A Whisper of Solace by Milena McKay

What makes an Ice Queen? Neve Blackthorne, head of one of the most successful Studios in Hollywood, is the one to rule them all. Powerful, beautiful, and aloof, she’s ruthless, yet irresistible. Above all, she has an unquenchable survival instinct. Surely a fleeting entanglement with one Audrey Avens, a bright, young, rising star in her company, won’t bring down the Wicked Queen of Tinseltown. Or will it? Neve’s public persona has no chink in the untouchable armor, but when the lights go out and the cameras stop rolling, what becomes of an Ice Queen whose heart is ruled by love and fear?

The Devil Wears Tartan by Katia Rose

Some couples are a match made in heaven. Moira and Kenzie are convinced the only place they’re a match is in hell. Raised as the shining prodigies of warring highland dance schools, the two grew up with blaring bagpipes as the backing track for a feud that took them all the way to the world championships. Moira could never keep Kenzie’s icy glares from getting under her skin, and Kenzie could never hold back an eye-roll as she watched the crowds fawn over her rival’s happy-go-lucky charm. Starting college has forced both women to hang up their kilts, but when their local highland dance association announces a scholarship for a life-changing amount of money, they find themselves back onstage for one last season. The stakes are higher than ever, but between shooting daggers at each other’s backs and insults at each other’s faces, their eyes start lingering, their hearts start pounding, and the sparks begin to build into a fire neither of them can control. Hell could freeze before either woman would admit their attraction, but that won’t stop them from using it to play dirty—and getting caught in the crossfire of their feelings along the way. After all, sometimes the devil wears tartan. The Devil Wears Tartan is a New Adult, F/F dramedy from Katia Rose featuring more bagpipes than anyone asked for and two fiercely competitive heroines caught in a sizzling shift from enemies to lovers

The Delicate Things We Make by Milena McKay

Hitting rock bottom in the concrete jungle of Manhattan, investigative journalist Jamie Walker lands the assignment of a lifetime: Find the most elusive artist of a generation, who has enthralled the art and fashion world for over a decade. This assignment is supposed to finally be Jamie’s ticket to journalistic fame and fortune. The quest, however, proves to be difficult, as—so far—nobody has managed to discover who the legendary DeVor really is. As Jamie delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic artist, trying to salvage her stagnant career, she risks getting in over her head and losing her heart in the process.

Jordan's Penny by Stefanie Stratton

Jordan Stephens, the embodiment of perfection, was convinced early on that he deserves the best. From his dashing sex appeal to a successful career, he surrounds himself with luxury, wearing tailor-made suits, flaunting his expensive Benz, and bedding women equally gorgeous. One thing remains off-limits—commitment. He can't even commit to an assistant, cycling through one attractive, unqualified assistant after the next. Their beauty is all that matters... until their job performance makes him look bad. Penelope Matthews, Jordan's replacement assistant, is nothing like her predecessors. Forced to wear unfashionable clothing and hide behind makeup, Jordan's looks won't distract this full-figured woman. She knows her lane and stays in it. Experienced with demanding men, she'll wow him with color-coded spreadsheets, and an exceptional work ethic. And wait until he tries her tea. As long as she stays under the radar, impervious to her boss, she'll emerge unscathed. After surviving her tumultuous probationary period, the pair forms an undeniable connection that flips their worlds upside-down. With secrets lingering between them, they must decide which path to take: the one they've been traveling, or the road that leads to each other. **This book contains sensitive topics**

The Headmistress by Milena McKay

A chance encounter. An unforgettable night. And back home, trouble is brewing on the remote island of Three Dragons, where nothing feels like it used to. Alone and lonely, Sam Threadneedle wishes upon a star, hoping for change. But when said change comes, it’s with a roar and not a whimper. Torn between loyalty and lust, Sam is forced to re-evaluate everything. Can she and the Home of Dragons withstand the storm that is Magdalene Nox, or will any and all crumble? Not everything is as it seems, and as she slowly unravels the mysteries behind the centuries-old walls, Sam realizes that home is much more than oak and stone.

After Sunset by Lise Gold

After years of working abroad as a chef, Zoe returns to her home town in Spain to embark on the next step in her career: executive chef in a new hotel. She’s excited to put together a team and create a menu to die for before the hotel opens, but after meeting the building contractor, wounds from her past put a dampener on the challenge. Marcy keeps herself busy. Apart from her day-to-day job as a contractor, she’s either working on her dream home or chasing the ladies. She’s a people pleaser; always friendly and on good terms with everyone, yet the new chef at the hotel she’s renovating can’t stand her, and she can’t figure out why. When they meet at a pool party during a women’s only weekend, Marcy is shocked to discover she shares a brief history with Zoe. A history she’d long forgotten about.

Love, Anon by Bryony Rosehurst

Christmas is approaching and Arden Hayes is in dire need of a date if only to convince her concerned family that she’s moved on from her failed marriage. Rosie Gladwell is lonely in a city that isn’t hers, an ocean away from home, and every date that she’s been on ends in disaster. When she comes across an advertisement for someone willing to act as a Christmas date on new social media and dating app, Don’t Be a Stranger, she responds in the hopes that she won’t have to spend Christmas alone — even if it means spending the night pretending to be in a relationship with a stranger. However, as Rosie and Arden get to know one another, they seem to find an instant, undeniable connection. Is it as real as it feels, or just another act?

