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Hope for the Tarnished
by Ann ChiappettaYoung Abbie struggles to cope with the traumatic experiences in her life. Ripped from everything familiar after her parents' divorce, she is dropped into an unknown neighborhood and is emotionally abandoned by her mentally unstable mother. Abbie is caught up in the cruel nature of one sister's addictions and is often rescued by her other sister's love and sense of familial responsibility. The story reveals family secrets and the shift of cultural norms as it leaves the 1970s and enters the 1980s. Surrounded by uncertainty, Abbie struggles with being able to open herself to the other, more stable adults in her life as she seeks guidance through difficult circumstances. School and competitive sports offer escape, new physical confidence, and friendship. As Abbie matures, her ability to take chances and trust others is challenged. Some chances play out to her advantage, and some do not. The path to self—reliance is often lonely or disorienting for her. She discovers whom to trust and whom she can't depend upon for support. It's a long, hard fight for Abbie to break free of what she dubs the "three—ring circus" of her tumultuous emotions, but greater maturity and love with the man she has always wanted liberate her at last.
Forty Acres Deep
by Michael PerryWhen farmer Harold wakes to find his wife dead beside him in bed and snow threatening to crush the last life from his dwindling farm, he takes drastic steps toward a fresh start. Set in a world of stark wintry beauty, Forty Acres Deep is the brief, unrelenting tale of one person's attempt to make sense of a world he no longer recognizes while pitilessly calling himself into account. Seamed with grim humor and earthy revelations, it is an unforgiving story...and yet leaves open the idea that we might surrender to hope.
Drawing Breath: Essays on Writing, the Body, and Loss
by Gayle BrandeisIn Drawing/Breath: Inhales and Exhales on Body and Word, PEN/Bellwether Prize-winning writer Gayle Brandeis' essays explore both the writing life and the embodied life, along with potent intersection between the two. From the title essay investigating the connection between writing and breath to the final essay, which delves into Brandeis' experience with long-haul Covid and its impact on her creative voice, this collection is infused with the urgency of mortality, thrumming with grief, authenticity, and a deep love for both language and the world of the senses.
The Courtesan Queen: A fantasy enemies to lovers spicy romance
by Anna TrissAfter centuries of peace, the four Elemental Clans of Symbiosis are at war with each other. Sylvan, the young Fuegis King, a cruel and ruthless warrior with the ability to control Fire magic, is enslaving the other three kingdoms of Symbiosis, spreading death and terror in his path. I am Queen Alena of the Glace Clan, which is affiliated with Water magic. I was captured by my worst enemy during the siege of my city. I already know the fate that awaits me tonight. Like the princesses of the other two Elemental Clans that preceded me, I am destined to become the new wife of the tyrant Sylvan. And tomorrow at dawn… I will be executed. But queen or slave, I am first and foremost a Glace. I will honor our ancestral philosophy. “Facing his enemy, a Glace sheds no tears, and never gives up wielding his weapons.”
The Private Garden: A dark spicy romance
by Oly TlThe most disturbing and transgressive of contracts... Tiger Sexton seems to have it all. Charisma. Respect. Relentless business acumen. More fortune than he could spend in a life and a sublime wife, Sophia. When Oceane is invited by Mrs. Sexton for a job interview in one of the restaurants that her husband gave her, the young French tourist knows nothing about this couple. Their name means nothing to her, people are not her thing. She just wants a job, a place to live and to move on with her life... Sophia’s proposal comes at the right time: the Sextons are looking for an au pair. But by opening their doors to her, many other locks are likely to open. Is Oceane ready for this? And what about Sophia, and especially the Tiger lurking in this Secret Garden?
Touchdown: When the guy fall fisrt spicy romance
by Sonia BirdyShe’s a runner, but the campus star quaterback runs faster than she does! Rocky has had a chaotic life from which she concluded three fundamental things: life is a succession of problems to be solved, men are assholes to be avoided and promises are only binding on fools who want to believe in them. So, unlike the other girls on campus, boys are not a priority for her. Worse, she sees them as an obstacle to her success! But during a student party, she meets Jude. Freshly transferred from Harvard to play on Brown’s soccer team, Jude is the new star on campus. Handsome and inaccessible, he is the type not to get attached: the perfect candidate for a one-night stand. But the chemistry is too strong. And though Rocky is determined to run away from him, he is determined to conquer her heart.
