These stories range from 7k to 10k words and feature plenty of laughs, Marian cameos, and steamy nekkid bits. A suggested reading order can be found in the Look Inside, but you do not need to have read any other Made Marian novel to enjoy these stories. Please be aware that two of these stories can also be found in the Made Marian Collection bundle. Brad's Story:When Brad opens his Vegas hotel room door to find a hot police officer waiting on the other side, he assumes crazy Aunt Tilly has sent him a strip-o-gram. But instead of getting naked, Detective Gorgeous pulls out his cuffs. Turns out, the badge and uniform aren't just props, this cop is the real deal. Beck's Story:After touring around the world, sleeping with fans after sold-out concerts, Beck is still unsatisfied in the bedroom. Men, women, men and women? He doesn't know quite what he's looking for when he enters an exclusive club to find some company for the night. But two sexy strangers begin dancing with him at the same time, and Beck finally begins to realize that it might not be variety he's after, but just the right set of lips whispering sexy words into his ear. Keller's Story:After telling Tilly to back off her attempt at setting him up, Keller catches sight of the nude model for the old lady's art class. Did he speak too soon? Meanwhile, stand-in model Eli is regretting his decision to strip down for a group of senior citizens, but then meets the manager of the vineyard and realizes being naked might not be so bad after all. Especially when things get wet... like really very wet... with hoses. Josh's Story:After moving from Denali, Alaska, to San Francisco in order to branch out, Josh hosts a big poker night for the Marians and his co-workers at the National Park Service. Little does he know, his own true love may not be someone new after all. Eight years ago, Cyrus Dimakos had to leave the love of his life to take care of his great-grandmother on a remote island in Greece. A family obligation may have kept Cyrus's body away from Josh all this time, but his heart never left him. Could it be that The One That Got Away is finally back for good?

    He's dangerous. And he can't remember anything.As the owner of Apple’n Pies, Joe Applin leads a quiet, uneventful life, content to spend his days serving customers who come from all over to eat his delicious homemade pies. Along with his motley crew—Bea, Elsie, and Donnie—Joe couldn’t be happier in his little kingdom of baked goods and java.Experience has taught Joe that love is overrated—and at times dangerous. He has no intention of repeating past mistakes. But then he meets a mysterious, handsome man with amnesia, and Joe can’t deny something sweet is in the works. He isn’t one to take risks, not with his heart and certainly not with his life, but the more time he spends with the man he knows as Tom, the closer he is to losing both.

    After a devastating heartbreak, he fought tooth and nail to put his life back together again. All Danny wants now is a second chance at the happiness he never thought he’d get. But what if that second chance comes in the arms of the man who left him all those years ago? “You think you can just waltz in and pick up right where you left off? You don’t get to undo the past. You have to live with it.”“I hate myself for what I did. I know I can’t take it back, but I just need you to know I’m sorry.” Bestselling author Colton Catherwood never thought he’d come back to Cherry Creek, Iowa. The small town is full of painful memories - his mother’s death, his father’s hateful beliefs about Colt’s orientation, and, of course, Danny. Colt knows he hurt Danny and doesn’t blame him for being angry about the past. But when his father’s sudden illness forces Colt to come home, all his feelings for Danny come rushing back. “Don’t you want this?”“Of course I want this. I never stopped wanting this. Never stopped wanting you.” Danny trusts Colt about as far as he can throw him - so why is Colt’s return throwing him so far off balance? Danny’s spent the past seven years getting over Colt and he could have sworn he finally felt nothing for the man. He’s determined to keep it that way, but it sure would be easier if Colt would hurry up and leave town again.As Colt adjusts to life back in Cherry Creek, he can’t deny that his passion for Danny burns as strongly as it ever did. And he’s sure Danny feels it too. So why won’t he admit it? Colt wants to apologize, but Danny will barely give him the time of day. How can they ever move on if they can’t even speak to each other? “I never meant for us to end this way. I get it now. I’m bad for you. Having me in your life does nothing but hurt you.”“Please. I can’t take another rejection right now. Especially not from you.” What Cherry Creek, Iowa lacks in size, it makes up for in drama. The longer Colt stays in town, the more the past becomes unburied and secrets get revealed. And as Colt and Danny are thrown together, it seems that fate has a sense of humor, because the town of Cherry Creek, Iowa used to have a different name - it was founded by a huckster scam artist who called it Second Chance. Will hurt feelings and lack of trust tear these two lovebirds apart again, or will Colt and Danny finally get the second chance they deserve?Second Chance, Iowa is a steamy, 70,000 word second chance romance - a no cliffhanger standalone with an HEA ending.

