Before we get to today’s new releases, including gems by Anna Stone, Cara Malone, Hildred Billings, Eliza Andrews, and many others, we have some announcements, including an exciting change.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
Did you know that May 20th will mark the 5th anniversary of the founding of the I Heart Lesfic website? To celebrate this milestone, we’re changing our name to I Heart SapphFic to be more inclusive. Read all about this change here.
LESBIAN VISIBILITY DAY
To honor Lesbian Visibility Day, we asked authors to share the first lesbian fiction book they read and how it impacted them. Click here to read the contributions.
IHL SAPPHIC READING CHALLENGE
It’s week 16 of IHL’s Sapphic Reading Challenge. You can click here for reading suggestions for celebrity stories. 8 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.
FREE BOOK
by Barbara Winkes
Available in Kindle Unlimited
The prequel to the detective series featuring Jordan Carpenter and Ellie Harding. When their paths cross, a story neither of them could have imagined, begins…
Deal ends April 26
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,
Miranda, Em, & TB
ROMANCE
Black Diamond: Book 2
by Anna Stone & Hildred Billings
Available in Kindle Unlimited
By day, she’s her boss. By night, something naughtier…
Isabel Diaz’s post-college life couldn’t be better. While relationships have always proved elusive to her, she’s finally putting herself out there on dating app Darkest Desires. Plus, she has an amazing job leading the graphic design team at a hot Seattle startup.
But everything changes when the startup is sold off and Scarlett Black takes over as CEO. Scarlett is just as ruthless as her formidable reputation suggests. But there’s something mysterious about the icy older woman that draws Isabel to her.
Scarlett Black has it all. The oldest daughter of Seattle’s wealthiest family, she’s been groomed to take over the family company and is engaged to the perfect man. Yet her picturesque life isn’t what it appears to be. And at night, she escapes that life as her seductive alter ego, Dominique.
When she encounters a woman on Darkest Desires who is seeking the same escape, things heat up between them. But little does Scarlett know that the woman she’s having an anonymous liaison with is her young employee. And Isabel has no idea that Scarlett and Dominique are the same captivating person.
As their sensual fling escalates, tensions rise in the office. It’s only a matter of time before their real identities are exposed and both women are forced to confront their true feelings.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Age Gap Romance; Ice Queen; Rich Girl / Poor Girl; BDSM; Erotic Romance; Coming Out; POC Character; Neurodiverse Character
by Cara Malone
Available in Kindle Unlimited
As the new director of Sunnyside Assisted Living, Lauren has her hands full with everything from a budget-obsessed boss to a 90-year-old muffin-juggling resident.
And now Lauren’s got a brand-new fire to put out.
There’s a beautiful stranger outside her office, waiting to steal a moment of Lauren’s time –with a fox perched on her shoulder.
Grace just launched her animal-assisted therapy business with almost no start-up money and a borrowed fennec fox, but she knows furry companions will transform the lives of Sunnyside’s elderly residents.
The moment she sets eyes on the raven-haired Lauren, Grace wants this deal even more.
Too bad Lauren’s stodgy boss takes one look at the fox and gives the idea a big heck no. Lauren the rule-follower reluctantly shows Grace the door.
But Grace is no quitter – when it comes to business or the woman who caught her eye. She comes back with service dogs, and not only do they bring Sunnyside’s most isolated resident out of her shell, they revive a decades-old romance between two women who never expected to see each other again.
Witnessing the awesome power of Grace’s animals – and her dedication and passion – Lauren decides defying her boss is a risk worth taking. But as she and Grace grow closer, can she go from breaking rules to risking her own heart?
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Medical Character; Cute Animal
Eternal Port Valley Duet: Book 1
by Shannon O’Connor
Riley is stuck —in a job she hates, a toxic relationship, and in life. She knows the relationship is bad for her, but she also can’t seem to let her go. After catching her girlfriend cheating, again, she finds comfort at her favorite bar, with her best friend by her side.
After punching someone in the face and meeting a mysteriously gorgeous bartender, Riley thinks things may be changing. Sawyer is adventurous, sexy, and confident— all the things Riley yearns to be. And a sunrise motorcycle ride starts to give her hope that things can change.
