Books Tagged With author - american

Word Count: Click here to reveal89048 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: A killer at a small-town literary festival. Bumbling drug dealers. A kidnapped cat. Starting a romance among all this chaos might be the death of them. Michael Fleishman is excited to meet his favorite mystery writer, Russell Withingham, at Lacetown’s Literary Fest. He is not expecting to cross paths with sexy hairdresser Jasper “Jazz” Dilworth—or become embroiled in a real-life mystery. As Lacetown’s only mortician and the county coroner, Michael is called to his first murder scene and is shocked to recognize the victim—Russell’s young lover. Jazz only wanted to confront his ex, Russell, over his cheating. Instead, he meets the adorably awkward Michael and becomes a murder suspect. Soon Jazz is teaming up with Michael to clear his name. Along the way, they are helped and hindered by Michael’s sassy assistant, Kitty, the grumpy Sheriff Musgrave, Russell’s creepy PR rep, Norbert, and Michael’s lothario grandfather, who likes his manhattans strong and his women saucy. And of course, Mr. Pickles Furryton the Third….

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Summary:

Gunned down in the street, author Helmut Brandt’s life ebbs away and puts a chain of events in motion placing P.I. Marco Fontana on a collision course with Church and community.

            Brandt’s research into the decades old death of Pope John Paul the First made him  serious enemies within the Catholic Church. As Fontana digs into the case, he finds Brandt also had rivals in his work and in his love life. Rivals with motives for murder.

            Dueling with the Catholic hierarchy and combing through seedy gay hangouts, Fontana encounters dangerous characters and powerful forces intent on stopping him.

When Fontana himself is attacked, he knows he must find answers before any more lives are lost. The web of intrigue and deceit is intricate, tangled, and deadly.

Will the solution uncover a decades old plot to kill a pope or will Fontana find that jealous rage or academic rivalry caused Brandt’s death? The only thing Fontana can be certain of is that Brandt's enemies have killed once and won't hesitate to murder a private eye who gets too close to the truth.

Fontana deftly balances his work as a P.I. with his position as owner of StripGuyz, a troupe of male strippers; he must also negotiate the intricacies of love and relationships which he has been avoiding all too long.

Along with Anton and Luke, Olga his secretary, a host of male strippers, and other denizens of his world, Fontana manages to navigate his way to a surprising conclusion.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Questioning, Straight (Click here to hide)

