Every twelve years, a new Lark and Thrush are castrated for their heavenly voices, but few men have ever been capable of claiming the title of Dove: the holy avatar of Saint Alveron himself. In the six hundred years since the Temple's founding, Willim is only the third to buy the Evensong with his blood. A virtual prisoner of the Temple for the duration of his term, Willim pays little heed to anything but his duty to sing for Valnon. That all changes with the murder of the Songbirds' loyal bodyguard and Willim's rescue by Nicholas Grayson, a sell-sword who brings whispers of Temple scandal and ancient prophecy in his wake.Plagued by ghosts and nightmares, betrayed by a fellow Temple Bird and forced into exile, Willim struggles to unravel the tangled history of his title in the hopes of understanding what it truly means to be Valnon's Dove. With his friends scattered and Valnon poised on the brink of war, Willim's only hope lies in summoning the ancient power of his saint: to Sing Down from Heaven a music that can fell an army in its tracks, or wipe a city from the surface of the earth. But the song of Saint Alveron is as unpredictable as it is powerful. Whether Willim's Song will bring salvation for his city or the destruction of everything he holds dear, only Heaven knows.

    Everybody.” Hunted for the unique blood that runs through his veins, half-angel, half-demon Gabriel Sinclair lives without expectations. On the run from forces on both sides of an ancient conflict, he searches for strength and peace in a world which only seeks to use him. When Gabriel is forced to stop running, assigned a team—and a mate—he doesn’t want, and reluctantly tasked with a mission, he must overcome obstacles both real and imagined. Otherwise, the world as he knows it, and the mate he’s reluctantly come to care for, may cease to exist. “I will do as the Creator bids me. Always.” Evander Ryan is special, and he knows it. The final handcrafted immortal warrior for the light, he is the Creator’s greatest masterpiece. For fifty-eight years, he’s lived his life in black and white, coddled by his Maker, while leading his team to countless victories against their enemies. Those fights were easy. Working with a new, uncooperative mate who sees the world in shades of gray? Less so. As Evander’s eyes are opened to the existence of light warriors who are not good, dark warriors who are, and the wider world of supernatural beings, he learns nothing is as he thought it was, and his mate isn’t who he thought he was either. Maybe there’s something to be said for not always following the rules. . . This book is LGBT Urban Fantasy with a romantic subplot. Not recommended for readers under 18. Use the Look Inside feature or download a sample to see additional content advisories on the Copyright page.

    A solar system that once thrived is now on the brink of ruin. But a seed of hope lies in the unexpected passions of two warriors: Lt. Vin-Chay, the second son of a crown prince on Osiron, and his captor, Pyke, a commander of Ptolemii forces. At first, the two warriors resist the attraction they feel for each other. After all, they are sworn enemies, and their peoples have been locked in a long-distance space war. But eventually, their feelings explode into a relationship that dares them to transcend their loyalties and values. They end up forging an unbreakable bond that redefines their people, their planets, and their futures. Join these two warriors and feel their uncontrollable passion as they battle each other, their families, hidden enemies, and a brutal totalitarian government to strike a balance between duty and love. Enter the fantastic world of Fireheart.

    One got left behind. One went off to war. He came back a man. A broken, lonely, desperate man searching for the one thing to ease his pain. Can Dylan forgive George for leaving him? Can love snuff out the pain? The Proof Is the Way It Hurts. *This is a standalone M/M novella. A shorter version of this story was featured as a KU Korner's Bedtime Story*

    With a war brewing in the east and no guarantee of surviving another brutal winter, Gib's life is plagued with uncertainty. To make matters worse, he suddenly finds himself uprooted from his home and drafted into the army. Forced to leave his siblings behind, Gib reports to Silver City, where he enrolls in the legendary Academy of Arden. An outsider and misfit, Gib struggles to fit in among the highborn city folk. His charming candor eventually wins him a handful of friends—an enigmatic mage trainee with a secret, a young girl who has defied tradition by joining the military, and a prince looking to escape his stifling, royal life. But his new-found comrades may not be able to help when Gib alone overhears a traitorous plot—a scheme so horrible that if seen to fruition, all of Arden will suffer for it. It's up to Gib to convince the High Council of Arden to act, to stop the terrible danger before it's too late.

