Gay Romance Report December 2, 2022

Once upon a time, a bunch of authors wondered… what would happen if Heart2Heart, the dating app responsible for pairing up the quirkiest, most perfect couples, brought people together by asking the questions they never knew they needed answered?

From learning each other’s secret zombie survival skills, to disputing the greatest starship captain ever, to confessing their feelings about Cornish pasties, the characters in these fourteen brand new stories inspired by reader suggestions will learn that no matter how random the question… love is always the answer.

And, as always, all proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ charities to ensure that love in all its incarnations will be celebrated and protected every day of the year!

Stories included in this collection are:

Heist of Hearts, by Alice Winters

Keeping Him in Cornwall, by Con Riley

Hate 2 Love U, by Daryl Banner

Love Down Under, by Eden Finley

Rock, Paper, Scissors, by Kate Hawthorne

Dog Days, by Kelly Fox

The London Chance, by Lane Hayes

My Darcy, by Lily Morton

A Drag Made in Heaven, by Max Walker

Connection, by Nicole Dykes

Worst. Date. Ever., by Onley James

Down the Mountain, by Rachel Ember

The Anti-Wingman, by Saxon James

The Choice, by Sloane Kennedy

There are three kinds of people in Honeybridge, Maine: The Honeycutts, who know a lot about love and loyalty; The Wellbridges, who think they’re the epitome of wealth and refinement; and the rest of the Honeybridgers, who know better than to get in the way of the centuries-old rivalry between the two.

There wasn’t a time when I didn’t know Flynn “Firecracker” Honeycutt.

He’s been my childhood friend. My high school rival. The guy I couldn’t stop dreaming about, long after I thought I’d left him and Honeybridge in my rear-view mirror.

Now he’s the key to the giant promotion that can make or break my career… if I can just convince the man to give me the distribution rights for his award-winning mead.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

Flynn’s not the guy he used to be. His gorgeous eyes used to spark with dreams and fire, but now he looks at me with cold fury. And just like Achilles had his heel and Samson had his hair, I had Flynn Honeycutt, the one man I’d never been able to charm, despite an entire life spent winning people over.

I’m not giving up, though. Because I’m not the kid I used to be, either. And because, if the two of us can survive a long, hot summer filled with his family’s crazy antics and my mother’s single-handed determination to keep the Wellbridge-Honeycutt feud alive, there might just be a chance for both of us to get what we want:

A new dream.

The fulfillment of an old town legend.

And another chance to spark Firecracker to life.

Frankie Carter lives and breathes PA work.
Becoming indispensable to a top exec is all he’s ever wanted, even if he is repeatedly overlooked in favour of other less well-qualified applicants.

The problem? 94% of executive PAs are women.

But resourcefulness comes with the territory. As does a pinstriped skirt, killer heels, and enough chutzpah to blag the interviews… conveniently passing as a woman instead of a gay man. Egged on by his friends, Frankie lands himself his dream job working for Lysander St. Cloud, a senior exec on the board of the family firm.

On the outside, his boss has it all. Or does he? Before long, Frankie discovers Lysander’s looks, money, and status mask a shyness and humiliating past he’d like to forget.

Lysander is straight, and he believes Frankie is a woman. A close bond develops between them. A bond increasingly in danger of slipping from professional into something else. Frankie needs to come clean before he hurts not only Lysander but himself. Will he choose his career, his friendship, or his heart? Or is he brave enough to fight for them all?

Jude longs to have a meet-cute with the love of his life. But he learns how fun a happily ever after can be when he falls in love with a man whose imagination is as lively as his own.

Jude Moore

What’s better than running into the love of your life in an airport while enacting a scene worthy of being in a rom-com movie? That would be having the meet-cute gods snow us in together at a hotel with only one bed. Luckily, that’s only the start of my incredible relationship with Rigby. There’s so much more to our story because the real fun begins once we get home.

Falling for Rigby is easy because he’s tall, adorable, and an academic nerd that makes my heart do the fandango. He’s also a total sweetheart who knows how to make me swoon by indulging my wildest fantasies to make all of my wishes come true.

