stories in and

Ironling

Ironling by S.E. Wendel

A lady heir in a world of lords
 Aislinn Darrow was never meant to be her father’s heir, but that was before her selfish brother condemned himself. Now, she must give up her old life to take his place. She should be presiding in her father’s council chamber and serving the people of the Darrowlands—yet time and again, she finds herself straying to the castle smithy, to visit the handsome new blacksmith manning the forge. A lady can never claim a monster
 Hakon has known all his life his place is in the background. At least at his forge, he can be of use and demonstrate his skills. The life of a halfling is one of halves and pieces, never quite to belong. When he hears of a place that welcomes halflings, he determines to build a new life for himself in the Darrowlands. It is a bittersweet fate to find everything he could ever want there, in a woman he can never have. He knows his green, sooty hands don’t deserve to touch her, but Hakon cannot resist tempting Lady Aislinn back to him, nor indulging in the fantasy of claiming her as his own. But in a world of lords and politics, a lady such as Aislinn could never truly take a halfling like him to mate and wed—especially when her position as a woman lord and usurper leave her and her people vulnerable. When grasping lords threaten the Darrowlands, prepared to take Aislinn’s hand and land through marriage or force, she must choose—the halfling who loves her or the people who need her. Fans of Finnley Fenn, SJM, Grace Draven, and Ruby Dixon will love this fluffy, steamy monster romance story! Check website for content and trigger warnings. Mature content intended for readers 18+. Book 2 stands on its own but will best be enjoyed after Halfling.


Lizards Hold The Sun

Lizards Hold The Sun by Dani Trujillo

Archaeology has historically been a field for white men only. Not anymore. Xiomara Chavez has dedicated her life to the preservation of her Mexican homeland. Out of hundreds of applications, she alone was selected to lead the creation of the Bunchberry Tribal Museum. Faced with her most remote project ever, Xiomara must rely on the help of Calehan, the aloof museum architect. Sparks fly in the archives as Xiomara struggles to refrain from dating in the workplace. Tight-lipped Calehan Yellowbird has been tethered to Bunchberry, Canada for a thousand years. After the loss of his mother as a teen, Calehan has been providing for his family more than half his life. While he earned his architecture degree nearly a decade ago, the Bunchberry Museum would be his first official project. The pressure was immense, and Calehan felt the pressure of this project being his first
and last. Romance and dreams weren’t in the cards for someone like him. For Xiomara though, he was willing to take the chance. Thrown among ancient artifacts, shooting stars, and cultural obligations, Calehan and Xiomara must decide if they belong to each other or if the responsibility to their tribes and families are where they must be.


Gravity's Fire

Gravity's Fire by CJ Aralore

Jason June meets F.T. Lukens in this YA debut that’s two parts fluffy romcom, one part contemporary fantasy, and all epic love story. First love is magic. Sometimes literally. Sixteen-year-old Phoenix “Nix” Ashwell has spent his whole life looking for his soulmate. He’s also spent that life living a lie. After discovering his parents kidnapped him as an infant, he runs away to a town built inside an ancient crater to search for clues about his past. And, no, he’s totally not there to look for a boyfriend. That is, until he meets Max, a boy straight out of his dreams. Okay, fine, he’s definitely there for a boyfriend. Desperate to be closer to Max, Nix takes a series of bizarre tests to get into the special program he’s part of. There’s just one problem: Max is magic. And, after unknowingly cheating on the tests, everyone thinks Nix is magic too—including a group of ex-students whose attempts to reveal magic to the world put Max in danger. Now Nix has way more to worry about than figuring out if Max is flirting with him or just super nice. He’ll have to find his own magic to protect the guy he’s falling so hard for he’s seeing stars. But then he learns his birth parents are hiding even more secrets than the ones he ran away from—one being that he was born to wield the most dangerous kind of magic. He’s faced with an impossible choice: risk the life of the boy he’s spent his whole life looking for or let him go to save him. What began as a quest to find where he belongs becomes a battle between the fire of who he is and the gravity of who he loves.


What Death Forgets

What Death Forgets by Thea Verdone

Never meet your hero, don't tattoo his art all over your body, and definitely don't fall in love with him. When up-and-coming artist, Asher Blakely, is invited to ​compete for a prestigious art mentorship hosted by his hero, ​the reclusive celebrity artist Leviathan Marks, he’ll do ​whatever it takes to win. Because Asher isn’t just any fan. ​He’s spent hours of pain and thousands of dollars turning ​Leviathan’s art into tattoos on his skin. But the more Asher gets to know the mercurial Leviathan, ​the more he starts to fear that maybe he never should have ​met his hero, that maybe Leviathan is no hero at all. Lev Marks collects people like paintings and he’ll stop at ​nothing to add Asher Blakely to his halls. But after luring ​Asher to his ancestral castle perched atop a tidal island, Lev starts to have second ​thoughts. Because Asher’s art is a mirror showing Lev all the worst ​parts of himself, and he can’t risk his secrets getting out. What Death Forgets is an MM modern gothic romance featuring -master painter x art prodigy protĂ©gĂ© -hurt/comfort -anxiety and ADHD rep‹ -touch-starved MC -angst -age gap‹ -forced proximity -creepy castle -limerence to insta-love -mutual obsession -spicy Perfect for fans of Saltburn, Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, Sierra Simone's Thornchapel series, and A Picture of Dorian Gray.


