So Here's Our Leo
Leo's mother, Madam Sara Bresson, wasn't good with babies. She never claimed to be. She had her Gift, her charisma, her successful career as a Spiritualist medium, and there simply wasn't room in her life for sleepless nights or soggy nappies. Therefore, with her husband (Leo's father Maurice Moon, a music hall conjuror and xylophone player) out of the picture having recently decamped, she donated Leo as soon as was decent to her widowed mother Clare.An agreeably wealthy woman, Clare had conveniently just returned from India following the alcohol-related death of her husband, a senior officer in the British army there. Clare welcomed a grandchild. It was good to be needed.Now, today, eighty-odd years later, Leo is living again in the house in Cheltenham that his grandmother Clare bought all those years ago. And D. G. Compton, previously better known perhaps as a science fiction writer, has set himself a biographical task here, charting at least a few of the more significant vicissitudes, big and little, that have shaped Leo's nature and life, and have left us with this slightly wise (he hopes) old gent.
Change of Heart
Facing the twilight of her career, British supermodel Julia Westgate battles solitude and hidden desires. All she wants from her secret weekend in Boston is to forget her life, and all its emptiness, in the arms of an anonymous woman who will give her what she so desperately craves-but who won't ask any questions.Cory Hayes is young, eager, and completely oblivious to who Julia Westgate might be. Completely smitten from the moment she lays eyes on Julia, Cory is more than happy to give Julia what she wants. At least that's what Cory tells herself.But neither woman counts on a glorious weekend that ends far too soon. And then Cory wakes up to an empty pillow beside her, with no idea who she spent the weekend with and not a clue about how to find her.Originally published by Naiad Press, Bella Books is proud to reissue this updated version of Change of Heart.
On a Woman's Madness
A classic of queer literature that's as electrifying today as it was when it originally appeared in 1982, On a Woman's Madness tells the story of Noenka, a courageous Black woman trying to live a life of her choosing. When her abusive husband of just nine days refuses her request for divorce, Noenka flees her hometown in Suriname, on South America's tropical northeastern coast, for the capital city of Paramaribo. Unsettled and unsupported, her life in this new place is illuminated by the passionate romances of the present but haunted by society's expectations and her ancestral past. Translated into sensuous English for the first time by Lucy Scott, Astrid Roemer's intimate novel-with its tales of plantation-dwelling snakes, rare orchids, and star-crossed lovers-is a blistering meditation on the cruelties we inflict on those who disobey. Roemer, the first Surinamese winner of the prestigious Dutch Literature Prize, carves out postcolonial Suriname in barbed, resonant fragments. Who is Noenka? Roemer asks us. "I'm Noenka," she responds resolutely, "which means Never Again."
High October
Liz Stolz and Maggie Fitzgerald were college roommates until Maggie confessed to her parents that she was in love with a woman. Maggie gave up her dream of becoming an actress and married her high school boyfriend. Liz became a famous breast surgeon. Maggie is performing in a summer stock production near the Maine town where Liz is now a general practitioner. When Maggie breaks her leg in a stage accident, she lands in Dr. Stolz's office.Liz welcomes Maggie into her home and cares for her while her leg heals. After a few days, it becomes clear that the old flame still burns brightly, but the pain and guilt from the past is keeping them apart. A camping trip in Acadia during High October changes everything.
Crab Bait
"Brennan impresses with this atmospheric whodunit" - Publishers Weekly"A series of grisly murders disrupts Victorian London's covert gay scene in Brennan's historical thriller" (Kirkus Reviews), stirring an obsessive hunt for clues and culprits in this "rich, dark mystery" (Kirkus Reviews) from the Lambda Literary Award-nominated author of LOOSE LIPS.The year is 1888, it's Ripper murders in the capital as the New World flaunts a Gilded Age. In London, best men seek solace in the gentlemen's clubs, away places catering to their every interest.Sizar's is a secret one, a new-club breed that lures athletic workhouse lads with the bait of a better life. But when a pledge gets dead-snagged under West Pier, a Scotland Yard detective hunts for clues.Scandals wash in, bodies mount, boys clash in jealous pursuit, death keeps things fresh and gone ones haunt as five men tell the tale of the curious case of the beautiful creature under the pier.
Vicarious
After suffering a savage assault in a bathroom as a girl, Gertie meets the man of her dreams. Her trauma soon vanishes as they begin to build a life together. However, with the sudden death of her beloved Jack, and the return of her school bully-Bea-years later, Gertie's long-buried trauma bubbles to the surface. All the think is one thing: Revenge.Inserting herself into Bea's life, nobody is safe-not her parents, not her children. Hell, not even the pTA members of her daughter's high school. Starting a sordid romance with Bea in a bid to destroy her life from the inside out, Gertie soon learns revenge is messier than she thought.BUT A GIRLS' GOTTA DO WHAT A GIRL'S GOTTA
The Family of Max Desir
It was a family dealing with old values, acceptance and death. Max Desir loved his Italian roots and hearing his mother, Marie, recount tales of the old country. And he loved his American family, his father John a successful self-made businessman in New Jersey. As he came of age, Max discovered something else he loved - men - and met the love of his life in Italy. Now, at age 40, the family is split: Marie and his siblings accept Max and Nick as a stable, long-term couple but his father John does not. When a needlepoint family tree is to be hung at Christmas, it's too much for John. Then the spectre of death enters as Marie rapidly declines with brain cancer. Loyalties divided, acceptance of family is re-examined. In this beautiful, haunting tale, told in Robert Ferro's clear, impassioned narrative, he created a classic. "An honest, eloquent and entirely original novel ... at once realistic and mythological, intensely personal and public ... a triumph," opined Edmund White.Originally published in 1984, this edition includes a 2019 foreword by fellow author and friend Felice Picano (Like People in History).