How could I not adore a man who gladly takes me on the trip of a lifetime to the Camelot of my dreams, where he’s the romantic King Arthur to my Sir Lancelot?

Rigby Pasquali

I never thought I’d be the “fall in love at first sight” type, but Jude makes me believe in romance and a happily ever after. He’s the first partner I’ve ever had who makes me feel safe enough to explore new sides of myself and discover what I want. When his creative imagination is as vivid as my own, it means there are no limits to the magical wonderlands we can create while we role-play scenarios that tick off all of the boxes on my wish list.

How did I get so lucky to end up with a boyfriend who can be everything I’ve ever desired and complete me in a way I never knew I needed?

Snowbody Like You is the first book in the Suite Dreams series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features an insta love, role-playing, forced proximity, opposites attract, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Snowbody Like You was originally featured as a 14k short story in the Winter Wonderland giveaway. It has been expanded into a 61k full-length novel, which means there’s more of Jude and Rigby to love!

Gearing up for his first holiday season as the new owner of his family’s restaurant, Reid has his work cut out for him. His small resort town is a destination location, but the reappearance of the high school bully who returns every year is not the way Reid wants to start the holidays. Especially given that Grant was the first boy he’d ever loved, and the one boy who’d broken his heart.

Returning home for the holidays every year is never fun. The memories of who Grant used to be lurk around every corner. With little to no relationship with his family, Grant plans to spend his holidays eating pie and skiing. But running into the one man Grant has never apologized to changes the course of his visit. And his life.

Can Reid and Grant mend fences and move past the hurtful high school bet that tore them apart? Can they put the past behind them to see the future that lies ahead?

Grant My Wish is a 44K word standalone novella that features bully redemption, small town vibes, hurt/comfort, holiday wishes come true, and a HEA.

All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in North Pole City. Office workers Tim and Noel do nothing all day but antagonize each other—petty fighting that might be based on hatred… or a heated mutual attraction. It’s up to Jack Frost and his elf-friend Rudy to broach the hostilities and introduce some Christmas kisses, but is the Frost Prince up to the challenge of launching a new romance when someone’s trying to break his holiday spirit?

If three’s a crowd, what does that make four?

My love life, apparently. Now I’m on the run with Cyrus, Sam, and Alex, and that’s not even accounting for the fact that I’m pregnant—with twins—and my overbearing mother is along for the ride.

Oh, and did I mention I found out Zeus is my father? Yeah, that Zeus. Turns out Cameron’s not the only one who’s been hunting me down. And I might have to rely on my not-so-absent dad to protect me from the relentless vampire who’s probably the father of my children.

Can you get a bulk discount on paternity tests? Because I’m going to need around half a dozen to sort this shit out.

–

Blue Blood is the third book in the Godbearer series, which should be read in order.

Sebastian

I wanted to be the best; that was always the goal, and getting out from under my tyrant of a boss and setting up a business with my brother was the way I achieved that.
But, in order to maintain the advantage, I have to network. Unfortunately, these events are less than the social highlight I imagined them to be but, when I ditch the expected fiery redheaded woman for a night of passion with someone completely unexpected, sparks fly.
It’s a one-off, or that’s what I tell myself.
An indulgence I can’t be allowed if I want to succeed. And I do. I will.

Walker

I’m struggling. That’s how these things always start, right?
Things are hard and someone rushes in to my rescue and magically fixes every problem I’ve ever had with nothing more than a click of their fingers. Unfortunately, I live in the real world where you have to fix problems yourself, which is how I found myself signing a contract with one of the most renowned advertising companies in the area.
What I wasn’t expecting, was the man I had a one-night stand with to be my new manager, and it’s more than clear the rest of the world doesn’t know what I do about him.

There are more than hearts on the line in this whirlwind romance. Will Sebastian give in to his indulgence and fight for his man? Or will Walker’s dreams crumble alongside the love he thought he had?

The single dad and the rootless vagabond. Expect: a shy, hunky firefighter and an ethereal dancer down on his luck. A sizzling contemporary MM age-gap holiday romance. Mild hurt-comfort, found family, and friends-to-lovers galore.

