Hello and happy Tuesday!
Before we get to today’s new releases including gems by Cara Malone, Nicole Pyland, Rachel Ford, and many others, we have some announcements.
IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge
It’s week 5 of IHL’s Sapphic Reading Challenge. You can click here for reading suggestions for Love After 50 romances. 10 of the books featured on the page are on sale.
Remember, you can join the I Heart Lesfic Facebook reader group. Every Monday we will announce the category for the week, and every Wednesday you will have the opportunity to post what book you are reading and be entered into the monthly drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. (For those who are not on Facebook and still want to enter, remember you can email your reading selection to tbm@iheartlesfic.com).
Second, we have created a Goodreads group where readers can discuss books, swap recommendations, and generally have a good time.
Lynda won the January $25 Amazon gift card.
Best Sapphic Books of 2021
You voted for your favorite books each month for a whole year, and now it’s finally time to select the cream of the crop: The Best Sapphic Books of 2021! Cast your vote here. The polls close on February 20th.
Free Book
The Contract
Raven J. Spencer
Also Available in Kindle Unlimited
Daisy is behind paying her rent. New landlady Taylor has a suggestion that might be morally questionable…but at the same time, irresistible.
This freebie deal has ended.
New Releases
Here are this week’s new ebook and audio releases and announcements.
Please click on this link for how to submit books (ebook and audio) for the newsletter. IHL will not include books unless they receive an email from either the author or publisher.
Happy reading and listening,
TB & Miranda
ROMANCE
Destiny
by Cara Malone
Available in Kindle Unlimited
A one-night stand gives two Valentine’s cynics more than they bargained for in this over-the-top holiday romance.
It’s the most romantic time of year, and the Emerald Mountain Ski Resort staff are working overtime to transform it into a Valentine’s Day destination.
Travel photographer Haley Thomas arrives on the mountain reluctant but determined to cover the festivities for her magazine. Single and recently scorned, she’s dreading the next two weeks of couple’s massages, wine tastings and moonlight walks surrounded by people in love. Even the staff are hot and flirty… or maybe that’s just Haley’s heartache talking.
But when a white-out catches Haley unprepared and underdressed, romance is the least of her worries.
She’s disoriented and shivering when someone reaches through the storm and pulls her into an unoccupied cabin. As the blizzard rages outside, Haley meets her savior—the admirer she’d noticed before, a tall, dark and handsome woman named Destiny. And those sultry looks? Haley wasn’t imagining them.
Des builds a fire in the hearth and kindles another in Haley’s core. Snowed in on Valentine’s Day, Haley can’t resist Cupid’s arrow—or Des herself. At least until the storm lets up.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: One Night to Forever; Forced Proximity; Holiday Romance
The Seductress Trap
by Jac Sherry
After losing the love of her life, sex with no strings is the only thing that Angel Lux is interested in. Seducing straight women seems the best way to keep her plan from going sideways. But this time she’s gotten herself involved with another man’s fiancé. And he’s hell-bent on getting revenge.
Soon Mike has convinced his friend Chris to help set a trap to steal away his ex-fiancé and teach Angel a lesson. At first reluctant, Chris soon finds herself knee deep in the scheme, complete with high heels, lipstick, and a sexy red dress.
What starts as a ruse for one and a game for the other quickly turns to a connection neither Chris nor Angel expected. The chemistry between them might just finally be a force strong enough to heal Angel’s broken heart. If Chris’s lies don’t come between them first.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Enemies to Lovers; Loss / Grieving; Forced Proximity / Stranded Together; Hot & Steamy
A Straight Married Woman’s First Lesbian Encounter
Part 2
by Judy Ramsook
Beth’s persistence in trying to find Stacy leads to positive results for her, but where does that leave Stacy and Brenda?
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Category: Rich Girl / Poor Girl
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The Raven and the Banshee
by Carolyn Elizabeth
It’s the early 1700’s and sixteen-year-old Julia Farrow, spirited daughter of a shipping company owner, lives and loves on her own terms. With a sharp mind and sharper tongue, she constantly defies family and society expectations with no regard for the consequences.
Branna Kelly, only child of an Irish immigrant sailor, is hopelessly in love with Julia and imagines their life together as captains of their own fate. Left brokenhearted after Julia’s rejection, she embarks on a journey to chart a new shipping route to the Caribbean. Before Julia can explain her decision, Branna’s ship is overrun by merciless pirates. All hands are presumed lost.
Fifteen years later, Julia is running the Farrow Company and sailing with the crew on her newest ship when an encounter with pirates leaves her the lone survivor to be rescued by the infamous Raven, hard-hearted captain of the mercenary ship, Banshee. Julia is shocked to discover her rescuer wears a familiar face.
The Raven and the Banshee is a passionate tale of vengeance, forgiveness and second chance love in a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas.
Content note: the book contains one brief scene of sexual assault and one mention of rape.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Historical Romance; Second Chance; Historical Fiction
EROTICA
G.I. Ho: Courting the Countess
Real American Sex Toy Series: Book 3
by Riley Rose
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Sexy martial arts expert Binx, a member of elite special forces unit G.I. Ho, is taking a much deserved break in southern France after a tough mission. Little does she know that her archenemy The Countess is also in town. And is just waiting to tie Binx up again and ravish her beautiful, submissive body.