Bluffing for Beginners by Merren Tait

Em never imagined she'd use "covert" and "shameless" in the same sentence. Until she had nothing left to lose. Em Stewart is no pushover. She can hot wire a car, torpedo a beer in under ten seconds, and make the most curse-hardy trooper blush with her colourful tongue. But when she's abandoned by her long-time boyfriend twenty minutes into starting their new life together on a remote island, she's in a tailspin. Somehow, she must forge their fresh start on her own in a place full of strangers and find her groove within the small island community - even with its songbird-loving eccentricities. The problem is Em isn't very good at hiding the truth. Her face syphons blood off her organs every time she meets the local ranger, and she accidentally gives up the island's greatest secret to the one person most willing to exploit it. Now Em has to perform the biggest bluff of her life to protect her new home against corporate interest, even if it means ruining a fresh shot at love before it's had much of a chance. But Em's not afraid of going down in a blaze of glory. And one thing's for sure: She's about to take the islanders on the ride of their lives. Bluffing for Beginners is the second of four stand-alone novels in the award-winning Good Life series.

Love and Other Games by Lyndsey Gallagher

Successful beauty business queen, Emma Harvey is not quite as astute when it comes to relationships. Ghosted, following an epic one night stand with a notorious Irish rugby Hooker, she vows no more players, concentrating instead on securing the perfect beachfront property for her new luxury spa. Irish rugby Hooker, Eddie Harrington is the team joker. Except the tragic events of the past year weren't funny at all. Determined to set things right, Eddie scours Dublin for the perfect beach front property to ease his brothers discomfort upon his difficult return from the States. Crossed wires at a mutual friends Croatian wedding result in Emma and Eddie reluctantly agreeing to share the honeymoon suite for a week. Their exotic reunion results in a seductive game, highlighting what they almost had, and could potentially have again... Unless the two happen to want the same beach front property more than they want each other.... Will Emma stick to her game plan and put business before pleasure? Or will Eddies practiced tactics win out?

The Ticket by Heather Grace Stewart

Now an optioned book! Fasten your seat belts for a journey filled with humor and adventure. Bachelor & newscaster Pete McCarney buys two plane tickets for a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but they split up shortly before the trip, and he can't get a refund. In a gutsy last minute move, Pete goes on social media asking for women with his girlfriend's exact name to apply to join him on the trip. Twenty-one women apply, and the ensuing interview process is both awkward and hilarious. When he finally chooses a feisty, headstrong, recently-divorced lawyer, he has no idea what to expect from their world wide adventures - and neither does Allie James. She has pretty much sworn off men since her divorce. Will either of them get the vacation they were so desperately hoping for?

Loving Callie by Julia Jarrett

A doctor walks into a bar… Doctor Callie Scott kept it professional when handsome pub owner, Jake Evans, ended up in her ER. But when she sees him again at the Lucky Strike pub, sparks fly a second time, igniting a powerful chemistry between them. This new relationship could be a love greater than she has ever dreamed of. Her family is a roadblock, though, and it's harder than Callie expected to have to negotiate her parents' expectations. They will never approve of Jake. A pub owner does not fit into their political ambitions, and if Callie keeps seeing him, she risks losing her only family. Her entire life has been about trying to earn her parents' respect and approval. Now she has a chance to have the love she has waited a lifetime for, and Callie faces an impossible choice. Read the debut novel reviewers say is “Everything I Want In A Contemporary Romance” and “An Insta-Love Story Done Right.”

Crushing by Kelly Kay

Josh is a legend in his own mind, and Elle has no time for it. She has a job to do, and a winery hangs in the balance. Unfortunately, it's his family's winery. They'll either screw up each other's lives or... end up screwing. Crushing is the story of two people who hate each other but rumor has it, with enough wine, anyone can fall in love. Set in Sonoma, California's Wine Country, this is the first book in the 5 Families Vineyard Series and, of course, the LaChappelle/Whittier Winery Trilogy.

What we Deserve by Lizzie Stanley

I’m used to being alone, until she changed everything... When my ex-wife left, she said the cruelest words she could think of, and I took them all to heart. Now I work at my loveable bastard cousin’s tattoo parlor and keep most people at arm’s length. I have the occasional one night stand to take the edge off, but there can never be anything more than that for me. I don’t let myself think about how lonely I am. At least I’m not ruining anyone’s life, right? Then Emily walks into Wishbone Tattoos, asking about the receptionist job. And this shy, smiling, kindhearted woman is everything I’ve ever wanted. I can’t help falling for her, even though I know I mustn't, for both our sakes. But there’s something about Emily I don’t know. Something that will make her the exception to my hard and fast rule... She’s battle scarred herself, and running scared from a dark past which snaps at her heels, but I’m not going to let anyone hurt her ever again, I swear to god. And maybe, if we’re lucky and we both want it hard enough, the two of us will finally get what we deserve.

