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The Problem With Perfect: A totally feelgood, fake-fake boyfriend queer romcom that will make you smile
by Philip William Stover‘What a gorgeous, gorgeous book. Funny, warm and touching.' ***** Reader Review When style is everything, will Ethan learn that true beauty is on the inside? Chase Myles can throw together a swinging dinner party or redecorate an entire townhouse with jaw-dropping elegance. Followers scroll his Insta and see effortless workouts, exotic travel, and an adoring boyfriend. The world believes Chase is a style icon. The world is mistaken. Ethan Wells is actually the one who knows what to wear, what to eat and how to do it but he’s happy staying behind the scenes producing their hit LGBTQ show Myles of Style. When Chase walks off set just before the Pride live TV show that will make or break Ethan’s career, Ethan thinks it’s just another tantrum… until Chase’s Instagram shows him partying hard in Abu Dhabi. Out of options, Ethan drives up to rural New York to convince Chase’s estranged twin, Beau, to pass him off as Chase for a week, but Ethan finds a hairy, rugged mountain man who couldn’t be more different from his social butterfly, influencer brother. Can Ethan transform Beau into the star of the show and fool his bosses and Chase’s followers? And when Beau turns out to be kind, romantic and everything that Chase is not, does he really want Chase back, anyway? A gorgeously uplifting queer romance that is a love letter to NYC, featuring a fake-fake boyfriend, opposites attract and a vintage convertible full of elderly drag queens, don’t miss the feelgood read of 2023! Fans of Casey McQuiston, Boyfriend Material and Beth O’Leary will love this. Readers are falling in love with The Problem with Perfect: ‘This book made my heart sing. If you’re a fan of rom-coms and makeovers…then this book will probably make your heart sing, too.’ ***** Reader Review ‘From start to finish, The Problem With Perfect was an absolute gem of a story. The characters had me laughing out loud.’ ***** Reader Review ‘I loved it!... The story is warm and affectionate and includes lots of diverse characters.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun. This book was a lot of fun!’ ***** Reader Review ‘What a delight this book was!...Beau though!!! Can I marry a fictional character? I’m obsessed with Beau.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Funny and charming…Loved Uncle Clams and the senior drag queens.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Hilarious and endearing. Highly recommended!’ ***** Reader Review ‘A heartwarming little romance book…The drag queens steal the show.’ ***** Reader Review ‘What a gorgeous, gorgeous book. A funny, warm and touching novel…full of deeper meaning.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Fresh, relatable, and fun!... This cast of found family was PERFECTION!’ Reader Review ‘Sweet and fun, with lots of heart and leaves you with a warm, happy feeling.’ Reader Review ‘A celebration of queer love, Pride, and living your best life…The supporting characters are all amazing, and the book is a joy to read.’ Reader Review ‘This was a fun, sweet read. I loved how the book was unapologetically queer.’ Reader Review ‘A delightful read that was fun and lighthearted, but with some important messages in it.’ Reader Review ‘This is a real fun book that reminds its readers that no one is perfect, embrace the messy and never be afraid to be yourself.’ Reader Review
The Cosy Cat Society: A gorgeously uplifting read about friendship that will make you laugh and cry
by Charlie LyndhurstAn absolutely brilliant read with well crafted characters, a fabulous plot and the most wonderful happily every after!' Katie Ginger A purrfect cure for lonely humans awaits Five strangers meet at a cat sanctuary after each facing difficulties in their lives – leading them to the calming nature of the feline refuge. Sasha is struggling with the heartbreak of her past and is trying to forge a new life out of a difficult childhood. Paul has worked hard to break free from a controlling relationship and is ready to find real love. Luke is searching for his biological parents, desperate to discover the answers about his life he so fiercely needs. Anna finds solace from her troubled mind in animal therapy, and lastly, Mim, the social butterfly who no one expects is hiding a secret pain. Brought together by their love for cats, these very different people might just find friendship is in the last place any of them expected… Fans of Lindsey Kelk, Mike Gayle and Clare Pooley will love this uplifting story of how our feline friends can bring us together and banish loneliness. Readers are falling in love with The Cosy Cat Society: ‘An adorable, cozy read full of kitties and a lovely happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the sweetness!’ ***** Reader Review ‘I absolutely adored the characters in this book. The story line was absolutely amazing as well. I just loved this book all the way around!’ ***** Reader Review ‘This was a delightful book - it warmed my heart, and I kept smiling as I was reading…This is definitely the type of book that I would choose on a day when I need cheering up.’ ***** Reader Review ‘As a cat owner and a cat lover this book was right up my street…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ ***** Reader Review ‘A feel-good “tail”…I enjoyed the story of these human and feline characters…’***** Reader Review 'Fiction that captures all facets of life as so many of us live it. The sheer amount of topics that this book touches on all wrapped up in a theme of animal therapy is amazing.' Reader Review Readers love Charlie Lyndhurst’s gorgeously uplifting fiction: ‘I’m in awe of how Charlie Lyndhurst manages to tease out the extraordinary from ordinary lives and make me like every single character.’ Sue Moorcroft, author of Summer at the French Café ‘An often witty, thoroughly charming and touching page-turner that was an absolute delight from start to finish.’ Virginia Heath, author of Never Fall for Your Fiancée ‘This was a truly beautiful book to read…full of emotion, hope and joy.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Touched my heart in the best possible way…I honestly cannot recommend The Lonely Hearts Lido Club enough. I AM SO IN LOVE.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Well written with layered and likable characters. So glad I found this gem. My favorite read of the year, I am recommending to everyone I know.’ ***** Reader Review ‘The writing is beautiful, the characters rich, and the storyline keeps you wanting to turn the pages long into the night.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ***** Reader Review ‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this enchanting novel…It is a fun, heartwarming novel and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Loved it!’ ***** Reader Review
Shot in the Dark: A gripping crime thriller with an unforgettable detective duo (Detectives Martin & Stern)
by Anna BrittonRun. Moonlight slants through the trees on the ancestral Dunlow estate, where a young woman runs for her life. Gunshots break the silence. The next morning, the body of seventeen-year-old student Melanie Pirt is found. DS Gabe Martin is more than ready to take the lead on her first murder case. Determined to prove herself to the cold and mysterious DI Juliet Stern, Gabe can’t afford any distractions – especially not ones that wake her in the night, reminding her of a past she’d rather forget. Because while Gabe and Juliet have few leads, there are plenty of suspects. And every one of them is lying… The first in a new detective series featuring an unforgettable female detective partnership, Shot in the Dark is perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and Gytha Lodge. Praise for Shot in the Dark: ‘I absolutely loved this banger of a police procedural - clever, fresh, with great characters and a killer ending. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and I can't wait for book 2’ Jo Callaghan ‘The characters were standout (especially Gabe)... I devoured it in one sitting’ Angela Marsons ‘A cracking new police procedural dripping with authenticity and fascinating investigative detail. A superb addition to the crime fiction scene’ Marion Todd ‘This is a cracking debut. Gabe and Juliet are a sharp investigative duo. A compulsive read with such an unexpected ending’ Casey King ‘Twisted, compulsive - a powerful and fresh new voice for the crime thriller bookshelf!’ D. E. White ‘Great start to a brand new crime series. Blew away the cobwebs of my reading slump that's for sure! Five stars from me!’ Kerry Watts ‘A twisty corkscrew of a story... My new favourite gritty detective series’ A.M. Castle ‘This is the best police procedural I have read in years. It’s complex, gripping, believable and intensely chilling. The characterisation is razor-sharp. I could hardly turn the pages fast enough to discover what happened next.’ ***** Reader review ‘A cracking read. Had everything you could ever want with a police procedural. A completely gripping storyline with fantastic twists. Excellent.’ ***** Reader review ‘Full of twists and turns. The team dynamic between Gabe and Juliet was well thought out. I will be recommending this to other readers.’ ***** Reader review ‘Wow and wow again. An excellent police procedural… wonderfully well written. I didn’t guess the perpetrator and for me, a person who reads a lot of crime novels, that is the mark of a 5 star read.’ ***** Reader review
