Book picks similar to
To Keep a Smile by Valentina Heart


m-m
mm
contemporary
love-is-always-write

Screwing the System - online short


Josephine Myles - 2012
    The novel length story contains a few of the same scenes but rewritten into third person perspective, and with all the Daddy kink removed.Dear Author,I've been a good boy lately, but as you can guess, this was not always the case. Some of our neighbours think I live with my daddy. Well, that's what I call him sometimes. And even if he is only fifteen years my senior he looks and sometimes acts the part.Please tell me how I came to live with my lover and how he brought love and discipline back into my life.PS: Should I add that I love hot sex scenes and wouldn't mind some spanking (and other CD).Photo Description: A young man lies face down on a bed, naked save for a towel low on his hips, eyes closed, an aroused look on his face.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the original short story here.__________Genre: contemporary erotic romanceTags: gay m/m, discipline; twinks; bikers; leather; humorous; spanking; musician; daddy-play; BritishWarnings: light BDSMWord Count: 13,752

Delicious Sinn


Adrianna Dane - 2012
    When I agreed to go to a party with him after the bar closed, I had no clue that this was the party.Jesus, he was so god damn sexy in the bar though. He had to be at least 5 years younger, perfect chiseled body. And when we kissed? Fuck! I couldn't keep my hands off of his tight ass. Damn I wanted that... well, look who's in the opposite position.Fuck! Oh well. Sigh. Fine. Suck me. Fuck me. Make me yours. I don't fucking care anymore. Hopefully, I can walk out of here in the morning without too many bruises. Shit, maybe I'll even ask him for his number when this is over, huh? I bet that will shock the shit out of him."Here's some more of what I'd like: The MC must be a rocker-like dude, long hair either shoulder length like in the pic or a little longer. Color doesn't matter. He can have tats, etc. But I'd like both guys to be men... no crying, whining -- unless MC is begging "deeper, harder". Some light BDSM, tying, spanking, pulling of hair. Names don't matter.Photo Description: Shirtless leather-clad blond rocker, bound on his knees in a black-padded room, in submissive position, leather thong laced around left upper arm.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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 online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

Like So Much Hot Air


Kathleen Hayes - 2012
    Easy to hide in the crowd. But how to get away? Once I left the festival grounds, my leg would slow me down.He was alone, trying to get his balloon off the ground. You needed at least two people to get one of these monsters in the air. Bad day, between pissed off and heartbroken written all over his face. He stared down at my leg, and I grabbed the edge of the basket for support. "Need some help?"He laughed, then looked behind me at the trail of bloody footprints I'd left. "Whoever you're running from, you just led them here, bud."I stared at the footprints, then up at him. He dropped the fuel gauge, reached out and lifted me into the basket like I was a sack of groceries. "Stay down before you fall down. I need six more minutes to get this balloon out of here. Have you got six minutes?"I shook my head. "I don't know." This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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 online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.

With This Ring


Jeff Erno - 2012
    He'd grown up immersed in the vitriol his father spat over his ex-business partner, that Jason believed everything his father had said. Until Jason met the man himself, and found out that events weren't quite as his father had made them appear, and his soon to be husband, was nothing like his father had portrayed him to be.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 10.STORY INFO:genre: contemporarytags: intergenerational; May/September romance; coming out; familial issuescontent warnings: nonewords: 24,214

Liar, Liar


V.J. Summers - 2011
    More the fool me.It wasn't as if *you* knew he was married, either.And for the record, I never said I didn't care about you. You said you didn't want a relationship with me.So, what changed?Photo Description: A man's face: startlingly blue eyes glare out from a frame of thick black eyeliner, under a one-sided fall of black hair. Lean cheeks and strong chin are accentuated by a stubble of beard. His full lower lip meets thin upper, mouth firmly closed. A chain of silver V-links circles his neck, under his open white shirt.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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, goth, club, guyliner, friends to lovers, unrequited loveWord Count: 2,909

Sucker-Punch


Sarah Black - 2011
    I have put everything else in my life on hold to make earning this championship. I thought everything was worth it until I recently injured myself. Now they say I will have to forfeit my title if I cannot defend it in my next match scheduled for later this year. I am beginning to wonder if i can even recover enough to compete ever again, let alone in such a short time. I have been depressed and dare I say brooding lately. Without my boxing I am not sure what to do with my life, I have no close friends or family. I haven't been going to my physical therapy sessions because the PT wasn't working for me...Now my manager says he has a new PT specializing in treatment for my injury. Author do you think it would be possible for this therapist to pull me out of my depression and get me ready to defend my title? Can our relationship develop beyond therapist and patient?Author please give this man his HEA in a sweet romantic story that is light on the sex.Photo Descriptions:These pictures show two very different men. The first is chocolate-skinned, tight-jawed, shaven-haired, with the back-light gleaming off his curved, toned muscles. His gaze is intent. The second smiles a little behind his hand, looking at the world through amazing blue eyes. Light stubble and tousled dark hair grace his model-perfect face. 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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, athlete, celebrity, hurt-comfort, medical personnel, non-explicit, sport, sweet no sexWord Count: 13,219

Jackman


Penny Brandon - 2012
    or https://www.payhip.com/pennybrandonDear Author,Mike slowed his pace as he walked by “Jackman” as he liked to call him. The man’s shirt clung to his skin with sweat in the summer heat, highlighting his well-developed muscles. Mike debates buying Jackman a cool soda and chatting him up, but he wasn’t exactly the forward type. The jackhammer stopped and Mike’s heart pounded as Jackman caught him staring. Mike’s breath caught and Jackman gave him a smirk.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's 'Love is Always Write' event.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the story at the Author's website or here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 5.

