Murder Uncorked: A Vista del Vino Culinary Cozy Mystery by Erin Hayden

A vineyard, a vendetta, and a very dead vintner. Welcome to Vista del Vino, where the wine is bold, the gossip flows faster than the Cabernet, and murder has just been uncorked. Casey Nolan thought she was leaving the drama behind when she moved back to her hometown with her teenage son, Liam, and his loyal diabetic alert dog, Ranger. A fresh start, some much-needed family time, and maybe even a chance to finally catch her breath after a rough divorce. But when a local winemaker turns up dead, Casey’s investigative instincts kick in faster than you can say Malbec. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery (and keep her friends out of the suspect pool), Casey starts digging—only to find that old secrets have deep roots, and some people would kill to keep them buried. Between juggling single motherhood, Liam’s Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, and the town’s ever-watchful eyes, Casey has her hands full. But with a little help from her friends—and a few well-timed glasses of wine—she just might crack the case. Murder Uncorked is the perfect pour for fans of cozy culinary mysteries, small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths who refuse to quit. With a delightful blend of suspense, found family, and mouth-watering gluten-free recipes at the end, this book will leave you craving your next visit to Vista del Vino. Pour yourself a glass and start reading today!

All This Time by J. Clark

Zaria Michelle Winderson and Osirion Najimi were best friends...until her father's bullet changed everything. Instantly traumatized, Michelle buried her feelings for her high school friend and moved on with her life. Now as a college student she has a bright future and a lover that her family approves of, but she has kept her friendship with Osirion close to her heart. As she accepts both her feelings and the tangled history between their families Michelle resolves to be the best friend she can be. However, Osirion had other plans. Even with a girlfriend and his studies, the twenty-two-year-old has never lost his first love. As wonderful as their friendship can be, he knows that their love affair could be even better and he's determined to show her. As Michelle transfers to his campus their unresolved feelings rise to the surface amid jealous lovers, undergrad drama, noisy friends, and two families that can't wait to tear each other apart. She strives to be loved and to heal her past trauma while surviving the semester. Osirion resolves to confess to his beloved without destroying their friendship. They both pray that their feelings don't make their warring families implode.

Her For Hire: Forbidden Arrangements by delly M. Elrose

Her for Hire: Forbidden Arrangements Luxury. Desire. No strings… until her. She sells fantasy to the rich and lonely. But what happens when one of them touches her for real? Eden Hawthorne is flawless. Blonde, cultured, and devastating in heels, she’s the highest-paid escort at The Rose Society—an elite, invitation-only companion service for women who want luxury without the strings. New to the agency, Lucía Reyes is fire and instinct—an ex-dancer from Miami trying to find her footing in a world of silk sheets and champagne lies. Eden is told to keep her close. Teach her. Break her in. But the first rule at The Rose Society? Don’t fall for a client. The second? Never fall for each other. So when Eden’s most exclusive client—an ice-cold gallery owner with secrets of her own—requests both women for a weekend retreat, the line between professional and personal starts to blur. Desire is easy. But trust? That’s the real transaction. Her for Hire: Forbidden Arrangements is a scorching, erotic sapphic romance with luxury drama, stolen kisses, sensual mentorship, and the kind of love no contract can contain.

Bloodlines of Ebonridge by delly M Elrose

Two vampire clans. One sacred line. And a forbidden love written in blood. On the shadowed streets of Ebonridge, the vampires of the Nocturne Court and the Ashthorn Circle have waged a secret war for centuries. Cold alliances and ancient grudges keep their blades sharp and their fangs sharper. But everything begins to unravel when Selene Vale, heir to the ruthless Nocturne bloodline, crosses paths with Iris Thorne, the reckless daughter of Ashthorn’s rebellious matriarch. They were raised to destroy each other. But when a greater darkness stirs beneath the city — and secrets about their bloodlines come to light — Selene and Iris are forced into an uneasy alliance. What starts as reluctant trust becomes undeniable desire. And in a world where love is betrayal… Will they rewrite their legacy — or become its final victims?

The Pages Between Us by Delly M. Elrose

The Pages Between Us The Pages Between Us is a poignant and emotionally charged coming-of-age novel that weaves together past and present, love and loss, and the courage it takes to face the truth. College freshman Quinn Parker never intended to revisit her past—until a creative writing assignment forces her to open an old leather-bound diary from high school. Within its pages lies the story of sixteen-year-old Quinn: closeted, hopelessly in love with her best friend, Maddie Rivera, and heartbroken by the secrets that tore them apart. Now, as Quinn navigates college life and new friendships, the diary’s revelations blur the lines between memory and reality. Just as Quinn begins to heal, Maddie unexpectedly transfers to her university, throwing her carefully constructed world into chaos. Told in alternating timelines, The Pages Between Us explores the raw, tender moments of first love, the pain of betrayal, and the quiet strength required to confront buried truths. When Quinn’s private writings are exposed, the fallout threatens to destroy everything—including the fragile hope of reconciliation with Maddie. As past and present collide, Quinn must decide whether to keep her heart guarded or risk everything for a second chance with the girl who once shattered it. Perfect for fans of: - The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes - You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao - She Gets the Girl* by Rachael Lippincott