Summary: Captain Marta Ramos, the most notorious pirate in the Duchy of Denver, has her hands full between fascinating murder mysteries, the delectable and devious Delilah Nimowitz, Colonel Geoffrey Douglas (the Duke of Denver’s new head of security), a spot of airship engineering and her usual activities: piracy, banditry and burglary. Not to mention the horror of high society tea parties. In contrast, Simms, her second in command, longs only for a quiet life, filled with tasty sausages and fewer explosions. Or does he? Join Captain Ramos, Simms and their crew as they negotiate the perils of air, land and drawing room in a series of fast-paced adventures in a North America that never was. Murder on the Titania and Other Steam-Powered Adventures includes 4 novellas and a short story about piracy, banditry, burglary, jail-breaking, several brilliant bits of detective work and all manner of otherwise lawless hijinks performed by the valiant Captain Ramos and her crew. Murder on the Titania: Colonel Geoffrey Douglas, the Duke of Denver’s new head of security, is drawn into a high society murder mystery on the Airship Titania. None of the passengers are quite what they seem, including the mysterious young woman who always turns up where she is least expected. The Curious Case of Clementine Nimowitz (and Her Exceedingly Tiny Dog): A simple burglary goes horribly awry when Captain Ramos and Simms stumble across a dead body, a small dog and the deceased’s heirs, the noisome Morris and the rather too interesting Delilah. The Jade Tiger: A mysterious woman enlists Captain Ramos’s aid in getting her revenge on her former employer and Captain Ramos finds herself doing an unintentional good deed. The Ugly Tin Orrery: Captain Ramos and her crew embark on what appears to be a perfectly ordinary train robbery, only to be drawn into the Duke of Denver’s political machinations via a strange metal artifact. Throw in a spot of jail breaking and an encounter with the lovely Delilah, and it’s all in a day’s work for Captain Ramos and Simms. The Flying Turk: The Airship Titania is entering a new era and welcoming its first automaton pilot. Or, perhaps not. Captain Ramos and Simms are back aboard the Titania for a heady mix of murder, robbery, peeved scientists and oblivious peers, with a spot of engineering thrown in.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Music, Rehab and Recovery Tad faces many of life's obstacles as the drummer of the rock and punk band, Surf Sons. And who he ends up with or where he lands has never mattered. The only thing he takes serious is the music. But he's starting to outgrow the hard rocking and partying lifestyle. Much to his surprise Tad needs more in his life. Then Keegan Ross entered his life, slowly sneaking under his skin. The musical prodigy, hoping to land a record deal, has an amazing music career ahead of him. Tad's afraid he'll only drag Keegan down, but he can't deny how Keegan makes him feel. Loved. Tad's recovery is challenging enough but adding his heart to the mix makes things more complicated. Will Keegan and music be enough to help Tad change his life, or will he break both their hearts? #music #secrets #rehab #lifelessons Love on the Line, Book 3 Note: Love on the Line books can be read in any order.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Etienne Tremblay has lived more than four lifetimes, and as the head of The House of Tremblay, he takes his responsibilities seriously. One hot night, a chance encounter with a human male takes away Etienne’s unneeded breath. The man is beautiful and friendly, and he quickly becomes Etienne’s latest obsession. The problem: The beast inside him—who can become uncontrollable at times—is obsessed as well, and he refuses to allow Etienne to ruin it for them by adhering to his prissy, outdated goody-two-shoes ethics. One night while out for a run, Ryker DeWitt nearly takes down a man who is taking out the trash from a restaurant. Unable to get the man out of his thoughts, Ryker returns to the scene of the crime to get a better look at the guy. When Etienne joins him and his best friend for dinner, Ryker is smitten and agrees to an invitation for a nightcap. What Ryker doesn’t know is there’s a very good chance he might become the nightcap. How strong is Etienne’s hold on his beast? What happens when Ryker meets Etienne’s twin? Why does it seem that everywhere Ryker turns there’s a Tremblay to greet him? The Big Easy swelters in the summer. Are you ready for the heat? Hot Nights in the Big Easy is a multi-author collection of stories written during our author retreat. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy New Orleans with our boys.

Word Count: Click here to reveal33000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Some high school romances just won’t fade. A high-ranking yakuza, Yuuki enjoys his relatively quiet job. If only his mother would stop asking for grandchildren. Unwilling to come out, he contemplates a sham marriage just to shut her up. After all, it’s not as if he’ll ever be lucky in love again. Black-listed after his divorce, the only reason luxury suit designer Kazuki is still in business is his yakuza clientele. Desperate to find new clients, he starts looking for a collaborator for the upcoming fashion show. But who’s daring enough to partner up with him? When Kazuki’s high school sweetheart walks into his shop, all those worries disappear. Although Yuuki has far from forgiven Kazuki for his past betrayal, Kazuki wants nothing more than to rekindle their love. But then he learns Yuuki is in the yakuza… Can these two mend their love, or are they now too different to thread their lives together? Buy to My Heart's Desire  to find out if they were always meant to be!

