Threaded Secrets by K. Malady

In an enchanted realm ruled by the immortal King Minos, a chilling tradition unfolds every seven years: the Collection. Seven young women are selected to confront the mysterious Beast at the heart of the Labyrinth, a fate from which none have ever returned. Thalia, heir to her island’s throne, should have been eligible, but politics kept her safe. When faced with the imminent selection of her best friend’s lover, Thalia volunteers. She plans to stop the Collection, defeat the Beast and the King wielding it, and prove her worthiness as a future ruler. As she navigates the twisting corridors of the Labyrinth, secrets guarded by King Minos begin to unravel, and Thalia discovers that the Collection is merely the tip of an ancient conspiracy. Armed with an unconventional set of weapons—lackluster social skills, an impressive vocabulary, and a whispered prayer to the Gods—Thalia races to uncover the mystery before the Beast can kill her. But her choices may carry consequences that extend beyond the Labyrinth, altering the destiny of the realm and putting her own future at stake. THREADED SECRETS, a new adult fantasy genderbent and twisted retelling of Theseus and the minotaur full of mystery, intrigue, and a dollop of romance.

The Scientist, The Spaceman, and The Stars Between Them by A.L. Davidson

They’ve incited deicide, and the old gods are angry… In a desperate attempt at saving humanity from its own destructive hubris, the Zeus Project set out to explore the untouched reaches of deep space. Now, countless light years later, the colonizing efforts are well under way, but the vast universe has been anything but kind. After surviving a near-fatal revival from their cryo-pod that permanently damaged their lungs, Dr. London Davies has spent the last two years trapped within the confines of a sterile, sanitized outpost far away from the rest of humanity and their loving husband, Temple. Acting as the chief embalmer for Zeus, London grows more and more concerned as cadavers filled with writhing worms and unusual forms of decay overrun their cold storage. With their husband off fighting for humanity’s survival under the brutal, watchful eye of Zeus, anxiety, and claustrophobia test the limits of the embalmer’s sanity. The once quiet morgue has transformed into a playground for something otherworldly, and London's only hope is that Temple can breach the stars between them before it's too late.

Body Check by J.J. Arias

To win it all, rivals will have to get dirty and play together Fabiola Santos never expected to be back on Cutthroat Island, the reality competition show she lost six years earlier. But when the opportunity to redeem herself and win half a million dollars comes along, she can’t pass it up. It’s a decision she regrets the moment she sees Cameron - the woman who stole her prize and broke her heart once already. All Cameron Herrera wants to do is rewrite history. Walking away from Fabiola was her biggest mistake in a long line of wrong choices. Now that she has a second chance to play with her, Cameron is determined to win Fab back. Forced to compete as a team, Fabiola finds that her feelings for Cameron aren’t in the past like she wished they were. The more they work together, the harder it is for Fabiola to focus on her anger and ignore their undeniable attraction. Find out whether love gets a second chance in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, reality show romance where the games are hard and the nights are hot.

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

Sam Becker loves—or, okay, likes—his job. Sure, managing a bed-and-bath retailer isn't exactly glamorous, but it's good work, and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git. Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything? Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan's guilt—as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There's an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression…but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?

What Wakes the Heart by Karen A. Wyle

Will their hearts bring them together, or will their differences keep them apart? Susannah looks forward to a rewarding career as a teacher in St. Louis, until a traumatic encounter with the president of her teacher's college drives her to seek a job elsewhere. Karol, a Polish Catholic immigrant living in Cowbird Creek, fears that the town's first school may not respect his bright, eager sister's intelligence due to her limited English. Susannah and Karol meet under propitious circumstances when she first arrives in town -- but once the school opens, Karol's fears for Bronka seem to be realized, with Susannah arguably to blame. Can they move past this daunting conflict? And if they do, can they overcome the religious and social obstacles between them?

What Shows the Heart by Karen A. Wyle

Will he reveal his secret? Will she expose her heart? After Jake, son and grandson of preachers, tried and failed to protect Mamie from small town cruelty, Mamie left their small town to fend for herself. Neither expected to see each other again. Now, many years later, Jake is a bitter man with little beside regrets, and Mamie, after much struggle and hazard, runs the thriving parlor house in Cowbird Creek. Can they make a future together, or will the shadow of Jake's past overtake them both?

What Frees the Heart by Karen A. Wyle

Can they set each other free? Cowbird Creek has its share of troubled souls. For Tom, a farmer’s son, losing his leg felt like losing his future. Jenny, a young prostitute at Madam Mamie’s parlor house, has never thought she had much future to lose. But the job Tom is able to get leads him to rediscover a long neglected talent. And both Tom and Jenny have a knack for hitting on new possibilities. Can they, together, find a better path? This novel, second in a series, returns to the small town of Cowbird Creek, Nebraska, in early 1876, a few months after the conclusion of What Heals the Heart. Several favorite characters from Book 1 make return appearances.