A Little Luck
East-ward I lived, near the waves glimmerin' gold, Singing for my people, the stories and tales of old....After the biggest job of her life goes sideways, magical artifact thief Lottie Luck is out of, well, luck. With no job on the horizon and only the clothes on her back, she makes a snap decision to head to Arrowmount, where her estranged sister lives, to regroup and figure out where she's going next.Kirandir Dulra, a favored Arrowmount town bard, is happy enough with the way her life is. By day, she's a dishwasher for the local bar, and by night she performs for the regular townsfolk who frequent the Old'n Narrow. The routine works, but she dreams of more: a life in arcane lights with crowds calling her name. However, everything is turned upside down when these two strangers get thrown together to organize the entertainment for an upcoming festival as emergency replacements one month out. As the two try and find a rhythm together, Lottie unearths truths about herself and Kir's dream starts to become more realistic. In a story full of chilly autumnal nights and the golden glow of lantern light, these two women might just find more in each other than they bargained for.
Ygl & the Dwarf
Zaendaran dialects have mysteriously disappeared. Elvin General Ygl and Ding the Dwarven thief split from the Party of the Jode. They're racing to Kyblore Island to warn the Nixies about the infamous Jode's insidious power, and encountering obstacles. No small feat because Man's psychotic emperor, Rondo, works with the God of Evil, Xurchon, to block the Party and our heroes' efforts as the Giants and Ogres come to war's brink. Will they make it to Kyblore on time to find the Jode to end a national war? Will Ygl overcome his jodepiece's evil influence? Meanwhile, Ygl's son, Limbus goes through a rite of passage as others and he experiences memorial awakenings revealing more of Zaendara's forgotten past that could answer much of today's turmoil on Inner Earth. When atheist Ding's secret is revealed, will Ygl find the strength to rise above it or perish like the Elves and Dwarves already have to Man? And Xurchon's Raaligor are on the hunt. "Selarom has created a unique world and culture for its inhabitants. His Jode trilogy is a breath of fresh air in a genre that was becoming a little stale. The characters are well-developed, and readers can watch each one grow and evolve as the story advances. His descriptive writing easily transports readers to Zaendara, where dwarves, genies, demons, and gods in teacups are a common part of everyday life." Entrada ". . . Selarom builds solid protagonists and memorable enemies." The BookLife Prize
The Spinner of Tales
His first novel, The Butterscotch Prince, was hailed in 1975 as a triumph: an explicitly gay murder mystery story with erotic elements released during the heady days of Gay Liberation. Richard Hall's career, as a writer of short and long fiction, in theatre and as a widely acclaimed book critic, flourished. Seventeen years later, Hall worked feverishly, and lovingly, to complete his second gay mystery novel, The Spinner of Tales, now released for the first time and marking 30 years since his death.Dr. Bruce Pittman runs a successful music school in New York, nurturing young talent for the concert stage. David Donnenfield has been in his orbit for nearly a decade; he arrived as a fresh-faced, somewhat tentative, 19-year-old with talent, ambition but sorely lacking polish. Now he was touring regularly to great acclaim ... until he's been charged with the bludgeoned murder of Miles Halloran, longtime friend of Bruce, and a great raconteur and world traveler.But as Bruce tries to fit the pieces together, David resists, and darker elements of Miles' life come to the surface. Worse, his battle with AIDS-related "opportunistic infections" is taking a deep toll, sapping his energy and placing him in and out of hospital. There is much more to Miles' own back story which leads to a dangerous trip to Miles' second home in Puerto Rico, threads through the world of New York publishing, and hints at drug trade and money laundering. Is anyone who they seem to be? And when, inadvertently, Bruce hands NYPD Detective Kerrison a crucial bit of evidence, David may be lost. Jeffrey Round (Dan Sharp mysteries) provides an introduction. A ReQueered Tales Original Publication."Richard Hall's prose displays a rare polish, and his accounts of ordinary and exceptional lives unfold in grateful cadences." - Los Angeles Times"The elegance and refinement of Hall's prose have once again marked him as one of our most distinguished writers." - Gay Pride
Frenzy of Desire
A forbidden love, a desperate choice, a frenzy of desire... Laurent is torn by her physical desire for Dan, her friend and doctor, and for Elsie, a woman who offers an exciting, forbidden love that makes her tremble just imagining it. To make a decision, she must discover what her true nature is...which she can only know by experiencing, and satisfying, both of her lusts in a frenzy of desire. And then she meets Johnny...who changes everything. John B. Thompson (1911-1994) was an under-appreciated author of sharply observant, brilliantly-written stories, primarily set in the deep south in the 1950s & '60s. Unfortunately, his books were packaged and marketed as "sleaze" for their uncompromising explicitness. So his bold work fell into obscurity. Now they are back in print for the first time in over 60 years. Praise for John B. Thompson "With colorful characters and multi-faceted, interlocking storylines, John B. Thompson creates a whirlwind novel ripe with violence and racial unrest. Fans of Charles Williams, Harry Whittington, and Erskine Caldwell should find plenty to like." Paperback Warrior
Cutlass Cadaver
In the latest installment of the Morelville Mysteries series, Sheriff Mel Crane faces dual mysteries threatening her family and her career. Called to investigate a body found in her brother-in-law's long lost classic car, Mel digs in to ID the victim and find his killer. Then a family spring break trip turns deadly when Mel's nephew is accused of murdering a young woman at a haunted house convention. Using her seasoned investigative skills, Mel uncovers scandalous secrets and puts herself at risk to protect her family and close both cases. But the job is taking an increasing toll, making Mel question how much longer she can continue as sheriff. For now, justice won't wait - and Mel won't rest until the truth is revealed. But the challenges are mounting, forcing Mel to ask herself what matters most - her career or her family? With two shocking murder mysteries to untangle, only Mel can uncover the cold-blooded killers and bring closure to the victims' families. But her own family may need her even more in this gripping new tale of secrets, lies, and murder.