Falling for the Competition by Jen Smith

It’s going to be the best summer ever for ambitious, overachieving Quinn. A huge history buff, not only has she landed her dream job interning in the archives department of the local castle, but her best friend will be working there too. However, Quinn isn’t the only one to be working in Archives this summer; Quinn’s academic rival, Patrick, is sharing her office in Muniments. They’re competing for the Letter of Recommendation (singular) from the research historian that Quinn needs to get her dream future placement. Their emotionally-loaded and competitive rivalry turns into a reluctant friendship, as they spend every day working together in silence (and sharing the occasional Twix). Until the Re-Enactors arrive. Between Patrick and Harry – the Golden Knight of the jousting team – Quinn’s carefully planned summer is thrown into complete disarray. Meanwhile, her best friend’s relationship may look perfect on the outside, but Quinn is starting to realise that there’s more going on than there seems. Although Quinn is determined and single minded about planning every detail of her sparkling future, she comes to discover that the best things in life are the spontaneous ones – and that some people are more important than any Letter of Recommendation (singular) could ever be.

The Coffee Shop Girl by Maya Asher

Hartford City was where dreams were made realities. Or where you meet the love of your life who’ll eventually rip your heart to shreds. Coffee shop part-owner, Bailey Johnson, and CEO, James Worthington, knew all too well about heartbreaks and cheating conniving exes. But, “caffeine conquers all”, or whatever the quote said. *The Coffee Shop Girl is a semi-clean romantic comedy perfect for readers who enjoy short laugh-out-loud love stories with a guaranteed HEA!

A Winter Haven by Margaret Amatt

She was the one that got away… Now she’s back. Career-driven Robyn Sherratt returns to her childhood home on the Scottish Isle of Mull, hoping to build bridges with her estranged family. She discovers her mother struggling to run the family hotel. When an old flame turns up, memories come back to bite, nibbling into Robyn’s fragile heart. Carl Hansen, known as The Fixer, abandoned city life for peace and tranquillity. Swapping his office for a log cabin, he mends people’s broken treasures. He can fix anything, except himself. When forced to work on hotel renovations with Robyn, the girl he lost twelve years ago, his quiet life is sent spinning. Carl would like nothing more than to piece together the shattered shards of Robyn’s heart. But can she trust him? What can a broken man like him offer a successful woman like her?

Highland Games by Evie Alexander

Welcome to Kinloch, and the hottest winter Scotland’s ever seen. Zoe’s always played it safe, just as her parents wanted. But when her great-uncle dies and leaves her a ramshackle cabin in the Scottish Highlands, she decides it’s time to change her life. Upping sticks seems like a good idea in her cosy London flat, but the reality is very different. There’s no electricity or running water, the roof leaks and there’s no front door. If that wasn’t bad enough, she’s moved up in the depths of winter and her scorching hot neighbour wants her out. Rory’s got a fifty thousand tonne problem. If he can’t make Kinloch castle profitable, he’s out of a job. He needs a clear head, but there’s someone living in the cabin he saw as his own and she’s turned his world upside down. Rory needs Zoe out of Scotland, and out of his life. The trouble is, she has no intention of leaving. Let the games begin…

Sending Love Letters to Animals and Other Totally Normal Human Behaviors by Chase Connor

Ryan Offsteader had one major problem, but now that he’s out of the closet and no one in his family or school actually cares, his problems are few. Life is a cycle of family, school, homework, Journalism Club, his friends, hanging out, and waiting for life to begin. It’s a simple, boring life at times, but his problems are few. When Ms. Tabatabai, his English teacher and Journalism Club mentor, announces to the class that there will be a project where students pair up, Ryan and his best friend, Jules, assume they will work together. Ms. Tabatabai has other plans. Students will be paired off randomly. Ryan is left without a partner since his English class has an odd number of students. However, Ms. Tabatabai assures him that he will have a partner since a new student is enrolling. It’s not an ideal situation for Ryan since he is used to working with Jules on every project, but it’s not the worst. Until the new student shows up and Ryan realizes this isn’t their first time meeting. Ms. Tabatabai announces to the students that they are to get to know each other and write a paper about their partner. An oral report in front of the class will be expected once the project deadline arrives. There’s just one caveat—the pairs must get to know each other without speaking. How they do this is up to them. Points will be given for creativity. Ryan’s partner does everything he can to make the project impossible, Ms. Tabatabai assigns Ryan to a new project in Journalism Club, his friends want to occupy all of his time, and, if all that wasn’t enough, he’s tasked with helping the Drama teacher, Mr. Melvin, organize the spring singing recital, A Night on Broadway. Unless Ryan can confront his history and right a wrong, his whole world could fall apart. Will he choose to confront his past, or will history repeat itself?

