Books Tagged With potential trigger - traumatic past

Word Count: Click here to reveal92000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Riding the unexpected success of his video channel for as long as it holds out, reluctant influencer Marcus Holloway is on a road trip to find the best pizza in each state. It’s a solitary journey, but he has his dog and kitten for company. What more could he need? When he interrupts another influencer trying to exploit a homeless person for clout, though, he finds himself on a most unexpected detour. Blake Wyatt is already down on his luck, living out of his car a thousand miles from anything he might call home. And it only gets worse when someone steals the car. The obnoxious jerk with the camera is just more humiliation. Then a softspoken savior intervenes… and turns Blake’s world on its head. Now they’re riding together, and as the miles fly by, both men realize how badly they’ve longed for connection and companionship. Blake adores Marcus’s kindness and his laidback vibe. Marcus melts every time his kitten falls asleep on Blake. And that’s to say nothing of the chemistry steadily heating up between them. But this isn’t forever. Blake has to get his life back in the rails. Marcus still has thousands of miles to travel. They can avoid it for a while, but sooner or later, their paths will diverge. As goodbye looms, though, neither is ready to let go. Maybe they don’t have to. Deep Dish is a standalone slow burn road trip romance. CW: moderate childhood trauma, past parentification, discussion of Covid-19/pandemic, homelessness, smear campaigns/accusations of abuse, brief mentions of a neglected animal, mild trauma responses in a rescued pet. If you have questions about this content warning or are concerned about specific content/triggers, please do not hesitate to email the author.

Word Count: Click here to reveal29539 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A mystery to make the Queen blush... With the Queen due for her annual visit to nearby Balmoral Castle, Aidan Williamson has been transformed overnight from a constable into an undercover detective. He’s managed to emerge from his first case (Where There’s Smoke) with only a bullet wound and a few other scars no one can see. This time around, he’s in the close company of three murder suspects—a writer’s publicist, a widowed husband, and a hot Scot who’s their paid guide. And this time he has two assets. One is his old constable partner Mike Murphy, mad Irishman. The other is Logan, another smoking-hot Scot, who always seems to catch Aidan off guard but always has his back. At the Widow’s House of Queen Victoria on a lake in the Highlands…and in his own private life…there’s a smoldering deep fury at work, and Aidan’s determined to get to the bottom of it.

Word Count: Click here to reveal95,502 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Sometimes when you don’t know what you want, life gives you what you need. When Neil Markovic witnesses the murder of his mother by Bone Men, his world is thrown into turmoil. On the run from the assassins that killed her, his sorcerer father and the police, Neil finds help in the form of a tall half-fae alchemist named Malachai. Mal seems more accepting than most of Neil’s demon bloodline but curiously immune to his charms. Malachai Valentine, disgraced scion of a noble leprechaun clan, back in the Old Country, is happy living as an anonymous scrap dealer. Using his talent for alchemy to make fuel and potions, most days he doesn’t even think of his ruinous past. When a scared young man with a fancy car crashes into his life, at first, Mal thinks he can do without the hassle. But as Neil begins to get under his skin, Mal reassesses his hopes and ambitions. Harassed by megalomaniac fae and stalked by sorcerous killers at every turn, Malachai and Neil must fight to be free, and to find what they both always wanted.

Word Count: Click here to reveal95000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The Demons of DunDegore is a full-on zombie invasion within a classic epic fantasy setting. Demons have stolen the Sword of Kassandra, using its powerful magics to raise an army of the undead. Few survive the initial assault. Tadgh Dooley, a 17 year old werecat, travels to the island of DunDegore with his companions to rescue an 8 year old boy, the son of his best friend. But the forces of darkness have plans for Tadgh: capture him and force him to use his reality-altering abilities to free the dark god they worship from his extra-dimensional prison. This is the second book in the series that acclaimed author Christoph Fischer has called “an accomplished piece of fantasy.”

Word Count: Click here to reveal52551 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: When Lorrine runs off with a wild mage, she leaves behind a woman in tears, whose shattered life may not be worth repairing. Will Kama recover? Will Lorrine ever grow up and recognize her own feelings? Or will wild magic bring an end to them all...

Word Count: Click here to reveal96000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Tobias and Noah explore their relationships more deeply than ever, not just through their own Dominance and submission, but by engaging with their friends. As Noah helps Tobias through the loss of someone dear, he finds Tobias helping him too, leading Noah through some intense sexual games, breaking down the last of his fears, and helping Noah face the biggest one of all: the cage. Meanwhile, Tobias's ex-lover, Phantom, becomes close friends with Noah and they discover and try to resist the simmering sexual tension between them. Their playful teasing turns to real support when Phantom reaches the breaking point due to a lack of consistent Master in his life; something Phan desperately needs. While Bradford decided he has to stand in as that Master for a while, Tobias and Noah go to Paris, where they see the sights, go to a sexy club, and re-negotiate their contract. Returning from Paris to their own lives brings them all sorts of new difficulties, from deciding whether they should live together, to trying to figure out just where Phantom belongs in their ever-changing relationship.

