Book picks similar to
Playing for First by Chris Paynter
lesbian
lgbt
sports
lesbian-fiction
Beautiful Game
Kate Christie - 2011
In Southern California it’s almost—but not quite—safe to say lesbian outloud. For Camille Wallace, a sophomore attending San Diego University on a soccer scholarship, life is sweet. She has gay friends, the sport she loves and a future full of possibilities.Her possible futures don’t include a woman like Jess Maxwell. Potential all-American, star-caliber tennis player and in every way the perfect co-ed, Jess isn’t likely to notice Cam’s admiring glances. And if she did, chances are she’ll never think of Cam as more than a fan.The brilliant sunshine might be why Cam sees a Jess that no one else has realized is there. But it will take more than training and tenacity to find out if Jess wants to be the woman Cam believes lurks within. It may take more than Cam can possibly risk.Kate Christie looks at love and the pursuit of happiness for two vibrant, gifted college athletes in the early Gay 90s.
Speed Demons
Gun Brooke - 2012
Evie is plagued by nightmares and fears racing again, but she doesn’t want to give up her dream. Blythe Pierce, renowned photographer, struggles with her own demons, having worked in one warzone after another.Blythe witnessed Evie Marshall’s crash through her camera and is impressed by Evie’s courage. She persuades Evie to allow her to document her recovery and return to racing. Blythe finds Evie irresistibly attractive and fears she can’t hide it. Evie in turn is mesmerized by the loving but enigmatic Blythe.But as Blythe’s past catches up with her and Evie’s fears grow as her first race nears, can they find the strength to triumph over their pasts and find love together?
Full Court Pressure
Lynn Galli - 2010
Being wrong has never been so challenging. A misunderstanding puts her in the unique position of coaching the men's team, which is struggling just to be competitive. The last thing this team wants or thinks it needs is a female coach. Together they must find a way to understand and trust each other in order to succeed. Complicating matters is the lovely and persistent volleyball coach, Darby Evan, a former crush from their college days. Graysen isn't sure starting a relationship with a colleague amidst her job turmoil is the wisest idea, but feelings rarely follow practicality. If she can figure out how to handle a team that disapproves of her, then dealing with an unexpected love life should be a breeze by comparison. Or so she hopes.
In Medias Res
Yolanda Wallace - 2010
Suffering from amnesia, Sydney finds herself alone in the middle of O’Hare Airport with no idea how she got there, where she’s headed, or even who she is. Her only clues to her identity are the ticket to Key West in her hand and the items in the backpack slung over her left shoulder.Halfway around the world, Dr. Jennifer Rekowski, Sydney’s best friend and longtime confidante, holds the key to unlocking Sydney’s memory. But Jennifer, nursing a broken heart and trapped in the middle of a civil war, remains agonizingly out of reach.
Breaker's Passion
Julie Cannon - 2011
Hiding in the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, the last thing she expects to encounter is Elizabeth Collins, a stuffy, judgmental college professor forced down her own escape path. Elizabeth is uncharacteristically drawn to the mysterious surfer but can’t picture herself having a vacation fling, or any other relationship, with the enigmatic Breaker. Set in the backdrop of Maui, one of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands, both women must overcome their doubts and apprehensions to discover the true beauty of life—each other.
The House on Sandstone
K.G. MacGregor - 2005
Now weary of living overseas for one consulting project after another, she’s glad to have two months back in Leland to relax with her aging parents.When she catches a glimpse of her high school friend Justine in the doorway of her elegant home, she is surprised by the warm, famiiar feelings stirred within.Justine Hall made different choices, returning to Leland after college to marry and raise two children. Now divorced, she walks a fine line between sanity and hell, struggling to reconcile the sexuality she can no longer deny with the expectations of motherhood and mores in a small town.
Mounting Danger
Karis Walsh - 2013
When she is put in charge of the new mounted division, dissension in the ranks seems to guarantee the program’s failure. Rachel asks an old college acquaintance to help her train the horses and their riders before they make their public debut amid the fireworks and crowds on the Fourth of July.Callan Lanford doesn’t play by the rules. She invents her own. The scion of a polo-playing dynasty, Cal has been riding since before she could walk, and she scores both on and off the field with equal ease. But she isn’t prepared for the emotional ride she takes as Rachel forces her to confront her achievement-oriented family’s rejection. Cal’s attraction to Rachel grows, but both their future together and the future of the mounted unit are uncertain, plagued by “accidents” and threats.As Rachel and Cal battle a corrupt politician’s greed in the face of mounting danger, can their love prevail?
