Books & Stories by Rachel
Wonderstruck by Winter Wishes
If she’s lucky, the winter holidays might just bring Amelia a present this year. After joining the high school of her childhood friend, Peter, the two agree to publicly embrace their queerness through a pact to find dates by winter break. Unfortunately, a girlfriend for Amelia and a boyfriend for Peter is easier said than done. Peter can only have so many Yankee-candle crushes (his latest: Cinnamon Stick) that don’t acknowledge his feelings and even Amelia’s blue hair doesn’t seem to send the right message to girls. Obtaining official significant others would change everything. Except, there’s Madison St. James, the queen bee of the school, and Peter’s former crush-turned-bully who will make their pact difficult to execute. No one knows who Amelia is, but they certainly remember Peter for a middle school incident that keeps him off the cool list. What starts as a quick bid for revenge, transforms into more as Amelia accidentally starts dating Madison. But, if she’s clever enough, this might be the in she needs to improve both her and Peter’s reputations at school. It'll be simple: cozy up to Madison and get her help to clear Peter’s name. Hopefully, prior to the Winter Wish Dance so Cinnamon Stick, or whoever it is this week, can finally notice Peter. Meanwhile, Amelia has her sights set on CJ, Madison’s ex (admittedly, a bit messy) to fulfill her sapphic dreams. Before she knows it, though, Amelia is stuck in a predicament where her friendship with Peter might be on the line. And when hidden truths come out, everything about her relationship with Peter begins to shift. She must decide if solidifying her queerness is worth the risk of having everything change.
I'll Prank You Later
There’s nothing more valuable than a secret…and goody two-shoes Grace has been collecting them from her fellow classmates for years. Knowing her peers’ private affairs gives Grace a social upper hand - not to mention, it’s nice to know she’s not the only one awkwardly messed up - but they can be tricky beasts to acquire. Luckily, at Gateway High School, people are willing to give up their darkest ones…if the price is right. When a list of Gateway’s Best DTF is graffitied in the cafeteria, local troublemaker Brielle Thompson is accused of committing not only the prank, but being the school’s infamous fake ID supplier as well. After all, the student body has long suspected Brielle was behind the scheme, no thanks to Grace for planting that rumor. But there’s more to the prank than meets the eye: someone knows the real IDer is actually Grace and will expose her if Grace doesn’t begin exposing everyone else’s secrets first. Staying one step ahead, Grace aligns with Brielle, hoping with Brielle’s wit and Grace’s brains, they might beat the prankster to the punch. And what’s more, Grace’s squeaky-clean reputation can give Brielle the alibi she needs by pretending they’re dating. Before Brielle is expelled in two weeks, Grace must unmask the prankster sooner than they can reveal Grace’s seedy identity or it won’t just be her source of secrets lost forever, but her unexpected romance, as well.
You Had Me at OTP
Cameron Lane has three loves: hockey, The Dozen, and her ex-girlfriend. With hockey season approaching and her favorite TV show’s third season about to premiere, Cameron can’t help but think about Quinn, her still-kinda-flame who shares the very same passions. And by Quinn’s social media posts, it seems the lingering feels are mutual. No matter how complicated their break up, Cameron worries Quinn isn’t someone she can just get over. Despite her impending scholarship to a top hockey university, and The Dozen’s online contest gripping its fandom, Cameron is still hooked on Quinn. So, she creates a secret account on Scribblr, the platform she uses to publish her every fangirl thought. Instead of diving into ship wars or creeping on rival wingers, Cameron collects advice on her new page about how to get over her ex, once and for all. However, when she meets Natalie, a fellow Dozen fan coping with heartbreak, Cameron starts dreaming about a new OTP. If Cameron can conquer the stress of Junior year and learn to open her heart, she might earn her scholarship and find a new love. Unfortunately, her ex has plans that might ruin both dreams.
