The Worst Thing of All Is the Light
A metafictional novel about two intertwined stories of love that seek to perpetuate themselves in history. The Worst Thing of All Is the Light tells two stories. First, that of the friendship of two heterosexual men, Koldo and Edorta, through the decades of the late twentieth century in Spain's Basque Country. In the book Edorta writes in order to try and save from oblivion his relationship with Koldo--a bond for which the word "friendship" falls short yet for which he is too afraid to use the word "love." It is the story of two men who are in love and don't know it, or don't want to know it. The second story is that of its author, Jos矇 Luis Serrano, in the present day as he enjoys his summer holiday in the same Basque Country and talks with his husband at length about many different things, but mostly about how to narrate the relationship of Koldo and Edorta, two men who did not allow themselves to construct the domestic life that their counterparts enjoy today. Together these stories show a love that the lovers hope will outlive them, a love that is the same even if we give it different labels.
Soul Food Stories
Salem West and Christel Cogneau have assembled a powerhouse lineup of Bywater Books and Amble Press authors to explore, subvert, and reinvigorate the bountiful feast of All Hallows phantasmagoria in this stunning collection.To the living, "soul food" has a specific meaning, history, and flavor. But what does "soul food" mean to the demon, ghost, fiend, witch, spirit, or vampire? How does their ingenuity and wit rise and fall in the taking, baking, erasing, embracing, and defacing of sustenance?West and Cogneau have challenged their authors to explore these and other questions in surprising and fascinating ways. Sometimes sweet and other times terrifying, sometimes warm or otherwise demented, these stories set the table for an otherworldly feast of delight and intrigue.Let the banquet begin . . .Soul Food Stories is packed with literary confections by award-winning authors, Anna Burke, Jenn Alexander, Jacob Budenz, Virginia Black, Cathy Pegau, and Ann McMan.Featured stories include: "The Five Year Revenge Agency" by Anna Burke"Tilly's Tarts" by Jenn Alexander"Of the Air and Land" by Jacob Budenz"Ravenous" by Virginia Black"In Speary Wood" by Cathy Pegau"Perhaps You Missed My Signs" by Anna Burke"Ghost Writer" by Ann McMan
Strands
In this seventh volume of the Hobbs series, Lucy Bartlett, the rector of the Episcopal Church, and town doctor, Liz Stolz, have finally announced their engagement. They get pushback from surprising places, even from friends they've counted on for support. Unresolved issues from Liz's first marriage cloud the prospect even more, especially when her ex-wife returns, desperately needing help. A new doctor has joined Hobbs Family Practice, sparking rumors that Liz will retire. Across town, Police chief, Brenda Harrison, and her wife are settling into a new relationship, but Cherie hears her biological clock ticking. When a shocking tragedy creates an opportunity for them to become parents, all their friends need to step in to help. Couples rearrange in surprising ways, and the women of Hobbs find their lives intertwined like the strands of a rope.
Scorpio Hates Virgo
Scorpio Hates Virgo. Or so he pretends. Percy Freedman--passionate, sarcastic Scorpio--is good at doling out verbal grenades. Especially to his unfairly hot nemesis across the road. He's been doing it forever. Callaghan Glover--hardworking, practical Virgo--seems to love doling them back. But as Percy readies his Aunt's house to sell, it becomes clear that his cul-de-sac neighbors want him to stay. Even said nemesis. Especially said nemesis. Now those verbal grenades simmer with spine-tingling tension, and Percy . . . holy hell, he can't get enough of it. But Callaghan is straight, right? Stubborn Scorpio will need a kind Virgo to figure it out. "Scorpio Hates Virgo" is a sarcasm-filled slow burn, boy next door MM romance featuring an unhealthy obsession with dinosaurs and a sexy HEA. This fake-enemies-to-lovers novel is the second book in the Signs of Love series. The books in the Signs of Love series are standalone romances, and can be read in any order. LEO LOVES ARIES (bi-awakening, friends to lovers, clueless as fuck)SCORPIO HATES VIRGO (boy next door, fake-enemies to lovers, mistaken identity)GEMINI KEEPS CAPRICORN (fake fianc矇s, friends to lovers, off-limits lover)PISCES HOOKS TAURUS (marriage of convenience, opposites attract, age-gap)CANCER SHIPS AQUARIUS (manny, widower, opposites attract)SAGITTARIUS SAVES LIBRA (fake identity, twin shenanigans, small town)
Strip Bare
"We took this too far the moment I had to pretend you were mine."Who knew one little white lie could cause so much chaos?Leo isn't one for drama-let alone being the cause for it. So when his parents unexpectedly turn up in Sun City with his baby sister in tow, he's unprepared for the trouble he's accidentally unleashed on his own life.There were three problems: He might be in love with his best friend, KitHis parents thought Kit was his boyfriend... probably because that was what he'd told themKit had no clue about either of these thingsA kiss he can't take back and a friendship at stake-Leo must make a decision: admit his lie and potentially let down those he loves, or strip bare and risk it all.Strip Bare is the third book in an interconnected series of standalones. The Sun City series is perfect for fans of The Deal and Delilah Green Doesn't Care.