    As new member Mia gets to know her team, the story flashes back to her pivotal year in boarding school, where she fell in love with a mysterious new student. Soon, though, Mia reveals her true purpose for joining their ship—to track down her long-lost love.An inventive world, a breathtaking love story, and stunning art come together in this new work by award-winning artist Tillie Walden.

    I have always declined, because it is a story too private to be truthfully recounted, and a memory too precious to be falsified. But none knows better than I that stories must be told.So here is it, Henry, a full and accurate account of how I met Simon Feximal, which I shall leave with my solicitor to pass to you after my death.I dare say it may not be quite what you expect.Robert CaldwellSeptember 1914The complete story of Robert and Simon, including The Caldwell Ghost (which is no longer available separately) and Butterflies, plus a whole lot of brand new stories, taking the tale of the Victorian ghost-hunter and his narrator/sidekick/lover up to the events of Remnant: A Caldwell & Feximal/Whyborne & Griffin Mystery and beyond...This book will cover a number of ghostly mysteries, along with evil cults, mysterious skin runes, and illicit Victorian shenanigans between the decidedly forceful Simon and the entirely shameless Robert.

    But ever since a disastrous mission, they have been living separate lives in a universe dominated by a ruthless Coalition - one that is about to reunite them.The pair are dispatched to New Amazonia as diplomatic agents. Allegedly, they are to return priceless art. Covertly, they seek to tap its energy supply. But in reality, one has his mind set on treason. And among the extraordinary women of New Amazonia, in a season of festival, betrayal, and disguise, he will find a new ally - and a force beyond any that humans have known....

    Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed. Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything. Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me. A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart ...

    New York.Gabriel Webster’s pack is in trouble. His father’s failing health and his mother’s untimely death mean that the vultures are circling. It won’t be long before his family’s assets are stripped and his pack disbanded. When an offer of help arrives in the form of a marriage of convenience, he has little choice but to accept.The arrangement would be the perfect solution, if not for one thing. Gabriel is to marry Nathaniel Hayward, the Alpha who was badly injured in the accident that killed his brother ten years before—and the man Gabriel has been in love with for as long as he can remember.Trapped in a business arrangement masquerading as a marriage—in a strange, empty house with a damaged husband who barely tolerates him — isn’t what Gabriel expected from life.But sometimes the last thing we want is the beginning of something more.And an ending can be the start of something beautiful.**A standalone story set in the Homestead universe**Novel - 54k

    Upon his arrival, he finds that he's not the only young man given a fresh start. Myles Graham, and Jude Middleton are there before him, and as their benefactor is away, they soon form alliances and friendships, as they speculate on why they've been given this new life. Who is Philip Smallwood? Why has he given them such a fabulous new life? What secrets does the house hold-and what is it that the Doctor seems to know?

