Instead of turning over his wealth, he barters his son. Kaleb finds himself thrown into a world where a class of men feel themselves untouchable, going so far as to call themselves gods. After the Great Economic Collapse there are no laws that cannot be broken. And Kaleb is forced into a ten-year sentence of servitude where he will have no say, no rights, no value and yet be coveted and protected as if he were a priceless treasure. Leo Roan has slipped the noose the Association bound him with by breaking his addiction to ambrosia, and Kaleb Holten was supposed to be his last assignment as a doxie Master. But something about the boy begins weaving a new net that will not only ensnare him but the conscious darkness inside that craves pain, agony, suffering, and death.

    As the door to the bar opens, blown in by a gust of winter breeze, Cal finds himself locked onto the handsome man who enters. With the Christmas cheer surrounding them, Cal lets his walls down enough to give into the lure of the perfect stranger.

    Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind--to just walk away--and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.In the small town of Rain Valley, six-year-old Bobby O’Shea is facing his first Christmas without a mother. Unable to handle the loss, Bobby has closed himself off from the world, talking only to his invisible best friend. His father Daniel is beside himself, desperate to help his son cope. Yet when the little boy meets Joy, these two unlikely souls form a deep and powerful bond. In helping Bobby and Daniel heal, Joy finds herself again.But not everything is as it seems in quiet Rain Valley, and in an instant, Joy’s world is ripped apart, and her heart is broken. On a magical Christmas Eve, a night of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, Joy must find the courage to believe in a love--and a family--that can’t possibly exist, and go in search of what she wants . . . and the new life only she can find.

    Managing the annual Bath Christmas Market—which involves long hours in the cold and a whole lot of hassle—will secure the promotion he needs to afford to move out of his noisy, top-floor flat. Where not even his balcony is safe from an aggressive herring gull.The last stallholder he expects to see is his ex. Riley never recovered from their break up, and five years on the old chemistry still sparkles. So does their habitual head butting.Stan never wanted to leave the love of his life, but the pull of the woods was too strong—and Riley was firmly planted in the city. Reconnecting is painful, but Stan still jumps at the chance to stay with his old flame during the Market. And damn the consequences.As the weeks pass, the two grow closer than ever. But despite scorching sex and cozy intimacy, they both know they face a cold and lonely future. Unless one of them can compromise.Warning: Contains sex in a shed, a seagull with a grudge, glamping, awful Secret Santa underwear, misuse of an Abba song, and as many wood-related puns as the author thought she could get away with.

    If Charles prefers leather to tinsel, that's okay. Nicky is still sure he can teach his master to love Christmas with the aid of a perfect gift. Just because Charles doesn't see any point in making a fuss about Christmas, that doesn't mean he can't tolerate Nicky's passion for tinsel and holly. He's never forbidden his pet from enjoying any of his Christmas traditions and he thinks that's enough. Nicky has one ambition to give his master a perfect Christmas. He's willing to do anything to make that happen even if it means taking risks and asking his master for special privileges - even if it means inviting a third man into their bed. The Spirit of Christmas Past isn't used to visiting Christmases that involve quite so much nudity, passion or kinky sex. Leading a dominant man like Charles through the Christmases isn't easy and keeping his eyes off the frequently naked Nicky is impossible. Still, all the spirit can do is enjoy the show because his job is to bring lovers together and fade away inconspicuously. That's the plan. However, if someone suddenly wants to thank him, who is he to say no? This story has a hot male gay menage scene and some BDSM play."

    Two lonely men, destined for each other—if only they knew it.Alfie Carter grew up in New Milton, caring for his sick father and keeping their auto repair shop on its feet. He’s touchy about his poor education and doesn’t take kindly to snide remarks from the town’s prickly bookstore owner—no matter how cute he looks in his skinny jeans. Left to run the family business alone, Alfie spends his lonely evenings indulging his secret passion for classic fiction and chatting online with witty, romantic ‘LLB’ as they fall in love over literature.Leo Novak’s new life as owner of Bayside Books is floundering. And he could do without the town’s gorgeous, moody mechanic holding a grudge against him after an unfortunate—and totally not his fault— encounter last Christmas. Still reeling from a bad breakup and struggling to make friends in New Milton, Leo seeks comfort in his blossoming online romance with thoughtful, bookish ‘Camaro89’. But as the holidays approach, ‘LLB’ and ‘Camaro89’ are planning to meet, and realities are about to collide… This novella is approximately 39,000 words and comes with a HEA guaranteed.

