful atonement. But Bishop King, the most powerful and eldest immortal in The Order, finds Larissa first, and he has plans of his own.
A deadly vampire is slaughtering mortal women in the woods, drawing unwanted attention from the media that threatens to expose their species. The Council is hard pressed to hunt and destroy the creature, but other upheaval is at play.
Immortals are keeping secrets. Vows will be broken and lives eternally changed as appetites for vengeance grow.
Nothing is as it seems when an immortal seeks revenge...
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mHNVje
Apple Books: https://apple.co/30hwcaV
Nook: https://bit.ly/3FLEBnw
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3AIrCze
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3oz7wo7
Audible: https://adbl.co/3vff0OU
Narrated by: Lucinda Gainey
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3v5MCOW
Start reading Original Sin now!
https://bit.ly/3vfiCjW
Larissa Hostetler is on the run after an arranged marriage to Silus, her abusive, immortal husband. As Silus hunts his disobedient wife, he plots her painful atonement. But Bishop King, the most powerful and eldest immortal in The Order, finds Larissa first, and he has plans of his own.
A deadly vampire is slaughtering mortal women in the woods, drawing unwanted attention from the media that threatens to expose their species. The Council is hard pressed to hunt and destroy the creature, but other upheaval is at play.
Immortals are keeping secrets. Vows will be broken and lives eternally changed as appetites for vengeance grow.
Nothing is as it seems when an immortal seeks revenge...
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mHNVje
Apple Books: https://apple.co/30hwcaV
Nook: https://bit.ly/3FLEBnw
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3AIrCze
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3oz7wo7
Audible: https://adbl.co/3vff0OU
Narrated by: Lucinda Gainey
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3v5MCOW
Start reading Original Sin now!
https://bit.ly/3vfiCjW
