Dear lesfic fan,
Here are this week’s new ebook and audio releases, sales, and announcements.
Authors: Want to see your new releases in the newsletter? Click here for details. Or if you’re having a sale, please email me and let me know: tbmarkinson@gmail.com. Include “Sale for IHL Newsletter” in the subject line.
Anyone with lesfic news, give me a shout at tbmarkinson@gmail.com.
Happy reading and listening,
TB
ROMANCE
EXIT STRATEGY
by Nicolette Dane
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Mae Huxley runs a budding tech start-up in Detroit, with the mission of getting more girls into computer programming. But she’s hit a snag. In the midst of a new project that promises to spread her teachings worldwide, Mae and her business are running out of money.
Through a bit of serendipity, Mae is connected with one of her idols—wealthy technology goddess Audrey Addison. Audrey worked for the biggest tech giant out there, and now she owns her own angel investment firm. But she’s a serious and severe woman, a keen business mind, and she’s known to be an ice queen despite her fiery red hair.
As they grow the company together, Mae sees through Audrey’s stern reputation and discovers the real woman underneath. Can Mae melt Audrey’s heart and succeed both in business and in love?
SITUATION ROOM
By Design: Book 12
by JA Armstrong
Available in Kindle Unlimited
The Reid Family has taken up residence in a new White House. Candace, Jameson, and their family are learning that life as The First Family is an adventure for which there is no adequate preparation.
While Jameson struggles to come to grips with her infertility and seeks to define her role as First Lady, Candace grapples with the reality of becoming the most powerful woman on earth. Upheaval abroad, the needs of a little boy, searching for time to be together, and trying to create any semblance of normalcy in the bubble of a presidency will challenge the entire family.
Jameson decides to align herself with a group in West Virginia with direct ties to Candace’s long-term nemesis, The Family Resource Network. Candace enlists the help of her allies at the FBI, Alex Toles and Claire Brackett to investigate possible leaks within her administration. She faces the possibility of Russian aggression in the Baltics and challenges to her international policy at home. Meanwhile, Cooper confronts a new life in Washington DC where his parents’ lives are often scheduled to the hour, and his freedom is limited.
Life for Candace, Jameson, and their family will never be the same again. A lot more than foreign threats require time in the Situation Room. Even in the most challenging times, one thing remains constant—the love and devotion Candace and Jameson have for each other and their family asylum of lovable lunatics.
IT WAS YOU
by Kim Hartfield
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Ella’s brother needs help. His crush is smart, witty, cultured – everything he isn’t. After miraculously getting her number, he asks Ella to text her as “him.” The two have so much in common, and he’s sure Ella will be able to get Judi to agree to a date. But as Ella chats with Judi, she realizes their connection could be so much deeper than her brother intended. Can Ella win Judi’s heart for herself? Or will Judi end up with the wrong sibling?
THE TRUTH ABOUT EVE
by Jourdyn Kelly
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Eve Sumptor is back. This time she is facing her toughest opponent yet. Herself. Eve Sumptor and Lainey Stanton had difficult choices to make. One chose fear, the other gave in to guilt. As the consequences of those decisions begin to come to light, both women must find a new direction. Will their paths once again come together? Or have they missed their chance?
This book contains scenes that may be a trigger to some people. Includes flashbacks of rape and violence.
A GIRL LIKE ME
by J. Nichole
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Lo made her feel like nobody had ever made her feel.
That smile made Skylar feel like she was wrapped in a warm hug, like she was secure.
She was inspired, motivated to move out of her comfort zone.
With just one look from Lo, Skylar felt like the sexiest woman alive.
Lo was proving to be the love Skylar hadn’t realized she deserved.
But there was only one thing Skylar didn’t expect — Lo, was a girl like her.
RANDOM ACTS
by Jennifer Hebbard
“Everyone Deserves a Second Chance” When Parker loses her wife in a random act of violence she thought her life was over as well. Then she meets Dylan and her whole world changes. Will Parker take a second chance on love? Or will her fear of loss prevent her from ever really living again.
