But her insecurities creep up upon her as her life starts to fall to pieces all around her.Are second chances possible?Honeymoon BlissNow, married at last, Ava and Nico escape to their honeymoon, to relax and unwind. Together, they find bliss and a chance to forget the troubles and worries of their hectic lives. But even in paradise, problems from home and as far away as Denver, seep in.

    Elizabeth had motive—her affair with the doctor hadn’t ended well. She had means—the exquisite antique dagger she’d given him as a gift was buried to the hilt in his chest. She had opportunity—dinner with Elizabeth had been penciled in on the doctor’s calendar for the night he was murdered. Yet, Mac can’t bring himself to believe she did it. But is he thinking like an investigator or like the man who wants Elizabeth all to himself.Elizabeth is terrified that Collin MacBride will learn her secret. Somehow she must convince him that she’s innocent without allowing the determined agent to discover the truth. If she can just find the very intimate and very erotic video her former psychiatrist had blackmailed her with, just maybe she can escape a murder charge. But when female patients of the late doctor start being murdered one by one, Elizabeth understands that she is on that same murder list and MacBride is the only man who can save her…**First published as "Protective Instincts" in the 2-in-1 Harlequin Intrigue publication Whispers in the Night in 2003

    So why does he laugh when I tell him I think I love him?Photo Description: Black and white photo of two dark-haired young men lying together, the one on top cradled in the other's arms as the other smiles, revealing a cute dimple.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 8.

    Bailey likes to win whether in the courtroom or on the 10K race track. So does Austin. When the two meet, sparks fly in all directions. Bailey Russell’s life is pretty much perfect. She has a dog, a condo, and she’s on the fast track to becoming a partner in the small law firm where she works. Then Austin Travers shows up with his electric blue eyes and electric touch. He beats her in a 10K race, almost overtakes her in an impromptu swim meet, and cooks a delicious meal while her cheesecake tastes like greasy cardboard. However, she takes him down in the courtroom and in a game of chess. The score is close to even. Then she learns he wants to change her law firm, merge it with a bigger one, disrupt Bailey’s life. To her chagrin, Bailey finds herself attracted to the annoying man, but she remembers only too well the painful days of being a skinny, awkward adolescent, the butt of jokes about red hair and freckles and brainy women. Men like Austin Travers reserved their interest for beautiful women with soft voices and bust line measurements that exceeded their IQs.Austin soon realizes that Bailey is the most frustrating woman he’s ever met, a tiger, a force to be reckoned with. She makes him crazy, but all other women are pale ghosts beside her. She makes him feel vital and alive. If only he can figure out how to be around her for five minutes without wanting to strangle her.

    As you can see from the image, he’s a pretty bookish and calm fellow. He likes nothing better than cuddles and early morning sex and then some more cuddles.It wasn’t his choice to be dressed in dark jeans and a super tight tank top to go to a fetish club of all things. He doesn’t even own leather! BDSM is the new thing, his best girlfriend said. Haven’t you read that book? She asked.Now, because he owed her one, he went. And then this guy walked into his view. The Dom doesn’t seem to care about the newbies snickering at his “skirt” or his black nail polish and everyone else seems to respect him a lot.X wasn’t there to attract attention, but a little mishap and suddenly he’s on his knees next to the guy and… he feels right at home? What the hell?Photo Description: The first photo is a profile view of a young, clean-cut, dark-haired man sitting framed in a sunlit bay window, wearing only a T-shirt and boxer shorts while he reads.The second photo is faceless. Male hands— strong, with chipped black nail polish and leather-cuffed wrists— cupping himself over a black, studded, leather belt, and the fabric of his low-slung, red plaid kilt.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" 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.Author’s Note There is hot sex in this story, but the issue of protection is left somewhat ambiguous. In real life, be safe without question.