Finding Our Family: A heartwarming, funny, inclusive read about love and family bonds
by Charlie LyndhurstSometimes the family you choose is the place you belong When Marc and Jim move to the small village of Cloverley Green, they are excited about their new start. Happily married, they make up a cosy little family with Vanessa, Marc’s spirited 18-year-old daughter. But even now, it isn’t always easy being gay in a small community, and Marc and Jim wonder if they’ll ever really be welcome… As if this isn’t hard enough, their family is knocked off balance when Jim’s 23-year-old son, Alfie, has to move in. Thrown together, Vanessa and Alfie find they don’t get on. At all. They can barely stand to be in the same room, let alone forge a lifelong sibling bond. As their feuding builds, cracks show in the household and Jim and Marc must face the toughest challenges of their marriage. They all know family bonds can be the strongest of all, but can they find a way to make their new blended family work? And can they ever find acceptance in their new community? An uplifting read all about found family, friendship and community that will warm your heart. Perfect for fans of Matt Cain, Mike Gayle and Clare Pooley. Readers are loving Finding Our Family: ‘Absolutely loved this book! The author’s writing style is amazing… I look forward to reading more from them!’ ***** Reader Review ‘This heartwarming novel serves as a reminder that family can be found not only in blood but in the shared experiences that bind us all." ***** Reader Review ‘I loved the story of Jim, Marc, Vanessa and Alfie...Congratulations to Charlie Lyndhurst for writing such a heartwarming and uplifting story.’ ***** Reader Review ‘I loved this story!... The family dynamics were wonderful, and it was nice to read a story about grown up queer characters and how they formed their family.’ ***** Reader Review ‘I really enjoyed this book because the characters were so real and so engaging… such a heartwarming and uplifting story.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Delightful and life affirming… Lyndhurst is good at writing characters you wished you could know in real life with pages that make you smile. Highly recommended.’ Reader Review ‘This contemporary novel is a great read for readers of the LGBTQ community and allies alike’ Reader Review Praise for Charlie Lyndhurst’s delightfully inclusive, contemporary novels: ‘An absolutely brilliant read with well crafted characters, a fabulous plot and the most wonderful happily every after!’ Katie Ginger ‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ***** Reader Review ‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this enchanting novel…It is a fun, heartwarming novel and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Loved it!’ ***** Reader Review ‘The writing is beautiful, the characters rich, and the storyline keeps you wanting to turn the pages long into the night.’ ***** Reader Review ‘This was a delightful book - it warmed my heart, and I kept smiling as I was reading…This is definitely the type of book that I would choose on a day when I need cheering up.’ ***** Reader Review ‘Well written with layered and likable characters. So glad I found this gem. My favorite read of the year, I am recommending to everyone I know.’ ***** Reader Review
The Skeleton Army (Oxford Mysteries)
by Alis HawkinsWhy should the devil have all the best tunes?'Themes of inequality, forbidden love and personal responsibility weave through a fast-paced narrative in which the location plays a key part. Nation CymruThe Salvation Army has come prancing and singing from the slums of London to the poorest quarters of Oxford, but along with its red hot gospel preaching and music hall songs it brings a prohibition message which sparks immediate opposition and violence.An Army soldier an ex-drunk is brutally killed and a note suggests that the Salvation Army's shadowy enemy, the Skeleton Army, is responsible.With the police unwilling to come between the two forces, Non Vaughan, aspiring journalist and great hope of the Oxford women's college movement, and Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow and union-sanctioned guardian of the dead man's family, are compelled to investigate.But as the threats from both sides escalate, resulting in a second death, Non and Basil realise that they must stop the fighting before it results in an outright war. For with the University's annual commemoration week fast approaching, the entire city could be engulfed in fire and bloodAn utterly compelling historical mystery, and a fascinating portrait of Victorian Oxford, perfect for fans of Andrew Taylor, C. J. Sansom and Antonia Hodgson.
