Hello and happy Tuesday!
Before we get to today’s new releases including gems by Jae, Anna Stone, Hildred Billings, Amanda Radley, and many others, we have some announcements.
Final Day of the 99-cent Sapphic Sale
More than 75 authors have joined forces to drop their book prices to 99-cents. Click here to see all the fab books to stock up your e-readers.
IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge
It’s week 6 of IHL’s Sapphic Reading Challenge. You can click here for reading suggestions for Fake Relationship stories. 7 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.
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
Snow Falls
by Sage Donnell
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Kade is going home for Christmas, like she always does. The tiny ski town of Government Camp is the last place she expects to find romance, but that’s before she meets Aiesha while out cross country skiing on her first day back. Suddenly, Aiesha is everywhere, on the trails, in her parents’ store, maybe even in her heart.
The last day to grab this freebie is Feb 15.
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
Reading Her
by Amanda Radley
Awkward teenager Hugo Whittaker doesn’t know a cross-trainer from an elliptical, but getting strong is the only way to fight off the bullies who won’t leave him alone. Lauren Evans loves her job as a fitness instructor, and she wants to guide him. Unfortunately, Hugo paid for his gym membership by stealing his mother’s credit card, and it doesn’t take his mother long to track down her wayward son.
In a courtroom, shrewd barrister Allegra Whittaker is unstoppable, but when it comes to her son Hugo, she’s afraid she’s losing her touch. She reluctantly allows him to continue using the gym as long as she can keep an eye on him—and his undeniably intriguing instructor.
As each encounter leaves them wanting more, Lauren and Allegra learn love and happiness are right where they least expect it. There’s just one little problem: Lauren has a huge secret she absolutely cannot tell anyone, and Allegra knows she’s hiding something.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Love After 50; Rich Girl / Poor Girl; Single Parent
One Step at a Time
by Lily Seabrooke
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Remington Bennett starts her new life in a new city with a key resolution: do not fall for a woman. She doesn’t even get out of the subway before she falls for one—literally.
Dana Gallagher’s life is storybook-perfect, but she’s never connected with anything deeply. But when the girl who saved her from an accident turns out to be her new apprentice at the bakery for the summer, sparks fly hard enough she might just be willing to risk her heart after all.
But with Remi trying her damnedest to act straight for fear of the powerful family she left behind, can they find their way to bind together, or are they destined to crumble?
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: New Adult; Forced Proximity
The Girlfriend Arrangement
Black Diamond: Book 1
by Anna Stone & Hildred Billings
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Fake girlfriends. Real chemistry.
Parker Black has put her bad girl days behind her. Once the rebellious, womanizing middle child of the wealthiest family in Seattle, she’s now the founder and CEO of a luxury lingerie label. But when an incident from her past resurfaces, everything she’s built threatens to come crashing down.
For up-and-coming public relations specialist Julia Conner, her job is her life. A former foster kid, she’s spent years climbing the ladder. So when Parker contacts her to help her come back from a scandal, Julia is determined to prove she can handle a big-name client like Parker Black.
But Julia isn’t prepared for the way the blonde-haired billionaire makes her weak at the knees. And she definitely isn’t prepared when Parker announces to the world that Julia is her girlfriend.
Swept into a fake romance with a woman who’s determined to tempt her into her bed, Julia is unable to resist Parker and her intoxicating power games. But is their relationship really just pretend? And with both their reputations on the line, will Parker and Julia be willing to put their hearts on the line too?
Don’t miss the first book in this hot new series from bestselling lesbian romance authors Anna Stone and Hildred Billings. Each book can be read as a standalone story.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Rich Girl/Poor Girl; Fake Relationship; BDSM; Erotic Romance
Stud Like Her
by Fiona Zedde
Chance has been in love only once, but it wasn’t with the girlfriend she stayed with for far too long. The same girlfriend who dropped Chance when she became too inconvenient. Or maybe just boring.
To bury her disappointment, Chance tries to return to the woman she loved back when she was too afraid to be herself. A stud attracted to other studs.
Instead of her old love, though, Chance finds Garett – a new and persistent admirer with the kind of swagger that leaves Chance weak in the knees. Garett is hot and very popular with her half a million followers on social media. She’s also a lot younger than Chance is used to. Not to mention there’s something familiar about her, something dangerous, that Chance can’t quite put her finger on.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Age Gap; POC Character; Celebrity
My Secret Valentine
by Julie Cannon, Erin Dutton, Anne Shade
Winning the heart of your secret Valentine? These award-winning authors agree—there is no better way to fall in love.