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Jingle Bell I’m an elf, but not a good one. I’m too tall. My ears aren’t pointy enough. I can’t make toys. Basically, I’m a failure. I’ve grown up with Nic and Holly—a/k/a Santa and Mrs. Claus—which puts a considerable amount of pressure on me, especially since I’ve been kicked out of every creative department at Santa Claus, Inc., Int’l. In a last-ditch effort, I’m sent to the Special Case Unit, where I’m assigned a family going through a crisis. I’m charged with bringing comfort and cheer to a special little girl who needs all of it she can get. I don’t expect to meet a wonderful human man who appears to have the weight of the world on his broad shoulders, and I certainly don’t expect to want to help him carry it. The case is difficult, but I’m dedicated. I definitely don’t anticipate falling in love along the way, either. Trick McNichol In my world, there are no silver linings—that is, until Jinson Bell, a nursing assistant, walks into my daughter’s hospital room and gives her something to smile about. Going into the holiday season with a sick child is as heartbreaking as it sounds. My sweet little girl is diagnosed with a horrible disease where the treatment is doubly as harsh. I’m nearly at the end of my rope regarding what to do when one afternoon, I round a corner and meet an incredible guy I’m not expecting. Jinson is kind, adorable, much younger than me, and he has a sweet tooth like none I’ve ever seen. He knows what we need before we need it, and it’s far too easy to fall in love with him. The timing is horrible, but Jin is there when I need someone to hold me together. When he laughs, it’s like bells are ringing, and when I find out he’s only at the hospital temporarily for training, I have to find a way to make him mine.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Daniel I got my Ph.D. and a fantastic teaching job by keeping my nose to the grindstone and avoiding relationships. Not that I didn’t like men—quite the opposite—but getting involved took time I didn’t have. One summer evening, I went out for a drink and met the most beautiful guy I’d ever seen. After an unforgettable night, I couldn’t wait to meet up again, but I missed our date. Imagine my panic when I realized we’d forgotten to trade numbers. Caleb A summer job as a law firm intern kept me busy, but one night, I needed to blow off some steam. At the bar, a gorgeous man saved me from an overzealous admirer. My rescuer gave me the kiss of my life, and I wound up in his bed. After the night turned out to be even better than the kiss, we made a date to meet again. Unfortunately, he no-showed on me, leaving me disappointed and confused for months. The following spring, when I showed up for a class taught by some hotshot new professor, a breathtaking man walked into the room. My heart stopped because my new professor was the guy who stood me up last summer. Was I glad to see him? I wasn’t sure. But one thing was certain—I was the very last person he wanted in his class. One man is trying to get tenure in the job of his dreams; the other is set to graduate and begin law school. Life brought them together under random circumstances, and their path isn’t an easy one. How can they make a relationship work without sacrificing everything? My Perfect Screwup is a contemporary gay romance involving a missed opportunity and second chance to get it right. The book includes a relationship between a college professor and student, age gap, unwavering connection, incendiary heat, found family, and dreamy HEA.

Word Count: Click here to reveal104848 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: The Blackwood Pack saga continues… This is part of an on-going series by Amazon International Bestselling Author, Mary Rundle – catching up on previous titles is advised. Readers of previous books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best  ̶  caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere. Carson never dreamed his six bothers would get their fated mates before he did and now, hanging on with the barest of hope he’d be next, he ends up devastated when it doesn’t happen. Unable to cope with seeing so many happy couples around him at the pack house in California, he accepts a job offer in France, intent on building a new life—only to discover the Fates have not forgotten him at all. After graduating from university, Remy, a low-level warlock leaves the world of magic behind, believing there’s no place in it for him. Encouraged by his parents, to accept a job offer at the Chateau des Flammes winery, he begins working for Arthur MacDùghlas, the dragon shifter owner, finally finding a place for himself in the world. Happy with his new position, Remy’s life abruptly changes when his parents unexpectedly die and he becomes the guardian of his three younger brothers. Muddling through the unexpected role of fatherhood, he finally finds his footing until…his life is upended once again when Carson, his fated mate arrives on his doorstep. Shocking surprises, treacherous plots, an action-packed rescue, and many unexpected twists and turns make this passionate love story by Mary Rundle impossible to put down once you’ve read the first page.   Multiple POV, M/M, Shifters, Fated Mates, MPREG with secondary characters, HEA    

Word Count: Click here to reveal32250 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards Runner-up, Best Gay Contemporary Romance & Romantic Comedy When a series of personal crises prompt risk-averse research librarian Aaron Templeton to apply for a job on the other side of the country, nobody is more surprised than he is. He nearly runs home before the final interview except for one little problem: he has no home anymore. He put his condo on the market before he left California and it's already sold. Only an encounter with free-spirited Connecticut native Cody Brown at the Mystic Seaport Museum staves off Aaron's incipient panic attack. Cody loves nothing better than introducing newcomers to the great features of his beloved home state, and when the newbie in question is a rumpled professorial type with the saddest blue eyes on the planet? Score! The attraction between the two men deepens as they explore Cody's favorite spots, but when difficulties arise and Aaron's insecurities threaten to overwhelm him, will Cody's love be enough to keep him in Mystic? Mystic Man is a 32,000-word novella featuring a pertinent internal playlist, suggestive shellfish consumption, and a six-year-old who thinks history should have more girls. HEA guaranteed.

