The Broken Hallelujah by Wendy H. Adair (2022)
Novel set in 1969 Vietnam and 2019 Houston following a soldier trying to survive the war who is listed as MIA and his granddaughter 50 years later trying to discover what happened and bring him home.
7881 books
Beast by Clarissa Wild (2022)
**He has a beastly instinct to devour everything in his path … until her.** I am the giant, menacing monster, known only as the Beast. Sold to the mafia as a kid and trained to hunt, my life revolves around brutality and carnage. My home is a cell made of concrete and iron bars. And there is nothing I won’t do to be free. Until her. The innocent black-haired girl with pretty pink lips, whose father I was supposed to hunt, dares to get in my way. But when I grab her and look into her eyes, I can’t bring myself to finish the job. She makes me feel hope. Greed. And a frenzied desire to touch her. Taste her. Make her mine. I was supposed to destroy everything in my path. Instead, I took her … and consumed her whole. Book 1 in the Beast & Beauty Duet.
Falls Boys by Penelope Douglas (2022)
The HELLBENT Series—a spin-off to the Fall Away series—is coming! “The kids are growing up—different from their parents but the same in so many ways…” **ARO** Hawken Trent. So polite. So sweet. Such an upstanding young man. A virgin, too, I hear. He never gets naughty with a girl. Probably because Jesus told him not to. And now here he is, trying to be the hero by protecting another girl from me. He calls me a bully. Irrational. Unreasonable. A criminal. He can call me anything he wants, I’ve heard worse. And he can try to stand between me and my money, but he’s never had to fight for food. That rich, clean, school boy doesn’t have what it takes. **HAWKE** I surprised her. You should’ve seen her face. Just because I don’t have a record, honey, doesn’t mean I’m clean. It just means I’m better at not getting caught. That is until I realize I might’ve actually gone too far this time. She’s there. I’m there. The scene of the crime. It’s dark. The police show up. We have no choice. We run. Down High Street, into Quinn’s bake shop, and I pull her through the entrance to the old speakeasy that everyone forgot was here decades ago. The door locks, the cops circle the building, never knowing we’re right here, and I’m hidden in plain sight, indefinitely, with someone’s who’s awful. Mean. Rough. Dirty. A thief. A delinquent. Until one night, lost in all of these rooms together, I don’t see any of those things anymore. She’s smart. Daring. Soft. Hot... Everything’s changing. It’s this place. It does something to people. We have a silly urban legend in Shelburne Falls about mirrors. They’re a gateway. Don’t lean back into them. But we came through front first. I don’t care what the county records say. This was never a speakeasy. It’s Carnival Tower. *FALLS BOYS is a standalone New Adult romance suitable for readers 18+. Reading the Falls Away series first is helpful but not necessary.
Pen Pal by J. T. Geissinger (2022)
**The high-octane sexiness of Katee Robert meets the addicting thrills of Rachel Hawkins with a delicious twist in this dark romance from indie superstar J. T. Geissinger, now with a brand new bonus chapter!** The first letter arrived the day my husband was buried. It was postmarked from the state penitentiary, and contained a single sentence: I’ll wait forever if I have to. It was signed by Dante, a man I didn’t know. Out of simple curiosity, I wrote back to ask him what exactly he was waiting for. His reply? You. I told the mystery man he had the wrong girl. He said he didn’t. I said we’d never met, but he said I was wrong. We went back and forth, exchanging letters every week that grew increasingly more intimate. Then one day, the letters stopped. When I found out why, it was already too late. Dante was at my doorstep. And nothing on earth could have prepared me for what happened next.
