Saturday, December 22, 2018

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.



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!!

Friday, December 21, 2018

Holiday Reading #4 #holiday #reading

Welcome to the fourth of the five posts for this years holiday reading! If you have missed the others, here are the links. #1 #2 #3 You know you want to check them out because ALL the books. 

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



Title: A Match made at Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Lesbian / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Lee has been secretly in love with her best friend’s older sister, Jo, for eight years when a fortune-teller proclaims Jo is ready to return Lee’s feelings.

At first, Lee doesn't believe her, but when she finds a mysterious book of matches that bring good luck when they're lit, it seems Christmas miracles could be real. But just as fate favours her, her luck fails. The magic goes awry, and every time she strikes a match, disaster occurs.

The fortune-teller warns Lee that something is interfering with her destiny, and she needs to look inward to find the solution. Can Lee figure out what is ruining her luck before she hurts someone, or should she give up on her Christmas dreams altogether?


A Christmas short story of approximately 16k words (~40 pages). Full of mutual pining, cosy romance, and Christmas cheer.




Title: Mated Under the Mistletoe: (Vale Valley Book 1)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Mpreg /

Notes: It had me at, "An alpha dragon in denial..."


Blurb: Like your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie...only way more gay.


An alpha dragon in denial...

Sebastian Wallace spread his wings (literally) and left Vale Valley for business school in the city the moment he was able. Ambitious and full of big ideas, he wanted to find his own place in the world. With an MBA under his belt and a startup business venture in New York, things are looking up. Until he gets the call that his mother has passed away and left him The Dozing Dragon, her bed and breakfast, in the will. Sebastian returns to his hometown, hoping to make it a quick trip. But when he reconnects with a sweet omega in the Valley, everything changes.

A haunted omega...

Will Sterling can see things no one should. In a town full of shifters and other paranormals, you'd think seeing ghosts would be no biggie. Afraid of his own power, Will does his best to live a "normal" life and keeps himself busy at the local garden shop. But things are starting to change in Vale Valley. The yearly Festival of Lights ended five years ago when faulty wiring sent the place up in flames. And now The Dozing Dragon's sudden closure fills Will with dread for what might come next. When the owner's son returns to town, dare he hope for a better future?

With Sebastian's help, can they save the Dozing Dragon and bring back the Festival of Lights in time for Christmas? And does Will's secret power hold the key to both?

Mated Under The Mistletoe is the first book in a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. It contains way too many dirty jokes, plants with a mind of their own, mpreg, and more sweets than Willy Wonka's factory. Pull up a chair, grab your hot cocoa, and settle in for this heartwarming holiday read!



Title: Slow Thaw

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Trans / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Javier Fernandez is a climate scientist living in a research station near the South Pole. Since his husband was killed in a car crash, he’s preferred to be alone, and is less than thrilled to have a junior scientist thrust upon him by his rich patron.


Col Steele is a trans man fleeing a bad break-up. He is ready for the next step in his career, and eager to spend Christmas anywhere but at home.

When a crack in the ice separates the two men from safety, they are forced to come to terms with their own losses and each other.



Title: Snowflake Wine

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Hunky Nathan Bloom works late for the company putting up the town Christmas lights and decorations. Gorgeous, enigmatic, Jamie Snow works late forecasting the weather from his desk in the meteorology office.


Nathan sighs over the prospect of a holiday season with no one to love.


Jamie wonders if he’ll ever find a man to love who will accept his mysterious origins and talents.


One cold night as Nathan finishes hoisting the wreath lights up the building where Jamie works, they meet.


The brilliant festive lights aren’t the only things to sparkle as the two men connect on a deep level.

Be delighted by a delicious, contemporary, erotic gay romance with an edge of fantasy this season. Sometimes being different is awesome.




Title: Shrewd Angel

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Pax Polo is the swashbuckling guitarist for Serenity Free.


Correction: Was the swashbuckling guitarist for Serenity Free.

Now he sports a black eye and his bros have kicked him out of their band—three weeks before Christmas. It’s an unfamiliar kick to his over-inflated ego, but . . . whatever. 


No problem.


Thanks to some stellar eavesdropping, an unexpected angel ornament, and a bribe to open for his favorite band ever, Pax will weasel his way back into his mates’ good graces.


All he has to do is friend Clifford, the neighborhood man-shrew, for the summer. Distract him a bit so Clifford’s younger sister can sneak around. 


