Jack is more like a stone around his neck than a help, and while Dae had problems letting Jack go, he knows he has to do it. Still, things go from bad to worse. Dae has a secret, one that he inadvertently reveals to his vet assistant, Sean, when things go terribly awry. His dual life doesn't faze Sean as much as his vengeful ex-boyfriend. Can Dae and Sean adjust to their newfound attraction and keep Jack from ruining everything for them?

    Especially when he realizes Travis Boudreaux, his new, hot, and most-likely-straight partner, plans to use him as bait. The worst part? They’ve got no back-up because the rest of the city is preoccupied by another series of killings — the victims drained of blood.Original Prompt: Dear Author,This son of a bitch has been underneath my skin ever since he transferred into the department. Word has it that he's one of the best damn homicide detectives in the city, but the fact of the matter is that he's a Grade A arrogant asshole. Pretty much every time he opens his mouth, I want to slug him – or stick my tongue down his throat, I'm not always really sure which, or even if I want to choose one. My libido doesn't seem to give a tinker's damn that I'm pretty sure he's straight, and while jerking off in the shower is starting to get pretty damn old, I foresee a lot more of it in my future – because the Chief just paired us up to work a new case…Photo Description: Handsome man, dressed in a suit, could be a business professional, with just a touch of a smirk as an expression.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 1.

    When he awakens, he’s naked, and surrounded by large, muscular men. Nicky feels an immediate attraction to Marco, the most handsome man Nicky has ever seen, which is strange, since Nicky is straight. His attraction is overwhelming and downright embarrassing as he licks the man and tries to climb all over him. He soon discovers he’s the newest "pet" of the Mountain Wolf Pack, and Marco is his new master. Saved from certain death, has he exchanged one horrible fate for another? All he knows is that he’s in heat for this beautiful man. When he learns his new master is a wolf shapeshifter who demands his love and obedience, he begins to wonder just what he’s gotten himself into. Cry Wolf: Casey, a good looking young wolf shifter has sworn to kill the man who killed his brother. He has joined the Mountain Wolf Pack to carry out his revenge. On his first work detail, he discovers that the handsome young man in charge is his blood mate. The trouble is, the man, whose name is Rory, is straight, and a wolf. Two wolves are allowed to mate, but only if one assumes the submissive role. Neither of these two stubborn wolves is willing to compromise. If that’s not bad enough, they soon discover that Rory is the wolf who killed Casey’s only brother. Now Casey must find some way around his sworn oath. Can the two sexy wolves overcome their distrust and hatred of each other, or will they be forced to give up their happiness, along with their only true blood mate? Logan's Choice: As the beta of the Dark Hollow Wolf Pack, Ian is supposed to be the calm, sensible one, but when a young Hunter is captured, his overpowering attraction to the gorgeous man has him acting way out of character. As a sworn enemy to the wolf pack, the captive can’t be allowed to go free, yet the pack hates to keep Logan imprisoned. The only solution is to convince Logan to agree to mate with one of the wolves to form an unbreakable bond. Unwilling to see him mated to anyone else, Ian makes a decision—he must make the young man fall in love with him and agree to stay on as his mate. Can Logan make this difficult choice and leave behind the life he used to lead? When Ian is captured and tortured by the Hunters, Logan must make the most difficult choice of his life. Gabe's Alpha: Gabe is a typical young college student until the night he and his mother are attacked by a beast who kills his mother and leaves Gabe for dead. When Gabe discovers the beast who bit him was a werewolf, and shifts into a beast like creature at the full moon, he leaves his home and descends into a nightmare of drugs, alcohol and one night stands. As he’s camping in the woods, preparing for the painful shift to come, he meets a the gorgeous alpha of the Dark Hollow Wolf Pack who tells Gabe he’s trespassing on his territory. Before Gabe knows it, he’s been trussed up, thrown over the man’s shoulder and taken as the mate of the alpha. Gabe embraces his new role as mate to the handsome Zack, but if the alpha thinks the wild young man will settle down, he’s got another think coming.

