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The Last Twelve Miles: A Novel
by Erika Robuck"Set against the backdrop of the Prohibition Rum Wars, Robuck has brought two real-life figures to the page with heartfelt intimacy and crackling suspense. A fascinating read!" — Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Cuban HeiressTwo real, brilliant women on opposite sides of the law, in a deadly game of cat and mouse…1926. Washington, D.C.The Coast Guard is losing the Prohibition Rum War, but they have a new, secret weapon to crack smuggler codes, intercept traffic, and destroy the rum trade one skiff at a time. That secret weapon is a 5'2" mastermind in heels, who also happens to be a wife and mother: Mrs. Elizebeth Smith Friedman, one half of the husband-and-wife pair who invented cryptanalysis. BahamasCleo Lythogoe, The Bahama Queen, announces her retirement while regaling the thugs at the bar with tales of murder and mayhem on the high seas. Marie Waite, listening in, knows an opportunity when she hears it, and she wants the crown for herself so badly she can taste it. So begins Marie's plan to rise as rumrunner royalty long enough to get her family in the black. But the more sophisticated her operation grows, the more she appears on the radar of the feds.Meanwhile, Elizebeth is the only codebreaker battling scores of smugglers. Despite the strain of solving thousands of intercepted messages, traveling the country, and testifying in court, Elizabeth's work becomes personal—especially when she discovers the identity of her premier adversary is the notorious Marie Waite. From the glamorous world of D.C. Intelligence to the sultry shores of the Straits of Florida, The Last Twelve Miles is based on the true story of two women masterminds trying to outwit each other in a dangerous and fascinating high stakes game.
The Pecan Children
by Quinn Connor"With creeping claustrophobia and a filter of the surreal over lushly detailed lives, The Pecan Children captures both the magic and despair of trying to hold onto home when the world is determined to take it away from you." — Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Mister MagicFor fans of The Midnight Library and Demon Copperhead comes a breathtaking story of magical realism about two sisters, deeply tied to their small Southern town, fighting to break free of the darkness swallowing the land—and its endless cycle of pecan harvests—whole.How long will you hold on when your world is gone?In a small southern pecan town, the annual harvest is a time of both celebration and heartbreak. Even as families are forced to sell their orchards and move away, Lil Clearwater, keeper of a secret covenant with her land, swears she never will. When her twin Sasha returns to the dwindling town in hopes of reconnecting with the girl her heart never forgot, the sisters struggle to bridge their differences and share the immense burden of protecting their home from hungry forces intent on uprooting everything they love.But there is rot hiding deep beneath the surface. Ghostly fires light up the night, and troubling local folklore is revealed to be all too true. Confronted with the phantoms of their pasts and the devastating threat to their future, the sisters come to the stark realization that in the kudzu-choked South, nothing is ever as it appears.A story of the love between sisters, and an allegory of decay in small-town America, The Pecan Children walks the line between beauty and horror.Also By Quinn Connor:Cicadas Sing of Summer Graves
Recovering Their Stories: US Catholic Women in the Twentieth Century (Catholic Practice in the Americas)
by Nicholas K. Rademacher Catherine R. Osborne Vaughn A. Booker Katherine Dugan Brian Clites Damian Costello Neomi De Anda Katharine E. Harmon Annie Huey Maureen O’Connell Marian Ronan Sandra YocumCelebrating the diverse contributions of Catholic lay women in 20th century AmericaRecovering Their Stories focuses on the many contributions made by Catholic lay women in the 20th century in their faith communities across different regions of the United States. Each essay explores the lives and contributions of Catholic lay women across diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, addressing themes related to these women’s creative agency in their spirituality and devotional practices, their commitment to racial and economic justice, and their leadership and authority in sacred and public spaces Taken together, this volume brings together scholars working in what otherwise may be discreet areas of academic study to look for patterns, areas of convergence and areas of divergence, in order to present in one place the depth and breadth of Catholic lay women’s experience and contributions to church, culture, and society in the United States. Telling these stories together provides a valuable resource for scholars in a number of disciplines, including American Catholic Studies, American Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Feminist Studies, and US History. Additionally, scholars in the areas of Latinx studies, Black Studies, Liturgical Studies, and application of Catholic social teaching will find the book to be a valuable resource with respect to articles on specific topics.
