Books Tagged With what - holiday - valentine's day

Word Count: Click here to reveal8000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: When worlds collide a shifter joins a warrior’s mission; anything might happen—even love. *Valentine’s Day short story, a shifter and a warrior *A magical romantic comedy (including a hungry dragon) *Undeniable attraction and sweet romance *Laugh out loud humor *A Lou Sylvre happy ending   On Valentine’s Day, a lonely shifter flies over the Okanogan Wilderness looking for adventure, knowing romance is the one thing he’s least likely to find out there. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself blasted from the sky only to land on a strong, handsome, and oddly calm man dressed something like a gladiator. The renowned warrior Li did not plan to spend his day trying to free his wizard employer from the clutches of a sorceress. Spells collide, and a big black bird falls on his head and turns into a fine and scantily dressed man, but he’s not sure how much help that will be. Guthrie is fond of saying, “Anything can happen.” He’s convinced that doesn’t mean romance, but is it possible he’s more right than he ever guessed?

Word Count: Click here to reveal122000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Scott Weston’s car is sensible, his suits are bland, and his job is stable but boring. Mundane routine helps keep his anxiety and obsessive tendencies under control. Socializing—especially dating—isn’t on his list of strong skills either, and, made worse with the echoes of his disapproving mother. So he’s content to stay at home with his lists and cleaning and wildlife documentaries, until a one-night stand goes unexpectedly right. History has taught Devon DuCaine that dating can be uncomfortable, but there’s just something about Scott. He may be the opposite of Devon’s own long-haired, tattooed, free-wheeling spirit but he brings out the nurturer in Devon. Maybe it’s Scott’s surprising fascination with Devon’s motorcycle, or his shy surprise in moments of affection, but there’s more under those sensible suits than meets the eye. The most important person in Devon’s life, his mom, taught him love and compassion and that’s all he wants to share with Scott. Their one-night stand turns into a regular thing, but Scott doesn’t trust it to last. He’s pretty sure Devon is hiding something. He’s even more sure that once Devon gets to know him, the attraction will fade. And then there’s his mother. However many sparks fly between them, Devon will have his work cut out to convince Scott they can have their happily ever after. (This book was first published as 2 short stories, but this new version has double the content from the originals.)

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: After breaking up with his partner, English professor Dr. Derek Chandler feels like a failure who will never win at romance. His aloof colleague, Dr. Macon Pinney, disagrees and pens an anonymous note of encouragement to Derek, which he signs “Cupid.” Thus begins an exchange of correspondence, a courtship through words where the two men find out they have a great deal in common. Meanwhile, Derek reaches out to Macon, not knowing Macon is his anonymous pen pal. Derek reveals through his letters that someone close by has piqued his interest. Could he mean Macon—or has Macon missed his opportunity and lost Derek to another man? Perhaps the time has come for Cupid to put in an appearance, and when better to do so than Valentine’s Day?

Word Count: Click here to reveal3500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Dave has made the most perfect plans for his first Valentine’s Day with Nicholas … but of course that’s when Sod’s Law kicks in, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Book 1 of the Welcome to Loveland series Loveland, Colorado is a special place all year round, a community of creativity and art, with scenic views and majestic mountains. But the town really shines once a year, on Valentine's Day. Lucky Roberts has lived in Loveland his whole life. He has good friends, strong family support, and is all about keeping his community fun and alive. The only thing Lucky has been "unlucky" with is love. But rather than avoiding February fourteenth in his hometown, he throws himself into helping others deliver their messages of love. Enter Jack Canon. Jack moved to Loveland for a fresh start, in both his personal and professional lives. After a tough year, he's finally hoping to just blend in, maybe carve a little niche for himself that his parents would have been proud of. What he didn't expect was a pseudo-lumberjack with a killer body and shy smile to turn his world upside down – and he sure didn't expect to like it so much. When Lucky meets Jack, he feels like a thirteen year-old with his first crush. He's clumsy, stammering, and the first greeting out of his mouth is a less than articulate, "Wow!" Words like adorable and manbun suddenly become part of his vocabulary as he discovers a deep, hidden need to romance the hell out of Jack. And what better way to do that than during the most romantic season in the City of Love?

Word Count: Click here to reveal76000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: 2nd Edition The name’s Lio, and you may have read the beginning of my story in A Cupid’s Wager. Well, hold on to your hats, because there’s more to tell about your favorite cupid working in the Gay Division of the Inter-Dimensional Association of Cupids. Remember Ethan? That Aztec god of the winds who busted me shooting a closeted human with a gay lust arrow? Yeah, I haven’t been able to forget him either. Even though I have a rule against getting it on with other supernaturals—especially ones working for the Straight Division—my magic is drawn to Ethan and all his tattoos and piercings in a way I cannot control. But after that night of mind-numbing sex, now I gotta face my evil ex-boyfriend and a suspension by the IDAC for “misplacing” arrows. They took my quiver, and I have to figure out how to get my arrow privileges back before they’re taken forever. Ethan seems to think he can help me, but I don’t know how anybody can make this cupid believe in love again. 1st Edition published as A Cupid's Wager by Dreamspinner Press, 2014.

