Person of Colour

On Mar León-de la Rosa's 16th birthday, el Diablo comes calling. Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice. But their magic isn't enough to reverse a wicked bargain made by their father and now el Diablo has come to collect his payment: the soul of Mar's father and the entire crew of their ship.

When Mar is miraculously rescued by the sole remaining pirate crew in the Caribbean, el Diablo returns to give them a choice: give up your soul to save your father by the Harvest Moon or never see him again. The task is impossible--Mar refuses to make a bargain and there's no way their magic is any match for el Diablo. Then, Mar finds the most unlikely allies: Bas, an infuriatingly arrogant and handsome pirate -- and the captain's son; and Dami, a genderfluid demonio whose motives are never quite clear. For the first time in their life, Mar may have the courage to use their magic. It could be their only redemption -- or it could mean certain death.

Nia da Silva is dead…

Dead serious about moving on from her past, from roller derby, and the traumatic injury that was a crushing blow to not just her body but her mind.

Running away from her problems wasn’t the fix she had hoped for.

Five years later, she returns to the town that left her with permanent scars. Healing her physical wounds was the bare minimum. She’ll finally have to face herself, and rediscover who she’s always been beneath the lies she’s worn like shredded fishnets over bruised knees.

Pretty crossovers, and strong thighs won’t be enough to champion through her problems. Especially when they challenge who she may be at her very core.

In a world strictly divided by social class, I’d grown accustomed to my position.

It was luck that took me from a poor farm boy to a servant in the castle, tending one of the Lord’s many Omegas.

Trust me, there are far worse positions than serving a lady in the harem.

As quickly as I came to this position, though, it was taken.

One moment of getting a little too close to the omega I served was enough to land me a prisoner in the dungeons with the others the Lord took favor from.

Kept in cages, tortured or worse for the Lord’s pleasure, we’re seen as little more than animals.

But I’ve had enough. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in this filth, doomed to the hands of a Lord not worthy of his station.

My escape isn’t going to end in me running to hide.

No…I’m taking my place among the alphas, and the little omega that landed me in this dungeon— she’s going to be mine too.

Poetry, chapbook, 28 pages.

The Angels Have Always Been Black is a metamorphosis of Black girlhood, queer sexuality, God, and family. Through a mix of traditional forms, as well as her own style of verse, the angels will take you up, then down, then up again, weaving hope through all the memories, beloved and triggering, before resting once again on the shelves of Mommy’s freshly dusted mahogany shrunk. This narrative is matured into Black womanhood on these wings, journeying home, earth, riverlands, and sky. Granny braids your hair, a new lover breaks your heart, and Black women prevail. Aliyah Curry is a queer Southern bred writer, focusing on Black female sexuality and mental health.

Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Nick’s even found the courage to come out to his mum.

But coming out isn’t just something that happens once – there’s Nick’s older brother, and a school trip to Paris, not to mention all the other friends and family – and life can be hard, even with someone who loves you by your side. As their feelings get more serious, Charlie and Nick will need each other more than ever before.

Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Nick’s even found the courage to come out to his mum.

But coming out isn’t just something that happens once – there’s Nick’s older brother, and a school trip to Paris, not to mention all the other friends and family – and life can be hard, even with someone who loves you by your side. As their feelings get more serious, Charlie and Nick will need each other more than ever before.

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie’s gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn’t.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family … and himself.

By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper is about friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

I don't think I'll ever find a light that shines as bright as you.

London, 1814: hopelessly romantic fae Keelan Cricket has grown listless since returning to town. He agrees to help the Council study fae-human magic, eager to erase the memory of his passionate encounter in the country.

But the man he can't forget is now in London and, even worse, joining the project too.

Silas Rook-Worth hates London. His magic won't behave and he's weary of the prejudice he faces against fae-humans like himself. He's counting down the days until he can return to his hard-working, close-knit family - but he can't ignore the pull he feels toward Keelan Cricket, the man he slept with, and unkindly dismissed, a month ago.

As the two men gradually reunite, their mutual attraction blossoms into romance. But even a powerful magical connection cannot change Keelan's duty to his family or Silas' impending departure - and falling in love on borrowed time will force both of them to decide what truly matters.

“I needed this. I needed him. My mind was a storm and I wanted him to take it all away.”

At the prestigious and competitive Saylam Academy, Max trains to master his magic, surrounded by enemies who will stop at nothing to see him fail.

As he fights to survive, Max’s romance with proud, passionate healer Simion grows ever more intense. But magic still ties him to Camron Calzmir, the prince who seduced and betrayed him. While the enchantment lingers, even the slightest touch from Simion could tear Max apart.

