Books Tagged With format - short stories

Word Count: Click here to reveal18,700 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Fenris Svensen Ever since childhood, embarrassing blunder after awkward goof up was the way of life for me. But on a hot, humid summer day in 2017, one of my faux pas led me to the man of my dreams. To celebrate our fourth anniversary as a committed couple, I took my Swarthy Prince camping to the place where we had our first date. A freak storm ruins my plans, and we must cut our getaway short. Avoiding the huge mud puddles and navigating the slippery ground in our SUV made fleeing the campsite difficult. A sudden lightning strike blinds us, and a swirling vortex sucks us down into the ground. Jaxon Balfour Having countless nicknames dumped on me throughout my life because of my scrawny build and my interracial parents molded me into a very sensitive individual. My former boyfriends left me with the “it’s not you, it’s me” cliché. The day Fenris Svensen spilled a smoothie on my shirt, I knew he was the perfect man for me. His apology and embarrassment couldn’t have been more adorable. Four short months after our meeting, my gorgeous Norseman and I shared a home. Now we’re preparing to celebrate our fourth anniversary together. I loved the creative ways my lover’s mind worked, and our fourth anniversary was no different. But when our romantic getaway became more of a nightmare, we had to put our love to the ultimate test. When we woke from our hazardous ordeal, we found ourselves in a lavish hotel suite Fen didn’t recall booking. What’s more, I was topping Fen; something I never did before with much proficiency. Questions arise in our minds when several oddities — the excessive pink color scheme, our peculiar host, the lack of other guests — appear. By pure chance, Fen and I discover the truth of our surroundings and instead of enjoying our camping trip and our love, we’re stuck seeking ways to outwit an alien race set on conquering Earth. Unsure if we’ll survive to celebrate our fifth anniversary, I pray victory will be on our side and none of Fen’s endearing fumbles occur to make a mess of things. Can we escape this horrendous hell, or will we perish in our brave attempt? WARNING: This book contains thoughts of suicide, which may trigger some readers.

Word Count: Click here to reveal59337 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The Brimstone. Demon owned and—mostly—demon operated. Shax, an exiled prince of Hell, has gathered only the best misfits for his motley crew. You've been with us from the rescue of a runaway angel in a psychedelic nightmare jungle to the house that Poe built. Now share some in-between moments with the Brimstone crew – flash fiction snippets plucked from various spots in each personal timeline, from Shax and Verin's youth in Hell to after the events of Beside a Black Tarn. The Brimstone Journals, Collection Two also includes an exclusive short story, never published as part of the blog series. Leopold meets his formidable grandmama, much to his father's dismay.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: (This is a short story! It can be read as a standalone but is part of a series) Darius Wilder is a vampire of royal blood. His father is one of the most powerful vampires around. After being ostracized for being gay he’s currently on the run from those that would hunt him. Phantom Creek has become his safe haven. The mortuary; his new home, and the people that work there; his new family. Romance hasn’t come easy for him and with each failed relationship he prays a little harder that fate will give him a mate of his own. Jirga is a demon bounty hunter. He’s the last person you want hunting you down. When Aristotle Wilder hires him to find his son and bring him home Jirga thinks it’ll be a simple snatch and grab. Only, he runs into a little snag when executing the job he was sent to do. Darius longs for his fated mate, not just for the companionship but also so he can gain the full power of his royal blood. Jirga just wants to finish his job and move on but Darius complicates that. Will these two be able to work things out and fight the enemy in front of them or will Darius’ father win? (Warning: Contains sexual content, Man on Man action, and explicit language. Not recommended for those under the age of 18.)