The Summer of Infinite Theories
Everyone has a secret identity. Sixteen-year-old Taylor just doesn’t know hers yet. Thankfully, summer at Camp Wampanoag is her saving grace from being the Invisible Woman at home and at school. With a new identity to call her own, she dives head first into the summer-long capture the flag game between the boys and girls camps. She becomes fearless, flirty and fun—even if it’s all pretend. And before the first mosquito can take a bite, Taylor finds herself falling for the boys’ geektastic leader, Alex, who seems lost in his own world as well. Between listening to music under the pavilion, and eating s’mores by the fire, Taylor grows increasingly attracted to his Clark Kent swagger. Even though their camps are at veritable war, Taylor knows the secrets Alex hides are more important to uncover than his flag. But the boy who loses himself in drawing on Taylor’s shoes seems determined to keep his secret identity under wraps. No amount of bribing, not even info about the girls’ flag will get him to talk. Soon enough, the summer air isn’t the only thing heating up. When the boys miraculously know the girls’ flag plans, Taylor’s loyalties are tested as she becomes suspect number one. She can’t help it if hanging at the lookout with Alex is more interesting to her than becoming the Invisible Woman again. But with their relationship reaching new heights comes the truth, and Taylor isn’t quite ready to accept neither her nor Alex’s secret identity. Embracing their new reality might help her finally feel understood, but it might also be the exact Kryptonite to push Alex away forever.
The Bootlegger's Bible
Sixteen-year-old Evelyn knows it takes more than grains and time to distill a good jar of shine—it takes prayer.
As Prohibition enters a second decade and America enters the war, Evelyn’s family wages a war of their own—against other bootleggers. With years of debt piling up, the mob forces them into a deadly race against their rival, the Cohens, where producing a drop too little will cost one family their lives.
To avoid sleeping with the fishes, Evelyn must put the kibosh on any chance the Cohens have of winning, even if that means breaking a commandment or two. After her other schemes go bust, raiding out-of-town speakeasies provides the only way to fulfill the impossible liquor quota. And the Cohen’s son, Elijah, has the wheels she needs. Evelyn wants Elijah’s help about as much as she likes gefilte fish. But with mobsters and the Prohibition Dry Squad hot on their tails, they must stop fighting long enough to nick the booze. When their partnership grows complicated, Evelyn will need more than a shot of courage to decide between her family’s survival and the boy who dies if she wins.
If Skyscrapers Had Secrets
In 2124, the City That Never Sleeps doesn't eat either. Sixteen-year-old Dax knows they're too damn poor to buy food, never mind a life-saving transplant for his sick mother. If he doesn't find a solution Telsa-quick, Dax risks losing another family member. Only, he never thought he'd get the sickness as well.
His best chance lies with the city's most infamous street gang: the Angels, who have a reputation for actually helping people. For any successful mission, Dax is handsomely rewarded by the gang's wealthy, young leader, Ma. And for a while, that's all the matters. But when missions to save lives transform into finding dead bodies, its clear working with the Angels is more dangerous than it seems.
With the help of his best friend Talia, a capable hacker, Dax is determined to figure out just what the hell is going on. Even if it means tapping into the Interlink, the city's ever-present security system, in order to uncover the truth. So long as he can ignore his suspicions, there's still a chance to save his mother's life. On the other hand, if Dax exposes the Angels as crooks, his sickness might not be what kills him.
However Improbable
"People see, but they do not observe." And to Marigny Sheridan, that is elementary. The Saturday night Sherlock Holmes radio broadcast is a staple in the Sheridan household for one simple reason: deciphering people provides all the entertainment she'll ever need. That is until the Queen's 50th Jubilee Contest twists the knickers of every eligible teenager in the Empire, and Marigny is unexpectedly selected to become the Colonies' new Saturday night entertainment.
Marigny has no interest in some cockamamie contest. After all, there's no need for celebration when the British Empire is still going strong well into the 21st century. All she cares about is that her fellow contestants are easy to read. Especially the bitchtastically annoying girl from Australia and the street-smart player from Hong Kong. But as soon as she settles in, her Sherlock senses start to tingle. Something doesn't smell right. And it's not the smog over London.
The contest wouldn't be so ridiculous if she could win riches to support her family. But no, the prize is marriage and Marigny isn't quite ready for that yet. Even if it is to an heir to the throne. The only boy she bothers to trifle with is Simon Whitaker, a cocky Islander with a dashing smile and slick charm. In the midst of lock picking the contest host's hotel room and butting heads with constables, they discover someone is pulling the contest strings. But when Marigny unearths an Empire secret, she must either bury her inner Sherlock to avoid exile or follow her hunch and lose Simon forever. As far as Marigny's concerned, winning is just as bad as losing.
WIPs
Works In Progress
Contemporary projects (focusing on queer stories): ~Fan Fiction Heartbreak
Speculative projects: ~Post Apocalypse Prom