Your Power Over Me: a dark soulmate spicy romance
by Missy HeartA family home heavy with secrets, a dangerously charismatic owner. Will her arrival at Iron House be the end of her? Ever since she was a teenager, Lovisa has known it: at Iron House, anything can happen, especially the worst. However, when she is forced to return to the family home for her stepfather’s funeral, her heart races: she is going to see him again, this “brother” who she never wanted and who yet turned her whole world upside down. Now at the head of a drug cartel, authoritarian and brutal, Niklas is nothing like the teenager she knew nine years ago. At his side, Lovisa finds herself immersed in a harsh, ruthless—but fascinating—world. Irremediably attracted to this man who wants her as much harm as good, will Lovisa manage to fight her unmentionable desires? Or will she give in to Niklas’ magnetic darkness?
Damn Roommate: a slow burn spicy romance
by Lou GaranceFalling for your brother’s best friend? Not a good idea! Moving in with him? Even worse! When she moves in with her brother’s roommate and his group of friends, Scarlett feels like she’s really in for it. She couldn’t get Nolan Jones out of her head while living thousands of miles away from him, so how could she possibly forget him now that she’s back in Boston? Especially now that she occupies the room right next to his? Yet her lifelong crush gives her no reason to hope. Nolan teases her like she’s his little sister! Scarlett knows she has to accept that he will never see her otherwise. But between the evenings spent challenging each other, the unsettling closeness on the couch and the new spark she sees in Nolan’s eyes, never might be coming sooner rather than later.
Roommate with my Boss: a fake dating spicy romance
by Erin GrahamBoss, roommate, fake fiancé… real lover? Étienne is cold, charismatic, and he never shies away from a challenge. He masters everything down to the smallest detail… until a little accountant with an unlikely look and flowers in her hair inserts herself into his daily life. She is whimsical, full of life, laughs at the rules and gets around them, talks all the time except about her past… and she drives him crazy. Yet, it’s impossible to fire her. She needs a job and a roof over her head; he needs a fake fiancée... Is it a deal?
The Cocky Heir: an enemies to lovers spicy romance
by Ana K. AndersonShe is about to get married. But not to him. Quinn MacFayden, an accomplished expat businessman in New York, is set to return to Scotland in extremis to protect the precious family legacy. His 91-year-old grandfather is about to marry a perfect stranger sixty-six years his junior… And that is out of the question! Quinn swears it. Over his dead body will Dawn Fleming ever be part of the family! But Dawn is not a future bride like the others. She is nowhere near the gold digger he imagined and, above all, she knows just how to stand up to him. And so a game of cat and mouse begins between them. A war with no holds barred and where surrender has never been so tempting…
Blaque Pearle
by Tarris MarieTarris Marie&’s debut novel intertwines crime, romance, and the &‘90s era. A refreshing new voice for urban romance lovers and women&’s crime thriller connoisseurs. Before her Hollywood dreams were shattered, Pearle Monalise Brown was the tenacious aspiring actress from Compton's unforgiving, scarred streets. Never broken, Pearle switches gears to a fallback plan—resorting to her beauty and acting skills to swindle money and expensive jewels. When she's hired by the Colombian cartel to steal a priceless Basquiat from the debonair kingpin and art collector, Blaque, her talents might not be enough to keep her from falling into a trap she never saw coming. Blaque is sagacious and handsome—not to mention the legacy of two powerful organized crime families: the Laurent&’s—known dons hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, and the Savage&’s—a sophisticated syndicate with criminal enterprises across the U.S. As Blaque and Pearle become passionately entangled, Pearle falls prey to a darker underworld. Time is ticking. Lives are at stake. Will these love outlaws be able to outsmart their enemies, or will they wage an all-out war, leaving the bodies to fall wherever they may? &“Both inspirational and a delight to watch, Tarris Marie is proof that limits and barriers exist only in our minds.&” —N&’TYSE, national bestselling author and film producer of Trap Soldiers
Thick of Love