Firefighter Logan Halliwell doesn’t have much time for romance. A relentless work-life-balance and an expensive divorce have sucked the festive cheer from his days. All he wants is to be a good dad. A fun dad. Especially at Christmas.

He doesn’t know how lonely he is until he meets Remy Collins, a gorgeous fire dancer at a sultry summer festival.

Their instant connection blows his mind, but their fleeting encounter is over before Logan can catch his breath. One kiss and they’re strangers again. That wicked brush of lips nothing but a dream.

Long months pass. Then fate brings them together again at the summit of Firefly Hill, and absence has only strengthened the current thrumming between them. The heat. The precious chance of true happiness they both so desperately need.

Only fear stands in their way.

And Logan’s dangerous job.

It takes a tough lesson and a dose of winter magic to learn that loving each other means Christmas all year round.

Christmas On Firefly Hill is an MM holiday romance, featuring a burly single dad firefighter, and a vagabond dancer/jewellery maker. Delivering a guaranteed HEA, all the Christmas feels, and a hefty dose of British snark.

When a reclusive musician avoiding the spotlight and Hollywood’s favorite trainwreck get snowed in together, what could go wrong?

Austin Ash is famous for trashing things. Hotel rooms, relationships… his career.

After his latest public meltdown, he’s desperate to reclaim the spotlight— and get it off his ex’s embarrassing revenge album. Presenting at The Snowglobes and owning the legendary afterparty is the perfect plan… Until he parties a little too hard and wakes up trapped in the middle of nowhere with the one guy alive who’s not charmed by his chaos.

Marco Palmer is music royalty. And he’s about to renounce his title.

Music is his family’s legacy and all he’s ever known, but an award-winning role on a hit tv show changed everything. A secluded mountain cabin is the perfect place to make the most important decision of his life… Until he ends up with the world’s most obnoxious, attention-seeking rock star throwing a tantrum in his guest room.

Stuck together at the worst possible time, tensions get high, tempers get hot, and the tabloids see something that just isn’t there. Right?

Austin is definitely not interested in the old school know-it-all who torpedoed his splashy comeback. Even if Marco makes him feel safe for the first time in years and is tapping into some embarrassing secret desires.

Marco is definitely not interested in the jaded, burnt out rock star who trashed his quiet weekend. Even if Austin is sweeter and smarter than he acts, and is clearly in need of a firm hand and the kind of attention fame can’t provide.

But the photo breaking the internet that’s hot enough to melt all the snow outside?
That says different.

And that kiss they’re not talking about?
That says different too.


Snowed In with Benefits is a steamy, kinky, cozy, hurt/comfort, trapped-together, opposites-attract MM romance bursting with comfort food, attitude, spanking, secrets, celebrity scandal, and two lonely, imperfect people falling in love.

The Christmas Curse…
Not only had Rudy drawn the short straw as far as family names went, but he’d lucked out on his shifter genes as well. Male reindeers capable of getting pregnant were as rare as rocking horse poop…well, you get the idea.
So when the hottest, sexiest, absolute best night of his life happened with a complete stranger he should have known that within a few short months he would spend the rest of his life paying for it.
Forced to turn his gun on a teenager in Seattle, Gideon had run back to his roots all the way to Alaska. Merrytown had 365 days of Christmas cheer, and all Gideon had to deal with was Christmas fairs, reindeer rides, and the occasional drunk teenager.
He just missed the stranger he’d spent the best night of his life with a few short months ago.
I could write the rest of this description—but let’s face it, we all know what’s going to happen. The question is, will Rudy’s bells really jingle when he finds out who Merrytown’s new police sergeant is, or will it be a Silent Night for the rest of his life?

What started over a century ago has come to fruition, and somehow, two lives from opposite sides of the same conflict discover they’re fated for each other. Did the fates get it right?

Everett Fabré was thrust into a life not of his own choosing when his entire family and the majority of his pack were killed during a tragical attack on their ship during the Civil War. One of only a few survivors, he and the others set out to continue on his pack’s mission: help those in need. When fate decided to intervene and he finds himself an enforcer in the newly formed Paranormal Council, never did he expect to scent his mate during a mission.

