Where the Heart Is


Kaje Harper - 2011
    After working as a small-animal vet in the big city, Trevor’s now back in his remote hometown, trying to keep his dad’s practice afloat while he figures out his next step. He expected he’d want to sell up and flee back to civilization as fast as possible, but the town is beginning to feel like where he belongs. Except every day he spends there is a day away from his partner Michael, back in the city. As Christmas approaches, with a much-anticipated visit from Mike, Trevor’s going to have to decide what “home” really means.(This warm, established-couple holiday romance is a lightly-edited rerelease of the 2011 story. Content warning for veterinary-related pet loss. 14,000 words.)

Holly & Hockey Boots


V.L. Locey - 2016
    He’s kind, cute, and a little quirky (but show me a goalie who isn’t) and he loves to interact with fans. During a meet and greet after a game Adam meets Cason Reyes, a hard-working young man with stunning amber eyes and a smile as sweet as a candy cane. Desperate to see Cason again, Adam does something more than a little naughty. To add insult to the egg nog, it appears that one little white lie may end Adam’s chance of having a merry Christmas with a new boyfriend. Will he end up with nothing but a lump of coal in his stocking, instead of the man who owns his heart?

A Present in Swaddling Clothes


Andrew Grey - 2011
    Now Vivian needs a home—a “for real” forever home, and Josh would love to be the one who takes her in. But Josh’s partner, Sammy, isn’t a fan of children of any size or stamp. Will Josh have to choose between being a lover or a parent, or will Josh’s niece work her baby magic on Sammy, giving them all the best Christmas present of all?

Admiring Jesse


Shawn Lane - 2013
    But suddenly he starts receiving gifts from a secret admirer.With encouragement from his too-sexy roommate, Gilbert, Jesse opens himself to the idea that someone is actually interested in him. Though he has doubts, Jesse can't help but wonder if his admirer could finally be the man of his dreams.

Starting Over


Sara Winters - 2011
    After coming out and experiencing a painful rejection from his parents and friends, Kurt feels as if he's lost everything that mattered. Then he connects with James Theard and his perspective on life and the truth found in love changes forever.Original Prompt:Dear Author,Where is this guy? What’s he looking at, I wonder? And is that guy down the hall watching him with longing? Maybe he’s been too shy to make his move before now. Maybe he’s trying to build up his courage. So, what do you think? Can you help the shy little guy get his happy ending?Photo Description: A slim, classic-featured boy in low-riding briefs leans against a wall, washed in dim blue and gold light. One graceful hand brushes his own bare chest, as he gazes forward. Behind him, down the hall, a shadowed dark-haired boy in shorts leans out of doorway watching in rapt attention.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.Download the story, read it here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, italics, dash and ellipsis point abuse, sappy romance, prose with a mild purple hue, non-explicit, college, athletes, oh, teh angst!, excessive blushing, locker room groping, public displays of adorable, sports, nosey strangers & swimming allusion pornWord Count: 12,663

Christmasing With You


William Neale - 2011
    Devastated and all alone, he questioned how he would ever get through his first Christmas season without the husband he so loved. But when Drew's best friend convinces him to "find people who need help and help them," he finally begins to focus on something other than his own grief. And to his great surprise, he meets the one man with the ability to help heal his broken heart. Christmasing With You is a shamelessly heartwarming, upbeat holiday story that will require tissues, smiles, a box of good chocolates, and the willingness t o believe that Christmas miracles really happen.

Just-You Eyes


Clare London - 2011
    Obviously, as a gay man, he’s not the target group, and there’s nothing for him there except cheap wine and uncomfortable chairs. But when hotel manager Alexsy sits down opposite him and offers an evening of a very different kind than Elliot expected, Elliot’s tempted to try something for the very first time in his life… The tantalising adventure of a one-night stand.

Tattoos & Tinsel


Anna Martin - 2012
    It's Christmas at Rob and Chris's house; the tinsel has been hung, the sugar cookies are baking, carols are blaring out of the stereo and, despite Rob's best efforts, there is a definite feel of Christmas cheer in the air.Rob doesn't know it yet, but Chris has one or two holiday surprises hidden up his heavily tattooed sleeves...

Wild Turkey


Rhys Ford - 2014
    It features Miki and Damie… a short piece about Thanksgiving, family and what it’s like being with the Morgans on the Day of Feasting and Family.

