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You are cordially invited to view one of a triptych of stories involving the lives and loves of gay men who work or volunteer at the Sunrise Arts Center in Stafford, North Carolina.The three stories in this box set revolve around three men -- one a high school senior, one thirty-something, and one recently retired -- as each looks for companionship and love. Contains the stories:Whitney: Becoming the director of an arts center close to where he grew up seems like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start for Whitney Pell. He enjoys playing the field... for a while. Then he begins to miss being part of a couple. The wedding band on Stuart Blount's finger means he's straight, or does it? Will Whitney's present cause the picture of domestic bliss they're painting to be torn apart?Jonathan: Retired English prof Jonathan Baker joins a men's book group and meets high school English teacher Frank Cummings. The men have several things in common. Both teachers, both belong to the same church, and both are of a similar age. Jonathan has previously lost a lover to illness and fears history repeating itself. Should people their age enter into relationships or just stay friends?Louis: Louis LeFevre doesn't fit in. He's Haitian, gay, and is a photography nerd. Judd Thomas is a soccer jock and needs help with an art term paper. Louis helps him get the terms and concepts right. They make for unlikely study buddies, much less lovers. Will their relationship develop into something beautiful or will they be forced to blow the whistle and walk away?

Michael and Sarah are a normal married couple. Or are they? What happens when fantasy and reality cross?This couple finds out that pleasing each other with different scenarios might not be what they are really yearning for. Michael puts pen to paper and gets more than he bargained for when Sarah finds his hidden manuscript...

You are cordially invited to view another of a triptych of stories involving the lives and loves of gay men who work or volunteer at the Sunrise Arts Center in Stafford, North Carolina.High school senior Louis LeFevre feels he doesn't fit in. He's Haitian by birth and doesn't resemble the African-American students. His French-sounding name doesn't help him fit in either. Although he does phys ed -- he's gay and wants to look good -- he prefers arts, particularly photography. He spends much of his free time at the Sunrise Arts Center, whose new and incredibly sexy director helps Louis put together a portfolio of his work for his college applications.The quintessential soccer jock, Judd Thomas, is keeping a secret. He's gay. He struggles to write a term paper on the sculptor Bernini and his art teacher is little help so he's introduced to Louis to help him get the art terms and concepts right. Judd and Louis make for unlikely study buddies, much less lovers, but they say opposites attract, and Judd and Louis are definitely attracted to each other.Some members of the soccer team object to their star striker associating with someone they perceive as gay, and try to ruin Judd's chances of getting a soccer scholarship to college. Judd and Louis are still young, and their lives are bound to go in different directions after graduation. Will their relationship develop into something beautiful, or will they be forced to call it quits and walk away?

Grocery owner Griffin Reed is a little hesitant about renting the apartment next to his to a nineteen-year-old young man with a two-year-old son. But from the moment he sees this blue-eyed, blond-haired angel standing outside his screened-door, Griffin feels maybe he should put his doubt aside and give Charles Martin and his equally angelic son Charlie a chance at a stable home.Charles Martin never knew his parents and grew up in foster care. So when he accidently gets a young woman pregnant, Charles makes a promise to himself to not let his son share his fate of getting passed from one foster family to another because Charlie's mother thinks they're too young to be parents. With the help of a social service worker, his best friend's family, and a kindly landlord, Charles gets the chance to prove he is a responsible human-being.A few months after Charles settles into his new apartment, a devastating epidemic hits the world, forcing Charles and Charlie to hunker down with his landlord, a man he barely knows who has gone out of his way to prove love can conquer all.

Finn Riordan's life is upended when he discovers his boyfriend having sex with Hector Lange, the legendary local playboy. Five years later, Hector appears in Finn's life once again, this time to cheat Finn out of the painting he's bidding on at an art auction.Hector Lange has no complaints about his life. He has a good career, plenty of friends, and while he doesn't believe in true love, he never lacks for companionship. Everyone loves the easygoing and gregarious Hector. Which is why it's so startling when he finds himself assaulted by a furious and beautiful man.When Hector realizes he inadvertently outbid Finn for a painting intended for Finn's brother, a recovering veteran, he wants to make amends. Hector's latest ex had backed out of a vacation they planned to take together, so Hector invites Finn instead as something of an apology. A win for all involved, right?The trip will do more than merely reconcile the two, opening both Finn's and Hector's eyes in unexpected ways. But will those newfound discoveries and feelings follow them home?

It's 2016, a trepidatious election year, and choices have to be made about the direction of the nation and in our personal lives. Caught in this political and cultural tug of war are Jamie Drexler, an apolitical nationally syndicated cartoonist, and Ben Montgomery, a paid political operative. From the moment they first meet on a frosty afternoon in Charlottesville, Virginia, their relationship roars from a one-night stand into an example that politics makes strange bedfellows.Their personal-is-the-political revolution emerges the first night they sleep together in which their prior top/bottom roles are reversed and, much to each other's surprise, welcomed and enjoyed. Then, alone in his condo, Jamie takes the risk of a lifetime and sets aside an unfinished cartoon to draw, ink, and frame a very special Christmas gift for Ben. As the primary season continues from Iowa to New Hampshire and eventually into Virginia, they celebrate by sharing and reciprocating the results by stuffing their own ballot boxes.When their relationship intensifies, will Jamie and Ben grow more comfortable in their own skins and allow their vulnerabilities to ignite a revolution of the heart?

