2019 Writing Agenda #amwriting #lookingforward

Looking forward to the new year and the goals I want to set is always exciting. Part of looking forward requires that I look back and I will admit that sometimes I cringe when I do. 

2017 was a crap year for me. Grief and depression did its best to swallow me whole. I barely got any work done. I did work on getting Sūnder published, but for the most part, writing new words was not in me that year. However, I did do a ton of world building on a couple of projects. By the end of the year, I had started the blog story, Assassin's Retirement and the next book in the Valespian Pact, Constant.

I had been excited for 2018 because I was crawling out of depression, and I thought I was ready to publish something, Constant, to be specific. But after the beta review, I realized that I still had a lot of work to do. I wasn't where I thought I was mentally. Writing while depressed is hard. It's like depression sucked the life out of my creativity and put my memory in a blender--demonic little turd. Unfortunately, it showed in Constant. The story went from 35k to 67k to I'm-still-working-on-it-135k. LOL!

2018 Writing Agenda

I did a lot of things wrong with Constant that all boil down to I didn't allow it to be the story it wanted to be. I was trying to force it to be something else from word count size to content to how the romance played out. It just didn't work which resulted in me rewriting much of it and adding what should have been there to begin with. I've been pushing to get it finished, blowing by both the deadlines I set for myself. LOL! But it will get there.

And more of the board

This year I did accomplish getting Caledonia Destiny published. Twin Flames and Songs of the Earth were also released on audiobook. 

I went to GRL and had fun, plus I gave away books and stuff. 

For 2019's planning, I am going to attempt to be... conservative. 

If you noticed, my 2018 goals were very... enthusiastic. It is a ton of fun putting projects on the writing list, but it's the pits when I keep looking at it, realizing in June that there is no way any of that is going to come off the list. It's like having 'eyes too big for your stomach'. Everything looks soooo good and you want to eat it all, only to be stuffed 1/4 way through, leaving you staring forlornly at all the wonderful food you cannot eat and will go to waste. The only difference, instead of me noting that the projects aren't going anywhere--they won't spoil and will wait for me when I get to them--I sort beat myself up about not being able to do it ALL.

So, for this coming year I'm going to outsmart myself... LOL! I am only adding two main projects to the project list. This will also allow me time to work on other things, such as expanding an existing story. It will also allow me to work on what I want to work on instead of what I feel obligated to (even though I'm not feeling the story-line). The planning for next year goes something like this:

Writing Projects

Akira (Darksoul, 2) - estimated word count 90k

Legacy (Nathan's Story) - a Sumeria's Sons standalone - 120k

Salvaging Toby's Heart - expanding from current word count, 33k to 60k

Assassin's Retirement (Scion of Beowulf, 1) (an I.O.N. universe story) - finish the blog story and self-publish it. Current word count 70k. Estimated 100k at completion.

Republish the Unshakable series since Gentleman's origins begins there.

Publish a Valespian Pact flash fiction anthology.

Send Sūnder to audiobook

Send Dreams of the Forgotten (Sumeria's Sons, 3) to audiobook

And finally,

Wingless (a Valespian Pact universe standalone) - replacement blog story set on the GyrFalconi's homeworld after the Twenty Year War.

Basically, that is what this coming year will look like. I'm really excited to dig into my project list. I should add another category at the bottom of the whiteboard for finished projects since I'm still working on Constant and it will be finished in 2019. And if I finish everything on the board, then I pick from stories waiting in the wings. :)

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

2018 Favorite Books #ebooks #romance #lgbtiaq #favorites

Today is the last of my Favorite Books of 2018 blog posts. 

(You can see Audiobooks and Poly Romance <-- there. :D)

This about the eBooks. There are a couple here that really should have been on the Poly Romance post and didn't realize it until I was building this post. Well, who cares that my filing abilities are that terrible. Good thing that it is not what I do for a living! LOL! 

I've read about 200 books this past year, and I do read a little bit of everything. Though this post is mostly comprised of M/M romance stories there are a couple of MF and a poly romance with trans romantic interests as well. What mostly makes up the list are books that made me happy, what I would re-read, and what I have/would recommend.

Hidden In Darkness by Alice Winters
M/M Contemporary, Action, Romance

If you have followed me for long, you know that I read very few contemporary romances. Like so many that have made my favorite's lists, this was recommended to me and I gave it a go. It was fantastic, witty, and a couple of characters that I loved. I actually bought the audiobook when it came out just so that I could re-read while doing something else. 

Alpha Unit One, New York by Chris T. Kat
M/M Paranormal, Romance

This was cute in an unexpected way. There are two types of shifters. Those who who shift into a baby of the breed are pigeonholed. Even though they are adult and capable in their human form, they are seen as incapable for many things. The baby shifters in this story, secretly work against that instinctual prejudice of other shifters. It was very cute and though there was a bit of angst, was still a relaxing read.

Blackbird in the Reeds by Sam Burns
M/M Paranormal, Romance

I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. There is a bit of twist to the lore that I loved, while also being about second chances as well as new beginnings. I devoured the series as it was released. Again, I also bought the audiobook. :D

Heart of the Dragon by Jamie Sullivan
M/M Fantasy, Romance

I adore this book, some of it told from the dragon's POV. He is not a shifter but a real dragon who likes for people to fear him and to collect items for his hoard. Until one day he steals a baby on accident. Wonderful book. 

Loving Kit/Saving Jax by LM Brown
M/M/Intersex Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi, Aliens

I love poly romances. I love sci-fi. I love alien romance. I love when they come together. LOL! Loving Kit is about a human vessel traveling through space to a planet they are going to colonize. The ship enters the territory of  a species, and by their laws, the salvage the pods of sleeping humans, selling some of the pods. So fun!

Blood Bathory: Like the Night by Ari McKay
M/M Paranormal, Romance

At the beginning of the year, I started really yearning to read vampire stories. This was excellent with the addition of shifters, second chances, and unrequited love. 