One In A Million by delly M. Elrose

At St. Augustine’s Academy, being invisible is Izzy Hart’s specialty. Quiet, awkward, and more comfortable behind a camera lens than in front of a crowd, she never imagined she’d be the center of attention—especially not from the school’s three most popular girls. When a mysterious £1 million bet is placed among the elite students, a twisted game begins: whoever can make Izzy fall for them first, wins the prize. There’s Harper, the cold, calculating queen bee who always gets what she wants. Talia, the effortlessly charming heartbreaker with a devilish grin. And Skye, the soft-spoken enigma with secrets buried deeper than anyone knows. But as the lines between manipulation and real emotion blur, Izzy begins to see through the cracks in their perfect facades—and what started as a cruel game turns into something no one expected. Feelings grow, truths unravel, and the question changes from “Who will win?” to “Who’s telling the truth?” One in a Million is a sharp, emotionally charged LGBTQ+ romance-drama full of tension, betrayal, and unexpected vulnerability. In a world of secrets and high stakes, falling in love might be the most dangerous move of all.

Between Her and Me by delly M. Elrose

Two girls. Two women. And too many secrets to survive the school year. In the small town of Edenridge, nothing stays private for long—especially at Hartmoor College, a prestigious all-girls institution where appearances matter and reputations are everything. Seventeen-year-old Ember Rowe isn’t looking for trouble—just love, validation, and maybe someone to understand her. She finds that in Calla Whitmore, her bright, tomboyish classmate who’s fearless with her heart. But when Ember’s Literature professor, the icy and enigmatic Dr. Vera Lennox, begins to take an interest in more than just Ember’s writing… the lines between mentorship and desire blur. Unbeknownst to Ember, Vera has a secret: she’s already entangled with Marla Rowe, Ember’s glamorous, tightly wound mother, who thinks she’s being seduced… but is really just being used. Used to get closer to Ember. And it’s working. Between school hallways, late-night study sessions, and stolen glances at the Rowe household—where Ember lives with her eccentric little brother and secretive older sister—desire builds. Loyalties fracture. And no one walks away untouched. Some love stories break rules. This one burns them down.

She Knows Where I sleep by Delly M. Elrose

She was her mother’s best friend. She wasn’t supposed to be watching her. And she definitely wasn’t supposed to want her back. Talia Royce just turned eighteen—fierce, headstrong, and aching for someone to finally see her. She didn’t expect that someone to be Jade Carrington, her mother’s oldest friend and a woman twice her age. At fifty-three, Jade is composed, commanding, and achingly beautiful. She’s known Talia since she was in pigtails. But the girl who returns home from school for the summer is not a child anymore. She’s temptation. She’s trouble. And she’s watching Jade with a hunger that’s impossible to ignore. As the boundaries of propriety begin to blur behind closed doors, both women spiral into a secret, scorching affair that risks exposing everything—family, loyalty, and the illusion of control. Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. But some are

The Forbidden Hour by delly M. Elrose

In a quiet, upper-middle-class suburb, Sarah, a 51-year-old emotionally neglected wife, finds herself trapped in the monotony of her perfect but unfulfilling life. Her husband, successful and often absent, leaves her isolated in their spacious home, and the weight of her loneliness grows heavier with each passing day. When 18-year-old Maya begins babysitting Sarah's children, an unexpected spark is lit. Maya’s youthful energy and carefree confidence quickly capture Sarah’s attention, a spark she hasn’t felt in years. At first, Sarah dismisses the feelings, rationalizing them as mere curiosity or a fleeting moment. But as the days pass, Sarah finds herself drawn to Maya in a way she can’t ignore—a dangerous attraction that begins to unravel the carefully constructed world she’s built. What starts as a quiet, innocent connection soon spirals into a forbidden affair, forcing Sarah to confront desires she’s long suppressed. As the bond deepens, the emotional desperation Sarah feels intensifies, pulling her further away from her family and deeper into the grip of a taboo passion. The affair is a dangerous game, full of power dynamics, trust, and secrecy. As Sarah and Maya navigate their growing attraction, they find themselves caught in a web of lies, with the risk of exposure looming at every turn. The Forbidden Hour is a provocative exploration of emotional neglect, power, and the complexities of forbidden attraction. As Sarah becomes entangled in a dangerous liaison, she must face the consequences of her choices, knowing that the price of her desires could shatter everything she holds dear.

Her Father's Sin by Delly M. Elrose

A forbidden, slow-burn romance about desire, betrayal, and the lines we cross for love. She married the wrong Kent… but craved the right one. At 42, Sloane Marlowe has everything she’s supposed to want—a luxurious life, a powerful husband, and a future wrapped in gilded stability. But beneath her poised exterior, the fire in her has long since burned out… until her. Aria Kent is everything Sloane isn’t—wild, reckless, and twenty years younger. She’s also her new stepdaughter. Their first meeting is a collision of stolen glances and accidental touches, each one sending cracks through Sloane’s carefully constructed life. Aria doesn’t hide what she wants. And Sloane doesn’t know how to resist. Every secret glance is a betrayal. Every lingering touch is a sin. But when the line between right and wrong blurs, obsession takes hold—and neither of them can turn back. Even if it destroys everything.

