After model and actor Mason Adams nearly died from a drug overdose and served time in rehab, his agent is convinced the quiet life is the perfect way to get his life and career back on track. So Mason rents a beach house for the summer in a seaside town to get away from his fast-paced, partying lifestyle in Los Angeles.<br><br>Mason, however, isn't sure the sedate life is for him -- until he meets his neighbor, crime fiction author John Harding. Forced to retire from the fire department after a career-ending injury, John has found a new life in a modest beach house as a best-selling novelist. Life is good, but quiet and not exactly exciting, until Mason comes to stay next door.<br><br>Unable to resist, they begin an affair. Once the summer ends, Mason knows he'll return to LA ... and he'll have to leave the man who has stolen his heart.
Richard Kerrigan is on the verge of losing hope. Fired from his job for blowing the whistle on a defect that would harm service members if used as designed, he is now blacklisted in the Chicago area. A local Serbian mobster wants Richard and won’t take no for an answer.<br><br>Garou Industries, the loup garou privately owned company, has been searching for Richard to offer him a position in the company as they value having someone with his integrity on staff. Richard relocates to Manhattan to begin his new job and stays with Julien Bellaire, his mentor, who is also Richard’s Mate.<br><br>Before they can settle in, the Serbian mobster turns up dead and a corrupt cop who secretly works for the Serbians comes to New York with trumped up charges to pin the murder on Julio. With over eighty witnesses to Julio being on an airplane at the time of the murder, the cop abandons trying to frame Julio and instead plots to murder Richard. The loup garou request assistance from the Italian mob to protect Richard which comes with some interesting consequences.
As an ex-Marine and a bookstore owner, Alex Kitteridge is not the kind of guy to lose his cool. At least, not until he meets Roderick Levine, a high-powered lawyer with an attitude and a passion for blaring his vehicle horn. When he makes the mistake of taking his anger out on Alex, Roderick finds he has messed with the wrong guy.<br><br>What starts as a grocery store argument soon explodes into a passionate night in steamy showers, moving vans, and locker rooms, with a sexual tension neither man can deny.<br><br>But what happens when it's all over? Could the jackass from the grocery store turn out to be something more, or was Alex just held captive?
2017 Top Ten Gay Romance brings together the best-selling short stories published by JMS Books that year.<br /><br />From first love to true love, from submission to sensual, from heat to sweet and everything in between, the couples in these stories are sure to keep you turning the pages as you fall in love with them.<br /><br />With stories by Kris T. Bethke, Becky Black, Linn Edwards, Casper Graham, Nell Iris, Shawn Lane, JL Merrow, Jessie Pinkham, Rick R. Reed, and J.D. Walker, this head-over-heels collection goes beyond bedtime reading. Whether happily ever after or happy for now, there’s an ending for everyone in here!<br /><br />Contains the stories:<br /><br />* Enchanted Love by Kris T. Bethke<br />* Wake-up Call by Becky Black<br />* My Best Man by Linn Edwards<br />* An Unconventional Relationship by Casper Graham<br />* Unconditionally by Nell Iris<br />* Gratefully His by Shawn Lane<br />* Tortoise Interruptus by JL Merrow<br />* Strange Fortune by Jessie Pinkham<br />* Beau and the Beast by Rick R. Reed<br />* A-dork-able by J.D. Walker
Engelbert Trentworthy -- dear God, call him Trent -- is a bit of a slut. Most people don’t take him seriously, and really, neither does he. Trent keeps things simple and doesn’t allow others to get close for reasons he never shares with anyone. Then he meets photographer Elias Lane at the customer service desk where he works.<br><br>Elias is captivated by Trent’s appearance and asks him to be part of a photo shoot. Unfortunately, Trent’s image ends up in a shop window near his job and causes all kinds of havoc. To make it up to him, Elias buys Trent dinner. But when Elias tries to push for more, Trent backs away.<br><br>Somehow, between the coworker who’s harassing Trent for sex and the specter of Trent’s black past, Elias is determined to get Trent to give him a chance, in every possible way.
