Book picks similar to
Monster Till Midnight by E.J. Russell
m-m
paranormal
mm
holiday
Alpaca My Bags
J.L. Merrow - 2019
A bit of fun in the sun with rugged alpaca farmer, Ryan, could be just what the doctor ordered for Scott—but first he’ll need to get past his over-protective daughter! Stressed out from new motherhood, Katie’s worried her dad’s going to get his heart broken. Free spirit Ryan doesn’t believe in relationships. An ex foster child, he’s learned to move on quickly from hook-ups and cut his emotional losses. But with the island’s limited dating opportunities, he’s taken up knitting to while away the lonely evenings. Ryan’s not planning to waste a minute in getting Scott into his bed—but into his life? They’ve said all along it’s just a holiday fling. When both men realise it could be the start of something more, they’ll need to work hard to counter Scott’s family’s misgivings—not to mention their own. Note: this novella first appeared in the Hot Summer Nights anthology.
The Man in the Long Black Coat
J.L. Aarne - 2014
Until James died and left Dale all alone on a self-destructive path through alcoholism to an early grave. Then a killer begins ritualistically murdering young women in the small town of Solagrove, Louisiana and the deaths may or may not be paranormal, but Dale gets drawn into it anyway. There is something very familiar about the murders and someone has to stop them. Witnesses describe seeing a man in a long black coat who sounds a lot like James, and it doesn’t matter that it’s impossible. Dale knows it’s impossible because James is dead. There is absolutely no question about it. But in Dale’s world, corpses sometimes get up and walk away from their graves.
A Little Familiar
R. Cooper - 2015
Generations of Russells have lived and died with only their familiars at their side. The presence of a friendly familiar is enough to keep even the loneliest witch sane, and yet Piotr deliberately hasn’t chosen one. He forces himself to keep busy instead, but the emptiness of his house haunts him even more the spirit of Great-Great-Aunt Elysia in the parlor. With Samhain and Halloween approaching, he’ll have much to do, and knowing that, his concerned coven seizes the chance to intervene and sends help to his door in the form of Bartleby Dorchester. The rarest of rare jewels, Bartleby is a human familiar: a witch with no magic of his own, and a desire to find a strong witch to help and serve. In particular, he desires to help and serve Piotr, and everything in Piotr wants to let him. Bartleby was meant to be his familiar; Piotr knows it as surely as he knows when it will rain or when the apples in his garden will ripen. But what Piotr wants from Bartleby, all he’s ever wanted, is for Bartleby to love him, something he thinks is impossible. Russells live and die unloved, and he won’t allow Bartleby to feel obligated to spend his life with him as his familiar if he could be happy in love with someone else. But Samhain is a time for change, when walls come down and borders grow thin, and Bartleby isn’t going to waste what might be his last chance to convince Piotr that they were meant to be. He might have no magic, but love is a power all its own.
A Miracle in the Library
Helena Stone - 2018
He isn’t out, but that hasn’t stopped the popular gang at school from tormenting him for being gay. Three weeks before Christmas, in a desperate attempt to shake his pursuers, Mitch flees into the abandoned community hall, only to discover the building is far from empty; inside he finds a fully stocked library as well as Mr. Nichols, the very welcoming librarian. The library turns into Mitch’s refuge of choice, where he can read books that answer his endless questions, without fear of encountering abuse. His peace of mind is shattered when nineteen-year-old Cian Leavy enters his sanctuary. Cian is the boy who made Mitch realize he’s gay, and he’s more attractive now than he was eighteen months ago, when Mitch literally ran into him. Will Cian unwittingly disrupt Mitch’s life again? Or has the scene been set for a miracle in the library?
Fire Up My Heart
Asta Idonea - 2016
The Jo-E brings some much-needed companionship to Fane’s lonely life, but there’s something different about this Bot, as indicated by its odd behavior. Fane’s developing feelings toward Jo-E trouble him, and things go from bad to worse when a robotics engineer arrives on Fane’s doorstep, demanding the return of his property. Fane is forced to choose between a hefty reward and following his heart. Giving in to his forbidden desires might get him killed—or change his life forever.