Beyond the Language of Love by Delly M. Elrose

Camila Moretti, a fierce, tattooed football star raised in working-class Buenos Aires, is the face of Argentina’s women’s team—bold, magnetic, and emotionally closed off. She’s in a messy relationship with her possessive co-captain, Lucía Ramírez, and hiding more fears than her tough exterior shows. Football is her sanctuary. Love is another game she doesn’t know how to win. Enter Juliet Ashford, a quiet but passionate English linguistics student on a year abroad in Buenos Aires. She's awkward, observant, and deeply sensitive. Juliet loves football but has only watched from the sidelines—until she's assigned to work as a student translator and interpreter for the women's team. Their first meeting is a disaster. Their second, worse. But the tension between them? Unmistakable. As cultural friction, miscommunication, and tangled loyalties spark slow-burning desire, both women find themselves caught between what they want, what they fear, and what might just be the love of their lives—if they’re brave enough to choose it. Rivals. Lovers. Strangers learning each other’s languages—on and off the pitch. In the heat of Buenos Aires, nothing stays lost in translation for long.

Unspoken: A Dust Novel by Jann Alexander

"The novel reminds me, in tone, of Texas classics like The Time it Never Rained and Giant. I loved it. Alexander is a great new talent in the genre of Texana." —W.F. Strong, author, Stories From Texas, and radio commentator for NPR Texas _________________________________ A Farm Devastated. A Dream Destroyed. A Family Scattered. And One Texas Girl Determined to Salvage The Wreckage. Ruby Lee Becker can’t breathe. It’s 1935 in the heart of the Dust Bowl and the Becker family has clung to its Texas Panhandle farm through six years of drought, dying crops, and dust storms. On Black Sunday, the biggest blackest storm of them all threatens young Ruby with deadly dust pneumonia and requires a drastic choice—one her mother, Willa Mae, will forever regret. To survive, Ruby’s forced to leave the only place she’s ever known. Far from home, wondering why she’s been abandoned, she’s determined to get back. Through rollicking adventures and harrowing setbacks, the tenacious Ruby Lee embarks on her perilous quest for home—and faces her one unspoken fear. Even after twelve years, Willa Mae still clings to memories of her daughter. Unable to reunite with Ruby, she’s broken by their separation. UNSPOKEN shines a light on women driven apart by disaster who bravely lean on one another, find comfort in remade families, and redefine what home means.

Chasing Phantoms by Inna Tamir

After what happened that night in the forest, Vera knew her life would never be the same. Healer or not, there’s only so much a human mind can grasp. It was another encounter, though, that truly turned Vera’s world upside down: Adrian Gordon. Her high school crush. The one love she could never get over—perhaps because that’s how unrequited love works… He was looking for a flatmate. She was looking into his blue eyes, forgetting everything around her. She was sure it was fate—what else could have brought her to his doorstep at that late hour? Unfortunately, fate is a seasoned player, always keeping its cards close to the chest, and the road to Adrian's heart was more complicated than she ever imagined. Obstacles had never scared Vera. Arguing with spirits, visiting her past incarnations—her life was too full of miracles to believe anything was impossible. But what happens when all the obstacles seem to be gone? When it all comes down to a single choice—her chance to be happy… or his? A time- and space-crossing love story that dances on the thin line between what is possible and what most people think isn’t.

Among Wildflowers and Starlight Powers by Rowena Aiello

A romantic young witch. An enigmatic older woman. An opportunity of a lifetime…left in the hands of a hopeful and nervous wreck. All Violet wants is to get permission to attend the Priestess’s Birthday Ball. What she doesn’t plan on is running into a beautiful stranger…or the Priestess herself. The holy woman is so impressed by Violet’s dancing, she tasks Violet with putting together yet another Grand Ball, this time in Violet’s hometown. Violet’s never done anything like this before, but she can’t very well say no to the Priestess, much less in front of the beautiful stranger Violet now wants to also impress. As challenge after challenge mounts in front of her, Violet is left having to decide if she’s capable of pulling this off after all…and if walking away is worth doing, even if it means both her beautiful stranger, and the Priestess, end up disappointed.

Etheri by Sage T. Greene

As an Etheri, Mari lacks physical strength and mana control. She feels destined to play the supporting role for her partner Rhu (a natural talent and future Lord of Newhaven) and her cousin Junie (the confident and beautiful one). But when Mari learns that Junie is a member of the Blaze—a mysterious criminal organization—she isn’t sure how to move forward. Mari finds herself learning about the Blaze and gets embroiled in their misadventures. By the time Junie’s identity is leaked to the Etheri villages and the Blaze comes under attack, Mari is no longer convinced that she can pick a side, but failing to do so begins to endanger not just herself, but the people she loves. Mari must choose where her loyalties lie: with her village, with her friends, or with herself.

JAKE - Family Bonds by Elizabeth Jacobs

I’ve never wanted a girlfriend. I’m happy with my life—working on the ranch, spending time with my brothers and sister, and enjoying the freedom to hook up with whoever I want. But then my boss hires a nanny for his kids. Amber is sweet and pure, and grew up under the strict guidance of her religious parents. A girl like her has no business getting involved with someone like me. I know I should keep my distance. But when Amber confides in me that she wants to break free from her parents’ control and explore what life has to offer, how the hell am I supposed to resist?

