Grant's return as a ghost eased Ben's heart, and even saved his life, but that could never be enough. So Ben left town. Now in a Florida hotel room he discovers that he failed to leave Grant's specter behind. When the meddlesome ghost urges Ben to go out and have a drink at a bar, he isn't expecting to run into supernatural trouble, or a sexy man like Talon. But that combination may turn out to be just what Ben needs to learn to live again. If he survives the experience.

    The brief: the setting of either Australia or New Zealand must be an integral part of the story.Given such a simple scenario, it’s amazing how the stories are similar yet different. They range in location from shearing sheds in New Zealand to Goth nightclubs in provincial Queensland. From surfers on north coast beaches to sophisticated gallery owners in the heart of Sydney. A paranormal story involving werewolves is set in the Hunter Valley while a ghost makes a startling appearance in the South Island of New Zealand.The minor characters also reflect the diversity that can be found in these two countries from Asian cross dressers to Maori siblings and co-workers.The anthology kicks off with a sparkling debut by Susan Beck. You can almost feel the sand between your toes in “Weekend at Lennox” which brilliantly captures two teenagers being forced to share a bed when a group of surfers spend the weekend in a beach house at Lennox Head.The next story “A Soldier’s Will” is set further down the coast near Newcastle where Jess Buffett gives us a taste of a new series based around a Mangrove Mountain pack. In it, a war weary alpha werewolf returns from stints overseas, to shake up the equilibrium of a non-pack human who has idolized him for years.N.J. Nielsen creates some memorable characters and scenes in her story “By the Way”. In this, a country boy wakes up after a night on the town, wondering why he is decked out in collar, handcuffs and the scariest pair of stilettos he’s ever seen. A more gentle pace follows in Pelaam’s which features an established couple, Ethan and Riley, as they take a romantic holiday amongst the vineyards around the Marlborough Sound and meet “The Rose”.“Home” returns us to Oz, this time to the heart of Sydney where we catch up with some of A.B. Gayle’s characters from “Leather+Lace” and “Caught” and are introduced to two new ones: Jesse a sophisticated art gallery owner and Isaac, a typical boy from the bush.And to round up our anthology, we revisit New Zealand, where we shift into the world of hard-working shearers in Meredith Shayne’s touching story “Cutting Out”. You can almost smell the greasy wool, hear the bleating sheep and see the bulging muscles of Lachie and Shane as they work side by side, forging a bond that can transcend culture and age differences.

    To make matters worse he wants the future alpha of the pack, Arsen. But Arsen is arranged to marry a female wolf. Xav didn't think Arsen was gay, but that all changes when they find each other alone, and realize they are mates. Arsen is next in line to lead his pack, and is supposed to be mated to a female, but only desires Xav, the bobcat shifter that keeps to himself. One night at a party feral cravings ignite in both of them. Arsen realizes Xavier is his, and will not let anyone or anything stand in his way of claiming him. But not everyone is happy with the future alpha being mated to a bobcat or a male at that.

    Why should Heart2Heart - the phenomenally successful dating app - only work its magic in the human world when lonely lycans, dejected dragons, and jilted jackalopes need love, too? In this new paranormal universe, mages and shifters, vampires, psychics, and even humans, will reach out to Heart2Heart podcast host Gene E. Del’Amp for help finding a magical match… and they just might find that talking about their woes helps their wishes come true. Eighteen of your favorite gay romance authors have come together to bring you brand-new paranormal and urban fantasy stories inspired by reader suggestions! Once again, all proceeds from this collection will go to the authors’ favorite LGBTQ charities, to ensure that love in all its forms will be celebrated and protected every single day of the year! Titles included in the collection:A Caller From Grand Rapids, part 1 and 2 by Jeff Adams and Will KnaussA Caller From Windermere by Charlie CochetA Caller From San Francisco by Hailey TurnerA Caller From Springfield by J.D. LightA Caller From Ottawa by Jenn BurkeA Caller From Portland by Kiki BurrelliA Caller From New Orleans by Lisa OliverA Caller From Knoxville by Macy BlakeA Caller From New York by Maz MaddoxA Caller From Pittsburgh by Morgan BriceA Caller From Boston by Pandora PineA Caller From Chicago by Piper ScottA Caller From Seattle by Sam Burns and W.M. FawkesA Caller From Savannah by Silvia VioletA Caller From Montreal by S.J. HimesA Caller From Austin by Susi Hawke

    But the heat he's feeling has nothing to do with the burning buildings nearby. Not counting one curious kiss with another guy in college, Joe has always dated women. But as soon as Dallas appears Joe can't seem to ignore the scorching fire underneath that rages for the other man. But Joe struggles with what others might think of him if he dates Dallas openly, and Dallas isn’t interested in hiding what he feels for Joe. Joe’s a brave man, but is he brave enough to fight for what he wants?

    Stuck on a space station, he meets a warrior that stirs desire that rattle him to the core.Captain Tyran Holder longs to find his lifemate. After years of hard sexual play, he’s ready for something more. Then his dream comes true when a man falls into his life. He recognizes Zander as his lifemate and offers the difficult brat an indecent proposal, a way off the space station and to protect him from the bounty hunters chasing him by becoming his contracted lover.Zander is reluctant, but the intense sexual attraction shakes his world. He accepts the offer and indulges in a little hard play as Tyran breathes life into his sexual fantasies. Will this warrior turn his dreams into reality or into nightmares?

    Seiran Rou has more issues than just a phobia of commitment. A recent rash of attacks and harassment at school has left him withdrawn and edgy.Making a cake for his mother was never really about making Tanaka Rou happy, and Seiran wears his heart on his sleeve as he tries, yet again, to please her. But Gabe has an idea how to put a much needed smile on Sei’s sweet face. Starting with “helping” make the frosting and showing Sei that pastry can be more than a little decadent...

