Books Tagged With when - season - winter

Word Count: Click here to reveal223000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAce, Bisexual, Gay, Pansexual, Polyamorous (Click here to hide)

Summary: Contract killers don’t retire. They don’t start over and they don’t live normal lives. Zane Cortese doesn’t care what the unspoken rules are and he breaks away from a life of murder to become a regular, law-abiding citizen. He settles down to do what he’s always loved—writing songs. So what if he lives on a remote mountain side, has no friends, and there are discreet cameras situated all over his property. Being normal isn’t as easy as it sounds. Zane’s struggle to be like everyone else is second only to his infatuation with the cowboy renting the cabin on his property. There is a list of logical and ethical reasons why he shouldn’t pursue a relationship with the arresting man—not that Zane knows how to have, you know, a relationship. Despite what he wants or is even ready for, his pushy agent arranges for him to meet a popular band. Needing the distraction, he agrees not knowing that before the night is over he will be caught in a web of schemes. One thing’s for certain, Zane doesn’t care if life is normal as long as he gets to keep the people that he’s quickly coming to love. Tags: medium burn, polyamorous, unusual paranormals, an assassin trying to be normal, an abandoned cowboy far from home, an old god looking out for his favorite person, one human struggling—or not—with discovering paranormal beings, said being striving to claim him in different ways, found family, blooded family, Scandinavian roots, Central American lore, oracles, Beowulf reimagined, dragons, all the world building

Word Count: Click here to reveal37000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Jules Rose leads a quiet life working as a librarian. He’s happy to spend his spare time reading books and talking to his homicidal cat. What more could he wish for? But when his cozy Friday night is shattered by a friend request on his book community app, politeness gives him little choice but to accept. Jules doesn’t want to talk to anyone, but he can’t be rude. Besides, if he had to talk about something, books is the topic he’d pick. Phoenix Ford is dyslexic and avoids everything that has to do with the written word, but when the colleague he’s trying to impress calls him stupid, he decides to convince the other man, he’s mistaken. All he needs is the right book to make him look smart, a perfect balance between intelligent and short. And who better to ask for help than a guy who loves books so much, he labeled one boner-worthy on a book app? When Jules finds out Phoenix never has read a book from start to finish, he’s on a mission. He will find the right book, the book that will make Phoenix fall in love -- with reading. Phoenix’s plan might have been to listen to the book Jules picked for him to impress his colleague, but that was before he got to know him. Talking about books is a sure way to Jules’ heart, but is it enough for him to agree to go on a date?f

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

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

Summary: Aaron has spent the past ten months alone. When he meets a sad, yet strangely familiar man on a cold Halloween night, he impulsively invites him home. But the intimate connection they share lasts only until morning. Aaron wakes up alone—wracked with guilt and devastated to have lost his chance. Or so he thinks. Thanksgiving brings Aaron another shot at happiness, but letting go of an old love and accepting a new one isn’t as easy as everyone keeps telling him. And by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, it becomes clear that Aaron’s not the only one struggling to let himself love again. Christmas miracles are all well and good, but it’s going to take more than the Holiday Spirit for Aaron to get his happy ever after. A story of grief, sadness, and letting it go; and finding love when you least expect it.

Word Count: Click here to reveal22500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: “Help raise money to improve our habitat! For a small donation, we’ll name a fish after your ex and feed it to the bears on Valentine’s Day!” For Garrett Mitchell, who just found out his butthead of an ex-boyfriend cheated on him, that donation is money well spent. And Tristan Waverly was just unceremoniously dumped by a man who is absolutely worthy of being tossed to hungry bears, so he’s more than happy to buy a fish. As the bears chow down, though, everyone’s wondering the same thing—is it a coincidence, or are both fish named after the same guy? There’s only one way to find out. But when Garrett and Tristan come face to face, suddenly the last man either wants to think about is Kevin. 2 Dead Fish Named Kevin is a light, fluffy, and short Valentine’s Day romance (22,500 words)

Word Count: Click here to reveal124,200 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: For Wall McCormack, actions speak louder than words. He’s giving and protective, loyal to his friends, and devoted to his job. While confident and powerful enough to conquer any challenge, his greatest strength lies in his calm nature. Until an unexpected assignment sends his world into a loud and colorful chaos he never could have anticipated. Rejection. It’s something Dylan Vaughn has known his entire life. But he’s a tough nut to crack and refuses to break. Armed with a sharp tongue and brutal honesty, he pushes through life and at anyone who attempts to take him on. Except for the quiet guardian who piques his interest and dares him to want…more. When Dylan’s past comes back with a vengeance and jeopardizes their growing connection, Wall will stop at nothing to protect the younger man and remain by his side. But convincing Dylan that someone accepts the real man behind the cocky facade might prove to be Wall’s greatest challenge yet. With his freedom on the line, Dylan must trust the strength of their bond and confront the forces threatening their future. Only then will he realize the dream of acceptance is real and finally have a place to call home.