Strike a Fire by Avtor Kirjanik
M/M Paranormal, Romance

This is the debut book for Avtor, recommended to be by a friend. It has dragons, so of course I jumped right in. The appearance of shifters shakes up the world and the line is drawn in the sand. There is also the lore of the mostly forgotten dragon shifters and how one of the mated pair will shift into a female dragon even though they are male when human. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Human Omega Discovered on the Slave Planet by Eileen Glass
M/M/M Sci-Fi, Aliens, Romantic Elements

This is a book that took me by surprise. The title does not reflect the true sense of what a good story it is. Carter is caught by a bug aliens and caged with two others not of his species. Carter is smart, capable, and works toward escape. The two aliens he is caged with, try to protect him because he's an omega, which really isn't explained but it wasn't an important aspect of the plot. One alien remembers what it was like to be free and the other was born in captivity. The dynamics of the three was really well done creating an engaging story with enough suspense that I was holding my breath.

The Mercenaries of the Stolen Moon by Megan Derr
M/Trans/Trans, Fantasy, Romance

This is the fourth book in the Tales of the High Court. This world is one where people who are Trans live openly without worry of stigma or prejudice. Each book follows a different couple and they are all on my favorites list. This one follows Myra, the High King's head secretary, Jac (one of my favorite characters) Allen's personal guard, and Fathoms Deep third in command, Charliane. I really loved this look at Myra and who he is and the adventure. Seriously, they are all so... so... kickass and I loved every minute. I'll be so sad when the last book in this series releases. 

A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
M/M Urban Fantasy, Romantic Elements

I am always looking for a good urban fantasy about a supernatural agency, especially if there is a mystery to solve. The writing on this is tight, the world building deep, and though I wanted to smack Patrick for his fatalistic attitude at times, I rooted for him all the way.  Awesome story.

Clutch/Bond by Piper Scott & Virginia Kelly
M/M Paranormal, Mpreg, Romance

Holy cow, this is a fantastically fun series. Dragons, mates, dragon eggs, itty-bitty baby dragons. I loved every single second of it. The side character, Harry was so awesome. (His book is Bond.) The world building with the dragon world and rules was awesome (and made me want to smack several elder dragons on the back of the head).

Blind Fall by Amanda Milo
M/F Sci-Fi, Aliens, Romance

Last year the first book, Stolen by an Alien, and perhaps the second book, Rescued by an Alien, of this series made my favorites blog post. I love romances with alien love interest but I need them to be alien with their own weird behaviors and culture. It is something that is not often found in this sub-genre. This series (Stolen by an Alien) hit all my desires and included some humor. The second book was more emotionally intense than the first one. I haven't read books 3 and 4 yet (that whole dragon hoarding series for rainy days thing) but when this book came out I jumped into to it. See, in the first book there are two lines about a blind woman and her dog. Amanda said she got so many emails about what happened to the dog that she wrote this standalone. I loved it and it wasn't as intense as book two. This really is a great series. 

Willa's Beast by Ruby Dixon
M/F, Sci-Fi, Alien, Romance
One thing I like about Ruby Dixon series is that you can basically start anywhere and not lost. She will actually let you know if it cannot be read as a standalone. Willa's Beast is the 3rd in the Icehome series. At the time, the only other book I had read was the first book in the Ice Planet series so I understood the premise of the planet. If you couldn't tell, I love the beauty and beast trope so the blurb for this called to me. Willa was awesome. I enjoyed this so much that I went back and read the first two books in this series and they are really good, too. It is what made me go back, look at her dragon series, and give it another try. One of those books made the audiobook favorites list. 

Sweet Nothings by Macy Blake
M/M Paranormal, Romance, Erotic Romance
The Chosen One series is one that I have recommended a lot over the last few months. It's a mixture of M/M and poly romance in a paranormal setting. The paranormals are dying out, the number of children born declining to the point that some haven't had a child born in the last decade or more. There is a prophecy about the chosen one who will help save the people. But there are forces working to keep the chosen one from gaining power.

 There is the main series as well as the prequel and two side stories following related characters. I love the mystery and have my own ideas what will happen but I'm not sure. It's hard to pick a favorite character and originally I was all about Drago and the show of his true behavior once he was able to be himself. But then there are moments when the other characters came in and steel your heart. Currently, (after several re-reads) I'm Team Ollie and hoping he gets a book. And Ben. Ben is such a softy you just want to protect him.

Hell on Earth by Macy Blake
M/M Paranormal, Romance

This is also a spinoff series, from the Chosen One, following the deadly hellhounds and their legendary leader, Meshaq. He's such a big softy when it comes to those he loves. Everyone else trembles when he comes for them. I'm excited to see where both of these series go in the coming year. 

That is the end of my favorite books of 2018!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

2018 Favorite Audiobooks #favorites #read

It's that time of year again when I share my favorite reads. I'm splitting them up into three categories. 

• Poly Romance
• Audiobooks
• eBooks

Ha! That's my way of getting around the 'Top 10' thing. I guess I don't really need to find a way around if I didn't want to, but there should be a cap otherwise I would be talking all day about books. In some ways, that isn't a bad thing. But since I have obligations waiting for me, I need to rein in my enthusiasm. 

I already posted about the poly romance. If you missed it, click on the list above to go to the posting. Today is about audiobooks. I have bought a ton of them this past year. It is an easy way to read a book while I'm doing something else, usually crocheting or painting miniatures. They aren't in any particular order.

This year I sampled a lot of a poly category called Reverse Harem. This is where there is one woman and more than three love interests. No love triangles here. I found a ton that just weren't for me but the ones I liked, I really, really liked. Academy of Assassins by Stacey Brutger is a slow burn fantasy/urban fantasy. The writing is tight and the relationship (friendship right now) was well executed. The plot was also excellent. Because this a slow burn, there won't be smexy times for a book or two. I haven't read the second book yet, though I have already purchased it. I'm saving it for my winter vacation when I can gorge on reading/listening. This is definitely one that I would recommend to poly fans. 

