mystery & thriller

Word Count: Click here to reveal183300 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The Vessel. The great hope of the Vahndriin people. His is the body through which their Lord, Vahndestrus might return to the world and bring with him promised salvation. And so too the role with which Vulfrey has been tasked since birth, the sole purpose of his existence. Yet to Vulfrey, unyieldingly pious, there could be no greater an honor. He’d prepared his entire life to see it done. He was ready. However. On the eve of his twentieth birthday—the day that should have been his last—tragedy befalls the temple he'd lived his entire life caged within. Now, for the first time, he's thrust out into the world. Alone, broken, and fleeing for his life. It’s then that he finds an unlikely ally in Kaill, the son of the man who’d betrayed and nearly killed him. With no choice but to trust him, the two set off together across country—Vulfrey searching for a means to fulfill his duty and mend the wound torn in his people’s faith, Kaill seeking penance for his father’s deeds, and both falling prey to feelings doomed by the journey’s end.

Word Count: Click here to reveal25,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A recent graduate of the NYPD’s cadet academy, Jimmy McSwain dreams of anything except being a cop. He’s got bad history with them, and it’s not a rap sheet. Years ago, his police officer father was gunned down during an off-duty incident, leaving Jimmy bitter that his killer was never found. Now, grown-up, trained in the art of law, Jimmy decides to embark on a new career: that of private detective. But you just can’t get your own license, you need experience. What happens will lead Jimmy into a part of New York he doesn’t know, realizing he’s the stranger in a neighborhood that lives by its own rules. Skeptical about his job is his mother, Maggie McSwain, but there’s nothing she can do to stop her headstrong son from entering this shadowy new world. As a warm May settles over the city, a twist of fate has Jimmy taking on his first case, one that is a time bomb ready to explode. What he can’t leave behind is the memory of his father, and the silver shield which he earned only out of respect. Can he live with his decision?

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Summary: Jack is left in charge of the agency, its new staff, and a missing person case that arrives unexpectedly from the Cheap Street Mission. A fourteen-year-old boy has vanished, and his older brother, Simeon, is desperate to find him. At first, the only clue is a cutthroat razor, but as Simeon’s past unfolds, so the case darkens with complications. As they race to find the boy, Jack and Will’s journey takes them from the unbelievable illusions of Piccadilly’s Egyptian Hall to an opium den in Whitechapel, and from a molly house to the sewers deep beneath London. What the Delamere detectives don't know is that if they fail to find the boy in time, the razor will play a gruesome part in a very public death. Kidnapping, illusions, East End rent boys, and murders in the style of Grand Guignol, the fifth book in the Delamere Files series is the darkest yet. The books should be read in order.

Word Count: Click here to reveal91000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Detective Sawyer Villeray has his hands full. He’s got a mercurial partner whose personal life is deteriorating, a semi-estranged family whose drama he can never fully escape… and now a series of murders whose only connection is their sheer weirdness. A serious crush on the county medical examiner doesn’t exactly simplify things, but at least it’s fun. Or, well, it would be if said M.E. didn’t adamantly refuse to date cops. Or if his assistant wasn’t quite so hostile to anyone who looked his way. Dr. Bashir Ramin would very much like to catch a break. A date that isn’t interrupted by death. A fellow pathologist who isn’t a cranky jerk. A forensic assistant who doesn’t gnash her teeth any time Bashir is interested in someone. And maybe, if he’s lucky, an autopsy that isn’t such a baffling puzzle, it leaves him wondering if he’s as good at his job as he thought he was. At this point, the annoying but cute detective is the one good thing in his world. Too bad Bashir doesn’t date cops. Right? But there’s no time for romance. As the bizarre murders keep piling up, Sawyer and Bashir need to work together to stop a killer. Ideally before one of them becomes the next target.

Word Count: Click here to reveal27900 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Stiles Long and Michael O’Leary were asked to join two agents from the Secret Service to break up a counterfeiting ring. They didn’t usually work with other agents, but since several Secret Service agents had been killed, the president wanted the Pinkertons in on the job. Reginald McCullough did not want to be anywhere near his uncle, but this was a chance for him to move up in the ranks. His new partner, Rochelle Warner, was a stranger, but he’d do whatever it took to do a good job. When he entered his uncle’s office in St. Louis, he was shocked to see his old lover, Michael O’Leary there as well. The assignment would take them on a new Pullman train across several states and cities. Death seemed to be at every turn. Stiles, Michael, Reginald, and Rochelle; all had attempts made on their lives. Every clue seemed to lead to a dead end. Could Reginald pull Michael away from Stiles?  Could they discover who the head of the counterfeit ring was before the end of the line in Santa Barbara, or would they end up just another dead agent riding the Death Train?

