Authors in Conversation

Authors in Conversation: Trip Galey and R.D. Pires

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Today on the site I’m delighted to welcome Trip Galey and R.D. Pires, authors of the upcoming Science Fantasy The Fall of the House of Valenziaga and Epic Fantasy Before the Ghost Sea, respectively! With both books launching Kickstarters this month, the authors wanted to chat about their projects, so before we get started, here’s a little more on those!

A Kickstarter campaign banner with an art deco border in blue-green over a black background. The title of the book the project is funding is centre left and reads: The Fall of the House of Valenziaga. Above the title is the phrase: Snatch the crown. Break the tyrant. To the right of the title is the shadowy face of a man staring off the banner to the right. The face and title are surrounded by flying shards of broken glass.
Cover art by Jamie Flack

Virtus is the handsome, golden-tongued heir to House Valenziaga. He has wealth, privilege, influence, as many lovers as he could want…and his life is a living hell. His mother, the ageless Vainglory Valenziaga, is a world-breaking tyrant and she holds Virtus’ very existence firmly in a razor-manicured fist.

Not all mothers love their children; not all rulers deserve their crown.

Continue reading Authors in Conversation: Trip Galey and R.D. Pires →

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Triple Threat by Katie Chandler

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Today on the site I’m excited to welcome back Katie Chandler to reveal the cover of her next tennis Romance, Triple Threat, releasing December 8, 2026 from Atria Books! Here’s the story:

From the author of the “exquisite” (The New York Times) Backhanded Compliments, a steamy sports romance about a disgraced tennis star, the ex-pro who becomes her coach, and the soulmate they share. Perfect for fans of Challengers and Carrie Soto Is Back.

Octavia Ricci has spent her entire life proving she doesn’t need anyone—especially not her father, the controlling coach who built her career and broke her spirit. But after a public meltdown at the Australian Open, the icy Grand Slam champion isn’t sure if she ever wants to play again. She agrees to take it one tournament at a time, now under a new coach, determined to find her footing and love of the game again.

Ariel de Cordova was once the next big thing in tennis until a devastating injury ended his career. Now, with his confidence shot, he’s not sure he can handle another player’s comeback story—especially not a player as volatile as Octavia. But as they practice, they both tentatively open up about their experiences and begin to heal their deepest wounds.

The only stable, grounding presence in Octavia’s life is her soulmate and partner, Leo Mantovani. But he has two soulmarks on his wrist, and when Leo shakes hands with Octavia’s new coach for the first time, Ariel turns out to be Leo’s other soulmate. Knowing the optics of a player and coach relationship aren’t ideal, they decide to keep their relationship secret and surface-level.

While Octavia, Ariel, and Leo fight to keep their relationship private, the tennis world is watching their every move. But when the spotlight turns harsh and old wounds resurface, they’ll have to decide if love is worth risking their careers, their reputations, and their hearts.

And here’s the athletic cover, designed by Kelli McAdams and illustrated by Liza Rusalskaya!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | S&S

(c) Katie Chandler

Katie Chandler is a romance author, who loves adding a speculative twist to her kissing books. She is passionate about writing joyful queer love stories that are full of tenderness, angst, and spice. You can usually find Katie writing with a full caffeine iced beverage, a Taylor Swift album blasting, and her yellow lab, Blue, who makes sure her feet are toasty and that she takes regular breaks to give him treats. When not writing, Katie spends her time watching tennis with her snuggly black lab, Bunny, chasing her thieving chocolate lab, Bear, who thinks her socks are his chew toys, and wondering where her glasses are (they’re nestled in her hair).

Deal Announcements

February 2026 Deal Announcements

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Adult Fiction

NYT-bestselling author of THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA TJ Klune‘s MURMURATION, INTO THIS RIVER I DROWN, HOW TO BE A NORMAL PERSON, and THE IMMEMORIAL YEAR; and four untitled queer novels, to Ali Fisher at Tor, in separate major deals, each for seven figures, in separate four-book deals, by Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency (world English).