Will Binx be able to resist her lust for The Countess and capture the fiendish felon? Will the other Hoes get in on the sexy fun? And what even greater threat to the world could make the Hoes team up with their sexiest nemesis?
Find out if Binx and her Ho hotties can save the day once again in the third book of this sexy action-packed series! G.I. Ho: She’s a Real American Sex Toy!
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Hot & Steamy; BDSM; Erotic Romance; Enemies to Lovers; Ladies in Uniform; POC Character; Age Gap
ACTION & ADVENTURE
Dark Justice
by Erin Wade
Award-winning producer Courtney Southerland turned down lucrative career opportunities to learn the truth about the legend of Palo Duro Canyon. Determined to track the famous Black Panther and the girl that had been seen with it, Court devoted two years of her life living in caves and tents as she tracked the pair through the second largest canyon in the United States. She was about to relegate the panther’s legend to the category of Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster when the girl appeared from nowhere to save her life.
This book has been rewritten for teens and young adults.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Category: Young Adult
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Dark Obsession
by Jennifer Hebbard
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Sloan Maxwell, a former NYPD officer, and 9/11 survivor doesn’t want anything to do with a protection assignment that involves a model. When her boss and best friend tells her about former supermodel Kinley Santoro’s stalker, Sloan reluctantly takes the assignment hoping that it will be over quickly. She has no intention of spending more time than absolutely necessary with Santoro and she certainly never expects to fall for her. When Kinley’s stalker escalates their behavior and becomes violent, Sloane will do anything not to lose yet another person she loves.
When Kinley is kidnapped by her stalker, her only hope is that Sloane will find her in time but Kinley’s stalker has other ideas and one of them is not making it out of this alive.
Romance and suspense mingle in these pages with a twist you won’t see coming.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Romantic Suspense; Celebrity; Forced Proximity
The Santorini Setup
by Becky Bohan
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Britt Evans’ working holiday on picturesque Santorini turns perilous when a Greek photographer plunges from the island’s steep cliffs. The death is ruled an accident, but the enigmatic Susan Marcello of the American Embassy suspects otherwise. She enlists Britt to discover the truth, but is it a setup that will take her life?
Into the mix sails Cassie Burkhardt, a windsurfing computer engineer at the archaeological site. She finds herself falling hard for the enchanting Professor Evans… and becomes, like Britt, caught in a treacherous game between Greek intelligence and a criminal enterprise.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Romantic Suspense; Mystery
Despite Chaos
Falling Castles Series: Book One
by Stacy Lynn Miller
Alexandra Castle hides the brightest part of herself. As the heir-apparent to the Castle Resort empire, her only fault—according to her controlling father—is that she’s gay.
Keeping her sexuality hidden seems a small price to pay for upholding the family image. When Alex’s father pits her against her twin brother in a high-stakes competition to choose who will take over the company upon his retirement, Alex knows she’s got what it takes to win. Until an ex-lover reappears and threatens to destroy her life.
Tyler Falling hides the darkest part of herself. On the surface, she’s a put-together middle-class wife and mother. In reality, she’s broken from a sexual assault twelve years earlier. When Tyler unexpectedly comes face-to-face with her rapist, a deep family secret surfaces and jeopardizes the life she’s created.
With both their worlds crumbling, Alex and Tyler escape to Napa where a brief, anonymous encounter sparks a mutual infatuation, changing the trajectory of their lives. Living a lie is no longer an option, but can an improbable romance bloom amid embezzlement, blackmail, and self-exploration?
Content note: the book contains one brief description of a sexual assault.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Romantic Suspense; Mystery
FANTASY
The Forgotten Realms
Imperial Rand: Book 2
by Silvia Shaw
Available in Kindle Unlimited
The sweeping saga of Rand continues.
Her time at Falcon’s Keep over, Savannah comes into her full power as the wielder of the sacred medallion. She seeks help in Arcadia to interpret the Prophecy Chart, the black magic spell that divides the Forgotten Realms from the rest of Rand. As well as having to battle sorcery to bring down the Wall, she faces the nearly impossible task of persuading the fierce Bramble Hawks to come out of their mountains.
Meanwhile, the chief Dreamer, courtesan Jezzine, is assigned to protect Princess Fern, heir to the Arcadian throne, from the Crow assassins. But other evil forces are in play in Arcadia, for the Dark Hollow Wizards have a hidden agenda in the realm.
Pela, now Supreme Commander, readies Rand’s armies for the invasion after centuries of peace. And as the world edges closer to war, fates are inextricably woven together, new alliances forged, and fabled Queens rise.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Fantasy; Ice Queen
FANTASY ROMANCE
A Flame Among the Stars
by Thea Landen
Available in Kindle Unlimited
The kingdom of Dardrith is under attack from hordes of juvenile dragons. When the king offers marriage to his daughter as a reward to whoever can discover the source of the dragons and prevent future infestations, Meg’s best friend, Ronan, convinces her to help him win the ultimate prize and save their families from a lifetime of poverty. Despite her initial reluctance, they also enlist the aid of Ronan’s sister, the village blacksmith, and a stranger Meg meets in the local marketplace.
