Romantic Suspense | LGBTQ Reads

Today on the site I’m delighted to reveal the cover of Freedom to Me by Sidney Quinn, an m/m “California Noir Romance” releasing from Ninestar Press on June 16, 2026! Here’s the story:

London native Felix Brixton, rich and sheltered, leaves his old life behind on a whim to pursue his dream of running a tall ship tour boat. A mid-life crisis brings him to the small Southern California town of Carino Bay, where he buys a ship, the Freedom. What Felix doesn’t know is he’s also buying a dark secret and complicated history.

Jay Otene, tattooed and leather-clad, lays eyes on the sweet, buttoned-up new guy in town and is intrigued. He can’t resist the temptation. But Jay has personal demons which may cost him everything he holds dear.

Carino Bay, a queer haven full of misfits like him, offers Felix a new start in more ways than one. But he uncovers deep-seated crime and corruption closely tied to the man of his dreams.

No matter how intensely their attraction pulls Jay and Felix to each other, the town’s history and their complicated lives threaten to keep them apart.

And here’s the dangerously beautiful cover by Jaycee DeLorenzo!

A book cover with a pink tropical sunset. The cover is framed by palm trees. The title of the book is Freedom to Me by Sidney Quinn. A revolver lies on a beach with a tall ship at full sail in the background. The tagline says: Mystery, corruption, and a secret that threatens to tear their love apart.

Buy it: Ninestar Press | Amazon

Sidney loves genre fiction of all kinds and loves combining those genres with queer romance. Expect plots that excite and propel, intriguing mysteries, unconventional romance, and vivid worlds where the setting itself is a character.

Sidney has lived in many places across Canada but now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with two cuddly cats. One of these days, the cats will be compelled to pay rent or at least stop causing so much destruction of property—though that’s probably wishful thinking.

Today on the site, we’re revealing the cover of Rien Gray’s F/NBi romantic suspense, Double Exposure, which releases September 4th! Here’s the story:

Love always shows your true face.

Jillian Rhodes lies to everyone she meets. As one of the world’s best art thieves, a life of infiltration and con artistry has left her flying solo, which is exactly the way she likes it. When Jillian is hired to steal a collection of photos belonging to the late—and deeply controversial—Russell Key from the Art Institute of Chicago, everything should be business as usual.

Except she has two problems: first, fellow master thief Sloane Caffrey also has their eye on the photos. Second, Sloane is her smoking hot ex.

Three years have passed since a messy breakup, but Jillian and Sloane have been getting vengeance on each other ever since. When the Key theft becomes their latest competition, love and loathing ride a fine, shaking line.

Trying to destroy each other should be simple. But confronting past mistakes is hard, especially when the entire job is starting to look like a setup to put Jillian and Sloane behind bars…

And here’s the cover, designed by the author themself!

Rien is a queer, nonbinary author of sapphic romance, erotica, and horror. They love writing steamy scenes, consent-informed kink, and hot criminal love interests who revel in the above. When not writing, Rien spends their time at the gym, making even more coffee, or angling for yet another platinum trophy in a video game.

Queering up your shelf, one rec at a time!