Books Tagged With what - holiday - christmas

Word Count: Click here to reveal43000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Three of E.J. Russell’s short and sweet opposites-attract holiday rom-coms together in one collection! The Probability of Mistletoe 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. 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? An Everyday Hero A fish-out-of-water geek (who still manages to get a bit soggy), a stand-up blue-collar guy (who can't see his own worth), unexpected additions to the holiday festivities (some less welcome than others), and more than one serious discussion about the true meaning of the word hero. When Adam Tyler's sister announced she was pregnant, Adam decided to move from Portland, Oregon, to Phoenix, Arizona, to fully embrace the uncle experience. However, he didn't count on the move being delayed until three days before Christmas--and three days before his sister's due date. And he definitely didn't count on finding a scorpion in his bedroom. Cue the panicked calls to exterminators. Garrett Strong doesn't consider himself at all remarkable--his ex certainly didn't think so--and Garrett's pest-control business is circling the drain. Although Adam is his first new client in months, that isn't the only reason Garrett goes above and beyond for him. He feels a real connection to the younger man and intends to do everything in his power to make sure Adam feels safe and welcome in Phoenix--venomous intruders notwithstanding. A Swants Soiree Crafting catastrophes, suggestive sweaters, and an awkward introvert who meets his extroverted match. 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?

Word Count: Click here to reveal65000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: It’s recent college graduate Zach Greenfeld’s favorite time of the year and he’s just received a temporary gig planning Lighthouse Bay’s Christmas parade. Not only does it speak to his penchant for organization, it also puts him face to face on a daily basis with his unrequited crush—Holland Stone. But his new job starts off in disaster when the most important float—Santa’s sleigh—gets damaged. Holland needs to win the Lighthouse Bay Christmas parade float competition in order to grow his new dollhouse-making business. The prize is an article in a major city newspaper, and nothing beats free advertising. Except, eager to help the adorable parade organizer, he volunteers to help fix Santa’s sleigh, leaving no time to work on his own float, and putting his prize at risk. Damaged floats, snowstorms, and a last-minute parade emergency force Zach and Holland closer than ever. All they need is a little bit of Christmas magic to help them realize they belong together. Christmas Lane is a sweet, May/December, small-town Christmas romance with an HEA!

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

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

Summary:

All I want this Christmas is alone time with you

Eli and Cameron have plans to spend Christmas Day with Eli’s family, but their enthusiasm is seriously lacking. They moved into their house in Podlington only two months earlier and, given the choice, they’d rather celebrate the holiday in private and create memories on their own. Too polite to cancel the get-together, Eli and Cameron don’t mention their reluctance to each other. Their selflessness doesn’t stop either of them from secretly wishing for a reason to stay in their new home for the day, though. Will Podlington’s magic grant them another wish, or are they about to celebrate the Christmas they don’t really want? Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true. This LGBTQ+ Christmas story is part of the Podlington Village Romance series and can be read as a standalone novel. Christmas Perfect features Eli and Cameron from Picture Perfect, a lot of snow, and dreams coming true. 14k words

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

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

Summary: Henry knows what he likes—and what he doesn't.  He likes Christmas far more than one is supposed to, and gets started with his decorations far sooner, too.  He likes quiet days, and he gets annoyed with his coworkers and their idea of humor.  Unfortunately, he also likes Alfie—short, chipper, insecure Alfie. Having  a crush on a coworker is not ideal.  But Alfie is now seeking him out, spending time with him, and...wanting to be his friend?  Henry knows better than to get his hopes up, but his days are certainly brightened by Alfie's presence. Alfie's life is messier than Henry's, even though most people consider him more normal.  He really needs a friend right now.  And possibly something more than a friend?   Heat: very low

Word Count: Click here to reveal31000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Valet Chris MacCullan knows better than to fall in love with someone at a Christmas house party, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of fun. Even with the shy, sweet son of the housekeeper, as long as he’s careful not to do anything that will hurt the fellow later. But as he gets to know his new friend, can he protect his own heart? a holiday themed, Regency, gay ( m/m ) romance, 31,000 words approx 125 pages

