Monthly Archives: February 2025

Deal Announcements

February 2025 Deal Announcements

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Adult Fiction

Bram Stoker Award-longlisted author of MY DARLING DREADFUL THING Johanna van Veen‘s SAINT, SINNER, SKULL, a sapphic folk horror novel with a fantastical twist following a nun and an orphaned peasant on their harrowing journey across a war-torn countryside to reunite the gilded skull of a saint to her body – but soon it becomes clear darker are forces at play, pitched as Robert Eggers’s VVitch meets THE SALT GROWS HEAVY, to Jenna Jankowski at Sourcebooks, in a good deal, in a three-book deal, by Kristina Perez at Perez Literary & Entertainment (world English).

Continue reading February 2025 Deal Announcements →

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell

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I have not been quiet about the fact that A Shore Thing was one of my favorite Romances of 2024, so I am wildly excited to be revealing the cover of Joanna Lowell’s next queer historical romance, A Rare Find, releasing June 10, 2025 from Berkley Romance! Here’s the story:

When an aspiring archaeologist teams up with her childhood enemy for a treasure hunt, they find it impossible to bury their growing feelings, in a charming queer historical romance from the author of A Shore Thing.

Elfreda Marsden has finally made a major discovery—an ancient amulet proving the Viking army camped on her family’s estate. Too bad her nemesis is back from London, freshly exiled after a scandal and ready to wreak havoc on her life. Georgie Redmayne is everything Elfreda isn’t–charming, popular, carefree, distractingly attractive, and bored to death by the countryside. When the two collide (literally), the amulet is lost, and with it, Elfreda’s big chance to lead a proper excavation. Now Elfreda needs new evidence of medieval activity, and Georgie needs money to escape the doldrums of Derbyshire. Joining forces to locate a hidden hoard of Viking gold is the best chance for them both.

Marsdens and Redmaynes don’t get along, and that’s the least of the reasons these enemies can’t dream of something more. But as the quest takes them on unexpected adventures, sparks of attraction ignite a feeling increasingly difficult to identify as hatred. It’s far too risky to explore. And far too tempting to resist. Elfreda and Georgie soon find that the real treasure comes with a steep price… and the promise of a happiness beyond all measure.

And here’s the oh-so-charming cover, illustrated by Katie Smith!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Joanna Lowell lives among the fig trees in North Carolina, where she teaches in the English department at Wake Forest University. When she’s not writing historical romance, she writes collections and novels as Joanna Ruocco. Those books include Dan, Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith, The Week, and Field Glass, coauthored with Joanna Howard.

Fave Five

Fave Five: Sapphic YA Romantasy

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Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

Where Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell

This Dark Heart by Zeena Gosrani

Bonus: Coming in 2026, What You Will by Rachael Lippincott

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Sir Callie and the Final Stand by Esme Symes-Smith

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Today on the site I’m delighted to welcome Esme Symes-Smith to reveal the cover of the fourth and final book in the MG fantasy Sir Callie series, Sir Callie and the Final Stand, which releases October 14, 2025 from Labyrinth Road/PRH! Here’s the story:

In the conclusion of this bestselling fantasy series a nonbinary knight-in-training, a reluctant crown prince, a fierce young witch, and her resilient twin brother must fight for the heart of their kingdom against tyranny, once and for all.

Helston and its champions have been torn apart by war. Finally reunited after being scattered across the realm fighting personal battles, Callie, Elowen, Edwyn and Willow must prepare to step into the roles they’ve been training for: Champion, Witch, Knight and King.

Even if it feels like their best will never be enough to conquer the infection of hate that has spread across Wyndebrel, even when their numbers seem so small compared to the might of their enemies, they must hold true to their mission: to create a better and safer realm for everyone.

With the aid of Eyrewood, Fairkeep, and the dragons, they are as ready as they’ll ever be to ride on Helston and Dumoor, to confront the newly crowned King Peran and the Witch Queen, and finally define what peace truly means. And there is a single truth Callie and friends must cling to: The battle is still worth fighting even when victory seems impossible.

Before we get to the cover, here’s a note from author Esme Symes-Smith:

Dearest Readers,

All the way back in the beginning, I promised you a happy ending, and a light at the end of the darkness. Even though SIR CALLIE is a fantasy story full of magic and dragons, it has always been important to me that it feels real.

There were many times in writing where a happy ending felt impossible, and I struggled to believe in it for myself. Of course, as the author, I could give my characters a Happily Ever After in just a few words, but I wanted it to feel real. I wanted to leave you with the certainty that they’re going to be okay, not just in the last few pages, but long after the book is finished.

It’s hard to believe in happy endings right now, when everything I know to be good and true is ignored in favor of all the things I know to be bad. But I have come to learn that I am not at the end of my story, only the dark middle when everything feels hopeless and it would be so much easier to quit than to keep fighting. I feel the way Callie did, and Willow and Elowen and Edwyn. I feel like a kid in a grownup’s world, witnessing all the wrong and trying to be heard. It feels like a battle that I keep losing, over and over.