Carrion Saints

Carrion Saints by Hiyodori

“Now reach back,” she said, “and tear off your wings.” Carrion Saints is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between an immortal saint and a severed head. Crow can pass for human. She may come off as eccentric, but she’s good at hiding her wings. As a saint, she’s devoted her endless life to protecting humanity from other immortals: the ones they call monsters. She’s finally ready to take on the worst monster of all, a great evil sealed at the edge of civilization. Magnolia is the worst monster of all. A villain who amuses herself by preying on valiant heroes. At first glance, she looks powerless. She looks, in fact, like a decapitated head (a very chatty one). But her magic lets her issue absolute commands to humans and immortals alike. She’s been waiting centuries for a challenger powerful enough to break the seal binding her in the wilderness. In other words, she’s been waiting centuries to magically seize control over someone like Crow. Crow has always been patient and forgiving. Sadistic, remorseless Magnolia awakens new depths of loathing in her—a hatred of frightening intensity. And now, she's forced to use her full power to grant Magnolia’s one heartfelt wish: to see the rest of the world. To make up for all the years she spent trapped alone with only trees for company. What follows is an ultra slow-burn romance between true enemies. Between good and evil. Between a winged woman and a talkative severed head (who occasionally sprouts the rest of her body, just to keep things lively). They travel together across a post-apocalyptic landscape marked by strange magic and scattered human settlements. Yet the apocalypse happened a long time ago, and eons will pass before their gradually fading world dies for good. In the meantime, these immortals are stuck with each other. Even a saint and a monstrous villain might eventually fall in love—but the path there will be dark, crooked, and sometimes surprisingly cozy. This standalone fantasy novel can be read without prior knowledge of the author’s other work.


The Secret Shape of Worship

The Secret Shape of Worship by A.K. Asher

Love, lust, and irreverent worship. Mina is giving God one last chance: to speak, to change him, to save him from the constant temptations that surround him in the form of the other boys in his seminary class. And what better place to confront both his God and his demons than a religious pilgrimage with his fellow students—a time focused on biblical study and solemn worship. But the god he finds is not the one he expected. A brush with death brings Mina face to face with Anubis, the flail-wielding Egyptian god of the afterlife. Drawn into a dangerous and seductive journey of raw desire and intoxicating revelation, Mina finds himself navigating a world where the lines between sin and salvation are increasingly blurred. But as lust becomes something more, Mina draws the eye of the underworld and is forced to choose between the safety of his familiar faith and the jackal god he’s come to love. And in the end, it may cost his soul. Exploring themes of self-discovery, salvation from the expectations of others, and the profound healing in loving ourselves, The Secret Shape of Worship is the first installment of the planned, interconnected Ancient Awakening series.


Irresistibly Yours

Irresistibly Yours by Vicky Zarielle

A billionaire CEO. A marketing exec with no time for distractions. And one sassy cat determined to cause chaos... Emma Harper didn’t plan on romance. She barely planned on surviving another Monday. But when her mischievous black cat, Ruby, topples coffee all over Havenport’s most elusive billionaire, Emma’s neatly ordered life takes a very unexpected turn. Nolan Pierce is powerful, polished and far too serious for his own good. The rules of his empire are simple: no distractions, no complications, no mixing business with pleasure. But Emma’s quick wit and gentle warmth prove harder to ignore than any boardroom negotiation. Between late night deadlines, awkward almost dates and a viral kiss cam that makes them the city’s favorite “secret couple,” Emma and Nolan find themselves caught in something that feels a lot like fate. And Ruby, the cat who sees everything, is determined to give them a nudge... or a shove. In a city that thrives on ambition and appearances, Emma and Nolan must decide if love is worth the risk. Because sometimes the greatest fortune isn’t in boardrooms or bank accounts, it’s finding someone who feels like home.


Just Like a Fairy Tale

Just Like a Fairy Tale by Cameron James

Luca‘s dreams are finally coming true when he secures a spot in the infamous Drag Club, The Rose Quartet. After years of perfecting his art, his moment is here but there’s still another first that’s niggling in the back of Luca’s mind: he’s never been in love. But maybe the beautiful boy who he’s certain would never like him back could change that. To Jackson, The Rose Quartet is like a second home having been raised amongst the fabulous Queens of the past, but his confidence has been shook after a disaster breakup he believes his demisexuality played a part in. With the health of his grandfather deteriorating by the day, Jackson doesn’t have time for the new Queen who’s catching his eye, right? Both have an undying love for drag which is ultimately what brings the two of them together, but will these two Drag Queens ever figure out what’s right in front of them?


Dumpster Kid

Dumpster Kid by Cameron James

At just 17, McKenzie Jackson took the world by storm with Dumpster Kid, his raw, unfiltered musical about survival, hope, and finding where you belong. Now, a decade later, the prodigy-turned-playwright is ready to reclaim his voice as his show gets a long-overdue revival. But this time, McKenzie won’t just sit back and watch—he’s making sure it’s done his way. Enter a nationwide talent search, a live reality competition, and one dangerously charming contestant who makes McKenzie question everything. Falling for him? Bad idea. Falling for him on national television? Career suicide. And when an unscripted, unapologetic gay kiss ignites both celebration and backlash, McKenzie is thrown into a firestorm he never expected. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Ben is ready to disappear. Bullies, school, and home feel unbearable, and he longs to be anyone but himself. When an opportunity brings him into the orbit of Dumpster Kid, he’s faced with a choice: run from the life he knows or fight for the future he never believed he deserved. Told through dual perspectives, Dumpster Kid is a story of love, identity, and the messy, beautiful chaos of finding where you truly belong. A celebration of art, queerness, and the family we choose, this heart-wrenching yet hopeful novel asks: what happens when the world finally sees you for who you really are?


Adolescent Summers

Adolescent Summers by Cameron James

Adolescent Summer has been lighting up screens for a whole decade – that’s ten years of Oz living it up in a fantasy world lightyears away from reality. But when production shut down during the global pandemic, Oz found himself with more free time than ever, giving him a chance to piece together parts of himself he’d lost. ​When Oz finally returns to the set after the lockdown, he’s in the midst of his own transformation. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s walking straight into a minefield of drama, one that feels all too familiar – just like the battle that erupted when his co-star, Quincy, came out as nonbinary years ago. Old wounds are ripped open, and feelings are hurt. And that’s just the beginning of the on-screen and off-screen drama.


