These stories -- re-edited for quality content and given a Winterheart Designs cover -- were written in 2008, in part as a protest over the passage of Proposition 8 in California. They follow the course of Ethan and Barry's love affair in ten year intervals from the moment they first admit it, at prom in 1978, to a major breakup and reconciliation in 1988, to a family vacation in Hawaii that turns into more in 1998, and election night 2008, a time of deliberation and decision.This version includes the *bonus* holiday (also previously published) story “The Cursed Noel.”

    This can’t be how I die, not here, not tonight. Through the throng of bodies, I can see him...Thane. Of all the ways I thought tonight would end, this wasn’t even on my list. Pain lances through me and I can tell by the look in his eyes that whatever just happened, it’s bad. My hand reaches for my leg and I find it sticky and wet with my own blood.Whatever happens, I know Thane will save me.Screams, and blood, and tragedy haunt my dreams. I'm alive and I owe it all to the gorgeous former marine who refused to leave me for dead. But how can I start a new relationship when I'm not even sure who I am anymore?

    When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.Luis Pope is back on the street after a six year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighbourhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’s rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis’s the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis’s happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.Redemption is an angsty, standalone MM romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.

    Will history destroy their ballad, or can two beautiful souls sing in tune?Country music star Kelso Ray Anderson found the passion he craved in his songs. Rejected by his religious family because of his sexual orientation, he regrets his painful visit home just before a massive European tour. But when he encounters his brother’s handsome friend who was his adolescent crush, he’s captivated by the melody stirring in his heart.Tanner Bledsoe’s hopes were broken in prison. Determined to make the most of an opportunity offered by an old high school buddy, he never expected to blush like a teenager when he’s re-introduced to his pal’s magnetic brother. Falling hard and fast for the striking musician, Tanner’s terrified his wrongful incarceration will be a devastating deal-breaker.Hellbent on giving their budding relationship a chance despite his looming international concerts, Kelso pours his musical soul into his troubled new man. But Tanner is torn apart by the agonizing choice between a once-in-a-lifetime love and doing what’s right to protect his partner’s dreams.Will their undeniable spark find its place in loving harmony?Whiskey Dreams, On the Rocks is the touching first tale in the On the Rocks M/M contemporary romance series. If you like captivating characters, sweet attractions, and tortured choices, then you’ll adore Sam E. Kraemer’s delicious escape.

    Sure, he’s a widower raising a teenage daughter who just got her first boyfriend, his book series isn’t writing itself, and he has a crush on his new neighbor — the guy next door. But everything’s just fine.Simon Lynley is doing better. He moved to Bethlehem to fall out of love and rebuild his career. An affair with his neighbor isn’t part of the plan, but the attraction between them is too hard to ignore.But when Simon’s ex follows him to Pennsylvania seeking reconciliation, and Charlie’s life starts to feel like a video on repeat, everything comes apart. Charlie worries that he’s failing as a father, and Simon is a distraction he can’t afford. Meanwhile Simon doesn’t know if he could survive being left again, and he hasn’t come all this way to make the same mistakes. But despite their fears, it’s only together that they’ll find the strength to slay old foes and build the forever they’ve been waiting for.

    At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. But let’s get real. Walking the fake-it-til-you-make-it road to independence and self-respect isn’t easy. Especially since my mom’s a deadbeat alcoholic, and most of my family expects me to turn out just as worthless. Oh, and I’m close to losing my college swimming scholarship, so let’s add “dropout” to the list.My BFF has invited me to stay at her beach house on the shore of Lake Michigan. That’ll give me one summer to make money and figure out what I want to do with my life. So of course I decide to have an affair with my BFF’s married, closeted dad. Because that always works out.Now I’m homeless, friendless, jobless. Worthless. Just like my family expects, right? Except there’s this great guy, Jace, who sees it differently. He’s got it all together in ways I can only dream of—he’s hot, creative, insightful, understanding. He seems to think I don’t give myself enough credit. And if I don’t watch out, I may start to believe him.

    When Mitch and Jackson make a simultaneous grab for it, they make a connection that goes deeper than a brush of hands over a gaudy pink-and-purple box. Mitch is shopping for his youngest sister, who he hasn’t seen since he came out to his parents a year and a half ago. This will be his first Christmas back with the family he’s not sure he can forgive. Jackson is shopping for a new boyfriend. No! Bad Jackson. He’s supposed to be on a relationship break. His ex-boyfriend only moved out a month ago and his best friend tells him he’s too quick to jump into commitments. The plan is to enjoy some uncommitted sex, so why not enjoy it with Mitch? As the final days of Christmas count down, Mitch and Jackson find that all they have to do to get everything they want this year is give love a chance. Giving Chances is an M/M standalone Christmas novella with a happy ending.

    Despite striving to win his father's affection, a confrontation that has been years in the making leaves Kieran devastated to realize he will never be good enough. Jealous of the half brother he's never met, and who most likely doesn't know of his existence, Kieran vows to find out what makes his brother so special in their father's eyes.Darius Jensen manages a nightclub. He loves his job, but is reluctant to commit when given the opportunity to become a partner. His previous foray into business ownership with a boyfriend had disastrous results, and Darius is still paying the price, both financially and emotionally.When Kieran starts working with Darius at Sparks, Darius shows him it's not too late for Kieran to realize his dreams--the fulfilling career, a loving family, and someone who loves him for who he is. If only Kieran can convince Darius of the same thing. But before Kieran's and Darius's dreams can come true, Kieran needs to come clean with his brother and deal with the resulting fallout... which threatens his relationship with Darius.Note: This book was originally published as part of the Memories with the Breakfast Club Kindle World. The text remains unchanged.

