Book picks similar to
Pudding Jones by D.C. Juris


m-m
short-story
tear-jerker
homeless

A Ring and a Promise


Devon Rhodes - 2012
    Owen is more to him than just his best friend—he is the one person Cary can see spending his life with.Owen Marsh knew that when he became Cary’s lover, the day would come when he would have to walk away. Now that day has come, and he’s having a hard time convincing himself that it’s just sex between them. Even with DADT repealed, there is no way a Marine and a Navy flier can be together. He’s just being realistic not expecting more.When Cary switches their Academy rings, hoping Owen won’t notice, he makes a vow—he will do whatever he has to do, including believing enough for the both of them, to make their unlikely relationship stand the test of time. But when his Marine is called up for duty overseas, can a piece of jewellery and a promise be enough to get them through?Reader Advisory: This story has been previously released as part of the His Hero anthology by Total-E-Bound

The Firefighter and the Cop


R.J. Scott - 2013
    When he meets Finn Ryan in Ellery, he falls in lust that burns as hot as the fires an arsonist is setting in town.Finn Ryan is a cop, and somehow he’s attracted trouble. Going back into a fire to rescue the town drunk is just the start. Now he has to rely on the man he’s falling for to make sure it doesn’t end with him dying.NOTE: This book is a re-edited version, and will have additional scenes. A free replacement service is available.

Las Palabras De Amor - Words of Love


K-lee Klein - 2013
    A few hours after I took this photo Danilo got the phone call that his wife had gone into labor, we had agreed that when the baby was born we would finally go our own way. A week later I left for my Peace Corps mission in Africa.That was two and a half years ago, now I’m back in the neighborhood and it’s like it’s always been. I’m still the gringo, the only white kid on the block.Everything is the same… But it isn’t. Danilo is raising his son alone, and I am not the boy I was, I am not settling for being his little secret anymore. Ten years of hiding were enough for me. I still love him though… He called me last night and asked if I wanted to meet his son, Lucas. His son who he named after me… I wanted to be strong and say no, but I said yes anyway.I never could stand to disappoint Danilo.Photo Description: Close-up photo of two men’s heads, and part of a muscled arm in front of them. One man is facing forward with only half his face showing, and the other is turned to the side. The man on the left is darkly-stubbled, and ethnic in appearance. The man on the right has one eye staring into the camera.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.

The Magic Broom


Teegan Loy - 2013
    But there’s a catch: Cody has to try all the sports when he interviews the athletes—and he is so not an athlete.The day before his torment begins, four new guys move into the apartment down the hall, including the handsome Shane Spicer. Cody is immediately desperate to figure out if Shane is gay, but both men have busy schedules, leaving little time to socialize. So Cody heads back to work and goes to interview the local curling team, where among brooms, laughter, a sore backside, and an unexpected meeting, Cody finds he just might get his chance after all.

A Fortunate Blizzard


L.C. Chase - 2015
    And with good reason: he’s been on the transplant-recipient list for too long now. When he learns just how numbered his days truly are, he resolves not to take them for granted. But he won’t be unrealistic, either—which means romantic commitments are off the table.Marcus Roberts seems to have it all. He’s handsome, financially sound, and on the fast track to partnership at a prestigious law firm. In reality, though, his drive for success has meant no time for friends or relationships. Add in the fact that his family discarded him long ago, and he’s facing yet another holiday season alone.When the biggest snowstorm to hit Colorado in decades leaves Marc and Trevor stranded at the same hotel, a chance encounter and a night of passion leads to more than either of them expected. Finding comfort in each other is a welcome surprise, but time is not on their side. Either they find a way to beat the odds, or they lose each other forever.2015 Foreword Reviews IndieFab Awards Finalist, LGBT2015 Foreword Reviews IndieFab Awards Finalist, Romance2016 Rainbow Awards, Runner Up, Best Gay Book2016 Rainbow Awards, Runner Up, Best Gay Contemporary Romance

I Don't: A Christmas Wish


Kari Gregg - 2012
    Divorce attorney and live-in boyfriend Owen, however, believes just as passionately that the gay community should focus on a plurality of equal rights protections instead of allocating so many resources and man-hours to one hot button issue.Owen won’t marry Seth.Relationship deteriorating, the couple visits the Murphy farm outside Brunswick for Christmas. Seth’s family never considered that Seth and Owen wouldn’t be first in line for a marriage license as soon as same-sex marriage passed. When they find out there won’t be a wedding, their season of miracles is invaded by pornographic gingerbread cookies, frowning church ladies, and a determined father with a tactical assault shotgun.Neither Seth, Owen, nor their love may survive the family holiday circus to say, “I don’t.”

Henry and Jim


J.M. Snyder - 2008
    These two men who have spent a life in love, from the very first date arranged by Henry’s sister, through the rocky times they worked to make ends meet, and into their twilight years.NOTE: This story appears in the following anthologies — Best Gay Romance 2008 (Cleis Press) and Best Gay Stories 2009 (Lethe Press).