Word Count: Click here to reveal94000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: In this sequel to Deviations: Submission, Dom Tobias and Sub Noah are back, learning more about each other and their relationship, and testing the boundaries of what they can and can’t handle, both together and apart. Tobias works at becoming more comfortable and finding his balance as a full-time Master again. His work brings out the true submissive in Noah, who faces some of his greatest fears, and his greatest secrets, finally confessing to Tobias about a terrible time in his past. But Noah is not the only one who has a rough time. Tobias breaks down and shows Noah he's not all Dominance, too, which sends shockwaves through their romance, leaving them to wonder if they can hold onto their balance together. Dominations is a deep exploration of the BDSM scene, with secondary characters who enhance the story and a central romance that has the reader rooting for Tobias and Noah to work through their obstacles and come out stronger.

Word Count: Click here to reveal96000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Tobias Vincent is a big animal vet, and also skilled and seasoned Dom. City beat cop, and sub Noah desperately needs to find a man to help him work through a block but has yet to find someone who can take him where he needs to go. Through a series of encounters in the world of bondage and discipline, Noah reveals why he has trouble trusting, and why he needs such a firm, steady hand. Tobias is confident he can help Noah, but he has trouble letting himself love. Still, Tobias can't resist Noah's charms, and the two of them set about making a scene for themselves, one that works for them and their unique set of challenges. They learn to love, but how will they stay together while they explore each other’s secrets, in an environment where all is laid bare and emotions run high?

Word Count: Click here to reveal98000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Ian Pierce is the chef and part owner of the hottest restaurant in Cincinnati, his chosen family is full of happy relationships, and the scruffy, snarky cop who has been haunting his dreams is one step closer to being in his bed. But everything comes crashing down when the past he narrowly escaped nine years ago comes to a deadly head. Hollis Banner was enamored of Ian at first sight. He’s kept his distance, knowing the gorgeous, self-confident man is out of his league. Yet there’s no standing aside when Boris Jagger escapes a raid. Jagger’s world has been nearly destroyed and this time, the crime boss is coming after Ian and his friends personally. Hollis will do whatever it takes to keep Ian safe as they escape to a safe house with a couple of Ian’s overprotective friends. And Ian finds himself in a race to unlock painful memories—memories containing information that could take down the very last of Jagger’s illegal operations forever.

Word Count: Click here to reveal67880 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Vic Onelasa is a half-black, half-Cherokee ex-gang member with a rap sheet long and varied enough to make his juvie officers shake their heads in dismay. He was heading for either prison or an early grave until he washed up at Diamond Bar Alpha Ranch's home for troubled LGBT youth and found a new purpose in life. Angel Rathbone-DeBartolio is an up-and-coming young corporate exec, heir to one of the largest fortunes in the country. His world of helicopters, sports cars, fast women, and posh parties couldn't be further removed from Vic's life of dust, sweat, horses, and cattle. When the two meet, neither one is prepared for the immediate attraction between them. Vic's terrible life choices are largely a matter of public record. With Angel's past full of corporate scandal, parties, and one night stands, you'd expect him to be the one with skeletons hidden in his closet. But you'd be wrong. Vic has one secret left. A secret that has sent every romantic partner he's ever had running for the hills. And when Angel stumbles across it by accident, Vic knows with complete certainty that he's about to lose the fragile new connection he's only just allowed himself to want. * * * Diamond Bar Alpha 2: Vic and Angel is an LGBT romance with a “happy ever after” ending and no cliffhanger. While it takes place in the same setting as Diamond Bar Alpha Ranch, both books can be read as standalone novels.

Word Count: Click here to reveal49152 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A young cowhand with an uncertain future, drowning in debt. A wealthy rancher with a mysterious past, drowning in booze. A single chance at happiness in the face of impossible odds. Jace has been in the closet ever since he first realized he was gay. Not only is his personal life a mess, but now, hard on the heels of losing his mother to cancer, he’s about to lose their farm to the bank. An unexpected job offer from complete strangers could be his only opportunity to save it. After betrayal and addiction stole away everything Remy ever cared about, he figured that managing a promising desert reclamation project in bum-fuck Nevada and drinking himself to sleep every night was about the best he could hope for out of life. He never expected to fall for a clean-cut cowboy with a cartload of horse savvy and a giant chip on his shoulder. Too bad one of them is a broken-down wreck, and the other has the closet door locked so tight that he may never see the light of day. Because if there’s one thing Remy has never believed in, it’s fairytale endings. Though there is another book in the Love in the Desert series, Diamond Bar Alpha Ranch is a standalone HEA gay romance novel with no cliffhanger. It contains explicit sex scenes, as well as hot cowboys with issues—which is probably why you're here in the first place. (No cattle, horses, or hot cowboys were harmed during the making of this novel.)

