Myths and Magic: Legends of Love
Anne ReganDamon Shaw - 2010
Will the tale—and the storyteller—be enough to win the Sultan’s approbation at last? A Fairy in His Bed – Corinna Silver & Aundrea SingerWhen Daniel Tibbits, recently single, unhappy, and in the grip of terminal writer’s block, inherits a teapot from his great aunt, the last thing he expects is for it to contain a fairy named Quinn. After Daniel saves Quinn’s life, Quinn grants him a wish and stays with him as Daniel decides exactly what that wish will be. The problem is that despite Quinn’s best efforts, Daniel doesn’t believe in fairy tales or happy endings. Kissing the Dragon – Heidi CullinanBao Fischer, born Korean but raised in middle America, can only see his “heritage” as an excuse for people to treat him differently and wants to leave it behind. So why is he dreaming of a dragon every night? The day his dreams start to overlap into the real lives of his overbearing boss and the hot barista at the office coffee stand, Bao needs to figure out what the dragon is trying to tell him before it’s too late to set things right. Something Pipeth Like a Bird – David CheaterBored with tending sheep, young Judean shepherd boy Yosef follows the music coming from a nearby ruin, never expecting to encounter a Djinn. But Masul is nothing like the demons described in Scripture… and Masul finds himself surprised by the Human as well.Greenleaf’s Blessing – M. KingRhynn, orphaned as a child and apprenticed to his village’s Herb Mage, is a man whose trade—a potent mix of herbalism and magic—creates distrust even among those who ask for aid. After an unexpected encounter drives away the one person Rhynn considered a friend, he flees into the old forest… only to meet the wood’s guardian spirit, who awakens the dormant power within him.On Wild Wings – Connie BaileyChuneh is a dragon rider, partnered on border patrol with She Who Is Sister to the Sun. Though older, wiser, and mightier than mankind, even the she-dragon cannot explain how a young male has reached Ascension without being sensed by any other dragons. Sadorey is not a typical dragon, as Chuneh is about to learn—to his cost and his delight.The Sower and the Reaper – Helen MaddenHosa, from the Red Sky clan, came looking for a God when a meteor storm wiped out his tribe’s crops. Ozzie doesn’t look like any God Hosa has ever heard of, but the only chance to redeem himself and save his tribe from starvation will be if Hosa can convince Ozzie to perform a miracle.The One – Ariel TachnaTrapped in human form when an injury prevents him from shifting, Rylan is befriended by Thorin, a man with a dangerous secret. Rylan has a secret of his own—in his other form, as a unicorn, he’s as hunted as Thorin. While Rylan knows he should leave before Thorin discovers the truth, Thorin has an allure that’s almost impossible for Rylan to resist.Of Genies and Sea Monsters – Scarlet BlackwellA buyer and seller of gems, Ephram leaves to seek his fortune, only to find riches a poor substitute for his lover, Eber. Desperate to return home despite the sea monster that blocks the way, Ephram enlists the help of a boisterous genie, a mysterious magician, and even his landlord. Only by completing a series of seemingly impossible tasks will Ephram have any chance of being reunited with the man he loves.The Wild Hunt – Cari Z.David Evans was five years old when he first witnessed the wild hunt on Halloween night. Fascinated by its magnificent leader, David returns to the same spot year after year, hoping to prove worthy to be chosen by the hunter. But can a mortal ride with the Tylwyth Teg and survive?The Light of Foreign Places – Rodello Santos & Damon ShawJai is a seducer, winning converts for the Snake Goddess, Striyn. At the holy carnival outside the desert city of Ramsha’hla, Jai meets Duphal, one of the few city dwellers to respond to the carnival’s attractions. Duphal is attracted to Jai, too, even though in his culture, to act on that attraction is punishable by death….Night and Day – Rowan SpeedwellNate Pederowski is about as far down as he can go when he’s tipped to a job as a singer in a speakeasy. A veteran of WWI dishonorably discharged for being “queer,” Nate is embittered and lonely. The club’s handsome owner, Rick Bellevue, is wowed by Nate’s voice and offers him the job, and Nate’s life is about to change in ways he can scarcely imagine, let alone believe.The Flower Boy – Belinda McBrideStarving student Philip Yeoh can barely make ends meet while he attends art school in San Francisco. With his rent coming due, he spends the last of his money on flowers to sell on a busy street corner—a plan that seems to be a failure until an odd, androgynous young man approaches him, also selling flowers. Since Lan looks even more destitute than Philip, the young student buys a handful of flowers from the stranger. Within minutes, Philip’s luck changes, but when he offers to buy the rest of the stranger's flowers, Lan will only accept a kiss in payment—a kiss that literally transports Philip to another world.
