Resolution (Hot Holidays Novellas)


Jayda Marx - 2021
    

Mr. Harcourt and the Hurricane


K. Sterling - 2017
    Harcourt And The Hurricane is a spin-off from the Lavender Series but is thoroughly enjoyable on its own.** After a scrape with the authorities, Reginald finds himself trapped in his own hell by a hurricane. He's stranded without a computer, a decent cocktail and the only other man alive who finds him resistible. A corpse and a mystery transforms a peaceful holiday into just the sort of puzzle Reginald can't resist. Can he solve the mystery without creating more chaos or putting his life in danger? Hayes held up his bottle and winked before he took another drink. He sighed contentedly as he leaned back on his elbow and Reginald damned his eyes for drifting down his chest and washboard stomach. He coughed softly as he looked around then nodded when his eyes settled on the ocean. “I think I’ll go for a swim,” Reginald announced as he turned and got his knees beneath him. He crawled until he was out of the halo of light surrounding the fire then scrambled to his feet. He swatted at his hard-on, trying to coax it into a more discreet configuration as he stumbled down the beach. “That’s not a good idea,” Hayes warned as he rolled onto his stomach then pushed himself off the ground. He teetered as he straightened then staggered after Reginald. “The water’s really cold and the current’s still too strong,” he called and Reginald flailed his arms dismissively. He was still holding his bottle and rum splashed on his chest and arm. He winced and mumbled at the bottle apologetically before he licked his wrist clean. He attempted to run his tongue along his forearm to his elbow but it wasn’t long enough. “I can’t lick my elbow!” Reginald complained and there was a snorting giggle from Hayes. “You’re not supposed to. Humans can’t lick their own elbows,” he explained and Reginald squeezed an eye shut so he could see his elbow. “Nonsense,” he argued then tossed the bottle aside. “I’m sure I’ve licked my elbow at least a hundred times,” he said as his neck, chin and tongue stretched toward his elbow as he turned in a circle like a dog chasing its own tail. Ice cold water washed over his feet and he gasped as the sand sunk beneath him before a wave knocked his legs out from under him. “I told you!” Hayes howled as he hugged his bottle to his chest and stomped into the water after Reginald. It was frigid, frothy and salty and Reginald shut his eyes and mouth as he relaxed and let the water carry him back. He could practically feel the steam coming off his body. “Get up!” Hayes ordered as his hand locked around Reginald’s wrist. “I needed that,” Reginald said as he was pulled to his feet. A larger waved rolled toward them and Hayes braced himself. Reginald reached for Hayes’ shoulder just as he was thrown against him. He groaned as he crashed into Hayes’ hard, lean frame. “I did not need that,” he muttered and Hayes swore as he steadied Reginald. “Can we go back now?” He asked and Reginald nodded as he let Hayes turn him toward the fire. Hayes locked an arm around Reginald’s chest and tugged him out of the water. Reginald hummed happily and draped his arm over Hayes’ shoulder as they danced up the beach. “You know, I don’t think I can lick my elbow,” Reginald decided and Hayes snorted before he took another drink. “I know I can lick yours,” he said and Hayes groaned. “Do you ever shut up?”

Salvation


Alison Hendricks - 2018
    And not to someone like him. I've spent the last four months advocating for a missing teen no one else seems to give a damn about, and now that I've finally gotten a break in the case, my only hope lies with a surly mountain man I shouldn't be attracted to. Warren is everything I don't need. But those sad, soulful eyes suck me in, and the more time I spend alone with him, the more I start to glimpse the broken man beneath his gruff exterior. Broken… but in just the right shape to fit seamlessly into my heart. As we race to find the missing boy, I can't help wanting to save them both. Warren Pushing people away is second nature for me now. After my daughter died and my marriage imploded, I knew happiness just wasn't in the cards. That was until Avery swept into my life and made me hope for more. Trusting him means opening myself up to heartache. Loving him could destroy me. But every time he smiles, my gray world explodes with color, and my heart yearns for the chance to call him mine. I know I'll have to give him up once we find the boy. Until then... he's my salvation. Join the Caldwell Investigations team in this brand new series as they fight for justice--and for love. Salvation is a steamy standalone that includes a sweet and determined optimist, a pessimist who can't help loving him, and proof that body heat really is the best cure for those cold mountain nights.

