This is the very last post of the Sapphic Reading Challenge, and it’s another big one, featuring sapphic anthologies, short story collections, and novellas!
I had so much fun this year discovering all these new books and authors, and I hope you did too! If you did, I hope you will join us for next year’s reading challenge, the Sapphic Book Bingo, which will start on January 1. To make sure you don’t miss it, please subscribe to my blog.
For this last category, we are focusing on shorter works:
An anthology is a collection of short stories from different authors, while a short story collection contains several stories from one author. A novella falls somewhere between a short story and a novel in length and usually 17,500-40,000 words.
The big giveaway & wrap-up!
Next week, on December 31, I’ll post the wrap-up for the Sapphic Reading Challenge and announce the winners of the big giveaway! I’ll also share the list of most-read books for the Sapphic Reading Challenge.
That means it’s just one more week until the deadline for the giveaway! I’ll draw the winners on December 31, at 10 am German time, so please send in your list of sapphic books you read in 2021 as soon as possible!
Sapphic anthologies, short story collections, and novellas
I put together three lists: 7 sapphic anthologies, 7 sapphic short story collections, and 7 sapphic novellas. I hope you find a few new favorites!
Novellas:
Manhattan Moon by Jae
Nothing in Shelby Carson’s life is ordinary. Not only is she an attending psychiatrist in a hectic ER, but she’s also a Wrasa, a shape-shifter who leads a secret existence.
To make things even more complicated, she has feelings for Nyla Rozakis, a human nurse.
Even though the Wrasa forbid relationships with humans, Shelby is determined to pursue Nyla. Things seem pretty hopeless for them, but on Halloween, during a full moon, anything can happen…
Available at:
My Dream Woman by C H Clepitt
When your dreams are real there’s no-where to escape!
Andi is just holding it together. Working two jobs means she doesn’t need to rely on anyone, but doesn’t have much of a life. In her dreams, however, she is a hero: battling monsters and saving innocents. When her dream woman turns out to be very real, Andi’s life begins to spiral out of control.
Available at:
Glorious Day by Skye Kilaen
Elsenna Hazen left spaceport security and ended up a royal bodyguard. She should have known better than to fall in love with a princess.
It’s been two years since one ill-advised kiss in the garden pulled them apart. With uprisings in the streets, the nervous princess transfers Elsenna back into her service. Her Highness has no idea Elsenna is leaking data to the revolutionaries bent on overthrowing the princess’s oppressive father.
Now Elsenna wakes up each day wondering what will happen first: her own execution, or that of the woman she could never stop loving. When rebel attacks escalate and the king plans retaliation, Elsenna discovers that the fights for her love and her life are one and the same.
Available at:
Avalanche by Stephanie Shea
On-the-rise fashion photographer Blake Elimar has only ever been in love once—with her then best friend, Drew. It’s taken five years to piece herself together, especially since the last time they’d seen each other was at Drew’s wedding.
Drew Dimitrov has officially been dubbed the model world’s new it-girl. In a career-defining moment, she has been given her first nude photoshoot at Luxe magazine, and Blake just happens to be the photographer.
It’s a reunion neither expects.
But can anyone stop an avalanche once the ice begins to fall?
Available at:
Ice Cream Wars by A.E. Radley & Emma Sterner-Radley
Cherry Hawkins has always loved ice cream. After scraping together enough money, and applying for the correct permit, she has set up her new ice cream trike in the affluent market town of Wilmsford.
Unfortunately, her permit-approved spot puts her right outside the Gelato Parlour. Owned by Juliana Martin-Sinclair, the meticulous woman who puts the ice into ice queen.
What will happen when these two very different ice cream aficionados collide?
Available at:
Still Not Over You (3 Romance Novellas) by Jenny Frame, Carsen Taite, & Ali Vali
Old flames die hard in these tales of a second chance at love with the ex you’re still not over. Stories by award winning authors Jenny Frame, Carsen Taite, and Ali Vali.
In My Forever Girl by Jenny Frame, when tragedy tore their family apart, Brayden and Faith’s marriage ended in divorce. Four years later, they’re thrown together on a cruise by their friends. Can the spark that refused to die reignite the fire of their love?
In Double Jeopardy by Carsen Taite, Katie James didn’t plan on being a runaway bride. Twice. But when the gorgeous, accomplished, former love of her life, Emma Reed, reappears in her life the week of her wedding, will Katie risk everything for another chance with the woman who might be her soul mate?
In On the Rocks by Ali Vali, whiskey distiller Preston Maxwell still has no idea why her college sweetheart, Hayley Wyatt, disappeared from her life right after collecting her diploma. But when Hayley shows up to work on the advertising campaign that will take her business to the next level, Preston isn’t letting her get away a second time.
