Holiday Genre

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 reveal6400 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: As an empath, Alek is ironically used to shutting people out—until, several days before Christmas, a one-night stand forces him to let someone in. Being an empath is a lonely business, and Alek’s one-night stands do little to ease that feeling, even if he isn’t looking for anything more. He prefers to bury himself in his artwork anyway, or so he tells himself. That is until a young man named Jasper appears on his doorstep one December evening, threatening Alek’s careful control and making him want more than he’s ever dared ask for. Meanwhile, Jasper’s only two previous sexual encounters have made him more wary than hopeful—but tonight, he, too, may be getting more than he bargained for.

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Summary: Dean Murphy hates Christmas a little more each year. His job as a pharmacy manager requires him to festoon his store with seasonal cheer, but his distaste for the lurid commercialism is only topped by his irritation with the syrupy sentimentalism. Being alone sucks, but he’s managed just fine without friends or family for years; why should December 25 be any different? When the tattooed Tony Delvecchio walks into his store, Dean hopes that maybe Tony’s different. Maybe Tony’s the man who won’t be driven away by Dean’s Scrooge-like tendencies. But Tony loves the holiday season, and he challenges Dean to three dates. Three dates to change his mind about Christmas. Despite knowing it will all end badly, Dean does the unthinkable. He agrees.

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

Summary: Choosing to move to Occident to be with Erik wasn't a hard choice for Sam. He'd loved him nearly as soon as he saw him but spending time with Erik's friends is something Sam is still adjusting to. It's Christmas, and time for Andy and Link's yearly party. Erik and Sam are going for the first time since Sam moved to town with him. He imagines a nice evening spent with new friends, but it soon turns out a little different. Erik and all his friends look forward to the annual Christmas party at Andy and Link's house. Well, mostly they look forward to what they call The Stealing Game. It'll be a night of fun and games, and maybe a few pranks, but it'll also be filled with love and good friends. #holiday romance, #christmas short, #holiday fun A holiday short, part of the Small Town City series.

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 reveal13084 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The most wonderful time of the year is about to get even better. On a cold, rainy December morning, Finn’s beloved Grampa, his best friend and rock, makes a friend outside their home who he invites in for coffee. The last thing Finn expects is Nelson, a man with a painful past, who is beautiful and generous and turns Finn’s knees into jelly. What starts out as a chance to get out of the rain, soon becomes more as Nelson helps Finn get ready for the Christmas market. They bond over coffee and fabric and Mariah Carey. Can handmade Christmas ornaments and an understanding heart give Nelson the love he’s been denied?

Word Count: Click here to reveal13527 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: All alone, caught in a blizzard—without a coat—on Christmas Day. Would you accept a ride from a huge guy looking like a serial killer? Daniel Erickson stormed out of his family celebration after choking on his turkey served with a side of bigotry. Utterly miserable, he reluctantly lets himself be charmed by the hulk of a man and gets into his car…hoping he won’t be ax murdered. Axel Wilson—Ax for short, unfortunately—is a sweetheart. Really. He may be badass-looking but his heart melts into goo at the mere mention of his four-year-old niece. Surely, he’s not dangerous? Thrown together by family drama, they spend the evening getting to know each other. Axel is nothing like Daniel expected. But it doesn’t matter that he loves poetry, is gentle and patient—and hot!—Daniel is absolutely not falling in love at first sight. There’s no such thing. Right…?

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

Summary: ’Twas the night before Christmas, but what’s stirring is a little more dangerous than a mouse. Taviano is nearly two hundred years old and never wakes in the same place twice. Weary and jaded, the vampire still indulges in memories of childhood Christmases in Naples. He lingers in shadow, spying on mortals as they enjoy the holiday. When Taviano spots a handsome young man in Boston loaded down with presents and about to be mugged, he can’t help but intervene. Soon he’s talking to joyous, naïve, strong-willed and funny Paul, a short-order cook who raised funds to buy Christmas presents for LGBTQ children. Before he knows what’s happened, Taviano is wrapped up in Paul’s arms and then in his schemes to get the presents delivered by Christmas morning. A vampire turned into a Christmas elf… What could go wrong? Vampire Claus is a 30,000-word standalone gay romance about a lonely vampire and a fearless mortal with no instinct for self-preservation. A heartwarming ending, no cliffhanger, and a young man who discovers he has a thing for fangs. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

