Editor Rob Knight has gathered a great selection of cowboy stories from authors like Sean Michael, BA Tortuga and Parehlion, featuring cowboys from around the globe and across more than a hundred years. These stories all illustrate the best and worst of the breed. Stubborn, independent, and sexy as all get out, the cowboys of Cowboy Up will leave you smiling, sometimes crying, but always admiring the tough, rugged man that rides the range and keeps his bedroll warm at night. There are modern day rodeo cowboys intent on winning the Calgary stampede and proud gauchos in Argentina. There are old west partners out to transport some dusty old bones and a mail order bride with a twist. Always unpredictable and a little wild, just like the cowboy himself, these stories will leave you wishing you had a pair of spurs and a ten gallon hat. Get yourself a cowboy today!

    Can Jason find the strength to believe that love is worth fighting for? A Ring and A Promise by Devon Rhodes When Navy flier Cary secretly switches Academy rings with the love of his life, Owen, he makes a vow to make their unlikely relationship work. But when his Marine is called overseas, will a ring and a promise be enough to get them through? Only Sam by Em Woods When Dylan's restaurant burns down, his dreams turn to ashes, leaving him vulnerable to the man who wants to love him...and the one who wants to kill him. Fire fighter Sam has been trying to work up the nerve to ask Dylan out. But is it too late? Zane's Inferno by Sara York When Zane is trapped in a forest fire and almost killed, paramedic Nick moves in and doesn't leave his side. But a jealous ex is setting up Nick...and gunning for Zane. Will they survive the firestorm or succumb to the flames? In the Name of the Law by Sue Holston Vice cop Mitchell has a secret-he's in love with his partner, Ivan. When too much alcohol leads to them sleeping together, then Ivan is shot and nearly dies, Mitch realises he must tell the truth or lose Ivan for good. Wings of Fire by Kit Sands Fire fighter Salvatore's life will never be the same after he pulls Jamieson from a burning car. But can they avoid the actions of a deranged bigot long enough to have their dreams come true?