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: Information not available

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

Summary: (This is a short story! It can be read as a standalone but is part of a series) Gideon Gray is a venomous snake shifter. Born as the first son to an Alpha pair he’s been raised to takeover when his father retires. However, being Alpha isn’t what he wants. Gideon owns a mortuary and would rather live his life working with his friends than become someone else’s puppet. His parents won’t give up easily and with every blind date and matchmaking scheme Gideon’s resolve weakens. Ethan Tod is the Egyptian god Anubis. He’s never expected to find a fated mate. When the Fates themselves drop in on him for a visit he doesn’t say no to what they’re proposing. All it takes is a phone call and he’s leaving his homeland to find the mate he’s suddenly paired with. These two men have a date with destiny now that Fate has intervened and nothing will stand in the way. The journey ahead won’t be all hearts and flowers but with a mating blessed by the Fates these two will be able to handle anything. (Warning: Contains sexual content, Man on Man action, Mpreg and explicit language. Not recommended for those under the age of 18.)

Word Count: Click here to reveal87000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Can a farmer still love the man who stole his horse, and broke his heart? What kind of relationship begins with a passive-aggressive bottle of wine? How's life treating Mac and Tony of Life Lessons, ten years later? Thirty short stories, ranging from flash fiction to 10,000 words, bring laughter and tears, triumph and heartbreak, and the quiet moments in between. And love, always love. Do you have ten minutes, or an hour, to spend with a story? Check out this collection, filled with a wide range of contemporary, paranormal, and fantasy stories to feed the gay-romance-loving soul. (Stories in this collection were originally published on Kaje's Facebook group.)

Word Count: Click here to reveal500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: An Award-Winning, Coming-of-Age Flash Fiction Set in Historical Scotland. Prequel to His Captain. "Eddie is determined to become Scotland’s most respected solicitor. If only he can stop dreaming about the handsome lad in front of him and concentrate on this blasted class. Can he navigate the path of his ambition and the stirrings of his heart? “Stephanie Lake gives us appealing characters, fun storylines, and crisp prose. I especially enjoy the skill she uses with her historical settings. Her stories are perfect when I need an escape from the here and now.” – Kim Fielding, Award-winning author of The Bureau series. “Bold, sensual historical settings that immerse you in the experience and characters that bring the past startlingly to life.” – Amy Lane, award-winning author of Fish out of Water series."

Word Count: Click here to reveal11500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Jey awakens to find himself in the care of a handsome stranger - a cheff from one of the mouuntain tribes, enemies of his own people. Afraid for his life, Jey has no choice but to let the man take care of him and his broken leg. Avain is on his Aud'ling - his coming-of-age test that requires him to spend a couple months alone, away from his own people. When he finds the steader trapped under his aur with a broken leg, he knows he has to help. But not being allowed to speak during his test makes things... difficult. The two of them will have to come to an understanding if they're not going to kill one another. And Avain has a secret to share with Jey, one that that will change his life forever.

Word Count: Click here to reveal18600 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: “Your Path is muddy, Kelnaht, but don’t think avoiding the puddles will make it easier to travel.” Kelnaht, a cloud elf, is a truth seeker caught between love and faith when a murder committed ten days before Solstice reveals an illicit affair between two tree elves he desires more than he can admit. Kelnaht’s former lover Ianys once betrayed him, and the shunned forester Taruif is not allowed to talk to anyone but the guide, their spiritual pathfinder. When Taruif turns out to be the only witness to the crime, Kelnaht must suppress his forbidden feelings or face the ire of the elders. Ianys is terrified the tribe will blame Taruif for the crime, and despite their painful history, Kelnaht tries to keep his impulsive ex-lover from sacrificing his freedom for an impossible love. If Taruif and Ianys’ affair becomes known, Ianys will lose his daughter. Kelnaht finds himself yearning to claim both Taruif and Ianys at the coming Solstice and turns to the guide, who gives him only cryptic advice. It is up to Kelnaht to prove Taruif’s innocence and find a path free of puddles and mud for all three of them. This is the single ebook release of the first Act of A Triad in Three Acts

Word Count: Click here to reveal8332 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Ian Groden loves his life. He's happily married to the most wonderful man in the world. His career as the CEO of a thriving family business is right on track. He's got it all. Ian is a man with a secret, however. He appears in control, but in reality, he'd rather let go and put his longings and physical pleasure in the hands of another. Being a submissive is utterly tantalizing and allows Ian to live out his every sexual whim without reservation or guilt. Taren Murdoch is the man who fulfills Ian's needs. He's Ian's husband, Dom, and protector. It's Taren who doles out the pain Ian craves. There's another side to that coin and that is to ensure the pain is never too much for Ian. Taren turns Ian's pain into pleasure, a job that sometimes takes planning and creativity. Ian and Taren have taken a break from their everyday lives and are enjoying a trip where they can indulge in their fantasies. It's rare Ian has the freedom to spend day and night submitting to Taren. Will Taren be able to make sure he and Ian enjoy this dream vacation as much as they hope?