Years ago, a friend of mine kept recommending this series to me and I simply wasn't interested. Some of my reluctance came from being tired of the Kate Daniels series, and I wasn't sure I wanted to get into another series that would eventually lose my interest. Bayou Moon is the second book in The Edge series. The first book was pretty good but I loved this one of the three that are out. (I actually couldn't complete the 3rd book, but that is how the cookie crumbles sometimes.) Each book in this series follows different heroines. The Edge is the land bordering this world and fairy. Those who live on this border are people with some kind of magic, but they don't fit into either world. Thinking back on this, I'm can't recall if this can be read as a standalone. The first book in the series, On The Edge, is worth reading if you wanted to start at the beginning. 

The Dance with the Devil series is one of my all time favorite urban fantasies. I reread this series (or listen to) at least once a year. It is one of my go-to series, much like many of Megan Derr's books. Dance Only For Me is book 4. Each book follows different characters but sometimes there are crossovers or mentions of characters from other books. Jackie's character made my heart ache but I knew that something better would come along for him. Excellent series!

This Cover. The cover is what made me look at the book closer even though it is not typically something that I would pick up and read. I have seen Elusion labeled as a 'dark' fantasy/romance. One, it is a slow burn romance.  Two, this does have dark elements that may have triggers for some readers. This is about the light and dark fey. They live in an aftermath of a war where the light fey won and they are real ba$tards about it. Iza is dark fey, stolen from her family at a young age and fostered with a light fey family who were monsters. She killed them at the age of 12 and was put in a prison where she grew up. There is mention of physical atrocities but no on page rape or dub-con, though there are sadistic rulers, even that is glossed over to a point. For me, this is not intense in the 'make you cry' way, but in the violence, 'I will kick you butt' ways. Iza says she is not Snow White but the creature who eats Snow White and the dwarves--quite literally. How Iza deals with those years of imprisonment, survives, and prevails is what makes the book. She protects innocents and rewards loyalty which is shown more in the second book but you see the kernels of it in the first. Her dark humor startled more than one laugh out of me. I would definitely recommend them but would stress that it does have dark elements that is not for everybody.

When I picked up Exhale, I wasn't sure what to expect. The cover originally made me think that it was a horror or a dark non-con story. It wasn't until I got to the end of the story that I understood what the image means. It was recommended to me, and I like shifter stories so I gave it a go. It has an intense alpha/omega plot without mpreg. The plot was different than what I have encountered before. This is another slow burn romance though they do have sex first. And I have to admit that I waffled about whether I could like Nicolae. I did come to like him well enough after I understood him.  You don't usually find shifters stories this intense and if that appeals, I would recommend this book. 

One thing about Ruby Dixon series is that you don't necessarily have to start with the first book in the series if you don't want to. Last year (I think), I listened to a sample of the first book in the Fireblood Dragon series, and it sounded my too angsty for me at the time. Through my library, I put myself on the wait list, thinking that by the time it came to me I would be in a better place. Instead of the first book, the third one, Fire in his Embrace came. I gave it a go and LOVED it. Not lost at all. I loved Emma. I had trouble working because I wanted to listen to more. After I finished, I went back and listened to the first two books, and I have to say I couldn't finish the first book. Not because of the angst but Claudia and I didn't get along. The second book was better but not as good as this one. I would recommend skipping those two and just starting here. Great herione, sexy dragon, awesome plot, and the narration was also awesome.

So earlier I was talking about this author losing me after time. But this series just kept getting better and better! I binge listened and came out with a book hangover that took a couple of weeks to cure. The Innkeeper Chronicles is an urban fantasy/sci-fi series. The romance is slow burn. The plot of each book kept getting better. This is a series that I will listen to again and again. I love all the characters in these books, and if they decided to write about them, I would read those too. I hope there are more to come, and soon. LOL! Highly recommended!

Jeffiner Estep is one of my favorite authors. I love her urban fantasy Spider series. When this showed up on the library acquired list I put myself on the waiting list. Kill the Queen is a fantasy world with political intrigue, assassinations, women gladiators (hell yeah!), and a tale about a survivor who finds true friends and family. It's an excellent read with action and a slow burn romance. I cannot wait for the next one in the series. 

I love Cari Z's work and she usually ends up on my favorites list. Off the Beaten Path is no different. It is the story about a man whose daughter shifts in class and she is taken away from him. He's determined to be with her, despite the dangers. The shifters in this world are basically government prisoners. If you'd like something a little less intense than Exhale, give this a go. I would love to read more in this world if Cari ever came back to it. 

The Flaw in All Magic was an unexpected find. This is a fantasy world with a little bit of steampunk, but not, if you know what I mean. Tane was faking his way through mage college when he got caught and was expelled. Now he now runs a business--sorta shady/illegal in the magic department--that finds things or people, solving puzzles. When there is a murder at the college, he thinks its the prime opportunity to redeem himself. His eventually partner, Kadka, who is half-orc. She was THE BEST sidekick. She probably made the book for me, making me laugh, and bringing something to the story that Tane couldn't. This is not a romance, though Tane is still crushing on an old girlfriend. 

This is another book that I wouldn't have looked at twice, but the Cover. The cover is so awesome that I picked it up. Reign: Strands of Starfire is a space opera with fantasy elements. I wouldn't call this a strict romance, though there are elements and it is slow burn. I would call it a love story that ends with a HEA. The next book in the series is about a different couple. This is a story that starts at the beginning of Nalini and Kai lives and follows them as they grow. How they connect, the way they are aware of each other, the events that make them grow and changes who they are there. It's an excellent story.

Ever since I read Tanya Huff's military sci-fi Confederation series I have been sampling her other books. This year, The Enchantment Emporium has made my favorite list. It's an urban fantasy fallowing a Canadian family who has an earthy magic. The Gale women are interesting and funny. I had not expected to like Alysha as much as I did. This world is pretty awesome and I ended up buying the other two books in the series immediately after finishing. (And I'm still hording them like a dragon because good reads are so hard to find sometimes.) Plus there are dragons that are creepy and dangerous and not love interests. Great book. And while I'm talking about Tanya Huff, the 3rd book in her Peacekeeper series released and I loved it too. It is a spinoff from the Confederation series with all the characters that I love to read about again, and again. I will be so sad if she is finished with that series. 

