New Releases by Alyssa Cole

A former slave finds danger, intrigue, and passion undercover as a spy in first of this Civil War–era romance series from an award-winning author. Elle Burns is a former slave with a passion for justice and an eidetic memory. Trading in her life of freedom in Massachusetts, she returns to the indignity of slavery in the South—to spy for the Union Army. Malcolm McCall is a detective for Pinkerton’s Secret Service. Subterfuge is his calling, but he’s facing his deadliest mission yet—risking his life to infiltrate a Rebel enclave in Virginia. Two undercover agents who share a common cause—and an undeniable attraction—Malcolm and Elle join forces when they discover a plot that could turn the tide of the war in the Confederacy’s favor. Caught in a tightening web of wartime intrigue, and fighting a fiery and forbidden love, Malcolm and Elle must make their boldest move to preserve the Union at any cost—even if it means losing each other. . . An Entertainment Weekly TOP 10 ROMANCE BOOKS OF THE YEAR A Bookpage TOP PICK A Kirkus BEST BOOKS OF 2017 A Vulture TOP 10 ROMANCE BOOKS OF 2017 A Publishers Weekly BEST BOOKS OF 2017 A Booklist TOP 10 ROMANCE FICTION 2017 “Richly detailed setting, heart-stopping plot, and unforgettable characters.” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times–bestselling author “You should absolutely read this book, immediately, if you haven’t already. . . . This book is a marvelous, intelligent, respectful, breathtaking treat for your brain.” —Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

*This novella originally appeared in Daughters of A Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology* Harlem, 1917 After spending half her life pretending to be something she''s not, performance is second nature for cabaret owner Bertha Hines. With the election drawing near and women''s voting rights on the ballot, Bertha decides to use her persuasive skills to push the men of New York City in the right direction. Chef Amir Chowdhury jumped ship in New York to get a taste of the American Dream, only to discover he''s an unwanted ingredient. When ornery Amir reluctantly takes a job at The Cashmere, he thinks he''s hit the bottom of the barrel; however, working at the club reignites his dream of being a force for change. His boss, Bertha, ignites something else in him. Bertha and Amir clash from the start, but her knowledge of politics and his knowledge of dance force them into a detente that fans the flames of latent desire. But Bertha has the vice squad on her tail, and news from home may end Amir''s dream before it comes to fruition. With their pasts and futures stacked against them, can Amir and Bertha hold on to their growing love?

Mercy Alston knows the best thing to do with pesky feelings like \"love\" and \"hope\": avoid them at all cost. Serving as a maid to Eliza Hamilton, and an assistant in the woman''s stubborn desire to preserve her late husband''s legacy, has driven that point home for Mercy--as have her own previous heartbreaks. When Andromeda Stiel shows up at Hamilton Grange for an interview in her grandfather''s stead, Mercy''s resolution to live a quiet, pain-free life is tested by the beautiful, flirtatious, and entirely overwhelming dressmaker. Andromeda is a woman who knows what she wants and resolutely overcomes anything that tries to stop her. She''s a seamstress, shopkeeper, and soon to be owner of her very own boarding house--if she doesn''t get distracted by Mercy, a luminescent woman furiously trying to dim her own light. Andromeda is intrigued, and when Mercy declares that she doesn''t believe in love--well, Andromeda does love a challenge. They find in each other both friendship and a fierce attraction that won''t be denied. Mercy begins dusting off the parts of herself she''d locked away for safekeeping, and Andromeda finds in Mercy something more fulfilling than the thrill of the chase. Neither is prepared for love, though, and both must learn to trust in the possibility that it will be enough.

Agnes Moor knows her place in the court of King James IV-as one of the \"exotics\" in his employ. When the king makes a kiss from Agnes the prize of a tourney, a mysterious knight plows through his opponents to claim it. This isn''t chance. The Wild Knight has come for her, and her champion is after the most elusive prize of all: her heart.

The Brightest Day: A Juneteenth Historical Romance Anthology, with a foreword by the inimitable Beverly Jenkins, brings you four novellas highlighting love, light, and hope set over a period of history that''s often left in the shadows. Amazing Grace, by Lena Hart: It''s the year 1866-the Civil War is over and slavery has ended. Life for 18-year-old Gracie Shaw takes an unexpected turn when she is \"encouraged\" to marry a man sight-unseen. Boarded on a train headed West-to lawless territory-she is faced with misfortune at every turn and must accept the help of former Confederate soldier, Logan Finley, while denying herself the one thing she wants most. Him. Drifting to You, by Kianna Alexander: During the sultry Carolina summer of 1875, baker Rosaline Rhodes boards a Juneteenth cruise down the Cape Fear River. She''s there to serve her famous cinnamon spice cake; shipbuilder Will Pruett is there for pleasure. They''ve denied their mutual attraction for months, but now the river won''t be the only thing ebbing and flowing. A Sweet Way to Freedom, by Piper Huguley: In 1910, schoolteacher Missouri Baxter refuses to return home with a big belly and no husband. She''s got nine months to teach juke joint owner Arlo Tucker-a most reluctant student-an important lesson about what marriage means to their people. With God on her side, she''ll show him \"A Sweet Way to Freedom.\" Let It Shine, by Alyssa Cole: Sofronia Wallis knows that proper Black women don''t court trouble by upending the status quo, and they most certainly don''t associate with roughneck Jewish boxers like Ivan Friedman. But it''s 1961 and the Civil Rights movement is in full swing. Change-and love-are coming whether Sofie is ready or not.

In BE NOT AFRAID by Alyssa Cole, a black Patriot captured by the British falls in love with a headstrong runaway determined to leave the colonies...while a wounded British soldier discovers the healing power of love in the arms of a gentle native woman in A SWEET SURRENDER by Lena Hart...in REBELS AT HEART by Kate McMurray, two men must make hard choices if they are to stay together when war arrives on the shores of their home in New York City...at last, in HOME by Stacey Agdern, a young Jewish couple must decide what can hold them together before war and geography tear them apart.