In I Met Someone by Julie Cannon: Hayes Martin shares everything with her BFF Claire Wheeler. Well, almost everything. Hayes has kept a secret from Claire for years, and she can’t take it anymore. Tonight is the night she comes clean and risks it all to gain everything she’s ever wanted.
In Taking a Risk by Erin Dutton: Police officer Jo Forsythe thinks she could find the love and family she’s been longing for with Kayla McCall. Kayla’s focused on running her business, and if she was looking for love, it wouldn’t be with Jo. Can Jo win the hearts of both Kayla and the small town that’s so protective of her?
In Bouquet of Love by Anne Shade: It’s been twenty-five years since English teacher Alyssa Harris was on the dating scene, but romance is too old-fashioned for love in the digital age. Tennis coach Collette Roberts doesn’t think so and sets out to sweep Alyssa off her feet.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Holiday Romance; Friends to Lovers; POC Character; Ladies in Uniform; Age Gap
Love Where You Work
by Anna Pulley
For Clare Kolikov, her work is her life. A successful HR manager with a heart of gold and a prejudice against beach camping, the uptight Clare has no time for relationships or anything else that might distract her from climbing the career ladder at a San Francisco Bay Area matchmaking startup, W;nkdIn.
When she’s force-volunteered as an LGBTQ beta date tester at W;nkdIn, the buttoned-up Clare teeters on the edge of despair, especially when the “experiences” involve pole dancing meet-n-greets, plant healing workshops, and miming.
But Clare has her real work cut out for her when she meets Julia Dawes, the hot coworker who’s organizing her dates. Julia is a free-spirited, multiracial fashionista with “roller-blade confidence” and a Kristen Stewart haiku fan blog, whose attraction to Clare is as immediate and crippling as the debt she’s drowning in, thanks to the failed essential oils business her ex left her saddled with.
Workplace rules aim to keep Clare and Julia apart––especially after Clare becomes Julia’s boss––but their attraction only grows like an out-of-control Excel spreadsheet.
When an office rival threatens to expose their budding, secret relationship, Clare is left with an impossible choice: Give up her dream job or lose out on the girl of her dreams.
Mixing business with pleasure has never been more bold, steamy, or hilarious…
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: POC Character; Loss / Grieving; Sweet; Ice Queen; Hot & Steamy; Grumpy / Sunshine
Learning to Flirt
Doveport: Book 1
by Kallie Mont
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Did you know some turtles can breathe through their butts?
Maggie knows, and to her utter horror, she just blurted that out in front of the most attractive woman she’s ever seen. Cue the nervous flop sweat.
In a tiny town on the coast of Rhode Island, Maggie has built a quiet life running her family’s bookshop. But as much as she loves her work—and the eclectic town she calls home—something is missing. Then one day, an absolute smoke show walks through the front door and throws Maggie off her (arguably, very small and unreliable) game.
Parker’s entire life blew up a few months back when she walked away from her home, job, and longtime girlfriend, all in a single day.
When a new job presents itself in the next state over, she jumps at the chance for a fresh start, determined to avoid romance this time around. But, because life always has a way of knocking Parker on her ass, she finds the most alluring, adorably nervous woman standing behind the register of a local bookshop.
Add in that Maggie’s over a decade younger than Parker and has a really hard time finishing a sentence around her, and everyone ends up flustered.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Category: Age Gap; Girl Next Door; Friends to Lovers; Sweet
EROTIC ROMANCE
Rosa Espinhosa
by Bet Milner
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Seven years ago, a free-spirited Viv Davis left her dreary British life behind to go on a new adventure in Brazil. It wasn’t quite what she imagined life abroad would be like and she took a few too many wrong turns along the way.
Now the director of an English language school in the tiny rural city of Putaquepariu, she begins to question how she ended up living a life she despises. With the business failing, and trapped in a co-dependent relationship, she seeks out professional help in the form of business consultant Rosa Rodriguez.
Rosa is not your average business consultant, as Viv soon discovers. Her skills are varied and she’s got a reputation for getting people to do her bidding. As their professional relationship blossoms, so does their personal involvement.