It sounds like a piece of beginners Beethoven. Jolly good fun.
Easy.


Because, Pax totally knows how to friend people. He has heaps of friends. This shrew’s no match for his shrewd ways. Or is he?




Title: The Captain's Cornish Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: A Captivating Captains story

For a lonely Cornish lifeboatman and an author who’s more used to crime scenes than love scenes, this Christmas is going to be very merry indeed!

When Jago Treherne agrees to man the Polneath lifeboats one snowy Christmas, he knows he can forget turkey and all the trimmings.

Yet when he boards a seemingly empty yacht and stumbles upon sexy Sam Coryton enjoying an energetic afternoon below decks, Jago soon realizes that he might be unwrapping a very different sort of Christmas gift this year!




Title: The Holiday Home Hotel

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Dragon Queen / Second Chances / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Daren Novak and Gunny Schuler have known each other since freshmen days at the University of Washington, where they'd started a romance Daren assumed would last. But at the start of winter break, Gunny bowed to the dictates of his lifelong religion and his overbearing father and left UW never to return.

After a failed marriage, Gunny built a quiet life embracing his gay identity, and left his North Dakota home, his marriage, and his father's business for a forestry and teaching career in Oregon. Meanwhile, Daren has built up his own life around managing a unique holiday venue, the Holiday Home Hotel, and performing for the guests in drag as "Dare."

A decade has passed since they last saw each other, but now winter’s harsh weather brings them face to face—helped along by a minor goddess and powerful forest spirit. Too much hurt might lie between them now to fix things, but interfering supernatural beings are determined to force them to try.




Title: Two Ruined Christmas Eves 
(Not So Perfect Christmas Eves Book 1)
Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Germany / Gay /

Notes: As I was sorting these, I realized this and the one below went together.


Blurb: It’s Christmas Eve, and folk music star Jonas is on his way to the most important gig of his career: A folk music concert. Well, he would be if heavy snowfall hadn’t stopped him on the highway.


Fritz has to accompany his grandparents to the biggest folk music event in southern Germany, the worst punishment for a metal fan, especially on Christmas Eve.

When these two men meet at the concert after-party, sparks fly. Will this Christmas Eve be something special after all?

*The book has been previously published with a different cover*




Title: One Perfect Christmas Eve 
(Not So Perfect Christmas Eves Book 2)
Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: It’s been two years since Jonas missed the biggest folk music concert of his career. But back then, he also met Fritz, and the two have been ridiculously in love ever since then. Now, Jonas is ready to take the next step and ask Fritz to marry him. 


Fritz still hates folk music, just the way he did when he was forced to attend Jonas’ concert. That never changed, even though he suffered through a lot of them by now. Nevertheless, he’s ready to make sure Jonas knows Fritz is perfectly fine living with a folk music star… and marrying one.

But the weather has other plans, and once more, they’re stuck in traffic. And that’s just the beginning of a day that might not lead to a perfect Christmas Eve… or will it?




Title: Winter Hearts

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Lesbian /

Notes: 


Blurb: 13 Festive F/F Fiction Tales from 13 Authors | Over 860 pages of seasonal cheer for women who love women


Including:
Eliza Andrews - Her Holiday Song
Lila Bruce - Easier Said Than Done (A Love Bites Christmas)
Giselle Fox - The Perfectly Imperfect Storm
Anne Hagan - A Sweetwater Christmas
Jea Hawkins - Full Circle: A Must Love Chickens Christmas
Cara Malone - Christmas in Angel Valley
TB Markinson - A Christmas Miracle
Susan X Meagher - Family Matters
A.E. Radley - Holly Hollydays
Adan Ramie - Drive Me Wild
Emma Sterner-Radley - Greengage Holiday Cheer
Em Stevens - The Gift
Natasha West - Stock Take

All profits from this festive box set will be donated to The Trevor Project and to Stonewall



Title: Warren's Peace

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Second Chances / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: The holidays are a time for second chances.

Warren Blessing lost his wife (two years ago), and his kids decide he’s been alone too long. They send him on a holiday singles cruise so he can meet someone new.

On the flight from Chicago to Miami, he sits next to an attractive man, but when the flight’s over, he doesn’t think he'll see him again.