RIDING ON HIGH
by Natalie Debrabandere
Available in Kindle Unlimited
British Rescue Leader Lucy Mitchell once travelled the world to save people… After a terrible accident put an end to her career, Lucy found new purpose in running the Starlight Ranch, an equine therapy centre located in the French Pyrenees. There, she helps First Responders and Army vets deal with the PTSD and depression that once almost destroyed her. Fifty-year-old Hollywood heavyweight Iris Sinclair is at the top of her own career, having just won two Academy Awards. The tiny village of Oleyrac would not normally be on her list of places to visit, but a dangerous stalker soon makes it her only option for refuge. As a chance encounter brings them together, both women discover that the true love they believed was out of reach might be possible after all… But will a dark, evil, and unavoidable force destroy their future?
BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL
WeHo: Book 14
by Sherryl D. Hancock
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Sinclair Christensen’s life is a mess. While working as an undercover cop she met River and the two struck up a relationship, but River knows nothing about Sinclair’s real work or her failing marriage.
Parker Gaines’ marriage is on the outs, and to make matters worse an injury meant she was reassigned from her K9 unit, to become media liaison to actress Talon Valois. Slowly Talon begins to chip away at Parker’s tough exterior and they realise how much they enjoy spending time together. But Talon is fearful of breaking up Parker’s family and risks ruining everything as she tries to navigate the situation.
The two women’s lives collide in the most unexpected way but they could finally get the push they need to free themselves from the void Between Heaven and Hell.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
YOU MATTER
by Jazzy Mitchell
A disgruntled former client attempts to kill Reggie Esposito, a senior law partner at Hawk, Esposito & Associates—a leading Boston law firm, after she loses his lawsuit. Chrissy Kramer, her paralegal, prevents him from shooting Reggie, but she is hurt in the process. While Chrissy and her son, Ben, stay with Reggie to recuperate, their connection deepens, and they embark on a romantic relationship.
LOVE ME TRUE
Rose Lake Series: Book 3
by Chloe Peterson
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Kate Morrison has spent the last twenty-seven years playing it safe, but those days are long gone. She quit her crappy call center job and purchased a bakery with her best friend.
Everything is going perfectly, until Kate’s sister moves back home with a gorgeous blonde on her arm. Allison is everything Kate has always wanted—warm, smart, and brave. Kate does her best to fight her feelings, but her connection to the beautiful woman is undeniable.
Will Allison come to see Kate as more than her girlfriend’s little sister, and can a relationship formed in the shadows survive in the light?
NEW INK ON LIFE
Thorn & Thistle: Book 1
by Jennie Davids
Quiet does not equal weak…
Leaving a dependable job to apprentice as a tattoo artist was a drastic step after surviving breast cancer, but Cassie Whiteaker is nearly five years cancer-free. Nearly. She’s not ready to go out on her own until she clears that all-important hurdle. Also off-limits are relationships and sex—something Cassie is sure she’ll never want again.
Struggling tattoo shop owner MJ Flores doesn’t give a damn what people think, but losing Thorn & Thistle would mean losing everything. When her former mentor’s protégé arrives at her door, MJ hires her out of obligation…at first. Cross-stitching goody-goodies are not her type, but Cassie’s business background might just get the shop back on solid footing. They strike a bargain: Cassie will enact new marketing plans and MJ will teach her to find her inner bitch.
Only when clients request to see Cassie—having learned of the beautiful, compassionate tattoos she creates for survivors and their families—does MJ realize all Cassie has endured. And as Cassie’s fears fade, she finds it harder to keep her admiration for her bad-girl boss from reawakening all she’d feared was lost.
ROMANTIC COMEDY
THE MATCHMAKER
by Natasha West
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Cleo Hicks is an expert matchmaker, the woman who can find love for just about anyone. Except herself. As amazing as Cleo is at arranging love for others, somehow, she never gets the girl. Enter Scarlett Smith. Her love life is one disaster after another, and Cleo’s help is exactly what she needs. Someone to guide her in the direction of her perfect match. The only problem is, the more time Scarlett spends with her matchmaker, the more she finds that the only direction her heart is taking her is right towards Cleo.