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: There are good guys, bad guys, and then there’s Lucky. Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter flaunts his past like a badge of honor. He speaks his mind, doesn’t play nice, and flirts with disaster while working off his sentence with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. If he can keep out of trouble a while longer he’ll be a free man–after he trains his replacement. Textbook-quoting, by the book Bo Schollenberger is everything Lucky isn’t. Lucky slurps coffee, Bo lives caffeine free. Lucky worships bacon, Bo eats tofu. Lucky trusts no one, Bo calls suspects by first name. Yet when the chips are down on their shared case of breaking up a drug diversion ring, they may have more in common than they believe. Two men. Close quarters. Friction results in heat. But Lucky scoffs at partnerships, no matter how thrilling the roller-coaster. Bo has two months to break down Lucky’s defenses… and seconds are ticking by.

Word Count: Click here to reveal129000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Mateo Taurasi and his family fled their island home when their people turned to sorcery. Mateo’s own magic is tame but it’s still banned in the Vaeringan Empire...and his family still use it every day in their cosy teahouse. The last thing they need is an Imperial barging in. Luckily, Jonas just wants to offer them a trade deal too good to resist. As hard as he tries, Mateo begins to find the cheerfully charming Jonas too good to resist, too. But an unfairly attractive Imperial is not Mateo’s only problem. Rumours of sorcery loose in the city mean trouble for the Taurasi. With Jonas caught up in the mess, Mateo must investigate. His family already lost their world once. Mateo can’t let them lose again. Not even if it costs him the man he really wishes he didn't have feelings for.

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

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

Summary: In AD 107, after a grueling campaign against Rome's fierce enemy, the kingdom of Dacia, Gaius Fabius returns home in triumph. With the bloody battles over, the commander of the Lucky IV Legion now craves life's simple pleasures: leisurely soaks in fragrant baths, over-flowing cups of wine, and a long holiday at his seaside villa to savor his pleasure slaves. On a whim, he purchases a spirited young Dacian captive and unwittingly sparks a fresh outbreak of the Dacian war; an intimate struggle between two sworn enemies with love and honor at stake. Allerix survived the wars against Rome, but now he is a sex slave rather than a victor. Worse, the handsome general who led the destruction of his people now commands his body. When escape appears impossible, Alle struggles to find a way to preserve his dignity and exact vengeance upon the hated Romans. Revenge will be his, that is, if he doesn't lose his heart to his lusty Roman master. Dominus is a plot-packed erotic m/m historical fantasy that transports readers back to ancient Rome during the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98-117). This is the first of four books in an alternate history saga—a tumultuous journey filled with forbidden love, humor, sex, friendship, political intrigue, deception and murder.

Word Count: Click here to reveal77000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Rich Cody joined the U.S. Marshals to hunt down bad guys, not babysit witnesses. Orders are orders, though, and now he’s protecting a hacker with ties to the Albanian and Sicilian mobs. It’s just another exciting day in WITSEC. Leotrim Nicolosi was born into a world of crime and bloodshed. When that bloodshed hits too close to home, taking down Leo’s boyfriend—the son of a notorious mob boss—Leo is determined to destroy the Grimaldi family. He’s got evidence that will send every last Grimaldi to prison, he’s got the family’s wealth in an electronic chokehold, and he’s got a vendetta that can only be settled with the blood of the man who killed his lover. When a routine transfer to a safehouse goes horribly wrong, Rich and Leo narrowly escape with their lives. With the Marshals compromised and Leo being framed for murder, he and Rich are on the run from criminals and law enforcement alike. They have no one to trust except each other, and nowhere to go that their enemies can’t reach. And the only way out might mean making a deal with the Devil. This novel is approximately 77,000 words.

Word Count: Click here to reveal117791 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: This is book two of the Archaeologist series. Mael Corentin and Dragon King Vaaltim are searching through the many mysterious documents left to Mael by his late uncle Paul, but one stands out. There is a magical map leading to lost stolen dragon treasures, while the map has the uncanny ability to change at will. During the years before the first rogue vampire wars, it seems a warlock had engaged an enterprising demon to steal the dragon’s most prized possessions; the Dragon’s Glass, along with the enchanted Dragon Glass book. However, the demon was greedy, demanding more, but instead was mortally wounded by the angry warlock. The demon managed to escape with the book before he died, using his magic to protect his stolen treasure even in death. Retrieving the book will reveal the Dragon’s Glass location, but oddly the dead demon must be killed a second time before that can happen. There is only one little catch. Mael is severely warned that the demon’s dark magic can kill him if he even glances at the demon’s spelled remains, while his enchanted crypt contains many other deadly surprises of its own. Beginning their convoluted hunt, they soon discover two more ancient, enchanted dragons whose lives depend on finding the lost objects to end their curse.

