Diabetes in Fiction

A feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com from debut author Page Powars that follows a trans teen who joins a boyfriend borrowing service masquerading as an Italian Club to prove that he’s one of the guys, especially to its frustratingly handsome leader. Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that’s what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender. His plan? Join the school’s illustrious (and secret) Borrow a Boyfriend Club, whose members rent themselves out for dates. Once he’s accepted among the bros, the “slip-ups” end. But Noah’s interview is a flop. Desperate, he strikes a deal with the club’s prickly but attractive president, Asher. Noah will help them win an annual talent show—and in return, he’ll get a second shot to demonstrate his boyfriend skills in a series of tests that include romancing Asher himself. If Noah can’t bring home the win, his best chance to prove that he’s man enough is gone. Yet even if he succeeds, he still loses . . . because the most important rule of the Borrow a Boyfriend Club is simple: no real boyfriends (or girlfriends) allowed. And as long as the club remains standing as high as Asher’s man bun, Noah and Asher can never explore their growing feelings for one another.

Agnes Hunter, a woman with a Type I diabetes and Matthew Chandler, a handsome billionaire crossed paths through Agnes’ blog. On their first meeting, it’s all about business. Matt has only one thing in mind: get as much information from Agnes that he knew will help his niece who was recently diagnosed with diabetes as well. What they both didn’t expect was the spark between them that arise every time they were together despite the dark past that haunts both of them. Agnes is starting to fall for Matt but at the same time worried. Will it be another failed relationship just like what she had in the past? Or, it’s going to be a success for her heart this time? Is Matt the answer for the romance and sweetness that her heart desires?

In the battle to regulate his blood sugar, Jerry March joins a new gym, but while working out his insecurity, he overdoes it on the treadmill. His insulin drops and so does Jerry. Fellow gym member Gianni Lappatura rushes to his rescue with a glass of juice and a helping hand. A few days later, Jerry gets to return the favor. After watching Gianni’s opera-singing strip act, Jerry finds him stuck in the rain with a dead battery and saves the day. As thanks and because he thinks Jerry is cute, Gianni asks him on a date. It’s too good to be true, and Jerry soon learns his Mr. Perfect needs a bit of help of own. But Gianni’s imperfections open Jerry’s eyes to the beauty of limitations.

Mallory Edwards is the queen of plans and hers are always on schedule. Captain and soccer goalie for Clear Lake University? Check. 4.0 student? Check. On track for graduate school and an amazing career? Check. Everything is right on target. Until it suddenly isn’t. On top of grieving the loss of her father, a crumbling relationship with her mother, and a recent type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Mallory realizes her perfectly constructed plans are at risk of unraveling if she doesn’t find an internship by the end of her junior year. And of course, the one thing standing between Mallory and a secured future is Kenneth Gray. Kenneth Gray, a former nationally ranked swimmer, is everything Mallory isn’t. The neutral to her vibrant. The spontaneous to her rigid. The only sparks that fly between them aren’t the good kind, which is why it might be best they’re nothing more than rivals. But Kenneth has a secret. Unbeknownst to Mallory, the game they created together, the Brain Bowl, is at risk of ending. In one semester, Kenneth must not only secure his own future, but also find a way to keep Mallory in his life. Outside of their game. Suddenly, the line between rivals and something more seems thinner than ever before.

Miller Stratton is a survivor. After a harrowing childhood of poverty, he will do anything it takes to find security for himself and his mom. He’s putting all his hopes and dreams in the fragile frame of his guitar and the beauty he creates with its strings and his soulful voice. Until Violet. No one expects to meet the love of their life at age thirteen. But the spunky rich girl steals Miller’s heart and refuses to give it back. Violet McNamara’s life hasn’t been as simple as it looks. Her picture-perfect family is not so perfect after all. Her best friend Miller is her one constant and she is determined not to ruin their friendship with romantic complications. But the heart wants what it wants. As Miller’s star begins to rise to stratospheric heights, what will it take for Violet to realize that she’s the girl in all of his love songs?

As a surgical intern, my life is a relentless cycle of work and more work. If I lose focus, even for one second, my career could be on the line. So when my living situation unexpectedly changes, the last thing I need is the distraction of house hunting. Which is why I don’t hesitate to say yes when my best friend and esteemed surgeon, Dr. Parker Winters, comes to my rescue with an offer I can’t refuse: A room in his luxurious penthouse, free of charge. The only condition? Keep an eye on his little sister. It sounds straightforward until I discover my new roommate is none other than the woman who’s been haunting my thoughts since I first met her. The one who never called me back and is now utterly off-limits. In the fiercely competitive field of orthopedics, I’ve learned to fight for what I want. But what if what I want most is the one thing I should avoid at all costs – my best friend’s sister?