Denver
DENVERAccidentally receiving an explicit pic from my best friend was a surprise, but my reaction to it was a shocker. Last year, with one text, my eyes were opened to an attraction that's grown into so much more. No matter what my feelings are, he's still my best friend and I'll always have his back. So when he shows up at my door needing a place to live, I don't think twice. Having him so close and not being together is harder than I thought, but it's better than losing him completely. When an unexpected gift changes his life, I'm there and commit to helping him raise the child he's always wanted, regardless of my own heart. FORDI never expected to become a single dad. I always thought I'd be settled when it happened; be in a relationship, have a home, promoted at my job, basically living my picket fence dreams. While my life may not be going according to my plans, I at least have my ride-or-die best friend here by my side through it all. At first, I thought it was the sleep deprivation, but as time goes on, I'm starting to realize that seeing him with my son is doing unexpected things to my body and my heart. If I've learned anything recently, it's to take a chance on the unexpected. Just when I feel like I have a handle on my new life, my work leave gets cut short. A serial killer is on the loose and my team is called on to help catch him. I'm left torn between my duty as a detective, being a new father, and my rapidly growing feelings for my best friend. Will everything end up sunshine and rainbows or will our destiny be like dark cloud with lightning ready to strike us down?
They Were Roomates
Dive into the captivating Not so Normative world with this exciting prequel, featuring Frankie and Diego.Being the fun-loving, good time not a long time guy was going great for Frankie until he met the ruggedly handsome yet aloof Diego. At first, he thought meeting Diego could be the start to his enemies-to-lovers romance - except he doesn't do romance. After Diego opens up to him about being trans, they become fast friends and eventually decide to open a business together. Frankie is sure he can be a mature business partner, but does that mean that's all they can ever be? Diego has spent a long time working towards becoming the man he is today, but he still has a long way to go, and a lot of goals he wants to achieve. The last thing he needs is the class flirt distracting him. But when Frankie proves to be a lot more than he seems, kind, intelligent and impossible to shake, Diego wonders if he can settle for starting a business together and just being roommates. What could possibly go wrong? They Were Roommates is a cute MM romance that celebrates the rich diversity of trans-masculine, gay, demi, and omni characters. Explore the sweet and spicy moments these two roommates share as they open an inclusive cafe and form an affirming queer community together.
Head for Murder
Head Rock Harbor Books in the small river town of Head Rock Harbor sees its share of drama. Usually, because Jackson Harper's cat, Rattlesnatches, can't give up his street cat ways and constantly-though, accidentally-terrorizes customers. However, for all of his trying, even Rattlesnatches can't stir up enough trouble to make Head Rock Harbor all that interesting. As a river town, Head Rock Harbor has plenty of shopping, eateries, and festivals for all the major holidays for tourists to enjoy. Still, Head Rock Harbor essentially invented small-town living.So, when Prescott Pemberton-a local artist who made it big in New York City before moving back to Head Rock Harbor-is found dead in the harbor, it's tragic, but no one suspects foul play. However, when it becomes clear that several people in town might have benefited from his death, questions arise. Was this death by misadventure...or was Prescott murdered?Jackson's shop is the center of daily gossip, and he hears plenty of whispers surrounding Prescott's death. He's concerned that the citizens of Head Rock Harbor are merely stirring up drama, but he's also concerned that his best friend, Detective Jeremy Morris, isn't taking Prescott's death seriously enough. Jackson's mother-who owns the local trailer park and Harper's Bar, Grill, Bait & Tackle-tells him to mind his business.Jackson has spent his whole life not listening to his mother. So, what else can he do but check into the gossip swirling around town? But with his best friend, the police chief, and the mayor and her husband ignoring any evidence he uncovers, Jackson finds his only ally is Rattlesnatches.Hopefully, curiosity doesn't get the cat killed...
Atlantis Dying
Atlantis is a world of magic, inhabited by the descendants of gods. Descendants who've been cursed since the moment their ancestors defied orders to leave the mortal world two millennia ago. Meanwhile on Earth, Alexa Delmon's own magic awakens, allowing her to glimpse the lives of Atlantians. Unfamiliar with her roots, Alexa initially writes her visions off as nightmares fueled by the stresses of trying to finish her sophomore year of college. But dangerous truths surface as her gift develops. She was placed in hiding by an Atlantian resistance group because their immensely powerful queen-Alexa's great-aunt-has always seen her existence as a threat.The queen tracks Alexa's emerging magic and sends a royal hunter right to her front door. Alexa barely escapes with the help of her sister and an unexpected ally-the queen's only son. How will this under-experienced trio elude the centuries-old system of oppression on Atlantis now that they're actively being hunted? Their journey puts to test not only Alexa's wit and heart, but also her core beliefs about herself.