Word Count: Click here to reveal30000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAce, Bisexual, Genderfluid, Lesbian (Click here to hide)

Summary: Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strong brew. Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew. When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long-term crush, Teresa Vega. Suspicion immediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights. Can working together spark the romantic flame within them? Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?

Word Count: Click here to reveal61230 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Unlocking long-buried secrets could save lives…or cost them. In the heart of London’s labyrinthine streets, Landry Carran, sub and antique store owner, becomes embroiled in the pursuit of a missing treasure. Along with his Dom, Detective Gage Roskam, Landry is brought to London through the machinations of James Ellery, a British rogue who has involved the pair in several dangerous adventures in the past. With Ellery missing, Landry joins forces with Ellery’s sub, and together they navigate a series of complex clues. Pursued by a relentless, powerful enemy and guided by a trail of enigmatic clues, Landry finds his wit and resilience become his greatest assets. The clues unravel against a backdrop of danger, romance and the ever-present threat of betrayal, dating back to the Russian Revolution. In a race against time, Landry and his friends must outsmart ruthless adversaries hell-bent on claiming the treasure for their own. The stakes are high, and Landry’s journey becomes a thrilling adventure where the true worth of friendship is revealed.

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

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

Summary: Sometimes being a vampire sucks, and not in a good way. Gwil might have accepted his vampire afterlife didn’t come with rubbing shoulders with the elite and endless wealth, despite what his sire might alluded to, but working as a private detective isn’t all bad. Being dragged into Vampire Council business is annoying at times but there are worst things—the worst being years of pining after his best friend, business partner, and fae prince, Hyax. Spending so much time with Hyax is getting harder, and now Hyax has told his parents that Gwil is his betrothed to stop them from trying to marry him off, everything gets even more difficult. Add in meddling family members on both sides to fake dating a prince, a missing crown jewel, and rogue flower fairies, Gwil thinks things can’t get any more complicated until they do… Pining for the Prince is the first of Fang & Fae, a MM Paranormal Romance series, where a vampire and a fae prince go from best friends to lovers while solving mysteries along the way.

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

Summary: When the family business is death, how does one handle a dark spirit set on annihilating those who stand in his way of misguided love? Keir Dearly, the owner and sole proprietor of Dearly & Son Funeral Home, has married the love of his life and is ready for the next step—a family, or the idea of one. With the impending battle for the Human Realm, is it fair to bring a child into such danger? Dashiell Clegg-Dearly plans the honeymoon that was postponed after his and Keir’s New Year’s Eve wedding. While basking in the sunshine of the Mexican Riviera, an annoying man inserts himself into Dash and Keir’s good time, turning up when they least expect him. Dash can’t get a good read on the man, seeing his aura flash from dark to light, which is confusing and frustrating for the ever-evolving Key. Thane Nyxon has been told he could be the driving force for domination of the Human Realm and sent to pave the way for the Goddess of Darkness, Nyx, to begin her reign over humans before taking on Lucifer in a battle for the soul of humankind. Sadly, Thane hasn’t been given all the details about what he’ll be up against in his quest to separate the Gatekeeper and the Key. Will Keir and Dash accept the heartfelt offers to assist them in pursuing a family? Can Dash discover who sent Thane and learn to battle the forces that have targeted him and his husband? Can Keir learn to accept additional help at Dearly & Son in preparation for family time? As the fight for control of the Human Realm begins, Dash learns some disturbing information. Will it influence the way he fights the forces of evil to save his soulmate?

Word Count: Click here to reveal57,384 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: How far would you be willing to go to keep a secret? When writer Malcolm Tull is discovered dead at his writing desk, all signs point to suicide. But Malcolm’s editor isn’t so sure. There’s the matter of the man’s missing computer, a mislaid manuscript and the fact that he didn’t seem the type to take his own life. Declan Hunt and Charlie Watts are called into action and make their way to the mysterious Hoodoo House nestled on the edge of the Badlands of Alberta. Soon they are embroiled in a case involving blackmail, gay tricks and possibly even murder. As the secrets of Hoodoo House come to light, Charlie discovers that his boss has been keeping a few secrets of his own, secrets that could impact their romantic relationship outside of the office. And before this investigation is done, Charlie will have to get to the truth, even if it means this might be his final case for Declan Hunt Investigations.