Handmade with Love by Rachel Bowdler

In the Welsh coastal village of Castell Bay, Stevie Turner creates souvenirs with washed-up materials found on the beach for her rustic gift shop, the Little Shop of Driftwood. When old flame, Anna Conway, returns home and moves into the apartment above the shop, Stevie can only offer her ex-girlfriend the cold shoulder. It’s been eight years since Anna broke things off and vowed to never return to Castell Bay, but with a new job as a city council member, her focus is protecting the home she loves from beach-combing tourists. How could she have known her first bylaw would result in destroying her ex’s business? Despite the shared hostility, old feelings begin to resurface, and when Stevie father’s health takes a turn for the worse, their past becomes the present. Anna and Stevie must finally face the truth of their breakup and accept first loves can never dwindle, even after eight years. This charming, humorous small-town romance is a heartwarming beach read that explores the importance of second chances and found family.

drown by Daryl Leonardo

A story told from two perspectives: Erik is a religious boy who begins to question his sexuality and beliefs after he is propositioned by a male classmate. Nicholas is an attractive, though somewhat self-absorbed, young man whose life is uprooted when his mother announces her bitter divorce from his father. When the two boys meet, things become increasingly complicated as they strike up a friendship, which quickly develops into something neither party can be certain of.

A Broken Kind of Love by Colleen Young

Indie Recs Indie

⁣⁣After Delia’s parents abandoned her and her sister at a young age she spent her childhood dreaming of a better future. As an adult, Delia finally has everything she’s ever dreamed of - a husband, three great kids, surrounded by the love and stability that she craved as a child. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Mitch has retired from the Army nursing mental and physical battle wounds from his time spent overseas. In his second career as an EMT, he takes solace in saving lives and running from the regrets in his past. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ One fateful night Mitch and Delia’s path’s cross, changing the course of their lives forever. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Will these two be able to find their way to A Broken Kind of Love?

I Love You S’more by Wendy Dalrymple

Freshly divorced and worn out from years of single-handedly running her marketing company, Samantha Slater couldn't be more excited to drag her moody teenage son to a parent-and-kid weekend at Palmetto Pines Campground. The camp is a little more run-down than it had been twenty years ago, when she spent those happy summers between college as a camp counselor, but it still brings back memories of the best time in her life. And it's about to bring back a whole lot more than memories, she realizes when she finds that one of the parents attending is none other than her former camp flame, Julian Wells. Julian has spent the last two decades on the road as a wilderness survival expert, never settling in one place for long. But seeing Samantha again makes him wonder if he's been searching for something all along — for the intense connection they had together. With his own moody teenage son in tow, Julian is actually here for a fresh start. He might be ready to settle down near his son, and near the only place that ever really felt like home: Palmetto Pines. But his abrupt departure all those years ago weighs heavily on both of them. Can he convince her that this time, summer camp doesn't have to end?

Boyfriends For Now by Imogen Markwell-Tweed

Anthony Astor’s no nonsense attitude serves him well as CEO of his tech company, but it withers his love life. So when a miscommunication has his mother tearfully ecstatic about Anthony bringing someone home, he has no choice but to go along with the ruse. The solution comes in the form of the kind, clumsy intern, Ben McRobbie. Ben isn’t sure the CEO is for real when he asks him to be his “fake boyfriend for Christmas,” especially after Ben spilled coffee all over him. Nevertheless, Ben is sure that the gorgeous Anthony is serious about giving him a full-time job if he can politely sit through a dinner with the Astors. But as Ben grows closer to his rich, handsome boss, he struggles to remain professional behind the scenes of their fake relationship. Imogen Markwell-Tweed’s Boyfriends for Now is a charming and endearing romance about embracing love, wherever you find it.

No Love Lost by Rachel Bowdler

Six years ago, Taryn’s best friend moved to London without so much as a goodbye, and she hasn’t spoken to him since. Now, after a failed marriage and career, Will is back in St. Agnes, a Cornish coastal town rife with memories of their childhood together — and Taryn, stubborn and jilted, no longer wants anything to do with him. Desperate to get close to her again and give her the explanation she deserves, Will isn’t prepared to stay away from her, so after he manages to get his old job back at the St. Agnes Gazette, he chooses to report on the local environment — and in doing so, seeks help from the best conservationist he knows: Taryn. With their lives and loved ones still connected by past and present, they soon remember just how strong their friendship had once been, and Taryn finds herself unable to resist falling back into old habits with the man who broke her heart. However, finally confronted with the truth, she realises that there was more to Will’s abandonment than she ever knew: he was in love with her and still is. Afraid of complicating their once steadfast friendship and losing Taryn for good, he made the mistake of running away — a mistake that he ever refuses to repeat. Whether as friends or more, Will is desperate to rekindle a connection with the woman he loves, but with Taryn’s new relationship, a fiercely disapproving sister, and a job opportunity in Spain, will they ever find the right time to finally give into their feelings, or are they destined always to be separated by their careers and fears? This best friends to lovers romance tells the story of unbreakable lifelong connections and the unwavering hope of second chances.