Sworn to Serve
EMILIOSanchez and I make a great team.She doesn't take shit from anyone, and it doesn't hurt that she's a hell of a looker, either.But I've never been friendzoned harder in my life when I try to make my move, only to find the bombshell she's been banging leaving my partner's house.FRANCHESCAI came to the bar for some fun, but I never expected such a prize to fall right into my lap.Shuri is all smiles and seduction, and she's the perfect submissive.The longer I see her, the more I want to make it a permanent thing.SHURIWhen you find yourself in bed with a dominant, sexy woman, you don't stop to ask many questions.I sure as hell didn't.Franchesca's coworker, Emilio, looks at the two of us like he's won the lottery and lost his ticket all at the same breath.Then he comes back for me, and my two new friends must race against the clock to save my ass.When the dynamic shifts from a duo to a trio, is there really a need to choose?
Ghost Motel
Meet Harriet Hubbley, a practical and perceptive woman from Montreal who happens to be a lesbian and fancies herself a detective.During her trip to Provincetown, Harriet seeks shelter from a rainstorm at a seemingly abandoned motel owned by Gertrude Cashin. Gertrude offers Harriet some brandy and unsolicited advice on love, which Harriet politely declines. However, when Harriet discovers she is the last person to see Gertrude alive before her mysterious death, her curiosity kicks in, and she begins investigating.As the investigation deepens, Harriet's complicated love life becomes intertwined with the case, leading her down an unexpected path.Jackie Manthorne's lesbian murder mystery adds an intriguing twist to the genre, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Until I Saw You
An MM romance story of survival, healing, and finding the courage to love.Harper Reid has no money and nowhere to go, but he can't spend one more day under the same roof as his abusive boyfriend. Desperate to start fresh, he takes on a special case through the caregiver agency that contracts him. The client has fired everyone else, but this job includes lodging, so Harper will find a way to make it work until he's back on his feet. High-flying, eccentric Riley Davenport has lost his sight, effectively clipping the vivacious man's wings. Learning to navigate in darkness is difficult enough without being treated like a house plant by his girlfriend, parents, and friends. The last thing he needs is another pushy caregiver, hovering over him, curtailing the last of his freedom. But Harper Reid is different...very different. Nervous, quiet, reserved. It's almost like Harper has secrets and is the one who needs to be taught how to live again. And why does he smell like sugar cookies? Men aren't supposed to smell delicious.
When the Contralto Sings
When Celeste runs into Angel, one of the city's growing homeless population, in front of Truman's building, she invites them to a street festival in Gladys Park. Angel proves to be a talented contralto at the event, and Truman meets Dyson, an outreach worker who hires him to track down some seemingly valueless stolen property. Truman's instincts and his 1930s-era detective handbook lead him to more questions, and he's confronted with the fact that the guy he's crushing on may be playing him. As they dig deeper, Celeste goes undercover in a developer's office, where she turns the head of Flint, the wealthy family's scion. Truman follows the clues in an old book about flying saucers, traveling around Los Angeles and subsequently uncovering local government corruption and a nest of old-time white supremacists.Join the bar-hopping, booze-swilling duo as Celeste has to decide whether Flint's social status is compatible with her worldview, Truman confronts the paranoia of conspiracy theorists, and the pair enlist their new Skid Row friend to join the battle against corruption.
The Artisanal Grifter
Don't mess with the hothead-or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Pulled into negotiating with a blackmailer as a favor to his mother, Slater soon finds there's more going on than just her old friend's inability to keep it in his pants. More victims of the grift turn up, including Etta, an educator with secrets of her own who teams up with Slater to run a con on one of the key players. Unraveling the mystery leads Slater into an old-school photo lab, a late-night stakeout in a bar wearing disguise drag, and pugilistic encounters with a button man and a sleazy property developer. Zeroing in on the extent of the grift, Slater's plan to plant evidence-the only way to make sure the right person gets arrested-inevitably goes awry, leaving him with a dilemma that strikes to the heart of his already tenuous ethics.
Grumpy Boss Trouble
HILAs I pull into Snow Tip Falls, there was nothing about it that made me want to stay. It's a beautiful small town, but if you stop running, your problems have a way of catching up with you.But then tragedy strikes, and suddenly I find myself wanting to help. And when the person needing help is a chiseled football player with brooding eyes, dimples, and an endless desire to protect me, I'm reminded of the other purpose of my trip, to have a one night stand that finally rids me of my gay v-card. I know why I haven't lost it yet. Guys confuse me. Cali isn't confusing, mostly because he doesn't say much. Maybe he'll be the one. And if I get his rippling, jock body wrapped around me, it will totally be worth the heart break that will follow when he finds out who I am and what I've done.CALIYou know how some people are rays of sunshine that light up a room? That's Hil. Man, it's annoying. Annoying or not, it's not like I can refuse his offer of help if I want to stay in university, or on the football team. It's not that he's hard to look at. That guy makes me think dirty thoughts. And, it's not like he isn't the sweetest, kindest guy I've ever met...Wait, am I falling for the stranger who showed up out of nowhere wanting to fix my life? There's a reason I like to keep to myself. And as hot as Hil is, I'm not sure my heart can take being hurt again.Note: This book is a part of the author's 'Love is Love Collection', meaning that it is available as a spicy curvy girl romance in 'My Grumpy Boss', a wholesome romance in 'I Don't Date My Grumpy Boss', a steamy wolf shifter romance in 'The Curvy Wolf's Alpha', and a MM sports romance in 'Grumpy Boss Trouble'.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.This is the large print edition of Feelings Against the Law, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
Feelings Against the Law
Soviet students Seva and Zhenya have decided to rise against societal norms, embrace their love and defy prejudice. Their courageous pursuit of happiness challenges a conservative society that seeks to confine them.As Zhenya's departure looms, their time together becomes precious, and they yearn to cherish every moment of serenity and affection. However, their newfound freedom carries unforeseen consequences that could shatter the very foundation of their lives.In the second book in Polina Krymskaya's series, the love story of Seva and Zhenya unfolds against the backdrop of a society at odds with their desires. 'Feeling Against The Law' explores the balance between love and sacrifice, as Seva and Zhenya navigate a world where liberation comes with its own set of risks.
