Book picks similar to
In The Absence of Monsters by J.P. Barnaby
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Killing Time
Jane Davitt - 2014
Now offered for free by the authors:Killing TimeMax and Kaelan, best friends and business partners for five years, are powerful casters with a tendency to get themselves into and out of all kinds of trouble. Pretty much the only thing they've been able to avoid is getting romantically involved – until now. Their sexual attraction hits them like a runaway fireball and they can't keep their hands off each other.While their sexual attraction burns out of control, they've attracted the attention of a dark caster named Jannes who's planning a spell so potent that it could end the world. To keep them off balance, he's targeting Max and Kaelan through those they love, and there's no one they love more than each other.With friends and family to protect and their only allies a group of casters who find it easier to fight than cooperate, the odds are stacked against them. So can Max and Kaelan keep it together and stop Jannes before he ends the world, or is the best they can do just killing time?
Bait
Lissa Ford - 2016
Someone’s losing a halo. FBI special agent Daniel O’Pray is a straight shooter both in and out of bed. But things get a little weird when Danny is tasked to be the bait in a sting involving the owner of Philadelphia’s most notorious leather bar. One out-of-control moment with nightclub owner Alexi Romanov throws Danny into a tailspin—sexuality included. Worse, Romanov is a prime suspect in an extortion ring Danny is investigating. And Danny can’t get enough of him. Danny has spent his life following the rules. So why does breaking them for Alexi feel so damn good? Lines are blurring, putting Danny’s career and his life at risk. His heart, well, that’s in jeopardy, too.
Switching Wesley
Aimee Brissay - 2017
He works as a Dom at the Dungeon, the only BDSM establishment in town, and while he is single, his life is satisfying just as it is. Then Connor, a fellow Dominant and future colleague, comes along and Wesley begins to question himself and his choices. Is he really a Top? And how can he continue working at the Dungeon as a Dominant when he wants nothing more than submit to Connor? This a previously-published edition of ASIN B071NZP2C3.
Our Gentle Sin
Lyra Evans - 2017
That's how it's always been. But all it takes is one winding road and a sudden storm for their world to shift in an instant. As Levi struggles to cope, Kane has no choice but to become the strong one. But where Kane wants things to go back to normal, Levi seems determined to change as much as possible. He starts acting differently, more recklessly, and Kane isn’t sure what to do. What can he do, after all? He can’t stop Levi from flirting with every guy that breathes, or from going to every party on campus. But when Levi begs Kane to join him at a Halloween party, Kane finds himself in a predicament he never imagined. He’s given in to a passion he didn’t know he had, and worse—he doesn’t regret it. Faced with the reality of his growing desires, Kane starts to pull away from Levi. But no matter what he does, Kane can’t fight his yearning, and Levi isn’t making it any easier. Though Kane keeps asking himself, "what’s wrong with me?" maybe Kane should be asking what’s wrong with Levi... And will it tear them apart for good? Our Gentle Sin is a contemporary m/m romance of a taboo nature that some readers might find objectionable. It contains explicit sexual content between two consenting adults, violence, coarse language, and the use of sexual slurs. It is not appropriate for readers under 18 years of age.
Grace Street
Ella Dominguez - 2014
Seeking solitude and reprieve from her past failed relationships, Elsa begins her life anew in Richmond, hoping to find the change that she so desperately needs. Things are looking up for her—a new job, new friends, a fresh start. But Victor has different plans for her. From the moment he heard Elsa’s voice, she became next on his to-do list—his Chapter 8. A well-known and respected criminal profiler, his mind is as dark as the criminals he hunts down. It takes one to know one, after all. Under the guise of making his subjects stronger, he intends to break Elsa down using everything in his arsenal—including pleasure, pain, humiliation, and things unspeakable. Lonely, still on the mend from a bad break-up and longing for attention—Elsa consents to an odd proposition. Initially unaware of Victor’s plans, she quickly realizes that the casual encounter she agreed to is, in fact, a cruel psychological game with no ending in sight. She may be one in a long line of test subjects for Victor; however, she can't be broken so easily. What he puts her through only fuels the fire burning within her—a flame that begins to blaze out of control as she becomes obsessed with everything about Victor and peeling back his cruel layers in search of the real man hiding beneath his heartless facade.In Victor's world, there is no such thing as happily ever after, and Chapter 8 proves to be an infuriating challenger when she flips the tables on his selfish and twisted game, a game they both may end up losing their hearts and minds over.Warning: this is neither a conventional romance nor a traditional love story. There are no hearts and flowers on the pages of this book. The heroine doesn't always make wise choices and though I've tried to make her strong, she's often times weak in the face of the fierce hero. The hero is not a knight in shining armor. He's broken and frequently cruel, and what every woman in the real world should avoid. What's contained within this book is fiction—dark, depraved and decadent make-believe. Contains erotic elements, uncomfortable situations, and descriptions that may trigger past memories of abuse. Intended for readers 18+
Catalyst
S.L. Armstrong - 2011
Help happens to be in the form of an athletic, smart psychologist by the name of Dr. Kasper Bromley. Kasper, though, soon finds himself swept up in the fantasies Logan came to him to control. Reluctantly throwing his ethics to the wind, Kasper submits himself to Logan, gambling his career, his future, and his heart on this intriguing man and the lifestyle he offers. But when Kasper's desires outpace Logan's, the young doctor is swept down into a whirlpool of sex and sadism that even Logan's love may not be enough to rescue him from.