However, despite Cleo’s attraction to her gorgeous client, she makes it clear she can never cross the line with Scarlett. But why IS the chronically single Cleo so damn unavailable? Scarlett’s about to find out the crazy truth about her intriguing matchmaker…
UNLEASHED: CASE OF THE POODLE DOODLE
Unleashed: Book 6
by Erik Schubach
Finnegan Temperance McLeary-May, dog walker extraordinaire has had an eventful time in Manhattan since she first moved to New York City. Her unique profession and quirky, bubbly personality endear her to everyone who meets her.
Finnegan’s penchant for stumbling into misadventures is hard at work embroiling her in a case involving purloined art, graffiti, and an adorable but goofy, one year old poodle.
Fin and Jane have to juggle the monumental task of preparing their apartment for a future child while jumping through the hoops of the adoption process with three viable candidates for their love. All while dealing with a victim and his attacker whose roles are questioned by our intrepid dog walker.
Fin finds herself and her border collie, Sir Calvin Cornelius Fluffytoes at odds with her NYPD detective wife, when she befriends the most unlikely of people on her quest for answers.
STEAMY ROMANCE
POLYNESIAN PLEASURE
by Victoria Rush
Available in Kindle Unlimited
When lonely divorcée Jade decides to take a chartered sailing cruise of the South Pacific, she gets more than she bargained for. While hiking on a remote Polynesian island, she sees a beautiful native girl bathing in a waterfall and gets bitten by a poisonous snake.
The girl brings Jade back to her tribal village and nurses her back to health. After spending some time exploring the island together, they soon fall in love. But when the chief arranges for Teuila to be married to one of the tribesmen, the girls run away and begin building a new life on a secluded side of the island.
Just as they begin enjoying the quiet solitude of their private lagoon, an interclan rivalry breaks out and Teuila is forced to make an impossible decision between saving her family or her new lover.
Join Jade and Teuila in this steamy adventure to see if they can find a way to reconcile their clash of cultures and live happily ever after.
ROMANCE / ADVENTURE
GOLD STAR CHANCE
Five Points: Book 1
by CJ Murphy
High in the Appalachian Mountains, Sheriff Chance Fitzsimmons, frequently puts her specialized rescue training to use. The retired smoke jumper, turned law enforcement officer, is dedicated to the protection of all those who live in or visit Tucker County, West Virginia. With her K9 partner, Zeus, she maintains the peace even as it eludes her off-duty life. On her chest, she wears a badge that symbolizes her guiding principles. There are five points, each representing an inherent code of ethics. Honor, duty, courage, integrity, and empathy, represent her way of life in and out of uniform. The day her father stepped in front of a bullet, the consequences of defending those gold-plated edicts, were imprinted on her soul. Years later as a forest fire raged over her body, they were seared into her skin.Dr. Jax St. Claire, drove away from California wine country with two horses in tow and a broken spirit. After a failed marriage, Jax is determined to start again as she takes over her retired uncle’s veterinary practice in a small West Virginia county. Untamed wilderness, sliced open by deep canyons and wide rivers, draws outdoor enthusiasts all year long to Tucker County, West Virginia. At the conclusion of an intense rescue operation, the former lovers come face to face, thirty years later after they parted. Long dormant feelings rage to life like a hot spot in dry tinder. Three decades ago, Jax went off to college and took Chance’s heart with her. Now that she’s back, the formidable Sheriff is determined to grab her ‘gold star chance’. Forces beyond their control may cost them everything before the mistakes from the past can be rectified.
URBAN FANTASY ROMANCE
THE SUCCUBUS MOON
Books 1-3
by Cailee Francis
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Rose is a modern-day succubus, kidnapped by vampires while trying to track down her missing mother, Ella. That life-changing experience sets her on a path to trouble, danger, heroics and helping others, while the Succubus Moon approaches.
This collection contains three novella-length books: Darkling Rose, Seeking Witches and Rising Moon.