    She's looking for a news story. One thing is certain, neither is looking to fall in love by Christmas...Local television personality Kate Carmichael has two weeks to learn how to run a Christmas tree farm for her latest assignment with On the Job. Too bad the gruff cowboy who owns Yuletide Farm doesn’t want her anywhere near his property, much less rolling her camera. For someone whose entire livelihood revolves around Christmas, the man is anything but merry. But Kate is determined to break through his frozen exterior. After all, uncovering the real story is what she does best.For Deacon Winters, maintaining the legacy of his family’s tree farm is a weight heavier than Santa’s toy-filled sleigh. When his mother hires Kate as a holiday farmhand, it’s with the hope her TV show can generate publicity for their business. Deacon isn’t thrilled, but numbers are down and the memory of the year he almost lost it all is as fresh as the cut evergreens he sells. Plus, there’s something about Kate’s joyful—albeit persistent—attitude he can’t resist. Suddenly, he’s baking gingerbread houses, dancing in the fallen snow, and decorating Christmas trees, all to spend more time with her.Just as Deacon’s heart begins to thaw, Kate’s assignment is cut short and the reason for her sudden departure has him reliving painful memories of Christmas past. Is a merry-ever-after in the cards this holiday season or is their relationship just more of yesterday's news?

    For example, borrowing Santa’s secret beach villa for a solo getaway, even if it’s just for one night. And after the year she’s had, Farnaz Castillo is planning to enjoy every second she has in this gorgeous mansion. With a suitcase full of *ahem* all her favorite toys, she’s sure to have a very merry time before she has to join the rest of her family for their annual ski trip.Being the first woman to command Santa’s sleigh is exhausting work. By the time Christmas Day comes along, Kristina Kringle is usually more than ready for some solitary R&R at her Caribbean beach villa— where peace and quiet are the only thing on her agenda. But when Kristina walks into her bedroom and finds an unexpected and sexy guest making extremely good use of Santa’s California King bed, it occurs to Kristina that a night of fun with the fiery brunette is exactly what she needs.Kristina and Farnaz vow to make excellent use of their night together, but when morning comes and it’s time to say goodbye, will Santa be ready to let go of the best gift she’s ever gotten?This festive novelette is guaranteed to make your holiday reading extra naughty.

    It is a short story (novella) featuring gay characters who have been introduced in The Omega Auction and The Omega Rescue. If you haven't read those stories, this probably will not make sense. A Solstice Eve to Remember is a fun and silly evening where everyone is together for the holiday - there is no real plot and virtually no sex. Enjoy! Ding-dong-ding-dong The deep bass of bells pealed soundly through the early evening air as the ancient brass bellpull bobbed gently back into place. “Good evening, Mistress,” Dragos greeted me warmly, swinging the door open wide to allow me entrance. “The Masters are out at present but assuredly will be pleased that you have arrived.” “Thank you, Dragos.” I allowed him to help me from my heavy woolen coat, shivering when the cold Alaskan air that had followed me in brushed against the bare skin of my neck. “I am pleased to have been invited.” Dragos allowed his formal mask to slip long enough to smile roguishly. “I am confident that I would not be overstepping to assure you that you are always welcome at Blackwell Castle, Mistress Rhodes.” I laughed and swatted his arm. “You old flatterer! Now, tell me everything I’ve missed?” Dragos tsk’d softly, still smiling. “No, Mistress.” He held his elbow out for me to take. “Tonight, that honor falls to another.” “It does?” I raised a brow, but the butler simply led me on, stopping in front of a familiar being that I hadn’t seen in many years. “Your Highness!” I quickly dropped as deep a curtsy as my cold, tired bones would allow. “I wasn’t aware that you were still on continent!” “Silly child, you know you’re to call me Bunic.” One bushy silver-tipped red eyebrow arched. “I stayed on after the bonding to enjoy the holiday with my great-grandsons.” The King of Dragons said, smiling at me genially. “It is good to see you, Kian. Come and greet me properly.” I rose to my feet and leaned over the two small dragonlets sleeping in his lap to kiss his weathered cheek. “I see you have company.” “I certainly do.” His large hand ghosted over the purple scales of the two sleeping infants, one a slightly lighter shade than the other. “It has been many years since I’ve held such small ones.” “They certainly seem content.” I lowered myself into the chair opposite him. “Dragos said that you would tell me of the castle news?” “Ah, did he, now?” Bunic’s lined face relaxed into a delighted grin. “It has been an entertaining few days, of that you can be sure.” Bunic leaned back and closed his eyes, his hand stilling on the dragonlet’s backs. “It all started a fortnight after Harry and Spencer were bonded…”

    The House On Gable Street is a fast-paced supernatural story about 30,000 words long, almost a novella. Stephen Leather is one of the UK's most successful thriller writers, an ebook and Sunday Times bestseller and author of the critically acclaimed Dan “Spider’ Shepherd series and the Jack Nightingale supernatural detective novels.