A divorce lawyer with a romantic spirit. A cynical television executive who thinks commitment is for fools. They can’t fight their attraction, or their affection. Can they find a way to reconcile their vastly different needs, or will each walk away from the best thing they’ve ever had?<br><br>Jordan might be a divorce lawyer, but he’s a hopeless romantic. He doesn’t see the two as incompatible, either. He’s never had a relationship last long enough to be with someone on Valentine’s Day, but he’s still hopeful he’ll find the one out there somewhere.<br><br>Sam is an executive vice president at a major television network. He spends his days managing programming, much of it centered around romance, and he knows exactly how fake television romances are. His own background of rejection only cements his views on the fleeting nature of affection.<br><br>They meet by chance, when Sam’s sister and best friend file for divorce. The divorce is messy, and Sam and Jordan are thrown together often enough to try to make a relationship work. When the winter holidays roll around, the difference in their expectations comes to the fore.<br><br>Can Sam overcome his fear of commitment ... and rejection? Can Jordan get over his need to define their relationship? Or will they both lose the one thing in their lives that makes them happiest?
When Scott Trask gets a job at his law firm, Preston Reynolds begins to feel the same attraction he felt for his best friend’s younger brother years earlier. But he couldn't be sexually attracted to the young man. Preston isn't gay.<br><br>Scott has been in love with Preston for years, but just because Preston is now divorced doesn’t mean he’s available. Yet soon enough, they surrender to their desires, and begin a passionate affair.<br><br>At first, Scott thinks he can handle it when Preston wants to keep their private life together a secret but he’s wrong. Then when Preston promises to change, there is hope. Sort of. Preston has a tough choice. Learn to accept himself at long last, or risk losing Scott forever.
Robbie's found in a snow bank on death's doorstep. Can the sub club help him find his footing, even if he isn't a sub? Or is he for the right Dom?<br><br>Tom Martino is curious. All of the Doms and their subs are protecting Robbie Bailey, a street kid they found in a Trenton snow drift. It seems that when Danny was on the streets, Robbie looked out for him. When Danny’s brother Caden came to rescue Danny from the streets, they looked for Robbie and couldn’t find him. Now that they have, all of the Doms and their subs are determined to help him for helping one of their own.<br><br>Tom wants to help Robbie too, but for a different reason. After getting to know the young man, Tom is in love and wants him for his boy. But one problem remains. Robbie says he isn’t a sub.
Nathan only ever wanted a normal life. But for him, life, family, and love are anything but normal.<br><br>On the other side of the Veil, dark and light fae exist outside the knowledge of most humans. Nathan Grier was born human, but his twin brother Jim is a changeling. On the run since they were children, time for both of them is running out.<br><br>Turning to fae hunter Sasha Kelly for help, Nathan must soon face his growing feelings for the other man while trying to save himself and his brother from a fate worse than death.
Eric Fong’s relationship with his family hasn’t been great ever since he came out of the closet, but he owns a dim sum restaurant that’s quite successful, and he’s happy at least one aspect of his life is proceeding smoothly. Granted, his life would have been much better if he had a boyfriend because then he wouldn’t feel quite as lonely. However, overall, he’s satisfied with his life.<br><br>Benjamin Wen is the owner of The Crossroads Diner. Eric thinks Benjamin is cute, and something about the owner of the diner is intriguing. Most importantly, Benjamin prepares food that tastes identical to the ones Eric’s late maternal grandmother used to make for him. There are other aspects of the diner, such as the strange customers who gawk at Eric and only stare at their food and drinks instead of enjoying them, that he considers to be fascinating. He visits the diner night after night, hoping to solve the mysteries behind its existence. Along the way, he finds himself falling for Benjamin. But Benjamin is hiding quite a few secrets from him. Things Benjamin seems unwilling to reveal.<br><br>Can Eric and Benjamin’s relationship survive in spite of the secrets? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?