UNRESTRICTED MAGIC
Witch Twin Chronicles: Book 1
by Idella Breen
Blairatrix and Belledonna Rose are twins and yet in every way possible they are polar opposites. One controls the light while the other suffers in the dark yet they couldn’t be closer as sisters. Now, college students and finally away from their mother’s evil clutches, they are officially free from the chains of their childhood horrors. As with these sorts of things, one can only run for so long before their past demons catch up for good.
Ambient Black is a shadow aggressor, law enforcement for the occultist world, and somehow her path crosses that of Blairatrix and Belledonna, twins with a past filled with secrets that may hold the answers that Ambient needs to solve the case of a string of murders. The only problem is that Ambient has some secrets of her own that she would rather stay buried. Too bad the dead rarely ever stay that way and have a tendency to speak rather loudly.
SCI-FI ROMANCE
SAVE HER HEART
Sequel to Rescue Her Heart
by KC Luck
Available in Kindle Unlimited
After six months of exile, Salishan Bransen wonders what the future holds for her until a sexy blonde walks into her life. Before she knows it, Sal is mixed up in a Space Ranger mission to rescue a hostage. Only nothing goes right and once again, Sal is on the run.
Working as a trainer at the Space Ranger academy, Captain Nat Reynolds is living a simple life with her love, Catherine Porter. When a mysterious distress call from Sal comes through, Nat must decide if she will risk everything and take on a new adventure to save her.
Note: This is a full-length novel, which can be read as a stand-alone book, however, it is closely tied to the previous story “Rescue Her Heart.” These books have a soft sci-fi theme but are significantly more focused on strong female characters in loving lesbian relationships.
MYSTERY / ROMANCE
AMONG THE SHADOWS OF GHOSTS
Shadows Series: Book 2
by Kat Smith
Available in Kindle Unlimited
As Devan and Alex begin to put their lives back together, a surprising twist in the Russia Investigation throws Lieutenant Colonel Mara Morrissey’s world into turmoil when a ghost from nearly thirty years ago comes back to haunt her. Meanwhile, ICC Operations Director Payton Cardina finds that an old colleague with a grudge intends to ruin her career and will stop at nothing to succeed.
POLITICAL ROMANCE
THEATRE OF SHADOWS
by Sally Xerri-Brooks
Available in Kindle Unlimited
The explosive follow-up to Her Shadow.
Just one year on from a violent attack that nearly killed her, MP Sara Lorenzo finds herself leader of the opposition. With the United Kingdom in the shadow of division, her promise is to bring people together. Within weeks of taking up the challenge, a major terrorist attack hits central London and she is forced to act, for the benefit of the nation and is thrust into the spotlight. Meanwhile, the impact of her previous trauma is taking its toll on her relationship with her girlfriend, Cameron. Press attention places them both under the microscope, leaving Sara with big decisions to make, and a question mark over their future as a couple. What she doesn’t know is that there are forces at play which may take that decision out of her hands, and not only damage the country, but tear them apart forever.
THRILLER / MYSTERY
HARD FALL
by Pascal Scott
Five days after the Loma Prieta earthquake strikes San Francisco, Emily Bryson, a young, everything-to-live-for lesbian SFSU student/part-time exotic dancer, is dead, her body washed up on a beach south of the Golden Gate Bridge. The medical examiner rules it a suicide, and the police close the missing person case filed by Emily’s lover, K. M. “Stone” McStone.
Through a series of fortunate circumstances, Stone is introduced to Zoe Martinelli, office manager of Coppola Investigations, amateur sleuth, and student psychic. Stone and Zoe team up to find out what really happened to Emily.
Was it suicide, as everyone assumes? Or murder? Or something else?
NEW AUDIOBOOKS
NEXT OF KIN
Portland Police Bureau Series: Book 2
by Jae
narrated by Abby Craden
Sex crimes Detective Aiden Carlisle is slowly getting used to being in a committed relationship with Dawn Kinsley – a relationship that isn’t always easy since Dawn is not only a psychologist but also a former victim in one of Aiden’s cases. Aiden’s private and professional lives collide when Dawn’s newest patient gets in trouble with the law. Will she be able to stay objective enough to solve the case without pushing Dawn away?