Word Count: Click here to reveal33500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The Christmas Eve Dance six years ago was the scene of angry words and heartbreak. This Christmas, it’s time for forgiveness and second chances. Hunter Cavendish fled his hometown six years ago and has avoided returning ever since. Now an up-and-coming designer, he succumbs to family pressure and agrees to come home for Christmas. But the fates must be conspiring against him, because the very first person he runs into is Aaron McBride—the man he’s never been able to resist. The man who broke his heart. Aaron McBride loves his small town, loves the gift store he owns, and absolutely adores Christmas—it’s his favorite time of the year. That is, until this year. This year he’s forced to work alongside the infuriating and entitled Hunter Cavendish on the Christmas Eve Dance decorating committee. There’s no way he’s going to fall under the spell of his charms again—absolutely not. But the Christmas spirit weaves its magic, bringing the two of them together and providing the perfect opportunity for apologies, fresh starts, and falling in love again. So long as they can put the past behind them… A Christmas Reunion is a cute, feel-good holiday romance featuring enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances, lots of Christmas sweetness, and a well-deserved happy ending.

Word Count: Click here to reveal45000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: There’s no glory in custodial work. That never bothered campus janitor Carl Gibson any. He worked hard—had to. His love life was a tragedy best not reopened and his only hope for the happiness he broadcast to the world was in two things: Halloween and the shrill, ever-demanding bark of his darling Lilah. But Halloween decorations were being displaced by Christmas already, and his precious pug? He could only hope she’d hold on a bit longer. Austin Edwards had failed his little boy. The most junior dining manager at the college, when everyone called out on Halloween, he got called in. The house lights were all dark. except one. A sparkling hope of legend at the college. For his boy’s sake, he hoped Carl was as crazy about Halloween as the stories said. When Carl filled his son’s empty bag with candy, Austin couldn’t help but wonder why such a wonderful man was so alone. He had to find out. With Christmas fast approaching, Carl and Austin tip-toe into dating. But they both have ghosts and memories to contend with. Can Austin be Carl’s Christmas vision? Or will Carl retreat, as he always has?

Word Count: Click here to reveal46665 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: This Christmas, love takes the form of a Daddy who’ll give a boy the care and protection he craves. Nicholas I’ve spent the last six years putting my dreams on hold, raising my little brother Aiden after our mom died. Now he’s off to college, but it still feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Then I meet him—Markus Webber, the new doctor at the senior living facility where I work. He’s thoughtful and caring in a way I can’t let myself rely on… but when he calls me Nicky, something shifts inside me. Maybe for once, I don’t have to be the one holding everything together. Markus After my last relationship fell apart, I needed a fresh start. Taking over the elder care home in this small town seemed like the perfect escape. What I didn’t expect was Nicky. The care assistant has a smile that lights up the whole room, but he puts everyone else before himself. The more I’m around him, the more protective I feel, even though opening my heart again is terrifying. The matchmaking seniors at the home sure don’t help—they seem determined to push us together at every turn. But can a Daddy like me, who’s been through his share of heartache, really be what the stubborn boy needs? And does he even know what he’s looking for?

Word Count: Click here to reveal85788 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Kris Starr used to be famous. Rock and roll. Sold-out shows. Literal magic. Empathic talents and screaming fans. But he has a problem or two. He's having a hard time writing new music. It's Midwinter, which means he's surrounded by depressing holiday cheer. And he's in love with Justin, his manager, who has a talent for rescuing almost- or once-famous bands ... and who's hiding secrets of his own. Justin Moore, on the other hand, is very good at keeping those secrets -- he's had to be for years. One secret involves a demonic inheritance that would make him a target of suspicion. Another involves his past. And the third involves Justin's feelings for Kris Starr, rock and roll icon and now his client ... and a powerful empath.

Word Count: Click here to reveal70000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Mal’s first priority is giving his six-year-old son the best Christmas ever, a goal made trickier by a recent move to New England after losing his job. As a single dad, he’s not looking for romance—especially not with a blond California boy ten years his junior. After being ridiculed at the family business, Luca sets out to prove himself by opening an eco-friendly gift-wrapping store in a small town with a hard-on for Christmas that’s about as far from LA as he can get. Out of his comfort zone in snowy Maine, love is the last thing on his mind. But the magic of the season has other ideas. As Mal and Luca collide on wintery streets, will they let their first Christmas in Lighthouse Bay lead to happily ever after?

