What's on the Reading Radar? #TBR #WishList

What am I doing? I'm pushing to get Constant, the 3rd book in the Valespian Pact series, finished. I want it done before the end of the month. Wish me luck!

In the meantime, what's on the Reading Radar? There are a lot of 2018 releases in my folder, but I found some others I put on the wish list, and a few that I one-clicked without reading the blurb. LOL!

Title: Doom Sayer
Series: A City of Crows, 4
Author(s): Clara Coulson
Length: 372 pages
Publisher: Knite and Day Publishing; 1 edition (December 4, 2017)

Genre: Non-Romantic / Urban Fantasy / Psychic / Ghosts / Bisexual MC / New Adult /

Notes: This is one of those series I follow that I pickup the next book without reading the blurb. I love Cal.

Blurb: Aurora, Michigan is finally at peace for the first time in months. It doesn't last very long.

As Cal Kinsey is creeping up to his one-year anniversary on Riker's team, something else is creeping through the streets of Aurora. One by one, people are falling ill with severe flu-like symptoms, and the doctors are stumped, unsure of the cause.

At first, the supernatural community ignores this largely human problem...until a wizard is infected and flies into an insane rage, destroying almost half a city block.

That is when the truth comes out: It's not a disease at all. It's an infectious curse.

With Aurora's supernatural community descending into panic, DSI goes on high alert, and every team is mobilized to hunt down the curse's source. But the ICM refuses to cooperate with the investigation. Terrified practitioners try to flee the city, risking an epidemic. A scared witch attacks a DSI team, killing multiple agents.

And just when Cal and his teammates think it can't possibly get any worse, the unthinkable happens.

The new leader of the local ICM chapter accuses a DSI agent of playing a part in the creation of the curse. Specifically, he accuses one of DSI's elite detectives: the one and only Cal Kinsey.

Title: Blood Visions
Series: Visions, 1
Author(s): LJ Hamlin
Length: 68k
Publisher: LT3 Press

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / Bisexual / Gay / 

Notes: releases 12/27


Blurb: Private detective Ronan Bayne is a former cop who now runs his own agency specializing in all things paranormal. After several women go missing, and the cops and FBI are equally frustrated and at a loss, Ronan is called in to see if he can find answers they can't.

After waking up from a terrible vision of a girl, darkness, and blood, Dustin tries to go to the police but to no avail. But on a visit to the crime scene, he crosses paths with Ronan.

Reluctantly, the two men join forces to locate the missing, but both the case and the partnership prove to be more complicated than either man expects...

Title: Dragon Fire, Angel Light
Series: Shara Godwinson
Author(s): 
Length: 178 pages
Publisher: NineStar Press (December 11, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay / 

Notes: 

Blurb: William is a dragon shifter who, despite having lived for over two thousand years, has never found a true love. When he meets Evyn, a quirky musician/journalist who wants to be a real photographer, he immediately finds him irresistible.

But Evyn's a little supernatural too, and an evil brotherhood and a band of soul reavers are after him to destroy his pure soul.

Can William protect his love from evil?

Title: Seeing is a Curse

Series: Seeing is Believing, 2

Author(s): Terry Poole

Length: 164 pages

Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: 

Blurb: Back from the dead, Eric is reunited with his love, Kevin, only to be torn apart by blackmail and treachery.

Coming back from the dead changes a man as Detective Erik James discovers when he is reunited with Doctor Kevin Stuart, the love of his life. The last thing he expected was to become a ghost whisperer, able to guide lost souls.

They barely get a chance to explore Erik's new abilities when they are abruptly forced apart by blackmail. All because of the greed of Kevin's own ambitious Sentinel father.

Kevin must enlist the help of an old friend to try and end his father's plans, and hopefully win Erik back before it's too late.

At the same time, Ivan, Erik's dead partner and Nick's twin brother, is brutally attacked and left for dead, and Erik is convinced it was because of him.

Teaming up, the men must weed out the corruption rampant in the Sentinel Hierarchy, save Ivan's life and stop Kevin's father.

Piece of cake.

Title: Crossing Quinn

Series: (Coletti Warlords)

Author(s): Gail Koger

Length: 166 pages

Publisher: Loose Id LLC (December 26, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Space Opera / Sci-Fi / Humor / Kickass Women / 

Notes: I adore this series. Can this be read as a standalone, probably. I started the series with Wulf and the Bounty Hunter and followed just fine. I was actually hoping for Tess's romance but snarly Quinn, I hope Xenia gives him a run for his money!

Blurb: Quinn Jones is a formidable Coletti warlord. His mission is to capture Xenia and bring her back to Tanith to be mated with a warrior the Overlord has chosen. Problem is, Quinn finds himself falling for the beautiful Farin. Her unusual "psychic powers, combat training, and berserker abilities" make her the perfect mate for him. How does he convince Xenia and the Overlord that she's meant to be his?