The Sanctity of Marriage by Amelia Winkle

Rose Wilson has held on to the promise of true love – fairytale love that lasts forever – into her mid-thirties, but her choices in men leave her hopeless in that regard. After deciding that she will never date again, and inspired by her lifelong friends Leann and Penelope, Rose undertakes a new mission, to unequivocally reject the idea of love and marriage. With the help of her friends, Rose works towards breaking the world record of 29 marriages. Society’s expectations of marriage can be a problem, however. Rose and her friends discover that it’s not easy to find 27 men who can be satisfied with a marriage in legality only. Some long for a lasting relationship, some want money, and some just want to be a part of the action. She also meets the man of her dreams, which proves to be a bigger problem in her life. With these challenges, but with her friends always by her side, Rose fights towards the finish line.

A Bend In The Future by Abby Brown

Tammy's move to the city opens secrets hidden from her, many on the horse farms around her. Some secrets her family thought she knew. Others, they hoped would never affect her. Building a future means forging unexpected bonds and traveling roads she never imagined.

The Sins of Mrs. Ema by Mirela Kanini

The Sins of Mrs. Ema is a provocative novel by author Mirela Kanini about true happiness in life. Is it money or love? How do we balance having a devoted husband and then finding the right person at the wrong time? How far will we go for love? Ema seems to have it all. She is a successful psychologist, married to a business man, and lives in a mansion in a desirable neighborhood. She has everything one could want, from luxury cars, to a vacation home, to trips to the most exotic places. Her marriage has lost its passion and is dulled by routine. But one business trip to her hometown changes everything. Her life shifts from a quiet, suburban one to a passionately dangerous one. She meets Toni, the love of her life. She risks everything she has to follow her heart. She is caught between the man who cares about her and the man she truly loves. What if she loses it all at the end? Unpredictable, heartbreaking! An affair to remember! This is a brilliant psychological romance!

Cracks In The Wall by Abagail Brown

Survivors know no other life. Abuse often starts before awareness of self, and others. Abuse is normalized. Questions lead to life threatening consequences. A few escape. Read their histories. Recognize those you know who may need a nudge to acknowledge the abuse they suffer from in their daily lives. Prevent continuing the vicious cycle of so many who merely exist throughout their lives.

Kin Strife by Abby Brown

Recording the village elder's life stories should be routine. Always on the outside of village life, looking in. Terra's rocked babies, cooked meals, written memories. Nothing more. Until now. Saving stories in a village of people lost between cultures interrupts her search for belonging. Their fragmented stream of life threatens all Terra knows of her own past, and future. She must tame the stream back into its banks to create a home she never dreamed existed.

If Only You Had Stayed by C. P. Ashton

Sarcastic. Scarred. Stuck. Charlie Foster is a disaster. Just ask her therapist. After high school, Charlie loaded what little she owned into her car, ripped off the proverbial rear view mirror, and drove out west with her angsty punk music blaring as loud as the speakers could handle. The falling out with her best friend, Skylar, right before graduation still haunts her ten years later. Now Charlie’s back in town for their high school reunion searching for answers, closure, and one last shot at Skylar’s heart. But Skylar may have moved on long ago—for better or worse. If Only You Had Stayed explores shattered first loves, fumbled second chances, and the inescapable external forces that shape a life.

The Student by Fern Goldstein

The Student takes readers inside the halls and classrooms of Abigail Adams Middle School on what turns out to be a terrifying and inexorable journey to the ending that is every teacher's and parent's nightmare. As we intimately experience the struggles of each of The Student's potential victims and of The Student himself, we feel teacher Sharon Bonavina’s frustrations as she tries desperately, but in vain, to reach The Student—until we end up cowering behind the way-too-thin wooden doors of Sharon’s classroom, watching the clock, wondering if help will arrive in time. Tick... Tick... Tick... We inhabit a world where children are shooting their teachers and other children as the people who should do something do nothing or don’t know what to do. As the other students in Sharon's classes all deal with their own problems and those brought on by the growing malevolence emanating from The Student, the book raises legal and ethical issues that urgently need answers; it raises awareness of mental health and the realities of what can and cannot be done in schools for students who struggle and for those who suffer because of them. It also makes us face fears that keep us up at night and trembling during the day.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

Ten years into their marriage, Lenore’s relationship with her husband, Henry, has soured, and no child has arrived to fill the distance between them. Lenore’s frustration grows when Henry’s ambitions, both work and societal, take them out of London and into the countryside, to the imposing Nethershaw manor, where he is planning to host a hunt. Lenore keeps a terrible secret from the last time her husband hunted, and though they never speak of it, it haunts their marriage to this day. A carriage accident near their home soon brings the mysterious Carmilla into Lenore’s life. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night; Carmilla who will not eat meals with the family; Carmilla who stirs up a hunger deep within Lenore. Torn between regaining her husband’s affection and the desire Carmilla’s presence awakens in her, Lenore begins to unravel her past. Her search leads her to uncover a darkness in her household that’s set on destroying her. Hungerstone is a mesmerizing reclamation of the lesbian vampire trope, set against the backdrop of the voracious appetite of the Industrial Revolution.

The Early Girls by Yvette Joy Liebesman

The reunion of six women who bonded in nursery school is interrupted when one of them is kidnapped, and the friends plot a daring rescue. The ransom: access to the priceless invention two of the Early Girls created. There is a deeper mystery, though—for years, women in the area have gone missing, and the Early Girls inadvertently discover how and why. The Early Girls: -Hannah-- even at age three she was the natural leader; -Isha-- the most confident of the group; at first glance she appeared shy, but her smile betrayed that; -Mina-- she was petrified of being abandoned; -Francie -- her parents realized too late that a second child required a lifestyle change; -Vicky-- by far the brightest of the girls, much to the disappointment of her parents; -Amber-- her parents kept having children that they didn’t want…. Together they are unstoppable.