Jennings Williams’s birth pack…sucks, to put it nicely. They were the type of pack that made other paranormals immensely dislike wolf shifters. As the oldest and only unmated of his siblings, he decided it was time for a change and set out for Timber Valley to accept a position as a teacher in the new school for their shifter children. Finding a new friend in his next-door neighbor was only a bonus. But when his neighbor’s cousin returns from a mission, sparks ignite, and canines are involved.

Everett and Jennings struggle with their bond, and it’s no secret that Everett can be difficult. Will the new couple strengthen their bond in time before it’s lost? When new information is brought to light pertaining to the Evergreen pack and their involvement in the kidnapping ring is discovered, it doesn’t look good for Jennings’s parents. Can Everett be there for his new mate?

Everett is Book Five in the Paranormal Council Enforcers series. Each book in this series will focus on a different couple, but these books are not standalones and should be read in order as there is an ongoing backstory that won’t be resolved quickly. This is a fated mate story in an MPreg world, and there will be babies in this story. You should expect all the normal shenanigans, knotting, biting, and remember that sometimes even fated mates need a little help.

JJ looks like a quarterback, when he’s really a queen.

He’s bled his heart out and given up his family to accept that fact.
Then comes Ryan Star. A wet dream in plain clothes.
Is JJ really going to pretend alpha-status, and football fandom to interest the tough cop? Can you say quarterback sneak?
But tottering on a pair of skis takes deception too far – straight onto JJ’s sore butt and back into reality. How far will a guy compromise who he is to have what he wants?
When the real JJ emerges, can Ryan ever accept the truth? More important, can JJ?

SNOW BALLS is an opposites-attract, hidden identity, femme/masculine, MM romance with an adorable interior decorator masquerading as Chris Hemsworth, and a grouchy cop who knows coming out of the closet can risk his life. Add in a couple scumbag robbers, a cringe-worthy trip to a football game, creepy arachnids, friends who love JJ for who he is, and you’re ready to go Balls to the Wall.

Kai’s life has never been easy, and bleeding to death in the snow seems the perfect fated ending to his miserable existence… until a beautiful stranger drags him back from death’s door with a touch that is pure magic. He starts to fall for him, but with every sliver of affection he gives Avery, his appreciation for his best friend Tristan gets stripped away to loathing, destroying every chance at love they might have had.

When the ice prince enters their lives and binds Kai to him with fae magic, it seems like there’s nothing anyone can do about it. But Tristan has his own powers, and he’s determined to save Kai from Avery’s deadly clutches.

The only problem is… Kai might not want to be rescued.

This is a loose M/M retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen.” Please note that it contains emotional and physical abuse as well as knife/bloodplay.

Good things come to those who bake.

At least that’s what the sign hanging in Mistledough, the bakery owned by the gorgeous and mysterious Nyall claims.

When reporter Aaron Newton is banished to Mistletoe Falls for the holidays and forced to provide fluffy and lighthearted stories without a hint of scandal, or else, he finds himself drawn to both the bakery and the sweet taste of the man who runs it.

Aaron may not have come to the small Christmas town for love, but a little holiday magic is in the air, and the season may bring Aaron everything he’s ever wanted… if he’s willing to get whisked away by the handsome baker whose family has a secret to rival Santa Claus himself.

If you love opposites attract, small towns with holiday traditions galore, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, you’ll fall head-over-mixing bowl for this feel good Christmas romance.

Author’s Note: Although this series takes place in the Chosen Universe, it is completely stand-alone.

You are hereby invited to the wedding of the century.
Yes, you got it, Tom and Wren are getting married this Christmas.

Drama.
Sparkles.
Well intentioned, but meddling friends.
Surprise pregnancies.
This wedding is set to have it all, including a brand new couple who is well overdue for their Happy Ever After.

How to Catch a Happy Ever After is the final book in the Chester Falls series. Told from multiple points of view, this book is not a standalone, but better enjoyed after previous books in the series.