Xenia and her parents are relic hunters who just discovered the fabled home world of the Nabateans. She isn't about to leave the greatest find of the century to hook up with some Coletti. Not happening. Ever. No matter how many threats the Overlord makes or that he's sending his best hunter to apprehend her. Okay, she'll admit she's drawn to the handsome warlord and she loves the way Quinn's heavily muscled body fills out his black battle suit, but the egotistical jerk is about to get his ass handed to him.

When the galaxy is threatened with annihilation, Xenia and Quinn join forces to stop the murderous Tai-Kok. Fate has brought them together and nothing will stand in the way of their victory or their love.

Title: Eternally Bright

Series: (Eternal #2)

Author(s): HL Holston & AJ Burke

Length: 49 pages

Publisher: SH Publishing; 2 edition (December 10, 2016)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal? / Gay / 

Notes: The first book in this series is free and was paranormal, historical, holiday romance.

Blurb: Ever since Gabriel Foster started working at Demerchant Industries, he’d been fighting his attraction to his enigmatic boss, Sébastien Demerchant.

During a Christmas party at Sébastien’s mansion, Gabriel discovers his feelings might be returned. But everything is not as it appears, and Gabriel’s world will be turned upside down in the process.

This is the second book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers, HEA guaranteed.

Title: Queen Takes King

Series: (Their Vampire Queen Book 2)

Author(s): Joely Sue Burkhart

Length: 350 pages

Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampires / Mythologies / Poly / Bisexual / 

Notes: You're going to hear me gush about this series in my yearly top favorites reads for 2017, so I'll spare you here. Just pick up the first book in the series.

Blurb: How many Blood will come to the vampire queen's call... and will they be able to protect her from the king?

For the first time in her adult life, Shara has plenty of money thanks to the Isador legacy--and she's not alone. Daire and Rik are devoted lovers, but they know other Blood are coming. Blood who may challenge Rik for the coveted alpha spot at her back.

As her power grows, so does her hunger. But without fangs, she fears she'll never be the queen her Blood expect. More Blood means power struggles and complications, and she has no idea how to keep everyone happy. Worse, her dreams are quickly becoming something to fear.

Moving to establish her permanent nest, she can't stop dreaming of the king. A massive monster. Chained in darkness. Lost to madness. He roars with fury in her dreams, demanding his release.

But is he the key to unraveling her own mysterious past--or the most dangerous threat of all?

Title: Urijah

Series: (The Stone Society Book 10)

Author(s): 

Length: 318 pages

Publisher: Bramblerose Press LLC (November 11, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes: I haven't read this series but I like the blurb and seriously thinking about just reading this one...

Blurb: Two Alpha Gargoyles… 

Urijah Aldobrand and Banyan Sorensen spend the first two hundred years of their lives together, first playing as boys, then fighting alongside each other as warriors.

Urijah is searching for a female mate, denying what is in front of him his whole life. He sets off alone, in denial, leaving his best friend behind. A couple of centuries later, life has finally given Urijah what he wants until his best friend betrays him. Devastated, Uri cuts him out of his life.

Banyan spends years silently loving his best friend while not so silently trying to convince him they are mates. When they part ways, Banyan carries on, going through the motions of living as a lone male. Two hundred years later, Banyan has found a life for himself in New Orleans. When he makes a grave mistake, he loses his mate for good.

War is finally upon the Stone Society. Fifty of the Clan travel to Greece for battle, but not all return home.

Banyan, heir to the Norse throne, is now ready to accept the crown. Not only has he kept his promises, but a lifetime of secrets as well. Urijah, at a crossroads, decides to return home, hoping to find himself. Both ending up back in Norway surrounded by family, they each must come to terms with what the fates have in store for them. Will Uri let go of his anger and forgive his old friend? Or will he once again turn his back on a future with his mate?

Author’s Note – This story has been almost 800 years in the making. If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you know Urijah and Banyan have something from their past keeping them apart. In this book, you find out what that is. This story wasn’t an easy one to write, and it won’t always be an easy one to read. I told the story Urijah and Banyan needed me to tell, not the one I wanted to tell. Yes, they finally get their HEA, but they take their sweet time getting there.

Title: Club El Diablo: Stephon & Matt

Series: (Devil's Playground Book 4)

Author(s): Holly S. Roberts

Length: 293 pages

Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Poly / Contemporary / Bisexual / BDSM / 

Notes: I haven't read this series but I read a review by Mary Menage who gushed about this author and this book. So I'll probably start from the beginning. It looks as if this isn't the only poly book in the series.

Blurb: Blood Rights lead guitarist, Matt Mathews, and keyboard player, Stephon Cross, live a passionate life of shared women, kinky sex, and close friendship. But something is missing.