Strip Bare
Who knew one little white lie could cause so much chaos?Leo isn't one for drama-let alone being the cause for it. So when his parents unexpectedly turn up in Sun City with his baby sister in tow, he's unprepared for the trouble he's accidentally unleashed on his own life. There were three problems: He might be in love with his best friend, KitHis parents thought Kit was his boyfriend... probably because that was what he'd told themKit had no clue about either of these thingsA kiss he can't take back and a friendship at stake-Leo must make a decision: admit his lie and potentially let down those he loves, or strip bare and risk it all.Strip Bare is a steamy M/M romance that can be read as a standalone.
Changing Gears
Will love's ups and downs be worth the ride? Changing Gears sweeps you off your feet as Jen, a reserved private school teacher from Sydney, discovers love and faces the ultimate test of self-discovery.When Jen collides with Abi, a magnetic Scottish travel writer, on a serene cycling expedition through France, sparks fly and temperatures rise. But their flirtatious two weeks together challenges everything Jen thought she knew about herself, her beliefs, and her future. Their sizzling chemistry not only makes her question her conservative upbringing but also ignites a fire of self-exploration she thought she had extinguished years before. As Jen grapples with returning to her old life in Sydney, she finds herself entangled in a heated conflict when a student faces cruel, homophobic bullying. Fuelled by her newfound courage, she takes a stand against injustice, risking her job and confronting her deepest fears to protect her student. Just when the chaos reaches its peak, Abi reappears, forcing Jen to confront her innermost desires and make a heart-wrenching decision. Will she embrace love and acceptance, defying her family and risking it all for a chance at happiness? With the stakes higher than ever, Jen must summon the courage to be true to herself, no matter the consequences. Packed with longing, resilience, and the power of love, Changing Gears is a captivating tale that will leave you breathless. Join Jen on this emotional rollercoaster as she navigates the storms of her heart and discovers the true meaning of bravery in the face of adversity. Don't miss this gripping romance where love challenges boundaries and drives one woman's journey to authenticity.
How to Catch a Biker
What do you do when you meet the tall, gruff silver fox of your dreams?You flirt, pretend it didn't happen, and secretly admire his assets.For research purposes, of course.I came to Chester Falls to find my voice and save my publishing career.Instead, I find him.Slade's story is kept under a lock so strong I don't know if there is a man out there that can break it.But I'll be damned if I won't give it a try.A biker with a pastA down-in-the-dumps authorA kitten with a tiger attitudeTwo guys that discover there isn't that much mileage between reality and fiction.How to Catch a Biker is the fifth book in the Chester Falls series and features a May/December story between two guys who have more in common than they think, a group of friends who think everyone needs to be in love, and a small town like no other.
The Road to Montepulciano
Two years after finishing his tour of duty in the Occupational Forces in Japan, Damson O'Reilly arrives in Siena, Italy. Sight-unseen at a local auction, he buys an abandoned Tuscan farmhouse in which he aims to write, paint, and start a new life.The house, passed over at auction, becomes an impulse buy when it's put up for a final time. He's prepared for a semi-ruin, happy to turn his hand to renovating the house - however, what he's totally unprepared for are three dead bodies, one of which he stumbles over when he arrives at La Mensola, the name of his isolated farmhouse on the road between Siena and Montepulciano.Against the backdrop of a series of grisly murders, The Road to Montepulciano is the story of a young man, still suffering the scars of war, who, despite betrayal of trust and surrounded by a complex web of lies, finds friendship, love and the warmth of community.
Murder at Sunny Lake
A Muskoka Murder Mystery. A young man's obsession with finding a Sasquatch brought him to the forests of Muskoka. And it brought him to his death.When he is found stabbed and dumped in Sunny Lake with no identification, Detective Inspector Caitlin Murphy and her homicide unit are tasked with finding his murderer.This shocking crime took place in the heart of Ontario's cottage country, a land of forests, lakes and pretty small towns, not cold-blooded murder. Who would have wanted to harm the Sasquatch hunter who swore he found real proof of the elusive creature?Murphy's team must find out who he was, what he found, and who killed him. What they uncover are a poisoned reservation, government incompetence and an old murder worth killing to keep secret.Murphy must also navigate her open marriage, a new romance with a complex woman, and a simmering Indigenous community fighting for truth. Can she get the killer to confess, or will he remain forever free?