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

Summary: An all-star flying reindeer shifter. A shy but clever elf. One is overworked, the other excited to take on his new first job. Coco: This is the story of how I got stranded in a snowstorm at my boss’s house. And never left. (Did I mention my boss is a flying reindeer?) Vixen: This is the story of how I reluctantly went on a mandatory vacation and lied to Santa, all of which brought me the greatest love of my life. Falling in love is not on their agenda, but love strikes when least expected. Can Coco and Vixen make things work in their personal lives while helping Santa have a low-stress, smooth delivery run on Christmas Eve? Mpreg. Grumpy/sunshine. Age gap (22-40). A suspected alpha rut. An omega heat. A cool reindeer legend. Possibility of coal in a stocking. An adorable baby. Decorations, snow and roaring fireplaces. Steaming up those frosted windowpanes. HEA.

Word Count: Click here to reveal42000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: It’s not easy for Spenser Roland to admit it, but he needs help. Christmas is just a few days away, and he can’t face the idea of showing up to his family’s gathering alone … again. They want to see him happily settled, but Spenser doesn’t date. He can’t risk it if he wants to protect his family. But one unexpected night with Evan Scott has him thinking that maybe he can strike a deal that will make his family happy and give him a little holiday cheer as well. Evan never should have accepted a ride home from the sexy-as-hell corporate executive, but he’s proud that he stuck to his guns. He’s done with the one-night stand game. He wants something real. Something that lasts. But when Spenser returns, asking him to pose as his boyfriend over the weekend at a Christmas celebration, Evan is sure he’s lost his mind. But he can’t say no. Maybe it’s the shadow of loneliness in Spenser’s bright blue eyes that’s too much like his own. Or maybe it’s his heart-stopping smile. Either way, Evan knows he’s on thin ice with Spenser, risking his own rules and heart, but Spenser is worth the risk.

Word Count: Click here to reveal18000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Life hasn't been easy for Amir since he fled Iran after a brutal imprisonment. The trauma experienced at the hands of the guards left a dark spot on his soul. The one constant in his life since relocating to Chicago has been his lover—now husband—Esmail, whose steadfast love and support has soothed his wounded heart. ​But this Shab-e Yalda, Amir wants to be the one giving his husband something special, because even after the darkest nights, the sun will rise again.

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

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

Summary: Trevor Carson’s life changed the day his father died. After working as a small-animal vet in the big city, Trevor’s now back in his remote hometown, trying to keep his dad’s practice afloat while he figures out his next step. He expected he’d want to sell up and flee back to civilization as fast as possible, but the town is beginning to feel like where he belongs. Except every day he spends there is a day away from his partner Michael, back in the city. As Christmas approaches, with a much-anticipated visit from Mike, Trevor’s going to have to decide what “home” really means. (This warm, established-couple holiday romance is a lightly-edited rerelease of the 2011 story. Content warning for veterinary-related pet loss. 14,000 words.)

Word Count: Click here to reveal47410 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: When bull rider and rising star Sterling Kingsolver wins a national rodeo championship in a stunning upset, he becomes the public face of the rodeo league. But the big bosses had other ideas, and Sterling knows he’s in trouble. The league is pissed, there are a bunch of cowboys ready to kick his butt, and worst of all, he’s headed to New York City in the dead of winter to do a publicity junket. Sterling is just a cowboy from New Mexico, and all the fancy trappings of his new title don’t sit so well with him. Jonas Burke, an experienced public relations assistant hired by the rodeo league, can't believe his Christmas week vacation has been cancelled to get a hick cowboy from the middle of nowhere cleaned up and presentable by New York standards. The two men square off a couple of times, but as Jonas gets to know Sterling, he begins to understand what makes a real cowboy tick, and he finds a lot to admire. Sterling also starts to realize there’s much more to city boy Jonas than a flashy smile and a good suit. While taking in the sparkle and joy that is Christmas in New York City, their friendship quickly turns to more. But when the man who was favored to win the competition shows up looking for a piece of Sterling, the whole game changes. When the dust settles, Sterling’s days in the city come to an end, Jonas nearly loses his job, and facing that infamous midnight hour, Sterling and Jonas have to decide if their new year will include each other or not.

