Books Tagged With what - holiday - christmas

Word Count: Click here to reveal44920 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary:

Whatever your romance reading preference -- gay virgin, opposites attract, friends to lovers, or simply fun how-they-met stories -- this collection contains a variety of sweet, contemporary, short gay romances, sure to make you smile.

Rewritten and re-edited, these stories were previously published singly and are available now in one collection!

Contains the stories:

• King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate
• Born to Be Wild
• The Straggler
• Now and Forever
• Moving On
• Moving Along
• Dropping Quarters
• Nevermore
• Photo Shoot
• Okay, Then

Preface

I love short stories. Sometimes a brief “snapshot” taken from a couple’s larger story is all that’s wanted. The narrative of “how they met” is the focus of six of the shorts in this set—quirky tales ranging from meeting at a charity fundraiser, to college kids pranking each other, to a mishap at a XXX adult video arcade.

Also included is a story featuring a well-established couple’s wedding dilemma, a friends-to-lovers tale, a coming-out-of-the-closet drama, and a continuation short that follows one of those how-we-mets. Rounding out this collection is an account revisiting the main characters from my full-length novel, ’Til Death Do Us Part.

All of these stories are contemporary, although one has a bit of paranormal flavor to it. Heat ratings range from “fairly sweet” to “rather steamy.” Excepting the final story, all were originally written in 2008 and early 2009. One (“Photo Shoot”) started out as a prompt word ficlet that I later fleshed out to a more complete story. Each has received a thorough overhaul, some more extensive than others. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them.

Keywords: short story, short stories, collection, meet cute, slice of life, kindle unlimited, ebook, print, paperback

Word Count: Click here to reveal10500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: For the first time in his life, Tag won't be spending Christmas with his close-knit family. Rejected by them after he announced he was moving in with a man, Tag has had no contact with his parents or brothers. And his Christmas spirit has taken a major hit, much to the dismay of his partner Darion. On Christmas Eve, a light snowstorm leads to Darion's assertion that Christmas Eve snow is magical and wishes made in it will come true. Taken in by Darion's childlike belief in magic, despite his own skepticism, Tag wishes he could have his family back. But magic doesn't exist, and wishes don't come true... or do they?

Word Count: Click here to reveal41861 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Alone in Japan, Finni is struggling against the constant distrust, avoidance, and xenophobia he experiences every day. He misses home. He misses his family. Nightmares come all too frequently because of the stress, and well, Christmas is just not Christmas in Japan. Not how he understands it. Distressed by how miserable Finni is, his roommate, Mamoru, offers to be Finni's family for Christmas. Little does he know how much one agreement would change everything between them, because both of them kept secrets neither ever dreamed were true. 2015 Rainbow Awards, Honorable Mention & Finalist - Best Gay Fantasy

Word Count: Click here to reveal40000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Christmas is a time of love, second chances…and getting stuck on a project with the one coworker who drives you insane. Adam Reynolds loves working as a graphic designer for Roland-Wainwright, but he could do without being tied to so-called marketing genius Jason Edmond. The man might know his way around a campaign, but he’s boring and far too demanding. Though, Adam has to admit that the man is incredibly sexy and maybe there is a little mystery about what he does when he’s not wrapped in his form-hugging suit all day. Jason ecstatic to be selected to work on this unique marketing campaign for Roland-Wainwright, but he’s not looking forward to dealing with Adam’s know-it-all attitude. Okay, so maybe the guy creates visually stunning graphics that are so far ahead of his peers…and maybe he is occasionally distracted by Adam’s sinful mouth. Jason and Adam must find a way to work together to complete the campaign without killing each other. And if they succeed, the prize at the end stands to change both their lives in ways they never imagined.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: When a snowstorm cancels holiday plans, Steven and Nick have to find another way to make the Yuletide merry. Brown paper packages won't be the only things getting tied up with string...   A short story featuring characters from the novel Heart's Master.

Word Count: Click here to reveal36300 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A hotel room with an overactive heater. A rising star struggling to write a Christmas song. Song lyrics written in secret. Will Johnson is shocked to discover his hotel room window overlooks the courtyard patio of one of his favorite gay singers, Rex Garland. Even more amazing, Rex seems interested in Will too. When Will overhears Rex struggling to write an original Christmas song, he is struck by a flash of inspiration and drafts an anonymous note with song lyrics. Will is sure nothing will come of it, but the Christmas magic swirling amidst all the snow in upstate New York is about to change both their lives forever. This funny, sweet, and heart-warming love story about a boy-next-door and the celebrity of his dreams is set in the Williamsville Inn world.