A Season in Delhi
"The reader is taken on a sensual mythical journey into India. What awaits you is a queer poetic experience that is reminiscent of E.M. Forster's A Passage to India, but much more erotic!" -Andrew Rimby, author of Walt Whitman and Queer Theory"Resonates in the heart. I treasured each page." -Alan Chin, Gay/Lesbian Book Reviews Set against the dazzling backdrop of modern Delhi, a gay couple's idyllic Indian journey takes a dark turn when a secret infidelity is revealed. Newly-married New Yorkers Brant and Lloyd are enjoying the great beauty and frenetic atmosphere of Delhi until Brant's recent infidelity is revealed to his husband. Left alone in what was supposed to be their honeymoon bungalow, Brant discovers a diary buried in the garden that was written by a diplomat's wife, Carol, who had a torrid, scandalous affair in Delhi in 1950. Brant connects with the 90-year-old Carol first on the page-and eventually, in person-discovering a bond that transcends time and culture.Scott Alexander Hess is the author of seven novels, including Skyscraper, a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, and The Butcher's Sons (Rebel Satori), named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2015. His writing has appeared in HuffPost, Genre Magazine, Thema Literary Review, and elsewhere. Hess co-wrote "Tom in America," an award- winning short film starring Sally Kirkland and Burt Young. Hess's other Rebel Satori books include: The Root of Everything & Lightning: Two Novellas and River Runs Red
Trans Sam
MEET SAMANTHA MILLER: your normal everyday trans woman. The violence and hate of her world are no match for this Dungeons & Dragons-playing nerdy girl. This is the story of how she became a superhero and risked everything to fight the forces of evil. When Sam is reunited with her dearest friend Thomas after having her world turned upside down, little does she know that fate has put her on a dangerous path. She's surprised to learn that, with the help of her best friend's leather jacket, she can transform her body and give herself super speed and strength. She has been chosen as a warrior in a conflict as old as time. To save her world, Samantha must put her life on the line and join a war to save the twelve realms of existence from the monstrous Lucien, his minions and the God of Chaos. Will Sam, her companions and you be able to change the course of destiny?Only time will tell.
The Mythical Blond
Strange things happen in the desert Southwest. Hired to work a contract job at a remote military base in Nevada, psychic investigator Mason soon finds the Navy's real motivation for luring him there involves an old friend and her ratty jalopy. On the way back to Los Angeles he gets entangled with Effie, who has an intensely dysfunctional relationship with her husband, and Iris, who recruits him to do an episode of reality TV. His understanding of the world begins to warp as Effie and Iris act out ancient mythologies in their own lives, dragging Mason into exploits that include safecracking, a s矇ance, and a time-travel excursion.This latest installment in the Mason Braithwaite Paranormal Mystery Series sees the disheveled redhead honing his psychic chops while digging deeper into paranormal phenomena. His boyfriend, Ned, and their roommate, Peggy, try to be stabilizing forces in Mason's life, but the echoes of the past make him question the nature of reality itself.
Chiseler with a Glass Jaw
Never one to let a bully get away with harassing someone, Celeste intervenes with a knockout punch, and in the melee Truman winds up in possession of the bully's cell phone. Through Truman's inventive online stalking and Celeste tracking down the victim, they uncover a seedy nest of grifters bent on profiting from human misery. Truman gets involved with Isaac, a closeted lawyer with a quick temper, but how does he fit into the scam? Running down leads at hotel bars, hip boutiques, and a grimy body shop, Truman and Celeste go all in, posing undercover at a night club as wealthy airheads and getting intimate with the lowlifes to disrupt their insidious con game. Join the bar-hopping, booze-swilling duo as Celeste sets the ultimate trap at her art gallery, and Truman is forced to decide how far he's willing to go for justice.In this second book in the series, Celeste finds that longtime friend Truman fills some of the gaps in companionship, leaving her the luxury of being choosier in her romantic pursuits. Truman has his own issues chasing guys, in his perpetual quest for the right man, and the pair of them manage not to get jealous when they target the same ones.
The Dark Shill
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the jobs that his employer, Della, throws his way, and the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad.In this third book in the series, a routine insurance gig sends Slater after Derek, an accountant who claims to be too debilitated even to meet with him. But why is he never at his crummy little apartment? Rahim, the achingly hot sales manager at Derek's office, doesn't reveal much, except when he and Slater wind up in the sack--an attraction that might be diverting Slater from uncovering the truth. Gwen, the high-style HR director, is definitely concealing her relationship with Derek, just like Dave, the head of the company, caught skulking around dive bars and the back streets of Skid Row. Intensity builds as Slater goes undercover to root out malpractice by a sleazy plastic surgeon, following leads in the case high and low, pausing only to punch out tweakers, grifters, and bullies along the way.
