Book picks similar to
Getting Inked by Van Cole


freebie
mm
i-didn-t-like-it
english

Cake Clash


Claire Castle - 2018
    When his co-worker sends in an application for him to compete on the reality baking show, Cake Clash, he’s nervous but also excited for the opportunity. Even if he secretly wishes he was competing alongside Josiah. Chef Jos, one of the youngest, renowned celebrity chefs, and a notorious recluse, is surprised when he’s asked to be a judge on the reality television baking show, but takes the opportunity as a fresh start. He’s blown away when he recognizes Finn as one of the contestants. The years separated from Finn have transformed him from Josiah Stevens to Chef Jos, and seem to disappear in the presence of his first love. Can they make up for lost time, and reconnect for love on the rollercoaster ride that is Cake Clash?

The Sun Dragon's Mate


Liv Rider - 2017
     Dragon Sun: Dragon shifter Griffith Rees finally meets the man who ignites his mating instinct—presumed human Noah Tine. But Noah has powers Griffith’s never seen, and Noah discovers he might not be so human after all. But is Griffith ready to open his heart to love? And does catching the man who killed his partner mean sacrificing Noah? The Sun Dragon’s Flight: When Griffith takes Noah to his family’s secluded lake house to learn how to shift for the first time, a flying lesson turns into a mating flight. But the Sun Dragon isn’t a force to play around with, and Noah may be deep over his head. Can he learn how to control his dragon with Griffith’s help?

Nate & Casey


Charlie Winters - 2016
    Seven years of nearly-inseparable friendship between them finds Nate developing an unrequited adoration for his best friend, even sending them off to college together… alone and sleeping side-by-side every desolate night. Christmas break and one drunken kiss later turns into an eighteen-day love affair—one that they both begrudgingly walk away from—each with disparate broken hearts. But five years later, after a simple trip to the bookstore, Casey makes a purchase that could change his life forever and reunite him with the man who’d once meant everything to him. But is it too late? With so much time between them and so much left unspoken, can they truly start over?

Spotlight Investigations: The Complete Series


Harper Maguire - 2019
    But there he is, sexy as ever, sitting at her table. He’s even got a pretty impressive job; security guard to the stars. Wishing her writing career that she always dreamed of had ever taken off, Rachel concocts a plan. What if she can use some of Jayden’s insider information to write a bestselling book? She’ll only have to use him a little bit to get what she needs, what harm can there be? Except she never expected to begin to fall for him again…when she does can she still go through with her plan? Part 2 Max is the carefree younger brother of broken hearted Reid. He tries to keep his sarcasm in check and his jokes on point. Very little could ever get in the way of his jovial mood. Except the assignment Salvatore just gave him. Max’s new long term job is to work security for a pop-up fashion boutique series, which doesn’t sound all that bad if the pop-ups weren’t being opened by the one person he can’t stand - Reid’s ex-girlfriend Hannah. As he expects the two can’t seem to get along, there’s fireworks as usual when they’re around each other as they fight. But soon those fireworks turn from fighting into passion and something that could ruin his relationship with his brother forever. Part 3 Heartbroken after his breakup with Hannah, and confused by his brother’s new relationship with her, Reid has decided that romance isn’t in the cards. Not unless it's truly real. But does that even exist? He’s challenged by his new job from Spotlight, guarding the infamous and gorgeous Jennifer White from her wreck of an ex-boyfriend, also infamous Ian. How can Reid keep her protected from her ex when she is required to keep up appearances with Ian for publicity of their new movie? And what is he supposed to do when he believes that what he feels for her is real, but she’s too tied up with another man? Part 4 As the only female guard at Spotlight, Ireland has her work cut out for her among the boys, but this girl can hold her own. Her newest job is to help protect child star Kelly while she’s at school as there seems to be a stalker on the loose. Until she’s safe, Ireland will be reporting to elementary school every day to watch this spunky little girl. It seems like an easy task, though reliving the memories of her childhood feels haunting, Ireland tries to stay focused. But it’s hard to stay focused when Kelly’s newly single father is just so irresistible. Part 5 Salvatore has never recovered from the pain of his little sister’s unsolved murder when he was only a kid, and that’s why he began Spotlight to begin with. As new information comes to light for the police, her cold case is reopened, and with it all of Salvatore’s wounds. One misstep has landed him in court ordered counseling where he can’t stop fighting with his perky, perfect blonde counselor Ginny. Salvatore has a past he has to deal with and a future he needs to begin to make. If only he could stop fighting with, or kissing, his counselor, maybe he could find a way to work through his pain and see there’s more to the world.