Word Count: Click here to reveal13,300 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Information not available

Summary: England, 1834. On the night of a harvest moon, in the shadows of late autumn, Malcolm comes across a quaint village tucked away in the forest. It seems the perfect spot for a weary traveller to lay his head, and maybe find a little company. But there is dark magic afoot, and lots of local gossip swirls around the seductive titian-haired weaver, Daniel. All Malcolm seeks is a night's pleasure. He never suspected he would have to worry about losing his life. Or his heart. This novelette is about 13,000 words in length and the first entry in the Darkly Enchanted Romance Series.

Word Count: Click here to reveal24000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Aithusa Erendale is a hybrid. Half demon, half wolf shifter. With two different spirits living within him he’s a bit like Jeckyll and Hyde. After suffering harsh rejection thirty years before, Aithusa buries his wolf side in a bid to protect that part of him from further harm. A second chance at happiness puts him at a crossroads, take the leap and risk rejection once again or walk away and never know. Brant Poshmire is a wolf shifter. After losing his father over a year ago, he’s tasked with delivering a letter to a man his father never mentioned. Conflicted, Brant wonders why it’s so important but as the letter was part of his father’s last will and testament he has to make sure it reaches it’s destination. He doesn’t expect to find his fated mate. The cold shoulder he receives from said mate is also unexpected. Aithusa has to overcome his demons if he wants a chance at happiness. Brant has to make a decision; let his mate push him away or stay and fight for the loving relationship he knows they can have. Will these two win their battles for a chance at happiness and love or will they lose and watch it all come down around them? (Warning: Contains sexual content, BDSM, Man on Man action, and explicit language. Not recommended for those under the age of 18.)

Word Count: Click here to reveal25000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Russell Pine goes to the café every morning to enjoy his  time chatting with Sam Tesh, the café  owner, a friend made over the past twenty years. So when Sam asks a favor, Russ reluctantly agrees to play in a chess tournament. But the contest isn’t the real challenge: Russ finds himself the focus of a secret courtship in words and pictures left for him to discover each morning, leading him to the question: In a café full of young and beautiful minds, who is looking at the graying chessmaster? The first edition of this novella was published in June 2013 as part of Make a Play, the Daily Dose anthology at Dreamspinner Press. This is the expanded second edition.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Martin adores his fiancé. The handsome figment of his imagination shields him from the unwanted attentions of his creepy team lead. Until a work party forces Martin to either admit the truth or produce a fiancé out of a hat. In a panic, he arranges for a blind date to be his fake fiancé for the night. When he finds him at the bar, the rugged man is perfect. Warner is charmed by the adorable stranger who introduces him as a fiancé to the entire tavern. He plays along until they leave the party and he has to admit he isn’t the blind date sent by Martin’s friend. Warner’s friendship with Martin’s boss means they need to continue the charade. But is it really a charade? Because he wants Martin for much more than a fake relationship.

Word Count: Click here to reveal14,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Noah's winter holiday seasons tend to be busy but uneventful. Most of his time is spent running his mildly magical gift shop and trying not to obsess over Robin, his much too appealing seasonal employee. When Robin bursts into the back room of the shop to tell him that something is wrong with the mistletoe, Noah realizes this year is going to be a bit more interesting. But it's fine. All he has to do is retrieve all the spelled mistletoe before it causes kiss-filled chaos all over town while keeping his hands—and lips—off Robin. Simple, right? No problem at all.