Embracing Emancipation: A Transatlantic History of Irish Americans, Slavery, and the American Union, 1840-1865 (Reconstructing America)
by Ian DelahantyChallenges conventional narratives of the Civil War era that emphasize Irish Americans’ unceasing opposition to Black freedomEmbracing Emancipation tackles a perennial question in scholarship on the Civil War era: Why did Irish Americans, who claimed to have been oppressed in Ireland, so vehemently opposed the antislavery movement in the United States? Challenging conventional answers to this question that focus on the cultural, political, and economic circumstances of the Irish in America, Embracing Emancipation locates the origins of Irish American opposition to antislavery in famine-era Ireland. There, a distinctively Irish critique of abolitionism emerged during the 1840s, one that was adopted and adapted by Irish Americans during the sectional crisis. The Irish critique of abolitionism meshed with Irish Americans’ belief that the American Union would uplift Irish people on both sides of the Atlantic—if only it could be saved from the forces of disunion.Whereas conventional accounts of the Civil War itself emphasize Irish immigrants’ involvement in the New York City draft riots as a brutal coda to their unflinching opposition to emancipation, Delahanty uncovers a history of Irish Americans who embraced emancipation. Irish American soldiers realized that aiding Black southerners’ attempts at self-liberation would help to subdue the Confederate rebellion. Wartime developments in the United States and Ireland affirmed Irish American Unionists’ belief that the perpetuity of their adopted country was vital to the economic and political prospects of current and future immigrants and to their hopes for Ireland’s independence. Even as some Irish immigrants evinced their disdain for emancipation by lashing out against Union authorities and African Americans in northern cities, many others argued that their transatlantic interests in restoring the Union now aligned with slavery’s demise. While myriad Irish Americans ultimately abandoned their hostility to antislavery, their backgrounds in and continuously renewed connections with Ireland remained consistent influences on how the Irish in America took part in debate over the future of American slavery.
Beyond Despair: The Rwanda Genocide against the Tutsi through the Eyes of Children (Thinking from Elsewhere)
by Hélène DumasWinner, Prix Pierre LafueWinner, Prix lycéen du livre d’histoire des Rendez-vous de l’histoire de BloisIn the archives of the main institution in charge of the history and memory of the genocide in Rwanda, several bundles of fragile little school notebooks contain, in the silence of accumulated dust, the stories of around a hundred surviving children. Written in 2006 at the initiative of a Rwandan survivors’ association, as a testimonial and psychological catharsis, these accounts by children who have since become young men and women tell the story of their experience of the genocide, as well as of “life before” and “life after.” The words of these children, the cruel realism of the scenes they describe, the power of the emotions they express, provide the historian with an unparalleled insight into the subjectivities of the survivors, and also enable us to take on board the murderous discourse and gestures of those who eradicated their world of childhood forever. Far from abstract postulates on the “unspeakable,” Beyond Despair offers a reflection on the conditions that make audible such an experience of dereliction in the twilight of the twentieth century.This work received support for excellence in publication and translation from Albertine Translation, a program created by Villa Albertine and funded by FACE Foundation.
The Skeleton House
by Katherine AllumMeg' s life is woven into the fabric of St Stephens. It' s a tapestry made of two precious children, a hidden truth and a husband whose ideas of a perfect wife do not match her own. When Meg puts her foot down on a third kid, gets a job and is empowered by the same book group that was meant to keep her in her place, her marriage begins to disintegrate. Set in a tiny Mormon community,this is a novel about resilience and courage – the fierceness of mother-love and the power that comes with never forgetting who you really are.