Word Count: Click here to reveal86611 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Prince Edmund of Thalassa and Prince Arden of Aither are eagerly anticipating their upcoming wedding, but the danger to their kingdom hasn’t lessened. They have a plan, but they won’t be able to carry it out alone: they need a strong wielder of each Element, whom they can trust implicitly, to carry out the magic. Rhys is a commoner and wielder of Earth magic. He and his sister have made a living from the use of their magic for years and have become highly respected in scholarly circles, though he prefers a more simple life with his plants. When a message from Prince Arden reaches them asking for their help, they don’t hesitate. They stop only to request that Gaz, a strong Fire wielder and the man Rhys has long been enamored of, accompany them on the journey to Thalassa’s royal palace. What no one knows is that Gaz was once known as Prince Gareth of Thalassa and is Edmund’s younger brother, long believed dead. He fled his home after his Fire Affinity made itself known and put him in danger, and he had no intention of ever going back. But he can’t keep himself from going to his brother’s aid, despite the risk of discovery and of the weight of his secrets potentially crushing his fledgling relationship with Rhys. Working against time, they must find a way to come together in a magical working the likes of which none of them has ever imagined, or their homelands will surely burn.

Word Count: Information not available

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: When the organizers of a local charity ask the team at Doover to help build a Tiny Home community for those in need, Owen jumps at the chance. It’s a project he’s happy to be part of until he learns that the organizers have bankrupted the fund before the job is done. With the prospect of leaving the chosen families homeless—and not just for the holidays—Owen will do the one thing that scares him the most. Ask his loved ones for help. Though he’s never had the nerve before, there’s no doubt they’ll agree, and together, they will build homes filled with hope and the foundation for the future. The culmination is every reason Owen began building houses in the first place and having his family’s support only makes the job better. There’s only one thing missing, but Owen can’t think about that and still get the job done. Luckily, his family is working behind the scenes, and they coordinate with friends from afar to bring one final gift to the man who put it all on the line to deliver A Home for the Holidays. Authors Note: This book contains characters from nearly every book I’ve written so far. If your favorite character is missing, I apologize, but it was getting a little crowded. It’s not a standalone and you will be completely lost if you start here. A big thank you to the readers in Jessie’s Garage for planting the seed and Pamela Bankhead for the plot bunny that made it grow. I never intended to write a holiday story, but I’m not sorry for this little side trip and I hope it’s everything you wanted.

Word Count: Click here to reveal21534 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Josh has stepped back into the closet for a guy, but how long can he stay there? Life in a college town suits Josh Cassidy. He has good friends and neighbors, and the bookshop café he runs with his family is thriving. As the winter holidays begin, Josh finds himself enamored with police officer Alex Curiel, an old friend who has recently moved back to town. The trouble is, Alex isn’t ready for the world to know he’s attracted to men. At Alex’s request, Josh agrees to closet their relationship, though the secrecy quickly becomes a burden. When Josh realizes he is falling for Alex, his ability to hide his feelings from the world begins to slip, and he’s forced to decide if love is enough to keep him hiding behind closed doors. A Hometown Holiday is a 21.5K sex-buddies-to-lovers MM novella. It features a bookshop owner with a fondness for jazz music, a closeted cop who could be Mr. Right if only he’d give himself a chance, and the warm, fuzzy HEA that both guys deserve.

Word Count: Click here to reveal45107 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A rugged Daddy and a restless Little find the love they’ve both been searching for. Aiden I always dreamed of escaping the small town of Juniper Hollow for something bigger and brighter. My college graduation marked the start of that journey, but as I waited for the call about my dream job, I found myself back home, just in time for the holidays. I never expected to meet Levi. The rugged new owner of the Christmas tree farm, he seems as anchored to this town as the trees he cares for. And I’m drawn to him. Levi My life revolves around the farm, and the simplicity of small-town living. But from the moment Aiden stumbles into it, I feel a fierce protective instinct and an attraction that’s hard to ignore. As Christmas unfolds, we find ourselves navigating our growing feelings and a Daddy/Little dynamic I didn’t know I was craving. And I’m starting to see that my heart is in more than just the farm—I’m in love with Aiden’s spark, and I can’t imagine life without him. But Aiden’s dream job out of state threatens to pull him away from me. Will our love be strong enough to withstand the pull of our different dreams, or will it be as fleeting as the first snowfall?