The Devil to Pay: A sweeping and epic queer historical adventure (Nightingale & Courtney)
by Katie DayshIn a world of gunpowder, smoke and blood, two men’s love will rise above the chaos. 'An absorbing follow-up to the brilliant Leeward' The Times In 1802, The Treaty of Amiens brings the French Revolutionary Wars to an end. After the drama of the past few years, Lieutenant Arthur Courtney returns home to England where he hopes to spend a blissful summer with his close friend, Hiram Nightingale. But within weeks, HMS Loyal goes missing en route to Malta. She carries a French and British diplomat, Hugo Baptiste and Sir William Haywood. Their disappearance, in this tentative time of peace, may be enough to prematurely ignite war between France and Britain once more. Both Courtney and Nightingale, Sir William’s son-in-law, receive a position on HMS Lysander, tasked with tracking down the missing frigate. But as their mission grows ever more dangerous with each passing day, the risk of dissension simmers menacingly on the deck of the Lysander. And when painful memories finally begin to rise to the surface after so many years, the truth of Courtney and Nightingale’s powerful bond could be the spark that sets everything ablaze… A thrilling queer adventure on the High Seas, with romance, naval warfare and long hidden secrets finally come to light. Perfect for fans of Kate Mosse, Ken Follett and Diana Gabaldon.
My Mother's Ridiculous Rules for Dating: A totally uplifting fake dating, opposites attract romcom that will make you swoon
by Philip William StoverIt’s hard to prove Mom wrong when she’s found Mr. Right… Dumped by his boyfriend and stuck in an unfulfilling job, jaded NYC ghostwriter Sam Carmichael can’t be more miserable. Until the eve of his thirty-fifth birthday when his mother, Gloria, arrives with a present from the past. Years ago, exasperated by Gloria’s matchmaking, Sam promised his mother that if he wasn’t coupled up by thirty-five, he would do whatever she wanted to find a boyfriend. Sam was joking; his mother was not. Gloria swoops in creating new dating profiles, re-doing his wardrobe, and setting him up with a parade of bizarre matches. When his mom zeros in on sexy and passionate artist, Finn Montgomery, Sam intends to prove her wrong and stop her interfering for good. But when it comes to finding love, does mother really know best? Readers are falling for My Mother's Ridiculous Rules for Dating: ‘”A hug of a book” -if you’re looking for something that will make you laugh and feel good, this book is it!’ ***** Reader Review ‘I loved the main character and seeing his relationship with his mother—and all the dates. It was witty and funny and very easy to read.’ ***** Reader Review ‘This was such a funny and cute read…The banter is top tier and the friends, family dynamics are spot on.’ ***** Reader Review ‘There are multiple dialogues that will make you burst into laughter, mainly the dialogues between Sam and his mother.’ ***** Reader Review ‘It's a lighthearted and positive novel that I loved.’ ***** Reader Review ‘This book is a delight!... Gloria is my favorite character, but I love all of them. They are all so well written!’ Reader Review ‘This was such a cute read. I loved Sam’s relationship with his mom, his friends, and his community…I laughed out loud at some of the shenanigans his mom put him through.’ Reader Review ‘A fun, lighthearted read with plenty of humor and quirky, over-the-top characters.’ Reader Review
A Merciful Sea (Nightingale & Courtney)
by Katie DayshAn ocean divides them. Can their love survive the battles to come?Arthur Courtney is a commander without a ship and without purpose. So when old friend Captain Henry Harrison offers him a place onboard HMS Lion, bound to join Nelson's fleet in the Mediterranean, he is eager for the opportunity.But onboard discipline has broken down; Harrison is not the captain he once was. Added to this, Courtney has agreed to a troubling deal in order to serve: marriage to Harrison's sister-in-law, Tabitha Sandham. He fears he will have to choose between his career and his love for Hiram Nightingale.In England, Nightingale's life is shaken by the death of his father and by the re-appearance of the Lion, the ship that caused him such pain. When threatening notes are received at his and Courtney's cottage on the Isle of Wight, he vows to find out the truth behind them.But it appears there is more trouble on the island than simply the threatening messages. So while Courtney defends the sea, Nightingale must help protect England's shores from calamity.A stunning and romantic historical adventure of the sea from the author of Leeward, a Times Historical Novel of the Year 2023.'A fitting end to a wonderful trilogy' Antonia Senior, The Times
Strap In: A super spicy sapphic romance
by Lou MorganCan one night change your life forever? Jean is married to her job and there is no room in her life for romance. Until she meets someone who takes her breath away. There’s just one catch. Ava’s a woman. And Jean’s straight… isn’t she? The chemistry’s scorching but there’s no place for Ava in Jean’s world. But free-spirited Ava is irresistible. And open to a purely physical relationship. This way Jean gets to have her cake and eat it too. Yet spending time with Ava makes Jean question everything she thought she knew. Is it time to start again? A spicy Sapphic age-gap romance that fans of Casey McQuiston, Meryl Wilsner and Alexandria Bellefleur will love.