Social life? What social life? Romance? Not a chance. Working as a lifeguard at Sea Side Cove and passing her classes takes up all of Katie’s time and energy. She just needs to survive this semester and one more, and it’ll all be worth it. But the new surfing instructor must have knocked a screw loose when he hit her with that door, because Hunter’s got her daydreaming about a future. Even the cat likes him. The Wishing Well is a charity organization that helps sick kids go on family vacations. They need volunteers for a fundraiser on a cruise ship. Katie can’t afford to give up a day of pay to work for free until she finds out Hunter is the one asking. Eight lifeguards board the Championship Casino Cruise, but when armed gunmen storm the ship, they find themselves gambling with their lives.

Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync. Klara—who’s always thought of herself as a little different, a sneaker in a world full of kitten heels and polished boots—is feeling a disconnect these days. She has type 1 diabetes, currently works in a dead-end job, and is in desperate need of a change. When her dad falls ill, Klara begrudgingly agrees to help run his small construction company while he recovers, even though it means moving back home and pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone to the extreme. Alex has been a shell of himself since his brother died in an accident. He’s unemployed, has bills piling up, and is distant from friends and family. His therapist is encouraging him to keep things manageable by setting up a calendar, checking off tasks each day, and looking for work to help get him back on his feet. When an ad pops up for a carpenter position at a small construction company, he jumps at the chance to take a step forward. Klara’s and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places.

This modern re-telling of the Beauty and the Beast Fairytale is the story of Lt. Christopher Jameson AKA Beast, a Marine born with a severe facial deformity. Award winning author Pepper Pace gives us an enticing twist with the introduction of Ashleigh, a plus size beauty with identity issues. This adult romance will leave you questioning the definition of beauty. Adult themes include: sex and language and is intended for adult readers only.

Her name is Lana. She wasn’t dealt the easiest cards in life. She wasn’t dealt the hardest. She has an illness, but she doesn’t let it rule her. The first time she laid eyes on her best friend’s twin brother she fell in love at first sight. It didn’t last very long. He was a hateful boy who made her miserable. The happiest day of her life was when he moved away to London six years ago. His name is Robert. He breaks the ones who love him. He’s always liked to play games with Lana, see how far he could push her. He once thrived on her pain, but no more. Now she’s coming to London to live with his sister for the summer and this time he plans on being her friend instead of her tormentor. But Lana is scarred by his past bullying. She doesn’t trust him, nor does she have any reason to. When the two find themselves living under the same roof, they call a truce. This summer will change both of their lives, as they put their history aside and learn one another from scratch. When fear takes over, we use cruelty as a mask. Robert and Lana’s story will see their masks slip away as the love they felt on the inside shows its true face. Not suitable for younger readers. Contains strong language and scenes of a sexual nature.

Ava: Left to die as an infant, Ava Beaumont has not had an easy life. Being raised by the system has taught her to be independent, hardworking and cautious. When Ava becomes a victim she uses her inner strength to put it behind her and move forward. Now she lives a good life with the family she has created through adopting pets that were also throwaways, including a smart mouthed parrot and a skateboarding pig. When Ava meets Gunner she realizes what her life is lacking but does she have the courage to trust a big, rough biker enough to let him into her safe little life? Gunner: Being the President of the Devil’s Angels MC was not something Gunner asked to become but through the loss of his dad the job was thrust upon him. While he loves his club and club brothers wholeheartedly, Gunner wants his club to move in a better direction. And when Gunner spots bakery owner Ava, he realizes that’s not the only change he wants to make in his life. Nothing worth having is easy to acquire. This is an MC story with a heart. Come meet the crazy pets and even crazier club members of the Devil’s Angels MC.

She’s always played it safe… College junior Lucy Washington abides by one rule—avoid risk at all costs. She’s cautious in every aspect of her life, from her health, to her mock trial team, to the boring guys she dates. When a brash, gorgeous jock walks into the campus coffee shop and turns his flirt on, Lucy is stunned by the force of attraction. For the first time ever, she’s willing to step out of her comfort zone, but can she really trust the guy who’s determined to sweep her off her feet? He’s always played around… Entering his last year of college eligibility, linebacker Matthew ‘Matty’ Iverson has the team captaincy in his sights. And it’s his for the taking, if he can convince his quarterback Ace Anderson to give up the starting position. Luckily, Matty already has an edge—the hottie he’s lusting over just happens to be Ace’s childhood best friend. Getting Lucy on his side and in his bed? Hell yeah. Matty is more than confident he can have both, but when he falls hard for Lucy, it’s time for a new game plan: convince the woman of his dreams that she’s not sleeping with the enemy.