Fixer Upper


Cara Malone - 2017
    Avery Blake has spent years getting by all on her own in a big house on the countryside. As a contractor, there’s not much room for emotion in her male-dominated profession, and she’s perfectly content to keep people out of her private life, too.After watching her elderly neighbor, Nora, be torn away from her long-time lover by heartless relatives, Avery has seen what it’s like to love and to lose, and she’d rather skip the whole thing and focus on work (and the occasional meaningless fling) instead. Some relationships can be fixed with a little breathing room… and some are too far gone. Hannah Grayson has nothing but room to breathe when she finds out her Great-Aunt Nora has passed and left her a house in rural Indiana. Fleeing a dysfunctional and controlling relationship in New York, she moves into the house because she’s got nowhere else to go. Disasters start piling up almost as soon as the plane touches down - the house is in disrepair, Nora’s grandchildren are trying to evict her, and the gorgeous but chilly woman across the street seems to have a problem with Hannah’s presence. When a pipe bursts on her first night in the house, Hannah has no choice but to run across the street and beg for help from Avery.The rest, as they say, is history…

Jellicle Girl


Stevie Mikayne - 2012
    Jackie—wilful, cheeky and confident, made Beth see things in herself that she'd never imagined, and do things she never thought she would. As memories of Beth's last night with Jackie grow more like waking nightmares, Beth does everything she can to forget the girl who was so much more than a friend. Beth has a self-destructive ritual she swears she'll keep secret, even from the psychologist trying to help her. But Dr. Nancy Sullivan doesn't have time for secrets. In fact, she doesn't have much time at all. She's been charged with helping Beth break through the barriers of her past, knowing very well that her own demons might end her career before she can get through to the stubborn young woman. Meanwhile, a young foster child with a wicked sense of humour, and a devastating past, reminds Beth that secrets seem powerful, but can destroy the person who holds them too close. A haunting and evocative story about redemption, identity, and learning to let go of secrets that scar.

Changing the Script


Lee Winter - 2019
    Things might go easier for her if she didn’t almost run over the standoffish, beautiful local cop on her first day in town. And it’d really help if her film set was being mysteriously sabotaged.When Ika Whenu’s Senior Constable Sam Keegan isn’t trying to stamp out a motorcycle gang drug problem afflicting her town, she’s publicly slamming everything about the exploitative film, Shezan, and the Hollywood blow-ins making it. That includes its nerdy, cute director, Alex, who has woeful driving skills to go with her smart mouth.Against the stunning scenery and chaotic film-set backdrop, attraction flares between the two warring women as they’re forced to work together to find the set saboteur.A funny, small-town lesbian romance about clashing cultures and daring to dream big.This is a Breaking Character spin-off novel that can easily be read as a standalone story.Themes: female police officer · lesbian cop · New Zealand104,000 words

Jericho


Ann McMan - 2010
    Her plans to hide out and heal her wounds go by the wayside as she gets drawn into the daily lives of the quirky locals and becomes fast friends with Maddie Stevenson, the enigmatic physician who has returned to the backcountry community to take over her late father’s medical practice.Ann McMan weaves a story of life and love in the beautiful mountains of Virginia.

Girl Games


Mia Archer - 2016
    We were totally wrong for each other, so why does this feel so right? Lisa was the good girl. Prom queen. Captain of the cheer squad. Geeky games weren't her thing, but she was home from college and bored. And when she heard Kylie was going to be there she knew she had to at least check things out. Kylie was a proud geek who didn't care what the world thought. Kylie figured it was game night as normal until Lisa stepped into the game room reigniting old feelings she never thought she'd nave to deal with again after going to college. Two girls who've spent years hiding who they truly were. Two girls afraid to admit how much they need each other. Two girls who are tired of denying who they really are. Especially to each other. What was supposed to be a simple game quickly becomes a game of love that will change both of their lives! But will they be able to let go and finally let it happen?

Serenity


Jesse J. Thoma - 2020
    Serenity is in the acceptance.Kit Marsden is proud that she’s put her heroin use in the past. She’d really just prefer if no one made a big deal about it so she can move on with her life. After all, people hear the word “heroin,” smile politely, and run for the hills. Kit would have more success ignoring her past if her NA meetings weren’t at the library where she nearly died. Plus, she can’t stop thinking about the librarian, Thea Harris.Thea’s desperate to protect her library and keep it a safe place for the community. She’s used to keeping her life orderly and predictable, working hard, and preparing for every possibility at work and at home. But nothing prepares her for Kit Marsden.Will Kit and Thea be able to embrace who they are, what they want, and what they can create together, or will the library and their chance at love falter?Cover Artist: Tammy SedickGenres: Contemporary / RomanceWords: 78,000

Some Kind of River


Andi Marquette - 2007
    The updated edition can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...Rafting guide Dez figures her best friend Mel just isn't into her. She knows Mel is a lesbian, just like she is, but she's never seen a glimmer of interest from her friend, and would never screw up their relationship by making a pass. Luckily for Dez, Mel is a little more determined than she is, and will keep trying to get Dez's attention, even when Dez is truly clueless. When a chance game of truth or dare with their friends leads to a revelation, can Dez admit that she might just be Mel's type?

Guarding Her Heart


Marian Snowe - 2019
    She's former military, but she also has a secret romantic streak a mile wide. She’s just always known that true love is for other people—people with fewer scars than she has. Serena Davenport has clawed her way to the top of the business world, and with a successful company to run, she has no time for love. But when Serena finds herself the target of a stalker and needs someone to keep her safe, the bodyguard who shows up at her door looks startlingly familiar... One terrible date a few weeks ago was something both Ash and Serena swore to put behind them. But now, unexpectedly, they're forced back into each other’s lives. The date may have been a disaster, but the scorching hot attraction between them is undeniable. With a murderous criminal on their trail, they can’t afford any distractions—and what’s more distracting than love?