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

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

Summary: This is a re-release of a previously published work. New material added and re-edited with a new cover. Walt Thompson had started training for the Olympics when he was just in grade school. Skiing was like second nature to him. It was all he had ever dreamed of. A great coach and a fabulous sponsor and he was on his way. Until a freak accident on the slopes at the winter try outs, left him with a broken leg and a very dark future. On top of all that, the man he thought he was in love with walked out. Leaving him to deal with the pain of losing his dream and going on with his life. Years later, he found himself working as the ski instructor at his family’s lodge. This was not the dream he had wanted.   Then one day a handsome man literally knocked him off his feet. Curt Woodridge was an entertainer. He was singing in the lounge at his family’s lodge. Could this be the beginning of a new dream for Walt or just another crashing blow to his already fractured spirit?

Word Count: Click here to reveal19000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Snow turns to sleet where monsters tread As the resident sorcerers, Toren and his family protect their village from monsters—like the one they trapped in the mountains decades ago. But on the eve of the annual midwinter festival, it’s not a monster but a sudden eruption at the springs that threatens their lives. With rescue spells failing and the danger of a second, more deadly eruption looming, Toren discovers that a monster responsible for his brother’s death holds the key to saving the village. When his family refuses to listen, Toren must make an impossible choice: risk their wrath by seeking the monster’s help, or lose everything his brother died to protect. ___________________________ 100 pages / 19,000 words - Novella Content notes are available in the book's front matter and on the author's website.

Word Count: Click here to reveal44,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: ometimes loves shines a light. Devlyn Collins lives with his mum and stepdad in the north of England. He goes out with his mates, drinks a bit too much and works for his Uncle Sid. The trouble is, he’s begun to think he wants more. Henry Ward is a man with a secret—he’s a multi-millionaire who owns a landed estate on the edge of Exmoor, thanks to a massive win on the lottery. He’s also a man with a mission, determined to restore Secoombe Hall and village and find out how he shares a history with the place. He’s too busy for love. Christmas brings these two men together when Henry offers Sid and Dev silly money for a last-minute job of putting up Christmas lights. Dev doesn’t expect to meet an attractive man in this small village and Henry expects them to be just strangers, passing for one night only. But events conspire to bring Dev back to the village…and keep him there for Christmas. Will this be just a holiday romance, or could it develop into something more?

Word Count: Click here to reveal14400 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Why is “fun” always so freaking painful? 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? A Swants Soiree is a short and sweet opposites-attract rom-com featuring crafting catastrophes, suggestive sweaters, and an awkward introvert who meets his extroverted match.

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

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

Summary: Emily Williams has always felt driven to follow her dreams. Her art studies took her across the country, but she can't forget the girl she left behind. When she learns that Danica has been in a devastating car accident, she's glad to be returning home for Christmas. She has to see Danica again. Danica Swanson has tried to move on since Emily left but with limited success. The town of Myrton hasn't offered many dating prospects, but she found a job as a barista that made her happy. That was until the crash put her life in jeopardy and left her with little choice but to give up her job. Danica still misses Emily, but she has a lot to deal with as she recovers from her injuries. Meanwhile, Emily wants to give her dream of a relationship with Danica another chance. Can they find a way to rekindle their flame or have they lost each other for good? A Touch of Christmas Magic is a steamy lesfic second chance romance of around 20,000 words. It features sapphic love and adult language, with a pinch of holiday magic.  

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Kai has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember. He’s well aware he can’t act on those feelings, so he keeps himself relatively happy going on dates, running a successful business, and supporting the guy he’s known since he was five years old. Colby ran from Peppermint Hollow years ago. Trying to escape the demons of his childhood drove him straight into the arms of drama and chaos. The only good thing to come from the years he’s been away is his daughter. When Kai encourages Colby to come home, both men get sucker punched with feelings they’ve convinced themselves they can’t have. With a little help from their tight circle of friends and family, heads are removed from backsides and the two men grasp onto their very own love of a lifetime. Just when the couple is settling in to celebrate their first Christmas together with their infant daughter, the past comes knocking. Together, Kai and Colby know they can take on anything, but they aren’t going to turn down a little luck and a touch of Christmas magic to get them through the storm. **A Touch of Christmas Magic is a steamy M/M romance between two completely oblivious best friends featuring first-time parenting, a bisexual awakening, and found-family all wrapped up in a feel-good holiday love story.**