Daring Duplicity by Edale Lane (2022)
Solving mysteries is her business. Finding love is her dream. Will combining the two get her killed? Victorian Era England. Stetson revels in being unconventional. So when society shies away from her independent nature, the bold woman creates an imaginary boss and opens her own detective agency. And her keen observational skills, convincing disguises, and Holmesian methods quickly bring in a string of tough-to-crack cases. Struggling to squeeze a personal life in around a series of hazardous investigations, Stetson worries she'll never find a woman of like-passions. But with her heart set on true love despite the risk, she carries on hunting for the perfect relationship. Will her clever escapades lead to death, or delight? *Daring Duplicity: The Wellington Mysteries, Vol. 1, Adventures of a Lesbian Victorian Detective is a collection of five sequential novellas, each encompassing its own exciting mystery while furthering the story of Stetson’s life in London.*
Breach of Trust by Molly Garcia (2022)
This is a crime and suspense book, it's based around the murder of one of the tenants who lives in a hostel and how his past offending means there is a long suspect list. When there's another murder of a similar victim the police work with a civilian investigator to try and catch the killer before he or she strikes again.
Despite Chaos by Stacy Lynn Miller (2022)
Alexandra Castle hides the brightest part of herself. As the heir-apparent to the Castle Resort empire, her only fault—according to her controlling father—is that she’s gay. Keeping her sexuality hidden seems a small price to pay for upholding the family image. When Alex’s father pits her against her twin brother in a high-stakes competition to choose who will take over the company upon his retirement, Alex knows she’s got what it takes to win. Until an ex-lover reappears and threatens to destroy her life. Tyler Falling hides the darkest part of herself. On the surface, she’s a put-together middle-class wife and mother. In reality, she’s broken from a sexual assault twelve years earlier. When Tyler unexpectedly comes face-to-face with her rapist, a deep family secret surfaces and jeopardizes the life she’s created. With both their worlds crumbling, Alex and Tyler escape to Napa where a brief, anonymous encounter sparks a mutual infatuation, changing the trajectory of their lives. Living a lie is no longer an option, but can an improbable romance bloom amid embezzlement, blackmail, and self-exploration? *Content note: the book contains one brief description of a sexual assault.* *Book One in the Falling Castles Series.*
Secrets by Fern Michaels (2022)
Every antique tells a story. Cullen and Luna Bodman learned that through their parents' furniture business. Now, with their restoration shop and café, they often find themselves at the center of those stories, unraveling mysteries for their clients. The old steamer chest that Cullen receives from an anonymous source is fascinating in its own right. But inside, Cullen discovers more -- a locked diary accompanied by a letter, asking for the diary to be restored to its rightful owner. Also in the trunk is a wooden box containing ticket stubs and an undated carnival flyer. But everyone isn't thrilled with Luna's quest. Her budding relationship with U.S. Marshal Christopher Gaines comes under strain as he tries to talk her out of a wild goose chase. But intuition pushes her on, unveiling a surprising modern-day connection, and leading Cullen and Luna to wonder if the diary's secrets still hold power today . .
Dead Woman's Revenge by Elle E. Ire (2022)
Flynn Dalton doesn’t want to be a hero. But for Genesis, she’ll do whatever it takes. After her first, deadly brush with the paranormal, Flynn just wants to get back to her life: construction work, semiprofessional bowling, and her fiancée, Genesis. Unfortunately, Flynn’s abilities have caught the attention of the National Psychic Registry, and they have their own agenda. Wherever Flynn goes, the registry follows, setting up tests of her abilities, hounding her to attend the conference in Atlantic City for evaluation and training. Flynn can handle the registry’s heavy-handed tactics, threats, and guilt trips. She’s even convinced herself she can deal with her own growing—and increasingly dangerous—powers. But the offer to heal the wounds she sustained in Dead Woman’s Pond, wounds that are making it almost impossible to do the work she loves, is much more tempting. And if the registry learns of Gen’s addiction to dark magic, agreeing to do whatever the registry wants might be the only bargaining chip Flynn has left. Unfortunately, the registry’s plans for her are much deadlier than a simple series of tests…. Cover Artist: Tiferet Design
Dead Letters from Paradise by Ann McMan (2022)
The year is 1960, and Gunsmoke is the most popular show on TV. Elvis Presley tops the Billboard charts, and a charismatic young senator named John F. Kennedy is running for president. And, in North Carolina, four young Black men sit down at a Woolworth’s lunch counter and demand service. Enter Esther Jane (EJ) Cloud, a forty-something spinster who manages the Dead Letter Office at the Winston-Salem post office. EJ leads a quiet life in her Old Salem ancestral home and spends her free time volunteering in the town’s 18th-century medicinal garden. One sunny Spring morning, EJ’s world is turned upside down when she is handed a stack of handwritten letters that have all been addressed to a nonexistent person at the garden. This simple act sets in motion a chain of events that will lead EJ on a life-altering quest to uncover the identity of the mysterious letter writer—and into a surprising, head-on confrontation with the harsh realities of the racial injustice that is as deeply rooted in the life of her community as the ancient herbs cultivated in the Moravian garden. When EJ is forced to read the letters to look for clues about the anonymous sender, what she discovers are lyrical tales of a forbidden passion that threaten to unravel the simple contours of her unexamined life. EJ’s official quest soon morphs into a journey of self-discovery. Her surprising accomplice on this quest becomes a savvy, street smart ten-year-old wielding an eye patch and a limitless supply of aphorisms. Together, the unlikely duo makes pilgrimages to a tiny town called Paradise to try and crack the case—while ultimately learning better ways to navigate the changing world around them.