But, you know what? I’m going to get up and fight again, even if I lose. I’m going to keep speaking, even if no one hears me. And I’m going to keep believing that my story only ends when I’ve won. I’m just not at that part of the story yet.

Throughout my journey with SIR CALLIE, I have been reminded so many times why the fight is worth fighting, and what the happy ending looks like. It’s in the fierce hope of the readers, and it’s that hope which keeps my own kindled.

Everyone’s journey is their own, everyone has their own way of being a hero, and everyone’s happy ending is a little bit different with a single commonality: the right to live as yourself with those who see you and love you, all the way through.

Thank you for giving me hope.

Be brave, be kind, be you.
Love, Esme Symes-Smith

And here’s the fierce cover, illustrated by Kate Sheridan!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Bio: After cutting their teeth on a steady diet of fan fiction in the Southwest of England, Esme Symes-Smith wandered north to Wales for their degree in literature and creative writing, then promptly migrated to Missouri after meeting their wife on Tumblr.

In their spare time, they take care of the next generation as a preschool teacher, and run their local chapter of Good Books, Young Troublemakers.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Dead & Breakfast by Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor

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I absolutely love that queer cozies in every genre are on the rise, so I’m delighted to welcome Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor to the site today to reveal the cover of their upcoming paranormal mystery, Dead & Breakfast, which releases October 14th from Berkley! Here’s the story:

The new vampires in town are sinking their teeth into solving a murder…

Married odd couple Arthur and Sal are totally normal. They wear sunscreen, not because the sun can kill them, but because even the undead need a skincare regimen. They eat garlic whenever they want, though it gives Sal indigestion. They can talk to creatures of the night, but only the raccoons that rifle through their garbage. Really, they don’t bite… except into delicious baked goods.

Ready to settle down and stay out of trouble, the two have opened a bed & breakfast in the idyllic, if not-so-paranormal-friendly, town of Trident Falls, Oregon. But trouble finds them when the mayor is discovered dead in their begonias with two puncture wounds in his neck. With the help of a werewolf barista, the elven town coroner, and a very human city manager, Arthur and Sal will need to prove they aren’t literally out for blood by catching a killer…

And here’s the bloodthirsty-yet-cozy cover, designed by Colleen Reinhart with art by Liam Eisenberg!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Kat Hillis is an author of queer speculative fiction full of silly jokes and twisty plots. A southerner now living in Alabama, she’s a lifelong fan of vampires, murder, and puns. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s gaming, drawing, or making handcrafted soaps.

Rosiee Thor began their career as a storyteller by demanding to tell their mother bedtime stories instead of the other way around. Now, they write stories for all ages, including young adult novels Tarnished Are The Stars and Fire Becomes Her, the picture book The Meaning of Pride,  and tie-in novels for franchises like Life is Strange and Firefly. They live in Oregon with two cats, a dog, and an abundance of plants.

Kat and Rosiee live on opposite sides of the United States and like opposite parts of the writing process, but they are unified in their love of puns! After helping with each other’s books for years, they penned their first novel together: Dead & Breakfast.

Book Spotlight

Aro Week Spotlight: Common Bonds 2, ed. by Claudie Arseneault, Emery Lee, and RoAnna Sylver

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Happy Aro Week! In celebration, we’re highlighting the followup to a popular aromantic anthology (whose cover reveal we happen to have done here)—yes, Common Bonds returns for another anthology!

Five years ago, Claudie Arseneault, Emery Lee, and RoAnna Sylver put together a collection of nineteen speculative short stories and poems featuring aromantic characters about platonic relationships. The first Common Bonds anthology came at a time when aromantic
identities were often only discussed as parts of projects on  sexuality and rarely given the spotlight—a phenomenon that is unfortunately still well alive today—and was well-beloved by its community.

And so the spotlight returns in a brand new installment, Common Bonds 2.

At the heart of this collection are the bonds that impact our lives from beginning to end: platonic relationships. Whether with family, mentors, friends, colleagues, fuck buddies, or found family, these links pepper our lives and their importance is often overlooked. Common Bonds seeks to explore the powerful impact of these relationships on aromantic people through the lens of science fiction and fantasy.

In order to make this anthology a reality again (and pay the writers and artists involved), the team is raising funds through Kickstarter. Back it before the end of Aromantic Awareness Week (Feb 16-Feb 22) to get an early bird discount!

Back it on Kickstarter here!