Chasing Shadows


Annabelle Jacobs - 2016
    The police are convinced Michael drowned, but Jamie knows better. No way would Michael swim to his death, especially on a beach with a wicked rip tide. Finding a stranger in his brother’s cottage only deepens his misgivings. Felix Bergstrom is recently discharged from the British Army. Unable to put the past behind him, he takes an unhealthy interest in old acquaintance and millionaire businessman Karl Weston, hoping to catch him up to no good. Michael’s disappearance adds fuel to Felix’s suspicions. Weston’s clifftop home overlooks the beach where Michael supposedly walked into the sea, but Weston has an alibi for that day. When Jamie and Felix meet, the physical attraction is instant. Mistrust keeps them from acting on it until finally all their secrets are laid bare. But time isn’t on their side. Before they’re able to work out whether they have a future, danger catches up with them and threatens to put an end to everything.approx 60,000 words

I Feel Him Watching


T.A. McKay - 2018
    He can’t see the camera lens that is pointed in his direction and he doesn’t know all his movements are being watched. He can sense it though, that strange tingle on his skin when he’s meant to be alone. Then strange things start to happen. Belongings go missing and things are moved, but what is really happening and what is just his imagination? It isn’t until a detective turns up at his door that he realises that something is very wrong. Not only is it his possession’s that are gone, its also the men he's been dating, leaving him the last person to see them. This makes him the police’s number one suspect and he isn’t sure how to prove his innocence. Its not until the detective in charge of the investigation gets a visit from Nicolai’s admirer that things become clear. Not only is Nicolai in danger, so is anyone connected to his life. This stranger is hurting the people he loves and he doesn’t know how to stop it. Nicolai doesn’t know who is out there or what he wants, but he can feel him watching. Trigger warning: this book contains scenes of rape, torture and abuse that some readers might find distressing. Reader discretion is advised.

Close Protection


Cordelia Kingsbridge - 2012
    After three consecutive expulsions for sexual misconduct, Luca D'Amato has no choice but to return to America. Jacob Ryder is the man charged with protecting him from his family's many enemies – but who will protect Ryder from Luca?

Broken


Colette Davison - 2019
     Jag’s rules have kept him safe and free since he escaped conversion therapy, but that was before he walked into Heaven and Hell. A no-strings fling with the club owner, Michael, turns into so much more as Jag finds himself breaking one rule after another. Michael hasn’t been able to commit to anyone since his partner died, until Jag walks into his club. Falling in lust with the elfin young dancer is easy, and his heart is quick to follow. Michael gives Jag a reason to stay, but fear rules Jag’s heart more than love. Despite his deepening feelings for Michael, Jag knows he can’t stay. Can he? **Contains adult themes, content, and language.**

Clear Water


Amy Lane - 2011
    Patrick's been trying desperately to transform himself, and the results have been so spectacular, they've almost killed him. Meet Wes "Whiskey" Keenan; he's a field biologist wondering if it's time to settle down. When the worst day of Patrick's life ends with Whiskey saving it, Patrick and Whiskey find themselves sharing company and an impossibly small berth on the world's tackiest houseboat.Patrick needs to get his life together and Whiskey wants to help but Patrick is not entirely convinced it's doable. He's pretty sure he's a freak of nature. But Whiskey, who works with real freaks of nature, thinks all Patrick needs is a little help to see the absolute beauty inside his spastic self, and Whiskey is all about volunteering. Between anomalous frogs, a homicidal ex-boyfriend, and Patrick's own hangups, Whiskey's going to need all of his patience and Patrick's going to need to find the best of himself before these two men ever see Clear Water.

Risky Behavior


L.A. Witt - 2017
    Internal Affairs needs proof, and Darren gets to be their eyes and ears whether he wants to or not.Detective Andreas Ruffner doesn't play by the rules, and he doesn't play well with others. With bodies piling up and a list of suspects who are way above his pay grade, the last thing he needs is a wet-behind-the-ears kid for a partner. Or babysitter. Not even if that partner is easy on the eyes.As Darren gains Andreas's hard-won trust, they both realize there's more than just mutual suspicion simmering beneath the surface. But their investigation is heating up as quickly as their relationship, and Darren has no choice but to go along with Andreas's unorthodox--and borderline unethical--methods. As IA puts the squeeze on Darren to give up the man he's falling for, he has to wonder--is Andreas the only cop left in this town who isn't dirty?

All About Zane


Avery J. Moon - 2017
    He was free-falling from a plane at the time. He cheated his death, but was left a very broken man. Two things kept him going through the pain: Keeping his promise to Becca and raising her son as his own, and bringing her killer to justice. But he was going to need something he hated to ask for. Help. Sheriff Gabriel Green had done the right thing all his life. Part of that included on the job, working on a case that led nowhere with no clues or leads. Justice still needed to be found. But with the case of Becca Shepard’s disappearance, it seemed a long way off, and getting longer by the day. Then Colin came back to town and things started heating up. And not just on the case… All About Zane is a slow burn MM Gay Mystery Romance and the first book in the Travis County Legal Series. It has a happily-ever-after ending, no cliffhanger, and a great steamy get together scene worth waiting for.