Cassidy is Queen

Cassidy is Queen by Cameron James

Cassidy is the Queen. Everyone knows Cassidy, right? Theatre star, VIP at every party, and boys wrapped around his little finger, Cassidy rules Ravenwood School for Boys, and it’s everything he’s ever wanted, isn’t it? ​After a mix-up in a coffee shop with Casper, a trumpet player from a rival school who isn’t under Cassidy’s spell, Cassidy starts to see his life for what it is: does he want friends or is he happy with followers? Can he trust the people closest to him? Should he continue a secret relationship with his theatre teacher? Is the word boy the right word to describe him? ​With the help of Casper, Cassidy begins to explore who he truly is and whether he even wants to be The Queen after all. For the first time, he lets himself fall for someone who shows him there’s more to life than fancy parties, expensive clothes, and a disposable income.


Merman's Delight

Merman's Delight by Skyler Nightshade

After a successful mating season, Glacier returns to the lighthouse he calls home to rest and watch over his treasure pile. Used to spending his days left alone by the human who lives there, he is surprised to find that the lighthouse is being tended by someone new--someone much more curious about the merman who’s been protecting the shore. It doesn’t take long before Glacier is discovered, and the chase is on. Will Glacier be able to escape, or will this human catch him? And why are forbidden feelings starting to grow the longer Glacier is pursued?


I summon the sea

I summon the sea by Mona Archer

I loved a fair boy once, and he was taken from me. I’m back to avenge him, no matter the cost. Every year, the fae king organizes deathly trials with human tributes to please the gods. This year, I am taking part in them. My goal? To enter the palace in the aftermath and take the king out once and for all. My advantage? I’m no ordinary human. Not anymore. I am a sea maiden. These trials, held in the sea, should be a piece of cake for me. My mistake? I hadn’t counted on my magic failing me, or on Jai, the fae king’s arrogant dragon-summoner, volunteering in the trials to protect me. I hadn’t counted on resurfacing feelings and memories. On the people surrounding me not being who they seem. On the tables turning on me. I am a razor-sharp thorn, a blade honed to fight, and this is when it all comes together, when it all ends. Yet I am foiled by prophecies and signs, illusions and lies. Who is Jai? What is the truth? And what price will I have to pay to find out? The legend of Theseus meets the Little Mermaid, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, in this epic romance story set against a sky full of dragons.


Pandion

Pandion by J.B. Thwaite

After graduating from the seven-year extended program of the top-ranking empath university in Japan, the serial overachiever, Harumine Satoru, is paired to work with the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel shirker delinquent, Kagesawa Tsuyoshi. What could possibly go wrong? Pandion is a nerdy gay workplace ro— Soft Scifi Adventure set in near-future alternate universe Japan with plenty of character growth, neurodiversity rep, geeky tech and an intriguing plot with realistic, relatable stakes. Can these nerds overcome their unusual circumstances?


An Impractical Guide to Satyr Charming

An Impractical Guide to Satyr Charming by Cynthia Diamond

With her magic stolen, Ivy Bennett is a witch doomed to die. But she isn’t giving up without a fight. One ritual could restore her power, all she needs is a little elbow grease and an abandoned house in the woods. Unfortunately, the home’s current resident -an arrogant satyr named Finn- will not tolerate a witch in his territory. Ivy will be damned if the goat-legged jerk gets in her way. If only he wasn’t as sexy as he is infuriating. Charming a satyr isn't at the top of Ivy's do-to-list, but it's either come to a truce with the insufferable male or knock on death’s door. After witnessing the slaughter of his herd, Finn’s sole purpose is to protect his brother and his lands from deadly witches. But when one moves in, his fury rises. While the need to drive the witch away is strong, his desire for her is stronger. Soon he finds himself wanting the lovely, stubborn female more than hating her. But keeping Ivy as his own would forfeit everything he’s held sacred. And now her presence has attracted something in the forest
 something that may destroy them all.


Circus of Dreams

Circus of Dreams by B. Green

Circus of Dreams: Crimson Carnival Book 1 B. Green Ticket admission: one. Dearest reader, you are cordially invited to attend a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For one night only, satisfy your wildest appetites with no judgment or repercussions. All we ask for in return is unlimited access to your blood. Welcome to the Circus of Dreams. Once every fifteen years --for one night only-- a mysterious circus comes to the small town of Hillsview. To the untrained eye, it's simply a place to live out one's deepest, darkest desires. To Danni, it's a dangerous vampire hunting ground. After years of searching, Danni finally has the chance to avenge her mother's death when the Vampire Circus arrives with its enigmatic cast of performers. But she isn't counting being fated to its vampire ringmaster. Will she find revenge behind the velvet curtain... or love? Get ready for a thrilling ride into a world where every ticket has a cost, and love and vengeance dance together in the moonlight.


The Assassin and the Sorceress

The Assassin and the Sorceress by NRG Selove

A ruthless assassin. A wisecracking sorceress. A perilous journey that will reshape the Kingdom. Driven by money and hatred, Jessara is the greatest of the King’s royal assassins. An autistic elf born in the forests of Anwood, Jessara was trained from childhood to become the perfect weapon against the Compact of the elves. When it comes to a special capture or kill contract, she’s the obvious choice when the King needs a delicate touch. Her target: a mysterious fugitive human sorceress named Asha Weaver. A specialist in fire magic, Asha narrowly manages to escape execution in the capital city of the Kingdom. Her impulsive and reckless nature prove to be a challenge when a series of misadventures forces the assassin and the sorceress to work together. Loyalties will be questioned as the reluctant partners battle monsters, hide secrets, overcome betrayal, and face the inconvenient feelings growing between them.


Mechanical Heart

Mechanical Heart by Beverly Anne Michel

Levy Hart thought he had a great life. He lived with his best friend, scientist, Finnea Wong. He had a good job, played Dungeons and Dragons, and loved to bake for his friends. Everything seemed to be going perfectly until he discovered someone close to him had been keeping secrets. Lies and secrets turn his world upside down. He must relearn how to navigate the world. He must learn how to trust the ones closest to him again. Things become even more complicated when Finnea finds herself in trouble. Levy must help her while rebuilding their relationship.