Stephon’s past haunts him and only his friend Matt understands and brings balance to hold Stephon’s tightly leashed anger in check. Matt loves his friend but he’s tired of one-night-stands and longs for one woman to fulfill them both and help tame Stephon’s beast.

Jewel, a strong but physically scarred waitress, working in a small café, wants to be loved and cherished, but learned early that life isn’t a sweet melody.

Can Jewel resist Matt’s devilish charm and his friend Stephon’s roving hands when Matt isn’t looking? And, when she discovers their kinky secret can she give her heart to two Doms?


Club El Diablo Series:

Club El Diablo: Damian
Club El Diablo: Monroe & Zachary
Club El Diablo: Krispin
Club El Diablo: Stephon & Matt
Club El Diablo: Luke

Club El Diablo: Stephon & Matt was originally published as Loving Two Doms.

Title: The Moon's Dirty Light

Series: Werewolves of Baltimore, 1

Author(s): HL Holston & Eleanor Bruce

Length: 107 pages

Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Mpreg / Gay / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Baltimore police officer Logan Robinson was wrong for having sex with his partner and best friend Dylan Reed, but giving Dylan the mating bite during sex was insane.

Anger clouds their partnership, and it doesn’t help they are investigating murders that look suspiciously like dog attacks, but Logan knows they’re not.

Finding a killer is tricky enough, but now it will almost be impossible with their “personal issues” clouding the investigation. And if Dylan does turn into a four-legged freak at the next full moon…the fur will fly.


CONTENT WARNING: mpreg themes, shifter knotting and two hot Alpha police detectives who seal their fate with an accidental mating bond.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

#PactDay - Fal'Amoric #ValespianPact

Welcome to Thursday's Pact Days! Today, we have the Fal'Amoric.

Athena's people, Zeus, and Prometheus are Fal'Amoric. I had to be careful with the information here because there is still much to discover about the Fal'Amoric and I didn't want to give spoilers.


A couple of side notes: For a list of species that have been posted so far, see the The People of Valespia page. I'm placing these in alphabetical order so I won't unintentionally place importance on any specie. I will leave off information on the species that will spoil future books. My standard sheet has the same categories for all species. So there will be blank categories just because that species didn't need them.

Enjoy!

Species: Fal'Amoric

Planet: Valespia

Other races on the planet: Daimoni, Keygan, Minotauri,

Planetary Terrain: (Sadris only) The Manes Forest

Capitol: Argos

Country: Sadris

Patron Ryo Pardeep:

Description: eye color ranges from white to blue. The lighter the eye color the more royal blood they believe they have. Hair color ranges from blacks to blues. Only those with white or near white eyes will have alabaster skin. After that, the skin tones range from golden to bronze. Once fully mature (around 100 years old) their height can reach three meters. Though their ancestors were human, the Fal'Amoric are genetically altered and not considered human. They are a race that has both male and female reproductive organs. They form parental groups of at least three partners, if not more. They must have at least two donors for sperm to impregnate a member.

The child will choose their pronoun.

Every member of the family group can nurse the babe.

They are the galaxies' omegas, and are able to learn languages without technological help. They can reproduce with any species originally signed onto the Valespian Pact with the exception of the humans and those who joined the coalition after the initial startup.

According to the pact, the Fal'Amoric people bind the two imperial house of the Keygan and Daimoni people together. They are essential in order to defend against the V'Saar.

They can grow to be over three meters, albeit they reach under two meters in their 20s. After that, their growth slows. They are considered younglings until they are almost 100.

They take their mother's/bearer's surname.

History of the Omegas: designed to be a blender species by the Alpha-Zetamite, Ryo'Pardeep and other allies.

The Ancients approached the humans to become a part of the Valespian Pact. First the humans attempted to steal the technology. After they were caught, the humans gave 300k of their unwanted, the majority intersex who refused to have their bodies altered to conform to being female or male. These people became prized by the Ancients.

Stabilizing their genetics, the strongest became the royal house. The Bespoken is betrothed to the Galactic princes of the Daimoni and Keygan people. Blind at birth, the Bespoken gains their eyesight around the age of 11-13. They appear completely male until the age of 12-13 when they begin to form female reproductive organs. They are fertile can procreate by the age of 25.

Quotes from the series: "Over the last thirty years, whole Fal'Amoric communities have been disappearing, leaving no traces as to where they have gone. Some of the communities show signs of conflict. We were not sure if the Fal'Amoric were being systematically massacred, enslaved, or had gone into hiding. If they were hiding, then the question became from what? Why did they not contact the royal houses?"

"…if they do not find the one who was promised to them, and wed him by the time the next blue sun rises on Valespia, then the Imperial Defense Grid will begin to deactivate and the galaxies will be invaded by the V'Saar."