The Others series by Anne Bishop was another series recommended to me this year and I gorged myself on it. It Is Fantastic. This is an alternate world that mixes today's society with paranormal peoples. Though humans basically rent land from the Others and will be thrown out if they don't follow the rules. This spotlights human arrogance and reasoning to a T. The paranormals aren't portrayed as they usually are, lending a dangerous aura that the author doesn't let you forget about. The series is about how two very different people clash because they don't quite understand each other. Meg is the person that makes the paranormals realizes that not all humans are greedy, smelly, or waist of space. 

There is a spinoff series, The World of the Others, that delves into some of the wild places that are mentioned in the main series. I wasn't sure that I was going to like it as much because I LOVE Meg. But I was surprised again at how much I adored the characters. And holy cow, Vicki made me laugh. Both series are excellent.

And those are my favorite audiobooks of 2018! I hope you found something that intrigues you. Do you have any favorites you would recommend?

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Merry Christmas!!

Just a quick note today to wish everyone a 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Assassin's Retirement will be back next Tuesday.

What's on the Reading Radar: Holiday Reading #5 #reading #holiday

Welcome to the last of the Holiday Reading posts!

I tried to include as many holiday books in these five posts. I know I didn't get all of them. Lots have been released since I began putting these posts together, so check out the new releases at your favorite publisher/retailer. If you missed the other four posts you can check them out here --> #1, #2, #3 , and #4.

These aren't in any particular order and are across all genres and orientations.

Title: Yule Planet

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Lesbian /

Notes:

Blurb:  Sofia Cancino is tired of her mundane life, her artificial environment and her large, boisterous family descending every holiday season. She's promised herself this year will be different and books a stay on the exclusive—and expensive--holiday-themed resort, Yule Planet. She looks forward to being pampered while reconnecting with Old Earth traditions steeped in the magic and mysticism of nature. Everything will be perfect and she'll leave as a more authentic human, better connected to her roots.

Naturally, things go horribly wrong. Sofia's landing pod goes off course and instead of stepping out on the landing pad at the resort, she finds herself in the snow-swept perpetual winter of the planet's hinterlands. If that wasn't bad enough, she's "rescued" by a band of criminals on work release who run deliveries to the resort from far-flung shuttle delivery sites. They refuse to take her, a paying customer, to the resort and insist on dragging her along on their parcel run. Riding giant monsters. In frigid weather. Not to mention, Marta, who handles the monsters, obviously hates her.

If Sofia survives her vacation, she's definitely yelling at someone's supervisor until she gets a refund.

Title: Solstice Dance

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Urban Fantasy / Gay /

Notes: This title is available for preorder and will be available at approximately 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 15, 2019.

Blurb:  Years ago, Daniel fell in love with his best friend—only to be left devastated when that friend abruptly left, never to be seen again. Since then, Daniel has built up a quiet life that he dearly loves, working as a veterinarian and spending free time with his coven.

When he arrives to celebrate Solstice, however, he learns that Michael is moving back home. Though he can't deny his broken heart still belongs to Michael, Daniel isn't eager to see what he'll do if offered it a second time.

Title: Operation Toy Rescue

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes:

Blurb:  When Jules Evergreen lands in trouble at the North Pole and gets shipped off to Snow Hope Island for ninety days, he never expects to take up the cause of the forgotten toys waiting for new homes. Falling for his new boss is not on the agenda either, but his heart has other ideas.

Felix Winterson has grown up on Snow Hope Island and now runs the place. He isn’t thrilled when party boy Jules arrives, and Felix tries hard to ignore the man’s charms. He has other problems, anyway. For years he’s tried to get Santa to look at the growing inventory of damaged toys in the warehouse, to no avail.

When Jules comes up with a plan to save the toys, the men find themselves working closely together. As Christmas Eve looms, there’s a lot at stake. Can they save Snow Hope, convince Santa to rescue the toys, and fall in love all at the same time?

Title: A Prince Charming for Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay 

Notes:

Blurb:  Clement Archibald Felix Leonard Benjamin Constantine is the Crown Prince of Oswington. He also owns Beaumont Department Store, which has multiple locations all over the world. After the betrayal of his ex-boyfriend, he leaves Oswington for several days to take a breather from the paparazzi.

Kyle Ross Lee is a struggling actor living in New York. He rarely gets any chance to act on stage, so he works at Beaumont Department Store to earn a living. He also takes in review requests from various companies and posts them on his website. He earns a bit of extra cash and acquires free products at the same time.

The two men meet and start dating soon after. There’s only one tiny issue. Kyle has no idea who Clement truly is.

What happens when Clement’s real identity is exposed? Will they have their fairy tale ending? Or will that spell the end of their happily ever after?

Title: A Soldier's Wish

Genre: Romance / Historical / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  The year is 1969…

Gary Fairchild is proud to be a hippie college student, and he protests the Vietnam War because he believes in love and peace. To him, it isn’t just a counterculture movement—it’s a way of life. When tickets to the Aquarium Exposition—3 Days of Peace & Music, or Woodstock, as it was better known, go on sale, there’s no way he isn’t going.

Richard Ronsman is a sheltered farm boy who lives in the shadow of his overbearing father. He’s hidden his darkest secret to earn his father’s love, but nothing is ever good enough—not even volunteering for the Vietnam War. And with just a few days left before he’s deployed, he’s invited by a striking hippie to join him at a music festival.

Three days of music, drugs, rain, mud, and love forged a bond between these two very different men that would shape the rest of their lives. They share dreams and fears, and when Richard is shipped off to war, they share letters and love. For Richard’s first Christmas home, he is gifted a special angel ornament that just might make a soldier’s wish come true.

Title: A South Texas Holiday

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Jesus Mendoza is looking to get away from big city life and forget about his cheating ex-boyfriend. So when he has the opportunity to film a local Posada at a progressive church in South Texas, he takes the first ticket out of Chicago and heads to Puntos Del Rey.