Don't Ask, Don't Follow
by Mary KeliikoaMurder, dark family secrets, and the unwavering bond of sisterhood— regardless of the costBeth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon, would rather be racking up billable hours than mingling at an office party— especially when her sister Lindsay, aka her plus one, is a no-show.After making her obligatory rounds, Beth returns to her office to find that her boss, who she' d talked with moments before, has been murdered. She sees a woman fleeing the scene. Wait— was that Lindsay? Unable to catch up to her in time, Beth waits for the police to arrive and notices that Lindsay has left her phone behind with an unsent text message to Beth displayed on the screen: “ Don' t ask. Don' t follow.” Lindsay is unreachable for days, and when Beth starts to come under suspicion for the crime, she decides that waiting is impossible. While retracing Lindsay' s steps, determined to bring her home, Beth uncovers what her sister, an investigative reporter bent on changing the world, was trying to expose— corruption, secrets, and betrayal on an unimaginable level. Revealing the truth might bring back the one person she' s desperate to find— but it could also destroy the only life and family Beth' s ever known.Perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen and Karin Slaughter
Avast!: Pirate Stories from Transgender Authors
by Michael Earp Alison EvansGet ready to set sail with a crew of rebels and misfits in this thrilling anthology of pirate tales. From CD burners to space pirates with an otherworldly crew, these stories blur the lines between criminal and separatist, playful and heartfelt and showcase a range of unique characters and found families.Featuring seven long-form pieces of writing, including a graphic novella and a verse novella, this collection has been edited by and features trans and non-binary writers, ensuring a fresh and diverse perspective on the pirate genre. So come aboard and discover a world of queer pirates, grey morals and homebrewed ale.
Father of the Lost Boys for Younger Readers
by Yuot A. AlaakOnce, there was a man who rescued 20,000 boys from almost certain death. That man was my father. One of those boys was me. This is our story.During the Second Sudanese Civil War, thousands of boys were displaced or orphaned. In 1989, Mecak Ajang Alaak led the Lost Boys on a four-year journey from Ethiopia to Sudan to protect them from becoming child soldiers. This is the abridged account of that extraordinary true story.
The Space Between You and Me
by Julie True KingsleyFor Clem, summers are for Maine—for wandering the blueberry barrens, helping her grandmother on the farm, and stargazing with her parents. But her grandmother is gone, she hasn’t talked to her mom in months, and her dad is devoted to the family business. Now, all Clem wants to think about is a dance audition that could get her into Juilliard. She doesn’t need another distraction. Then she meets Rico. He’s nothing like the boys back home in LA or the boys in Maine, either. His secrets rival her own and as they grow closer, she must confront the hidden realities of places she thought she knew. In Julie True Kingsley’s debut novel, Clem and Rico’s worlds are threatening to tear them apart. Can they bridge the space between them before summer is just a memory?
Coop For Keeps: Another Story About Coop the Great (Coop The Great)
by Larry VerstraeteFor Coop, adjusting to a new home after being adopted by Zach, Emma and their mother, Jess, is not easy. It's hard enough being a lowly dachshund, but it's even harder when your home is a financially unstable guesthouse with smelly strangers drifting in and out. Worse still, the unhappy teenager in charge of Coop is steaming mad much of the time. On top of that, Lucinda, the annoying cat, likes to tease and torment. It's no wonder Coop wishes he could have his old life back. Enter a murder of crows, a stranger with a mysterious past, two bullies bent on making Zach's life miserable, and a vicious dog with a grudge against Coop. As the risks and challenges mount, Coop's wish only grows stronger. Will he ever find the forever home he so desperately wants? A follow-up to Coop The Great! - MYRCA Sundog Nominee - Best Books for Kids and Teens - Highly Recommended, CM Magazine
The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy
by Adam Nimoy"Adam Nimoy has written about the challenges growing up with his famous father and about their estrangement later in life. The fact that Leonard and Adam found a way to rebuild their relationship should resonate with anyone who struggles with difficult family dynamics."—George Takei"Engaging and immensely relatable, while at the same time offering deeply profound insights into Adam Nimoy's personal relationships, particularly with his famous father." —Eugene Roddenberry Jr., CEO Roddenberry Entertainment While the tabloids and fan publications portrayed the Nimoys as a "close family," to his son Adam, Leonard Nimoy was a total stranger. The actor was as inscrutable as the iconic half-Vulcan science officer he portrayed on Star Trek, even to those close to him. Now, his son's poignant memoir explores their complicated relationship and how it informed his views on marriage, parenting, and later, sobriety. Despite their differences, both men ventured down parallel paths: marriages leading to divorce, battling addiction, and finding recovery. Most notably, both men struggled to take the ninth step in their AA journey: to make amends with each other.Discover how the son of Spock learned to navigate this tumultuous relationship—from Shabbat dinners to basement AA meetings—and how he was finally able to reconcile with his father—and with himself.