The Fragile Humans We Are by V. Walker

Step into the delicate realms of emotion with the fragile humans we volume one, a poignant collection of poetry that navigates the intricate landscapes of love, grief, and depression. This collection invites readers on a transformative journey through the highs and lows of the human experience. In this beautifully crafted compilation, Walker delves into the complexities of love, loss, and being lost. the fragile humans we are, volume one is not merely a collection of poems. It serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, celebrating the capacity for healing that resides within us all. This first edition features 13 original illustrations, beautifully crafted for the fragile humans we are volume one.

The Owlbear and the Omens by Aengie Scevity

Imperial Princess Phosphoria of the Zekzterian Empire is desperate to survive the inevitable culling of her father’s harem, when an opportunity arises. In the conquered land of Great Leven, her dying brother is an heirless king until Phosphoria wins the right to his throne. To secure her rule, Phosphoria announces a tour of the country and trials for her hand, but when servants and nobles alike are murdered, she discovers that the harem she escaped might just be the key to stay the infighting. However, a queen’s harem will be no easy feat as the lords of Great Leven will never accept the proposal and Phosphoria is unable to lie; she is Blessed by the Owlbear, forced to see and speak only the truth. Further complications arise from rebels loyal to the usurped royal line, and the reappearance of the true heir: the Lost Prince Osbeorn Auber of Great Leven, whose coming was foretold in omens upon the wind. By marrying many, Phosphoria runs the risk of marrying the murderer in her midst, but she must fight tradition if she is to succeed against the rebels, the murderer, and the lords of Great Leven itself. As for Osbeorn, he must come to terms with the darkness of his past before he can look to the future of his country.

The Spectral Scoop by Leighton Rae Smith

Mansion makeover? More like mansion mystery! Kayla, a journalist with a nose for trouble (and maybe the handsome new man in town?), has her sights set on a renovation project with a secret past. Spooky sounds, a tight-lipped cousin, and a charming contractor with his own questions pull her into a whirlwind of renovation reveals and undeniable sparks. With Halloween approaching, can Kayla crack the code of Hickory Manor before it’s too late? Dive into this quirky love-at-first-sight renovation romance with a touch of the paranormal – it's history, mystery, and a happily ever after, all under one (very haunted) roof! The Spectral Scoop is the first installment in the Hickory Hill small-town paranormal romance series.

Standstill by A. R. Longo

After winning her first championship belt, emerging wrestling superstar Cara is forced to return home after the sudden death of her parent and see her estranged older disabled sister for the first time in over a decade. Standstill is a character study between an able person and a disabled person.

The Things We Lose in the Dark by Sayword B. Eller

Sexual abuse survivor Zedwynne doesn't need anyone. Except when she wakes up from a failed suicide attempt with nowhere else to go but back into the loving arms of an overbearing mother and overprotective sister, and back to the town that almost destroyed her. Despite best efforts to keep her head down and avoid people, Zedwynne becomes invested in the lives of many through work at a local diner, and her therapy group of fellow second chancers. As these relationships grow and become more complicated, Zed begins to realize life isn't about what happens to you, but what you do with what's left. As she starts to figure out how to handle what she’s been left with, Zedwynne learns the man who abused her is dying, and she must decide if she'll let him die without facing what he's done, or confront him and risk upending her precarious progress.

Redeem Me by Miranda Faye

Evelyn Mayhew knows two things. That it should be a blessing to be raised by a man of the Lord. And that it should be a privilege to be betrothed to a man of power. But when her awakening thoughts lead her not only away from the blind obedience she has been raised for but also toward a stranger offering her a glimpse of freedom, Evelyn is put at a crossroads. Should she choose the shelter of a life confined, or risk the unknown with the man who would set her world — and her heart — on fire?

The Other Side of the Looking-Glass by Dakota Jackson

Fifteen-year-old Naomi Nakano craves love and acceptance. She never knew her mother, her birth father is neglectful to say the least, and her guardian Matt isn’t exactly the traditional parent. So when she moves to a new town and finally makes a real friend, she can’t help but feel good about the attention her friend’s older brother, Wren, immediately gives her. He lavishes her with compliments and attention — and so what if he’s 25-years-old and she can’t tell anyone about him? At least she’s no longer an outsider. But as Naomi gets lulled into the intoxication of Wren’s attention, she fails to see how easy it is to lose her newfound sense of normalcy in all the lies. Now she must fight to maintain her secret at the same time she juggles hardship after hardship before she loses not only Wren, but herself, too. If you're a fan of compelling young adult fiction like Amber Smith's The Way I Used to Be, or thought-provoking literary fiction that dives deep into the complexities of love and identity like Kate Elizabeth Russell's My Dark Vanessa, then The Other Side of the Looking-Glass is a must-read for you.