    His retreat high in the Rocky Mountains has left him utterly alone, and for too long. When fate intervenes by sending a shifter after him, Dix’s hunger to bond to a mate drives him to do something stupid. Kristof Two-Feather should have known better than to volunteer to bring home a killer. But the Pack needs justice, and he needs to avenge his friend’s murder. Logan Dix is a dangerous Rogue Alpha and an accused murderer. Despite his training in black ops, Kristof hopes he can keep from becoming the hunted. But the mountain is unforgiving, as is a rogue shifter rumored to be a former Delta Force soldier. It will take all of Kristof’s cunning to survive the ordeal he’s found himself in…and to keep his body and soul from becoming bonded to a fugitive from justice. A 17,000 word novella. Book 1 in the Rogue Alpha Series. Taming His Mate – Rogue Alpha Series Book 2 Trusting His Mate – Rogue Alpha Series Book 3

    He’s bitter, and he doesn’t hesitate to let everyone know. When his mate appears at the tavern where he works, Alan does everything in his power to avoid the small bear.Alan does not need nor want a mate.When Sasha steps into a tavern to warm his toes, little does he know he will be meeting his mate. Alan is everything Sasha could ever want in a big bear. The problem is Alan doesn’t want him, and he lets Sasha know.When Sasha walks out, Alan realizes what a jerk he has been. Alan combs the streets for his mate, but Sasha is nowhere to be found. Will fate give Alan another chance, or has his anger ruined the only chance Alan has for a happily ever after?

    His family scoffs at his wish to help out the war effort and think he's wasting himself joining a pack.Gage is the Alpha of his pack and loves his mate Russ with everything he has. But, although the beta wolf loves him back, Gage isn't Russ’ mate. In a quirk of nature, their bond is one-sided and while Gage holds as tightly as he can, he can feel his lover slipping away.Russ loves his Alpha, but a piece of him always longs for what could be. He doesn't want to hurt his lover-but how much better would life be if he could have a mate of his own?Three men with different goals discover the difference between love and mating and how sometimes what you want may not necessarily what you need.

    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

    A quick camping trip to regroup might be the answer. Taylor is reaching his limits in his job as assistant restaurant manager and needs a mini-break to get back to nature. Things get off to a rough start when his reaction to Patrick and Jeff camping nearby goes badly, but Jeff decides they should befriend Taylor and he's invited over to share their campfire and s'mores. After realizing Taylor is gay and attracted to them, the two men decide to pursue him back in the city. Initially suspicious of their motives, once Taylor realizes they are serious about a permanent relationship, he has to come clean with his own secrets. He's a bobcat shifter and he's not sure the two men will be able to accept this real him, but the truth has to come out.-------------------------------Dear Author,The 2 men kneeling knew someone was missing in their relationship. They were looking for a third to complete them.Photo Description: Two men kneeling at the feet of a third, performing oral sex.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.

    They are a product of the Love Is Always Write promotion sponsored by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group and are published as a free gift to you.What Is Love Is Always Write?The Goodreads M/M Romance Group invited members to choose a photo and pen a letter or story prompt asking for a short M/M romance story inspired by the image; authors from the group were encouraged to select a letter or story prompt and write an original tale. The result was an outpouring of creativity that shone a spotlight on the special bond between M/M romance writers and the people who love what they do. Nearly 150 stories were submitted and published as a ten volume set – as well as an additional special bonus volume with three novel-length stories – titled Love Is Always Write; this edition is Volume Two. Whether you are an avid M/M romance reader or new to the genre, you are in for a delicious treat.Stories in Volume 2: Introduction ~ Love Is Always Write BLOOD RAINE – Belinda McBride (fantasy/sword & sorcery)BRINGING HOME BABY BIRD – Megan Reddaway (contemporary/culinary/bartenders)BY DESIGN – Kate Islay (contemporary/office romance)CALL ME BURT – Elin Austen (contemporary/humorous)CHIVALRY – Ravon Silvius (historical/ knights)CLOSE ENCOUNTERS – Xara X. Xanakas (sci-fi/post-apocalyptic)COMING HOME – Ellen Holiday and Stella Harris (contemporary/blue collar)A COMPETITIVE EDGE – Adara O’Hare (contemporary/college athletes)CONSTABLE OF DISTURBIA – Darcy Abriel (dark fantasy/scientist)CORY’S PRIDE – Amanda Corlies (contemporary/hurt/comfort)CROCODYLUS ACUTUS – J. Rocci (contemporary/shifter)THE DANGERS OF FAIRY COMPACTS – Katey Hawthorne (fantasy/cleric) DARKEST BEFORE DAWN – Gabbo de la Parra (sci-fi/post-apocalyptic)DEFINING RICO – Sassy Lane (contemporary/humorous)Words of Caution The stories in this collection are sexually explicit and intended for adult readers. Some stories 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.

