Books Tagged With what - concept - family conflict

Word Count: Click here to reveal60,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: NEWLY REISSUED, WITH NEW COVER ART! Jimmy McSwain returns to help his sister's boyfriend fight a murder charge--and finds he may just have a lead on a cold case. Hell's Kitchen private investigator Jimmy McSwain returns in a twisting tale of past sins and present-day vengeance. Jimmy McSwain isn't thrilled about taking a case for free—but when his sister fears her boyfriend, Rocky, is cheating on her, he has no choice. But the case takes a deadly turn when Rocky is standing over the body of a man he was just seen kissing, and he's holding the gun. He begs Jimmy to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, as a sweltering heat wave claims New York City, a gunman with a thirst for blood is targeting Manhattan deli owners and has already claimed two victims. Jimmy knows a thing or two about those—fourteen years ago his father was killed outside a deli, and it's possible today's killer could be linked to that unsolved murder, one that continues to haunt Jimmy. Enlisting the aid of sexy NYPD Captain Francis X. Frisano, Jimmy finds himself torn between the two cases, as well as the heat simmering between himself and the hot cop. Suddenly a quiet summer has erupted into a full blown crime wave.

Word Count: Click here to reveal82679 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Everyone deserves to be loved. But with constant abuse from his step-father and his mother’s contempt, Christian Goodley isn’t so sure. Being gay in high school is hard enough. Also being the black sheep in the family with only one friend in the world makes life damn near impossible to bear. But when Christian’s path crosses with a new teacher his senior year, a ray of hope brings new life and meaning to his world. Damien Duvel, a recent college graduate and History teacher, forges a bond of friendship with Christian that the young man so desperately needs. As their relationship evolves and matures the rumor mill in the school starts turning. Hushed whispers and sidelong glances turn to outright accusations. For both Christian and Damien it would seem that fate had brought them together. But with so many factors conspiring against them, it is unclear whether they can tow the fine line they walk without stepping away unscathed emotionally or physically.

Word Count: Click here to reveal96460 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Christian Goodley did the unthinkable and now he’s left everyone to suffer the consequences of his actions. His family returned home from church, only to find him laying on the floor, in a pool of his own blood. At the hospital, Vivian got the devastating news about her son. With the family trying to put the pieces of their lives back together, Vivian is having stomach pains and after an important phone call, returned to the hospital. There, she received two additional pieces of information that forever altered the course of her life. Consequently, Vivian set forth a plan of action to undo years of her wrongdoings. While Vivian was focused on her plan and protecting her life-changing secrets, tensions start to brew between Cordell and his stepfather. This unfolds a past of abuse, lies and betrayal that in turn, leads to an ultimate showdown that threatens one of their lives. Because of his web of lies and secrets, Damien’s personal life is a disaster. His professional life, on the other hand, couldn’t be better. He is selected to represent his school at a national teaching conference. While on this trip, he accidentally stumbles across evidence that questions everything he knows to be true. Is Damien’s mind playing a dirty trick on him or is this newfound information actually reality? Crimes of the Heart 2: The Aftermath, is a story of secrets, lies, betrayal and redemption. Just how far would a remorseful mother go to protect her flesh and blood?g

Word Count: Click here to reveal158103 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: How would it feel to wake up every day, not knowing who you really are? How would it feel to know that the only family you have is your mother and baby sister? How would it feel to know that your mother is lying to you? Everyone around you is lying to you. Meet Raphael. Three months prior, fate allowed Raphael come in contact with a man that claimed he knew him. That chance encounter triggered a series of reoccurring dreams, filled with people he didn't recognize. He thought he was going insane; the dreams felt real. Upon the advice of his friend, he even sought out a psychiatrist. He was desperate for the truth, but the truth isn't always kind. Raphael and his friend went on a vacation to celebrate their college graduation. In Atlanta, Raphael saw another man that he felt he knew, but was afraid to approach. Seeing that stranger was the key he needed to solve his own investigation as to who he really was. Realizing what he had done in his past frightened him. He was tired of being lied to; he was tired of being hidden. Raphael took actions into his own hands. He was coming to Orlando. He was coming to gain his old life back. His family was going to be in for the shock of their lives. He had resurrected. Join Raphael and the crew on this final journey, as this web of secrets, lies and betrayal comes to a head. Someone must—and will—pay!

Word Count: Click here to reveal38172 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The Knights are collecting blood types, and they have Jay in their crosshairs. Diego is a coyote shifter living in Mexico City. He co-owns a tourist business with his best friend and enjoys his independence. Unfortunately, his parents are unable to look beyond his deafness and are convinced he is in need of care, regardless of his many achievements. And when his pack receives a special assignment from their master shifter, one concerning the Knights of the Dawn—an organization bent on the eradication of shifters—he’s determined to stand on his own and help, rather than let his parents hide him away. Jay is an army veteran, and after reacclimating to civilian life, he takes his family’s advice and travels for a vacation. Hoping to hook up with someone to break his celibacy, he meets a beautiful man in a bar named Diego. Having two deaf sisters makes communication between them easy since Diego also knows ASL. Their chemistry is explosive, and Jay can’t believe his luck. But their mutual bliss is shattered when Jay is hunted and attacked by knights. They don’t appear to want to kill him… they just want his blood. Diego must put everything on the line to keep Jay, and his pack, safe, and hope that their burgeoning relationship can hold strong in the face of the coming storm.

