The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 American periodical Lippincott's Monthly Magazine issue. The novel-length version was published in April 1891.The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, a friend of Dorian's and an artist infatuated with Dorian's beauty. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and is soon enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: beauty and sensual fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing. Newly understanding that his beauty will fade, Dorian desires to sell his soul to ensure that the picture, rather than he, will age and fade. The wish is granted, and Dorian pursues a libertine life of varied amoral experiences while staying young and beautiful; all the while, his portrait ages and visually records every one of Dorian's sins. Read more

Pillow Thoughts is a collection of poetry and prose about heartbreak, love, and raw emotions. It is divided into sections to read when you feel you need them most. Read more

A desperate kiss. A fake-dating arrangement. A past that haunts them both.Elia Sharpe has closed herself off from love and friendship after a devastating accusation of impropriety. But after eighteen years, she wants to do things differently. When her former student is hired as the temporary Head of School instead of her, she knows that it’ll be a disaster. Elia is determined to keep her name free of another scandal and prove she was right for the job all along.When a position opens at Kamryn’s old school, it’s her golden opportunity to escape from her recent breakup. But when her ex-girlfriend shows up at a fall festival, Kamryn takes desperate measures to hide just how unhappy she really is. And she kisses Elia Sharpe—her former English teacher and current bane of her existence. In a desperate attempt to protect herself, Kamryn begs Elia to fake-date for her best friend’s wedding.All is well…Until the past threatens their future.And Elia has one choice. Trust Kamryn to do her job and do it well.Will they work together to expose the true perpetrator? Or will the past cause irreconcilable differences?Buy it today and disappear for hours into Promises We Meant to Keep, a steamy age gap, sapphic romance featuring a two teachers who are just trying to protect each other from the inevitable. Read more

My world is chaos, and he’s my only peace—but at what cost?My scars are both visible and hidden. I’m lonely, but I do okay…I think. I’m still a bit of a disaster, but I have a job and a roof over my head, and the medication keeps my demons at bay. What I don’t need is a babysitter, but try telling my overprotective brother that.When I first saw Luke, I couldn’t stop staring—his beauty and strength captivated me. As I get to know him, I realize he’s the calm to my chaos—the light to my darkness. Of course, he’s straight, so I can’t have him. But all it takes is what I thought was a hot dream, and it appears we’re both open to change. The lines are blurred, and he doesn’t have a problem with that…or me. I don’t deserve him, but he doesn’t see it that way. He’s perfect.But he doesn’t know what I did. If he knew the ugly truth, I’d lose him. Luke and I can only ever be temporary, so I keep my secrets.When the past threatens to catch up with me, I have a choice…keep the secret for the sake of me and my brother…or take a chance and tell Luke everything. But damn it, I can’t even get that right.Is it too much to ask to love and be loved and have a chance at the future I desperately want…with Luke? The past is dead. So why won’t it stay buried? Read more

This new poetry collection from the trans, non-binary poet comes after their successful digital fringe show "Nobody Knows Me". Covering themes spanning loss, confusion, conflict and love, this fresh and inspiring piece of work captures that spirit of those who have struggled to find their place in the world. Packed with over 45 new poems."Chasing Stars" is Mike Johnston-Cowley's second full poetry collection and serves as a follow up to their debut, "Through These Words". Read more

“But I want to write poetryDescribing her beautiful soulSo the world can fall for herAs easily I had done for years.”Only You is a poetry collection about unrequited love, expressing my love for someone for whom no words will be enough to explain.It has poems about the magical moments of falling in love with her and the unavoidable suffering. Poems I wrote to make the world understand her beauty and everything that made her perfect in my eyes.I hope these poems show that love can be pleasantly exquisite - even when it sometimes inflicts immense pain. Some poems showcase a perfect love story, while others show the pain often hidden beneath the happiness. They are all about love. Not the perfect kind of love, but the one that is real."I think anyone could find something relatable within these pages." ★ ★ ★ ★ ★"I'd highly recommend this book to those interested in romantic poems and a realistic point of view of what love is like."★ ★ ★ ★ ★It was heartfelt and beautifully written. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Read more