Word Count: Click here to reveal57000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Previously on Dragon War Chronicles, the first strike was made against their enemies, but the cost was heavy. Mourning their losses Danica still must prepare for dragons that will be coming to woo her. She already knows the dragon she wants to mate to, but will she convince Kollin that she's ready to commit? Of all the dragons going to Toulouse to meet Danica and see if they have a chance only one has a completely different agenda. He knows which dragon he wants and it isn't Danica. Will Xavier win the heart of Danica's brother? Anchin Luu, Danica's brother and manager of her Las Vegas casino, Dragon's Hoard, has spent his whole life alone due to his deadly nature. A broken experiment and retired assassin Anchin isn't sure what to make of the water dragon that has invaded his life. Love is in the air, but so is gunpowder. SLIPs going missing, Coyotes crashing parties, and a mating you'll never forget are all in store for you on the next exciting installment of Dragon War Chronicles. Attention: This book contains explicit sexual content between consenting dragons, depictions of relationships that are MF and MM with a dash of doublemint fun. Dragon War Chronicles is a continuous series. It is best read in order. SYN Consulting Secrets Revealed First Strike Dragon's Hoard

Word Count: Click here to reveal58000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: A former blood slave. A talkative vampire. Dreams about canned goods.     Chaton Roux was rescued from a blood bar and taken to a gated community of supernaturals. For two years, he’s kept his head down and done his best to avoid people. The only time he finds peace is when he’s in the garden he shares with his best friend. They’re doing their best to grow as many vegetables as possible since the community is on the verge of starving.     Asher Blackmore knows he should keep his distance, but there is something about Chaton that always makes him want to push for more. Things would’ve been easier if he’d been a mayfly shifter, then he wouldn’t have a mouth and wouldn’t say stupid things all the time.     When the community’s business goes up in flames, the threat of starvation becomes all the more real, and Chaton does his best to come up with ways to preserve food to last them through winter. It’s hard labor, but what better way to deal with a chatty vampire than to drag him into the kitchen and put him to work?

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: The heart of the wolf yearns for his mate. Only weeks after the massacre of half his pack, Quinn Boucher is finding his footing as a guard of the U.S. Anax, the ruler of all werewolves in the country. But something is missing: His mate Malachi. Despite whatever fate drew them together, Malachi won’t accept Quinn—and that hurts like hell. Decades after losing his human lovers, lone wolf Malachi Powers still grieves. The last thing he needs is a mate, especially one over a century younger. But when Quinn returns to Nova Scotia to assist the Canadian Anax, they reconnect and Malachi can no longer deny their bond. Together, Quinn and Malachi build their relationship. But there are those who want the Anax dead—and Quinn and Malachi are caught in the crossfire. Will they be torn apart before their life together can begin? This book includes discussions of past sexual assault and depictions of grief and mourning. It also includes consensual commanding of a character and an adult character being called "boy." This book is set in the Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat universe but is not a direct part of that series.

Word Count: Click here to reveal120000 (Click here to hide)

Character Identities: Click here to revealGay, Non Binary (Click here to hide)

Summary: Once upon a time, there was a stunningly gorgeous mage named Nikki. They were trapped by evil, horrible Jaeggi mages for ten long years until they were rescued by the brave dragon named Gunter. The grumpy red knight swept in, carrying them off to a fair castle, where they lived happily ever after. That’s how the story’s supposed to go, anyway. Nikki would really like to have that fairytale ending, please and thank you. It’s too bad Gunter is oblivious and the Jaeggi are interfering. Nikki may just have to cook up some explosions to help both situations along, because they’re determined to get their happily ever after. Is there a magic how-to guide on things that go boom? Tags: non-binary MC, Grumpy and Sunshine, it’s basically the air we breathe, Gunter needs a hug, Nikki likes to give them, crippling crush at first sight, Nikki has trust issues, for good reason, Nikki’s determined, Gunter is oblivious, mis-used poetry, Alric and Gunter are once again banned from drinking together, ever, schmoop, wall sex, the tongue thing is awesome, all hail Gunter’s tongue, violence, because bad guys, Nikki feels that explosions are an appropriate response to everything, Cameron and Nikki are explosion buddies, Nikki has mixed feelings on high heels, fairytales do come true