Ian Sullivan is being chased by a mobster and has to come up with $5,000 he doesn't have. His only hope is an estimate for a large house. Little does he know that the house belongs to a loup garou who just happens to be his mate.<br><br>Ian's father and brother died because his brother gambled and owed money to a mobster. Now Sal Ferrara want to collect from him and, if he doesn't, he'll take Ian as his boy toy instead. Ian's only hope is getting a job from an estimate his father had outstanding for an 7,800 sq. ft. house.<br><br>Little does Ian know that the house belongs to a Remy Clavier, a loup garou who meets Ian and knows he's found his mate. Now all Remy has to do is take care of Sal Ferrara and convince Ian, a human, to accept both him and his wolf.
Michelle Long is an exotic dancer at Tits Up. With her curly brown hair, freckles, and caramel-colored skin on a 5’6” frame, she’s a hot little number, and a favorite with the regulars.<br><br>She grew up knowing who she was and what she liked. Her dance instructor, Ms. Prim, introduced her to the hidden joys of sex the summer before college, and she never looked back. After graduation, Michelle finally found her calling dancing in a strip club.<br><br>Her routines are always steamy and she gets great tips, especially from women. The other dancers at the club are always trying to get Michelle to join them in an orgy, but she just laughs them off. The one woman she really wants eludes her -- Josey Tillman, the boss.<br><br>Hoping to win Josey’s affections, Michelle goes for broke and performs the sexiest dance of her life. Will Josey give in?
Middle-aged teacher David Grover is traveling home from a conference, but fatigue and bad weather force him to stop at a motel for the night. Unfortunately, the Marine ahead of him at the counter snags the last available room. But despair soon turns to elation when the studly Master Sergeant Bud Williams offers to share.<br><br>Sharing a room also means sharing a bed, and their one night together turns into much more.<br><br>Only later does David discover Bud is keeping secrets from him. Once these secrets come to light, their regular weekend trysts end, and David finds it hard to move on.<br><br>Then David learns Bud volunteered for a tour in Iraq, only to be returned stateside after suffering extensive injuries caused by a roadside bomb. Forgiveness and healing doesn't come easily, but just as things start looking up, Bud's past threatens to pull them apart again.<br><br>Both men face painful decisions if they hope to find a life together. It's a rough road to happiness -- as much as the rest of the world struggles to keep them apart, all Bud and David can do is battle to get back together since neither is complete without the other.
Grant Damont is a self-made man who was well on his way to becoming a millionaire by the time he was twenty, and Paris Clayton is a cash-poor phone actor for gay men. When they meet at a club called Rouge, the two are immediately attracted to each other. But Paris can’t handle the fact that Grant’s money allows him to feast on escargot and filet mignon when Paris’s empty pockets will only allow him to scratch out a meager meal of hamburgers and French fries.<br><br>But when Grant happens to find Paris on the street one night, he offers the actor two thousand dollars for sex. Because he’s desperate for money, Paris accepts.<br><br>The one night stand starts something sizzling between them. Then Grant’s ex, Frankie Starr, walks in and opens up old wounds. Is Frankie back to renew an old love? Or does he want to steal Paris away and ruin Grant’s chance for real happiness?
Quinton Mann is CIA through and through. Mark Vincent is WBIS for life. There is no way they could end up as anything other than adversaries -- and yet, Quinn takes Mark out to dinner on his birthday -- the one no one is supposed to know about -- and gives him one hell of a present in the restaurant's restroom. Mark, not to be outdone, has decided to escalate this game, because it has to be a game, right? There's no way it can be anything else.<br><br>But as the game continues, as Quinn shows up to a WBIS funeral, as a friend of Mark’s penetrates the CIA computer network to get information on Quinn, as Mark breaks into Quinn's house and gives Quinn a very interesting encounter, both Quinn and Mark realize that this is becoming the most real thing in their lives.<br><br>Can they find a way to do their jobs and keep this surprising, intriguing connection?