West, Haven


Jenna Jones - 2012
    During college we grew apart; he dated women, I dated men. Now, we have both moved back to our hometown and decided to share an apartment together until our careers take off. Can he ever feel about me the way I feel about him?Photo Description: Two dark-haired young men in jeans and t-shirts lie on a couch. One is reading while the other kisses his neck.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 10.

Sweet Dreams


Eden Winters - 2011
    He wears dark jeans and a white tank-top. His (dyed?) blonde hair is just a touch long, but not quite in his eyes, just above dark eyebrows and long eyelashes.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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, college, barely-legal, established-couple, coming-out, in-the-closet, reunitedWord Count: 6,118

By Design


Kate Islay - 2012
    I've caught him just lost in his thoughts like this more than once.He's higher up in the company and I've always admired him. We're not close friends by any stretch of my imagination but when he's just tuned out like this, I can't help but wonder what he's thinking about.Is there something going on with the company that's caused him to have such a serious look on his face? Or is it someone in his life that he's concerned about?Can I hope the someone he's thinking about is me? Then again maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part.But a guy can hope though...right?Photo Description: Front view of a man in a white dress shirt, matching grey vest and dress pants, and shiny black dress shoes. His legs are spread wide as he leans back in an office chair. His head is turned to the right, his chin resting on his right hand as he stares out of a wall of windows, lost in his thoughts.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.

For Those Who Wait


Azalea Moone - 2012
    My friends know I’ve been crushing on Ben for months. They make a bet for one kiss. This week, Ben is operating the balloon ride on our town annual carnival. Can I just ask him to accompany me (I can tell him that I’m afraid of heights but curious to try) and maybe I can steal that kiss when I’m up there. Do I dare?This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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 online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: college; sweet (no-sex); first person; carnivalWarnings: noneWord Count: 4,690For Those Who Wait - Episode 2: Dig is now available at my blog.

Coming Home


Ellen Holiday - 2012
    Something was always missing—and I don't mean physically.When I moved to a different city, got a new job with these two, I gradually started to realize I wanted them. Both of them. They're so in love, so fucking in love, that it hurts to watch them when I want them so much.This is so unexpected. This was not an option. After all, I'd never risk breaking them apart, because I really lo—shit. I'm in a bit too deep, aren't I?Photo Description: NSFW—an M/M/M ThreesomeThis story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.

A Competitive Edge


Adara O’Hare - 2012
    When he arrives at the house to move back in, the room is a mess and Heath is acting very strange: he's apologetic and bashful instead of the antagonistic jerk he usually is. Heath's personality switch catches Fleury off-guard in ways he doesn't want to examine. It's also too good to be true; Heath reverts to his old ways once the other team members arrive back at the house. After that, Heath runs hot and cold throughout the semester, swinging between flirty and frustrating.Then, at the first track meet of the outdoor season, Fleury makes a huge, stupid error that ends up in a twisted ankle and Heath taking his place as the anchor leg of the 'A' relay. It doesn't help matters that Heath is the only one who saw exactly what caused Fleury's accident.Fleury can't help but wonder which Heath will greet him when they return from the track meet. Will it be the rival gloating about his stupidity? Or will Heath surprise him with kindness? If he wants more than a cold shoulder, Fleury will have to take matters into his own hands.Original Prompt:Dear Author.I'm running warm up laps around the track when the shot put throwers start their practice throws. Ogling them distracts me enough that I veer off course into the hurdles. The end result is embarrassment, a sprained ankle, and losing my chance to participate in today's meet against our biggest rival. As a senior, I don't want to give up my spot, but I especially don't want to give it up to him.Since the start, we've been rivals on the track. We run the same distances and are competing with each other for spots at the starting block. But while I'm sure what relationship we have on the field, I'm less sure what we have off of it. Being forced to share a bedroom in a house with our other teammates doesn't help any. One day he's flaying me with sarcasm and the next he's gazing soulfully at me from across the room when he thinks I can't see. What's his problem? I can't figure him out. And what will happen tonight? Will he gloat about taking my spot, or surprise me by offering comfort just when I need it most?Photo Description: Two photos, each of a young man. One is tall, skinny, and pale-skinned with straight, platinum blonde, straw-like hair. He wears black skinny jeans and a tight black shirt with a V-neck and the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. The other guy is a few inches shorter, slightly more muscular and tanned, with wavy, brown hair. He wears black jeans and an open black leather vest, showing off his body.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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 at the Author's website or here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.

No Distractions


Em Woods - 2012
    With me working on developing the latest game prototype for the company and my lover's days teaching and grading and our proclivities towards collecting skulls and strange paintings, we've not had as much alone time as we have wanted in a long time, and our sex life has become almost nonexistent. But, I have a plan. There will be no distractions from the real world or from skulls and paintings, and we will spend the weekend alone in our home. Hopefully, the weekend will help to revitalize our relationship. Photo Description: Two men sitting together on a bean bag chair kissing, surrounded by skull knickknacks, paintings and abstract art.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" 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.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.

His Last Resort


Devon Rhodes - 2011
    When Trask Maitland comes out to Lee, are they doomed from the start or is it possible that "three strikes and you're out" could turn into "third time's the charm?"Original Prompt:Dear Author,The first look between them had been innocent, or so he'd thought. I'd love to see exactly how things changed and where they'll end up.Photo Description: A black/white photo of two naked teens on a sofa. The tanned blonde on the bottom has his legs bent, splayed open, his right hand on his lover's butt. The pale brunette is on his knees, straddled over the blonde's right leg, hands on his lover's neck as he leans down for a kiss.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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, college, coming out, first time, roommatesWord Count: 4,647