Thorns Among Shadows: A Rapunzel Retelling

Thorns Among Shadows: A Rapunzel Retelling by Ally Kelly

Strong of Root, Strong of Thorn Meira is the daughter of a nobleman, expected to take her father's place at court. Bound by family duty, she returns to the capital city for the first time in years, feeling out of place as she enters the intricacies of court life and all that it entails. Since his father's death, a shadow has fallen over Crown Prince Gaelen and his kingdom of Alythia. Gaelen's stepmother is acting as Queen Regent, with a mysterious hold over the prince. Meira's appearance at court provides a welcome distraction from his troubles. Just as Meira begins to rekindle a childhood romance with Gaelen, the prince disappears. But finding Gaelen proves to be no small matter. In order to rescue him, Meira must travel through both the Fae realm and Shadowlands, facing obstacles that will test the limits of her resolve and forces that threaten everything she cares about. Thorns Among Shadows is a Rapunzel retelling for anyone who loves fantasy adventure, sweet romance, and a chance for the girl to be the hero of the fairytale.


The Burn of a Bourbon Soaked Cherry

The Burn of a Bourbon Soaked Cherry by MJ Marlowe

a queer, small town romance between a Trans M/Cis F, packed with high heat and a tender touch to soothe the burn ‘Thirty-five year old Hazel Vincent is no stranger to wanting things—she’s human after all, but a life of holding herself back has turned her apathetic. That is, until she unexpectedly sees him. Immediately drawn to the mysterious, older newcomer in the small town bar, Hazel decides she’s ready to take what she wants: starting with a night entwined in him. Except as her evening progresses with the gruff, yet tender cowboy, it’s clear to them both that their connection goes beyond something one night of passion can satisfy. Only problem is, neither one are looking for love.’


Too Like the Lightning

Too Like the Lightning by Travis Beaudoin

Andrew Madigan had everything he ever wanted. He’d worked hard to build this perfect little life. A stable relationship with a successful man. A beautiful home in a quiet suburb. And best of all, a job where he spent his days talking about literature. Then his tenure was denied and, too quickly for him to stop it, everything crumbled. Now, with his dreams in the dust and his confidence shattered, Andrew has one summer to figure out his next move. Bulbs, Florida, is like no place Andrew’s ever known. It’s small and provincial. It’s hot as hell. Storms roll through every single day. But Andrew just has to keep his head down. Finish his book, find a new job, put things back on track. Easy-peasy. He didn’t plan on making a friend. Coley Brandt has a green thumb and an easy smile. He’s much younger than Andrew, but he puts Andrew at ease, makes him feel at home. Their time together reminds Andrew what having a purpose feels like. Suddenly, this long, lonely summer feels too short. But Coley has dreams of his own, and they’re a million miles away from the life Andrew’s trying to get back. Maybe this is just a summer fling. Maybe, like the lightning, it’s only meant to be glorious for a moment before it disappears. Or maybe it’s something more.


The Lies That They Tell

The Lies That They Tell by TM Lore

The Lies That They Tell is the tantalizing sequel to the gritty and dark award winning thriller novel The Secrets That They Keep. Alyx Beck has been crowned Queen and must now become everything she hates. To survive-while surrounded by the spiders that want to eat her alive-she'll have to perform her role within the hierarchy; which means she must be bred by her King. Kept from her neurodivergent twin brother, Alyx has no idea how he's doing and worries if she doesn't fulfill her role as child-bearer her brother will be found and killed for her shortcomings. She'll have to use every weapon at her disposal, including her mouth, to keep him safe. That is if the spiders don't kill her first. It's Blink Twice meets Filthy Rich. This dark thriller has a female protagonist, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ characters. Content warnings can be found at the beginning of the novel.


Paramour

Paramour by Robin Alvarez

“You know that feeling people get when something bad is about to happen to someone they love? Or how some people know it’s their time right before getting into a horrible accident? Well, that’s me. I warn them Death is coming.” Sadie is a banshee on the run—from hunters, from her past, and from the terrifying truth that she’s already killed once before. As an empath, she’s learned to shut everything down: no highs, no lows, no chance of losing control. Because if she feels too much, she becomes lethal. But when a hunter casts a mysterious spell, Sadie gets so sick she can’t escape into other people’s emotions anymore. Now she’s forced to feel everything she’s spent years running from. Grief. Rage. Longing. For the first time, she’s breaking her careful rules for survival as she forges connections with new friends who see past her façade, and Nathan—the human boy she’s fated to. Falling for him might be her undoing. As hunters close in, and friendship and love creep past her defenses, Sadie must risk losing control—and everything that keeps her safe—to protect those she never meant to love.


Shiver Me

Shiver Me by Vermillion

A pirate’s life has never been so tempting. Long-suffering governess Regula is out of her depth on the Wretched Lady, a ship full of pirates as shamelessly charming as they are dangerous. She’d guessed her life would change, leaving the familiar walls of Sanctuary, but she’d never expected to fall into the hands of pirates. Even worse, the Wretched Lady’s roguish captain won’t let her, or her valuable charge, out of his sight, much less off his ship. Connor never wanted to be captain. Bad luck for him that the last one disappeared. It doesn’t help that after twenty years of violently enforced isolation, the city of Sanctuary has awoken with a vengeance, and the pirates who haunt her waters have already begun to pay. With a storm brewing in the isles and two strange women washing up on his deck, Connor must accept his captaincy, or else risk everything he holds dear. That is, if he can get his mind off the intriguing stranger who keeps dodging his questions. An adventurous romp of epic proportions, the sea will test them both as the shadow of Sanctuary looms larger over the water. Shiver Me is the first book in a daring fantasy romance series, each following a different couple towards their HEA.