The Return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath (2022)
When his father, the Duke of Wolfford, is hanged for an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria, Marcus Stanwick is stripped of everything. Vowing to return honor to his family, he seeks to expose the others involved in the treasonous plot and bring them to justice. His search forces him to turn to a woman he despises for her unforgiveable betrayal -- a woman known as the heartless harlot. Harboring secrets, Esme Lancaster has her own reasons for wanting to discover who's behind the conspiracy that's still afoot. She doesn't trust Marcus but can't deny the handsome devil makes her wonder if she does indeed possess a heart, one he could very easily steal. As their hunt for the truth leads them into danger, Marcus finds Esme isn't cold and calculating as he'd assumed but fire and brimstone, with courage and determination to match his own. Soon, they're unable to deny their growing desire for each other. But giving into temptation comes at a cost, and they must decide if love is worth the risk of losing their one chance for redemption.
To Raise a Fallen Sky by Chépi Gagné (2022)
A Mexican woman, her baby daughter, and an American man come together first by chance, then by fate, as they migrate north and south - beyond the frontiers of courage, love, and forgiveness. Caught up in Yeny and Val's adventure are their families, bringing a volatile mix of prejudice, vengeance, and greed. To Raise a Fallen Sky asks us what is courage, and do we have enough of it in our hearts to forgive?
The Artist by Sheri Lewis Wohl (2022)
Tula Crane has spent twenty years hiding in plain sight. No one knows she used to be one of the most talented artists of her generation, and she wants to keep it that way. Except the very talent that made her a child prodigy won’t let her free, and it’s taken a deadly turn. She’s painting the faces of murdered women. Casey Wilson earned her place as the first woman detective in the Moses Lake Police Department and carved out a solid reputation for getting cases solved. The last thing she needs is a crazy artist sticking her nose into a murder investigation that’s quickly turning into the biggest case in Central Washington. She’ll solve the murders without the help of a psychic painter, thank you very much. But as the body count rises, Casey and Tula are drawn together in a web of passion, intrigue, and art that might just hold the key to stopping a killer.
Murder at Spindle Manor by Morgan Stang (2022)
Mysteries abound in Spindle Manor. For Huntress Isabeau Agarwal, the countryside inn is the last stop in a deadly hunt. Armed with gaslamp and guns, she tracks an insidious beast that wears the skin of its victims, mimicking them perfectly. Ten guests reside within Spindle Manor tonight, and the creature could be any one of them. Confined by a torrential thunderstorm and running out of time, Isabeau has until morning to discover the liar, or none of them—including her—will make it out alive. But her inhuman quarry isn't the only threat residing in Spindle Manor. Gunshots. A slammed door. A dead body. Someone has been killed, and a hunt turns into a murder investigation. Now with two mysteries at her feet and more piling up, Isabeau must navigate a night filled with lies and deception. In a world of seances and specters, mesmers and monsters, the unexpected is hiding around every corner, and every move may be her last.