The first thing he notices is the heat, but the second is hunky Frank Villalobos, his guide for the week of the Posada. While Jesus tries to keep things professional, his attraction to Frank is undeniable. As Jesus gets to know the members of the church and their stories, he learns about a culture that has long eluded him. But will he get to learn more about Frank, too?

Title: A Swan for Christmas 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Mpreg / Gay

Notes:

Blurb:  A Swan for Christmas is Book Four in the Vale Valley shared world series filled with lots of mpreg and sweet forever-afters!

An Alpha wolf and an omega swan can’t be fated mates… Right?

Abandoned by his swan herd and lost in a snowstorm, Kellan has nowhere to go. When he’s near death, he’s discovered by a wolf shifter in the woods surrounding a mysterious town filled with magic and hope. Could there also be love?

Vic, the owner of Vale Valley Inn and Restaurant, has been alone since a virus claimed the lives of most of his pack. He’s found acceptance and built a good life for himself in the beautiful town that has become his home. Still, facing another Christmas without a mate is heartbreaking, even if he’s accepted that he’ll never find his true wolf omega.

When Vic rescues Kellan, he plans to do anything he can to help the skittish man forge a new life in Vale Valley. He’s all too familiar with having to start over. But as they grow closer, something else starts happening that he’s not familiar with—the mating pull and a swan’s heat.

A Swan for Christmas is the fourth book in a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. Each installment can be read as a standalone. This mpreg romance story features an omega virgin desperate for love, a lonely Alpha who is perplexed by the mechanics of nesting and a whole lot of hurt/comfort and smexy times. So curl up by the fireside with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy a Happy Holiday with two men who are destined to be together forever and raise a beautiful family!

Title: Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas

Genre: Romance / Historical / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Lysander Winterbourne has been living happily at Edgeley Park for the last eighteen months. By day he is Adam Freeman's estate manager, by night, his lover...but Adam never speaks of his feelings and Lysander has no idea whether their relationship is any more than a convenient arrangement for Adam.

When the two men are invited to Winterbourne Abbey for a family Christmas, matters quickly come to a head. Snowed in at the Abbey with a house full of guests, Lysander has to face up to shocking revelations, long-held secrets and a choice he never expected to have to make...

Title: Miracle

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: this looks like a serial. 
(Men of Hidden Creek Season 3 Book 1)
Blurb:  “Don’t go yet. Stay here, with me.”

Newly-divorced at forty, Pete Miele’s life didn’t go as planned. When he stumbles into dating men by showing enthusiastic, twenty-four-year-old newcomer Nick around Hidden Creek, can he endure the judgment of old friends?

Coming out cost Nick Mitchell his degree, so his family exiled him at Thanksgiving. Running away to advertise Hidden Creek as a gay tourist gem could help him start a new life. If only it could be with kind and chivalrous Pete. But blood is thicker than water, and he has to go home someday, right?

One sings Jingle Bells and one says humbug, and that’s just the beginning of their differences. When Nick and Pete are drawn together, they start to realize their problems might be in their own heads… but that makes them all the harder to fix. Can Christmas bring both men the miracle they need?

Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains a flying plate of cookies, a protective hunk of a farmer, and several ugly Christmas sweaters.

Title: Making Merry

Genre: Romance / Anthology / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: (A Firsts and Forever/Castaways Series Holiday Collection)

Blurb: What do the husband of a stressed out metal sculptor, a graffiti artist, an aging pop star, a young ranch hand, and an aspiring writer have in common?

They each have a story to tell in Making Merry.

Not everything goes according to plan in the quest for that mythical “Perfect Christmas”, but there are a lot of laughs, heartwarming romance, and some big surprises along the way. With the help of family and friends, somehow everything will work itself out – but maybe not in the way anyone was expecting.

These five interconnected holiday stories feature favorite characters from Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series and its new spin-off, The Castaways Series. It’s approximately 50K in length, and while it can be read as a stand-alone, it’ll mean the most to readers familiar with the series.

Title: A Swedish Christmas Fairy Tale

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Lesbian /

Notes:

Blurb:  Amber Tate is about to lose her job at a London publishing house. And it’s nearly Christmas.

Her boss gives her one last chance. Sadly, it’s the impossible task of obtaining the rights to the popular Lund Collection of fairy tales.

The rights to the fairy tales are held by the author’s granddaughter, Emilia Lund, who lives a reclusive life in Sweden and has steadfastly refused to talk to anyone about the rights for the last several years.

However, in order to convince her one and only friend that she can be sociable, Emilia agrees to invite Amber - under strict conditions - to the cosy setting of wintry Sweden.

They both agree to this vital meeting for their own separate reasons. Except… things never pan out quite as planned, do they?

Title: Evergreen

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Poly / Bisexual /

Notes: (Love in Los Angeles)

Blurb:  Home is where the heart is. Especially around the holidays. But when your life -- and your loves -- are scattered around the country, navigating the winter season can be hard.

When bisexual, polyamorous TV star Liam Campbell returns home to New York City for Christmas he discovers his best friend (with benefits) Charles has recently embarked on a new, serious relationship. Thrown by the shifting nature of that connection, Liam seeks advice from his chosen family of ex-lovers, current lovers, and colleagues. But with each of them focused on their own pursuit of holiday cheer, Liam is forced to put his fear aside, take a deep breath, and ask for what he wants.

This holiday season novella is book 1.5 in the Love in Los Angeles series. While this is low-angst and high-heat story, please be aware that the larger series is high-angst and includes characters with a past history of self-harm.

This title was previously published by Torquere Press. This is a newly updated, expanded, and revised edition.

Title: Gingerbred Lessons

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Age Gap / Gay / 

Notes: Welcome to Morningwood Omegaverse Romance Book One

Blurb:  A forbidden love that neither can ignore

Kicked out by his mother, Harris—college freshman and impala shifter—goes to live with his aunt in Morningwood, a town unlike any other.

Morningwood is home to a menagerie of shifters from the wolves and lions of Predator Point, to the fun-loving cows and horses in Barnyard Court, and everything else Harris could possibly imagine.

