Books Tagged With format - short stories

Word Count: Click here to reveal43000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Three of E.J. Russell’s short and sweet opposites-attract holiday rom-coms together in one collection! The Probability of Mistletoe An awkward geek on a mission, a determined extrovert with a plan, interfering female relatives of various sizes, and a statistically improbable amount of mistletoe. When software engineer Keith Trainor decides to start his own company, he knows exactly who he wants as his partner: Parker Mulvaney, his best friend from high school. But in the ten years since graduation, their contact has dwindled to nothing, and it’s all Keith’s fault. If he hadn’t tried to kiss Parker under the mistletoe at the winter formal their senior year, Parker wouldn’t have bolted. At their ten-year reunion, Keith intends to do everything in his geeky power to make amends. Parker should have known that scheduling the reunion the day before Christmas Eve was a recipe for a headache of monster proportions. But when Keith sends a text that he’ll be attending, the evening doesn’t look so bleak. Can an unnecessary makeover, a nostalgic breakfast, an abortive shopping trip, and dance invitations with only a 50 percent success rate culminate in a long-overdue first kiss? An Everyday Hero A fish-out-of-water geek (who still manages to get a bit soggy), a stand-up blue-collar guy (who can't see his own worth), unexpected additions to the holiday festivities (some less welcome than others), and more than one serious discussion about the true meaning of the word hero. When Adam Tyler's sister announced she was pregnant, Adam decided to move from Portland, Oregon, to Phoenix, Arizona, to fully embrace the uncle experience. However, he didn't count on the move being delayed until three days before Christmas--and three days before his sister's due date. And he definitely didn't count on finding a scorpion in his bedroom. Cue the panicked calls to exterminators. Garrett Strong doesn't consider himself at all remarkable--his ex certainly didn't think so--and Garrett's pest-control business is circling the drain. Although Adam is his first new client in months, that isn't the only reason Garrett goes above and beyond for him. He feels a real connection to the younger man and intends to do everything in his power to make sure Adam feels safe and welcome in Phoenix--venomous intruders notwithstanding. A Swants Soiree Crafting catastrophes, suggestive sweaters, and an awkward introvert who meets his extroverted match. Software engineer Brent Levine has always struggled with the life part of work-life balance, but to hold on to his new job, he’ll have to embrace his employer’s dreaded “staff enrichment” events. This year’s annual ugly holiday sweater party will strain his ambition to remain inconspicuous: everyone has to wear their sweaters upside down and converted into pants—aka “swants.” At six foot eight, Brent has a hard enough time finding clothes that fit him the right way up. And while he’s an ace at coding, when it comes to handcrafts, he’s definitely at the far left end of the bell curve. Luckily he encounters seriously cute theater costumer Jonathan at the Goodwill Outlet. Jonathan offers Brent both an acceptably ugly sweater and his expertise in swants conversion. Attraction sparks on Brent’s side, but how can Jonathan be interested in a nerdy geek like him?

Word Count: Click here to reveal14900 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Detective Andreas Ruffner is less than thrilled when his husband and partner, Detective Darren Corliss, announces they’ll be cat-sitting for a couple of weeks. He’s even less pleased when he realizes the cat in question is a large grumpy thing with razor-sharp claws and no regard for personal space. When Darren deploys the puppy dog eyes, though, Andreas is powerless to say no, so they’re on kitty detail… and despite his best efforts, Andreas is a sucker for the critter shedding all over his apartment and stealing his husband’s affection. It’s only for two weeks. Plenty of time for the cat to get on his nerves, but not nearly enough for her to trick him into falling in love with her. Right? This 15,000 word short story is Bad Behavior book 6, and is best read after Protective Behavior.

Word Count: Click here to reveal5618 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary:

Gavin and Matthew just want to get home to enjoy Christmas Eve in their safe, warm apartment. Should they walk or take a cab? But will either option do the trick when Victor, suffering from his holiday blahs, is determined to undermine this happy twosome at every turn?

Years ago, Victor made the unfortunate mistake of coming out to his family on Christmas. Why couldn’t he have picked a random summer day? Can Victor’s husband Bryan pull him out of his gloomy mood in order to give the popular Gavin and Matthew the merry Christmas they deserve?

Keywords: writer with holiday blahs/blues killing off characters...or not, Christmas, fun sweaters, short story, supportive family

Word Count: Click here to reveal51,180 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Elvis impersonators, art-fueled lust, forbidden longings, hot women, unexpected love, rekindled flames, magic, all these and more populate the pages of DESIRE. Meet thieves and goddesses, activists and actors, ex-spies and tourists in this spicy collection of 11 tales of sensual lesbian erotica by author Emily L. Byrne. Table of Contents: Viva Las Vegas The Further Adventures of Miss Scarlet Summer Stock Spoonbridge and Cherry An Evening in Estelí A Room with a View Treehugger Diplomacy The Old Spies Club Heart’s Thief The Goddess Within

Word Count: Click here to reveal7440 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Brett, one of the few survivors of Sandman’s Dream, infecting most of humanity, is secretly in love with his best friend, Ivan. When Ivan becomes infected, will Brett be forced to abandon him to the Dream, or will he fight for one he loves?