That First Heady Burn
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the jobs that his employer, Della, throws his way, and the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad.In this introductory novel in the series, Slater runs surveillance on an injured tech worker, soon finding that there are secrets lurking beneath the surface at his company. How do they generate so much revenue without employing anyone? Why does the founder spend so much time at the border? And why does a tech company need such heavy security? Tangling with blackmailers, party girls, late-night hookups with a gamut of guys, and a lot of bourbon, Slater uses his wits and a strong right hook to sort out bad from worse.
Penstock Canyon
Helping out Gilbert, a friend who's suffering from late-night visitations, psychic investigator Mason is confronted with aliens on the roof, and soon finds himself caught in a whirlwind of paranormal events. Liminal beings contract him to stop a very real land development project in Los Angeles, pitting him against ruthless and powerful forces. With help from his boyfriend, Ned, and their roommate, Peggy, Mason manages to con his way into obtaining documents that might upend the whole project, but is it worth his own safety? A threatening visit from a shadowy figure and an alien abduction therapist from Texas have Mason questioning his career, his motivations, and the very nature of reality.
A Stack of Sawbucks
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad.Pulled in on a case by his business partner, Slater investigates reports of a ghost in a faded Miracle Mile apartment, where eerie noises start at the same time every night. But no one believes there's anything supernatural going on, including the tenants--and why is there a sealed-off staircase in the middle of the living room? Using his illicit Russian tech, Slater soon discovers one of the neighbors has some dirty secrets, but the tenant upstairs presents a bigger challenge, with disproportionately sophisticated security measures. Managing his zealous sex life and aided by Andy, a new hookup, Slater tries to weasel out of his obligations to the Russians, finding himself driven to drastic measures when his partner suddenly disappears. Join Slater as he punches out knuckleheads, drinks too much, and muscles his way to the truth.
Billy Blood
A fender-bender on the freeway gets psychic investigator Mason entangled with Catherine, an enigmatic visitor from DC--but who, exactly, does she work for? Trying to track her down, he runs across Billy Blood, a Los Angeles company that markets a stomach-churning "lifestyle drink" made with animal blood, and goes to work for its shady CEO to find out who has been vandalizing the product. Recruited by Hanh, an old friend from the psychic world, to rescue a lost colleague, Mason meets an ally with serious dirt on the company, and manages to dredge up some of his own. And why is Catherine so interested in his research work for Billy Blood? Hounded by the media and mortified to see his face on the news, Mason battles a billion-dollar corporation, sharpening his psychic skills and wrestling with a dilemma most of us face at one time or another--doing what's convenient versus doing what's right. Backed by his boyfriend, Ned, and their roommate, Peggy, who are almost always willing to help him out, this fourth book in the Mason Braithwaite Paranormal Mystery Series sees the bicycle-commuting detective using his psychic insight, along with a newfound experimental hypnosis technique, on the seedy side of the West Coast entertainment industry.
The Peroxide Pomp
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Interrupted late one night by Marisol, a desperate woman seeking help from his business partner, Slater agrees to go after her husband, Abner, a nebbishy accountant who's making their divorce negotiations a nightmare. But why is Marisol traveling with a bodyguard, and why is she more interested in uncovering Abner's secret assets than just warning him off? With Andy's help, Slater infiltrates Abner's office and befriends staffer Nolan on a quest to figure out where all the money is coming from. Unable to keep his libido in check, Slater winds up in bed with one of the principals, and struggles to keep the entanglement from clouding his judgment. After using his illicit Russian tech to surveille Abner and a degenerate religious nut, some covert deception with his elderly neighbor, and an excursion to a seedy bar in Albuquerque, Slater begins to unravel Marisol's end game. Debilitated by his addictions dragging him closer to rock bottom, and wading through a sea of compulsive hookups with an array of guys, Slater is ultimately confronted with a moral dilemma that puts other people's lives in the balance.
Shrink in the Shadows
Don't mess with the hothead-or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Hired by banker Tad to track down a missing shrink, Slater soon finds there's more going on, like the cryptic list Bianca left in her briefcase. An excursion to Bianca's college leads to an intriguing ex-husband, a conspiracy theorist's blog posts, and a suburban bungalow that's been thoroughly sanitized, but Bianca remains elusive. Slater goes undercover with a gardening crew, and infiltrates a police investigation at a seedy hotel, but what's the connection to Bianca's list? Meanwhile his field operative, Etta, has taken up renovating the office as a part-time gig, bringing a degree of chaos for Slater and his business partner, Max. As the conspiracy theories get more bizarre, Slater gets closer to the truth, uncovering why Bianca is lying low, and maybe even why Tad has been playing him all along. Trolling the underbelly of the city and the high-desert wilderness, Slater zeroes in on the truth, never hesitating to hit on guys, throw a punch, or demand answers.