Death by Society
by Sierra ElmoreMEAN GIRLS meets IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY when two teenage girls' worlds collide when one attempts suicide to avoid toxic popularity.Carter Harper may have created an award-winning app and have a 3.93 GPA, but her successes are overshadowed by brutal bullying, depression, and loneliness. Tired of being treated as the popular girls' plaything, Carter thinks her only choice is to die by suicide.Abby Wallace is one of the most popular girls in school, subordinate only to Kelsey, her best friend with benefits. The ambitious poet destroys reputations without care to prove how cool, cruel, and strong she is, all while pushing down her past trauma and secret guilt.Carter and Abby's tumultuous relationship comes to a boiling point when Abby stops Carter from attempting suicide. But what happens when they have to protect one another from Kelsey's harmful antics? If Carter and Abby can stand each other for more than three minutes, they can stop Kelsey from hurting more girls-and maybe become friends in the process.In the tradition of Courtney Summers and Laurie Halse Anderson, this book questions how far we'll go to gain power over our lives-and what happens when we use our voices for both good and to harm others.
America's Boy: A Memoir
by Wade Rouse&“A revelatory story about acceptance, pride, and the many ways even a seemingly prejudiced family can surprise us&” by the bestselling author of Magic Season (The Washington Post).Indie Next List &“Great Read&” SelectionAmerican Library Association&’s Inaugural &“Rainbow List&” Selection In this memoir, writer and journalist Wade Rouse delivers a humorous and heartwarming account of his Midwestern childhood and coming of age as a gay man. Born in Granby, a small farm town in the southwest Missouri Ozarks, Wade was a fish out of water as long as he could remember—or at least since he participated in his family&’s mock Miss America pageant when he was just five years old, clad in his grandmother&’s red &“whore&” heels and his mother&’s black-and-white polka-dot bikini. Life didn&’t get easier in Wade&’s conservative hometown, especially after his older brother died just a month after Wade graduated junior high school. It was then that Wade buried his brother—and his sexuality, so his parents wouldn&’t mourn the loss of a second son. Finally, after years of a descent into obsessive-compulsive behaviors and overeating, Wade was able to come out to himself, losing weight and gaining confidence until he had nothing left to hide. Filled with memories of happiness and heartbreak, America&’s Boy is both &“a quirky tribute to [Rouse&’s] rural Ozark family, and an easily digestible, homespun tale of a bygone era in Middle America&” (Time Out Chicago).&“A storyteller and a memoirist in the best sense of the words. . . . Reading Rouse&’s memoir is more like sitting with a good friend and a cold beer, trading stories and remembering those things that may have been painful or tragic at the time, but must now be respected for what they are.&” —Metro Weekly
Body Language (The Cassie Raven Mysteries)
by A.K. TurnerIn this gritty crime series debut, a London morgue assistant with an eye for detail and an ear for the dead investigates her mentor&’s murder. &“Cassie Raven is a blast of fresh air, striding on to the crime scene like a punk superstar.&” —Sarah Hilary, author of Someone Else&’s Skin There&’s more to Cassie Raven than just her goth appearance: piercings, tattoos, a wild, dyed-black hairstyle. She worked hard to escape life on the streets and become a senior mortuary technician. Now she spends her days helping the deceased, inspecting bodies to determine the cause of death. Occasionally, they even speak, sharing fleeting hints about their final moments. Cassie&’s gift for listening to the dead can be a blessing, but sometimes, it&’s a curse . . . Years ago, Geraldine Edwards mentored Cassie and saved her life. So Cassie is shocked to now find the woman on the slab, her death presumed an accident. Cassie can&’t believe it, but is that simply her grief talking? Or is something more sinister at play? To get answers, Cassie begins digging through her former teacher&’s past. Her investigation soon leads to her butting heads with the police—and if she&’s not careful, it could lead to something far deadlier . . . &“Spellbinding storytelling.&” —Val McDermid, international bestselling author &“A first-rate crime novel. . . . I loved it.&” —Elly Griffiths, author of the Ruth Galloway series &“What a wonderful creation is Cassie Raven!&” —James Oswald, author of Natural CausesPerfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell, and Kathy Reichs