The Dravenhearst Brides

The Dravenhearst Brides by Lindsay Barrett

An heiress with a haunted past enters a marriage of convenience with a man as tempting as the devil himself
and likely just as ruinous. After a scandalous debut sent her into recluse, heiress Margaret Greenbrier returns to the Louisville social circuit for the 1933 season. Laudanum prescription or no, Margot is not crazy. She’s not. But perception is reality, and all the money in the world can’t buy the illusion of sanity. Nor, apparently, can it convince even the most red-blooded of men to get into bed with her. Meanwhile, in the heartland of Kentucky, the Great Depression is sinking its roots into the Bluegrass. Prohibition has not been kind to the whiskey industry, and bourbon aristocrat Merrick Dravenhearst is feeling the squeeze. After a chance encounter with a beautiful heiress, sworn bachelor Merrick impulsively throws his hat in the ring for Margot’s hand. Just the right hint of lust, money, and quiet desperation
the best society marriages have been staked on far less, after all. Upon arrival at Dravenhearst Distilling as a newlywed, Margot uncovers the legend of the Dravenhearst suicide brides—two generations of wives, both found dead on the grounds of the distillery. Her new manor home is teeming with ghostly glimmers of the women who lived there before her. And her brooding, beguiling new husband is unaware Margot has brought demons of her own to his estate, initiating a cataclysmic chain of events set to bring long-buried blood-tinged family secrets to the surface. The Dravenhearst Brides is a loose retelling of du Maurier’s Rebecca and is set on a haunted bourbon distillery estate. With a marriage of convenience love story, a brooding Byronic hero, and ghost brides afoot, this book is perfect for fans of Isabel Canas and Crimson Peak.


Savannah Royals

Savannah Royals by Lindsay Barrett

A bayou con artist with a thirst for riches. A blue blood boy with a heart of gold. And the criminal mastermind who brings them together
then tears them apart. By day, Katarina Quinn masquerades as a well-bred lady of Savannah. At night, she runs with a ragtag gang of con artists and thieves. She’s a downright professional. And pros never make rookie mistakes like falling for the target—especially when they’re already in love with the criminal underlord of the city. Enter Matthew DaMolin, a wittily charming, newly minted physician, who just so happens to be the son of one of the great American dynasties. Matthew is Kat’s ticket into a highly exclusive club, a place to rub shoulders with the likes of the Rockefellers and the Astors. The thief inside Kat is salivating, but much to her surprise, so is the woman. When her interest shifts from professional to personal, it threatens her place in both Savannah’s criminal underworld and high society. With a street war brewing amongst the city gangs of Savannah and a jewel heist against Matthew’s family on the horizon, Kat’s two worlds collide in a clash of knives and double-crosses. Caught between the cunning, indomitable rogue she’s loved since childhood and the captivating, earnest man targeted by her schemes, she must choose
 Whose throat will Kat press her dagger against when the dust settles? Savannah Royals is a Prohibition era heist romance filled with thieving shenanigans and double-crosses, a morally grey cast, and a piping hot love triangle. Perfect for fans of MacLean’s Bareknuckle Bastards series and those who loved Six of Crows...but wanted more romance! It can be read as a standalone.


It Bubbles Under The Skin

It Bubbles Under The Skin by Caitlin Marceau

And they were crewmates... Jayce has spent her whole life by the ocean as part of the close-knit communities found across the Îles de la Madeleine. With a place to call her own, a job she adores, and a girlfriend she loves, her life has always been a comfortably predictable one. But after a night in the waters at Pointe aux Loups Beach, Jayce quickly finds her world upended as something calls to her from the ice cold waves. When blisters filled with saltwater ooze from her skin and ropes of seaweed slither from her body, Jayce realizes she can’t ignore the voice for much longer.


Queen O'Nine Tails

Queen O'Nine Tails by Lindz McLeod

Pirate queen Valentina Mallozzi kidnaps civilian Miss Gloria Vane for ransom at the nearest port, but Gloria isn’t the helpless girl she pretends to be—she’s a talented pickpocket and observant spy. Her best chance of escape lies in seducing Mallozzi, but the famed Queen O'Nine Tails won't be wooed so easily. When a demon sneaks aboard the ship, jumping from body to body in an attempt to gain power amid the chaos, Gloria's situation goes from bad to much, much worse. The remaining crew must find and kill the demon while juggling an increasingly paranoid and out-of-control Mallozzi, whose foretold destiny threatens to destroy them all.


Enamoured: A Triptych

Enamoured: A Triptych by Shelley Lavigne

Alchemists may have failed to distill youth, but Josephine is determined to bottle beauty. Josephine is determined to make her fortune, but in early 1900s Canada as a widow under suspicion of murder, her dream of building a cosmetic empire seems like a fantasy. That is until a wealthy young socialite enters her shop, her presence reigniting long-caged desires and memories of Josephine's first love. As their unassuming relationship turns into a seductive power struggle, and the cosmetic application takes a dangerous turn, will Josephine choose companionship or capital? Billed as NATURAL BEAUTY meets DELIVER ME meets PERFUME: STORY OF A MURDERER, and containing three illustrations by Becca Snow, this novella follows Josephine as she plays the gruesome game of LOVE, CAPITALISM, and BEAUTY.


Trial Run

Trial Run by S.M. Levine

Three weeks to fall in love 
 or lose it all. Dr. Ben Friedman’s mental health clinic, The Well Space, has helped hundreds of patients with mental health issues live better lives. But Ben doesn’t need any help for himself. He’s got it all under control, even though he suffers from worsening panic attacks and hasn’t been to the office in a month. Florist delivery driver Nell uses her green thumb and sheer optimism to get by, but under the surface, her roots are withering. The rent is late, her son is sick, and to top it all off, she woke up to an eviction notice. When she knocks on the wrong door and drops her flower arrangement, it’s just one more mistake to smooth over with a smile. But the grumpy, formally dressed man at the door sees right through her cheerful front. An unexpected connection sparks between them as Nell helps Ben through a panic attack on his porch. To thank her, Ben orders flowers for every patient in his practice. Nell agrees to deliver them—but only if he comes along for the ride. A blossoming attraction in the florist delivery van leads them to try a three-week trial run for dating. Three weeks to see if Ben can step out of his comfort zone, and if Nell can overcome her painful past and nourish her long-forgotten goals.