Tigris Vetus by D. L. Lewellyn

When destiny gives you three paths, choose the fourth. I doodle this in my art journal because it seems like the answer to my riddle. Some say having choices is a good thing. I've learned that three possible roads to the future mean confusion and heartache. It all started when I shot an alien prince on a highway near Lake Tahoe… Well, to be honest, it began when I met a towering man with chestnut eyes who captured my heart despite his best efforts to leave me out of his dangerous world. Andras is my mate, but he's compelled by fate to join forces with a rival alpha to support my prophetic mission. Elliott and his pack are family now, and Elliott looks at me like Andras does. Both men tug on my heartstrings—and that's not my biggest problem. After a battle with said alien prince, we regroup at my brother's fishing lodge in Ketchikan. I haven't seen Dylan in years. There's a reason for that, which makes me sadder than our separation. Then, my vampire friend enlists my help on a mission. When Andras finds out, I learn what happens when you poke an angry bear. I'm about to make it worse when my instincts urge me to leave my bear and my dragon to follow the ancient tiger, aka the alien prince, to his lair—my third path in a destiny of choices marked by the moon goddesses of Anurash. ~ Selena Aires ~~~ ​​​​​​​Enjoy this thrilling and romantic conclusion to The Starlight Chronicles! *This is not a standalone.* Book One, Ursus Borealis is the start of Selena's journey. Book Two, Drago Incendium dives deeper into her fate and introduces exciting new characters. Review for Tigris Vetus: I cried, I laughed, and I was angry. The ride was so worth it! This series was my introduction to reading this genre. I have found this to be some of the best writing, story telling and follow through on all character paths of any prior reading of any genre. ~ Amazon Reviewer, USA

Savage Seas by Monica Boothe

An attack by a mythical sea monster leaves a young woman and a brooding pirate stranded on a lonely island and fighting for their survival. Prim, Puritan-raised Eleanor set out on this voyage to reunite with the love of her life. What she got instead was a pirate attack followed by near devouring by an enormous kraken. Now, stranded with Julien, a surly French pirate boy—one of the very ruffians who, just hours before, threatened her life—Eleanor must learn to overcome her prejudices. But Julien has secrets of his own, and Eleanor comes to suspect that it may not be coincidence that led the two of them to this island together. Can Eleanor and Julien work together to not only survive the wilds of the Caribbean but to find their way home? Savage Seas is a 17th century swashbuckling adventure and enemies to lovers romance with just a splash of magic. Perfect for readers who liked Daughter of the Pirate King or Fable. Beneath the Black Flag is a series of interconnected standalone adventure novels that can be read in any order.

Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall

Twelve years ago, Edwin Tully came to Oxford and fell in love with a boy named Marius. He was brilliant, an artist. It was going to be forever. Ten years later, it ended. Now Edwin lives alone in the house they used to share. He tends to damaged books and faded memories, trying to build a future from the fragments of the past. Then the weather turns, and the river spills into Edwin’s quiet world, bringing with it Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency. An unlikely knight, this stranger with roughened hands and worn wellingtons offers Edwin the hope of something he thought he would never have again. As the two men grow closer in their struggle against the rising waters, Edwin learns he can’t protect himself from everything—and sometimes he doesn't need to try. Because love doesn’t only leave scars; oftentimes, it heals them too.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Luc O'Donnell is tangentially? and reluctantly? famous. His rock-star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and someone who has never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words, he’s perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately, apart from being gay, single, and really really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust settles. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened. But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that's when you get used to someone...start falling for them...don't ever want to let them go.

Glitterland by Alexis Hall

Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people’s expectations. Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. By his own admission, Darian isn’t the crispest lettuce in the fridge, but he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it’s like to step beyond the boundaries of anxiety. But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can’t see past the glitter to the light. Can a man who doesn’t trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can a man who doesn’t believe in happiness ever fight for his own?

Evil Omega (Darkstar Pack Book 1) by S. Rodman

Gay. Necromancer. Werewolf. Supervillain. Silas Northstar is an omega with plans. Become a supervillain Embrace necromancy Enjoy being a boss in the bedroom Not part of his plans, Being captured the night he goes into heat Liking the stupid alpha guarding him Having way too much fun with him It's all good though, as by the morning he has escaped. He can put the fiery night behind him and forget it ever happened. It's not like Dean, the stupid alpha, is going to come looking for him, is it? Please note this book touches on dark themes, contains strong survivors and emotional growth. It is high heat and knotty. There is no mpreg. HEA guaranteed. Although this book is first in a series that follows the same couple, there is NO cliffhanger and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Beast's Mercy (MM Fairytale Retelling) (Iranora Tales) by Rebecca Massey

Four years ago, the Kingdom of Creatia closed its doors on the world. Now, the gates are open. Dalvin has returned to fix the wrongs of the past and help Prince Vincent find a worthy bride. But something dark has taken up residence inside the palace, and Dalvin has to find a way to slay the beast before it takes his prince from him. For Dalvin, it was a tale as old as time. For Vincent, it was a dark path to happily ever after. It is time for the beast to tell the real story. *This book contains subject matter suitable for a mature audience.

Built on Ruins by Kate S. Toll

Generations after The End, there are two ways of living — Gangs of scavengers roam the Wilds and hunt for relics of lost times, while the re-settlers spend their lives building a new civilization on the ruins of the old. Jan Xiaoli is the leader of Ryningare City — one of the largest and most prosperous settlements this side of the Rift. With the purist movement growing stronger, the scavengers getting more hostile, and the incurable disease spreading, ruling the city feels like sitting on a ticking time bomb. When he meets Shi Saxe, the infamous Vulture, who lives alone in the Wilds, Jan Xiaoli feels as though the storm raging around him is sneaking its way into his heart as well.