    So when a young couple is the target of a hate crime and asks for his help, it gets personal. Derrick Marlow and Ethan Reynolds thought their lives would be perfect after moving into their exclusive, gated community. With their wedding only a few weeks away, everything felt too good to be true. And these childhood sweethearts soon learned that it was. When the first brick came through their window, they tried to explain it away as a prank. But now that things have escalated and the police refuse to help, they’ve turned to the one man who may be able to find who is behind the harassment. This seasoned detective will have to discover who is behind these crimes before these lovers walk down the aisle. Save The Date is full of passionate encounters and graphic details that will leave plenty of evidence for readers to uncover. 18+ only please. Get your copy today to learn if there is more to this investigation than meets the eye! A Gay Romance

     When Decker Morgan returns to Torey Hope, he has no time for love and distractions. Always in control, his loyalties lie with himself and his family. His only interest is putting down roots and expanding his family’s business. Kate Turner had planned to leave Torey Hope after college, but she found that being there for her family took precedence. When she lands her dream job working for Decker at his family’s business, The Center+, she realizes that Torey Hope is where she’s supposed to be. When Decker hires Kate she turns his world upside down. She’s brilliant, funny, beautiful, and completely off limits, due to Decker’s self-imposed rules concerning work and family. Kate knows a secret that will make their attraction for one another a little less taboo, but she needs to convince Decker to take a chance. Decker has to decide if he’ll give in to a forbidden romance or keep his tight control firmly in hand. Kate is possibly his perfect girl, but unexpected chaos and havoc at work threaten to tear her away. Will he find the courage to let go or will he lose the only girl he’s ever wanted to keep close? **This is a contemporary romance with suspenseful elements intended for readers age 18+ due to mature language, sexual situations, and violence. While there are no male/male sex scenes in this story, there are some detailed descriptions of male/male relationships.**

    As the door to the bar opens, blown in by a gust of winter breeze, Cal finds himself locked onto the handsome man who enters. With the Christmas cheer surrounding them, Cal lets his walls down enough to give into the lure of the perfect stranger.

    What he got was a hero.When an accident burns down Jesse’s apartment, he’s left broke and homeless, with a giant dog and a college schedule he can’t afford to maintain. And no family who’s willing to take him in.Lucky for him, a sexy fireman offers him a place to stay. The drawback? The fireman’s big Latino family lives next door, and they don’t know their son is gay.Tomas’s parents made their way in America with hard work and by accepting help when it was offered, so he won’t let Jesse drop out of school just so he can afford a place to live. Besides, Jesse’s the perfect roommate—funny, sweet and breathtakingly cute. He climbs into Tomas’s bed and tugs at his heart. Until Jesse starts pushing for more.Their passion enflames their bodies but threatens to crush Tomas’s family. Tomas is willing to fight for Jesse, but after losing everything, Jesse isn’t sure he can bear to risk his one remaining possession—his heart.Warning: Contains an angry older brother, judgmental best friends, a slobbering bull mastiff, and enough red-hot gay loving to make a porn star blush.

    But a misunderstanding and some stubborn cuff buttons tangle Ryan up in an oxford shirt at a really inopportune time. Can Scotty take this opportunity to teach Ryan one or two more lessons about falling in love?Previously published in the Curious: A Woman's Introduction to Gay Romance anthology by Dreamspinner Press, 2010.

    One is a lawyer with his own firm and dreams of money and power; the other is a criminal with a lengthy record and a quest for vengeance. When they meet, sparks fly. But was their meeting an accident? Or, was it planned by the billionaires who want to control their destiny? The Love of Wicked Men is an erotic journey into the underbelly of the legal profession, the corporate culture of profit-at-any-cost, and the secret world of industrial espionage. IN THIS EPISODE: Sid Rivers has been very successful at helping his smaller corporate clients silence their critics and retain their profits. His success has caught the attention of a trillion dollar industry, and now Sid thinks he is about to realize a dream he’s held since childhood –unlimited wealth and unlimited power. Jack Brown stops in and robs the local Shop-n-Go and nicks Sid with his knife. He sets into motion a plan of revenge that has been smoldering within him for years. But his plan requires he get close to the same man who has become the representative of his enemies.

    Agreeing to go out for drinks and karaoke afterwards is mistake number two. It doesn’t help that I still have a massive crush on him. There are several reasons why we can’t stay married. Noah’s cocky and overconfident. He constantly drives me up a wall. I’m a relationship kind of guy and Noah’s commitment shy. We’ll never work out.My ex-boyfriend and brother are confident we won’t last. I know we won’t but I’m a sore loser. Noah’s the same. We’ll keep fooling everyone until they concede Noah and I are perfect for each other. There’s just one problem. I don’t understand why being with Noah feels so right. So wonderful. What if the only people we’re fooling is ourselves?