In the normie world, Harris had to hide who he was, but in Morningwood, they celebrate their animal differences. He’s excited to start his new life, and first on the list is continuing his education at the only university in town.

Morningwood is also home to Andrew Boothe, alpha puma shifter, teacher and dean of Morningwood University. From first sight, sparks fly between Harris and Andrew. They know they must deny their attraction but their inner beasts will not be ignored. No matter how forbidden, love finds a way.

Gingerbred Lessons is the first book in the Welcome to Morningwood Omegaverse series. It features a first time, age gap romance that may not jingle everyone’s bells.

Title: Beautiful Dreamer

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Second Chances / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Garrett Coleman spent most of his adolescence crushing on Finn Sweeney—until that Ultimate Dream Guy image got obliterated during senior year. Garrett’s since gone out of his way to avoid the sexy ginger, instead throwing his energy behind his dance career while supporting his mother through her cancer diagnosis.

Finn Sweeney used to think of Garrett as just his kid brother’s best friend, but after an intense exchange at a high school party, things got a little…weird. Despite that, when their two families decide to get together for the holidays for the first time in years, Finn can’t say no. But he’s fully prepared for this to be awkward as hell.

When Finn and Garrett lay eyes on each other for the first time in their adult lives, all bets are off. Finn is completely captivated by Garrett and getting to know the man he’s become is now his top priority. Playing catch-up with Finn makes Garrett truly see him beyond the childhood fantasy he’s held onto all these years. Finn is real and vulnerable…and hot as hell.

Garrett and Finn can’t seem to keep their hands off each other, so they decide to bury the hatchet between them for the remainder of the visit.

After all, it’s only a holiday fling.

Until it becomes something more.

Title: Home Is Where The Heart Is

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  On the IslandI of Misfits, Artie waits. As a teddy bear toy, no one wanted him, and he yearns for love and his forever home. When finally taken back to the human world, Artie doesn't find a child waiting to claim him. Instead he has a life he never dreamed of and a niece to care for as Christmas fast approaches.

He's given an opportunity for love but only has until Christmas. If he fails, he'll lose not only the memories of his past life, but the chance to be united with his soul mate.

In a magical antique shop, Artie finds the man of his dreams. With time running out can Artie not just have his own happy ever after but save the shop from the owner's unscrupulous nephew.

Title: All I Want is You

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Friends to Lovers / Second Chances / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  One kiss under the mistletoe destroyed a friendship. Will another Christmas kiss remake it into something better? 

Eli hasn't been home since he left at eighteen with a heart aching from his best friend's rejection and his father's intolerance. But when his father reaches out, Eli figures it's time to make peace with his family. He doesn't expect to come face-to-face with Turner too -- or to learn that the straight friend he'd foolishly loved is actually bisexual -- but once the shock wears off, he knows exactly what he wants for Christmas.

Turner's life isn't everything he'd once planned, but he's happy to be the shoulder his loved ones lean on. They keep him busy, which is just as well since none of his dates have really clicked. He hasn't been able to connect with anyone the way he did with his former best friend. When Eli shows up for the holidays after years away, Turner doesn't know what hit him. But he knows one thing: This time, he wants to give Eli a reason to stay.

All I Want Is You is a friends to lovers, second-chance romance with an HEA.

Title: Colina de Lavanda

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes:

Blurb:  Lord protector of whores, thieves, sorcerers, and deviants.

Owning a parcel of land the railroad needs to cross means Edward gets to run the border town around the station as he sees fit. What starts as a place to indulge his varied appetites becomes a haven to society’s castoffs, and if Edward encourages legends about its founder to flourish, well, he’s not so much a liar as a man who wants to protect all the cultures living in peace. Being mayor means folks might ignore his vices, but they also expect him to fix what goes wrong.

When a crushing heat wave and drought threaten not only the town’s diverse holiday celebrations but its very existence, Edward must turn to the one man he’d rather french kiss a timber rattler than face—the icily elegant Cantonese mage Edward walked out on but never stopped loving.

Title: Hacker Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Poly / Bisexual / 

Notes: Unfortunately, this probably can't be read as a standalone. (White Hat Secuirty Book 6)

Blurb:  A dark past. A seductive temptation. A hidden secret.

Daisy wants nothing more than to put her past behind her and finally move on, but she can’t. After Aaron arranges for her and Neal to fly to California for a romantic vacation, her stress hits a critical high, and in order to clear her mind, she does something unthinkable with someone she doesn’t know. Despite being forgiven, Daisy’s choice puts her life in danger and she realizes that in order for her to finally move on, she needs to confront her past. More importantly, she needs to forgive herself.

Aaron Ross has Hollywood at his feet and the world in his hands. Instead of enjoying every minute of it, he’s counting the seconds of being able to retreat from the limelight and finally settle down with Daisy and Neal.

Neal Cross is lying to himself and to the two most important people in his life. He may know everything there is to know about computers and hacking but he has no idea about matters of the heart - except when it comes to Aaron and Daisy.

The three plan a trip to California - and it can’t come soon enough. On their trip, all three must make an important choice: do they finally leave their past behind or do they lose the ones they love? Do they leave behind everything they know for something they want, or do they play it safe and stay where they are? Do they face their fears, or do they lose it all?

Fans of Lexi Blake and Susan Stoker are addicted to this suspenseful romantic series by Linzi Baxter. 

Title: Deck the Halls

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: A Stonewall Investigations Story but also a standalone

Blurb:  Andrew Barker is ready for the holidays. His perpetually bright and cheery personality feels right at home for Christmas. He has time off from work and a husband who’s waiting for him at home, what else would he need?

Well, he had no idea he would be needing to sign divorce papers - let’s start there.

Declan Rose-Covington, part of a luxury hotel dynasty, is coming into Stonewall Investigations because he needs help with a family issue. With his mom’s huge holiday retreat around the corner, he’s hoping to solve it before Santa comes to town. The last thing he’s expecting is to enter the detective agency and fall for the strikingly handsome man sitting behind the front desk.

Of course, life has ways of delivering well-wrapped surprises.