The Space Ace of Mangleby Flat by Larre Bildeston

On paper, things look fine. Sam Dennon recently inherited significant wealth from his uncle. As a respected architect, Sam spends his days thinking about the family needs and rich lives of his clients. But privately? Even his enduring love of amateur astronomy is on the wane. Sam has built a sustainable-architecture display home for himself but hasn't yet moved into it, preferring to sleep in his cocoon of a campervan. Although they never announced it publicly, Sam's wife and business partner ended their marriage years ago due to lack of intimacy, leaving Sam with the sense he is irreparably broken. Now his beloved uncle has died. An intensifying fear manifests as health anxiety, with night terrors from a half-remembered early childhood event. To assuage the loneliness, Sam embarks on a Personal Happiness Project: 1. Get a pet dog 2. Find a friend. Just one. Not too intense. As Sam comes to terms with the shameful family secrets revealed in a series of letters left to him by his deceased uncle, Sam falls in love again: first with his adopted poodle-cross, and then, much more slowly, with a kind and generous trans woman from his tennis club. Reina is so visibly and proudly queer Sam can’t imagine the two of them share a single thing in common. If only humans came with a guide book...

How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win a Wager by D.N. Bryn

"I WANT YOU TO BITE ME." Vincent Barnes has suffered four years as a vampire, and they’ve been the most miserable years of his pathetic life. Too poor for black market blood, he feeds from sleeping humans to survive. He tries to never intrude on the same prey twice, but after a single delicious taste of a long-lost childhood neighbor, he can’t help returning for seconds. Wesley Garcia has been waking up with fang marks. Lucky for him, he needs a vampire—to use as bait. He’s certain Vitalis-Barron Pharmaceutical killed his mother, but to gain access to their covert research labs, he has to bring them a bloodsucker for their experiments. Step one, a dramatic offer: Stay, and you can bite me. Vincent leaps at the chance to gobble Wesley up. Wes’s plan is perfect. He’ll befriend the vampire, then trick him into coming to the lab. No fighting, no fuss. But Vincent is more than Wesley has bargained for: sweet and shy, with intoxicating fangs that awaken new desires in Wes. As the two bond, Vincent believes he might have finally found someone worth putting his trust in... and Wes fears neither of them will survive the betrayal he has planned. How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win and Wager is a slow-burn paranormal mm romance full of laughter, angst, and thirsty pining. It is perfect for fans of fangs and scientific interpretations of vampirism, with a medium spice level that heats up further in the free bonus content. Content includes bite kink, bleeding (non-kinky), medical experimentation (not experienced by the point of view characters), one particular lesbian BFF who should be reported to HR, and the use of “bodice-ripping” as a verb.

A Taste of Earth by Nico Silver

Facing the reality of life apart, Fionn and Kiernan grab at the chance to be together, if only temporarily. But can they choose their own happiness over the wellbeing of two Monarchies? Kiernan has made the fatal mistake of defying his mother, the Queen of Morven Forest, and in return, she has chosen the one punishment that is worse than death for a Sidhe. Severed from his connection to his beloved forest, Kier must learn to cope without his deepest magic. Fionn, separated from the man he loves, has no choice but to attempt to fit in at the Eyrie. There—instead of fulfilling his true calling as seer and healer—he is expected to act as a symbol, a figurehead to bolster his King’s rule. But his presence is not the only thing his King requires, and Fionn isn’t sure he can continue pretending to adore the vain and possessive monarch. When the Vogel Monarchy is invited to send a delegation to Morven Forest, Fionn knows it is his chance to see Kiernan again. What he doesn’t know is whether or not Kier still wants him. After all, the half-fey is a Prince, a creature of court and forest, and has surely realized by now that he can have anything—or anyone—he wants.

Heart of Outcasts by Nico Silver

Change is coming to the Autumn County werewolves, and someone would kill to keep it from happening. Justin thought a nice long run in the woods would help sort out his problems; he’d get some fresh air and exercise, and if he just happened to disappear then he wouldn’t need to worry about losing his job, his apartment, and his future. But when he wakes up in the dirt, bloody and confused, with a naked man leaning over him, asking if he’s all right, he suddenly wants very much to live. Because even if Bjarni is way out of his league, he can’t deny the spark between them. Bjarni is the asshole of the family. He’s the middle of three werewolf brothers, and a womanizing, hard-drinking, fight-starting disgrace. So when he finds a newly-changed werewolf in the woods, everyone he knows would have expected him to just dump the young man on his older brother and pack leader. Instead, Bjarni finds himself unexpectedly attracted to Justin. When it comes to light that someone in the Autumn County pack is changing humans into werewolves without their consent, Justin may be the only one who can figure out who it is. But he’s busy trying to cope with his new werewolf abilities and his doomed attraction to his mentor, and he’s messed up everything else in his life anyway, so what can he do? But if he doesn’t do something, more wolves will end up dead.

Song of the Spring Moon Waning by E.E. Ottoman

Upon waking up one morning, Wen Yu is surprised to find a note asking him to return the song thrush given into his care while the owner was sick. The only problem is that Wen Yu was never given a song thrush. Though he has no time for distractions from his studies for the palace examination, Wen Yu goes in search of the unknown Liu Yi who left him the note. What he finds is a beautiful imperial eunuch, a talking tortoise, and a collection of mysterious moon poems that force Wen Yu to question what path in life he is truly meant to be walking...

The Only Exception by Allie McDermid

Izzy Barbour tells everyone she’s an accountant, little do they know she’s really a hired companion. Sadly, that’s where her love life ends. Doomed to be a serial dater, Izzy is close to giving up on finding her one.Lady Ingrid Munro has one focus in work. When a family scandal threatens to dredge up the past, she’s forced to think quick to save face and the palace.Izzy wants to do her job and keep a low profile. Ingrid needs to uphold the family’s reputation. Can they keep things professional, or will lines get blurred when it comes to romance?Set in the fictional world of an Ayrshire Palace, The Only Exception is bursting with sexual tension, fake dating, and forbidden love. Find out today if secrets can stay hidden for long…or are some things too good to be true?

