Welcome to Book Beat!
Book Beat aims to highlight other books that we may hear about through friends, social media, or other sources. We could see a gorgeous ad! Or find a new-to-us author on a list of underrated romances! Think of Book Beat as Teen Beat or Tiger Beat, but for books. And no staples to open to get the fold-out poster.
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A Tale of Two Florists
Author: Brenna Bailey
Released: March 9, 2023 by Bookmarten Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Juniper Creek Golden Years #1The new florist in town wants to live her best life.
The hometown florist’s life is just fine as it is, thank you very much.
When the petals stop flying, will they find love, or will both their worlds come tumbling down?Minnie Thomas wouldn’t change a thing. The septuagenarian sees her closest friend every day, she owns the most successful (and only) flower shop in Juniper Creek, and she loves her star employee, Kat, like family. But when Kat inexplicably quits and Minnie’s friend goes out of town, Minnie’s stable world tilts off-kilter—especially when Kat’s newly arrived free-spirited grandmother opens a flower shop just down the street.
Eleanor Lennox is determined to embrace life again and get to know Kat better. She promised her late wife she would open a flower shop, but she never counted on resistance from Kat’s infuriating former employer. When the mayor asks the two of them to work together on the upcoming Sunflower Festival, Eleanor tries to smooth things over for Kat’s sake—but the feisty florist only works harder to run her out of town. Well, two can play that game.
After connecting during a road trip to pick up flower barrels for the festival, Minnie and Eleanor form a budding relationship—which shrivels when Minnie’s friend announces she’s moving. Will Minnie cling to the past so tightly that she misses out on the beauty the present has to offer her—love with Eleanor?
A Tale of Two Florists is the first title in the Juniper Creek Golden Years queer contemporary romance series. If you like golden-years enemies-to-lovers romance and enchanting small towns, you’ll fall in love with this playful, lighthearted romp through Juniper Creek with Minnie and Eleanor.
A sapphic romance with an older couple and lots of pretty flowers!
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Black Women Writers at Work
Author: Claudia Tate
Released: January 10, 2023 by Haymarket Books
Genre: NonfictionTara posted about this in our SBTB Slack. Great to see it back in print!
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Empire of Exiles
Author: Erin Evans
Released: November 8, 2022 by Orbit
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Books of the Usurper #1Twenty-seven years ago, a Duke with a grudge led a ruthless coup against the empire of Semilla, killing thousands. He failed. The Duke was executed, a terrifyingly powerful sorcerer was imprisoned, and an unwilling princess disappeared.
The empire moved on.
Now, when Quill, an apprentice scribe, arrives in the capital city, he believes he’s on a simple errand for another pompous noble: fetch ancient artifacts from the magical Imperial Archives. He’s always found his apprenticeship to be dull work. But these aren’t just any artifacts — these are the instruments of revolution, the banners under which the Duke lead his coup.
Just as the artifacts are unearthed, the city is shaken by a brutal murder that seems to have been caused by a weapon not seen since the days of rebellion.
Since Quill is the only reliable witness to the murder, and no one in power believes his story, he must join with a young mage, a seasoned archivist, and a disillusioned detective to find the truth of the attack. And what they uncover will be the key to saving the empire – or destroying it for good.
Sarah thought this one might be of interest to the high fantasy readers in the Bitchery.
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Girl Taking Over
Author: Sarah Kuhn
Released: April 18, 2023 by DC
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young AdultCan Lois Lane scrap her entire life plan for an unpredictable summer of ride-or-die friendships, swoony romance, and writing her truth? Ambitious small-town girl Lois Lane tackles a summer in National City with gusto, but a cavalcade of setbacks-including an annoying frenemy roommate, a beyond-tedious internship at a suddenly corporatized website, and a boss who demotes her to coffee-fetching minion-threatens to derail her extremely detailed life plan. And, you know, her entire future! When Lois uncovers a potentially explosive scandal, she must stand up and speak out for the future she deserves without destroying everything she’s worked so hard to create. From beloved author Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl, Heroine Complex), with lively art by Arielle Jovellanos, comes a charming YA story about the strength it takes to embrace the messiness of life.
Out next week! This is a YA graphic novel about a young Lois Lane!
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Empire of Exiles starts out with a Dramatis Personae section. Instant one click.
A Tale of Two Florists–this type of romance is way overdue and I’m so here for this series. Queer old people want love and sex too, y’know?
All on my TBR!
ATALE OF TWO FLORISTS is free on kobo! U got that then preordered the next book which also looks good (fiery librarian? Wildlife photographer? Yes please!)