Jae's Blog, page 3
April 3, 2025
Characters are co-workers
This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo category features the “characters are co-workers” square!
For this category, read a sapphic book in which the main characters work together, whether they’re colleagues in an office, teammates on a project, or partners in a business.
15 sapphic books with characters who are co-workers
Below, you’ll find 15 sapphic books in which the characters are co-workers:
Bachelorette Number Twelve by Jae
Ellie Fisher loves most things about being a nurse in the emergency department…just not working with Regina Novak, an icy attending physician who acts as if she’s God’s gift to medicine.
The dislike is completely mutual. Regina thinks Ellie is a starry-eyed romantic with a sentimental attitude that has no place at work.
When Regina gets talked into volunteering at a singles auction, Ellie accidentally bids on her—and ends up winning. Oops!
Since the money raised is for a good cause, they reluctantly decide to go through with the dates.
Thanks to a baking class that turns into a competition and a hot-as-hell road trip snack incident, the ice between them starts to thaw. Is it possible the ER isn’t the most unromantic place on earth after all?
Available at:
The Anatomy of Forever by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
A late bloomer lesbian doctor. A stepdaughter’s best friend. A taboo passion that could destroy them both.
After a messy divorce, Dr. Rowan Colchester finally embraces her true self. A passionate encounter with a younger woman shakes her world. But when she discovers the complicated connection between them, she knows a future together is not in the cards.
Inspired by the loss of her father, Dr. Simone Doucette dreams of being a humanitarian. But when the pressure proves too much, she takes a job in the ER of a small Cape Cod hospital to put the pieces of her life back together. The last thing she expects is for her new boss to be the one-night stand she can’t forget.
As fate—and scandal—pull them together, Rowan and Simone must fight not just for love, but for the hospital’s survival and the soul of their tight-knit community. With careers, reputations, and hearts on the line, will they risk everything for a second chance?
Available at:
Love and Sportsball by Meka James
Scoring was the easy part…
Hard work has Khadijah Upton starting her dream job as an athletic trainer for the Atlanta Cannons. Then an evening of celebratory letting loose turns into a one-night stand with a beautiful stranger. It’s a reckless, wildly sexy encounter that Khadijah intends to forget…until her first day on the job lands her face-to-face with basketball star Shae Harris again.
Shae is a major player in every sense of the word, and Khadijah doesn’t plan to be the latest in a long line of ‘Harris Honeys’. Personal and professional just don’t mix. But Shae, who’s all about living life to the fullest, keeps tempting Khadijah to blur the boundaries. And the more Shae reveals about herself, the harder it is for Khadijah to resist her.
In the bedroom, their tension sizzles. On the court, it’s a liability. But unless Khadijah’s willing to really let Shae in, it won’t be just the team championship on the line, but a body-and-soul connection that rewrites all the rules.
Available at:
The Gift of Us by Abigail Taylor
Rowen, a dedicated teacher feeling disillusioned with her career and life, believes that finding her first love, Quinn, will restore her happiness. Caught in a haze of nostalgia and longing, she yearns for a life she idealizes but can’t quite reach. As the holiday season approaches, Rowen’s old college friend Blair, now a teacher herself, convinces her to make a wish on a Love Charm and see what fate has in store for her.
When a snowstorm leaves them stranded together, Rowen is forced to confront the reality she’s been avoiding, and her carefully maintained facade starts to crack. Her dreams from the past unfold, creating a different picture than she remembered. As Rowen tries to rationalize her feelings, Blair, with her pragmatic approach, gently nudges Rowen toward a profound realization—that happiness isn’t found in the past but when you live in the present. Sometimes, wishes do come true, but not always in the way we anticipate.
Available at:
The Straight Bet by Feri Tyler
Taj is in love with Kai. It’s evident to everyone, including Kai’s husband, Josh. Working together seems to be as close as she’ll ever get, but it’s getting hard to maintain a professional distance,
In the meantime, Taj has her own stuff to worry about- an ex-husband that wants her back, two daughters that are still mad about the divorce, and she’s nursing an ancient heartbreak that seems to be playing out all over again.
Vegas is the city of distractions, but Taj knows that behind all of the show lights and grand dinners, something isn’t right about her friend’s marriage, or Kai wouldn’t flirt like she does.
Taking chances is what Sin City is all about, and Taj knows she’s gambling it all on Kai. And even though the odds aren’t in her favor, she’s down to risk it all on The Straight Bet.
Available at:
Love’s Portrait by Anna Larner
Newly appointed art curator Molly Goode is committed to diversifying her museum’s collection. When Georgina Wright, the museum’s aloof benefactor, asks for Molly’s help in identifying the provenance of a 19th century portrait of social activist Josephine Brancaster, Molly welcomes the opportunity, even if it means spending time with the standoffish financier. But passions soon flare as the women uncover the heartbreaking story of doomed lesbian love behind the watercolor painted by Josephine’s lover, Edith Hewitt.
As their love blossoms, Molly is determined to display Edith’s portrait of Josephine and to tell their story in the museum, but she needs the influential Georgina to help convince the board. When an unforeseen twist in the painting’s provenance forces Georgina to confront her own painful past, will history repeat itself, or can Molly and Georgina’s love prevail?
Available at:
French Pressed Love by MC Hutson
Jordan Alexander is in a rut. Her life is not what she envisioned for herself, and she’s barely able to scrape by on the salary she makes as a coffee shop manager. Suddenly facing the daunting prospect of either finding a new roommate or a more affordable place to live, Jordan’s stress levels reach a boiling point.
Noémie St. Pierre is a customer from hell. Every weekday morning, Noémie struts into the coffee shop like she owns the place and often makes a fuss. Jordan can’t stand the woman.
But Noémie’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems, and when her father—founder of the globally expanding Poutine Heaven franchise—cuts off her financial support, Noémie’s world is turned upside down. Desperate, Noémie gets a job at the coffee shop, and upon learning of Jordan’s housing woes, proposes they move in together. Reluctantly, Jordan agrees.
As they navigate their new living arrangement, Jordan uncovers surprising depth to Noémie that challenges her previous assumptions, and she develops feelings she never expected. But Noémie dates men, and Jordan doesn’t do relationships. So, all Jordan can hope is that her feelings won’t brew complications.
Available at:
Queen Vs. Queen 2: Trauma in the Tropics by Anne Hagan and Alysia D. Evans
When Captain Julie Briggs sets sail on the luxurious Ocean Queen, she expects nothing more than another routine cruise. But as deaths occur and secrets surface, she finds herself thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Enter Suzette Gabbage, a self-important eastern art expert with a past as colorful as her expertise. As suspicion and attraction spark between them, Julie and Suzette must navigate treacherous waters both literal and metaphorical.
With each port bringing new dangers and each night deepening their connection, the two women race against time to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight. From the bustling streets of Manila to the glittering Raffles Hotel in Singapore, their investigation weaves through a world of high-stakes art and deadly secrets.
Can Julie and Suzette trust each other long enough to catch a murderer? Or will their budding romance be cut short by a killer determined to keep secrets buried?
Set sail on a heart-pounding journey of love and intrigue, where every wave conceals a mystery, and every glance holds the promise of passion. In this game of life and death, the greatest risk might just be falling in love.
Available at:
Irregular Heartbeat by Chris Zett
After nearly a decade as a professional drummer, Diana Petrell leaves her rock-star life behind to continue her residency in emergency medicine. She’s determined not to let anything stop her—not even falling in love with her aloof mentor, Dr. Emily Barnes.
Emily has only ever focused on her career as a senior attending in the emergency department, and she isn’t happy about having to babysit a resident with a ten-year gap in her résumé, no matter how intriguing she is.
But every time they work together, it’s not just their patients’ heartbeat that gets a little irregular. Soon, the once-clear lines between work and personal life begin to blur.
When Diana’s unorthodox secret past is revealed, putting her job in jeopardy, Emily has to choose between her career and her relationship. A lesbian romance that asks how much we’d risk for love.
Available at:
Hotshot by Clare Lydon
Sloane Patterson is the ultimate hotshot: a US soccer sensation whose arrival in the UK causes quite the stir. She’s got the game, the fame, the looks, the fiancée. But looks can be deceiving.
When Sloane’s life starts to unravel, Salchester Rovers’ new hire, Ella Carmichael, helps her pick up the pieces. But as the lines between their professional and personal lives blur, tensions surface. Now, Sloane’s goal of helping the team win the league and FA Cup has a significant addition: win Ella’s heart.
Available at:
A Game of Two Hearts by Iona Kane
Tess Kennedy isn’t where she thought she’d be at forty-six. Returning to a town brimming with memories, she’s determined to build a new life for her family as a single parent. With a newfound sense of control over her destiny, the last thing on her mind is a new relationship.
Rowan Russell’s life is about routine and distraction. She works hard and plays even harder, trying to silence the nagging voice that reminds her of past mistakes. But Tess’s unexpected return shakes up her carefully constructed world, forcing her to confront feelings she thought were long buried.
When they find themselves working side by side, Tess and Rowan must confront their past and decide just how much they’re willing to risk for a chance at true happiness. Will they seize the opportunity for a new beginning, or let it slip away?
Available at:
Unexpected Goals by Kelly Farmer
If you can’t play nice, play hockey
Canadian goalie Maisy Goode is wary of American Jen Donato and her dirty playing. She’s been on the receiving end of Jen’s aggressive style and doesn’t like it one bit. Now that they’re on the same women’s pro team, keeping her eyes off Jen is a struggle.
Jen signed up to win it all with the Boston Ice. Her very public clashes with their hot goalie aren’t going to derail her championship plans. Jen’s a professional. But there’s just something about Maisy that gets under her skin.
The media loves the tension, but the more time Maisy and Jen are forced to spend together, the more they discover what’s between them isn’t entirely hostile.
At all.
Banter turns into flirting, and flirting turns into more. The closer they get to the playoffs, the more pressure weighs on the team—and the couple. Maisy needs Jen’s support. Jen needs to know Maisy’s all in. And it all needs to get sorted out before the season—and their relationship—closes out.
Available at:
An Unusual Year by Mia Kazi
After running away with an older woman on the rebound from a foolish break up with the love of her life, Jo finds herself drifting through a different rut in the sleepy backwaters of Laos. There she meets a handsome and charismatic man who prompts her to question her sexuality as she grabs at yet another chance of adventure. This time she gets more than she bargains for!
After rushing back to the safety of London, the mistakes of the past only get bigger and more dangerous, as she tries to win back her lost love and grapple with drug smugglers, police officers, keeping on top of her teaching and trying to find her better self.
Available at:
Acting Up by L.R. Martiny
Harlow James is finally fulfilling her brother’s dying wish. Since Paul passed at 14 from childhood cancer, he asked his family to live out his dreams for him in a kind of bucket list. Harlow’s assignment is to perform in a play. She’s finally stopped avoiding it, and now she’s in deep, having signed up for an acting class that will end in a real play.
But things get complicated when she discovers that her acting partner is none other than Jacki Rowe, the spoiled brat daughter of her boss who is also the star of her unwanted sexy dreams. The longer they work together, the more Harlow learns about the young woman, and the worse the dreams get.
Eventually, Harlow will have to come to terms to with everything: the impending play, her family’s desire to talk things out, and the sweet, tender kisses of Jacki Rowe.
Available at:
Pit Stop: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance by L.M. Bennett
“Jagger and me? It’s messy. Always has been.”
Sage Chiasson is the golden girl of motorsports, a driver fueled by ambition and haunted by a crash that nearly ended her career. Her return to the top is within reach—until her biggest rival becomes her newest teammate.
Jagger Banks, a fearless street racer turned pro, has demons of her own to outrun—including the wreck that shattered Sage’s career and the fierce connection they both tried to forget. Teaming up with Sage wasn’t part of Jagger’s plan, but proving she belongs on the track—and to herself—is non-negotiable.
As a high-stakes season unfolds, Sage and Jagger are pushed to their limits. Old rivalries flare, undeniable chemistry simmers, and secrets from the past threaten to derail everything. In the world of motorsports, where milliseconds separate victory from defeat, they’ll have to decide if trust—and love—are worth the risk.
Available at:
Brave Enough to Love by Valden Bush
Jo Fitzgerald is a dedicated patriot living a life of sacrifice, honor, and control. Love, friends, and family are luxuries she doesn’t have time for. Toni James is an ambitious American journalist hungry for truth and validation.
Their worlds collide on an embedded assignment with the British Army. Sparks fly between the stoic Jo and the spirited Toni, but can love survive the clash of duty and desire? In a dance between truth and sacrifice, discover if they can rewrite the rules of love.
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Free sapphic books—Don’t miss next week’s post
Next week’s post will cover the “free sapphic books” square. I’ll post a list of 25 sapphic books that are free for a few days. To make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to my blog and you’ll get the list sent to your inbox.
Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “characters are co-workers” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Characters are co-workers appeared first on Jae.
March 27, 2025
Sapphic authors on Patreon, Ream, Ko-fi & Co
During these challenging times, sapphic fiction authors are looking for ways to diversify their income, while many readers would love to support their favorite authors more directly.
I put together a list of sapphic authors you can support via Patreon, Ream, Ko-fi, and similar platforms.
On Patreon and Ream, supporters pay a monthly subscription fee and usually gain access to exclusive content such as bonus scenes, short stories, early access to new releases, or behind-the-scenes info.
On platforms like Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee, readers can support writers by making a one-time (or recurring) donations.
Sapphic authors on Patreon, Ream & Ko-fi
Below is a list of sapphic fiction authors you can support on Patreon and other platforms. I also added I Heart SapphFic and a couple of reviewers such as like The Lesbian Review and The Lesbrary to the list since they are essential to the sapphic fiction community too.
