Trouble follows him around like a demented, faithful dog. Moswen never means for things to happen the way they do. It just does. And while things may seem bad at first, everything eventually works out for the best even if the road to getting there is a less than a smooth ride.While fleeing his sister's wrath for an accident that was almost not his fault, Moswen stumbles upon the chance to crash what promises to be a fun party. Kijika is hopeful that the birthday bash for his grandfather, the current king, won't be the deadly boring event he's sure it will be and he'd much rather be pouring over ancient texts in his quest for knowledge. Moswen's karma swings into action and Moswen and Kijika cross paths at the party setting in motion a relationship that will give both men what they most desire.----------Status: COMPLETEApprox. Word Count: 193,825If you enjoyed Balancing Karma, be sure to read Lor-fei Mark, a one-shot story set after the events in Balancing Karma. (Approx. Word Count: 5,008)

    I was captured, restrained, interrogated for information I don’t even have. No one is coming for me; I knew that without his taunts. But if he thinks I’ll surrender, he has another thing coming.Photo Description: A young man with neatly trimmed brown hair, thick eyebrows, and piercing hazel eyes stares at the camera, looking determined. His torso is bare except for leather restraints surrounding his neck and wrists. A rope is wrapped around his wrists several times and through a ring on the leather cuffs, and holds his hands suspended next to his head.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.

    It is a product of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group Hot Summer Days event and features authors attending the GayRomLit Retreat 2011 in New Orleans; if you like what you read, come join our group! Read these stories online or download the anthology from ARe. Note: These stories contain sexually explicit content and are intended for adult readers only.J. P. Barnaby – IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT = First LoveL.C. Chase – OPEN TACKLE = Friends to LoversJaya Christopher – CODY AND THE HERMIT = BDSM/CowboysPoppy Dennison – BLINDSIDED = Hurt/ComfortTaylor V. Donovan – HEATSTROKE = AngstRachel Haimowitz – JUNGLE HEAT = MilitaryJambrea Jo Jones – WILD BLUE YONDER = MilitaryLissa Kasey and Xara X. Xanakas – SINK OR SWIM = Established CoupleK-lee Klein – OUTFOXED = Rock StarsMarguerite Labbe – TEARS OF THE SEA = Paranormal/FairytalesClare London – SAY A LITTLE PRAYER = Paranormal/AngelsBelinda McBride – FREE TO FLY = BDSMMichele L. Montgomery – TEARS FROM ABOVE = Paranormal/AngelsCherie Noel – KISS AND TELL = Mild KinkLydia Nyx – MOON OVER MONTANA = Shifter/CowboysM.J. O'Shea – BRIDGES = First LoveS.J.D. Peterson - INNOCENCE TO THE MAX = Paranormal/BDSMDevon Rhodes – HIS LAST RESORT = Coming OutJaime Samms – MOURNING = Hurt/ComfortP.D. Singer – THE BOY NEXT DOOR = Friends to LoversAndrea Speed – MY BLOODY VALENTINE = Paranormal/SorcererDamon Suede – SEEDY BUSINESS = Sci-FiV.J. Summers – LIAR, LIAR = Friends to LoversBryl R. Tyne – ALIPIO = FantasyPiper Vaughn – WANTING = First LoveMissy Welsh – YOU AND BILLION BLUE TILES = First LoveEden Winters – SWEET DREAMS = Coming Out

    Despite his mischief-making Gran’s insistence, he doesn’t have the time or the nerve to chase potential dates. Then one day on the beach, after a hard day’s ice cream sales, he meets the mysterious and gorgeous Admael. Now Jonathan doesn’t need to do the chasing—Admael’s ready and willing to make Jonathan as happy as he's ever wanted. And even if Jonathan’s too nervous to think of anything beyond how to smuggle Admael home on the No. 7 bus, Gran is always on hand to offer him some lewd suggestions. Now Jonathan just has to worry about hiding Admael's wings...

    It's about visitors to a new world, running from their enemies, inhabited by primitive humans living by strict religious rules. After an illegal human hunt Sid, a thief, is taken by the Crown Prince, Loki, as a pet. What ensues is a great adventure encompassing the vampires, the humans who live without technology and a secret group trying to rule over everyone. Loki was an ilthiyan prince, one of the vampire race who existed uneasily with the humans on the planet of Gaia. In the middle of a hunt on human lands, he captured a spirited young human male. Sid was a thief and an outcast, and to be captured by a vampire seemed only the latest misfortune in a life defined by them. But Loki decided to keep Sid instead of kill him and that decision would thrust them both into a whirlwind of treachery, intrigue -- and love.

    The new guy could never fit in... but Revi doesn't act like he even wants to, which drives Barron crazy. Life takes a drastic turn, and Revi Porter's long hair, soft lips, and aggravating emo dress code are the last things on Barron's mind. There's no room for petty grudges in the struggle to survive. When saving a little girl leaves Barron lost in the dark, will he learn how to really see? Photo Description: He stood there, fingers twisted into the chain-link, a challenge in his eyes as he stared me down. His curly hair framed his face, but even with the hair you could tell he was all guy. His canted hips and tight pants hid nothing. He wore a giant watch and a ton of bracelets. The brightly colored twisted cord, leather, and braided string stood out against his honey skin.I was in so much trouble.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" 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. This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It 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.