Word Count: Click here to reveal61923 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: At Pearl’s Hair and Nails, no one questions Tate Robinson about his high heels, crop tops, and lipstick, because he’s the boss and he can wear what he damn well pleases. The shop is his life, and he doesn’t need anything more. Until a man walks in with his adorable daughter, and Tate has to untangle her helmet-hair…and his growing feelings for the single dad. Reece Evans has been on his job for years, has his own place, and now has custody of his eight-year-old daughter. But he doesn’t trust himself to avoid screwing up. Adulting is not his strong suit—or so he’s been told. And now a sexy beautician, who also happens to be his new downstairs neighbor, has Reece wanting and reaching for more than he thinks he’s capable of. As Tate and Reece move past their own fears about relationships, Reece’s ex issues a threat that could destroy everything. Will Reece’s worries about other people judging him undermine his budding romance? And will Tate’s fear of rejection make him push Reece away? Or have the sweet single dad and his precocious daughter curled too tightly around his heart to give them up? ***Please be aware that this book contains references to drug addiction.***

Word Count: Click here to reveal252 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Sloan Driscoll is a talented graphic artist but compared to his father and younger brother—all star athletes—he’s never measured up. A lifetime of insecurity leads him down dark paths. His childhood friend, Cole Fujiwara, a former major league pitcher, embodies all of Sloan’s hidden aspirations. Cole is physically fit, attractive, intelligent, and successful. Seemingly perfect. When Sloan shows up on Cole’s NYC doorstep needing a place to stay, their reunion is anything but simple. Sloan has always been drawn to Cole, but now, even though there’s a girlfriend on the periphery, the attraction seems mutual. One night, inhibitions slip away. But both men are hiding a multitude of secrets. Salvation could be found within each other’s arms. But only if they let it.

Word Count: Click here to reveal80,000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Arizona started a new life when his birth daddy, Gaston Bondurant, found him living with a foster family and facing criminal charges for assaulting his abusive stepfather. Plucked from the squalor of rural Acadiana, Arizona was thrust into New Orleans high society and an elite New England boarding school. Home for the summer, Arizona sets out to find his younger brothers and sister, who were scattered to different places when their family was torn apart. Along the way, he reunites with his tenth grade sweetheart, Preston Montclair, who still holds a torch for him. But Arizona is struggling to figure out the man he’s supposed to be. He’s got an obligation to his daddy, who wants to mold him as his heir, but he’s also got a responsibility to his wayward siblings. It feels like he’s swimming against the rapids, trying to do both while figuring out if he belongs with his boyhood love or an educated man who can help him with his dream of being a famous writer.

Word Count: Click here to reveal94887 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Twenty days. Nothing will ever be the same for these friends again in exactly twenty days. TJ’s past transgressions are coming back to haunt him in a big way. But the big question still remains – what exactly did TJ do? On the other hand, Elijah’s trip to Florida will turn his life around and have him standing on stable ground, but will it last? Will Elijah’s secrets finally catch up to him? While these acquaintances are going through their everyday routine, unbeknownst to them, a storm is brewing in the background. In the days following the passage of this storm, the pieces of the puzzle will start to fit together as the entire buildup of this book finally takes shape. How is Seven connected to both TJ and Elijah’s unfortunate events? Everybody is playing a dangerous game but at what cost? In the final analysis, lives will be shattered. People will be exposed. Death will be upon us. Join TJ, Elijah, and Seven in this meticulously crafted second entry to this series, as the group of friends embark upon challenges that will shape the rest of their lives. And then on the twentieth day, the chain reaction of all these dangerous games will go up in flames! Who goes to jail? Who will receive devastating news? Most importantly, whose door does death pay a visit to?

Word Count: Information not available

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

Summary: “Don’t let his adolescent behavior darken your soul, Mijo. You have the uncanny ability to see the heart of a person, despite your blindness. Randy needs you.” Adrian Treadwell knows nothing darkens a soul more than losing your sight at nineteen to homophobes. When his family turns him away, after his hospital stay, he’s left with one choice—relocate to New Mexico, and let his friend Mico’s family assist him. With their promises of a new life, the opportunity to relearn his independence, and the potential of making a new friend, Adrian’s future is looking brighter. Once he meets Randy, the possibility they will get along diminishes, as he uses every chance to undermine Adrian’s newfound confidence. The afternoon Randy Martinez first spies him, Adrian’s dressed in a crop-top, and his jeans are low-cut, barely hanging on his hips, while he dances. He undulates his cut abs like a snake, making Randy’s mouth water. When the music stops, Adrian’s smile has Randy’s heart in his throat. Then, he remembers—he’s not gay. Rejecting all of Adrian’s overtures of friendships, Randy runs with the local gang to keep himself straight. With Randy on the path to nowhere, and Mico away at school, Adrian fills his time with Braille translations and learning to cope in a sighted world. If he’s lonesome, he keeps it to himself. His world is small, but Mico’s family loves him and has given him a home. It doesn’t seem right asking for more. Then one year it all came crashing down… Darken Not My Soul tells how contentious Randy wins the heart of gentle Adrian. Intertwined amid the tragedy of Mico's paralysis, Randy struggles to overcome Adrian's distrust of his motives, his reservations over Randy's youth, and his fear that his disability will burden and steal his future. Darken Not my Soul complements Love’s Tethered Heart, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel

Word Count: Click here to reveal75000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Someone is trying to kill Marc Foster. Attempted poisoning was bad enough, but when the would-be killer messes with the brakes on Marc’s precious Porsche, the art dealer admits he needs help. He just wasn’t expecting help to be quite so dark and sexy. Royce Karras loves his job at Ward Security. He’s making up for a lifetime of bad decisions and a bloody past he’d rather forget. But Marc isn’t the spoiled rich boy he thought he’d be protecting. Sticking close to Marc as his “boyfriend” gives Royce insight into his toxic family, but it also reveals a brilliant, compassionate man who completely disarms Royce. Against his better judgment, Royce finds himself falling. But can they find a way to make it work when Royce’s past threatens to tear their lives apart? Their future hinges on a lost Renaissance painting, six Bichon Frises, and a pornographic Robin Hood. No worries, right?

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 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 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 reveal67000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: WAR IS COMING… the angels of Osestra and the demons of Exilum are preparing for the final battle to be played out in Manna, the human realm, and one young man is caught in the middle. Vern Swain may be the key to everything… Vern is a country boy dreaming of seeing his name up in lights. He runs away to become a star. His journey is just beginning, but it takes him in unusual directions…right in the path of his guardian demon. Teague, son of Xaphan is a demon of Exilum charged with ruining Vern's life, but he just can't do it. He's confronted by his family, and forced to choose sides. War is coming, but who's fighting for Manna?

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 reveal80000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: Shortlisted for the 2024 Lambda Literary Award in Gay Romance. Shortlisted for the 2024 Midwest Book Award for Fantasy/Scifi. A graduate student and an archivist fight a god. Fall, 1969. Ulysses Lenkov should be working on his dissertation. Instead, he's caught up in the troubles of ghosts and hapless magic users. But when his clients start vanishing, he worries there's something afoot that’s worse than an unavenged death. The last word on the victim's lips? Dionysus. Sam Sterling just moved back to Madison and is already embroiled in a family crisis. But his peaceful days as an archivist come to an end when the magnetic, mistrustful Ulysses turns up with a warning. There's a god coming, and it's coming for Sam. As the two men's lives grow ever more intertwined, they face harrowing demon attacks, family secrets, and the race to a solution that doesn't end in heartbreak and death. As the solstice draws near, so does a deadly showdown that threatens both Sam and the city itself. Dionysus in Wisconsin is the first in a new series of urban fantasy/historical M/M romances set in Madison, WI in the late 1960s/early 1970s. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger and can be read as a stand-alone.

Word Count: Click here to reveal59000 (Click here to hide)

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

Summary: The chance of a lifetime or their final performance? Owen Stanton has been a member of the Kiwi band Flightless since high school. So far, he’s managed to walk the fine line between playing fiddle for the band and pursuing his classical violin career. An opportunity arises to audition for a prestigious string quartet, and Owen takes his family’s advice to go for it. After all, it’s not like he’s going to make the cut, right? And if he does, the decision won’t have to be made until after the band’s highly anticipated performance at a popular New Zealand music festival. Jared Murphy joins Flightless when their keyboard player faces a family crisis and needs to take a break. Soon he and Owen are writing music together and creating something beautiful between them. It’s a shame it won’t last. After all, Jared’s only standing in. When the once in a lifetime invitation comes for the band to play at Rocktoberfest, decisions need to be made, even if taking the right path may end up in divided roads. Divided Road is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2024 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see what trouble our bands get into next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

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: Information not available

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

Summary: NO LONGER AVAILABLE - The year 2089 finds Australia split between east and west, with a wall to ensure the east stays safe. College student Aiden Taylor is traveling from Perth to Sydney to see Men at Work, who have been revived after cryogenic freezing. Regrettably, only days into his trip, his moped is stolen—and then he meets a naked man from the east. The man turns out to be Matthew King, who offers Aiden a ride—no strings attached—all the way to Sydney. When another attack occurs the following night, Aiden discovers Matthew’s impossible secret: he’s a were-kanga. At least that gives them something to talk about when they experience delays at the wall. One thing leads to another, and soon friends with benefits turns into something more. But when the summer is over, Aiden must return to school in Perth. How can he leave Matthew behind?