"One of the closely guarded secrets is that Athena's people are comprised of three sexes. Almost have of their population are what the Terrens termed 'hermaphrodites', comprising both male and female, with fully-functional reproductive systems. Those like me [Zeus] are said to be pure, the omegas of the races. We have the full genetic make-up of all the races, allowing us to bear offspring from the races we have been blended with."

"The Terrens signed the Valespian Pact, but the ones who were offered up to represent the humans evolved. With their consent, the Ancients sped the Fal'Amorics evolution, not only designing them to be a blender species, but causing them to become genetically different enough to make them and the Terren's incompatible."

Common Occupation:

Government Systems: Monarchy (Empress led)

Current Leader: Empress Asia Cy'Argus & Emporer Iapetus; Athena Asia Cy'Argus

Council of Neighn of Member: Altan

Allies: Daimoni, Keygan, Mar'Sani, Dar Massaga, Chtichlian, Conti'Quan, Giante, Valuzial,

Star System: Haven Star System

Other planets occupied by species:

Military Leader:

Cultural names and terms specific to species:

State House

Bearer – for those who use female pronouns

Carrier – for those who use male pronouns 

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Looking Back at 2017

I'll be honest. I've been putting off writing this post. I'll probably cry while writing some of it because 2017 was difficult for me. So bear with me, if you will. I do have a lot to tell you. This post will lead directly to next Tuesday's post about what my plans for 2018 are. 

This time in 2016 I was preparing to spend some time with my best friend, Molly, and I had started writing Bespoken. Though I was excited to be able to finally get to Bespoken, my best friend was dying of cancer. I ended up spending the majority of the month of January in hospice, taking care of Molly until she passed away. That was hardest month in my life and I never want to have another like it. I thought losing my father to cancer two years earlier had prepared me, but I was so wrong.

When I returned home, I spent a couple of weeks doing practically nothing but crying. Everywhere I looked, she was still with me from knickknacks on the shelf, dishes, clothes... just stuff everywhere. People say it helps when you pack that stuff up. I'm sorry, but nope. I never will. 

Mid to late February, I tried to go on with Bespoken, belatedly realizing that the book I thought would be 80k would be more like 150-170k and that I was sorely lacking some world building. And I was hating everything that I wrote, so in March I put Bespoken aside. I was really close to trashing everything I'd written to that point (which was just over 50k).

I did have a project due May 1st. There was a group of us who got together and built a sci-fi world called Have Human Will Travel. My story, Lucky Charm, was going to be a yummy, smutty space romp. Something to pick me up, but as I was writing it turned dark and brooding. I was still crying almost everyday while putting up this happy front and it exhausted me. I hated everything I had written on Lucky Charm, and some friends convinced me to put it aside for later. I still haven't gone back to look at it since April 4th.

With Releasing Chaos releasing in August, I then decided I would would world build and write the Sumeria's Sons standalone I had planned. But then edits were coming in for Sūnder mid-May and I set Assassin's Legacy side. I thought I would pick that back up but May, June, and July turned into editing months between Releasing Chaos and Sūnder. That was basically all I had time for. I did some much needed world building on The Valespian Pact and Bespoken. But I didn't pick Assassin's Legacy back up. 

At the beginning of August, the final installment of Sumeria's Sons was released. I was so happy to have the series done. That last book was huge, coming in at 132k. Printed, Releasing Chaos was 600 pages. It is the longest book I have written so far.

August was also filled with final edits for Sūnder, blog tour for Releasing Chaos, and a ton of self-pubbing things that kept cropping up. Alison Todd-Mann was my angel. I will ever be grateful for her help and friendship over this past year. <3

Sūnder released at the beginning of September. I had been working on this book for well over a year. Kirby Crow made me the perfect cover. I love it to pieces. So much hard work and thought (hello, again, Alison) went into finishing this story but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I think this is the best book I have written to date. I love this world and the characters and I'm really excited about what I have planned for the series... but I'll talk more about that next Tuesday.

At the beginning of September, while Sūnder was making its debut, I took some time off. One of my nieces, Tandice, and I took a trip to visit family in north Texas. Unfortunately, it was right after the hurricane, but everything turned out fine. We spent time with my mom as well as my sister and her family. When I returned I was energized, feeling like my old self. I still had crying jags (I had one just the other day) but the depression isn't as bad. 

By the end of September, I started writing on Bespoken again. I designated Thursday as Pact Days (#PactDays) where I shared stuff on The Valespian Pact. I buckled down, getting the rest of the world building put together so that I could finish the story. October is a tough month for me. Both Molly and my dad were diagnosed in October, so I struggle. But this year, one of my nieces, Myranda, was moving from Virginia Beach to Seattle and spent October in town which gave me something positive to cling to.

It was during this time, I thought it would cool to write a couple of flash fictions for Prince Mestor and Warlord Sohm'lan. With all the world building, I plotted a good portion of the rest of the series and they have a romance that is shown near the end. But it started during Striker. I had planned to write two or three flash fictions revolving around how they became lovers. After 8k, I realized their story was more than a couple of flash fictions. 

