Book picks similar to
The Honey and the Sting by Chris Hunt


historical-fiction
lgbtq
relationship-rom
90s-gay-literature

Franny, the Queen of Provincetown


John Preston - 1983
    With genuine caring and concern for her boys, Franny looks after the gay men of Provincetown with the ultimate goal of making a place in the world for those who don't belong and making the world better for all.

The Desire for Dearborne


V.B. Kildaire - 2009
    or so he believes until the day he learns he is in fact the new Earl of Dearborne. Still recovering from a lingering illness, the sensitive young man travels to Great Britain to claim his estate and embarks upon a bewildering new life. Julien Sutcliffe, the Earl of Blackstone, is suffering from ennui. He's tired and bored with all the finery and wealth and wonders about him. Then he meets this refreshingly naive American Earl, newly arrived in England, and suddenly the world comes alive around him again. Irresistibly drawn to one another, Julien finds himself besotted, and Leander is equally smitten. But just when they think they may have finally found happiness together, Julien and Leander discover that something--or someone--is determined to separate them permanently.

Bonds of Earth


G.N. Chevalier - 2012
    Once a promising young medical student, Michael buried his dreams alongside the broken bodies of the men he could not save. After fleeing New York to preserve the one relationship he still values, he takes a position as a gardener on a country estate, but he soon discovers that the house hides secrets and sorrows of its own. While Michael nurses the estate’s neglected gardens, his reclusive employer dredges up reminders of the past Michael is desperate to forget.John Seward’s body was broken by the war, along with his will to recover until a family crisis convinces him to pursue treatment. As John’s health and outlook improve under Michael’s care, animosity yields to understanding. He and John find their battle of wills turning into something stronger, but fear may keep them from finding hope and healing in each other.

REPORTS OF THEIR DEMISE


William Peter Grasso - 2021
    

A Bet to Wed the Duke: Historical Regency Romance


Lisa Campell - 2020
    

As Meat Loves Salt


Maria McCann - 2001
    The nation, seething with religious and political discontent, has erupted into violence and terror. Jacob Cullen and his fellow soldiers dream of rebuilding their lives when the fighting is over. But the shattering events of war will overtake them. A darkly erotic tale of passion and obsession, As Meat Loves Salt is a gripping portrait of England beset by war. It is also a moving portrait of a man on the brink of madness. Hailed as a masterpiece, this is a novel by a most original new voice in fiction.

The Soldier's Scoundrel


Cat Sebastian - 2016
    Now he uses the tricks and schemes of the underworld to help those who need the kind of assistance only a scoundrel can provide. His distrust of the nobility runs deep and his services do not extend to the gorgeous high-born soldier who personifies everything Jack will never be.   A soldier untarnished by vice  After the chaos of war, Oliver Rivington craves the safe predictability of a gentleman's life-one that doesn't include sparring with a ne'er-do-well who flouts the law at every turn. But Jack tempts Oliver like no other man has before. Soon his yearning for the unapologetic criminal is only matched by Jack's pleasure in watching his genteel polish crumble every time they're together.   Two men only meant for each other

The Gentleman's Madness


Summer Devon - 2013
    "No pride. No privacy. No hope.Academic John Gilliam thought being caught embracing another man was the worst that could happen. Until he agrees to "treatment" at an asylum, where a vicious attack leaves him shaken and afraid.But having all means of writing or reading taken from him... "That" is a serious threat to his sanity. Then a moment of kindness from an asylum attendant begins to restore his dignity.Sam Tully feels sorry for the patient everyone calls "the professor," but with a back injury that cost him his job on the docks-and without the education that would have bettered his position-he tries to keep his head down, and a tight lid on his attraction to men.As John prays for freedom, he grows closer to the gentle, innately intelligent Tully. In spite of themselves, forbidden attraction leads to touches, kisses, and more. But there's something other than curative treatments going on at the asylum. When John and Tully uncover a heinous conspiracy, their very lives are in danger.Warning: Contains heinous crimes and frightening treatments-oh, and some sweet and loving sexy times between two healthy, not-crazy men.

An Uninvited Bride for the Cowboy’s Heart: A Western Historical Romance Book


Lydia Olson - 2021
    He becomes her husband out of duty. How will they find each other souls amidst trials?Velma is a kind-hearted woman who has experienced heartbreak. Although she works hard, after the loss of her beloved husband, falling into poverty is inevitable. With no other choice, she replies to a mail-order bride ad. Love is not what she’s looking for, but rather a sense of stability. When she meets Charles, everything changes. How can he mend her broken heart?Charles is a lonely rancher and a widower. His sister Martha not only helps him with the workload but also takes care of his little boy. He doesn’t try to connect with his son and dwells too much on the past. Martha has had enough and places an ad for him. When Velma arrives, Charles will be conflicted by his unexpected feelings for her. How can she help him heal his scars and connect with his child?Both of them, will have to abandon their fears, trust their hearts, and give love a second chance. But Charles' past at the saloon where he used to spend so much time comes back to haunt him. How will they find each other's hearts when their honor is in danger?