The Worst Thing of All Is the Light
A metafictional novel about two intertwined stories of love that seek to perpetuate themselves in history. The Worst Thing of All Is the Light tells two stories. First, that of the friendship of two heterosexual men, Koldo and Edorta, through the decades of the late twentieth century in Spain's Basque Country. In the book Edorta writes in order to try and save from oblivion his relationship with Koldo--a bond for which the word "friendship" falls short yet for which he is too afraid to use the word "love." It is the story of two men who are in love and don't know it, or don't want to know it. The second story is that of its author, Jos矇 Luis Serrano, in the present day as he enjoys his summer holiday in the same Basque Country and talks with his husband at length about many different things, but mostly about how to narrate the relationship of Koldo and Edorta, two men who did not allow themselves to construct the domestic life that their counterparts enjoy today. Together these stories show a love that the lovers hope will outlive them, a love that is the same even if we give it different labels.
Soul Food Stories
Salem West and Christel Cogneau have assembled a powerhouse lineup of Bywater Books and Amble Press authors to explore, subvert, and reinvigorate the bountiful feast of All Hallows phantasmagoria in this stunning collection.To the living, "soul food" has a specific meaning, history, and flavor. But what does "soul food" mean to the demon, ghost, fiend, witch, spirit, or vampire? How does their ingenuity and wit rise and fall in the taking, baking, erasing, embracing, and defacing of sustenance?West and Cogneau have challenged their authors to explore these and other questions in surprising and fascinating ways. Sometimes sweet and other times terrifying, sometimes warm or otherwise demented, these stories set the table for an otherworldly feast of delight and intrigue.Let the banquet begin . . .Soul Food Stories is packed with literary confections by award-winning authors, Anna Burke, Jenn Alexander, Jacob Budenz, Virginia Black, Cathy Pegau, and Ann McMan.Featured stories include: "The Five Year Revenge Agency" by Anna Burke"Tilly's Tarts" by Jenn Alexander"Of the Air and Land" by Jacob Budenz"Ravenous" by Virginia Black"In Speary Wood" by Cathy Pegau"Perhaps You Missed My Signs" by Anna Burke"Ghost Writer" by Ann McMan
Strands
In this seventh volume of the Hobbs series, Lucy Bartlett, the rector of the Episcopal Church, and town doctor, Liz Stolz, have finally announced their engagement. They get pushback from surprising places, even from friends they've counted on for support. Unresolved issues from Liz's first marriage cloud the prospect even more, especially when her ex-wife returns, desperately needing help. A new doctor has joined Hobbs Family Practice, sparking rumors that Liz will retire. Across town, Police chief, Brenda Harrison, and her wife are settling into a new relationship, but Cherie hears her biological clock ticking. When a shocking tragedy creates an opportunity for them to become parents, all their friends need to step in to help. Couples rearrange in surprising ways, and the women of Hobbs find their lives intertwined like the strands of a rope.
