Books Tagged With what - holiday - christmas

Word Count: Click here to reveal138,550 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Sidebars are stories set in the Spy vs. Spook/Mann of My Dreams universe. The stories in this book are told from three different points of view: William Matheson’s, covering the majority of the events from 2002 to 2009, including his work at the WBIS and his relationship with Theo Bascopolis, a former rent boy. A Christmas story, told from Patrick (the Antichrist) Mulcahy’s POV, takes place in 2004. Two other stories are future fic and are from Mark Vincent’s POV, one about his anniversary and the other about his birthday. An additional story is included, the missing epilogue from Complications, featuring Rebecca Goddard, Matheson’s onetime secretary, who’s actually not the dumb blonde she appeared. Is It You? – Wills meets Theo Bascopolis and wonders if he could be the one. Sway – Wills goes along with Theo’s assumption that he can’t dance. This Simple Phrase – Wills and Theo spend their first Christmas together. Goodbye to Love – Wills returns home to the apartment he shares with Theo to find his lover has left him. Wills intends to discover why. To Be Loved – Wills has asked Theo to marry him, and they celebrate their first Easter as engaged men in Cambridge with Wills’s family P.S. I Love You – Wills and Theo get married and welcome a new addition to their little family. Dedicated to the One I Love – In 2004, same-sex marriage becomes legal in Massachusetts. For their first anniversary, Wills decides to take advantage of that and takes Theo to Cambridge so they can be legally married. Happy Anniversary, Baby redux – It’s Mark and Quinn’s anniversary, and Mark muses about how they got there. The Very Best Christmas Ever (So Far) – Pat Mulcahy, aka the Antichrist, has turned his life around and now lives with the Mathesons. On the trip to Washington, he meets someone who just might make this the best Christmas ever for him. When Complications Arrive at Your Door – This is the missing epilogue from Complications. Rebecca Goddard, daughter of the former WBIS doctor, has decided making herself scarce after Mark Vincent discovered her part in the events that went down in 2004 is a good idea. Five years later, she’s no longer looking over her shoulder, but maybe she should be. Trick or Treat – It’s Halloween, and Wills and Theo take their children trick or treating. Happy Birthday, Baby Redux – Mark Vincent has a birthday coming up, but his husband is out of town and won’t be there to celebrate with him. In addition, it’s snowing.

Word Count: Click here to reveal19656 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Max Futé and Avery “Smitty” Schmidt are both doctors who work for the Washington Bureau of Intelligence and Security. They’ve settled into a comfortable relationship, and although Max assures him otherwise, Smitty is waiting for the other shoe to drop. That will be when Charles Browne, Max’s former lover, realizes what he’s let slip through his fingers and comes to take Max back. Although Charles had enjoyed having Max in his bed, he’s always declared he wasn’t gay. And finding solace with other men after Max left him had nothing to do with ... anything. Now, however, he’s found a woman who ticks all his boxes in spite of her somewhat kinky tastes. Will Santa give them each what they want most this Christmas?

Word Count: Click here to reveal14000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Being called upon to pull Santa’s sleigh is an honour for any reindeer shifter, but for Dashiel the timing couldn’t be worse. Stuart was looking forward to his Christmas Eve date with Dashiel, only to have him cancel at the last minute. He puts his disappointment aside and instead focuses on making his younger brother’s Christmas as wonderful as it can be, despite the loss of their parents the previous winter. While flying over his home town, Dashiel spots a young boy on the streets, and he knows he has to help. When the young runaway turns out to be his date’s little brother, he brings him on board the sleigh, determined to see him safely home to Stuart. Can a reindeer shifter pull Santa’s sleigh, reunite two brothers, and find love this Christmas?

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

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

Summary: Javier Fernandez is a climate scientist living in a research station near the South Pole. Since his husband was killed in a car crash, he’s preferred to be alone, and is less than thrilled to have a junior scientist thrust upon him by his rich patron. Col Steele is a trans man fleeing a bad break-up. He is ready for the next step in his career, and eager to spend Christmas anywhere but at home. When a crack in the ice separates the two men from safety, they are forced to come to terms with their own losses and each other. About the Escape From the Holidays series: For the second year in a row, Mischief Corner Books is putting out a winter holiday collection – ten stories revolving around various December holidays: The end of year holidays can get overwhelming for anyone. Things to do. People to see. Last minute work obligations to take care of. Sometimes it’s just easier to escape from it all, running away from the responsibilities and expectations, or ignore the underlying disappointment from relatives who don’t see eye-to-eye with you. Because escaping the holiday grind can lead to new, unexpected paths, and breathe new life into one that’s been stuck in a rut. Giving something to run to instead. Sometimes, getting away from it all lets you know what you really have. Sometimes, taking a chance on the unknown leads to what you really want.

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 reveal23299 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Wyatt Devine is the Beta of the Asphalt Bay Pack. He's the tall silent type that's too serious and likes to focus on his job. He spends most of his time alone and would rather work long hours than do anything else. He wants to spend his life with his family instead of trying to find his true mate or settle down with anyone. That is, until Fate decides to throw a wrench in his plans. Tyrant "Tyr" Degray is a rare type of shifter. As an outcast among shifters of the same species he lives alone for years until he finds some fellow outcasts and joins a band. Unable to control a side of him that's important to the survival of others Tyr refuses to get close to anyone romantically. Will Wyatt decide that a mate is worth the time? Will Tyr learn control? Or will it all end in disaster?