Book picks similar to
Murmur by Ryal Woods


fantasy
glbtq
books-with-less-than-300-reviews
m-m-paranormal

Act One: Safe Travels


Kari Gregg - 2015
    Grief-stricken, Becket followed Theo’s clues, sending him through a stone grid to Ket. With no magical ability, Becket must find Theo in a land where dragons roam the lowlands and magic evolved in men and women who aren’t apex predators and have settled in high aeries to survive. Locating his uncle, however, is the easy part. Becket is a bibelot – non-magical. And Theo is recovering from a wild magic storm that hit his expedition to the lowlands. He can’t control his power. They can’t go home. Elders will permit a second expedition and Theo’s sole hope of obtaining frequency stone to stabilize his magic, but only if he allows seers to scry Becket’s sentinel first. Too bad the protector scried for Becket is Theo’s rival in this strange otherworld, another caster named Kellan Fik. And Kellan knows Theo and Becket aren’t what they seem. Handfasting his enemy may be Becket’s best and only chance.

Highfell Grimoires


Langley Hyde - 2014
    The sudden death of his parents shatters all of that, leaving Neil and his younger sister beggared and orphaned. When Neil’s estranged uncle offers him a bargain that will save him and his sister from debtor’s prison or exile, Neil eagerly agrees. Handing over the family grimoire as collateral for their debt, Neil devotes himself to working as a teacher for wayward youths at a charity school high in the clouds. But Highfell Hall is not the charity Neil imagines it to be and the young men there aren’t training for the dull lives of city clerks. Amidst the roaring engines and within the icy stone halls, machinations and curious devices are at work. And one man, the rough and enigmatic Leofa, holds the key to the desire that Neil has fled from all his life and a magic as dangerous as treason.

Dreamlands


Felicitas Ivey - 2009
    To his surprise, he finds shelter in the magical world among strangers who swiftly become comrades. Among them is Samojirou Aboshi, a handsome scholar who treats Keno with unexpected care and respect while openly pursuing his affections. To Samojirou, Keno is the embodiment of perfection, a man who could be his companion and lover forever. When Samojirou offers him life and love as his companion, Keno realizes he may have finally found a home... but all that is threatened when a commando team from the real world arrives to steal the power of the Dreamlands and Keno's chance for a future of his own choosing.

The Finder


Brandon Fox - 2011
    The Empire claimed and culled his childhood friend, and he has never forgiven the government for its callousness. When Rhan is assigned to help Imperial soldiers find a dangerous heretic, he is hard-pressed to keep his opinions—and his invisible advantages—to himself.Surprisingly, one of the young guides in the hunt, Aerik Rodan, shares some of Rhan’s ideas. As the journey brings their minds closer, it also ignites the passion between them. But any thoughts of happiness are threatened as the hunt for one heretic soon leads them to the source of the heresy and a truth about their world that could bring chaos and war upon them all.

My Life Without Garlic


Bailey Bradford - 2015
    Man, was he right—but it just so happens that those weirdos really are vampires, and when one shows up at his place, Augustin’s world is turned upside down.First he’s got a psychotic vampire to deal with. Then he’s got one who is much more fun hanging around.Except now that Augustin knows that vampires exist, he can’t be left alive. Or can he? When an alternative is offered up, Augustin doesn’t care for it, either. After all, he doesn’t want to be whisked off to some disgusting vampire den.Tony’s the vampire next in line to lead the coven. He wants to be a fair man, and that means arguing against killing Augustin. If he’s also attracted to the sarcastic, adorable man, where’s the harm in that?The attraction between Augustin and Tony is undeniable, but deny it is what they both try to do. Someone is going to have to bend or break.Publisher's Note: This book was previously available on the author’s blog.

The End of Darkness


Shea Balik - 2019
    He’d never believed in the stories his grandmother told him about the reason behind what they were doing. That was, until he walked outside to the bonfire to see bloodcurdling creatures that no Hollywood studio had ever come close to replicating, killing his family. Since an early age, Eirik had one job, to protect the descendants of the one who’d cursed him and his friends. It hadn’t been what he’d ever imagined for his life, but after nearly a millennia Eirik had learned one thing, life never went as planned. Never had that been truer than when he’d rescued Ryley from certain death. Now the two must learn to work together to save humanity. Will all be lost? Or will they discover a way to heal their hearts by opening themselves up to love? WARNING: Unseelie monsters run amok in this story!