Life Sentence (The Cassie Raven Mysteries)
by A.K. TurnerIn this gritty crime novel by the author of Body Language, a London morgue assistant investigates a family secret that started with murder. &“What a wonderful creation is Cassie Raven!&” —James Oswald, author of Natural Causes Mortuary technician Cassie Raven grew up believing that a drunk driver killed her parents when she was just four years old. The tragedy molded her, giving her an affinity for the dead and pushing her into the field of forensic science. Now twenty-five, she has discovered it was all a lie. Her father went to prison for her mother&’s murder—and now he&’s free and adamant that he&’s innocent. Her head full of questions, Cassie begins searching for answers about her mother&’s death. With help from her friend DS Phyllida Flyte, Cassie expects an open-and-shut case. What they find is that the truth is far more complicated. And someone will do anything to keep it secret . . .Praise for Body Language &“Spellbinding storytelling.&” —Val McDermid, international bestselling author &“Cassie Raven is a blast of fresh air, striding on to the crime scene like a punk superstar.&” —Sarah Hilary, author of Someone Else&’s Skin &“A first-rate crime novel. . . . I loved it.&” —Elly Griffiths, author of the Ruth Galloway seriesPerfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell, and Kathy Reichs
Case Sensitive (The Cassie Raven Mysteries)
by A.K. TurnerA punk morgue technician and a strait-laced detective investigate a suspicious drowning in this gritty crime novel by the author of Life Sentence. Camden Town mortuary technician Cassie Raven is no stranger to dead bodies—at work. But even a goth girl like her is terrified to find a drowned corpse banging against the hull of her houseboat in the middle of the night. Even more troubling is that Cassie&’s gift for sensing the final thoughts of the dead is eluding her. The floating mystery man with golden-green eyes is keeping quiet about his origins. The police suspect he&’s simply an unlucky drunk, and that&’s what DS Phyllida Flyte believes when she&’s assigned to the case. However, Cassie has a funny feeling she&’s seen his face before . . . Unwilling to let the man&’s death remain unsolved, Cassie and Phyllida begin to dig deeper into the case, following a trail of clues into his past. Soon they find themselves closer to an answer—and to a killer . . . &“Timely, gritty and dark.&” —Paula Hawkins, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Girl on the Train &“Expertly plotted and well researched, with an appealing central character and a strong supporting cast, this series is not to be missed.&” —The GuardianPerfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell, and Kathy Reichs
Dead Fall (The Cassie Raven Mysteries)
by A.K. TurnerA punk morgue technician investigates the suspicious suicide of a pop princess in this gripping crime novel by the author of Case Sensitive. &“Witty, assured and entertaining.&” —Ann Cleeves, New York Times–bestselling author of the Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez, and Matthew Venn series Camden Town mortuary technician Cassie Raven feels it&’s her purpose in life to solve the mysteries of the deceased. Hyper-intuitive, she has a special talent for hearing the final thoughts of the dead—getting a fleeting clue to what happened before they died. It can be very helpful in her line of work, though it can also get her into some dangerous spots now and then . . . One day, Cassie is shocked to find a familiar face on the autopsy table. Bronte had been her classmate once, but a troubling incident prompted her sudden departure from school. Eventually, Bronte became a talented rising star in the music world—until she plummeted from her tenth-floor balcony. The police believe it was a suicide, but Cassie is not so certain. Amid tabloid speculations and online rumors, Cassie hopes to make amends for the past and determine what really happened to her former classmate. Plunging into the star&’s personal life, Cassie meets an array of troubling characters who soon leave her wondering who to trust—and who to fear . . .Perfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell, and Kathy Reichs
The Headmistress
by Milena McKayLambda Literary Award Winner in Lesbian Romance category for 2022. 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. Independently published.