Sheila Donaldson is bored. No, not bored -- frustrated. She's spent years married to the same wonderful man, and now she's ready to live out some of her naughtiest fantasies through her own personal bucket list. Number one on her list: making her best friend Melissa orgasm while her husband watches.Once Sheila admits to Richard that she has always wondered what it would be like to pleasure another woman, it isn't difficult to get him on board with her plan to spice up their sex life with a little girl-on-girl action, especially once they both realize how much they've been missing.Now the hard part... asking Melissa to play along.

Sequel to Aidan's JourneyShy guy Jed Carter has always felt invisible next to his charismatic older brother Kent. After trying to fit in with Kent and his fraternity friends his first year at UVA, Jed braves coming out as a sophomore. He's hopeful when he starts seeing Pete, an attractive junior. But Pete is only interested in using him for sex and videogames. Jed wants more, in life and in love, and first on the list is getting to know Charlie, the handsome guy working at the local videogame arcade.Charlie Ambrose has always felt like an oddball, and not just for his tendency to stutter. Being gay sets him apart from his African-American community, and as a “townie,” he isn't part of the college crowd. Charlie's inspiration is his transgender cousin Morocco, who doesn't give a fig about being different. Art is Charlie's passion, and when a local videogame designer discovers him, Charlie's living a dream. The only thing he's missing is love. But the last person Charlie expects to find it with is a cute, white UVA rugby player named Jed.

One evening Deputy Rob Davenport pulls over a car for speeding. While his patience is tested by a condescending driver, his heart is captured by the passenger in the car, Max Winters. They're mutually attracted to one another but fail to connect due to the driver being arrested for a warrant. The next day, a chance encounter at their favorite restaurant gives Max and Rob a chance to shoot their shot and leads to Rob asking Max on a date. Weeks of dating blossom into a loving relationship.But two people are unhappy with this coupledom, including Randall Wilson, the car's driver who has crushed on Max since their freshman year of college, and Bryce Turner, who's been in love with Rob since middle school. Both men join forces to see if they can end Max and Rob's relationship by any means necessary. Will they accomplish their goal of getting the man they love? Or are Max and Rob simply meant to be?

When Hayden comes to visit his shy, hardworking cousin Jason, all Jason has in mind is a few days off to enjoy his cousin's company. To welcome Hayden, Jason decides to take him to Warm Glow and sample their signature liqueur, Shimmer. He'd heard the rumors that Shimmer can be anything and everything in your drink, but Jason isn't convinced.However, when he meets high-flying barrister Daniel at a casino in Skycity, Jason finds himself acting out of character. Outgoing and flirtatious, he captures Daniel's attention, and more besides. But there's a darker side to this new Jason.Will Jason's lies ruin his chances of happiness with Daniel, or can the truth save him?

Sequel to Shooting StarsJasper Reid has everything. Fame beyond what he'd ever imagined. The man he never knew he needed. And a career full of fun with his best friend and band mates. For once in his life, he's actually fine.Ryan Kurtis has everything. A promising career on Broadway. The love of his life by his side. The dreams he never thought would come true are all within reach. For once in his life, he's not worried about the future.But maintaining the perfect life becomes impossible when the famous couple are faced with shattering devastation. When The Obsolete falls apart, Jasper breaks piece by delicately held-together piece, leaving Ryan desperately trying to catch Jasper on the star's self-destructive fall from fame.After losing everything and finally facing the parts of himself he's been afraid to confront, Jasper must find a way to overcome his worst self, accept a heartbreaking loss, let love back in, and reclaim the life he's worked so hard for.Can Jasper and Ryan make it through their battles to their happily ever after? Or will this be the end of the RySper ship?NOTE: This book references trauma, death, grief, alcohol and drug abuse/dependence, panic attacks, and off-page sexual coercion.

Cassandra Durand is an up-and-coming professor at a Toronto university about to give a very important talk in her research field. While practicing one night, she runs into Grady, a custodian, whom she instantly recognizes as a former porn star. Can Cassandra maintain her professional distance while also indulging in her ultimate fantasy and dream man?When her relationship becomes threatened by her once loved research field, will she and Grady be able to have a future in spite of his past? As Cassandra deals with her new label of provocateur, she turns to Grady for help navigating public life when everyone only wants to see the darker side of her private desires.

In the gripping tale of D.B. and Me, the enigmatic hijacker D.B. Cooper parachutes into the unknown with $200,000 in ransom money, but little does he know that his daring escape is just the beginning of an unforeseen journey filled with mystery, suspense, and steamy romance.D.B., now Tim, finds himself along the banks of the Columbia River attempting to fade into the shadows. However, fate has other plans when he encounters Adam, a charismatic stranger who's also in hiding. The air becomes charged with anticipation as the two men become entangled in a mysterious dance, each harboring secrets that could shatter the fragile equilibrium they've quickly established.Tim's initial plans to vanish into the vast expanse of Canada are abruptly put on hold as the magnetic pull of Adam draws him into a world where passion and danger collide. As their connection deepens while they wander through the snow-covered forests of the Pacific Northwest, so does the labyrinth of una...ffair shadowed by the lingering echoes of several daring crimes, all against the backdrop of the Vietnam War.As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a heart-pounding journey through a landscape of intrigue, where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the boundaries of love are tested. Will Tim's past catch up with him, will Adam's, or will they find a way to rewrite the narrative that destiny has penned for them?D.B. and Me is a riveting exploration of love in the face of danger, a tale where passion and suspense interweave, leaving readers breathless and eagerly turning each page to unravel the secrets hidden within the folds of this captivating romance. Will Tim find redemption or be swallowed by the sadness of his past? And what about Adam and his troubled family and the ever-nagging reminders of a horrible war that still plague him? Dive into the depths of mystery and desire in this thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge until the very end.