    He's torn between his lover, Nikolas, and his Master vampire, Lucien. Nikolas and Lucien can't seem to agree on anything and Sabaan's stuck right in the middle, trying to keep the peace. When Nikolas hits a jealous streak, Sabaan realizes he needs to put a little more focus on his own relationship and that it just might be impossible to make everyone happy.

    He’s a monster, after all. How would he ever find a man who can deal with his other self—the wolf?When a reckless young hiker named Leo gets his leg caught in an old bear trap, Kirk rescues him, tracking him down by scent alone. While Kirk takes care of his injuries, Leo’s bright, sunny presence slowly wears down all Kirk’s defences.But as the full moon rises, Kirk struggles between the urge to protect Leo and the demands of the wolf, who wants only one thing: to claim his mate…

     Ethan White is a witch whose days are spent in his apothecary with his familiar, Beema. While making potions for the townsfolk keeps him busy, nothing exciting ever happens—until one day when a surprise visitor walks in and his world crumbles around him. Suddenly Ethan and his familiar are on the run, heading for the Fae to seek sanctuary. Grayson is an alpha wolf. His two best friends are his betas, but there’s one thing missing—a pack. It’s for that very reason that the three of them were volunteered by the council to act as representatives. Their mission? Try to convince the Fae Queen to get the Fae involved in a battle with the Midnight Coven, the witches suspected of using the dark arts. However, the mission takes a back seat when Grayson meets his mate for the first time. With revelations and lies around every corner and a battle looming, they have to be ready to fight if they want to have a life together. When a prophecy about the Shades of Power comes to light, both sides want the power for the battle against the other. The question is—who will unite them first?

    Piercings. Implants. If body modification is your thing, then Spiked is right up your alley. From the everyday guy to the cyberworld of a huge futuristic corporation, Spiked explores all the ways men change their bodies, and love each other's bodies, too. In Tattoo You by Willa Okati, Jacob Lee goes to get a tattoo to please his lover Donathan. Will it mean a new beginning for both of them? Possession by Jourdan Lane features Lucian and Saaban from the Soul Mates series. What they do might just surprise the whole coven. Laney Cairo's Marginalia pits cutter Bailey and his new love Quint against the government and the big corporations. Will they be able to save Quint? Finally, in Beneath the Mask, by Mychael Black, Lance thinks he's interviewing powerful vampire Triarius, but Triarius has other plans. Will Lance survive the night? Explore a world of skin and ink, of metal and mayhem, where art is not hidden away in museums, but displayed in the gritty underworld of Spiked!

    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 worked the streets for food and warmth, certain that one day his life would take a better path. That day arrived in the form of a flyer smacking him in the face after enduring a particularly rough trick. Walking through the front door of the Pride safe house became the best decision Skylar ever made. He began a new life with help from billionaire businessman Caden Fournier, his husband, Kellan, and their outreach center associates. That life also included a handsome, six-foot-two Italian who looked mighty fine astride a Harley. After a tense introduction, Skylar discovered Justice Salvatore was unlike any man he'd ever met. He’s about to find out just how different Justice is. The two grow closer as Skylar struggles with his own weird… ability. Just when he dares to dream of a happy ending, his past explodes into his present and threatens to destroy everything. Justice Salvatore has only been in love once, with the beautiful daughter of his werewolf pack’s beta. She was human, however, and Justice stayed away to protect her — only to mourn her death from a rogue attack. Skylar Foxx is stunning, but Justice is swept away by his incredible voice. Smitten on the spot, he sets his sights on getting to know the skittish young man. Bad things are happening to Skylar as they grow close, and Justice will do everything in his power to protect him. A terrifying secret shakes Justice to his core, and he is forced to decide whether someone close to him will live or die. After the hell Skylar has been through, Justice makes the only choice. There will be justice for Skylar.