Scared Stiff
Laura Baumbach - 2007
SCARED STIFF offers four very different tales of m/m ghostly doings that'll have readers panting (in more ways than one) under the covers. Maltese offers excitement and steamy pleasure in his Rendering Souls while Lanyon adds adventurous ghost hunters in his A Ghost of a Chance. Black gives you horrors from the past in Wild Onions, and Baumbach rounds out the volume with a hot tale of second chances in Soul Desire.
Hero
Heidi Cullinan - 2009
But when strange events draw him into a magical world, he becomes the only man who can free Morgan, a lonely, long-enchanted shape-shifter. Whether he feels he’s worthy or not, Hal is the hero Morgan has been waiting for.However, Hal’s task becomes personal as he and Morgan fall in love. Now, to save Morgan and give himself the happily ever after he’s always longed for, Hal will need to do something far more daunting than face Morgan’s captor or finally come out of the closet… He’ll have to believe in himself.This title has been previously published and has been revised from its original release.
A Brush of Wings
Anne ReganMary Calmes - 2010
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.
Once Upon a Dream
Megan Derr - 2016
This volume is compiled from free works on my website, stories written for various challenges and prompts, and other straggling tales. Some of these are my spins on familiar tales, like Cinderella and Ivan and the Wolf, others are simply based on well-known types of fairytales. Stories included in this volume: True Chivalry If the Shoe Fits Deeds Great & Small Challenge of Quests The Shining Knight The Prince's Champion The King's Challenges Knight of the Rose Three Questions The Witch in the Woods Ivan the Heartless Blood in the Water The Stable Boy Three Goats The Gardner The Good Son Play Me a Song 100 Words
Fairytales Slashed 4
Samantha M. Derr - 2012
The Prince of the Moon desperately seeks to break the curse on his kingdom, but will the stranger who arrives to help him prove to be only a hindrance? In Learning to See a man saves his family by sacrificing everything to a stranger in a mysterious castle. Cinder-Elle lost his birthright alongside his vision, and his dreary days are brightened only by a man he met by chance in the marketplace, a man about whom he knows very little … and Capture the Moon is about a woman who leaves home in the guise of a boy to see what the world has to offer.
Bravo! Brava!