Word Count: Click here to reveal91,108 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Pansexual (Click here to hide)

Summary: Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus was once renowned for his conquests. But the fallen knight put those days behind him. A dream grew inside him thanks to his closest friends finding their mates, and now Roman impatiently waits for the other half of his soul. But nothing prepares him for the day he discovers he is paired with a human. Fallen knights do not get along with humans. None of them have human mates. It shocks Roman, and even the goddesses themselves are surprised by the match. Roman wants to find love. Instead, he is confronted with a belligerent human who believes Roman is a zombie. Grant’s life is a mess. His boyfriend is controlling. His job is crap, and so is Grant’s outlook. The last thing he needs is a fallen knight in his face, trying to convince him they are meant to be together. Grant no longer trusts tender emotions, nor does he want to speak to anyone who is undead. The connection Roman wanted is fraught with issues. So is the future, and neither man is prepared for what comes next. In order to get the matebond of Roman’s dreams, he needs the help of a powerful sorcerer and the diligent work of the goddesses watching over their charges. In the end, Grant and Roman discover that, despite everything, they are a perfect match.

Word Count: Click here to reveal35700 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Hunter Covey, star wide receiver for his high school football team, is afraid to reveal his craving to be more than buddies with his best friend. He fears Griff will run in the other direction. After a sealed box of secrets held by his adoptive parents unlocks and spills its contents, only his incredible connection with Griffin can keep him calm. Griffin Lambros — gifted high school quarterback — kept his crush for his best friend to himself. But an accident at the state championship compels Griff to open up and reveal his inner desires. When Griff’s mom opens the proverbial Pandora’s Box, Griff will need every bit of help Hunter offers. Nicknamed Whiny Will by the Haworth Cougars, William Davenport didn’t use his father’s connections to get on the team because he liked football. He craved to be close to his hidden infatuation — Griffin Lambros. Once Griff graduated, Will lost touch with him. However, fate intervened and tossed Will and his family’s scandal into the lap of his dreamboat without warning. Several obstacles block their way, but when they discover the three of them are shifters from the same family of owls, it adds to the weight already on their shoulders. Can the three men accept their future to become the next formidable Tytonidae Triad, or will they let destiny slip through their feathers?

Word Count: Click here to reveal86000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Celebrate World Naked Gardening Day with five gay romance novellas! The Naked Gardening Day stories are a collaboration between Holly Day, Nell Iris, A.L. Lester, K.L. Noone, and Amy Spector. They comprise five MM romance novellas featuring being naked in a garden somehow, somewhere, to mark World Naked Gardening Day on the first Saturday of May. Contains the stories: Perfect Rows by Holly Day: Everything would've been perfect if Grayson hadn't been forced to share his garden with Cam. Grayson wants to grow vegetables, and he has a plan for how to do it. Cam loves flowers in perfect rows, but Grayson is incapable of growing things in lines. Most days end in conflict, at least until Grayson realizes he can shut Cam up by kissing him. But will they ever be able to agree about the garden? Strike a Pose by Nell Iris: Didrik would do anything for his BFF Filip, including taking naked pictures for a charity calendar of his dad Johan, the stunning man responsible for Didrik’s gay awakening. Now a widower, Johan is ready to move on. As they start the project, the attraction between them grows. Their connection is easy, but not without challenges. Will they get their happily ever after? The Death of Digby Catch by Amy Spector: When August Catch arrives at the Arachne’s Loom estate to collect his late Uncle Digby’s things, he is thrown together with Theo Webb, the heir to the Webb family fortune. The attraction is instant. When Theo begins to suspect Digby may have been murdered, he and August will need to work together to discover the killer, and not let the thing growing between them be a distraction. The Hermit of Aldershill Manor by K.L. Noone: Charlie’s ready to start a new job and life at Aldershill Manor. As a historian, he’s thrilled to dive into the archives. And he can run from a messy break-up. And explore lovely gardens, too. Lionel does not like tourists, conversations, or social niceties. But he loves his job: helping beauty grow. When he finds the new historian caught in a storm, he offers shelter, which might bloom into more. Warning! Deep Water by A.L. Lester: Spring 1947. England has just come through the worst winter in living memory. Peter’s been drifting since he left the army a year ago. George is lonely, despite the busy horticultural nursery he owns. Peter’s decision to take a swim in the irrigation tank presents them both with the chance to reach out and help each other. Can two misfits find a way to fit together with someone after all?

