THE NEW YEAR’S MAN by Michael Scott Clifton—LSLL Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

THE NEW YEAR’S MAN

by Michael Scott Clifton

Romantic Fantasy / Romantic Comedy

Publication Date: September 11, 2026

SYNOPSIS

Landry LeBlanc has everything he wants: a luxury condo, a fast-rising legal career, expensive taste, and an ironclad rule against falling in love. Relationships, to him, come with expiration dates—and New Year’s Eve is his favorite time to end them.

But when Landry takes his latest girlfriend to the mysterious Fairy Lights Brasserie, his perfectly controlled life comes apart in spectacular fashion. One brutal breakup later, he finds himself face-to-face with Stella: a cigar-smoking, wand-wielding fairy godmother with questionable fashion sense, a faulty temper, and a mission to thaw his hardened heart.

Stella has one simple plan: make Landry fall in love.

Landry’s plan is simpler: get rid of Stella.

Then he meets Allie Beck—brilliant, fearless, unpredictable, and every bit his equal. As legal games become personal and magic keeps crashing through his carefully ordered world, Landry must face the past he buried, the heart he protected, and the possibility that love isn’t a weakness after all. Funny, romantic, and touched with fairy-tale chaos, The New Year’s Man is the story of a man who breaks hearts every New Year’s Eve.

This year, magic will break his.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Scott Clifton is an award-winning author celebrated for conjuring tales where magic and mystery collide, including the 2024 Reader’s Favorite Book Award winner Pringle Prawn and the 2026 Reader’s Favorite Bronze Award winner The End Game. His diverse body of work whisks readers into fantastical worlds and across genres, from the enchanting Conquest of the Veil series to gripping stand-alone novels like The Treasure Hunt Club, the haunting The Janus Witch, and the acclaimed sports romance The End Game. Recognized for imaginative plots, compelling characters, and heart-pounding adventure, Clifton invites readers to explore more at michaelscottclifton.com.

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REVIEW

A delightfully comedic romp of a romantic fantasy story, The New Year’s Man by Michael Scott Clifton is a fast read that lightens up the Big Dark of winter.

It’s refreshing to read a romance from the male lead’s point of view. Landry, however, is not your typical Romance hero. He wasn’t a sympathetic figure at the beginning of the story—a cocky, ruthless lawyer with a reputation for ending relationships before the calendar flips to the new year and who holds love in contempt. Readers will hate him before they fall for him, and that credits the author’s talent. A rough backstory alone doesn’t deliver that effect. It must be paired with a massive leap in character growth. Mr. Clifton achieved that in this book.

The chaotic set of fantastical characters and series of events not only affected the change in Landry, but also provided the humor that made this story especially entertaining. Stella, the unconventional fairy godmother, was a total hoot. So were her accomplices, Hank, Brad, and Barnaby. Landry’s exploits in fairyland recall Alice’s adventures in Wonderland.

Allie is an ideal female love interest, with qualities that believably explain Landry’s change of heart. She was bold and capable and made Landry earn her love. A worthy Romance heroine.

The story’s pacing is quick, but effectively controlled. It lends the book an unputdownable quality that encourages readers to finish in one sitting. I did, and I give kudos to Michael Scott Clifton for another entertaining read.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLTheNewYear’sMan on your preferred social media platform.

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INDIGO, THE DEEP by Kellye Abernathy – LSBBT Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

INDIGO, THE DEEP

by Kellye Abernathy

Teen and YA / Coming of Age / Fantasy

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: July 7, 2026

SYNOPSIS

“In the heart of the deepest sea caverns, there is a stillness. Learn to surrender to it.”

Fifteen-year-old Condi Bloom knows the magic will happen again. The autumn equinox is looming. Strange currents are sweeping through her coastal town. Tides are turning wild, and a mercurial mist cloaks the lonely rock tower known as Windy Hollow, long believed to be haunted.

When a silent threat glides into the cove, altering the fragile ecosystem and drawing sharks close to shore, Condi ignores the danger. A fierce surfer, she insists on pushing her skills to the limit, hoping to heal a broken heart. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Firth Cristo, a bold free diver, is tormented by a past he cannot reveal. Guided by the Beachlings, the mystical women who teach the secrets of the deep, he dares to explore remote underwater sea caverns, navigating the pulsing tides of a shimmering enchantment.

Inspired by the certainty of wonder and the uncertain nature of time, Condi and Firth dive into their rawest places, discovering that healing—of nature, of others, and of themselves—is found in the bounty of a limitless sea.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An avid reader and writer, Kellye is the author of the YA science-fantasy series: The Aquamarine Surfboard (2022), Amethyst, The Shallows (2024), and Indigo, The Deep (2026). A former wireless business executive and a graduate of the University of Kansas, Kellye teaches practical life skills, creative writing, yoga, and mindfulness within the trauma-survivor community in Plano, Texas. She hopes to inspire healing through body and breath awareness, creativity, consistency, and compassion. Her joys are many and varied, among them neuroscience, oceanography, swimming, biking, family adventures, and great conversation. She believes in staying curious, showing up, and keeping her heart open.

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REVIEW

I’ve enjoyed my previous visits to Dipitous Beach, and this time is no different. Ms. Abernathy’s fantastical world, inhabited by unique individuals, is a fascinating and delightful read.

The themes of community, found family, friendship, and environmental stewardship are highly appealing to me; that is why I follow this series closely and own all three books. The mixture of fantasy, adventure, and a little romance makes for a highly original work.

All I know for sure is that the people we love never leave us.”

The author’s talent for imbuing each character with a distinct and unforgettable personality is quite admirable, given the growing number of the cast with every new installment. The Beachlings, in particular, are dear to me, and every possibility of loss evokes sadness. The kids, especially those who were given the privilege of interacting with Koan and visiting the deep (Conti, Isaac, and Firth), come across as authentic and relatable. They still act their age while displaying maturity under great stress. The supporting characters also stand out and contribute significantly to the overarching story.

“Whatever is destined cannot be prevented.”

Ms. Abernathy’s descriptions are always top-notch and infuse her books with an excellent sense of place. The action scenes are evocative and play like a film in readers’ imaginations. The dialogue between the characters is meaningful and moves the story along quite well. The pacing is on-point. The multiple points of view make sense and are never confusing. A mark of great writing.

Cinematic, touching, and relevant, this book deserves a high rating.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLIndigotheDeep on your preferred social media platform.

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