Pick Up the Pieces (Spy Vs. Spook Ser.)
by TinneanChange comes to all of us. For Theo Bascopolis, the first time is when he's fifteen. He finds his life falling apart when his father discovers Theo is gay and orders him to become straight or leave. Having no choice, in spite of what his father might think, Theo leaves. But where can a fifteen-year-old go? Especially when it starts to rain. He thinks things are looking up when he meets a striking man named Franky, who seems very attracted to him. However, once again Theo's life changes when he learns all Franky wants is for him to hustle. And so Theo becomes the rent boy Sweetcheeks.However, Franky underestimates Sweetcheeks, and the results of the ensuing fight sees Sweetcheeks fleeing to Washington DC, where he crosses paths with a group of rent boys who take him in. Finally Sweetcheeks has a family, a home, and an additional source of income in the form of apartments they're able to rent out.His life changes again a few years later when a mysterious tenant by the name of Mark Vincent becomes the reason behind the assault on one of Sweetcheeks's boys. Vincent visits the boy in the hospital, bringing with him his equally enigmatic trainee, William Matheson. The instant attraction blindsides Sweetcheeks. In spite of knowing love isn't for rent boys, he hopes Matheson can see beyond the body he's offered to so many.But Matheson has secrets of his own. Can Sweetcheeks overcome his insecurities enough to believe in the quiet man who's come into his life? Can Matheson keep his actual occupation a secret without it jeopardizing their budding relationship?
They Thought They Buried Us
by NoNieqa RamosHorror fan and aspiring film director Yuiza gets a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. As one of the few students of color at Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy, Yuiza immediately feels out of place. A brutal work-study schedule makes it impossible to keep up with the actual classes. Every expense, from textbooks to laundry, puts Yuiza into debt. And the behavior of students and faculty is... unsettling. Yuiza starts having disturbing dreams about the school's past and discovers clues about the fate of other scholarship students. It'll take all Yuiza's knowledge of the horror genre to escape from Our Lady's grasp.
Here Goes Nothing
by Emma K. OhlandA fun yet thought-provoking modern reimagining of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Eighteen-year-old Beatrice has never been a fan of her neighbor Bennie, but when Beatrice's beloved younger sister starts dating one of Bennie's closest friends, Beatrice is drawn into their social circle. As Beatrice wrestles with increasingly confusing feelings for Bennie, her usually close relationship with her sister is fraying, her grief over their mother’s death is simmering in the background, and she’s overwhelmed by looming senior-year decisions about what she wants to do with her life. But after a crisis arises, Beatrice must figure out how to process past traumas and open up to the possibilities of the future.
Sometimes the Girl
by Jennifer Mason-BlackEighteen-year-old Holiday needs to sort her life out. She's still shaken from her brother's recent suicide attempt; still pining over her ex, Maya; and still struggling to write again after a long dry spell. To earn enough money for a rebalancing trip with Maya, Holi gets a short-term job: organizing the attic of acclaimed author Elsie McAllister. It's an unglamorous gig with a difficult boss. Elsie—whose fame rests on a single novel published decades ago—is in her nineties, in failing health, and fiercely protective of her privacy. But as Holi sorts through the attic's surprising contents, she realizes there's much more to Elsie than the novel that made her a legend. Unearthing Elsie's secrets will change how Holi sees art, life, and the way they intertwine, as she grapples with choices that will redefine her own path.
Eccentric Laughter: Queer Possibilities in Postwar British Film Comedy (SUNY series, Horizons of Cinema)
by Benedict MorrisonEccentric Laughter explores new ways to watch postwar British film comedies, arguing that their representations of eccentricity offered a set of possible queer futures for a Britain that had been destabilized by years of conflict and social upheaval. Far from being the apolitical cinema described by previous critics, these comedies—including both perennial favorites from Ealing Studios and neglected films ripe for rediscovery—make a joke of and suggest alternatives to the heterocentric home and family. Referencing a wide range of theories, the book gives details of how these films' comic queernesses are not structured on fixed identities but on an open play of possibilities, depicting eccentricity, artifice, drag, ruins, and the wild in ways that can still offer inspiration for experiments in living today. Engaging with contemporary queer theories and politics, the book argues that these films continue to address questions of urgent relevance to students and other viewers in the twenty-first century. Films discussed include The Belles of St. Trinian's, Genevieve, The Lavender Hill Mob, Simon and Laura, The Stranger Left No Card, and Young Wives' Tale.
