Book picks similar to
Christmas in July by Rachel Maldonado


ff-short-story
lesbian-fiction
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Love Under Glasse


Kristina Meister - 2019
     El Glasse’s mother controls her life. What she does, who she dates, even what she’s allowed to say. El only has two ways of holding onto her freedom. One is her popular anonymous blog, hidden from Mama Glasse. The other is what she so often blogs about: her feelings for Riley, the girl who works at the ice cream parlor. Riley is fierce, free, and rides a killer motorcycle, and El cannot help but love her. But Mama Glasse can never find out about her sexuality—unless El is willing to rebel. When El runs away, Riley feels responsible. She knows what it’s like to be alone, and she can’t deny her deep desire to learn El’s story. In a move she might end up regretting, she makes a devil’s bargain with Mama Glasse to hunt El down. Riley isn’t trying to bring her home though, because she knows an evil spell when she sees one—a spell of fear and shame El is finally starting to break. This huntress might lose her own heart, but it’s a risk she’s willing to take. Word count: 103,000; page count: 325

Second Chances


M.E. Tudor - 2014
    It was her eyes. She had the same eyes of a woman Pam had been in love with in college. As Pam gets to know Dorothy she finds out that Dorothy is, in fact, the mother of Casey Durham, the woman Pam had been in love with. Dorothy is also in an abusive relationship with Casey's father, Bob. Pam works for an organization that specializes in getting women like Dorothy out of their abusive relationships and on with their lives. Pam promises to help Dorothy in anyway she can, so when Dorothy calls and asks Pam to come get her after a particularly brutal beating by her husband. Pam rushes to Dorothy's rescue.Pam realizes that by placing Dorothy under her protection, she will be forced to face Casey again. She knows it is not going to be a good meeting because she hurt Casey badly when they were in college. Hopefully, Casey will give her a chance to explain what she was going through at the time. Maybe, Casey will forgive her for all the pain Pam caused her.Casey Durham is retiring from professional basketball after five injury filled years. She is moving back to Nashville to start her residency as an orthopedic surgeon at her alma mater, Vanderbilt University. She is looking forward to being back in Nashville, but she is hoping to avoid Pam Benton Matterson. She had been completely in love with Pam in college, and had even given up her wild ways with women for Pam. But Pam had not given Casey a chance to prove how much she loved her and it had broken Casey's heart into little pieces. Dorothy seemingly disappears sending Casey and her brothers into a panic. They are terrified that their father has done something to her. After seeing a report on the news about her disappearance, Dorothy calls the kids to assure them she is okay.Casey wants to see her mother before she has to return to Memphis, where she had been playing basketball, to get the rest of her stuff. Dorothy's legal advisor, Pam makes arrangements for Casey to meet Dorothy at her office. When Casey arrives at Pam's office and is introduced to Pam by her mother, the temperature drops in the room from the cold stare Casey gives Pam. Even Dorothy notices the difference in the demeanor of the two women.Casey can't believe Pam is her mother's legal advisor. Pam prays Casey will not take her off Dorothy's case. Will the two of them be able to put the past behind them and do what's best for Dorothy? Will Casey listen to Pam's story about the past and forgive her? Is there still any love for Pam left in Casey's heart? Read this story to find out what happens when Casey finds out that things weren't always as they appeared.

Basics of Spellcraft


L.C. Mawson - 2020
    Blocked memories. And an Academy for young witches that might just hold the answers. I should have known something was wrong when my weird aunt arrived in town just as I started getting killer headaches. But how was I supposed to know that it was a sign of repressed magic? Or that an ancient witch had escaped her tomb and sent demons after me? Demons who cursed my mother. I wanted to stay with her, even if she wouldn’t wake, but I was sent to Ember Academy for Young Witches instead. Somewhere the demons hopefully can’t get me. I need to find a way to lift the curse, but there’s a block on both my magic and memories that everyone is refusing to lift. A block that might hold the answers as to why an ancient witch is after me in the first place. If I can figure her out, maybe I can figure out this curse. My teachers don’t want me digging into it, worried about the danger. But I don’t care. My mother was cursed because of me, and I’m not going to rest until she’s safe again. BASICS OF SPELLCRAFT is the first book in the Ember Academy for Young Witches YA Urban Fantasy Academy series. If you love kick-ass heroines, Sapphic slow-burn romances, and magical boarding schools, you’ll love this latest fast-paced series in L.C. Mawson’s Snowverse.

I'm Gonna Make You Love Me


Tracey Richardson - 2018
    Firing the young Ellie Kirkland for the offense was a no-brainer.But when fate brings the two women together again, Claire finds herself questioning everything she thought she was—especially her cynical, take-no-prisoners approach to life. When she’s not breaking stories or breaking in reporters, Claire’s one outlet is to lose herself in Motown music and in the seat of a cheerful antique Mustang. But lose herself to the much younger, far-too-nice Ellie? There’s no breaking news there. Nope. That’s a story that needs to be spiked before it ever sees print.Ellie Kirkland is at loose ends—and not for the first time. Resistant to following the path her parents insist on, she’s been trying out careers like she’s trying on outfits at Banana Republic. Now that her dream of being a journalist is over, Ellie must begin again. And the woman who crushed that very dream is the very woman who just might hold the key to Ellie’s future.Genre: RomanceEditor: Medora MacDougallCover Designer: Sandy Knowles

Dream Lover


Lyn Denison - 1997
    Moaning softly, she was drawn into a wonderful warmth. A strong arm came around her, firm fingers splayed over her back, and she begged for the softness to cover her, to meld with her, to make her whole... Jo couldn't remember when the dreams began, but they always ended the same way - with her desperately reaching out for something just beyond her grasp. The dreams could easily be a metaphor for her own unfulfilled existence. Having given up all hope of love and happiness long ago, Jo now seeks only escape from the scattered remnants of failed marriage and the dreadful apathy that seems to engulf her more and more each day. On an extended vacation, she hopes that a change of scenery will help her get on with her life. But never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that a chance meeting with an attractive stranger would lead to her first taste of real passion - on the lips of a woman with the strength and the desire to make all her dreams come true.