UNFURLING: A Tale of Friendship, Love, Mystery, and Mayhem by Tia Ray Dhar

Can an unexpected turn of events, including a mystery, guide you towards a sense of purpose in life? Dr. Mandira Sharma (Mandy), a recent medical school graduate from Mumbai, doesn't feel passionate about her residency in internal medicine and feels devoid of a general sense of purpose in life. Currently, her happiness revolves around making new friends and spending time with them at work or outdoor venues. Her general feeling of isolation and disinterest in her medicine residency accentuates when her two close friends go overseas, and someone she loves and cares deeply about decides to part ways. She navigates through her daily routine devoid of zest or enthusiasm, trying to cope with the current painful scenario. However, tragedy strikes again when two meeting attendees find Mandy's friend and graduate student Latika's body floating in a pool on the premises during a blackout at a psychology workshop venue. An investigative team launches a detailed probe into the crime's motive and modus operandi, and the cohort of meeting attendees, including Mandy, come under the lens of suspicion. Can Mandy help solve the case? Will she find a sense of purpose? Any reader who enjoys a university campus-themed friendship and romance-based novel with a suspenseful murder mystery will enjoy reading this story.

The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai

Teru came to Tokyo with dreams of making it big in the glam-metal visual kei scene, but three years later, all he has to show for it is a head of hot pink hair and some skill with an eyeliner pencil. He may look the part, but he doesn't sound it, and tension among his bandmates has him worried about his future. When a mysterious business card offers help, he's willing to take it however it comes. Help comes in the form of Rei, a brilliant composer whose performing career was ended by an accident that left him scarred, injured, and in chronic pain. With Teru's voice and looks, and Rei's money and songwriting skills, both of their dreams seem about to come true - but a forbidden kiss and a late-night confession threaten to tear it all apart. Now Teru, who has spent most of his life denying his attraction to men, and Rei, who vowed long ago never to love again, must reconcile their feelings with their careers - and with their carefully constructed ideas of themselves. THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL is an M/M retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, set in Tokyo at the turn of the millennium. It comes with a healthy dose of angst and a dollop of nostalgia, as well as an age-difference romance, a physically disabled love interest, and memorable characters who will stay with you long after the pages are closed. "...the way the complicated characters cope with believable pain provides a window into a fascinating subculture." -- Publishers Weekly "A tender, beautifully complex love story about self-acceptance and self-forgiveness, about making peace with the past and embracing the future. With a couple you'll root for and a vibrant soundtrack you can almost hear, this Phantom-inspired romance captures music's power to heal old wounds and weave two very different souls together in perfect harmony." -- J.C. Lillis, author of How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and A&B "If you’re looking for an intense, intelligent and inventive LGBTQ love story, there isn’t a more perfect book on the market right now." -- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Drive by Courtney Maguire

In the conservative East Texas town of Black Creek, you’re either old money or you work for them. Redmond Cole is the latter. The long hours he spends fixing fancy cars in the local garage are barely enough to support himself, let alone his sixteen-year-old half-sister, Katie. All he wants is a better life for the both of them, one that’s easy and real, but he has a secret. One that could blow up the meager existence he’s worked so hard to maintain.Red is gay.He doesn’t want to lie, especially to Katie, but Black Creek isn’t the most hospitable environment for those who are different. His secrets keep them safe. He’s all but resigned to a life in the closet when he’s propositioned by the dashing, wealthy Victor Itachi. What follows is a secret and intense sexual relationship that challenges everything Red believes about himself. When an unlikely friendship with the only out gay man in town opens Red’s eyes to new possibilities, he must make a choice: submit fully to the relative safety of Victor’s control or risk it all for a chance at real love.

Wounded Martyr by Courtney Maguire

Ice is an asshole, but he’s working on it. He’s two years sober, no small feat when you front a heavy metal band facing waning popularity and dismal ticket sales. But the pieces of a life torn apart by alcoholism are finally coming back together. His band, Wounded Martyr, has written a great album with the potential to launch them back into relevancy. And Ricky, probably the biggest, most important piece, has finally forgiven him for the wreck he made of their relationship. There’s only one problem. Ashton. It was to be expected. As his best friend and bandmate for almost twenty years, it’s only natural they should find each other in the loneliness of the road. Ricky knows about their one night together, but he doesn’t know that Ice can’t stop thinking about it, about his long body and whiskey-flavored lips, and the guilt of it has him on the brink of backslide. Now that Wounded Martyr is poised for a long tour, Ice must find a way to resist temptation or risk blowing their last chance and destroying his relationship with the two most important men in his life.

Haze by Rebecca Crunden

When Eliza Owens gets a phone call in the middle of the night from a girl she’s never met, she doesn’t know what to think. The girl introduces herself as Paige, and says she used to date Erik Stern, Eliza’s fiancé. What’s more, she has something important to discuss. The only problem? Paige has been dead for years. Believing it to be a sick prank, Eliza tries to force it from her mind until Sam, Eliza’s older sister, tells her she met Paige only a few weeks before. And, according to Sam, Paige has nothing nice to say about Erik. The fight which follows shatters the lives of everyone involved, and Erik disappears without a trace. Five years later, Erik returns to town after his father’s death. Old wounds quickly resurface, and with them several burning questions. None the least of which is: Who spoke to Eliza and Sam if it wasn’t Paige? And why?

