But an unexpected phone call interrupts his announcement -- Aunt Evie is dead. Now Michael, his boyfriend, and his dysfunctional family must prepare for the funeral.

    That's what he calls me. I am a Dychiiop. We are a race of people who transmogrify into more than one form. I come from a place known as Auhin. We are a peaceful planet and people. An asteroid struck my ship, damage irreparable, mission aborted. Setting off alarms, shutting down sections of the ship along with the backups, I could do nothing but make it to safety and shift into another form and suspend while the ship spiralled out of control. My ship crash-landed on what I thought was a deserted place. I made it out with minor cuts as I made it to safety from the crash. I sat there in shock and watched my ship burn to nothing. All communications to my home planet, lost, gone. Gone was my link to everything I knew. This is the first time that I have ever felt so alone. What a strange place to be lost in. I found shelter from the elements and settled in to rest and recover. Shortly thereafter, I detected someone watching me. So close, so very close….…I was captured and imprisoned by this man [Photo 2]. They call him Von.[Photo 2] He is a sadistic human who continues to conduct cruel experiments on us. I am imprisoned in a place somewhere underground where the light is false. It is cold here, an unnatural cold. The experiments have left me unable to fully shift. It is too painful to be awake most of the time, too painful to sleep for the nightmares. I am in limbo. I am not alone here. I hear others. There are rooms which hold beings that are part human and something else. I do not know. I hear screams, weeping, so much pain.There are four other humans (?) in white coats who get their orders from this Von human. I hear their whispers when he is away. They speak often of TradeCap or Sector 5. A sector where those who have genetically "Completed" end up. When you are sent there, you do not return... I miss my home, my people. I hate it here. Am I to continue to suffer a fate worse than death at the hands of this insane human? I've been on this god-forsaken planet for a few months? Weeks, who knows? How do I get out?[Photo 3] My name is Rhys Denali Delacroix. I was born a lion shifter. I belong to an elite organization that rescues and protect shifters of all kinds. Our undercover missions infiltrate the worst offenders who otherwise have the money and means to slip under the radar and bureaucratic red tape to carry out their experiments. This is the worst I've seen yet. I wear one of the white coats. I oversee Sector 7 where Sin is housed.The first time I laid eyes on Sin a few months ago, there was no doubt in my mind that he is to be with me. Since then I've craved Sin like my next breath. Fuck! I've never met anyone like him before. I can only watch him from afar without blowing my cover. Why now? Shit! Couldn't this happen at any other time? I've kept him in a state of suspension. I cannot bear to hear his screams. But I have to be careful. I have to find a way to keep him safe and bide my time. Von has become suspicious of my movements in the lab. He may be on to me. He's had a possessive eye on Sin from the very first day and it has been full of lust ever since.Photo Description: [Photo 1] Half naked man, wearing only leather pants and matching wrist cuffs, with the top of his ass exposed. His hands are raised above his head, and tied. He can't escape. He has jet black hair with a stripe of white strands at his forehead, almond shaped eyes and a sweet smile. [Photo 2] A well-defined man standing in an expensive suit, with his shirt open, exposing his muscular torso. His stance is dominating, his look is threatening. His eyes are cold and his smile is sinister. He's clearly used to getting what he wants, when he wants it, whatever the cost. [Photo 3] A close-up face-only photo of a dark-skinned man, with full, beautiful lips and sky-blue eyes. His stare is captivating, crystal clear and a true window to his soul. His eyes alone tell us he is strong and honest. His eyes tell us he will defend what is right, what is his.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 9.__________Genre: Sci-Fi; paranormal; other-worldTags: Sci-Fi; scientist; shifters; under-cover agents; abduction; experiments; bondedWarnings: almost dub-con; torture; violenceWord count: 12,233