LoveLife
Rachel Spangler - 2012
Blue-collar boi Joey Lang is too insecure to even approach her—that is until her well-meaning but meddling best friend Lisa decides to break the ice and makes Joey a life-coaching appointment with Elaine. A session meant to bring clarity only leaves them both feeling more confused about their purpose in life and love.Will Joey be able to find the strength to chase the woman of her dreams, and even if she does, will Elaine be willing to risk the life she loves for the woman who could be the love of her life?
A Perfect Match
Erin Dutton - 2010
Soon, unable to get her game back on track, she is in danger of losing her sponsor. The upcoming Celebrity Pro-Am is her chance at redemption.Elena Pilar has paid her dues in the boys’ club of sportscasting and her career is finally on the upswing. But when she is paired with Tiernan in the Pro-Am, her attraction to the volatile golfer could threaten her success as well as her carefully guarded personal life.
Sex and Skateboards
Ashley Bartlett - 2011
What more could anyone want?Alden McKenna has spent her entire life not growing up. Being an adult is tedious, not to mention totally boring. And requires less skateboarding. So why bother? Moving to a small beach town seems like an awesome idea. The skateboarding is good, the sun is always shining, and no one moves very fast. She even meets a hot chick like five minutes after moving there. Life is good. Except young Weston Duvall has already grown up and her reasons for doing so surprise Alden even more because she didn’t see them coming. Weston can’t trust Alden, and Alden isn’t sure she wants to be trusted. So why can’t they seem to stay away from each other?
Out on the Sound
R.E. Bradshaw - 2010
In her late thirties, Decky Bradshaw was set for life. She had an incredibly lucky life up to this point, excluding the brief marriage to her son's father. She had a great job, plenty of money and a very comfortable existence. Decky figured if someone ever came along that tickled her fancy she'd know. She never thought for one second it would be a woman. Neither did her mother. Follow Decky as she finds new love and deals with her, "Tennessee Williams in drag," overly dramatic, southern mother, Lizzie, and the hurricane of events she brings.
Shine
BadSquirrel - 2007
When they meet, there is a connection for them both. But can they overcome their fears, regrets and an old love to find a future in each other?BadSquirrel's Page on The Athenaeum
Rebound
Lynette Mae - 2014
She's at the top of her game, in demand, and life is good. One day the unthinkable happens and her world is ripped apart. That split second event forces Conner to re-evaluate her entire existence. Shawn Tyler, a beautiful warrior with a shattered heart and incomparable spirit may be the key to conquering her fears, if Conner can open her heart enough to see the world from a new perspective.
Chaps
Jove Belle - 2009
Eden is fleeing a past filled with blood and death that promises to forever haunt her. She travels aimlessly until the day her motorcycle breaks down in the middle of nowhere, southern Idaho, and in rides Brandi Cornwell. Brandi Cornwell lives a simple life on her Idaho ranch. She works hard, struggles to make ends meet, and follows the Golden Rule. The only thing missing is a good woman to share the sunsets, and as much as she'd like that woman to be Eden, Brandi senses the turmoil within her, and buries her feelings, knowing that whatever Eden's running from, it's going to take her away from Idaho and from whatever chance they might have at love.
Aspen's Stunt
Melissa Grace - 2014
When the bank threatens to put the farm—which has been in their family for generations—into foreclosure, they search desperately for a way to save it. Fortunately, Hollywood calls! They would like to hire Aspen as a stunt double for the famous actress, Wren Emerson. Willing to do anything to keep the farm, the naïve Aspen agrees to leave her home long enough to endure the rigorous film schedule and dangerous and demanding stunt double role under the command of the productions renowned director and prominent producer. The first awkward meeting she has with the actress eventually flourishes into a friendship Aspen never thought possible. Despite the hometown boy who pines for Aspen’s heart, and the productions staff that think Wren should date whom they deem acceptable, the two girls can’t deny their growing desires for one another. Aspen must now complete one more stunt. One that she hopes will overcome all the unrelenting obstacles they face, and will keep her home and heart in harmony, happily together.