The Man from Grapalia
When Etor shows up on the doorstep of the wealthy Whitby family claiming to be a long-lost relative, Henry, the scion of the Los Angeles dynasty, hires psychic investigator Mason to find out whether the interloper really did come from a parallel universe. Why does the matriarch, Margaret, hiding upstairs in her room, refuse to meet Mason? And why has Henry taken such a personal interest in Mason? With help from a bizarre splinter of his own personality and his burgeoning psychic insights, Mason snoops around the palatial Whitby estate, digging into the long-held secrets of the family and staff, and with an excursion to New Mexico, uncovers the truth about Etor, the man from Grapalia.
Reach for the Sky
A bougie addict and his wife hire Mason to hunt for buried loot, but he's not even sure it exists. His psychic insights lead him to an old building with a lot to hide, as well as trying to outwit a Freemason, and getting tangled up with a woman who claims to be rooting out corruption in local government--but why does she need a psychic to do that? Working undercover for her at city hall, he runs up against some vicious civil servants who will stop at nothing to protect the status quo. The third installment of the Mason Braithwaite Paranormal Mystery Series finds the bicycle-riding psychic investigator gaining confidence in using his newfound reality-distorting research techniques, struggling with his own rapid evolution while being drawn into unexpected peril as he navigates the shiny heights and gritty underbelly of Los Angeles. Despite his instinct to blame his boyfriend for getting involved with shady people, Ned is always there to provide insight and help pick up the pieces, and their roommate, Peggy, is back on stage and more pregnant than ever. With deft manipulation, Mason cuts through the lies and exposes secrets that are both dark and twisted and incredibly inspiring.
True Vermilion
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the jobs that his employer, Della, throws his way, and the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad.Hired to look into the theft of an expensive piece of jewelry, Slater soon finds himself entangled with a delusional high-end clothing manufacturer who sees the good in everyone, his snooty socialite wife, described as "damaged," and her book-smart smoking-hot stepson. Which one of them is lying to Slater--and who, exactly, is the slippery con artist in the red miniskirt? From his new digs in the Fashion District, and with the help of a new business partner, Slater stalks wealthy lowlifes and their minions in boutiques and clubs, breaking into places he's not supposed to be, winding up the middle of the desert in the middle of the night--and never hesitating to serve up a beatdown.
The Hillside Roble
Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the jobs that his employer, Della, throws his way, and the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Investigating a million-dollar heist at a gallery in the Arts District, Slater can't get a face-to-face with the owner, Eli, until he applies a little pressure, which leads to an evening invite to a tony mansion in the hills. Eli turns out to be a minor celebrity, physically flawless but obsessed with his own image, and flaky in that uniquely LA way. Gallery manager Pilar and her girlfriend are hiding something too, but Slater works to uncover the dirt with some surveillance and subterfuge, briefly posing as a straight guy to get some answers. Eli's nephew Ty seems guileless at first, but what is he really up to at his massage-parlor job? Join Slater as he closes in on the truth, never hesitating to use his fists or his libido to cut through the secrets and deception.
Make the Dark Night Shine
"What is the sound of one heart breaking? Part travelogue, part history, part romance and part Zen meditation, Make the Dark Night Shine sweeps over the reader with overlapping waves of emotion." -Viet Dinh"Make the Dark Night Shine beams with honesty while it explores the creation of chosen families. At its core, this story is a sweeping journey highlighting our humanity and our deep need for home, love and acceptance."-Corie AdjmiInspired by the author's family history, Make the Dark Night Shine is a love letter from a father to the daughter he never met.In 1919, Kenzo Uchida and his partner Mitsu arrive in Constantinople to open the new Japanese Consulate. Kenzo meets Elisa, a feisty Ukrainian cigarette girl in a nightclub and she becomes his consort to hide his gay relationship while in Europe. The unlikely trio begin an adventure in the decadence of post-war Paris until disaster strikes.Returning to the growing militarism in Japan, Kenzo finds an unexpected path in Zen Buddhism. Yet no teachings prepare him for the revelations to come - about his life, his loves, and the events around him. On the eve of WWII, he discovers that he has a daughter living with Elisa in New York. He leaves the monastery on a perilous mission to promote peace with a secret plan to reunite with his daughter Nina.Cinematic in scope, this novel lyrically captures the world on the brink of war. As Kenzo builds - and fights for - his chosen family, larger forces threaten all. Sweeping, meditative, and achingly beautiful, Make the Dark Night Shine explores the many worlds a life can inhabit, and the hidden worlds we find in ourselves.
Lightning Strike Blues
On Friday, Gabriel Reece gets struck by lightning while riding his motorcycle.It's not the worst thing that happens to him that week.Gabe walks away from a smoldering pile of metal without a scratch-or any clothes, which seem to have been vaporized. And that's weird, but he's more worried about the sudden disappearance of his brother, Colin, who ditched town the second Gabe accidentally outed himself as gay.Gabe tries to sift through fragmented memories of his crummy childhood for clues to his sudden invincibility, but he barely has time to think before people around town start turning up dead, and Colin is the cops' number-one suspect. Gabe is sure Colin is innocent, but even he has to admit the evidence is compelling. Especially once the home he shares with Gabe burns to the ground. When Eli Samm, a mysterious and attractive stranger, shows up looking for Colin too, Gabe thinks he might finally have an ally. Except it turns out Eli thinks Colin is a supervillain, and his mission is to put him down....