Abigail Taylor: Patreon
Alyson Root: Patreon (Free membership)
Anna Burke: Patreon
Ariel Marie: Ream
Autumn Wolff: Ko-fi
Aveda Vice: Patreon
Claire Highton-Stevenson: Patreon (Free membership)
Dax Murray: Ream
Eada Friesian: Ream
Effie Calvin: Patreon
Elena Abbott: Ko-Fi
Elle Mae: Patreon
Elva Birch: Patreon (Not exclusively sapphic)
Emily Alter: Ream
Emily Wright: Patreon
Erin Zak: Patreon
Fiona Zedde: Patreon
Georgia Beers: Patreon
Haley Cass: Patreon
Hildred Billings: Patreon
I Heart SapphFic, run by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod: Patreon & Buy Me a Coffee
Issy Waldrom: Patreon
J.S. Fields: Patreon
Kris Bryant: Patreon
The Lesbrary: Ko-fi (Sapphic book blog & reviewer)
Lucy Felthouse: Ream (Not exclusively sapphic)
Melissa Brayden: Patreon
Milena McKay: Patreon
Neen Cohen: Patreon
Rachel Spangler: Patreon
Rae D. Magdon: Ko-fi
Rochelle Wolf: Patreon
SD Simper: Patreon
Siobhan Muir: Patreon
Sue Still: Patreon
TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod: Patreon
The Lesbian Review: Patreon (Sapphic book reviewer)
Tiana Warner: Patreon
Further reading
If you’re interested in learning more about how to support sapphic fiction authors, check out these blog posts:
How to Support Authors of LGBTQ Books During Challenging Times: 15 helpful things readers can do to support authors and why boycotting Amazon might not be the best solution.How to Make Sure More of Your Book Money Goes to Authors: This blog post pulls back the curtain on how much authors earn per sale via different platforms and formats.Where to Buy Sapphic Books Directly From Authors and Publishers: A list of small sapphic publishing houses and sapphic authors who sell books through their own webstores.Sapphic Books in Kobo Plus: Discover which sapphic books are included in Kobo’s subscription program, which is similar to Amazon’s KU (Kindle Unlimited).Are you a sapphic author on Patreon, Ream, or Ko-fi?
If you’re an author of sapphic fiction and readers can support you on platforms such as Patreon, Ream, or Ko-fi, feel free to email me, and I’d be happy to add you to the list.
The post Sapphic authors on Patreon, Ream, Ko-fi & Co appeared first on Jae.
Sapphic romantasy
This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo category is sapphic romantasy–a genre that blends romance and fantasy, and both elements are equally important. The story is usually set in a world filled with magic and/or mythical creatures, and the main characters are often witches, assassins, royalty, healers, or warriors.
15 sapphic romantasy novels
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 recommended sapphic romantasy novels:
Let Me Be Yours by Lily X
This is a plus-length (100K+ words) lesbian omegaverse fantasy romance.
A grieving King, a lost island girl, and a love that changes them forever…
After losing her intended Mate, Artemis Brimwood, future King of Nestia, is bereft. Broken. Beyond consolation. There’s simply no room in her heart for someone else—anyone else. Yet her mother’s incessant pressure to wed and continue the Brimwood name leads Art to Aeryn Sweetwater, an island girl at heart who desires nothing more than her mother and her Alpha’s approval.
But Art doesn’t need a Mate—she has no use for one. So she concocts a mutually beneficial scheme with Aeryn: the omega will agree to bear her pups through artificial insemination, and they will lead separate, fulfilling lives. Everyone’s happy.
But there’s more to Aeryn than meets the eye, and day after day, Art falls deeper into the spell cast by bouncing curls, milky moonlit skin and a soft, submissive heart.
Just as balance is restored to Art’s life, the past returns to hurt those she loves the most.
Available at:
The Mage’s Secret by Ami Spencer
When your safe-haven may not be as safe as you first thought…
Av Moss never thought they would find happiness within themselves. But finally admitting their feelings to their best friend had brought with it the security and love they had always been denied. But when they discover a young girl is being hunted, the peace Av has found is gone in a flash.
Sare Emmot would do anything to protect the person they’ve loved for ten years, and with their relationship finally out in the open, happiness is within touching distance. But with a Hidden Mage revealed, Sare knows in her heart what she must do; save the girl, even though it threatens to risk everything she has strived to keep safe.
But just as Av and Sare think they have a grasp on the threat, vengeance waves a trail of destruction and betrayal. Their Coven, and their lives, are shattered.
Available at:
The Assassins of Light by Britney Jackson
Alana might be gone, but the world hasn’t forgotten what she did. The damage is done, and the world is quickly spiraling toward a war that will threaten the survival of humans and vampires alike.
An anti-vampire organization, known as the Assassins of Light, has emerged again after centuries of lying in wait, and for reasons no one understands, Rose Foster is their new target. As Rose struggles with her growing feelings for the Viking warrior, Kara Unnarsdóttir, and her own inner turmoil, she must find a way to protect the people she loves from the Assassins of Light.
Kara Unnarsdóttir tries to protect Rose from afar by utilizing her impressive network of spies, but her investigations into the Assassins of Light lead her to the realization that the extremist organization is closer to Rose than she originally thought.
Available at:
A Game of Hearts and Heists by Ruby Roe
Scarlett Grey, disgraced assassin, is determined to get revenge.
Quinn Adams, medic turned-poisoner for hire, is her deadliest rival.
For years, they’ve stolen each other’s clients, sabotaged each other’s business, and occasionally… slept together.
When the Magician Queen offers an irresistible deal, Scarlett and Quinn are forced to work together. But this is not a simple job.
With an impossible heist ahead, they’re going to have to trust each other…
And that’s not easy when they both have secrets to hide.
Harder still when those secrets will betray the ones they love.
Now neither woman is sure if it’s a heist they want to win or a heart.
Two women, two deadly professions, and a romance that could be their downfall.
Available at:
Ship of Dreams by Brey Willows
London-on-High, 1898.
Captain Temp Strud is all about secrets: her own and those that belong to her ship’s passengers. When a high-stakes mission to retrieve a world-changing ancient artefact goes wrong, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with the Devil’s Urchin pirate captain, whose reputation is as fierce as her smile is disarming.
Temp needs Minty’s cunning, and Minty’s freedom is in Temp’s hands. But as danger looms and rivals close the gap, secrets and betrayal threaten to derail their quest. One wrong move could cost them the prize—and their lives.
With the fate of the world on the line, can the two captains get to the famed Golden Apple before their enemies unleash devastation beyond imagination?
Available at:
Once Bitten by C H Clepitt
Having survived a series of terrifying attacks with the help of the beautiful and mysterious Morgan, Meg resolves to fight back. With the help of a small group of vampires and humans they endeavour to stand up and take back control!
Follow a journey of self discovery across centuries, as Meg, Morgan, Nadia and Zoe reclaim the narrative in their stories, and call time’s up on Wentworth and his bloody reign of terror!
Available at:
Tomb of Heart and Shadow by Cara N. Delaney
When her reputation-obsessed family issues her an ultimatum – get married or be disinherited – Saria seizes upon what seems like a most convenient solution. She strikes a deal with a stranger – marriage and a child in exchange for freedom and security. That her bride is a sorcerer from the mysterious city of Neeth is not a problem. Or so Saria thinks.
Taleysin doesn’t expect much from her second marriage. A child and heir to carry on her sworn duty to the city of Neeth, and more importantly, a wife who won’t ask too many questions. The deal with Saria seems to be everything she wants – and nothing more. She will have her heir, and Neeth will remain safe for another generation.
But soon enough, their resolve over their practical decision begins to crumble. While Saria grows ever more curious about Neeth’s magical secrets, Taleysin finds herself falling for a woman who was supposed to be nothing more than a means to an end. When a mysterious assailant begins to hunt down sorcerers, Saria and Taleysin must find a way to work through this shift in their relationship – to save both their marriage and the city.
Available at:
Jagged Shard by Dani Finn
To the Depths and beyond.
Laanda’s led her weary people across endless mountains in search of a new home. Jagged Shard has everything they need: deep mountain tunnels, ready-made infrastructure, and a wealth of hotiron that will secure her clan’s future. It must be theirs.
Skiti’s seen her Queen like this before. Obsessed. Desperate. Willing to risk everything for her people. But Jagged Shard was abandoned for a reason. If Skiti can’t protect Laanda from herself, she risks losing her forever.
Their bonds tighten as they delve side by side into the many dangers and wonders of this forgotten place. Only together can they solve the puzzle of Jagged Shard and of their own reticent hearts.
Available at:
Atlantis, Land of Dreams by Edale Lane
Communicating with plants and animals has become a rare gift, one Ariel cherishes. She loves her farm and her family, especially her three-hundred-year-old oma. As she grapples to preserve her connection with the spirit world, she realizes something is dreadfully wrong.
Lysandra, a gifted healer, lives in the most splendid city in the world, overflowing with culture and prosperity. Despite her meaningful career, she misses the love of her youth whom she left behind. Now something is causing more illnesses and deaths at increasingly younger ages than typical for Atlantans.
When both Ariel and Lysandra are called to the Ring of Stones for a meeting of scholars, masters, and gifted individuals, they reunite for the first time in thirty years. Pushing personal feelings aside, they must focus on discovering what’s wrong with their world and help fix it. Making a startling discovery, Ariel brings an ominous report to the council. Can the sharpest minds and most compassionate hearts of Atlantis create a plan to save their civilization, or is it doomed to be obliterated from the face of the earth forever?
Available at:
Woodborn by Heather Nix
“I do not know how I lived in darkness for so many years with this bright world just waiting for me to grasp it.”
Maelwen is a young witch trapped in a harsh and unforgiving life. Friendless and alone, she endures pain and abuse to survive in the desolate land of Iowain.
Cicerine, a sweet young faun, lives in the idyllic glade of Kanitosh Woods. Alongside her mother and closest friend, she grows up in reverence of the god, Idyth—led by the mysterious Father Farragen.
Escaping her tormentor and seeking a new life of her own, Maelwen finds a fresh start in the trade city of Konidas. Meanwhile, a terrible tragedy befalls the glade, and Cicerine must flee to the same seaside town, leaving behind all she has ever known.
As a dark force spreads across the continent, can Maelwen’s gifts and Cicerine’s developing power stand against the threat facing them all? Along with new friends and a crew of sapphic pirates, the line between good and evil is tested as the continent prepares for an epic battle.
Available at:
Saving Her Soul by Hildred M. Billings
A Most Inconvenient Love
Nothing interesting happens in Yarensport, a sleepy community on the sleepier planet of Qahrain. Not until the Temple announces a new priestess has been assigned to oversee the souls of thousands.
Farmgirl Sulim di’Graelic isn’t devout. Yet when she attends Priestess Mira’s first sermon, she swears she’s had a religious experience.
Love at first sight. Infatuation in its finest form.
When Mira saves Sulim’s life during a violent invasion, it feels like fate. When she follows her heart to the Temple, it can only be destiny.
Yet Mira pushes her away. Because it’s inappropriate. Because Sulim is human, and Mira belongs to the long-living sorcerer class, the julah. Death will inevitably tarnish their love.
A Romance that Defies Death
Mira Dunsman, the incognito daughter of the High Priest, knows that Sulim is her soulmate. But giving in to love isn’t as easy as defying the tenets of the Temple and ruining her career to be with her intern.
She will outlive Sulim by thousands of years.
Yet when Mira and Sulim finally bow to fate, they’re set on a path of passion and heartbreak that will define Sulim’s whole life… and crater the rest of Mira’s.
Unless some powerful friends find a way to save Sulim’s soul from eternal rest.
They must hurry. Death waits for no one – not even love.
Available at:
Legacy & Song by J.L. Meyrick
The treaty relied on marriage. At least, that had been the plan until now.
More involved with the war than they ever planned, Grace and Freddie must pull two kingdoms together to fight side by side.
Separated for the first time since they met, Grace must convince the Ablunoran King to sign the new treaty while Freddie is re-immersed in her family following the deaths of the King and Crown Prince.
Grace needs to handle being thrown together with Rowan, her one-night stand, for longer than either of them had planned. Freddie considers her possibilities with Tiffany, alongside her growing relationship with Grace.
Can they pull this off? Or will all be lost?
Available at:
The Sovereign of Psiere by K. Aten
Psiere is a world of intrigue where old ideology meets new. The Makers built massive pyramids on each continent and filled them with encrypted texts and advanced technology. The two suns, Archeos and Illeos shine down on a mostly undiscovered planet with a psionic race of people living on land, and violent sea people below the water. The Queen seeks to make the world a better place for all Psierians but her daughter, Royal Sovereign Connate Olivienne Dracore, seeks only to solve the Divine Mystery.
The connate makes her living as a historical adventurist and wants the answer to two important questions. Who were the Makers and where did they go? Because she is the heir, Olivienne travels with a security force and resents it every moment. Every one of her captains has either quit or been injured trying to keep up with the risk-taking woman. That’s where Commander Castellan Tosh comes in. Capable, confident, and oh-so-dashing, she is forced to switch career corps to take charge of Olivienne’s team. Sparks fly from the moment they meet and things only get hotter as they chase down the clues to the greatest mystery of all time
Available at:
The Cradle of Eternal Night by Ladz (illus. by Pom Poison)
In a land lit only by the counterfeit warmth of magical technology, the Kler prays for the return of the sun, the moons, and the stars. Ceaseless night and the beasts lurking in the darkness keep the congregation within the Kolebka Wiecznej Nocy trapped in mirthless vigil. Their towns remain quiet as graveyards as they wait for day to come again. What no one knows about this ceaseless night is that the Kler themselves can end it. But they haven’t, and they won’t.
Long ago, the Kler banished the sun worshipers, but a heretical sect made the journey back to the land of darkness. Now, only one remains carrying their purpose heavy on her shoulders: a maverick technomancer named Basia. She alone will bring back the light, or no one will.
Armed with naught but her own cleverness and a sword imbued with sun-embraced charms, she searches for the Kler’s secrets and finds herself in Tawerna. With the Kler on her heels, she infiltrates a private feast and catches Hanka, a docile bard, in the middle of planning her own escape into the world beyond. Hanka wants nothing to do with the heretical outsider until she discovers that her purpose aligns with the darkness buried inside herself. Hanka knows the secrets the Kler keeps, and she knows just where to go to expose their lies.
With only each other and their heretical magic to rely on, Basia and Hanka face the eternal night and wonder, are they truly enough to bring light back to the world?
Available at:
Errant, Volume One by LK Fleet
Aspen Silverglade used to be a force for good, but now she’s just a sword for hire. On the run from the people she once trusted most, she needs to keep her head down and keep moving.
But old habits are hard to quit. One night in a tavern, Aspen tries to save a woman from some unwanted attention. The woman, Charm Linville, is in the middle of a subtle and delicate act of thievery, and she does not appreciate Aspen blundering in.
The disastrous and public rescue-gone-wrong makes the townspeople think Aspen and Charm are a couple. This mistake sets Aspen’s bloodthirsty betrayers on Charm’s trail, tying the two of them together.
Even if Aspen can’t run from her past any longer, Charm shouldn’t have to suffer. Despite Aspen’s determination to work alone, Charm insists on helping—and she has a past of her own. The two of them don’t care for each other’s methods, but as they journey through the villages and wildernesses of Falland, solving problems and meeting magical friends and foes, Aspen and Charm grudgingly come to care for each other. Can these two guarded, stubborn women admit their feelings, or will Aspen’s enemies kill them first?