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Dimitri Sullivan is The Mortician at the Phantom Creek Mortuary. He’s the go to guy when it comes to preparing a body for burial. No one can do the job like he can. Even the worst of injuries don’t faze him. You name it he can fix it. He’s a miracle worker. However, when it comes to romance people tend to run from him screaming. Being a Komodo dragon shifter just doesn’t do it for them. Mufasa “Miles” Deidrick is your average lion shifter and a closeted gay man. When his sister dies unexpectedly his parents are too distraught to make the funeral arrangements, leaving the job to him. He doesn’t expect to find his mate. Now, he’s faced with a situation he has to come to terms with. One being that his mate is a man and the other? He has to come out to his parents. Procrastination won’t help him this time instead it may only hurt him. (Warning: Contains sexual content, Man on Man action, and explicit language not suitable for those under the age of 18.)

Word Count: Click here to reveal8285 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Christmas joy is a matter of perspective. For some, it’s the happiest time of the year. For others, not so much. Twenty-nine-year-old Mick, the son of crack addicts, isn’t exactly a dyed-in-the-wool Scrooge. Mick’s been on his own from childhood. As a teen, he lived in a shelter, where for a short time he had a boyfriend. After the boyfriend left, Mick moved to the Orpheum Theater. While squatting there and taking care of the grand old building, Mick watched others celebrate the holidays from a distance, never able to share in their merriment. Only his Technicolor dreams liven his dull, mechanical life until one day the world around him begins to change. Mick is surprised when a man named Jim buys the vintage Orpheum and plans to restore it. Something about Jim makes Mick think they’ve met before. In fact, Jim rekindles Mick’s longing for a better life and a little holiday magic for himself.

Rainbow Award Honorable Mention book 2017.

Word Count: Click here to reveal12981 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: When software engineer Keith Trainor decides to start his own company, he knows exactly who he wants as his partner: Parker Mulvaney, his best friend from high school. But in the ten years since graduation, their contact has dwindled to nothing, and it’s all Keith’s fault. If he hadn’t tried to kiss Parker under the mistletoe at the winter formal their senior year, Parker wouldn’t have bolted. At their ten-year reunion, Keith intends to do everything in his geeky power to make amends. Parker should have known that scheduling the reunion the day before Christmas Eve was a recipe for a headache of monster proportions. But when Keith sends a text that he’ll be attending, the evening doesn’t look so bleak. Can an unnecessary makeover, a nostalgic breakfast, an abortive shopping trip, and dance invitations with only a 50 percent success rate culminate in a long-overdue first kiss? The Probability of Mistletoe is a short and sweet opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers, second-chance rom-com featuring an awkward geek on a mission, a determined extrovert with a plan, interfering female relatives of various sizes, and a statistically improbable amount of mistletoe.

Word Count: Click here to reveal40000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Struck by amnesia after a car crash, Brian Stouten has been living a life laid out by his family, a heterosexual life that just doesn’t fit. When he learns it was all a lie, he returns to the small college town that’s his only clue to his past. But the town is still unfamiliar, and the man he’d hoped would make all his memories return is on a honeymoon with another man. To add insult to injury, everyone thinks Brian died in the crash. It’s only when an out-of-place cowboy asks to bum a smoke that Brian realizes this trip was meant to be. Sylvester Thomas has always fought a secret desire, and done it successfully. But when geeky Brian offers him a smoke and a light, a simple brush of hands has Sylvester’s hidden passions burning deep. Did he make a mistake letting Brian walk away?

Word Count: Click here to reveal13816 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: I have a Santa emergency and I desperately need your help. Sigge isn’t exactly a grinch when it comes to Christmas, but he’s not a fan of the holiday either. So when his new neighbor Kristian shows up in a panic, begging him to help by donning a Santa suit, Sigge’s gut reaction is to say no. But Kristian is cute and funny, rendering Sigge powerless against his heartfelt plea—especially after a promise of spending more time together—so he agrees. The instant connection deepens as they share mulled wine and conversation as easy as breathing. But is it just holiday magic swirling in the air, or is it something real? Something that will last into the new year and beyond?