If I Must


Amy Lane - 2009
    When Joel uneasily leaves Ian for the holidays, he ends up telling stories to his sister and discovers he feels much more for Ian than he thought. So when Ian calls, distraught because the only other thing in his life that loves him (a half-feral cat named Manky Bastard) is going to have to be put down, Joel hurries back home hoping that opposites really do attract.

All Man


G.A. Hauser - 2010
    The title, author, and/or publisher may have changed.Chase Arlington had to relocate for financial reasons from New York City to corn country in Ohio with his German Shepherd mix, Mutley. Working as a physical therapist at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Chase thought his skills could be used to serve the men who fought for his country. He didn’t realize he’d miss the rush and glitter of the Big Apple, not to mention being an out gay man in Manhattan where he was open with his family without fear of recrimination.Staff Sergeant Gary Wilson worked in the air force reserves, soon to be called for his tour of duty in Iraq. He was living day to day, deeply in the closet to his parents and co-workers, passing the time until he went to Al Taji Air Base. Until he met the handsome Chase Arlington.Every weekend Chase and Mutley ran cross country in the park, only to see the same nine men playing tackle football week after week. Wishing he could participate, lonely and too new in town to have established friends, Chase takes a moment to watch the game.Instantly Chase catches the eye of big, muscular, Gary Wilson. Gary is smitten by the handsome man and makes the bold move of running after Chase to invite him to even up the sides of their football match. Chase gladly accepts and joins in the fun.The attraction between Chase and Gary grows by each passing moment and soon they begin to spend all their time together.But the looming tour of duty is something the two men are dreading, and Chase in particular has very strong views on the war, and fears for Gary’s life.Inevitably Gary is summoned to duty, leaving behind a distraught Chase.As the time crawls by until Gary is allowed to return home, Chase tries not to imagine anything happening to the man he loves, until that dreaded phone call comes in the night.With guest appearances from Secrets and Misdemeanors’ Lyle Wilson and David Thornton, and Leather Boys’ Devlin Young and Sam Rhodes, Chase finds his love, loyalty and patriotism are tested to the extreme as Gary’s fate is in the hands of others.Sometimes it takes every ounce of strength you possess to convince the one you love that no matter what, you are still the man you were, all man, and nothing less.

The Sticks


J.F. Smith - 2012
    He’s given up and wants to be as far away as possible from the place that has been the source of his troubles all his life. But to his disappointment, he finds himself in the last place he expected. And a chance encounter with a redneck and a stubborn hound dog aren’t helping, either. That is… until they do.Invincibility can be found in the strangest places.This short story by JF Smith imagines that, perhaps, very big things can happen in very small moments.

A Love Story


Peter Styles - 2015
    He's out of work, he's been through a breakup, and now his friends are kicking him out of the house. Little does he expect how much his life will change when he answers an ad in the newspaper for a position as a caretaker to a cantankerous, neurotic writer. This book contains sexually explicit content not suited for those under the age of 18. The book is approximately 35,000 words, has a happy ending and does not end in a cliffhanger. There is a free bonus chapter that can be obtained at the end of the book. However, the bonus chapter is not required to finish the book.

Ice Around the Edges


Mary Calmes - 2010
    The resulting turmoil is not caused by a bullet but by a blast from the past: Evan’s first lover has returned to visit him in the hospital and deliver some big news.Ten years ago, Dixon Bain walked out of Evan’s life because he thought his family didn’t approve of him having a male lover. But Dixon has discovered that what he thought he knew could not be further from the truth, and now he’s returned to claim the only man he’s ever loved... if he can melt the ice around the edges of Evan’s still-wounded heart.

Joy of the Season


T.A. Chase - 2011
    For ten years, he's thrown himself into running the charity, and keeping his brother's memory alive. Hal doesn't have time for a relationship, especially with a rich golden boy like Tavis Komen.Tavis Komen wants to change his life, and decides volunteering at Rupert's Legacy is the first step to a better him. Meeting Hal Sims hits Tavis in ways he never planned.When one of the hospice residents takes a turn for the worse, Tavis and Hal come together to comfort each other, and Tavis shows Hal there is joy to be found in a season that Hal has lost all interest in.