Isolated by circumstances and by the protective shield he's surrounded himself with, he wanders the streets of the West Village and gravitates toward Stonewall Inn, where the 1969 riots planted the seeds of the gay civil rights movement. Having been raped at his previous foster home, he worries about HIV and about ever being able to enjoy sex.Alex, whose parents had both been Italian, feels his lack of family keenly. As he wanders the city streets, he scrutinizes people who might also be Italian. Alex is short for Alessandro, which means defender of men; Lupo means wolf. But Alex feels fearful most of the time—fear not just of Derek, the other foster teen in his current home, but also of life in general—and wishes for the courage of his 19th century countryman, Giuseppe Garibaldi, with whose statue in Washington Square Park Alex has imaginary conversations.Then Alex meets two people who represent polar opposites: one who validates the low opinion Alex already has of himself; and another who helps him see himself in an entirely new light and teaches him that his life is worth more than a few minutes of anyone's pleasure.

    I'm under no delusions that I'm "normal." With my upbringing, I probably wouldn't even know what "normal" was if it walked up and hit me on my Speedo-clad @ss.Lately, I'm starting to wonder if I should add "asexual" to my list of eccentric character traits. I've had some experiences in the distant past, but they went so badly I lost what little interest in intimacy I'd managed to muster up.I'm so busy worrying about that, as well as trying to find a job after graduating from school, that my three besties take me on vacation to clear my head. While there, I meet a handsome scientist named Blaze and soon I'm feeling heat I know isn't just from the sun warming up Lake Erie. Is it possible that Blaze is rekindling desires in me I thought were long gone, if they ever existed at all? Will I freak out and ruin it like I always do with everything good that comes along in my life? Especially when I find out that Blaze has issues of his own he's dealing with, or, should I say, not dealing with? BlazeI'm on vacation to psych myself up to come out at work. I have to, since my boss keeps acting like I'm going to marry his daughter so that he can hand off his pharmaceutical research company to us.I'm quickly distracted from my goal when I meet shy, nerdy and smoking hot Liam Kingsley at the lake. But holy bubble butt, Batboy: how could I not notice Zeus-in-a-Speedo? And how can I resist pursuing him?I figure this is the perfect opportunity to have a fling, but apparently Liam's too flaky for that. That boy has issues and leave it to me to be attracted to crazy.I tell myself to forget about him as I head back home. But time passes and I still haven't solved my dilemma at work, when who shows up there but Mr. Bubble Butt himself. He's gotten a job at the same company I'm set to take over, as long as I keep pretending to be straight.Apparently fate has brought Liam back into my life, and I can't resist wanting him in my bed. If only he would let go of his insecurities long enough for me to get him there. Has he already gotten into my head and my heart? And what will that mean for the drama that's unfolding at work? Awkward Hearts is a full-length male/male coming out office romance novel full of heat, humor and heart. It's a standalone with a very happily ever after and no cliffhanger or cheating. Fall in love with these two nerdy, handsome guys who start out the Ann Arbor Hearts series, which will feature connected friends living in the same city.

    Wes doesn't remember Mike at all, or even realize he's gay, but that doesn't stop Mike from pursuing a determined campaign of seduction. The trouble is, Mike isn't ready to give up his free and easy lifestyle and settle down with just one man. Mike isn't comfortable with public displays of affection. Wes doesn't like anything resembling the proverbial closet, but Mike's still buried deep inside one where his family is concerned. Will Wes have the patience to deal with Mike's issues, or will their dream come true end up a nightmare?

    Life is about to change. He is about to meet the omega who will change his life. Parker is at the bar at a recommendation from a friend. He, too, isn’t happy with how things are going in his life. He is very family oriented and is frustrated that he isn’t in a meaningful relationship. He’s going to take a leap now and do something he hasn’t ever done before. He is going to make the first move. This is the night he’s going to lose his virginity. But, Parker’s plans change when he sees Lucius sitting by himself and looking gloomy. Parker heads over to see if there’s anything he can do to help cheer up the stranger. His good intentions quickly turn into something more as they start to flirt with each other. Soon enough, Lucius invites Parker to come home with him.

