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Romance

Ties That Tether

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Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Nigerian-born, Canadian-raised Azere has always felt a conflict between what her family expects of her and what her own heart desires. At twelve years old, she made a promise to her dying father that she would marry another Edo man and to never forget her culture. She had always had every intention of keeping that promise, especially with her mother strongly encouraging Azere’s efforts by constantly matchmaking for her. However, one night Azere finds herself particularly frustrated with yet another of her mother’s failed setups and indulges in the company of Raphael Castellano: tall, handsome, and…white. Azere insists on leaving their relationship as a one-night-stand but their relationship suddenly and unexpectedly becomes extremely serious when she discovers she is pregnant with his child. Despite her mother’s strong disapproval, Azere is undeniably drawn to the charming Raphael and finds herself wrestling with a core question: can she successfully keep him in her life without compromising her Nigerian culture? Ties That Tether is a heartfelt examination of one woman’s struggle between what she thinks she is supposed to do and what her heart is telling her to do.

Find it in the catalog!

The Shadows Between Us

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The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Young Adults, Adults

Alessandra is the second daughter and must wait until her older sister is engaged before she can attend any royal social gatherings.  While she waits for her turn, she plots.  She wants to marry the Shadow King and then kill him so that she can take over the kingdom.  She plans how she is going to catch the eye of the King – what she will wear and how she will act.  When she does, she soon learns that she is not the only one trying to kill him.  She gets to know him and even begins to like him.  Liking the King was not part of her plan.

Alessandra is not your ordinary noblewoman.  She likes to design her own outfits and she doesn’t follow society’s rules.  She does as she pleases which includes having some relationships before she is married.  She is determined to do her own thing and her goal is to change the way women are made to follow the rules made by men.  And, if someone displeases her, she just might kill them.

Someone on Good Reads described this as a “Slytherin Romance” and I think that is a good description.  You want to hate Alessandra because she is so unapologetically evil, but you like her anyway.  She knows what she wants and she is going to get it!

Find it in the catalog.

The Blacksmith Queen

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The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults 

Keeley Smith loves her life. She has the best family. She gets to work at her beloved blacksmith forge every day. She is strong (very strong) and she gets to spend her days doing what she loves with the people she loves. So when a prophecy suggests that Keeley’s extremely smart, though odd sister, Beatrix, is destined to be the next queen, Keeley knows she will do whatever she needs to do to protect her sister. But as it often happens in games of political intrigue and the making of kings and queens, nothing is what it seems. Keeley will have to fight for her life and that of her family while also fighting to save the kingdom she calls home. 

G.A. Aiken creates a world filled with magic, battles, betrayal, true love, and a heroine you will want to cheer on at every turn. Keeley Smith is not entirely sure she is destined for greatness, but as you read the story, you will have no doubt that she is. The Blacksmith Queen is the first book in a new series by G.A. Aiken. Find it in the catalog. 

#OwnVoices

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I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “own voices.” I’m going to talk about what it means, why it’s important, and offer a few title suggestions.

Corrine Duyvis created the #OwnVoices hashtag in 2015 to promote children’s and young adult books written by someone from a marginalized or under-represented group who writes characters based on their own experiences, and from their own perspective. The number of #OwnVoices authors and their stories is growing, but their stories are still often told by authors with an outside perspective.

#OwnVoices is about bringing awareness to under-represented authors and what they bring to the world of writing through their lived experiences. It’s about bringing awareness to readers that there are so many more experiences in the world than our own; and that we become better people, citizens, and friends when we read beyond their own experiences. It’s about reaching the children and teens that pick up book after book, never seeing themselves or their experiences represented by the main characters in a book.

Use #OwnVoices on social media or in your search engine to find a selection of titles. Take a look at #WeNeedDiverseBooks on Overdrive or Libby to find a selection of #OwnVoices ebooks and audiobooks. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Published May 5, 2020
ebook and audiobook
Who It’s For: Teens

Alternating between the Dominican Republic and New York, the reader experiences what loss does to two teens, and how forgiveness brings them together and helps them to heal. I have started reading this and the poetic verse of Elizabeth Acevedo does not disappoint.

Find the ebook or audiobook.

 

 

Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden
Published January 14, 2020
Book
Who It’s For: Teens

Set in the early 1900s in Washington, D.C., Savannah is a member of the upper class. She soon gets a view into how the other half lives, and is inspired to fight for changes. Step back in time to 100 years ago when people were fighting for change, just as they are today.

Find it in the catalog.

 

 

I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Published June 16, 2020
ebook
Who It’s For: Teen

Skye wants to be a K-pop star, and she’s going to audition no matter what people say about her weight. She has something to prove, and she’s going to do it in front of the world. Confident Skye brings on the fun and body positivity in this light-hearted rom-com.

Find the ebook.

 

 

The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
Published April 23, 2019
Book
Who It’s For: Teens

The stories of Esha and Kunal are based on ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology. Secretly, Esha is the Viper, an assassin bent on taking down General Hotha. Inevitably, Kunal, a soldier and the nephew of General Hotha, crosses paths with the Viper.

This first book in the series is full of romance, action, and magic.

Find it in the catalog.

Spellbound

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Spellbound by Allie Therin
Format: Hoopla
Who it is for: Adults

Arthur (Ace) Kenzie leads a double life. By day he is the son of a prominent politician and a member of the upper class. By night, he works with his paranormal friends to save the world from the supernatural relics that could cause the destruction of mankind. A new relic has appeared and Ace needs someone who can see into the past to keep the relic from causing havoc. Rory, the grumpy, young, and extremely powerful paranormal fits the bill. However, the last thing Ace needs is to fall for this grouchy but very handsome young man. 

If you are looking for an incredibly sweet paranormal romance set during prohibition in the heart of New York, Allie Therin’s delightful book absolutely fits the bill. Filled with mystery and longing looks, Spellbound is a wonderful escape. Find the audiobook on Hoopla. 

A Dangerous Act of Kindness

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A Dangerous Act of Kindness by LP Fergusson
Recommended for: Adults
Format: eBook

The dog bounded across the snowy field during a cold night in Britain.  Trailing behind on horseback, Millie called, “Gyp!  Come back!”   Gyp sniffed the ground and wound his way over to the barn.  Millie entered the shadowy structure.  She stopped short.  A man slumped against a bale, his arm at an odd angle.  With his other hand, he was pointing a gun directly at her.  Was this a German soldier?  Had he escaped the recent plane crash?  Locals had assumed he had died in the fire.  “Let me help you,” implored Millie.  “Help me?” responded her enemy.

Millie’s husband was dead.  She’d found him hanging at the end of a rope six months ago.  She wished she’d helped him before it was too late.

A snow storm was coming.  Could she aid this man without the knowledge of her neighbor, Hugh and her Land Girl, Brigsie?  Snow or not, the cows would need milking in the morning.  Brigsie would be by early to help.  And Hugh often came by too.  He would gladly become more than Millie’s friend if she gave him any encouragement.  Was she over her grief?

A Dangerous Act of Kindness is narrated by Millie, Hugh, and Lukas, the injured German.    The story reveals various perspectives of war, of love, and of forgiveness.  I was moved by the universal themes that cross culture and time.

Find it on OverDrive/Libby!