Attraction, not attachment, worked perfectly until now…Sienna Daly has a heart of gold, but she’s always struggled to value herself. Now with a new job under her belt and finally going back to university, she might just have found her path in life. Until Debs—the successful, confident and way out of her league woman that Sienna had never factored into her plans—arrives. Love was never on her cards. Attraction she can do, but attachment is one step too far.Debs Brannigan’s life is good. A thriving business, two beautiful children, a found family she loves; everything she has she’s built for herself. Even after her divorce she thinks she has it all figured out. But when she does a simple, selfless good deed to help one stunning woman, Debs gets more than she bargained for. And Sienna might just be the one thing she can’t fix.As the two work together on a fundraiser, Sienna finds herself not only buying into Debs’ belief of her, but also in the chance of a happy ever after. But Sienna can never have anything good, and when that constant voice of disappointment gets louder, pushing away Debs is the only way Sienna can think of protecting herself—and Debs—from getting hurt.But Debs isn’t one for running, leading to Sienna to tell the painful truth which has haunted her every choice.Will Sienna allow herself to be loved, and find a place in a life which already seems too perfect for her to fit into? Read more

Renowned murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll turns real life detective when his leading lady is shot and killed on stage, in full view of an unsuspecting audience.This theatrical debut is a delightful murder mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and, of course, Agatha Christie.“A proper page-turner.” Ian Moore (Death and Croissants)“A denouement worthy of Agatha Christie.”Jim Eldridge (Author of the Museum Mysteries series)“A love letter to a bygone era.” J.M. Hall (A Spoonful of Murder)“What an incredible debut mystery.” Peter Boon (Who Killed Miss Finch?)“Escapist fun from start to finish.” Jamie Bernthal (Author - Queering Agatha Christie)An Amazon Best Seller and Chat Magazine Book of the Month!The Palace Pier Theatre.Brighton.1933.Renowned murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll turns real life detective when his leading lady is shot and killed on stage, in full view of an unsuspecting audience.Once the curtain falls and the applause subsides, the horrible truth begins to dawn on the cast of suspects backstage. But as motives, secrets and old rivalries begin to come to light, the murderer is still waiting in the wings.With the help of Chief Detective Hugh Chapman, an old friend from school, Bertie must put his amateur sleuthing skills to the test to unravel the ultimate whodunnit. But, is there more to Bertie and Hugh that first appears? Over the course of their investigation, something that is more-than-just-friends seems to be re-kindled.There is drama on stage and off in this debut novel from Jamie West, set in and around The Palace Pier Theatre in Brighton, a lost theatre, lovingly recreated.If you enjoyed the theatrical antics in The Appeal or The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett, you'll love this theatre murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and The Thursday Murder Club gang and for fans of classic crime like Agatha Christie and her modern counterparts like Anthony Horowitz, Tom Hindle and Robert Thorogood.What Readers are saying about Jamie West:★★★★★ “A delightful, thoroughly original and very cosy murder mystery.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “A fabulous debut and start to a series.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “A fantastic read. The characters and setting really shone.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “What an utter joy this is!” – NetGalley★★★★★ “Well crafted and credible characters” – NetGalley★★★★★ “A tight group of characters and a well paced plot.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “Light and funny while also being mysterious and captivating.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “This is a delightful cozy mystery” – NetGalley★★★★★ “Lots of wonderful characters, with many twist and turns.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “Good story and engaging characters.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “A modern day Agatha Christie!” – NetGalley★★★★★ “A manuscript of pure genius.” – NetGalley★★★★★ “West writes in a way that makes it impossible to stop reading.” – NetGalley★★★★ “A murder mystery done right.” – NetGalley★★★★ “A highly enjoyable, riveting, cozy mystery” – NetGalley★★★★ “This book was AMAZING.” – NetGalley★★★★ “This was a wonderful and delightful read.” – NetGalley★★★★ “The characters are well written.” – NetGalley★★★★ “A good old fashion murder mystery.” – NetGalley★★★★ “The description of every location and character really brings the book to life and I could picture it all immediately.” – NetGalley Read more