Caroline's Heart by Austin Chant

Caroline is dead, leaving her lover with nothing but the clockwork heart that once beat in her chest. But Cecily, a witch of unconventional reputation, is not one to be defeated by the laws of nature. After years of careful assembly, her resurrection spell is nearly complete and grows more powerful by the day. When Cecily meets Roy, a soft-spoken cowboy who shares a strange kinship with Caroline, Cecily thinks she's finally found the key to bringing her lover back-but when Roy is mortally wounded, she finds herself torn between finishing the resurrection spell and saving the life of a stranger. A queer Weird West romance by the author of Peter Darling in a new, expanded edition.

Blind Man's Wolf by Amelia Faulkner

A night-blind vampire. A werewolf with lousy self-confidence. And a whole hell of a lot of danger... Ellis O'Neill is an art dealer with too many problems: his eyesight has deteriorated to the point of night-blindness; he's estranged from his family, to whom he owes a considerable sum of money; and his guide dog went right off him the night Ellis died. Without his dog, Ellis is trapped in a life bouncing between home and work, dependent on his personal assistant. Werewolf Randall Carter has problems of his own. He loves his pack, he really does, but as their Omega he's always the one to bear the brunt of their rage. It's a role he can't avoid, and Randall isn't sure he can take it for much longer, so he buries himself in his day job. Randall's the best dog trainer in the city, and when he's offered a client who needs him to work evenings he'd be a fool to turn it down. Soon Randall is falling for someone he should despise. Everything about the undead is anathema to his kind, but Ellis is exactly the kind of guy Randall would want to ask out on a date - if he were still breathing. Worse, they may not have too long to figure their feelings out. Someone or something is gunning for Ellis and anyone else who gets in the way; they won't rest until the vampire is destroyed.

Breathe for Me by Donna B. Comeaux

Less than a month ago, Robert Aaron Jaeger’s wife, Christina, and four-year-old daughter were in a terrible accident on the downtown streets of Seattle. The four-year-old came away with scratches. Christina succumbed to her injuries. Laden with unspeakable guilt for putting his job over family, he can no longer cope with the neglect he imposed on his wife. Under the disguise of rafting through the Glenwood Canyon, Robert sets out to kill himself, but his plan is thwarted when he stumbles upon a woman standing in freezing water aiming to do the same thing. Lilly Radford has been riddled with guilt since the day her baby died and there’s not been a day she hasn’t beat herself up about it. She finally snaps, takes her rent money, and uses it to keep her tank filled until the money runs out. With her car running on fumes, she’s forced to exit off I-70 in Glenwood Springs at the Grizzly Creek Rest Stop where she gives up and falls in the river. After Robert rescues Lilly and later steps off the plane in Seattle, Zachary Butler lurks close to his heels, looking for the first opportunity … for a nice clean shot to kill Robert for getting him fired. Zachary is much more than a typical killer on the loose. His disorder causes him to converse with the good side of himself to collaborate on a scheme for revenge. To complicate his chaotic existence, his wife, Ethel, threatens to derail his plan. As danger looms and a loved one gets tangled in the crossfire, Robert and Lilly are forced to let down their guard and wrestle with their physical attraction to each other. Determined to right past wrongs, their self-centered past haunts them, makes them edgy, and keeps love at bay. But if they aren’t careful, they could miss the beauty lying just below the surface of their pain ... if the killer has his way. Anger. Madness. Darkness. Murder. Obsession. Ambition. How will it all end?

How to Be the Best Third Wheel by Loridee De Villa

A clean teen romance comedy about figuring out where you belong when all the constants in your life begin to change. It’s the last year of highschool, and everything has changed . . . After spending summer vacation in the Philippines with family, Lara returns to school eager to catch up with her close knit group of girlfriends. But within minutes of reuniting with her friends, she learns that not one, not two, but all three of them are now in relationships that blossomed over the summer. And to make matters worse, Lara’s long time frenemy, James, won’t stop bugging her in class and eventually forces her into tutoring him everyday after school. Surviving high school was never easy to begin with, but with occupied friends, a hectic Filipino family, and her annoying childhood enemy pestering her more than ever, Lara tries to juggle everything, while trying to figure out her own place in the chaos.

Saint, Sorrow, Sinner by Freydís Moon

An exploration of religious mythos, Brujería, and spiritual ascension... Sophia De'voreaux never expected to escape Haven, but after a bloody confrontation in the Gideon Preserve, she finds herself under the protection of a rogue witch, her menacing guard, and their cautious friends. Crumbling beneath an onslaught of ancient power, Sophia must put her reservations aside, because the Breath of Judas is no ordinary relic and trusting the strange, dysfunctional group might be her only chance at ridding her body of its dangerous magic. Before it's too late. Guided by Colin, Bishop, Tehlor, and Lincoln, Sophia leaves Colorado, seeking help from a mysterious mystic, Juniper Castle, and enters a race against time, chasing salvation, redemption, and a second chance at freedom.