On Rhetoric and Black Music (African American Life Series)
by Earl H. BrooksThis groundbreaking analysis examines how Black music functions as rhetoric, considering its subject not merely reflective of but central to African American public discourse. Author, musician, and scholar Earl H. Brooks argues that there would have been no Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Movement, or Black Arts Movement as we know these phenomena without Black music. Through rhetorical studies, archival research, and musical analysis, Brooks establishes the "sonic lexicon of Black music," defined by a distinct constellation of sonic and auditory features that bridge cultural, linguistic, and political spheres with music. Genres of Black music such as blues and jazz are discursive fields, where swinging, improvisation, call-and-response, blue notes, and other musical idioms serve as rhetorical tools to articulate the feelings, emotions, and states of mind that have shaped African American cultural and political development. Examining the resounding artistry of iconic musicians such as Scott Joplin, Mary Lou Williams, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Mahalia Jackson, this work offers an alternative register in which these musicians and composers are heard as public intellectuals, consciously invested in crafting rhetorical projects they knew would influence the public sphere.
This Lark of Stolen Time: A Novel
by Richard CumynLauder Jones and Mountcastle, two Halifax families both alike in dignity, linked by love and circumstance. Douglas Lauder Jones, obscure story writer, calls it "Life and No Escape." His lovelorn son John thinks it's the end of happiness. Neuroscientist Ursula Lauder Jones sees it as sink-or-swim parenting. Whatever it is, her daughter Merin, new owner of a movie house on Barrington Street, wants to sit through it twice. Her sister Anya, summer student working at Mountcastle Framing on Spring Garden Road, relishes life's richly varied fabric. And the youngest, Cary, budding writer, recognizes it as apt material for the many stories stitching this novel's intriguing brocade."At the centre of this novel about love and belonging, Cumyn gives us a portrait of family and its familiar rhythms: dispersing and coming home again; together and then apart; in and out like breath. In prose that is warm and full of humour, This Lark of Stolen Time captures precisely the small moments of transformation that connect and help to define us."— Ryan Turner, author of What We' re Made Of and Half-Sisters and Other Stories
Love at First Swipe
by Andrew GreyDarby Wright has fought for his independence ever since he lost his sight as a child. But even now that he has his own home and a good job, his overprotective mother doesn&’t believe he can handle himself. Darby&’s determined to prove her wrong, but there are some things—like finding his guide dog&’s potty accident—where an extra set of eyes would come in handy. Enter See For Me, an app that connects blind clients with sighted volunteers. See For Me is designed for just this sort of emergency, and it&’s through this app that Darby meets Reynaldo. Lust at first voice turns to more when Darby and Reynaldo run into each other at a local sandwich shop, where Renaldo seems as nice in person as he was in app. With Reynaldo, Darby can feel his world expanding. Reynaldo doesn&’t just support him but understands him and sees Darby as more than his disability. But will being with Reynaldo mean giving up Darby&’s hard-fought independence, or will it mean gaining something more than he ever dreamed?