Scorpio Hates Virgo
Scorpio Hates Virgo. Or so he pretends. Percy Freedman--passionate, sarcastic Scorpio--is good at doling out verbal grenades. Especially to his unfairly hot nemesis across the road. He's been doing it forever. Callaghan Glover--hardworking, practical Virgo--seems to love doling them back. But as Percy readies his Aunt's house to sell, it becomes clear that his cul-de-sac neighbors want him to stay. Even said nemesis. Especially said nemesis. Now those verbal grenades simmer with spine-tingling tension, and Percy . . . holy hell, he can't get enough of it. But Callaghan is straight, right? Stubborn Scorpio will need a kind Virgo to figure it out. "Scorpio Hates Virgo" is a sarcasm-filled slow burn, boy next door MM romance featuring an unhealthy obsession with dinosaurs and a sexy HEA. This fake-enemies-to-lovers novel is the second book in the Signs of Love series. The books in the Signs of Love series are standalone romances, and can be read in any order. LEO LOVES ARIES (bi-awakening, friends to lovers, clueless as fuck)SCORPIO HATES VIRGO (boy next door, fake-enemies to lovers, mistaken identity)GEMINI KEEPS CAPRICORN (fake fianc矇s, friends to lovers, off-limits lover)PISCES HOOKS TAURUS (marriage of convenience, opposites attract, age-gap)CANCER SHIPS AQUARIUS (manny, widower, opposites attract)SAGITTARIUS SAVES LIBRA (fake identity, twin shenanigans, small town)
Strip Bare
"We took this too far the moment I had to pretend you were mine."Who knew one little white lie could cause so much chaos?Leo isn't one for drama-let alone being the cause for it. So when his parents unexpectedly turn up in Sun City with his baby sister in tow, he's unprepared for the trouble he's accidentally unleashed on his own life.There were three problems: He might be in love with his best friend, KitHis parents thought Kit was his boyfriend... probably because that was what he'd told themKit had no clue about either of these thingsA kiss he can't take back and a friendship at stake-Leo must make a decision: admit his lie and potentially let down those he loves, or strip bare and risk it all.Strip Bare is the third book in an interconnected series of standalones. The Sun City series is perfect for fans of The Deal and Delilah Green Doesn't Care.
Denver
DENVERAccidentally receiving an explicit pic from my best friend was a surprise, but my reaction to it was a shocker. Last year, with one text, my eyes were opened to an attraction that's grown into so much more. No matter what my feelings are, he's still my best friend and I'll always have his back. So when he shows up at my door needing a place to live, I don't think twice. Having him so close and not being together is harder than I thought, but it's better than losing him completely. When an unexpected gift changes his life, I'm there and commit to helping him raise the child he's always wanted, regardless of my own heart. FORDI never expected to become a single dad. I always thought I'd be settled when it happened; be in a relationship, have a home, promoted at my job, basically living my picket fence dreams. While my life may not be going according to my plans, I at least have my ride-or-die best friend here by my side through it all. At first, I thought it was the sleep deprivation, but as time goes on, I'm starting to realize that seeing him with my son is doing unexpected things to my body and my heart. If I've learned anything recently, it's to take a chance on the unexpected. Just when I feel like I have a handle on my new life, my work leave gets cut short. A serial killer is on the loose and my team is called on to help catch him. I'm left torn between my duty as a detective, being a new father, and my rapidly growing feelings for my best friend. Will everything end up sunshine and rainbows or will our destiny be like dark cloud with lightning ready to strike us down?
Head for Murder
Head Rock Harbor Books in the small river town of Head Rock Harbor sees its share of drama. Usually, because Jackson Harper's cat, Rattlesnatches, can't give up his street cat ways and constantly-though, accidentally-terrorizes customers. However, for all of his trying, even Rattlesnatches can't stir up enough trouble to make Head Rock Harbor all that interesting. As a river town, Head Rock Harbor has plenty of shopping, eateries, and festivals for all the major holidays for tourists to enjoy. Still, Head Rock Harbor essentially invented small-town living.So, when Prescott Pemberton-a local artist who made it big in New York City before moving back to Head Rock Harbor-is found dead in the harbor, it's tragic, but no one suspects foul play. However, when it becomes clear that several people in town might have benefited from his death, questions arise. Was this death by misadventure...or was Prescott murdered?Jackson's shop is the center of daily gossip, and he hears plenty of whispers surrounding Prescott's death. He's concerned that the citizens of Head Rock Harbor are merely stirring up drama, but he's also concerned that his best friend, Detective Jeremy Morris, isn't taking Prescott's death seriously enough. Jackson's mother-who owns the local trailer park and Harper's Bar, Grill, Bait & Tackle-tells him to mind his business.Jackson has spent his whole life not listening to his mother. So, what else can he do but check into the gossip swirling around town? But with his best friend, the police chief, and the mayor and her husband ignoring any evidence he uncovers, Jackson finds his only ally is Rattlesnatches.Hopefully, curiosity doesn't get the cat killed...
They Were Roomates
Dive into the captivating Not so Normative world with this exciting prequel, featuring Frankie and Diego.Being the fun-loving, good time not a long time guy was going great for Frankie until he met the ruggedly handsome yet aloof Diego. At first, he thought meeting Diego could be the start to his enemies-to-lovers romance - except he doesn't do romance. After Diego opens up to him about being trans, they become fast friends and eventually decide to open a business together. Frankie is sure he can be a mature business partner, but does that mean that's all they can ever be? Diego has spent a long time working towards becoming the man he is today, but he still has a long way to go, and a lot of goals he wants to achieve. The last thing he needs is the class flirt distracting him. But when Frankie proves to be a lot more than he seems, kind, intelligent and impossible to shake, Diego wonders if he can settle for starting a business together and just being roommates. What could possibly go wrong? They Were Roommates is a cute MM romance that celebrates the rich diversity of trans-masculine, gay, demi, and omni characters. Explore the sweet and spicy moments these two roommates share as they open an inclusive cafe and form an affirming queer community together.