Available at:
Short story collections:
Happily Ever After by Jae
Award-winning author Jae penned thirteen short stories that range from sweet and romantic to hot and erotic, and from humorous to heartfelt. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find it in this collection of lesbian short stories:
The Romance Bet, Sex Sells, Blind Date at the Booklover’s Lair, Christmas Road Trip, The Christmas Grump, Kissing Ms. Santa Claus, The Christmas Elf, Dress-tease, Seduction for Beginners, Change of Pace, Facing the Music, Whining and Dining, The Midnight Couch
Available at:
Femme Tales by Anne Shade
Beast: Former hip-hop artist Ebony “The Beast” Trent has wrapped her persona around herself like a protective wall of bitterness. Belinda Jansen is confident, intelligent, sexy, and—to Ebony’s fascination—not the least bit intimidated by Ebony’s beastly demeanor. Can Beauty truly tame The Beast?
Awaken: Local celebrity chef Chayse Carmichael has achieved a level of success she’d only imagined while learning to cook. But when free-spirited Georgia peach Serena Frasier walks into her restaurant, Chayse realizes that success doesn’t always bring happiness if you don’t have someone special to share it with. Does love at first sight truly exist?
Stiletto: Music mogul Cass Phillips barely has a moment to sleep, let alone build a relationship. But an unexpected encounter with shoe designer Faith Shaw leads her to believe that maybe fairy tales do come true. Can true love really conquer all?
Six women find themselves in their own real-life fairy tales when true love finds them in the most unexpected ways.
Available at:
Straight Up by Rachel Spangler
Never fall for a straight woman. They’ll break your heart.
Geo has heard all the maxims, but with so much temptation, she wonders…what if she could learn to keep her heart out of the equation? That notion propels Geo toward Regina, a recent divorcee in her yoga class. After charming her into bed, Geo learns that sex with straight women may not yield a happily ever after, but it can lead to one very good night sans the risk of ending up with a commitment she didn’t count on. Sex without strings seems like a win-win and soon becomes Geo’s goal. The challenge sends her on a bed-hopping journey of sexcapades that prove sexuality is fluid and attraction is endless.
As Geo’s newfound perspective and prowess grow, she begins to believe her erotic adventures might continue indefinitely, so long as she can keep herself from wanting exactly what she claims to be avoiding.
This collection of erotic romances follows Geo through five encounters that lead to one unexpected conclusion.
Available at:
About Love by Anondra Williams
From the author of “black girl love” comes “about love,” a collection of short stories on love in the middle. . . of life, sex, relationships, drama, hope, and failure. All from a Black woman perspective.
Two young loves face reality in “Youthful,” life is found again in “Second Coming,” while sex comes to a rolling boil in “After Dinner Mint,” and so much more. If you liked “black girl love,” you will be enamored as the author shows you growth and change from a real-life perspective of women loving women in “about love.”
Available at:
In the Mood for Love by Harper Bliss
Set in locations from the US to Thailand, from Berlin to Tuscany, these seven short stories are packed full of romance and lady love.
Available at:
The Taste of Her by Jess Lea
In the first of this two-part tantalizing collection of erotic lesbian short stories, strong women let their masks slip and explore thoughts they never dared imagine.
Discover the stern lingerie boutique boss’s secret when her ambitious salesgirl takes a peek where she shouldn’t.
Receive a naughty literary festival lesson and enjoy the hottest cold war between rival movie make-up artists.
Slide back to a decadent 1930s cabaret bar, where the jaded star watches her back-up dancer rise to fame at a dangerous time.
Experience the sensual, unexpected spark between two Medieval nuns.
The Taste of Her is for everyone who has ever dreamed of giving orders or disobeying them. And everyone else who loves to watch.
Available at:
Sliced Ice by Lee Winter
Ten short stories based on Lee Winter’s fierce and unforgettable ice queens and villains have been gathered into one anthology containing lesbian love, lust, friendship, and romance.
Find out what happened after Lee’s stories ended, and in one case, before it began. Iconic characters revisited include Elena Bartell (The Brutal Truth), Elizabeth Thornton (Breaking Character), Monique Carson (Hotel Queens), Natalya Tsvetnenko (Requiem for Immortals), Catherine Ayers (The Red Files), and Cynthia Redwell (Under Your Skin).
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Anthologies:
Glimpses by Jae, Lee Winter, A.L. Brooks, Fiona Zedde, Cheyenne Blue, Chris Zett & Quinn Ivins
Don’t want to say goodbye to your favorite characters? Neither do we! Eight authors of women-loving-women fiction have come together to reveal glimpses into the lives of some of their most popular characters. Each never-before-published short story is a mini sequel or a missing chapter to one of the author’s most beloved novels. Enjoy reconnecting with your favorite characters…or discovering new ones.