Word Count: Click here to reveal87400 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Genderfluid, Genderqueer (Click here to hide)

Summary: A winter storm blows through Salem, Massachusetts, setting young witch Alexander MacBeth on a perilous path to adulthood as his dying mother gifts him an heirloom and pleads for him to use it to survive. To do so, he will need to perfect his inherited witchcraft to protect himself from those who want him dead. In his journey to adulthood, he falls in love with dashing nobleman Crispin Nottingham. Abandoned by Crispin and pursued by the Puritans, he finds he must harness the wind to assist his escape and flee his homeland aboard a pirate ship led by the handsome captain, Henri the Twisted. Struggling against distrustful pirates, an evil witch, and his continued longing for Crispin, Alexander sharpens his magical skills and falls into a romance with Henri. Chaos and danger confront him at every turn, even as he searches for love and belonging. A new sail on the horizon may signal hope or more danger than ever before—if Alexander can survive to meet his future.

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

Summary: Can We Love More Than One Person? Juan Diego has loved Nicholas for a lot longer than Nicholas has loved Oliver. At one time, Nicholas appreciated Juan Diego’s love, but today, Nicholas is solely focused on loving Oliver and hoping that Oliver will love him back. Can Nicholas endure the wake of violence Juan Diego leaves behind trying to get Nicholas to love him back? Maybe, but the real question is, can Oliver? The twisted love triangle in The Shadow of Death continues the murderous love story of Nicholas and Oliver as they continue the struggles of defining their relationship. In the middle of it all is Juan Diego and a whole cast of characters who make it more and more difficult for Oliver and Nicholas to be together. In the end, Oliver has to decide if he will be played or if he will play the game like Nicholas and Juan Diego do. Either way, Oliver will end up with blood on his hands and he needs to decide whether he likes blood on his hands or if he prefers to stay in the shadows. And just when Nicholas and Oliver think they finally have their relationship figured out, someone new appears and changes everything.

Word Count: Click here to reveal62000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: James Vicksburg should be happy that he's finally achieved acting success on Broadway, but his conservative senator father controls what he can do and who he can love. When James's baseball idol, Mike Cooper, meets him backstage after his show, the mutual attraction is palpable. The two begin what they think is a secret affair, but James quickly learns that nothing stays hidden from his vindictive father for long. James is torn between his growing love for Mike and his desire to protect him from his father. What he doesn't realize is that Mike has his own plan to fight for James's happiness, even if it means losing each other.

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

Summary: Could you love a killer? After spending a decade stalking Oliver, Nicholas finally gets to be with his one true love. Unfortunately for Nicholas, he discovers that he may need to choose between his love for Oliver and his lust for murder. Before Nicholas can choose, many more innocent lives are lost, not all of them killed by Nicholas. Can Nicholas solve the mystery before it is too late? For The Love of Death continues the murderous love story between brothers Nicholas and Oliver and the violence surrounding them as they struggle to build and maintain their relationship. Wil their love survive or be slaughtered by the man stalking Nicholas? Juan Diego has been stalking Nicholas for a lot longer than Nicholas has been stalking Oliver. They both lived in the shadows for too long. With Nicholas now exposed, it is only a matter of time before Juan Diego shows how many people he is willing to kill so he can be with Nicholas. Can this love triangle survive the wake of violence?

Word Count: Click here to reveal72,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Westing House stood as a testament to the passage of time. Nestled in a quiet, overgrown garden, its once-stately facade bore scars of age. Faded paint peeled off in delicate layers, revealing weathered wood beneath. The roof, adorned with timeworn shingles, was pitted and sunken from years of elemental exposure. For Alex, Westing House represents a new beginning. Eighteen years old and fresh from a cruel and uncaring foster system, he’s suffered plenty of setbacks in his short life. But a job as the caretaker for a dilapidated historic house is the perfect opportunity for him to start anew. To get some money in his pocket and have a place to call his own, even if it’s just for a year. His tentative hopefulness is shattered by the arrival of several creepy messages and presents from someone who signs themselves only as “X.” This person knows everything about Alex, and they want it all—all his deepest, darkest secrets. His body. His heart. When the messages shift from uncomfortably romantic to menacing, where will Alex turn? He’s lucky to have Gabe in his life. A tall, handsome firefighter with the Emberford FD, he sweeps into Alex’s world just in time to catch wind of the monster that haunts Westing House. Gabe is strong, brave, and fiercely protective. But it may be the case that even Gabe can’t save Alex from the entity that wants Alex all to themselves… on pain of death. Will Gabe be able to save Alex from the faceless evil that pursues him? Or will their love go up in flames, along with Alex’s sanity? THOSE WHO FAVOR FIRE is a terrifying dark romance with adult themes. Readers should be warned of scenes containing graphic violence and peril. Discretion is advised.