Atlantis Dying
Atlantis is a world of magic, inhabited by the descendants of gods. Descendants who've been cursed since the moment their ancestors defied orders to leave the mortal world two millennia ago. Meanwhile on Earth, Alexa Delmon's own magic awakens, allowing her to glimpse the lives of Atlantians. Unfamiliar with her roots, Alexa initially writes her visions off as nightmares fueled by the stresses of trying to finish her sophomore year of college. But dangerous truths surface as her gift develops. She was placed in hiding by an Atlantian resistance group because their immensely powerful queen-Alexa's great-aunt-has always seen her existence as a threat.The queen tracks Alexa's emerging magic and sends a royal hunter right to her front door. Alexa barely escapes with the help of her sister and an unexpected ally-the queen's only son. How will this under-experienced trio elude the centuries-old system of oppression on Atlantis now that they're actively being hunted? Their journey puts to test not only Alexa's wit and heart, but also her core beliefs about herself.
Sworn to Serve
EMILIOSanchez and I make a great team.She doesn't take shit from anyone, and it doesn't hurt that she's a hell of a looker, either.But I've never been friendzoned harder in my life when I try to make my move, only to find the bombshell she's been banging leaving my partner's house.FRANCHESCAI came to the bar for some fun, but I never expected such a prize to fall right into my lap.Shuri is all smiles and seduction, and she's the perfect submissive.The longer I see her, the more I want to make it a permanent thing.SHURIWhen you find yourself in bed with a dominant, sexy woman, you don't stop to ask many questions.I sure as hell didn't.Franchesca's coworker, Emilio, looks at the two of us like he's won the lottery and lost his ticket all at the same breath.Then he comes back for me, and my two new friends must race against the clock to save my ass.When the dynamic shifts from a duo to a trio, is there really a need to choose?
Until I Saw You
An MM romance story of survival, healing, and finding the courage to love.Harper Reid has no money and nowhere to go, but he can't spend one more day under the same roof as his abusive boyfriend. Desperate to start fresh, he takes on a special case through the caregiver agency that contracts him. The client has fired everyone else, but this job includes lodging, so Harper will find a way to make it work until he's back on his feet. High-flying, eccentric Riley Davenport has lost his sight, effectively clipping the vivacious man's wings. Learning to navigate in darkness is difficult enough without being treated like a house plant by his girlfriend, parents, and friends. The last thing he needs is another pushy caregiver, hovering over him, curtailing the last of his freedom. But Harper Reid is different...very different. Nervous, quiet, reserved. It's almost like Harper has secrets and is the one who needs to be taught how to live again. And why does he smell like sugar cookies? Men aren't supposed to smell delicious.
Ghost Motel
Meet Harriet Hubbley, a practical and perceptive woman from Montreal who happens to be a lesbian and fancies herself a detective.During her trip to Provincetown, Harriet seeks shelter from a rainstorm at a seemingly abandoned motel owned by Gertrude Cashin. Gertrude offers Harriet some brandy and unsolicited advice on love, which Harriet politely declines. However, when Harriet discovers she is the last person to see Gertrude alive before her mysterious death, her curiosity kicks in, and she begins investigating.As the investigation deepens, Harriet's complicated love life becomes intertwined with the case, leading her down an unexpected path.Jackie Manthorne's lesbian murder mystery adds an intriguing twist to the genre, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
The Artisanal Grifter
Don't mess with the hothead-or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Pulled into negotiating with a blackmailer as a favor to his mother, Slater soon finds there's more going on than just her old friend's inability to keep it in his pants. More victims of the grift turn up, including Etta, an educator with secrets of her own who teams up with Slater to run a con on one of the key players. Unraveling the mystery leads Slater into an old-school photo lab, a late-night stakeout in a bar wearing disguise drag, and pugilistic encounters with a button man and a sleazy property developer. Zeroing in on the extent of the grift, Slater's plan to plant evidence-the only way to make sure the right person gets arrested-inevitably goes awry, leaving him with a dilemma that strikes to the heart of his already tenuous ethics.
When the Contralto Sings
When Celeste runs into Angel, one of the city's growing homeless population, in front of Truman's building, she invites them to a street festival in Gladys Park. Angel proves to be a talented contralto at the event, and Truman meets Dyson, an outreach worker who hires him to track down some seemingly valueless stolen property. Truman's instincts and his 1930s-era detective handbook lead him to more questions, and he's confronted with the fact that the guy he's crushing on may be playing him. As they dig deeper, Celeste goes undercover in a developer's office, where she turns the head of Flint, the wealthy family's scion. Truman follows the clues in an old book about flying saucers, traveling around Los Angeles and subsequently uncovering local government corruption and a nest of old-time white supremacists.Join the bar-hopping, booze-swilling duo as Celeste has to decide whether Flint's social status is compatible with her worldview, Truman confronts the paranoia of conspiracy theorists, and the pair enlist their new Skid Row friend to join the battle against corruption.