    Will the tale—and the storyteller—be enough to win the Sultan’s approbation at last? A Fairy in His Bed – Corinna Silver & Aundrea SingerWhen Daniel Tibbits, recently single, unhappy, and in the grip of terminal writer’s block, inherits a teapot from his great aunt, the last thing he expects is for it to contain a fairy named Quinn. After Daniel saves Quinn’s life, Quinn grants him a wish and stays with him as Daniel decides exactly what that wish will be. The problem is that despite Quinn’s best efforts, Daniel doesn’t believe in fairy tales or happy endings. Kissing the Dragon – Heidi CullinanBao Fischer, born Korean but raised in middle America, can only see his “heritage” as an excuse for people to treat him differently and wants to leave it behind. So why is he dreaming of a dragon every night? The day his dreams start to overlap into the real lives of his overbearing boss and the hot barista at the office coffee stand, Bao needs to figure out what the dragon is trying to tell him before it’s too late to set things right. Something Pipeth Like a Bird – David CheaterBored with tending sheep, young Judean shepherd boy Yosef follows the music coming from a nearby ruin, never expecting to encounter a Djinn. But Masul is nothing like the demons described in Scripture… and Masul finds himself surprised by the Human as well.Greenleaf’s Blessing – M. KingRhynn, orphaned as a child and apprenticed to his village’s Herb Mage, is a man whose trade—a potent mix of herbalism and magic—creates distrust even among those who ask for aid. After an unexpected encounter drives away the one person Rhynn considered a friend, he flees into the old forest… only to meet the wood’s guardian spirit, who awakens the dormant power within him.On Wild Wings – Connie BaileyChuneh is a dragon rider, partnered on border patrol with She Who Is Sister to the Sun. Though older, wiser, and mightier than mankind, even the she-dragon cannot explain how a young male has reached Ascension without being sensed by any other dragons. Sadorey is not a typical dragon, as Chuneh is about to learn—to his cost and his delight.The Sower and the Reaper – Helen MaddenHosa, from the Red Sky clan, came looking for a God when a meteor storm wiped out his tribe’s crops. Ozzie doesn’t look like any God Hosa has ever heard of, but the only chance to redeem himself and save his tribe from starvation will be if Hosa can convince Ozzie to perform a miracle.The One – Ariel TachnaTrapped in human form when an injury prevents him from shifting, Rylan is befriended by Thorin, a man with a dangerous secret. Rylan has a secret of his own—in his other form, as a unicorn, he’s as hunted as Thorin. While Rylan knows he should leave before Thorin discovers the truth, Thorin has an allure that’s almost impossible for Rylan to resist.Of Genies and Sea Monsters – Scarlet BlackwellA buyer and seller of gems, Ephram leaves to seek his fortune, only to find riches a poor substitute for his lover, Eber. Desperate to return home despite the sea monster that blocks the way, Ephram enlists the help of a boisterous genie, a mysterious magician, and even his landlord. Only by completing a series of seemingly impossible tasks will Ephram have any chance of being reunited with the man he loves.The Wild Hunt – Cari Z.David Evans was five years old when he first witnessed the wild hunt on Halloween night. Fascinated by its magnificent leader, David returns to the same spot year after year, hoping to prove worthy to be chosen by the hunter. But can a mortal ride with the Tylwyth Teg and survive?The Light of Foreign Places – Rodello Santos & Damon ShawJai is a seducer, winning converts for the Snake Goddess, Striyn. At the holy carnival outside the desert city of Ramsha’hla, Jai meets Duphal, one of the few city dwellers to respond to the carnival’s attractions. Duphal is attracted to Jai, too, even though in his culture, to act on that attraction is punishable by death….Night and Day – Rowan SpeedwellNate Pederowski is about as far down as he can go when he’s tipped to a job as a singer in a speakeasy. A veteran of WWI dishonorably discharged for being “queer,” Nate is embittered and lonely. The club’s handsome owner, Rick Bellevue, is wowed by Nate’s voice and offers him the job, and Nate’s life is about to change in ways he can scarcely imagine, let alone believe.The Flower Boy – Belinda McBrideStarving student Philip Yeoh can barely make ends meet while he attends art school in San Francisco. With his rent coming due, he spends the last of his money on flowers to sell on a busy street corner—a plan that seems to be a failure until an odd, androgynous young man approaches him, also selling flowers. Since Lan looks even more destitute than Philip, the young student buys a handful of flowers from the stranger. Within minutes, Philip’s luck changes, but when he offers to buy the rest of the stranger's flowers, Lan will only accept a kiss in payment—a kiss that literally transports Philip to another world.

    Dating services, matchmakers, family introductions, even unlikely friends... the means may differ, and the road probably won't run straight, but "happily ever after" is guaranteed at the end. It's about romance and heart, but some steamy attraction never hurts! Be it a perfect stranger or a crush from long ago, all it takes is a little help to find that certain someone and "Make Me a Match."Stories included are:The Perfect Match by Jaelyn Storm Crash and Burn by Catt Ford Third Time's the Charm by Chrissy Munder Dear Alex by Clare London How to Woo a Straight Man by Jaymz Connelly Three on a Match by Nicki Bennett

    Now grown up, Dax has changed a lot. Not only has he made a huge name for himself as a special-effects makeup artist, but he has a whole new look. Then an invitation comes in the mail. It's the tenth reunion for their graduation and they are having a weekend retreat. When he shows up and sees that Lance, his old high school crush, is there too, Dax is both overjoyed and nervous. Will the men be able to make up for lost time?