A Character Bleed Spin-OffLeo Whyte knows he's lucky. He's a successful working actor. He's had celebrity girlfriends. And he's great at supporting roles. The comic relief. The best friend. The loyal lieutenant in Colby Kent and Jason Mirelli's groundbreaking historical epic Steadfast. Leo is used to being everyone's friend... and never anyone's leading man. But a chance encounter with an attractive photographer will make Leo see himself through a different lens... and realize what he truly wants.Sam Hernandez-Blake hates his job. But he's a good photographer, and celebrity pictures pay the bills, helping him support his younger siblings. But when he captures Leo Whyte out celebrating with friends, he sees someone more lonely than he ever expected. And he can't walk away.Sam might be the first person to really see Leo... but falling in love will change both their lives.

Flint Kirkland: A nature photographer who lives in the mountain community of Belden. He is very reclusive, due to the deep scar running from his temple to his nose which resulted in the loss his eye -- the empty socket covered by an eye patch. He has no friends, preferring his own company and that of his dog, Tank, to having to deal with people he believes either pity him or look at him with disgust.Ryan Hartman: He left Belden to seek'fame and fortune'as a costume designer. It didn't work out so, ten years later, he's returned to town to work at the family restaurant.The two men meet during Oktoberfest. There is a mutual attraction which Flint fights, not believing Ryan can be interested in him, as damaged as he is. Ryan prevails; inviting Flint to go out for coffee one evening after the festival closes for the day.As they begin to learn more about each other, can Flint trust him when Ryan says his outer appearance doesn't matter to him? It's the man behind it he cares about. Very slowly, Flint begins to, because he's fallen for Ryan, as much as he knows he shouldn't have.All Flint has to do to start believing in his own worth as a man -- and in the possibility of love with all it entails.

Since being offered a position as manager, Troy Ramirez's life has revolved around the BDSM club Tied Up. He couldn't have asked for anything better, yet a persistent thought gnaws at him, and it has the smiling freckled face of Tied Up's receptionist.Every Tuesday, Chris Brewster takes advantage of his free night to let off some steam, and always puts on a show in the common playroom at the club, letting the harshest Doms do anything to him. He likes to be used and manhandled and watched, and it doesn't go unnoticed that Master Troy's gaze is focused on him and filling with rage -- and maybe jealousy, too -- every time a Dom touches his body.Troy wonders why the redhead spitfire agrees on those rough scenes every Tuesday and asks for all that pain to be inflicted on him. He shouldn't even feel attracted to such a loose-mouthed sub, but somehow he's drawn to Chris and suffers for him whenever a Dom puts his paws on that perfect body. Is there something nagging Chris and making him seek pain? There's no way Chris will confide in him, since the boy is as tight-lipped about his personal stuff as he's uninhibited when it comes to be used in the club. But there's clearly something going on, and Troy has to find out before Chris sinks into the pain inside his soul.

Jake Patt, bar manager of Smooth, is looking for the guy of his dreams this steamy-hot July, minus the local drunks and bad boys. So far he hasn't had much luck. Maybe Pittsburgh just is too small and he needs to think bigger.To Jake's surprise, a handsome man walks into Smooth. Doing his job, Jake serves him his beer and learns his name and what he does for a living: Kailin Boost, a visiting bridge inspector. The two hit off well and spend the evening together. Kailin is worth some good laughs and has a lot of charm, and there's nothing at all boring about the man. Before Jake realizes it, the bridge inspector spends more evenings at the bar, and Jake feels he might just have gained a boyfriend. When Kailin invites him to a Fourth of July party, fireworks begin to happen and he starts falling for Kailin.With good things come the bad -- at least this is what Jake has learned in life. Enter Kailin's problematic baggage, Michael Benz. Michael's a world-traveling model with lots of muscle and money and a hardcore case of lust for Kailin. Which man will end up with Kailin, the average guy running a gay bar or a good-looking model with loads of money?

Jay Turner is a helper by nature. So when his best friend ropes him into helping Leith Porter finish repairs on his house, Jay is happy to lend a hand. It doesn't hurt that Leith is easy on the eyes and injured to boot. Everything about Lieth brings out the caretaker in Jay. And when one moment between them sparks Jay's inner Daddy Dom, things shift between them.With only two weeks to get the repairs done, the men spend a lot of time together. Jay didn't expect to find a perfect submissive in Leith. But the man pushes all the right buttons, and their kinks align. The closer they get, the more they want to explore the dynamic between them. The easy way they fall into their roles and the connection between them, only spurs them on. It might be fast, but they both want more.But they've been living in a bit of a bubble, together all the time, and it's only a matter of time before that bubble will burst. Fourteen days is too fast to fall in love. To want to build a future. Except both men know they've found their forever and maybe a fortnight is exactly the right length of time.

RILEY -- Shane has been my favorite person for my entire life. I've always loved him, and now I'm in love with him. I know he cares about me, too, but I'm sure he just thinks of me as his best friend's kid. Now that he's finished with active duty, he'll probably start dating, and I'll have to pretend to be happy for him. At least I'll have this Christmas vacation with him and my family to look back on. I wasn't planning to ever tell him how I felt, but now we're snowed in together and I'm not sure I can hide my feelings. Especially when he holds me and tells me everything will be okay.SHANE -- I devoted my life to the military. The closest thing I have to a family is my best friend and his wife and kids. I would never risk damaging that relationship by making a move on Riley, even though I realized last year that I'm in love with him. He should have someone better, anyway; someone smart and young and happy, like him. I don't deserve him, especially now that my secrets have put his life in danger. I'll do anything to keep Riley from being hurt, especially by me. But when he asks me for something I so badly want to give him, can I find the strength to say no?