Tall Order (Chef's Table #2)


Irene Preston - 2015
    When he left Texas, his job, and his boyfriend behind, Dylan was confident Aston would follow him to New York. Now he’s back home and working for the worst caterer in Austin just to pay the rent. Being head chef at a party thrown by a famous rocker doesn’t make up for serving bland tacos while dressed like a dime-store cowboy. Thank god his ex can’t see him now.Aston Winkler’s steampunk guitar mods are all the rage with musicians and he’s got invites to every hot party in town. Too bad he’d rather be listening to garage bands than networking in a penthouse. From his 6’7” vantage point, Aston has no problem spotting Dylan at the crowded SXSW party. Getting his boyfriend back? That’s a tall order.**This story was originally published in the Romancing Austin anthology and is now available as a standalone read.***

Out of the Penalty Box


Genevive Chamblee - 2019
    Recovering from an injury and traded to a new team, Aidan is attempting to prove his viability to his coaches, fans, and teammates. Just when he believes he’s succeeded, another accident during the playoffs threatens to unravel all of his progress.Having relocated away from family and friends, Aidan turns to his extroverted team captain, Christophe Fontenot, whose jovial nature lifts everyone’s spirits. But when Aidan discovers his attraction for Christophe changes the meaning of “body checking,” Aidan questions more than his hockey skills.Should he deny what he feels or come out of the “box?”Part of the Game On Collection.

Lexington Black


S.A. Smythe - 2015
    His ambition to be an author has stalled, and he has a nightmare of a family, most of whom think he is a waste of space. His father killed himself when Rob was 15, and since then, Rob has found it hard to trust and commit himself to anyone but himself, yet over the course of a test drive with a suave stranger, he discovers he is capable of behaving in a totally irrational and risky manner. Lexington Black is the wealthy New Yorker who rocks Rob's world. After a night of hot sex, he wastes no time in luring Rob to the US to stay at his penthouse for a month so that he can reboot his writing career. A ruthless businessman, Lex is accustomed to getting what he wants. He is in love with Rob and he also wants his ailing father to accept his sexuality before the old man dies. As Rob is introduced to gay Manhattan by Lex's colourful friends, he is unaware that Lex is holding on to a crucial secret. Years before, Lex was a student at the college where Rob's father was Headmaster. A brief encounter between them had resulted in the tragedy that Rob had been unable to forget. With this secret hanging between them, it is only a matter of time before Rob and Lex's relationship is balanced on a knife edge. A heated tale of deception and lust between two hot men who cannot keep their hands off each other...

The Limelight


Louisa Keller - 2018
    The front man of a pop-punk trio on the verge of super-stardom, he was bold, outgoing, and enigmatic—everything I was not. Before I knew it, I was driving his tour bus across the country, getting an up-close look at the rock’n’roll lifestyle. I found all the things I didn’t even know I was looking for: hole-in-the-wall restaurants all over the country, a newfound passion for watching shows from the mosh pit, and a fiery redhead on top of me at the end of the night. That is, until somebody took pictures of us getting hot and heavy at a popular nightclub. The intense media scrutiny is more than I can handle… but if I walk away from the band, I’ll have to walk away from Levi, too. “I love you so much…but I don’t know if I can do this.” Levi: Porter never asked to have his face splashed across tabloids. A life-long battle with anxiety had left him guarded and cautious, and it was my fault that he left the safety of Seattle. Thoughtful, kind, and breathtakingly beautiful, he had me captivated from the moment he mixed me his signature neon blue cocktail. As my fame skyrocketed, Porter put all his energy into supporting me—while still managing to sneak off for some steamy private moments backstage. But just when I think we’re past the worst of it, my manager drops some news that changes the game entirely. Can Porter and I survive having our relationship thrust into the limelight? The Limelight is a contemporary m/m rock star romance featuring a hidden relationship, an epic road trip, and an HEA!

Under a Full Moon


Sammi Cee - 2019
    Same with riding a motorcycle and standing vigilant against all threats to our little mountain town—even when those threats come from within. Most of the humans here don’t know what we are. They only see tough men on bikes with leather vests, marking us as outlaws. The facade keeps our secret and the town of Slate Mountain safe. When my mate shows up with the summer breeze, all seems right with the world, until trouble stirs and I have to use all my resources as a man and wolf to protect him and the town we both love. Brice Wallace As the mayor’s son, coming home after graduating from college is an eye opening experience. I’d forgotten how small town politics could swallow people whole and point men down paths of greed. Now that my eyes have been opened, there’s no going back to the blissful ignorance of before. When I meet Ethan, I know he’s the one for me. Being with Ethan, leads me further away from my father’s plans and deeper into the secrets of Slate Mountain even as it puts me directly into the path of the newest threat to our sleepy little town. Welcome to Slate Mountain where magic and motorcycles roam the streets, love flows as pure as mountain spring water, and the wolves are always guarding the door. Under A Full Moon is a 32,000 word novella featuring an M/M romance and an HEA. It is the first book in a four part series set in the same world and while each book focuses on a different couple the overall story arc continues on in the next installment. It is recommended the books be read in order.

A Summer Nanny in Fairbanks & The River Home


Renee Hart - 2017
     Third-grade teacher, Mandy Hastings, is almost certain that her boyfriend is about ready to pop the question. When he drops a bomb instead, Mandy wants to get as far away from her disappointment as possible. On a whim, she applies for a summer job as a nanny. Darren is raising his daughter Katie alone, except for the help of his housekeeper who has a family emergency in another state. Since Darren's job on the North Slope keeps him away from home for days at a time, there's no other solution except to send Katie to the lower 48 for the summer. Katie desperately wants to stay in Fairbanks with her father, so she takes matters into her own hands. She can only hope that the new nanny will meet with her father's approval. Also included is a new sequel to this story, The River Home, and an excerpt of Homer: End Of The Road, book three in the Alaska Adventure Romance series. These are clean contemporary romance adventure stories with HEA endings and no cliffhanger.

Plus Ones


Hank Edwards - 2011
    They try to make do by falling in and out of the beds of several different men as they search for their own Mr. Right, and along the way, they learn new skills, like the secrets to Tantric sex, or the moves required to succeed at lube wrestling.Yet all through the hot summer months, they flirt and eye each other by the buffet tables and open bars of reception halls crowded with men, even though they never get a chance to take their relationship to the next level. When the summer draws to a close and their two best friends are about to marry, the stars might finally align for Paul and Evan. They might just get to be each others' forever 'plus one'.

Through The Years


Z.A. Maxfield - 2012
    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.”

Rex's Sweet Omega


Fel Fern - 2021
    A casket bearing his best friend and an honorable discharge brings Rex back to his hometown. The promise Rex made to his friend is the only thing keeping him moving forward—protect Nicky and Nicky’s son at all costs. It’s not long before Rex realises that the spunky and warm-hearted Omega might just be the cure he needs. But the war broke something vital inside Rex. His wolf is unstable, and if he’s not careful, he might end up hurting Nicky.Omega fox shifter Nicky is fiercely independent. He doesn’t need Rex to play bodyguard, and he can raise his son on his own. As Nicky gets to know Rex better, he realizes its Rex who truly needs him. Nicky can anchor Rex’s wolf. He knows he can heal the fractures in Rex’s soul. It doesn’t hurt his attraction to the Alpha is off the charts. But allowing Rex into his home and heart might only invite further trouble.Two lost souls are given a second-chance in Rex’s Sweet Omega, a standalone mm mpreg shifter romance. There are no cliffhangers or cheating, and a HEA is guaranteed.

Always for You


Becca Seymour - 2020
    It’s the perfect chance to get to know outgoing and loveable bar owner Ted, and his grumbly younger husbutt, Jason.When last-minute plans for a Christmas in July celebration are sprung on Ted, it doesn’t take him long to embrace the event while pulling some new and old friends into the mix. While his husband, Jason, focuses on some family revelations, he knows this is the perfect time to embrace all his has, especially the incredible man he calls his own.

This fabulous couple are first introduced in LET ME SHOW YOU (True-Blue #1) and have featured in every book in the series to date. If you’ve gone into their story blind, you’ll be sure to have fun as you follow the chaos, but definitely treat yourself and go back to the beginning by reading Carter and Tanner’s story to get the bigger picture.Always For You is an 11,000 word short story in the True-Blue series and is available to newsletter subscribers.

Their Christmas Miracle


Misty Shae - 2017
    He never thought he’d find love again after the death of his wife and son. Natalie Porter and her son, Tommy are traveling to Chicago so that she can give birth to a child that she can’t keep. When Tommy goes missing on the train, Natalie and Ken cross paths in the search to find her son, but end up finding so much more in each other. When Natalie is forced to get off the train after going in labor, Kenneth decides to go with her, offering her a whole new life if she’ll only let him. Will Natalie accept his offer to be her husband and adopt the baby she so desperately wants to keep? Could the love that bloomed between them in such a short amount of time, be real?