When Declan and Andrew meet they both feel an instant connection. Soon, the connection grows powerful enough to push Declan toward a crazy proposition: invite Andrew to the family retreat as a fake boyfriend. Andrew would get a nice week-long vacation out of it and Declan would avoid the judgemental jabs from all the spoused-up family members.

The potential for disaster was there, but there was also a chance to truly make this the most wonderful time of the year. And that was something neither of them wanted to miss out on.
______________________
Deck The Halls is a full-length and standalone Stonewall Investigations story.

Title: A Tale of Two Spirits

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Ghost Haunting / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Danny knows the bookstore he owns has a ghost haunting it, and for eight years they've lived in harmony. Three days before Christmas -- Danny's busiest time of year -- his ghost suddenly turns nasty, throwing books at him, knocking displays over, and deliberately hurting him.

Knowing he needs to deal with this quickly, Danny calls on the medium Denim to help him with his ghost problem. One spirit actually turns out to be two, one of whom isn't all happiness and light.

Can Denim banish the evil spirit haunting Danny's store and save Danny's Christmas? Danny sure hopes so, especially after he meets the handsome medium.

Title: Best Christmas Ever

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Bowing to his parents’ homophobic demands, Professor Henry Rodimacher always chose Christmas with his family over spending it with his partner. However, when Jeremy became terminally ill, Henry defied his family and stayed home for Jeremy’s final Christmas.

After Jeremy passes, Henry decides it’s time to mend fences, so despite a raging snowstorm, he starts the long drive home. Before he gets very far, though, he’s alarmed to see a hitchhiker out in the weather, Henry offers the man a ride, and is surprised the hitchhiker is Jimmy Wilks, a former student of his.

The heavy snow eventually forces Henry and Jimmy to leave the highway and take refuge in an abandoned log cabin. As the two hunker down to wait out the storm, they give into their mutual attraction and celebrate a wonderful Christmas together.

Can their newfound love survive once the snow thaws? Will history repeat itself with Henry going back home alone, or will the magic of their best Christmas ever live on into the New Year and beyond?

Title: Jingle Balls

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  What does Santa do when his fairies misbehave?

The cracker joke answer, ‘He gives them the sack’ wasn’t far from the truth. 

After the failed fairy rebellion at the North Pole, Winter found himself freezing his baubles off in a prison snowglobe. The only other resident is his doppelgänger, the legendary exiled, kinky, Jingle. Winter must resist falling in love with his own face and Jingle’s mouth-watering dominance to secure his release and suffer no more of Santa’s wrath.

But how do you do that when you are a hopeless, submissive, narcissist?

Warning: 18+ story contains M/M adult scenes and significantly corny festive references.

Title: His First Christmas

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Omegaverse / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Running from an abusive alpha, terrified, and abandoned in the middle of a snowstorm, Bo Rawlings goes into premature labor. Desperate to try and save the life of his unborn child, he makes one last attempt to get to the omega clinic, but his old car has other ideas.

Gabe Johnson, exhausted from being on call as a veterinarian and depressed at the thought of another lonely Christmas, nearly gets run off the road by a driver who loses control of his car. 

When he finds that the driver is actually a young omega about to give birth all his protective instincts rush in and as he battles frantically to save their lives, he realizes all he wants is to take the little family home and claim them for his own.

Bo has never had the Christmas he’s always wanted. Gabe gave up on the holidays a long time ago. But just as they both think that it’s their turn to experience the season of miracles, Bo’s old alpha finds them, and unless Gabe can manage the impossible, all their Christmas dreams will melt like snow.

Title: Christmas Magic

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes:

Blurb:  Do you believe in the magic of Christmas? Tim Richards didn’t, so why had he thought he could make a Christmas wish and have it come true? 

Much to his surprise, he met the man of his dreams when Nick Snow walked into his world and turned it upside down. The life he had always hated was becoming something from a dream and more than anything he could have ever possibly imagined. For Tim, to believe childhood fantasies could come true, was impossible.

Nick Snow tended to only think about work. That was, until he met Tim. He’d never imagined anyone would ever come between him and his career. Now he knew that there was so much more to life than a job.

Can Nick show Tim that Christmas Magic is real?

Warning: This book contains frivolity, laughter, and a lot of sex. Nothing is off the table when these two figure out if their reality is nothing more than fantasy, or if their fantasies can become reality, with faith in a little Christmas Magic.

Title: Death to Christmas Sweaters

Genre: Romance /  Contemporary / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Chess and Benjamin are casual lovers, each hiding his devotion to the other and his wish for more. But Chess is a wealthy playboy who—Benjamin believes—will never settle down. And Chess is sure, with the way Benjamin keeps him at arm’s length, that he can’t be interested in getting serious.

They’re destined for a head-on collision as Chess plans for a holiday escape designed to send Benjamin’s ardor spiking like the temperatures in Los Angeles, while Benjamin desperately drags his feet, wanting to cool things down to protect his vulnerable heart. But when the ghosts of Chess’s Christmas past and Benjamin’s unwelcome present converge at LAX, it’s obvious there are other forces at play and about to take over.

Drawn into their respective family dramas at a joint gathering, will Chess and Benjamin finally take a stand for each other and the relationship they both want, or will the holiday finally take its toll?

Title: Abominable What-A?

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb: (This is a paranormal winter short story. The first part of this story appeared in Stormy Glenn’s Winter ManLove Fantasies Blog Competition of 2017.)

Quilo Whittaker is an abominable snowman shifter who loves to travel. His father is the alpha of their tribe and very old fashioned. Both of his parents share the same ideals. When Quilo expresses an interest in men, his parents make it their mission to see him married off to a woman they choose while he keeps a male lover on the side. However, Quilo isn’t that kind of man, which leaves him with only one option. Find his fated mate before he’s forced to marry a woman.

Riguo Santos is a rattlesnake shifter and the alpha of his pod. He lives in Death Valley and has a love/hate relationship with his car, Pumpkin. She’s a classic that needs a lot of work which is how he ends up stranded on the side of the road while on his way to an annual meeting of Alphas from the entire United States. Instead of walking the road and getting to the meeting hall safe but late, Riguo takes a shortcut, only to get himself caught in the middle of a snowstorm.