The band of aspiring heroes doesn’t travel far before the identity of the stranger is exposed; she is none other than the king’s daughter herself, Princess Celendra. Aside from being the heir to the throne, Celendra is keeping some other secrets. During a battle with a group of dragons, she reveals she has magical powers, the ability to conjure and manipulate elements such as fire and water. Furthermore, she confesses that, like Meg, she would prefer to pursue romantic relationships with other women, which she hasn’t told her father.
As they journey throughout the land, Meg and Celendra embark on a passionate fling, though Meg tries not to form any deep emotional attachment to the princess due to their respective social classes. Following revelations about the dragon attacks and her family history, Celendra must choose between doing what’s expected of her or taking charge of her own destiny. The future of Dardrith is at stake. Can Meg and Celendra find a way to remain together while protecting the people and home they love?
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Fantasy; Fantasy Romance; Erotic Romance
NEW AUDIOBOOKS
The Writing on the Wall
Holiday Series: Book 1
by Nicole Pyland
narrated by Carolyn Eve
Weston White just got dumped, right before the New Year, and she hasn’t ever felt particularly lucky in love. Her only love has been writing and working on this novel that she’s been trying to finish for years now. Finally, feeling like she’s ready to put it out to the world, she decides to get a literary agent to help her get published. Little does she know, her book getting published would be the second best thing to happen to her this year.
Annie Halifax is the third-generation part owner of The Halifax Agency, a literary agency that’s been dying on the vine for years with the advent of self-publishing. Her job is to carry the torch for the family and ensure the agency doesn’t go under on her watch. When her father decides to retire and instead puts her uninterested and sometimes flighty older sister in charge, Annie is left to figure out why – and to find her new place either at the agency or somewhere else entirely.
When Weston meets Annie, she’s taken aback instantly – but navigating through getting her first book published, while also falling in love with the agent representing her, isn’t easy. And with Annie trying to find out what her future looks like at the agency on top of it, things get complicated.
Watch these two women try to make things work just in time for Valentine’s Day.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Holiday Romance; Slow Burn
Bone Traders
Sellswords & Spellweavers: Book 1
by Rachel Ford
narrated by Em Barger
A missing giant. A sinister conspiracy. A decision that will change the fate of a jarldom.
The bone trade is big business. Black market buyers will offer many silvers for fresh giant bone to carve into charms or use in dark enchantments.
When cloaked men kidnap the giant Njal Frostborn, everyone knows why. He’s destined to be murdered and sold in that terrible trade.
His best friend, apprentice wizard Idun Wintermoon, is determined to save him from that terrible fate. But to do so, she must defy the head of her order and face powers far beyond her ability. To survive, she’s going to need an ally. Luckily for her, Lissette Forlatt – a down-on-her-luck sellsword – is on the case. Together, they’ll brave worse than the elements and rogue mages in their quest to save Njal. What they discover might shake the jarldom to its core.
If they live long enough to tell the story.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Fantasy; Fantasy Romance
Submitting to My Neighbor the Vampire
Supernatural Submission Series: Book 2
by Riley Rose
narrated by Nikki Monroe
Elena Cortez just found out her new lover, Cassia, is a witch. Which is pretty great since Cass can use her magic to bring Elena to the heights of unbelievable passion. But when Cassia has to rush out of town on witch business, she leaves Elena with an unquenchable thirst to be ravished.
Fortunately, the ultra-sexy Juliana just moved in next door. Unfortunately, Elena thinks Juliana might be a vampire who wants to bite her sensual and supple skin.
Will Elena give in to her lust for Juliana? Will she be taken by a witch and a vampire at the same time? And how many supernatural creatures live in this neighborhood anyway?
Find out how vampy Elena gets in Book 2 of the Supernatural Submission series!
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Hot & Steamy; BDSM; Vampire; Paranormal Romance; Erotic Romance; POC Character
FRIDAY FEELS
Click here for the latest edition.
Wanna get involved? Readers and authors can participate. Find out how here.
VOTE FOR BOOK OF THE MONTH
WRITERLY WEDNESDAY
IHL launched a new feature called Writerly Wednesdays. TB and Miranda will share about some part of their creative adventure, whether it be inspirational, nitty-gritty how-to, or anything in between.
TB shared about distraction and how most writers have to battle to stay focused on the words. Click here to read.
JAE’S SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO
LESFIC BOOK CLUB
BUY US A COFFEE
Running IHL takes the three of us many hours every single week. Also, the costs add up. Last year we setup a Buy Us a Coffee page, which allows people to help cover the expenses. When we first announced the page, we were blown away by the response. Not only were people willing to pitch in, but all of the kind notes and encouragement brought more than a few tears to TB’s eyes. If you’d like to support us, click here. Every cup helps immensely! If you’d like to learn more about TB’s initial response to the outpouring of support, click here.
Have a wonderful day!
Miranda & TB
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