Rifted Hearts by M.A. Guglielmo

Welcome to Moon Star Ranch, Home to Monsters and Mustangs. The Monster Apocalypse is old news, but Remi Gatti has a fresh take—travel tourism to monster portals. Too bad it’s only a cover for his real job as a half-human spy. When he’s sent to Moon Star Ranch to charm a veterinarian with ties to his crime family’s enemies, Remi’s sure this will be an easy seduce-and-run job. How hard can it be to ride a horse anyway? Kaveh Salehi, a world expert on the medical treatment of alien species, has his own secrets. His friends at the ranch don’t know he’s part dragon and the alien entity known as the Matchmaker has chosen a human as his destined spouse. His clan wants the oblivious soulmate located and kept safe, whether that person wants to marry a monster or not. When Kaveh discovers Remi’s also not fully human, he asks for help—and Remi is more than up for the job. How hard can it be to fake date a sexy stranger anyway? For once, Remi doesn’t want to lie to his mark. For once, Kaveh doesn’t want to do the right thing. How hard can it be not to fall in love with the wrong person?

Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton

Olivia Sachdeva’s life is flawless. With a first from Oxford and as the youngest partner at Bentley lawyers, she expects high standards from everyone. Her only indulgences are eating iced desserts and repeat watching romcoms, especially those featuring Kate Laurence – pure escapism and cinematic perfection. But, when the actor walks into Olivia’s office with a bag full of divorce and a messy personal life, that perfect bubble bursts. Kate seems nothing like the screen goddesses she plays, and Olivia must put aside her comfort viewing and handle the case like the true professional she is. It requires secrecy, especially with indiscreet friends. Will best-friend Charlotte ever read the room? And will Millie, who instantly reads the room, ever stop commenting loudly? And Kate? She doesn’t know what to think about this frosty lawyer. But she needs a quick divorce from a mistake of a marriage, which was over before it started, and Olivia Sachdeva is the best. But little by little, Olivia and Kate glimpse behind the mask, to find someone they weren’t looking for, who may not even be perfect, but might be the right person for them. Read as a stand-alone romance or book two of the Oxford Romance series.

Chef’s Kiss (A Gia, San Francisco Romance) by Stephanie Shea

Valentina Rosas has always known what she wants. Mostly. Sort of. At least, she does now. And what she wants is the coveted staging role at Gia, San Francisco. With four years at the top of her class in culinary school and enough tenacity to fuel the entire Mission, no one doubts she is about to land the job of her dreams—including the three-person cheer squad made up of her best friend and adorably overbearing parents. Renowned chef Jenn Coleman is not a people person. Her rise to the top of the culinary industry stems from a cultivated blend of top-tier schooling—from her nonna—and bouts of carefully managed misanthropy. Owning and operating two Michelin starred restaurants doesn’t leave time for much else anyway. Just ask her ex. When the new stage at her restaurant trips into her with all the grace of a baby giraffe, it’s a sure recipe for disaster. But for all of Jenn’s reserve, Valentina has twice the allure, and the chemistry between them is just… chef’s kiss. If only Jenn wasn’t Valentina’s boss with nearly ten years between them.

The Misadventures of Callie Compton by Alyson Root

It’s not everyday you find out that your sweet, sweater knitting, church going grandma is the UK’s most prolific crime boss. For Callie Compton, that day became a reality on her eighteenth birthday. Not being criminally inclined, Callie did the only thing she could. She bided her time, stole her grandma’s little black book of scumbag employees, and ran for her life. Six years later Callie finds herself in a small café in Sweden, her Spidey sense is tingling. Someone is watching her. How did they catch her trail? And what is she going to do next? Daisy Simpson knew from the age of sixteen that Callie’s grandma was a bad person, just like her own dad. How she regrets not telling Callie before leaving for university all those years ago. Maybe then Callie wouldn’t have disappeared without telling her. Not only was Callie her best friend, and first unrequited love, she was also Daisy’s biggest supporter. Being born deaf into a family like hers wasn’t easy. Using skills she’s not at liberty to discuss, Daisy tracks Callie to Sweden. After a few days of playing hide and seek, Callie and Daisy are finally reunited. The duo set out to bring Betty, aka Queen B, to her knees. Easy, right? Wrong! Callie and Daisy must navigate their growing feelings toward each other, deal with several less than happy women, overcome flooded caves and one raging bull. This is no adventure. It’s quite the opposite.

The Heirs of Duty, Braenduir Chronicles #1 by Julia P. Aspenn

In the midst of a war ignited by a reckless king, the future of the Torn Continent hangs in the balance. Arron Grethsen, a brave volunteer, faces an impossible choice between his blossoming love for the enigmatic warrior mage, Jan, and his unwavering sense of duty. Meanwhile, Toren Eddesen ventures through the Kingdoms, searching for his missing brother. In Erephonia, Lady Irana Stemraon wrestles with the weight of her crown and the tumult of her heart. As destinies intertwine, can love and loyalty survive in a world teetering on the edge of chaos?

Guava Flavored Lies by J.J. Arias

All’s Fair in Love and (Pastry) War Sylvie Campos and Lauren Machado have hated each other since before they were born. For generations, the Campos and Machado families have blamed each other for stealing pastry recipes they claim their great-grandfathers originated before fleeing Castro’s Cuba. Having spent their lives as rivals, Lauren and Sylvie are now in their early thirties and primed to take over their respective family bakeries. That means working long, hot, seasons of outdoor food festivals where they are forced to endure each other - albeit with a lot of bantering and barb-trading. After all, no one knows how to get under Sylvie’s skin like Lauren. Sick of dealing with Lauren and her thieving family, Sylvie sets out to unmask the Machados for the traitors they are. But when the truth is not what Sylvie expects, will the fiery exchanges between her and Lauren turn into something hot enough to melt away generational baggage? Could they get the chance to rekindle what they almost had in high school? Find out in this laugh-out-loud hilarious, enemies-to-lovers, romantic comedy featuring plenty of steam, tension, and delicious Cuban food.