    Budding Navajo cartoonist Lorenzo Maryboy is a hard-working former Marine: staunch, brave, and honorable. Chance brings them together on the road to Marathon, Texas, and passion flares.Just as always, Jesse puts his art ahead of everything. He betrays their growing trust, and that Lorenzo can’t forgive. But Jesse’s found something he loves more than his art, and what he does to win Lorenzo’s forgiveness is far more dangerous than either man understands.

    Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own...if only the man will let him close enough to mend what's broken.An Avon Romance

    Burdened by that name, he’s always allowed himself to be bullied and take a back seat to everyone else. Added to that, he trips over his own feet or stutters when he meets a hot guy. This spectacular fall is just one more thing to make the poor guy think he’s doomed. He was getting ready to go on a blind date tonight and now I just had to call the paramedics instead. What’s a guy to do when he just can’t stay grounded?Photo Description: Picture is of sexy dark haired man taking a shower. He’s tangled in the transparent shower curtain and falling ass over teacups.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" 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.

    When we play together, I’m brave and strong and handsome and I slay the dragon. But when we stop playing, I’m back to being regular old me.Am I brave enough to tell him how I feel? When the game ends, can we still be comrades in arms, or is it all just empty fantasy?[This’d work for computer or video games, but I’m particularly fond of the intimacy of old-school tabletop role-playing ...]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.Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

    When he meets Dave, a young soldier from a nearby Army base, though, Tate figures things might be looking up. He and Dave get off to a rocky start, but Tate soon finds that he and the kid have enough in common to make things interesting. Dave isn't really into the whole don't ask, don't tell thing, and he doesn't bother to hide his relationship with Tate from his friends. Once he realizes he should have, it may be too late, but Dave is willing to fight for Tate, even if it means taking on the military. Can a traveling military man and a set in his ways cowboy find a way to make things work?

    Guilt for walking away unscathed...and for secretly loving Simon's partner, Wade. Unable to bear the pain, Dylan left the Lazy G ranch to rebuild his life elsewhere.A year later he reluctantly responds to his sister's plea to come home, where he finds the Lazy G falling apart. And so is Wade. Wade has stopped caring about the ranch, about everything that should matter most to him.Though there's more ranch work than one man can possibly handle, Dylan throws himself into the task. Wondering how he's going to find the strength to pull Wade out of the fog of grief when his own is still as raw as a fresh wound. Wondering when Wade will finally see that his second chance for happiness is standing right in front of him.

    Two days alone in a cabin with his husband? There’s no telling what kind of trouble they can get into. Wes isn’t fooled though. He knows this weekend is about more than just a sexy escape. When Braden lets him in on what he has planned, it has the potential to change their lives forever.Gavin and MasonIt’s the start of winter break and Gavin is looking forward to spending it working at Creekside with Mason…only he realizes that’s not the only thing he wants. He sets out on a path to give Mason the surprise of a lifetime, and the end result is a night neither man will ever forget.Noah and CooperCooper is determined to start a new holiday tradition. He’s planned an ugly sweater party that will go down in Blackcreek history. Not even Noah realizes everything he has in store for the night. If Coop can pull it all off without a hitch, the party will either be a huge success, or the biggest mistake of his life.Three couples, three major life events. It’s a December to remember for all our men in Blackcreek.40,000 words

    This team is made up of the best of the best, and if it can’t succeed in this impossible mission, no one can. But no plan survives first contact with the enemy – especially when you can’t even find out who he is!Despite what a cluster the assignment is from the start, the six men try to get their act together to track down the rogue operative, and in the process they discover there’s more to life than the next assignment. Now it’s up to them to survive by working together and determining who the real traitor is: an unknown friend, a close-by enemy, or the Organization itself.