Undercover Mountain Pursuit by Sharon Dunn (2022)
An undercover assignment turns into a perilous mountain escape. After witnessing a shooting in a remote mountain location, high-risk photographer Willow Farris races to help—and runs into her old flame, Quentin Decker. Undercover to take down an international smuggler, Quentin has a mission to complete. But with Willow in the crosshairs, shielding her takes priority. If they want to bring the criminals to justice, Quentin and Willow must first get off the mountain alive…
The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth (2023)
A magical serial killer is stalking the Occult town of Wrackton. Hypnotic whistling causes victims to chew their own tongues off, leading to the killer being dubbed the Whistler (original, right?). But outside the lack of taste buds and the strange magical carvings on the victims’ torsos, the murderer leaves no evidence. No obvious clues. No reason – or so it seems. Enter the Undetectables, a detective agency run by three witches and a ghost in a cat costume (don’t ask). They are hired to investigate the murders, but with their only case so far left unsolved, will they be up to the task? Mallory, the forensic science expert, is struggling with pain and fatigue from her recently diagnosed fibromyalgia. Cornelia, the team member most likely to go rogue and punch a police officer, is suddenly stirring all sorts of feelings in Mallory. Diana, the social butterfly of the group, is hitting up all of her ex-girlfriends for information. And not forgetting ghostly Theodore – deceased, dramatic, and also the agency’s first dead body and unsolved murder case. With bodies stacking up and the case leading them to mysteries at the very heart of magical society, can the Undetectables find the Whistler before they become the killer’s next victims?
The Bleeding Stars by Robert Rath (2023)
**A Trazyn the Infinite Short Story** #### **Read it because** Everyone's favourite futuristic kleptomaniac returns, with his eye on a new and catastrophic prize. #### **The story** Fresh from the near-destruction of the prismatic gallery by the Bell of St. Gerstahl, Trazyn sets out to visit another Necron crownworld. His aim? To verify a hunch that the chime foretold the arrival of another Black Crusade, en route to Cadia…
The Guest by B.A. Paris (2023)
**Some secrets never leave.** Iris and Gabriel have just arrived home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their closest friends, Laure, is in their house. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense as she oversteps again and again: sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture. Laure has walked out on her husband―and their good friend―Pierre, over his confession of an affair and a secret child. Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive of their friends, but as Laure's mood becomes increasingly unpredictable, her presence takes its toll. Iris and Gabriel's only respite comes in the form of a couple new to town. But with them comes their gardener, who has a checkered past. Soon, secrets from all their pasts will unravel, some more dangerous than they could have known.
The Ogham Plank by Jim Lawrence (2023)
David is a university professor who is stalled in a stagnant career and suffering from a painful break-up. Having nothing better to do during the summer, he finds himself in Scotland on a car ferry crossing from Oban to the Isle of Mull. He is his way to collect an inheritance left to him by a great-uncle he barely knew. Aboard the ferry he meets Carina, a strikingly beautiful young woman, who has been volunteering at an archaeological dig site in the Scottish Highlands. The two strike up a conversation and David is immediately smitten. However, once the ferry docks they have to go their separate ways. David finds accommodations where he meets the hostess Beileag and her precocious 16-year-old daughter Morag. The teenager is obsessed with finding a lost treasure rumored to be in a Spanish galleon that sank hundreds of years ago in the Tobermory harbor. Later, much to his disappointment, David discovers that his “inheritance” turns out to be boxes of worthless junk and an apparently useless wooden plank that is covered with a series of strange markings. David soon encounters Carina who is now free of her volunteer work and off exploring the island. Carina finds the wooden plank and informs David that the strange markings are actually an ancient Irish language known as Ogham. They learn that there is an elderly recluse on the island named Padraig who is knowledgeable in Celtic culture and the Gaelic language. Eventually he is able to translate the Ogham writing, which leads the three of them on a perilous quest to discover a secret that has been hidden for more than five hundred years. — a secret so valuable that there are those willing to kill to possess it.