Available at:
Dame Ophis by Merlina Garance
She has many names.
Lady of the Oak.
Dame Ophis.
Few are those to know her real one.
Sinha.
When wounded knight Cerris crosses through the forest on her way back to the castle, she doesn’t expect a surprising young woman to offer her shelter, nor to heal her.
Things take a complicated turn when Cerris realises who she is dealing with.
She is supposed to kill Dame Ophis.
The only problem is, she might have fallen in love with Sinha.
Available at:
The Forgotten Realms: Book 2 Imperial Rand by Silvia Shaw
The sweeping saga of Rand continues.
Her time at Falcon’s Keep over, Savannah comes into her full power as the wielder of the sacred medallion. She seeks help in Arcadia to interpret the Prophecy Chart, the black magic spell that divides the Forgotten Realms from the rest of Rand. As well as having to battle sorcery to bring down the Wall, she faces the nearly impossible task of persuading the fierce Bramble Hawks to come out of their mountains.
Meanwhile, the chief Dreamer, courtesan Jezzine, is assigned to protect Princess Fern, heir to the Arcadian throne, from the Crow assassins. But other evil forces are in play in Arcadia, for the Dark Hollow Wizards have a hidden agenda in the realm.
Pela, now Supreme Commander, readies Rand’s armies for the invasion after centuries of peace. And as the world edges closer to war, fates are inextricably woven together, new alliances forged, and fabled Queens rise.
Available at:
Don’t miss our Sapphic Speculative Fiction Event
On April 4-6, join us for a 3-day event full of book giveaways, books on sale, and free books you can download!
There will be books from 60+ authors, across all subgenres of speculative fiction, including sapphic romantasy, fantasy, paranormal romance, sci-fi romance, and more! I’ll send out a newsletter once the event starts. Feel free to subscribe to my newsletter so you won’t miss it.
Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the sapphic romantasy category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic romantasy appeared first on Jae.
March 13, 2025
Sapphic books with flirting via text messages
This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo category covers a fun micro-trope: flirting via text messages.
The characters might exchange some sexy late-night texts, engage in playful banter, or even confess their love via text messages.
15 sapphic books that include flirting via text messages
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 recommended sapphic books in which the main characters flirt via text messages:
Eve Falls First by Fiona Zedde
Teacher Eve Marshall has just crawled out of a bad relationship and has no plans to get twisted up in another romantic mess. Except she never counted on meeting the jaw-dropping Scarlet Hunt.
Yoga instructor Scarlet has been focused on raising her daughter since her ex-wife ditched them both to pursue her Hollywood dreams. The last thing she expects is to stumble into Eve’s adoring gaze. The teacher at her daughter’s school is too young, too cute, and far too interested, so it’d be wildly inappropriate to ask Eve to tutor her daughter. Right?
As the risk of catching feelings hangs over them, a certain sexy Hollywood ex swaggers back into Scarlet’s life, needing one hell of a favor… How much more complicated can life get?
Available at:
Telling Lies Online by Miranda MacLeod
Jamie Richards is a scientist who embraces reason– except when it comes to romance. Tired of her impulsive streak leaving her heartbroken, she’s determined to do everything right the next time she’s in love. But her resolve crumbles when a technical glitch matches her with perfection in Claire, a woman who lives on the opposite side of the country. Who is straight. And under the impression that Jamie’s a guy. But Jamie can’t help being smitten. Would one tiny lie be so terrible if it gets her closer to the woman of her dreams?
Claire Flores is a dreamer and a believer in signs, but she has a secret that keeps her cautious about love. All she wants is a picture-perfect family of her own, but she’s never met a man who attracts her. Until now. Throwing caution to the wind, she goes from Portland to Boston to meet Jay, her online love. Instead she meets Jamie, his work colleague, who befriends her in Jay’s unexpected absence. Claire’s heart is aflutter. Jamie stirs up feelings Claire never knew possible, but how close can she get without having to admit that she’s been lying to herself about her dreams all along?
What starts as a simple fib soon snowballs as Jamie fabricates increasingly ridiculous tales to keep her identity as Jay under wraps, until a comedy of errors threatens to topple the whole charade to the ground. Can true love prevail when it’s founded on a lie?
Available at:
Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae
Flirting has never been Denny’s strong suit, but so what if she’s too shy to ask women out? She’s content with her simple life, working as a cashier and helping her sister raise her niece.
But then she gets a wrong-number text message from a stranger named Eliza, asking her of all people for dating advice!
Eliza is Denny’s total opposite: witty, outgoing—and straight. Despite their differences, the accidental text sparks an unlikely friendship. Soon, Eliza—self-proclaimed queen of disastrous first dates—would rather banter back and forth with Denny than to keep trying her luck at online dating.
When they meet in person, there’s an instant connection. But what Eliza is feeling can’t be attraction, right? It doesn’t mean a thing that she’s starting to wish the guys she dates would be more like Denny. Or does it?
Can the wrong number lead to the right woman after all?
Available at:
All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell
Leighton Vaughn’s prestigious fine art atelier—and her life—appear to be settling down after a messy divorce. She prioritizes her daughter, art, and, teaching—that is until gifted Casey Norford joins the close-knit New York academy.
Casey didn’t receive the artistic education she expected from her bachelor’s degree, but a spot at Atelier Vaughn will remedy that. Even more than the opportunity to study with the famed Leighton Vaughn, Casey wants to give her son a stable childhood that won’t resemble her own. She’s not sure of the true extent of her artistic talent, but she’s keenly aware of her attraction to her instructor, and that attraction appears mutual.
Their sticky teacher-student relationship puts the future of the atelier in jeopardy, the needs of their young children are at odds with their dreams, and Leighton’s obsessive ex tracks her down. Will they sacrifice everything to be together?
Available at:
George and Izzie by Charlotte Rowan
At first sight, George and Izzie couldn’t be more different.
George is unabashedly queer, filled with confidence and purpose. Her friends are her family, more than most of her blood relatives ever were. She doesn’t need to know where she’s going, as long as she remembers who she is and what truly matters.
Content with her long-term partner and her loving parents, her cat and her books, Izzie leads a tranquil, quiet life, just as she wanted. She put hard work and determination into getting where she is now, but hopes to go further for the sake of the students she dedicates her days to.
But when George and Izzie’s paths cross, it appears that things aren’t as they seem.
Sometimes, it takes one person to change it all.
Available at:
Unbelievable You by Chelsea M. Cameron
Hunter: Things had been going pretty well for me. My time was filled with my jobs and friends, and my parents seemed to have finally given up on bullying me to go to law school. Then everything changes in the blink of an eye. One minute I’m teaching a yoga class, and the next there’s smoke and then fire and with it comes firefighters. One in particular.
Stace: There are only three things that I take seriously—my job as a volunteer firefighter, my work with the animal shelter, and my family. Everything else? Not so much. And then we get a call and I end up carrying an unbelievably gorgeous woman down the stairs and I feel like my entire world has shifted and nothing will ever be the same.
Hunter: She lifted me like some hero from a romance movie and I couldn’t help but notice how good she looked when she took her helmet off and smiled at me. But that’s neither here nor there. I’ll never pursue someone like Stace. Love doesn’t work out for me, not for any member of my family. It’s just not in our genes. Why would I sign up for the inevitable downfall that will wreck my life? I’ll keep my heart whole and intact, thank you very much. Stace is the kind of person who demands all or nothing, and I have nothing for her.
Stace: Hunter is…complicated. Closed-off. A challenge, not to mention she’s so beautiful that she’d make angels jealous. I’ve never met anyone who deserves to be seduced and spoiled by affection more than her. So that’s what I’m going to do. Because I have to have her.
Available at:
S o Not My Type by Dana Hawkins
Sophie Black has clawed her way up from coffee runs to project manager at a top Seattle ad agency. She’s laser-focused on her career—until the CEO’s daughter, Ella Northwood, joins the team. Forced to work together on a high-stakes campaign, sparks fly as Sophie’s scrappy determination clashes with Ella’s polished privilege. But there’s more to both women than meets the eye, and, over late nights in the office, their assumptions about each other start to crumble.
When an impromptu hot tub session leads to a steamy night neither can forget, everything changes. The ice-cold chip on Sophie’s shoulder finally starts to melt, while Ella hopes that for the first time, someone might see beneath her trust-fund facade. But as the temperature in the office soars, a shocking revelation threatens to derail everything. Now Sophie and Ella must decide if their feelings are worth fighting for…
Available at:
Temptation at Randy’s by Emily Alter
New beginnings didn’t usually come with a side of temptation.
Arlene
The last thing I would’ve expected when I dared to attend a local munch at my favorite diner was to run into one of my favorite YouTubers. Claude wasn’t part of the munch, as far as I could tell, and they hadn’t posted anything in forever, but they still approached me. Me.
It was a miracle I didn’t lose it right then and there.
Claude
Despite what my friends from LA said, I didn’t regret moving to Boston. It had started as an attempt to run away from a PR crisis I hadn’t known how to handle, but I liked it here. I’d found a safe haven at Randy’s, and people to surround myself with.
People to surround myself with shouldn’t have included a financial advisor with a sweet tooth and gorgeous eyes, but… Here we were.
Available at:
Take Two by Stephanie Shea
Being in love is Whitney Dimaano’s favorite past time. Though lately, she can’t seem to get it right. She’s tried—she is trying—but it just hasn’t…clicked, and maybe her time would be better spent focusing on all the things that are actually good in her life. The gym she all but built with her own two hands, the new-found bond with her brother and sister, her friends… Anything but chasing the ghost of how it felt with the woman who left her behind.
Award-winning documentarian Andy Vahn dreamed of being an extraordinary filmmaker. Her recipe for success is a fusion of meticulous planning, diligence, and never letting anything stand in her way. Not even love. When a trip to convince a misanthropic celebrity chef to appear in her docuseries leads her home, Andy knows it won’t be easy. Least of all because she hasn’t been back in six years. Hasn’t seen Whitney in six years. Still, it’s true what they say. You never forget your first.
Maybe Andy’s return is the closure Whitney needs. But what if all it does is reaffirm Andy’s deepest fear?
She should never have left.
Available at:
The Summer We’ve Had by Katherine Blakeman
After a nightmare couple of years following the death of her celebrity singer mother, Cass Mulligan is moving down to the sun, sea and shingle of Cornwall for a fresh start. But she soon realises that she’s not the only one in need of some TLC…
Felicia Wilson’s life is one long series of spinning plates. She has Dissociative Identity Disorder, a system of five alternate personalities living in her body, and they all have different hopes, fears and desires.
When Cass is thrown together with Felicia, some beautiful friendships grow, and soon there is substantial mutual attraction between Cass and dominant alter Heather. But if things go wrong, they could go very wrong. Can they build a relationship AND keep everybody happy?
Available at:
V.A.M.P.: Book One—Serena & Katerina by Kimberly A. Todd
Is it possible to find a second chance at love?
Being rich, powerful, and thirty years old for eternity has its perks. Being a heartbroken, 800-year-old lesbian vampire, not so much.
Serena Vanderen is chairman and CEO of V.A.M.P. Global. Advertiser by day; scientist, murderer, and cleanup artist for her pharmaceutical client by night.
Since her girlfriend was killed thirty years ago, Serena has been going through the motions of running her advertising agency while grieving and trying to armor her heart against any more pain. But when Katerina Davenport attends her company gala, everything changes.
Can this captivating, gorgeous, sexy redhead help Serena find love again? Will she reignite Serena’s long-dormant sexual desires? Will Katerina be able to accept that she is falling in love with a vampire? What dark secrets does the agency conceal that challenges their love—and Katerina’s safety?
Available at:
Back to September by Melissa Brayden
Building a bridge between two worlds can be tricky.
Hannah Shephard likes her life, her job, and her perfectly cozy apartment around the corner from her shop. She’s never been one to take big risks and would much rather stay in on a Friday night with a warm cup of decaf and her favorite mystery novel, so why do her friends insist she needs more? Plus, Hannah has bigger problems to focus on. She’s in trouble. Well, her bookstore is, and if she doesn’t find a way to bring in some more cash, she’ll be closing the doors of A Likely Story for good.
When world famous romance novelist Parker Bristow accepts her request to come in for a signing, Hannah might finally be able to drum up some much-needed attention and save the shop. What she didn’t anticipate was an unexpected evening and a woman she wouldn’t soon forget. A real romance is off the table. Parker is flashy, sought after, and Hannah is just, well, Hannah. But for Parker, it seems like Hannah might be a safe place to fall. The question is, what kind of falling are they doing?
Available at:
Moon Over the Gateway Arch by Renn Loraine
Sarah knew the elegant blonde in the St. Louis bar was dangerous. She just didn’t know how….
When the woman pulls Sarah aside on the crowded dance floor to tell her she’s not safe, Sarah doesn’t believe her. But as the events of the evening progress – she’s not so sure.
Soon, Sarah realizes that in order to escape, she may have to trust this beautiful stranger. But only Sarah’s wits can save her now – and she doesn’t know how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Available at:
In Your Hands by Johana Gavez
After being single for several years, Manuela is eager to end her dry spell. She tries her luck on a dating app where she encounters Sophia, a confident and straightforward woman. Their instant connection leads them from flirtatious messages to steamy exchanges on the app.
“In Your Hands” follows Manuela as she explores pleasure on her own and later the world of sexting, roleplaying and one-night stands that turn into more.
Available at:
Ribbonwood by Ruby Landers
Lara Bennett is world-famous in Ribbonwood, population 907. She’s the woman you don’t trust your husband with: a real-life femme fatale. If there’s a scandal in town, she’s at the center of it, ruining businesses, marriages, and egos everywhere she goes, with her sharp tongue and that body that makes you look twice. Besides… didn’t she more or less kill a man?
Ollie Gabrielli left Ribbonwood right after high school, back when Lara was her arch-nemesis. The queen bee and the closeted soccer star: natural enemies. When she comes home for three months it’s to recover from burnout and spend time with her chaotic family, not to reconnect with old classmates. Only somehow, she can’t seem to take her eyes off Lara. How did she only get hotter? And is she really everything they say she is?
Sometimes, there’s a reason you should never try to go home.
Available at:
Birthday book giveaway coming up!
My birthday is coming up next week, and like every year, I’ll celebrate by giving YOU gifts! I’m preparing a big book giveaway with different prizes to pick from (signed paperbacks & book candles, ebooks, or audiobooks). I’ll send out a newsletter to let you know when it’s time to enter the drawing. If you don’t want to miss it, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter.