    In his final year as an undergraduate, he’s been working himself ragged keeping up with the demands of work and school and the serious business of What Comes After Graduation. Dmitri O’Hannahan has never really had anyone to depend on. Up until a few months ago, he’s been the primary caretaker for his family, allowing his mother to spend her final months of life in comfort. Dmitri isn’t sure how to relate to humans - the Malinois dogs he raises are much easier to understand and relate to. He’s got trust issues a mile wide, and it doesn’t help that some young, starry eyed kid has decided to make him persona non grata at his only real social outlet - the Locust Hill Shelter. When Arthur comes into enough money to allow him to take a step back from his busy schedule, he decides to fill the void by volunteering at his local animal shelter. But finding out that the brooding, if deliciously handsome, Dmitri breeds and sells dogs rather than just adopting them leaves Arthur with a bad taste in his mouth that not even Dmitri’s illicit kisses can transform. Rescue My Heart is a a steamy, standalone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers.

    But to make this a reality, he needs to get his GED—not easy, since he can’t read or write. Until he can, he’s stuck working at the diner and selling himself on the side. Mattie’s legitimate job isn’t without perks. Every day the quiet, sophisticated Simon Castle comes by to work on his latest book. Mattie wants more than to pour Simon’s coffee and make his lunch, but he’s sure Simon is out of his league—until suddenly he’s not. Simon Castle's life is complicated, built around his career and a son who requires a lot of time and attention. It’s not a life well-suited to the inclusion of even a part-time prostitute, so he resolves to keep his relationship with Mattie casual. However, the longer he knows Mattie, the deeper his feelings become. The idea of him with another man tortures Simon, but he can't ask Mattie to be his alone and jeopardize Mattie's hopes for New York—no matter how much he wants Mattie to stay.

    So when he meets Anderson Bester for the first time, he doesn't really think anything of it. He certainly doesn't imagine that he'll end up falling in love.

    Untrusting, he protects his heart with an icy and cool demeanor, earning him the nickname Ice Prince at work. It’s a description David’s proud of, until the day his boss’s son walks through the door.Nick Masterson takes one look at the cool beauty with fire in his eyes and has to have him. But after being brutally rejected, he makes a bet that he’ll be able to melt David’s shell and win his heart without managing to give away his own in the process. But Nick didn’t count on the man beneath the icy mask being everything he’d ever wanted in a partner.Can a relationship based on lies last once the truth finally comes out?

    To escape their threats, he ran away to Canada. Now his twin sister Nicole is getting married to his best friend Peter, and Ryan will risk anything to attend. Help arrives in the most unexpected form: Peter's older brother Daniel, the man Ryan had loved from afar.

    But happily ever after is never easy. Over time, Lucien begins to resent how Colin's work overshadows his own art, and their relationship falls apart. Colin leaves with nothing but a backpack, and Lucien goes on alone, getting some counseling, developing a practice in raku pottery, and waiting for what would happen next. He never expects that Colin will send his nephew James to train as a potter. With James staying in Lucien's home, a door will open between the former lovers, firing their hearts.

    He’s used to getting what he wants from girls, but when he develops a fascination for a man, his wooing skills require an upgrade. After months of persuasion, he scores a dinner date with Henry Normand that morphs into an intense weekend. The unexpected depth of their connection scares Ruben into fleeing.Shy, cautious Henry, Ruben’s former high school history teacher, suspects he needs a wake-up call, and Ruben appears to be his siren. But when Ruben bolts, Henry is left struggling to find closure. Inspired by his conversations with Ruben, Henry begins to write articles about the memories stored in everyday objects. The articles seduce Ruben, even as Henry’s snowballing fame takes him out of town and farther out of reach.Everyday History, a romance told with Alice Archer’s unique style and lush prose, was named a Top Book of 2016 in the HEA USA Today column Rainbow Trends>. Standalone romance. HEA.

    Then a tornado named Emmet Washington enters his life. The double major in math and computer science is handsome, forward, wicked smart, interested in dating Jeremey—and he’s autistic.But Jeremey doesn’t judge him for that. He’s too busy judging himself, as are his parents, who don’t believe in things like clinical depression. When his untreated illness reaches a critical breaking point, Emmet is the white knight who rescues him and brings him along as a roommate to The Roosevelt, a quirky new assisted living facility nearby.As Jeremey finds his feet at The Roosevelt, Emmet slowly begins to believe he can be loved for the man he is behind the autism. But before he can trust enough to fall head over heels, he must trust his own conviction that friendship is a healing force, and love can overcome any obstacle.Warning: Contains characters obsessed with trains and counting, positive representations of autism and mental illness, a very dark moment, and Elwood Blues.

    Mistakes have been made, lines have been crossed, and there’s no going back. Both men are exhausted and ready to move on. But their daughter is getting married soon. In the name of not putting a damper on her wedding, Derek and Rhys agree to keep the divorce on the down-low and show up as the happy couple everyone still believes they are. And between a roller coaster of a road trip and the love and joy surrounding the wedding… Derek and Rhys just might remember why they fell for each other in the first place. Are they only kidding themselves? Or can a rekindled spark really light the way to forgiveness? This novel is approximately 59,500 words long.