by Danielle MarcusA flirty, feel-good novel that takes you on a journey of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Perfect for fans of Mary B. Morrison and Briana Cole."I gave you fifteen years, two kids, and my everything. You still chose to give a woman you barely knew the ring, the house, and my happily-ever-after." Dallas once believed in forever love, but that was before her marriage had hit a dead end. When Trenton Smith walks into her life, he&’s ready to love her the way she deserves to be loved—only Dallas&’ walls are up. In time she will know if he is merely history on repeat, or the kindred connection she&’s been praying for. Sasha wanted nothing more than to have a baby with her fiancé, Hunt. After years of trying to conceive, she&’s finally concluded that a baby may not be in the cards for her. Sasha begins to question her womanhood, and before long, it sends her into a fit of depression—until she finds comfort in the arms of another man. After dating the momma&’s boy, the thug, and her ultimate favorite—the tired brother with good sex but no money, Candace finally finds her knight in shining armor. Things are going well until she discovers the roommate he conveniently failed to mention. When Sasha&’s brother, Diego, decides to help mend her heart, Candace soon realizes that her soul mate may have been right under her nose the entire time.
American Gunner (Gunner)
by Eddy Clark D. Andrea WhitfieldImaginatively rendered and a gripping debut, a young man&’s dance with the criminal underworld lands him in international hot water and left vying for his life in this crime thriller mash-up of American Gangster and The Bourne Identity. Raphael Waters grew up accustomed to being in a constant state of survival. When he becomes the muscle for known street figure, Rah, he believes his life has taken a turn for the better. That is until a string of unfortunate circumstances leave Rah missing and Raphael grasping for answers in the streets of the concrete jungle—once again. A chance encounter with the intriguing Alex Gatts promises to be the life-changing turnaround he needs. Alex Gatts is the perfect mixture of beauty and brawn. She rules the nightlife of South Bend with every click of her sky-high stilettos. When she hires Raphael as her bodyguard, an unexpected friendship develops, sparking a lucrative business proposition that could give Alex the edge she desires. Raphael lets his guard down and breaks his cardinal rule: Never trust a woman. Together they embark on a series of real estate deals that solidifies their standing amongst the country&’s elite and most powerful syndicate. When an international business deal of a lifetime goes awry, Raphael is left holding the bag in enemy territory. &“This story hooked me from the very first page . . . all the twists and turns you need in a suspense story, including a romance you never expected to happen! I highly recommend it for fans of crime thrillers. You won&’t be disappointed.&” —Shakir Rashaan, bestselling author of Neverwraith
The Accidental Queen
by L.R. JacksonComing to America meets Bridgerton in this enthralling, contemporary debut novel by L.R. Jackson which blurs the lines of forbidden romance and showers hopeless romantics with a second-chance love reunion.Unlike fairy tales of old, sometimes a woman must fight to save her king. Ebony Rose desires the freedom to love without limits—but that&’s for people who aren&’t harboring the kind of skeletons that could threaten their very existence. Desperately running from her past and a broken heart, Ebony refuses to allow anyone to get close to her—until she crosses paths once more with Dafari, the knight in shining armor she lost long ago. The last thing King Dafari expects to find in New York is the girl who got away—although he had hoped. Marrying a woman outside of his culture is strictly forbidden, and the clock is ticking for him to choose a queen. However, Ebony Rose embodies all the qualities he seeks in a mate and a matriarch for his country, and Dafari is determined to make Ebony his, despite the laws and traditions that stand between them. Then he makes a grave discovery that causes his world to spiral and leave him questioning everyone he loves. Secrets buried under betrayal emerge, threatening to destroy the bond between Ebony and Dafari. Will they survive the sinister conspiracy surrounding them, or will royal misdeeds and scandal topple their chance at redemption and true happiness?&“The Accidental Queen will be your new obsession! Its diversely crafted world and wicked-sharp detail speaks to why L.R. Jackson is the multifaceted author we all need.&” —Shanora Williams, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Ruin
Voyage of the Inferno: The Tale of One-Eyed Willy: A Prequal to The Goonies
by C. Michael Aman Jr.This book embarks on the life of an outlaw after being wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit. Although raised in the Catholic Christian faith, he is plunged into a world of crime, murder, war and thievery. Even when he rises to be the commander of a pirate vessel, he still struggles to maintain his humanity. This is the tale of One-Eyed Willy and his enriching piratical endeavors in the first half of the 17th century.