Lionheart

Lionheart by Melissa Fee Adkins

She wasn’t supposed to fall in love on tour—especially not with her best friend. It’s the summer of 2005, and Kate Kingston is running from something—maybe grief, maybe herself—across the Midwest in a rundown van with her band, Lionheart. Every mile takes her deeper into a tangle of late-night gigs, half-healed heartbreak, and unresolved tension with Jake, her drummer and oldest friend. The plan is simple: survive the DIY tour, avoid her feelings, and definitely don’t fall into Jake’s arms, even if they already feel like home. But secrets don’t stay buried on the road. As their tour spirals through dive bars, motels, and the wreckage of everything unsaid, Kate and Jake must navigate what’s breaking them—and what might be worth saving. Lionheart is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance about found family, grief, healing through music, and the terrifying magic of letting someone see you—really see you—and love you anyway.


The Memoir of Johnny Daywalker

The Memoir of Johnny Daywalker by Meghan Davis

The world knows him as Johnny DayWalker, the vampire whose willingness to challenge the status quo fundamentally changed the dynamic between our two species worldwide. But if you ask him, he’s just a guy who fell in love with a human. Interview with the Vampire meets Warm Bodies in this memoir of an isolated vampire who longed for a different kind of life. His story urges us not to take for granted the things that make us human, and to appreciate the beauty in our mortality.


Leave a Light on for Me

Leave a Light on for Me by Briar Holloway

A year after her mum’s death, twenty-something trans woman Natalie Dawson is on a downward spiral, self-medicating with alcohol and binge-watching Buffy. She’s let her veganism lapse, abandoned her culinary dreams, and checked out of every connection she’s ever made. The present’s bleak, the future bleaker. Until she falls in love with Veronica, a woman twice her age who likes nothing more than to play games that would put Steven Shainberg’s Secretary to shame. After discovering a box of old mix tapes, Natalie’s convinced she’s found signs her late mum saw her as a daughter after all. A trail of pop songs and power ballads provide a lifeline, one that’ll see her exhume the role she played in her mum’s death, and bring Veronica’s own secrets to the surface. Splicing the complex romance of The Phantom Thread with the metaphorical ghosts of Six Feet Under, the novel is perfect for readers of Torrey Peters and Caroline O'Donoghue, and fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and My Year of Rest and Relaxation.


Touched: PINK Edition

Touched: PINK Edition by Sage T. Greene

Touched is available in TWO unique editions 1 - PINK clean, “closed door” (romance without crude language or explicit erotic scenes) 2 - BLACK spicy, “open door” (mild crude language with explicit erotic scenes) Choose the edition which best suits you (or a recipient - the PINK Edition was edited for my mother!) The royals of Ephtas are Touched, esteemed for their pointed ears and ancient blood. They are beloved by their kingdom, but the Ephtas Manor is harboring secrets. Prince Erryn has been instructed to marry Lady Helm, yet a surprise romance with stablehand Rolfe complicates the arrangement, and Erryn must navigate the royal expectations of perfection without disappointing his kingdom—or revealing the true nature of his lover’s identity. Prince Drake is the playboy cavorting with maids, but he hides a secret affair beneath his carefree demeanor, and to be found out could result in death. King Merit, ever devoted to his kingdom and sons, finds his own desires growing difficult to repress. “Kingdom before self” is a tall task when pining for a fresh-faced noblewoman and navigating threats to tradition and order. Ancient blood stirs within the kingdom. The Touched are more numerous than is commonly known. Some, lurking in shadow, bide their time, waiting to make their appearance. The Ephtas men must reconcile their private hearts before they may truly be vulnerable with each other and with their kingdom. Touched is a heart-fluttering “romantasy” following the relationships of three couples. You will find slow-burn, fast-burn, queer representation, secret relationships, and journeys of self-acceptance.


Touched: BLACK Edition

Touched: BLACK Edition by Sage T. Greene

Touched is available in TWO unique editions 1 - PINK clean, “closed door” (romance without crude language or explicit erotic scenes) 2 - BLACK spicy, “open door” (mild crude language with explicit erotic scenes) Choose the edition which best suits you (or a recipient - the PINK Edition was edited for my mother!) The royals of Ephtas are Touched, esteemed for their pointed ears and ancient blood. They are beloved by their kingdom, but the Ephtas Manor is harboring secrets. Prince Erryn has been instructed to marry Lady Helm, yet a surprise romance with stablehand Rolfe complicates the arrangement, and Erryn must navigate the royal expectations of perfection without disappointing his kingdom—or revealing the true nature of his lover’s identity. Prince Drake is the playboy cavorting with maids, but he hides a secret affair beneath his carefree demeanor, and to be found out could result in death. King Merit, ever devoted to his kingdom and sons, finds his own desires growing difficult to repress. “Kingdom before self” is a tall task when pining for a fresh-faced noblewoman and navigating threats to tradition and order. Ancient blood stirs within the kingdom. The Touched are more numerous than is commonly known. Some, lurking in shadow, bide their time, waiting to make their appearance. The Ephtas men must reconcile their private hearts before they may truly be vulnerable with each other and with their kingdom. Touched is a heart-fluttering “romantasy” following the relationships of three couples. You will find slow-burn, fast-burn, queer representation, secret relationships, and journeys of self-acceptance.


The Goshawk and the One-Eyed Dragon

The Goshawk and the One-Eyed Dragon by Lila Mina

A missed shot on the battlefield. A desperate plan to save her clan to redeem herself. The explosive origin story of a love that will span four centuries. In the heat of battle, fearless warrior Kyoko strikes with unmatched precision, guided by an unyielding spirit. Her arrows, like whispers of fate, hit their mark every time. One shot is all it would take to bring the Date clan to their knees, until the damning smile of the One-Eyed Dragon disrupts her focus, altering the course of her life. As her clan faces ruin, Kyoko sets out to right her wrongs, willing to sacrifice it all - love, joy, and her relationship with her kin. Nudged by invisible hands pushing her on the path of her destiny, she steps into the dragon’s lair, unaware that the ruthless warlord within will walk by her side until the very End
 and Beyond. For fans of powerful lady warriors and LGBTQI protagonists, a gritty and highly explicit enemies-to-lovers, altar-diplomacy, fated-souls romance with a supernatural twist. This is a prequel to the author’s TEMPER saga, but it can also be read a standalone.