One Week Stand


Dillon Hunter - 2016
    You don’t even need to know his last name. Hell, you don’t need to know his first name…” Gabe Campbell doesn’t do one night stands, but after his boyfriend walks out on him, his best friend insists that it will be the perfect cure for his heartache. Gabe isn’t so sure, but when he meets a hot businessman who’s only in town for a week, it seems like the perfect opportunity to cut loose for once… as long as he can remember not to fall for a guy he’ll never see again. “I will never, ever trust someone like that again." Getting his heart broken once was more than enough for Nick Jeffries, and he’s spent the eight years since avoiding love in favor of easy, no-strings fun with men who don’t put his heart at risk. When his job offers him the chance to move from L.A. to Seattle, though, he finds more than he bargained for when a one night stand has him longing for things he’d long since stopped believing in. “Trust me enough to give me a chance..." Is one week long enough for two men to let go of their past and take a chance on forever… ? One Week Stand is a steamy, standalone gay romance of approximately 25,000 words, with a HEA and no cliffhangers.

Naked


Todd Young - 2013
    It’s faded and worn, and in it, Leigh is all but naked. It’s a sunny summer morning, and Leigh has woken from a dream of a handsome, mysterious stranger. He’s just the sort of guy Leigh wants, but how will he ever get to meet anybody, stuck at home all summer? If he rides up to Mount Riley in his suit, then maybe he’ll attract someone’s attention. Leigh has no idea how right he is, and he has no idea, while he’s skinny-dipping in a mountain stream, that someone is watching him, hidden in the forest — someone who’ll take Leigh to a place he’s never been.

Painted On My Heart


Kindle Alexander - 2017
    Now, lost and alone, he’s left to pick up the shattered pieces of his broken heart while facing the truth of his reality. Arik Layne exudes power, confidence, and determination. But when an encounter with the guarded artist shakes him to the core and alters all his future goals, he finds more than just his heart on the line. For Kellus, opening himself to love isn’t an option. All Arik wants is to make the artist his. Can love create a masterpiece when it’s painted on your heart?

Quinn's Hart


Cassandra Gold - 2010
    Shy and uncomfortable with his height, he's always tried to blend in rather than stand out. When his former foster sister and best friend cons him into going on a singles' trip to Walt Disney World, Quinn is certain he will be miserable. Then he meets Josh.Being dumped by his high-maintenance boyfriend a couple of weeks before a trip to Disney World isn't what Josh Hart had planned, but he's determined not to let it get him down. Rebooked on a singles' trip, Josh intends to make the most of his first trip to an amusement park. On the first day, he meets shy, sexy Quinn, but the man is clueless about his own appeal.If Quinn wants to catch the man of his dreams, he'll have to be willing to risk the one thing he's never put on the line before—his heart.Genres: Gay / Contemporary

Angel Voices


Rowan Speedwell - 2011
    His father has just discovered that Will is gay, and has beaten him and thrown him out of the house. But right now Will’s interested only in getting warm. Will’s college roommate Quinn is a soloist in the choir, which is practicing for a Christmas program. He discovers Will in the church—and his friend’s condition. Will, who has grown up in a repressed environment, including church school, an abusive father and a passive mother, is taken aback by Quinn’s enthusiasm and determination to take care of him. Does Will have a future after all, especially one that will include Quinn?

Sam's Reluctant Submission


Brad Vance - 2013
    Sam's down to his last five dollars when he meets Derek, who makes him an offer - come to my estate for a manhunt, evade me for two days, and you'll make ten grand...but if I catch you, you surrender your ass to me! Sam's got SERE training and he's pretty sure his straight ass is safe, but anything can happen when the hunt is on...

Boats in the Night


Josephine Myles - 2011
    His ex may have been a snobbish bastard, but without him, Giles is adrift, rattling around his huge, lonely house. When a dreadlocked narrowboater’s engine breaks down at the end of his canal-side garden, Giles is furious at this invasion of his privacy—for a while.Smutty might not have ever held down a proper job, but the fire-dancing, free-spirited traveller can recognise an opportunity for mutual benefit when he sees it. Giles’ extensive gardens are in as desperate need of attention as the upper-class hunk is himself, whereas Smutty knows a thing or two about plants and needs a place to moor up.A simple business arrangement between two men who have nothing else in common? It would be—if they could keep their hands off each other!

In Over His Head


Kate Sherwood - 2012
    I can't blame him for being pissed. I fucked up royally. Can you find a way for me to make it up to him? Can he ever forgive me? Can you lead us to a happily ever after? Photo Description: Two young men, naked from the waist up. One sitting on the ground leaning back on his hands with his head turned to the side looking distressed. The second on his knees, leaning over him, kissing his neck, with his hand on the waistband of the other's pants, pulling his clothes down.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 5.Don't miss In Too Deep, a novel inspired by this short story.