The Last Vampire: The Strange Legend of Mercy Brown
by T. A. BoundSt. Patrick's Day 1892, Exeter, Rhode Island. It wasn't over when she died. Prying her coffin open two months later transforms Mercy Brown into legend. The Last Vampire is based upon her incredible true story. <p><p>They don't kill 'em like they used to. Mercy Lena Brown is 19 the first time she dies. The third in her family to mysteriously perish in rapid succession, after her mother and oldest sister. And when Mercy succumbs, her brother is also dying. To save the remaining family from their killer requires drastic and unspeakable action. <p><p>The New England vampire panic lasted from the late 1700s through the 19th Century. History has forgotten exactly when it started, but the precise moment the panic ends, however, is documented in history, and in the pages of this book. It spread across the region, terrifying New Englanders who exhumed graves seeking to purge the vampires lurking among them. Archeological discoveries in recent years have unearthed some of these desecrated graves, confirming persisting rumors and sketchy myths lasting a century since. This is the terrifying true story of its final days. Only one can be the last. <p><p>Caution: This is based on historical facts which may be disturbing to some, including cannibalism and scenes of a sexual nature which, although neither graphic nor explicit, may make some readers uncomfortable. Don't say I did not warn you!
Wings Over The Channel
by Eric ForsythWings Over the Channel follows the continuing adventures of Allan Chadwick, a young RAF pilot who completed his tour in Iraq and is now posted to the RAF aviation research center at Farnborough in southern England. It is the mid-1930s and Britain is threatened by belligerent countries such as Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The rapid development of high-speed bombers negates the centuries-old isolation that Britain enjoyed as an island. <P><P> Chadwick is involved in the RAF’s frantic effort to build an effective radar screen, and uses an early model Spitfire for liaison with outlying radar stations, flying in fair weather or foul, as he contends with the idiosyncrasies of the prototype fighter. Closer to earth he drives an old, monstrous Bentley, which attracts attention wherever he goes. He falls in love with an older, aristocratic widow who supports a secretive upper-class appeasement clique which, unbeknownst to them, has been compromised by the German Abwehr <P><P> British Intelligence decides it is impossible to keep the existence of radar a secret from the German Luftwaffe, but its effectiveness is downplayed in misleading reports fed to the Germans by Chadwick. The success of the deception—and Chadwick’s life— are threatened when an accurate report of radar performance is stolen by a German spy.
Sherry and the Butterfly Lady: A Novel
by Celeste BoudreauxFor fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde and Sue Monk Kidd, a debut literary fiction novel about an unlikely friendship between a damaged girl and a mysterious old woman and the quest for love and healing through the telling of fairy tales. Early one summer morning, nine- year-old Sherry Gallagher flees in panic into the woods behind her house to hide from her abusive father. Following the death of their mother, her older brothers and sisters have all left home, leaving Sherry to deal with her father alone. In the woods, Sherry encounters an enigmatic old woman who has just moved into a previously abandoned forest cottage. They form an unlikely friendship and agree to exchange fairy tales with one another—stories that are by turns enchanting and heartbreaking. As they grow closer, the old woman introduces the shy and damaged girl to wonder and beauty. But in Sherry&’s world, hope is a dangerous thing that threatens to unearth the secret she has so carefully buried: her darkest trauma. A novel that explores the intersection of myth, love, imagination, and psychological resilience, this compelling narrative is painful, surprising, and ultimately profoundly hopeful.