Available at:
Our Happy Hours, LGBT Voices from the Gay Bars by S. Renée Bess and Lee Lynch
During the days and nights following the massacre at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the world listened as various spokespersons attempted to explain to the general public exactly what the gay bar/club meant to LGBTQI people. The words “safe place,” “refuge,” “free to be ourselves” flew through the air.
We queer writers grappled with the tragedy alongside our brothers and sisters. How could we express our feelings about the places where we could drop all pretense of conforming to the hetero-normative society’s rules? What words could we gather to let the rest of the world know the pain we felt upon losing so many beautiful strangers on a night in June and in a place that had been one of our havens?
How and why does the gay bar intersect so many of our lives?
The stories and poems living between the covers of this book attempt to answer those questions. Spend a few happy hours with us in our gay bars.
Available at:
After Happily Ever After by Astrid Ohletz & Alex K. Thorne (Editors)
What if the story didn’t have to end? We give you the after happily-ever-after for eleven lesbian romances.
Nine best-selling authors have come together to imagine what happened after the happily-ever-after in some of Ylva’s most popular lesbian books.
Discover the irresistible magic of the morning after, or the month after, or even years later. What happens when it’s not just about discovering new love, but letting love settle a little? What are these passionate lovers, fighters, executives, and explorers up to now?
These charming, funny, and entertaining short stories can each be read as standalone pieces to whisk you into new and different worlds…or immerse you in universes you already know and love, and can’t wait to revisit.
Find out what happens next in this After Happily Ever After anthology, with stories by Jae (Under a Falling Star and Damage Control), Lee Winter (The Brutal Truth and Requiem for Immortals), RJ Nolan (L.A. Metro), Lola Keeley (The Music and the Mirror), Chris Zett (Irregular Heartbeat), Cheyenne Blue (Code of Conduct), Roslyn Sinclair (The Lily and the Crown), Alex K. Thorne (Chasing Stars), and G Benson (All the Little Moments).
Available at:
Women of the Dark Streets: Lesbian Paranormal by Radclyffe & Stacia Seaman (Editors)
Enter a midnight world of the supernatural—a world of vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and demons. A seductive world limited only by your imagination, full of dark fantasies, hidden desires, and sexy women who rule the night. Edited by award-winning editors Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman, Women of the Dark Streets presents all new tales of the paranormal from your favorite Bold Strokes authors.
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The Milk of Human Kindness: Lesbian Authors Write About Mothers and Daughters by Lori L. Lake (Editor)
This remarkable anthology contains stories, essays, and memoirs by some of the brightest stars in the lesbian writing world: Katherine V. Forrest, Lee Lynch, Radclyffe, Karin Kallmaker, Cameron Abbott, Ellen Hart, Lori L. Lake, Caro Clarke, J.M. Redmann, Jennifer Fulton, Gabrielle Goldsby, Lois Hart, Carrie Carr, SX Meagher, Jean Stewart, Cate Swannell, Therese Szymanski, Kelly Zarembski, Georgia Beers, Talaran, Julia Watts, and Meghan Brunner.
Don’t miss this unforgettable collection!
Available at:
Trans Love: An Anthology of Transgender and Non-Binary Voices by Freiya Benson (Editor)
A ground-breaking anthology of writing on the topic of love, written by trans and non-binary people who share their thoughts, feelings and experiences of love in all its guises. The collection spans familial, romantic, spiritual and self-love as well as friendships and ally love, to provide a broad and honest understanding of how trans people navigate love and relationships, and what love means to them.
Reclaiming what love means to trans people, this book provokes conversations that are not reflected in what is presently written, moving the narrative around trans identities away from sensationalism. At once intimate and radical, and both humorous and poignant, this book is for anyone who has loved, who is in love, and who is looking for love.
Available at:
Distant Gardens: Ten Stories of Exploration, Biodiversity, and Found Family by J.S. Fields & Heather Tracy (Editors)
Rules were made to be broken.
From terraformed outposts to magical realms, journey to worlds where deadly plants, rampant biodiversity, or failed colonies have created irresistible opportunities for those brave enough to seize them.
New worlds, found family, mystical secrets, and deadly science weave together in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on a very different kind of first time—a first encounter with a world, or being, entirely unlike our own.
If you like diverse stories with lesbian heroines practicing science, magic, and seduction, buy Distant Gardens today!
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Leave a comment and let us know which book you’ll be reading or have read for the “sapphic anthologies, short story collections, and novellas” category!
The 2022 Reading Challenge: Sapphic Book Bingo
If you are sad to see the Sapphic Reading Challenge end, don’t despair! There’ll be a reading challenge in 2022 too. The Sapphic Book Bingo will start on January 1 when I’ll reveal the categories and post the rules. Make sure you subscribe to my blog to get the Sapphic Book Bingo posts sent to your in-box!