Where There's a Will


Gianni Holmes - 2019
    With just two weeks to plan a fairytale wedding, he is adamant that everything has to be just as he envisioned it. Maybe if he gives Willy the perfect wedding, he will feel better about his insecurities that he's not good enough for Willy. But how can he feel otherwise when his social media accounts are blowing up with perfect examples of how unsuitable he is for someone like Willy? Will knows Ainsley well enough to brace himself for an extravagant wedding affair. As the date approaches, he can't help but notice the difference in his fiancé since Ainsley started planning their wedding. The more invested Ainsley was, the more strained their relationship becomes. Can Will soothe his fiancé's fears, or will he cancel their wedding when he learns Ainsley's odd behavior is more than pre-wedding jitters? This book is not meant to be read as a standalone. The story follows androgynous model, Ainsley, and his partner Will from Unwrapping Ainsley, the first book in The Runway Project series.

Not Over You (Sons of Cape Cod)


Jodi Payne - 2021
    Scott barely gave Falmouth a second thought once he was in California, but he’s never been able to get Jarlath completely out of his mind.Jarlath O’Connolly now owns his late father’s pub in Falmouth Heights. O’Connolly’s pub is part of the heartbeat of his hometown and its walls hold the memories of everything he’s ever loved. Everything except his best friend, Scott. Scott was easy to replace with a new bartender, but there was no replacing Scott in Jarlath’s heart.The summer is ending, there’s a hurricane in the forecast, and Scott’s finally come home, but Jarlath isn’t sure he’s ready for the reunion. A lot has changed, including Jarlath’s understanding of who Scott really was to him. Will they still find each other hard to get over once they’re face to face?

Life Lessons


Kaje Harper - 2011
    Between his profession, a few good friends, and plenty of books, he's content with his quiet life. Then the murdered body of another teacher falls into the elevator at his feet, and Tony's life becomes all too exciting.Jared MacLean is a homicide detective, widowed father to a young daughter, and deeply in the closet. But from the moment he meets Tony's blue eyes in that high school hallway, Mac can't help wanting this man in his life. Mac's not out ― can't afford to be out ― but Tony makes him want the impossible.Mac isn't the only one with their eyes on Tony, though. As the murderer tries to cover their tracks, Mac has to work fast or lose Tony, permanently.(This is a rerelease of the 2011 original with light editing.)

Boy Shattered


Eli Easton - 2018
    I swear. I had everything—school quarterback, popular with girls, and my dad was proud of me. I told myself it didn’t matter no one knew the real me. And then I nearly died. Landon saved my life. He’s the bravest guy I know. He came out a few years ago, proud and fierce, and he ran into gunfire to help others. Me, I’m a mess. Can’t even stand to be in a room with the curtains open. But here’s the thing about losing it all: You get a chance to start over and be someone new. Only how can I move on when the two shooters who attacked our school were never caught? And why do I feel like I’m still in the crosshairs? Landon Will you kiss me? When I came across Brian Marshall,the hottest guy in school, dying on the cafeteria floor, I did what anyone would do. I tried to save him. His request surprised me, but I figured he needed comfort, so I kissed him on the forehead. When he survived and came back to school, he was broken in body and mind. He still needed me, and soon we were unlikely besties. But what I saw at school that day woke me up. I want to demand action on gun control, lead protests, raise my fist. I’ll tear the world down if I have to. And if I can get the man of my dreams and save the world at the same time? I’ll take it. Only I didn’t understand that the horror at Jefferson Waller High wasn’t over.

The Lighthouse Keeper


Jason Collins - 2020
    Now I’m racing to Briton Bay to put my reporter skills to work. Nicholas, the lighthouse keeper, is a rare new face in this sleepy coastal town, and his connection to my aunt isn’t the only reason I’m interested.He’s not just a neighbor I keep bumping into, he’s a former doctor with a puzzling past I’m endlessly curious about—and a face I wouldn’t mind seeing every day. It isn’t long before we feel an undeniable spark, but our relationship is a new complication. Falling in love on the job wasn’t in my plans.I owe it to my aunt to keep a clear head, but I can’t investigate when all I can think about is Nicholas. I’ll need his insights to get to the bottom of this, and the closer I get, the more I risk heartbreak for us both.As it turns out, Nicholas may be the biggest mystery of all.NICHOLAS:I wanted a fresh start, but trouble follows me.I moved to Briton Bay to escape my past. It was never the plan to make friends with the locals, least of all my elderly neighbor. Her passing is a shock, but not as much as her nephew, a reporter, arriving in town to investigate.Alex is as sharp as he is hot, and I can’t keep my eyes off him. The last thing I need right now is romance, but I have second thoughts when our investigation brings us closer than I planned. Now there’s more at stake than I ever expected.But the sooner he solves this mystery, the closer he is to leaving town forever. I should keep my heart out of it—but that’s the one thing I can’t do.The more we’re together, the more dangerous this becomes.Note to readers: This is a standalone MM romance.