There are many ways to find new books to read, whether it’s by reviews, browsing, asking a librarian, or friend recommendations. What is less common is to choose them simply by publisher. While this isn’t likely to be useful for any of the Big Six Publishers, there are plenty of small press publishers that provide enough focus that reading through them can be an enlightening experience.
For Pride Month, I’d like to provide a bit of a look at one such publisher, Bold Strokes Books. It was founded in 2004 by Radclyffe, and publishes LGBTQ+ fiction in a number of genres. My decision to read through a large number of their titles was partially wanting to read a lot of queer literature while experiencing new books and authors and partially because they use a fairly distinctive trade dress, so they can be found fairly easily by browsing the shelves.
Cash Braddock, by Ashley Bartlett. Cash Braddock is a drug dealer in Sacramento, but one with a moral code. She only deals pills, doesn’t do violence, and uses her profits to support her uncle’s organic farm. But even crime with a moral code can face difficulties. Bartlett weaves some fun thrills and heartfelt laughs along with some intriguing moral dilemmas in this first book of a series. If you want thrillers that look at the other side of the law regarding drugs, try Lay Down the Law, by Carsen Taite.
Clean Slate, by Andrea Bramhall
Morgan Masters wakes up after suffering a violent attack without any memory of the past twenty years. She doesn’t remember the family she’s built or the career she’s had. But as she relearns her life, she finds that she might not like the person she became. Bramhall writes a romance with tremendous depth, taking a look at how the events in a person’s life affect their entire person, and what an opportunity a second chance could be. For an amnesia story that’s far more thriller than romance, try Alias, by Cari Hunter.
A Return to Arms, by Sheree L. Greer
Toya is a young photographer who finds herself drawn into the activist collective RiseUP! and into a relationship with Folami, one of the collective’s members. She thinks she’s found her life’s mission, but the lines of personal and political get blurred as Toya finds that figuring out the right thing to do doesn’t have easy solutions. Greer doesn’t pull punches with this staunchly intersectional novel that is influenced by Black Lives Matter. The threads are tightly intertwined, showcasing the difficulties activists face between making an impact and being true to themselves. It hasn’t lost any of its impact six years after being published.
Does She Love You, by Rachel Spangler
Annabelle Taylor thinks she has the perfect wife and after thirteen years together, is ready to have a child. Davis Chandler is jaded from years of failed relationships, but think she’s finally found the perfect girlfriend. The only problem is that they’re both with Nic McCoy, who is increasingly over her head keeping her double life. When Nic’s betrayal finally comes to light, all three women are left trying to pick up the pieces and move forward with the shattered remnants. While this isn’t a feel-good romance with its depictions of betrayal and addiction, the characters are all fleshed-out and have humane and understanding portrayals. If you want complex emotional entanglements but of a lighter nature, check out Marry Me, by Melissa Brayden.
The Princess Affair, by Nell Stark
Kerry Donovan, is a Rhodes Scholar, used to working hard for everything she’s achieved while never forgetting her blue-collar Irish American roots. Princess Sasha Carlisle may be second in line for the throne, but she’s mostly known for her tabloid-headlining antics. The pair have little in common, but an electric meeting at a dance club has them both wanting to know each-other more. Stark’s novel is a fluffy and fun romance, but it also asks some questions of privilege, as well as delving deep into family expectations. There’s also a wonderful portrayal of learning disability in Sasha’s dyslexia. For another royalty tinged romance with a bit of an action twist, try Protecting the Lady, by Amanda Radley.
Blindsided, by Karis Walsh
Cara Bradley comes from a family of celebrity, but all she wants is to continue to showcase people around Puget Sound who make a difference in her weekly public access show. Lanae McIntyre used to work in the high pressure and fast paced world of 24 hour news, but left it to start a guide dog training school. When Cara showcases Lanae’s work, she ends up agreeing to work as a puppy walker for a year, despite their less than friendly initial interactions. What stands out here is Walsh’s depiction of Lanae’s blindness, using the disability in a way that heightens the novel and the romance it contains. If you like other novels set in the Pacific Northwest, Walsh has books spanning from Ashland to the San Juans.
~ Posted by Cass P.
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