My Facebook Group, Lexi's Sandbox, helped me find a title for this new addition to The Valespian Pact. Hello, Constant! I expect to finish it before the end of the month, making Constant the only story that I have completed this year. This is a BIG YAY for me. As of yesterday, Constant was at 28k. I expect to add 10-15k to the story to finish it up.

When Constant turned out to be a short-novel in progress, I wanted to do a holiday flash fiction, and Gent from my contemporary Keeping series had been talking to me about retiring and finding someone. I thought, "Great! Help Gent retire, find a new alias and boyfriend." A quick, simple story that I can share for five to eight Tuesdays as a blog story. I could write it by the seat of my pants and let it go where it wanted to and just have fun with it.

Thus A Gentleman's Holiday started. Quickly, it turned away from what I thought it would be and gained a life of it's own turning into a paranormal urban fantasy story. This 8 week blog story will probably last six or more months. I had to rename it (Thank you Facebook Group, y'all rock!!!!) but I also had to put it on pause so that I could get a couple of chapters under my belt. Ran into a couple of snags by pantsing it with no world building or character building. Assassin's Retirement will resume on January 2nd.

So, as you see, I struggled with writing this year until these last couple of months. I did a TON of world building though, as well as plotting. I'll need a refresher on the items for the 2018 agenda, but a good portion of the work is already done. I don't hate everything I'm writing anymore. I'm impatient to get Bespoken finished and there are a couple of projects I'm stoked about writing. I need to start going back to the gym. I stopped going this past February because I just couldn't be around people. I've lost all my hard earned muscle mass, but I have a goal to work towards. I still miss Molly everyday, especially when something happens and I want to talk to her. 

Interacting with the people who are a part of Lexi's Sandbox has been a godsend. I love talking and interacting with them. Creating a Facebook group was one of the best decisions I made this year. They have helped to provide motivation when I struggled. <3

Now that looking back at the year is over, next Tuesday I'll be looking at what I want to do in 2018. Make sure you stop back by and see what is in store!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What is on the Reading Radar: Holiday Edition #TBR #WishList

Welcome to the Reading Radar's Holiday reading list! 

A couple of weeks ago I asked for holiday recommendations with the catch that it could be anything but contemporary. There are a ton of holiday stories set in the modern world, which is awesome, but for a reader like me who prefers Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal, I wanted to see more holiday stories in the genre I love to read. 

This is the result when I asked for recommendations on Facebook. There were enough of them to cover both today and last Saturday. (here's last week's link.) 

Enjoy!

Title: Magical Rescue
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Laura Baumbach
Length:
Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Gay /

Notes: The MRL website says due Out 12/2017 but its not up for sale yet.


Blurb: Christmas is only a few days away. New Year's Eve, with all its terminal finality, would, thankfully, bring an end to Daniel Sherman's traumatic, pain-filled, empty year. Its seem like an appropriate time to bring everything in his world to a close. Spirit broken, Daniel's plan is to enjoy maybe his last holiday in the icy cold of his beloved wilderness. It would be a comfort to end his days wrapped in the peace and solitude of the mountain -- If only he didn't feel like he was being watched, a feeling he'd had since his accident. Maybe adventure wasn't out of his life yet.

Title: Love Shift
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Neil S. Plakcy 
Length: 83 pages
Publisher: MLR Press (December 15, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal /  Shifter / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Can a snow-loving Prancer give up shifting and service to Santa to follow his true love to Florida?

Peter's ability to shift into reindeer form appeared at puberty. As a Prancer, he's in service to Santa, and working as an EMT in rural Vermont when he's not delivering gifts to kids around the world. But when his boyfriend needs to relocate to Florida, where it's too hot for Peter's shift to take place, which will he sacrifice -- his love or his service?

Title: Pushing Phillip
Series: Common Powers
Author(s): Lynn Lorenz
Length: 286 pages
Publisher: Pride Publishing (December 19, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Book four in the Common Powers series!

Jobless, homeless and alone at Christmas—can his new friends keep him from running?

When the guys decide to spend Christmas together at the ranch, it’s going to be a time for catching up with each couple. Rush and Brian are hosting, Edward and Jack will be there and Mitchell and Sammi are coming in from Houston.

When Brian and Rush take Phillip, a newly outed gay man, under their wings, they discover he’s got a power. But this power is one that makes all of them uncomfortable, along with the young man himself as issues of trust arise.

Phillip finds himself jobless, homeless and alone for the holiday, and he’s run out of options. Just when he’s ready to move on, he finds new friends who are ready to give him a second chance at his dreams. Along with a second chance at love.