When a plague ravages his village, the shaman Cian sails to the land of the dwarves for a cure. During the voyage, he meets and allies with Thanyan, a beautiful male elf who is a bard. Upon reaching the dwarven cleric whom Cian has been tasked with consulting, they uncover a dangerous secret: the plague resulted from blood magic. To undo this forbidden magic, they must travel to the island nation of the centaurs and visit The Amphitheater of Souls, the ancient temple where the blood magic was cast.Cian and Thanyan hire a female dwarven warrior, Loquin, as a bodyguard for protection against the instigator of the plague. However, they still find themselves stalked, assaulted with magic, and tangled in secrets. On the voyage to the island, a sea serpent attacks, nearly destroying their ship, and when they arrive at the island, the spellcaster launches further attempts to kill them so they can't lift the blood curse causing the plague. With the help of centaur priestesses, the group fights to untangle a dark affair that is revealed to span decades.As Cian and Thanyan become embroiled in this dangerous mission to capture the rogue spellcaster, they grow to love each other. But with their lives at risk, can they save the village and live out their lives together in love?

Neither Troy Nakamura nor Laszlo Jovanovic expect anything after their one-night stand. Troy is bound for college and Laszlo is heading to graduate school on the other side of the continent.They don't see each other again for five years, when Troy's former competition dance partner invites him to her wedding, where he can't resist another encounter with Laszlo. Then he says more than he should. While Laszlo lets him down easy, the fact is Troy's still in law school and the other man's work is taking him to Europe. Their first parting wasn't easy, but this one really hurts.As Laszlo winds up his final European contract seven years later, a traumatic incident disrupts his intention to stay with his parents for a while. Troy, now living near their families again, offers a place to live while Laszlo sorts himself out.Both of them had always thought what if. With privacy, peace, and the opportunity to learn just how they've both changed since that first momentous night, is the time finally right for love?

Not everything is always as meets the eye. Sometimes that older man you see might not be a man, at all. And his actions and reactions may differ from what you would expect.Alan Twiling isn't the man he appears to be. Nor is he the kidnapper or pervert the crowd thought he might be when he grabs a child to save her. Who is he, exactly?

Hank Donner-Varian yearns for something beyond his perfect, but routine marriage. Forbidden fantasy beckons until a chance encounter with the enigmatic and devastatingly sexy Abbott Lowery turns curiosity into a dangerous obsession.Hank's unaware of the sinister depths beneath Lowery's facade. When Hank's flirtation spirals into nightmare, he's thrust into a world of horror orchestrated by a man who once embodied his deepest desires.In a heart-pounding race against time, Beautiful Monster immerses readers in a gripping tale of passion, deception, and survival. Can Hank navigate the treacherous maze of obsession and deceit before it's too late? Or will the irresistible stranger prove to be Hank's downfall, plunging him into a nightmare from which escape is impossible?

Sasha, a closeted British celebrity, seeks out the help of a detective named Kiran who is known for discretion in order to find his missing ex-boyfriend, Oliver. Sasha is forced to share very personal information that reveals more about himself than he would have ever admitted to under any other circumstance, and despite rocky introductions, Sasha and Kiran become friends. Fortunately, Kiran is not only understanding of Sasha's sexual preferences but encourages him to keep doing what he loves... perhaps with Kiran himself.The complicated nature of their relationship prevents them from being together until Kiran is able to complete the job he was hired for, but their patience wears thin and they grow close as the search for Oliver continues. The police get involved when Oliver is found, upending a secret that might ruin Kiran and Sasha's new-found relationship. Will they stay together in spite of their formidable circumstances?

Sequel to The Dead Don't DreamIan and Adam find themselves thrust into an new world of danger and deceit as enemies, old and new, threaten their fragile bond. As they travel from the desolate deserts of the American Southwest to the vibrant chaos of Mexico City, their relationship is pushed to the breaking point by dark forces as they desperately try to outrun their tortured pasts in pursuit of a happiness that seems just out of reach.Together they must rely on each other in ways they never thought possible. Amidst heated and complicated emotions, they grapple with the stark contrast of light and darkness within themselves and each other. To survive, they must do more than simply trust; they must surrender their deepest fears and embrace the vulnerability that love demands. However, the path to true love has scars that run deep and secrets that threaten to shatter everything.In this thrilling continuation of love and sacrifice, Ian and Adam learn the strength of their love may be the key to overcoming the perilous obstacles they face. As they embark on a journey where betrayal lurks around every corner and sacrifices are inevitable, they come to realize that some loves are worth risking everything for. Can their love be enough to overcome the menacing shadows threatening to tear them apart forever? Or does fate have other plans for them?Note: This book includes scenes of violence and mentions of suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, physical and emotional trauma, and other dark and potentially disturbing themes, including a character dealing with past sexual trauma.