To prove himself, Max enters a legendary contest that could win him the loyalty of a powerful, ice-breathing dragon. High in the mountains, he will face elemental monsters and vicious rivals. But these dangers are only the beginning.

When Max returns to find Saylam consumed by rebellion, it’s clear that even old friends hold dangerous secrets

.An ancient plan is falling into place. And if it succeeds, whole kingdoms will burn. To survive the war that is coming, Max must be willing to sacrifice everything…

When Cassie Klein goes to an off-campus bar to escape her school’s Family Weekend, she isn’t looking for a hookup—it just happens. Buying a drink for a stranger turns into what should be an uncomplicated, amazing one-night stand. But then the next morning rolls around and her friend drags her along to meet her mom—the hot, older woman Cassie slept with.

Erin Bennett came to Family Weekend to get closer to her daughter, not have a one-night stand with a college senior. In her defense, she hadn’t known Cassie was a student when they'd met. To make things worse, Erin’s daughter brings Cassie to breakfast the next morning. And despite Erin's better judgement—how could sleeping with your daughter’s friend be anything but bad?—she and Cassie get along in the day just as well as they did last night.

What should have been a one-time fling quickly proves impossible to ignore, and soon Cassie and Erin are sneaking around. Worst of all, they start to realize they have something real. But is being honest about the love between them worth the cost?

They call him the bone king.

A massive, beast of a male who worships the gods and is all too willing to provide them their sacrifices. Human sacrifices. He and his warriors have come to visit Winterbren, a poor little village on the outskirts of Wrath and my home.

I’ve never been more grateful to be a thrall, for my low status will ensure that I remain outside of his notice. But when he requests — nay, requires — a willing female to warm his furs for the duration of his stay, his selection falls to me. All I can do is pray to the gods that I survive the night…

And beg the bone king for mercy.

This book contains dark themes, including a Black woman in the position of thrall, graphic depictions of torture, non-con, and discussions of early childhood abuse.

SHE'S UNDER MY SKIN AND I'M OUT OF MY MIND

There are three things that get under Madeline Maddox’s skin:
defeat, disorder and disruption…especially when it comes to her carefully curated life and her roller derby team.

No one outskates Mad Maddox—that is, until a cocky little jammer blows back into her hometown wreaking havoc into all her plans.

Vera Havik is mayhem, she’s chaos, she’s everything Madeline despises.

Madeline is set on making their time on the track a rink-rash-filled nightmare, pushing through Vera's defenses like a bad block. That’s when she learns the heavy secret the world-famous jammer is hiding and now, everything’s off-track, including their hearts.

The fine line between love and hatred can be crushed, snorted, or injected…

But it can’t be ignored.

Rink Rash is a Stand alone sapphic sports romance previously published under the title False Start: A roller derby romance, character names, background and descriptions have since changed for a better reader experience.

I don't think I'll ever find a light that shines as bright as you.

London, 1814: hopelessly romantic fae Keelan Cricket has grown listless since returning to town. He agrees to help the Council study fae-human magic, eager to erase the memory of his passionate encounter in the country.

But the man he can't forget is now in London and, even worse, joining the project too.

Silas Rook-Worth hates London. His magic won't behave and he's weary of the prejudice he faces against fae-humans like himself. He's counting down the days until he can return to his hard-working, close-knit family - but he can't ignore the pull he feels toward Keelan Cricket, the man he slept with, and unkindly dismissed, a month ago.

As the two men gradually reunite, their mutual attraction blossoms into romance. But even a powerful magical connection cannot change Keelan's duty to his family or Silas' impending departure - and falling in love on borrowed time will force both of them to decide what truly matters.

"Triumphantly Black, queer and contemporary... The dialogue snaps and shimmers." --New York Times Book Review on D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

Music producer on the rise Cyn Tha Starr knows what she likes, from her sickening beats in the studio to the flirty femmes she fools around with. Her ever-rotating roster has never been a problem until her latest fling clashes with Jucee, her best friend and the most popular dancer at strip club Sanity.

It makes Cyn see Jucee in a different light. One with far fewer boundaries and a lot more kissing.

Juleesa Jones makes great money dancing the early shift and spends most evenings with her son, her Sanity family or at Cyn's house. Relationships are not high on the priority list--until she's forced to admit that maybe friendship isn't the only thing she wants from her bestie.