    It is a product of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group Scavenger Hunt challenge and features original stories from some excellent authors. The Scavenger Hunt challenge is an event where readers find books that fit a criterion (like having a green cover or a title starting with “D”) and then find specific items within the pages of these books to add up to as many points as possible (for example, “twin bed” = +2 points). This challenge was a helluva lotta, fun and so we thought we share by creating the ultimate 2013 Goodreads Scavenger Hunt book.This book was lovingly put together as a baby gift for Katie, our tireless leader, who recently had her first baby and is probably just now realizing what “busy mom” really means. Congratulations Katie!We’ve listed the items you need to find in the front of the book. Happy Hunting (Under Covers).Publisher’s Note: This book is intended for adult audiences. It contains sexually explicit scenes between two or more men, violence, and language which may be considered offensive by some readers.

    Right? We all dream of that magic moment when sparks fly and the attraction is undeniable. However, during the search, it is often enjoyable to take a time out and share a few stolen moments or even a whole weekend with Mr. Right Now. This anthology showcases a series of stories that describe random encounters involving Mr. Right Now: sizzling-hot lunchtime meetings, passionate, tense clashes in the back seat of a car, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities or casual arrangements of convenience. These moments can last a handful of explosive minutes or build into lasting romance - you never know when Mr. Right Now is going to surprise you and become so much more. Have you met him before and desired him from afar? Or is he a complete stranger you bumped into at the corner supermarket or in a dark club? Give Mr. Right Now a chance. Even if all you think you have is the now... he might surprise you.

    David is a handsome finance director who works nearby, eats lunch by himself, and expects nothing but “the usual”—small vanilla latte—from the cute guy in the cart. But when David shows up for his first Portland Pride festival, Robby works up the nerve to take their slow-brewing relationship to the next level. David, however, is newly out and single, still grieving the loss of his longtime lover, and unsure if he’s ready to date again. Yet with every fresh latte, sweet exchange—and near hook-up—David and Robby go from simmering to steaming to piping hot. The question is: Will someone get burned?Baked FreshFrom its famous coffee to the mouthwatering fare at its cafés, restaurants, and bakeries, Portland, Oregon, has a lot to whet the appetite, including the hard-working men who serve it all up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…Vic Degrassi is a baker on the rise, and it’s all thanks to his rare ability to make—and keep—his New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school, Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it. This year? He wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it’s been a long time since Vic’s gone on a date, and he’s nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they’re friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound. There’s only one way to find out: turn up the heat…Delivered FastPortland, Oregon, aka Hotlandia, where the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are ready to serve everything piping hot, fresh, and ready to go—like the hard-working, hard-bodied men behind the counters—with no reservations…Sure, Chris O’Neal has problems. His restaurant is still co-owned by his ex. His flannel-and-tattoos style is making him accidentally trendy. He can’t remember the last time he went out and had fun. But he’s not lonely, he’s driven. And the hot bakery delivery boy is not his problem, no matter how sweet his buns.Chris is old enough to know Lance Degrassi’s sculpted good looks and clever double entendres spell nothing but trouble. Lance is still in college—he should be hitting the clubs and the books, chasing guys his own age, not pursuing some gruff motorcycle-riding workaholic. Especially when he’ll be leaving for grad school in a few months. But Lance keeps hanging around, lending a hand, charming Chris to distraction. Maybe some steaming hot no-strings indulgence won’t hurt. Then again, maybe it will…