A Feeling Like Home by Haleigh Wenger

Sword and Silk Books WriteHive Book Club Indie Recs Indie

Sixteen-year-old Paige Williams can’t stop self-sabotaging. Not when her dad gets sick, not when her relationship implodes, not even when her parents send her to another-freaking-state for the summer to live with her sister. Paige just wants to have fun, spray paint a few walls, and block out everything stressful, including her growing concern that she might be sick as well. To make things worse, her parents threaten her with boarding school in the fall if she can’t prove she’s changed her bad habits. Paige’s parents sign her up for a rebuilding project in Texas where her sister lives. Meanwhile, Paige reluctantly befriends her sister’s straight-laced teenage neighbor, Joey, who is a frequent guest. He’s so different from her, but Paige realizes that may not be a bad thing, especially since being around Joey curbs her urge to vandalize and ignore the rules. He even makes her forget about the debilitating stomach cramps she struggles to hide. Just as Paige begins to feel settled in Texas, her dad’s worsening Crohn’s disease brings her home to Seattle. When her own health fails her, she has the choice of staying at home and receiving care. Or, she could go back to Texas and prove for once and for all that she’s more than her mistakes and more than a disease. Torn between two worlds and two versions of herself, Paige must decide where, and with whom, she truly feels at home.

The Rest of Forever by Mandy Lawson

As wedding day approaches, so does Lora Kate's looming court date to bring her attacker to justice. Her life is flung into chaos when she sees a blast from the past, lands a cover on a major fashion magazine, and has an unexpected duet. Is she juggling too much? Can Sam handle his new wife's busy, frantic lifestyle? And most importantly, are either of them prepared for a new addition to the family?

Just a Little Frosting by Mandy Lawson

Newly engaged Lora Kate is over-the-moon happy. She is the boss of a major party planning company, and her fiance, Sam, is the sweetest man alive. And Garrett Smith, her new assistant, is amazing. He makes wonderful coffee, is completely organized, and keeps her day running smoothly - a professional in every sense of the word. However, he's gorgeous and has a crush on her. Besides doing the little extra for the job, he walks her to her car and brings her donuts. He seems to just know what she needs. Sam doesn't like the perfect assistant at all and jealousy begins to seep in. And that begins to drive a wedge between the happy couple. Can Lora Kate and Sam survive the holidays, wedding planning, and a New York fashion show? A fashion show where L.K. goes with her assistant and without Sam? Or will Garrett make his way into L.K.'s heart?

From New York to L.A. by Mandy Lawson

Fall in love with best friend Check! Move to Los Angeles Check! Be an amazing Boss Babe Check! Commit to amazing boyfriend Uh...not yet Lora Kate London is starting a new job as the boss of Madden Party Company. Her best friend and boyfriend, Sam Bridges, is going to be her new assistant. With her boyfriend trying to get her to commit and her new employees being scared of her, L.K. is feeling the pressure, but all things can be made right with cake, coffee, and a good party. Los Angeles is where all of the celebrities live and L.K. is ready to plan. They take trips to the beach, attend fashion week, make a couple of ER trips, and tumble their way into the holidays. Sam's ready to propose, but L.K. isn't ready for that yet. Will he put a ring on it or will L.K. end up heartbroken again?

Party Central by Mandy Lawson

Lora Kate London has had a string of meaningless jobs and she's finally ready to make something of herself. Her roommate kind of bailed on her and she may have to give her coffee maker a funeral. But there's one person she can always count on, her best friend Sam Bridges. They've been friends for five years and she's his number one. L.K. lands a job as a party planner with a boss that is so hot he makes her melt right into her Jimmy Choos, but Sam doesn't trust him. At her first party, she ends up forgetting the cake and accidentally flashes the caterer! Luckily, her boss, Ben Sparks, thinks she's adorable. He buys her presents and gives amazing kisses, but things get a little dicey when Sam starts dating her new roommate. She might be a little jealous, but she shouldn't be. She has a hot boyfriend and Sam's just her best friend. Right? Who will capture L.K.'s heart? Bestie? Or Boss Man?

Pursuing Liam by Lisa Lanay

Find out if Taryn and Liam can go from friends-to-lovers-to-forever in this funny, light-hearted, contemporary romance that will melt your heart. At thirty-four years old, veterinarian Taryn Williams wants a baby. After a failed attempt to adopt, she believes her chances for a family are dismal. But that all changes when Liam McGregor, hunky Chicago Fireman and part-time mural artist, offers her the opportunity to fulfill her dreams. Taryn believes their agreement perfect, until she realizes that she wants Liam as more than her baby daddy; she wants him too! There’s no turning back for Taryn by the time she accepts that marriage and a family are not on Liam’s radar, but can she convince him otherwise? Invicta Libertas, Latin for Invincible Freedom. It’s the code Liam has lived by since graduating college and he has the tattoo to prove it. He does his own thing, and knows what he wants…until he offers to help his gorgeous friend-with-benefits, Taryn Williams, and his world is turned upside down. He agrees to a no-strings attached arrangement because he believes anything else would threaten his freedom and his dream of becoming a full-time artist. Soon, Liam finds himself questioning his decisions because his heart has determined that is has plans of its own, including love for Taryn and their baby, something he can no longer deny and isn’t sure he wants to.