Switching It Up
K.C. Wells - 2014
Great idea, except that it’s full of guys who think Jay would look great under them. Only one problem with that – Jay may look like a twink, but he’s no one’s bottom. And when he spies the gorgeous, muscled specimen at the end of the bar, he’s not about to waste his time. He knows a top when he sees one. Dean has had enough of the guys who want him to be their Daddy. What makes it worse is that they’re just his type. Dean is under no illusions. He knows what he looks like. But there has to be one guy in that bar who wants to top him, right? Story also appears in Designated Bottoms Anthology.
He's Mine
Claire Thompson - 2018
An ex with revenge on his mind...
Ben’s not in any hurry to fall in love. Sure…he misses the passion and the sweet caress of someone special in his life, but after freeing himself from his last mistake of a boyfriend, it’s time to reevaluate his choices. Until a gorgeous, fascinating guy slips into the seat beside him at a mutual friend’s wedding…then all thoughts of going slow vanish.Adrian keeps the men in his life at arm’s length…it’s safer for everyone. Casual hookups without emotional entanglements are his specialty, and the guy sitting next to him looks to be perfect for the job. But as the evening progresses, a hot, steady flame of desire flares within him, and Adrian has to tamp down the sparks. Because Ben has the potential to become something different…something more. When old secrets are revealed, Adrian and Ben must come together to heal past wounds, and that includes dealing with a dangerous ex who won’t take no for an answer. When threats to their personal and professional lives escalate into violence, they will have no choice but to take action to protect their newfound love.
Sergeant Delicious
Annabeth Albert - 2020
But stationed far from home, he’s lonely and homesick for more than just his favorite foods. Thinking ahead to his homecoming, he responds to an ad seeking a date for a special gourmet dinner, but he doesn’t anticipate an immediate connection with the intriguing foodie who placed the ad. Food writer Damien is looking for his big break, and reviewing an uber-exclusive secret restaurant may be exactly what he needs if he can score a date to go with him. He doesn’t expect to enjoy corresponding with Xavier quite so much, nor is he prepared for his powerful surge of lust for the hot marine. However, Damien’s had more than his share of bad luck when it comes to romance, but Xavier is determined to win Damien over. Course-by-course, they fall deeper into like. When they finally give into their passion, sparks fly. But is it a flash in the pan or the recipe for lasting love? Sergeant Delicious was originally published in the Heart2Heart anthology and has been expanded with a new bonus spicy epilogue. It’s a stand-alone foodie novella with sweet, low-angst feels and a quirky Oregon setting with a dash of military romance flavor.
Heroes Across Time
Jackie North - 2020
I was born in 1898, but I’ve come forward through time by some trick of fate. Devon says I deserve to be happy, but I don’t know if I do.Our love for each other keeps us going, but sometimes the darkness swoops up and grabs me.The only thing I can count on is the feel of Devon’s arms around me, his green eyes looking at me with joy and love. What else do I need but this?(Note: Heroes Across Time is a sequel to Heroes for Ghosts.)