Word Count: Click here to reveal16000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: When Todd Hunter went to university he left behind his boyfriend, Deacon Jones. Todd knows Deacon is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with, but for some reason Deacon has stopped returning his calls and is ignoring all his letters. Now Todd is home for the holidays, and he wants to spend them with Deacon. It might not be so easy though. Neither Todd’s family nor Deacon’s are happy about their relationship, and while Todd knows if they stand together they can make it work, convincing Deacon may be the greatest challenge of all. Note: This is a re-release title which has been revised and re-edited with a brand new ending.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: When his beloved wife of forty years abruptly leaves him for a far younger man, fifty-eight-year-old Mark Etson attempts to pick up the pieces of his shattered life and move on. Wanting to reconnect with his siblings, from whom he has been long estranged, Mark travels to London for the Christmas holiday, but too much time has passed. He soon realizes that his dream of reconciliation with his family is just that--a dream. Unwilling to return home to Toronto, Mark moves on to Paris—a place he once planned to visit with a dear friend. Twenty-six-year-old Ashley Wilkes came to Paris eight years before with a friend, intent on making a life for himself far from the family who disowned him. He soon learned, however, the high cost of living in a foreign capital. With no friend except the one he came with, Ashley was forced to make a life for himself the only way he could. Knowing that he can't go on this way forever, or even for much longer, Ashley plans his escape. When a chance encounter with a Canadian businessman offers him a means of making some quick cash, he jumps at the chance. It's only when he starts to care about Mark that things get complicated.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: And baby makes three? It’s fall in Vermont. The holidays are coming, the leaves are turning brilliant colors, and Skyler and Beckett are expecting a baby! They’re picking out furniture and paint colors for the nursery. They’re looking at ultrasounds and choosing names. But nothing is ever simple for these two, and something they’re not expecting throws a wrench--or a great big crowbar--into Beck’s carefully planned paternity leave and Sky’s nursery decorations. But is it a disaster, a blessing, or both? As with all deliveries, they’re at the mercy of fate and mother nature. They’ll be adding to their family for Christmas—but they’ll be doing it in the most chaotic way possible.

Word Count: Click here to reveal11,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A trans/bi holiday romance novelette. After forty years of living in the wrong body, Patrice Diaz was finally reborn. She had two weeks in Las Vegas to try new ways of enjoying her new life. The nice-looking guy at the bar seemed like a good place to start, but she had to tell him the truth. Noel Arkady was at the point of ‘if you want something to change, you have to do something different.’ The pretty woman at the bar might have been only a pleasant dinner companion. Then she told him the truth. They had two weeks together before Patrice had to go back to Mexico for her TV shoot, and a lot of baggage to unpack. When they got to the bottom of everything, would they find what they needed to try moving on together? Adult situations, themes, and language; 11,000 words and a happy ending. Plus bonus short story!

Word Count: Click here to reveal63000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Sometimes the truth is more dangerous than the lie. Paul Havilar is a dragon shifter who’s been on the wrong side of the law more times than he could count. All that changes when he finds his mate. But bonding with a vampire is out of the question, according to his family. They would just as soon wrap stolen Christmas lights around his neck as see him happy. So much for Christmas joy and all that fa-la-la-la-la crap. The day someone murdered his brother was the day Paul’s life changed forever. While not all changes are bad, like coming to terms with having a vampire mate, most sucked. His brother wasn’t perfect, but the gossip around town painted him as a monster. Now Paul wants to know the truth. It sends him down a dark path. One that leads to exposing family secrets and threats against the one person he needs on his side. His mate. When the danger mounts, he must rely on the last person he trusts: his brother’s killer.

Word Count: Click here to reveal29,450 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: LOVING SULTRY SANTA Christmas break begins in a few days. It is a time for great home cooked meals and reuniting with loved ones. But Parker has no family, and he is in love with Tanner. Will Tanner's father allow him to bring Parker home? Xander's parents and grandparents expect him home for the holidays. Suggesting he wants to spend Christmas with the love of his life would create the mother of all earthquakes. If his situation isn't dismal enough, a letter from Santa is catastrophic. While Ty does his best to cheer up his lover, he finds his world in even worse crisis. Not to worry, President Murphy has their backs, right? Ty gathered superb evidence to defend against this type of crisis. Why is it not working? What does it take to get justice in our world? Facing insurmountable obstacles, Ty and his friends need all their ingenuity to put their challenges out of mind and share their mutual love in the Christmas spirit? *This book contains explicit scenes of a gay sexual nature by consenting characters who are over 18 years of age. It is intended only for readers who are 18+ years of age. If you are underage or may be offended by this topic, do not purchase this book.