    Catholic priest. Celibate. Does not yield to temptation. Emil. Sinner. Seducer. Snake. Hot as hell itself.After a sheltered childhood ruled by religion, all Adam wants is to be a good priest and make his parents proud. But it’s hard to stay virtuous in a big city like Warsaw, and when he makes one slip up, his life spirals into ruin. He is sent to a tiny mountain village where he hopes to live down his shame and work on restraint.But staying celibate becomes far from easy when he meets Emil, a local man with long dark hair, a mysterious past, and as little morality as he has luck. Emil has no qualms about flirting with a priest. Worse still, he seems hell-bent on tasting forbidden fruit and unearthing the desires Adam has always kept hidden.The odd village hides secrets far more sinister than Adam's insatiable lust for Emil. Old Slavic magic looms everywhere. Superstition mixes with reality. Someone is watching his every move. Someone follows him in the dark, lurking in the shadows of the ancient forest. Adam is plagued by disturbing events, and Emil could be his only salvation even if he is the devil himself.Can a priest shepherd the black sheep to safety or has he been the wolf all along?POSSIBLE SPOILERS:Genre: Dark, paranormal M/M romance Erotic content: Scorching hot, emotional, explicit scenesThemes: Occult, witchcraft, Slavic superstition and myth, folklore, priest, forbidden love, hurt/comfort, metalhead, little town, temptation, religion, paganism, cult, old gods, possession, demons, magic, homophobia, bigotry, prejudice, coming out, fish out of water, soul mates, mysterious man, tease and denialLength: ~ 120,000 words (standalone)WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, offensive language, self-harm, and morally ambiguous characters.

    She’s stuck in a dead-end job and struggling to make ends meet when a fateful ice cream disaster results in her meeting Charlie Evans, a well-off photographer with the cutest little daughter she’s ever seen.Charlie Evans was thrust unexpectedly into fatherhood. With his roots in Pecan Grove, but an itch to get back on the road, he’s shocked when he meets the flame-haired widow. Sparks and tempers fly at their first meeting, but as time goes on, he realizes Cleo is getting under his skin. When he tries to pursue her, though, he realizes her heart is buried under layers of icy protection.Can Charlie chaw Cleo’s frozen heart in time for Christmas? Or will Cleo continue to hide her true feelings away in order to protect herself from tragedy again? Find out in this sweet Christmas romance!

    Some assembly required... Police Chief Delaney Reed loves the holidays in Ordinary, Oregon, the beach town where gods vacation and monsters reside. But this year, she has a lot on her plate. It isn’t just the creature who follows her home, or the terrible storm barreling toward town. It isn't that Mrs. Yates’s penguin has been stolen. Again. It’s that her boyfriend, Ryder Bailey, has been gone for two months and is growing more distant. She's beginning to think she knows why. But when a demon, a dragon, and a god bearing unusual gifts get thrown on top of her to-do list, Delaney decides to roll up her sleeves and make this holiday unforgettable. One disaster at a time.

    While it will greatly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the book, it is not intended to stand in its place.* From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes Dark Witch, the first book in the new Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy. Use this sidekick to complement and enhance your experience of Roberts’ epic journey, spanning centuries of magic, Celtic mysteries, and family bloodlines. We meet Iona Sheehan, who has traveled to Ireland from America determined to unearth her family’s legacy of witchcraft and magic. Upon arrival in county Mayo, she meets her cousins Branna and Connor O’Dwyer and begins to unravel her family history, which includes the story of their ancestor Sorcha, and that of an evil sorcerer named Cabhan, who tried but failed to steal Sorcha’s powers 800 years earlier. The cousins begin to understand that their inherited magical powers are rooted in bloodlines passed down over centuries. Dark Witch weaves a spellbinding tale of good vs. evil, combining myth, magic, and romance. This sidekick’s chapter-by-chapter analysis will guide you through Roberts’ deftly plotted romantic adventure, as Iona falls in love with the handsome horseman Boyle McGrath and eventually learns to harness the power of her innate magic. Explore the Dark Witch's deeper themes of love, family, magic, and legend, as the family members prepare for an inevitable confrontation with ancient evil. Compelling and engaging, Dark Witch skillfully sets the stage for the remaining stories in the trilogy.

    It was Jesse's first holiday alone, away from home. Devin didn't have much of a home to go back to. They found a way to make the season brighter, together.Four years ago, Jesse brought Devin to his parents' house and came out to them. It wasn't all roses, but his family came around, and Devin has spent each holiday with the Calhouns since then. Jesse really loves sharing Christmas with his family, and sharing his family with Devin.So he isn't prepared to hear his mom say, “I don't want Devin to come to the house for Christmas Eve this year.” Suddenly it's not smooth sailing, keeping peace with the family he was born with.