Word Count: Click here to reveal115000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary:

Word Count: Click here to reveal77000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: On paper, they’re a disaster. In the sheets, they’re a perfect match. Kent Lester is proud of the joyful, thriving learning community he’s created as principal of Lear Elementary School. But seven years after his divorce, he’s ready to focus on his personal life and spread his bisexual wings. Things get off to a rocky start when Kent’s first date is an uptight control freak — although that doesn’t stop them tangling some sheets. Vincent Manda never seems able to move past the friend zone, and besides, he’s not sure anyone can handle his OCD. But that night with the bearded, older Kent revealed a side of Vincent he’d never experienced before. And he’s equal parts scared of and desperate for a repeat. When Lear’s test scores take a nosedive, Kent finds himself under the microscope. Forced to implement new software to monitor and collect school data, he’s horrified to discover that Vincent is working on the project. With his last install ending less than ideally, Vincent’s job depends on this one succeeding — and butting heads with the principal won’t help. Vincent and Kent need to view each other in a new light, but that could change their futures forever.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: If I don’t find my fated mate by Christmas, I’ll be banned from the North Pole forever. I’ve messed up bad for the last time. My life is a series of mistakes. The first happens when I am born and dumped unwanted at the door of Santa Christero, who immediately adopts me. Being raised by a Santa from the revered consortium of Santas sounds like an omega elf’s dream come true, right? Wrong. While he loves me a lot, my father, Christero, is one of the busiest of all the Santas and spends very little time at home. I revere him, but I rarely see him. Sno, his housekeeper, is the one who raises me. He is wonderful, but old, and my spoiled and lazy behind gets away with a lot of mischief. When I turn nineteen, my father decides I should work in his toy shop to learn responsibility. I take advantage of the job by not showing up on time and having three-hour lunches. One day, I fill a thousand fancy stockings with candy and gum only to discover they are the diabetic gift stockings and have to be scrapped. You’d think someone who goes by the name of Sugar could get that right, but not me. My father is so furious he conjures a spell that turns me into an elf figurine. My final instructions before being boxed up and mailed to some unknown destination are: Find yourself. Find love. Find your mate. You have until Christmas or you will become an elf figurine forever. I have only eight weeks and no idea how to make that happen. MM romance, omegaverse, alpha/omega, holiday romance, rescue, blizzards, cabin in the woods, only one bed, heat, knotting, mpreg, HEA. Santa’s Naughty Elves brings you a new series of Christmas magic, fated mates, and adorable babies from some of your favorite mpreg authors. Be sure to grab them all and see what knotty fun Santa has brought good alphas and omegas this holiday season.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: If not for the beautiful bear I just met, I might be cursed forever. Twinkle is a snarky elf with more attitude than brains. When he tests Santa’s patience one too many times, Santa turns him into an elf figurine and banishes him from the North Pole. Much to his annoyance, he is packaged and mailed to a stranger’s address. From there, he must shift into human form to find his fated mate by Christmas or become an elf figurine forever. Monty is a bear shifter who prefers to live away from his family and pack. When a package appears on his doorstep on Christmas morning, he opens it to discover a cute elf statue. He can find no return address, and sets the elf on his coffee table. When he next looks, a handsome man with pointed ears is sitting where the statue was. The man says his name is Twinkle, and he begins to tell Monty a ridiculous story about a real North Pole and a Santa who doesn’t understand him. Monty is not sure he can trust Twinkle, but something about the elf draws him in as he listens to his silly stories of multiple Santas, elves, flying reindeer, hidden Christmas villages, and more. And when Twinkle begins to go into heat, Monty feels his own rut begin to surface. Can he believe Twinkle’s tall tales? Whatever happens, this could turn out to be the best or the worst Christmas present ever. Santa’s Naughty Elvesbrings you a new series of Christmas magic, fated mates, and adorable babies from some of your favorite mpreg authors. Be sure to grab them all and see what knotty fun Santa has brought good alphas and omegas this holiday season.