When she suddenly gets a phone call from her brother, she discovers her estranged mother is dying. After 12 years of silence, she’s forced to return to her small homophobic hometown, say goodbye, and confront her demons.
Will she be able to confront her past, learn to move on, and learn to love herself?
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Slow Burn; Loss / Grieving
by Lindsey Pennington
Available in Kindle Unlimited
There are no second chances with first impressions without a little hard work.
Hilary didn’t believe in love at first sight until she saw Cate. In a flash, she knew she never wanted to be without her. But when Hilary turns her back, Cate vanished, leaving Hilary’s life in a turmoil of the likes she had never experienced before.
Cate wanted to experience everything college had to offer, except she didn’t want to be another notch in Hilary’s bed post. She wanted to find the love of her life. That is until her college career comes to an abrupt end and her days turn to adulting in an instant.
Months later, when Hilary runs into Cate at her job, she gets a second chance, but her usual bravado is gone. She is messing up at every turn. Can she convince the girl who hasn’t left her mind to give her a second chance?
This is a prequel novella to Still the One taking place years earlier when Cate and Hilary meet and fall in love. Still the One is their second chance at love. This is a standalone HFN romance with all the feels.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Sweet; New Adult
EROTIC ROMANCE
by Sam Kestrel
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Alisha invited her sexy new co-worker, Cari, to go camping. When Alisha asked Cari if she liked to camp, Cari exclaimed, ““Camp? Since when do Black people camp?” But she agreed to go anyways. When Alisha discovered that Cari didn’t know she was a lesbian, she almost turned the car around. But she drove on and what commenced was a weekend of questioning and discovery for Cari and pleasure for both.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Erotic Romance; POC Character; Hot & Steamy
FANTASY
The Chronicles of Dorsa: Book 3
by Eliza Andrews
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Four and a half years have passed since the Battle of the Empress’s Last Stand, the battle that sealed the fate of the East and ended Empress Natasia’s reign. The War in the East is finally over, but it didn’t end the way the Empire anticipated.
Linna isn’t ready for the war to be over, and she’s also not convinced that the Empress and Joslyn of Terinto, the Commander of the Empress’s Palace Guard, are actually gone forever. To find out what really happened during that last battle, Linna has traveled alone to the East. She doesn’t plan to stop in the East, though. She intends to journey past the Empire’s former borders and make her way all the way to the Kingdom of Persopos, a land so shrouded in mystery that some people claim it may not even exist.
It’s in that mysterious land that Linna hopes she’ll find the truth. It’s there that she hopes she’ll find her Empress and Commander still alive.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: POC Character; Rich Girl / Poor Girl; Speculative Fiction; Fantasy; Loss / Grieving
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Dhampir Dylan: Book 4
by Aria Storm
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Zombies have flooded the magiks university, and nearly all the adult leadership of the Silver City is missing or trapped in a blood crystal. Just when I get some time to sort my mating issues, all hells and devastation rain down on my public life. Now, it is left to the teenage heirs to hold New Tren Na Nogg together, until the blood mages can figure out how to free the sealed leaders.
War is finally upon us, and the enemies are many, as the in-fighting and back-biting are also rampant. We’re going out of the classroom, and into the “real” world with our latest and most fatal of tests!
Can Dylan and her friends ferret out a traitor, and restore order to the Silver City before it is sacked by outside forces conspiring? Will they survive the greed of the internal threats looming in the darkness?
YA done in true Aria Storm style! Join the children of the “Blood and Darkness” series in this latest chapter!
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Paranormal Romance; Vampires
SCI-FI / SCI-FI ROMANCE
The Alpha God: Book 7
by Lexa Luthor
The Sworne have taken Kal! Unable to accept Kal’s fate, Charlie suits up and becomes an army of one in a daring attempt to save Kal from the Sworne. Meanwhile the battle at Clabonne has left more questions than answers about why the Sworne stole a large volume of darakar. However, Charlie, Kal, and the Zodiac Pack may find a spark of hope when they discover a mysterious scientist named Talyn has escaped his bonds from the Sworne. Can they learn what secrets Talyn holds about the Sworne, willingly or by force, before the Sworne return for war?