Thomas Harrigan can't help but admire his sexy, single, and openly gay boss, Clark Sterling. He never expects the gorgeous lawyer to be interested in him. But when Clark makes his interest shockingly clear, Thomas find himself involved with the enigmatic man.<br><br>Burned before by a disastrous office romance, Clark knows he should keep his relationship with Thomas professional. But there’s something disarmingly genuine about Thomas that Clark can’t resist.<br><br>The more time Thomas spends in Clark’s company and bed, the more he knows he is falling in love with Clark. But when Thomas’s resume finds its way to a rival firm, owned by the very man who hurt Clark before, Clark cuts Thomas out of his life leaving Thomas wondering if he really is the most likely to succeed.
Tom Weber has always been gay, and while he might be short, he’s the ultimate leather daddy who takes no guff from anyone. Jack Jackson is a big man who’s never doubted he was straight. In fact, he loves women so much, he’s married three of them. At different times, of course.<br><br>However, in spite of their diverse sexual orientations, in spite of time and distance that has separated them over the years, the two men are best friends. Now, that friendship will be tested, as Tom, having become intrigued enough to want to try bottoming, makes a request of his friend, and Jack agrees to fulfill it.<br><br>After Tom gets what he wants, will Jack let their relationship go back to being just friends? Or will the two decide to forge something new and go from friends to lovers?
Justin Wong falls in love -- and lust -- with Blake Ingram at first sight. Blake is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. It helps that Blake is muscular, successful, and so incredibly sweet and charming, as well. They work for the same pharmaceutical company, and their respective offices are across the hallway from each other, so they are next door neighbors. Sort of. Unfortunately for Justin, Blake already has someone special in mind. At least that’s his understanding, based on his and Blake’s conversation.<br><br>Blake thinks Justin is the most gorgeous and the sexiest man he has ever laid eyes on in his entire life. Justin is also compassionate, empathetic, and kind. Blake is absolutely infatuated with Justin. Sadly, he quickly discovers Justin is already attracted to someone else. That conversation between Justin and his best friend, which Blake accidentally overheard, is proof enough for him that Justin is off limits. He’s unwilling to be with someone who can’t fully commit to him.<br><br>Can the two men resolve this little misunderstanding?
Right after Jack Romano kills in man in the line of duty, he finds out his bemoaned first love's wife has died in childbirth and his ex-lover killed himself, leaving their sickly newborn to Jack.<br><br>Carlo Del Monte has been chasing Jack for nine months and sees the baby -- Isabella, Bella for short -- as an opportunity to get Jack in his house, as well as his bed, permanently.<br><br>The two men set up housekeeping with the help of friends and Carlo's big Italian family. Then little Bella ends up in the intensive care since she lacks immunity to childhood diseases.<br><br>Can Jack and Carlo find their way in this new relationship? As partners, husbands, fathers? Will the two be able to form a strong bond ... and an even stronger family?
Kipp Llewellyn, the proverbial poor little rich boy, can have whatever he wants, except the one thing he wants most: his father’s love. When the opportunity arises to obtain it, Kipp jumps at the chance, even though it means breaking a date with “Ham,” the man he’s sure he’s falling in love with.<br><br>However, the opportunity turns out to be an arranged marriage with his father’s biggest competitor. Even worse, Kipp discovers his proposed groom is Hyde Wyndham, the man of his dreams. Having lived in a gilded cage his entire twenty-one years, Kipp refuses to settle for anything less than love and walks away from both his father and his future husband.<br><br>Hyde didn’t achieve his position in the financial world by taking no for an answer, however, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make Kipp realize he’s wanted for himself, including wooing the young man he intends to marry, prenuptial agreements be damned. He’s certain he’s succeeded, until Kipp learns something that puts an insurmountable barrier between them.<br><br>Will Hyde be able to overcome Kipp’s doubts, and will Kipp realize that some things are worth the sacrifice?