All the Lines to Cross by Ashish Rastogi

A sports star and a doctor. A jock and a nerd. Stop that eye roll. We know it is a trope washed threadbare on romance readers’ hands. But these two might be the ones to shred it to pieces. At least Sharon will, after meeting Jon. He is a flirt, has an OCD about his football career, and an ego stuffed to the brim in a 6’4” frame. She is no damsel in distress, an accomplished surgeon and the one holding the scalpel to get him back on the field. Stuck between their dance is Nate, playing cupid. Not a simple task when you are seven-years-old and the only adult amongst two petulant grownups. Stubborn brats! For Sharon and Jon, falling in love is the cheesy part, but staying in love? Well, that’s a story for a separate page on the playbook. Hey, wait. Don’t walk away. We need all the help to knock the nonsense out of these two. Membership to their @meddlesomefriends group is open. #meetcute #sportsromance.

Fall by Maxime Jaz

When you think you have everything, one small step twists your life around. Golden-boy and medical student Jake has everything laid out for him: wealth, studies, and a brilliant girlfriend. A life people could only dream of. Until one morning, he trips during his morning run and is helped up by a kind stranger. This should be it, but Jake can’t get those green eyes out of his mind. There’s only one tiny problem: they belong to a man. This encounter triggers a series of ripple effects which will haul their lives over and lead them down unknown paths. An all-consuming burning love with heights and lows, and a pit of suffering, will shatter Jake’s world of lies, and shed light on truths he is terrified of embracing. Will Jake take that step into the unknown void he’s facing? Will Doug be there to catch him? As both of them plummet to depths unknown, will their love be strong enough to bridge the gaps between their worlds, and make them overcome the obstacles put in their paths?

Nearly Ten Years Late by Katie Frey

No one likes a highschool reunion. Ok, maybe some people do. Those who are born with the rare amalgamation of genes that allow for a Disney movie version of secondary school. It wasn’t the case for Jenny then, and it certainly wasn’t the case for her now. Ongoing fights with brain cancer left her with a permanent bad hair day for her teen years and the only thing worse than disinterest from an adolescent peer group is pity. Nothing sexy about that. Not then, not now. Luckily, most of the time, high school feels very far away. Ten years away. Except it’s not anymore. The reunion is looming, and Jenny has already RSVP’d with a plus one. Finally, a chance to show up looking decent, image vastly improved by the date on her arm. Or it would have been, had he not dumped her. She’d cancel, but she can’t. She’s got a job teaching in the same school as of January, so this Christmas party is a must. A holiday high school reunion? What could be worse? Maybe, it’s finding out the date her best friend pulls together last minute is actually her high school boyfriend. Back, and hotter than ever. This 102-page novella promises a lovely second chance romance & exciting bonus content.

Kelly's Killer Fries by David Reynolds

Ex-con Gary's death in a prison hospital is only the start of his journey not to redeem himself, but let a young boy have a life of his own. Dropped by a bus at the same spot where his life changed for the worst, Gary is given one command by the driver, "Remember." Can he avoid making the same mistake he made a lifetime ago? Can he keep from hurting young Kelly and poor Pickle, the pooch? Will cooking fries help him make amends with them and their mom Cathy? Find out by reading Kelly's Killer Fries, complete with recipes. Available now on Amazon.com.

The Trail Angel by David Reynolds

When we get older, we want to know more about what brought on our creation. What were our parents like before they met? How did they meet? What brought them to add us to the family? Helping other people, mom said, is how I came to be the center of the family. “Your dad calls me his angel but the roles should be reversed,” mom said, getting my undivided attention. “I’m the one who should be calling him my angel, though, because if your dad hadn’t performed a random act of kindness, who knows where I’d be.” “What happened mom? What did dad do that was so special?” I asked, intrigued by her comment. “Well dear, even though it happened a long time ago, it seems like just yesterday …” Read The Trail Angel available now on Amazon.com

Danseur by Ruth Miranda

When Jai decides to rent the house he shared with his late husband, he has no idea he's about to meet the man who'll change his life. For Lin DaoShi's not only famous, he's also straight – and comes nursing an eating disorder and a broken heart. After a riding accident that threatens to end his dancing career and hamper his acting, he trades China for the UK in an attempt to flee the spotlight and find some peace. What he finds, though, when crossing paths with Jai, is his life changing and his world turned upside down. For after their chance meeting, DaoShi no longer knows who he is or what he wants out of life. Brought together by a common love for ballet, they soon find themselves trapped in a pas de deux only the secrets they must keep can break apart...

An Exploration of BDSM by Koriana Brackson

It’s been two years since Kenzie and Felicity experienced A Discovery of BDSM. While Kenzie’s savored Dominating her beautiful, if bratty, submissive, she hasn’t forgotten her own desires to submit. With Felicity a submissive, and a failed session at a BDSM club, Kenzie’s unable to determine if she is, as she suspects, a Switch. All that changes when Jarrett re-enters her life. During their budding romance, she asks if he’s familiar with BDSM. Not only is he familiar, but he’s eager to delve into the world of kink, giving Kenzie everything she craves with An Exploration of BDSM.

