Gingerbread houses, caroling carolers, brightly trimmed trees, big family dinners, pristine snowfalls-the familiar pleasures of the season. But what better pleasure is there than a good holiday story? So open this winter solstice sampler and indulge in fully festive fantasies, nightmares before Christmas, and stunning space-age celebrations. These stories will warm hearts and minds like a blazing Yule log. Fantastic Holiday Stories by Kevin J. Anderson, Mercedes Lackey, Mike Resnick, Kristine Rusch, Jonathan Maberry, Eric James Stone, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Quincy J. Allen, Ken Scholes, Sam Knight, David Boop, Heather Graham, Brad R. Torgersen, and Patricia Briggs.

    It’s a way of life for psychic Lily Saburi. Haunted since the brutal murder of her best friend and partner, she’s obsessed with retribution—a vigilante bent on striking a blow for humanity against the shadowed world of the supernatural. Prey turned predator she aims to even the score—one bullet at a time starting with the beast that changed her life forever.Prepared for Armageddon she’s in for the fight of her life. But when mortally wounded by a diseased and insane Were, Lily is rescued by a most unlikely savior—Were-hunter, Sean Leighton. Sexy and powerful, Leighton is charged with destroying anything infected with the deadly pathogen threatening the survival of his pack, and that includes Lily. But their immediate attraction leaves them both breathless and confused. As Lily grapples with truth about herself, Leighton is faced with the looming reality that he will most likely have to kill the woman he’s falling in love with. Only time will tell if they are destined to be together or if they’ll fall victim to the Hunter’s Blood.

    Her art depicts things that have been forgotten, lost, or which have yet to come. The images are always beautiful—but they also drive people mad. She creates her wondrous images in secret, but one day a stranger comes... One who is just as mysterious as Grace herself.The Vampire’s Image is a story of paranormal romance, 6500 words long.

    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 One. Whether you are an avid M/M romance reader or new to the genre, you are in for a delicious treat.Stories in Volume 1: ADVANTAGE CROSSE – West Thornhill (contemporary/friends-to-lovers)ALEX & DREW – Justin South (contemporary/teen loneliness) ALTERED STATES – L.E. Harner (mystery/suspense/law enforcement) AMERICAN BOY – Dany Sirene (contemporary/twink/HFN)AND THEN HE SAID I’M BEAUTIFUL – Nallux (contemporary/hurt-comfort) AN ANGEL’S SOUL – S.L. Armstrong & K. Piet (angels/hurt-comfort) ANIMAL INSTINCTS – Kim Alan (contemporary/veterinarian) ARS DAEMONICA – C.C. Williams (paranormal/mage) AT WHAT COST – Kathryn Sparrow (contemporary, paranormal/shifter)BABY, CUFF ME ONE MORE TIME – Stephani Hecht (contemporary/friends-to-lovers)BED OF MY CHEVY – Megan Slayer (contemporary/medical personnel)BEGINNINGS: LIBERATION – Alessandra Ebulu (fantasy/Greek mythology)BETWEEN YOU AND ME – Alex Mar (contemporary/first time)BEYOND DUTY – S.J.D. Peterson (contemporary/sexy marines)BLOOD IN THE WATER – Megan Derr (fantasy/merman)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.

    Ashleigh, Chaz’s daughter, is new to ranch life. Can she survive the results of her bad judgement and make a home with her father’s new in-laws?On Christmas Eve, Hank accepts the job of ranch foreman over the mountains in the Gallatin Canyon, Montana. But something dark is happening at the Ghost Mountain Ranch, where the past is reaching out in dangerous ways to haunt the living.Hank’s story launches the Ghost Mountain Ranch series by Jan Scarbrough.

    

    Having lost faith in the most magical part of the year, her father, Jim, desperately tries to bring back the magic she has lost. When an unforeseen change of events takes over their little family on the morning of Christmas Eve, Jim's faith and spirits are really put to the test. Will the magic of Christmas be enough to bring back the joy to their family once more? Or will they really depend on a Christmas miracle?

    Jack Daniels, who has real cases to solve.But when Rakowski is brought on to help stop a serial kidnapper from abducting his next victim, Jack is forced to work with AJ. A girl's life is on the line, and maybe if the two learn to accept their differences and join forces, they just might be able to stop the...ABDUCTIONSKidnapping can be murder...

    Mason Briggs doesn't quite know what to do with the persistent submissive. Kit looks at Mase like he s everything good and right in the world. After a murder accusation and trial, Mase just wants to protect his heart. What is he going to do about the sweet submissive who keeps walking through all of Mase's boundaries as if they aren't even there? When someone tries to tear the couple apart and threatens Kit's safety, Mase has to decide if he wants to go back to a life alone or fight for the man he's falling in love with."