Leave a commentWhat sapphic book will you read for the “flirting via text messages” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic books with flirting via text messages appeared first on Jae.
March 12, 2025
Sapphic books in Kobo Plus
Lately, readers looking for sapphic fiction beyond Amazon have asked me for a list of sapphic books in Kobo Plus. As far as I know, no such list existed, so I decided to create one.
What is Kobo Plus?
Kobo Plus is a subscription service that allows readers to borrow ebooks (and audiobooks) for a monthly fee, much like Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited (KU).
Note: Not all books sold on Kobo are available in Kobo Plus—some authors sell their books on Kobo but choose not to include them in the subscription program, just like not all ebooks on Amazon are available in KU.
Advantages of Kobo Plus
For readers:
Kobo Plus is slightly less expensive than Kindle Unlimited. Prices vary by country. In the US, Kobo’s ebooks-only subscription costs $7.99/month, and their ebooks & audiobooks option is $9.99/month, compared to KU’s $11.99/month.Kobo Plus has a dedicated audiobook subscription, while KU only includes a few select audiobooks that participate in “Kindle Unlimited with Audible Narration.”Kobo Plus is available in more countries than KU (22 vs. 12).For authors:
Kobo Plus doesn’t have an exclusivity clause, which gives authors the freedom to also offer their ebooks on other retailers or make them available through libraries and in their own webstores.Unlike KU, Kobo Plus pays authors for re-reads.Disadvantages of Kobo Plus
For readers:
Kobo Plus has a much smaller catalog, including fewer sapphic books, compared to Kindle Unlimited. Many sapphic indie authors put their ebooks in KU, which means they are contractually required to be exclusive with Amazon and can’t offer their ebooks in Kobo Plus.Some authors launch their books in KU and make them available via other retailers only after 3-6 months, which means Kobo Plus is less likely to have new releases.For authors:
Kobo has a much smaller reader base compared to Amazon and KU, so authors will reach a smaller audience.Putting an ebook into Kindle Unlimited increases its visibility on Amazon. Removing it from KU to enroll it in Kobo Plus means giving up that advantage.Kobo Plus doesn’t pay authors for books read by anyone using a 30-day free trial, while KU does.Why did I put together this list of sapphic authors in Kobo Plus?
A quick note on the intention behind this list: It’s not a call to boycott Amazon—at least when it comes to buying sapphic books. Many indie authors are exclusive to Amazon, so boycotting Amazon entirely would mean missing out on the chance to read their ebooks and to support them.
This list is meant to highlight those authors who make their books available in Kobo Plus, giving readers more options to discover and support sapphic books across different platforms.
List of sapphic fiction authors in Kobo Plus
Below, you’ll find a list of 80+ sapphic authors who currently have some or all of their books (ebooks and/or audiobooks) available in Kobo Plus:
Aimee Donnellan (ebooks)Alicia Gael (ebook)Aoibh Wood (audiobooks)Alison Naomi Holt (ebooks)Alli Temple (ebooks)Allison Temple (ebooks)Andi R. Christopher (ebooks)Anna Stone (audiobooks)Arizona Tape/Ariana Jade (ebooks)Autumn Wolff (ebooks)Aveda Vice (ebooks)Candace Harper (ebooks)Caren J. Werlinger (ebooks)Carolyn Elizabeth (ebooks)Cassandra Medcalf (audiobook)Ceillie Simkiss (ebooks)Celeste Castro (ebooks)Cindy Rizzo (ebooks)C. Jean Downer (ebooks)Clare Ashton (ebook)Clare Lydon (ebooks & audiobooks)Dax Murray (ebooks)Elizabeth Andre (ebooks)Emily Banting (audiobooks)Erica Abbott (ebooks)Erin Branch (ebook)Fiona Zedde (ebooks & audiobooks)Geneva Vand (ebooks)Gerri Hill (ebooks)Harper Bliss (ebook & audiobook)Issy Waldrom (ebooks)Jacki Sensal (ebooks)Jae (audiobooks): The Hollywood Series; The Oregon Series; Something in the Wine; Falling Hard; Heart TroubleJaime Clevenger (ebooks)Jamey Moody (audiobooks)J.C. Snow (ebooks)J.E. Leak (ebooks)Jen Karner (ebooks)Johana Gavez (ebooks & audiobooks)Karin Kallmaker (ebooks & audiobooks)Kat Jackson (ebooks)Kate Gavin (ebooks)Katherine V. Forrest (ebooks)Katherine Rupley (ebook & audiobook)Kay Acker (ebook)KD Williamson (audiobook)Kelly Farmer (ebooks & audiobooks)KG MacGregor (ebooks)Kimberly Cooper Griffin (ebooks)Kit Eyre (ebooks)KL Hughes (audiobook)Laina Villeneuve (ebooks)Lee Winter (audiobooks)Lexa Luthor (ebooks & audiobooks)Lianyu Tan (ebooks & audiobooks)Lise MacTague (ebooks)Lola Keeley (audiobook)Lucy Felthouse (ebooks)Marie Cardo (ebooks)Mel E. Lemon (Ebook)Merlina Garance (ebooks)Olivia Waite (ebooks & audiobooks)Rachel Gold (ebook)Reba Bale (ebooks)Reese Quinn (ebooks)Robin Alexander (audiobook)Rochelle Wolf (ebooks)Roslyn Sinclair (audiobook)Ruby Roe (ebooks)Ruby Scott (ebooks)Samira Lloyd (ebooks)SD Simper (ebooks & audiobooks)Shannon O’Connor (ebooks)Sienna Eggler (ebooks)Siobhan Muir (ebooks)Siri Caldwell (ebooks)Stacy Lynn Miller (ebooks)Tagan Shepard (ebooks)Thea Hawthorne (ebooks)Tiana Warner (ebooks)Tiffany E. Taylor (ebooks)Tracey Richardson (ebooks)Bywater Books: In Kobo Plus until March 31, 2025
Most books from sapphic publisher Bywater Books will be in Kobo Plus only until March 31, 2025, including books by Ann Aptaker, Ann McMan, Anna Burke, Avery Brooks, Cathy Pegau, Elle E. Ire, Jenn Alexander, Mala Kumar, Marianne K. Martin, Penny Mickelbury, Virginia Black, and many other Bywater authors.
Further reading
If you’re interested in learning more about how to support sapphic fiction authors, check out these blog posts:
How to Support Authors of LGBTQ Books During Challenging Times: 15 helpful things readers can do to support authors and why boycotting Amazon might not be the best solution.How to Make Sure More of Your Book Money Goes to Authors: This blog post pulls back the curtain on how much authors earn per sale via different platforms and formats.Where to Buy Sapphic Books Directly From Authors and Publishers: A list of small sapphic publishing houses and sapphic authors who sell books through their own webstores.Don’t miss future options to support sapphic authors
Next week, I’ll post a list of authors you can support on Patreon & similar platforms through a monthly subscription that gives you access to bonus material. If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss those lists, sign up for my blog.
Are you a sapphic fiction author whose books are included in Kobo Plus?
If you’re an author of sapphic fiction whose books are included in the Kobo Plus subscription program, feel free to reach out to me, and I’d be happy to add you to the list.
The post Sapphic books in Kobo Plus appeared first on Jae.
March 6, 2025
Sapphic childhood friends-to-lovers romance
This week’s category in the Sapphic Book Bingo is a fan-favorite trope: sapphic childhood friends-to-lovers romances!
The two main characters have grown up together and were maybe even best friends as children before falling in love as adults.
If you’re new to the Sapphic Book Bingo
If you’re discovering our reading challenge just now, check out the rules & category post and download your bingo card on the Sapphic Book Bingo main page.
You can also check out more book recommendations in my Facebook reader group or the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.
15 sapphic childhood friends-to-lovers romances
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 recommended sapphic childhood friends-to-lovers romances:
Chemistry Lessons by Jae
Kylie and Regan have been best friends since kindergarten, supporting each other through thick and thin.
While everyone thinks they would be perfect for each other, they insist there’s no chemistry between them—and Regan should know since she’s a chemistry teacher.
To prove it, they agree to a little chemistry experiment: they’ll go on three dates with each other.
So what if their gazes start to linger and accidental touches no longer feel platonic? They chalk it up to the romantic atmosphere—until a friendly good night kiss turns passionate.
Can their friendship go back to the way it was before? Do they even want it to? Or will they risk losing what they have for a chance at love?
Available at:
Courtship by Anna Pulley
Reaux Briggs is no stranger to cruising; each night a different woman warms her bed. She doesn’t exactly mind it, as intimacy is something she gave up on long ago. But when her hot nights land her in hotter water and she’s ousted as drummer by her metal band, Reaux thinks things couldn’t possibly get worse. Then she walks onto the deck of a long-awaited holiday cruise only to run face-first into the woman who broke her heart.
Catherine “Fitz” Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming divorce lawyer too busy trying to make partner to care about her love life, or anything approximating one. But thanks to an antiquated norm at her family’s firm, Fitz needs to find a partner in order to get promoted. As if her mother setting her up on horrible blind dates wasn’t bad enough, Fitz also has to contend with being in forced proximity to Reaux, her high school sweetheart and the girl she’s never really been able to get out of her head.
Increasingly pulled together by feelings they can’t quite ignore—not to mention a tropical hurricane that threatens the lives of everyone aboard the ship—Reaux and Fitz must learn to navigate the emotional and literal storms swirling about them. Will they be able to mend their past hurts and reach safe harbors, or has their ship sailed once and for all?
Available at:
A Dare to Remember by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
Fifteen years ago, a game of Truth or Dare ended in a kiss that would forever change two women’s lives. Can they open up their hearts after years of hurt?
After years away, Clara Chandler finds herself back in her Vermont hometown, nursing wounds from a shattered life in New York City. But her return comes with a bitter surprise: the inn her family once owned is on the verge of being sold to the one person she never wanted to see again.
Once an outcast, Lucy has transformed her life and is ready to reclaim her family’s legacy by purchasing the inn that slipped through their fingers generations ago. But Clara’s return throws an unexpected curveball as the woman has no intention of letting Lucy win.
When outside forces intervene to threaten them both, Clara must swallow her pride and partner up with her former high school rival to save the inn. In the process, Clara discovers that Lucy is no longer the rebellious girl she once knew, but an intriguing—and sexy—woman whose presence has Clara tied up in knots.
With each passing day, the simmering tension between them ignites a passion neither can deny. But to move forward, Clara and Lucy must both confront the hurt and fear that has held them back.
In this heartfelt tale of redemption and desire, Clara and Lucy will learn that sometimes the greatest risks lead to the sweetest rewards. Will they find the courage to embrace their feelings and turn a second chance into a lifelong romance?
Available at:
Sleigh Bells Ring by Alyson Root
For Nicole Robinson, Christmas means returning to the family home in Hebden Bridge with her sister Beth and their brother Liam, who has lived with permanent delays since a childhood accident. Though Beth and Nicole have grown up and moved away, every December the Robinson kids reunite for a month of family and festive traditions.
One tradition, however, has always stood out: the mysterious source of the sleigh bells they’ve heard every Christmas for as long as they can remember. The magic of it all keeps them searching year after year, convinced the answer is just one clever plan—or perhaps something more magical—away.
And while the Robinson household is brimming with holiday cheer, Nicole’s love life is anything but merry. Every year, like clockwork, she finds herself single by Christmas—dumped by one girlfriend after another who can’t handle the intense month-long family tradition. This year is no different, and Beth has even made her an Advent calendar to track her sister’s inevitable seasonal breakups. But a familiar face from the Robinsons’ past begs to ask if maybe, just maybe, Nicole’s luck is about to change.
Niamh, a childhood friend of Liam’s and the only one who stayed by his side after the accident, has returned to Hebden Bridge. A decade away has turned her into a stunning Irish woman with raven hair and sparkling green eyes, and as the scent of hot chocolate fills the air, she stirs something warm and unexpected in Nicole.
Can Niamh fit into the Robinson family’s quirky Christmas traditions, or will this holiday romance end like all the others? As sleigh bells ring and festive cheer fills the air, Nicole just might discover that the real meaning of Christmas isn’t in the mystery of the bells, but in the magic of love.
Available at:
Darcy Comes Home by Jen Silver
After twenty-five years Darcy and Angie meet again and from the faintly flickering embers of their forbidden teenage love, a flame erupts. Family complications arise including a reluctant engagement, secret surrogacy, and a persistent ex-wife.
Villagers in Professor Darcy Belsfield’s childhood home of Sycamore Haven remember her being sent away to a Christian conversion camp in Canada when her father discovered her making love to her school friend, Angie.
Angie has never married but she does have a past and some unenthusiastic plans for the future. Will the differences in their lives doom the chance of Darcy and Angie discovering if they can build a future together?
Available at:
Love, Hate & Earthquakes by Jessica Rush
Charlie is determined to make her senior year at Port Charlotte High School, the year where she becomes top of the class in Maths, wins the 400-metre sprint at the school’s athletics, and finally knock Paisley off the first-tier pedestal, where she stands proud and maybe just a bit too smugly. Paisley likes being number one, but she also wants to make Charlie see that there is more to the world than winning.
Tension rises between the girls, and to make things more complicated, the earth around them seems to like not staying still. Earthquakes have started again, causing Charlie to fight through anxiety attacks and to grow feelings that she has never felt before.
Can Paisley show Charlie that winning isn’t everything? Can Charlie learn to love herself and realise it’s okay to be different from everyone around her? Will the earthquakes continue to grow just like the feelings Charlie realises she has towards someone she thought she hated, and make everything she thought she knew crash down around her?
Available at:
The Hex Next Door by Lou Wilham
For the Crow Witch, Icarus “Rus” Ashthorne, Moondale seemed the perfect hiding place. But like they always say, you can’t go home again, and Rus finds out quickly that nothing is how she remembered, while at the same time very little has changed. Then she comes face to face with the only woman she’s ever loved, Az Elwood, and… well, things get messier than she thought they ever could.
The Elwoods are a staple of Moondale, respected, feared, powerful, and Azure Elwood was always happy with her place amongst them. Happy to play the part of the good little witch, until Rus Ashthorne. Eleven years ago, Rus got on a bus and left Azure behind, but she’s back, with two little girls trailing her like ducklings, and enough unspoken things between them to drown the town.
Now witch hunters are knocking at their proverbial door, the council of magic is being a real pain in the ass, and Rus wonders how much magic it’ll take to protect the people she loves from herself and the danger following her.