    It wasn't New York, or California, but he figured it would be better than being home. College would be be a new start in a new place, maybe somewhere he could be himself.Sean was local, born and bred, on the opposite side of the town-and-gown divide, but attraction knows no boundaries. When personal tragedy brought them together, it was the beginning of something extraordinary.~~~~~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.Dear Author,I realize I'm late to the party, but it took me a bit to find just the perfect photo! This:The first time is so beautiful, if the one you're with cares enough to make it that way. These two are so young: barely out of high-school, but college is all about finding out who you really are.Photo Description: The place is secluded; leaves filter the sun. The men are so young, shirtless, smooth skin and sleek light muscle. The dark boy tentatively holds his lover, head tilted to bring their mouths together. There is nothing tentative about the blond. He leans in, driving the kiss. 1980's sweet summertime.Word Count: 15,288

    Now, humanity survives in settlements on Mars, the moon, and distant space stations around Jupiter and Saturn. It’s all people can do to eke out a living from mining, salvage, and scrap.Twin brothers Denver and Laramie Clayborne’s salvage operation is a small one—just them, their friend Marit, and their quirky ‘bot, OPAL. Their lives are simple and they like it that way, even though they barely earn enough to pay for Laramie’s expensive, life-saving medications. They make do, just like everyone else. It’s all they can do.Until the day they find something big floating in the wreckage of a battleship graveyard. Something so rare, so precious, it could change their lives forever. Trading it would make them loved. Selling it would make them rich. But keeping it might make them heroes. They have a chance at a whole new world, if they’re brave enough to grasp it.And if Mars doesn’t catch them first.

    He's heard stories of the heathen traders, of their societies and their sinful ways, and when two arrive at his latest village, he decides to follow them. He expected many things, but not that they'd make him prisoner for his genes.A homoerotic romance. Warnings for offscreen violence, racism and homophobia, and dubious consent.Status: CompleteWord count: approx. 114,815

    One, dark haired and wearing a tank top, lies on his back on the pillow. The other, shirtless and toned, braces over him. Their foreheads touch, eyes closed, faces still, nose brushing nose. The supine man's hands close gently on his lover's arms.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 1 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, virgin, May/December, apocalyptic, impact event, tragedy, sex with a minor Word Count: 5,177

    One last hurrah before the responsibilities of adulthood draw these littermates apart. Galacticaching their way through star systems they encounter more than they bargained for during their stopover at Space Portal Vector 7Z-218. This unassuming station at the edge of the galaxy holds a key, and the space hijinks and absurdities exponentially increase as they try to find the elusive token and solve its mystery. Ajax has always counted on Igor and vice versa, but he never imagined what he discovers. Will either of their futures ever be the same after the games?

    It's time for retirement, freedom from the tedious drudgery of his job as a data clerk. Time to explore parts of the city he's never seen before, and hopefully meet some people other than his Deacon or his health monitor. And at the end of the month? Time to die.Will runs the counter at the historic coffee shop, and when he talks, he sounds just like an old-time data feed. He's nothing like anyone Ernest has ever met—which isn't saying much—but still, something about him simply doesn't parse.

    These two have been best friends since forever to hear them tell it. The blonde has been in love with the dark headed one since as long as he can remember. The dark headed one has only recently become open to the idea of a relationship with his bestfriend because he's tired of denying himself what he wants most in life. How did they meet, what's happened to them, what does everyone think? This is a story line that has been done many times over, so is there any way that you can put a twist on this or give it some new and fresh take so it's not the "same-ol-same-ol"? Anyone up for a challenge? ;o)Just so you know... I REALLY REALLY like angst.Photo Description: Two naked, muscular men stand front to back, mostly facing the viewer. The tattooed man in front has his eyes closed and his head tilted back onto his lover's left shoulder. From behind, the other leans his head around to nibble on an ear, hands splayed over his lover's stomach.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 1.__________Genre: contemporary Tags: gay m/m, friends to lovers, tattoosWord Count: 8,663

    His success rate is legendary, and this assignment is almost too easy.There isn’t a more prolific space pirate in the galaxy than Captain Faolan. When he walks into a bar with a proposition heavy in mind, he’s not expecting anything to go wrong.Forced from his solitary existence to work with Faolan, Gar can’t deny his need and desire for a man who he should put in prison. When the hunter becomes the hunted, Gar must learn to put his faith in a man he doesn’t know, or run the risk of ending up dead.

    They've just unexpectedly reunited in this small town diner somewhere in the Northeast. Based on this picture it looks like their accidental meeting is turning into something more than just childhood best friends running into each other later in life.Please give these cute boys a happy ever after ending.Photo Description: Two young men face each other and kiss gently in the booth of a teal-colored diner. In front of the sunlit, white venetian blinds, the dirty blonde's right hand and the raven-haired youth's left hand cross to hold each other at the neck, thumbs caressing cheeks. 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 2.__________Genre: science fictionTags: gay m/m, reunited, interspecies, in the closet, friends to loversWord Count: 9,446