Continue reading February 2026 Deal Announcements →

Fave Five

Fave Five: F/F Bodyguard Romances

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Saving the Star by Rachel Bowdler

Cover Story by Rachel Lacey

Seas and Greetings by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Guarded Desires by Anna Stone

The Bodyguard Affair by Anna Stone and Hildred Billings

Bonus: These are all contemporary, but for Historical Fantasy, check out Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones 

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling

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Today on the site I am so delighted to welcome Isabel Sterling and reveal the cover of her debut adult Romance, With All My Haunted Heart, releasing September 8, 2026 from Berkley! Here’s the story:

A witch hired to ethically haunt a small-town B&B instead finds herself spellbound by her non-magical client in this cozy and enchanting sapphic romance.

Steadily losing clients to the new DIY-magic shop on the other side of town, Pippa Ainsley is getting desperate. Instead of hiring the witch to correct their magical maladies, local mundanes have been taking their chances with the cheaper—and unpredictable—crystals and herb blends. So when Pippa’s best friend hires her to inspect his newly acquired bed-and-breakfast for ghosts, she doesn’t think twice about it.

That is, until she learns that his unfairly attractive co-owner, Elle Thompson, doesn’t want Pippa to rid their business of spirits. She wants Pippa to give them an edge over the competition by haunting their B&B.

It’s the perfect challenge for Pippa’s experimental magic, but just because she could figure it out, doesn’t mean it’s a smart or safe idea. But Elle is persistent, and the financial boost could save her own business if Pippa succeeds. Soon, Pippa finds herself testing the limits of her magic… and her ability to stop the growing attraction she feels toward Elle, a woman with a painful secret of her own.

Want to read the first chapter? Sign up for Isabel’s newsletter for an exclusive peek!

And now, here’s the gorgeous cover, designed by Katie Anderson with art by Chloe Quinn!

 

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | Penguin Random House

Isabel Sterling writes stories about queer love and resilience with a witty magical twist. She is the author of several novels, including: These Witches Don’t Burn, The Coldest Touch, and With All My Haunted Heart. Isabel is also a master certified life coach, the founder of The Confident Author Academy, and the host of The Author Burnout Cure podcast. Connect with Isabel at www.IsabelSterling.com or on Instagram.

Fave Five

Fave Five: Queer Fiction Set in New Orleans

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Yeah, it’s six. Sue me.

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker (YA)

Death Card by Jasmine Walker (YA)

Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond

Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen

The (Most Unusual) Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy by Roan Parrish

Sister Holiday Mysteries by Margot Douaihy

Bonus: These are all set in the actual city, but for a New Orleans-inspired YA Fantasy setting, check out Her Sharp Embrace by Kate Koenig

Double Bonus: For books partially set in New Orleans, check out Tramps Like Us by Joe Westmoreland, The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish, and How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund?by Anna Montague

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: The Siren’s Kiss by Leslie Vedder

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Today on the site I’m delighted to welcome Leslie Vedder to reveal the cover of her upcoming Sapphic YA Fantasy, The Siren’s Kiss, releasing September 1st from Amulet/Abrams! Here’s the story:

Perfect for fans of Daughter of the Pirate King and Our Flag Means Death comes a swashbuckling YA queer romantasy about a mermaid and a pirate who reluctantly join forces to find the Sea Witch.

Dead Shot Rayleigh has spent the last three years bound to a cursed ship after crossing the sea god Red-Handed Roger. Her only hope for freedom is to find his long-ago stolen heart—which means taking on his sworn enemy, the Sea Witch.

But Rayleigh’s not the only one with a score to settle… Fiery mermaid Maren is also searching for the Sea Witch, determined to bargain for the soul of her lost brother.

When Rayleigh and Maren’s separate missions bring them together, sparks fly, and all their plans go up in flames. Now they’ll have to join forces to survive.

Find the Sea Witch. Steal the heart. And don’t fall for your enemy, no matter how irresistible she is. How hard can it be?

And here’s the gorgeous cover, designed by Micah Fleming with art by Gilded Ruin!

Book cover for The Siren’s Kiss by Leslie Vedder. A mermaid with red-tipped white hair and a crimson tail stares up at a pirate with dark hair and a scar across her cheek. The pirate holds a rope on the deck of a ship, with the sunset ocean in the background.

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Leslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves books with girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and her debut YA The Bone Spindle was an indie bestseller. She lives in Colorado with her wife and her spoiled house cat Fox Mulder, who believes the treats are out there.

Queering up your shelf, one rec at a time!