The Gardener


Charles Reeza - 2015
    He lives alone and he's doing everything he can to keep it that way. "I prefer plants to people," he tells his only friend, Donna. "It's just the way I am." An accountant by day, he spends his free time tending his impressive garden and reading grim 19th century novels from the private library in his Victorian house. His cautious, predictable life is governed by a set of sensible rules, just the way he likes it. One winter day, a young man shows up to ask about the apartment for rent above the garage. Adam quickly decides Sam is not a suitable applicant, no matter how polite and attractive he is. Unless, just once, Adam bends his rules. How bad could it be? Adam would never let things get out of control.What follows is a humorous emotional roller coaster involving social awkwardness, gardening, classic literature, flirting, doughnuts, office politics, a southern lady, pickup trucks, ice cream, dish washing, sex, a stern Scotswoman, great meals, homophobia, arson, the police, psychotherapy, a renovation project, and a guy who calls everyone "dude." Did I mention murder? And what about that handsome guy at the office who compliments Adam's neckties? What does he want?Nope . . . Adam would never lose control of his life!With a full cast of well-developed characters, The Gardener will take you on a journey of self-discovery that explores the many variations of love, relationships, commitment and family.~~~~~~This is a full-length contemporary M/M romance novel written by a gay man. It depicts realistic relationship problems, with HEA.

Ransom


Lee Rowan - 2006
    Lt. David Archer is an officer in His Majesty's Navy and a gentleman of Regency Society. He is also hopelessly in love with his shipmate, Lt. William Marshall. David is certain that his feelings, if expressed, would be met with revulsion. Afraid of losing the strong friendship that he has forged with William, he vows to never speak of or act on his desire, promising himself to take the secret to his grave. Although William is young, his innate talent has allowed him to quickly rise above his humble background and gain a reputation as a promising officer. The Royal Navy is his world, and in that world there is no room for anything as frivolous as romance. Then, in a twist of fate, the two men are abducted by a ruthless pirate who finds pleasure in toying with his captives. Thrown together in close quarters and wondering if they will survive, they're are faced with some difficult choices. William struggles with his growing feelings for David and, try as he might to dismiss them, he can't. When David makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect the man he loves, the reason for it is clear and the passion that the men have denied for so long is realized for the first time. Before the lovers can have any sort of life together, they must first escape. After that, they face an even greater challenge is their love strong enough to survive a clandestine life under the ever-present threat of the Navy's implacable Articles of War?

A Love She Would Never Forget


Carol Colyer - 2019
    That is until one day tragedy strikes and she loses everything. In the hope of a better life, she answers an advertisement from a Sheriff in Oklahoma. After a series of romantic letters which culminate in a marriage proposal, she leaves to find him and start all over again. But on the way to him a train accident sends her to a hospital diagnosed with amnesia. Will she remember the reason she was travelling?Sheriff Garrett Hughes deals with his own dark past with loneliness and isolation. Until his friend writes an advertisement for him to request a mail-order bride, he never expected love could warm up his heart. But when his bride doesn't show up and news of a train crash reach him, he is terrified he has lost his only chance to find happiness. He rushes to the hospital where victims are being taken care of and an even more shocking surprise awaits him. Will he be able to find her in this impossible situation?They both have been hurt in the past but love has the power to solve everything. Can they hold on to the love they built through letters until they find each other? Will they help each other face their past traumas and find the happiness they both deserve?"A Love She Would Never Forget" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Introducing Mr. Winterbourne


Joanna Chambers - 2014
    Handsome, amiable, and a renowned sportsman, he is the darling of London society. As far as Adam Freeman is concerned though, Lysander is just another spoiled aristocrat.A wealthy mill owner, Adam has no time for the frivolous world of the ton, but when his younger brother becomes engaged to Althea Winterbourne, he reluctantly agrees to be introduced to society–with the Winterbourne clan’s golden boy as his guide.Resigning himself to a few days of boredom, Adam is surprised to learn that there is much more to Lysander than his perfect surface. But will Adam have the courage to introduce Lysander Winterbourne to his own secret self?Originally published in Another Place in Time anthology.

Brethren


W.A. Hoffman - 2006
    He doesn't realize that he is going to the right island for the wrong reasons until he meets buccaneers and learns he has far more in common with the wild Brethren of the Coast than he does with the nobility of Christendom. Still, he questions joining them and leaving his title and the plantation behind, until he meets Gaston the Ghoul, a mysterious French buccaneer who is purportedly mad. He quickly decides that the freedom of the buccaneer life and even the mere chance of love that a man such as Gaston might offer are better than anything he could ever inherit. But even though Gaston seems intrigued by him, can the crazy Frenchman ever love him?

Liebestrasse


Greg Lockard - 2019
    Their romance is hit with an unspeakable reality as the Nazis come to power and fascism makes them a target. Part of the comiXology Originals line of exclusive digital content only available on comiXology and Kindle. This title is available as part of comiXology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading.