useless in times of crisis, or so he tells himself. He is completely beneath the notice of someone like the country's most famous general, Godric of the South. It's too bad that he happens to be in love with Godric... and that with the entire country at stake, Bertie might be the only one who can save it.

    Let the carriage to a royal ball wait. There is a story to be told: of a starless night, a mother and her sick son, and a mortal who falls in love with the snow god, and will do anything to have her...

     But what happens when the ugly Christmas sweaters come off? When his gorgeous friend Nick invites him to an ugly Christmas sweater party, Joel can't say no. Even though going on a non-date with the guy he's been crushing on forever is officially a Bad Idea. But who'd have thought Nick could look so hot in a Christmas tree sweater with actual blinking lights? When the sweater Nick lends Joel turns out to be baby blue with flying bunny reindeer, Joel feels like a total dork. In fact, he's ready to spend the whole party hiding in the bathroom. But something in Nick's eyes gives him a sudden surge of confidence. If things go Joel's way, he might end up on Santa's naughty list this year. This sweet bit of holiday fluff is for a mature audience. It has a happy ending, no cliffhanger, and a deliciously gooey center.

    Lost in the Hampshire countryside on a snowy Christmas Eve, Laurence stumbles across lonely Mistletoe Cottage and its owner: Avery. Avery is bright and beautiful, welcoming Laurence to his home with warmth and joy. But Laurence can’t stay forever, and Avery’s secrets mean he can never leave. When everything goes wrong, it’s up to Laurence to find a way to secure a happy-ever-after for their midwinter fairy tale.

    Frankly, he’d rather be cooking. Then he meets first-year student Eddie Cohen-Fernandez, who’s heartsick over missing his family’s annual Festivus celebration. Tony can use his culinary skills to lift Eddie’s spirits, but finding long-term happiness? That just might require a Festivus miracle.

    Until he meets Tork. Tork is clever and funny. He makes origami models and reads Dickens. Tork has green hair and makes Adam's heart race with longing. But Tork is homeless and not at all impressed with Adam's attitude.Can Adam see past his fear and arrogance? Can Tork give Adam a chance? Can two such different men turn the world upside down and find out what really matters? Read to find out their story.Content Warning: the story includes reference to and description of self-harming.* * * * *A story from Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology

    and everything that’s stayed the same.Author note: This short is now available in the latest edition of Glitterland.

    Charlie moves to small-town Briarton with plans to live his quiet life as a writer. He’s resigned himself to being alone and isn’t expecting anything different from his new home. But a coffee mix-up brings him face-to-face with a man Charlie had decided didn’t really exist. Nixon is grateful for a new job in a new town. He’s ready to leave the past in the past and settle down. He’s not actively looking for a relationship—that’s never worked out for him before—but he can’t deny the instant connection he has with his newest patient’s nephew. Is it too late for Charlie and Nix to find their happily ever after? Or will they accept fate’s gift and allow themselves a love they thought they’d never find? **Perfect Timing is a steamy, M/M romance with an introverted, demisexual writer and a big, soft teddy bear of a nurse trying to navigate a love they’ve always dreamed of but most definitely weren’t expecting.**

    He saved me, and I'll always love him for that. He's my best friend and has been my roommate for years. Even if I do let my gaze linger on his body for way too long sometimes, I would never risk what we have.That is, until I have to deliver Raysen's cell phone to him at a house party and stumble upon a scene I will never be able to forget—and temptation I couldn't resist even if I tried to. Only I don't even try to resist. Instead, I jump headfirst into it.Will we be able to deal with the consequences and keep our friendship intact?Expanded edition with 5,000 words of new content not available in original Prolific Works edition.

    . . retiree?I’ve spent my whole life dealing in death, efficiently eliminating targets while fighting to preserve a sense of self and morality, to avoid becoming as detached and ruthless as my siblings. I thought I had succeeded. Then I met Jack Reardon—contrary, handsome, forgiving, and far too good for the likes of me—and my life was tipped upside down. When he asked me to move in with him, he didn’t specify that I had to quit my job, but I wanted to—for myself, not for him. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.My old instincts—“Ethan Blade”—are soon tempted out of retirement by a job offer I can’t afford to refuse and by an old hook-up of Jack’s he’d be a fool to refuse. While falling prey to my own temptation, Jack struggles with his. Which is precisely when the true danger exposes itself—one of my siblings with no such sense of self or morality. Only pain. And he is prepared to rain it down on me and Jack, unless I can square the Ethan Blade I want to be with the one I need to be, in time to save us both.

     Running from a tragic loss, worrying over a missing brother, and flustered about dreams he can’t explain, Michael James searches for a peaceful place to call home. A quaint little town on the Florida coast promises to be just what he needs to start a new life. Then myth clashes with reality, and Michael’s life is upended. Vampires, werewolves, and other magical paranormals prowl the city of Mystic Bay, his new home. And not all of them are friendly. Clayton Night, a seductive, powerful vampire, desires more than Michael’s blood—he wants Michael for eternity. The mighty Clay Night has fallen, but can his love keep Michael safe from an enemy seeking revenge? As darkness closes in, Michael has a choice to make—a short mortal life or an eternity of love and danger? *Previously published as Darkness Awaits. This book has been revised and expanded considerably from its original version to alter both characters and plot events to enhance the reader’s enjoyment.

    Is someone trying to out me to the Bratva? Am I being set up?And what the hell do I do now that my mark knows I’m following him?Lorenzo FerrariIt’s insulting, really. My organization wants to do business with the Russians, but they’re putting tails on me? That’s just bad manners.But when that tail get a beating from his own for failing to tell them everything he knows about me, I know something is up.Now we’re both in way over our heads. Our only hope is working together.And even then, I’m not so sure we’re getting out of this.CW: On-page drug use, active addiction, graphic violence, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse.

    I’m happy in my boring and predictable life. I certainly don’t need a gorgeous man moving into my building to mix things up.When my neighbor brings home a fresh hookup, I mean to close the blinds. I really do! It’s just that he has a tattoo and shows all that skin, and well, I’m ashamed to say I get busted. It’s not my fault he never closes his blinds and our studio apartments stare right into each other’s. I try to ignore my shame until, one day, my neighbor puts on a show, and like the magic of my favorite video games—I forget how to be boring.Just Watch Me is a 38,000-word low-angst, sweet, and steamy gay romance about a tech geek who tumbles out of his comfort zone thanks to his gorgeous temporary neighbor. This book is for fans of ridiculous T-shirts, secret geeks, all the cheese, neighbors who become lovers, and a homebody falling for someone always on the move.

    But with his partner, Dr. Vaughn Bennett, working crazy hours in the ER, it’s difficult to make any kind of plans. Easter was an appendectomy. Thanksgiving, a ruptured spleen. And Christmas had called Vaughn away to work for Doctors Without Borders. So when the calendar hits February 14th, Carter expects it will be just another day when he kisses his man goodbye so he can go and save the world. Little does he know that Vaughn has a huge surprise up his sleeve—one that will change their lives forever.

    They all feature side characters from the series but do not contain fake boyfriend tropes. Rebound (Fake Boyfriend 2.5) Aron and Wyatt have been best friends since college and are both rebounding from bad break-ups. One night of drunken sex makes them question their whole friendship and what they’ve had right in front of them all along. Best read after Trick Play in the Fake Boyfriend universe. It’s Complicated (Fake Boyfriend 3.5) Max has been in love with his childhood best friend, Ash, for years. The reason he has kept it a secret is because Ash also happens to be Max’s brother’s ex-boyfriend. Complicated doesn’t begin to explain their relationship. Best read after Deke in the Fake Boyfriend universe. Winning You (Fake Boyfriend 4.5) (Previously published in Heart2Heart volume 2. This story has been extended from the original and re-edited.) Marty and Luce win a blind date through a charity raffle. Marty is young and vibrant. Luce is older and a little bit bitter. In one night, they manage to change the course of each other’s lives. This is a prequel of Hat Trick in the Fake Boyfriend universe.