The Incidental Twin
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Two women who bear a remarkable resemblance to each other are brought together in a shelter for hillside residents fleeing the California wildfires. One of them, Gloria, asks Slater for help in tracking down the other, who's using her identity to run a shady export business. As he digs into the imbroglio, Slater turns up a series of stolen luxury cars, a garage hidden in an old church, and a whole lot of suspicious shipping containers. Not the kind of guy to keep it in his pants, Slater is soon sleeping with sweet sexy Lincoln--a penny-ante lowlife and someone he knows he can't trust. As Slater navigates a seedy slice of the underworld, the buff mechanic thoroughly clouds his judgment. Will Slater's libido finally get him trapped in a situation he can't punch his way out of?
Brawl in Bardo
Don't mess with the hothead--or he might just mess with you. Slater Ib獺簽ez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of Los Angeles, rooting out insurance fraud, not afraid to use whatever means necessary to get things done, and not about to hold back with his fists. A queer antihero for a new age, Slater walks the line between ordinary life and the frayed fringes of society, keeping his balance with the back-channel support he gets from his idiot cop ex-boyfriend, Conrad, and regular squeeze Andy.Helping his business partner, Max, track down a bail jumper, Slater spends the night in a dusty Mojave Desert town. Things look different in the liminal space between LA and Vegas, like the bardo between lives, and Slater soon finds himself stalking a sleazy dermatologist who's in a custody battle with another croaker for a seemingly worthless statue. With high-tech surveillance and a stealthy late-night break-in, bouncing between the metropolis and Sin City, Slater zeroes in on the truth while navigating some irksome emotional entanglements and his own sobriety.
Bait Wolf
CoalI'm the top wolf fighter in the Lunar City Fight League. Thirty wins, zero losses. That's why I get targeted. I have to throw my next fight, let the underdog win. That's the only way I'll get my baby sister back from the gangsters who kidnapped her. But things don't go as planned when the bait wolf brought into the ring turns out to be my fated mate.EmberThis is my last night. I'm sure of it. I've been kept in a cell for months now, only brought out to stoke the competitive flames of the alphas on their fight nights. I'm a realist; one more fight will kill me. But when the huge alpha, Coal-The Redwood-Kent sets eyes on me and loses all control of his senses, he doesn't put me in harm's way, quite the opposite. Coal will stop at nothing to protect me and keep me, even if that means losing everything that matters to him. But that is, of course, if I will let him... Bait Wolf is the first in a series of dark wolf shifter romances with a focus on fated mates and found family.
How to Catch a Bachelor
T1ghtBuns: I could knead the best bread you've ever eaten on those tight abs.TopM4N: *snorts* you sure you're on the right app?I'm a born romantic.He doesn't believe in relationships.Two things we agree on...together we are electric, and we want casual.We're both best men at a wedding, and guess where the bachelor party is?As they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...or does it?Waking up married to an unshakeable bachelor is one thing. Accidentally falling in love with him however, is what could get me into real trouble...How to Catch a Bachelor is the fourth book in the Chester Falls series and features an opposites attract and waking up married tropes, a family with a penchant for inappropriate gifting, lot's of cinnamon buns, and a small town like no other.
How to Catch a Vet
The first thing I learned at Vet school was to always expect the unexpected.Well, I sure never saw Santiago Torres or his adorable Great Dane coming.Santi is everything I'm not. Tall, confident, overbearing, and if I'm to believe his advances, he's also very experienced in...well, you know what.I always play safe, but it's time to ditch the v-card. We couldn't be more different, but that doesn't matter because this is just a one time thing.I'm not going to want more, right?I'm not going to fall for him, right?How to Catch a Vet is the sixth book in the Chester Falls series and features an opposites attract story between a virgin and a player, a Great Dane with a tendency to rescue- read kidnap- other people's pets, and a small town like no other.
How to Catch a Rival
When you're competing, the last thing you should do is fall in love...especially with your rival.Wren turned up out of nowhere and now he's my boss...kind of. He's also a straight, closed-off, emotionless icicle. Who cares if he's also drop dead gorgeous, with eyes you could get lost in?Tom is beautiful, colorful, strong, creative, and my eyes can't stop following him everywhere he goes. He also works for my parents, which means he's off limits. That, and I haven't told them that I'm bi yet.A baking competition with high stakes.Two men who both need that prize money.When the heat moves from the kitchen to the bedroom, will Tom and Wren put their rivalry aside? Or is what they stand to lose more important than their growing feelings?How to Catch a Rival is the second book in the Chester Falls series and features a larger-than-life sparkly character, two guys who can't deny their attraction, plenty of steam, fun and a guaranteed HEA.