    The thrill of casual touch exposes an immediate attraction between them, but how far can intimacy go between two totally different life forms?Revolving Realities By Cari Z.Dr. Eliot Hollister is desperate to locate the Ulysses and her crew before tragedy strikes… again. The lone survivor of a hostile attack compounded by human error, Eliot is using an alien artifact to search through alternate realities, trying to change the outcome in a parallel dimension. Eliot’s challenge once he finds the ship? Convince Captain Paul Alvarez he’s for real before the Ulysses falls prey to the same trap.The Sacrifice By Sue BrownAfter twelve years, the leaders of the Free Worlds have finally found a man willing to sacrifice his life to the gods of Segelian to ensure an alliance with the mineral-rich planet. But when Stane raises the dagger to perform the rite, he looks into the human Steven’s eyes and is horrified to discover he is destined to kill his life partner. If Stane doesn’t complete the ritual, it will destroy any chance for a treaty… and it might also change the world of Segelian forever.Alone By Andrea SpeedScientist Logan Murakami doesn’t have much to keep him company during his lonely vigil at Outpost Proserpina. But he knew that going in, and it’s the perfect place to focus solely on his work: a neuro-optical interface that would be the perfect engine for artificial intelligence… an intelligence that Logan hopes is taking on a life of its own.Losing Sight of the Shore By Emily MoretonSecondary communications officer Jay is assigned to a boarding crew when the Hydra discovers a seemingly abandoned, powerless ship floating in space. While exploring the derelict ship, Jay finds a barely conscious man with purple skin and silver eyes. After surviving a raider attack, Felix is understandably afraid to let Jay go—even when cultural differences threaten to stop any contact between them.Gifted in Tongues By JL MerrowAfter inadvertently outraging local sensibilities, space pilot Torvald “Spitz” Spitzbergen faces a five-year stretch in a Lacertilian jail. His only consolation is trading insults with his cellmate, Tao, a six-foot libidinous Felid. But Tao seems to have a distinctly fuzzy understanding of the difference between fighting and foreplay…Analytic Geometry By Andi DeaconKevin Ikoro has an incredible opportunity: his boss at Helix Multicorp wants an analyst’s view of how the corporation’s Exploration division works, and Kevin is now a member of explorer team Alpha 3IG. His teammates, a set of brilliant twins named Cameron and Theo Banark, are fascinating, and Kevin finds himself harboring a serious case of lust for Cameron. But exploration is unpredictable, and his teammates may not be what they seem. The shortest distance between two bodies isn’t always a straight line.The Monsters Below By Lyn GalaBrai’s never dreamed of fighting the monstrous sub-humans who infest Kestia, but when his lover joins the service, Brai does what he always does… he follows. Then Rick is lost on his first mission, and Brai is left alone in a murderous rage. Now on his own first mission gone terribly wrong, Brai has his chance to get back at the monsters for killing Rick—only the government hasn’t been honest about the nature of the enemy, and Brai might find that the caves hide a secret that could change his life.Feral By K.R. FosterDesperate to end a war, the king of the Lunar Pryde agrees to submit one of his offspring to mate with a member of the Sol Pryde royal line. Cynfael, prince of the Lunar Pryde, fled the planet six months ago searching for freedom, and nothing could convince him to return… except his father’s threat to marry off Cynfael’s twelve-year-old sister Adara. After fighting for freedom his entire life, Cynfael must return to Starion to face his unknown mate and an equally unknown future.Ganymede’s Honor By Cornelia GreyColonel Ardeth Connor has been rescued from death, but he’s not sure his new life is any better: he’s effectively trapped aboard a rebel ship that defies the Federation to collect ice meteors, stealing life-sustaining water for the poorest of planets and asteroids. As an anonymous part of Captain Gabriel’s crew, Ardeth is biding his time until he can escape… and learning there’s more to space than just the Federation.

    It sucks you into a narrowly focused world and leaves you blind as a bat to other things...~*~ Extended Version (13,000 words--short story)~*~

    A man he's only seen, and crushed on, in images, a model by the name of Jimmy Saldana. When Mark is an unfortunate witness to the meltdown of Jimmy's love life through the personality mags, his heart goes out to the other man.And then they meet...

     Hawk has been blessed by the goddess Athena for more than a hundred and forty-four years to fight the evil that permeates the earth, the Keres female spirits death-army. When a new plague of victims arises, a flock of five Birds of Prey move to Atlanta to eradicate the enemy. Second in command, Hawk has seen his fair share of the enemy’s handiwork. What he doesn’t expect is to patrol one night and find a mortal fighting tooth and nail with one of his own enemies—the Keres’ army of Blood Demons. Aaron is just trying to get through college, he really is. But, try as he might, his grades are still slipping, so he has to spend late nights in the library instead of partying. After a late night walking home from the library, he finds himself attacked by a grim-faced man who tries to dig a hole into Aaron’s chest with wicked looking claws. When a gold-eyed sexy stranger comes to help him out, he doesn’t expect to get nabbed for seeing too much and end up in the middle of a war he didn’t ask to be invited to. But once he’s in and spends more time with gold eyes, does Aaron really want to go back to the way things were before?