Marketplace Dignity: Transforming How We Engage with Customers Across Their Journey
by Cait Lamberton Neela A. Saldanha Tom WeinEverywhere we turn, brands and organizations are under fire for failing to treat their customers with respect and dignity. And increasingly, consumers want firms to take a lead in helping to shape a better society. Yet, most don’t know where to start or have struggled to get things right.In Marketplace Dignity, Cait Lamberton, Neela A. Saldanha, and Tom Wein introduce a tangible, practical way to take a stand on the fundamental value of humans, and in so doing, be a force for good in a society that increasingly demands that they do so. Marketplace dignity is the idea that customers seek respect and recognition from the firms they interact with, not just rational or emotional benefits. Marketplace dignity appeals to humans’ sense of justice and goes to the essence of what makes customers human. It is also a powerful driver of their engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction.In this book, you will discover how to:+ Apply the principles of marketplace dignity to the whole of the customer journey, from the pre-consumption phase to the post-consumption phase;+ Design and deliver products, services, and experiences that respect your customers’ dignity and value as human beings;+ Improve your performance using the Marketplace Dignity Framework, which is underpinned by representation, agency, and equality; and+ Create a competitive edge and a positive social impact with marketplace dignity.Drawing on the authors’ rigorous research, as well as the successes and failures of companies around the world, from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits to independent organizations, Marketplace Dignity will empower you to diagnose, understand, and enhance the way that you engage with your customer base across the entirety of their journey with your organization.
Battleground Ukraine: From Independence to the War with Russia
by Adrian KaratnyckyThe first major English-language history of Ukraine from its emergence after the demise of the Soviet Union through the current Russian invasion In 1991, after seventy years of imperial Soviet rule, Ukraine became an independent country. Since 2022, it has been fighting an existential war against an unprovoked, brutal, and ongoing invasion by Russia. At the center of its resistance is the resilience of a united people. Ukraine expert Adrian Karatnycky provides an eyewitness account of the history of the modern Ukrainian state and of the nation through the tenures of the six presidents who have led Ukraine since the collapse of the USSR, including Volodymyr Zelensky. Karatnycky shows how—despite the influence of corrupt oligarchs, pressures from Russia, and the legacies of Soviet rule—an inclusive and united Ukrainian nation has emerged that inspires the world as it defends the principle that states and peoples have the right to their national sovereignty.
The Secret History of Audrey James: A gripping dual-timeline WWII historical story of courage, sacrifice and friendship
by Heather MarshallSometimes the best place to hide is the last place anyone would look.Berlin, 1938Against the backdrop of pre-WWII Berlin, British pianist Audrey James and her best friend Isle face the imminent threat of Nazi oppression. When Ilse's family disappears and Nazi officers confiscate their home, Audrey becomes their housekeeper and Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic-a prisoner in her own home. As borders close and rumours of death camps swirl, Audrey makes the life-changing decision to join the covert resistance and risk everything to protect her loved ones. Alnwick, 2010After a tragic accident, Kate Mercer packs her things and moves to work at a guest house near the Scottish border. Instead of finding solace, Kate becomes entangled in the secrets of her mysterious elderly proprietor...Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during WWII, this is a captivating story about the unbreakable bonds of friendship and family.
The God and the Gumiho: a intoxicating and dazzling contemporary Korean romantic fantasy (Fate's Thread)
by Sophie Kim'I have NO WORDS!!! I'M REELING!!!! THIS BOOK RUINED ME FOR ANY OTHERS! SEOKGA AND HANI JUST STOLE MY HEART AND LEFT! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW??????' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Oh my god this book just blew out all my expectations. I wasn't expecting the romance, which was INCREDIBLE. Hate to love, written in such a fantastic way. I loved the juxtaposition between the grump god and the annoying and hyper gumiho. One of my favourite books this year so far. I NEED more!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewIn this delightfully romantic Korean contemporary fantasy, a fallen trickster god must pair up with a coffee-slinging, shapeshifting fox to track down a demon of darkness before it devours the mortal world.They'll do anything to outsmart each other. Anything, except fall in love. Kim Hani - the once-terrible gumiho known as the Scarlet Fox - spends her days working at a café and trying not to let a certain customer irk her.Seokga - a trickster god thrown from the heavens for his attempt at a coup - spends his days hunting demons and irking a particular gumiho.When a demon of darkness escapes the underworld, and the Scarlet Fox emerges from hiding before quickly vanishing, Seokga is offered a chance at redemption: kill them both, and his sins will be forgiven.But Hani is prepared to do anything to prevent Seokga from bringing her to justice, even trick her way into his investigation. Anything, that is - except fall in love . . .READERS LOVE SOPHIE KIM'hear me out: if you liked Crescent City, enjoyed Disney's Zootropolis, and police procedural dramas: you're going to love this' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I'm sorry in advance for the amount of fangirling I will be doing in this review . . . it just grabbed me by my arms and quite literally dragged me out of my slump swamp' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'If you like korean culture, K dramas and the grumpy/sunshine trope this is definitely for you!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pardon My Frenchie: The new enemies-to-lovers rom-com guaranteed to make you swoon!