Word Count: Click here to reveal10500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: For all the Celtic Myth short stories, see my website. Melinda is staying on Lindisfarne for a Christmas break with her old friend when an unexpected argument leaves her alone for the holiday. It's the first Christmas since her mother died and the island's peace and wild tranquillity bring balm to her wounded heart. Two chance meetings, first with a pair of wary otters and then with cafe-owner Rowan, bring her genuine joy. Will her tentative relationship with Rowan survive the end of her holiday and the turning of the year? A short sapphic Christmas story. With otters.

Word Count: Click here to reveal28500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Four novellas previously published in romance anthologies, plus a bonus short story at the end. Second Chances Finding your first love again is a one in a million chance, but with the help of his son, Carter has a date to meet the man who changed is life so long ago. They were just kids, but Carter had never forgot that one night with Asa. Now in their forties could they begin a new life? Carter waits not so patiently in a hotel lobby reminiscing about the years gone by praying for a Second Chance. A Candle in the Window Daniel and his partner Christopher never saw children in their future happily ever after. His sister and her daughter, Tessa, changed everything. Tessa was just a toddler when Meghan dropped her on Christmas Eve. They made a family the three of them. Then Meghan returned during Tessa’s high school years, claiming to have changed. She wanted to be a part of Tessa’s life again. What do two gay dad’s do when they feel their world being torn apart? Why Me? Why Now? Damien Fitzgerald had been through hell recovering from his abusive past. Robert Wyler had rescued him on more than one occasion. Now it was Damien’s turn to step up. When Robert gets the news that he has breast cancer, Damien wants to do everything in his power to help Robert. Sometimes helping is not what a shattered spirit needs. Learning to let go can be a hard lesson. Can chemotherapy and it’s after affects bring these two closer or it could tear them apart? (These are characters from the Warfield Hotel Mystery Series) A New Roommate After a breakup with his roommate, Bret heads across country to spend the holidays with family. Taking the backroads seemed like a great idea, until his car broke down. A gorgeous blond guy in a beaten up old truck stops to give Bret a lift. Nick is the hottest guy Bret has ever laid eyes on and they have one night of amazing sex. Bret can’t stop thinking about Nick all through the holidays, but he knew it was just a one night stand. He’s got to get back to college and a new roommate. Surprise! Snowflakes & Blood Red Sheets A sexy romp for two mated vampires makes for a wonderous snowy Christmas Eve.

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

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

Summary: Happy Holidays from everyone at T.A.G. Your one-stop shopping source for all your killing needs. It isn’t all stabbings, poisonings, and shootings here at The Assassins’ Guild. We decided to pause that and take a little time to celebrate being alive, and for some, being in love. This is your friendly communications agent, Mr. No, here to tell you about the holiday fun Mr. H and his boys got up to this one Christmas. Once upon a time, there was a Bob. This Bob got tasked with three missions. Not just any old ordinary missions, but missions of love… Between guarding Connor, being stalked by Enrique, and being his usual sneaky self, Bob must put into motion three big surprises for his chosen family. But it’s not all snowman contests and catching Mr. Ti in potentially embarrassing situations while they vacation in a chateau outside of Paris. Oh no, something is afoot. Mr. H won’t let the new problem code-named The Poacher interfere with family time. So, take a little time out of your busy schedule and join us for a T.A.G. Family Christmas the likes of you’ll never forget. Attention: This story contains adorableness taken to a whole new level. There are adult situations, language, kinky snowmen, and all the churros you can eat. The Assassins' Guild Series are enclosed stories but they are all connected and best read in order. T.A.G. You're Seen T.A.G. You're Heard T.A.G. Family Christmas T.A.G. You're Found (Coming Spring 2021)