Fave Five

Fave Five: Queer Fiction with Afro-Latinx MCs

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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (YA)

Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado (YA)

Till the Last Beat of My Heart by Louangie Bou-Montes (YA)

The Dreamers series and An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera

We Came to Welcome You by Vincent Tirado

Bonus: The love interest in the upcoming Black f/f YA Romance If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal (YA) is Afro-Cuban

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: America’s Not-So Sweetheart by Blair Hanson

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Today on the site I’m delighted to reveal the cover of America’s Not-So Sweetheart by Blair Hanson, a gay YA Romance releasing June 17, 2025 from Page Street YA! Here’s the story:

Alec Braud is the most hated teen in America after winning Campfire Wars by backstabbing his showmance, Joaquin Delgado. So when Joaquin asks Alec to join him on a road trip in order to “queerify” classic movie kisses for an art project, Alec agrees in the hopes it might make get them back together and convince the world he’s not a bad guy IRL.

Alec spends the trip reading into Joaquin’s flirty behavior and things get even more complicated when Alec is invited to return to the next season of Campfire Wars. He’s been trying to prove to everyone (and Joaquin) that he’s not actually the worst. But Alec is torn again between a second chance with Joaquin and cold hard cash.

Can he turn down the chance to return to the small screen for what only might be love?

And here’s the killer cover, designed by Vienna Gambol with art by Otesanya! 

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Blair Hanson is a chemist and proud cat lover. He is also a YA author who wants to see more realistic representations of gay teens. He lives in New Jersey. America’s Not-So-Sweetheart is his debut novel.

Authors in Conversation

Authors in Conversation: Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko & Liz Parker, Co-Authors of The Other March Sisters

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Today on the site I’m thrilled to be hosting Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, and Liz Parker, the three coauthors behind the queerified Little Women reimagining The Other March Sisters, which releases February 25th from Kensington! Here’s the story:

The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, and Liz Parker

Four sisters, each as different as can be. Through the eyes and words of Jo, their characters and destinies became known to millions. Meg, pretty and conventional. Jo, stubborn, tomboyish, and ambitious. Beth, shy and good-natured, a mortal angel readily accepting her fate. And Amy, elegant, frivolous, and shallow. But Jo, for all her insight, could not always know what was in her sisters’ thoughts, or in their hearts.

With Jo away in New York to pursue her literary ambitions, Meg, Beth, and Amy follow their own paths. Meg, newly married with young twins, struggles to find the contentment that Marmee assured her would come with domesticity. Unhappy and unfulfilled, she turns to her garden, finding there not just a hobby but a calling that will allow her to help other women in turn.

Beth knows her time is limited. Still, part of her longs to break out of her suffocating cocoon at home, however briefly. A new acquaintance turns into something more, offering unexpected, quiet joy.

Amy, traveling in Europe while she pursues her goal of becoming an artist, is keenly aware of the expectation that she will save the family by marrying well. Through the course of her journey, she discovers how she can remain true to herself, true to her art, and true to the love that was always meant to be.

Purposefully leaving Jo off the page, authors Liz Parker, Ally Malinenko, and Linda Epstein draw inspiration from Alcott’s real-life sisters, giving the other March women room to reveal themselves through conversations, private correspondence, and intimate moments—coming alive in ways that might surprise even daring, unconventional Jo.

Buy it: Bookshop | B&N | Amazon

And now our fabulous authors will take it from here!

Continue reading Authors in Conversation: Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko & Liz Parker, Co-Authors of The Other March Sisters →

Book Spotlight

Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour: Night Owls by A.R. Vishny

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I know, I know – we do not do blog tour stops at LGBTQReads, and that’s still true. But as a 2024 Sydney Taylor Honor Book awardee, I was asked to be a host for this year’s tour, and when I found out I would be featuring a queer book I happen to have absolutely loved, and processed the fact that we both got our Sidney Taylor stickers on queer books, I decided I get to break the rules, just this once. And so, I’m thrilled to be talking to A.R. Vishny today about Night Owls, Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award winner for Young Adult. (Also, full disclosure: I judged this year’s NJBA for YA, so if you’re wondering how much I loved it, the answer is “Enough to help it when the top prize and then write the blurb for it.”)

Before we get into it with the author, though, here’s a bit more on the book:

Night Owls by A.R. Vishny

Clara loves rules. Rules are what have kept her and her sister, Molly, alive—or, rather, undead—for over a century. Work their historic movie theater by day. Shift into an owl under the cover of night. Feed on men in secret. And never fall in love.

Molly is in love. And she’s tired of keeping her girlfriend, Anat, a secret. If Clara won’t agree to bend their rules a little, then she will bend them herself.

Boaz is cursed. He can’t walk two city blocks without being cornered by something undead. At least at work at the theater, he gets to flirt with Clara, wishing she would like him back.

When Anat vanishes and New York’s monstrous underworld emerges from the shadows, Clara suspects Boaz, their annoyingly cute box office attendant, might be behind it all.

But if they are to find Anat, they will need to work together to face demons and the hungers they would sooner bury. Clara will have to break all her rules—of love, of life, and of death itself—before her rules break everyone she loves.

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

And now, check out my chat with A.R. Vishny!

Continue reading Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour: Night Owls by A.R. Vishny →