Word Count: Click here to reveal18,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: FIRST TIME IN PRINT Johnny Lee Capstone never thinks about settling down. As the owner and proprietor of Capstone’s Dude Ranch, he tends to lust after the men who book vacation to his resort in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Sexy, insatiable, he focuses his attention on one man to feed his urgent needs. But something is about to change as he approaches his 40th birthday, which coincidentally falls on Christmas Day. From December 1st until the 25th Johnny Lee decides to take a sabbatical from hid desires--if he can. It’s a chance for him to reexamine his life as a new year nears. Someone else has something else in mind, a challenge that Johnny Lee finds confounding…and intriguing. It’s the first day of the holiday season when that initial package arrives, with the simple phrase stating, “Just the Advent.” A beginning. Each day another missive arrives. What does Johnny Lee do with this information, this tease? Who is sending them, and why? Is it the fact he’s hitting a new decade giving him a reason to rethink the way he lives his life? Is the sexuality that he thrives on about to alter him? Maybe, he’ll find a future. Beyond the physical; could Johnny Lee Capstone actually make love to a man?

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: Maverick “Mackey” Keyes keeps the rodeo cowboys safe on his watch and he knows how to make his bullfighting team walk the line. He might be starting to feel his years, but he’s a pro, and he’s not afraid of anything that might happen on the arena floor. Sidney Scott knows how to go with the flow, so when his dream job passes him by, he grabs the chance to work the bull riding circuit as a TV producer. He’s going to do the job right, traveling with the show, even if he hears some rumbling from the riders. Mackey and Sid butt heads more than once, but when it really counts, they manage to get on the same page. When Mackey is injured, Sid steps up to help, and things take a far more personal turn. They might have been able to ignore the growing attraction between them at work, but a long road trip over the Christmas holiday and time away from the other cowboys lets them find something together that neither of them expect, but both of them need. Cowboy Protection is an opposites attract, rodeo romance featuring a bullfighter and a corporate suit, with a side of holiday magic.

Word Count: Click here to reveal39000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealAce, Aromantic, Gay (Click here to hide)

Summary: Frost scion, Jacob Serac, recognizes something is wrong in his relationship with his crystal partner, Devyn Risher. Things go wrong when he abducts Devyn for a weekend getaway. After contacting a reindeer agent from the Cheimon Patrol Division, the situation darkens and alerts to even more problems. The truth emerges along with adventures, mishaps, and chaos. Jacob, Devyn, and the Cheimon try to save their home and lives from the looming dark magic disaster. Can all this happen during Winter Solstice? It’s the highlight of the North Pole Dimension’s year. Can Jacob and Devyn heal their relationship and seal the cracks in Jacob’s crystal heart?

Word Count: Click here to reveal68000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: James Morgan, lead guitarist for the rock band Eden, seems to have it all. That is, until Theo, Eden’s lead singer and James’s secret lover, violently betrays him, sending James into a deep depression and cutting their current tour and the band’s life short. Kieran Jackson, the lead vocalist for the less successful band Lost and Found, is at his wits’ end. At thirty-three, he never dreamed he’d still be opening for bands comprised of twentysomethings. When Eden pulls out of the last few shows of their summer tour, Kieran returns home burned out and heartbroken. Over a year later, James, Phil, and David of Eden decide to reform under a different name with Kieran as their new vocalist. James, never having forgotten his single interaction with Kieran, nor the only time he ever listened to him perform, knows Kieran’s the best choice. James is still closeted—and skittish after his last relationship—and one fumbling, drunken kiss threatens to undo everything he’s worked so hard to rebuild, as well as the cover he’s fought to maintain. Can James overcome his past, confront his demons, and reclaim his former fame? Or will he and the newly formed True North remain in Eden’s shadow forever? Can he finally find comfort in who he is, accept his past, and reopen his heart? Or will the memories of Theo’s betrayal and the subsequent fallout dash any hope of finding—and trusting—love again? Trigger warning: this book contains explicit rape, as well as one failed suicide attempt by a main character.