by Farrah RochonThe New York Times bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project kicks off her exciting new rom-com series with this enemies-to-lovers romance, perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory!________________________These enemies have a few new tricks to learn about falling in love. . . For Ashanti Wright, juggling her successful doggie daycare, Barkingham Palace, with taking care of her teen twin sisters is a lot! But life gets even more chaotic when the antics of her adorable French bulldog and poodle bestie go viral on social media. And things are about to get worse. Thad Sims is not a dog person. He's barely a person's person. But after his grandmother is transferred to a living facility that doesn't accept pets, the former army officer agrees to care for her annoying standard poodle. His first move is taking Puddin' out of daycare. Now Ashanti's beloved Duchess is bereft of her companion, social media is outraged, and Ashanti's business is hanging in the balance. Her only option is to somehow make nice with the surly, sexy Thad . . .
Youthjuice
by E.K. Sathue'youthjuice got under my (ever-aging!) skin and might stay there for a very long time' CJ LEEDE'My Year of Rest and Relaxation meets The Neon Demon - youthjuice is a nail-biting story of friendship, self-esteem, and transgression' JENNA CLAKE'Staggeringly brilliant and bitingly honest . . . his novel is a blood-smeared mirror. What truth will it reflect back to you?' RACHEL HARRISONAmerican Psycho meets Bunny in this outrageous body horror for the goop generationA 29-year-old copywriter realises that beauty is possible - at a terrible cost - in this surreal, satirical send-up of NYC It-girl culture.From Sophia Bannon's first day on the Storytelling team at HEBE, a luxury skincare/wellness company based in New York City's glitziest neighbourhood, it's clear something is deeply amiss. But Sophia, pushing thirty with plenty of skeletons in her closet next to the designer knock-offs, doesn't care. Though she leads an outwardly charmed life, she aches for a deeper meaning to her flat existence - and a cure for her brutal nail-biting habit. She finds it all and more at HEBE, and with Tree Whitestone, HEBE's charismatic, sinister founder and CEO.Soon Sophia is addicted to her HEBE lifestyle, especially youthjuice, the fatty, soothing moisturiser Tree has selected Sophia to test in top secret. But the unsustainability of HEBE's system is rapidly growing apparent, and Sophia is going to have to decide how far she's willing to go to stay beautiful forever...Glittering with ominous flashes of Sophia's coming-of-rage story, former beauty editor E.K. Sathue's horror debut is as hilarious as it is stomach-churning in its portrayal of literally all-consuming female friendship and capitalism's short attention span. You'll never moisturise the same way again.'A certifiable page-turner' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'A stomach-turning work of corporate horror' KIRKUS REVIEWS
The Shame Archive: 'Captivating and horrifying' Manda Scott
by Oliver Harris'Captivating and horrifying at once, a completely plausible evocation of the putrid morass that is the British Establishment and its craven capitulation to Russian money - or indeed, any money. Oliver Harris is squarely in the territory of the greats: Greene and le Carré but also the modern masters, Mick Herron and Adam Brookes. There can be no higher accolade' Manda ScottHow does a secret service confront its past, when its secrets must never be revealed?Buried deep in MI6's digital archives is the most classified directory of all. It doesn't contain war plans or agent profiles, but shame: the misdeeds of politicians, royalty, business leaders and the service's own personnel.There are seven decades' worth of images and recordings, usually acquired for the sake of assessing risk, sometimes as a guard against betrayal, often engineered by MI6 for their own purposes. They are the most sensitive two thousand terabytes of data in the Service's possession. When material from the archive begins appearing online, panic spreads through the Establishment like wildfire. At first, the security breach only manifests itself in apparently random events: a suicide, a disappearance, a breakdown. But when it's discovered that the individuals concerned were all contacted by the same anonymous person, a connection comes into focus. The archive has been leaked. The hunt is now of unprecedented urgency before the entire political and business systems are fatally weakened. That's when they call for Elliot Kane...