It may be a brand new year, but Jace Carrollton is still in the same, boring slump: he's dropped out of college and as the Strolling Snowman, walks around the mall all day wearing a musty snowman costume for a living. The only highlight of the job is Cory, the sexy owner of Vintage Vinyl, where Jace shops just for an excuse to flirt.Cory Fairfield can't believe it's the last night of the mall's Winter Wonderland promotion and, as such, the last time Jace will wear his furry snowman costume and walk in his store. Somehow Cory finds the courage to make his move: by hanging a faded sprig of mistletoe over Jace's locker and offering to unzip his snowman costume, once and for all.He's finally shot his shot, but will Jace fall for it? And if so, what can an old grump do to melt his sexy snowman's heart, one mistletoe kiss at a time?

Scott Riley has lived his whole life in the Town of Sunridge but spent most of his childhood certain that the first thing he would do when he got old enough was leave. That was until Sid's Tavern came up for sale, though. With a little bit of money and a lot of hard work, he is confident that he will be able to refresh the bar and add a little bit of life to the town. He also knows that's going to be hard to do all alone. So, when a slightly disheveled but desperate and willing to work young man shows up asking for a job, it seems as though fate has intervened.Lee Warner brings a dark past with him, but he's sober, hungry, and willing to try just about anything if it will bring him a sense of purpose and renew his energy. Walking into that tavern was meant to be nothing more than a chance for opportunity, but that was before Lee got a good look at Scott. With hair the color of a sunset and a nervous energy to match it, Scott is revitalizing Lee in ways Lee never expected.That seems to be contagious energy, however, and as Scott is as straight as they come, he can't understand why Lee is awakening feelings in him. Or how to turn those feelings off.

Ben Harper can't understand why his best friend and roommate for the past five years always gets involved with the wrong men. Feeling protective, Ben is seriously concerned about his friend's latest date, which leads to an ugly confrontation.Sammy Matthews thinks he needs love more than he needs saving. He has known rejection and abuse since he was a child, and has been looking for love in all the wrong places. Sammy still has to realize he needs to deal with his past before he'll find acceptance, and then love.When Ben and Sammy confess their true feelings to each other, their lives change irrevocably. But will Sammy heal from his past wounds? How will Ben deal with the demons from Sammy's past and the unexpected chemistry between them? Will the two men enjoy and cherish their natural fit?

Jack leaves his unhappy home in the countryside for New York and the local art scene. One day he lingers in a jazz café and is entranced by a theremin performance. Soon he meets the artist, a raven-haired man named Tegan.Their friendship soon deepens into something more, but in the process Jack's repressed memories begin to surface. His family is a ghost that continues to haunt him. He has to go back home to face his past, but how will these painful events affect his relationship with Tegan?

Parker Kollin, a journalist for The Sunrise Telegram, accidentally types impotent instead of important in his article. Lawrence Eckhard, the man Parker writes about in the article, is the CEO of Microscape, a pharmaceutical company, and one of the richest, most powerful, and most influential people in the business world.The article goes viral online. It's even brought up on talk shows and news channels. To avoid a potential lawsuit, Parker follows Lawrence all the way to Taiwan to apologize in person. His best friends, Kevin Lee, James Wong, and Daniel Tan, accompany him on the trip.The first time Lawrence meets Parker, Daniel, James, and Kevin, he likes them instantly. Their friendship quickly turns into a romantic one. However, Lawrence finds it hard to be fully himself around them. It's second nature to him to put on a mask around people.Will they manage to resolve their issues and stay together for the rest of their lives?

Leon Jensen, a poetry enthusiast, is dealing with the pain of knowing his childhood friend Jayden will never love him back. Still, their friendship was a source of comfort for Leon until, a little over a year ago, Jayden started acting weird and they fell out. Leon's chances of regaining their friendship are slim to none, seeing as Jayden is a linebacker on the football team and his popularity has only increased since he stopped hanging out with Leon.While missing Jayden, Leon finds support from a new friend from a different school and his parents. He still sees Jayden every day, so it's difficult for him to deal with the heartbreak. Because even a creative artist can only endure so much pain and appreciate the source of inspiration it provides.As they approach the end of their final school year, Jayden starts to suspect Leon is romantically involved with someone, and his strange behavior intensifies. Leon becomes caught up in the whirlwind of Jayden's emotions because, as it turns out, Jayden has a secret, too. Can Leon calm his former best friend down and discover the reason for Jayden's odd behavior?

Heroes come in all sizes. The best ones come with four legs and a tail. In this series, AF Henley intertwines the love shared between a man and his four-legged bestie with the romantic love two men can share with each other. Sometimes one thing leads to another, and these fur buddies are going to make sure their humans find true love.Contains the stories:But by the Grace of Dog: Thom has been struggling with anxiety his whole life but when he finds an'ugly'dog in need, Thom decides it's the ideal friendship for him. The dog immediately befriends the man Thom has been coveting -- his neighbour Justin. With the dog boosting his courage, Thom agrees to let love in. Then a stranger shows up demanding the dog's return, a loss that will take all of Thom's confidence with it.Gordy's Got a Problem: Living in Toronto can be expensive, but the city has a lot to offer. If only Leo had any energy left to get out there. Gordy is the most attractive and loudest young man that Leo has ever met. When he starts turning on the charm, Leo can't help but wonder why. Together they need to find a home for Gordy's new roommate: a goat who comes with a deathbed promise and unexpected life lessons.Still Standing: Bryson had a rough start but got lucky with his new life. If only that luck extended to picking the right partner. When Bryson meets Duke, all he wants is to get Duke's sweaty hands on his body. Until he meets Beau, the horse in Duke's care, and finds out what Beau's intended fate is. Enraged, Bryson buys Beau and walks away without looking back. Fate, however, has other plans for all of them.

