Book picks similar to
The Red Heart by Isabelle Rowan
m-m
mm
contemporary
romance
Switching It Up
K.C. Wells - 2014
Great idea, except that it’s full of guys who think Jay would look great under them. Only one problem with that – Jay may look like a twink, but he’s no one’s bottom. And when he spies the gorgeous, muscled specimen at the end of the bar, he’s not about to waste his time. He knows a top when he sees one. Dean has had enough of the guys who want him to be their Daddy. What makes it worse is that they’re just his type. Dean is under no illusions. He knows what he looks like. But there has to be one guy in that bar who wants to top him, right? Story also appears in Designated Bottoms Anthology.
Sign of Spring
Kate Lowell - 2013
"When one door closes, another opens." "There's always a silver lining." "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." But, what if you're the lemon?After crashing and burning at his job in the Palliative Care Unit, a young nurse takes a cross-country road trip, hoping a break from his routine will be the transfusion he needs to heal his bruised heart. What he doesn't expect is to fall head over heels in love with a chance met acquaintance, a man who lives in the moment, treating each day as an adventure.An idyllic afternoon in a field of poppies leads to confessions by both men, but can their relationship survive the return to reality? Are the poppies a symbol of death, or a sign of rebirth?This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" 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.
Tamed
T.M. Chris - 2019
He longs to submit, but needs a master who can make him do it, and he’s developed a reputation for fighting back that has Doms giving him a wide berth.Eduardo knows a bit about taming wild animals, and Jake definitely needs to be tamed. It’ll take a loving hand and firm discipline to turn a rebellious brat set on destroying his life into a lover and partner.Tamed in an M/M domestic discipline novella. Previously published in the 'Come Play' anthology.
Alpaca My Bags
J.L. Merrow - 2019
A bit of fun in the sun with rugged alpaca farmer, Ryan, could be just what the doctor ordered for Scott—but first he’ll need to get past his over-protective daughter! Stressed out from new motherhood, Katie’s worried her dad’s going to get his heart broken. Free spirit Ryan doesn’t believe in relationships. An ex foster child, he’s learned to move on quickly from hook-ups and cut his emotional losses. But with the island’s limited dating opportunities, he’s taken up knitting to while away the lonely evenings. Ryan’s not planning to waste a minute in getting Scott into his bed—but into his life? They’ve said all along it’s just a holiday fling. When both men realise it could be the start of something more, they’ll need to work hard to counter Scott’s family’s misgivings—not to mention their own. Note: this novella first appeared in the Hot Summer Nights anthology.
A Heart Without Borders
Andrew Grey - 2013
When opportunity knocks, he signs on to work at a hospital in a tent camp in Haiti. One night while returning to his quarters, he comes across a gang of kids attempting to set fire to an underage rentboy and intervenes, taking the injured René under his wing. At the hospital, diplomat Anthony Crowley tells Wes that the kids involved in the attack are from prominent families and trying to hold them responsible will cause a firestorm.In spite of the official position Anthony must take, Wes’s compassion captures his attention. Anthony pursues him, and they grow closer during the stolen moments between Anthony’s assignments. Escaping earthquake destruction for glimpses of Caribbean paradise. When Wes realizes the only way to save René is to adopt him, Anthony is supportive, but time is running out: Wes must leave the country, and Anthony is called out on a dangerous secret mission. Now Wes must face adopting a boy from Haiti who has no papers without the support of the one person he’s come to rely on most and may never see again.Cover artist: L.C. Chase
Skin Deep
Carly Marie - 2019
When he bought Skin Deep, he immersed himself in his work. Focusing on the shop and his work leaves AJ little time to dwell on what he doesn’t have—a sweet boy who likes to dress up in pretty clothes. Oliver’s worked hard to overcome his start in life. Kicked out of his house at seventeen, he sold an app he created for millions at twenty-one. Objectively, Oliver has it all. What he doesn’t have is someone who loves him for him, including his collection of sexy lingerie, cute pajamas, and the occasional skirt and pretty top. When Oliver goes into Skin Deep, he expects to leave with a beautiful tattoo to represent how far he’s come in life. What he doesn’t expect is a sexy tattoo artist who sees way more than just a pair of pretty panties.
Unearthing Cole
A.M. Arthur - 2013
He hopes to sell everything and use the money to start over in Canada, far away from his abusive ex-boyfriend. It’s a daunting task, and Cole has no idea where to start. Luckily for him, the local antique store owner, Jeremy Collins, volunteers his services in sorting the hoard. Their professional relationship soon evolves into a personal one, but Cole must overcome his past and his anxiety before he can accept a new man in his life or the possibility of a happy future.
The Shop Downstairs
K. Sterling - 2016
It can bring together two people who are so perfectly matched, they're made for each other. Or, it can have a twisted sense of humor and put the last person you want to meet in your path and trick you into falling in love. Cooper Greer has had it with fate and men. He's content to spend his days running people out of his store and secretly writing books as Brent Shore. The only thing more irritating than the occasional customer is his rival, Thorn Majors. Liam Kendall lives a charmed life. He's handsome, smart, funny and wealthy. He's also Thorn Majors and enjoys touring the country to promote his books. He especially enjoys popping into quaint bookstores and his Twitter feud with his favorite competitor. A fateful encounter in what just barely qualifies as a bookstore turns Cooper's world upside down, much to Liam's surprise and delight. Can love blossom in a dark, dingy bookshop between rival authors? If so, will it be strong enough to overcome a lifetime of fears and secrets?