But hooking up with your ride-or-die is risky. Jucee isn't just Cyn's best friend--Jucee is her muse. When Cyn lays down her tracks, it's Jucee she imagines in the club throwing it back to every note. If they aren't careful, this could crash and burn...but isn't real love worth it?

He's the oldest of his kind. Terrifying. I'm human, insignificant, scared and scarred. It shouldn’t be too hard to escape his notice. But wait…why is he walking over here? He…wants to dine with me. No. He must want more…

Justice dealer of the seven regions, Lahve is tasked with maintaining order. His focus should be on that, not on a female who is too young for him by several hundred lifetimes.

She has been scarred by this world and Lahve cannot undo her past. She wants to be left alone, but he cannot do that, either. Because when enemy gangs move to overtake their community, he needs her help to track them into Population and cut them off.

She fears recapture, but how can he make her understand that he is the most powerful creature in this world and he will slaughter any who venture too close? Because she is the only human who has ever made him feel what he’s never felt:

Human.

And, if she does not agree to help him hunt down their shared enemies, humanity itself may be lost.

He looks at me like I'm crazy when I show up to dinner with...expectations, because he has expectations, too...like helping him save the world.

Rubem has become the voice of the auroras—or their rage, at least.

Between his threats and Tavish’s diplomacy, they’ve convinced most of the world that the auroras can be saved through the return of their ignits. But pockets of denial and refusal linger, including in the Findlay’s old trading partner, a city who has completely ignored Tavish’s attempts at contact. With a cat on their back and apprehension in their step, Rubem and Tavish set out to confront them directly.

They arrive to a metropolis of watery channels and balconies on the verge of collapse, the once glorious city now overwhelmed the sea monsters that snap at their front doors. Only their dying aurora’s song keeps the dangerous creatures at bay, but with apocalyptic prophecies running wild and the government split into stubborn factions, Rubem quickly realizes that someone wants the city destroyed. Whoever they are, they’re willing to destroy its aurora protector to do it. And Rubem is the only person standing in their way.

But amidst the chaos, the Findlay’s past involvement with the city comes to light in ways Rubem never expected—and Tavish wants nothing to do with—adding grudges, broken hearts, and freckle-faced pre-teens on Rubem’s list of problems. As those intent on destroying the city and its aurora grow more threatening, Rubem seems always one step behind and never quite strong enough.

And he’s growing weaker by the day…

Rubem has become the voice of the auroras—or their rage, at least.

Between his threats and Tavish’s diplomacy, they’ve convinced most of the world that the auroras can be saved through the return of their ignits. But pockets of denial and refusal linger, including in the Findlay’s old trading partner, a city who has completely ignored Tavish’s attempts at contact. With a cat on their back and apprehension in their step, Rubem and Tavish set out to confront them directly.

They arrive to a metropolis of watery channels and balconies on the verge of collapse, the once glorious city now overwhelmed the sea monsters that snap at their front doors. Only their dying aurora’s song keeps the dangerous creatures at bay, but with apocalyptic prophecies running wild and the government split into stubborn factions, Rubem quickly realizes that someone wants the city destroyed. Whoever they are, they’re willing to destroy its aurora protector to do it. And Rubem is the only person standing in their way.

But amidst the chaos, the Findlay’s past involvement with the city comes to light in ways Rubem never expected—and Tavish wants nothing to do with—adding grudges, broken hearts, and freckle-faced pre-teens on Rubem’s list of problems. As those intent on destroying the city and its aurora grow more threatening, Rubem seems always one step behind and never quite strong enough.

And he’s growing weaker by the day…

Rubem of No-Man’s Land was content keeping to his wine, his pets, and his extensive collection of fishnets.

But since a sentient, fuel-producing parasite bonded to his brainstem, every morally-depraved scientist and hardcore rebel for a hundred miles wants to ruthlessly dissect him. The parasite itself is no better, influencing his emotions and sassing him with his own memories as it slowly takes over his body.

The only person offering Rubem help is Tavish K. Findlay, a dashing and manipulative philanthropist whose mother’s fuel company monopolizes their corrupt underwater city with an iron claw. She desperately wants to tear Rubem apart for the parasite before those who oppose her can do the same. Her son is irresistibly charismatic though, and after a lifetime of being kicked out and disavowed, Rubem is desperate to believe in the friendship Tavish offers.

With revolutionary plots and political schemes tangling his every choice, Rubem must soon decide whether or not to trust Tavish in his fight against the parasite’s growing control.

D’Vaughn and Kris have six weeks to plan their dream wedding.

Their whole relationship is fake.