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My So Called Bloody Life by Mia Kazi
When Yashica suddenly realised she had feelings for one of her closest friends and blurts them out to her, she was totally unprepared for the storm of hate her classmates unleashed upon her and the backlash from her Asian family. Gradually she realises who her real friends are and rebuilds her relationship with her family and tries to find a way to make peace with herself and her sexuality. Yashica throws herself into her love of cricket and finally is allowed to gain some success and acceptance. Perhaps one day she could even like herself enough to believe that someone else might like her too.
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The Memories of Marlie Rose by Morgan Lee Miller
Would you want to forget the only woman you’ve ever loved? Marlie Rose does.
Everyone thinks Broadway legend Marlie Rose has it all: a fabulous career spanning over five decades, all the major awards, and a lifetime in the spotlight. Only Marlie knows the heavy weight of her memories. When a new, experimental procedure promises to relieve trauma and heartbreak by erasing unwanted memories, Marlie signs up, desperate to let go of her tumultuous childhood, grief, and broken heart.
As Marlie recalls her memories and decides which ones to keep and which to erase, she unexpectedly reunites with Eleanor Olson, the woman she’s been in love with for forty-seven years. As her heartbreak fades and her heart races anew for Eleanor, Marlie discovers their love isn’t as dead as she thought it was, and she starts regretting the procedure.
Eleanor might be the only person who can help her restore her memories, but remembering might break her heart all over again.
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All You Want for the Holidays by Quinton Li
Perrin Pavlou is finally accepted into the Sunlit Creative Space residency program after applying for every round to date. With promises of a luxury villa in a sunny beach town, artistic strangers to find companionship in, and a week to work on her photo collection dedicated to the residency’s experience, she is ready to embrace her long-desired dream.
Until she finds out that her ex-best friend is the only resident she’ll be spending the rest of the week and Christmas with.
Inari Kan wants to start doing things for themself. Their people-pleasing tendencies and high-masking lifestyle means they’re longing for a holiday to just relax, write, and be themself.
But how are they supposed to do that when they’re spending almost every moment of their days with their high-school crush?
Available at:
Fool for Love by Rachael Sommers
After her father’s death, property developer Chloe Roberts has only one goal: to renovate and sell the old family house as quickly as possible so she never has to return home ever again. The last thing she expects is to run into Amy Edwards, the first woman she ever loved.
Dairy farmer Amy is deeply shaken by Chloe’s sudden reappearance. Burnt bridges from bad teenage decisions still fill her with regret. What if she reaches out, though? Just a little? Can some bridges ever be saved?
As the childhood friends grow closer, old feelings start to resurface. Should those old, aching wounds be left in the past, along with all the mistakes they might only repeat? Or should the women again risk their hearts trying to conquer the distance between them—one last time?
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The Summer I Fell in Love by Reba Bale
Phoebe
The first summer I have my freedom from the religious cult I was raised in, my grandmother sends me to a summer camp for teens. There I learned to swim, how to dress like a ‘normal’ girl, how to wear lipstick, and most importantly, I fell in love. But like all summer romances, ours had to end. Until we find ourselves back at the place where it all began…
Luna
I never forgot the girl I fell in love with at camp, but we were only teens then. We both grew up and moved on. Nostalgia makes me agree to volunteer at the same summer camp where I spent so many happy days. But when I see Phoebe again, I realize fate may have had a hand in our coming back together.
She says that she just wants to be friends this time around, so I make it my mission to wear her down and remind her how much fun it is to let loose and have some fun. We live in different states and have very different lives, but I’m determined to make this work.
They fell in love at first sight, and second sight too. Can they find forever?
Available at:
One I Knew by Rita Potter
Hollywood darling Mallory St. Cloud has it all: An Emmy, Grammy, and now an Oscar. She’s forty, feted, fabulous…and empty. On a whim, she leaves LA for Maplecrest, Pennsylvania, the hometown she fled when she was eighteen.
Dependable Andi Grainger, owner of Maplecrest’s successful handy business Chicks with Tool Belts, is startled to see her famous former best friend back in town.
Soon, it’s as if their friendship never ended. Mallory discovers the connection she’s been missing in her shallow social circle. But Andi has to deal with the fact her straight, gorgeous, unattainable friend, the subject of Andi’s hopeless teenage crush, is right in front of her again.
Except…Mallory’s not quite so straight anymore. And there’s a whole lot of pain beneath the surface they’ve been tiptoeing around. Is it time to be honest with each other at long last?
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Take Two by Stephanie Shea
Being in love is Whitney Dimaano’s favorite past time. Though lately, she can’t seem to get it right. She’s tried—she is trying—but it just hasn’t…clicked, and maybe her time would be better spent focusing on all the things that are actually good in her life. The gym she all but built with her own two hands, the new-found bond with her brother and sister, her friends… Anything but chasing the ghost of how it felt with the woman who left her behind.
Award-winning documentarian Andy Vahn dreamed of being an extraordinary filmmaker. Her recipe for success is a fusion of meticulous planning, diligence, and never letting anything stand in her way. Not even love. When a trip to convince a misanthropic celebrity chef to appear in her docuseries leads her home, Andy knows it won’t be easy. Least of all because she hasn’t been back in six years. Hasn’t seen Whitney in six years. Still, it’s true what they say. You never forget your first.
Maybe Andy’s return is the closure Whitney needs. But what if all it does is reaffirm Andy’s deepest fear?
She should never have left.
Available at:
Might As Well Be An Ocean by Kellan McKnight
Mara Davies learned early to keep her heart on ice. Abandoned by her mother, she raised herself while her father drowned his grief in alcohol. Everything changed when she met Fayth Havens, the one person who truly sees her and accepts everything that makes Mara different: her overstimulated mind, wandering thoughts, even her comfort in a pair of worn-out Family Guy pajamas, holes in the ass and all.
Now approaching their thirties, Mara and Fayth are best friends, though unspoken desires simmer just beneath the surface. When they strike a “friends with benefits” pact, Mara risks everything for a connection that burns hotter than she ever expected.
A twist of fate—and a piece of cake—lead to a fake engagement, forcing Mara and Fayth into an intimate tangle of buried truths. As misunderstandings threaten to pull them apart, Mara feels the distance between them might as well be an ocean. Can she open her heart to the love she’s convinced herself isn’t meant for her?
Available at:
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Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “sapphic childhood friends-to-lovers” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic childhood friends-to-lovers romance appeared first on Jae.
March 5, 2025
Where to buy sapphic books directly from authors and publishers
As I mentioned in last week’s blog post on author earnings, buying directly from authors’ or publishers’ own webstores is often the best way to make sure more of your book money goes to the people who create the stories you love.
That’s why I compiled a list of sapphic fiction publishers and authors who sell their books directly to readers.
Should we boycott Amazon and only buy directly from authors and publishers?
Before we dive into the list of webstores, I want to clarify that this isn’t a call to boycott Amazon or other big retailers–at least when it comes to buying sapphic books.
While buying directly is a great way to support some publishers and authors, most sapphic authors don’t have a webstore of their own for various reasons:
Technical and financial obstacles: Setting up a webstore requires at least some technical know-how or paying a professional to do it. Depending on the e-commerce platform, there can be significant upfront costs involved.Time and effort: Running a webstore also means authors have to handle customer service, troubleshoot download issues, and ship off paperbacks. Some authors would rather spend their time writing.Amazon’s KU exclusivity clause: Most sapphic indie authors enroll their ebooks in Kindle Unlimited (KU), which has an exclusivity clause. That means they can’t sell their ebooks elsewhere, including their own webstore. For many authors, KU provides them with a majority of their income, so leaving KU to set up their own webstore is not a viable option for everyone.I go into more detail about why boycotting Amazon would mean boycotting most sapphic indie authors in this blog post on how best to support LGBTQ+ authors.
On the reader’s side, it’s also not realistic—or inclusive—to expect every reader to only buy books directly. Especially for avid readers who read hundreds of books per year, it might be impossible to buy them all at full price. Subscription services like KU or Kobo Plus give readers access to more books and allow them to try new authors that they might otherwise not have found or taken a chance on.
So while buying directly from authors & publishers is great, it’s not always possible. This list of webstores is meant to give readers more options, not to call for blanket boycotts.
Sapphic fiction publishers with their own webstore
If you want to buy directly from small presses that specialize in sapphic fiction, here are some of the sapphic publishing houses that offer books through their own webstores:
Affinity Rainbow Publications (sapphic ebooks)
Bedazzled Ink (sapphic ebooks)
Bella Books (sapphic ebooks & paperbacks. Bella Books also sells ebooks & paperbacks from other sapphic presses & authors)
BLF Press (sapphic paperbacks)
Bold Strokes Books (sapphic ebooks & paperbacks)
Brisk Press (sapphic ebooks & paperbacks)
Bywater Books (sapphic ebooks & paperbacks)
Desert Palm Press (sapphic ebooks & audiobooks)
Flashpoint Publications (sapphic ebooks)
JMS Books (queer ebooks)
Launch Point Press (sapphic ebooks)
Nefarious Bat Press (Queer ebooks and signed paperbacks)
NineStar Press (queer ebooks)
Sapphire Books (sapphic ebooks)
Ylva Publishing (sapphic ebooks)
Sapphic authors who sell their books directly to readers
Some sapphic authors run their own webstores, allowing readers to purchase ebooks, paperbacks, or even signed copies directly.
Here’s a list of 50+ authors who sell their books directly to readers:
Adrian J. Smith (Ebooks, paperbacks, signed paperbacks)
Alison Naomi Holt (Ebooks & audiobooks)
Allison Temple / Alli Temple (Ebooks & signed paperbacks)
Alyson Root (Signed paperbacks via her website; unsigned paperbacks via Payhip)
Anna Ferrara (Ebooks)
Anne E. Terpstra (Signed paperbacks)
Aricka Alexander (Ebooks & signed paperbacks)
Arizona Tape/Ariana Jade (Ebooks)
Aveda Vice (Ebooks, signed paperbacks)
Bam Stroker (Ebooks)
Ceillie Simkiss (Ebooks & paperbacks)
Clare Lydon (Ebooks, paperbacks, audiobooks)
Dax Murray (Ebooks)
Elaine J. Daniels (Signed paperbacks)
Elena Graf (Ebooks and paperbacks)
Elliott Hay (Ebooks, audiobooks, unsigned paperbacks, signed paperbacks)
Elva Birch (Ebooks & signed paperbacks)
Emily Banting (Paperbacks, hardcover, audiobooks)
Haley Price (Signed paperbacks)
Harper Bliss (Ebooks, audiobooks, paperbacks, signed paperbacks)
Hildred Billings (Signed paperbacks, unsigned paperbacks, hardcover)
J.A. Vodvarka (Signed paperbacks)
J.E. Leak (Signed paperbacks)
Johana Gavez (Ebooks, audiobooks)
Jolie Dvorak (Paperbacks, signed paperbacks, audiobooks coming soon)
Jordyn Kelly (Signed paperbacks)
Karin Kallmaker (Ebooks, audiobooks, signed paperbacks)
Karmellah Howlett (Signed paperbacks; US only)
Kristina W. Kelly (Signed paperbacks)
Ladz (Ebooks, signed paperbacks)
Lauren Gallagher (Ebooks)
Leyla Reyne (Ebooks, audiobooks, signed paperbacks)
Lexa Luthor (Ebooks & audiobooks via Payhip; signed paperbacks via Etsy)
Lyssa Chiavari (Ebooks, paperbacks, signed paperbacks)
Marie Cardno (Signed paperbacks & hardcovers)
Melissa Tereze (Signed paperbacks, unsigned paperbacks)
Meredith Rose (Ebooks and hardcovers)
Merlina Garance (Ebooks, signed paperbacks)
Naomi Rivers (Signed paperbacks)
Rachel Bowdler (Signed paperbacks)
Ragini Werner (Signed paperbacks)
R.E. Bradshaw (Ebooks)
Rena Sapon-White & Ella Schaefer (Ebooks, coming soon)
Romy Morgan (Signed paperbacks, UK only)
Ruby Landers (Ebooks and paperbacks)
Ruby Roe (Ebooks, signed paperbacks, signed hardcover, audiobooks, merch)
Ruby Scott (Ebooks, signed paperbacks, unsigned paperbacks)
Sabrina Kane (Signed paperbacks)
Sam Skyborne (Ebooks & signed paperbacks)
Sapphic Lit Pop-Up Bookstore (Co-op of authors selling paperbacks at events)
SD Simper (Signed paperbacks and hardcovers)
Shannon O’Connor (Ebooks & signed paperbacks)
Si Clarke (Ebooks, audiobooks, unsigned paperbacks, signed paperbacks)
Siobhan Muir (Ebooks)
Spencer Rose (Ebooks & paperbacks)
Stephanie Lee (Unsigned paperbacks & signed paperbacks)
TL Travis (Ebooks & signed paperbacks)
Tracey Love (Unsigned paperbacks & signed paperbacks, US only)
T. T. Thomas (Ebooks)
Further reading
If you’re interested in learning more about how to support sapphic fiction authors, check out these blog posts:
How to Make Sure More of Your Book Money Goes to Authors: This blog post pulls back the curtain on how much authors earn per sale via different platforms and formats.How to Support Authors of LGBTQ Books During Challenging Times: 15 helpful things readers can do to support authors and why boycotting Amazon might not be the best solution.Don’t miss future options to support sapphic authors
Next week, I’ll post a list of authors on Kobo Plus (Kobo’s subscription service for readers), and the following week, I’ll share a list of authors you can support on Patreon through a monthly subscription that gives you access to bonus material.
If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss those lists, sign up for my blog.
Are you a sapphic fiction author who sells directly to readers?
If you’re an author of sapphic fiction who sells directly to readers, feel free to email me. I’d love to add you to the list!
If you are on Kobo Plus or on Patreon (or similar platforms), please reach out to me too so I can add you to the upcoming blog posts.
The post Where to buy sapphic books directly from authors and publishers appeared first on Jae.
March 1, 2025
How to make sure more of your book money goes to authors
Lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of emails and DMs from readers who want to make sure more of their money goes to authors in the sapphic community.
They’re asking me questions such as:
How can readers best support our authors?Do authors want us to boycott Amazon? (Short answer: No!)Is it better for authors if I buy paperbacks from a local bookstore instead of Amazon?Do authors earn the same amount if I read in Kindle Unlimited as they do when I buy the ebook?Which format (ebook, paperback, or audiobook) earns authors the most?Do authors get paid when I borrow books from the library or the Libby app?What’s the best place to get books if I’d like to make sure more of my money goes to the author?The goal of this blog post is to answer these questions.
I’m not trying to tell readers where to buy their books or what format to read. I appreciate every single reader who enjoys my books, no matter where or in what format they get my books (as long as we’re talking about legally acquired books, not piracy, of course).
