Welcome to Calysto’s Cove, an idyllic beach town where paranormal and contemporary romance sit side by side, and love can be as stormy as the sea. Calysto’s Cove is a shared world created by a group of indie romance authors for readers of diverse interests. These small town romance books are standalones and can be read in any order.
My book, Winks & Windows, is the fifth story taking place in Calysto’s Cove. It joins: Sea Monsters & Sunrises, Pillows & Poltergeists, Storms & Sweethearts, & Bikes and Bear Claws.
Explore Calysto’s Cove in this delightful series
Storms and Sweethearts by Mei Dansen
It’s never too late to choose both.
Fifteen years ago, Emmie Tan kicked off adulthood with a series of terrible decisions.
She broke up with her perfect first love Leo Davidson. Then she sought comfort in the bed of his playboy cousin Devon Davidson. Finally, plagued by that shameful secret, she ran—and cut contact with everyone who loved her.
Now, aimless and unsure in her thirties, Emmie is called back to their idyllic beach town to care for her ailing aunt.
And because life never lets you forget your regrets, the care team’s leader is Leo. He’s all grown up and professional, stubbornly clashing with Emmie about every diagnosis and prognosis. Meanwhile Devon has become a town pillar, finally embracing responsibility while still temptingly and inexplicably single.
The problem is, Devon never told Leo what happened all those years ago—leaving Emmie tormented by truths and memories which threaten to spill into the light. Caught between two men as close as brothers, she discovers all over again that each of them has an equal and opposite pull on her heart.
Storms & Sweethearts is a second chance contemporary romance for readers who ask, why choose?
Tropes
- Love Triangle to Why Choose
- Second Chance
- Childhood Sweethearts
- Best Friend’s Ex
- Mutual Pining
- Secret That Can End Everything
- BIPOC Romance
Find more from Mei Dansen
Pillows and Poltergeists by Wynne F. Winters
Tropes
- No spice
- Inexperienced FMC
- Cinnamon roll MMC
- Friends to lovers
- Forced proximity
It’s well-known in Calysto’s Cove that The Spooky Nook B&B is haunted. The locals call its enigmatic specter “The Lady in White.”
You can call me Rita.
After a century of playing the resident spook, I’m mostly content. People come from all over the country to scare themselves silly in this Victorian house-turned-inn. Though they can’t see me, I enjoy their brief company. As far as being trapped for all eternity goes, The Spooky Nook isn’t half-bad.
But my quiet afterlife gets a shakeup when the property passes to a new owner. Short, dark, and handsome, with a winning smile and kind eyes, Alejandro immediately catches my interest—especially when, for the briefest moment, he sees me.
Alejandro, it turns out, isn’t afraid of ghosts. In fact, he goes out of his way to connect with me. As we exchange messages via spirit board, I start to think that—maybe—even death isn’t too late for love.
Until Alejandro starts poking around the circumstances of my demise. Can I trust him to still care for me once the mystery unravels?
Pillows and Poltergeists is a bittersweet, no spice paranormal romance featuring a gentle ghost who’s never been kissed and an ace/biromantic witch looking for a second chance.
Find more from Wynne F. Winters
Sea Monsters & Sunrises by Keri Lane
Something in the water watches me…
Though he has two legs, there’s no doubt that he’s a merman, that his body was meant for the sea. While strong and solid, it’s like his body has never heard of a straight line. His limbs and muscles curve and whorl; a being made solid from water and waves.
When I was just a teenager, I battled a sea monster. I won, but the fight cost me my eye. Now, twenty years later, its mate is after me, seeking revenge.
This time, I’m not the scared girl I was. Though I might be the town outcast, I’m strong and sea-hardened from long days living and working on my boat.
This time, I’m not alone. A merman, as mysterious as he is fierce, is intent on protecting me from the creature. However, as we fight our intense attraction, it’s uncertain if his presence will help or hinder me in the fight of my life. Either way, it all ends here.
Sea Monsters and Sunrises is an emotional, monster, romance novella for anyone who would choose the sea.
Tropes
- Monster romance
- Merman MMC
- Fisherwoman FMC
- Touch her and die
- Help me and die
Find more from Keri Lane
Bike and Bear Claws by Beatrice Keane
Tropes
- Hurt/Comfort
- Monster shifter
- Paranormal investigation
- Plus-size FMC
- Coffee shop meet cute
- Himbo MMC
Hailey
This documentary episode about paranormal activity in Calysto’s Cove is my last chance to impress my boss. Everything has to go perfectly on our hunt for the Terror of the Woods. But after yet another unfair dressing down, I find my way to the cutest coffee shop in town… with an even cuter owner. But why do his beautiful hazel eyes intrigue me and alarm me at the same time?
Nick
I’ve always been a simple man… er, monster. I have my family and my coffee shop, and I can always blow off steam by prowling through the woods. Lately, though, that hasn’t been enough. Imagine my surprise when a curvy bombshell rolls up to my shop, talking about searching for the Terror of the Woods. I think it’s time to have some fun…
Bikes & Bear Claws is a small town romance with a plus-size heroine and her mega-himbo hero. HEA guaranteed.
Find more from Beatrice Keane
Winks and Windows by Laurel Holl
Tropes
- Neighbors to Lovers
- Friends to lovers
- Plus-size FMC
- Golden retriever MMC (with a pit bull)
- Mental health representation (agoraphobia)
- Love after loss
- Slow burn
- Nothing bad happens to the dog!
Can I find my way again?
Brinn
My days have become a monotonous slog of grief and solitude since my life changed tragically three years ago. I am trapped in this house, a tomb of the life I’ll never have.… Until a misdelivered package forces me outside to talk to my handsome new neighbor and his adorable dog.
Isaac
Art block happens to every artist, but when it happens at the height of your career? Bad news. My dog, Pork Belly, and I moved to Calysto’s Cove to look for inspiration in the beautiful town and its quirky residents. What I didn’t expect to find is my beautiful and enigmatic neighbor, Brinn.
Winks & Windows is an emotional and steamy neighbors to lovers contemporary romance featuring a plus-size heroine, mental health representation, and the best dog in Calysto’s Cove.
