I’ve finally given up. Now, after winning my latest battle, I’m on my knees still in my warrior form in front of the head beast. I know I’m about to die. With his claws out and ready to strike, I just can’t bring myself to care. Please, Author, give me a story and a reason to live again.Photo Description: There are two pictures, one of a humanoid lizard and one of a werewolf. The reptilian has fallen to his knees, his weapons are lowered, and he’s bleeding from his right shoulder. Around him the battle is still ongoing, but he has given up. The werewolf’s eyes are glowing, his mouth is open, and his clawed hand is ready to strike.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" 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.

    If he fails, he’ll be stripped of his magic, a painful process to make a witch human. As a test, the Coven sends him to Mercy South, Colorado, to stop a creature that’s been mutilating cows and scaring the locals. Jude hates cows and small towns. The Coven should’ve sent a nature witch. Rob Mackenzie is the local mechanic and bear shifter. If the locals knew his secret, they’d run him out of town. He wants someone to really know him and not be afraid. With several chewed-up cows and some other weird happenings, he’s wondering if he’s no longer the strangest creature in Mercy. After meeting Mack, Jude thinks he’s found the cause of the trouble. But the trouble is only just getting started when Mack realizes he’s Jude’s fated mate. As the cow-mutilating creature starts hunting in town, Mack and Jude will have to quit fighting their attraction and each other, to stop the creature from killing again. For readers who love fated mates, bear shifters and small town gay romance. mm paranormal romance

    He’s always had to hide who he is or else incur the wrath of his strict and abusive father. After he’s faced with a horrible ultimatum, he flees to Hollywood where he hopes he can escape the specter of his miserable upbringing. Aaron is a wealthy, sophisticated man who loses himself in painting portraits of bound men to stave off his loneliness and despair. Unable to find a lasting connection with anyone, he has resorted to paying lovers so he can indulge in his darker passions. Aaron’s only respite is the Hampton Road sadomasochism club where he’s a respected Dominant. Naïve in the ways men can please one another, Sam takes a job at a bathhouse where he first glimpses a handsome older man. Aaron has his interest sparked when he spies a shy towel boy watching him whenever he patronizes the Temple of Eros. When a traumatic event triggers Aaron’s protective nature, he rescues the gentle Sam from the clutches of the disreputable establishment’s manager. As their bond deepens and Sam is trained for his first night at the Hampton Road Club, an unknown danger lurks. Will Aaron’s heart be crushed once again? Publisher Note: This book was previously published under the same title with a different publisher. It has been reedited, revised and expanded. Hesitant Heart is Book 1 in The Hampton Road Club series, but there is a satisfying HEA with no cliffhanger!