The Truths We Make by Samantha Jon

EVANGELINE PIERCE knew falling in love with a Poe boy was a mistake. She knew it when she was seven and at twenty-seven, she knows it still. After eight years on her own, trying to leave behind the emotional wounds that just won’t heal, she’s called back to Dellbrook to mourn the death of PAXTON POE. In the halls of her childhood home lay memories she’d rather forget, and her ghosts aren’t the only ones demanding to be heard; Paxton has left a letter. One that his brother, OLIVER, insists reveals he didn’t just die. He was murdered. And Oliver can’t solve the riddle without her. As they delve deeper through clues, what happened to Paxton gets ever closer to being unveiled. But so do Oliver and Eve, bringing their history sharply into focus. For Eve to get closure, she must confront the past and the scandal that tore them all apart—no matter the cost. And to have any hope of solving the mystery of Paxton’s death, she must ask herself if generational chains can be broken and if love will ever be enough. But it’s a truth universally acknowledged, that you should believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see, especially when dealing with a Poe…

Even If We're Broken by A.M. Weald

Still reeling from being ghosted by her girlfriend, bioarchaeologist Kate Roth agrees to join an estranged colleague to teach at his field school at a Viking-age archaeology site in the wilds of Newfoundland. While welcoming the escape from Colorado where she’s been medicating resurfaced anxieties with wine and angry rock music, she’s wary of three important facts: 1) she’s had a crush on Viking Cowboy Ben for half her life, 2) Ben is a family man who lives in Norway, and 3) all her romantic relationships, and most friendships, seem to have an expiration date. For archaeologist Esben “Ben” Veholt, inviting the woman he’s been in love with since digging alongside her 23 years ago was, of course, the worst possible thing he could have done for himself. This summer was supposed to be his escape from reality: a love life in ruins, worsening body image issues, and a teenage daughter who suddenly wants nothing to do with him. When Kate accepts his offer, he intends to retain a professional relationship with her. A woman like Kate could never love him anyway—not with how much he’s changed inside and out. All seems fine on the surface as Kate and Esben’s friendship rebuilds, but as they dig deeper, they realize just how broken they both are. To heal from their painful pasts and reclaim their crumbling presents, they each need a friend who accepts them, mess and all. But summer won’t last forever, and a third chance at romance threatens to drift across the ocean yet again.

Red Gifts in the Garden of Stones by P A Swanborough

It’s 1969. Distrust and arrogance are alive and well in the timeless bones and living stones of this close Welsh community, and the pagan ancestors aren’t as far in the past as people might think. It only takes a very small dog to inflame a monster… Suspiciously long-lived matriarch Lizzie Coombe expects her one-hundredth birthday to be a special day. She’s always kept aloof from the neighbours; hasn’t spoken to some for over 50 years, and cares even less for their opinions. But Reverent Morgan, latest in a long line of Morgan vicars at the tiny village chapel, is affronted by events. And he finds a ready audience for his hostility. Caught inside the haunted walls of the ancestral farmhouse, aristocratic Lizzie and her solid daughter Myfanwy only know long-dead love. Lizzie’s unstable granddaughter Sarah Maud is frightened of it. Great granddaughter Jenner doesn’t seem to need love at all; is she a wise woman, or a witch? As events and people spiral out of her accustomed control, Lizzie faces her own ghosts and sees she might have to do the unexpected: care for her family.

Till the Wishes Bloom by Montaha Nasr

In this homage to Arabic web novels, a dying wish results in an arranged marriage between a pharmacist and a man with whom she shares a complicated past. Eight years. That was how long Jihan Khalili spent under the umbrella of Al-Saif family, a product of her mother's marriage to the family's second-born heir. It was within those eight years, within that household, that Jihan experienced fleeting daydreams and inevitable heartbreak. Those days are long behind her, memories to collect dust. Now a pharmacist, Jihan spends her time navigating around curious neighbors, dismissing pointless proposals, and mulling over her workplace's status of paranormal activity. But then arrives Nadir, Al-Saif family's youngest heir, obliging her mother's dying wish by asking for Jihan's hand in marriage. He is insistent despite her warnings, and far too accommodating to her requests and terms. Is it all out of sense of duty, or is there another motive behind his pursuit? Perhaps this is the chance to mend an old heartbreak, to turn a daydream into a reality.

Love At Second Sight by Ayoka B.

Shane's life is full...of poetry, motherhood and friends. She is a Single Mom who is pensive, passionate and generous and loves her family. Having experienced loss and heartache, her trust must be earned. Enter Mike. He is talented, complicated and guarded. Their powerful connection changes their hearts and lives. A beautiful and layered story of artistry, relationships and love, this novel spans generations. Love At Second Sight will make you laugh, cry, and cheer and inspire you to rethink what it means to love.

Off Balance by Tiffany Costa

Juliette had plenty of love in her life. She owned and operated a a ballet studio bursting with students, parents, and staff that she adored. Sure, there was a gaping hole in the romantic love department, but she was happy. Everything was going right. Until her teenage student, Kelsey Delgato, revealed that she had been abandoned by her mother and needed a place to stay. With a birth certificate in hand naming a man Kelsey didn’t recognize as her father, Juliette tracks him down and makes the call. Only to find out that Caleb Ramirez didn’t know Kelsey existed either. After the shock of a lifetime and a move across the country, Caleb Ramirez is thrown even farther off balance when his alliance with Juliette begins to feel a little more like friendship. Then a bit like attraction. And then a lot like love. Thrown together by circumstance, the three navigate the unknown together in this heartfelt, raw story about whether genetics really does play a role in family and whether or not we can choose who we love.