Word Count: Click here to reveal15,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary:

• releasing in a new edition in 2021

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

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

Summary: A disastrous date during his freshman year of college has left Theo Dwyer with no faith in men, relationships, or especially Valentine’s Day. When his roommate sets him up on a blind date, naturally Theo refuses. Then a persistent online suitor known only as TruClrs4vr begins sending Theo flowers and arranging romantic virtual meetings. After his treatment by his ex, Theo is reluctant to trust another man, but the determined TruClrs4vr might be the one to rekindle his passion, one color of the rainbow at a time.

Word Count: Click here to reveal51900 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary:

What happens when a confirmed hook up app user falls for a man who is his polar opposite?

Carter Walsh will be alone on Valentine’s Day, and his plans include a candy sampler of hook ups.

But after learning about the Cupid Crawl—a bar crawl covering a half dozen bars, gay and straight—he changes his plans.

During the crawl, he runs into:

An ex-co-worker nemesis who resurrects—loudly—an unfortunate nickname she bestowed upon him years before.

Several hot men eager for a quick hook up.

And one man absolutely not Carter’s type, but who manages to pique his interest and, possibly, steal his heart.

The Cupid Crawl is a funny, sweet, and steamy opposites attract, slight age gap story that takes place in the Williamsville Inn series world, and features characters from the Christmas stories Snowflakes and Song Lyrics by Hank Edwards and Snowstorms and Second Chances by Brigham Vaughn.

Word Count: Click here to reveal31000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Daren Novak and Gunny Schuler have known each other since freshmen days at the University of Washington, where they'd started a romance Daren assumed would last. But at the start of winter break, Gunny bowed to the dictates of his lifelong religion and his overbearing father and left UW never to return. After a failed marriage, Gunny built a quiet life embracing his gay identity, and left his North Dakota home, his marriage, and his father's business for a forestry and teaching career in Oregon. Meanwhile, Daren has built up his own life around managing a unique holiday venue, the Holiday Home Hotel, and performing for the guests in drag as "Dare." A decade has passed since they last saw each other, but now winter’s harsh weather brings them face to face—helped along by a minor goddess and powerful forest spirit. Too much hurt might lie between them now to fix things, but interfering supernatural beings are determined to force them to try.

Word Count: Click here to reveal29020 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Some hearts are made to be stolen. Mark Mannix doesn’t believe in love or romance, which is ironic given his birthday falls on Valentine’s Day. As he approaches forty, Mark is perfectly content with his life and nursing career in Boston, and—outside of his long-time friend-with-benefits, Alistair—prefers his hookups to be one-night stands. When Mark’s plans for New Year’s Eve fall through, he attends his sister’s party and meets Owen Todd, a graphic designer of Caribbean descent. Owen is more than a decade younger than Mark and, at first glance the two men appear to have little in common. The chemistry between them is potent, however, and Mark breaks his no-strings pattern, seeing Owen week after week. A connection forms between the two men, leaving Mark in uncharted territory and drawn to Owen in ways he’s never known before. Even so, Mark continues his hookups with Alistair but is startled when Owen withdraws out of a desire to protect himself. His foundations shaken, Mark must decide if he can watch Owen walk away or … if the time has come to follow his heart in a new direction.

Word Count: Click here to reveal108000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Fire. Water. Burn. In the two months since the All Hallows’ Eve party, Tally has courted Haru, buying expensive gifts, taking the two of them to upscale restaurants and trying to find a balance in earning Haru’s fragile trust while being new parents to the Cohen joeys. Tally sees hope in the new domesticity the family has settled into, despite having some bumps along the way. Gifts and treats have satisfied Haru’s otter, but the human half remembers the brutal lessons of giving their trust away. How can two lijun who barely know each other anticipate what will happen when times get tough? There are circumstances Tally doesn’t understand yet, and Haru struggles to find their feet with an Urusar who doesn’t know the rules. A revelation not only throws the tentative relationship between them askew, but also starts Tally and Haru down a path the two of them can’t escape, one so heart-wrenching Haru’s not sure their heart will survive. Traditionalist concerns that have always nipped at the Bastille clan’s heels come roaring to the forefront with demands and ultimatums. Tally needs to fall in line or face further threats to his otter, his family and his clan. Haru needs to find the strength to believe in the good despite the bad. In an environment where it’s vital to know ally from foe, Tally and Haru need to stand united or watch the community Tally’s family has built fall under the thumb of heartless, greedy autocrats.