Word Count: Click here to reveal75000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The Pride of the Caribbean is a cruise ship unlike any other. Paranormals working on board the enchanted ship hide in plain sight, under the benevolent protection of a demigod captain and his fairy husband. And this is a shipboard romance unlike any other. Josh Gilbert’s well-meaning family booked a gay-friendly cruise for Christmas in order to find Josh a boyfriend. Hoping to escape the constant parade of bachelors—and the collapsible fishing rod dangling mistletoe his mom keeps in her purse—Josh takes solace in a growing friendship with the ship’s photographer, Nathan. Though Josh is falling for Nathan, he worries it will never be more than a shipboard fling. Nathan recently became aware of his incubus heritage and has finally learned how to control his demon side. But Josh has awakened more than just the demon’s need for orgasms—Josh has awakened Nathan’s heart. What’s developing between them is the real thing, but can Josh ever accept Nathan’s promiscuous past… and love a sex demon? Amid lush tropical settings, family hilarity, holiday costume parties, sexy snorkeling adventures, gingerbread martinis, and mythical creatures, will Josh get his Christmas wish and finally find the true love he’s wanted for so long?

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: All serious knitters know about the boyfriend sweater curse: knit a sweater for a boyfriend, and he’ll break up with you soon after. Gabriel Sutton isn’t the superstitious type, but after the curse strikes three times, he isn’t taking anymore chances. His new boyfriend, Noel Rivera, will have to be content with store bought gifts. Yet as their relationship develops, Gabriel begins to believe Noel might be the perfect man for him. Noel doesn’t make fun of Gabriel’s holiday traditions and wants to create new traditions of their own. As Christmas draws closer, however, Gabriel sees signs of Noel pulling away, and he worries this relationship will be as big a mistake as the others. Are Noel’s late nights and secretive phone calls a sign he’s cheating? Or will the magic of Christmas bring Gabriel the love he’s been searching for all along?

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Can a chance meeting change your life forever? Paralegal Matt Kennington has had his heart broken too many times and is considering staying single forever. One morning in December, a handsome stranger sits beside him on the Metro, and Matt starts to think swearing off men might be a little extreme. Aaron Roth, a first-year associate at a large law firm, has been looking for the right guy, and when he sees Matt on the Metro, he’s immediately interested. Aaron sits down and introduces himself. Matt and Aaron are instantly smitten, and by the time they get to their stop, they’ve traded numbers along with promises to talk later. Things soon take a crazy turn when Matt realizes Aaron is one of his new bosses. Their firm has a strict policy against romances between employees, and although they try to resist each other, working together all day makes it impossible. Unfortunately, someone is watching the two men get closer, and as Matt and Aaron’s relationship heats up, so do things at the office. Will they be able to survive their Chrismukkah crisis and find the love both have been searching for? This full-length holiday book features new adults, a forbidden workplace romance, instalove, sizzling sexy times, and an extraordinarily happy ending.

Word Count: Click here to reveal60000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A vacation mix up. A job promotion on the line. A fateful roll of the dice. Welton Monroe is on his first vacation in a very long time. He’s not a winter sport enthusiast, but the cozy cabin at the Snowcapped resort, and Reece Donaghy, the hunky employee who checks him in, seem perfect to finally put his relationship with Dean in the past. That is, until Dean arrives. In an effort to make up for past wrongs, Dean offers to help Welton win Reece’s heart, an offer Welton grudgingly accepts. Reece should be focusing on the Assistant Activities Director promotion he’s put in for, but he’s more than distracted by Welton. In a whirlwind week of activities, Welton and Reece discover the Christmas magic in snowman building, karaoke, and tobogganing. But when the secret Welton has been keeping comes to light, and a final, large-scale challenge is assigned to Reece for his chance to win the promotion, it seems a week’s worth of Christmas spirit may not be enough to keep them together once the holiday is over.

Word Count: Click here to reveal36000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A stolen Christmas present brings together two strangers who long for hearth and home at the holidays.   It's mere days before Christmas when the gift Clayton intends to give to his nephew, an antique Bowie knife and hand-beaded sheath, is stolen. Clayton must track them down before Christmas morning. A lost & found ad is posted for the Christmas knife's safe return, bringing scammers crawling out of the woodwork who only want the reward. That is, until Clayton gets a call from a man named Kyle, who says he just wants to return the knife and sheath to Clayton, and he doesn't want the reward. Is it just another scam or can Clayton trust him? Clayton takes a risk and heads to Kyle's house to pick up the Christmas knife. Over the phone, Kyle's voice becomes Clayton's only beacon as he makes his way through a whiteout blizzard. After a long drive across the prairies during a raging, pre-Christmas winter storm, will Clayton find more than what he is looking for? Contemporary m/m romance, holiday blizzard, fireplace kisses, lost presents, long drives, family, contemporary, sweet, HEA.