Grumpy Boss Trouble
HILAs I pull into Snow Tip Falls, there was nothing about it that made me want to stay. It's a beautiful small town, but if you stop running, your problems have a way of catching up with you.But then tragedy strikes, and suddenly I find myself wanting to help. And when the person needing help is a chiseled football player with brooding eyes, dimples, and an endless desire to protect me, I'm reminded of the other purpose of my trip, to have a one night stand that finally rids me of my gay v-card. I know why I haven't lost it yet. Guys confuse me. Cali isn't confusing, mostly because he doesn't say much. Maybe he'll be the one. And if I get his rippling, jock body wrapped around me, it will totally be worth the heart break that will follow when he finds out who I am and what I've done.CALIYou know how some people are rays of sunshine that light up a room? That's Hil. Man, it's annoying. Annoying or not, it's not like I can refuse his offer of help if I want to stay in university, or on the football team. It's not that he's hard to look at. That guy makes me think dirty thoughts. And, it's not like he isn't the sweetest, kindest guy I've ever met...Wait, am I falling for the stranger who showed up out of nowhere wanting to fix my life? There's a reason I like to keep to myself. And as hot as Hil is, I'm not sure my heart can take being hurt again.Note: This book is a part of the author's 'Love is Love Collection', meaning that it is available as a spicy curvy girl romance in 'My Grumpy Boss', a wholesome romance in 'I Don't Date My Grumpy Boss', a steamy wolf shifter romance in 'The Curvy Wolf's Alpha', and a MM sports romance in 'Grumpy Boss Trouble'.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.This is the large print edition of Feelings Against the Law, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.
Strip Bare
Who knew one little white lie could cause so much chaos?Leo isn't one for drama-let alone being the cause for it. So when his parents unexpectedly turn up in Sun City with his baby sister in tow, he's unprepared for the trouble he's accidentally unleashed on his own life. There were three problems: He might be in love with his best friend, KitHis parents thought Kit was his boyfriend... probably because that was what he'd told themKit had no clue about either of these thingsA kiss he can't take back and a friendship at stake-Leo must make a decision: admit his lie and potentially let down those he loves, or strip bare and risk it all.Strip Bare is a steamy M/M romance that can be read as a standalone.
How to Catch a Biker
What do you do when you meet the tall, gruff silver fox of your dreams?You flirt, pretend it didn't happen, and secretly admire his assets.For research purposes, of course.I came to Chester Falls to find my voice and save my publishing career.Instead, I find him.Slade's story is kept under a lock so strong I don't know if there is a man out there that can break it.But I'll be damned if I won't give it a try.A biker with a pastA down-in-the-dumps authorA kitten with a tiger attitudeTwo guys that discover there isn't that much mileage between reality and fiction.How to Catch a Biker is the fifth book in the Chester Falls series and features a May/December story between two guys who have more in common than they think, a group of friends who think everyone needs to be in love, and a small town like no other.
Changing Gears
Will love's ups and downs be worth the ride? Changing Gears sweeps you off your feet as Jen, a reserved private school teacher from Sydney, discovers love and faces the ultimate test of self-discovery.When Jen collides with Abi, a magnetic Scottish travel writer, on a serene cycling expedition through France, sparks fly and temperatures rise. But their flirtatious two weeks together challenges everything Jen thought she knew about herself, her beliefs, and her future. Their sizzling chemistry not only makes her question her conservative upbringing but also ignites a fire of self-exploration she thought she had extinguished years before. As Jen grapples with returning to her old life in Sydney, she finds herself entangled in a heated conflict when a student faces cruel, homophobic bullying. Fuelled by her newfound courage, she takes a stand against injustice, risking her job and confronting her deepest fears to protect her student. Just when the chaos reaches its peak, Abi reappears, forcing Jen to confront her innermost desires and make a heart-wrenching decision. Will she embrace love and acceptance, defying her family and risking it all for a chance at happiness? With the stakes higher than ever, Jen must summon the courage to be true to herself, no matter the consequences. Packed with longing, resilience, and the power of love, Changing Gears is a captivating tale that will leave you breathless. Join Jen on this emotional rollercoaster as she navigates the storms of her heart and discovers the true meaning of bravery in the face of adversity. Don't miss this gripping romance where love challenges boundaries and drives one woman's journey to authenticity.
The Road to Montepulciano
Two years after finishing his tour of duty in the Occupational Forces in Japan, Damson O'Reilly arrives in Siena, Italy. Sight-unseen at a local auction, he buys an abandoned Tuscan farmhouse in which he aims to write, paint, and start a new life.The house, passed over at auction, becomes an impulse buy when it's put up for a final time. He's prepared for a semi-ruin, happy to turn his hand to renovating the house - however, what he's totally unprepared for are three dead bodies, one of which he stumbles over when he arrives at La Mensola, the name of his isolated farmhouse on the road between Siena and Montepulciano.Against the backdrop of a series of grisly murders, The Road to Montepulciano is the story of a young man, still suffering the scars of war, who, despite betrayal of trust and surrounded by a complex web of lies, finds friendship, love and the warmth of community.
Murder at Sunny Lake
A Muskoka Murder Mystery. A young man's obsession with finding a Sasquatch brought him to the forests of Muskoka. And it brought him to his death.When he is found stabbed and dumped in Sunny Lake with no identification, Detective Inspector Caitlin Murphy and her homicide unit are tasked with finding his murderer.This shocking crime took place in the heart of Ontario's cottage country, a land of forests, lakes and pretty small towns, not cold-blooded murder. Who would have wanted to harm the Sasquatch hunter who swore he found real proof of the elusive creature?Murphy's team must find out who he was, what he found, and who killed him. What they uncover are a poisoned reservation, government incompetence and an old murder worth killing to keep secret.Murphy must also navigate her open marriage, a new romance with a complex woman, and a simmering Indigenous community fighting for truth. Can she get the killer to confess, or will he remain forever free?