Bound by Him
Leighton Greene - 2019
They invented the term 'vanilla' to describe him. But if Ben's so straight, why can't he get his inscrutable coffee-shop co-worker Xander Romano out of his head? And how come Xander's rough-housing on the basketball court gets Ben so flustered?Xander Romano keeps his private life private, and lives by a strict set of rules. No fooling around with straight guys, and definitely no fooling around with vanilla guys. Been there, done that, got his heart broken. All Xander wants now is to focus on his acting career, and keep his darker desires under wraps.So what is it about Benjamin Ballard that makes Xander want to break all the rules? When Ben begs for a chance to experiment, Xander can't resist taking him in hand. It's just one quick session, after all.But Ben has other ideas...Bound for Him is the first part of the Rough Love series. Join Ben and Xander in their continuing odyssey of self-discovery, experimentation, and steamy fun as they work out the kinks together. This is just the beginning of their wild - and sometimes dark - ride, but never fear: these two will get their HEA. It'll just take them some time to figure out what that happy ending looks like for them...Rough Love reading order: Learn the Rules (serial)1. Bound by Him2. Taken by Him3. Dared by Him4. Marked by Him5. Loved by Him6. Obey the Rules (novel)7. Break the Rules (novel)
The Holiday Hookup
Baylin Crow - 2021
He dresses like it's Casual Friday every day of the week.2. Everyone loves him, even though I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually get any work done. It's the smile, I think. Definitely the laugh.3. He's so relaxed, sometimes I can't even tell if he's awake. Or conscious.4. He doesn't respect my office space boundaries. Stay in your own office and stop messing with my stuff!Okay, the list is actually really long, but none of it matters because it's time for the annual Secret Santa exchange, and guess whose name I draw.Hunter freaking HollidayAnd he knows this because, I repeat, he won't stay out of my office and leave my things alone.Even though I didn't ask, he has no problem telling me exactly what he wants.Me. For one nightThe Holiday Hookup is an MM Christmas short story with high heat and low angst.
Always You
K.M. Neuhold - 2018
But this year it isn’t just any school year ending, it’s our college graduation, and I’ve decided there’s no time like the present to finally tell my best friends the truth I’ve kept from them for years. What I care most about is how my best friend, Dante, will feel. Not that I think he’ll return the ridiculous feelings I’ve been harboring for him, but a guy can hope, right? When a leaky ceiling drives Dante from his own bed into mine, the night might end up getting a lot more interesting than I expected. This is a steamy short story (~11k words) featuring first times, finally requited love, and late-night shenanigans.
A Lord to Love
Sara Dobie Bauer - 2019
Harrison is nineteen, inexperienced, and known for being cold and bitingly brilliant. The union seems impossible, but John is determined to win the affections of his young obsession. Will the frigid Harrison concede, or will the object of John's adoration leave him alone at the altar?
Mages & Mechanisms
Devin Harnois - 2018
Enchanted mechanical animals are all the rage among the upper classes, and selling them will save his struggling family business. Enter Jak, whose enchanting ability is second only to his talent for flirting. It’s dangerous to keep such a tempting man close, but Leander can’t resist—in more ways than one.Jak needs money to continue his aimless life of running. A partnership with Leander provides both income and a lovely diversion. Their masterful creations catch the attention of an eccentric baroness who offers them an enormous sum for an ambitious project—a full-scale mechanical dragon.Swept into a life rubbing elbows with nobility, Leander is pleased but overwhelmed. Spending both workdays and evenings with Jak, he finds himself drawing closer to the charming mage. But Jak is hiding a dangerous secret, and the truth could tear them apart.
The Kinsey Scale
CJane Elliott - 2018
He’s a senior theater major, an RA for a freshman dorm, and has a great circle of friends. Single since sophomore year, Eric isn’t looking for love. But then Will Butler—fellow senior, co-RA, and the cutest guy Eric’s ever seen—walks into his dorm. Will has a girlfriend he sees off campus—a minor disappointment that becomes a major problem when a housing shortage causes Will and Eric to become roommates, and Eric is forced to witness Will’s hotness day in and day out. For protection, Eric asks Jerry, his ex-boyfriend, to pretend they’re still together. Jerry warns him it’s a stupid idea, but he reluctantly agrees. Too bad it won’t save Eric from losing his heart. Will Butler has never believed in himself. His dysfunctional family saw to that. Although Will has loved music since childhood, he’s never seriously considered pursuing it, and the person he’s dating doesn’t encourage him. Then he and Eric Brown become roommates, and everything changes. Eric believes in Will and his talent. He’s also gorgeous and playful and fast becoming Will’s best friend. And that’s not good, because Will is hiding some big things, not only from Eric, but from himself.