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.

Word Count: Click here to reveal17000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Jonah Walsh’s fledgling acting career in Dublin comes to an abrupt end when a video of him in a compromising position goes viral on social media. The offer of a part in a Christmas play in Sydney, Australia arrives at exactly the right time, although he isn’t sure about celebrating Christmas in the scorching heat. Nick Claseman isn’t happy that the actor he and his sister have hired will be occupying his granny flat. As for Jonah’s enthusiasm for Christmas, Nick doesn’t get it. He hasn’t decorated or celebrated in years. When Jonah turns out to be anything but a stuck-up starlet with delusions of grandeur, and Nick proves he’s not usually grumpy and borderline hostile, the two men gravitate toward each other. Their attraction morphs into something more when Jonah reacquaints Nick with the pleasures of Christmas and Nick shows Jonah the beauty of Australia. But Jonah is only Down Under for a few months. It would take a Christmas miracle for them to have a future together.

Word Count: Click here to reveal78000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: When Guillermo is gifted a bag of gold coins from the 1800s by his grandmother, he is also regaled with stories of the old west and his five times Great-Uncle Gustavo. Gustavo never thought his life would be anything but robbing, running, and fending off hateful comments about his heritage. Then he met the big blond wannabe cowboy with the beat-up hat and a sometimes too big smile. Guillermo and August’s relationship is rather new, too. As events unfold in eerily similar fashion some 150 years apart, both couples face prejudice, serious injury, insecurities, drug issues, and a brush with the law, all of which test their love. It's two stories in one, a brand new Alfie and Gustavo romance and the next few months in Guillermo (Memo) and August's (Twelve Months of August.) Are the coins bad luck? Are they somehow magical? Does more money mean more problems? One pair is determined to survive several turns of the calendar page, while one man thinks it might be better to go their separate ways.

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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 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 reveal24000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Clay and Daniel fell in love as enlisted men during Desert Shield, but Don’t Ask Don’t Tell meant they had to keep it secret. After Clay’s convoy was ambushed, PTSD changed him, and their relationship ended in a horrible fight on Christmas Eve. Twenty-five years later, they’ve reconnected on Facebook, and Clay finds out Daniel will be alone on Christmas Eve. Impulsively, he sets out for Daniel’s hometown of Gilead, Ohio—where Daniel is now the mayor—to surprise him with a visit. But a blizzard strikes and Clay wrecks his car. All hope of seeing Daniel is lost—until a mysterious old man named Nick offers Clay a ride. The weight of past wounds and the scars of war might make their reunion awkward, but Clay is willing to take the risk to win back his lost love. Despite a lifetime of disappointing holidays, Clay hopes that this soldier is finally coming home for Christmas.

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

Summary: The holiday season has rolled around and Cayden Winter has been invited to his first Saturnalia, the holiday his werewolf boyfriend celebrates with his family at Christmastime. While he's nervous about meeting the extended family, he's excited to learn more about his boyfriend's culture and honored to be invited as a human. Adrien Magnus has never had the pleasure of having a mate for Saturnalia, and he's excited for Cayden to join him and his family for the week-long celebration around Christmas. He deeply enjoys showing more of werewolf culture to his human mate, but there is a secret he's been keeping about how deeply he feels their mating bond. Will the holiday be the push he needs to finally be honest? Werewolf Days of Christmas is a sweet, lighthearted holiday story and is the sequel to Werewolf Days of Summer. CONTENT WARNINGS: Sexual content, mentions of an abusive relationship (physically and sexually), discussions of fatal diseases, discussions of childbearing requirements

Word Count: Click here to reveal10000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: What happens when your long-buried crush can't stay hidden any longer? Cassie is home from college for the holidays, and with a big family, she's not in the mood to crash at home. Being single after two years of accepting her boyfriend's proposal, she didn't want to deal with all the questions. When Neilie offers her guest room, she jumps at the offer. She hadn't spent enough time with her brother's best friend while away, and she's missed the older woman. The only problem is being in close quarters with Neilie showed her that her teenage crush wasn't a thing of the past. Could Neilie see her as more than the annoying girl she once was and accept her as the woman she'd grown to be?

Word Count: Click here to reveal27K (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A snowy story of healing, birds, and the magic of connection. The Wall? Who gives a snowman’s kiss about when the wars ended, or who built the divide that goes all the way around the planet? Whatever! All anyone cares about is Christmas, when one lucky person gets to date someone from the other side. Who will it be this year? Eighteen-year-old Kite Ripples loves birds, animals, and gazing at stars. He’s a good brother to leader, Mal. Mostly. As teacher, it’s Kite’s responsibility to dispel the rumours about people on the other side being robots—just a myth, right? Deep down, he understands no human is better, or worse, than any other. And, if he dreams of meeting a guy like him—who wants to kiss—it doesn’t mean Kite’s a rebel. Not he! Manu Feathers, also eighteen, lives on the other side. Gets into trouble. Likes boys. Breaks laws and wants more. Like everyone, he’s fixated on those over the divide—simultaneously scared and excited by rumours of too much sex. It’s a lot to get your head round. Kite is selected to climb under the Wall, and it’s the best Christmas present ever. But nothing goes to plan. Instead of picking the perfect boy, all he notices is the guy on the end, acting out. Who’d choose a nuisance like him? Can the highest Wall prevent first love? Can a kiss heal a baby bird?

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.)

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

Summary: Follow Will & Patrick as they do the holidays in this third installment of the romantic-comedy serial, Wake Up Married, by best-selling author Leta Blake and newcomer Alice Griffiths! A couple’s first holiday season is always a special time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are magical when you’re in love. Too bad Will and Patrick’s marriage is a sham and they’re only faking their affection for each other. Or are they? Sparks fly in this episode of the Wake Up Married serial. Will the sexual tension between Will and Patrick finally explode in a needy night of passion? Or will they continue to deny their feelings? Episode 3 of 6 in the Wake Up Married serial.

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.

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.

Word Count: Information not available

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.

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...