    While rape is a crime of power, focusing on exerting physical control over another person, non-con is all about the gray area where verbal consent is either never given (not a 'yes', but not a 'no' either) or doesn't match the arousal and passion both parties share during the act. In "Like It or Not", we push the boundaries of consent without fully breaking them.When Connor's rent money is due and not even hooking can make up the shortfall, he really is "Out of Options". So when playboy Jarrett makes him a very generous offer, he doesn't look too closely at the terms—and lives to regret it. Then, werewolf Trevor is subjected to "Obedience Classes" when his pack alpha becomes fed up with his rebellion. Dirk, the wolf charged with this task, though, seems more interested in claiming Trevor for himself, by any means necessary. Writer Ian Richards has to decide "What It's Worth" to get his story when his contact meets him in a private club. In fact, Vincenzo has no intention of letting his information go easily, if at all.In "Blindside", freshman Matt is tired of enduring the hazing by (admittedly gorgeous) upperclassman Dylan, when Dylan ups the ante significantly. And as much as Matt wants Dylan, he can't be sure the whole thing isn't one more bizarre prank. Confessor Isak must resort to "Unnatural Means" when he is charged with the task of forcing Sain to confess his sins of murder and witchcraft before inevitable execution. Torturing in the name of the Divine is difficult enough, but when Sain's seductive magic takes hold of him, he isn't sure it will be Sain who breaks under pressure to find release. Finally, "Salting the Earth" becomes Ronan's only choice when he suspects his sister has been taken by the fairies. However, this only draws the interest of ruthless King Finnbheara, who extracts a price for his cooperation that may be too high for Ronan to pay.

    With his family and his lover, Luke Rossovich, by his side, Jesse’s had a day to remember.But Luke's not finished celebrating, and if he has his way, their night in the City of Lights is just getting started.Publisher’s Note: This book contains elements that may be objectionable to some readers: homoerotic sex practices.

    No mate, no pups, just him and his brothers working on their handyman business together. Until he stumbles across Grim, an omega deer. Suddenly, things Jasper once had no desire for, come crashing to the forefront. Would it be so bad walking away from the lone wolf life? Grimaldo knows instantly upon meeting the cheerful alpha wolf Jasper that he needs to stay clear of him. His family already has plans and he can’t go against his herd. Grim has no time to be tying himself to some random alpha. These two are opposites in every way so what happens when fate decides to pull them together? Trusting in Fate is a 33k low angst mpreg romance with insta-love, grump and sunshine, steam, and a realization that family comes in unexpected forms.

     It had been Rhett Beaumont’s life-long dream to visit Paris, the city of love. He had a strong connection with the city through his parents, who amazingly enough, conceived him there. Sadly, he was seeing the city alone, his heart still not healed from being broken. When his predilection for French pastries yielded a hot chef, passions of a different sort started to heat up. Would Luc le Monnier, the French Pastry Chef, be enough to mend Rhett’s heart? What would happen when Rhett needed to return home, to Charleston? Will it only be a summer love…or more?

    That changes when the pirate Beche takes Alex after capturing his ship. At first Alex believes his fate is death and the only question a matter of how he might die. However, the longer he is on the ship, the more he realizes that Beche hates the world because it is unfair in ways Alex never understood. As Alex begins to respect this strong, independent man, Alex’s dormant desires begin to reassert themselves.Beche hates the titled classes and their government enforcers. They might have outlawed slavery on paper, but they never came to the islands to free him or his family. Since his skin is black, society has little respect for him. Beche expects no more of this latest captive, but soon Beche begins to realize that Alex is a naïve and beautiful man who values family and struggles with his own place in society. That poses an even larger problem because Beche does not want to send Alex back to a world that will mistreat him, but he has no place for a lord on a ship full of pirates.

    Want to see how it all began? Share Jake and Cam's first sizzling encounter.(This short story takes place ten years prior to Out of the Blue).Ten years later and Jake is planning on asking Cam to marry him, but what happens Out of the Blue threatens to tear the happy couple apart.

    While the teenager is unsure of which direction to take in life, he’s aware the road he’s on is a direct route to desolation. Being outed as bisexual in the bluegrass state is alienating, and the events to follow are worse. Still, Blake is driven—by any means necessary—to make something more of himself. Identifying an opening, Blake paves a path and finds His Own Way Out.Publisher Notes:13 Red Media, Ltd, parent company to Helix Studios, is pleased to announce Rise Up.Rise Up is a series of new adult novels that illuminates pivotal moments in the lives of LGBTQ youth. Each novel features a fresh protagonist and his experience navigating the ups and downs of adulthood. While the characters change and the stories vary, common themes—including the struggle for independence, identifying one’s passions, searching for acceptance and for love—are interwoven through the pages of the novels. These stories will open your eyes to worlds of possibilities, both conventional and off-beat, as these men take you on their journeys to self-discovery. Keith Miller, founder of Helix, says “I’ve heard such amazing stories of love and life over the years from our many models and now to see these stories used as a basis for an LGBTQ novel is truly a dream come true.“The novels are written by Taylor Saracen with story line input provided by exclusive Helix models. These novels will be released in print as well as digital platforms. Participating models will share in revenue from novel sales. According to Mitchell, “Helix has really given me great opportunities to grow my career, and I am excited to continue working with such a solid company. I can’t wait to share this story with the world and trust it will touch others as much as it has me.”