Fletcher Hammond is a professional mystery shopper for vacation destinations and travel. After a split from his unfaithful fiancé, he’s embarking on a singles cruise. He meets a lovely gentleman on the flight, whose conversation and cocktails help Fletcher through his fear of takeoffs, but he doesn’t expect to see him again.

As if by fate, a meeting in the ship’s dining room renews their mutual attraction. But can they build a relationship with distance and baggage working against them? Or will they part ways when they return to port?



Title: Under the Felt Mistletoe

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: The most wonderful time of the year is about to get even better.


On a cold, rainy December morning, Finn’s beloved Grampa, his best friend and rock, makes a friend outside their home who he invites in for coffee. The last thing Finn expects is Nelson, a man with a painful past, who is beautiful and generous and turns Finn’s knees into jelly.

What starts out as a chance to get out of the rain, soon becomes more as Nelson helps Finn get ready for the Christmas market. They bond over coffee and fabric and Mariah Carey. Can handmade Christmas ornaments and an understanding heart give Nelson the love he’s been denied?




Title: Two Daddies For Christmas: 
A Breakfast Club Holiday Story
Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Two clueless men.

One determined little girl.

A whole circle of friends who’ve grown tired of waiting.

You are hereby invited to the wedding of the king of New York City nightlife, who’s finally marrying his prince charming.

Too bad neither of them know it’s happening.

this is an 11,000 word short story set in the Breakfast Club universe, but it features surprise guests from other series.



Title: 'Twas the Play Before Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Bisexual /

Notes: This is not showing up on Amazon even though it released the 15th. 


Blurb: After the death of his wife, Nick Valenti is raising his twins on his own. It’s no surprise when his son, Quinn, gets a part in the holiday show, but Nick is amazed when he shows up at the parent meeting and finds his old high school friend is now his son’s music teacher.


Emmett James is full of passion and energy, and Nick is captivated by him. Volunteering to help with sets gives Nick the opportunity to get to know the man Emmett has become. Sparks fly, flirting ensues, and Nick wants nothing more than to see where the attraction between them goes.

With Christmas in the air, and holiday music helping them along, will Nick and Emmett find a romance that can last?




Title: This Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Alan’s trying to get over a broken heart. Only, in his friends’ opinion he’s taking too long. Coerced into going out dancing with them he meets Matt Hanson, a man as different from Alan’s ex as night is from day. But can Matt help heal Alan’s heart, or is it too soon to even try? And will Alan’s ex try to wreck Matt and Alan’s fledging romance? Looks like it will take more than just the joy of Christmas to make their season bright…




Title: The Christmas Office Party

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Jake likes his job working in a call center office, especially as it brings the added bonus of seeing Liam every day. But Jake is determined not to act on his crush, even when he discovers Liam is a submissive.

But at the office Christmas party everyone cuts loose, even Liam, who seems determined to bring Jake over to his way of celebrating.




Title: The Law of Miracles

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: The sequel to A Christmas Promise…


Joshua Trant is doing his best to support his son Micah and Micah’s partner Greg as they approach the trial of Greg’s attackers. This was never going to be easy, especially as Greg wants them prosecuted for a hate crime, but County Attorney Alexander Rycliffe assures them he’ll do his utmost to make sure the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Joshua hopes that whatever the outcome, Greg will be happy. What he’s finding more difficult to deal with, is the way he’s feeling about Alex. Joshua has loved two people in his life – Hayden and Rachel – and lost them both. The chance of him being lucky a third time is so slim, the thought doesn’t even cross his mind, until Love – and his kids – give him a push in the right direction…

Alex knows what it is to have loved and lost, and he thinks he’s done with men. Then Joshua Trant walks into his life. Alex soon learns there’s more to Joshua than just a handsome face, and the men finally have what both of them need – a friend. But as the months go by, it becomes obvious to everyone concerned that their friendship has the potential to develop into something deeper – if they let it.

One man who thinks he’s had his chance at love.
One man who has to let go of a past betrayal and learn to trust again.
And both are about to be shown Christmas is indeed a time of miracles. All you have to do is believe…

A slow burn for Christmas that makes the HEA worth waiting for.

Contains: two adorable mature guys who act their age, a snarky BFF, reference to hate crimes but no on page violence, delicious food, unsolicited help from well-meaning twenty-something kids, and finally a first time... and a second...




