Maelgwn, leader of a clutch of gargoyles in Durango, Colorado, only planned to be in Stone Ridge a few days to help a fellow gargoyle’s mate through laying their first egg. His plan to leave changes when he scents his mate in the hospital. He discovers his mate is Bobby Truman, a human who has no idea the paranormal world exists, even though a number of his friends are shifters. Maelgwn begins the arduous process of watching and waiting, searching for that perfect opportunity to make contact with his mate. Bobby Truman is tired of his boyfriend, Seth’s, abusive friends, especially when Seth doesn’t do anything about their antics. The broken nose, compliments of Seth’s buddy Grant, is the final straw. When he’s attacked by muggers and rescued by a mysterious stranger in the dark, Bobby hopes it’s the opportunity he needs to make a clean break from Seth. Even if it doesn’t work out with Maelgwn, maybe Bobby can keep his new love interest’s attention long enough to prove to Seth they are really done. Bobby thinks it’s odd that Maelgwn won’t come into the light, always meeting him after dark, but he’s nowhere near prepared for the truth when it finally comes out. Can Maelgwn convince Bobby that the things that go bump in the night aren’t always bad and to take his place at Maelgwn’s side in a paranormal world? Even when that means uprooting his life and moving?

    He’s not looking for anyone, but when Casey offers, Lon doesn’t turn him down. Welcoming the young man in his big, hairy arms, Lon provides a safety to Casey that he has never known, and Casey wants to stay forever. Still reeling from the breakup of his family years ago, Lon’s not sure he’s ready for the responsibility of the comfort and security Casey craves. But perhaps Lon can risk opening his heart again and hoping for a brighter future. Casey has some pretty big skeletons in his past to deal with. And Lon wonders what Casey will do when he finds out how badly Lon failed at protecting the ones he loved eight years ago.

    What he doesn't expect to find is a town that accepts his kind, the mischievous vampire who immediately befriends him, or the beautiful, sad-eyed doctor he can't stop thinking about...

    He’s steering clear of romance and the heartbreak that goes with it. After losing both parents and having all his relationships fail, he figures happily ever after is a myth.When Dr. Trevor Hayes crosses Mark’s path at the hospital, he falls hard for Mark. The attraction is clearly mutual, and Trevor is determined to parlay that attraction into a relationship. Mark is just as determined to avoid exactly that. But Trevor chips away at Mark’s resistance, and facing hardship and sorrow together brings them closer. Still, Mark can’t shake his belief that their romance is temporary—until he’s unexpectedly faced with the danger that he might lose Trevor for good. Mark must choose between guarding his heart and giving it completely, the risk he swore never to take again.

    Lane is infatuated by Gresh, the co-owner of Crazy Hills Ranch, but he doesn't think Gresh cares for him. When their paths cross, passion boils between them, leaving both Lane and Gresh wondering just how far they can take their love before they're destroyed by those around them.A full story of gay love in the rough Texas setting. It gets your attention and keeps it while you dive deep into the forbidden love between 2 men. I would highly recommend this to anyone that likes to see just how far love goes and knows no boundaries. - Jimmy R RushingWho can resist a hot cowboy – or two? I must admit that I have a hard time saying no and Texas Rough, the first in a trilogy of stories, didn’t disappoint. - Serena Yates Rainbow Book ReviewsRecommendations: If you like a good modern day western, hot cowboys, horses, sexy doctors, a great sweet romance, a compelling story and some sensuous but hot sex…Cathy Brockman

    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

    But within a single night, things change…His best friend, Demarco, supports Alec’s bold decision of seeking a new perspective… a change that begins across the country, in a cabin atop Beulah Mountain.Alec was not looking for a man… wanted nothing of the sort. But a strong-willed cowboy named Tyler enters his life as spontaneous as the snow of Montana’s winter.Unpredictable as a mountain storm, Alec and Tyler soon find themselves entwined in a fierce love affair… raw, real, and unlike any other Alec has ever had.But Tyler belongs to Montana.Will their passion be enough to keep them together? Will Alec learn to forgive his past missteps and accept that he deserves the happiness that can only come from a man so genuine… so giving… and so TRUE?This book contains mature content.