The same case also throws Deputy District Attorney Kade Matheson’s well-ordered life into chaos. In the last few years, Kade has taken case files and law books, not lovers, to bed. She has been focused on her career, but now the case forces her to finally face her attraction to women. She suddenly finds herself with two secret admirers, but which one is more dangerous – the threat to her life or to her heart?
ORDINARY IS PERFECT
by D. Jackson Leigh
narrated by Hollis Elizabeth
Army veteran Catherine Daye long ago accepted her passable looks, mediocre talent, and average intelligence. In fact, she bought a rundown farm on 70 acres to retreat from the world and live out her simple, ordinary life. Atlanta marketing superstar Autumn Swan’s world is anything but simple. Constantly plugged in to what’s trending on social media, it’s her job to keep her clients ahead of the competition. When her favorite cousin dies suddenly, she finds herself the owner of a modest country home, guardian to a sullen, tomboyish 10-year-old, and neighbor to an intriguing woman who isn’t as ordinary as she appears.
NERD LOVE
by Magnolia Robbins
narrated by Alicia Foreman
World renowned sci-fi television star Reese Simmons looks like she has it all – fame, wealth, and a slew of beautiful women who follow her every move. Except Reese’s life is crumbling around her. She hates her job and is constantly accused of being a “reckless party animal.” Reese’s agent decides the one surefire way to get her image back on track. She has to date the worst person in the entire universe, her co-star Justine Turner.
Her solution: she needs a fake girlfriend. And fast.
Enter Lucy, the BFF. Game store manager, board game geek, the world’s most amazing cosplayer, and Reese’s best friend practically since birth. When Lucy finds out Reese’s predicament, there seems like only one solution: pose as fake girlfriends. And Lucy is more than willing to play the part. She’d do anything for Reese – even if it means entirely too romantic tales about their relationship, hearing she’s “incredibly beautiful”, and expert kisses in public.
The problem: Reese and Lucy have been in love with each other all their lives – and they’re both completely clueless.
This book features two best friends, roleplaying games, and countless “fake” kisses and begs the question: Who wants a real girlfriend when faking is so much fun?
SALE ALERT
WALTZING ON THE DANUBE
by Miranda MacLeod
$2.99 $6.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited)
Opposites attract when analytical, reserved Eleanor and impulsive, outgoing Jeannie discover they’re the only two singles on what was supposed to be a lesbian singles cruise along the Danube.
PODCAST NEWS
LWW-14: Should You Be Doing Audiobooks?
TB & Clare kick off this episode by chatting about their latest village romance books: TB is on the final lap, while Clare has just completed draft one. Round of applause for both! TB and Clare have also been on writing retreats where they penned all the words (both), ate all the ice cream (TB), and drank all the wine (Clare). Clare also reveals she’s opened up a shop on her website so you can buy directly from her: find it here.
Then it’s down to the topic of the day: audiobooks and should you be doing them? The short answer is yes. But the dynamic duo back up that single word with a whole bunch of stats that show how audiobooks are the future. Although being a historian, TB mistrusts the future. She’s going to work on that.
They both share their experiences of finding narrators and creating audiobooks, how to distribute them, what they cost, and whether or not they make you any money as an author. Both agree it’s early days in the audiobook space, but the options for authors are opening up at a quick pace. The bottom line is, if you’re serious about this as a career, you can’t afford to ignore audio.
Click HERE to listen.
If you’d like to leave a comment on the episode, head on over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com. Or email lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com. Also, if you have a suggested topic for an episode, please let Clare and TB know! They’d love to hear from you!
LESFIC NEWS
The June selection for Lesfic Book Club is The Brutal Truth by Lee Winter. They’ll be chatting on SATURDAY June 22nd at 8PM EST this month because it would be downright inhospitable to ask Lee to get up at 4am in Australia for the usual meeting time, so if you’re planning to attend, please note the change!
FREEBIES
Have you checked out the freebies page on I Heart Lesfic?
Many authors, like Eliza Andrews, give away a freebie when you sign up for their newsletter. Click on the image to sign up for Eliza’s newsletter.
For all the offerings, click this page.
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Happy reading!