Wild Hearts


Bridget Essex - 2020
    It's three o'clock in the morning, and she decides to duck into a gas station to get warm, and perhaps buy a cup of tea. But when the power cuts out, Ella's life is changed forever.Because, that night, she should have died. And she would have, were it not for the mysterious, white-haired woman who saves her life: Silver.Silver is more intriguing—and attractive—than any woman Ella's ever known. She insists that she knew Ella's mother, and that she can help Ella find out “who she really is.” But, while Ella is deeply attracted to Silver, how can she possibly believe what Silver says?After all, there's no such thing as werewolves.Ella's life is in danger, and the woman who holds the key to her survival is as mysterious as she is intense. Ella can't predict what's going to happen next... All she knows is that this gorgeous, wild woman might just change her destiny...

There You Are


Robin Alexander - 2019
    Even though her career plans didn’t turn out as she expected, she still believes her expectations for her love life will be met. Brett is ready to meet Ms. Right Forever if she can get a break in the schedule her young boss dictates. Evangeline Scott, known as Scotty, also dreamed of being a famous fashion designer. Years of fighting tooth and nail for a toehold in the fashion industry have taken their toll. Scotty has lowered her expectations and is the latest designer for I Am Alex, a clothing line for young adults. Her boss Alex and her congenial attitude is like a breath of fresh air, but Alex’s chief designer, Brett, is something akin to morning breath with a dash of garlic, yet oddly interesting. Scotty and Brett are more alike than they realize when they first meet, but it takes a crash landing in the wilderness for them to truly realize just how perfect they are for each other. They just have to survive Alex and her sister Cass who can’t stand each other, their Uncle Mark who can’t stand up to his own dog, and whatever lurks in the Montana mountains. Robin Alexander’s latest romantic comedy is loaded with laughs, love, and a tiny bit of wildlife.

Two Shades of Blue


Sydney Gibson - 2018
    Just as she's looking forward to early retirement, she is assigned a disturbing new homicide - and an unwelcome new partner, stretching her boundaries to their limit.Beautiful rookie detective Sasha Garnier is as infuriating as she is impressive, and the combination wreaks havoc on Emma's careful defenses. The reluctant pair soon realize they have a serial killer on their hands, one who plays games only Emma seems to understand. As the case heats up, more than their professional relationship is put to the test. When the FBI inserts itself into their investigation, secrets are revealed that cut Emma to the bone. It's a race against time to figure out who she can trust, before the murderer claims his next victim, likely, Emma herself...

Desperate Measures


P.J. Trebelhorn - 2014
    After assaulting him, she’s suspended from her job. She uses her unexpected time off to make some home improvements, but Kay has no idea Rayne is stalking her, and he’s hell-bent on revenge. Brenda Jansen owns Jansen Construction with her father. A routine job brings her to Kay’s doorstep, and Brenda is blissfully unaware of the twists and turns her life is about to take. The instant attraction she feels toward her newest client is something Brenda’s doing her best to ignore. Since her two previous girlfriends cheated on her, she’s having a hard time putting her trust in anyone. Brenda’s indifference toward her intrigues Kay, who does everything she can to get Brenda to admit their attraction is mutual. As they grow closer, so does Tommy Rayne, until he finally threatens everything Kay holds dear.

Wildest Dreams


Carol Wyatt - 2018
    The day is a success, but when Kacey bumps into her social psychology lecturer, Madison Malone, on the dance floor, sparks fly.What was Madison doing at her mother's wedding?Kacey's been crushing on Madison for years. When would she ever get an opportunity like this to talk to Madison off campus?What happens when your crush turns out to be so much more than that? What risks would you take to have a chance together?

The Words Shimmer


Jenn Matthews - 2019
    She teaches at the local university, has two well-behaved teenage daughters, and what she doesn’t know about human anatomy isn’t worth knowing. Unfortunately, that knowledge doesn’t stretch to plants, and she’s been asked to help out on a school garden project.Being a paramedic doesn’t do Melissa Jackson’s back or knees any favours, so she’s looking into university courses to try a less strenuous line of her work. But the brash, proudly out, down-to-earth woman’s biggest challenge is keeping her dyslexia a secret. That, and living down the stigma that follows her when people find out.A university open day throws the two women into each other’s orbits. When Mel, an expert green thumb, makes a few helpful suggestions on Ruby’s garden project, Ruby convinces her to team up to make it a success.Personality-wise, they couldn’t be less compatible. Mel’s brazen attitude, cocky jokes, and affinity with earthworms immediately rub the hyper-professional, straight-laced Ruby the wrong way. Can they ever find common ground?A sweet, lesbian romance about growing something unexpected and wonderful from the roots up.Themes: anatomy lecturer · dyslexia · paramedic · school garden project80,000 words

Every Slow Song


Erica Lee - 2020
    Unfortunately, five years into their marriage, happily ever after didn't seem so happy anymore. Reaching the end of her rope, Kennedy asked for a divorce and the two separated.After six months of being separated, Skylar still hasn't told her family about the impending divorce. When the time comes for the annual family beach vacation, what choice does she have but to ask Kennedy to come along and pretend they are still together? Telling the truth isn't an option since it will only make her already-strained relationship with her family even harder.Two weeks pretending to be madly in love. How hard could it be? It turns out the hard part might not be faking it. The hard part is not getting their hearts broken all over again when the two weeks comes to an end.BONUS: Don't miss the winner of the short story contest, Intimacy, included at the end of the book!