Word Count: Click here to reveal26000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Hate and fear live in a package only love can unwrap. Liam Lamech buried Valerian, the vampire he recognized as his mate, next to Hell’s gate nearly two thousand years ago. When the vampire king frees the vile creature, Liam determines not to give in to the strongest emotion a vampire can experience -- the pull of an eternal mate. Liam can’t kill Valerian, yet he vows never to love him. Still, he’ll protect the undead man with his own life. Valerian detests the memory of his days as a Roman emperor, though not nearly as much as he hates Liam, the vampire God chose as his mate. Aware they were meant to spend eternity together, the monster buried Valerian so close to Satan that a piece of his soul still burns. Even though Liam is one of the vampire king’s most revered warriors, Valerian vows to make the bastard pay!

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Dar loved his career... until he did his job too well. Dar Riley never imagined his expertise as a dry stone waller would lead to a dead-end job he can’t escape. He plods through the days with little to look forward to. A stone placed just so. A bath when he gets home. The stranger in the electric blue suit who compliments Dar’s work is Pierre Catalan, owner of a multi-planet transportation empire—a polished, powerful man Dar considers way out of his league. When bad news blindsides Pierre, he lowers his guard, and Dar steps in with an executive decision of his own. Attraction intensifies a clash of wills into the possibility of something more—but without answers for impossible situations, love will die off-world before it can begin. Executive Decision is a speculative fiction romance set in an alternate reality, a standalone short story with an HEA.

Word Count: Click here to reveal15600 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Scott Dwyer meets hot, new fireman Adrian Campbell in an embarrassing incident one evening and can’t stop thinking about him. While bartending at the local hangout for Station 39, he sees Adrian with his colleagues about once a week. He thinks Adrian might be interested in him, too, but every time they find a chance to talk, something gets in their way. When rash of arson fires begins the same week Adrian starts at the station, the rumors fly about whether or not he is responsible for them. Things are heating up in town, but will they heat up between the two men as well? Will Fate ever allow them to be together?

Word Count: Click here to reveal8400 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Davi is the world’s greatest thief. Just ask him, and he will provide hours of tales as proof. So, naturally, when another thief boasts of a plan to rob the temple of Kai the Formless, god of thieves, Davi decides that this honor cannot go to anyone less worthy than himself. Especially since his lover was there during the boasting, and he was not going to be outdone in front of her, no matter how great the risk.

Word Count: Information not available

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: Sun, sea and submission…a different kind of dream holiday. When Ben’s best friend’s appendix throws a wobbly, Ben has to holiday alone. He plucks up the courage to attend their planned mini BDSM break as a solo submissive, determined to have some fun, even if he doesn’t find the Dom of his dreams. When he meets handsome local beachcomber Rhys, Ben hopes holiday romance might turn into more—but Rhys isn’t quite what he seems and Ben has to reconcile his need to submit with his doubts about Rhys’ honesty.

Word Count: Click here to reveal32k (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The life of rock star, Dorian Gray and his lover, award winning film director Scott Newland, has been filled with highs and lows. Their love has transcended drug addiction and insecurities, but will it survive another’s revenge against Dorian?   This story shows the progression of these two men from friends to lovers and a backstage look at what a rock star faces onstage and off. As David would say, “My Name is Dorian Gray and I’m here For Your Entertainment.”  PLEASE NOTE: This story deals with drug and alcohol addiction. If these are triggers for you please skip this one!

Word Count: Click here to reveal16,500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Wade Rivers and Jason Thomas have finally made it official, they’re boyfriends. Their first date, hopefully the first of many, starts out with a simple dinner, but Wade has a surprise in store for Jason, and takes him to a haunted house attraction for Halloween. It’s soon obvious Jason loves investigating the paranormal, but he’s not as enthused about the different attractions. When they meet up with a fellow paranormal researcher, Jimbo, their fun night gets more frightening with each room in the haunted house attraction. From the beginning to the end, they’ll visit every nightmare imaginable, and they’ll all find out some truths about each other they never thought would come to light. A short, friends to lovers, paranormal romance.

Word Count: Click here to reveal6105 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: What would you do to rescue a kidnapped lover? Would you attempt an impossible journey on the back of a creature that could kill you in a heartbeat? Heath would. But will he survive?

Word Count: Click here to reveal22000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: When Birdy’s peacock attacked his bank’s Relationship Manager, his business problems took a turn for the worst, until they sent Jaydon Tyrell, and then everything started to add up just fine.' BIRDS OF A FEATHER Imaginative, creative, brilliant are some of the accolades Bradley “Birdy” Dobbs enjoys as the creator of top-of-the-line designer gin. Flighty, crazy, and irresponsible are also monikers used to describe him, mostly by the parade of Relationship Managers – read: death and doomsday business wazzocks – the bank sends over to Birdy’s company, Ori-Gin. When the latest number cruncher shows up with propositions Birdy can live with – and some he’s aching to try – Jaydon Tyrell becomes the most important member of Birdy’s flock.