After a devastating incident, injured and rejected, teacher Tyler decides to leave Seattle behind. He would start over elsewhere. Lake Michigan looks like the perfect place for a new beginning. New schools and new school years are the same everywhere. Or so Tyler thought, until he meets a man.Coach Riley, with the body of a god and loved by all, needs to be rescued by the new English teacher, of all people. To top that, the two of them rescue and save kids in trouble on their first field trip to the beach.Soon Riley and Tyler discover more in each other than heroism and wearing funny swimming shorts. Will they find romance, though? Will this be part of the new beginning Tyler dreamed about?

Four interconnected lives. One man's big romantic adventure.Dale's a handsome farm boy on the run from his Vietnam draft call. His bed-hopping with older men leads him from rural PA to grungy, downtown New York.Becky's a beautiful photo artist and massage model Dale saves from a street abduction. An invite to her Bowery flat leads to some frank conversation... and a surprise visit to her bed! Will this one-off lead to something more when she lets him crash at her place? Aaron's a smart-mouthed gay hustler and portraitist who hallucinates while drawing. When he finagles his way into the lives of Becky and Dale, he also charms his way into Dale's arms. But how long will this rent boy stay there?Scott is Becky's sweet-natured brother and an ardent biker. He wants freedom and adventure now that he's finished high school. Even more, he longs to meet Dale, the guy he's dreamed about ever since Becky showed him photos. But will Scott's careful plans to court his ideal beau backfire?

Monster hunters are a necessary evil in a world plagued with tears to hell and other forsaken realms. Matt is one such hunter, as hated and feared as the monsters he slays. However, after burying his best friend, the man he loved, Matt returns to his rooms to find an unwanted visitor, an emaciated incubus, intruding on his home.Trapped and starved for eons, Sylvan finally manages to escape his indifferent captor and flee hell. In his hunger, he is drawn toward the loneliness emanating from a single human, Matt. Despite Sylvan's hideous, wasted appearance, this man cares for Sylvan and fearlessly allows him to feed.Though natural enemies, Matt and Sylvan are drawn to one another through loneliness and desperation. However, when Sylvan's captor comes to collect him, Matt realizes how much he is willing to risk to save this demon.

The last time Joël Paquet was in New York City, he nearly died. Too distracted by his problems, he didn't look when he crossed the street and was nearly made into a pancake by a transport truck in the downtown core. The only saving grace of this trip, other than the cute person working as a living statue who saved him and then took him out for coffee, was the fact that his near-death experience finally gave him the courage to come out as trans.Five years later, Joël Paquet is one of the most in-demand horror writers in North America. Going to New York City from his current Montreal home for the Black Markets Horror Con should be exciting, but when he gets an email that uses his birth name, he nearly cancels the trip altogether. The only thing that keeps Joël going is the thought of that living statue who saved his life once before.

Leo Chambers wakes up on the first day of winter break, hungover, sweaty and half-naked on a strange couch. His college roommate Brock has left him stranded at his parents'house. Only he's not alone. Staring at him from across the living room, the sexiest man Leo's ever seen is reminding him to pull up his shorts... or else!Grant Thorne can't believe his stepbrother Brock has dumped his roommate on the living room couch, literally. While Leo insists he'll take a bus back to college, Grant takes pity on him and invites him to stick around for the holidays. After all, Grant's got nothing better to do and who knows? This Christmas, a little company might be just the thing to turn two handsome strangers into lovers...

A'what if'tale set in the Spy vs. Spook/Mann of My Dreams universe!Kyle Winchester is a genius when it comes to foreign languages. He has no trouble learning them and often picks up dialects simply for fun. This makes him an ideal candidate for certain agencies in the intelligence community, most notably the CIA and the WBIS. While these two agencies fight it out between them, all an unknowing Kyle wants to do is discover more about the mysterious Frenchman he met while in New York -- and possibly fall in love with him.Alain Boucher, a championship-level card player, discovers playing cards with the wrong man could get him imprisoned and deported. As a result, he's pressured into doing the occasional job for the CIA. One of these jobs is to convince -- by any means -- a certain young man that becoming a member of the CIA is exactly what his future should hold. The problem is Alain has come to like Kyle, and he isn't so certain what the CIA wants is what's best for the young man. However, events beyond his control see Kyle agreeing to work for the Company.The reality of his new job isn't as rosy as Kyle was promised, but when a covert operative is outed, leaving her assets to fend for themselves, Kyle has to make a decision: stay with an organization that seems to have no regard for its people, or resign. Things become even more complicated when he's offered a position at the WBIS by the enigmatic Mark Vincent. Kyle has to wonder... should he accept this job? And if he does, how will that affect his relationship with Alain, the man who'd set out to woo him for ulterior motives but then wound up falling in love with him?

Handsome cowboy Palmer Haas returns from a long spell in wine country and ends up back at his daddy's Stockton County ranch in Oklahoma. His father Bill is glad to have him under his care again, but he rarely gets to see Palmer because he travels on ranch business throughout the country, selling horses.Carson Foxxe, a hardworking hand at Haas Ranch, doesn't miss a trick when it comes to the ranch owner's handsome son. In fact, he's all eyes-opened and over-the-top interested in Palmer, maybe a little too much.As August along the prairie grows longer, Palmer welcomes a campfire cowboy friendship with Carson. Carson is warned by a fellow coworker not to get involved with Palmer because it could ruin his future at the ranch. Fools are born every day, though, and Carson becomes more than a friend to Palmer.There's a big problem at Haas Ranch now. Bill has a major rule that prevents Palmer from being friends or lovers with any of the ranch hands, Carson included. Has Carson already fallen head over boots for the wrong cowboy? If so, what is he going to do? Carson will have to hang onto his bronco man because his ranch ride is about to get bumpy.