    Teaming up with broody photographer, Mark, promises other perks. A ten year relationship with high school sweetheart, Eli, no longer offers Tristan the excitement he craves. Mark made his intentions clear and Tristan is close to giving in to his advances.One morning at ‘The Gallows’ leaves Tristan reeling. He wasn’t prepared for the hell he witnessed and certainly wasn’t prepared to meet Zane. Disarmed by Zane’s angelic manner, Tristan can’t believe anyone would stand him up. He soon realises the tardy boyfriend only exists in Zane’s mind and the beautiful young man is not a visitor to The Gallows but a patient.Eli walks out and Tristan’s life falls apart. A decision to meet with Mark almost ends in tragedy and Tristan finds solace in Zane’s company. Before long Zane’s delusions begin terrorising him again. While Tristan fights to save his own sanity and get Eli back, he knows someone must fight for Zane’s right to love a man no one else can see. A man who scares away violent hallucinations, takes away Zane’s fear, keeps him safe, and is trapped inside a stone statue.

     Thorne is the talented cat burglar who delights in relieving the wealthy of their fine art and gemstones. Lane is the kinky prosecutor who'll do almost anything to avoid sending Thorne to prison. Even if it means he has to take Thorne's punishment into his own hands... They're on opposite sides of the law, but somehow they can't stay apart. This standalone gay romance novel includes a stolen painting, a missing gemstone, lemon cookies, and several scenes of steamy BDSM action between two men who can't help proving that opposites attract. Safe, sane, consensual. No cheating or cliffhangers. Always a happy ending.

    From the moment they both discovered their love for fire at the age of ten, it’s been one competition after another. They went from setting neighborhood trashcans ablaze to award-winning chemistry experiments at Georgia IT. Besting each other has been their life’s mission, until their obsession got out of control and almost cost them their careers.Now outcasted from Hollywood, two of the world’s best pyrotechnician engineers are back home where it all started, and the city is not equipped for the heat they can bring. But, when Wesley comes to Law with a plan that can put them back on top again, Law is shocked to find that his nemesis means for the two of them to work… together.Big. Damn. Mistake. No multiple pairings. Ends with a very, very HFN. This is the short introduction of two, new characters that are about to make a very explosive appearance in Atlanta, and of course, attract the attention of a certain narcotics task force. While God has enough troublemakers on his team, he’s thinking the two rebellious chemists with their own agenda, might prove to be beneficial while he and his partner Day prepare to battle a meth war.

    He has plenty to do, being the head ranger of the Tahoe National Forest, but living alone in a cabin in the middle of the woods isn’t exactly the most riveting life. He’s known excitement, too. For many years he served as a sniper in the marine corps, but a devastating shoulder injury has reduced him to civilian duties. These days, a walker’s twisted ankle or a trapped raccoon is about as exciting as it gets. Nothing can prepare him, though, for the day he comes across a man lying in the middle of a lonely forest road. The man is alive, but he’d certainly been left for dead. When he wakes up in the hospital, it becomes obvious that he’s suffering from amnesia. With nothing to identify him save for the huge angel tattoo that spreads across his shoulders, the hospital staff name him Gabriel, and tell Hopper that with nowhere else to send him, once he’s recovered from his injuries he’ll have to be sent out into the world. Against his better judgement, but always a sucker for swarthy looks and piercing blue eyes, Hopper agrees to allow Gabriel to stay with him. Perhaps, together, they can work at finding out who this mystery man is, why he was left lying in the forest, and who could possibly have attacked him so badly. What Hopper can never prepare himself for is how deeply he will fall for this handsome stranger, and how he will be able to let Gabriel go when the past, as it always does, comes to catch up. Please Note: This book contains adult language and steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approximately 82,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: Forest Ranger, Amnesia, Angel tattoo, Lake Tahoe, Falling in love, ex-marine

    One younger guy who is clueless and poor. What could possibly go wrong?Desperate for money because of a friend’s medical bills, Patrick found himself contemplating something that he never thought he would…doing gay porn. But, before he can even finish his audition, he’s shown the backdoor and kicked out.Vance, the owner of the porn company, knows from the instant he sees Patrick that he and he alone should be the only one to ever touch the younger man. He tracks Patrick and offers him a job…off camera.Patrick agrees, and the two men soon find themselves growing closer to each other. Will they be able to get through their insecurities, or will their story be over before it even began?