Calla Falling by Tallie Rose

Vampire hunter Calla has spent her life fighting bloodsuckers, just like all the women in her family before her, and she’s enjoyed every second. But when vampires come out of the coffin, the Hunters' Council orders her to play nice. It’s an order she’d rather not take, but the Council is all she’s ever known. Though she misses the feeling of a stake in her hand, Calla is willing to accept her new way of life, until she’s blackmailed by the ancient and annoyingly beautiful vampire Isolde. Urged by the Council to comply, Calla must pretend to date Isolde in a scheme to endear vampires to the human public. Calla promises herself she will do everything she can to undermine Isolde, but the longer she spends with her the harder she finds it. When she learns of a threat to all vampires, she must decide if she will help the woman she swore to hate but never could, or deny her heart and follow her training.

The Weight of Wishes by Tori Weed

If dreams can come true, it is vital to remember that nightmares, well, they exist too. Seren was only four when the Stellean king killed her mother. Sixteen years his servant, Seren understands her place in his cruel court: Stay quiet. Stay out of trouble. And most importantly, stay alive. But now, the Fae king wants her dead too, and there is only one way to stop him. Thrust into a challenge not undertaken for centuries, Seren must navigate trials more dangerous and twisted than she could ever imagine. With the fate of her kingdom hanging in the balance, can Seren defy the odds and uncover the truth about her past? The clock is ticking. The gods are watching.

Five Lords of Dusk by F. Malbeck

SPFBO10

The hunt has begun. They will find him. And when they do, he will bring down the Empire from within. The Empire would say the Blooded who ruled the land before them are dead and gone, but those onboard the Oathbreaker know it to be a lie; one look at the captain’s ward will tell you that. Shye is one of them. A Stormborn, Dusk Blooded, Strange . . . an enemy of the Empire. He has spent his whole life running from port to port, hiding behind a hood, on a swift ship, running from the imperials who stole land, capital, and crown from his kind and left them to rot in thinning bloodlines. But when he blows his crew’s cover on imperial docks, he is forced to confront the will of the Empire and the humans who rule it. With newly discovered powers to aid him and whispers on the wind to guide him, Shye knows that the answers to the fading of the Blooded lay in Mistral, the capital of the Empire, and that the imperial bounty hunter dispatched to capture him can take him there. There can be no better coronation gift for the crown prince than a Stormborn. Dorian is an imperial bounty hunter. The best in Emin Rif. But Dorian’s independence is constantly threatened by the demands of their noble father, who wanted a perfect, controllable heir . . . he got Dorian instead. It is only their reputation that keeps them free. The assignment to track down a rumoured Stormborn, a being of legend in tales told to guild children, could destroy that reputation forever if it turns out to be a lie. But, if the rumour is true, Dorian will be untouchable in the eyes of the crown and beyond their father’s reach forever. Five Lords of Dusk is the debut queer fantasy novel by indie author F. Malbeck. Featuring a genderqueer lead and a flintlock fantasy setting, this novel takes place in a world partly inspired by the author's home country of Australia.

Cinderwild by Coranna Adams

A reimagined fairy tale romance set in 17th-century France intertwines the Little Mermaid and Cinderella in a powerful tale of female friendship and second chance love. Marina, godmother witch, and her young apprentice, Cendrillon, must escape witch hunters and keep war from destroying the wild Black Forest, the source of witches’ power.

Not Like Before by Lily Seabrooke, Jacqueline Ramsden

Lola never wanted to be on camera alongside an A-list star—but maybe Mackenzie is everything she needs. History professor Lola Barnes never cared about celebrities, and filming alongside superstar actress Mackenzie Vale isn’t exactly on her bucket list. But there aren’t a lot of experts on Mackenzie’s hometown on the remote Celadon Isles, so when the studio filming a deep dive of Mackenzie’s backstory comes knocking, no isn’t really an option. This exposé is the last thing Mackenzie wants to do. She’s had a good run as an actress without the ravenous press finding out she’s trans, but keeping it that way when the media is digging around in her childhood and with her gossipy family isn’t going to be easy. But it might be her last shot at her dream casting—and her agent doesn’t take no for an answer, anyway. And it isn’t any easier when Mackenzie is immediately head-over-heels for the gorgeous professor they tapped to film with her. And it isn’t any easier when going back to the isles means confronting all the things Lola ran away from there over twenty years ago—and that the only thing comforting her is a bond with the last person she’d ever expect to fall for. As a tight filming schedule, a nosy agent and a relentless director force Lola and Mackenzie to face the ghosts of their pasts, will they crumble in the face of everything they ran from once? Or can they find strength in one another and be more than they were before? Not Like Before is a 90,000-word grumpy/sunshine celebrity romance with a trans woman lead set on a fictional island where everyone is at least a little gossipy, and is the second collaborative novel between Lily Seabrooke and Jacqueline Ramsden. Features a celebrity actress made of pure sunshine and a historian who’s secretly soft under the surface, a meddling ex, Mackenzie’s meddling family, Lola’s meddling friend who loves Mackenzie more than she loves life, and Mackenzie’s agent, who is, unsurprisingly, meddling. Content warnings for on-page sex, a toxic ex, parental abandonment, gambling addiction, implicit threats of outing, a panic attack, falling off a boat, Hope being a fangirl, Taron being smug, and of course, the granny bra incident.