    But when the demon-hunting spirit Gray accidentally possesses him, Caleb finds himself in a countdown for his very existence.Hotshot federal agent John Starkweather thinks he’s seen it all. But when he’s called to exorcise Caleb, he finds a creature that isn’t supposed to exist outside of stories. For Gray is a drakul: a vampire who drinks the blood of the demon-possessed.If Gray can’t be exorcised within 40 days, the possession will become permanent. In the meantime, the three must find a way to work together. As they hunt down demons and save the innocent, the heat between John and Caleb explodes into passion. But when divided loyalties threaten his last chance at exorcism, Caleb discovers love may come at a price higher than he’d ever imagined.Novel: 205,734 words

    No one knows this better than the six men of Shifting Sands Ranch. When the owner’s witch of a wife flees the ranch, she takes with her one of the cowboys and leaves behind a curse that dooms the remaining inhabitants to a life that is anything but normal. Now, every month when the moon comes full, each man takes on the form of an animal.Witches, shifters and ancient curses, such is life on the Shifting Sands.

    They've decided that he will be the first of the dragon shifters to mate with a male because of their dwindling numbers and few women. Only when a Draken mates can he shift into a powerful dragon. As if that wasn't bad enough, they've not only selected one man but two for him to mate with. Brody can't believe this is happening to him when the two men who bullied him as kids walk into the council chambers.Parker's kiss, and Jax's touch send Brody running from the only home he's ever known, to cross into the human lands. He meets Matt on the way, a man he thinks is human. Matt is everything that his dragon mates are not. He's gentle and loving, and Brody learns to accept the feelings he's always had. When he doesn't shift to a dragon being with Matt, Brody thinks they can live happily together away from his homeland. But Parker and Jax will not give up on the man they have wanted for so long, even if it means hiring a werewolf to track him.

    Witness a brief glimpse into the brutal history of the Wars with Ignacio Salvatore and the vampire he loves, Ashwin Metcalfe, in 1897.A History of Trouble Angel was joking when he asked O'Malley if someone resurrected a mammoth. Little did he know that was exactly what someone did. Experience the untold story of what happened that unfortunate night at the Boston Public Museum.A Dragon in the CityWhat happens when Eroch goes adventuring in Beacon Hill without Angel? Chaos, pure chaos.Fae's Gold Daniel is helping the newly-resurrected fae Ruairi Brennan become accustomed to modern-day living. A boring trip to the bank quickly escalates, and Daniel calls Angel for help. The day goes downhill from there but ends in a comfy meal in a pub for an ancient fae warrior and a necromancer's apprentice.This is a collection, featuring vignettes and short stories from the universe of The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series. For full enjoyment, the Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series Books 1 through 3 should be read before reading this collection. Combined word count is 23.5k words.

    You've never noticed it before. It's small, unassuming, and yet there's something about it that draws your eye. And the aroma drifting out, rich and dark, so enticing. How could you have overlooked it? It must be new. So why does it look like it's been there for ages? And the chocolatier behind the counter...certainly you'd remember him. #1: Hue, Tint and Shade by Jordan Castillo Price Yellow is as yellow does. #2: Slings and Arrows by Josh Lanyon It's a fine line between "secret admirer" and "stalker." #3: Moolah and Moonshine by Jordan Castillo Price If you ever go to France, watch out for those ticklers. #4: Other People's Weddings by Josh Lanyon Pulling off the perfect wedding can be murder. #5: Spanish Fly Guy by Jordan Castillo Price I held my nose I closed my eyes...I took a drink.

    I answered the call.Pyrogasm is a story in the same universe as "The Adventures of the Magician's Coven" with some slight differences. Here, I have used the elements as inspiration, creating a tale where a wizard named Hans gets almost too hot to handle.Original PromptDear Author,This is me: [picture 1]I know you probably wouldn't guess but I am a powerful wizard, still trying to discover my abilities and learning my limits. One night while practicing my fire control I had an accident. (Flaming ball throwing is not as easy as it sounds!) Anyway, things quickly got out of hand and I thought i was going to die... then he showed up: [picture 2]Author, please tell me what happens now...Photo Description: [picture 1] Two pictures of uber-hot men in white underwear. The first poses, his T-shirt pulled up under his arms. His cut muscles, strong features and dark hair are given a Clark-Kent edge by rectangular dark-framed glasses. The second's face is shadowed by a fireman's hat, his chest framed by suspenders for pants slipped half off his hips. [picture 2] A gorgeous man wearing nothing but tight white underwear and a fireman’s cap stands in front of a blaze.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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 Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.__________Genre: paranormalTags: gay m/m, Adventures of the Magician’s Coven series, firemenWord Count: 10,960

    He has a terrible job, no friends, and his home life is unbearable. He wants to end it all, but is too frightened to slit his own wrists. Instead he goes to The Victorian, a seedy underground blood den for vampires and their groupies, where he hopes to find an angel of death to end it all for him. Instead he finds Damian, who has much sexier things on his mind than death. Will Jamie succeed in his plan of suicide by vampire, or will he get an unexpected HEA?This story is m/m paranormal erotica. It contains BDSM, anal sex, dubious consent, blood play, age gap (116 years), bjs.

     Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, wolf shifters Abel and Kai adored each other since they were children. As teens, the two future Alphas took the next step in their bonding process and vowed to remain true to one another until Kai came of age. But when tragedy struck, Abel felt betrayed and ran from Kai instead of completing their mating. Abel never stops yearning for the man who was supposed to lead by his side and after years without contact, Kai returns, broken and on death's door. If Abel wants to fulfill their destiny and merge their packs, he'll need to look past what he saw and trust his heart.