Burn Up In Victory

Burn Up In Victory by Jennifer R. Donohue

When her brother Marco unexpectedly elopes, Serafina of House Galeazzo is left alone with their distant father and domineering mother. Forced to step up and take part in the magical dueling society that Marco always shielded her from, Serafina must find her footing and manage to move forward, all the while wishing she escaped with her brother. Lorenzo of House Valier was Marco’s best friend, and had no idea that he was going to vanish into thin air. Now he’s left without his closest confidante since childhood and, and that damnable sister left to fill that hole in their dueling circle. Why couldn’t she have been the one to depart? As the circle works to hone their skills, practice and occasional bloodshed bring them closer together. Serafina learns more about her magical spark, unable to disentangle herself from Lorenzo, until one fateful night after a tournament when he is the only place she can turn.


Stone Heart

Stone Heart by Mallory Glass

An isolated manor. Ancient enemies locked in an eternal struggle. An innocent woman’s heart and soul caught in the middle. Lord McCardle hires me to stay at Kinloch Manor to restore the keep’s magnificent granite guardians. From the arrogant McCardle to the grumpy Cook, no one here is what they seem. Adriel, the great stone beast guarding the manor’s entrance, unlocks the magic hidden inside me. Now I have two choices. Flee from the handsome monster who occupies my nights and surrender my daylight dreams... Or risk it all for love and join the battle between two ancient enemies. A slightly unhinged Gothic-inspired romance set in a remote Scottish manor, with stone monsters, ancient enemies, unexpected magic, fated mates, a touch of grumpy/sunshine, and spice.


Lost Together

Lost Together by Courtney Rosaleen

A twenty minute daylight cycle and the creatures who lurk in the dark were just the beginning. They’re still lost to a world of magic and monsters
 only now, they’re not alone. And time is running out. — Steven Stone and Alexandra Cutter have not only learned how to survive their new world, and to use their powers, they’ve found out what it means to live. In this strange place where magic exists and monsters rule the dark, they realize that home is where you choose it to be. That maybe they were meant to find each other, and this place. Until someone new lands on their beach, and everything changes. When clues about what happened to those who came before slowly come to light, they must work together as they’re faced with the reality that the life they’ve created in their cliffside home isn’t the end of their journey. They’re nowhere closer to finding the way back. All they know is that their days are numbered. This is an upper YA/NA dark romance series. Book one, Lost to a Dream, is intended for readers 15+. This novel is NA and is intended for readers 18+.


Lost to a Dream

Lost to a Dream by Courtney Rosaleen

Two teenagers find themselves alone in a world where magic exists, and monsters appear in the dark. Only... the night comes every ten minutes and not even death can help them escape. Alexandra Cutter has hopes of leaving her small town. Until she falls through a portal in an abandoned mineshaft and finds herself lost to a world where you either find shelter, or fight for your life until the sun rises. Never did she imagine being so desperate to get back home. When Steven Stone is forced to live in a new town, he’s flat out angry about it. Until the dreams start. Dreams about the missing girl he never even met. But watching her die, night after night, never being able to save her, is far from a dream. When Steve wakes up in the ruined landscape of his nightmares and Alex saves his life, not only are they forced to survive and learn to live together as they search for a way out
 but they are left with the question, what happens if they never do? This is an upper YA/NA dark romance series. It is intended for readers 15+ for book one, and 18+ for the remainder of the series.


When the Leaves Fall

When the Leaves Fall by Chelsea Jean

Drew’s world is forever changed when her mom collapses upon returning from their annual mother/daughter trip. Instead of flying back home to Colorado, she is staying in Wisconsin with her dad while her mom recovers. Luca chose to become a Critical Care Unit nurse because he knows how it feels for the world to fade away around you, and the only thing you can see clearly is the pain and stress of caring for a loved one. When the pair meets, they bond over their shared experiences, sweet gestures, and an undeniable attraction. But Drew lives states away, and Luca is on her mom’s care team. There is a boundary there that they know they shouldn’t cross. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist.


Just a Peck

Just a Peck by Chelsea Jean

Mavis Meyers is thrilled to be teaching at her high school alma mater. However, organizing the end-of-year carnival might be enough to send her back to substitute teaching in Milwaukee. Who knew trying to get a group of teachers and parents to focus on the task at hand would be so hard? The most difficult person is none other than Lena Laei-Johnson, a local farm owner and co-chair of the carnival. She is used to taking the lead on planning the carnival and despises change. After the first planning meeting with Lena, Mavis understands why no one volunteered to take on this role. From the theme to the decorations, the two clash over every little detail. But underneath, a simmering attraction grows. Can the two women stop trying to be right long enough to notice how right they are for each other?


A Minor Inconvenience

A Minor Inconvenience by Chelsea Jean

At 30 years old, Murphie has everything she thinks she wants. A steady job, a handsome boyfriend, the best friend you could ask for, and her lovable dog. She isn’t ready for a minor inconvenience to be thrown her way. She is determined to make her relationship work and not get distracted by Gavin's thick arms, dimpled smile, and good heart; especially because she is his boss. 22-year-old Gavin is a senior in college with plans to attend veterinarian grad school in Scotland. And even though she has a boyfriend, he can't keep his eyes or thoughts off of Murphie—her flowing auburn hair and the freckles covering her nose and arms. He thinks she is the funniest and sexiest woman he’s ever met. She thinks he's too young. Can Murphie keep Gavin in the friend zone when he is determined to become so much more?