Magdalene Nox (The Headmistress #2) by Milena McKay

Magdalene Nox doesn't cast wishes upon stars... She simply makes them happen. But for this particular wish, she had waited for thirty years. Her retribution against those who discarded her three decades ago should be swift and simple. Except a chance encounter and an unforgettable night turn her entire life upside down. Torn between vengeance and lust, Magdalene is forced to re-evaluate everything. Can the Home of Dragons and lonely math teacher Sam Threadneedle—who finds herself stranded amidst longing and fury—withstand the storm that is Magdalene Nox, or will any and all be consumed by the flames of revenge? Not everything is as it seems, and as Magdalene returns to the place that left her wounded and lost all those years ago, she realizes that old oak and stone hide more than secrets and pain. They also hold forgiveness and love.

In the Shadow of Victory (Shadow #4) by J.E. Leak

Victory isn’t always the end of the story. Paris, 1944. As OSS agents Kathryn Hammond and Jenny Ryan navigate the dangerous world of espionage, they are faced with the ultimate test of love and loyalty. Can their love overcome the obstacles in their path, or have time and the shadows of the past cost them a second chance at happiness? Join Kathryn and Jenny on their journey of forgiveness, healing, and devotion, as they discover the strength of their love in the thrilling conclusion to the sapphic noir Shadow series.

 Note: This is the fourth and final book in the Shadow series. Reading the books in order is highly recommended.

Deadly Memory by Jess Austen

***The first book in the Her Super Spy Trilogy, is a story of Romantic Suspense, Espionage...and murder.*** Unlucky in espionage, lucky in love? Samantha King is a hopeless romantic when it comes to love. On vacation in London, England, she meets a guy that she could really go for. But he disappears on her, breaking her heart. The next morning, she finds out why - he was murdered in the alley behind the pub. The killer is after her next. Tom Bridges is a Data Intelligence Officer for the civilian branch of MI5. He wants to find out who killed his friend and retrieve the evidence that the agent was bringing in. Sam has it and he knows it. He’s going to have to keep her safe in order to get it from her. Because the killer knows she has it too. Even if she doesn’t know it. The attraction between Tom and Sam is immediate. And platonic, to her disappointment. If Tom will stop being all business and give her a chance, she might be able to break the romance curse. If they both live that long.

Weight of the Crown by Jennifer Willcock

He is the new king, but someone else wants the throne. Can he protect his kingdom and those he loves? No longer the playboy prince, King Teo is determined to be the ruler Wolf Kingdom needs. When a toxic plant found in the forest threatens the safety of the kingdom, he is desperate to find answers before someone dies. Stalked by his own anxieties and an unknown threat to his reign, the young king isn’t sure who is friend or foe and fears the worst is yet to come. Can Teo save himself as well as Wolf Kingdom, or will his paranoia turn him into his cruel, dictatorial father, destroying his world in the process? Weight of the Crown is the thrilling sequel to the YA fantasy Red Riding Hood retelling, Into the Forest. If you like brotherly bonding, love triangles, and fighting evil, then you’ll love Jennifer Willcock’s engrossing tale.

A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai

No, I didn’t meet him by my bangles getting caught in his sleeve. Or by grabbing his hand from a running train. No, instead he met me with a Darcy-like disdain you won’t ever see in a Bollywood movie. Bollywood movies and smutty romance novels are every Desi girl's guilty pleasure. And I had the crazy idea to combine the two... −Miya Malai

Deliver Me by Ashley Hawthorne

She's a pastor's daughter. He's a convicted killer. Forever may be out of reach when she falls in love with one of the dangerous ones. Faith is more than just a word to Mia Anderson. It's the foundation of her life as a pastor's daughter. At home in her church and at peace with her beliefs, she decides to participate in a program to send letters to inmates regardless of what sins they may have committed. Gabriel Myers is a convicted criminal, serving life in prison for his father's murder. Facing a hopeless future and haunted by a past that has left him full of contempt for God and the church, he wants nothing to do with Mia until she proves she can understand the man everyone believes is a monster. With each letter that's exchanged, Mia becomes more aware that although Gabriel has never denied his crime, there is more to the story than the jury was allowed to hear. As reluctant friendship turns to seemingly ill-fated love, she knows she must convince him to appeal the verdict. Dealing with the Texas justice system is a long shot, but the only chance they have to finally be together outside the walls of Gabriel's prison. Winning his freedom will give them a chance at happiness but can they finally find bliss in each other's arms or will the challenges they face and their divergent beliefs destroy their love for good?

The Hourglass Throne by K.D. Edwards

As Rune Saint John grapples with the challenges of assuming the Sun Throne, a powerful barrier appears around New Atlantis’ famed rejuvenation center. But who could have created such formidable magic . . . what do they want from the immortality clinic . . . and what remains of the dozens trapped inside? Though Rune and his lifelong bodyguard Brand are tasked with investigating the mysterious barrier, Rune is also busy settling into his new life at court. Claiming his father’s throne has irrevocably thrown him into the precarious world of political deception, and he must secure relationships with newfound allies in time to keep his growing found family safe. His relationship with his lover, Addam Saint Nicholas, raises additional political complications they must navigate. But he and Brand soon discover that the power behind the barrier holds a much more insidious, far-reaching threat to his family, to his people, and to the world. Now, the rulers of New Atlantis must confront an enemy both new and ancient as the flow of time itself is drawn into the conflict. And as Rune finds himself inexorably drawn back to the fall of his father’s court and his own torture at the hands of masked conspirators, the secrets that he has long guarded will be dragged into the light—changing the Sun Throne, and New Atlantis, forever. The climax of the first trilogy in the nine-book Tarot Sequence, The Hourglass Throne delivers epic urban fantasy that blends humor, fast-paced action, and political intrigue.

