Juni-Q and the Secrecy of Desire (literary fiction, 282 pages)

     Juniper Quinten, a 19-year-old socially awkward but feisty overthinker, wastes her days in her bedroom smoking pot, obsessing over a past affair with a teacher, and wondering where her life is going. She is thrilled when her best friend invites her to his billionaire boyfriend’s yacht for a few days of shopping, hookups, and LSD. But when her friend disappears from the boat, her world turns upside down. Is he dead? Who can she trust among these rich strangers? Does a mysterious guest lurking below deck have the answers? Armed with nothing more than love for her dear friend, Juni-Q must confront the darkest depths of human nature, discover her toughness, and finally figure out where her life is going. 

From Amazon reviews:

     "Aside from the compelling story, the best part of this novel is the witty banter between characters. It drives the story forward to its dramatic climax with humor and wit. The author also has a unique insight into the feminine mind: the protagonist's inner dialog is clever, neurotic, and charming. A great read. Highly recommend."

     "The writing was poetic and punchy, and the characters were thoughtfully developed."

     "A great coming of age set in modern times. Juni-Q is a page turner from beginning to end."

     "This book is a slow burn, but worth sticking with for Juni-Q's sharp wit, scathing assessments of herself and the world around her, and for the resolution of the mystery."   

     "Well written. Compelling story. Vivid characters. Sex. Surprise ending. What more could someone ask for?"

The sequel to Juni-Q and the Secrecy of Desire finds Juni-Q putting on a movie producer's hat while dealing with countless online trolls and one very powerful stalker whose anonymous assistance may be merely setting her up for a much darker fate. Joined by Flenner and two long lost figures from his past, Juni-Q goes to the Mariposa Film Festival to seize her fate...

The Eyes of Juni-Q trilogy will conclude with Juni-Q and the Vanity of Enlightenment.

From Amazon reviews:

     "I truly enjoyed everything about this book. The writing was wonderful, the story was captivating, the characters were entertaining and well thought out. I truly look forward to reading more from Julian Martin in the future."

     "This is a fantastic follow-up and well-worth the read. I flew through it and can't wait for the third installment!" 

     "What's not to love about Juni-Q? She can easily become the real-life sensation that she embodies so well in the story. Highly recommend both books!"