The authors in our community are blessed with avid readers—some Sapphic Book Bingo participants read 600 sapphic books last year! I can imagine it would be impossible for most to afford that if not for libraries, the occasional book sale, or subscription services like Kindle Unlimited. Even though authors earn less per KU read than per ebook or paperback purchase, the KU payouts add up and make up anywhere from 50% to 75% of most indie authors’ income.
Realistically, most readers make use of several different ways to read—for example, I primarily buy ebooks and audiobooks because I have low vision and limited space on my bookshelf, but I buy physical copies of my favorite books. I sometimes also read books via Kindle Unlimited to try new authors or a book that isn’t usually in my comfort zone.
This blog post explores how these different reading options influence authors’ earnings per sale and the percentage of your money that goes to the author.
Note:If you’re short on time and want to find out the answers to the questions above without having to read the entire detailed post, feel free to skip ahead to the summary at the end of the post.
You can also scroll down and take a look at the two tables that give you an overview of what authors typically earn per copy sold and how much of your money goes to authors.
Why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what earns an author the most moneyThe only correct answer to the question of how to best support an author financially is: it depends.
The platform and format that generate the most per-sale income for an author can vary widely, based on numerous factors, including:
Publishing path: The most profitable option for an indie author can be entirely different from that of a traditionally published author. Even among traditionally published writers, those with a small LGBTQ press often differ considerably from authors with a large mainstream publisher when it comes to what format earns them most. Publishing contract: Publishing contracts for traditionally published authors vary significantly, with different royalty rates and payout structures, meaning one author’s highest-earning format might not be the same as another’s. Pricing strategy: The price an author sets for their ebooks and physical books also affects what format earns them most money. Length of the book: Book length influences author earnings too. For example, longer books make more per KU read, but they also cost more to print compared to shorter books.If you want to know how to best support your favorite authors, you might want to reach out to them and ask. Many writers will be happy to share which formats and platforms benefit them the most.
But, of course, you can’t ask every author for their preference, so this blog post is meant to explain the general trends—what typically earns authors the most.
Side note: The numbers behind my calculationsThe numbers in this blog post don’t reflect my own earnings or those of any specific author, nor do the royalty rates represent the exact royalty rates of my own publisher or any particular sapphic publishing house. They are one possible example of what an author’s income might look like. Keep in mind that actual earnings vary widely from one author to another.
I’m basing my calculations on an 80,000-word book since that’s the average length of a novel, especially in the romance genre. That translates to roughly 300 paperback pages (depending on the trim size) or around 420 KENP (pages read in Kindle Unlimited).
I’m assuming an ebook price of $5.99 and a paperback price of $14.99 for indie authors since that’s the average price of an indie book in the top 100 lesbian fiction bestseller charts on Amazon right now. Small sapphic presses typically price their ebooks at $9.99 and their paperbacks at $18.99, so I’m using those numbers to calculate earnings for traditionally published authors.
If an author prices their books differently or writes stories that are longer or shorter than average, their per-book income will deviate from my calculations, but this blog post will still give you a general idea.
The best way to financially support indie authorsAn indie author is a writer who publishes their work independently, without going through a publishing house. They essentially function as their own publisher, handling all aspects of the publishing process themselves, usually by hiring professionals such as editors and cover artists.
Indie authors bear all the costs, but in return, they keep the full share of what retailers and bookstores pay them, rather than splitting it with a publisher.
The biggest book-related expenses indie authors have to cover include:
Editing: Editing costs vary widely based on the type of editing, the length of the manuscript, the number of passes needed, and the experience of the editor and the author. Most sapphic indie authors pay between $500 and $2,000 for editing a novel-length manuscript, but it can be more than that for extensive content editing.Cover design: Indie authors typically pay anywhere from $150 to $500 for a cover, but some covers with detailed custom illustrations can cost more than that.Formatting for e-book and print: Most indies format their ebooks and physical books themselves, using a software such as Vellum, which currently costs $250. Other indies pay someone to format their book, with costs ranging from $50 to $150 per book.Audiobook narration: For a top-tier narrator, authors can expect to pay up to $400 per finished hour of audio. Since 10,000 words typically equate to about one hour of narration, the audiobook version of a 80,000-word novel would run around 8 hours, resulting in a total cost of up to $3,200.For traditionally published authors, it’s the publisher who has to cover these costs.
As I mentioned above, the most lucrative platform and format can vary from author to author, but the majority of indie authors generally earn the most per sale in the order below.
1. Direct purchase from the author’s own webstoreThere are a lot of different e-commerce platforms authors can use to sell their books directly to readers via their own webstore.
For this example, I’ll be using something very basic: An author using Payhip to sell their ebooks to readers. On its free plan, authors pay a 5% transaction fee for each sale, plus Paypal fees, which vary by country. For the US, it’s currently 3.49% of the sales price plus a fixed fee of $0.49 per transaction.
For a $5.99 ebook, an indie author would get around $4.99.
Of course, this calculation doesn’t factor in the time and upfront costs of setting up and maintaining a webstore. Plus, it’s worth noting that most authors don’t have their own webstore at all.
I’m working on a list of authors who sell ebooks, audiobooks, and/or paperbacks via their own webstore. Feel free to subscribe to my blog if you want to make sure you don’t miss it.
2. Ebook bought at full price via Amazon (or other retailers such as Apple Books, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble)Amazon pays authors 70% of the list price, minus VAT, minus a digital delivery fee that depends on the file size ($0.06 on average, according to Amazon).
For sales in a country that doesn’t apply VAT to ebooks, indie authors would get $4.13 for a $5.99 ebook.
However, Amazon pays 70% only for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99. For ebooks priced lower or higher, they only pay 35%.
3. Paperback bought through AmazonAmazon pays authors 60% of the list price minus the printing costs. Printing costs go up with the length of the book. A 300-page novel costs $4.60 to print via Amazon.
Prices for a 300-page novel vary widely—from as low as $9.99 to $17.99 for books from indie authors.
Let’s say an author prices their paperback at $14.99, which is the average price for a 300-page novel right now. In that case, the author would earn $4.39 per copy.
If the author sets the price at $12.99 to keep it affordable for readers, they would earn $3.19 per paperback.
As you can see, the answer to “what format earns authors most?” really is: it depends.
While physical copies can be more lucrative for authors in terms of what they earn for each copy sold, when you compare what readers spend to what authors earn, ebooks come out on top. Amazon makes way more off a paperback than the author does, while authors earn more than Amazon from each ebook sold. For the price of a single paperback, readers could buy two or three ebooks, ultimately putting more money in authors’ pockets.
4. Audiobook purchase through AudibleAudiobook royalties are very complicated. What authors get per audiobook sale depends on whether they produced the audiobook themselves vs. sold a license to an audiobook publisher; whether they paid the narrator out of pocket vs. did a royalty share; whether they are exclusive with Audible or sell their audiobook on other platforms too, etc.
If an indie author retains their audio rights and pays the narrator up-front instead of sharing the royalties, they get 40% of the sales price if they are exclusive with Audible and 25% if they aren’t (meaning they also sell their audiobooks on platforms such as Kobo, Spotify, Libro.fm, etc.).
However, few readers buy audiobooks at full price; most either have a monthly subscription or they buy during sales, which makes author royalties fluctuate even more widely.
For many indie authors, what they get from the sale of a novel-length audiobook averages out to about $4.
5. Ebook read in Kindle Unlimited (KU)Kindle Unlimited (Amazon’s subscription service for ebooks) pays authors per page read. That means that if you just borrow the book but never get around to reading it, authors don’t get paid. Amazon also doesn’t pay authors for rereads of the same book in KU.
How much authors get per page read varies from month to month and from country to country. Right now, authors get about $0.004 per page read in KU if the reader is in the US.
Note: KU pages are not the same as paperback pages. On average, an 80,000-word novel (about 300 pages) translates to about 420 KENP (Kindle Edition Normalized Pages) in KU.
If a reader in the US reads the entire book from beginning to end, an indie author would be paid $1.68.
6. Paperback bought from an indie bookstoreIndie bookstores typically order their copies through Ingram, a printing and distribution service that many indie authors and small publishing houses use.
Most bookstores are only willing to stock books if they receive a 40-55% discount, which means authors make considerably less per copy sold.
For a 300-page, $14.99 paperback sold at a 55% discount via an indie bookstore, the author would make $1.12.
By the way, this isn’t a criticism of indie bookstores. They have rent, employee wages, and other costs to cover, so they can’t operate without discounts, but it means less money for authors.
7. Ebook read in Kobo PlusKobo Plus is an ebook & audiobook subscription service similar to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited, but it doesn’t require exclusivity, meaning authors are free to sell their ebooks elsewhere too.
In general, a read in Kobo Plus pays less than a KU read. For a 80,000-word novel, if the reader reads at the same pace as a narrator would read an audiobook, the author would currently make $0.78.
8. Borrowing from a libraryFirst of all: Yes, authors do get paid by libraries.
For physical books, libraries purchase a copy. Authors only get a one-time payment similar to a regular sale of the book, but at a higher library price.
For digital books (ebooks and audiobooks), some library platforms—Libby/Overdrive, for example—follow the same model and buy a license. That means the library can only loan the ebook/audiobook to one user at a time. The author gets a one-time payment rather than getting paid each time a reader borrows the book.
Other library platforms such as Hoopla pay authors per borrow. How much authors earn per checkout depends on the length of the audiobook. For the 80k novel I used as an example (= an 8-hour audiobook), an indie author would currently get $0.74 through Hoopla.
While having their books in libraries might not be the most lucrative option for authors, it still helps by introducing their work to new readers who might not have discovered it otherwise. Most authors I know love having their books in libraries!
Comparison: Indie author earnings per sale and what percentage of your money goes to the authorThis table is best viewed on a desktop computer or laptop. If you’re on a mobile device, swipe left/right on the table to navigate between columns.
Platform & format Indie author earnings per read Percentage of your money that goes to the author Direct purchase via author’s webstore $4.99 for a $5.99 ebook 83 % Ebook via Amazon $4.13 for a $5.99 ebook 69 % Paperback via Amazon $4.39 for a $14.99 paperback 29 % Audiobook via Audible $4 Kindle Unlimited $1.68 Paperback via indie bookstore $1.12 7 % Kobo Plus $0.78 Library (Hoopla) $0.74 The best way to financially support authors published with small sapphic or LGBTQ pressesSmall lesbian and sapphic publishing houses such as Bella Books, Bold Strokes Books, Bywater Books, and Ylva Publishing have played a vital role in the history of sapphic fiction publishing. For a longer list of sapphic & LGBTQ publishers, check out this blog post on where to find sapphic books.
Unlike the Big Five and other mainstream publishers, these small presses are usually owned by LGBTQ individuals and focus exclusively on sapphic books. They operate on a smaller budget and typically publish 10-100 titles annually.
The publisher covers the costs of editing, cover design, and formatting, and they also take on the financial risk if the book doesn’t earn back those expenses. In fact, I recently came across a statistic stating that only about 35% of published books ever turn a profit.
In return for the publishing rights, the publisher pays authors a percentage of their revenue as royalties.
Typically, books published by a publishing house are priced higher than books published by indie authors. Most small sapphic presses price their ebooks at $9.99 and their paperbacks at around $18.99.
As with indie authors, the platform & format that earns small-press authors most can vary considerably from author to author—sometimes even within the same publishing house—depending on the author’s publishing contract.
In general, authors publishing with a small LGBTQ publisher earn the most per sale in the order listed below:
1. Direct purchase from the publisher’s webstoreMost small publishing houses also sell books through their own webstore. Since not all small LGBTQ presses sell paperbacks through their store, I’ll focus on ebooks here.
I’m working on a list of sapphic publishers’ webstores that I’ll post soon. Feel free to subscribe to my blog if you want to make sure you don’t miss it.
How much small-press authors earn per sale depends on the terms of their publishing contract, which stipulates their royalty rate and the basis for their royalties (sales price vs. publisher’s net revenue).
Some publishers pay their authors more for sales via the publisher’s webstore, while other small-press authors get the same for each copy sold, regardless of where the reader buys.
If the author gets 30% of sales price for an ebook sold via the publisher’s webstore, that would be $3 for a $9.99 ebook.
If the author gets 25% of net, that would be $2.25 for a $9.99 ebook (assuming the publisher pays about $1 for Paypal or credit card fees, etc.).
If the publisher pays the same for sales made through their webstore as for a sale through Amazon, authors might prefer a sale via Amazon for new releases since it boosts the book’s visibility on Amazon. With 300 million users worldwide, Amazon can generate sales at a scale even the most dedicated publisher can’t match. For older books, however, authors may recommend buying through their publisher’s webstore to support their publisher.
Personally, I’m in that camp as well—Amazon for new releases, my publisher’s webstore for backlist books.
2. Ebook bought at full price via Amazon (or other retailers such as Apple Books, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble)Let’s say the author’s contract stipulates that they get 25% of sales price for ebook sales via Amazon and other retailers. That would mean they get $2.50 for a $9.99 ebook.
If their publisher pays them 25% of net revenue (= 25% of what the publisher gets from Amazon), the author would receive $1.75.
3. Paperback bought through AmazonA common royalty rate for paperback copies is 10% of the sales price. Some publishers pay a tiered royalty structure—for example, an author could receive a lower royalty rate for the first set number of sales, e.g., 5% for the first 500 copies, then a higher royalty rate for any sales after that number is met.
Small sapphic presses often price their paperbacks at around $18.99, which means the author would get about $1.90 per paperback if royalties are based on 10% of the sales price.
4. Paperback bought from an indie bookstoreIf readers buy paperbacks from bookstores, the author might either get the same as they would from a sale through Amazon if their royalties are based on sales price, e.g., $1.90—or considerably less if their royalties are based on the publisher’s net income, e.g., $0.29 if they get 10% of the publisher’s net revenue.
5. Audiobook purchaseAudiobook earnings for small-press authors can vary widely. Some authors get a one-time payment and no additional royalties for audiobooks; others receive royalties for each audio sale.
If the author receives 25% of the publisher’s net revenue, they would be paid an average of $1 per audiobook sale if the publisher is exclusive with Audible.
Some LGBTQ presses don’t produce their own audiobooks; they instead sell a license to an audio publisher. If the author gets 50% of what the audio publisher pays, the author would get between $0.20 and $0.70 per audiobook.
6. Ebook read in Kindle Unlimited (KU)If the publishing house puts some of their books into Kindle Unlimited, authors will be paid a certain percentage of what Amazon pays the publisher.