The Crimson Walls of Algorath by Enna Hawthorn

When sand turns crimson and walls become cages, only love can keep them from breaking. Lady Ariadne Caldwell, the Golden Rose of Valenul, received everything she could desire from the courting Season: freedom from the Society’s expectations, a doting husband, and the inner strength to overcome the horrors of her past. With Lord Azriel Caldwell’s bond sated and his darkest secrets revealed to his new wife, he can finally settle into his new life. Everything is as it should be. When the newlyweds are torn apart by revenge, however, their plans for a peaceful future disappear. Exposed and arrested, Azriel is sent to Algorath’s infamous Pits to serve out his prison sentence through trial-by-combat. But Ariadne is determined to save her husband from certain death and must leave everything and everyone she loves behind—including her sister, bound for a dangerous marriage. As Azriel struggles to stay alive, he’s faced with challenges he thought were long since put to rest: a crumbling bond and an old enemy sworn to kill him. Ariadne must act quickly to free him, for even if he survives the fights, the bond may damage him beyond repair.

Holland, My Heart by Jennifer J. Coldwater

You know that stress inventory you can take? You get one point each for a long list of disastrous life events? Let’s just say I have lost count. In the last year alone I’ve lost my husband (and his brother), sold our home, moved across the country, quietly quit my job, watched my closest friend-slash-sister-in-law move out of the country, and… well, I guess that’s it. Could be worse, right? So, here I am. My name is Holland Gallagher and I'm a twenty-seven-year-old MBA with no job and a broken heart. Which, of course, is when my best friend-slash-mother-in-law Naomi introduces me to her oldest and dearest friend, Kai Ipu. He’s the empirically attractive Black-slash-Samoan CEO of a corporate consulting firm (think a started-in-his-dorm-room company with an eye to making corporations better citizens of the world). But I’m a mess and he’s significantly older than I am. So, I don’t have to worry about that, right? You’d think. He just invited me to join his company. I’m never one to turn down a challenge… so, here goes everything. Loosely based on the Bible book of Ruth (but with f-bombs from Kai, Holland’s drunken confessions of adoration, and one spicy sex scene), Holland, My Heart is the first in a collection of biblical women’s stories retold as contemporary romance. Holland, My Heart is an MF, dual POV, love-after-loss, slow burn, witty standalone romance.

The Multiverse- Amnesty by R. Sims

Max's life on Marzolie, the ancient world of Mars, was marked by its deep-seated misogyny and internal conflict. Just as Mephisto’s forces launch a devastating invasion, Max is deceived into escaping to Gaia (Earth) by none other than his younger sister. Unbeknownst to him, he is the UnMaker's oldest, and likely most evil, son, with a destiny intertwined with darkness. Kalion Amarys, former Yaragru princess and a formidable immortal, is tasked with escorting Max back to the war-torn planet. As she grapples with Max's disdain for her gender and him going through maturity, she now finds herself conflicted by her own emotions. Max's demands for her to abandon her immortal duties and bear strong sons challenge everything she stands for. Max, meanwhile, has grand plans. He wants to save his planet, marry Kalion—despite bizarre racial quirks, such as growing flowers from her head and being yellow. Yet, he’s determined to make a few changes to her, including overcoming her pre-selected mate, and starting a family immediately; since motherhood would make her forget her friends and obligations and her independent adventuring ways. As Max and Kalion clash over their differing goals, their journey becomes a test of endurance and trust. With Mephisto's threat looming, can they overcome their differences and find a way to return to Gaia together? Or will their quest end in ruin, like so many before them?

The Golden Rose of Valenul by Enna Hawthorn

Gold can tarnish, roses can wilt, but love can last forever. Ariadne Harlow didn’t want to be the Golden Rose. With the prestigious title comes too much attention. But when the courting Season begins, she has eyes for only one the Valenul General. He cares for her, helped her recover after being abducted, and holds the power to keep the horrible monsters of her past at bay. A perfect match. Azriel Tenebra didn’t want to be the personal guard of the Golden Rose. Yet despite his misgivings, he ends up at her estate at the start of the Season. Before long, his struggles, and the real reason for his avoidance, a fae bond connecting him to Ariadne. She’s all he can think of, and it risks the safety of himself and everyone who gets between them. Night after night, Ariadne can’t help but be drawn to her quiet new guard, and Azriel’s resolve to leave her slowly cracks. For when the General’s intentions become evident, she must uphold her reputation, and that of her family, by accepting his hand. Anything less and the truth would be exposed, putting Azriel’s life on the line and opening her to the scandal of the ages.

The Burden of Us by Alexandra Orchard

Ella Webb was never destined to be free. When she turned sixteen, Ella's only present was an arranged marriage to Dean, her ex-friend. Desperate for time, she bargained for a three-year reprieve to get an education and graduate before she was forced to marry. Falling in love with someone else was never Ella's intention. Yet she allowed herself to fall deep into the rabbit hole of forbidden love and hidden family secrets that Ella wished had stayed buried... but it all might be the key to setting herself free.

Ravens & Roses: A Women's Gothic Anthology by Kristin Cleaveland, Judith Crow, Carla Eliot, A.L. Garcia, Tara Jazdzewski, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Liz M. Kamp, Catherine McCarthy, Olivia Claire Louise Newman, Alexa Rose, and Helen Whistberry

A woman haunted by guilt. A man obsessed with the obscene. A vampire consumed by love. Ravens & Roses is a unique collection of Gothic stories penned by a diverse group of women authors. Pulling inspiration from some of the greatest Gothic works of our time, these writers have created eleven poignantly beautiful tales of love, tragedy, and the female experience.