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

Summary: This Witchy Boys omnibus contains all six sexy stories, perfect for dark, cold nights. Follow the adventures of Thackeray the demon-hunter and his witchy partner Matt through Præsidium, Tattoo You, and The Full Moon Husband. Visit an Appalachian folk-witch in Bourbon Barrel Blues, a medium trying to solve the mystery of a witch's hotel in Moonlight Motor Inn, and as for Blood Magic and the Mini Zombie Apocalypse... well, that title says it all.

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

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

Summary: Zeke is a hermit in his late forties who lives a quiet life in a small cabin in the Western Montana mountains, a few miles outside of Thompson Falls. He’s gotten used to being alone since the end of the world, and has everything he needs. Everything but someone to talk to. Nathan is a younger man on a cross-country trek, searching the country for someone... anyone still alive. Saddled with a ghost from his old life and a case of OCD, he stumbles upon Thompson Falls and a pack of rabid dogs. Rescued by Zeke, he has to figure out how to be human again. And with Christmas just a week away, both men have to figure out if there’s something left to be hopeful for, and if they might have a future together.

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

Summary: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! OK—scratch that. It’s time for another obligatory family gathering. And nothing spices up the egg nog like bringing your partner home. Surely your belligerent brother-in law, your gimlet-eyed granny and your drunken uncle will keep it classy. With forced proximity and alcoholic beverages, what could possibly go wrong?

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.

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Word Count: Click here to reveal18,315 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Christmas is a time for music, mistletoe, and most of all, second chances Wynter Collins guards a broken heart. The love of her life called it quits, leaving Wynter along with all the hopes and dreams they once shared. Wynter throws herself into her job at Sparkle and Home. Hard work helps soothe her pain and the Christmas season is especially busy. She spends her days selling Christmas trees and wreaths. She spends her long, lonely nights trying to forget Ava. When the shop's elderly owner passes away, Wynter faces an uncertain future. To her dismay, Ava has returned to Dublin. Worse, she's the shop's new owner and Wynter's new boss. Ava Winchester has never forgotten Wynter or the time they shared together—in and out of Wynter's 4-poster bed—but she harbours a guilty secret. She's still in love with Wynter and regrets the choice she made to leave. Now fate has brought them together again in Dublin—one of the most romantic cities at Christmastime. Wynter wants nothing to do with Ava, and Ava can't risk confessing the truth. Like Wynter, Ava has a wounded heart. Ava's determined to remain professional, and guard her secret yearning. Even if it means another lonely Christmas...

Word Count: Click here to reveal53305 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Two shattered hearts, one small town, and a love they never expected to find again. Taran Losing Royce shattered me. My husband, my best friend, gone too soon because I missed the signs—missed how deep his pain went. Now it’s just me and twelve-year-old Rory, my son, my heart, and I’m doing everything I can to give him the life he deserves. But no matter how many shifts I work, it never feels like enough. Getting denied the loan to start my own bakery? It’s just another blow. I wanted to create something stable for my son, a future for us. But that dream’s slipping through my fingers. Then Royce’s best friend Wynter walks back into my life looking every bit as lost as I feel. He disappeared shortly after the funeral. I should be furious with him, but every time he’s near, I feel things I haven’t felt in years. Wynter My return to Aspen Ridge was supposed to be a fresh start after a hard-earned military retirement, but instead, I found my wife pregnant with another man’s child, leaving me with a broken heart and a future I never anticipated. Now, everything I used to know about my life is gone. And here I am, standing in front of Royce’s husband again. The man I swore to look out for, and yet I failed him too. Life has dealt hit after hit to Taran. He's strong, but I can see the cracks forming. As the snow falls and Christmas draws near, something between us is starting to thaw. It’s terrifying, but maybe we can heal each other’s wounds. Because second chances don’t come around often. And in this small town, maybe we’ll find the love we never thought we’d have again.