Title: Of Christmas Past
Series:
Author(s): Teryn Day
Length: 44 pages
Publisher: NineStar Press (December 5, 2016)

Genre: Romance /  Paranormal / Spirits / Bisexual / Ace/Aro / 

Notes:


Blurb: Jonathan Barthes has always been able to see—and speak to—the dead. Unfortunately, restless spirits tend to be somewhat needy, and his “gift” has cost him everything from a promising acceptance into med school to a long string of failed relationships. Unable to find a purpose after a terrible autumn semester, he accepts his aunt’s offer to become the caretaker of one of the estates his great-uncle left her over the holidays. He expected the restless spirits: the little girl, the mean governess, and he especially expected the ghost of the vindictive young man who calls himself Cecil.

Cecil's handsome enough when he’s not making the mirrors bleed or the radios speak in tongues. As the year crawls on and reaches its end, however, Jon begins to help Cecil uncover the mystery of his life—and his tragic death. Jon had a dream of helping the living—but maybe, just this once, when he helps a ghost, that ghost will help him back.

Title: North Pole City Tales bundle
Series:
Author(s): Charlie Cochet
Length: 380 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay 

Notes: Releases 12/20


Blurb: City Tales Anthology: The Complete Set

Everyone has heard of Santa’s home in the frozen north, where elves and reindeer work hard to ensure Christmas cheer for the world. But that’s only part of the story….

All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in Mayor Kringle’s city. Sometimes it takes more than a little courage to keep the workshops running smoothly and enemies at bay. When their duties are complete, the Rein Dear, elves, winter spirits, and a legendary figure or two are ready to spice up their chilly nights—and hopefully find a happily ever after along the way. Sometimes it’s waiting in the last place they expected.

With adventure, magic, and romance hot enough to melt the polar ice, these holidays won’t soon be forgotten. Welcome to North Pole City, where love is the greatest gift of all.

Title: My House Boy Elf
Series:
Author(s): Kimberly Hunter
Length: 26 pages
Publisher:

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Magic / Gay

Notes:


Blurb: It's the Christmas season and two of Santa's elves have a very special mission. Bring two deserving souls together for the ultimate gift ~ True love. 

Trace Moore has been alone and on his own since his parents kicked him out at age seventeen. Now 22, the only thing he wants for Christmas is a new place to live since he's being evicted.

Donovan Eliot has wealth, respect, and security. What he doesn't have is someone to share it all with. But losing his lover and best friend to prostate cancer three years prior has made Donovan wary of getting back into the dating pool.

That all changes when he spies a gorgeous little man dressed as a sexy elf working in his club.

The attraction is instant for these two, but can old wounds and insecurities be overcome?

With a sprinkle of Christmas magic, anything is possible.

Title: Magic & Mistletoe
Series:
Author(s): Annabelle Jacobs
Length: 114 pages
Publisher:

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Magic / Gay / 

Notes:


Blurb: Christmas is Harry’s favourite time of the year, but it looks like he’ll be spending it alone. When it comes to the men he fancies, his luck is non-existent. Harry’s nerves always get the better of him—especially when he tries to talk to Andrew, the hot guy downstairs.

Everything changes when Harry meets a mysterious girl in the woods who professes to be a witch. He dismisses her claims, but when odd things start happening to him, he has to reconsider.

Andrew was attracted to Harry from the start, but their awkward encounters put him off. All goes well until Harry opens his mouth—and ruins it with his stupidity and silly comments. When Harry suddenly becomes more relaxed and they have a proper conversation, Andrew realises his first impression was wrong. As the days count down to December 25, they get swept up in the Christmas spirit and their relationship moves faster than either expected.

A little winter magic might have been the push they needed, but Harry worries that when it wears off, he’ll no longer be the man Andrew wants.

Title: Reindeer of a Gift
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Nina R. Schuntz
Length: 25 pages
Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Getting hurt on Christmas Eve hurt Prince's pride more than his ankle, but he never imagined to fall off the roof of a such a hottie.

Prince knew his ankle was tender so it was no surprise when he slipped off the roof during deliveries. The team and Santa continued on, leaving Prince to wait until morning for a lift a home. The broken family in the home welcomed him inside and Prince found his accident was exactly the present the single father needed.

Title: Rudolph's Reins
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Pelaam
Length: 77 pages
Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: A reunion of friends leads Clevelly to a magical revelation.

Rudy makes a surprise visit to an old friend, Casey. Rudy, and his friends Nic and Jack haven't seen Casey since he and Jared admitted their love. But all doesn't go smoothly.

A misunderstanding by Jared needs addressing, and Rudy's just the one to put things straight.

At the offer of attending reindeer games with Rudy, and seeing Nic, and Jack again, the couple quickly agree, and Jared arranges to be met at the airport by his cousin Clevelly.

When Rudy meets Clevelly, he immediately recognizes the man as his mate. But since Rudy is a reindeer shifter, and Clevelly a human, courtship proceeds slowly.