Word Count: Click here to reveal5200 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Oliver volunteers for Crisis at Christmas to help the homeless. The last thing he expects is that he'll meet someone.

Word Count: Click here to reveal50000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: With time running out, can Tobias and Malik find a way to be together forever or are they destined for a lonely Christmas? Tobias Prince was only in the park to help set for the town’s Winter holiday decorations. He didn’t mean to hide away in cedar hedges. He certainly didn’t expect to run into an alien cyborg. But when Malik the cyborg followed him home, he accepted it. What else does one do when an alien follows them? Malik Io’s only hope for returning to the stars is to find a resident of the planet and pray they’re willing to help. When he meets Tobias, he’s struck by the young man’s bravado and innate kindness. He wants to be a part of Tobias’s life and he hopes that he can do the same for Tobias. With Christmas baking, Light Up nights and parades, Malik and Tobias slowly fall in love during the holiday season, even though they both know their time together is limited. Can they find a way to be together or will this be one last holiday fling?

Word Count: Click here to reveal49000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: 35. Newly divorced. Single dad. Jack Reynolds never thought he’d be wading back into the dating pool at this point in his life. To brave the singles scene, Jack decides he needs to lose his dad bod in favor of something a little more cut. And getting back into shape is a lot easier with the help of his new friend, Corbin Barnes. But then, Corbin just has a way of making everything easier and fun. Even with his family drama, Corbin keeps Jack laughing with his amazing sense of humor and those sexy smiles. Whoa…wait a minute! Sexy smiles? Yeah, Jack can’t deny it. Corbin is a very sexy man. Jack treasures his friendship with Corbin, but is he willing to risk it to take a chance on something that could everything he dreamed of…with a guy? A very sexy, sweet, younger guy. Jack might need a little Christmas magic to figure this one out and still get his happily ever after. Defrosting Jack is a standalone MM holiday novella that has two cute kids, a meddling younger brother, a disapproving father, a sexy nun, a sprinkling of Christmas magic, and dirty fun with dessert.

Word Count: Click here to reveal5618 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Gavin and Matthew just want to get home to enjoy Christmas Eve in their safe, warm apartment. Should they walk or take a cab? But will either option do the trick when Victor, suffering from his holiday blahs, is determined to undermine this happy twosome at every turn? Years ago, Victor made the unfortunate mistake of coming out to his family on Christmas. Why couldn’t he have picked a random summer day? Can Victor’s husband Bryan pull him out of his gloomy mood in order to give the popular Gavin and Matthew the merry Christmas they deserve? Keywords: writer with holiday blahs/blues killing off characters...or not, Christmas, fun sweaters, short story, supportive family

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: It's another Christmas alone in Atlanta, and Alvin is starting to reevaluate his life choices. Moving back to Atlanta, his current job, they were meant to be part of a temporary stopping point to deal with some family issues. But now, five years later, he's still here. In the midst of this inner turmoil, Alvin's world is shaken when an unexpected visitor comes to stay at the hotel in which he works. His childhood friend Tim, now known as world famous R&B singer Tee Mills, is visiting for the holiday. Is this a fated chance to rekindle the first love of his life? Or have their paths diverged so much that they can never reconnect? Alvin wants to know, but isn't sure he's brave enough to find out. Before the night ends, however, he'll have his answer - if Tee Mills has anything to say about it.

Word Count: Click here to reveal72000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Izaak Calloway is young, carefree, and ambitious. He has everything a young gay man could want: the love and support of his family, a promising career with the money to match, and his own place and a fancy new car. And, when it comes to sex – he is an expert in that field. The one thing Izaak knew how to do is pull a man and he isn’t ashamed of his many adventurous sexcapades. While sleeping around with “trade” is fun, Izaak wants something more profound. He wants a meaningful relationship. Late one night while Izaak was out eating, he saw the man who would forever change his life. A chance encounter with that same guy, DeMarkkis, a few weeks later would help set the stage for a romantic rendezvous between the pair. To Izaak, outwardly, DeMarkkis “Squirrel” Sanders is the perfect man and lover. And while DeMarkkis only has eyes for Izaak, his past raised some questions. Will DeMarkkis ever be able to escape those old demons, or would they eventually find its way into their new relationship? Join Izaak and DeMarkkis on the first part of this two-book adventure as they test the waters of a young, burgeoning relationship. Will DeMarkkis be Izaak’s knight in shining armor, or will external factors cause this relationship to go up in flames?