Light as a Feather by Cameron James

Jacob lives in a ballet bubble that is about to burst when he is accepted into the prestigous National Ballet School. It’s everything he’s always wanted until.... it’s not.. When it seems like everyone around him is perfect, Jacob’s cracks begin to show and he begins to worry if he’s thin enough, good enough, or even tough enough for this and soon Jacob reaches breaking pointe. CW: Alcohol, body shaming, eating disorder, starvation, vomiting, mental illness, sex.

Casey by Cameron James

Casey has always had everything planned. 1. Get Testosterone 2. Get Top Surgery 3. Get Bottom Surgery, but the one thing he didn’t have planned was falling in love with Mickey. Now with Mickey at his side and surgery eight weeks away, the countdown is on.

Butterfly Boys by Cameron James

Sam and Frankie come from two different worlds. Sam is sporty, shy and football mad. Frankie is bright, spontaneous and always seen in floral shirts. The only thing they have in common is that they won't admit to being love. CW: Alcohol, hospitalization, homophobia, transphobia, pregnancy, sex, injury.

Kennedy is King by Cameron James

What happens when The King falls for the lowest of the low? In a school were the band rules, Kennedy has to figure out a way to persuade footballer Stephen that his feelings are real, and if that means loosing his crown, so be it! CW: Bullying, sex, injury.

The Advisor by J.D. Wade

Nathan Reed is running for President of the United States of America. If he wins, he will be the youngest president the U.S. has ever had in office. Not only that, he will be the nation's first openly gay, unmarried president. Regardless of the fact that he is unmarried, unpartnered, young, and gay, his campaign is going well. Predictions put him in range to secure the Democratic Party nomination for the 2020 ballot. Then...he makes his first misstep. Things begin to look as though there is nothing Nathan Reed can do to recover from his very public scandal, and all he can think about doing is hanging his tail between his legs and walking away. Just when there seems to be no hope left for his presidential bid, his campaign manager suggests bringing on an unusual advisor. Timothy Long is no stranger to controversy--he's faced plenty in his day as an influencer and brand spokesperson. In fact, he's had the public turn against him before. With his knowledge of social media and how to influence public opinion, he might just help Nathan get back on top. Of course, that's easier said than done. Nathan and Timothy don't exactly see eye-to-eye. Before Timothy and Nathan can even begin to repair the damage done to Nathan's campaign, they'll have to learn to speak each other's languages and get along. In the end, they'll both come to realize...winning isn't everything.

A Discovery of BDSM by Koriana Brackson

Have you… have you ever… experimented with BDSM? Of all the things Kenzie’s best friend and lover could have asked her, she didn’t expect that question. Yet, three years into their friendship, it’s exactly what Felicity wanted to know. A twenty-three year old Kenzie learns of Dominance and submission for the first time, and it intrigues her as much as it intrigued Felicity. Authors Note: The events of A Discovery of BDSM are set twenty-one years prior to the first book of the Bijou Basin series - Natural Exposure. Though Kenzie and Felicity, the main characters of this short story, are still best friends and occasional playmates, they are not still in a relationship with each other in Natural Exposure. Felicity is shown plenty through the first three books of the series and is quite impatiently, rudely, and effusively clamoring for her own story to be told.

Negative Exposure by Koriana Brackson

Once in a while, when a story comes to a close, it’s not The End, but instead, a new beginning. Kenzie and Jarrett Holliday are happy with their life. They have great friends, successful businesses, and reside in a town they adore. As decades long best friends, their love can’t be measured by words; its pure, deep, and unwavering, weathering any storm that crosses their path. What more could they ask for? They didn’t know anything was missing from their lives until she breezed through the door like a breath of fresh air. Ripley Owens wasn't looking for anything more than a fresh start when she moved to the quaint, progressive town of Bijou Basin. She never dreamed that she would start a new relationship and certainly not that she'd be dating a married couple! This wasn’t what the trio expected, but it was what they all needed. Sometimes there is no such thing as a third wheel, instead it's the triangle that provides a greater balance. Authors Note: This erotic romance features adult themes and language. Themes include: graphic sex, BDSM, Polyamory & LGBTQ+ Characters. It is set directly after the events of Natural Exposure. While it could be read on it's own, it's not meant to be, the events of book 1 directly affect this one.

Natural Exposure by Koriana Brackson

It’s business as usual for Kenzie in her boudoir studio. Every day, fascinating people of all genders stroll through and Kenzie has the privilege of making them shine. She’s photographed the gamut: sultry brides-to-be seeking a naughty gift for their spouse, the confidant trans person showing the world their true self, and triads locked in passion, each moment of their tender lovemaking on display. Kenzie’s been a part of it all, but never has a client captivated her so completely, until she steps through the door. Ripley never recuperated from the relationship that irrevocably changed her. Desperate to forget the past, she moves to the progressive town of Bijou Basin, pursuing a fresh start. While acquainting herself with her new life, she notices an advertisement for an erotic nude photographer. On a whim, she books a session, hoping the experience will help her reclaim her identity. Sparks fly for both women, but Ripley discovers there’s more to Kenzie than meets the eye. Can Ripley accept Kenzie as she is and does she want to date someone so complicated? Can Kenzie prove she’s worth it? Authors Note: This slow burn erotic romance features adult themes and language. Themes include: graphic sex, BDSM, Polyamory & LGBTQ+ Characters.