When danger strikes, will Clevelly accept Rudy for who, and what he is, will he don Rudolph's reins?

Title: Rudy
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Terry Poole
Length: 158 pages
Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Hated by his family for simply existing, Rudy never thought a blind date mix-up would change his future and possibly save his life in this modern retelling of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

Hated by his family for being a living reminder of his father's infidelity, Rudy never expected that a blind date mix-up would change his life in this modern retelling of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

Clay, an engineer fresh out of the military, is the answer to Rudy's dreams, becoming Rudy's co-worker, protector, and lover all rolled into one gorgeous package.

Not only do they mesh well together to bring Rudy's vision to life, neither can deny the overwhelming attraction that sizzles between them. An attraction that almost ends before it can begin because of a misunderstanding that leads to Clay being in jail for assault.

Filled with hate, Donny, Rudy's older half-brother, tries to destroy him and stop Rudy from saving his grandfather's toy factory.

Only Clay can save Rudy's life and the toy factory, if he's not too late.

Title: Safety Protocols for Human Holidays
Series:
Author(s): Angel Martinez
Length: 55 pages
Publisher: Mischief Corner Books, LLC; 1 edition (December 9, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Lesbian / 

Notes:


Blurb: As a security officer on an interspecies ship, Growlan Raskli's experienced in heading off species-specific aberrant behaviors in order to keep the peace. But when her captain asks her to find out what's bothering their sole human crew member, Raskli's out of her depths. She hardly knows anything about humans and she's not a psych doctor.

Something's definitely upset Human Jen, something to do with human holidays. The more time Raskli spends studying humans and interacting with the intriguing Human Jen, the more personal the assignment becomes. Determined to lift the dark cloud from Human Jen, Raskli will do whatever it takes—within safe parameters, of course.

Title: Snow Creek Mountain
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Shiloh Saddler
Length: 57 pages
Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: When Marshal Oden is left for dead on Snow Creek Mountain he never thought his rescuer would be a reindeer shifter.

Two outlaws take Marshal Oden prisoner and leave him to freeze on Snow Creek Mountain. Marshal Oden tries to find shelter and build a fire, but he knows his time is running out. He sends up a silent plea for help, and is shocked and relieved when a mountain man comes to his aid.

Horatio Kringle is a member of K herd. He knows he’s different from the other reindeer shifters-he prefers men. He hasn’t come out yet, but when he saves Marshal Oden he knows the lawman is meant to be his mate.

The two of them are vastly opposite. Can they find a way to make this sudden pairing work?

Title: The Elves of Christmas
Series:
Author(s): Wendy Rathbone
Length: 77 pages
Publisher: Eye Scry (November 19, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes:


Blurb: Two months before Christmas at the North Pole, Santa’s workshop bustles with activity. Santa is coming early with only half a day’s warning to inspect the elves’ progress!

Pepper, who designs and makes special one-of-a-kind dolls, is ordered by his boss Jingle to take time out of toy-making to wash three stories of windows and decorate every room in preparation for Santa. He assigns Ice to assist. But for Pepper, it’s a bit of a problem. Ice is a surly elf, even disrespectful toward Santa, while Pepper reveres Santa to the point of hero-worship.An unlikely pairing, they must work together in order to finish before Santa’s arrival.

But can two elves with conflicting value systems even get along?

Amidst secrets, resentments, toasted cheese sandwiches, snowman building, a blizzard, and Santa’s nerve-wracking visit, Pepper and Ice discover a mutual attraction. If they can overcome wrongful assumptions and failed expectations, love might just take its natural course and lead them to a Merry Christmas.

Title: The Holly Groweth Green
Series:
Author(s): Amy Rae Durreson
Length: 62 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Historical / Fantasy / Gay

Notes:


Blurb: When wounded doctor Laurence Payne is stranded in the snowy English countryside on Christmas Eve, 1946, he is surprised to stumble upon Mistle Cottage and its mysterious inhabitant. Avery claims to be an Elizabethan wizard, and Laurence struggles to explain away the atmosphere of the cottage as mere coincidence and trickery. He spends a magical twelve days of Christmas celebrating with Avery, but then wakes to find his lover has vanished and the cottage has fallen to ruin overnight.


Laurence’s investigations lead him to the story of an ancient fairy curse—Avery is doomed to spend only Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night in human form until he finds true love. Laurence sets out to give Avery the greatest gift of all—his heart and with it the chance to live for more than the fleeting winter weeks he’s been sentenced to.

Title: The Reindeer Conundrum
Series: Shifting through the Snow
Author(s): Mark Zubro
Length: 95 pages
Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifter / Gay

Notes:


Blurb: Rudolph must find the true message of Christmas to save Santa and the holiday for the world. During the frantic search for the missing Santa, we learn the heart and soul about what is important in the way we deal with each other, including among the magical reindeer, elves, and people - all the denizens of the North Pole. Who they are and how they care for each other leads to the truth and about what we all need to value.