The Rescue by Lucy Gould

One choice. Lady Wendy Darling has dreamed of having her daring adventures of Peter Pan published in bookshops but engaged to a man of whom she has heard too many rumors about, Wendy’s dream must stay a dream. That is until she gets the chance of a lifetime, a chance to go to Neverland. The magical island is as if pulled straight from her notebook but even magical islands present their own troubles. Wendy has everything she ever wanted: love, a home, freedom, a family, but how far is she willing to go to keep it? And how far is her newfound family willing to go to keep her? The first in a trilogy, The Rescue introduces readers to the reinvented world of Neverland and a diverse cast of characters in a plot sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.

Their Perfect Fit by Hannah Murray

Gideon has been the star of all of Mina’s sweaty dreams for months now, and the feeling is entirely mutual. But the type of relationship Gideon wants? Well, it’s complicated – and includes his best friend and business partner, Bax. When circumstances finally throw Mina and Gideon together, sparks fly. They’re just as combustible – and perfect – together as Gideon knew they would be. But will Mina be open to adding Bax to the mix? And can they all live happily ever after? Only one way to find out.

Honey and the Hitman by Hannah Murray

Ethan Sullivan is a contract killer, and he’s good at his work. But killing for a living makes for a complicated existence, and it’s wearing on him. He’s decided to turn in his garrote and try to build a normal life. Whatever that means. Honey Foster is a small-town girl, and happy with it. Even if all the men her age are married, and the dating pool is more like a puddle, and the only lover she’s had in the last several months requires batteries, she loves her life. She has her friends, her community, and her big, goofy dog to keep her warm at night. And that's enough, at least until Ethan comes along. He’s hot and funny, and the air fairly crackles with sexual tension whenever they’re in the same room. But even though she knows he feels it too, he seems to go out of his way to get out of her way as quickly as possible. Because Ethan has resolved to stay uninvolved—after all, retired killers don’t get picket fences and happily ever afters. Do they? He’s trying to keep his distance, but he doesn’t realize in a town this small, he’s going to see her everywhere. Backyard barbeque? She’s there. Local tavern for a drink on Saturday night? She’s there. Pretty soon all that resolve dissolves, and suddenly that picket fence starts to feel like it’s in reach. But when the shadows of his past come calling, he’ll have to expose his secrets to deal with the danger. And Honey will have to decide if love is enough, and if a flawed, complicated man is worthy of redemption.

Goldie & The Bears by Hannah Murray

Mac has been coming to this cabin in the woods with his best friends and business partners for years, and their planned activities have nothing to do with the brewery they co-own. The three of them are eager to get started on their annual vacation—a week of hedonistic, no holds barred bro banging—but there’s one problem. There’s a blonde in their bed. Lia needed a place to film content for her new career as an online-based adult performer (porn!), and her friend’s cabin in the snowy Oregon woods seemed perfect. She only has a week to get as much footage as she can, so she wastes no time getting to lights, camera, action. But the three huge men bursting in on her mid-scene were not in the script. What do you get when you combine three bisexual men, one woman trying to launch a porn career, a double-booked, snowed-in cabin, and a checklist of adult content to film? A week-long bang fest. What do you get when two of those people start catching feelings for each other? That’s a week-long bang fest with a Happily Ever After. Goldie & The Bears is a steamy romp of a bisexual M/F romance featuring multiple partners (the HEA is M/F, but the banging is MFMM, and MFM, and MM…look, the swords cross, okay?), unexpected love, and of course, a happily ever after.

Stuffed: F.I.L.T.H. Book 1 by Hannah Murray

Why stuff the turkey when they can stuff her? It’s Thanksgiving, two and a half years after lockdown began, and Tuck and Esme Parrish are deciding how to celebrate. Normally they’d have dinner with either his folks or hers, but with travel restrictions no longer a factor, both sets of parents are taking advantage and spending the holiday elsewhere. With a chance to craft the day to their tastes for a change, they decide to host a Friendsgiving. The guest list is small, just four friends—Spence, Jude, Evan and Colin. Realizing she’ll be spending the day with her sexy husband and four single, sexy friends (some who had crushes on her in college, and one of whom she’s already slept with), Esme makes a joke about all the F.I.L.T.H (Friends I’d Like To Hump) coming for dinner. Which gives Tuck an idea: why not turn this Friendsgiving into a Bangsgiving? When lockdown hit, it put a halt to a new and exciting element of Tuck and Esme’s sex life: swinging. It started as a way for Tuck to indulge his candaulism kink (a desire to show off his wife). But he soon discovered that sharing gorgeous, curvy Esme with other men was even more fun—for both of them. They were just finding their groove when lockdown happened, and though their sex life is still exciting and fun, they’ve missed the extra zing that swinging gave them. And Esme has had a gang bang on her swinging to-do list for a while… Hey, it's Thanksgiving—what better time to get stuffed?

Starved: F.I.L.T.H. Book 2 by Hannah Murray

Colin and Evan have been best friends for fifteen years, since they met the first day of freshman orientation. And they’ve been in love with each other for almost as long. But they’ve gotten so used to hiding their feelings, it’s going to take something extraordinary to bring them out into the open. Something like a Thanksgiving orgy, maybe? With their feelings finally out in the open, Colin and Evan have the chance to explore their desire for each other. And it’s better than they could’ve dreamed. But going from friends to lovers after fifteen years comes with complications, and they’ll have to decide—is it worth the work? Starved begins on the morning after Thanksgiving, right after Stuffed ends