Instant I Do could be Kris Zavala’s big break. She’s right on the cusp of really making it as an influencer, so a stint on reality TV is the perfect chance to elevate her brand. And $100,000 wouldn’t hurt, either.

D’Vaughn Miller is just trying to break out of her shell. She’s sort of neglected to come out to her mom for years, so a big splashy fake wedding is just the excuse she needs.

All they have to do is convince their friends and family they’re getting married in six weeks. If anyone guesses they’re not for real, they’re out. Selling their chemistry on camera is surprisingly easy, and it’s still there when no one else is watching, which is an unexpected bonus. Winning this competition is going to be a piece of wedding cake.   

But each week of the competition brings new challenges, and soon the prize money’s not the only thing at stake. A reality show isn’t the best place to create a solid foundation, and their fake wedding might just derail their relationship before it even starts.

On Mar León-de la Rosa's 16th birthday, el Diablo comes calling. Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice. But their magic isn't enough to reverse a wicked bargain made by their father and now el Diablo has come to collect his payment: the soul of Mar's father and the entire crew of their ship.

When Mar is miraculously rescued by the sole remaining pirate crew in the Caribbean, el Diablo returns to give them a choice: give up your soul to save your father by the Harvest Moon or never see him again. The task is impossible--Mar refuses to make a bargain and there's no way their magic is any match for el Diablo. Then, Mar finds the most unlikely allies: Bas, an infuriatingly arrogant and handsome pirate -- and the captain's son; and Dami, a genderfluid demonio whose motives are never quite clear. For the first time in their life, Mar may have the courage to use their magic. It could be their only redemption -- or it could mean certain death.

“I look forward to punishing you, Kiandah.”
“You’re a cruel lord.”
“A hero would have no chance with you, so for you, I will be the villain.”

After burning her church to the ground and throwing her family into the castle dungeons for their treason, Kiandah did not expect to be spared by Lord Yaron, the Berserker Lord who once vowed — and tried — to kill her.

But as Gatamora’s newest ascended omega, and a traitor besides, Yaron finds that Kiandah may be best placed to help him root out the source of the danger encroaching on his territory in the south island. Rumblings of a sinister sort have reached him…rumors of the undead and witches…

The only trouble will be keeping his distance. Shadow Lords do not take ladies, least of all peasants and criminals like Kiandah. But as her power over flame continues to grow stronger and the threat of the undead draws ever nearer, Yaron may have to choose — to succumb to her heat and save Gatamora together, or let it all burn.

“I look forward to punishing you, Kiandah.”
“You’re a cruel lord.”
“A hero would have no chance with you, so for you, I will be the villain.”

After burning her church to the ground and throwing her family into the castle dungeons for their treason, Kiandah did not expect to be spared by Lord Yaron, the Berserker Lord who once vowed — and tried — to kill her.

But as Gatamora’s newest ascended omega, and a traitor besides, Yaron finds that Kiandah may be best placed to help him root out the source of the danger encroaching on his territory in the south island. Rumblings of a sinister sort have reached him…rumors of the undead and witches…

The only trouble will be keeping his distance. Shadow Lords do not take ladies, least of all peasants and criminals like Kiandah. But as her power over flame continues to grow stronger and the threat of the undead draws ever nearer, Yaron may have to choose — to succumb to her heat and save Gatamora together, or let it all burn.

When Omegas run away, the beasts of Gatamora come out to play…

Echo knew that being caught by a ruling Berserker would mean becoming his pawn, a play thing to be used for her powers. That wouldn’t be her fate.

She’d rather run lost through the woods forever, dangerous though they may be.

But there’s something even more sinister than beasts and Berserkers lurking in the woods. Something both undead and deadly.

She can’t fight it alone. She’ll have to turn to the Berserker who’s caught the trail of her scent and won’t let it go. He says she’s his. She says never. He says forever.

Bones, bonds and hearts will be broken. Some battles can’t be won.

Run, Omega, run.

When Omegas run away, the beasts of Gatamora come out to play…

Echo knew that being caught by a ruling Berserker would mean becoming his pawn, a play thing to be used for her powers. That wouldn’t be her fate.

She’d rather run lost through the woods forever, dangerous though they may be.

But there’s something even more sinister than beasts and Berserkers lurking in the woods. Something both undead and deadly.

She can’t fight it alone. She’ll have to turn to the Berserker who’s caught the trail of her scent and won’t let it go. He says she’s his. She says never. He says forever.

Bones, bonds and hearts will be broken. Some battles can’t be won.

Run, Omega, run.