The Taste of Ink
by Eve MortonTrevor Dunn has never gone to the Calgary Stampede. In spite of living in the city all his life, he would much rather stay in his basement and listen to music while drawing comics. When his sister Madeline tricks him to come to the Stampede's opening parade, Trevor believes this is a temporary event ... until he sees a man in a green cowboy hat named Charlie.Over the next few days, Charlie changes Trevor's mind about the Stampede, about country music, and what being a cowboy is really about. When an old flame from Trevor's past -- Mathieu, a punk singer turned acoustic country crooner -- appears in the middle of the festival, Trevor isn’t sure what to do. He likes Charlie and the new life he's been shown, but Mathieu is Trevor's first love, and the one person who understands what life is really like in Calgary basements.The Stampede, Madeline reminds Trevor, is only a ten day affair, then Charlie will go back to his job in Toronto and Mathieu will go on tour. Should Trevor try to make amends with Mathieu and his past, or should he stay with Charlie and embrace a new kind of future? Can there be life outside of Calgary basements? Or will Trevor always be stuck in the shadows, never riding off into the sunset?
The Hidden Heart
by Patrick Bryce WrightAt the Kissinger-Mann Detective Agency, the mystery of love is solved just as often as crimes. When Detective Ellis Isaacs joins the agency, he falls in love with his silver fox of a boss, Richard Quillen. However, Ellis faces two big problems: he tends to fall for straight men, and even when he doesn’t, Ellis’s ex-boyfriends claim he’s inaccessible or even cold. Also, he has no idea how Richard will react to the age gap between them.As Ellis works hard to spend time with Richard outside of work, problem after problem unfolds. Is Richard straight, or is he already dating a male coworker? Is the age gap a problem, or is the issue Ellis’s reputation for being cold? Will this older, wiser man see Ellis’s true heart and return his feelings, or will Ellis’s heart remain hidden?
Redouble
by Feral SephrianThorn is less than pleased to see Dylan at their first major fencing tournament of the semester. He and Dylan had had a brief but hot and passionate fling after the championships half a year ago, but then Dylan cut Thorn out of his life with no explanation and they haven’t seen each other since. A fencing tournament is a good place to vent frustrations -- it’s one of the few places where it’s okay to stab your ex with a sword -- but Thorn doesn’t just want to vent, he wants answers.However, when Dylan does apologize and give his side of the story, it doesn’t make Thorn feel better. If anything, he’s even more conflicted between accepting Dylan’s excuses so they can be together again, or holding firm to protect his wounded pride and giving Dylan the same cold shoulder Thorn received months ago. But as they meet as rivals on the fencing strip, can Thorn really retreat from this chance to rekindle what they had before? Or will he lunge for this opportunity to see where it takes them?
Midwinter Box Set
by K. L. NooneIn a magical Regency London at Midwinter, anything can happen -- from ice elementals to art theft, from marriage proposals to marriages of convenience turned real. This box set includes the four best-selling stories in K.L. Noone's Regency Midwinter series, a prequel to her popular Demon for Midwinter universe. When Preternatural Division Bow Street Runner Kit Thompson is sent to investigate unnatural weather, he finds more than expected in Harry, Viscount Sommersby. Contains the stories:Snowed In: Kit and Harry: Someone or something is causing magical blizzards at Fairleigh Hall. Constable Kit Thompson is to investigate. The Earl’s brother, Harry Arden, wants to help, but he’s an irritating temptation. The estate hides a family secret. When they end up snowed in together at the old hunting lodge, they’ll learn to trust each other with their secrets ... and their hearts.Midwinter Firelight: Kit Thompson, Bow Street Preternatural Division constable, is looking forward to Midwinter. His lover Harry, Viscount Sommersby, is visiting, and Kit wants to show Harry London and has plans for Harry in bed. But Kit’s Chief Magistrate needs him. And the case is important. Taking up Kit’s time. Even worse, Harry wants to help. And Kit could use Harry’s talents. But that means endangering Harry.Midwinter Music: Preternatural Division chief magistrate Sam has a problem. Someone’s magically stealing art. His scandalous ex-stepbrother is in Town. And if John knows about the thefts, Sam needs to find out. John loathed his viscount stepfather, even before his mother fled the marriage. But he cares about his family. He’s here for justice, even if that involves theft. But he might not mind being caught by Sam.Midwinter Marriage: The Honorable Edmund Rookwood needs to get married. By Midwinter. Or his father will disinherit him. Edmund has never fallen in love easily and, according to his father, he’s a disappointment. Who would say yes to him? Fortunately, his best friend Sebastian offers to help. Sebastian’s proposal is logical, but this Midwinter marriage of convenience awakens unexpected emotions.
