📚 New Release from Blue Dasher Press: Back Strokes by Wren Valentino

Just in time for the heat of summer comes the new edition of a heartwarming, romantic, and deeply emotional novel from bestselling author Wren Valentino. Blue Dasher Press is proud to announce the publication of Back Strokes, a gay summer romance about coming home, finding unexpected friendship, rediscovering passion, and—of course—falling in love.

Available now in paperback and ebook, Back Strokes is the perfect summer read for anyone who has ever lost their way only to discover that the answers were waiting back where they started.

🏡 About the Novel

After a prank at his prestigious Chicago music conservatory nearly ends his academic career, twenty-two-year-old pianist Crawford Paul returns to his sleepy Northern California hometown for what promises to be a dull, forgettable summer. With his scholarship in jeopardy and his future uncertain, he reluctantly takes the only job he can find: escorting a glamorous seven-year-old, Isabella, to her swim lessons at a local community pool.

What Crawford doesn’t expect is to meet Nina, a fiercely stylish nanny who finds kids exhausting and Crawford mildly tolerable. Nor does he anticipate the growing mentorship with the aging owner of a record store—someone who reignites Crawford’s passion for classical music and encourages him to pursue his truth through the piano once more.

As Crawford navigates love, friendship, grief, and second chances, he begins to realize that everything he thought he had to leave behind might just be what he was searching for all along.

✨ A Word from the Author

“Back Strokes started with a simple idea,” said Wren Valentino. “What happens when someone returns to the place they were desperate to escape, only to find that what they were chasing was always within reach—if they’d only been brave enough to look? Crawford’s journey is personal to me. I wanted to write a summer romance that didn’t shy away from the complications of life—illness, identity, missed chances—but still offered hope, beauty, and love at its core.”

💙 Themes of the Novel

Beyond romance, Back Strokes explores:

• A poignant subplot involving a beloved supporting character battling cancer

• The enduring impact of intergenerational friendship and mentorship

• The redemptive power of music and artistic self-expression

• The courage it takes to face your truth—and follow your heart

Whether you're looking for a heartfelt LGBTQ+ love story, a tale of self-discovery, or simply your next great summer read, Back Strokes is ready to dive into your heart.

📖 Get your copy today in paperback or ebook wherever books are sold.

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New Release from Blue Dasher Press: Mind Fields by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the exclusive Kindle Unlimited release of Mind Fields, a gripping and sensual new M/M romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. A paperback edition will be available soon.

Set against the seductive backdrop of wealth and power, Mind Fields follows struggling college student Adam Parsh as he takes a job tutoring for one of the world’s most influential families. What begins as a chance to make ends meet quickly spirals into a dangerous entanglement with Dario Vassalos—a magnetic Greek tycoon and his married employer. As Adam is pulled deeper into a world of luxury, lust, and manipulation, his heart begins to lean toward someone else entirely: his loyal best friend, Victor Maldonado.

Caught between temptation and true connection, Adam must navigate a storm of secrets, lies, and impossible choices. Sometimes love can blow you away—and sometimes it can save you.

In speaking about his creative process, Wren Valentino shared:

“Mind Fields explores the emotional minefield of what money, power, and greed can do to people—and what happens when someone who’s never had any of those things still manages to hold onto his goodness. Adam’s story is deeply personal to me. He knows grief, he knows loneliness, and yet he still chooses love over corruption. That’s the kind of hero I believe in.”

This is a must-read for fans of emotional tension, forbidden romance, and characters who refuse to lose themselves in the shadows of others.

Mind Fields is now available exclusively through Kindle Unlimited. Don’t miss your chance to experience this haunting, provocative novel from one of today’s most distinctive voices in LGBTQ+ romance.

Read the Kindle Unlimited edition now. 

Paperback coming soon.

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of The Jetsetters by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the release of The Jetsetters, a captivating m/m romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Available now in paperback and eBook formats, The Jetsetters tells the passionate and emotional story of two young men navigating the complexities of love, fame, and personal growth.