Revolutionary Legacies: Jewish Feminist Political Thinking with Jamaica Kincaid, Golda Meir, Hannah Arendt, Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Stein, and Emma Goldman (SUNY series in Feminist Criticism and Theory)
by Marla BrettschneiderThis book provides a timely new transnational lineage of Jewish feminist revolutionary legacies. Using extensive research, deep thinking, and a bold methodology, Marla Brettschneider tousles with a host of anti-colonial, feminist, anti-racist, and queer troublemakers—Jamaica Kincaid, Golda Meir, Hannah Arendt, Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Stein, and Emma Goldman. Brettschneider brings together these feisty women's lives, work, politics, thinking, and art to wrestle with big questions: How can we make our lives, individually and collectively, in our diversity as Jews and in grounded solidarity with others? How do these women bring out otherwise unidentified, unnamed, and underexamined issues in Jewish studies, feminism, politics, and a range of critical theories? Revolutionary Legacies invites Jews, feminists, anti-racists, and all manner of justice seekers to think, and create common cause, with these rabblerousers.
A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States: From Margins to Mainstream
by Carolyn Wolf-Gould; Dallas Denny; Jamison Green; Kyan LynchThe most comprehensive history of transgender medicine to date, as told by more than forty scholars, physicians, psychologists, and activists from trans, gender-diverse, and allied medical communities.Arriving at a critical moment in the struggle for transgender rights, A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States takes an empathic approach to an embattled subject. Sweeping in scope and deeply personal in nature, this groundbreaking volume traces the development of transgender medicine across three centuries-centering the voices of transgender individuals, debunking myths about gender-affirming care, and empowering readers to grasp the complexities of this evolving field. More than forty contributors-including patients, advocates, physicians, psychologists, and scholars-weave an illuminating, sometimes surprising narrative of collaboration and conflict between trans people and the scientists who have studied and worked with them. An indispensable guide to understanding the current tumult surrounding trans health-care access in the United States, the volume underscores a crucial message: gender diversity is not a new phenomenon but an integral part of our shared human history.
Unscripting the Present: The Security Panic of Queer Youth Sexuality (SUNY series in Queer Politics and Cultures)
by Timothy GitzenInterrogates contemporary sex panics in the United States, looking especially at popular culture texts to conceptualize queer youth survival strategies.Sex panics saturate contemporary discourse and politics in the United States. While such panics have a long history, they are now infused with rhetoric, logics, and methods of security that turn queer sexuality into an existential crisis. Queer youth bear the brunt of this crisis, with their presumed innocence always in danger of being lost. Unscripting the Present interweaves analysis of laws and lawsuits, news media, sociological studies, and popular culture both to understand contemporary sex panics and to highlight how queer youth find ways to survive in the here and now. Developing a novel technique of "unscripting," Timothy Gitzen focuses our attention on those impromptu moments when things go awry in representations of queer youth-moments that disrupt securitization's social "scripts." Foregoing well-worn promises of things getting better, texts such as Netflix's Sex Education, the film Love, Simon, and the multimodal show Skam upend the anxious hyperfocus on what's to come in favor of a hopeful present.
Consuming Citizens: Countercultural Bodies in Twentieth-Century Mexico (SUNY series, Genders in the Global South)
by Iván Eusebio Aguirre DarancouExplores twentieth-century Mexican counterculture through the lens of pleasure, body autonomy, and music and film undergrounds.Consuming Citizens offers a fresh conception of twentieth-century Mexican cultural production by critically tracing the underside of mestizo modernity. Examining a diverse corpus that includes poetry, song, avant-garde film, and more from the 1920s to '80s, the volume uses queer, feminist, and psychedelic theories to understand counterculture-and especially different acts of consumption-as a way of creating culture and alternative social structures. Practices of consuming media, sex, and drugs become means of generating community among subjects who have been marginalized by the nominally inclusive mestizo nation. Consuming Citizens thus rethinks nationalism, citizenship, and society in relation to, and as creations of, countercultural bodies.