Word Count: Click here to reveal62407 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The ‘Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’ blog said this about Love’s Glory: “In a way, Love's Glory is Janice Jarrell's gift to her reader's and this couple who have been through so much angst and pain and have now mostly emerged through the other side, intact and ready to move forward to the next stage in their lives." Ms. Jarrell’s newest offering, Glory Days, enhances this gift with fifteen short stories set in the Love’s Glory universe. The tales begin while Colin and Joshua are still on their honeymoon in Ireland and conclude just before Colin begins law school. Story topics range from the achingly romantic and sexy (“Walking In The Rain”) to the hilariously comical (“Conversations At The Cabin”). Colin and Joshua aren’t the only stars in Ms. Jarrell’s latest work. All six Revolutionary Heart men are featured. David and Nate get their own story (“Playing The Part”) and Trent and Jeff also get a piece exclusive to them (“Trent’s Triplets”). The love is enduring, the humor is at once warm and side-splittingly snarky, and the lovemaking is intense. You won’t be sorry you followed the passionate and deeply devoted men of Revolutionary Heart on their newest journey in Glory Days. This book contains mature content including explicit sexual relations between gay couples. + 18 years of age

Word Count: Click here to reveal12800 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: One snowy evening, a car wreck in front of his toy store triggers terrible memories for Jake. Suddenly, he is in the midst of another winter storm—and another accident, one that not everyone walked away from. When he returns to the present, Jake is on the ground, being watched over by a guardian angel in the form of a kind man named Eli. Eli is no stranger to panic attacks and PTSD, and he’s happy to help Jake get home—where the weather forces him to remain for the night. For Jake, it could be the first step toward a life free from fear and loneliness. This is a second edition. No significant changes have been made from the first edition.

Word Count: Click here to reveal3700 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: London, 1898 Streetwalker Cath plies her trade behind respectable houses in Victorian London, alongside close friend and fellow streetwalker, Ben. When an ugly encounter puts them on the wrong side of the law, she and Ben must choose between risking their hearts— or their lives.

Word Count: Click here to reveal42700 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Three M/M holiday stories in one festive collection! Home is Where the Christmas Trees Are A grieving brother caring for his niece receives holiday hope from the cute band instructor at his niece’s school. After the death of his sister, physical therapist Dex abandons his urban single life to move to a smaller town and raise his 12-year-old niece Rowan. Christmas is approaching, and he doesn’t have a clue how to make the season merry—for Rowan or for himself. Then he meets Rowan’s teacher, Ed, and things start to get brighter. Middle-school band teacher Ed is kind and handsome, totally single, and likes kids, music, and holiday decorations. He also happens to be killer at trimming Christmas trees. Like a twinkly Christmas elf, Ed brings with him the possibility of love, home, and celebration, and Dex is immediately smitten. But how will Rowan feel about her uncle and her band teacher getting involved? A Holiday Crush Opposites attract as a jaded San Francisco trial lawyer and a young Berkeley activist find their way to love. San Francisco lawyer Brad is in a rut. At forty-one, he’s successful but alone, and even his holidays are predictable. Then attractive but oh-so-young filmmaker and activist Michael invites him out. Michael lives in a group house in Berkeley and as Brad joins the group in their holiday celebrations, he learns that life can be joyful. But he hesitates to saddle Michael with a much-older boyfriend. Michael longs for a partner, and he hopes serious but sweet Brad Halberstam is the one. His housemate reminds him that Michael always latches on to someone during the holidays, so he won’t be alone. After a misunderstanding, Michael loses heart, no longer sure if his relationship with Brad is real or just another holiday crush. Pattern for an Angel Can an angel gown for a little boy let a single dad and a drag queen stitch together a new pattern for love? Hospice nurse Gabe Martin is bisexual but doesn’t have time for love—his main priority is raising Ian, his adopted five-year-old son. Ian loves wearing dresses at home and wants an angel gown for his kindergarten holiday pageant. When Gabe visits a sewing store to get help with Ian’s costume, he’s assisted by a bewitching employee named Loren who opens up Gabe’s focused world. Drag queen Loren Schuster likes playing with gender norms and wearing skirts and dresses in everyday life. A bad breakup killed his interest in serious relationships, but he reconsiders that stance when gorgeous single dad Gabe walks into the shop. Loren helps young Ian see it’s okay to be himself, and together, Loren and Gabe create a new pattern for a family full of love.

Word Count: Click here to reveal3787 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Sara the horse trainer intended to spend a weekend in the Arizona wilderness with her horse. When a beautiful young woman with a problem shows up, her plans go awry. But Sara's not complaining...

Word Count: Click here to reveal4820 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: A love that spans centuries, violent passion, and undeniable, forbidden attraction. Gunnarr has loved Vidar since they were brothers in arms back in the Viking days. In this day and age, Vidar- now the modern, proper gentleman, Ciernan Stewart- is bound by even more expectations and obligations that make his newly awakened attraction to his old friend, Gunnarr, a shameful secret. When the two men are forced to hide their involvement with each other in a house full of guests for the holidays, will the distance make their hearts grow fonder or rip them apart forever?