Snow of the White Hills


Wendy Rathbone - 2019
    Once upon a time an imprisoned prince was rescued by seven beautiful men. For two years, Prince Snow has been locked away in the palace tower. On the night Queen Serena decides to do away with him for good, seven beautiful men with equally tragic pasts appear out of nowhere to rescue him. Starved for affection, hurt, and in fear for his life, Snow is shown attention and care he has never known. The seven men teach him what real loyalty and love can be. Doc, their leader, will heal him. Sleepy, the most devoted, offers to become his love until the end of days. All yearn to fight to gain Snow his rightful throne. But Snow cannot justify his new friends putting their lives on the line for him. His heart will break forever if anything happens to Sleepy. Maybe it would be better for all if he just left… You will love Prince Snow, but you will fall in love with Sleepy! M/M romance, non-magical fantasy, abduction, imprisonment, rescue, hurt/comfort, and a sweet love story with a happy ending!

Orphan's Quest


Pat Nelson Childs - 2007
    Growing up, he never dreamt anything would haunt him more than the riddle of his parents' identity. But at seventeen, Rokey is discovering that while his roommate, Ely, can think only of girls, his own feelings draw him toward other boys instead. Soon the question of whether or not he is a "samer" is occupying his mind to the exclusion of all else. But when a tragedy results in his expulsion from the only home he has ever known, and an unknown enemy begins trying to kill him, Rokey's mind abruptly returns to the mystery of his parentage. Solving that puzzle, he determines, could mean the difference between life and death. On the road, Rokey soon meets up with a charming elf named Flaskamper. Captivated by the handsome young man, the elf promptly volunteers his help, as well as that of his three unlikely companions. Before long, the five become swept up in the effort to solve the riddle of Rokey's origins and to find out who is trying to kill him, and why. Along the way, Rokey endures some harsh lessons about disappointment and betrayal but also delights in the joy and excitement of first love. Foiled in initial attempts, Rokey's enigmatic foe escalates the attacks. As the young orphan and his new-found friends pursue the trail of clues that leads them across the land of Firma, they find themselves battling an ever-deadlier array of assassins. When they finally do uncover the truth, it is in the last place Rokey had ever expected to find it.

Omega Studies


Maggie Hemlock - 2018
    That’s okay, he doesn’t want to marry an Alpha looking for nothing more than a houseboy, anyway. What sort of mundane existence would that be? Certainly not one he wants to experience. Wrynn’s outspoken nature causes him to cycle through a lot of jobs and there aren’t many left willing to hire an unmated omega. His last chance is the position of Omega Studies professor at the prestigious Hemlock Academy. It’s below his level of expertise, but his Alpha brother and guardian, Zack, called in every last favor to secure it for Wrynn and threatens to marry him off, true-mate or not, if he doesn’t make it work. When his new boss turns out to be everything Wrynn’s ever dreamed of and more he’s sure there’s a catch to snagging the most eligible Alpha in the states. He’s not sure he’ll get to find out if Darian Hemlock can’t put up with his sass and outspoken nature. Darian Hemlock isn’t looking for his true-mate. He’s not against the idea. The Patriarch of Hemlock Wolf Pack and the Dean of Hemlock Academy has bigger problems to worry about. With the turn over rate of the Omega Studies professor ever rising and a new string of omega disappearances sweeping through his pack’s territory he’s taken off guard when Wrynn Heart walks into his life and for a brief moment the world stops. His new Omega Studies Professor is unlike any other omega he’s ever met and he’s his. Everything about Wrynn makes him irresistible from his slim physique to his smart-mouthed antics. In fact, when it comes to Wrynn he can only think about one thing: the night they conceive their first pup. Alpha and omega collided in a clash of passion, but the world doesn’t stop just because they’ve had a true-mating response. Threats from the outside continue to pour into their lives in the form of an unsolved string of omega kidnappings. Will Darian and his pack stop the threat to their very home before it’s too late? An MM Shifter MPREG Romance

Faire Fugitive


Madeleine Ribbon - 2013
    His would-be killer is on his tail again, and he needs to get the hell out of town. Once inside the gates, he finds himself under the scrutiny of Ezra, the handsome bartender. But Devin is on a mission, and while he relieves the costumed masses of their money, he also steals a magical amulet from a seemingly-abandoned jewelry case.An amulet that happens to be Ezra's.Devin's hunter corners him before he can skip town, but Devin escapes with his life and a nasty bullet wound to one arm. He passes out in his car. When he regains consciousness, he finds himself at the mercy of the man he'd stolen from. A man interested in a lot more than the return of his property...LGBT, Fantasy & Paranormal