Jet Mykles - 2009
. . Performances!Jet Mykles, J.P. Bowie and Kimberly Gardner entertain us with the magic and mystique of the theatre. From Shakespeare's gender-bending comedies to the glamour of a Musical Revue, we're whisked backstage for an intimate glimpse of the drama, romance and rumors (and maybe even a little mystery) behind the curtain. Find out what it takes for a man to carry off a skirt and heels. Follow the men who wait in the wings for those behind the fake breasts and makeup. BRAVO! BRAVA!stories include:About Something by Jet MyklesSometimes Life's a Drag by J.P. BowieWoman's Weeds by Kimberly Gardner
Make Me a Match, Vol. 1
Jaelyn Storm - 2008
Dating services, matchmakers, family introductions, even unlikely friends... the means may differ, and the road probably won't run straight, but "happily ever after" is guaranteed at the end. It's about romance and heart, but some steamy attraction never hurts! Be it a perfect stranger or a crush from long ago, all it takes is a little help to find that certain someone and "Make Me a Match."Stories included are:The Perfect Match by Jaelyn Storm Crash and Burn by Catt Ford Third Time's the Charm by Chrissy Munder Dear Alex by Clare London How to Woo a Straight Man by Jaymz Connelly Three on a Match by Nicki Bennett
British Flash: A revealing collection of short LGBT fiction
Josephine MylesMara Ismine - 2011
All these stories reflect the iconic sights and national character of the British Isles: a taste of our idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, but also an unashamed representation of the love, loyalty and laughter of our people. Follow the British way of life from historic villages to modern cities, from the countryside to the sea, through history and with a fantasy twist, in gardens, shops, campus and the familiar, much-loved local pub. The stories cover universal themes of romance, desire, remembrance and reconciliation. The authors range from multi-published to up-and-coming, and they all share a passion for their characters, whether through great drama, erotic excitement, humour—or a combination of all three! Contents: The worst pub in London / JL Merrow — Our place / Clare London — We’ll always have Brighton / Zahra Owens — Commission and omission / Charlie Cochrane — Paint / Stevie Carroll — Ben’s new colleague / Serena Yates — Giving it up / Josephine Myles — Thoughts in spring / Mara Ismine — Mouth Almighty / Victoria Blisse — Reunion / Lisa Worrall — While the boys are away / Lucy Felthouse — Nessie / Caroline Stephens — Slap and Motley / Sandra Lindsey — Like a girl / JL Merrow — Last client / Jay Rookwood — Sunshine Superman / Elin Gregory — Escape to the country / Stevie Woods — Prince Charming’s Buttons / Stevie Carroll — Yesterday upon the stairs / Erastes — Benefits of peace / Alex Beecroft — They who come after the stories end / Sophia Deri-Bowen A revealing collection of short LGBT fiction, available free of charge from Smashwords; edited by: Josephine Myles, Alex Beecroft, Charlie Cochrane, Clare London and JL Merrow. This anthology is a souvenir of the 2011 UK Meet, an occasion for GLBTQ supporters to get together in a relaxed setting to celebrate and chat about the fiction community they love.
Cowboy Up
Rob KnightChris Owen - 2005
Editor Rob Knight has gathered a great selection of cowboy stories from authors like Sean Michael, BA Tortuga and Parehlion, featuring cowboys from around the globe and across more than a hundred years. These stories all illustrate the best and worst of the breed. Stubborn, independent, and sexy as all get out, the cowboys of Cowboy Up will leave you smiling, sometimes crying, but always admiring the tough, rugged man that rides the range and keeps his bedroll warm at night. There are modern day rodeo cowboys intent on winning the Calgary stampede and proud gauchos in Argentina. There are old west partners out to transport some dusty old bones and a mail order bride with a twist. Always unpredictable and a little wild, just like the cowboy himself, these stories will leave you wishing you had a pair of spurs and a ten gallon hat. Get yourself a cowboy today!