How much depends on the conditions of their publishing contract. If they get 25% of the publisher’s net revenue, that would mean the author is paid $0.42 per KU read for an 80,000-word novel.
7. Ebook read in Kobo PlusI’m not sure if any sapphic publisher has their ebooks in Kobo Plus right now, but if they had and paid authors 25% of their net revenue, authors would earn $0.20 for an 80,000-word novel.
Comparison: Small-press author earnings per sale and what percentage of your money goes to the authorThis table is best viewed on a desktop computer or laptop. If you’re on a mobile device, swipe left/right on the table to navigate between columns.
Platform & format Small-press author earnings per read Percentage of your money that goes to the author Direct purchase via publisher’s webstore $2.25 to $3 for a $9.99 ebook 23-30 % Ebook via Amazon $1.75 to $2.50 for a $9.99 ebook 18-25 % Paperback via Amazon $1.90 for a $18.99 paperback 10 % Paperback via indie bookstore $0.29 to $1.90 for a $18.99 paperback 2-10 % Audiobook $0.20 to $1 Kindle Unlimited $0.42 Kobo Plus $0.20 Final thoughts on how best to support sapphic authorsWhat format and platform earns authors most royalties varies considerably and can be different for every author.
For me personally, I earn most from an ebook sale (any platform), followed by a paperback sale, then a KU read. I make least money from an audiobook sale.
However, I am grateful for any reader who reads my books, no matter where they buy or borrow the book and in what format.
You’re supporting authors, and that’s what matters.
TL;DR—Key takeaways for supporting authorsThe best way to support authors financially when buying books varies depending on factors such as the author’s publishing path (are they an indie or published with a small sapphic press), their pricing strategy, and the book’s length.
For indie authors, direct purchases from their own webstore (if they have one) usually give them the highest earnings per book. Depending on the author, the second-most lucrative option can be either an ebook or a paperback copy bought via Amazon.
When it comes to paperbacks, sales through Amazon tend to be more profitable for most authors than copies sold through bookstores.
While libraries and subscription services such as Kindle Unlimited and Kobo Plus offer lower payouts per read, the income they generate adds up. For many indie authors, the majority of their income comes from KU.
For authors published with small sapphic or LGBTQ presses, buying directly from the publisher’s website tends to provide the most financial support. However, ebook sales through Amazon can be just as beneficial since they boosts visibility and lead to more sales.
Paperbacks and, in particular, audiobooks usually earn small-press authors less per book, yet are still very much appreciated.
Ultimately, if you want to support your favorite authors, don’t hesitate to ask them what would be most beneficial to them.
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The post How to make sure more of your book money goes to authors appeared first on Jae.
February 20, 2025
Sapphic characters working in the entertainment industry
Lights, camera, action! This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo category is all about sapphic characters working in the entertainment industry.
They might be stealing the spotlight as actresses, setting the stage on fire as musicians or singers, crafting unforgettable stories as writers–or they could be working behind the scenes of the entertainment industry.
If you’re new to the Sapphic Book Bingo
If you’re discovering our reading challenge just now, check out the rules & category post and download your bingo card on the Sapphic Book Bingo main page.
You can also check out more book recommendations in my Facebook reader group or the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.
15 books with sapphic characters working in the entertainment industry
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 recommended books with sapphic characters working in the entertainment industry:
Damage Control by Jae
An actress practically since birth, Grace Durand has finally made it in Hollywood. When a photo of her in a seeming compromising situation with another woman is plastered all over the tabloids, she fears for her career as a lead in romantic movies.
Desperate for a publicist who’ll convince America that she’s straight, Grace hires Lauren Pearce, one of Hollywood’s leading PR agents, not knowing that she’s a lesbian.
Lauren has dealt with PR nightmares for years, so doing damage control for one more rich, spoiled client shouldn’t be a problem—or so she thinks. But the more time she spends with Grace, the more she realizes how different she is from her television persona.
Getting involved with her client is not in her game plan, especially since it would confirm the rumors and ruin Grace’s career, but the attraction between them is growing as they run the gauntlet of the paparazzi together.
Available at:
Posing in Paradise by T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
Margo Wells hates everything about Hollywood. Especially actors. But she loves her job as a wardrobe supervisor, until a spoiled film legend has her fired for an accident on set that wasn’t even her fault. Margo faces the real possibility of returning home to Minnesota in defeat. That is until a friend suggests a crazy solution: pose as his cousin’s fiancée for a family wedding in Hawaii and earn some cold, hard cash.
There’s just one problem. It turns out the cousin in question is none other than Caroline Jacobs, the woman responsible for Margo losing her job. Unfortunately, there’s too much at stake to back out, especially after a desperate Caroline offers to triple Margo’s pay to go through with the charade.
What could go wrong?
How about three of Caroline’s most famous exes showing up at the same exclusive island resort at the same time?
Now Caroline and Margo will have to turn in the performances of their lives to avoid being caught in a lie. But can Margo survive being trapped for two weeks in paradise with so many Hollywood A-listers without choking on her lines? Or worse, falling madly in love with the beguiling blond she’s sworn to hate?
Available at:
Write Your Own Script by A. L. Brooks
Beloved famous British actress Tamsyn Harris is in her early fifties and works hard to prove she’s still got “it”, despite her age. That means never revealing she’s a lesbian, for fear it would threaten her acclaimed career. After an on-set incident blows up, she disappears to a retreat to lay low for a while.
Maggie Cooper is a successful author with two pseudonyms and suffering from burn out. It’s hard enough trying to maintain both worlds, let alone keep them separate from real life. After checking herself into a retreat in Norfolk, the last thing she expects to find is the respected, beautiful actress she’s had a crush on her whole life.
As passion sweeps them up, they agree it can only be a holiday fling. But is that enough? Can they just return to their lives and leave each other behind?
Available at:
Off the Menu by Alaina Erdell
In less than 48 hours, reality TV sensation Restaurant Redo and its gorgeous host will arrive to film in chef Taylor Mobley’s kitchen…and she just found out.
Fixer Erin Rasmussen has a reputation for saving failing restaurants with her take-no-crap attitude. She gets the job done on time, under budget, and millions of viewers tune in to watch her do it.
The fine dining restaurant Taylor works for has some serious problems, and management doesn’t want her input. It’s time to leave. But how is she supposed to find a new position when a TV host with delusions of grandeur keeps painting her as a problem chef? Taylor refuses to play nice with Erin, especially on camera. They make each other’s blood boil, which is why it’s even more annoying that they can’t manage to keep their hands off each other.
Erin only cares about entertaining viewers. Taylor is unprofessional and immature. Or at least that’s what they each think. As the cameras roll and their careers hang in the balance, will Erin and Taylor make the jump from enemies to lovers?
Available at:
A Love to Stay For by Amy DeMeritt
Joyce Peterson is an international bestselling historical fiction author, who’s often accused by her friends as being a workaholic. Joyce knows finding a balance between work and leisure helps feed her creativity and ensures steady productivity. However, she is stubborn and often fights against the reality that she needs to take a break.
Avery West is a travel journalist looking for a place to lay roots. While she’s out exploring Harbor City, the small lakeside town that she’ll call home for at least a year, she clumsily plants herself in Joyce’s life.
Since happenstance often fuels her creative muse, Joyce happily accepts the role of welcome wagon and helps Avery get settled in. The more time they spend together, the more attached they become to each other. But with fifteen years separating them, and the fact that Avery is a wanderer, Joyce is hesitant to allow herself to acknowledge her feelings for the younger woman. And when the dark and dangerous secrets surrounding a lost local treasure come to light, their relationship becomes further imperiled. Can Joyce and Avery survive their curiosity of the past so they can have a future together?
Available at:
Under The Spotlight by Anne-Marie Pellow
Carrie James wears her heart on her sleeve. In fact, honesty may as well be her middle name. As an entertainment manager, she’s easygoing and unflappable. Until the summer season of 2022, that is.
Natalie Prince is the new East Coast Regional Director for Freedom Holidays. With a no-nonsense attitude and a penchant for perfection, she likes to play her cards very close to her chest.
The pre-season training seminar brings them into close proximity for the first time. It’s not a complete disaster on the calamity scale, but there’s definitely room for improvement in poise and refinement on Carrie’s part.
The two women play their roles admirably, but behind the scenes, it’s a different story. Amidst sadness and heartache, life takes an unexpected turn for both of them.
And in addition, there’s an oversized badger and a court case to contend with.
Available at:
Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton
Olivia Sachdeva’s life is flawless. With a first from Oxford and as the youngest partner at Bentley lawyers, she expects high standards from everyone. Her only indulgences are eating iced desserts and repeat watching romcoms, especially those featuring Kate Laurence – pure escapism and cinematic perfection.
But, when the actor walks into Olivia’s office with a bag full of divorce and a messy personal life, that perfect bubble bursts. Kate seems nothing like the screen goddesses she plays, and Olivia must put aside her comfort viewing and handle the case like the true professional she is.
It requires secrecy, especially with indiscreet friends. Will best-friend Charlotte ever read the room? And will Millie, who instantly reads the room, ever stop commenting loudly?
And Kate? She doesn’t know what to think about this frosty lawyer. But she needs a quick divorce from a mistake of a marriage, which was over before it started, and Olivia Sachdeva is the best.
But little by little, Olivia and Kate glimpse behind the mask, to find someone they weren’t looking for, who may not even be perfect, but might be the right person for them.
Available at:
SapphicLover69 by Edale Lane
Sapphic romance author Aspen Wolfe is forced off social media by a vicious online stalker. Putting it behind her, she accepts an invitation to speak at a prestigious writer’s conference where two of her books are up for awards. While she makes new friends at the gathering in New Orleans, her stalker, SapphicLover69, is the last person on her mind—until Aspen gets a text message declaring she is there.
Between authors, industry professionals, and fans, over three hundred people are at the conference, any of whom could be the sinister stalker Aspen sacrificed so much to avoid. To complicate matters, there’s this cute, sci-fi nerd, Winter Bliss, who has proclaimed herself Aspen’s guardian for the duration of the event. But when threats take a dangerous turn, who will make it home from the most haunted city in the South?
Available at:
Broken Beyond Repair by Emily Banting
Sydney MacKenzie, personal assistant to the rich and famous, is looking forward to a well-earned break to go travelling in her beloved VW camper van, Gertie — that is, until Gertie cries off sick. When her boss calls in a favour, one that will pay Sydney handsomely and put Gertie back on the road, she can’t refuse.
Internationally renowned actress Beatrice Russell — adored by her fans and despised by those that know her — is splashed across the tabloids, all thanks to her broken leg. She limps back to her palatial English country estate to convalesce for the summer, where she finds herself in need of yet another new assistant.
Enter Sydney, who doesn’t take kindly to the star’s demands, attitude, or clicking fingers — much less her body’s own attraction to the gorgeous diva. If not for that, and Gertie’s worn-out engine, she would leave tomorrow. Or so she tells herself.
As the summer heats up, the ice queen begins to thaw, and Sydney glimpses the tormented woman beneath the celebrity bravado, drawing her ever closer to the enigmatic actress — sometimes too close.
Can Sydney reach the real Beatrice and help heal her wounds before the summer ends and she returns to filming in the States, or is the celebrity broken beyond repair?
Available at:
Beyond the Shelves: A Sapphic Lit Pop-Up Anthology by Felice Cohen, Tagan Shepard, Cade Haddock Strong, Lori G. Matthews, Anne Shade, Rita Potter, Nan Campbell, Jennifer Karter, Louise McBain, Serena J. Bishop
Bookstores hold the greatest treasures of the world. Knowledge. Sanctuary. Acceptance. Love.
Even a little bit of magic.
The authors from the Sapphic Lit Pop-Up Bookstore bring you a collection of stories celebrating the wonderful spaces that are bookstores. Included are stories about finding your courage or seeking refuge from a storm. Finding a portal to another world or discovering that your fairy godmother has a penchant for colorful language.
Welcome to a world where the magic of storytelling intertwines sapphic love with the allure of bookstores, inviting you to embark on a journey of discovery and delight.
Available at:
You See Me by Gabbi Grey
Elouise
After a public breakup with my fiancée, I’ve retrenched in Vancouver, British Columbia, to lick my wounds and star in a movie. I’m acting as if everything is okay, but then I meet a woman who sees the real me. Dare I take a chance to find real love?
Kelci
I’ve admired Elouise Hynes from afar for years. She’s recently come out of the closet and was dumped just a short time later. I want to offer comfort, but I’m a makeup artist on her movie crew. Can we really form a lasting bond when she lives in LA and I’m staying in Canada?
Available at:
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do by Harper Bliss
Justine Blackburn has dedicated her life to the Rainbow Shelter, providing a safe haven for homeless queer youth. When her story is brought to life on the big screen, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Sienna Bright, the magnetic actor portraying her former lover.
But Justine’s old wounds run deep, and Sienna’s Hollywood life seems worlds apart from Justine’s reality. Can they overcome their fears and take a chance on love, or will past hurts keep them apart?
Get ready to fall head over heels as Justine and Sienna’s unputdownable story steals your heart and makes you believe in the power of love to heal even the toughest scars.
Available at:
The Dating Show by Violet Morley
It was only supposed to be one night.
Working multiple jobs while trying to put herself through school is catching up with Avery. Luckily, she has a contract for a hot new dating show in her hand. Now, all she can think about is making it to the end of the show, where she can win money to help ease her burdens.
Stella can’t catch a break. She’s been trying to get a job in front of the camera, but after ten years, she’s thinking about packing it in. Just when she’s ready to give up, she’s asked to host a hit new TV show, For Love or Money: Sapphic Edition. Jumping on the chance, Stella’s ecstatic about the opportunity until she sees that one of the contestants is someone she’s very familiar with—someone whose body she still craves.
Avery needs to win, and Stella needs the job. What can go wrong as they navigate their feelings while the camera rolls twenty-four-seven?
Available at:
American Superstar: Set the Stage by Shay Paris
Lennon Emery, an aspiring singer and closeted lesbian, auditions for a spot on the famous American Superstar, a singing competition that promises fame and fortune for the winner. Lennon’s goal is simple, win the show and become the performer she was born to be, and then maybe her parents might finally be proud of her – all the while keeping her secret just that, a secret.
Camila Bianchi, child star turned wild party girl turned redeemed performer. Camila was finally coming out on top, her image rebrand finally allowing her to reap the rewards. She has one more deal to fulfill with her label before she would be free of their clutches – be a judge on American Superstar and mentor the hopeful singers. Falling for one of the performers was not part of the plan.