Wicklow's Odyssey


R. Cooper - 2014
    With an eye to not just winning the war, but to the future of the country, Alexander Rhoades convinces the Union government to let him run a team of remarkable spies as he pleases, mostly to plant brand-new electro-radio technology in Southern cities to aid the work of Northern agents. While on one of these missions, secret agent Wicklow Doyle’s safehouse is compromised and he’s on the run in enemy-controlled Charleston. The last thing he needs with him is the pampered rich man who runs his team, yet despite the danger, Alexander Rhoades refuses to leave his side. Wicklow doesn’t understand why, or why Rhoades’s very presence makes him tremble. A street rat-turned-soldier-turned-spy, there isn’t much that scares Wicklow. He’s used to men desiring him, but not wicked geniuses offering something he’s scared to name. Wicklow doesn’t understand love any more than he understands Rhoades’s noble causes. He’d rather focus on what needs to be done. The enemy is all around them and hiding a dangerous secret, the North still needs a victory, and Wicklow has to get Rhoades to safety. Of all the dangers in his path, that is the one that frightens him the most, and with every one of Rhoades’s soft kisses, he’s starting to realize why. But it might be too late. Wicklow may be a man of noble causes too, and he will do what it takes to fulfill his mission, save his team, the country, and Rhoades.

Demon of Mine


Rayna Vause - 2015
    His job sucks, but once you make a deal with Corporate South, they own you. The trouble is, Zavier’s not a very good Collections Demon, with his tendencies to spurn authority and find loopholes to help deserving clients out of their contracts. He’s under scrutiny from the head of his department, who would quite literally like to see him burn. He just needs to close a simple deal to get upper management off his back. Instead, he meets Ryan.Ryan is desperately searching for a way to save his dying sister. He doesn’t believe in magic and demons, but he’s out of options. Zavier’s not what he expects in a demon, and even more unexpected is the strong sense of familiarity—very intimate familiarity.While trying to free Ryan from his contract, Zavier discovers secrets unscrupulous even by South standards. Exposing them could cost Zavier everything, but it might be Ryan’s only hope.

Eight Lives


Autumn Breeze - 2019
    One Curse. Zero Time. A century ago a spiteful witch cursed Edmund. Ever since, he has lived as an immortal house cat--short one life. Anselm is a mildly depressed vampire with a soft spot for the feline he calls friend. They live together as equals, companions for eternity--or so they hope. Then, the witch who cursed Edmund long ago dies. And suddenly, he is human again. In a race against times cruel hand, Anselm and Edmund must make a decision. Do they find a dark witch and reenact the curse that plagued Edmund so they can be together for eternity? Or . . . does Edmund give up forever as a cat to be with Anselm for now as a man?

The General's Hostage


A.C. Fox - 2016
    Two bitter enemies. One chance at love. Tav Cyrdath, a powerful wind adept and a brilliant general, leads the last free humans in a war against the Boa Visk, monsters who have enslaved most of humanity. But when the man who rules Illunvia refuses to surrender, Tav is forced to take the city by sword and magic. Victorious, he intends to execute the human traitor who has done so much harm by defying him. But when the defeated ruler, Duric Darmain, begs him to spare the citizens of Illunvia, Tav finds himself overcome by sudden mercy. He takes the man as a hostage instead, intending to use him in a trap against the monsters who have set this war in motion. Duric is defeated, broken...and yet Tav can't get his enemy out of his mind. But how could he ever feel this way about a man who has betrayed all Tav stands for? Duric knows he was only a puppet ruler for the Boa Visk, yet he has done all he can to shield his people from the cruel overlords. Now he is a prisoner, fallen from power, hated and scorned as a traitor. And yet the enemy general begins to treat him with a curious respect and eventually even kindness. He dares not trust again, but this one-time enemy makes him want to yield his heart as hostage, even as he struggles to conquer the fears he can't escape... Magic can heal wounds, but hearts must be mended with love. Both men have deep scars. Both have seen dark times. But the chance at love exists...if only they can embrace it before the Boa Visk return.

The Knight and The Prince


Dru Wellington - 2013
    Though a dangerous venture--as Northerners are usually welcomed with the end of a sharp sword--it’s worth the risk for a night of true liberation ... and to vex his father. After losing half his men in a violent battle at the border of the North and South kingdoms, Sir Axle of the South seeks to drown his sorrows at the bottom of a Tankard of beer. He hates Northerners for their cruel and obnoxious ways, hates them for taking his people as slaves to work the mines, hates them for the murderers they are.His motto: Meet a Northerner, and unsheathe your sword. And when a cloaked Northerner enters his tavern, unsheathe his sword Axle does ...