    They are heavenly beings who grant courage, unknown benefactors who offer help, best friends who lend their strength, and celestial beings who embody inspiration. You might not recognize these everyday angels or messengers of mercy, but the men in this anthology are touched by their purity and light and sometimes blessed by love.Morning Glow by Taylor Lochland Benjamin and Alan have been friends since high school. Though they often drift apart, Alan always seems to come back when Benjamin needs him the most—like when Ben is grieving over a bad breakup. As always, Ben feels better just from spending time with Alan, but then he realizes he’s in love with Alan. This time when Alan takes off again, Ben isn’t going to let him go without a fight. A Trail of Feathers by Sarah Ann Watts Alone on New Year’s Day, Daniel is more aware than ever of the self-destructive despair consuming him since his lover’s death. Then he meets a stranger shedding feathers in the street, and despite the risk, he takes Leo home with him. But Leo is not the hustler or drug addict Daniel suspected him to be. He’s there to give Daniel a gift—a gift Daniel might not know how to accept. Heart's Salvation by Réve Garrison After losing his wife and daughter in a car accident, a distraught Nathaniel approaches the church for comfort, seeking the statue that is said to heal emotional distress. When the angel embodied in statue feels the depth of Nathaniel's pain, he makes the unusual decision to assume human form and comfort the grieving widower. But soon the angel must decide between returning to the statue to comfort others and retaining his humanity for the hope of love. In the Hands of the Gods by Jana Denardo The only business that concerns Tiberius Aelius Rufus is how to extend his olive oil trade from Pompeii to Rome and how to sort out a family when his tastes do not run to taking a wife. Expanding his oil trade is easy enough, but a man of his station can’t exactly dally with another man. But when he meets Marcus Lartius Priscus at a party, Tiberius is enchanted and falls hard, hard enough to consider risking his business and his reputation to follow Priscus to Rome. A Voice in the Darkness by Patric Michael Landon Hargrove wakes in darkness and pain to find he and his unconscious husband Bryce are trapped in their car after a landslide. With no help but the moral support of a man named Dan who can speak to him but not reach him, Landon must find a way to rescue them both before the rest of the mountainside breaks free and crushes them… along with their dream of adopting a son. Some Comfort by S. Blaise Dale is having a hard time adjusting to everyday reality after returning from combat when he runs into Mal, a fellow soldier who’d saved his life during a missile attack. Mal seems determined to continue to watch over him even though Dale knows very little about the other man. Why does Mal have such faith in him? And will it be enough to drive the darkness inside Dale away? Ascension by RJ Scott When Sabrael visits Adam Riley, the last remaining descendant of the family under his protection, the angel finds a man consumed with grief after the death of his father and the decision to sell the family bookstore. Sabrael is surprised by a connection to Adam strong enough to redefine his entire purpose, something Sabrael has never felt for any mortal in his charge. Now he wonders if it is part of the Divine plan—if his time to live a mortal life has come. A mortal life with Adam. Sariel by Mary Calmes Jacob Gray is on the trip of a lifetime with his employer only to have it turn into a nightmare. Drugged and taken to an underground catacomb, Jake is forced to make a life or death decision: face torture by the men who kidnapped him or confront a ferocious beast. Much to his captors’ surprise, Jacob casts his fate into the hands of an unknown creature instead of surrendering himself to sure death, with only hope as his salvation. The Platypus Learns Astrophysics by Matthew Vandrew Hardworking businessman Jonas Mason is the last person expecting a visit from an angel. Yet Micah, angel of the Divine Plan, shows up in his office, absolutely certain of his mission: to enlighten Jonas’s days and fill his heart with love… all by simply touching him. And when nothing happens? Micah will have to wing it: act human, rein in the grumpy and generally unpleasant Jonas, and figure out how to bring Jonas—and himself—lives full of joy. The Angel Blues by Cornelia Grey It’s a nondescript, depressing night when Morgan, a seasoned cop, finds a witty stranger perched on his windowsill who shares his appreciation for the blues. Worried for his own sanity, Morgan mostly ignores the man who insists on materializing at the most inappropriate of times… until a life-threatening experience forces Morgan to see just how much the stranger who claims to be an angel means to him.Redemption by Clare London Ziba is a fallen angel, working as a sponsor of lost men, helping them find genuine repentance after a life of sin. Banished to the Arrivals Hall between worlds, he offers them work during their journey to a better afterlife. But for him, personally, that option is closed. His position was so exalted, and his sin so great, that he is imprisoned in Arrivals forever. Until he meets Abdiel, an angel who also fell from grace - but whose love and self-sacrifice offers both of them a new hope of redemption. Herbal Tea by H.J. Brues Douglas, a world-weary, cynical agent of a very special kind of law enforcement, is sent to recruit Justin, a young herbalist, for a unique assignment. Considering the lies and betrayal in his past, Douglas can’t help but look for hidden intentions behind every selfless act, and he doesn’t trust easily. But Justin will show him that a simple man can have the courage to offer his protection, his love and even his life for those he cares about, because it’s not the wings that make the angel, but the readiness to reach out to others with your whole heart in the tips of your fingers. The Tenth Avatar by Roland Graeme When a relative dies and bequeaths to Arun a family heirloom—an old bronze statue of Kalki, the tenth avatar, or incarnation, of the Hindu god Vishnu—the delivery of the statue coincides with the arrival of a new man in Arun’s life. Jack is everything Arun has ever desired in a lover, and Arun will have to face his parents’ pressure for marriage and Jack’s unknown opinion on commitment to move forward to a loving future. Santangelo by Zahra Owens Michael isn’t the type of man who needs rescuing, but after he’s attacked by a group of skinheads, he’s glad Gabriel Santangelo is there to help. Four stitches in his forehead later, Michael is introduced to Gabriel’s severely disabled baby daughter and jumps at the chance to get to know Gabriel better. But Gabe has more issues than he's willing to share and when he keeps Michael at a distance, Michael starts wondering who is rescuing who. The Archangel of Castro by Diana Copland What do you get when you mix a former real-estate agent turned diner owner; a sweet, unassuming, movie-star handsome runaway; selfless generosity; and unrequited love? You get Nick at Nick’s on Ninth; his live-in friend Brian; a treasured friendship; and two very nearly broken hearts… until the unlikeliest Archangel ever notices the need for a bit of divine intervention.