Sequel to Vampire Food A former blood slave. A talkative vampire. Dreams about canned goods.Chaton Roux was rescued from a blood bar and taken to a gated community of supernaturals. For two years, he's kept his head down and done his best to avoid people. The only time he finds peace is when he's in the garden he shares with his best friend. They're doing their best to grow as many vegetables as possible since the community is on the verge of starving.Asher Blackmore knows he should keep his distance, but there is something about Chaton that always makes him want to push for more. Things would've been easier if he'd been a mayfly shifter, then he wouldn't have a mouth and wouldn't say stupid things all the time.When the community's business goes up in flames, the threat of starvation becomes all the more real, and Chaton does his best to come up with ways to preserve food to last them through winter. It's hard labor, but what better way to deal with a chatty vampire than to drag him into the kitchen and put him to work?

Sequel to Love in the RevolutionAfter making love, political consultant Ben Montgomery asks his lover, professional cartoonist Jamie Drexler, to go beyond mere pillow talk and tell him a story. Jamie channels his creative genius to fantasize about a life in which his future husband has been granted powerful gifts needed to challenge the forces of reaction.Ben and Jamie both knew from their involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign that, when justice and grace are denied to one person, they are denied to all. Superheroes are not just part of American pop culture; they are as legitimate a form of cultural history as the gods of Ancient Greece and Rome were to those civilizations.When Jamie creates a superhero who is more than mere cosplay, can Ben sustain his political job while Jamie balances the responsibilities of serving as his beloved's sidekick? Or will Jamie emerge a hero in his own mind?

Tito, heir to the Barbarotti crime family, faces the challenge of modernizing the family's operations while navigating the complexities of forbidden love. His encounter with Rico, a clandestine FBI agent, sets the stage for a gripping tale of romance and intrigue.With the looming threat of the Bad Town Faction and the specter of assassination attempts, Tito and Rico must confront their deepest fears and confront the truth about their feelings. The stakes escalate during Tito's Uncle Sully's funeral, where an assassination attempt puts Tito in danger. Rico's heroic act of saving Tito's life reveals his true identity, shattering Tito's trust and leading to a journey of forgiveness and redemption.In a crescendo of emotions at the heart of the Barbarotti family's Christmas gathering, Tito and Rico find themselves at a crossroads. Yet, in the thick of the chaos, their love remains unwavering, casting a beacon of hope on a path fraught with challenges that brims with the promise of a shared destiny.

Kael Saunders loves to dominate handsome, masculine men like himself. Being in charge is his way of life, whether it be in his work with the secret intelligence service MI6, his empty and lonely personal life, or in the dungeon in his expensive flat on the River Thames. The last thing this no-nonsense, strict, and disciplined secret agent expects when he is out on a hit chasing down a gun runner is to fall in love with Angel Button, a young man desperate for the love and guidance of a Daddy.After spending his formatives years in foster care and then with his selfish, social-climbing mother and stepfather, Angel wants security, stability, and a man to love. However, Angel also has a passion for being spanked and restrained.Two very different men find love in a world of skilled assassins, Bosnian terrorists, and dungeon play. But can they make it work?

Greyson Carteret has been sick for as long as he can remember. His life has been one surgery and invasive procedure after another, and nothing has helped. In fact, he seems to be getting worse, and he feels too miserable to care one way or the other. His father had apparently been unable to cope with his chronic illnesses and took off with another woman.As a result, his mother is the only one available to see to his care. Now, though, due to a family emergency, she has to go out of town. She doesn't feel Grey can be left on his own, so when his doctor refers a home healthcare agency to her, she hires Dylan Morse to look after Grey. To his surprise, Grey is fascinated by the man.Dylan, who is taking a break from nursing by working as a home health aide, finds he likes Grey, and is saddened to learn the young man only has months to live. A friendship quickly develops between the two, and Grey regrets it isn't likely to grow into anything more. However, Dylan is curious about Grey's symptoms and by Mrs. Carteret's insistence that her son only eat the food she's prepared for him.Will Dylan discover the truth behind Grey's numerous illnesses? Can their friendship become anything more if he can help Grey live to see his twenty-third birthday?NOTE: This story deals with issues of mental illness that some readers might find disturbing.

After moping around the flat for months following an ugly breakup, Stuart'Mouse'Little was persuaded to go out and start living again. A night spent in a country hotel in the wilds of the North Yorkshire moors sounded like the perfect first step. The fact there would be a performance by an Elvis impersonator would be icing on the cake.Stu is immediately captivated by the impersonator as he struts his stuff on stage, dressed head to toe in black leather. The man sings like Elvis, moves like Elvis, looks like Elvis, he even speaks like Elvis. After a chance meeting with'Elvis'during a break, Stu learns that Garret'Spider'Webb is originally from Texas and possibly even more attractive close up.Visions of the sexy American keep Stu from sleep. In hopes that a mug of hot chocolate will help, Stu heads downstairs and discovers that the heavy snow that was falling all evening has stranded many people without reservations, including Spider. Stepping outside of his comfort zone, Stu impulsively offers to share his room with the handsome singer.Will the weekend be a case of “Heartbreak Hotel” for Mouse and Spider or will they find they “Can't Help Falling in Love?”