    They are a product of the Love Is Always Write promotion sponsored by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group and are published as a free gift to you.What Is Love Is Always Write?The Goodreads M/M Romance Group invited members to choose a photo and pen a letter or story prompt asking for a short M/M romance story inspired by the image; authors from the group were encouraged to select a letter or story prompt and write an original tale. The result was an outpouring of creativity that shone a spotlight on the special bond between M/M romance writers and the people who love what they do. Nearly 150 stories were submitted and published as a ten volume set – as well as an additional special bonus volume with three novel-length stories – titled Love Is Always Write; this edition is Volume Four. Whether you are an avid M/M romance reader or new to the genre, you are in for a delicious treat.Stories in Volume 4: GOODBYE PHILLIP – Summer Devon (contemporary/baby)HALCYON CATS – Derekica Snake (paranormal/shifters)HALF-BAKED PROMISES – Erica Pike (contemporary/small-town)A HARD DAZED KNIGHT – J.J. Cassidy (contemporary/enemies-to-lovers)HARD RIDE – Danni Keane (contemporary/age gap)HEART OF SLATE – Trinity Lee (contemporary/gay for you)HEARTSTRINGS – Jessa Ryan (contemporary/musician) THE HEARTY BOYS – Andi Lea (contemporary/chef)HELPFUL PAWS – Elyse Night (contemporary/pets) HI, HONEY – Natalie Logue (contemporary/action) HIDING MARIAH – Cheryl Dyson (contemporary/humorous) THE HIGH KING’S GOLDEN TONGUE – Megan Derr (fantasy/royalty) HIS TRUE NATURE – Silvia Violet (contemporary/camping)HOW I LOST IT ON PLANET X – Gabbo De La Parra (sci-fi/enemies-to-lovers)I WON’T LET GO – Anna Lee (contemporary/zookeepers)Words of Caution The stories in this collection are sexually explicit and intended for adult readers. Some stories may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

    When he needs help himself in his new job as the host of a radio sex advice show, he shares some private secrets that lead his longtime friend, Neal Kenelly, to see him in a new light. However, Neal's past makes him leery of approaching the other man openly. Will a more subtle approach be enough to win him Chris's heart?Healing In His Wings by Ariel Tachna: When the crew of the Starfire is struck by a mysterious plague, help comes from an unexpected source: the healers of a nearby planet. First Officer Ryan Nelson is sent to act as liaison officer between the Petari and the Starfire and finds unexpected healing in their tender care.Ever Changing by Shay Kincaid: Born a Changeling, Chase Spencer had fooled his teachers, playmates, even his parents with his altered appearances, but as he reached adulthood, the games took on a whole new meaning. Each weekend it was a different 'persona' and a different partner, and that seemed to suit the young man just fine, until the night he set his sights on someone from his past. Will Chase emerge from his latest game unscathed, or will he be caught in a web of his own devising?Dreamscape International by Connie Bailey & Rhianne Aile: Visiting dreams to grant paid-for wishes, Dreamwalker Lucien Clarke is the best at navigating the twists and turns of sleeping minds. While recovering from a job gone wrong, he discovers that fantasy's passion just can't match reality's love. Will unseen dangers ruin it all?An Academic Dilemma by Alix Bekins: Rodrigo is an art history student who finds himself attracted to a new friend while also undeniably drawn to his professor. Exploring his feelings for them both leads him into a strange new world of trust, kink and surprising secrets.

    Obviously, as a gay man, he’s not the target group, and there’s nothing for him there except cheap wine and uncomfortable chairs. But when hotel manager Alexsy sits down opposite him and offers an evening of a very different kind than Elliot expected, Elliot’s tempted to try something for the very first time in his life… The tantalising adventure of a one-night stand.