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Two
Blaine D. ArdenNicole Dennis - 2011
P. Barnaby – END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT (First Love )*Sarah Black – SUCKER-PUNCH (Athlete/Hurt-Comfort )Scarlet Blackwell – BREAKING WAVES (Surfing/Angst )Penny Brandon – FINDING JACK (Cowboys/Mild BDSM )Lee Brazil – BE A BAD BOY (First-Time/Family Drama )Cardeno C. – WOMAN WITH A DILDO (Friends to Lovers )L.C. Chase – OPEN TACKLE (Friends to Lovers )*Kim Dare – MASOCHISM 101 (BDSM/Friends to Lovers )S.J. Frost – A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY (Musicians/Rivals to Lovers )Jeanette Grey – HEART AND SOUL (Friends to Lovers )Jambrea Jo Jones – WILD BLUE YONDER (Military )*Pender Mackie by DOG DAYS OF SUMMER (Blue Collar/First Date )JL Merrow – BEAR NAKED (First-time/Bears )M.J. O'Shea – BRIDGES (First Love )*Neil S. Plakcy – PHOTO BOOTH (Cowboys/FBI )Dustin Adrian Rhodes – STORM OF PASSION (Friends to Lovers )Jaime Samms – MOURNING (Hurt/Comfort )*Justin South – REFLECTIONS (First Love/Hurt-Comfort )Zach Sweets – LUSCIOUS LOVE (Coming out/Food Kinky )Piper Vaughn – WANTING (First Love )*Silvia Violet – TIME TO TELL (Military/Friends to Lover)Deanna Wadsworth – UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (Office Sex )Stuart Wakefield – THE ELEMENTS OF LOVE (Sci-Fi/Ménage )Alex Whitehall – HOLD ME TIGHT (Hurt-Comfort/BDSM Light )Lisa Worrall – JUST ONE KISS (Gay-for-You/Cops )Connor Wright – GONE TO PIECES (Sci-Fi/Mild BDSM )
Glimpses: A Collection of Nightrunner Short Stories
Lynn Flewelling - 2010
Each story offers a new perspective on events readers have speculated about for years. For new readers, it offers an introduction to the characters Romantic Times calls "two of the most memorable heroes in fantasy." Professional and amateur art provided by Flewelling's fans accompany Glimpses' stories, as she honors the dedication and devotion her fans have given her over the years. "Glimpses is full of treasures like Lynn Flewelling's deceptively easy and addictive storytelling, her vivid and engaging characters, and the amazing and heartfelt illustrations. This book is a must have for fans of Lynn's Nightrunner books, and if you haven't started the series yet, then Glimpses will leave you eager to discover more about Seregil and Alec, their adventures and the unique and fantastical world that the pair inhabit." -Suzanne McLeod, Spellcrackers.com series "It's hard to imagine a lovelier gift to fans than this exquisite collection of gorgeously illustrated short stories. Flewelling indulges her loyal readers with these graceful glimpses 'between the lines' of the long-running and immensely popular Nightrunner series." -Josh Lanyon, Adrien English Mysteries and the Holmes & Moriarity Mysteries "An unmissable short story collection from Flewelling. Set in the Nightrunner universe Glimpses captures Flewelling's characters at formative moments in their various timelines. Some of the stories fill in details that I've been waiting on for years..." -T.A. Moore, The Even Series "Glimpses is a terrific collection, lovingly illustrated, a gift to all of us who love the Nightrunners. This rocks." -Patricia Briggs, Mercy Thompson Series
Boots
Angel Martinez - 2011
When the only thing Horst leaves to Willem is the family cat, he thinks it’s his father’s last insult from the grave. That is, until the cat starts talking to him.Though Willem’s lost his boyfriend, his home, and his job, Kasha, who claims to be a magic cat, reassures him that all will be well. All he needs is Willem’s trust and a good pair of boots. But giving boots to a talking cat has unexpected consequences when odd events ambush Willem at every turn, such as the appearance of a handsome stranger in his arms at night. While he begins to suspect Kasha’s plans might be dangerous for all involved, how can he distrust such a charming kitty in cowboy boots?
Bastet
T.A. Chase - 2010
His thesis is on ancient Egyptian religious cults. While immersed in his research, he comes across an obscure reference to the Earth Warrior cult. Little does he know that one sentence in a dusty, tattered book will engulf him in a battle between good and evil. A battle that could be the end of the world as he knows it. The stray cat wandering the streets around Kellan’s house is more than an abandoned feline. Bastet has roamed the earth from the days when Egypt was young. He’s watched the pharaohs rise and fall, new gods come and go. His purpose, however, has remained the same—protect the earth at all costs and keep the secrets of the Earth Warriors from regular mortals. He’s sent to keep Kellan Largant from finding out the truth about the cult, but also to keep the unsuspecting college student alive. One man will do anything for the spell that created the Warriors. He wants immortality, and killing Kellan for the secret is just the beginning of the trouble he’ll cause to get what he wants. NOTE: Don't miss Book II in the Earth Warriors, available soon from Amber Allure!