Rosa might just be the catalyst for change Viv needed in all areas of her life, and she’s doing it pro bono.
A tale of finding one’s voice after the world took it away, and coming to a place of peace.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: BDSM; Erotic Romance; Friends to Lovers
Escorted
by Renee Roman
Are you looking for a night to remember? The Agency is your premium choice for sensual female companions who will always leave you satisfied.
Dani Brown has the kind of fantasies she can’t share with just anyone, let alone trust someone enough to make them come true. The Agency is a perfect solution—safe, secret, and best of all, no strings attached.
As the CEO of the Agency, Ryan Lewis has dashing good looks, a lucrative business, and as much kinky sex as she wants. She has it all, right? Everything except the one thing she most desires—true love.
Intrigued by Dani’s fantasies, Ryan takes her on as a client. Ryan is more than capable of giving Dani exactly what she craves, but when the tables turn and her control slips, will she be able to stay away from the woman of her fantasies?
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Erotic Romance; BDSM
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Obscured
by Charlotte Mills
DS Lucy Fuller is called to a crime scene; a body has been discovered on a farm on the outskirts of the small town of Kingsford. With her boss held up on a court case Lucy is determined to prove herself as she is left to begin the investigation. Forensic examination reveals that the body is that of a local boy that went missing thirty years ago. Old case notes make links to a child murderer that was prolific in neighbouring counties, but Lucy is not convinced.
Johanna Hale has just been dumped by her latest long-suffering girlfriend. Escaping work for some self-evaluation, she sees the breaking news of her childhood friend being discovered. Returning to Kingsford to build some bridges with her parents she tries to figure out what happened all those years ago. A friendship soon develops between the two women, as Johanna provides Lucy with background information for the investigation. Meanwhile Johanna conducts her own inquiries resulting in devastating consequences.
A thrilling new tie-in to the Payback series.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Return to Hometown; Romantic Suspense; Thriller; Ladies in Uniform; Mystery
FANTASY ROMANCE
Of Wulf and Wynd
The Kingdoms Of Gyldren: Book 2
by Lexa Luthor
Princess Tharon and Princess Roswynd were best of friends as pups; now they are enemies and forced to marry each other.
The Kingdom of White Sommer and the Kingdom of Wyndfeld were once united for many generations. Princess Tharon of White Sommer and Princess Roswynd of Wyndfeld grew up together until it all came crashing down when Tharon’s mother is murdered by Roswynd’s family. Driven by rage, Tharon becomes White Sommer’s Lord Commander and Prince, bent on vengeance for her mother. After ten long years at war, the kingdoms agree to a ceasefire, but under the condition of a forced marriage between Roswynd and Tharon.
They may have exchanged rings; however, they both soon discover they must choose between honoring their wedding vows or their vows to protect their kingdom.
Trigger Warnings: The book has a female lead character with a penis.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Slow Burn; Fantasy Romance; Enemies to Lovers; Ice Queen
Sweet Paladin
In the Queerness of Time: Book 1
by Alex Washoe
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Celebrity chef Holly Milan ditched her TV career and Michelin Star restaurant (along with her rich New York boyfriend) to run a pay-what-you-can diner in Seattle’s Fremont district. She devotes her energies to feeding the local homeless camp, but no matter how much she bakes, it never feels like enough to feed the world’s hunger.
Akachi of Asphodel is a twelfth-century knight of the Order of Sophia, whose home was destroyed by Crusaders. Crying out for help from the Goddess, she awakens to find herself in a strange new world of wonderous technology and unforeseen dangers.
The moment they meet, their powerful attraction is obvious. But they soon begin to discover a deeper bond – one that was forged on the day they were born and could be destined to re-write the history of the world.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Fantasy; Fantasy Romance; Celebrity
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Wolf at the Door
by C. A. Hall
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Alison’s never forgotten the wolf she met as a child. She’s drawn it, written about it, and sees it in her dreams. However, the last thing she expects to find while visiting her father’s cabin is the wolf in human form.
Riley’s icy exterior has kept her safe her entire life. She can’t get hurt if she doesn’t let anyone else in. So when a human gets too close to her territory, Riley’s determined to see them out.
There’s only one problem.
Their paths have crossed once before, and this time, her wolf isn’t willing to let the human go.