Word Count: Information not available

Character Identities: Click here to revealBisexual, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: One bet. One spark. One chance. Gabe I’ve spent years as the Warriors’ goalie, holding the line under pressure. But off the ice, my life’s a disaster. After dating too many men who only saw me as an NHL trophy, I’ve sworn off romance—until Brody skates into my life. He’s newly traded to the team, ten years younger, and carrying the weight of the world. I should keep my distance, but every stolen glance, every unguarded smile pulls me in. A playful bet pushes me to take a chance with Brody, though I’m risking more than my heart. Brody Being traded to Buffalo was supposed to be my fresh start, an escape after my old team turned on me. Now, I have one goal: keep my head down so I can play hockey. Enter Gabe: confident, relentless, and far too good at breaking through my walls. I can’t let myself want him. But when he’s around, I forget every reason I should walk away. One spark turns into something neither of us can ignore. But will falling for each other be the ultimate win—or the one loss we can’t afford? Net Bet is the second standalone in the fantastic Buffalo Warriors Hockey series. It features a bisexual defenseman with a traumatic past, a lonely goalie looking for love, and found family in the form of a nosy yet supportive hockey team. Packed with high heat, dirty talk, first times, forced proximity, angst, an age gap, and a hard-earned HEA, this story delivers all the feels.

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Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Kit Swann is starting over when he moves himself and his miniatures business to New York. Living on his own in the city can be lonely, so he starts watching the local gay bar from the coffee shop across the street, and he finally decides to take a chance on it, working up the courage to go inside. Elijah Russo has been looking for a full-time lifestyle partner for a long time. So long he’s ready to give up on finding someone who can be everything he needs. He thinks Kit might be the one, but he knows Kit is inexperienced with some of his specific requirements. While they learn to love each other, they must also navigate Elijah’s insecurity, Kit’s big secret, and the trauma left by the accident that left Kit a widower. If they’re going to bring their very different lives together, they’ll have to teach each other some new tricks.

Word Count: Click here to reveal130000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Author’s Note: Next Man Up was written before the tragic and senseless deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Out of respect for their memory and for the family, publication was delayed, and the book was revised to minimize some unfortunate and highly coincidental similarities to reality. 30% of the author’s royalties will be donated to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, an organization started by the brothers’ family to support causes that were near and dear to their hearts. ---------- When tragedy strikes the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels, winger Avery Caldwell loses more than his longtime linemate. Without warning, his best friend in the world is just… gone. There’s no time for grief, though. The season is starting, and now Avery is captain of his devastated team. He’s determined to be strong for them and lead them by example—putting aside his emotions and focusing on hockey. But he can only pretend he’s okay for so long. Peyton Hall was looking forward to a new start on a new team. He’d expected to land a place on the second line and play among men he’s been admiring for years… including a winger he’s been crushing on since forever. Now he’s suddenly centering the top line and trying to fill the skates of a beloved star who’s gone too soon. Avery is determined to ignore his heartache and carry his devastated team. Peyton is determined to find his place among grieving teammates. But can the new guy stop Avery from self-destructing beneath his grief and the pressure of the captaincy? And is there any room for the crackling chemistry they’re both trying desperately to ignore? Next Man Up is a standalone M/M hockey romance. TW: Off-page death, grief, self-medicating, self-destructive behavior, addiction. Also mentions of pregnancy loss/infertility. If you have questions or would like clarification about any of the potential triggers in this book, please contact the author