Lightkeeper


Magnolia Robbins - 2017
    Fourteen years later, she’d become the love of Lily’s life.When a tragic boating accident takes away years of Lily’s memories, the two soulmates find themselves in uncharted territory. While Morgan is left holding onto the past they’d built together, Lily seeks desperately to fill the void in her life with answers. Left to rebuild the foundations of their relationship, Morgan fights to stand by Lily against unimaginable odds. The two find themselves learning how to fall in love with one another all over again, and discover that sometimes all you really need is a light to guide you amidst the storm.A steamy lesbian romance novel about the power of perseverance and hope, in the presence of unwavering love.

London Calling


Clare Lydon - 2014
    A mix-up. Will there be a make-up?Jess Sharp’s life hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. She’s 32, unemployed, and single after a devastating breakup. She’s also left Australia for London to live in her parents’ spare room. Her chaotic life seems to be spiraling until she meets someone who could be a game-changer. She’s optimistic after a wildly successful first date, but far too much tequila and the ghosts of girlfriends past may drag her far below her lowest point. Can she win the race for romance without tripping? London Calling is the first book in a series of lesbian romance novels. If you like punchy drama, wicked humor, and charming British characters, then you’ll love Clare Lydon’s hilarious debut novel. Buy London Calling today to see if Jess stands a chance!

The Romance Vote


Ali Vali - 2014
    Chili’s success has given her the freedom to choose her clients carefully, but she hasn’t had the same good fortune in love.Recent Tulane graduate Samantha Pellegrin wants the opportunity to work with the star of her father’s firm in the off-year election. As his only child, she’ll eventually inherit the firm, but she wants to continue their great track record in the world of politics. Her first day with Chili ends so disastrously, Sam wonders if she’ll take up the hobby of throwing darts at Chili’s picture.As the campaign progresses, Sam will make Chili work for what both of them want in the most important campaign of both their lives. Only this time their polls have to do more with the romance vote than any politician’s future.

Operation: Secret Santa


M.J. Duncan - 2020
    It was Christmas, after all, and if anyone deserved some extra Christmas cheer, it was Mo Davy.

The Wish List


Saxon Bennett - 1996
    Newly widowed, she is finally free to acknowledge the unspoken wishes of her heart. But will Maggie and Celia have the courage to overcome their fears... and trust each other enough to finish what never got started? 2nd edition.

Beyond Perfect


Anna Archer - 2021
    

Cry Of The Heart


Ana McKenzie - 2019
    When she lands a job looking after the horse, it is like it was meant to be, and she thinks that bringing the rescue animal back to health might be as healing for her as it is for the horse. What she doesn't count on is Josie Tearney, owner of the horse, and the most startling, intriguing woman Colette has ever met. The attraction, it turns out, is mutual, but the last thing Colette thinks she deserves is a relationship with someone who's grounded, competent, and whole – all the things Colette isn't. Josie, who runs her own business making witchy teas and essential oils, is as planted on the land where she lives as is her garden – which makes her strong, centred, stable – and lonely. All her friends have moved to the city, and she's not at all sure that Colette won't leave as abruptly as she arrived. Josie lost her mother when she was young – and she won't take the risk of being abandoned again. But healing can happen when you least expect it, and the heart, that most magical part of ourselves, knows how to lead the way.

Time of Grace


Gabriella West - 2002
    But beautiful Grace, with her mysterious past and her fierce dedication to Ireland's freedom, opens Caroline's eyes to worlds she has never imagined. As their friendship blossoms into romance, Caroline finds the greatest happiness she has ever known. But can their love survive the condemnation of a repressive society-and Grace's involvement in the approaching Easter Rising? A passionate story of personal, sexual, and national liberation, set against the backdrop of an unforgettable moment in Irish history.

Elena Undone


Nicole Conn - 2011
    A wife who will not question her loyalty to a husband she does not love nor her duty to a church whose tenets she does not fully accept.Peyton. A lesbian trapped in an arid relationship and a life that has brought her success but scant emotional sustenance.Their eyes first meet across the distance of a public park. One glance is all it takes for ignition. A slow-building sexual fire soon becomes a conflagration that engulfs both their lives.But no matter how compelling the attraction, no matter how intensely love may reach into the depths of either of their souls, reality is inflexible. Elena’s husband is pastor of a church; her son is the center of her life; and she is haunted by a burden of grief and guilt that fixes her firmly in the conventional life she leads.From Nicole Conn, novelist and multi-award-winning director of little man, writer-director of the legendary lesbian film Claire of the Moon, comes this powerful love story--a luminously romantic film as evocative as it is erotic (and already famous for its Longest Kiss in Cinema History)—and now a novel that reveals every moment of Elena’s unforgettable journey.

When Angels Fall


Sherryl D. Hancock - 2017
    Now, every day she has to deal with the aftermath and the crippling PTSD that’s tearing her apart. Devin James is a wild child. Headstrong and beautiful, she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s drawn to Skyler in a way she can’t explain and refuses to give up on her, no matter how much Skyler tries to push her away. Through all the love, loss, and heartache, she'll find that when angels fall, they sometimes need a little help to get back up.