Riley can’t afford to get distracted, but she can’t deny the fact the human is her mate, either. So what’s a wolf to do?
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Category: Paranormal Romance
Rogue Pretender
Dhampir Dylan: Book 2
by Aria Storm
Available in Kindle Unlimited
With the first lethal weeks of class behind me. I look forward to some downtime with my burgeoning romance. My university experience finally seems to be on track. Except for the haunting memories of a dead psychic assassin rattling around my mind, and the struggle to juggle my social life.
Hostilities and old divisions are resurging on campus. Immortals are fracturing the alliances Mavis, Aurelia, and my other moms helped build.
My sister Liv struggles to deal with in-fighting in the lycan tribe. The divisions threatening the greater peace will leave us all exposed to the merciless whims of those who covet my family’s power.
Dark and deadly games unfold, while I try to juggle my university life.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Paranormal Romance; Magical Realism
PARANORMAL
An Omega’s Grief
The Claimed Series
by Domina Alexandra
Bonnie’s life is finally slowing down, but on a weekend getaway with her mate Rikki, things quickly turn sour when a human is killed right in front of them.
Worse, Bonnie has a stalker with an unimaginable power, and if she doesn’t confront this dangerous individual, it might cost her pack and friends their lives.
With time against her, Bonnie will have to make her toughest decision yet.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Vampires; Suspense; Thriller
GENERAL FICTION
Strands
Hobbs Book 7
by Elena Graf
Available in Kindle Unlimited
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.
Trigger warning: The book includes a graphic description of a crime scene following domestic violence.
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Love after 50; Age Gap; Medical Character; Grieving; Neurodiverse character; Musician; Single Parent
NEW AUDIOBOOKS
Chemistry Lessons
by Jae
narrated by Abby Craden
Kylie and Regan have been best friends since kindergarten, supporting each other through thick and thin.
While everyone thinks they would be perfect for each other, they insist there’s no chemistry between them – and Regan should know since she’s a chemistry teacher.
To prove it, they agree to a little chemistry experiment: They’ll go on three dates with each other.
So what if their gazes start to linger and accidental touches no longer feel platonic? They chalk it up to the romantic atmosphere – until a friendly good night kiss turns passionate.
Can their friendship go back to the way it was before? Do they even want it to? Or will they risk losing what they have for a chance at love?
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Category: Friends to Lovers
Scarlet Lupe
Blood and Darkness Series: Book 2
by Aria Storm
narrated by Fleur Strange
After awakening in this modern world. I have struggled to find my bearings. My name is Mavis, and I was once the Queen of Irish vampyrs. Now I live in the shadows of both worlds.
My daughter Alexia has begun to heal the devastation wrought by a malicious immortal monstrosity. I am working towards modernizing and attempting to begin University studies soon.
Aurelia brings a message to us. She invites Olaf, Anne, and me to a secret Lycanthrope retreat. A bloody storm is brewing, and many sinister plots will come to fruition at the very worst possible moment. The Lycans might truly turn against vampyrs. War is on the horizon, and even my considerable prowess might not be enough to stave off the threats hunting the Lycans in the darkness.
How can I protect my friends, and can I manage to cut through a few layers of Aurelia’s inner armor? More importantly, can I possibly keep Olaf from getting himself killed while we are off with thousands of shifters for a holiday trip?
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Paranormal Romance; Fantasy; Magic Realism; Vampires
Submitting to My Neighbor the Werewolf
by Riley Rose
narrated by Nikki Monroe
Elena Cortez is dating a witch. She also has a beautiful vampire neighbor. Both sexy supernatural creatures love tying Elena up and making her submit in the most magical and decadent ways.
But now Elena has to deal with another supernatural hottie: a sexy, powerful werewolf named Kaia. Who just happens to be in heat and needs to ravish Elena’s sultry, naked body for the entire weekend.
Will Elena be able to survive the ultimate test of sexual endurance? Will her witch and vampire lovers get in on the action? And why is she such a magnet for the hottest supernatural ladies on the planet?
Find out in this fun wolfy continuation of the Supernatural Submission series!
2022 IHL Sapphic Reading Challenge Categories: Hot & Steamy; BDSM; Vampire; Paranormal Romance; Erotic Romance; POC Character
JAE’S SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO
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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