A one-night stand, and nothing more.Until fate threw him back into focus—right in front of my camera.Noé’s life is a whirlwind of fleeting encounters, but when he meets Alex, a one-night stand, again, the magnetic pull between them forces him to confront the demons he’s been running from.Noé, a talented young musician, escapes the cold of winter and the chaos of his mother’s addiction by diving into fleeting sexual encounters. For him, Alex is just another bed for the night.Alex is trapped in the shadows of his past, drowning in the chaos of chemsex parties. But when he runs into Noé again, the sparks between them ignite a passion neither can escape—or understand. Their reunion is far from simple. It’s a clash of two broken souls, each desperate for something they can’t quite name.As their connection deepens, so do the secrets they’ve buried. With their worlds colliding, their bond is tested in ways they never imagined.Can Noé and Alex overcome their pasts, or will their demons destroy the one thing they both need most—each other?If you’re craving a heart-wrenching, emotional journey of love, pain, and redemption, dive into Noé and Alex’s raw and passionate story.Dark Room Junkie is the second book in the Room series, but it can be read as a standalone. Read more

Renowned murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll returns, this time in London's West End, to solve the mystery of an impossible murder and the newspaper advert that preceded it.“A book cosy crime fans and theatre buffs will enjoy from Act One all the way through to the final curtain!” – Fiona Leitch“So happy to be taken back once again to that poignant lost land of nineteen-thirties theatre. And at the heart of is this perfect, impossible murder!” – J.M. Hall“Elegantly crafted and expertly plotted” – Orlando Murrin“Another wonderfully clever and satisfying Golden Age-inspired mystery” – Tom Mead"A stylish, charming murder mystery” – Kitty Murphy***LONGLISTED for The CWA Whodunnit Dagger Award 2025***Following on from the success of Death on the Pier, playwright turned real-life detective, Bertie Carroll, returns for the second book in this golden-age-style whodunnit series, set in the exciting world of theatreland in 1930s London.An unexpected phone call from a rival playwright puts Bertie centre stage in another mystery. Can he help unravel the motive behind a mysterious newspaper advert that boldly declares a murder will take place during a show’s third act? There’s only one problem, there is no murder in the third act of the play!When a victim is discovered and the police are brought in, Bertie and Inspector Hugh Chapman get thrown awkwardly back together as they both work to find the killer.The spotlight falls on each suspect in turn and, this time, even Bertie is not above suspicion. But can rivalries and differences be put aside to solve this devious murder?Cosy crime fans will love his golden-age style murder mystery set in the world of 1930s theatre. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and, of course, Agatha Christie.Jamie West, the author, has worked in London’s West End for the past seventeen years. A fascination for the history of these buildings and a love of murder mysteries are what inspire the Bertie Carroll series. In Death on the Pier, Brighton’s “lost” Palace Pier Theatre was lovingly recreated in the pages of the books. This time it’s the Gaiety Theatre which has been resurrected the purposes of murder.With the author's unique perspective working behind the scenes on theatre productions, these books are dripping in period detail and authenticity – setting the stage perfectly for these theatrical murder mysteries!Reader's reviews★★★★★ “It had everything that I was looking for”★★★★★ “I thoroughly enjoyed this charming and funny historical cosy mystery”★★★★★ “Thoroughly enjoyed this cosy crime!”★★★★★ “West's writing and character work are stellar”★★★★★ “I love this series and can’t wait for the next one”★★★★★ “Perfect for lovers of golden age detective stories”★★★★★ “You will fall in love with the characters and won’t be able to put this down. Love it!” Read more

Before you come, You ought to know The name I use Isn’t the name I’m called At home Once upon a time, there was a boy, only he didn’t know he was a boy. He didn’t know what was wrong at first, so he did the only thing he knew how—he wrote. And he kept writing as he learned more about himself and his place in the world. TransVerse is a broad collection of poems, including haiku, sonnet, acrostic, rhyming, and free verse poetry. The poems start at the beginning of the author’s journey before he knew he was transgender, continue through his transition, and end at where he is today. This collection of poems offers an unflinchingly honest look into what it’s like to be transgender. This book takes the reader by the hand and leads them through the author’s journey from girl to man, showing an intimate look at what it’s like inside a transgender mind. Read more