Waves Break My Fall
Kendall McKenna - 2012
It even has a lovely new cover, also courtesy of Kris Jacen.Where the first edition of Waves Break My Fall ended when Zach and Kage returned home to San Diego, this second edition continues to tell their story as they settle into their new lives, and their new relationship.Kage is a Marine, struggling to adjust to life after combat. He tries to decompress with a quiet trip to Puerto Vallarta. Zach just graduated from college. He’s facing the realities of adulthood, and a new career. They meet in Mexico, and their erotic vacation fling leaves them both wanting – and hoping for – more, once they’re home. Zach enters the police academy, Kage reports to Camp Pendleton, and they settle into daily lives as a new couple. When Kage’s post-combat issues nearly destroy everything he and Zach have built, can they find the right help? Can they hold on, even if they do?
The New Normal
L.J. Hayward - 2020
Two of his closest friends are getting married, and he’s taking a new, exciting step in his career as a doctor. Most amazing though, his best mate has been given the all clear from cancer. But Brian’s normal has just been tipped A over T and the friendship he’s relied on for years is in danger. All because of five little words.Andrew Fitzroy should be on top of the world. The cancer that’s haunted him is gone. He can finally get on with his life—except he doesn’t know what that life is anymore. Is he brave enough to come out as bisexual? Should he pursue architecture or stay in construction? Either way, Andrew knows happiness won’t be his until he has what his engaged friends have—love, joy, passion. So, he says those five little words to Brian—I’m in love with you.Friends since childhood, Brian and Andrew have always been closer than brothers. Best mates. Nothing could ever tear them apart. Except for those five little words. Now, Brian’s not sure about so many things—their friendship, his own desires—and the foundation Andrew’s built his world on feels like its crumbling. But if they manage not to destroy everything they have together, Andrew and Brian might just find a new normal with each other.
Second-Story Man
Robert P. Rowe - 2015
Then he lost his job and everything else along with it. Desperate, he turns to crime—only to fail in his first attempt when he accidentally climbs into the wrong window. Carlos has to rethink his life when his victim becomes his only friend. Michael has lost too many times in love. Prince Charming won’t be knocking at his door, with its do-not-disturb sign permanently in place, when fate finds Carlos climbing into his window. Michael’s compassion for this down-and-out lost soul turns to friendship. But Michael can’t allow things to go any further and still feel safe from heartbreak.There are no accidents, and the second-story man discovers that in life and love there can be a second story.
Pretty Boy
Misha Horne - 2019
And buying a house was maybe a bad idea. Just because I'm crossing things off my adulting to-do list, it doesn't actually mean I know what I'm doing.My new hotter-than-anyone-deserves-to-be neighbor is definitely an adult. An adult with a tight ass and a square jaw and massive forearms, who takes home ownership very seriously. I might be a little obsessed with him. And his forearms.Too bad that if anyone on the planet is vanilla, it’s reliable, responsible Erik Jenko who washes his car every Sunday and offers to mow my lawn.At least that’s what I thought until I got his mail...Pretty Boy features adulting gone wrong, an Army brat in lingerie, kink exploration, dirty talk, and as much spanking as Misha Horne can fit into 40,000 words!
Designs of Desire
Tempeste O'Riley - 2013
He even has a pair with more paint splatters than metal. After his family’s rejection and abuse from a man he thought loved him, James only just gets through the day by painting. He lives in constant fear that he’s not worthy of anything, let alone love.As CEO of his company, Carrington Enterprises, Seth Burns is a take-charge kind of guy, and he is instantly smitten by the artist helping with his newest project. When he witnesses James suffer a panic attack, a protective instinct he never knew he had kicks in. He truly believes nothing is unobtainable—including James—if he’s willing to put in the time and effort.James is shy and confused by Seth’s interest in him as a person. With Seth’s support, can he work through his fears to finally find the true love he deserves, or will someone finally land the crushing blow he won’t survive?
After The Fall
Sarah Goodwin - 2012
His wife is a stranger, his dead parents just a photograph, and his home an unfamiliar, shabby place that smells of dog.At a local support group for amnesiacs, Connor meets Nate, a fellow sufferer of retrograde amnesia. Nate has no memory, and no idea how he came to lose it, but he remains easy going, and Connor quickly considers the foulmouthed, chain-smoking Nate a friend. But, when Nate makes a pass at him, Connor starts to question everything he’s learnt about himself. Is he really a happily married 32 year old, or are secrets being kept from him?Who is the mysterious ‘Coop’ whose cryptic emails are still in his inbox? And why, on the day of his accident, was he driving with another man in his car? A man whose life, and death, are still a touchy subject at home.
Love Ahead: Expect Delays
Astrid Amara - 2010
But he would never forgive himself if the man he loved, Zach Roth, got himself killed in Idaho, so he agrees to go.Besides, he has something to prove. He wants Zach to know that its more than just Zach’s deliciously wicked body he adores. And if it takes spending Hanukkah in Zach's Grandma’s old hatchback to prove it, then so be it.Ever the optimist, Zach believes everything will turn out for the best. But bad weather, robberies, blown gaskets, run-ins with the police and motel bedspreads of questionable cleanliness seem to conspire against them, and they may need eight days of miracles just to keep each other and their romance alive.