Just Some Stupid Love Story: A sparkling opposites-attract rom-com!
by Katelyn DoyleFor fans of Emily Henry, a debut about a rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their breakup Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living - which is how she knows 'romance' is a racket. The one and only time she was naive enough to fall in love was with her high school boyfriend, Seth - who she ghosted on the eve of graduation and hasn't seen in fifteen years. Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the grand, fated kind, despite his job as, well . . . one of Chicago's most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he's sought 'the one' in countless bad dates and rushed relationships. He knows his soulmate is out there. But so far, no one can compare to Molly Marks, the first girl who broke his heart. When Molly's friends drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, it is poetic justice that she's forced to sit with Seth. Too many martinis and a drunken hookup later, they decide to make a bet: whoever can predict the fate of five couples before the next reunion must declare that the other is right about true love. The catch? The fifth couple is the two of them. Molly assures Seth they are a tale of timeless heartbreak. Seth promises she'll end up hopelessly in love with him. She thinks he's delusional. He has five years to prove her wrong. Wickedly funny, sexy, and brimming with laughs and heart like the best romantic comedies, Just Some Stupid Love Story is for everyone who believes in soulmates - even if they would never admit it.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep
by Leslye PenelopeA woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.'Our home began, as all things do, with a wish.'Jane Edwards hasn't spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she's found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.To save her community, Jane must journey into a sunken world. A land of capricious gods and unsung myths; of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising and to gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past.'Penelope fuses magical realism, folklore and African American history into a profound and rousing fantasy' Publishers Weekly (starred review)'A mesmerising tale that deftly blends history and magic' Nicole glover, author of The ConductorsFor more from Leslye Penelope, check out The Monsters We Defy.
Leather & Lark
by Brynne WeaverFrom the author of the genre-breaking international TikTok sensation Butcher & Blackbird comes the second book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy - a hate-to-love dark romantic comedy packed with danger, chaos, and heat. 'Brynne is a master weaver of words in this dark, decadent and delicious story of serial killers, sexy spice, and sensational fun!' RuNyx, USA Today bestselling author of the Dark Verse series ----Every killer claims a soul.Every phantom wants revenge.All contract killer Lachlan Kane wants is a quiet life. But when he botches a job for his boss's biggest client, Lachlan knows he'll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she'll find a way to secure his freedom.The catch? He has to marry her first. And they can't stand each other. Indie singer-songwriter Lark may seem like sunshine and glitter personified but she has her own secrets hiding in the shadows. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend's happiness on the line, she's willing to make a vow to the man she's determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be. As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it's not just familiar dangers that haunt them. There's another phantom lurking on their doorstep . . . And this one has come for blood.*** Reader praise for Butcher & Blackbird 'The chemistry is explosive. The romance will make your heart squeeze painfully. The banter will have you giggling and kicking your feet. The one-liners and screwball scenarios are laugh-out-loud hysterical' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Butcher and Blackbird is indulgent and decadent; reading it feels like eating chocolate cake' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'If I could rate this book infinity stars, trust me, I would in a heartbeat' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'One of the most creative dark romances I've EVER read . . . perfection from start to finish' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I was so engaged I couldn't put it down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'The banter was chef kiss' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'There is nothing more I can say except . . . I think I am in love with a serial killer' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Writing a romantic comedy about vigilante serial killers who kill other serial killers for fun, and somehow making it cute is no small feat' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