RickThe day of the motorbike accident, my world crashed alongside Leo. It took a lot of time and a lot of hurt to exist again. I never thought I would ever meet another boy to love.Then here in Valencia, I've had my head turned by the most beautiful young man, but then he disappeared into the crowd.But as my heartbeat slowed, Tommy sat down beside me...TommyThe plane crash stole Juan from my life, and although I became a millionaire in that instance, nothing would replace the man I loved.After Juan's death, many local men chased me, but only for the money. None of them truly understood my loss.But as I walked along the beach today, someone caught my eye. A gorgeous older man with a familiar sorrow in his eyes.Something deep inside drove me to go back and sit with Rick.When Rick finds himself in Valencia, seeking solace and a fresh start. Little does he know, his path will cross with Tommy's, sparking a connection they both thought was lost forever.Will this be a fleeting holiday fling, or the beginning of a beautiful new chapter for both men? As they navigate their emotions and the ghosts of their past, their future hangs in the balance. Read more

I have feelings for my roommate, but I know it's wrong.God would never approve of this—my roommate is a demon who looks like an angel!Jonah has spent his entire life suppressing his feelings. But when he moves in with Lucien, his enigmatic roommate, resisting desire becomes impossible.Raised in a strict religious household, Jonah never questioned the rules—until now. In the vibrant city of Zurich, he's experiencing new freedoms for the first time. But nothing is as overwhelming as his growing attraction to Lucien.Lucien is everything Jonah isn't: confident, artistic and unapologetically bisexual. Yet behind his effortless charm hides a painful past. He swore he'd never fall for a closeted boy. But Jonah is different. And despite every warning, Lucien finds himself caring—maybe too much.As emotions spiral and past traumas resurface, both Jonah and Lucien must decide: Will they risk everything for a love that feels impossible?A deeply emotional MM roommate romance exploring self-discovery, first love, and the battle between faith and identity. Perfect for fans of angst, slow-burn romance, and hurt/comfort dynamics.Ready to fall in love with Jonah and Lucien? One click is all it takes. Read more

DylanLiving with autism can feel like there’s a pane of glass between me and the rest of the world, and I’m on the outside looking in. Then I meet Reed Morrow, and the sexy ER doctor seems to like me because I’m wired a little differently, not in spite of it. He doesn’t treat me like I’m a puzzle that needs solving, but like I’m someone worth getting to know. But opening up to that kind of acceptance is uncharted territory for me, and I do not deal well with uncertainty. Will he stick around after he gets an up-close-and-personal view of autism’s more unpleasant features?Reed I do not need more stress in my life. As if being an ER doctor and battling my demons as a recovering addict isn't enough, I thought it'd be genius to tackle renovating my ancient house solo. Thanks, HGTV. When I meet an amazing home renovations expert, I think maybe my luck is finally turning. He’s not just good at his job; there’s something about Dylan that’s impossible to ignore. My messed-up past taught me to avoid relationships, and that’s worked out just fine… until now. I don’t even see it coming until he's already torn down the walls around my heart without even trying.When The Walls Come Down is a steamy, hurt-comfort M/M romance featuring an ER doc with a painful past and a neurodiverse home renovations expert. Two outsiders learning to crack themselves open and let each other in. Read more

**WINNER** 2023 Lesfic Bard Awards, Category: RomanceCharlie Baxter has it all. A beautiful house, successful company and a set of tattoos that light women on fire at the mere sight of them. Not to mention, she’s tall and gorgeous! Life is good… Well, that is until her old music teacher calls insisting she return to her old school to take part in their annual charity ball. Charlie left Pickerton Academy behind twenty years ago. She also left behind the heartache caused by the only girl she ever loved.Emilie Martin is an international superstar. She’s had fame and fortune for the past two decades, but what she really wants now is a break. Maybe a couple of weeks in the English countryside and a visit to her old school is just what she needs. Sounds perfect, and it would be if it weren’t for the fact it meant seeing the one person Emilie has pined over for twenty years. The girl that got away. No, the girl Emilie threw away.With both women on a collision course with their past, can they put all the hurt behind them and start again? Can they keep their hands off each other long enough to really figure out what they want? Read more

Lesley Storm was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1953. She began making poems before she could write, eventually publishing in little magazines in Scotland and elsewhere, and using several pseudonyms. She stopped writing in 1978, and began again in 2008 after thirty years of silence.   She has taken part in poetry events in Edinburgh and Glasgow including The God Damn Debut Slam, Inky Fingers, and Express Yourself and Poetry at the Inn Deep.   Lesley doesn’t own a television and is woefully out of touch with contemporary popular culture. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of recorded classical music on vinyl, and doesn’t drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.” Lesley's first full length collection will be published in 2020 by Leamington Books, Edinburgh. Read more