Word Count: Click here to reveal134000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Clyde’s idyllic afternoon in the surf with his mates is interrupted by the news that there’s been a quadruple suicide in an apartment overlooking the beach. Two of the deceased are the parents of Barry Wilkinson, one of Clyde’s childhood friends, a man he hasn’t seen since Clyde donned the khaki and left for war. Wilkinson engages Clyde to discover the identity of a mysterious woman who has been left a huge sum of money in his father’s will. On the surface, what appears to be a straightforward case evolves into a complex story of deception, lies, violence and murder. Relationships are tested, new ones formed and Clyde discovers that those connections that seem unrelated are closely linked behind a veil of secrecy. The early summer of 1957 is a time in which Clyde nearly loses everything he holds dear—his own life included—all because of two couples who died while playing bridge at the beach.

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

Summary: Nicholas grows up without a mother and eventually learns the truth about his biological father, which helps him make sense of his own struggles with love, and his thirst for death. Oliver grows up living a charmed life, clueless about the dysfunction of his own family. Nicholas and Oliver's lives are intertwined, and their paths intersect more and more as Nicholas destroys everything that comes between him and his one true love. Oliver struggles with his sexual identity and finds himself falling in love with the wrong guys. His rollercoaster of sexual escapades has him questioning everything and everyone as he comes to terms with who he truly loves. The ultimate question he faces is who will be "the one." The Garden of Death is the story about two boys who grow up wrestling with their identities. While they share a father, they each cope with life differently, and in the end, they both discover that love was right in front of them the entire time.

Word Count: Click here to reveal100000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: When the eligible Eddy Hawkstone enlists Jack Merrit's services to recover a stolen book, it seems like a straightforward task. However, the clues lead Jack into the turbulent world of the music hall, where he uncovers the unnerving tale of his father's death at the feet of Marie Lloyd. Desperate to prove himself to his mentor, Jimmy Wright, Jack finds himself entangled in a web of sexual temptation, loyalty, and fraternal bonds, all while grappling with his emotions for Larkin Chase. To triumph, Jack must confront the shadows of his past and embrace the realities of the present. The path is fraught with danger and self-discovery and leads him to a twisting theatrical climax worthy of a melodrama. Follow the Van is the third book in the Delamere Files series. The books should be read in order.

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

Summary: Since Bran Tanda started working at the morgue, his life has changed. He’s spent most of his life denying his necromancer abilities, but now he knows there’s no other choice but to embrace it and learn as much as he can about it. No matter how much he hates it. Jordan Amid is becoming more comfortable being around the dead. But they still overwhelm him and terrify him. The coldness and the heavy emotions he associates with being near a spirit are nearly too much for him to take. But for Bran, he’ll try. Bran and Jordan soon realize there is more going on than they understand, and even Janis isn’t sure how to handle what she knows is coming for them. Mysterious markings continue to appear and unless they can learn more from the journals Bran finds at his house, there may be no hope for anyone.

Word Count: Click here to reveal80000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: It’s been months since Seth Byrne’s boyfriend ghosted him. Seth is still angry, but he’s worried too, because when Andrew Keller disappeared, he completely disappeared. Disconnected phone. Empty apartment. Abrupt departure from his job. Gone. Until tonight. Just as Seth is beginning to move on, Andrew shows up at his door with a story so wild it has to be fake… except he’s armed with a stack of evidence proving he’s telling the truth. And the truth is that everything Seth knew about Andrew is a lie. Detective Brandon Gaines was supposed to be Andrew Keller for the rest of his life. After being marked for death by the white supremacist cops he tried to bring down, he was put into witness protection. When a chain of events returns him to his old identity, Brandon doesn’t know who he is anymore. Now he’s caught between two identities that don’t fit, and nothing in his world makes sense… except the way he feels about the man he left behind. Is it even possible to rekindle their relationship when Seth knows nothing about Brandon? He understands why Brandon had to lie, but that doesn’t change the fact that the man in front of him is a stranger. Where do they even start? But as they struggle to bridge the gap between them, they may have much bigger problems. Because there are people who do know who Brandon is. And they haven’t forgotten why they drove him into witness protection in the first place. The Truth in My Lies is a standalone gay romantic suspense novel.