A Season in Delhi
"The reader is taken on a sensual mythical journey into India. What awaits you is a queer poetic experience that is reminiscent of E.M. Forster's A Passage to India, but much more erotic!" -Andrew Rimby, author of Walt Whitman and Queer Theory"Resonates in the heart. I treasured each page." -Alan Chin, Gay/Lesbian Book Reviews Set against the dazzling backdrop of modern Delhi, a gay couple's idyllic Indian journey takes a dark turn when a secret infidelity is revealed. Newly-married New Yorkers Brant and Lloyd are enjoying the great beauty and frenetic atmosphere of Delhi until Brant's recent infidelity is revealed to his husband. Left alone in what was supposed to be their honeymoon bungalow, Brant discovers a diary buried in the garden that was written by a diplomat's wife, Carol, who had a torrid, scandalous affair in Delhi in 1950. Brant connects with the 90-year-old Carol first on the page-and eventually, in person-discovering a bond that transcends time and culture.Scott Alexander Hess is the author of seven novels, including Skyscraper, a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, and The Butcher's Sons (Rebel Satori), named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2015. His writing has appeared in HuffPost, Genre Magazine, Thema Literary Review, and elsewhere. Hess co-wrote "Tom in America," an award- winning short film starring Sally Kirkland and Burt Young. Hess's other Rebel Satori books include: The Root of Everything & Lightning: Two Novellas and River Runs Red
Trans Sam
MEET SAMANTHA MILLER: your normal everyday trans woman. The violence and hate of her world are no match for this Dungeons & Dragons-playing nerdy girl. This is the story of how she became a superhero and risked everything to fight the forces of evil. When Sam is reunited with her dearest friend Thomas after having her world turned upside down, little does she know that fate has put her on a dangerous path. She's surprised to learn that, with the help of her best friend's leather jacket, she can transform her body and give herself super speed and strength. She has been chosen as a warrior in a conflict as old as time. To save her world, Samantha must put her life on the line and join a war to save the twelve realms of existence from the monstrous Lucien, his minions and the God of Chaos. Will Sam, her companions and you be able to change the course of destiny?Only time will tell.
The Mythical Blond
Strange things happen in the desert Southwest. Hired to work a contract job at a remote military base in Nevada, psychic investigator Mason soon finds the Navy's real motivation for luring him there involves an old friend and her ratty jalopy. On the way back to Los Angeles he gets entangled with Effie, who has an intensely dysfunctional relationship with her husband, and Iris, who recruits him to do an episode of reality TV. His understanding of the world begins to warp as Effie and Iris act out ancient mythologies in their own lives, dragging Mason into exploits that include safecracking, a s矇ance, and a time-travel excursion.This latest installment in the Mason Braithwaite Paranormal Mystery Series sees the disheveled redhead honing his psychic chops while digging deeper into paranormal phenomena. His boyfriend, Ned, and their roommate, Peggy, try to be stabilizing forces in Mason's life, but the echoes of the past make him question the nature of reality itself.
Chiseler with a Glass Jaw
Never one to let a bully get away with harassing someone, Celeste intervenes with a knockout punch, and in the melee Truman winds up in possession of the bully's cell phone. Through Truman's inventive online stalking and Celeste tracking down the victim, they uncover a seedy nest of grifters bent on profiting from human misery. Truman gets involved with Isaac, a closeted lawyer with a quick temper, but how does he fit into the scam? Running down leads at hotel bars, hip boutiques, and a grimy body shop, Truman and Celeste go all in, posing undercover at a night club as wealthy airheads and getting intimate with the lowlifes to disrupt their insidious con game. Join the bar-hopping, booze-swilling duo as Celeste sets the ultimate trap at her art gallery, and Truman is forced to decide how far he's willing to go for justice.In this second book in the series, Celeste finds that longtime friend Truman fills some of the gaps in companionship, leaving her the luxury of being choosier in her romantic pursuits. Truman has his own issues chasing guys, in his perpetual quest for the right man, and the pair of them manage not to get jealous when they target the same ones.
Penstock Canyon
Helping out Gilbert, a friend who's suffering from late-night visitations, psychic investigator Mason is confronted with aliens on the roof, and soon finds himself caught in a whirlwind of paranormal events. Liminal beings contract him to stop a very real land development project in Los Angeles, pitting him against ruthless and powerful forces. With help from his boyfriend, Ned, and their roommate, Peggy, Mason manages to con his way into obtaining documents that might upend the whole project, but is it worth his own safety? A threatening visit from a shadowy figure and an alien abduction therapist from Texas have Mason questioning his career, his motivations, and the very nature of reality.
The Peroxide Pomp
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Interrupted late one night by Marisol, a desperate woman seeking help from his business partner, Slater agrees to go after her husband, Abner, a nebbishy accountant who's making their divorce negotiations a nightmare. But why is Marisol traveling with a bodyguard, and why is she more interested in uncovering Abner's secret assets than just warning him off? With Andy's help, Slater infiltrates Abner's office and befriends staffer Nolan on a quest to figure out where all the money is coming from. Unable to keep his libido in check, Slater winds up in bed with one of the principals, and struggles to keep the entanglement from clouding his judgment. After using his illicit Russian tech to surveille Abner and a degenerate religious nut, some covert deception with his elderly neighbor, and an excursion to a seedy bar in Albuquerque, Slater begins to unravel Marisol's end game. Debilitated by his addictions dragging him closer to rock bottom, and wading through a sea of compulsive hookups with an array of guys, Slater is ultimately confronted with a moral dilemma that puts other people's lives in the balance.