Echoes of a Fractured Past
by Amanda MurrLeighton Voss arrives on Echo Island, drawn by reports of strange occurrences which have disrupted its once tranquil serenity. As an investigative journalist with a passion for uncovering hidden stories, Leighton hopes to uncover the truth behind the island’s mysteries, something that might offer the clarity she’s been seeking, both in her career and her personal life. What she doesn’t expect is to become entangled in a mystery that feels far more personal and unsettling than anything she’s chased before.While exploring the island’s jagged cliffs, Leighton stumbles upon a hidden passage that leads her to a world frozen in time -- a vintage village suspended in the past and a woman named Audrey, whose quiet sadness seems to hold the key to the island’s strange happenings. Audrey’s elegance and mysterious presence immediately draw Leighton in, and as the two grow closer, Leighton finds herself deeply immersed in the enigma surrounding Audrey and the island.Caught between the need to uncover the truth and her growing, undeniable feelings for Audrey, Leighton is forced to face an impossible choice. There may be a way out of the cycle that has entrapped the island, but escaping it could mean losing the woman she’s come to care for. As the tension between the promise of freedom and her emotional attachment to Audrey intensifies, Leighton must confront how much she’s willing to sacrifice -- not just for her own future, but for the woman who has captured her heart.
Falling
by Alexandra CaluenIf the helicopter had to crash, at least it was during the last shot on the last day of filming. After moving from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility, movie star Jonathan is expecting his on-and-off girlfriend to swing by on her way out of town. The person who opens the door is his former on-set nutritionist Billy. They were never more than friends before. But Jonathan wants to know if he comes out as bi, could they go on a date?Billy didn’t have much of a plan when he left his pandemic volunteer gig to drive across three states. All he knew was Jonathan could have been killed in Las Vegas, and Billy wasn’t there. Now Jonathan’s assistant has ditched the actor and he needs help, so Billy steps in. He’s positive when Jonathan’s discharged, they’ll discuss that date.But recovery takes a detour, and Jonathan’s second near-death experience means they have to put the brakes on a relationship. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, two of Jonathan’s past partners are negotiating their own new relationship, and Billy realizes the best thing for all of them might be ... all of them. The only real question is, does Jonathan still want him as part of the deal?
A Helping Hand to Love Box Set
by Pat HenshawEveryone needs a helping hand at one time or another to find their path to love. Sometimes the hand is extended from a person or other times it’s a gentle push from circumstances. Either way, if like the gay men in these stories, the man takes the hint, he will discover happily ever after isn’t just a slogan but a reality.Contains the stories:12 Blind Dates: Two years after a bad breakup with his fiancé, Luke's friends think it's time he started dating again. A dozen blind dates should get him back into circulation, right?A Kiss in Time: When Joel, an undercover cop, asks graffiti artist Eric to become his roommate, Eric jumps at the chance to live with the handsome Joel. But when trouble follows Joel to his new place, is Eric ready to help save the roommate he’s falling in love with?The Thaw: Nebraska farmer Vladimir Wazniak and cowboy rancher Tommy Sullivan ended their friendship when Vlad kissed Tommy in college. Now ten years later they have a chance to mend their fences. Will love obliterate the fence once and for all?A Short Essay on Love: When star football player Jason Woodard reluctantly heads into the English writing lab, little does he know he’ll be walking into forever with tutor Steve Smith. All Jase thinks he needs is help writing an essay on love. But do they both really need a lesson in love instead?