    She knows her place, and she's content in it--until she met Mason Pearce and he opened her heart. His seductive touch roused her to possessive heights of ecstasy she'd never before felt, and he believes in her more than anyone ever has. But Mason is human and therefore forbidden. Claiming him as her mate would mean his death. Even though it shredded her heart, she walked away and didn't look back.Mason Pearce never felt passionately about anything--until he met Ana. She stirred up his wild side and marked his heart as hers. When she inexplicably dumped him, he knew there was more to it than she was telling him. He's tried almost everything to get her back, with no luck. But then he runs into her during the holidays, and seeing her again clarifies one truth: He won't let her go again. No matter what it might cost him.SOLSTICE WOLFOnce upon a time, wolf shifter Lia Woolsey fell in love. More specifically, she met her mate and settled down with him in a small town far from the bustling big city she's always known. But she never thought she'd be the kind of woman to give up everything for a man--not even Connor, the mate of her heart, soul, and body. Five years later, she's been offered a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity she can't turn down. Not even if it means leaving Connor behind and shattering her own heart.Connor Lowe has everything a wolf shifter could want. His place in the Black Mesa Wolf Pack is secure, his deeply committed work as a doctor running a low-income medical clinic fills his days, and his mate, Lia, lights up his entire life. He's the world's happiest wolf--but his mate isn't. And he loves her too much to stop her from leaving to follow her own bliss, even though he knows his days will darken into nothingness each moment she is away from him.As the frozen longest night of the year approaches, Connor and Lia face an impossible choice...the kind only winter solstice magic might be able to fix before it's too late.NEW YEAR WOLFWith devoted mate Rielle at his side, disgraced wolf shifter Caleb Bardou is slowly piecing back together his recently shattered life. He's a fighter at heart--but when he was justifiably stripped of his Pack Guardian status, it about knocked him out cold. Throwing his energy into a successful new business training other shifters to circuit fight with Rielle cheering him on all the way, Caleb has found a new path in life.Then his arch nemesis unexpectedly threatens to take the shine off their bright new year. Caleb's answering jab will determine the course of the rest of his life...if only he can overcome a burning anger at his old enemy.*author's note: New Year Wolf features Caleb & Rielle, the characters from Hunting Wolf (Black Mesa Wolves #3). It is best read after Wild Wolf (Black Mesa Wolves #4), although that is not strictly necessary in order to enjoy this holiday tale.Get the Black Mesa Wolves books 1-4 together in one box set! amzn.

    But before the big day arrives, he gets dumped by a text message and it looks like he'll be spending another Valentine's Day on his own. Ben decides to make a life-changing move. Instead of suffering V-Day depression alone in Los Angeles, Ben will be suffering culture shock in London where he relocates for a new start.Sexy Welshman Rhys Wynn welcomes Ben into his hostel—and his bed. They share a strong connection, but Ben backs off. He would rather spend Valentine’s Day alone than risk another broken heart. Rhys knows they belong together, but his secret prevents him from pursuing the young American. He's a vampyre who's already lost one soul mate, and he won't risk Ben's life.Can love conquer all, or will history repeat itself?

    Tales of lives bright, lives dim. Stories of a universe fallen, where every happiness has its opposite, and every smile will be inevitably darkled... Amazon readers rave: "A fantastic collection" - Heather Escobedo"A Must-Have Book for Michaelbrent Collings fans" - D. Hilton"I was blown away by this collection of stories.""I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves surprise endings and twisted tales." - Jeffrey C."Stories that will haunt your dreams." - Kimberly A"I couldn't put it down." - Shirley"If you enjoy horror, you'll love this book." - Jason"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scream! What more can you want?" - E. Taylor

    Each year, Pat gets the same response—zero. Except this year’s different. Finally, someone agrees to role-play Pat’s dead mate. Spending Christmas Eve with a rich psycho shifter might seem unreasonable to some. To survive the harsh winter, former soldier Jacob Reynolds has no choice but to turn to desperate measures…except Pat Singer isn’t the crazy bastard Jacob imagines him to be. The sexy, but reluctant werebear pushes all of Jacob’s right buttons, and if Jacob doesn’t guard his heart, he might end up getting burned.

    Dating services, matchmakers, family introductions, even unlikely friends... the means may differ, and the road probably won't run straight, but "happily ever after" is guaranteed at the end. It's about romance and heart, but some steamy attraction never hurts! Be it a perfect stranger or a crush from long ago, all it takes is a little help to find that certain someone and "Make Me a Match."Stories included are:The Perfect Match by Jaelyn Storm Crash and Burn by Catt Ford Third Time's the Charm by Chrissy Munder Dear Alex by Clare London How to Woo a Straight Man by Jaymz Connelly Three on a Match by Nicki Bennett

    How can he wake the prince, save his clan, and end three hundred years of defeat when powerful enemy dragons guard the prince's sleeping chamber? Jayrian is going to need help, and a human librarian is his only answer. Gretchen's life is ordinary and boring, and she longs for adventure outside the books she reads. Someone to take to her family Christmas dinner to stop the endless teasing would be good too. So when the hot man who's been hanging around the library shows up on Christmas Eve, she impulsively invites him to the Christmas party. But when an honest to goodness dragon lands on the front of her car, she realises she might have bitten off more than she can chew.Even if Jayrian can convince her to help him, convincing his clan is another matter. And that's before he realises he might have just made the biggest mistake of all - falling for her.Can Jayrian make the ultimate sacrifice for his clan, and give up the woman he's falling in love with?Loyal Dragon Shifter is a novella length complete story with a happy ending. Previously available as Jayrian: Bringing Christmas to the Dragons.