Make the Dark Night Shine
"What is the sound of one heart breaking? Part travelogue, part history, part romance and part Zen meditation, Make the Dark Night Shine sweeps over the reader with overlapping waves of emotion." -Viet Dinh"Make the Dark Night Shine beams with honesty while it explores the creation of chosen families. At its core, this story is a sweeping journey highlighting our humanity and our deep need for home, love and acceptance."-Corie AdjmiInspired by the author's family history, Make the Dark Night Shine is a love letter from a father to the daughter he never met.In 1919, Kenzo Uchida and his partner Mitsu arrive in Constantinople to open the new Japanese Consulate. Kenzo meets Elisa, a feisty Ukrainian cigarette girl in a nightclub and she becomes his consort to hide his gay relationship while in Europe. The unlikely trio begin an adventure in the decadence of post-war Paris until disaster strikes.Returning to the growing militarism in Japan, Kenzo finds an unexpected path in Zen Buddhism. Yet no teachings prepare him for the revelations to come - about his life, his loves, and the events around him. On the eve of WWII, he discovers that he has a daughter living with Elisa in New York. He leaves the monastery on a perilous mission to promote peace with a secret plan to reunite with his daughter Nina.Cinematic in scope, this novel lyrically captures the world on the brink of war. As Kenzo builds - and fights for - his chosen family, larger forces threaten all. Sweeping, meditative, and achingly beautiful, Make the Dark Night Shine explores the many worlds a life can inhabit, and the hidden worlds we find in ourselves.
The Dark Shill
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the jobs that his employer, Della, throws his way, and the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad.In this third book in the series, a routine insurance gig sends Slater after Derek, an accountant who claims to be too debilitated even to meet with him. But why is he never at his crummy little apartment? Rahim, the achingly hot sales manager at Derek's office, doesn't reveal much, except when he and Slater wind up in the sack--an attraction that might be diverting Slater from uncovering the truth. Gwen, the high-style HR director, is definitely concealing her relationship with Derek, just like Dave, the head of the company, caught skulking around dive bars and the back streets of Skid Row. Intensity builds as Slater goes undercover to root out malpractice by a sleazy plastic surgeon, following leads in the case high and low, pausing only to punch out tweakers, grifters, and bullies along the way.
Lightning Strike Blues
On Friday, Gabriel Reece gets struck by lightning while riding his motorcycle.It's not the worst thing that happens to him that week.Gabe walks away from a smoldering pile of metal without a scratch-or any clothes, which seem to have been vaporized. And that's weird, but he's more worried about the sudden disappearance of his brother, Colin, who ditched town the second Gabe accidentally outed himself as gay.Gabe tries to sift through fragmented memories of his crummy childhood for clues to his sudden invincibility, but he barely has time to think before people around town start turning up dead, and Colin is the cops' number-one suspect. Gabe is sure Colin is innocent, but even he has to admit the evidence is compelling. Especially once the home he shares with Gabe burns to the ground. When Eli Samm, a mysterious and attractive stranger, shows up looking for Colin too, Gabe thinks he might finally have an ally. Except it turns out Eli thinks Colin is a supervillain, and his mission is to put him down....
Shrink in the Shadows
Don't mess with the hothead-or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Hired by banker Tad to track down a missing shrink, Slater soon finds there's more going on, like the cryptic list Bianca left in her briefcase. An excursion to Bianca's college leads to an intriguing ex-husband, a conspiracy theorist's blog posts, and a suburban bungalow that's been thoroughly sanitized, but Bianca remains elusive. Slater goes undercover with a gardening crew, and infiltrates a police investigation at a seedy hotel, but what's the connection to Bianca's list? Meanwhile his field operative, Etta, has taken up renovating the office as a part-time gig, bringing a degree of chaos for Slater and his business partner, Max. As the conspiracy theories get more bizarre, Slater gets closer to the truth, uncovering why Bianca is lying low, and maybe even why Tad has been playing him all along. Trolling the underbelly of the city and the high-desert wilderness, Slater zeroes in on the truth, never hesitating to hit on guys, throw a punch, or demand answers.
A Stack of Sawbucks
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad.Pulled in on a case by his business partner, Slater investigates reports of a ghost in a faded Miracle Mile apartment, where eerie noises start at the same time every night. But no one believes there's anything supernatural going on, including the tenants--and why is there a sealed-off staircase in the middle of the living room? Using his illicit Russian tech, Slater soon discovers one of the neighbors has some dirty secrets, but the tenant upstairs presents a bigger challenge, with disproportionately sophisticated security measures. Managing his zealous sex life and aided by Andy, a new hookup, Slater tries to weasel out of his obligations to the Russians, finding himself driven to drastic measures when his partner suddenly disappears. Join Slater as he punches out knuckleheads, drinks too much, and muscles his way to the truth.