Title: A Christmas Situation 
(Temporary series; Tristan and Dom Book 2)
Genre:

Notes: This cannot be read as a standalone. The first book is A Temporary Situation

Blurb: Love conquers all. But can it survive Christmas?

Dominic and Tristan have been together for almost a year. So everything's got to be plain sailing, right? Not quite. Not if you ask Dominic. Tristan's a bundle of energy and crazy ideas at the best of times. Add in Christmas, and it's a recipe for disaster.

That's not the only issue. There's also Tristan's mysterious absences and secret phone calls to contend with. Dominic might be insecure, but he's not crazy. His boyfriend is definitely up to something, and neither family nor friends seem interested in listening to his concerns. He won't jump to conclusions this time though. He'll talk to Tristan. Only what do you do when you can't get a straight answer out of the man you love?

When Tristan's secrets are revealed, will their first Christmas together also be their last? Or is Dominic about to discover that all his worries have been for nothing?

Only time will tell.

A story containing Christmas snark; a drunk Tristan; snow; and absolutely no mention of spiders—well alright, maybe a few mentions.

Please note that this novella features the same characters as A Temporary Situation, therefore should only be read after reading that one.



Title: A Frostbite Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Fantasy / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: Guard your heart, or Jack Frost will freeze it.

Jack Frost is all about the freezing cold, and he not only wants to freeze the earth, but he also wants to freeze people's hearts. When he sees two lovers kissing under the mistletoe, he vows to split them up. Teddy and his husband, Kirk, are still in love. Will they let a little frost come between them?




Title: A Hometown Holiday

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: Life in a college town suits Josh Cassidy. He has good friends and neighbors, and the bookshop café he runs with his family is thriving. As the winter holidays begin, Josh finds himself enamored with police officer, Alex Curiel, an old friend who has recently moved back to town. The trouble is, Alex isn’t ready for the world to know he’s attracted to men.

At Alex’s request, Josh agrees to closet their relationship, but the secrecy quickly becomes a burden. When Josh realizes he is falling for Alex, he has more and more trouble denying his feelings. Soon, both men are forced to decide if hiding behind closed doors is the kind of future they’re looking for.


Title: Chains Required

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: Rio and Caden have been together for a few years now. It’s a rare weekend they get to spend alone. When Rio suggests they get away to Tahoe for the weekend a few weeks before Christmas, Caden is too excited to even think of saying no. They start their trip and even though they think they’ve planned for every emergency, they can’t control what Mother Nature has in store for them. 

When the car in front of them spins out in the newly fallen snow, they stop to help and soon find out that Caden’s not as alone in this world as he had originally thought. A few more planned surprises make for a special weekend for these hard-working guys who really deserve a weekend getaway.

Can be read as a standalone.


Title: Too Hot for Santa

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Australia / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: Jonah Walsh’s fledgling acting career in Dublin comes to an abrupt end when a video of him in a compromising position goes viral on social media. The offer of a part in a Christmas play in Sydney, Australia arrives at exactly the right time, although he isn’t sure about celebrating Christmas in the scorching heat. Nick Claseman isn’t happy that the actor he and his sister have hired will be occupying his granny flat. As for Jonah’s enthusiasm for Christmas, Nick doesn’t get it. He hasn’t decorated or celebrated in years. 

When Jonah turns out to be anything but a stuck-up starlet with delusions of grandeur, and Nick proves he’s not usually grumpy and borderline hostile, the two men gravitate toward each other. Their attraction morphs into something more when Jonah reacquaints Nick with the pleasures of Christmas and Nick shows Jonah the beauty of Australia. But Jonah is only Down Under for a few months. It would take a Christmas miracle for them to have a future together.


Title: Country Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Cowboys / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: This Christmas, two worlds collide...

Edward Kirby is a big-city surgeon who’s worked himself toward an early grave. On his way to Wisconsin for some enforced R&R, a snowstorm hits--leaving Edward injured, stranded, and more stressed than ever.

Stephen Jackson is an all-American cowboy--and a virgin. He’s overwhelmed with work, trying to keep the family farm from falling into financial collapse, when Edward ends up renting a room at his ranch. He has no idea how to handle the attraction he feels towards the handsome, wealthy man. They come from opposite worlds, but could love find a way to make it work?

Bundle up under the covers and let Riley Knight warm your heart with this burning hot 50,000 word gay romance, intended for adult audiences only. Merry Christmas!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!