Neither of them have any issues with being mates and dive head first into their relationship. However, there are still obstacles ahead. Will Quilo and Riguo be able to face what’s coming and come out on the other side unscathed or will the people working against them succeed in severing the tie that binds them together?

(Warning: Contains sexual content and explicit language. Not recommended for those under the age of 18.)

Title: O Little Town of Vale Valley: A Christmas Mpreg Romance

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  When this alpha and omega meet, it’s love at frost sight! 

Omega Slade Webster has been on the run for years from his abusive ex. He and his young son found a home in Vale Valley and found happiness making sweet, delectable treats for the town. Seriously, you should try them.

But what’s not so sweet, is that Slade is lonely. He’d love to settle with an alpha who would treat him right.

It looks like he’ll have to spend another Christmas alone. That is, until he caters his son’s Nutcracker performance at the Vale Valley Event Center and meets a cop who’s just as interested in him as he is about his donuts.

You know what they say, the way to an alpha’s heart is through his stomach. Especially if that alpha is a cop and you make legendary donuts.

Except that Zach Beau isn’t a cop. He went to the police academy, sure, but after he moved to Vale Valley for his ailing mother, he took a job as a security guard for the event center. It’s not that exciting.

That is, until he tries Slade’s donuts. And he can’t wait to taste more donuts and the omega.

When he stays late to help Slade clean up after the performance, one thing leads to another, and suddenly Slade may be carrying a special gift of his own.

But can their Christmas magic last?

O Little Town of Vale Valley is the tenth book in a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. It’s perfect for readers who love stories with second chances, beautiful dreams between two men, male pregnancy, cute babies, and amazing HEAs. It will leave you singing!

Title: The Incident of the Christmas Elf: A Merlin's Grove Companion Story

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay

Notes:

Blurb:  Holiday cheer has come to Merlin's Grove.

So has a Christmas elf from the Enchanted Triangle.

Will Ben, Alex, and Dan be able to stop the magical being before his gag gifts ruin Christmas for the town?


This is a standalone Christmas special featuring the gay couples and town you've come to love.

Note: This is a 9,000-word holiday short and not a full romance.

Title: Omega, It's Cold Outside: A Winter Romance (Vale Valley Book 9)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Poly / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Their love can save him from a cold life...

An Omega on the Run

All his life, bobcat-shifter omega Noah Kimbrough knew his role: be bred to the domineering alpha who controlled the New York pack. But when the time came to fulfill that obligation, Noah couldn’t stand the thought of a life without love. So he fled.

Now he’s on the run, and the entire New York pack is tracking him, all the way into Pennsylvania. Noah knows they’ll catch him—and when they do, his punishment will be severe. But then he stumbles into a small town, and wonder of wonders, his old pack passes it by.

Two Alphas in need of a Third

Alphas Kord Harmon and Elijah Baker love their life together—but they both agree that it could be even better with a third, and with the chance to build a family. So when Noah tumbles into their lives, they jump at the chance to help him escape his old pack. With them, Noah finally has a chance to come in from the cold of his unhappy life and to enjoy the warmth of real love.

But Noah’s life until now has been traumatic, and Kord and Elijah aren’t at all sure they have what it takes to help him overcome his past. Together, they’ll all have to learn if the love of two good alphas—and the magic of one small town—can heal Noah’s wounds…and if they’ll ever be able to build the family they all long for.

Omega, It’s Cold Outside is part of a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. It's a shifter MMM Mpreg romance featuring two gorgeous alphas who know how to bring the knotty heat, an omega who needs the love his alphas have to give, and a surprise gift that will warm your heart, all set in the mystical, magical, love-filled Vale Valley!

Title: Boy Toys (The Enchanted Series Book 5)

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Fairy Prince Beauregard (Beau) Bishop washes ashore on an uncharted island during a snowstorm and awakens in a strange bed and staring up at a strange ceiling. Then he gets to see the person who saved his life, Jack, the owner of the island. Jack has a boyish face, a slender body, white hair and sparkling blue eyes. Beau fall instantly in love and believes that Jack feels the same way, but unfortunately Beau has to leave the next day. He is headed to the North Pole, also known as Santa's Island to take over as head doctor at the only hospital in town. It isn't until Beau has a long conversation with the guy, he's supposed to replace that his Jack is none other than Jack Frost, the current king of the Island of Misfit Toys.

Title: Away in a Manger

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay / 

Notes:

Blurb:  Two men from vastly different backgrounds; one city, one country. They have loved each other for over fifteen years, but the balance of their relationship has always been skewed, with Nathan desperately attempting to make Malcolm content on the ranch, when his restlessness and creative soul drives him to explore the world outside. After all this time, the differences were beginning to create a divide that seemed inevitable. Sometimes, love was not enough.

Then Malcolm's nephew goes missing and a storm brings Nathan to his knees...

Everything they have is suddenly on the brink of disaster.

It will take a Christmas miracle to show two men that everything they are, everything they need, is tied up in a love that deserves a second chance.

Title: Stuffed Stockings

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes:

Blurb:  Have a holly, very jolly Christmas…
Lucas doesn’t usually do the anonymous holiday gift exchange. But when his office crush, Zane, extends an invite, how could he say no? A little holiday cheer might be nice for a change.

What he doesn’t expect are the bonus presents accompanying the bulge in his Christmas stocking—increasingly kinky gifts that have him wishing he’d torn into them in the privacy of his bedroom.

Though Lucas can’t stop fantasizing—in vivid detail—that his seductive Santa is Zane, he can’t quite believe it’s true. That is, until Zane starts dropping clues that have Lucas blushing almost as much as the erotic gifts themselves.

One thing is for sure: Christmas may be right around the corner, but waiting to unwrap his final sexy surprise is going to be a challenge…

This book is approximately 26,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

The Dirty Bits from Carina Press: what you want, when you want it. Over-the-top sexy microromances designed to be read in an hour or two.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!