Trigger Warning: The book has a female lead character with a penis.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Sci-Fi; Sci-Romance; Hot & Steamy; Erotic Romance; Speculative Fiction
Alpha Red: Book 1
by N.D. SHAR & Natalie Debrabandere
Available in Kindle Unlimited
BASICALLY, I DIED
My name is Storm Redfield: Navy Commander, Special Forces.
Born on Earth in the year 2057, I don’t belong in the 23rd Century. Nevertheless, that’s where I end up following the worst betrayal of all by my own people. During my time asleep, humanity has become a spacefaring civilization. We are no longer alone in the universe, and the galaxy is at peace… More or less. Now, I have a choice to make.
Call it a day after a traumatic rebirth, and spend the rest of my life on a Martian beach, sipping margaritas? Or grab myself a weapon, and go kick ass with the civilian outfit that brought me back? Good question, easy answer: with a name like mine…
SHELTERING FROM THE SQUALLS OF LIFE IS NO OPTION
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Sci-Fi; Ladies in Uniform
NEW AUDIOBOOKS
A PMC Hospital Romance: Book 6
by Radclyffe
narrated by Keira Grace
Ren Dunbar is used to never fitting in—anywhere. Graduating high school at 13 and med school at 19 pretty much guaranteed she’d always have trouble proving she belonged, but she’s okay with that. She prefers the solitude of the lab over the raucous atmosphere in the OR, which would be fine except she’s a surgery resident. Winning the Benjamin Franklin Prize in surgery is just the proof she needs to show everyone she deserves to be part of their world.
Dani Chan knows she’s disappointed her family in choosing a mundane clinical career—in surgery no less—over the far more valuable world of medical research. When she wins the Franklin Prize and the national acclaim that comes with it, she’ll finally gain their approval, and maybe, at last, their affection.
Ren and Dani set out to win, no matter what it takes, but their unexpected attraction is an obstacle neither has counted on, and love may be the final reward.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: POC Character; Medical Character
G.I. Ho: Submitting to The Countess
Real American Sex Toy Series: Book 2
by Riley Rose
narrated by Nikki Monroe
Crimson and Lady Kaye, two super-sexy members of elite special forces unit G.I. Ho, are on another mission! This time with new recruit Binx, a beautiful ninja who’s super-excited to take down evil organization Viper. And super-excited to take off her clothes!
The three sexy and kick-ass women must stop Viper from using their new weather control device to throw the world into chaos. However, they’ll have to go up against their old nemesis The Countess, who happened to turn Crimson and Kaye into her personal playthings the last time they tangled.
Will they be able to resist The Countess’s perfectly pleasurable body this time? Will their teammate Binx become The Countess’s favorite new toy? And why do they keep losing all their clothes on all these missions?
Find out in Book 2 of this fun, action parody erotica! G.I. Ho – She’s a Real American Sex Toy!
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Hot & Steamy; BDSM; Erotic Romance; Ladies in Uniform; Enemies to Lovers; POC Character
by Lyn Denison
narrated by Cat Gould
A life-threatening incident had changed Mac Donovan’s life. Now restricted to desk duties, she was focusing on recovery and returning to her old job. She also knew she had to make the break from a dangerous secret relationship.
On the positive side, she was seeing more of her friends and realizing how much she’d missed them. Her best friend, Dee, didn’t want Mac to move on alone and informed Mac she knew someone who would be just right for her. Mac wanted no such complications.
Then she met the delightful Liv Murray, and Mac conceded Dee might be right. But Liv Murray had her own secrets, her own personal dilemma. Could they help each other and find what they were both seeking?
However, taking a step forward meant Mac had to sort out the mess behind her. Was she up to that?
Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence.
2022 IHL Reading Challenge Categories: Toaster Oven; Single Parent; Coming Out; Ladies in Uniform
COMING THIS JUNE
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, Em, & TB
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