Word Count: Click here to reveal47000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: At eighteen, Donnie Kagan's plans for graduation, and maybe even college, were derailed by a beer, a stoplight, and a fatal crash. Now he's twenty-four, out of prison, and bitterly determined to start over. But with the holidays approaching, he can't resist a quick trip home to Tallbridge, North Dakota, and the man he left behind. Just a fast look, to make sure Adam's doing all right, before Donnie starts his new life. He doesn't plan to stay. Adam Lindberg's been waiting six years to get closure with Donnie. He missed that chance after the accident, fighting for his life in a hospital bed as Donnie pled guilty and disappeared into the justice system. Without so much as a letter back from Donnie in all this time, Adam's tried to move on. And yet, he never found another guy he cared about the same way. So when Donnie shows up in Tallbridge, Adam's ready to fight for more than three words of goodbye. Of course, Adam's brother and dad don't want Donnie to stick around, but it's the busy Christmas season at the family store. If Adam asks for Donnie's help, maybe he'll stay long enough to finally talk about the future, and the past.

Word Count: Click here to reveal7500 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: With one month to go before the neighborhood bookshop closes, temporary manager Evan is mostly concerned with balancing the needs of owner and customers. He’s delighted to meet novelist Simon, who drops in after finishing a book tour. They instantly connect. As Christmas approaches, Evan and Simon become friends, then lovers. They meet friends and family, beginning to think about a possible future together. New Year’s Eve is the bookshop’s last day. Will the next day be the start of that future?

Word Count: Click here to reveal125000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary:

Word Count: Click here to reveal27,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Simply a story of how love happens, even in the bleak midwinter. Seattle sparkles with snow that stayed, and Pike Place Market vibrates with color and starry-eyed shoppers. Beck Justice adds music to the mix, but he doesn’t believe in holiday joy—not until Oleg Abramov joins his ethereal voice to the intricate weavings of Beck’s guitar. While Oleg and his large, loving family brighten Beck’s bleak winter mood, Oleg thinks Beck could be the man to fill the void that nevertheless remains in his life. The two men step out on a path toward love, but it proves as slippery as Seattle’s icy streets. Light and harmony are within reach, but only if they choose to believe, risk their hearts, and trust.

Word Count: Click here to reveal101,946 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A "what if" tale set in the Spy vs. Spook/Mann of My Dreams universe! Kyle Winchester is a genius when it comes to foreign languages. He has no trouble learning them and often picks up dialects simply for fun. This makes him an ideal candidate for certain agencies in the intelligence community, most notably the CIA and the WBIS. While these two agencies fight it out between them, all an unknowing Kyle wants to do is discover more about the mysterious Frenchman he met while in New York -- and possibly fall in love with him. Alain Boucher, a championship-level card player, discovers playing cards with the wrong man could get him imprisoned and deported. As a result, he’s pressured into doing the occasional job for the CIA. One of these jobs is to convince -- by any means -- a certain young man that becoming a member of the CIA is exactly what his future should hold. The problem is Alain has come to like Kyle, and he isn’t so certain what the CIA wants is what’s best for the young man. However, events beyond his control see Kyle agreeing to work for the Company. The reality of his new job isn’t as rosy as Kyle was promised, but when a covert operative is outed, leaving her assets to fend for themselves, Kyle has to make a decision: stay with an organization that seems to have no regard for its people, or resign. Things become even more complicated when he’s offered a position at the WBIS by the enigmatic Mark Vincent. Kyle has to wonder ... should he accept this job? And if he does, how will that affect his relationship with Alain, the man who’d set out to woo him for ulterior motives but then wound up falling in love with him?