these authors will be at a queer book festival in Washington DC, June 29-30! see lavendercon.com

Rasheed Newson

Small scratch on the cover but otherwise brand new 

Paperback (1 to 2 lbs)

Colorado

A Novel

A fierce and riveting queer coming-of-age story following the personal and political awakening of a young gay Black man in 1980s New York City, from the television drama writer and producer of The Chi, Narcos, and Bel-Air

"Full of joy and righteous anger, sex and straight talk, brilliant storytelling and humor, Rasheed Newson's debut novel has given us the story of Trey, set against the history of 80s queer Black New York, AIDS, and the movements that changed the era. A spectacularly researched Dickensian tale with vibrant characters and dozens of famous cameos, it is precisely the book we've needed for a long time. That--and a rollicking read! What more could you want?" --Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less

Born into a wealthy Black Indianapolis family, Earl "Trey" Singleton III leaves his overbearing parents and their expectations behind by running away to New York City with only a few dollars in his pocket. In the city, Trey meets up with a cast of characters that changes his life forever. He volunteers at a renegade home hospice for AIDS patients, and after being put to the test by gay rights activists, becomes a member of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP). Along the way Trey attempts to navigate past traumas and searches for ways to maintain familial relationships--all while seeking the meaning of life amid so much death.

Vibrant, humorous, and fraught with entanglements, Rasheed Newson's My Government Means to Kill Me is an exhilarating, fast-paced coming-of-age story that lends itself to a larger discussion about what it means for a young gay Black man in the mid-1980s to come to terms with his role in the midst of a political and social reckoning.

My Government Means to Kill Me

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Lou Wilham

Virginia

What makes someone a villain?




After the war, Mythikos was divided into three classes: Seelie, Unseelie, and human.




For Jericho, a werewolf a part of the Hero Alliance, the world has always been black and white. Heroes and villains. Seelie and Unseelie. Those who protect the humans and those who hurt them. Jericho has always known what side they're on.




But when the villain they've been hunting for the last six months turns out to be their childhood friend, everything Jericho knew is turned upside down. Dusk storms into Jericho's life to show them just how wrong their assumptions are, and that the world is made up of more than just good and evil.




Faced with a world that seems increasingly more grey, Jericho must decide to return to their old life, or trust their friend turned villain.




A LGBTQ+ fantasy scifi novel for fans of J. Elle's Wings of Ebony, Marissa Meyer's Renegades, and April Daniels' Dreadnought.

Villainous

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Valerie Gomez

Bottom right corner of the front cover is bent

Heavy Paperback (2 to 4 lbs)

Two queer thirtysomethings-a buttoned-up art director and a comedian-learn first impressions aren't forever in Valerie Gomez's sparkling contemporary romance debut perfect for fans of Alexis Hall and Casey McQuiston. "Don't panic, just breathe," Dax Ximénez tells himself after every gig. About to become a household name with the premiere of his own TV show, he should be flying high, and he is...on the surface. But all of the pressure and attention make him want to retreat into the safe cocoon of his warm family home in Queens. The last thing he needs is a prickly art director judging him at his first magazine cover shoot-no matter how handsome he is. The shoot is a huge opportunity for AJ Bond to prove himself worthy of a promotion at The Modern Gentleman, but Dax showing up late is not a good look. The vibe is off, and AJ's original vision is going down in flames-until Dax lets his natural charisma and gorgeous smile shine. After the shoot wraps, AJ knows they're both on the verge of something big, not just professionally. Neither AJ nor Dax can stop thinking about the other, hoping their magic wasn't confined to the studio. As the magazine and show launches approach, they'll rely on each other for support through the highs and lows of success, fame, anxiety...and maybe even love.

Cover Story

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Lavender Con

Julia Ember

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

Florida

After invaders destroyed her village, murdered her family, and took her prisoner, shield-maiden Ragna is hungry for revenge. A trained warrior, she is ready to fight for her home, but with only a mermaid and a crew of disloyal mercenaries to aid her, Ragna knows she needs new allies. Guided by the magical maps on her skin, battling storms and mutiny, Ragna sets sail across the Northern Sea. She petitions the Jarl in Skjordal for aid, but despite Ragna's rank and fighting ability, the Jarl sees only a young girl, too inexperienced to lead, unworthy of help. To prove herself to the Jarl and win her crew's respect, Ragna undertakes a dangerous expedition. But when forced to decide between her own freedom and the fate of her crew, what will she sacrifice to save what s left of her home? Inspired by Norse mythology and J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, this companion novel to The Seafarer's Kiss is a tale of vengeance, valour, honour, and redemption.

The Navigator's Touch

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Kris Rugg

Oregon

A Lesbian Romance Novel

If you were given a second chance with the woman of your dreams, would you be brave enough to take it? In an effort to escape her toxic ex, Mae Mack breaks out of her daily grind and sets off on her first trip out of Maine and into the heart of Grand Canyon's backcountry. On her first day out, she is reconnected with Ranger Kes Wylde, a woman she met at a wedding years earlier. Reunited, Mae and Kes are forced to confront their deep feelings for each other. Will they choose vulnerability in the face of self-doubt, the fear of heartbreak, and the threat of mother nature? In this debut novel by author Kris Rugg, get lost in nature with Mae and Kes as they embark on a journey of self-discovery, wild adventures, deep love, and heart.

In a Flash

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read once, the coloring is darker i don’t know why pangobooks saturated the pictures 

Shelves by Sarah Bates

Sarah Bates

Lavender Con

queer indie excellence

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Shelves by Sarah Bates

Sarah Bates

Lavender Con

queer indie excellence