Word Count: Click here to reveal61000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Country singer turned rancher Brett Taylor fought his way out of the bottle so he could have JT Campbell in his life. JT's patience, intelligence, and humor broke through Brett's walls of depression, and now the once-isolated rancher and his young California guy in search of himself are together on Brett's Texas ranch. While Brett and JT are more in love than ever, they’re still dealing with past baggage and learning how to move forward. Brett’s former lover casts a long shadow over their lives—one JT tries to pretend doesn’t bother him. Can Brett soothe his fears with the sort of sappy, sentimental Valentine’s Day JT was taught to shun growing up—but secretly always wanted? When Halloween rolls around, a costumed night out at the local bar might lead to another romantic first. And on Christmas morning, JT awakes to some sweet loving and the most meaningful gift he could ever imagine. The New Year truly brings a new beginning—ushered in by some silly, sparkly, and sexy fun. One year. Four important holidays. Two men who have worked hard for the love and trust they share and the bright future that’s finally within their grasp.

Word Count: Click here to reveal6000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: This isn't the kind of Valentine's Day Greg Parks was hoping for - stood up by his date, then showered in chocolate milk. But the adorable four-year-old milk-spiller is too cute to get mad at, and her hot dad sure does make a stood-up guy feel a lot more cheerful. Maybe Greg can find more than nostalgia at Princess Petunia's Play Palace.

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Summary: Ty O’Malley loves Spoilt for Choice, his gift shop. He enjoys nothing more than helping his customers find the perfect present. The only exception is Valentine’s Day. Ever since his partner left him, three years previously, Ty hasn’t been able to enjoy the love-themed holiday, and goes out of his way to avoid dealing with it. This year will be no different — until his assistant interferes. When Ben Cronin walks into his premises, looking for presents for a man he doesn’t know but has been admiring from afar, Ty can’t deny Ben is everything he would look for in a man — if he happened to be looking, which he isn’t. Besides, Ben has obviously set his sights on someone else. As Ty instructs Ben in the art of finding the perfect gift, the two men grow closer. But there are only four weeks until Valentine’s Day. After February fourteenth, Ty will probably never see Ben again … Or will he?

Word Count: Click here to reveal20000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Ben Cronin and Ty O’Malley have been inseparable ever since they got together on Valentine’s Day. Nine months into their relationship, dark clouds descend when Ben’s father falls seriously ill and dies in a matter of weeks. Having lost his only close relative, Ben is grief-stricken, and appears to be sinking ever deeper into a black hole. Desperate to help Ben cope with his pain, Ty plans a getaway for them, to coincide with their first anniversary. But taking Ben back to the stunning beauty of the Swiss Alps, a place he visited with his father years ago, is a risky undertaking. Reuniting him with memories could as easily push Ben deeper into his pain as it might help him find the first traces of light. Ty’s plan will either bring them closer than they’ve ever been, or spell disaster— for both of them. Valentine’s surprise is the sequel to Valentine’s Love. While it can be read as a stand-alone, you’ll enjoy this story more if you read Valentine’s Love first.

Word Count: Click here to reveal21769 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary:

Ty O’Malley and Ben Cronin joyfully invite you to help them celebrate their marriage on Valentine’s Day! Two weeks before the big day, Ty and Ben can relax. With the ceremony planned and the party venue booked, they’re looking forward to counting down the moments until they are husband and husband. Then…disaster strikes. After the hotel cancels their reception booking, Ty and Ben resign themselves to a wedding day without a big celebration. That is, until their ever-impulsive friend, Claire, offers to organize a party for them without revealing what she has in mind. Out of options, the grooms-to-be allow Claire to take the reins. But with no idea what awaits them and many surprises in store, will Valentine’s Day turn into an unmitigated disaster or the best day of their lives? Valentine’s Vows is the third title in the Valentine’s Love series and best read in sequence.

Word Count: Click here to reveal20000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Eleven lovelorn singletons. Eleven tales of Cupid, catastrophe, and maybe more… These characters have had it with love—or, if not with that, with Valentine’s Day. But no matter how they fight it, Cupid refuses to relent. From struggling singles to secret crushes to enemies turned much, much more, these lightning strikes of love will add a spark of hope to your holiday. Worst Valentine’s Day Ever flips the script on lonely hearts who seem destined for Valentine's disaster. If you like laugh-out-loud rom-coms, terrible dates gone right, and gorgeous happily-ever-afters, then you’ll love this adorable collection. It ain't all hearts and roses; but these tales of triumph will find your faith in Valentine's Day—and your faith in love—restored. The Worst Day Ever Series The Worst Day Ever Series collects tales of hilarity, hope and survival for characters facing classically-stressful situations. From not-so-happy holidays to doomed-to-be-a-disaster predicaments, they find the love they need to get them through. This series is proud to feature characters from diverse backgrounds, #ownvoices authors, and a range of romantic themes: contemporary to paranormal, cis/hetero to LGBTQ+, sweet to steamy, body-positive, neurodiverse, interracial/multicultural, and more.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Cuddle up with us this Valentine's Day! Wyngraf is proud to present our first special edition! Fill your heart with these cozy fantasy romances—or just get your fix of magic and adventure until our next issue arrives. The 2023 Romance Special contains two stories from rising stars in fantasy romance.