    He expects to meet a financial client and be home before the solitude of being a stranger in a mundane land becomes too much to bear.Instead Arik finds Blaze: a mysterious man with an inner fire that lives up to the name. Nothing in Arik's life, not his deranged father nor even his faint brushes with the magic only Arik can see in the woven web of life could have prepared Arik for the man in the hotel lobby who casually invites Arik to room 1109 for late night...Well, anything at all.Blaze Zaituc, on the other hand, knows exactly who Arik is and what Arik needs: Blaze. He has crossed land and sea to find the man who has appeared in Blaze's Visions as the next target in the Quest that comprises Blaze's life. Arik is someone for whom the Universe has plans, and Blaze must make sure Arik complies. Or else.Unaware of the lives and risks hanging in the balance, Arik untangles himself from the sheets in the silent hours of the morning. He wonders if he will find the door to 1109 open and waiting. He's not a risk taker, but this one time, just this once, maybe he'll take a chance...And seal both his and Blaze's destinies forever.

    Academically gifted with a brain like the ancestors, he's well on his way to figuring out how to kill the vines overtaking the land, earning him--a male--an unheard-of seat in the Assembly of Ruling Mothers. And with an inheritance and an impeccable pedigree, he's guaranteed his pick of virgins to marry after graduation from the academy. Instead, one moment changes everything. Caught in a compromising position with his loyal-to-a-fault friend Beau, a half-feral, his plans are derailed. Now Quiggs's life depends on the gorgeous soldier who saves him. Their forbidden attraction burns hotter than Quiggs's new fuel paste as political intrigue, danger, and the rules of society threaten their lives, and their budding romance. Now it's a battle to save the world as they know it . . . or create a new one.Adventure, science fiction, and scorching hot m/m romance come together in a slow burn that heats up with every unexpected twist and turn in this first book of the Ingenious series. Warning: For readers 18 and older. Contains emotionally-charged, explicit m/m love. Look elsewhere if you want horny heroes jumping into bed by the second chapter. If you want a plot with steamy sex only when a scene justifies it--this sci fi is written for you. But, yeah, there are plenty of totally justified, smoking hot scenes.

    They keep in touch at first, but then slowly drift apart.Flash forward twenty years.Travis and Craig both have great lives, careers, and loves. But something is missing .... Travis is the first to figure it out. He's still in love with Craig, and come what may, he's going after the boy who captured his heart, even if it means forsaking his job, making a fool of himself, and entering the great unknown. Told in narrative, letters, checklists, and more, this is the must-read novel for anyone who's wondered what ever happened to that first great love.