All The Parts of the Soul by Catherine Fearns

Perhaps all women are witches at heart… The year is 1545; Geneva has defeated the Catholic forces of the Duke of Savoy and established itself as the center of the Reformation, with John Calvin as its spiritual leader. But peace is fragile and the city ravaged by plague, the atmosphere one of fear and suspicion. So when new rumors of witchcraft emerge from the isolated village of Satigny, Calvin sees an opportunity, and plucks a reclusive young magistrate to investigate. Henry Aubert was orphaned by plague at the age of twelve, and since then he has lived alone, consumed by fear and by the temptations he finds in the margins of his book collection. Now, for the first time, he is forced to confront the possibility of society, friendship, even love. Local healer Louise de Peney is kind and beautiful, but skirts dangerously close to the fringes of his investigation. Can he escape the horrific task he has been set? And is it too late to save a soul that has too long been turned in on itself?

Every Beautiful Mile by Ashley Manley

A widowed bartender, a summer road trip, the detour she never expected. Penelope ‘Nel’ Crawford is stuck. At least that’s what her family tells her. A year after losing her husband of seventeen years, she’s still so deep in her grief that she’s barely hanging on, let alone living. She hardly recognizes her teenage kids and finds no joy in doing the things she once loved. Her solution? An attempt to heal herself and the relationship with her kids with a summer road trip. From one destination to the next, Nel not only has to navigate life on the road, but the trials and tribulations of motherhood after loss. When a detour leads her to a flirtatious restaurant owner she’s been emailing off and on for months, she starts to remember that life—no matter how unpredictable—is made for living. And the heart, even if broken, finds ways to love again. Every Beautiful Mile will make readers laugh, cry, and remind them of the healing powers of nature, family, and love itself.

Not Quite Meant To Be by Genevieve Croeser

Love is like a four-leaf clover. You find it only when you're not looking. Elana Anderson is definitely not looking for love. When her parents' marriage falls apart, she is left with a ranch full of horses and a rebellious teenage sister. A relationship is the last thing on her mind. A relationship with Colton Johnson, who collects buckle bunnies like most people collect coins, is about as likely as her chances of winning the lottery. The fact that his dimpled smile makes her heart skip a beat means absolutely nothing at all. After having his heart shattered by his high school sweetheart, Colton Johnson decides that true love and happily ever afters exist only in fairy tales. He is perfectly happy with his commitment-free lifestyle, until he really gets to know the dark-haired cowgirl who has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. Can he risk his heart again for the chance at a fairy tale ending to their love story? Is Elana willing to give up everything she thought she knew about Colton Johnson in favour of getting to know the man behind the mask that he presents to the world? Could there possibly be room for him in her world, after all? Horses, ranch lore, love and laughter and of course, a beautiful love story make up this debut novel by Genevieve Croeser.

When Wildflowers Bloom by Ashley Manley

How would you live your life if you believed any day could be your last? Having the same genetic mutation that took both her mother and grandmother, Birdie Rose Hawkins meets her thirty-seventh birthday with the grim belief that this year will also be her last. While she normally spends her days living by lists, rules, and routines—alone—she starts her final year doing something she never does: having a one-night stand. When the stranger fatefully reappears in her life, this time carrying baggage of his own, it’s with an offer of friendship. Rather than doing what she thinks will keep her safe, he, along with the few people she has in her life, teach her how to lean into the things that scare her. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for them to ignore the connection they’ve had since that very first night. When a secret is exposed and threatens to destroy everything they’ve built, Birdie has to decide if she wants to survive like she always has or trust in the unknown that comes with truly living.

Sweet Torture by P.L Waites

What happens when you accidentally send a text to your best friend's dad that was not meant to be for his eyes? Elona, who is eighteen, is on the cusp of a new chapter- her final year of high school. A dream she has her sights on becoming a model. But beneath her confident exterior lies a secret crush on someone unexpected- Mr. Crane, her best friend's father. Three years ago, after the tragic loss of his wife, Mr. Crane, a painfully handsome man, stands as a hardworking billionaire, a symbol of both success and unspoken pain. His world intersects with Elona's through her best friend, their shared street, and his friendship with her dad. One fateful day, a slip of a thumb changes everything. Elona accidentally sends Mr. Crane a series of revealing photos intended for her best friend. As he sits at the boardroom table, he receives the unexpected images. His gaze lingers on the screen, he has a choice to make. Will he confront the accidental message, risking a fragile friendship and potentially igniting emotions neither anticipated? Or will he grapple with his own desires in silence, seeking a way to navigate this uncharted territory without disrupting the lives around him?

Waterweaver by Maya Gouliard

Lara has successfully raised four children on the limited resources of the wastes. Now, as she begins to search for her new purpose in life, the town well has run dry. To help her family, friends and neighbors Lara travels to Azural, the Blue Realm to try to bring the water magic back. Azural has been hidden behind a magic waterwall for generations, and they are not excited about outsiders, especially ones that bring unbelievable stories of Wastelands beyond their borders. Lara must prove herself worthy of a magic stone, and do so against the system. Oh, and did we mention the adorable baby dragon?