Sleeping Stone
Alexa Snow - 2007
But the course of true love never runs smoothly. Just as they seem to find solid ground to stand on, Jazz's former lover Richard shows up, strewing an already rocky road with gravel. When Jazz has a serious motorcycle accident that threatens to end his life, Chris and Richard try to carry on without him. Can they find common ground of their own?
Equation For Love
Fae Sutherland - 2012
Living. And, as a scientist, he’s not leaving anything to chance. He’s got a new job in Las Vegas, a signing bonus burning a hole in his pocket and what else does a brainy geek spend his money on but an education? This time of the carnal variety.Liam Maddox isn’t your ordinary gay male escort – he’s actually gay, and he really loves his job. Especially when he meets his newest client. Skye’s cute and awkward and sort of odd, and when he informs Liam that he wants to hire him to teach him everything he needs to know about being gay, well…Liam’s too intrigued to say no.Except what starts as light-hearted lessons in sex and seduction quickly becomes more as Liam begins to tap into a submissive side of Skye the young man never knew he had. Liam’s never been this drawn to anyone before, and he’s beginning to wonder if he can walk away when their time is up. Does happily ever after exist for someone like Liam with someone like Skye?
Patient Eyes
Andy Eisenberg - 2009
So when one of his house mates introduces him to gay-for-pay porn, he reluctantly agrees to take part. During his first scene, Jaden meets Brendan, and he's stunned to find himself falling in love.
Would I Lie to You?
Brad Vance - 2015
He’s always surrounded himself with the best people, but finding the culprit behind this might require a real expert...and sometimes it takes a thief to catch a thief.Jesse Winchester and his team of “grey hat” hackers are suddenly available to Marc. Marc doesn’t know if he should trust Jesse with the keys to his company’s kingdom. After all, Jesse’s a convicted felon, sent to prison for violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. A felon sentenced to thirty-five years in prison, who mysteriously served only three years before being released.Marc’s first company, his whole life, was shattered because he trusted the wrong person. This time there’s even more at stake, but few other options. Especially when his evil enemies, the billionaire industrialist Krom brothers, are revealed to be the source of the intrusion.Is Jesse there to help Marc, or does he have his own history with the Kroms, his own score to settle? As Jesse and Marc spend more time together, their growing intimacy is at war with their need to win their respective battles. Soon the game they start to play with each other, against each other, becomes more exciting, more exquisitely frustrating…and more dangerous.
Call Me Sir
Stormy Glenn - 2009
He just wasn’t sure Joey was prepared for the lifestyle Logan wants. As sexy as Joey is, he seems too innocent for the life Logan wants with him. So, Logan bides his time, waiting for Joey to get to know him better.Joey came to the city to find someone, anyone. Logan, however, was more than he had ever dreamed of. Still, Joey had hope, and many late night fantasies. After a year of waiting, Joey finally gives up and goes to another club, a BDSM club. He’s totally unprepared for what he sees there and what he discovers about himself.Hoping to save Joey from himself, Logan comes to his rescue, taking him home. Once there, things get heated. But all is not easy for these two. Just as they begin to settle down into domestic D/s bliss, Joey’s father comes around to mess things up.Note: This book was previously published with another publisher and has been extensively revised and expanded.
Dirty Laundry
Heidi Cullinan - 2012
Neither of them had even dreamt about cowboy beefcake Denver Rogers, but Adam’s pretty sure his nighttime fantasies are just getting started.
What He Left Behind
L.A. Witt - 2015
In the five years since Michael finally left his abusive ex-partner, Josh and his husband Ian have helped him leave that horrific past behind him. Michael seems to have adjusted well enough…until he admits he’s afraid to date because the abuse has left him terrified of physical intimacy.Josh is stunned again when Ian proposes a solution—Josh can help Michael learn to enjoy sex again. It isn’t like it would be the first time. After all, Josh and Michael lost their virginity to each other years ago. Michael hesitates, but then takes him up on the idea. It isn’t long before Ian’s getting involved too… and it’s all fine and dandy until emotions come into play that threaten their friendship, as well as Josh and Ian’s marriage.Warning: Contains three guys who will do anything for each other, a hot tub that’s always the right temperature, and a cat with an attitude problem.This 73,000 word novel was previously published.
The Park at Sunrise
Lee Brazil - 2011
Can Jason and Morgan make a relationship work without Paul?For years the three of them had been inseparable, first as friends, then lovers. It's been ten years since they parted for what was supposed to be a year apart to pursue their dreams. This isn't the reunion they planned then. It's nine years too late for one thing, and they are one man short for another.In the years since Paul's death, Morgan hasn't exactly been waiting for Jason to reach out to him. He's been too busy trying to forget, to move on. Until Jason sends the right message. Is the painting just an excuse to see his ex again?
A Matter of Trust
A.C. Katt - 2010
But the boy of his dreams eludes him– until he meets Brian Murphy, a kindhearted and broke IT specialist with a troubled past. Before Bear can win Brian’s trust and forge the relationship he has always desired, he’ll need to overcome his own deep-seated wariness to save Brian from his abusive family and a murderous ex-con seeking revenge against Bear.For Bear and Brian, it’s all A Matter of Trust