Title: The Werewolf before Christmas
Series:
Author(s): Charles Payseur
Length: 40 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Aliens / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Ray seems like the perfect boyfriend—he’s gorgeous, incredibly romantic, and has a mechanical suit he invented to become the dastardly MantaRay. For Alec, who also spends his nights making life difficult for do-gooders everywhere, it’s a match made in supervillain heaven. Except that Ray is a bit too into the hit soap opera All My Werewolves. When tempers flare during what’s supposed to be a quiet night out, Alec nearly ruins everything over a stupid bet with an alien gorilla.

Title: Vampire Claus
Series:
Author(s): Robert Winter
Length: 112 pages
Publisher:

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampire / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: A lonely vampire and a fearless mortal with no instinct for self-preservation. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

'Twas the night before Christmas, but what's stirring is a little more dangerous than a mouse.

Taviano is nearly two hundred years old and never wakes in the same place twice. Weary and jaded, the vampire still indulges in memories of childhood Christmases in Naples. He lingers in shadow, spying on mortals as they enjoy the holiday.

When Taviano spots a handsome young man in Boston loaded down with presents and about to be mugged, he can't help but intervene. Soon he's talking to joyous, naïve, strong-willed and funny Paul, a short-order cook who raised funds to buy Christmas presents for LGBTQ children. Before he knows what's happened, Taviano is wrapped up in Paul's arms and then in his schemes to get the presents delivered by Christmas morning.

A vampire turned into a Christmas elf... What could go wrong?

Vampire Claus is a 30,000-word standalone gay romance about a lonely vampire and a fearless mortal with no instinct for self-preservation. A heartwarming ending, no cliffhanger, and a young man who discovers he has a thing for fangs. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

Title: When Christmas Lights are Blue
Series:
Author(s): Harper Fox
Length: 47 pages
Publisher:

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Spirits / Gay

Notes: and this is on Audible


Blurb: Rob and Karan are a great couple, but they’re tearing apart under the pressures of modern life. They both work as paramedics for the NHS, and just before Christmas, their plans for the future are in jeopardy.

Rob knows he’s on thin ice with the man he loves more than anyone else in the world, and he’s at a loss to fix it. The job is getting tougher, and Karan, who’s of Sikh descent, is facing violence on the streets in the wake of Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Financial problems, hostile families on both sides... Their troubles seem insoluble.

An emergency callout stops them on the brink of a final and heartbreaking row. In a forest on the bleak northern hills, Rob loses control of the van in the snow. The only gleam of light comes from a strange, lonely house among the trees. Lost, cut off from the world they know, can they find their way back to one another? It’s the longest night of the year, and spirits are abroad among the pines...

Title: Wild R Christmas
Series: Wild R Farms Series
Author(s): Silvia Violet
Length:  142 pages
Publisher:

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Alternate World / Shifters / Western / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Wild R Farm Book 7

Every year Cole Wilder hosts a big Christmas dinner for all the employees of Wild R Farm, and every year he takes on too many responsibilities then ends up exhausted and even more cranky than usual. This year, Cole’s husband, Jonah, is determined things will be different. Not only is he having their bathroom renovated to add a little luxury to their lives, he’s got plans to whisk Cole away for a Christmas vacation. But getting Cole to agree to let their ebullient friend, Tristan, organize Christmas at the farm is easier said than done.

Tristan promises to take perfect care of the farm, but as soon as Cole and Jonah leave, chaos ensues—couples fighting, construction disasters, kitchen woes. The only thing keeping confessed Christmas-o-phile, Tristan, merry is his boyfriend, Wes. He knows exactly what Tristan needs so they can pull the whole Wild R Farm crew together for the happiest Christmas they’ve ever had.

Title: Winter Knights
Series: Men Under the Mistletoe
Author(s): Harper Fox
Length: 107 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (December 5, 2011)

Genre: Romance / Magical Realism / Gay /

Notes:


Blurb: Historian Gavin Lowden is in Northumberland on Christmas Eve for two reasons: to find evidence of a romantic bond between Arthur and Lancelot, and to finally tell his partner Piers that he loves him. Piers has promised to come clean with his conservative family and join Gavin for their first holiday as a couple, but at the last minute, he bails. Devastated, Gavin heads out onto the moors alone, just as snow begins to fall...

Gavin stumbles into an underground chamber, where strange happenings cause him to question what is real and what is fantasy. He's found by two mysterious men who offer him a bed for the night—and awaken him to nuances of erotic pleasure he didn't know existed. Pleasure he hopes to share with Piers.

When Piers learns that Gavin has gone missing, he is desperate to find him. He knows now breaking up was a terrible mistake, and he's ready to take the next step in their relationship—if it's not already too late.

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