Ranger

Ranger by Dietrich Stogner

Jaina Creighton has always known what it means to sacrifice. When both her brothers are marked for conscription into the Dominion’s wars, she makes a desperate choice—trading her own freedom to join the rangers, an ancient order bound by oath to walk the wilds and guard the people. Her decision will spare her brothers from service
 but binds her to a life of duty from which there is no return. Far to the south, Antoinette DeLuca—scion of one of Vetticci’s most powerful houses—has secrets carved into her every masterpiece. An artist, a spy, and a woman trapped by her family’s ambitions, she has learned to shape beauty from duty and deceit alike. When her path collides with Jaina’s, the chemistry between them is as dangerous as it is undeniable. But the Dominion is shifting. The dukes raise armies. Shadows lengthen across the land. And as the days slip away, whispers of something vast and terrible grow louder. To protect the ones they love, Jaina and Antoinette must each come to understand the truth of who they are—and choose between loyalty and desire, between what they owe and what they yearn for. The countdown has already begun. And when it ends, nothing will be the same.


Illusions of Lust

Illusions of Lust by Kylie Doyle

Calliope I never asked to be a savior. This island has become my prison and my penance. It has rotted my soul and hollowed me into something unrecognizable. Redemption slipped through my fingers long ago, and now all I dream of is escape. Death waits for me at every turn, whispering promises of peace. Then he arrives. My Nightmare is tall, dark, and vengeful—vowing to bury me. Perhaps I’ll let him. I suppose real freedom only comes when your last breath has been stolen. Aztyn Calliope Veritas took everything from me. My brother’s blood stains her hands, and I’ve sworn to balance the scales with her soul. I’ve hunted monsters, and delivered justice wrapped in agony to many but she is different. There is something in her silence that sings, something in her gaze that drags me under. My obsession grows like a thorned vine, strangling reason. I think I’ll keep her close—my Little Muse—until I carve the truth from her bones


Soft Launch (Zeta Love Story #1)

Soft Launch (Zeta Love Story #1) by Olivia Carter

A high-heat, emotionally grounded queer romance about burnout, vulnerability, and falling hard—on camera and off. Remy: I wasn’t trying to go viral. I was just doing my job. Glitter, spandex, party chaos. Then suddenly I was internet famous, and everything got louder. Too many eyes. Too much pressure. I couldn’t keep up. Enter Karim El-Amin. Ex-wellness star. Content whisperer. Calm-in-a-storm kind of guy. He says he can help me build something sustainable. I’m trying to be cool about it. I’m failing. Karim: After I burned out, I swore I was done. No more cameras. No more public anything. Just yoga, hot tea, and quiet mornings above a queer cafĂ©. Then Remy showed up. Loud. Glittery. Overwhelmed. He asked for help and I said yes. I thought I could stay detached. I thought I could keep it professional. I was wrong. Now we’re building something together. A platform. A relationship. A life. If we can stop spiraling long enough to hold onto it. Soft Launch is a high-heat, emotionally grounded queer romance about burnout, creator chaos, mutual support, and falling hard—online and off. It features slow burn to explosive heat, soft dom energy, neck kisses as a love language, and a tender third act separation with a guaranteed happily ever after. It’s book one in the Zeta Love Story series and can be read as a standalone.


Summon D for Demon

Summon D for Demon by Dove Soleil

The book said “Pleasure.” This is apparently what the universe thinks I mean by that. Silvia didn’t expect the spell she found in the old hall closet grimoire to work at all, let alone summon a demon. She certainly didn’t expect to summon only one
 very specific and enormous part of him. But what starts as loneliness quickly turns to connection. She brought him here by accident, but she brought him back on purpose. Each time, there’s more of him, no matter how much he tries to hide. Ari isn’t ready to be seen yet, but he’s falling for her just as hard as she’s falling for him.


Hounded - Ashes to Ashes

Hounded - Ashes to Ashes by Quinn Cameron

Some creatures are born to burn; only a few can rise again. Indy remembers everything now: the failed cross-country escape, the moment he lost Loren, and the demons that are hunting him. His past is less of a mystery, but his present grows more dangerous by the day. Loren’s return is far from the solution to Indy’s myriad problems. The archdemon Nero still wants his tears and is willing to enlist every one of the newly made hellhounds to get them. With his powers fading and the threat on his existence looming larger than ever, Indy is running out of options. Even with aid from a new group of allies, survival is far from guaranteed. In the end, no force in Heaven or on Earth can save Indy except, maybe, himself. If only he knew how.


The Kraken's Castaway

The Kraken's Castaway by Cassandra Medcalf

I drowned in Lake Superior. I was rescued by some ancient god monster in the depths of the lake. I've got gills now, that's fun. And I'm apparently the smokin' hottest thing this Viking octopus shifter has ever seen. Cool. Cool cool cool. Lillian and Erik have a problem. They were cursed by two wayward Titans holed up in Lake Superior, trapped on an island, and won't be set free until they agree to be surrogate and seed donor for an entire hoard of monster babies. The solution? Simple. No funny business, no matter how tempting the tentacles. But the longer they’re held captive, the closer they become. Giving into their feelings could mean the end of the world as they know it, but eternity is a long time. And as the two of them develop a stronger and stronger connection, the torture of staying apart becomes all the more impossible to bear. With the world at stake, are they strong enough to keep their hands off each other? Or is their attraction even greater than the forces they’re keeping at bay?


Luxuria

Luxuria by Colette Rhodes

Ophelia has a dirty secret. Well, it’s not really a secret anymore. Ophelia was born into a family of Hunters, tasked with protecting the humans from the creatures of the night who feast on their fear. Except Ophelia always found the idea of monsters kind of intriguing. She even made the grave sin of committing some X-rated monster thoughts to paper—which in hindsight may not have been the best idea because her parents were mortified—but you live and learn. Well, everyone finds out your secret, you get banished from society, and then you learn. But the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Ophelia has been waiting for to make good on some of those fantasies has arrived. The King of Shades requires a hunter bride, and Ophelia is the best fit for the job. Now she just needs to convince her surly monster husband, Allerick, that she’s the best fit for him.


© 2026 Hakea Media | Terms | Privacy