Cecil, son of Anna and Dr. Albert Morgan, was raised in a well-to-do neighborhood in the 1930s. Always feeling different -- separate -- from everyone around him, after college, he relocates to an Appalachian Mountain cabin.Lonely at first, Cecil spends a great deal of time talking to himself. One night, he hears a song on a breeze with a long note held for fourteen beats. As far as Cecil knows, he is alone on that side of the desolate mountain, so who is singing?He eventually meets up with the mysterious mountain man without a name, a man who also lives separated from the world. Was his seclusion a choice? When illness occurs, will the aid Cecil brings during a time when doctors treat mental illness like a crime and homosexuality as a mental illness make things better or worse?

Former model-turned-actor Adrian Lee can barely list age range 23–29 on his résumé anymore, nor stand his life of empty social events and appearances, meaningless roles, and casual partners. When he meets Alexander Skizetsky by clever arrangement of his agent, the enigmatic yet infinitely attractive Russian kindles a little light of hope in his aching heart. Yet even the beginnings of a friendship and love beyond his wildest dreams cannot stop a life spiraling out of control.The long estrangement from his devout Irish Catholic parents and family and the dark secrets they all share combine to drive Adrian to the brink of despair, though Alexander becomes determined to stay by his side. After locking away his own memories of betrayal and loss, Lexx had decided never to love again, but something in Adrian spurs the noblest intentions in his formerly jaded heart.Returning in pilgrimage to Alexander's homeland, on a journey of rebirth, revelation, and redemption, can they escape the ghosts of their pasts to find true love together?NOTE: This book contains references to childhood sexual assault that might disturb some readers.

From holiday decorating at a historic castle to werewolf FBI agents, from nightmares aboard a starship to a book-thief encountering a king's brother in a fantastical library, from hurt and comfort and cinnamon pancakes to a cozy afternoon full of wedding planning, these collected stories bring together K.L. Noone's flash and short fiction for the first time!Some familiar characters make an appearance -- Jason and Colby from the Character Bleed trilogy and Wes and Finn from the Seasonal Stories -- and brand-new characters and stories await, including Ember the royal librarian, detective-fiction novelist Patrick, and interior decorator Rory.Find all their happy endings, and more, in the sparkling short stories of Flashes!

John's a weary superhero who lost his first partner. Ryan used to be a sidekick but always wanted to be in charge. And Holiday, trained to be a supervillain, is trying to learn to be good. The three of them make a fantastic team... on a mission, or in bed at home, especially once Holly moves in for good.Together they'll face new perils -- from villains to earthquakes to meeting each other's parents. This box set contains the following Extraordinary stories:Sundown, Holiday, Beacon: Three superheroes in love! Ryan, John, and Holiday have been partners -- in every sense of the word -- for two years. They've saved the world, fallen in love, and remodeled the secret base to include bookshelves and a bigger bed. But when Holiday comes home injured, his partners aren't sure the mission is worth his life.Homecomings: It's a new mission: meeting the parents. With Holiday no longer undercover as a villain, he's openly part of the team and relationship. But that isn't easy. Ryan's parents want to visit. Holly's supervillain parents are almost certainly dead. And John's parents love their son, but aren't sure about his partners. Contains mystic portals, excited parents, one uncomfortable dinner, and pie.Refuge at Clifftop: Ryan and his superhero partners are in love, and nothing's threatening the world except John's baking. But Ryan's worried. Holiday's powers keep growing. More unpredictable. Maybe even more than human. But when a mission threatens John's life, Holly's new abilities might be the only way to save him...

This box set combines A.C. Katt's best-selling series Sunset Club, which focuses on the premier gay club on the Jersey Shore with the same name. Contains all 5 books in the series, including:You in My Arms: Jason Monroe is his sister Kitty's guardian after their parents'death. He's working two jobs to keep them afloat, and doesn't have time for love. Until Zach Montgomery, the owner of the Asbury Park Sunset Club, the premier gay bar and dance club on the Jersey Shore, comes calling. Can Zach make it easier for Jason to uphold his priorities... and maybe get himself added to the list?Bobby's Old Man: Keith is in love with Bobby but thinks he's too old for the younger man. The two start as “friends with benefits,” but Keith dumps Bobby when it turns serious, leaving Bobby broken-hearted. When tragedy strikes and Bobby needs Keith, he lacks trust in his former lover. Can Keith convince Bobby that this time is for real, or will the two never reconcile?Waiting for Mark: For more than a year, Reggie has been sitting at the end of the bar waiting for Mark to see him as something other than a customer. Then Mark gets in trouble helping Reggie's friend Bobby. Now a violent ex-lover is threatening Mark. Reggie offers Mark the safe haven of his basement apartment. Can Reggie convince Mark his safe haven is his arms instead?Beau's Baby: Jack discovers his first love's wife has died in childbirth and his ex-lover killed himself, leaving the sickly newborn to Jack. Carlo has been chasing Jack for nine months and sees baby Bella as an opportunity to get Jack in his house, as well as his bed, permanently. Can they find their way in their new relationship as partners, husbands, fathers?Average Gray: Grayson Grey has a huge crush on Enzo Del Monte, but Enzo is distracted with Sunset manager Mike Green. Two revelations are going to change all that's going on: Gray finds out Mike is not gay, he's just working Enzo for a large sum of money, and Mike is stealing from the Sunset. Gray attempts to ride to the rescue but winds up being rescued himself.