The Purple Bowtie

Crossing decades with a global span, Lisabeth Reynold’s The Purple Bowtie is a passionate tale with Lisa Robertson and her lover, Rachel, at its heart. Intricately conveying the nuances of the LGBT+ scene in both 1920's Paris, and 1980's Miami, Reynold’s novel takes inspiration from the lives of real women trying to exist in a hostile world. Intrigued by the idea of sexual fantasy as an act of creation, Reynolds’ novel seamlessly mixes sexual politics and the multifaceted aspects of lesbian identity with the mysteries of the creative process and humankind's urge to reach out to the stars.

Inspired by a true story, The Purple Bowtie by Lisabeth Reynolds is a tale of gay love that bridges women's lives from the lesbian salons of 1920's Paris to the 1980's Miami gay rights movement and the devastating impact of AIDS. In part the novel is a tribute to a friend who believed in sexual freedom and fought for it by making his life public. The Purple Bowtie is a page-turner that charts intense relationships and deep tragedy. It speaks to all women who nurse a desire for creative, sexual and intellectual freedom. It is a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows that will inspire as it fascinates.

When she first saw Jake singing in his lounge, Tess was a divorced, single mother of a five-year-old daughter. Jake was a lonely widower and wealthy entrepreneur with a college freshman son. Their chemistry was instantaneous, and so strong that neither could ignore the attraction. Now married after a six-month whirlwind romance and a fabulous honeymoon in France, Tess and Jake are ready to begin their life together in Houston, Texas. As they immerse themselves in their interracial marriage, Tess struggles to put her traumatic past behind her so she can move forward with her life. Meanwhile, Jake’s desire to control everything, including Tess, drives him to investigate her past to learn more about her trauma. But before he can realize complete satisfaction and happiness in his life with Tess, Jake must first overcome the guilt associated with his own former experiences. Will Jake and Tess ever find their happily-ever-after or will both remain tormented by their pasts? Restless in Texas is the tale of a newlywed couple who must reconcile their past experiences and trauma before they can ever realize true happiness together.

Hazel Morgan is a movie star, desperately unhappy with the glittering cesspool of Hollywood. Overwhelmed by the sex, drugs, and betrayal, she leaves the fancy life behind before it devours her whole. She returns to her Connecticut hometown. There, she lives quietly in her late mother’s house but still finds no joy. Hazel is unhappy and even contemplates suicide until the arrival of Lloyd: a poor, white ragammufin of a boy. Hungry and neglected, he shows up at her back door in need of refuge from his dysfunctional life. First, Lloyd finds his way into her home. Next, despite their differences, he finds his way into her heart. Hazel begins to realize that her new path is much more important than her past. This burned out and jaded superstar learns, with the help of a young boy, that God is indeed a God of second chances, and He loves her no matter what.

Acrostic? What kind of stick is that? Actually, it's a poem! Acrostic poems are created from a word or phrase written vertically down the page. Each letter becomes part of a line in the poem, revealing a thought or a clue about the poem's topic. Award-winning author Brian P. Cleary shows how even the wackiest words can make an acrostic poem. Bow-Tie Pasta is packed with acrostics to make you snicker and snort. And when you've finished reading, you can try your hand at writing your own poems!

The big new idea in baking: cookie transformations-- using a few cookie cutters and a twist of the wrist to create 100 totally unique and fun cookie designs! Dubbed "the most creative baker I know" by Ina Garten, cookie expert Patti Paige reveals the secrets behind her famous decorating techniques and dough recipes. Known for her irresistibly playful cookie designs, Patti shows how, with a change of perspective and her decorating tips, a single cookie cutter is the only tool you need to make a Chick that will transform, into French Fries, a Hen, and a Dog! A pumpkin-shaped cookie morphs into a bunch of bananas or into George Washington's profile; a tea cup into a stork or graduation cap; a ghost into a cat; a football helmet into a bird on a nest or an elephant; a gift box into a spider; or Santa into a turkey , and much more. Plus, Patti shares her seven favorite cookie dough recipes from classic vanilla sugar cookies to vegan gingerbread, and all the tools, tips, techniques and resources needed to create your own transformations in the kitchen - even how to make your own cookie cutters.

Raney Budd Wrightan Army bratcouldnt help but be annoyed when at age ten he found out his family would be moving again. Then his dad told him where they were going: Alaska. Right away, his attitude changedthis move was going to be an adventure! Wright looks back at what it was like growing up in a tight-knit military family in Alaska on the eve of statehood. The family moved in September 1956, settling in Douglas before moving to Juneau. He was immediately impressed by the familys creepy old house, which had great views of the Gastineau Channel and a gold mine. With his dad and brothers, John and Richard, he enjoyed hunting small game, fishing, hiking, camping, and sometimes simply exploring the woods. He also became blood brothers with an Indian, which resulted with Wright in being welcomed as a member of the Tlingit Nation, Auk (Sitka) Clan, and the Frog Clan House. Get ready to be inspired by beautiful landscapes, boyhood adventures, and memories of a way of life that no longer exists (but should) in A Frogs Tale.

A heritage that’s made him an outsider. A relationship that’s destroying his self-esteem. Is there any hope to be found in his struggles? Baltimore, 2014. Abdul feels torn. The Afghan immigrant can’t reconcile his love for his charming boyfriend with the bruises the man leaves on his face. So when a handsome activist’s flirtatious exchange offers solace, he goes against his beliefs and enters into a secret tryst. Feeling guilty for having stepped out of his relationship, Abdul is determined to make it up to his boyfriend, even as a racially motivated shooting dominates the local news in his adopted city. In the public arena, he wants justice and peace. In his personal life, however, he believes the troubles with his partner are a fair payment for the sins of his past — a cycle that keeps him going back to his beau’s volatile temperament. Can Abdul conquer his demons and unlock his true inner strength? Stolen Moments of Joy is a gripping contemporary LGBT novel. If you like heroes who fight to be brave, complex relationships, and thoughtful explorations of heavy topics, then you’ll adore Hamour Baika’s story of hope. Buy Stolen Moments of Joy to find courage among chaos today!