    It could turn your life upside down. Until a fall ended his Olympic diving career, John Andrews lived for the seconds he spent in the air. Now he's adrift on a college campus, grounded by paralyzing vertigo and double vision. Worse, he sees shimmering colors over everyone's heads.The last is hardest to ignore, and impossible when it comes to Mason. While sex with the hot, moody computer major gives John a rush as heady as diving, Mason's the only person John's ever seen surrounded by two distinct colors.Mason feels like a stranger in his own life. His lover is dead, and he drowns his guilt in bourbon and sex-until John's innocence reawakens the man he used to be. After Mason gives the young virgin a proper introduction to sex, he plans to send him on his way. But John sees too much to make things that easy.For John, their connection is more than just sizzling sex, it's something worth fighting for. The more he learns about the colors, though, the more he realizes the free-spirited Mason isn't free at all. John doesn't take second place to anyone-even the dead.Warning: Anyone wishing to read this title should be an adult, free from any condition that might be aggravated by the presence of a not-too-scary haunting, sizzling sexual chemistry, and angsty young men having mildly kinky sex. Other restrictions may apply. No additional equipment needed-unless you like that sort of thing.

    There was a place for everything and everything was in its place. Clint learns that something might be missing after an encounter with the last man Clint could possibly fall for. Ryder Alexander is a vegan, teaches the second grade, enjoys making granola and is perfectly content with his thrift shop wardrobe. A drunken kiss in a nightclub bathroom pushes Ryder outside of his comfort zone and into the arms of the last man anyone expects. “Here,” Ryder declared before he ducked behind the flag and Clint frowned as he looked around. No one was paying attention and he quickly followed. Ryder was leaning against the brick wall and red and blue light slanted across his face as the sun bled through the flag. They were completely shielded from the street and Clint felt like they were miles away from humanity as he stepped closer. “What are you doing?” He asked softly as he braced his hand on the wall next to Ryder’s shoulder. “Seeing if it was my game or a fluke,” Ryder murmured as his hand slid around Clint’s neck. Clint hummed in agreement as he lowered his head and Ryder’s hand fisted in his shirt as their lips brushed. It was like kissing a flame. Heat fanned across Clint’s face and seeped into his skin. He gasped into Ryder’s mouth and their tongues fluttered against each other tentatively. A golden current of warm need rolled through Clint and he heard Ryder moan as their tongues swirled and flicked urgently. Clint angled his head and felt dizzy as his hand slid around Ryder’s waist. He pulled him against his chest and the smell of soap and clean clothes wreathed around Clint and he wanted to wrap himself in Ryder. He pulled his head back and they were both breathless and stunned. Ryder licked his lips and his cheeks puffed out as he blinked at Clint. “Wow,” he huffed and Clint nodded jerkily. “Definitely my game,” Ryder panted and Clint rolled his eyes. “Shut up,” he muttered as he pushed his hand into Ryder’s hair. He pinned him to the wall as he claimed his lips and Ryder growled softly as he gripped and pulled at Clint’s body, trying to get closer. Clint rolled his hips and silently cursed. They were both really hard and really ready. He didn’t know what to do. If this was a guy he’d flirted with at a club, he would have pulled him into an office or storage room. Or, he would have planned it better and they would have met at a bar close to a decent hotel because Clint had a feeling this was one of those times he’d need a bed and a lot more time. But he knew that Ryder wasn’t that sort of guy. You didn’t bend super sweet elementary school teachers over a sticky desk or push them onto their knees between cases of beer. You strolled with them on sunny Saturday afternoons and made out on quilts under apple trees or next to a river or some other stupid cliche. “We should have sex,” Ryder murmured. Or not… Clint thought as Ryder’s lips slid along Clint’s cheek. “Like, really soon,” he added before he pulled Clint’s earlobe between his lips and sucked. Apparently, his ear was connected to his cock and it throbbed painfully in response. Clint bit his lip to keep from moaning too loud and struggled to think and his eyes rolled as Ryder’s teeth grazed his neck. His game was definitely improving. “I don’t live very far from here,” Clint whispered and immediately regretted it. He rarely invited anyone to his home. He never brought one night stands over. Ryder’s hand slid down the front of Clint’s jeans and cupped his hard-on. “We could go there now,” Clint said quickly and Ryder nodded as he sucked on the corner of Clint’s neck. Holy shit.

    As a deaf teenager, he’s closed himself off to the world. He speaks a shorthand with his parents and even finds it hard to use American Sign Language with people in his local deaf community. But Caleb finds comfort in his love of photography. Everything he can’t express in real life, he posts on his Tumblr.Struggling to reconcile his resentment for his father's cruelty with the grief of losing a parent, Luc Le Bautillier scrolls through Tumblr searching for someone who might understand his goth look and effeminate nature. When Luc reblogs a photo by Caleb, sparking a conversation, they both find it easier to make friends online than in person.Luc and Caleb confront their fears about the opinions of the outside world to meet in New York City. Despite Caleb’s increasing confidence, his parents worry he’s not ready for the trials ahead. But communication comes in many forms—when you learn the signs.