    Landlocked, Wyatt faces a choice. Either he forfeits his deposit and stays home, or he finds an alpha to take care of his heat for him. It is not an easy choice, but with that with that much money on the line, Wyatt's not about to let his vacation go to waste. Playboy alpha Gage Weston is under constant pressure by his pack to find a mate and produce an heir, but even if it's for his own good, Gage won’t let anyone tell him what to do... at least, until headstrong omega Wyatt Morgan walks into his life, deeply in heat and need of a favor. Gage is more than happy to oblige. But when Wyatt walks away after their encounter, he’s traded his heat for a new set of problems. He's pregnant, and now Gage is on his tail, determined to make things right. And Gage is insistent in the way that makes it hard for Wyatt to say no. Taking the Omega's Heat is a 27k novella with a no cheating, no cliffhanger and a sweet HEA with an earnest Alpha, a grouchy omega and a second-in-command who earns his pay corralling the two into the same room.

    Hank is a study in contrast: he lives for the rush of climbing and cutting trees almost as much as he loves the peace he finds exploring the mountains he calls home. Scott's attraction to Hank is immediate and mind-blowing, and it's what Scott has always wanted: to know what it's like to love someone he can't live without. Scott needs to know if Hank's true feelings will be a roar of passion or simply a quiet friendship, one that doesn't match Scott's devotion. But it may be too late... Scott simply can't help himself from falling hard for Hank.

    With the encouragement of his friends and a nudge from the newest member of Jacob's small circle, he agrees to sign up for a film based photography class.Elijah Fall, a widowed photography teacher, is exactly the man to bring Jacob back to life. But, while Jacob may have found the man of his dreams, will Elijah, someone who has lost everything once, be willing to risk his heart again?

    He loves his person, Private Investigator Evan Slater, his job as a defense attorney, and he doesn’t mind living in Evan’s small house, even though he comes from an old-money family on Vert Island. Evan is everything Madden wants out of bed, and in it, except he’s missing one thing: gentleness. Evan knows he’s been letting Madden down, or at least that Madden wants more from him. The learning curve to give Madden what he wants might be sharp, but not impossible to handle. Can Evan find some courage and take the plunge? With Madden at his side, anything’s possible.

    A twenty-year-old virgin, he doesn’t have the time or energy to date or socialize. When his father agrees to try medicinal marijuana as a treatment option, David meets an attractive, outgoing young man named Zev, who becomes the friend David never realized he needed. David’s father is nearing the end of his life, and Zev is becoming far more than a shoulder to lean on — he might be David’s first opportunity to embrace life and let go.

    But when I meet my professor, I find myself questioning everything I’ve been taught. The man is attractive and charming, and he makes me so flustered I end up saying things I instantly regret. When Professor Lito realizes I lack the confidence to lead my dance partner, he decides to spend extra time helping me outside of class hours. He seems to only see me as a student—until the night he presses me against the mirror while whispering hot commands into my ear. Follow My Lead is a 18k word novella about an awkward student learning how to stop following the expectations of others and step up to take the lead.

    Since the death of his mother, Eli has fallen foul of everything his father holds dear – indulging in drink, drugs, women and men. With a dark and desperate secret weighing on him, Eli is determined to lose himself to vice, no matter what the cost.Daniel Fisher is a twenty-six year old high-school janitor. He spends his days cleaning the school, and his nights taking care of his seventeen-year-old brother, Cory. With an alcoholic father to support, Daniel’s plate is full, even before one of the school’s students decides to seduce him. When Eli enters his life, Daniel is too lost in his own despair to consider the consequences of their fling, and as he grows closer to Eli, and to the boy’s damaged former choirboy persona, he realises that all is not as it seems with the teenager.However, neither of them knows the secret that connects them and their families. A secret that will eventual break their hearts afresh, and test their new relationship to its limits.A secret that lies in their very blood.

    Being homeless, Darren isn't used to anyone caring, especially cops. He's seen the worst in people, and trusting Andy isn't easy.To Andy, homeless means addictions, overdoses, and panhandling. It's a world he doesn't understand, and isn't sure he wants to. Yet, when it comes to life and death, he can't just walk away and let someone die.Their worlds couldn't be more different, but the more they get to know each other, they find that, inside, where it matters the most, they really aren't so opposite. Trust comes hard for both men, but when a murderer starts hunting homeless boys, the two work together, showing them that no matter where you come from, dreams really can come true.