New Zealand's best-selling poetry collection, from the mysterious force behind such classics as 'Monica' (as in, the one from Friends) and 'Keats is Dead so F**k Me from Behind'this impressive debut has established Hera Lindsay Bird as a good girl......with many beneficial thoughts and feelings......with themes as varied as snow and tears, the poems in this collection shine with the fantastic cream of who she is................juxtaposing many classical and modern breezesBird turns her prescient eye on love and loss, and what emerges is like a helicopter in fog......or a bejewelled Christmas sleigh, gliding triumphantly through the contemporary aesthetic desert.........this is at once an intelligent and compelling fantasy of tenderness......heart-breaking and charged with trees......without once sacrificing the forest............whether you are masturbating luxuriously in your parents' sleepout....................or pushing a pork roast home in a vintage pram...................this is the book for you.............................................heroically and compulsively stupid.............................................................................................................................whipping you once again into medieval sunlight.PRAISE FOR HERA LINDSAY BIRD'I think there's a pretty strong case which suggests Hera Lindsay Bird is like the most exciting newish poet in NZ' - Steve Braunias'On more than one occasion, while working through a poem, I have found myself asking, what would Hera Lindsay Bird do?' - Bill Manhire'Hi, dear, we have to say how much we enjoyed, if right word, the Hate poem. Really made us think, loved the line about the ancient cannon' - Text message from Ashleigh Young's mum'The wickedest problem in Hera Lindsay Bird is not sex but taste' - John Newton Read more

Dr. Jason Ross has an unprecedented week off during the holiday season to spend with his husband and family. Anticipating his greatest challenge will be keeping his husband's gift buying under control, he's excited for the week ahead.But life doesn't take a vacation even when doctors want to.Reality destroys Jason's yuletide cheer leaving him as twisted as some of his family's holiday traditions. Will it take a miracle for Jason to find joy in the holidays?Or does Jason just need love?**If you haven't already, pick up Free to Dream and Free to Run, which both are set before Free to Rejoice. Then you can more fully enjoy this holiday novella. However, if you're looking for a quick, sexy, MM, holiday read, then just enjoy!**Amaryllis SeriesFree to DreamFree to RunFree to RejoiceFree to BreatheFree to BelieveFree to LiveFree to DanceFree to WishFree to ProtectFree to Reunite Amaryllis Heritage:Free to Fall Read more

Major Nichol "Nic" Caldwell is the only survivor of her helicopter crash in Iraq. She is left alone to wonder why she and she alone. Survivor's guilt has nothing on the young Major as she is forced to deal with the scars, both physical and mental, left from her ordeal overseas. Before the accident, she couldn't think of doing anything else in her life. In fact, she even had sacrificed love for service, but now she questions the very ideals she once believed in. Was it worth it? Sent Stateside to recover, she finds herself at the Marine Corps base in California where her new job is to inform families of a loved one's death. One of the "informs" will change her life forever. Claire Monroe is your average military wife, with a loving husband and a little girl. She is used to the time apart from her husband. In fact, it was one of the reasons she married him. Then, one day, her life is turned upside down when she gets a visit from the Marine Corps. She finds herself losing a husband but awakening a long-gone side of herself she never thought she would see again. Is she being disrespectful to the memory of her recently dead husband or is she finally being true to who she really is? Can these two women come to terms with the past and finally find happiness, or will their shared sense of honor keep them apart? Read more

Life is what happens when you make other plans, and Nic and Claire have just found out that life and the Marine Corps have other plans for their lives. Nic Caldwell has served her country, met the woman of her dreams, and has reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She’s studying at one of the nation’s most prestigious military universities, setting her sights on a research position after graduation. Things couldn’t be better and then it happens; a sudden assignment to Afghanistan derails any thoughts of marriage and wedded bliss. Another combat zone, another tragedy, and Nic suddenly finds herself fighting for her life. Claire Monroe loves her new life in Monterey. She’s finally where she wants to be, getting ready to start her master’s program at the local university, watching her daughter, Grace, growing up, and getting ready to marry the love of her life. What could possibly derail a perfect life? The Marine Corps. Will Nic survive Afghanistan? Can Claire step up and be the strength in their relationship? Or will this overseas assignment and a catastrophic accident divide their once happy home? Read more