Available at:
Falls From Grace by Ruby Landers
Savannah Grace is a huge star in Nashville. At least, she was. Her hit band Twice Struck topped the country music charts for almost a decade until her high profile marriage to her bandmate and co-writer publicly exploded. Now she’s fading from the spotlight and her own life, just trying to keep her head above water.
Brynn Marshall is a little lost. Dropping out of med school made her the black sheep of the family and now she’s floating around LA trying to find a sense of purpose. When she falls down on her luck, her best friend – indie musician Noah Lyman – refuses to let her wallow. After all, he’s just got his big break: co-writing with a megastar!
When Savannah enlists Noah to help her break out of country music and make a name for herself for once and for all, what better way to do it than to spend the Winter in her secluded vacation home in the woods of Vermont? And what better way for Noah to help out a friend than to pretend he’s bringing along his wife?
After all, what could possibly go wrong?
Available at:
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Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “entertainment industry” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic characters working in the entertainment industry appeared first on Jae.
February 13, 2025
Steamy or spicy sapphic romance
After last week’s “up-against-a-wall sex” category, this week’s Sapphic Book Bingo square turns up the heat even more: It features steamy or spicy sapphic romance novels.
We recently discussed the difference between steamy and spicy reads in my Facebook reader group, and the consensus was that spicy books usually have several explicit sex scenes with vivid details, especially if they are more intense, edgy, or non-vanilla.
In comparison, steamy books are all about the buildup of smoldering anticipation and sexual tension throughout the story.
A book can be both steamy and spicy, balancing emotional tension with plenty of explicit, passionate scenes.
If you’re new to the Sapphic Book Bingo
If you’re discovering our reading challenge just now, check out the rules & category post and download your bingo card on the Sapphic Book Bingo main page.
You can also check out more book recommendations in my Facebook reader group or the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.
15 recommended steamy or spicy sapphic romance novels
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 recommended steamy or spicy sapphic romance novels, but, of course, you can read any other steamy or spicy book for this category too.
Flogging Faith by Ali Williams
Faith has no clue how to be a submissive.
She thought she did. She’s dedicated years of her life to studying the people and relationships around her, to learning everything she can about the lifestyle she craves.
And yet, over and over again, she is told she’s doing it wrong. That she’s too forward, too bold, too…everything.
Until her.
Gorgeous, curvy Bex not only tolerates Faith’s straightforward ways, she celebrates them, and everything else about her. When Faith surrenders to the sting of Bex’s flogger, for the first time she finds the freedom and joy she’s always craved from her submission.
But old wounds run deep. Even if Faith can accept Bex’s sweet dominance, there’s still one last lesson for her to learn:
That there is no wrong way to love…or to be loved.
Available at:
Tangled Vows by Anna Stone
Escort Ruby Scott is used to waking up in the bed of a wealthy woman. What she isn’t expecting is to wake up with a ring on her finger and married to Yvonne Maxwell, one of the executives behind the Mistress Media empire, a woman as alluring as she is cold.
For ten years, Yvonne has been sitting on an inheritance she can’t touch until she’s married. An encounter with an escort in Las Vegas presents the perfect solution—a marriage of convenience. In exchange for playing the role of her wife for a year, Yvonne will grant Ruby a life of luxury, glamour, and more money than she ever dreamed of.
Yvonne is adamant that they keep their relationship strictly business. But as Ruby’s submissive side awakens, Yvonne can’t resist temptation. And Ruby is intoxicated by the commanding woman and the release she grants.
As she falls deeper into Yvonne’s decadent world of seduction and power games, both women try to keep their hearts from getting caught up in their arrangement. But with threats to their fake marriage plot looming, Ruby and Yvonne find they have far more to lose than the inheritance.
Available at:
To Italy with Love by Fiona Zedde
Getting away from it all doesn’t necessarily mean escape. In these three erotic stories, women leave their familiar spaces – countries, landscapes, states of mind – to discover uncharted, but not always idyllic, territories with lovers old and new.
To Italy with Love introduces Iris, a newly dumped serial monogamist who travels to her friend’s destination wedding. On the Amalfi Coast, she meets a much younger and casually provocative woman who challenges all the boundaries she’s created for herself. Iris, queer and complicated, has a not-quite-secret she’s unsure she’s ready to share. But will her young lover pull all the way back when she discovers it?
In That Girl, She’s a Killer, mildly sociopathic Louisa has had her share of dangerous lovers, both male and female. But when a deadly former flame, someone who burns hotter than any fire she’s ever dared touch, visits New York, Louisa tosses aside her careful and methodical life just to feel that delicious burn just one more time. Too soon, “once more” turns out to be not enough and the flame threatens to consume Louisa’s legendary control.
Vicissitudes tells Ro’s story. The first time she remembers being herself, she was thirteen and female. When she next wakes, she is nearly thirty and rolls over in bed, naked, next to a beautiful woman, Alma, wearing an engagement ring. Ro knows exactly what happened in the years in between, and she knows when Alma opens her eyes, she will ask why her fiancé has disappeared and left a woman with remarkably similar features in his place. It’s going to be an interesting next few days.
Available at:
Royally Sarah by Hadiya Hayes
It takes being tackled in the park to get Sarah out of her rut.
Although, Sarah wouldn’t call it a rut. At 22 years old she’s comfortable where she is in life – living with her dad, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the same job since she was 14 years old. Life has so much more to offer, but she’s not taking any hand-outs. Not even from her best friend Nina who is desperate to get her back on the dating horse. When Riak Royal attacks her in the park, Sarah finds herself more attracted to the tall, dark, and animalistic werewolf than she is afraid. With her dark purple eyes and disarming grin, Riak shakes up her life by claiming Sarah as her mate right then and there. Now instead of maybe rekindling something casual with her ex, Sarah has to figure out how Riak fits in her life no matter how commitment-phobic she is, because the alternative would be insanity.
With the help of Nina, and a whole lot of introspection, Sarah will find herself on a journey of self-discovery she never would have expected, while maybe falling in love with the werewolf she never asked for.
Available at:
I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love With You by Harper Bliss
Tired of disappointing dates with men, Dakota is convinced true love has passed her by. But when her lesbian friends convince her to include women in her dating app options, she instantly hits it off with NYPD detective Jack
Although Jack makes it clear relationships aren’t her thing, Dakota’s warmth and charm prove irresistible. Soon, what was meant to be just a one-night stand turns into an intoxicating affair neither saw coming.
When deeper feelings emerge, Jack’s emotional walls go up. Can she and Dakota turn their undeniable connection into something more, or will their different backgrounds and painful past experiences get in the way?
Available at:
Pit Stop: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance by L.M. Bennett
Sage Chiasson is the golden girl of motorsports, a driver fueled by ambition and haunted by a crash that nearly ended her career. Her return to the top is within reach—until her biggest rival becomes her newest teammate.
Jagger Banks, a fearless street racer turned pro, has demons of her own to outrun—including the wreck that shattered Sage’s career and the fierce connection they both tried to forget. Teaming up with Sage wasn’t part of Jagger’s plan, but proving she belongs on the track—and to herself—is non-negotiable.
As a high-stakes season unfolds, Sage and Jagger are pushed to their limits. Old rivalries flare, undeniable chemistry simmers, and secrets from the past threaten to derail everything. In the world of motorsports, where milliseconds separate victory from defeat, they’ll have to decide if trust—and love—are worth the risk.
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Something in the Water by MJ Duncan
Professor Kate Walker is a tenured, world-renowned engineer. She has a job she loves, a daughter she adores, and friends who’ve been with her through thick and thin. It’s a fulfilling life that doesn’t really need anything—or anyone—else. Especially not a charming, downright amazing woman who happens to be twenty years her junior.
Carter Burke has lived a storied life and has the Olympic medals to prove it. She’s got her dream job coaching a collegiate women’s lightweight rowing team in her beloved Boston, and is happily married to the sport she’s dedicated her life to. She’s happy with her life and not really looking for more, but all that changes when a blonde professor with hypnotizing sea glass green eyes waltzes into her boathouse.
The Charles River has played host to countless scenes of overwhelming joy and crushing heartbreak over the years—but never quite on a scale like this. Because when hearts are involved, the stakes are infinitely higher. Carter is hooked from the moment she first lays eyes on Kate, and their chemistry is undeniable, but is that chemistry enough to help Kate push past her reservations and into Carter’s arms?
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Above All Things by Roslyn Sinclair
The Carlisle saga continues…
Aspiring writer Jules Moretti and iconic fashion editor Vivian Carlisle have been through the wringer.
As Vivian’s personal assistant, Jules was there for her ice queen boss’s whims, commands, and the shocking discovery of her pregnancy. Just as shocking was Jules’s realization that she was falling hard for Vivian…and that the feeling was mutual.
Now Jules is forging her own path. At the same time, how can she and her workaholic lover balance romance in the midst of backstabbing bosses, meddling families, and the impending arrival of a baby? Will their explosive chemistry fizzle, or can they take their relationship to a new level of passion—and commitment?
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A Christmas Chance by A. L. Brooks
Timid Californian, Cara, has rented a remote cottage in Scotland for a vacation before starting her new job. But her peace is shattered when an attractive stranger arrives unexpectedly. For the quiet Cara, Steph, whose buzzcut is as sharp as her chainsaw, is possibly the last person she wants to share her retreat with.
After her girlfriend cleared out their flat and disappeared, Steph needs a reset, and her gran’s peaceful cottage is just the place. She’ll chill over Christmas and work on her chainsaw sculptures. However, she hadn’t planned on having to share the cottage with a stranger who also wants to be alone.
But when a snowstorm blasts through the country, Steph and Cara have to make the best of it. At least they have food, shelter, and a bed.
One bed.
Is their forced proximity and sizzling chemistry the chance for each of them to hit the reset button in their lives? Or is it the chance of something much more?
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Becoming A Bi-con by Sarah Zane
Savannah Hollywood’s life is crumbling. Her marriage is over and her soon-to-be ex-husband has been spreading nasty rumors questioning her fidelity. It’s only a matter of time before the gossip starts to affect her career. She’s been in the business long enough to know the only way to stop a rumor is with a bigger story.
The only thing bigger than the lies her ex has been peddling is coming out of the closet and living her truth as a bisexual woman, but with her false reputation as a man eater, she’s not sure the public will believe the truth. Hiring a fake girlfriend seemed like the best option at the time.
The plan? Orchestrate a whirlwind romance, go viral, and solidify Savannah’s status as a bisexual icon, or a bi-con as their PR team insists on calling her. It sounds simple enough.
Unfortunately for Savannah, the fake girlfriend isn’t some stranger, as planned, but her ex-best friend and former costar. Things may have ended badly between them, but seeing Maya for the first time in years fuels a desire in Savannah, a desire that she’s determined to ignore.
Hard as she tries, she can’t avoid the truth; the relationship might be fake, but her desire isn’t.
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Whimsical Haven by Tiffany E. Taylor
When Rowan Holland of Woodbridge, Virginia lands squarely in the crosshairs of a psychotic stalker, fleeing to Whimsy, Florida might be her only chance of escape.
There, she’ll meet the head of lesbian-owned Armstrong Protection Services. Possessive. Protective. Deadly.
Bryn Armstrong, one of the owners of APS, is immediately captivated by an equally-mesmerized Rowan, and vows she will do everything in her power to protect Rowan from this psychopath.
When the stalker follows Rowan to Whimsy, staying hidden in the shadows, it’s up to Bryn—along with her twin, Riley, and “the Seven,” the butch management team of APS—to cut him down and put an end to Rowan’s nightmare.
But, as the stalker draws closer to Rowan and the increased danger to Bryn’s woman becomes more real, Bryn and her team know they must find and stop the psychopath, who just may be a killer in disguise.
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Anita Bloom by Tessa La Vella
“You are not wrong. I am not to be bought.”
“But you are tempted by glory, aren’t you?” Anita said quietly, “You could be a famous photographer. Everyone would know your name and magazines would compete to hire you. You could leave that stupid cleaning job behind. That sounds better, right?”
Ruby Fairfax has given up the hope that she would ever make a living from her art. She pays the bills by taking on a cleaning job, but feels thoroughly out of place among her colleagues. When one night during her shift she meets famous pop singer Anita Bloom, Ruby is suddenly presented with the opportunity of her life time. Will she take that chance or will she be able to resist temptation?
A tale of love and loyalty, lust and betrayal.
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Give Me Thorns, A Lesbian BDSM Romance by Elizabeth Andre
Megan, a long-haired femme lesbian with beautiful pale skin and chestnut brown hair, is having a very loud and public fight with her soon to be ex-girlfriend when a woman on a motorcycle comes to her rescue. Against her better judgement, Megan hops on, and they ride off into the setting sun.
Stevie, a handsome African American butch lesbian with a lock of blonde hair curling out of the front of her helmet, loves rescuing damsels in distress. Sometimes, she just gives them a ride home when they need it. Sometimes, she ties them up in her playroom when they are both ready to have some fun. At first, Megan is terrified of Stevie’s playroom, but soon admits that BDSM is something she’s always wanted to try. Stevie is initially willing to give Megan a chance, but isn’t sure about playing as hard as she really wants to with a total newbie.
Together they explore Megan’s limits as well as Stevie’s and discover that true love requires knowing yourself most of all.
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Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
When college senior, Cassie, spends her Friday evening at an off-campus bar, she isn’t looking for a hook-up – it just happens. Buying a drink for a stranger turns into what should be an uncomplicated, amazing one-night stand. But then the next morning rolls around and her friend drags her along to meet her mum . . . who turns out to be the hot, older woman Cassie just slept with.
Erin was meant to spend the weekend getting closer to her daughter, not having a one-night stand. But despite her better judgement, Erin and Cassie get along in the day just as well as they did last night.
What should have been a one-time fling quickly proves impossible to ignore, and soon Cassie and Erin are sneaking around. Worst of all, they start to realize they might really have something real. But is being honest about the love between them worth the cost?
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Hard Pressed by Aurora Rey
For Mira Lavigne, cider is about tradition, elegance, and class. She has little respect and even less patience for self-anointed mavericks who think their ticket to fame and fortune is throwing the rulebook out the window. Dylan Miller is one of those people. The only thing she loves more than pushing the envelope is finding ways to make cider, perry, and a few things she hasn’t even named yet more delicious and more accessible to everyone.
When Mira and Dylan are tapped to co-chair Finger Lakes Cider Week, neither can pass up the publicity and prestige of the role. But professional compromises raise personal stakes, and Dylan and Mira are hard-pressed to keep their businesses—and their hearts—out of harm’s way.
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What sapphic book will you read for the “steamy or spicy sapphic romance” category? Let us know in the comments!
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