In The Jetsetters, Justin Holt is a lonely barista living in Chicago who spends his days attending college and his evenings working at Clouds, a cozy coffee shop owned by his lesbian boss and best friend, Starsky. His quiet life is turned upside down when Diego Delgado, the hot Latin guitarist for the rock band The Jetsetters, strolls in for a cup of coffee. From their first encounter, a powerful spark is ignited between them.

As The Jetsetters rocket from obscurity to superstardom, Justin and Diego’s budding romance is put to the test. Justin must fight to preserve their relationship despite the chaos surrounding Diego’s rise to fame. When unexpected tragedy threatens Diego’s career and emotional well-being, Justin faces a heart-wrenching decision that will alter the course of their lives.

Author Wren Valentino shared his thoughts about the creative process behind The Jetsetters:

“I wanted to explore the intensity of young love and how it collides with the pressures of instant fame. At its heart, The Jetsetters is about finding connection and hope, even when the world feels impossibly loud.”

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable romance from Wren Valentino! Grab your copy of The Jetsetters today in paperback or eBook format, available wherever books are sold.

Stay tuned for more updates from Blue Dasher Press, including upcoming releases, author interviews, and special events. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop!

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Publication of Wren Valentino’s New Horror Short Story, Make It 'til Dawn

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the release of Make It 'til Dawn, a new short horror story by bestselling author Wren Valentino. This unique tale seamlessly blends horror, comedy, and romance into a single thrilling plot, offering readers an unforgettable experience filled with chills, laughs, and heartwarming moments.

At the heart of Make It 'til Dawn is the growing romance between two college-aged men, an element rarely explored in the horror genre. When Andrew accepts a dare to spend the night in an abandoned house to prove his bravery, Charles, a handsome parapsychology student, joins him—both intrigued by the supernatural folklore surrounding the house and eager to finally ask Andrew out. However, as the night unfolds, the two young men realize they’re not alone. Paranormal forces within the house, known to locals as Ghost Toast, are determined to prevent them from seeing the morning light.

“I wanted to write a horror story that not only delivers spine-tingling moments but also challenges the genre’s conventions,” says Wren Valentino. “Horror and romance don’t have to be separate entities, and I thought it was time to showcase a love story between two young men in a setting where they are rarely seen. Make It 'til Dawn is as much about finding courage—both in the face of supernatural terror and in confessing one’s feelings—as it is about surviving the night.”

Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited edition, Make It 'til Dawn is perfect for readers who love stories that break the mold while delivering all the thrills and heart-stopping moments of classic horror. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the genre with a dash of romance and humor, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Get your copy today and see if Andrew and Charles can make it ‘til dawn!

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Love in the Shadows by Wren Valentino

Bestselling author Wren Valentino returns with a thrilling new novel, Love in the Shadows, a story of passion, espionage, and deadly intrigue. Set against the backdrop of London high society and a shadowy European underworld, this novel is a pulse-pounding journey into the unexpected.

Quintin Pearson, an American journalist living in London, has spent the past two years trying to mend his broken heart. But when he accepts an invitation to an exclusive party hosted by Regina Bremington, the U.S. ambassador’s enigmatic wife, his life is forever changed. A shocking assassination plunges the evening into chaos, and in the cover of darkness, Quintin finds himself drawn to a stranger he cannot see—Luca, an Italian spy with secrets of his own. Their undeniable connection sparks a clandestine affair that leads them to a secluded seaside town in Belgium, where Luca reveals his true identity and persuades Quintin to help him track down the ambassador’s killer. As the danger intensifies, so does their passion, but can their growing trust survive the perilous mission ahead?

Reflecting on the novel, Valentino shares:

“I wanted to explore the ways in which love and danger intertwine, especially when trust is a matter of life and death. Quintin and Luca’s journey is one of desire, risk, and redemption, set against the moody elegance of Europe’s grand cities and hidden corners. Writing this novel was an exhilarating experience, and I hope readers are swept away by the intrigue as much as I was.”

With its intoxicating mix of mystery, romance, and international espionage, Love in the Shadows is a must-read for those who love high-stakes adventure and unexpected love stories. Get your copy today and step into the shadows—where passion and peril collide.